Fire Breakout

SEASON TWO Chapter Fifty-Three

Then suddenly, the fire alarms broke out, and an explosion was heard from below the higher floors.

The confrontation between Hyun-Ki and his dad, the Chairman, was an intense but gratifying episode for Hyun-Ki himself. The thorns of pain for so long, inch by inch, were falling off his heart and the hurtful memories of his past disappeared slowly, making Hyun-Ki live a peaceful life with his wife, Rielle. Both decided to make their life simple but heavenly and become partners in managing the company's operational and internal plans, industry standing, and financial projections.

The husband-and-wife team became more robust, and the people working for them became more efficient, dynamic, and conscious of their jobs.

Three months after the father-and-son confrontation, Hwan Chul visited his brother's Office.

"Hyeong, I'll be returning to Korea with dad. He recovered from his heart stroke but wanted to go home so eomma could take care of him." Hwan Chul suggested.

"How long will you stay there, Hwan? I also need you here." Asked Hyun-Ki.

"Since dad is incapacitated to overseer his business back in Korea, he suggested I can run it in his place, maybe until he regained his normal strength?" Hwan Chul said in a doubtful tone.

"I would not stop you if that is your decision, namdongsaeng, so I guess I have to pick within the company to replace you. Your recommendation for someone to replace you would be better. How soon are you leaving?" asked Hyun-Ki in a sad tone.

"I'll finish and complete my work in my Office, review my staff's performance for my replacement, then, that's it. I'll inform you as soon as I have completed everything. By the way, are you not visiting dad, just once only, because it will take time before seeing him again, Hyeong." Suggested Hwan.

Hyun-Ki did not say anything. So, Hwan Chul considered it a 'no' and left. Rielle overheard their conversation, so she approached her husband.

"Love, it would be better if you see your dad; just make him feel your presence, say a few words like 'be well, dad,' then leave." Rielle hung her hands over Hyun-Ki's shoulders and kissed the top of his head. Hyun-Ki did not fidget nor show any interest in Rielle's remark. He thought it would be better for his father to stay away from him and his wife forever.

Five months passed; the Christmas season was around the corner. KOR H&H was bustling with a lively atmosphere. Every Office was decorating its place, and the entire Maintenance Department, with the guidance of the Human Resources Division, was decorating the whole building, every corner inside and outside of the premises, giving everyone an outlook of a cheerful Christmas.

Rielle was also busy decorating their condo home, and Hyun-Ki was in a high spirit decorating the Christmas tree.

"Come here, Sweetheart; how about placing the star on the tree top; I'll carry you so you can reach it." Hyun-Ki was happy, giving a contented smile. So, Rielle placed the star, after which Hyun-Ki suddenly dropped Rielle into his arms.

"This is my first Christmas with you as my wife, Rielle. I am so fortunate to have you in my life, and I have nothing more to ask." Hyun-Ki kissed Rielle on her forehead, somehow misty-eyed. Rielle took a long stare through his eyes, then kissed them and gave Hyun-Ki a tight warm embrace.

"I am thrilled to have you in my life, Hyun. And I am also fortunate to have you as my husband. Please don't change nor ever think of replacing me because ---" Hyun-Ki touched her lips and spoke: "Because of what, you'd leave me?" he asked with a hint of mischief. Rielle saw that hint through his eyes and ran away from his grip. Hyun-Ki caught her, tickling all over her, and while Rielle was ticklish, laughing out loud, Hyun-Ki grabbed her body and laid her on the floor, his face so close to hers.

"No one can ever replace you, my Rielle. You're already a prisoner in my heart, and you can never escape from me, nor can I ever run away from you." Hyun-Ki was becoming romantic, and Rielle reciprocated his romantic mood, feeling so contented with having Rielle in his life.

The celebration of Christmas was looked forward to by every employee in the KOR H&H; aside from increasing their salary and extra raise as profit-sharing, they were waiting for their grand Christmas Party to take place in the company's wide-open space of the building. Some programs participated by everyone, big prizes for winners of every category from dancing to singing to gaming contests. Every employee thought this year's Christmas was grand, maybe because Rielle desired to give each of them benefits for their hard work, and the couple would like to return their gratitude for their loyalty.

Christmas at Rielle's family home was also a robust holiday mood. There were decorations of the Nativity in the garden, holiday stockings all around the stairs and doors, a Christmas wreath on the door, and a mistletoe. The most awaited of their celebration were the festive food on the table and gift-giving. Everyone at home was all singing and at the same time listening to carolers, and the best thing that happened that night of their Christmas Eve was the announcement of Donna and Drew's engagement as a real couple.

"Listen, everyone! Donna and I are now engaged, making our relationship serious. Take a fill of red wine in your glass and toast for us!" Drew announced heartily, and Hyun-Ki shook hands with him.

"Now that we will soon be brothers-in-law, I am removing from your name 'foolish' because you proved to be a true, sincere, and loving person to Rielle." Chuckled Drew and both made their fist-bump.

During their quiet time at their condo home, Hyun-Ki was looking at a brochure given to him by a real estate agent and sat close to Rielle to show the brochure.

"I think it's high time we have our own house on a private property, Sweetheart." He seriously suggested.

"What makes you think it's high time? We already have a home, this condo unit," Rielle said.

"If we are to make a family, it will be a better advantage for our children where they can move and play around freely, breathe fresh air, have their swimming pool, and invite their friends and relatives, and we can both park our cars in a wider garage." Said Hyun dreamily.

"Park both our cars? You mean you'll let me drive my car?" Rielle was excited.

"Yes and no, Sweetheart. You can have your car with a driver. But mostly, you'll be riding with me; you will use it only when you want to spend some time, like visiting friends and your mom, going to the salon, shopping, etcetera." Explained Hyun-Ki, looking at her amused.

"Hmph, I thought I could drive my own, but I still need a driver to drive for me, humph." With pursed lips, she rolled her eyes at Hyun-Ki and turned her back on him. Hyun-Ki tickled Rielle and hugged her to appease her.

"I don't want bad to happen to you, Sweetheart; a driver should be there to drive for you because a professional driver knows how to keep you from accidents. I cannot stand losing you, my dear wife." Hyun-Ki hugged his wife to make her feel important to him.

"What is your plan for this condo, Love? Are we going to sell it?" asked Rielle, feeling sad.

"What is that tone of sadness, or was it regret? Don't you want a bigger place where we can truly call it a home?" frankly asked Hyun-Ki.

"Not really; this condo had a sentimental value for me, that's all." Rielle felt a stabbing pinch in her heart. "This is where we had our first romantic moment, our first decorating hands-on, our first fight, our civil marriage honeymoon--" Hyun-Ki interrupted her with his kiss. His short kiss to stop her from being sentimental came to a longer one, and both indulged in lovemaking again.

It was two days before New Year. The Offices in KOR H&H were too busy for its year-end working plan. Then the lights started blinking as if there was an electric outage. But the company people just considered it something to ignore, and everyone kept themselves busy and concentrated on their work.

A little bit more, the lights shut off together with the air conditioning, leaving the Offices dark and hot, and everyone started opening their windows to let air come in. Then suddenly, the fire alarms broke out, and an explosion was heard from below the higher floors. Everyone panicked. The Han couple descended their car when they were met by running panicky employees getting out of the building. Hyun-Ki stopped Rielle from entering.

"Stay here in the car, Rielle. I'll go and see the problem; it's like something is burning, stay put, please, Sweetheart." Hyun-Ki warned Rielle. Junie asked Rielle to return to the car and he'll find a safe place to park.

Then came the firetrucks to help bring out the people trapped inside the building, and the rest of the firefighters focused their hoses on the flames coming out of the windows.

Hyun-Ki was running the stairs because they shut down the elevators, and as he entered one floor from the exit door, he heard voices shouting for help, so Hyun-Ki went following the shouting votes, and when Hyun-Ki found them, he kicked the door open and led the trapped employees out. As he went along corridors in search of the stairs to go up again, going to his Office, he met more of the panicking employees, and they almost pushed him aside. Then he kept on going until he reached his Office. He was about to get his laptop when the beam from the ceiling was about to break loose. He was nearly out of that point when the beam fell on him, and he could not move, for the shaft was too heavy. He shouted for help, but it seemed that no one was there to help him; a wire was about to get loose and sparked near him, blinding him. Good thing; two firemen found him and carried him to the window where a window float was waiting to carry him down.

Rielle was waiting at a distance from the burning building, and when she saw a man pulled down from the window float, she went closer, hoping it would not be Hyun-Ki, but when up closed, she screamed to see her husband with burns on his face. The firefighters were trying to fend her off, but Rielle refused and shouted: "He is my husband, the owner of this building!" The firefighters felt back and let her go near her unconscious husband.

Hyun-Ki was immediately rushed to the hospital and was led directly to the operating room. Rielle with Junie was waiting by the Operating Room door, pacing around nervously, wringing her fingers, and could not stay still. She was afraid to hear what the surgeon might say, and she felt so horrified by just the thought of the surgeon's diagnosis. Having seen her husband's burned face, she was trying to get the suspicion out of her mind that he might be blind, which made her more petrified.

Mrs. Calma, Drew, and her two sisters rushed to the hospital to see her, for they knew that she needed comfort and sympathy. Mrs. Calma brought her daughter to sit to calm her down, and Rielle was crying profusely, breaking her anguish out of fear that Hyun-Ki might get blind because the firefighter told her:

"An electric cable got loose from the Office ceiling, and while under the shaft, an electric cable fell before him and sparked near his face. The spark from the electric cable burned his face, and I am sorry he might turn blind, but this was only my speculation, ma'am. Let us pray that it is not."