17 Writing Her Will
November 8, 2027 (Monday)
KI Headquarters
Sujin sits at her desk typing away furiously. On her computer screen, the email she's writing reads:
"Hello Lawyer Kwon. I'm Jeong Sujin, the CEO of KI. I would like to make an appointment with you as soon as possible. If you could let me know when you're available, that would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
Jeong Sujin CEO"
Secretary Han knocks on the door to find Sujin typing away furiously.
"What are you working on CEO Jeong?"
Sujin furiously holds down the keys CTRL+W repeatedly. After the tab has been closed, Sujin turns to face Secretary Han.
"Nothing much. Just sending some emails and arranging all the documents for the next meetings. Did you need something?"
Secretary Han takes a couple pieces of paper off her clipboard, handing them to Sujin.
"Here's some information about your schedule for the next couple weeks. You've got a cleared schedule every other Friday of this month, and you've got only a few meetings. KI decided not to release a new product in December this year because we're trying to develop a game you can experience and play in real life, so you've got no meetings or schedule December. Just show up at work a couple days and give yourself a break in December before coming back in the new year."
Sujin places the papers on the desk laughing nervously.
"How many times a week would I have to come in during December?"
"Only once or twice a week at most. Why?"
Sujin shakes her head, " I was just wondering."
"I'll take my leave then," Secretary Han says.
Sujin nods, anxiously waiting for Secretary Han to leave her office.
As soon as Secretary Han closes the door, Sujin sighs in relief.
[I almost got caught. . . . . ] She thinks.
DING!
Startled by the sound Sujin jumps. She looks at her phone, but there's no notification. She looks at her computer, and she sees a notification for an email. She opens up her email to find that the lawyer has responded to her, the email reads:
"Hello CEO Jeong. To my surprise, I'm available today. If you would like to meet me, please come to Sunrise Law Firm at 6:00PM. That's the only time I'm free until next week. If it's an urgent matter, then I recommend coming to the law firm today.
Thank You for your time.
Kwon Jeong Ruk
Lawyer of Sunrise Law Firm"
Sujin glances at the clock.
[It's 4:30! I better get going before the traffic gets bad.]
Sujin grabs her bag, car keys, phone, and runs out of her office. On her way down to the parking lot, Sujin runs into Secretary Han.
"Oh. Where are you going CEO Jeong?"
"I've got some urgent matters to attend to. I've finished all the papers, they're on my desk in the teal folder. I'll be leaving now."
Sujin rushes off.
"Have a good rest of your day CEO Jeong!" Secretary Han calls after her.
Secretary Han shakes her head when she sees Sujin pull out of the parking lot.
"I seriously have no idea what goes on in our CEO's head sometimes. At least she gets her work done."
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November 8, 2027 (Monday)
Sunrise Law Firm
Sujin is greeted by the office clerk, "Hello, do you have an appointment with one of our lawyers?"
Sujin nods. "I'm here to see Lawyer Kwon."
"Oh, he's down this hallway and to the right."
Sujin hurriedly thanks the front desk attendant, then rushes to Lawyer Kwon's office.
Sujin reaches his office and raps her knuckles on the door. "Excuse me, Lawyer Kwon?"
"Come in," a voice echos from inside the office.
Sujin enters the office. She greets Lawyer Kwon with a deep bow.
"Hello, I'm Jeong Sujin. The one who contacted you earlier today."
A look of recognition flashes on the lawyer's face. He gestures to one of the chairs.
"Please take a seat, I'm sure you mustered a lot of courage to come here. I researched you, but I don't see any scandal that has occurred or anything of offense to the government that needs to be resolved. So, I'm curious. . . What brought you here?"
Sujin smiles bitterly. "It's a long story. Would you be kind enough to listen to it? It doesn't have a happy ending."
Lawyer Kwon sits back in his chair and gestures for Sujin to continue.
"I haven't come her to clear my name like all those other clients. I've come here to write my will."
Lawyer Kwon coughs. "Wait, you've come here to write your will? You're still quite young. . . .?"
Sujin sighs. "Like I said it's a long story. Do you still want to hear it?"
Lawyer Kwon nods.
"It all started when I was in 6th grade," Sujin begins. "I was walking through the hallways at school when these men dressed in military outfits came into school looking for me. I was terrified. What did they want from me? I've done nothing wrong. Those men took me to a facility in the United States, and told my family that the government had paid for my schooling abroad, so they didn't have to worry. And, my family believed them. But, those years were the worst years of my life. The government placed me in that facility because I had unlucky Life Dates. I stayed there for a couple years. It wasn't anything fun, it was rather painful. I've got scars all over my back from those years spent there. They didn't whip me or anything. They just made me carry things that were quite sharp. They literally worked me every single day until I couldn't. After that they would let you rest, then they would work you again. After that torture, they sent me to college. Thankfully, I was able to graduate despite those many years in that hell. But, the government wouldn't allow me to go home until the year of my life dates. Unlike other people with unlucky Life Dates, I'm the only case in the entire world who has their Life Dates all on one day. It's shocking right? The government thought I would cause lots of damage, so they flew me to America where I wouldn't damage their country. I was also forbidden from telling anyone my life dates unless I told a lawyer when writing my will. And, since I'm back and seeing a lawyer, one can assume that my Life Dates are going to occur quite soon. My Life Dates all occur on Christmas Day, so I wanted to get a will written up as soon as possible."
Lawyer Kwon runs a hand through his hair before whispering four words.
"I am so sorry."
He shakes his head, " No one should have to experience that kind of fate."
Sujin smiles bitterly, "Well, everyone can't be fortunate. There has to be someone suffering. There always has to be balance in this world."
"Let's write up your will then. I'll get it sent to you by the end of the week."
"Thank you," Sujin says. "You have no idea what this means."
"Let's get started then. We got a lot to discuss."
TWO HOURS LATER. . . . . . .
"And I see that you've adopted a child. Who will be in charge of the child after you pass?"
"Hyunwoo will be under my older brother Jaehyun's care. My family all lives in one house, so technically he would be living with his grandparents, but I want him to be raised by Jaehyun. But, if my soulmate whoever that may be decides that he wants to take care of Hyunwoo, he must move into my parent's house."
"And, who will be the executor of your will?"
"My older brother JaeYoung. He's been good with following instructions and getting things done in an orderly manner, so he's the one who would be the best fit for something like this."
"Anything else you want to include? I've already written the statement, so your will has been notarized. And, do you want the will now? If you do, I can go print it for you real quick."
Sujin shakes her head, "I don't need to add anything to the will. And, yes, if you could give the will to me today that would be much appreciated."
"I'll go print the will right now then."
"Thank you so much," Sujin says. "I thought that no one would understand if I told them."
"That's why I decided to be a lawyer," Lawyer Kwon says. "To be on someone's side when the whole world seems to be against them."
He holds up his laptop, " I'll go print this real quick."
The door clicks shut, leaving Sujin alone in the office. There's a pile of notebook paper on the lawyer's desk, so Sujin takes a single sheet of paper.
[I'll need this to write a letter.] She thinks. [Since I won't be able to tell them, I'll just write each of them a letter explaining why I had to go.]
Sujin begins to write, and on the top of each piece of paper it says:
To My Wonderful Sister/Brother/Parents
I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. I wish I could, but I wasn't allowed to tell you when it was my time to go. I won't tell you what I experienced during my years abroad, but I'll tell you why I disappeared. The government thought I would harm the country with my unlucky life dates. You see, all my life dates occured on the same day within a minute of the other. December 25, 2027. The day I was supposed to spend with you. The day I was supposed to enjoy with you. The day it was supposed to be the happiest time of the year. But, ironically, it wasn't. So, I'm telling you that I'm sorry, and that I love you. Because I wasn't able to tell you before I left.
Jaehyun Oppa, please take care of Hyunwoo-ah. I know that Hwayoung is a handful, but I wouldn't want him to be raised by anyone else. I miss you.
Jungwoo Oppa, please clean my room every once in a while. Make sure that it doesn't collect any dust. Please clean the office as well, and organize the folders on my desk. But, please keep the cleaning at a moderate level. I miss you.
JaeYoung Oppa, please execute the will. I know it will cause you great pain, but you are the best at these types of things. And, please help Hyunwoo-ah with his school work. You are by far the smartest of us all. I miss you.
Sumin Unnie, please take care of Jungwoo Oppa. He may be a bit of a handful, but he is your husband. Also, take care of Mom and Dad for me. I miss you.
YoungMi Unnie, please take care of Hyunwoo-ah and take good care of my favorite niece. Take care of my brother as well. Thank you for always being there for me when I needed it. I miss you.
Mom and Dad, please take care of yourselves. Your health is important. Live your long life until it's your time. Watch my brothers and sisters, and keep a good eye on Hyunwoo-ah. Thank you for accepting Hyunwoo-ah as your grandson. And, you are the best parents in the world. Even though I was not able to see you for a good while, the thought of you're warm smiles kept me going. I miss you.
I'm miss all of you. I love all of you. I want you guys to live a good life. I want you guys to move on. Please live a good life. You all have wonderful long life spans. Please. Please live your life to the fullest. I love you all.
Your Sujin."
Just when Sujin has finished writing the last word, Lawyer Kwon comes in with a manila folder.
He holds out the manila folder to Sujin, "Here's your will."
Sujin takes it from him, putting it in her bag. "Thank you, so much. I'll be going then."
"If you ever need to talk, just stop by the office, you're always welcome here."
Sujin smiles. She knows that she might not be able to come back. She knows that she won't come back. Because she knows that she has a lot to do. A lot of things to prepare. And, she doesn't have a lot of sand in the hourglass left.
