Windows of The Heart

Chapter 21 Long Lost Brother

All he knew was they both met in an accident, and he was brought back home to Korea in an unconscious state but never learned about the girlfriend.

The day of Hyun-Ki became light as a feather because he had already stopped the dissonance between him and Atty. Andrew. He was sitting lazily on his chair when his telephone rang. His sister, Su-mi, was at the end of the line, cheering excitedly about her news.

"Hyeong? Mom and Dad are coming back! They have good news to tell us!"

"When are they coming? Instruct the maids to have a general cleaning and tell our cook Ate Linda to prepare the grocery list, okay? And when are they coming, and why am I not informed? He asked with wrinkled brows.

"Maybe dad wants to surprise you, Hyeong," she said defensively.

Hyun-Ki was reflecting on what could be the real reason his parents are coming knowing his dad cannot just leave his post in the Head Office.

Just as he was contemplating his dad, his cousin Kwon Nam-Joon, the VP for Marketing, came to his Office. "Cousin, why didn't you inform me that we will have a new VP for Marketing replacing me?" Hyun-Ki shook out of his seat.

"I didn't do that; I don't know anything about that, Nam-Joon! And where on earth did you get that information that not even I know about this!?" both are puzzled.

"I'll get into the bottom of this," tapped Nam-Joon's shoulder, assuring him he'll investigate. He called upon Rielle and instructed her to call for an urgent meeting of all the Officers this afternoon.

Rielle and her staff are busy preparing the conference room for the meeting, and all the secretaries for the Vice-Presidents of the corporation are already inquisitive of the sudden encounter. They felt that something was going on, and they knew nothing about the urgency of the meeting.

Come 3 pm; all the VPs were present conversing about this urgent meeting; the VP for Marketing was quiet because he was heavily disturbed by his sudden replacement. Everyone was surprised, and the VP for Finance commented on something that all came to agree to be true.

"Remember when Mr. Han Myung, Hyun-Ki's father, replaced Mr. Pak Shin for Hyun-Ki, without announcement? The replacement of Nam-Joon could be his dad's doing again. But the thing is, we do not have a single idea who will take the place of Nam-Joon?" everyone was quietly giving a thought for this moment.

Hyun-Ki broke their silence. "Maybe that's the reason why the father is coming back." All of the VPS is in shock, and not everyone is happy, knowing Hyun-Ki's dad.

"We have to prepare, and I'm still waiting for the confirmation of the day and time of his coming. This news of their coming was only relayed to me this morning by my sister, Su-mi, and not even I was directly informed about this." Hyun-Ki explained. Then turned his attention to Nam-Joon, "better prepare for the turn-over, and who knows you might have a better position back in Korea." Were Hyun-Ki's comforting words to Nam-Joon.

Everyone returned to their posts, and Hyun-Ki was left reflecting on his dad's sudden decision. Bothered by his dad's coming and the mystery of Nam-Joon's immediate replacement, he felt dark clouds looming on them.

Rielle found Hyun-Ki absorbed in his thoughts. "Is something troubling you, love?" Hyun-Ki was roused from deep thoughts when he heard Rielle call her 'love.' He felt delighted and in high spirits just having Rielle beside her.

"Let us shop for some groceries in preparation for my parents' arrival." He took her by the hand but loosened his clutch as they went out by the door. Hyun-Ki smiled, amused by how Rielle acted on impulse like an alarm clock ringing as a reminder.

Junie, the driver, stood by the car, and as they came near him, Junie smiled with an edgy look, scratched the back of his head, and said, "Sir, your parents are already at home waiting for you. Your mom took the grocery list and went shopping this afternoon with Miss Sumi and Ate Linda, and now she asked me to fetch you."

Hyun-Ki stared at Rielle for a little longer, thinking. Rielle quickly spoke,

"It's all right, Hyun; I'll be just fine. You should be excited about coming home; imagine you've never seen them for a long time; it is just right that you be with them, okay, love?" she gently rubbed Hyun-Ki's hands, assuring him she's okay.

Hyun-Ki hugged and kissed her head and said, "No, You're more important to me and your safety. We'll bring you home first, and my family can wait." He stressed.

The two lovers were holding hands, not wanting to loosen up as they were standing by the car waiting for the gate of Rielle's house to open. It was Jerry who opened for them.

"Well, well, if it's not Rielle with Hyun-Ki! Come in, bro' come in!"

"I'm sorry, but I have to bring Rielle home." And Rielle spoke simultaneously, "He has a critical engagement to attend to, and he's coming late now because of me." Rielle and Hyun-ki agreeably nodded.

Whiles in the car, Junie spoke. "Sir, your mom asked too many questions about who you're dating, when you are home every night, and if you are going out on weekends. I said I can't tell much and told her that you always work late, sometimes you like driving alone, and that I am off every weekend, so I can't tell much about you, Sir." Hyun-ki was elated at Junie's response to his mother's questions and praised him for being careful.

When he came into the living room, everyone was waiting for him. He was amazed to see his brother after long hospital confinement. They embraced and hugged, showing how much they missed each other.

"Hwan Chul, namdongsaeng. (younger brother)." Said Hyun-Ki.

"Hyeong!" Hwan Chul called him his older brother, almost in tears. "I've missed you so much."

"How are you now, Hwan? Since when did you come out of your unconscious? Why are you all keeping things from me? Hyun-Ki asked his mom.

"It was your brother's liking because he wanted to surprise you once he's back here."

"Yes, Hyeong, I wanted to give you and Su-mi the shock of your lives," laughing out loud.

"I've gone through a lot of healing: speech therapy, physical therapy, and psychological therapy. I thought I wouldn't make it, I thought of giving up, but every time the thought of my girlfriend comes to mind, I fight for her"

"That's good, Hwan, you did well, fighting!" raising his arms like a boxer about to give a blow as a sign of encouragement.

After dinner, both brothers wanted to stay awake longer to catch up. Hyun-Ki wanted to know the real facts of his fatal accident. He recalled to him that he was in Singapore at that time waiting for him and his girlfriend where they wanted to be married and settle there for good. All he knew was they both met in an accident and he was brought back home to Korea in a comatose state but he never learned about the girlfriend.

Hwan Chul was in tears now, recalling that incident that brought them both to near death. He stared at Hyun-Ki with much pain and regret as he was recalling that scene.