Page 107 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘Hyung, please. Just tell me this much. Was the kid a chaebol adeul?’
‘So what if he was? How is that even relevant anymore? Don’t go stirring up trouble now, Yoojin! The kid must be living a regular life—I sure hope he is—leave him be!’
‘But this isn’t about him, don’t you see?’ Yoojin smiles with a wicked glint.
‘Geurae, whatever tickles your fancy, Kang gija. I must take your leave now. I have a 6 p.m. bulletin.’
‘Ye,hyungnim. Thank you for meeting me!Gomabseo,’
Baeman pats his back affectionately. ‘Stay out of trouble, Yoojin-a! And for God’s sake, quit smoking, will you?’
Yoojin enjoys being reprimanded and smiles shyly.
‘Ganda!’ Baeman waves him goodbye and runs back into the building. For a man pushing fifty, he’s still lithe and has no trouble sprinting back.
As soon as he’s out of sight, Yoojin pulls out his phone and places a call.
‘Yeoboseyo! Mina-ssi? Can we speak briefly? It’s a little urgent … not for me, but for you. And Haneul-ssi.’
* * *
Mina has known about Haneul’s injury since the time he was flown back to Seoul in the airvac, and had to undergo weeks and months of surgeries and rehab. She hasn’t seen him play football since, and before the incident, football was all he would ever play. It had been his only passion, pastime and friend. Since he did not have friends at school, he was enrolled in an elite football academy so he would have some semblance of a normal life. It was run by a European football club looking to expand its presence in Asia and was primarily for children of expats. They were the only kids considered safe by Haneul’s family for him to mix with. It was convenient because they did not speak his language and he did not speak theirs. It wasn’t until Haneul later went to Paris that he became fully proficient in English. But everything changed that fateful day when Haneul came back from Japan bloodied and broken. Mina was unaware of the Japanese boy’s identity since Haneul had never spoken of it. And she had been advised against bringing up the topic with him by his family and her father. After her mother passed away and Haneul stopped playing football, their friendship grew stronger.Something Mina was so thankful for that she never wished to discuss what had happened in Japan.
Football’s loss is my gain, she would tell herself.
Mina is at dinner post an industry conference in Busan when Yoojin calls her. And she nearly chokes on the wine she has just sipped when Yoojin makes the big reveal.
Eottohkaji? What should I do now? I’m sure Haneul hasn’t realized who Rodrigo is, else I’m sure he wouldn’t have even brought him on board as his brand ambassador, let alone agreed to be interviewed together with him! I should tell him before it’s too late. The interview is tomorrow, right? There’s still time for him to cancel it!
But calls to Haneul go straight to his voicemail. This happens for the rest of the evening until it’s past midnight. In bed, Mina bites her perfectly French-manicured nails and anxiously considers her options.
Should I tell Stephanie about it? Oh, but she’ll immediately go and snitch to Appa. That traitor. Should I call Mr Choi and tell him? But then Halmeoni will find out and it’s going to turn into an even bigger mess. Argh, why is Haneul not answering?! That idiot. Wae jeonhwa anbada(Why isn’t he answering calls)?!
Mina has always been an early riser. From her time in high school as a track and field athlete to her current obsession with yoga, early mornings have always been Mina’s favourite. Even during her travels, she doesn’t miss a day of yoga. Yet today, of all days, she sleeps in. It’s past eight by the time she wakes up. She’d had trouble falling asleep last night. Anxiety had kept her up until late and it was close to dawn by the time she finally drifted off to sleep. Jumping out of bed, still rubbing sleep out of her eyes, she calls Haneul. But it goes unanswered again.
WHAT IS THIS GUY UP TO? ARGH!
She rolls out her yoga mat and sits cross-legged. A few deep breaths later, she unties her hair that had been held together in a small bun, rubs her scalp vigorously and lets out a frustrated and loud shriek.
AAAAH! Screw this. Can’t even breathe. This anxiety is going to kill me!
She grabs her phone and dials Choi Seongjae’s number. Ring after ring after ring. Until an automated voice informs her of the inability of the person to take the call.
By now, it’s almost nine. Desperate and out of options, she pulls out her last and final card.
* * *
Timira has just sat down with her first cup of coffee at work. She’s about to light a cigarette when Mina’s name flashes on her phone. She hesitates a little …subah subah isey kya chahiye… but answers quickly enough.
‘Er, hello!’
‘Timira-ssi, this is Mina.’
Yeah, I know. You have called me before. I have your number saved.Timira rolls her eyes.
‘Yes, Mina-ssi. How can I help?’
‘What time is Haneul’s interview scheduled for?’ Mina enquires.
