Windows of The Heart THE CHAIRMAN

On the following day, the household in the Han mansion was panicky when they saw the Chairman, Mr. Han, and his wife arrived, descending a cab, and the security guard met them and carried their luggage to the house. The housemaids and their lady butler, Rosita, went to meet, bowing to them, and were nervous because they knew they would be asking about their sons, Hyun-Ki and Hwan Chul, and their daughter, Sumi, and not one of their children was present at home.

"I know, I am aware, they were not here because they were in the hospital with Hwan Chul confined because of an uncanny encounter he had with the criminals. Any news from them, Rosita?" asked the Chairman.

The Chairman was in his seventies, his grayed hair proved a remarkable experience possessing superior merit in his business, and his well-being showed fitness and wholeness. He had the quality of good mental health, a high life satisfaction with a sense of purpose. But the Chairman was also greedy, rude, biased, manipulative, and disrespectful. He only cares about what he believes in his judgment; the Chairman is inattentive to reason and impatient; he wants to see fast action but the outcome of a situation.

"I'm sorry, sir, but no one has come home since that incident." Rosita apologetically replied. "Not even Hyun-Ki or Su-Mi?" the Chairman is already ferocious. "Where was Hwan Chul confined?" again asked the Chairman, now getting irritated.

"Sir, we do not know because no one has gone home yet," Rosita nervously replied.

"A-a-ah, useless imbeciles! Get out of my sight!" the Chairman yelled.

"You don't have to yell like that, Myeong! How would they know?" soothed Mrs. Han.

"Come, let us rest first because of jetlag; then maybe one of them will come home before we know it. And please, Myeong, watch your temper, or your blood pressure will shoot up again." Mrs. Han worriedly reminded the Chairman.

An hour later in the afternoon, while the Chairman and Mrs. Han were watching a teevee show in the living room, Hyun-Ki arrived. He was never surprised because Rosita gave him a heads-up during their parents' arrival. Hyun-Ki gave a warm hug to his mom and a light tap on his father's back.

"What was this incident involving your brother and a lady that made them hostage, Hyun?" the Chairman asked. Hyun-Ki thought to lie to protect Rielle.

"It was an inevitable circumstance in a bank where some vicious robbers surreptitiously entered them and were taken, hostage. It so happened that Hwan Chul was there, and maybe because he was a foreigner, they took an interest in him and added him as another captive. But everything was already resolved where the robbers were already in prison, and Hwan will soon return home, so no worries, okay, dad?" explained Hyun-Ki.

"I would like to see him personally in the hospital, Hyun," the Chairman was insistent.

"Dad, I came home to change for work; how about tonight?" replied Hyun.

"Well, okay. Tonight then." Said the Chairman calmly.

Hyun-Ki came to his Office to look into the paperwork he had temporarily set aside because of the bank incident. Alexis and Louie came to see him and inquired about Rielle's plight from those criminals and if she was in good condition to visit. Hyun-Ki paused for a moment giving some thoughts about their visit; he appreciated their concern but could not come tonight because the Chairman was visiting Hwan. From that premise, his dad must not find out about Rielle and her whereabouts in that hospital, for it may only worsen things. He instead advised them to see her this coming weekend.

Back at the hospital, the Chairman paid a visit to Hwan Chul and had many questions as if prying on Hwan Chul's involvement in that hostage-taking incident. Knowing his dad too well, he knew how to evade him from the truth behind his entanglement with the criminals.

"Dad, I was there to withdraw, then here came the robbers' intrusion, and because I was a foreigner, they mistook me as a wealthy guy, so there!"

"And who was this lady also taken hostage, and why did she shield herself to cover you?" asked the Chairman with a hint of disbelief. That question cornered Hwan Chul; if he said she was a bank employee, his dad would get all the means to find the girl, so he crafted another lie.

"I was dating her for two days then, and she was with me at that time, and because her beauty attracted him, the leader took her also." It was Hwan Chul's white lie reasoning. And timely, Hyun-Ki was there, so he elaborated more on Hwan Chul's story.

"I am supposed to take care of her hospitalization on behalf of Hwan Chul, but the parents were so angry at Hwan Chul that they decided to move her out of the hospital and warned him not to see her again. So, we never heard from her since then, and I believe she's recovered because they would have seen me personally if not. Let us not discuss this anymore, dad, because you're only suggesting that Hwan Chul was a jinx, do you think?" Hyun-Ki winked at Hwan Chul, but Hwan didn't accept the word 'jinx' when he threw the pillow at Hyun-Ki.

"All right, that's enough now. I'll pay a visit to the Office sometime next week, Hyun, to see how the business is getting along with your management." Said the Chairman.

"You could be kidding me, dad? Don't you trust me? You were not confident about running the business, is that it, dad?" Hyun-Ki reasoned out in a displeased tone.

"I did not mean that, but as Chairman of the Board, I have to look into every aspect of the business, so Hwan Chul (turning to Hwan), you must try to recover soon because I will also look into your performance as VP for Marketing, no questions asked, am I clear?" the Chairman stressed.

The Chairman left the two brothers and started to talk about their dad's doubtful and short knowledge of their competence.

"What does the Chairman think of us, immature, easy-going, and spendthrifts who were just playing around and wasting money?" asked Hwan Chul, feeling insulted.

"As if you don't know, dad. I consider dad as sly and clever. There must be something playing in his mind where I smell fish. Whatever his scheme, we have to work together and defeat him." Hyun-Ki said suspiciously. "He once fooled me, but his tricks won't work this time."

A few days had passed since Rielle was hospitalized with Hwan Chul. Hwan Chul was back to his feet wearing an arm sling, however. Rielle was already at her home for days now, and she had some thinking about working again. She looked at her watch and saw it was seven in the morning, and she thought there was still time to take action. She had her morning shower and was preparing to dress up when Hyun-Ki called.

"Hello, Sweetheart, how's my queen doing?" asked Hyun-Ki.

"I'm fine, Hyun, and also bored. I am not used to sitting at home doing anything." Rielle said with a yawn.

"Why not start learning to cook, Sweetheart? That way, you'll learn more dishes to feed me, don't you think so?" Hyun-Ki said in an encouraging, fun tone.

"What? You want me to be a simple housewife? No, no, no, siree! So that you'll have all the excuse to womanize, hmm?" pretending to be angry.

"Woah, don't go that far, Sweety. I am not looking for a fight." Hyun-Ki was teasing mischievously. "Sweetheart, remain cool, okay? I'll see you tonight. I missed you already." And Rielle ended the call half-heartedly.

But still, Rielle went on to her decision. She dressed up in corporate attire and then called for a cab. While waiting, she told her mom that she would return to work today. And before her mom could ask her where she was already in the cab.

She was already inside the building, got in the elevator, and pushed the button for the 25th floor. No one recognized her, for she wore a long black wig tied into a ponytail and eyeglasses. Others considered her an applicant and considered her a real estate agent.

Meanwhile, at the CEO's Office, Hyun-Ki was listening to Louie's narrative about his appointments for the day and the e-mails he needed to pay attention to, and the documents he had to read for approval when Alexis came to announce to Mr. Han Hyun-Ki that he had a guest at the other side of the room.

"Am I expecting anyone today, Louie? You have no mention about it from your report." Hyun-Ki and Louie were puzzled. So, with curiosity, Hyun-Ki stood up and went to the other side of the room through the access glass door. His guest stood facing the glass window, so Hyun-Ki was the first to greet the guest, with a feeling that he knew who this was, while the two secretaries felt excited and thrilled recognizing her stature. And when she turned her back to face Hyun-Ki, he was shocked and so surprised!

He came close, greeted her, and gave her his warm embrace.

"My dearest Rielle, I knew, but you surprised me!" Hyun-Ki was full of thrilled to see her.

"Did I? Did you like my coming here, Mr. Han?" asked Rielle. "I want to get my job back, Sir." Rielle was serious now.

"I should have asked about this after your confinement, but I was afraid you might reject my offer again, Miss Gabrielle Calma," Hyun-Ki said formally but amused.

"Why are you so afraid of being rejected, Mr. Han?" Rielle asked seriously but teasingly, fixing his tie and suit.

"I'm not used to being rejected, but if it is you, I cannot resist," Hyun-Ki was now taking her for eye-to-eye contact, their faces getting closer.

"But if others, what would you do?" asked Rielle meekly but with a frown.

"I surely get what I want. I never accept rejection; only you have the guts to reject me, and I can't do anything." Hyun-Ki was so close to kissing her; both were getting too romantic when the two secretaries pretended to cough. They were also curious to know if she was coming back and were excited to hear her response.

"If Mr. Han Hyun-Ki accepts me as his Executive Assistant," paused Rielle, taking a long glance at him, waiting for Hyun-Ki's answer. Hyun-Ki gave a formal look with an air of superiority and said, his eyes fixed on Rielle.

"You know what I wanted, Miss Calma, so you can start now because we have so much paperwork to attend to." So, Rielle gave a cheerful laugh, put off her wig and her eyeglasses, and the two secretaries ran to hug her excitedly, "Welcome back, Miss Rielle."

The mood in the CEO's Office could be deliberate, for Rielle's presence inspired everyone and was high-spirited, and the two secretaries felt as if they were no vessel of joy and fun as they worked.

A few bits more, Hwan Chul entered Hyun-Ki's Office and told him that their dad was coming for a general review of the Corporation Officials. He would be looking in on documents and transactions and other reports that each Office made with the assistance of their corporate lawyer. Hyun-Ki was confident of the performance of his Office. And as Hwan Chul was talking, Rielle came to Hyun-Ki's room only to surprise Hwan Chul.

"Rielle, you're back?" Hwan Chul was amazed and amused that he hugged Rielle in profound awesomeness.

Mr. Han Myeong was in the Office of the VP for Finance, Han Shin Dae, nephew of Mr. Han Myeong, first cousins of Hyun-Ki and Hwan Chul. He was looking at all the documents about finances and contracts when he eyed one of the contracts that caught his interest.

"This contract of the Hanzu Corporation, I know the President of this company, Mr. George Simon. Why do you have this contract? Did Hyun-Ki have transactions with the Hanzu Corporation, Shin Dae?" Mr. Han asked with a furrowed brow.

"Hwan Chul was supposed to conform on that contract, Uncle, but he postponed it because this needed a discussion with the Members of the Board; we are awaiting Hyun-Ki's presence because he took a leave, and there's no agreed date yet, Uncle." Explained Han Shin.

"Let me have this, and I'll discuss this with Hyun-Ki. And don't bother coming with me because this will be between Hyun-Ki and me alone." Demanded Mr. Han Myeong.

Mr. Han Myeong entered Hyun-Ki's Office without notice or not even a knock which startled Hyun-Ki as he was busy reading some documents waiting for his signature.

"Hyun, what is this about the Hanzu Corporation? Any progress on your transaction with the company? I wanted to know." The Chairman slumped on the sofa, curious and assertive.

"Yes, it was Hwan Chul who handled that, dad, and we still have to discuss with the Board Members because Hwan Chul found a discrepancy in their contract." Explained Hyun-Ki.

"And when that Board Meeting to take place?" asked the Chairman.

"Soon, dad, because I still have other matters to work on, and that Hanzu transaction can wait. Besides, we are not going bankrupt; as far as I know, we are doing well." Said Hyun-Ki.

"But this contract stated that they will enter a 40% share, so where is the discrepancy there, Hyun?" The Chairman is becoming impatient with how Hyun-Ki responded to his questions, showing disinterest in the contract.

The Chairman took the phone from Hyun-Ki's table and asked Hwan Chul to come to his brother's Office since he could not get a sensible response from Hyun-Ki, and Hwan immediately responded.

"It shows that your brother was not interested in this contract. May I know why Hwan?" Hwan Chul took the contract and looked.

"Oh, yes, it was the Hanzu Corporation. I did not conform and told Miss J. Simon that this has to be discussed first with the Board. And whatever the decision made by the majority, we inform the Hanzu Corporation. If there will be a question coming from the Hanzu, then that's when we need their presence and discuss it more and probably could come out with a better deal." Hwan Chul explicitly stated.

"And why were you in the middle of this when Hyun-Ki and Miss Simon had discussed this already, and their second meeting was Hyun-Ki's conformity of the contract, right?" the Chairman was determined to get some reliable answers from the brothers.

"Hyun-Ki was indisposed at that time, so I made myself available to meet these people; so, what's wrong, dad? I am Hyun-Ki's brother, the nearest kin, and one more thing, I am also a member of the Board! Am I not allowed to interfere or represent my brother whenever he was indisposed?" Hwan Chul felt slighted and angry.

"Dad, there's nothing wrong with Hwan Chul's decision, and one more thing, Julienne made a sure assumption that I would conform our transaction on our next meeting, but she was wrong. Our friendship in the past has nothing to do with that contract, and we could have made an implicit agreement, but no written agreement made. So, Hwan Chul was right that he postponed it because I would do the same. Where is this going now, dad?" Hyun-Ki was suspicious already.

"All right, let the Board Members converge on Saturday and give them insights about the meeting so we can come up with the decision for the Hanzu Corporation." the Chairman demanded.

"Why are you so interested and hasty about this contract, Dad? We are not on a losing end here, and we do not need them!" Hyun-Ki strongly disagreed. "And besides, it was already agreed when we put up this Board of Directors that no outsider should give a 40% or higher share than the Board Members," Hyun-Ki stressed firmly.

"I am aware of that; what do you think of me, old to have dementia?" answered the Chairman irritably.

"Consider Mr. George Simon as a good friend. We had been friends long ago, and I was pleased that he succeeded in his business, and look how it grew!" the Chairman proudly introduced Simon; he stood up, ready to leave, to avoid more arguments from Hyun-Ki and Hwan Chul.

"I'll leave now, sons, and give notice to the Board Members. I'll look forward to it." And the Chairman left. The brothers stared at each other with a puzzled look.

"I can smell something fishy here, Hyeong. You better be careful that dad won't use you as bait." Hwan Chul warned his brother.

"Let him try his schemes and tricks on me, and I will show him what he deserves. Enough is enough for me." Hyun-Ki snapped.

Rielle came into Hyun-Ki's room to find out if the Chairman was still in his Office. Hwan Chul was surprised to find Rielle's presence.

"You are back, Rielle?" Hwan Chul was astounded.

"Yes, she is, even if it's against my will; she forced me!" Hyun-Ki jokingly said. And the three burst out with laughter. After the merry chatting, the two brothers return to their serious discussion about their father.

Hyun-Ki was troubled about their dad meddling in their work when after all, their dad entrusted the business to him. That was why he assumed the title of CEO, and now here he was, put under questionable scrutiny about his performance.

"Does dad consider staying here for good, Hyeong? It seemed he was eyeing something I cannot put together now; it is still vague, you know." fretted Hwan Chul.

"He cannot stay here because the head office is greater than ours. He would never leave a big fish for small fry, and you know that, Namdongsaeng." Just be watchful because I would never allow him to destroy everything I worked for." Hyun-Ki felt tremendously antagonized.

While the brothers were talking about the Chairman, their father, Mr. Han Myeong, returned to the Office of VP for Finance, Han Shin Dae.

"I have a proposition for you, Shin Dae, and I believe you would not refuse my offer." Shin Dae felt uneasy about the offer his uncle is granting him.

"I would like you to make a bogus financial report of the company's earnings showing its slow decline beginning last year until this year showing near bankruptcy." The Chairman's lips spread in a mischievous smile.

"Why do you want me to do that, Chairman?" was Shin Dae's nervous remark. "This is a seditious conspiracy, uncle. I cannot do that!" Shin Dae refused vehemently.

"You know me, Shin Dae. Don't ever be a killjoy, Shin Dae. Do not bark if you cannot bite. Just do what I say, or you'll lose everything! Believe me, my dear nephew!" warned the Chairman with a threat.

"How can I do that? It takes time to do such a report, uncle; imagine showing the decline of our finances from last year to this date; it's not easy!" reasoned Shin Dae convincingly.

"You have your accountants with you; do what I say. You have until Friday midnight to finish your report in time for our Board Meeting on Saturday afternoon. And one more thing, put your accountants under secrecy, or they will lose their jobs, understood Shin Dae?" threatened the Chairman.

Shin Dae feared his uncle's threat because the Chairman was adamant about his wicked plan wherever he would use that report. Shin Dae's strict adherence to his work and his loyalty to the company had put him to the test, and this will put everyone in jeopardy, including himself and his family. His decision was set in half but recalling his uncle's threat; he has to do something.

Shin Dae called a meeting with three of his trusted staff and discussed what the Chairman told them to do. His staff was dubious about the plan, but Shin Dae promised that he would protect them if the Chairman's plan failed. Han Shin Dae told them that he would keep the genuine financial report on his USB and all the original records in his custody, so they would make alterations to show the declining finances and budgets of the two year-report to please the Chairman. Han Shin Dae would take full responsibility since his signature would stamp on those reports.