whispers to the cloudless sky chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Flashback
“Do I really have to let you sign a contract?” Chae Gyung was staring at the pages while talking to Shin over the phone.
“Yes. We do everything in black and white.”
“It feels like I’m doing business with a stranger.” She reasoned out.
“If the contract’s ready, just bring it to me and I’ll sign it.”
She put the documents inside a big brown envelop. “I have it now with me. I’ll bring it to your office tomorrow.”
“I won’t be at the office tomorrow. Please bring it tonight at the Ritz Hotel. I’m having a meeting with some business associates from Shanghai. You can bring the contract there.”
“I can wait. Maybe the day after tomorrow.”
“Ewait Korea needs those flowers soon. If you don’t let me sign now it you won’t be able to start supplying for our mall. Be there at 8.”
“Okay.”
Shin hanged up.
Ritz hotel
April 5
8:04 P.M.
Chae Gyung asked the lady at the information desk for Lee Shin’s room number. He was billeted at room 3545.
She went up with the brown envelop tucked under her arms. Recalling how Angezz jumped with joy upon hearing Shin has decided to give them the contract, Chae Gyung couldn’t help but smile as she took long strides towards the glass- walled elevator. This was what their business needed, and she was grateful things are finally falling into the right places. The future is indeed bright, she thought.
She walked to door with the number 3545 etched on it and rang the bell.
“Hi!” Shin opened the door. “Come in.”
Chae Gyung entered the room and marveled at the sight of the presidential suite.
“Have a seat.”
She sat on the leather couch. “Do you mind?” She took off her shoes. “This is killing me, I swear.”
“I don’t mind.” Shin avoided her eyes.
Strange, Chae Gyung thought. He didn’t make fun of my feet. He seemed anxious tonight. It must be the meeting with the people from Shanghai. “When is your appointment?”
“A few hours more. They’re still at the airport.” Shin’s head remained lowered as he sorted out some documents in his attaché case.
“Your malls are doing great. Your father has trained you well. All the bickering and fights were well worth it, I guess.”
“He was tough on me, but I knew he had his reasons.” Shin closed the attaché case and walked to the wine bar.
“If only he can see you now.” She put her feet up on an elevated foot stool.
“I wished too.” He poured some liquor into a wine glass and walked to Chae Gyung. “Here. Have a drink first.”
Chae Gyung took the wine glass and took a sip.
“So when is the big day?”
“Huh?” And another sip.
“The wedding date.” He sat beside her.
“Oh. We’re planning to wed in six months time.” She drank almost half of the wine glass.
Shin counted with his fingers. “Let me see. On your birthday?”
“Yes. Eric wants to have double celebration on my birthdays.”
“What does he do for a living?”
“He’s an architect. I can’t believe I haven’t introduced him to you yet. I’ve been trying to set your meeting but you never ran out of excuses.” The wine glass is now almost empty.
“Maybe I’m not ready to face him.” Shin had his eyes glued on the wall as if he’s waiting for something to happen.
“Shin, Eric is a nice guy. It’s just that you haven’t met him yet. Once you get to know him better…. I’m …. “The room was suddenly spinning. Chae Gyung tried to open her eyes wide but severe dizziness was slowly rendering her immobile. She let go of her grip on the wine glass as it fell onto the floor. Everything has now turned deep black in the eyes of Chae Gyung.
Few days after
At the hospital
Chae Gyung entered the room and sat beside her umma. Her father was still unconscious after falling into a coma two days before. “The medico- legal report has come out, umma. Can I have the lawyer’s number?” She thrust the piece of paper towards Jolee.
Jolee turned and gave a somber look at her daughter. “I think you should marry him.”
“No! How could you, umma?” Chae Gyung’s heart was encased in rage.
“Your father’s sick. I have to take care of him.” Jolee shunned away from the hurtful look in her daughter’s eyes. “How are we to come up with a big sum of money to pursue the case? Lee Shin is rich. We don’t stand a chance against him.”
“I can find a way.” Chae Gyung was persistent.
“Don’t fight him anymore. I think it will be best if you accept his marriage proposal.” Jolee spoke with a tone of resignation in her voice. Not wanting to show any trace of weakness to her daughter, Jolee held the tears back and hanged on to her decision. It was hard for her to say these words to Chae Gyung and not be able to stand up for her. She knew her hands were tied, but she could only handle too much. Jolee’s mind was now focused on how to save her husband.
Chae Gyung broke down in tears. “I can’t. I hate him.” She vented out her anger by crumpling the piece of paper in her hand.
“We can’t afford to be in this situation right now. Please understand.”
Chae Gyung bore these words inside her head as she ran out of the door and fled.
She spent the next few days in Anne’s house. Chae Gyung was tinkering with her ipod when the phone rang.
It was Cunto.
“You have to come home, unnie. Appa has woken up.”
“How is he?” A beam of light suddenly shone in her unsettled state of mind.
“He’s fine but he is looking for you.” Cunto sounded like she was luring her unnie to come home.
“But umma wants me to marry that man.” And Chae Gyung knew.
“I think you have to think this over. If you marry Lee Shin, she will have one less problem on her hand. If you insist on pursuing the case, umma will be tormented of having to worry about you and appa at the same time.” The dongsaeng was acting like the unnie this time. Those words left Chae Gyung a clearer picture of which path she must now take.
“I don’t have the strength to tell Eric. He’ll leave me.”
“If he truly loves you, he will stick by you.” Angezz said.
“What if he doesn’t?”
“Would you want him for a husband if you can’t be sure how deep his love for you is? This is the best time to test him.”
Chae Gyung played this conversation in her head over and over again while Eric was in front of her, waiting for her to speak up.
She took a deep breath, hands trembling with a rush of uncertainty creeping inside her.
“Something happened to me. I was raped.” Chae Gyung closed her eyes as she spoke the words in shame.
Eric’s face turned pale. “What? Who did this to you?”
“Shin.”
He banged his fist on the table.
“I didn’t know, I was too drunk that evening. I just went there to have the contracts signed and everything just happened.” She went on to give a complete account on what happened on that fateful night.
Eric hugged her. “I’m sorry. Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Why only now?”
“I was afraid you might turn your back on me.”
“Of course not. I love you. Didn’t I tell you over and over again?”
Chae Gyung found the courage to ask finally, “Will you still marry me?”
“I will. It’s not your fault.” Eric assured her while locking her in a tight embrace.
“Umma wants me to marry him. I don’t want to go back. Please take me away.” Chae Gyung pulled back and gazed intensely into his eyes, looking for an affirmation he’s staying in her life.
“I will. Meet me tomorrow by the subway, 7 P.M.. You’re leaving with me.”
“I will be there.”
The hands showed 7: 45 on the wall clock. No sight of Eric. Chae Gyung was in tears. She patiently waited until 12 midnight. Still no sight of him. She tried calling him but his mobile phone was switched off. She dialed his residential number but it was already cut off. She has a gnawing feeling Eric has already left. Without her.
In Lee Shin’s office
“What has gotten into you?” Rebby asked in a high - pitched tone.
“I’m going to marry her.” He fixed his stare outside the glass window. The view was overlooking a row of skyscrapers across. The clouds were gliding gracefully in the serene blue sky, it’s a beautiful day, Shin said to himself.
“Is that the only way? Maybe we can still think of something else.” She said faintly as she stood behind her dongsaeng.
Shin turned around and replied. “Noona. This is my life. Let me handle it my way.”
“Aren’t you being a bit hasty?” Rebby asked worriedly.
“It happened. I’m left with no other choice but to marry her.”
“What if she sues? What if she sends you to jail?”
“Then you’ll know what to do next.” Shin turned around and stared at the gliding clouds again.
