“Annyeong Hasayo Sammonim.” The very pretty girl bows to Joohyun as soon as she arrives at the Mandarin Oriental in Shanghai. “Sandra Ma imnida. I am your interpreter.”

“Annyeong hasayo.” Joohyun smiles at the young woman who was wearing the shortest shorts, a loose white shirt and sneakers. Perfect Chinese beauty – alabaster skin all around.

“Director Rae Won, Director Ok, Annyeong hasayo!” The young woman bows to Director Rae Won and Taekyeon.

“Ah Sandra you’re as pretty as ever!” Director Kim Rae Won was all smiles at the young woman.

“How’s the internship? What have you been doing since we last saw you?” Taekyeon asks.

“Very well Director. I finished my translation test yesterday. Hopefully I will get admitted to the Institute.” Her fresh youthful smile was very lovely to look at.

Joohyun walks ahead of them. The girl seemed very familiar with the Director and the CFO.

“It’s a pity Hwejangnim could not make it.  He’s so kind and funny. I will miss his jokes.”

Joohyun walks faster to the elevators. So her husband had a very pretty interpreter – another thing he conveniently “forgot” to tell her.

“Agassi!” Ahjussi catches up with Joohyun just before the elevator closes. “You’re walking too fast. Do you have a headache again?”

“Aniyo – just tired Ahjussi.” Joohyun smiles. She had a headache during the flight to Shanghai and didn’t eat anything only mineral water – Joohyun attributed it to nerves.  .

They arrive at the penthouse suite just as the bell boy was unloading her suitcases and dress bags. When they were ushered into the suite – Joohyun sinks to the nearest chair, she felt cold and clammy.

“See! I told you to eat!” Ahjussi looks at her and shakes his head. “Eating a little bit will still make you fit into those clothes! I’ll order something and you better eat it young lady!”

Joohyun just nods and listens as Ahjussi orders lemon tea and cucumber sandwiches for her.

“Aren’t you having something Ahjussi?” Joohyun had taken her shoes off and had her feet up on the coffee table.

“I’ll eat with the other guards.” Ahjussi tells her. “I’ll wait for room service before I leave you. Take a nap and freshen up.”

“Ahjussi – that young woman how long has she been interpreter?”

“Ah – since Doryeongnim started talks with the Huo Conglomerate. One of Mr. Jian Huo’s friends is connected with the Language Institute and recommended her.”

“Is she a good one?”

“I believe so or else Doryeongnim would have requested for another one.”

“What else does she do other than interpret?”

“Ah – she’s taken them around Shanghai, helped them shop, she’s taken them to restaurants and clubs. She’s a very nice girl.”

“Really? And you’re always there with them.”

“Of course.” Ahjussi tells her as he answers the doorbell. He lets in the server and watches as the food tray was placed before Joohyun.

“Is there anything else you need Agassi?”

“No I’m fine Ahjussi.” Joohyun smiles. “I’ll call the children and check up on them. And of course the parents.”

“And Doryeongnim?” Ahjussi looks at Joohyun.

“Ahjussi it’s a 12 hour difference – he’s sleeping right now.  I’ll call him before we go down tonight.”

“Alright – one of the guards is already outside.  He won’t let anyone in with my permission. Rest Agassi.” With that the older man leaves the room.

Joohyun surveys the suite – it was certainly very posh and beautiful – it had a living room, a bar, a dining area and the view was spectacular. It even had a piano. She sighs and sips her tea. As beautiful as her surroundings were she was still alone. If the incident with Nila Zhou hadn’t happened her Oppa would be here with her right now.  She would just be accompanying him not signing a contract for him.

She felt her irritation for Nila Zhou rising again. She shakes her head and finishes the cucumber sandwich and the tea.  Knowing Ajussi he would certainly check if she finished her food.

 “Samonim – a bouquet of flowers from Mr. Jian Huo.”

Joohyun opens the door to see the guard and the bell boy holding a huge arrangement of peach roses.

“Oh my!” Joohyun gasps as the scent of roses fill the suite. She felt light headed as she thanks the guard and gives a tip to the bell boy. “Thank you so much.”

She opens the card that accompanied the arrangement.  It was from Jian apologizing for not being present when she arrived.  He had last minute details to attend to with regard to the signing ceremony for the next day.  He was looking forward to seeing her in the cocktails.

Her mobile starts ringing and her eyes light up – it was Jae. Her eldest was probably home from his Taekwondo class.  She had fun time talking to her children who regaled her about their day.

“What day is Ma-ma coming back?” Aeyah asks.

“Before the weekend Omma will be back so be a good girl and wait.” Joohyun answers.

“Appa? When is Appa coming back?” Her youngest asks again.

“The same day.” Joohyun answers. “Except Omma will arrive earlier than Appa.”

“Omma can we go riding when you come back?” Jae asks.

“You can ride with Appa and Aeyah.” Joohyun answers.

“Please Omma – ride with us. Even really slowly.” Jae coaxes his mother.

“Then you’ll be bored but with Appa you can ride fast.” Joohyun answers.

“We can’t because Appa always thinks about Aeyah!” Jae exclaims. “Aeyah don’t ride anymore!”

“No! I will ride with Appa!” Aeyah starts crying.

“Ah the 2 of you – always quarreling it’s as if I have 10 children! Aeyah stop crying! We can talk about when Omma gets back.” Joohyun tells her children. “Be good or no presents for you.”

After 20 more minutes of talking Joohyun hangs up and promises her children that she’ll ride with them.  When her head touches the pillow she was immediately fast asleep.

She wakes up with a start and looks at her mobile it was 5:30 PM and she still had to do her hair and makeup. Joohyun scolds herself over and over – she was always sleepy.

She was putting on the finishing touches of her make up when her mobile rings.

“Oh Oppa you’re up early.” Joohyun tells her husband.

“I just wanted to check on you.” Yonghwa replies. “I wish I was there.”

“Hm….you do? You wish were here?” She asks him.

“Of course so I can be with you.” Yonghwa replies.

“You didn’t tell me you had a very pretty interpreter. Very young, very beautiful, very friendly. Director Kim Rae Won and CFO Ok Taekyeon were practically falling over themselves in greeting her. I learned that she’s been your interpreter since the talks with the Huo conglomerate started months ago. How come you never mentioned her?”

“Why I should mention her? She’s just the interpreter.” Yonghwa replies. He didn’t like where the conversation was headed.

“She took you around I heard from Ahjussi.”

“Not just me.”

“I know.”

“Joohyunah are you picking a fight with Oppa?” Yonghwa was very surprised.

“Aniyo – I’m just asking and you’re so defensive.” Joohyun sprays her face with a mist. Her make-up was done – all she had to do was to put on her clothes. “I need to charge my phone Oppa I will call you on the tablet I need your opinion on something.”

When she closes the phone Joohyun smiles. She knew just how to make her Oppa miss her.

“Oh, Oppa.” Joohyun props the tablet on the dresser. She was wearing her favorite La Perla silk strapless bra and with matching garter and sheer stockings. She saw his face and heard his groan but pretended not to notice.

“Oppa – what do you think I should wear with the dress?” She asks him. Leaning close to the tablet she gives him a glimpse of her cleavage as she opens the flat box containing the yellow diamond earrings and collar set that was lent to her by her mother in law. She turns, keeping her walk slow and turning slowly holding up the jewelry against the Dior gold and white cocktail dress. “This one? Or –“

She walks back putting a questioning look on her face.  She wanted to laugh at her husband’s expression but continued with her charade. “I also have the South Sea pearls.” Once again she leans very close to tablet and opens the other flat jewelry box.

“Joohyunah.” Yonghwa looks at her taking in the beautifully made up face, wavy hair and silk clad body. “I can’t think.”

“Why not?” She asks. Sighing she sits back and crosses her legs. Slowly. “Palli – I’m going to be late. What do you want me to wear?”

“Are you playing games with me again Buin?” Yonghwa was certain that Joohyun was paying him back for not telling him about the interpreter.

“Why would I?” She asks him – her eyes wide with feigned innocence. “Do you feel guilty about something?”

“Only about being so far away from you right now. I want to kiss you senseless because you’re upset about the female interpreter we have.” Yonghwa tells her.

Joohyun laughs.  She saw the desire in his eyes and was appeased – she still had his undivided attention. “Oh, you’ll pay me back for that bit of information that you conveniently forgot to tell me. Again.”

“Buin, she’s just a young woman. She’s very bright, very personable, very goal oriented.  She wants to become a diplomat someday.” He tells her.

“I don’t think I like you praising other women especially young women in front of me.” Joohyun’s tone becomes mildly irritated. “I would like to judge her for myself. As of now I wasn’t very impressed with the short shorts she wore to meet us but of course Director Rae Won and CFO Ok were dazzled.”

“Ah, she always wears shorts.” Yonghwa replies but then realizes that he walked right into it. He closes his eyes and calls himself all kinds of stupid.

“Oh so you’ve noticed.” Joohyun snaps and stands up. She reaches for the cocktail dress and steps into it. There was no struggle to put it on – the Dior atelier had taken the measurements perfectly. It was a little tight on her chest and waist but Joohyun reasons that it was the tea and the cucumber sandwich.

“You look beautiful Buin.” Yonghwa tells her.

Joohyun turns around and smiles as brightly as she could.  She was mentally scolding herself for letting her sensitivity and nervousness color everything her husband said.

“I miss you Buin – even when you’re pissed at me like that – I wish I was there with you.” Yonghwa tells her.

Joohyun’s eyes blink back tears. Truth to tell she was very nervous and wished with all her heart that Yonghwa was there with her.  It was like being in the stockholders’ meeting when he was in the army. Wordlessly she nods and once again sits in front of the vanity table. She takes off her plain platinum wedding ring and takes out her official wedding rings and slips it on.

“There – now I’m Samonim.” She smiles at him.

“I prefer you to be Mrs. Jung first.” He replies. He could see her nervousness and felt bad that he couldn’t be with her.

“Me too.” She said softly. The she hears Ahjussi call out. “Oppa I have to go. I’m so nervous – I hope I don’t embarrass you and CNB Holdings!”

“You’ll do fine Joohyunah.” Yonghwa tells her. The beautiful woman looking back at him as the epitome of a Samonim. From her hair to her shoes – his mother had taught Joohyun well. “You’ll do us proud today and tomorrow. Saranghae Buin.”

“Saranghae Oppa.” Joohyun blows him a kiss. “Don’t forget to call the children.”

“I will. Now go and be Samonim.” He blows her a kiss.

When Joohyun steps out of her bedroom she was surprised that Ahjussi was with Director Rae Won.

“You look spectacular Samonim.” Director Rae Won bows to her.

“Kamsahamnida Director Rae Won.  I will do my best tonight.” Joohyun smiles as she hooks her hand on the Director’s arm.

“We have all the confidence that you will.” He smiles down at her. Ahjussi bows and opens the door for them.

Taekyeon meets them at the entrance of the Oriental ballroom where the cocktails was being held.

“The press are here early – no doubt to get a glimpse of Samonim.  Everyone was surprised when we told them that you were going to be here instead of Yonghwa.  In fact, President Huo was so flustered that he didn’t meet us when we arrived because he did some last minute additions to the events. I heard that the flower arrangement that he sent was huge.” Taekyeon smiles at Joohyun. He eyes took in the beautiful woman in front of him – her mother in law had taught Joohyun well – the regal set of her head and the way she walked and smiled. Samonim.

“I’m so nervous.” Joohyun tells them.

“Yong has all the confidence that you can do this Joohyun.” Director Kim Rae Won smiles and leads her inside the ball room.

When Joohyun steps into the ball room the cameras start flashing and the press start to go near them. Ahjussi and the 2 other guards position themselves around Joohyun, Taekyeon and Kim Rae Won. There were surprised murmurs about the presence of the guards but it was something Hwejangim had insisted upon with Jian Huo – there would no repeat incidents with what happened with Yonghwa. Joohyun would be accompanied by more than 1 guard and the entrance to her penthouse suite would always be guarded.

“Samonim.” A tall and very handsome man walks up to Joohyun and bows. “I am Jian Huo.”

Joohyun inclines her head and smiles. The right amount of warmth and respect. The cameras start popping again. “President Huo.”

Joohyun stands side by side with Jian when he addresses the guests and blushes slightly when he starts introducing her to the media.

“The beautiful Samonim of CNB Holdings is gracing our presence tonight and tomorrow. Mrs. Jung will be representing CNB Holdings in the contract signing.  Much I have come to respect COO Jung as a friend and business partner I will have to admit having Samonim beside me is more visually appealing.”

The guests and press laugh.  Jian offers his arm to Joohyun and they walk up to the center table. From the corner of her eye Joohyun notices that their interpreter Sandra follows them. Joohyun was relieved that the young woman was wearing a short black dress and sensible heels.  She hears the young woman’s soft greeting to Taekyeon and Rae Won.

Jian introduces her to the Huo family – his parents, sister and relatives. Jian was bilingual and translated for Joohyun in English.  Joohyun notices that Nila Zhou and her father were not among the relatives that she was introduced to.

As with all business cocktails Jian soon had to leave Joohyun in order to talk to other guests. Rae Won and Taekyeon accompany her in the rounds with the guests, Sandra follows them around. Joohyun listens to the young woman translate from Mandarin to Korean.

“Mrs. Jung – do you know you’re called the Korean Cinderella?” One of the Huo Directors remarks.

Joohyun saw Sandra’s cheeks turn slightly pink. It was the only time that the young woman seemed hesitant to translate the old man’s statement to Joohyun.

“Samonim – Mr. Gao is saying that you are called the Korean Cinderella. He’s asking if you know that.”

“You don’t need to answer that Joohyunah.” Director Kin Rae Won looks at Joohyun.

A couple of people had stopped and gathered around them. They were interested to know her response.

“Yes, I’m aware that they call me the Korean Cinderella. I met my husband when I came back to Korea to study and I really did not know that he was heir to CNB Holdings until later. Having been born and raised in New York I was then still adjusting to being back in Korea for university.”Joohyun replies in English.

“You must be leading a fairytale life.” An Australian female guest commented.

Joohyun smiles. “I have a loving husband and 2 beautiful children – if you call that a fairytale life then you are right.”  The people around her murmur their agreement.

Another elderly Chinese lady asks Joohyun a question and Sandra translates.

“Samonim – Mrs. Chang asks how you manage to be Samonim and wife at the same time.”

Joohyun’s answer was interrupted when Jian comes and tells her to meet the people that were instrumental in the alliance between the Huo Conglomerate and CNB Holdings.

“I’m sorry you had to endure all that scrutiny. “ Jian smiles at Joohyun. “People here are really very curious about you. I know I am. Whatever do you see in Yonghwa?”

Joohyun laughs. “You’re trying not to make me nervous. Thank you.”

They were soon joined by Taekyeon, Rae Won and Sandra.  Joohyun was introduced to the key individuals who helped both Jian and Yonghwa reach this alliance. For the next forty minutes Joohyun and Jian discuss the crucial business matters with regard to the joint venture. The conversations were mixtures of Mandarin and English – Joohyun notices that Jian would sometimes correct Sandra in her Mandarin to English translations. This made the young woman blush and apologize time and again. Sandra also translated from Mandarin to Korean for Director Kim Rae Won.

When Joohyun excuses herself to go to the powder room she was surprised when Sandra offers to come with her.

“I apologize for some of the corrections in the translation Samonim.” The young woman tells Joohyun.

“That’s quite all right. You do an excellent job of it.” Joohyun replies.

“President Huo is too much of a perfectionist.”  Sandra sighs. “He’s my mentor’s childhood friend. I’m sure he will mention the slip ups to Professor Zhang.”

Joohyun was feeling slightly light headed.  She had only taken 1 sip of the punch and it made her dizzy. “I’m just a bit tired from the heels. I’ll just use the rest room and will be out real quick.”

Sandra was waiting for Joohyun when she overhears a conversation between 2 older women.

“I heard that the Huo family cancelled the engagement of Jian and Nila.”

“Well, what do you expect? It was such a crazy thing that she did. Everyone knows that all the money will be coming from the Koreans! I don’t for one second believe that she made a mistake in the rooms – Jian’s room was way over at the other end.”

“If you believe in the gossip - Nila was really keen on the Jung heir. Who wouldn’t be? He’s young, handsome and far richer than Jian.”

“His family was very insulted with what Nila did. The rumor is that his Father wanted to dissolve the contract because of the scandal it caused in Korea. He gave an ultimatum to the Huo family – to drop Nila or else there would be no deal.”

“Hmm… so it is true that the parents in law of the Korean Cinderella really love her a lot. Not bad for a shot gun wedding.”

“I’ll say – it’s said that her pre up is one of the most iron clad arrangements and it’s rumored that her husband made it for her.”

“Sandra.”

Sandra turns and sees Joohyun by her side. “Samonim – have you been there long?”

“Uhm…yes. What are they saying?”

“Not worth repeating Samonim.” Sandra stammers.

“It’s alright tell me – I heard Cinderella so it must be about me. Don’t worry I’m used to it – palli translate for me.” The voice was soft but authoritative.

Sandra translates what the 2 women were talking about.

“You must be numb from hearing about these things Samonim.” Sandra looks at Joohyun.  She felt admiration for the beautiful woman next to her. By all accounts Samonim did not disappoint – she was well informed, asked intelligent questions and gave even more intelligent answers. Sandra was in awe of how easily Samonim spoke to people who were at least twice her age.

“That is part of the fairytale life I have.” Joohyun gives a small laugh. “I will probably never get used to it but I chose this life.”

“Hwejagnim talks about you a lot.” Sandra tells Joohyun as they were walking back to the party.  “He tells me about you and the children. I enjoy his stories – about how you both struggled with school and family – he cherishes you – yes, those were his exact words – he cherishes you.”

Joohyun smiles and nods. She was unable to answer because she was again surrounded by people. She was flanked by Taekyeon, Rae Won and Jian. It was another hour of business talk but at the back of Joohyun’s mind all she could think about was sitting down and having a cup of hot tea to drink. She felt herself sway a bit and was glad that Sandra held her elbow.

“Samonim would you like me to get you anything?” Her warm hand held Joohyun’s elbow. “You’re cold.”

Joohyun shakes her head. She misses her husband so much.  In times like this, his arm across her back or just standing next to him warmed her. Jian was asking her a question and she turns her attention to him.

It was midnight when Joohyun reaches her suite.  She gave instructions to one of the guards to bring Sandra home.

“Agassi are you alright?” Ahjussi looks at Joohyun as she sits down on the sofa – pulling her shoes off and throwing them on the floor. “Ah major mistake to wear shoes I haven’t practiced walking or standing on.” She holds her feet and gently squeezes them.

“Ah no nampyeon to give you a foot massage?”

Joohyun pouts and nods. “I miss Oppa.”

“Hah –you finally said it! I thought you’d stay mad at Doryeongnim for a long time.” Her long time driver walks to the balcony doors and methodically checked if they were locked.

“He kept a secret from me.” Joohyun hugs the throw pillow.

“Why didn’t you get mad at me, Director Kim and Director Ok?  We all convinced him not to tell you at once – like a good husband Doryeongnim was just waiting for the right time.” Ahjussi looks at Joohyun.

”Ahjussi!  We’re not supposed to keep secrets from each other – we promised. And that young lady – Sandra- Oppa also didn’t tell me about her!” Joohyun’s nostrils flare.

“Ah when you go on like that you sound like Aeyah! You’re tired - go to sleep.”

“But I’m hungry I didn’t eat anything in the party.” Joohyun exclaims. “Ahjussi can you order me a fruit platter and whipped cream.”

“Huh? Are you sure? You still have 2 dresses to wear Agassi.”

“Ara- but we’re going to the gym tomorrow – Sandra, Director Kim and Director Ok. I’ll eat a healthy breakfast.”  Joohyun stands up and felt dizzy. She immediately sits down. “Ahjussi – I must be hungrier than I th