He looks out the window as the bus pulls out of the station. If he could only stay with her he would but he had more important things to do. For her.

Then the tears came.

And he all could see was another woman’s face.  She lived in a corner of his mind – just in the background. Small and thin – a hard worker. Old before her time.

Seo Kyung Hyun never had a father. It was always accepted that he had died.  When he asked all she would tell him was that.  Because she was a silent woman. Hands forever busy – mending, cooking, cleaning – always working.  She took all types of work as far back as he could remember. The only day she took few hours off was his birthday – she would make seaweed soup and watch him eat it before leaving for work.

She was never warm but she was caring in her own way. She made sure he had all his uniforms –cleaned and ironed.  They didn’t have fancy food but there wasn’t a time that he ever had to skip a meal.  That they were poor was a something he didn’t notice until he went to school.

At first he was mad at her. Being poor made him different from his classmates.  But as he grew older he learned that she did back breaking work just for him.  He tried to help out but she told him that being the best that the he could be was all the help she needed. She said it plainly and quietly.

He was ranked first in his class from middle school to high school. He wanted to become a lawyer he told her that on his 20th birthday. She told him to go to the army first. He didn’t question her – it was good idea.

After 20 months he came home.  To the place that he spent his life – 3 rooms that they called home in Seoul. She was there. He told her that she should stop working and he would look for work and study at night. She smiled a little and took his hand.  He was surprised because he could count the number of times touched him. She handed him a passbook.  She told him to take it and go to America to study. He looked at the passbook and couldn’t believe his eyes.

The passbook had 52 Million Won.

This is the end of you and me she told him.  Take this money and go to America.  Study and make a living there. Forget about Korea. He started to protest and he got mad.  She looked at him and told him that she had to go to work.

He waited for her that night. And for several days after that. Her clothes were gone but he couldn’t believe it. Their neighbors told him that they saw her carrying bags every day. 

He didn’t know where to go.  They didn’t have any relatives.  He went to one of the places she worked in only to be told that she hadn’t been working there in months.  They told him that she mentioned going home to Jejudo.

He went to Jejudo but after 5 days gave up looking.  He knew her well – if she didn’t want to be found he would not find her. That was her personality.

So he did as he was told. He got a passport and bought a plane ticket for America. 

His dream was to study in New York – so that’s where he went.  A young Korean man working 3 jobs wasn’t unusual then.  He studied English by himself and by watching TV.  He deposited his money in bank and took out only what he needed.  He was lucky enough to find a Korean couple who needed an errand boy for their grocery.  He worked for them until he could save enough money to go to night school to take Political Science.

By the time he was 26 he was able to study at the University of Buffalo – he met his wife there.  She was much younger than he was but for the first time in his life he allowed himself to care for someone.  They married 2 years after graduating.  It was a struggle for them but they made it slowly – by the time he had his daughter he was already an associate.

But she was always there in the back of his mind.

Omma – I feel so sad here…

Omma – I’m spending your money wisely…

Omma – the tests were so hard…

Omma – it’s my first day of work…

Omma – I’m getting married today…

Omma- I got promoted today….

Omma – my daughter was born today….

Omma – my daughter started piano lessons today…

Omma – my daughter had her first piano recital today…

Omma- my daughter is a straight A student….

Omma – Omma…

Omma – you know

Omma –I named her after you

And his tears came again.

He was not an affectionate man and truly only his wife knew his heart. He loves his daughter but it was not in his nature to show it to her. Like his own mother – he kept all his feelings inside. He worked hard so that he could provide her with the best things – ballet, piano, the best schools – that was his expression of love.

Just a few days ago his daughter had looked so small and frail in the hospital bed.  When the doctor gave him the bottle of pre-natal vitamins it had hit him then – his daughter was having a baby. He had rushed to the bathroom then and cried.

He was angry at her. So angry that he treated her roughly.  His precious child.  The only one he had. His Joohyun.

He was mad at her but not at his grandchild.  He was relieved when she took the vitamins without question but that relief quickly turned into worry when she couldn’t keep anything down.  His wife was just the same he remembered.

He even left for work that Saturday.  He knew that if he only told his wife everything would be alright.  Joohyun’s Omma was an intelligent woman.  They would figure out a solution without having their daughter marry so young. His wife had told him that the young man was respectful and seemed to come from a good family.  He trusted his wife’s instincts.

But when he saw that trashy newspaper article he saw red.  How could she do this to him? To her mother? Did they raise this kind of child?

When Joohyun told him that the news article was lie he got mad again.  His disappointment knew no bounds. Pale and trembling she was hysterical – only when their maid came in and told him that it was bad for her and the child did he come to his senses. He mustn’t let those people even get a glimpse of her. He wanted to murder the bastard who did this – how convenient to be in a family affair when his daughter needed him. That she kept on defending that bastard was too much for him.  He yanked out all the phones except for the ones in the master bedroom and his study.

Bastard! Leaving her alone! Well, he’ll take her somewhere that guy could never reach her. No one treats his daughter that way.

He didn’t give her a choice.  He avoided her eyes and kept a stony face.  He must take her away from Seoul.  He knew that his wife wouldn’t have agreed on this plan but he would have to convince her somehow – that this was the best way for their daughter. 

The trip to Gwaunju was a nightmare.  His child suffered so much.  She was gray from exhaustion by the time they got there. His heart bled.

When he was sure that she was asleep he took out the 4 soju bottles that he bought on the way.  He drank steadily not stopping until he finished all the bottles.  His sobs seemed so loud in the still night air.  He cried bitter tears. His failure as a parent.

Omma – why did this happen?

Omma- you’ll be ashamed of me – I’ve failed you.

Omma – I don’t want history to repeat itself

Omma- don’t worry I won’t turn my back on her like what your family did to you

Omma- I don’t want to leave her – she’ll cry for her mother

Omma- help me – help her

Omma- take care of her for me.

It was close to sunrise when he gathered himself.  He woke up the old woman and gave her money.  Anything and any food that Joohyun wants the old woman should get it and to make sure that she drank her vitamins and slept early.

He rode his car all the way to next farm where he was welcomed by a young man.  He gave instructions that the younger man should make sure that the ahjumma reports Joohyun’s condition every day.

He would be leaving his car in the young man’s farm.  He would be back in 3 weeks with his wife to get their daughter.

“Of course Attorney Seo.” The young man bows to him.” I will make sure that Ahjumma takes care of your daughter.”

“Thank you – now please take me to the bus station.”

Now here he was – back in Seoul.  He was done crying for his daughter. It was now time to take care of business.

His maid just looked at him when he got home.  He nodded curtly at her and went to his room.  He knew that the old woman was worried about Joohyun but he was just so tired he didn’t want to talk.

He made it to his office in record time – only the secretaries were around.  They were talking when he came in but immediately turned silent.  His presence had always intimidated them.

He went his office and dialed Atty. Cho’s personal number.

“Sunbae, I’m taking a leave of absence.”

“Of course – we know that you’re going through a rough time.  Shouldn’t you be telling your wife?”

“I will tell her – as soon as the case she’s handling is settled.  I know that it’s an important case for our firm.”

“But this is your daughter –“

“I know – that’s why I have to handle matters first until my wife gets back. Thank you for understanding Sunbae.”

He sits on his desk and stares at his daughter’s pictures.  One when she was a year old, one when she was 12 and the last one when she graduated high school. It was only a short while ago – skipping a grade in elementary and skipping another grade in middle school. Yes, she was so smart.

So smart that she let this happen to her.  Falling in love – so seriously in love at a young age.

She’d argued with him until he got so mad at her but she never backed down.  It was like arguing with himself – Joohyun could be just as stubborn and as obstinate as he was.

He let himself think about her –she must think he was cold and heartless leaving her there. 

My baby. My Joohyun. Just for a while princess – I need to hide you – to protect you.

Sighing heavily he prepares all the documents he needs.

Before noon of that day, Atty. Seo files a 500 million KRW suit against the tabloid that published the article.  

 The next day he got in touch with the Lee Min Ho’s agency.  That afternoon he sat down with the agency’s president.

“Sir – this article is not true.  Your daughter and Lee Min Ho are only acquaintances.”

“So what are you doing about it?”

“We’ve also filed a libel case against the tabloid. And we are preparing to issue a statement.”

“Where is Lee Min Ho?”

“Sir, he’s filming in Thailand.  He can’t get back here in time so we are issuing the statement on his behalf.”

“What? Can’t get back here in time? Do you want me to file a case against him also?”

“Atty Seo please – understand our position-“

“Understand my position – I’m not just an Attorney – I’m a father and my daughter’s reputation is on the line here.  Either your talent personally issues a statement or I’ll sue you together with the tabloid.” He stands up and heads out the door. “I give him 2 days to come back to Korea.”

He was tired when he got home that afternoon. He hadn’t eaten anything. He notices a car parked just next to his gate.

Im Young Geun.                                                                          

Sighing heavily he parks his car outside the gate and enters his house. He wills himself to calm. He found them seated in the living room.

“Samchon!” Yoona bit her lip to stop her tears from falling. “Where is Joohyun?”

“Yoona!” Her father exclaims.

“Joohyun is far away for here.  She’s not coming home any time soon.”

“Seo Kyung Hyun – does your wife know what you’re doing?” The older man took a step forward.

“This is my family’s business not yours. If you have nothing else to say you can go now. I have enough problems to deal with.” He said in a cold voice.

“Please – if I can just go to her. Samchon – I’ll stay with her until everything is fixed – until Imo comes. Please!” Yoona was wringing her hands in despair.

“NO!” He replied. “She has to stay hidden until her mother and I can fix things. If you want to help me tell that boy to come and see me. With his parents.”

“He’s coming Samchon.” Yoona said bravely going near him.”Have patience please – his family just lost 2 relatives in the USA.  He will be here as soon as he is able.” 

“If he’s not here in a week’s time he’ll never see her again.  Tell him that.” With those words he turns his back on them and heads for his study.

Yoona embraces her father in despair.  “Appa can we not call Joohyun’s Omma?”

“No we can’t.  He’s right it’s their business.  We might complicate things more.”  Her Appa pats her back gently.

“Appa – can I go tell my unnies and Jonghyun?” Yoona asks.

“Of course.  Just be very careful with what you say.”  Her father cautions her.

They were walking towards the gate when Ahjumma catches Yoona’s hand.

“Don’t tell Atty Seo but Agassi told me to bring a note to a huge house 3 blocks from here. I handed the note to one of those men outside the gate.” The old woman whispered.

“Oh- Yong Oppa’s house?” Yoona pulls the old woman out of the gate.

“Yes –but the man told me that the person that the note was addressed to was gone.  But I made him promise to give it to her as soon as she got back. Agassi – can you go to that house and ask for me? I can’t leave Atty. Seo alone in the house.  He looks like he’s about to collapse.” Ahjumma’s eyes filled with tears.

“We’ll go there.” Yoona’s Appa as