Windows of The Heart

Chapter Twenty Exchange Rings

Hyun-Ki kissed her finger with his ring, then said, "you are mine now, Rielle." And in the same way, Rielle removed her college ring, put it on Hyun-Ki's pinkie finger, and said, "This ring tells that you are mine."

It was 7 pm when the two lovers end up their day. Whiles inside the elevator and alone, Hyun-Ki kept her close to him so that when the elevator stopped, Rielle forced herself away from him, and Hyun-Ki recalled the terms of their agreement. They must be discreet so that no one knows they are in a relationship. It was Atty. Andrew, with some lawyers, entered the elevator and simultaneously greeted their CEO and Rielle. Andrew observed the two and then took advantage of facing and talking to Rielle.

"Can I ask you out, Rielle? How about having you as my date tomorrow at lunch?" The lawyers gazed at Mr. Han, observing his action from Andrew's outrageous invitation.

Rielle doesn't want to make Hyun-Ki uncomfortable with Andrew's impolite and reckless confrontation, so she outrightly spoke to Andrew, "I still have to check Mr. Han's appointment. If he has no engagement tomorrow, then maybe. Andrew, one of my functions is to be with my boss when he has lunch meetings, so we'll see."

Andrew seemed to notice Hyun-Ki's calm irritation, so he did not stop there, testing Hyun-Ki's silence. He continued his offer to Rielle, "Well then, how about dinner?" he insisted. The lawyers were already annoyed, so they pressed the elevator button and pulled Andrew out with them.

Hyun-Ki was almost at the peak of his patience and punched the elevator wall, then turned to Rielle, still angry. "Who does he think he is, huh?! Just because he is a lawyer, he can say what he wants, in my face?"

Rielle is already nervous at Hyun-Ki's impulsive reaction and tries to soothe him. Hyun-Ki just stared at Rielle, saying nothing. They were both quiet until they reached the car park. Hyun-Ki suddenly grasped Rielle's hand and clutched it with his, giving her a sticky stare. He aided her inside the car, and when inside, he embraced her and apologized.

"I'm so sorry; I almost lose my temper. I disliked what Andrew is showing; it's as if he wishes to test how far I can go." Then, Junie, his driver, cut in.

"Excuse me, Sir, where to? Are we bringing Miss Rielle home now? Hyun-Ki thought for a while, then turned to Rielle.

"Can we have dinner at my place instead?" he pleads. Rielle cheerfully agreed.

When they arrived at Hyun-Ki's home, he asked Rielle to wait in the living room as he gave some instructions to the cook and the maids. The maids prepared the table. They placed a yellow laced cloth on it, then put two candleholders with red candlesticks. They added two wine glasses and the red wine in a wine decanter. The cook prepared baked chicken with a green salad as a side dish, garlic rice, Hyun-Ki's favorite typical food, jjajangmyeon, and tteokbokki. As soon as they were seated, the maids lighted the candles and dimmed them to create a romantic mood for both.

Then Junie sent previously to the florist, came and handed Hyun-Ki a bouquet of six roses. Hyun-Ki stood up and gave praise to Rielle.

"Rielle, these six roses are for you, telling you of my feelings that mean I want to be yours. Yes, I want to be yours and yours alone." He stressed. "And these roses of three colors? Each signifies my intense love for you. You are my passion, you give me joy, and I will always be loyal to you." A misty-eyed Rielle can't speak, for she is full of mixed emotions; all she can do at that moment is embrace him tightly.

Then Hyun-Ki took off his ring from his finger and wore it on her ring finger, but since his crew is more extensive, he placed it instead on her middle finger.

Hyun-Ki kissed her finger with his ring, then said, "you are mine now, Rielle." And in the same way, Rielle removed her college ring, put it on Hyun-Ki's pinkie finger, and said, "This ring tells that you are mine."

That night back home, Rielle couldn't keep her emotions intact because she was so thrilled at how Hyun-Ki expressed the sincerity of his love that everyone noticed.

"Hmm, wuzz up, sister? It seems everything around you is heaveennn! Please share it with us. Had Hyun-Ki proposed marriage to you? Come on, sister, we're excited to hear!" Rielle's siblings were all eyes and ears, waiting for her response.

"Nope, not that we just made our relationship official!" she giggled.

"And since when did that relationship happen, Rielle?" her mother was troubled. "What if everything went wrong? Remember, he is a very wealthy man, has a powerful position, and a Korean at that!" Mrs. Calma is already worried for her daughter.

Rielle quickly ran to her mother and wrapped her arms around her neck. "Mom, can't you ever support my decision, just this once?" looking at her mom misty-eyed. "If only you knew, Rielle," her mother expressed an uncanny feeling of her daughter's future with Hyun-Ki."

Her siblings, especially Donna, felt the same way as their mother. "Don't rush things, okay, Rielle? Take things in stride. Know him more and his family. What kind of family does he have? He belongs to a tycoon family, and you're aware of that, are you not? I don't feel serious yet for him. Just focus on your job as an Executive Assistant. You still have a long way to go, my dear sister." Donna keenly advised.

Rielle was worried about what she heard from her family and kept asking herself, 'why are they so worried about me? Why can't they be happy for me, and why are they having second thoughts about this relationship, about Hyun-Ki?' She stared at them for so long, and her mom faced her, giving her comfort.

"It is but right that we worry, my dear. We love you, and you're the youngest here; for us, you are still our baby," and everyone bursts with laughter. "Okay, enough for those heavy emotions; let us celebrate for Rielle!" Jerry, his brother, exclaimed loudly. And so they sang and danced together, singing, 'Oh she's a jolly good fellow, oh she's a jolly good fellow….'

The morning came. Rielle and Hyun-Ki entered his Office in a joyful mood. And before Rielle left him for her Office, they both kissed tenderly. "Let's be together tonight, hmm, Rielle?" she nodded with a wink. Hyun-Ki had another thing in mind, so he called the Legal Office asking for Atty. Andrew.

"This is Atty. Andrew, Sir Han. What can I do for you?" on a high-spirited tone.

"I'd like to have a word with you in private. I'll meet you at this hour on the deck," demanded Hyun-Ki.

Atty. Andrew came upon Hyun-Ki, looking at the view around the building, his elbows hanging on the deck railings. He turned around quickly, leaning with one foot crossed the other and his right arm depending on the bars.

Atty. Andrew walked in his direction, observing his face intently. "What is the pleasure of this meeting, Sir?" he asked, smiling dryly. Hyun-Ki looked him straight in the eye and spoke.

"What is with you, Andrew? What have I done to treat me with notoriety and rudeness in the presence of others, notwithstanding my post as the highest Official of this company? And you are even rude to Rielle, my Executive Assistant who is highly regarded and respected by everyone? Are you testing me, Atty? Andrew?"

"Whoa, stop right there, Mr. Foolish CEO! How can I give my respect to one like you when I saw your true color back there in Cebu? Did it ever come to your mind how Rielle was at that time when she was looking for you? She put herself in a threatening situation as she was about to enter that bar full of men; customers mistakenly believed her as a whore!?? Good, I was there, about to enter that dragon hole, so I offered her my help, hoping I'd find you there only to discover that you're with another woman!" Andrew spoke pathetically, making Hyun-Ki guilty of his foolish misdemeanor.

"Yes, I felt sorry for that. Rielle and I have already settled it, and that is over now, so what is this nagging accusation you're throwing at me when this case is closed, Andrew? Come on, move on, and besides, you have no business meddling with our lives; that was only between Rielle and me. If you can't accept that, alright, go your way, but you don't have to drag me on this one because it was not a question of crime that involved you, right? Rielle and I are good, and nothing else can come between us, period! If you can't stand seeing me with Rielle, that's your problem and believe me; we're good and happy now. And one more thing, resign from being my legal team's adviser because I did not hire you anyway. It was your dad's liking that you handled us as your client. If it is not for your dad, you won't be here anymore, understood?" Hyun-Ki stressed and then made the following demand:

"Don't forget that I am the Chief Executive Officer here and I demand respect, including you, Atty. Andrew." Then leaving him without turning his back.