whispers to the cloudless sky chapter 20
Chapter 20
“Ladies and gentlemen, the new model of Ewait Korea.”
The giant -sized poster was unveiled.
photoshop done by _shin_
Along with rounds of applause that were given by the attendees as a sign of welcome, sounds of astonishment for the beautiful model were also heard across the room.
After the successful press con at Ewait Korea Mall held for Jeon Ji Hyun, Rebby walked up to her dongsaeng and whispered to his ears.
“Shin, I want you to accompany Ji Hyun to the photo shoot.”
“I have a board meeting later.” He declined subtly.
“I’ll take care of that.” Rebby won’t take no for an answer.
“I don’t know a thing about photo shoots.”
“I want you to be there so you can instruct the photographer the kind of shots you think would fit the image of Ewait.”
“After that you two can go to the sports club, play tennis or whatever sports Ji Hyun is interested in. I’ll take over your meetings today.”
It was her plan all along. Rebby wanted someone else for Shin and Ji Hyun fitted the picture perfectly. From the day she has seen her brother’s wedding picture, she knew Shin will never have the blissful life she has always wanted for him. She has rarely spoken to Chae Gyung since the day the latter moved in to Shin’s house, and there was nothing Rebby would want more than to see this marriage be over soon.
Inside the car
Ji Hyun tossed her head a bit and looked at Shin who was on the wheel, “You don’t seem to be happy with the way your sister is handling things?”
Shin smirked a bit. “No. You know how siblings are.”
“You don’t have to come if you don’t feel like it.” She gathered her hair to one side of her neck.
“No, it’s okay.”
“I can crack some jokes to ease your boredom.” Ji Hyun cheerfully said while looking out the window. It has been years since her last visit Seoul, and countless changes have caught her eyes as they drove along the highways.
Shin gradually changed his stern look and flashed a warm smile at her.
“What did the porcupine say to the cactus?” Ji Hyun asked in a deep voice.
“What?” he asked.
"Is that you mommy?" she answered in a child’s voice.
Shin chuckled.
She asked again, “Why did the tomato turn red?”
“What?”
“It saw the salad dressing!”
Shin laughed harder now.
Ji Hyun came up with another one, “What did the water say to the boat?”
Shin raised his brows while suppressing his laugh.
“Nothing, it just waved.”
Shin burst out into a loud laugh. One hand was on the steering wheel and the other covered his mouth.
“Okay, now I’m going to charge you a dollar each time I make you laugh.”
“Even if they sound so corny?”
“If my jokes are corny then why would you laugh so hard?”
“You’re funny. Who would ever think a famous model like you could have such humor. You really are fun to be with.” Shin tried to keep his eyes on the road even with a lot of distraction from Ji Hyun.
“Thank you. Humor is important. See, few minutes ago you can’t even look me in the eye.” She threw him sidelong glances from time to time, and the longer the time she was spending with him, the more she was starting to appreciate the good- looking man beside her.
“Thank you for accepting this job. It’s such an honor for us to have you as our endorser.” Shin said while stepping on the break. They were now in front of a stop light where the red sign flashed just as they reached the intersection.
“I owe Rebby one. She introduced me to some influential people in the industry some years back which eventually landed me a job in London. When she called me up and asked if I can help her this time, I realize it’s something I shouldn’t refuse. Gratitude is important if you want to survive longer in this business.” Ji Hyun fixed her eyes on his face.
“No wonder you’re successful.” Shin turned to her direction to meet her gaze and smiled.
Chae Gyung ran after Shin two mornings later as he was getting inside the car. She shyly handed him a box with a blue ribbon tied around it.
“Open it.” she said with a look of anticipation for Shin's reaction.
Shin slowly pulled the ribbon and opened the box. It was a red neck tie with his initials embroidered at the bottom.
“Umma’s gift for you. Happy Birthday.”
Shin nodded. “Thank you for remembering, please tell umma thank you for the gift.”
Chae Gyung bent down and peeked inside the car, “What time are you coming home?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Will you be home by dinner time? I’ll cook something special for you.”
Shin gave a nod, smiled a bit as he closed the door and drove the car out into the street.
Chae Gyung was left standing with a dreamy joy on her face. She went back inside to prepare the menu she plans to cook for Shin as Mrs. Kim closed the main gate of the house.
The day was long and Shin was getting ready to go home when several knocks were heard on the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened as his sister who was in a festive mood that night went in.
“Please drive me to the Carlavb’s. I’m meeting with some of my clients tonight. My chauffeur is indisposed right now.”
“But I need to go home early.” Chae Gyung’s words breezed into his mind all day long, making him eager to go home. It was the first time he would be celebrating his birthday with his wife.
“Noona is too tired, besides it’s just a twenty minute drive from here. Please?”
Shin wanted to tell Rebby it’s his birthday, but didn’t want to appear like he was using it as an excuse not to drive for her. Noona must have been so tired today to have forgotten my birthday.
At the Carlavb Fine Dining Restaurant
As Shin and Rebby stepped inside the place, confetti fell from the ceiling and bottles of champagnes were popped open.
“Surprise!” Everyone in the room shouted with glee.
Shin looked around to find a particular person among the crowd, but she wasn’t around. It seems to him Chae Gyung is still uncomfortable to be seen publicly with him.
“Happy birthday!” Ji Hyun came up to him and handed him a gift.
Turning his face in surprise, Shin managed to utter a mere, “Thank you.” as he bowed to show his appreciation.
His eyes were steadily roaming around the hall, and noticed the gaily dressed crowd consists of some staffs from Ewait, some of his high school classmates whom he hasn’t seen for a long time, and some friends from Rebby’s agency.
“I’d like to see you wear it.”
Ji Hyun’s voice demanded for his attention. “What did you say?” Shin asked apologetically.
“I’d like to see you wear this.” She took the box from his hand and opened it for him. It was an Omega wristwatch.
“You shouldn’t have bothered.”
She took off the watch from his wrist and put on the new one. “There. It looks good on you.”
“Thank you.” Shin was now speaking from the top of his voice as the noise from the crowd increased together with the loud music, drowning the rest of the sounds inside the hall.
2 A.M.
Chae Gyung was still awake when Shin came home. He climbed the stairs with heavy steps, while his eyes were drooping from partly being drunk and partly being sleepy.
“You’re drunk.” She put his arm over her shoulders and led him inside his room.
“I drank a little.” His thumb and index finger curved into a small C.
She faintly spoke as she laid him down his bed. “You said you were coming home early.”
She didn’t hear another word for Shin has already fallen asleep.
Chae Gyung unbuttoned his shirt, loosened his belt and took off his shoes. The dim light was partly illustrating the fine curves of his nose and the thin lips that parted slightly which seemed to be inviting her for a kiss.
Fighting hard her urge amidst the confusion, she took off the rest of the jewelries he had on including the Omega watch. Her hand slipped through the opening of the shirt and touched his chest, wanting to know how his heartbeat feels like. She stared at where her hand was laid upon and with tear-dimmed eyes she softly whispered, “Where are my roses? Am I losing you?”
Shin stretched out his body as sunrays peeked through the draperies on his window. Rubbing his eyes while his mouth circled into a yawn, he suddenly remembered the promise he gave Chae Gyung last night and dashed to her room to see her. He sprinted down the stairs when no one answered his knock, and almost bumped into Mrs. Kim upon reaching the hallway leading to the dining area.
“Good morning, ajumma. Have you seen Chae Gyung?” Shin asked while catching his breath.
“She has gone out already. Why?” Mrs. Kim answered while holding several pieces of china ware that were left untouched last night.
“Did she say where she’s going?”
“She’s visiting her father today.”
“Why did she leave so early?”
“It’s 10 A.M. already.” The housekeeper pointed at the wall clock.
Reeling from hangover last night, Shin dragged his feet into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Piles of food still covered in foil wraps were stacked inside, and images of Chae Gyung waiting for him last night flashed across his mind.
