Two Adams and Eve
ACT I
Author: Margie L


The minute he walked into the ballroom, he'd noticed her. "Who's that girl?" Yun Xiang Zhe directed his question at Xian Da, his brother's personal assistant.

"That's Zhen San Mei, your father's accountant AND your brother's girlfriend."

"No wonder she looks a bit familiar." Xiang Min had sent Xiang Zhe pictures of himself and San Mei. However, they were all taken from a distance.

Xian Da grinned and replied. "Yes, she does. If you knew her longer, you'd discover San Mei is like a chameleon. In the office, she is all business. She does not like talking about her personal life in the office. When we meet outside the office, she is totally different. She's a lovely girl, everyone likes her." He whispered to Xiang Zhe, "There's only one thing we do not like about her."

"What's that?"

"She controls Wen Rong's finances as if she were guarding Fort Knox! Don't tell her I said that or she'd skin me alive! " Xiang Zhe smiled as Xian Da laughed. "I'm not joking. Trust me. You wouldn't want to make her angry," he warned his friend. "Hey, your father's waving at you. Come this way."

Zhen San Mei was standing on the stage giving directions to the hotel maintenance crew. The placement of the lights had to be just right otherwise the President's face would be in shadow.

The waiter handed her some bills to sign. After verifying them, she signed the bills and handed them back to the waiter. It was then that she saw him. He was looking at her. She smiled cheerfully and waved at him.

He did not return her smile or acknowledged her wave; merely inclined his head.

San Mei thought to herself that Xiang Min seemed different tonight. She took another look and realised that her was not Xiang Min! He was the older twin, Xiang Zhe! He must have come straight from airport.

Xiang Min had told her that his older twin brother would be returning from US for the anniversary. He had also told her that they were identical twins and look exactly alike -- only that his brother wears glasses.

He was still looking at her. Embarrassed at her mistake, she gave him a slight bow and turned back to her job at hand. He would probably think her too forward when she did not know him at all. She owes him an explanation. If he were the understanding type, he would not blame her. Except for the glasses, he does look exactly like Xiang Min.

He was sitting at the main table with his father and the board of directors. Xiang Min has not arrived yet. San Mei was not surprised. Her boyfriend had always shown indifference to punctuality. If he makes an appointment with San Mei for 8.00 p.m., in his language, it means 8.30 p.m. They have argued so often about his tardiness, yet, he continues to be late.

Xian Da walked up to the stage to speak to San Mei. "San Mei, is everything set for President Yun's surprise announcement?"

"Yes. I've made sure of that." She then asked Xian Da, "Have you any idea what the announcement is all about?"

"None at all. Xiang Min should know but he did not leak out anything to me." Suddenly, Xian Da's face lit up. "Hey, San Mei! Maybe President Yun's surprise announcement is about your engagement to Xiang Min!"

San Mei blushed and hit Xian Da's shoulder with her stack of documents. "Be serious, will you? Our relationship is only 6 months' old -- we definitely have not reached that stage yet. Even if it had, Xiang Min has not even proposed to me. How can we get engaged? Moreover, not everyone knows about our relationship. Even our President does not know."

She shook her head. "No, I'm sure it must be some other important news."

She remembered her blunder of mistaken identity and told Xian Da. "I mistook Xiang Min's brother for him just now. I had thought it was Xiang Min and I smiled and waved at him like a clown! I was so embarrassed when he just nodded at me."

Xian Da laughed. "Don't worry. He would not blame you. After all, they are identical twins. Besides, tonight is the first time you're meeting him."

When they both looked in Xiang Zhe's direction, they saw President Yun gesturing towards San Mei.

Xian Da whispered to San Mei, "You're being summoned."

When San Mei reached her boss' table, Xiang Zhe stood up and buttoned his jacket. "San Mei, you haven't met my other son, have you?"

"No, I haven't, President Yun."

"Well, then. Xiang Zhe, this is Miss Zhen San Mei, our Accountant. San Mei, this is Xiang Zhe. I would not be surprised if you had mistaken him for Xiang Min."

San Mei's face reddened. Had he told his father about her faux pas? She noticed he had held out his hand. She collected her composure and shook his hand.

"Hello, Mr. Yun." Annoyed that he had told his father about her mistake, she smiled coolly at him.

"Miss Zhen San Mei, it's Xiang Zhe, not Mr. Yun."

As she was being addressed, she had to look at him. Both brothers do look exactly alike. But if one listens properly, their voices are slightly different. Xiang Min's voice is more resonant and he speaks faster. Xiang Zhe's voice is deeper and 'quieter'. He seems to think first before he speaks.

"Mr. Xiang Zhe, then. I apologise for having mistaken you for your brother a moment ago."

President Yun piped up. "Aha! So you had really made that mistake?"

San Mei smiled at President Yun. "I'm sure Mr. Xiang Zhe must have told you about it."

"No, he did not mention it." President Yun turned back to his son. "Xiang Zhe, San Mei does a very good job taking care of my money. Why don't you let her handle your finances?" Everyone at the President's table laughed.

Xiang Zhe smilingly replied. "Given the chance, I would."

He turned to his father. "I'm sorry, Father. I have decided not to take up your offer. I have taken 2 months' leave from my job and I will return to New York after that."

San Mei saw President Yun's displeasure at his son's announcement. She felt like an intruder and tactfully excused herself. While walking away, she heard the President saying that he needed Xiang Zhe because Xiang Min would not have the time.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, your attention please. I have an important announcement to make."

President Yun was at the microphone. When he had everyone's full attention, President Yun continued.

"I am very honoured to announce the engagement of my younger son, Yun Xiang Min to Ms. Li Joo Hee, daughter of Chairman Li Yoon Hoe of the Westin chain of hotels."

There was a stir at the entrance and everyone turned in the direction. Tall, handsome, debonair Yun Xiang Min made an entrance. He was holding the hand of Li Joo Hee, a pretty and elegant woman of about 28 years of age.

Xiang Zhe's eyes instinctively searched for San Mei. He wondered how she was taking the news? He found her -- standing stock still behind the curtains of the stage. Her mouth was open in stunned surprise and she seemed on the verge of tears.

Xiang Zhe looked at his beaming brother's face and felt anger stirring inside him for his brother's callous attitude. How could he humiliate his own girlfriend like this? Even if his relationship with San Mei was not public knowledge, there were people who knew that they were dating.

He should have informed her beforehand. His eyes riveted again to the stage again but San Mei had disappeared.

President Yun was still speaking. "Xiang Min has resigned as Vice President of Wen Rong Conglomerate to enter politics full time. You all know Xiang Zhe, my firstborn. He has returned from the US to take over Ziang Min's place."

Everyone clapped again. President Yun beckoned to Xiang Zhe. He glared angrily at his father before making his way towards him. His father pretended not to have noticed his son's scowl.

He had told his father of his decision to return to the US, yet now his father is announcing that he would be taking over Xiang Min's post. It was just like his father to override everyone's wishes in favour of his own. He would definitely make his feelings known to his father and brother when they reach home.

Bight now, he had to look for San Mei.

When he saw Xian Da, he asked him if he had seen San Mei. Xian Da said he had noticed San Mei running towards the direction of the hotel's swimming pool.

"Xiang Zhe, what happened? How could your brother treat San Mei so shoddily? And he did not even tell me, his own P.A. about his intention to resign and enter politics. I thought I knew him so well after so many years but it seems I really do not know him at all!" Xian Da shook his head. "I think he chose Joo Hee because of what her father can do for his political career."

"I'll talk to you later, Xian Da."

Xiang Zhe made his escape from the long-winded Xian Da and went in search of San Mei.

He saw her, sitting on the lounge chair at the dark and deserted poolside. Her head was in her arms. She was sobbing. Xiang Zhe remained in the shadows. He did not know if he should intrude at a time like this. He moved further in the shadows when he saw his brother making his way towards San Mei.

Xiang Min crouched down and lightly touched San Mei. She looked up, quickly wiping away her tears.

"San Mei, I don't know what else to say except 'Sorry.'

She stood up and moved away from him.

Xiang Zhe knew he should not eavesdrop on their conversation, but his legs wouldn't move away.

She quietly asked, "Why? If you didn't like me anymore, you should have told me. Why did you let me find out this way?"

"I do like you, San Mei. Always have, always will. I had to choose Joo Hee because of what her father can do for me. Chairman Li has given me an ultimatum. If I wished to enter politics with his help, I must marry Joo Hee."

San Mei turned to look at him. "I understand now. You wanted to enter politics, so you must have a wife who is pretty, rich and glamorous enough to help you further your career. A wife who would suit your image as an upcoming politician."

When Xiang Min tried to interrupt, she held up her hand. "I never hid anything from you. I never hid the fact that I'm from a poor family. Neither did I hide the fact that I got through university on a scholarship. Why did you lead me on for 6 months? You took advantage of my feelings for you. You had not even cared enough for me to tell me personally about your engagement and your intention to enter politics."

Xiang Zhe could hear the anguish in San Mei's voice. He felt an urge to go to them and punch the daylight out of his brother.

"San Mei, I do not have any feelings for Joo Hee. It would be strictly a marriage of convenience." Xiang Min tried to hold her. "I do like you very, very much. If you're willing, we can still continue our relationship."

She pushed him away. "What do you take me for? You would be marrying Ms. Li, yet you're asking me to be your mistress?" She was so angry she wanted to slap him.

She grabbed his jacket lapels. "You listen to me, Yun Xiang Min! If you're going to marry Ms. Li, you must make her happy. Even though I do not know her, I do not want you to hurt her the way you hurt me, understand? You made your own bed, you must sleep on it!"

Then she pushed him into the swimming pool! Hands on hips, she shouted at the stunned Xiang Min. She gave him a venomous smile. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I still have a job to do!"

She stomped off.

Xiang Zhe could not help laughing. Xian Da was right. She does have a volatile temper -- but a generous heart. He was taken aback when he heard her say that she did not want Joo Hee hurt. He was utterly moved that she would still wish happiness for someone who has taken her love from her.

San Mei stopped and looked in his direction. She had heard laughter from the shadows. She headed into his direction.

"Who's there?"

He stepped out of the shadows.

"Oh! Mr. Xiang Zhe."

She was startled. She looked at the absolutely drenched Xiang Min still struggling to get out of the pool, and looked back at Xiang Zhe.

"Wait!" Xiang Zhe held up his hands in a conciliatory gesture. "Before you throw me into the pool to accompany my brother, let me explain. I was here before he came out, okay?"

San Mei was undecided what to do. "You heard and saw everything?"

He decided that honesty was the best policy. "Yes, everything!"

She nodded and replied, "Perhaps you'd better get your brother out of his wet clothes."

Then she turned on her heels and went off in the direction of the ballroom.

Xiang Zhe did not make a move, preferring to let his cad of a brother suffer a bit.

He smiled to himself. Perhaps he would do as his father wanted and take over as Vice President of his father's company.

AAE: 2 Adams and Eve
Conclusion

Their parents divorced when Xiang Zhe and his brother were in their early teens. While Xiang Zhe chose to follow his mother to the States, Xiang Min opted to remain in Seoul with his father.

A few years after her divorce, Xiang Zhe's mother remarried gentle, kind-hearted Philip, who was much older than her. Philip treated Xiang Zhe like his own flesh and blood. Sadly, their happiness as a family crumbled when Philip died of a heart attack just after Xiang Zhe's graduation from university. His broken-hearted mother never recovered from Philip's death and soon followed her beloved husband to the grave.

Xiang Zhe resisted his father's wishes for him to return to Korea. He preferred to remain in the States and keep the memory of his mother and Philip alive.

Although he had been keeping in close contact with his twin throughout the years, and had returned to Korea several times to visit his father, the brothers were not as close as they would have been, had they been brought up by the same parent.

Once he had made his decision to stay on in Korea, Ziang Zhe called his boss in New York to advise him of his intention to resign. He did have some misgivings in submitting his resignation, for he had put in a lot of hard work to get to the top of his profession as a renowned American-Korean aeronautical engineer in the States. However, he did not feel it would be fair on his employers to take indefinite leave of absence.

His superior refused to accept his resignation. Not wanting to lose a valuable aeronautical engineer, he assured Xiang Zhe that he could take as long as he wanted. His job would still be there for him anytime he decides to return to the States.

Xiang Zhe pondered on his change of mind to remain in Korea. Was it really because he wanted to get to know Zhen San Mei better?

Friends had always needled him on his still single & footloose status at the ripe old age of 30. They could not believe that he was not interested in having a girlfriend. After all, there were plenty of willing suitors. Perhaps he was just too fussy. And perhaps he was destined to remain a bachelor for the rest of his life.

Xiang Zhe ignored all their jibes. It didn't worry him that he was getting older. It only matters that he has yet to find the right woman. He was not a monk. He has dated some of the most beautiful women in Korea and the US. Yet, he knew that none of them appealed to him enough to make him want to spend the rest of his lifetime with. That is, until Zhen San Mei entered his life.

Zhen San Mei, with her beauty, her spirit and her compassionate nature, appealed to him.

He allowed his thoughts to turn to his father. He loved and respected his father. Yet, he could not help resenting his father for not trying harder to salvage their family. He also could not understand why his parents married when they did not love each other.

Xiang Zhe had heard gossip that his father used his mother as a stepping stone; that theirs was an arranged marriage. He believed that his mother did love his father and she ignored the long list of mistresses he kept, as long as he returned to her. However, his mother finally decided she had had enough of his infidelities and demanded for a divorce. Having witnessed his mother's heartache, Xiang Zhe vowed that he would never marry a woman for any reason other than love. Neither would he use a woman as a stepping stone to further his ambition.

When he saw his father at the anniversary ball, he was slightly shocked by the changes in his father's appearance. Were there more grey on his father head -- more lines on his forehead? Xiang Zhe had even noticed that there is a slight stoop to his father's shoulders. Actually, that would not be surprising. With Xiang Min busy pursuing his political quest, his father had taken on a heavier load on his shoulders. It hurt Xiang Zhe to see his father in that pathetic state. His father was a proud man. He would not want Xiang Zhe's help, if he thinks that his son's decision was made out of a sense of pity.

Finally, Xiang Zhe decided that his decision to stay on in Korea was half in part, due to Zhen San Mei and half in part, due to his father.

*****

It has been a month since Xiang Zhe took over his brother's post. However, he rarely had an opportunity to talk to San Mei. The times when he gets to see her were during the weekly management meetings. Even then, she would immediately gather up her things and scurry out of the conference room as if the devil was on her tail. Did she think he was the devil?

He decided that if the 'mountain' would not come to him, he would go to the 'mountain'.

He took the lift down to the finance department. The staff were all in a dither at his appearance.

"I would like to see Ms. Zhen. Is she in?" He inquired San Mei's secretary.

The secretary graciously replied. "Yes, Ms. Zhen is in. Just let me announce you."

"No need for that. I will announce myself. Thank you."

He was not giving her a chance to come up with all sorts of excuses to avoid meeting him.

He knocked lightly but did not wait for her response.

The back of her chair was facing the door. She was bent over. Sweating profusely, she was grimacing in pain.

He immediately rushed to her side. 'San Mei! What's wrong?"

"I don't feel so good."

He buzzed for her secretary. When she entered, he ordered her, "Please tell my driver to stand by at the entrance."

The secretary hesitated when she saw her boss. "Oh, San Mei! Are you okay?"

"No time for questions! Do as I say!"

He turned back to San Mei and lifted her in his arms. "I'm taking you to hospital. You'll be okay."

"I can walk!" She gasped as another bout of sharp pain assailed her.

He ignored her protest and carried her out of the department. When some of the male staff rushed over to help him, he brushed them aside.

"Just get the lift for me."

When he reached the car, he gently laid her in the back seat and got in beside her. He instructed the driver to speed to the nearest hospital and to step on the pedal.

He cradled her against him and gently mopped the sweat from her face with his kerchief.

Somehow his arms and warm body felt comforting. Laying her head on his shoulder, she whispered, "Sorry to give you so much trouble."

He looked down at her and smiled. "You've troubled me since the first day I met you."

However, she missed his insinuation because she had slipped into the darkness awaiting her.

*****

San Mei woke up when she heard voices. A man in a white coat and another good looking bespectacled man were standing near her bed, deep in conversation.

"Don't worry, Mr. Yun. Ms. Zhen had mild food poisoning. Something she ate must have disagreed with her," the doctor told a worried Xiang Zhe.

"When can she be discharged?"

"She can go home tomorrow morning. Let her rest here tonight."

When the doctor left, she pretended to be asleep. Xiang Zhe turned to San Mei.

He touched her hand. "You can open your eyes. I know you're awake."

Her eyes flew open.

"Are you hungry? I can buy something for you if you are."

"I'm not hungry. The thought of food puts me off." She tried to sit up.

"Be careful or you'll dislodge the drip."

He stepped on the pedal to raise the bed and placed an extra pillow behind her head. He sat on the bed. It seems to San Mei he was too close for her liking.

"Are you feeling better? What did you eat last night to make you land up in hospital?"

She explained. "I had attended a friend's wedding last night. There was so much food, I can't recall what I ate. Anyway, I don't think it was the food. It's just that I have a sensitive stomach."

He told her to be careful of what she ate in future. "Food poisoning can be quite serious."

"I know, I know. Please! Stop nagging." She was feeling grouchy over his admonishment. She added before he could say anything. "Thank you for sending me to hospital. I wasn't too heavy, was I?"

"Not heavy? You were a dead weight! My arms are still sore from carrying you all the way down to the car." Actually, she was far from heavy. He just couldn't resist teasing her.

She was offended by his bluntness. "Do you have to be so forward?"

He laughed at her indignation. "You're as prickly as a porcupine. I was just kidding you." He was enjoying poking fun at her. "You shouldn't take naps if they make you grouchy."

"Well, I'm fine now. You should get home." She realized he was still in the same suit he had worn in the morning. "Were you here the entire day?"

"No. I went back to office while you were sleeping." He smiled at her. "Everyone was very concerned about you."

"Please tell them I'm fine." She looked around but noticed only his briefcase on the chair. "Is my handbag in my office?"

He took out her handbag from his briefcase and handed it to her. "I thought you might need it, so your secretary got it for me." He added, "It's a good thing it's small, otherwise I would have to walk out of the company carrying your handbag. Imagine how ridiculous I would look!"

The image was really so ridiculous, San Mei burst out laughing.

"You're finally laughing. Not feeling grouchy anymore?"

"You did that on purpose!" she accused. "Thank you anyway. I'm really feeling much better."

Her mobile rang and she excused herself to answer it.

"Hello? Oh, it's you." She looked at Xiang Zhe. He looked back at her but did not move away.

"No! I'd rather you didn't visit. I'm feeling better already. I will be discharged tomorrow." She was uncomfortable with him looking that way at her. She knew he was aware Xiang Min was on the line.

"I said 'No'. Please don't come..." Xiang Zhe had grabbed the phone.

"Hello. This is Xiang Zhe. San Mei has told you not to come, so please respect her wishes."

The possessive Xiang Min was taken by surprise "Xiang Zhe? Why are you there with my girlfriend?"

"May I remind you, your girlfriend and fiance is Li Joo Hee? Zhen San Mei is my girlfriend now." His eyes moved to San Mei's stunned expression. "Please don't bother her anymore."

"I don't believe you. You knew each other only a month ago."

Xiang Min went on to tell his brother that he is having second thoughts about entering politics. He has found that politics were too competitive to his liking. He wants to return to the company and San Mei. Although Joo Hee's nice enough, he doesn't love her.

"That's too bad. You can't have her back because I'm not giving her up to you. If you don't believe we're serious, you can ask her yourself."

Handing the phone to her, he quietly told her. "Xiang Min wants out of politics and wants you to return to him."

He walked to the window.

San Mei spoke into the phone but her eyes were on Xiang Zhe's back. "What about Joo Hee? She would be hurt."

"She would understand," Xiang Min assured San Mei. "It's you I love. I know I have hurt you, but I promise it will never happen again."

Still eyeing Xiang Zhe's tense back, San Mei replied in a firm tone. "Xiang Zhe was not lying. What he said is true."

Xiang Zhe has turned to face her. The happy look on his face made her heart do somersaults.

She continued, "Xiang Min, it's too late for our relationship to return to before. I understand if you wish to give up politics. But you should not use that as an excuse to break Joo Hee's heart. I would have a low opinion of you if you do that to her."

She smiled at Xiang Zhe. "Think about what I've said. Good night."

San Mei got out of bed and walked to Xiang Zhe. "Thank you for helping me out. I just hope your brother will realise he really loves Joo Hee."

"Mr. Xiang Zhe, if Xiang Min returns to the company, what about you? Would you continue to stay on or return to the States?"

He looked out the window at the beautiful, picturesque panorama before him.

"The answer to that question depends on only 1 person."

He turned to face her. "Tell me what you want -- do you want me to stay?" He took her hands. "If you want me to stay, you would have to sign on the dotted line, that you accept every implication that comes with my agreement to remain in Korea."

He added, "If you can't give me the reply I want to hear, I will return to the States. There would be no point in staying on. However, there would be no hard feelings and we'll still be friends."

As she looked up at him, she saw hope and something more in his face. Behind his glasses, his eyes were full of longing.

San Mei replied with certainty that she has finally found her destiny. "Please stay. I agree to sign on the dotted line."

As she walked into his loving embrace, a star twinkled in the sky above -- in celebration of a love that would last forever!

THE END!