wttcs 37
Chapter 37
Lee Shin’s office the next day
Cheli handed Shin a report as he idly sat up straight from his seat. “Sir, here’s the list of employees who were under Mr. Kwon. The letters of termination will be released by tomorrow.”
Shin scanned the list until he reached a certain name. Edelveiss Ayesa.
Three days ago
“Job well done, Edelveiss. We’re offering you to be the new project manager of Human Resource department, in Ewait London. If you are interested, have your papers ready in two months.”
“Thank you so much, sir.” She took a bow and happily accepted the offer.
Present time
He handed the list back to Cheli, “Send it to the HR department by noon. Give the employees three days to answer the charges. After which, make sure none of Kwon’s men, direct or indirectly involved with him, stay in this company.”
“Yes, sir.” The secretary bowed and quietly left the room.
Five days before Chae Gyung’s birthday
The suitcase was almost filled. On top of the pile of clothes were ties, socks and few pieces of hankies.
Chae Gyung folded the last piece of handkerchief and locked the suitcase.
“You shouldn’t have bothered, ajumma is downstairs.” Shin was standing behind her.
“No. I wanted to personally prepare your things. I actually asked ajumma if I could take over.”
“Thank you.” Shin picked up the suitcase and headed slowly to the door.
She sprang up from the bed and followed him. “Shin.” Chae Gyung called out.
He turned around.
She held his left hand. “Where’s your ring? You’re still not wearing it.”
“In the drawer.”
“You already had it fixed, right?”
Shin slightly nodded. I never had it fixed. “I forgot.”
“I want you to have it on your finger, always. Never take it off, especially in London.” Chae Gyung insisted.
He went to the drawer and took out the box. The ring was staring quietly back at him while he slipped it into his ring finger. “I won’t.”
At the airport
She dusted some dirt off his collar. Chae Gyung’s eyes were welled with tears as she fought hard to keep them from falling. Shin waited for her to finish, but her fingers kept on dusting. He held her hands tenderly and stopped them from making any further motion. Patiently he waited for her to lift her eyes but they remained glued on his coat. Shin with one finger lifted up her chin and smiled, “It’s alright. You have to stop now. Thank you.”
A tear rolled down from the corner of her eye, with a sad smile she asked, “Will you be back on my birthday?”
He nodded and answered, “I will. I will be back.”
“You have to get going.” Rebby’s voice was looming from behind.
“Let’s go, Shin.” A familiar voice followed through. It was Ji Hyun.
Shin touched her tear-stained cheek and wiped it dry. “I have to go.”
Chae Gyung’s eyes found his, for a split second she wanted to grab his face and kiss him but Rebby’s presence easily doused the fire in her.
She nodded and stepped back, it was time to let him go.
Shin together with Ji Hyun, walked side by side as her eyes trailed the two until they entered the passenger gateway, until they were no longer in sight.
The next day, Chae Gyung tried calling Shin using the mobile phone but he couldn’t be reached.
“Sorry, ma’am. We can’t reach his line. You can try calling this number at the hotel, or Ji Hyun ssi’s number too.” Cheli wrote down the numbers on a piece of paper and handed it to Chae Gyung.
“Thank you so much for the help.”
Chae Gyung’s birthday arrives
There in the middle of the garden she stood quietly, basking under the yellow sun and breathing in fresh morning air, appreciating each side and all corners of the landscape. The glow on her skin was further illuminated by the sunlight, as her soft voice hummed sweet tunes in rhythm to the swaying of the leaves. “The plants need more fertilizers, do you mind, ajumma? I will bring some tomorrow. They’re withering.” Chae Gyung said.
“Strange, but I water them everyday.” Mrs. Kim replied.
“Maybe you need to hum them songs or talk to them more often, it usually works.”
“You have what they call, green thumb, Chae Gyung ssi.”
She smiled with eyes half-closed as the sunlight was slightly blinding her. “Ajumma?”
“Yes?”
“Has Shin called?”
“Not yet. Didn’t he call you on your mobile?”
“Not yet. I tried calling him but I don’t know what’s wrong with his line, it says it can’t be reached all the time. When I called him at the hotel, it says there’s no such name billeted in there. And when I tried calling Ji Hyun, she wouldn’t answer her phone. It’s my birthday, and no one has remembered. Not even my family.” She pouted.
“Oh, dear. Let me give you a hug.” Mrs. Kim reached out and gave her a hug.
“Thanks, ajumma.”
Chae Gyung took out her phone again and checked if there was any sms from her family or friends, but the screen didn’t show any.
The doorbell rang. Mrs. Kim rushed to the gate and let Cheli in.
“Ma’am, can I request you to come with me? There’s someone who would really really like to meet you today.” The secretary asked while catching her breath.
“Who is it?” Chae Gyung asked, puzzled with Cheli’s sudden rush of invitation.
“I’m afraid you have to wait for a few more hours.”
“Why can’t you tell me now?”
“I can’t disclose the identity yet. But first, we need to go to the beauty salon, since today is your special day, you need to look your best.”
“I’m not in the mood.”
“But you have to, ma’am. After the salon, we will be going to the boutique to pick out a nice dress for you.”
“Why? Who is this special person I’m about to meet?”
“Ma’am, you will know later. But for now, we need to get ready.” Cheli led the way as Chae Gyung politely bade Mrs. Kim goodbye.
“Do you know when Shin is coming back?”She asked disorientedly while they headed to the house.
“He didn’t tell, ma’am.”
“How about Unnie Rebby?”
“She doesn’t speak to me about these matters either.”
Chae Gyung’s eyes were in tears as frustration was exploding all over inside her, blocking her mind and crippling her heart as she could not make sense what's bound to happen today.