Windows of the Heart

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE CONNIVANCE--NAME OF THE GAME

On that evening, Hyun-Ki and Rielle were talking about his dad. They were watching teevee, and Rielle was leaning her head on Hyun-Ki's shoulder when she talked about her observation of Hyun-Ki's attitude toward his dad. She was curious and would want to know why Hyun-Ki felt resentment and hidden anger even if he did not outwardly express it.

"Why did you say that, Rielle? I resent my dad?" asked Hyun-Ki.

"Isn't it obvious? The way you talk to and look at him, there is always this look of sarcasm and exasperation, and no matter how you hide it, it shows on your face and through your words. It is like you always wanted to challenge him or irritate him." It was Rielle's observation. Hyun-Ki was quiet for a while, staring at the teevee, but his thoughts traveled around his past.

"Knock, knock, penny for your thoughts?" Rielle said mischievously. Hyun-Ki looked at Rielle, his left arm hanging on the sofa's headrest and his other hand holding Rielle's hand, stared through her eyes, grappling for the right words to begin, and having like a lump in his throat, he began to narrate what happened to him in the past.

"Cecil and I fell in love during college, and we became too involved and serious in our relationship. We started to build our dreams together, to marry, start a family, and wish to have two or four kids. After graduation, my dad trained me to manage our business. However, I had a course in Engineering, and he said that it had relevance to his business because my dad was in the manufacturing business related to communication equipment and the like. Dad was amazed at how I handled the business and promised to run and manage it since he intended to expand the business in Korea. I put my blood, sweat, and expertise into our business, Rielle and God knows how I did my best because it grew bigger, and our financial growth became outstanding. That was the time that Cecil and I decided to settle down. I told my mom and dad the news, and I was expecting that dad would be happier if I had my own family. He took my marriage plan very lightly, but I thought it was natural for a father to feel that way. Cecil and I were already preparing for our wedding, sent out invitations, had her bridal shower, and her family came from Singapore to be on our wedding day." Hyun-Ki paused for a while and started sniffling with small tears falling.

"Cecil did not show up on our wedding day, not even her family. I felt disgraced and miserable, and at that moment, all I could see was unbearable pain and failure that I felt numb all over. I didn't even know how I got home. Benny was there comforting me and kept guard of me because he feared I would do something hideous. And he was right because I almost committed suicide.

"And because failure was not in my vocabulary, I became a drunkard, an alcoholic. I sometimes went to work drunk, and when I sobered up, I became mean, impolite, and bossy. I lost respect for women. I became a womanizer; I liked playing them & I never gave a damn to a woman's feelings. I hired attractive secretaries, seduced them, and played them. It was like I was avenging myself for what Cecil did to me. At the same time, I almost neglected the business.

"Then, one day, Benny opened up and told me a secret about Cecil because he can no longer help seeing me broken and angry at myself and everyone. Benny told me why Cecil did not show up on our wedding day.

"My dad came to see her and told her to stop our wedding because I, his son, cannot marry someone like her who was not equally wealthy. That I should be married to a woman who has the same status in life as I had. But if she continues this marriage, my dad will not stop destroying us until I would give up on her to divorce her finally." Hyun-Ki was sniffling his tears, so Rielle took him close to her in sympathy and hugged him to comfort him while she was also in tears, having felt that pain Hyun-Ki had suffered all those years.

"After learning what dad did to Cecil and me, I helped myself to heal and tried to regain my self-esteem. I went to my dad's and argued with him. To make him feel the pain he inflicted on me, I stripped myself of the wealth he was very proud of, of becoming an heir-apparent to his business, and to defy him more, I left the country. I flew to Singapore, hoping Cecil and I could have another chance at life. But it was too late; she was married and was already four months pregnant.

"It was excruciating and frustrating to meet my supposed-to-be wife only to be married to someone else, and the way she looked at me was like her hatred for my family and me was as high as the heavens, and I felt shame and defeat. But I stood firm in defying dad. I looked for a job in Singapore and was fortunate to work as a Chief Engineer for an Australian company and firmly decided not to return. I was already used to living in Singapore when Hwan Chul told me that he and his girlfriend, and that was you, sweetheart, as Mari was eloping and thought of settling down for good there In Singapore. But when I learned that Hwan Chul and you, his girlfriend then, met in a fatal accident, I came home to see him because my mom told me that Hwan Chul might not make it. My return home to Korea came as an advantage to my dad. My father and I had a heart-to-heart talk and begged for my forgiveness. He implored me to return to our business, and I would replace a relative as CEO so he could focus solely on his growing business in Korea. Even though I was hurting, I gave him and myself a chance because he was my dad. I forgave him.

"And here I was, back at KOR H&H as CEO. And that was my story, my dear Rielle, and now you understand how I felt about my dad?" giving back his hugs to Rielle.

"But your womanizing did not end in Australia. You almost hit me as your victim." Rielle was challenging him for an argument. Hyun-Ki embraced her, still teary-eyed, and said, "You changed me, Rielle, and thank you for coming into my life."

On the following day at KOR H&H, back to the Office of the VP for Finance, Han Shin Dae and his staff had finished the financial report to be presented to the Board of Directors' Meeting. While sitting by his desk, he thought of something that could save Hyun-Ki from whatever scheme his uncle had against the company and his sons. He cannot swallow the pain of his cousin's dilemma if the Chairman succeeds in his plan.

He asked for Louie, one of the secretaries on Rielle's staff, to his Office. Louie was wondering why the VP of Finance Office sent for her. Mr. Han Shin Dae's accountant led her to Mr. Han Shin's room and closed the door behind her. She was curious about this meeting when Mr. Shin Dae handed her a brown envelope and a small black pouch.

"Louie, I believe I can trust you, and I have no more time to run around the bush." Mr. Shin Dae said, and Louie became hesitant and puzzled by Mr. Han Shin Dae's remark.

"I entrust these things to keep in your custody for a while until I give you the signal to hand them over to Hyun-Ki and nobody else. You must keep this in strict secrecy and guard it with your life because this means a matter of life or death to us all." Mr. Dae was firm in his request, while Louie was nervous and scared. Shin Dae put the black pouch inside the brown envelope and sealed it, then placed it in a girl's backpack to make it unnoticeable and ignorable.

"Why are you saying these things to me, Sir? And why me?" Louie was already uneasy and nervous. She felt like walking on a thin thread of a tightrope; one false move meant her life. She began to tremble.

"Don't be afraid, Louie, because no one of the Officials would consider you a threat. They would not even look at you or search your post because you have nothing to do with me, and that is why I chose you to safeguard these documents because I am very sure there won't be any leakage. It will be among us: you, my accountants, and I alone know what I am discussing with you now. Those documents are for Hyun-Ki's eyes alone, and you must hand them to him at the right time, and that right time will be coming from me. Is it clear to you now, Louie?" stressed Mr. Han Shin Dae.

"You will soon hear and understand some discussions and arguments among the Board Members, which will involve Hyun-Ki, eventually putting him in deep waters. And those documents now in your hands will save him and this entire company. So, I want you to be discreet and tell no one, not even Alexis nor Rielle. It must be in your strict safekeeping, Louie. I will repay your right word someday, and you will be grateful that I chose you to be my custodian." Shin Dae assured Louie.

"Be careful as you walk out of this Office. Just walk straight ahead and keep your look cheerful; don't look around, just straight ahead as if nothing mattered but yourself." Shin Dae was giving Louie a thought of concern.

When Louie returned to her post, not one of her companions noticed her with the backpack. She was thinking and looking for a better place for the bag until she remembered a filing cabinet with the keys in her safekeeping, so she hid it there while looking around. When no one noticed her, she locked it and gave a deep breath. A little later, her mind wandered; what could be that trouble that might put her boss in deep waters? What if Rielle is also set in such a situation? She was praying so hard when Alexis tapped her shoulder.

"You are in deep thoughts; mind sharing it?" curiously asked Alexis.

"Oh, nothing at all. I was thinking about what to shop for once I received my salary. It's payday soon, Alexis." Cheerfully remarked Louie.

Friday night, the Chairman telephoned Shin Dae.

"Is everything ready, Shin?" intrusively asked the Chairman. When the Chairman called, Shin Dae felt mentally exhausted and whispered a curse upon knowing who was at the end of the line.

"Yes, uncle, everything is ready," he retorted concernedly.

"You have nothing to worry or be concerned about because I feel everything will come out well. Take it from me. I never failed, Shin Dae." It was the Chairman's boastful reply.

It was Saturday afternoon, and it seemed time flew quickly for Shin Dae. All of the Members of the Board were coming at random, and Mr. Han Myeong walked to Hyun-Ki's Office, but the staff locked it, so he went instead to Hwan Chul's Office. He found Hwan Chul reading some of the documents handed to him from the Hanzu Corporation.

"I have some guests coming, Hwan, and I'll let them stay here in your Office until I ask for them." The Chairman said.

"And who could those be, dad?" came Hwan's nonchalant question.

"You'll know; just be courteous, and no questions asked, understood?" demanded the Chairman. Hwan Chul gave a strange confused look at his dad. A little longer, he gathered his thoughts about the meeting and got an idea of who those guests were.

Hwan Chul stood and asked permission to relieve himself in the restroom. While walking to the toilet, he happened on Hyun-Ki and Rielle.

"Better go directly to Rielle's Office and stay there. I'll meet you later. Let your Office remain locked." Hwan Chul warned Hyun-Ki. Rielle and Hyun-Ki felt uneasy about Hwan's warning, so they did what Hwan Chul asked them to do. Hyun-Ki was pacing forth from here and from the door when Hwan Chul came in.

"I guess dad invited the Simons already, Hyeong." Remarked Hwan Chul.

"Why invite them when the discussions have not started yet, and no decision has been made?" asked Hyun-Ki suspiciously.

"That is what I have to find out now, Hyeong. I'm going back to my Office." Hwan said.

Hwan Chul was coming back to his Office when the Chairman met him and told him to go with him to the conference room since the Board Meeting was about to begin.

"What keeps Hyun-Ki, Hwan? He should be here now." The Chairman said in a worried tone. "He's on his way, dad; let us go now." Then made a call to Hyun-Ki.

All the Board Members and Directors were already seated when Hyun-Ki arrived with her EA. All the assigned secretaries distributed folders and placed them on the table for each member. After Hwan Chul gave the formal greetings, Hwan Chul opened the discussion about the interest of the Hanzu Corporation to enter membership in the Board of Directors. Hyun-Ki pitched in and stressed to the Board Members that the corporation did not need additional shares for the business was doing well. He was about to elaborate more on the company's outlook when the Chairman stood angrily and irritably and demanded the VP for Finance to outlay his reports on finances and budget.

Mr. Han Shin Dae brought out the financial report and revealed to the Board that their business was slowly declining. While presenting his report on screen, Hyun-Ki became angrier and refused to accept the information because he did not believe what the report described. It was all a lie, he insisted ferociously.

"That is bullshit, Shin Dae. You gave me reports of our financial standing every month which show nothing about a decreasing growth of our business, and now you are telling me that we are going bankrupt? Where did our money go, Shin Dae? If we were losing, why keep the real situation from me? Are you selling us out?" Hyun-Ki was already ferocious, and he was about to hit Shin Dae out of dismay and anger when the Chairman stood between them.

"We have no alternative then but to merge with the Hanzu Corporation." Suggested the Chairman with a deep and authoritative voice.

"What? Do I hear correctly, dad? You were the first one who decreed against merging, and now you are the first one to agree on it?" Hyun-Ki gazed at his dad wickedly and staggered out of the conference room, but he was met by security, who grabbed his arms and forcibly pushed him back to the conference room.

Rielle was shocked, together with the rest of those present in the room. Then the Chairman demanded one of the securities to escort the guests inside the conference room. Hyun-Ki felt disgraced and embarrassed by how he was handled by the security as ordered by his dad.

"What are you doing? It was like a coup in my company, dad, huh?" Hyun-Ki was ferociously dissonant by the Chairman's bold action against his son. All Hwan Chul did was stand by his brother, showing disappointment and dissent over their father's decision.

The guests came into the conference room, and Hyun-Ki and Hwan Chul were not surprised. The Hanzu group was headed by Mr. George Simon, Julienne Simon, and Chao Lin.

"George and I agreed to the merger together with the marriage of my son Hyun-Ki and Julienne Simon." Announced the Chairman.

Hyun-Ki frowned and glowered at the Chairman, showing hatred and antipathy towards Julienne, smiling at that point, beaming with joy and pride. She walked proudly with arrogance by Hyun-Ki's side and slung her arm to his. Rielle turned upset and antagonized.

The Chairman continued, "my son here is still single, and so is Julienne Simon. Having them join together as partners in life is also an advantage as partners in business, and you cannot go against my decision. We have to save our business, and we can only do this through the merging of these companies and the marriage of my son and George's daughter.

Hyun-Ki faced his father in spite. "How do you think I would agree to such a wicked scheme of yours, dad? I truly despise you! Are you selling me now for your greed for money? Am I a commodity you can easily dispose of for your selfish ambition?" Hyun-Ki was instilling in him even a little conscience.

"And how about you, Julienne? Are you proud of what your father is doing? Do you agree with their agenda? You wanted to marry me even if I didn't love you? Where is the logic there!" But Julienne raised her head, proving conceited and arrogant about Hyun-Ki's dispute as long as she understood that she would marry Hyun-Ki, whom Julienne once loved but lost to Cecil.

"I know how much this business meant to you, son, and I am just saving your face from embarrassment to the entire business group. What will these businessmen think that your company turned bankrupt because of your indulgences in women and negligence?" remarked the Chairman, insistent on blaming Hyun-Ki for his failure to raise the company's strength.

"That was false! You are making up lies to support your scheme! I gave all my time and effort, my blood, sweat, and tears to make this business flourish, and now with just one flick of your fingers, you ruined everything that I worked for, ha, Mr. Chairman? Look at you, dad, you are nothing but a lost dog about to be eaten up by a lion!" Hyun-Ki was fearless of the insults he gave to his dad.

"Insolent!" the Chairman shouted, accompanied by a hard slap on Hyun-Ki's face. "After everything I gave you: an opportunity, my name, my wealth, is that how you return your gratefulness to me as your dad?" putting sensibility on Hyun-Ki.

Meanwhile, in his presence among them, Han Shin Dae was so guilty of conniving with his uncle; that he never thought that Hyun-Ki would be involved in marriage as his evil scheme, which left Hyun-Ki in a miserable and powerless state. At the same time, Rielle was again in a problematic and confusing situation. She remembered Hyun-Ki's story of his father's meddling with his private life that almost destroyed him, and now, here he was again; it's like history is repeating itself.

Hwan Chul got hold of Rielle and told her to get out of here before things worsened.

"Hyun-Ki told me to bring you to his condo if something unlikely happens during this meeting, and he was right. He knew dad very well, Rielle, so please heed his request. Wait for him at his place. I'd better call Mang Ben to bring you there now." Hwan Chul implored.

"Please don't leave Hyun, Hwan Chul. Stay with him until this is over." So, Rielle left with a heavy heart, feeling fear for Hyun-Ki.

Back in the conference room, the Board Members were shocked and resentful by the Chairman's ugly solution to the problem. A Board Member approached Hwan Chul and advised him to inform them of the outcome of this commotion caused by the Chairman.

Sizing up his dad, he felt that their argument wouldn't lead to anything, and he thought of showing defeat at this moment instead, to at least appease his dad while he could come up with something to stop his dad from destroying him again.

"All right, you want this company to flourish again, dad? So do I, but give me some time to think. Getting married is difficult because I have never dreamed of marrying anyone since Cecil. I'll get back to you, don't worry; I won't run; I treasure this business as much as you do. I gave my life and time to this company. At least give me time to reflect." Hyun-Ki paused, waiting for his dad's approval; when the Chairman waved his hand, telling go, he left. Hwan Chul stayed with his dad. Hwan was considering in his thoughts what Hyun-Ki last said to them.

Hyun-Ki was in his car, thinking of the best way to fool his dad, just as his dad did to him and Cecil. He cannot let his dad win over him again. While the car was passing the mall, he finally got an idea.

"Junie, will you wait for me here? I have to look for something to appease Rielle today." And Junie parked the car and waited while Hyun-Ki went to a jewelry store. He was choosing a ring for Rielle but was hesitant because of the size of the call until he remembered Rielle's college ring still on his little finger.

"I wanted a diamond as an engagement ring for my fiancée." Removing Rielle's ring from his little finger, "will you fit this ring for the right size? I also need a pair." Hyun-Ki was pleased with his purchase and kept them in his pocket.

When Hyun-Ki arrived, he found Rielle cooking a meal and was amused when Rielle smiled so sweetly at him, setting aside his bad and ugly experience back then. He came behind Rielle and held her close with his warm embrace, and all the ill-feeling he had in his system changed to calmness and joy.

"You better change to fresh clothes first, Love, then we eat before I go back home," Rielle said in her gentle voice.

"But I need you here, Rielle; please stay with me," implored Hyun-Ki. Then a sliver of a moment, the doorbell rang, and Hwan Chul was at the door, facing worried.

"What brought you here this instance, Chul; you look so upset," Hyun-Ki remarked.

"That Mr. George, dad, and Julienne were already planning for the wedding, which will take place on Tuesday in a hotel garden. You know, dad, Hyeong never takes no for an answer. Even if you have not decided yet, he was in a hurry and determined to have this merger and your wedding with Julienne. He was thinking of bringing you to that wedding venue where you will sign the merger contract right after the wedding." Hwan Chul was worried.

Hyun-Ki turned on Rielle, standing and listening by his side, almost in tears, fearing losing him completely this time. Hyun-Ki hugged Rielle assuring her things would be okay. Hyun-Ki took something out of his suit's side pocket, and then holding Rielle's left hand, he knelt and said,

"Will you marry me now, Rielle?" Hyun-Ki was nervous again, fearing another rejection. But Rielle smiled joyfully in tears and replied, "yes, Hyun, I will marry you." So Hyun-Ki put the ring on her fourth finger on her left hand, and both embraced, filled with blissful emotions.

Hwan Chul was taken aback and then led his face down, in tears, feeling hurt, realizing he had now lost Rielle completely. Hyun-Ki hung his arm around Hwan Chul's shoulder and hugged him tightly, saying, "I believe that you love Rielle so much, Chul but let's face it, Rielle and I are in love and just be a sweet and loving brother-in-law, how about that?" Hyun-Ki uttered.

The two brothers shook hands and talked a little more, discussing how to outwit their dad. "I am thinking of having a Civil Wedding with Rielle so that dad and the Simons cannot do anything then." Hyun-Ki was determined in his decision.

"I need you, Chul, to make this pull through. I am also thinking of getting Nancy and Wilson to witness our wedding, so by the time Dad puts me in that burning coal, I am done with him." Said Hyun-Ki, while holding Rielle close to his side.

"In that case, you have to act soon. How about your wedding clothes? You have to shop soon so that by Monday, you're off to your civil wedding," suggested Hwan Chul.

After a few more discussions about Hyun-Ki's plan, Hwan left for home.