WAR CHAEBOL STYLE (PART1)

JOOHYUN

Joohyun sat up from her bed and asked Tiffany to repeat what she just said.

“Yong just declared war on Shin Hye” Tiffany repeated.

“Ah – is this the smoke and mirrors that Suzy mentioned?” Joohyun asked.

“Yes, it’s going to very subtle and it won’t ever point to Yong.  He’s going to make her sweat. She really shouldn’t have taken him on.”

“Should I talk to Oppa? I really don’t like him being like this.” Joohyun said.

“Remember what they are Maknae. They’re very rich people. They can make it happen. And despite everything they do have a pecking order – but really Yong and his family don’t do that. CNB Holdings is top of the food chain but have you ever seen Yong do anything that even echoes that? They are low key and that’s true class. “

“I feel sorry for Shin Hye.” Joohyun remarked.

“You should. It was a total mistake for her to target you – somebody should have told her not to do that. I think if her best friend Dara was here Shin Hye wouldn’t be in this mess. Sadly, Dara’s in London studying.”

“But why do so many people not like her?” Joohyun asked.

“Well, I can only guess that it’s partly her personality and the circles she moves around in.  I think she had a hard time in high school – fitting in.  Chaebol girls aren’t the friendliest lot especially to a new comer like her.  But you know her friend Dara is chaebol class – but since I’ve met her – I can tell you Dara’s a very down to earth girl.  We never really knew about Shin Hye since she left for finishing school. Since she’s come back – other than Min Young –all her other friends are just people who make her look bad. I hope she recognizes that they’re just hanging around her for her money and social connections.”

“Joohyun! Why are you still on the phone? You’ll be late for school!” Her mother called out.

“Ah Unnie – I’ll see you later at lunch!” Joohyun said.

Before she closed her phone she noticed that she had a message from Yonghwa.

HIS TEXT: Sweetheart, your phone was busy. Who are you talking to?  See you later. We need to talk. I love you.

HER TEXT: Oppa, I was talking to Tiffany unnie. I heard you just declared war. Yes we need to talk. Good luck in your exams.  I love you too. Kissing you.

Since she was seeing Yonghwa, Joohyun picked her clothes with care.  She chose a black pencil skirt and a periwinkle colored light sweater that Yonghwa particularly liked and low heeled sling backs. 

“I look nice today!” She gave her mirror image a big smile.

Calling out a loud goodbye to her mother, Joohyun hurried to the car.  As was their routine Ahjusshi handed her a bag containing her usual breakfast – a banana and a yogurt drink.

“Hmm, it’s Friday – so you’re smiling a lot. By the way, I got a call from your young man last night. He told me what happened in your school.  I apologized to him for not being there for you.  Good thing he had someone fetch you.  Tell me the story.” Dong Il said.

Joohyun told him what happened yesterday.

“Hmmm… I don’t have a lot to do today so I’ll stay in your school until he arrives to pick you up. Not taking any chances.” Dong Il remarked as Joohyun got out of the car.

Joohyun knew well enough not to argue to Ahjusshi because she knew he was doing it for her and Yonghwa.

The morning passed without any incident. Hyoyeon made sure that she met Joohyun between classes and waited for the younger girl so they could have lunch together.  They weren’t able to meet the other girls because of their exams. 

Joohyun just finished her lunch when she got a call. It was Max Changmin.

“Seo! What have you gotten yourself into? You’re dating my sunbae’s cousin and you got this actor waiting for you in the parking lot of your school! Trouble’s still following you!”

“Anya! I didn’t look for trouble! I didn’t tell him to come here! By the way Max Oppa – can you tell me what Yunho Oppa talked to Min Ho-ssi about?”

“Well, sunbae just asked what he was doing in your school. He was cool about it but I could feel his anger. Min Ho was really surprised when he saw me. He told us that he just wanted to apologise for the article about you being his girlfriend. But unfortunately that got sunbae even madder.  I had to get really close to him because his hands fisted and I was afraid he would hit Min Ho. I can’t really quote what he said word for word because of the swear words but sunbae basically said that if he tried this again he’s have to spend some time in hospital recuperating. Min Ho got mad then but that’s when I came in and explained to Min Ho that the Jung family didn’t want any spotlight on them so they take great pains to avoid them and that this would also reflect badly on his image as an actor.”

“I’m sorry you got involved in this Max Oppa.” Joohyun said.

“I’ve been saving you since you were 14! But truly – be careful okay? Sunbae told me about what’s been happening to Yonghwa and yourself. If you ever need my help let me know. I’ve got go now – take care Seobaby – I mean it!”

They said their good byes and Joohyun told Hyoyeon what Max told her.   Both of them were pleasantly surprised when they saw Tiffany hurrying towards them.

“Hey! Good I was able to catch you before your next test.  I have only have one exam today so right after this I’m going home.” Tiffany sat down next to them and handed Joohyun a newspaper.

“What’s this unnie? Not another article?” Joohyun’s heart dropped.

Ah! I’m going to have a hard time with Oppa tonight!

“Yong’s family sits on the board of 3 publishing companies - they have newspapers and magazines. This is one of them. I really wish Shin Hye would do her homework better. Anyway, this is column is a widely read one – it’s basically a society page that shows all the social happenings that occurs every weekend – and look at the pictures that got posted.” Tiffany’s red lacquered nail tapped on the paper.

There were pictures of the high society weddings that were celebrated last weekend as well as the engagement picture of the couples that were slated to wed this coming weekend, an art gallery opening, a book launch and birthday celebrations. Shin Hye’s birthday celebration took up the most part.  A total of 7 pictures – 5 of them had Shin Hye and Min Ho next to each other with other people –no Yonghwa and no Joohyun. The other 2 pictures had her and Yonghwa together with their friends. On both occasions they were seated next to each other.

“FYI – if what Suzy says is true – there’s no way her father wouldn’t see these pictures. I don’t know if it’s a plus yet but Yong’s mother would have seen this too.” Tiffany said.

Joohyun’s heart started beating a bit faster when she heard that. She knew that her mother generally did not look at these sections in the newspapers but someone might mention it to her.

I’ll cross that bridge when I get there!

“And I made a really big discovery today – did you know that uri Jessica is best childhood friends with Park Min Young? I literally wanted to strangle her for keeping that information from us. But they want their friendship kept low key – and again uri Jessica knows Suzy thru Min Young. Argh! That girl! But she defended herself in saying that she didn’t want Min Young to be dragged into this business with Shin Hye and Min Ho so she kept shut. You should have seen her face when we told her that we met Suzy on the weekend.”

“So this is it? This is our response to Shin Hye?” Hyoyeon asked. “It’s already Friday – the happenings were last week. Wouldn’t this be considered old news?”

“People don’t just look at the pictures on this column but rather the comments of the columnist. Lee Hyorin can make or break you with her comments. She literally tells you where to go or not go in the coming weekend” Tiffany said. “We just need to sit and watch.”

Hyoyoen read the column out loud:

Park Shin Hye’s dazzling birthday bash was the place to be last weekend. Candid pictures here show her with her guests. She even had dashing matinee idol Lee Min Ho as a guest!  But no Park Min Young? Why is that? Oh- yes, they broke up. Wonder who he’s keeping company with these days? CNB Holdings’ Jung Yong Hwa was also a guest. Other than that 1 photo of them together with Min Ho