“Shin Hye, sorry but she backed out” said .

“What? It can’t be? How long would it take before we start the whole hiring process again?” asked Shin Hye

“Shin Hye, I know, but this is beyond my control as well. We will fast track everything”  promised

“Eunnie, we only have less than two months. I don’t want to make your brother wait longer than I promised” said Shin Hye

“Then, you just go back. I will just handle this” said

“You know I cannot  do that to you. But can you talk to HR? “ said Shin Hye

“Sure thing. Thank you for not letting me down” said

Shin hye stood up and went to look outside the window. There still some time. She’ll stick to her promise.

Her phone buzzed and there was a text from Minho

“Baby, only  48 days left. Tick .. tock..”

“Yes, Oppa, 48 days” she replied

“Will I tell him now that we are having such concerns?” she asked herself but she knows he will just freak out

Days passed and work load seems to be getting larger in scope. Her replacement is still a work in progress.

She was engrossed with the detailed Marketing plan for the balance of the year when their HR knocked on her cubicle.

“Do you have a minute, Ms. Park?”

“Yes, any good news?” she asked

“Yes, I have 4 applicants for you. They are scheduled for Interview tomorrow. Ms. Lee  will handle the interview. I initially screened them and seems ok to me. Now, better ask  to ensure she’ll get your replacement from this batch” their HR manager said

“I hope so too” said Shin Hye and she thanked her for bringing the good news.

The following day, the interview went well according to Min Jung . She short listed 2 applicants so that she can discuss it also with Shin Hye.

Both of them agreed to choose Kim Sung Joo. She’s 26 years old and studied also in New York. She’s fluent in English. Really, Shin Hye’s protégée. She’s also a pleasant lady. She doesn’t want to return to Korea as her family resides in New York  already.

She will be starting in a weeks time after finishing all her employment requirement.

A week later, Shin Hye met Sung Joo and started with their orientation and turn over. She’s so happy that she’s really smart. Even Min Jung is impressed with Sung Joo though she doesn’t show it. But on a latter part of the week, Min Jung has been demanding and she can barely cope up. 

They only have two weeks left and Shin Hye already booked her ticket back to Seoul. She took a photo of it and send to Minho

“Oppa, got this already... This is it... No turning back” said Shin Hye

He immediately reply “ This must be the longest 2 weeks of my life. Can I just drag the days?”

“Patience... we’re nearly there” she replied

“I love you, baby... “ he replied

“I love you more” she sent

As the days go by, Shin Hye has never been busier.  She needs to ensure Min Jung will not encounter any problems as she knows how much demanding she can be. There were times that Sung Joo will cry , because Min Jung was really a tough and strict boss. But Shin Hye would always tell her that it’s for her own good. During one of their breaktime

“Sunbae, I sometimes cannot tolerate her. She’s pushing me too far” said Sung Joo

“Then you should be pushed. That’s the only way you can learn. The thing about Min Jung eunnie is she listens. If she drives you crazy,  she listens and she admits when she’s at fault. Just learn to know her style and you’ll never go wrong” she advised.

“Sunbae, you will be leaving next week. Can you stay for another week or two? Honestly, I am really not confident yet. Please, I want to learn this job well” said Sung Joo

Shin Hye looked at Sung Joo. She knows she wants this job very much and she wants to succeed. She smiled and took hold of her hand “ Ok, just two weeks. My fiancé will not like it but I will extend. Two weeks and I’m gone” said Shin Hye.

“Sunbae, you are really awesome. Thank you” as she hugged Shin Hye.

Shin Hye talked to Min Jung about her plan.

“Aren’t you  going to inform Minho first? You know him. You know how stubborn he can be. He’ll freak out” said Min Jung

“Eunnie, I want to help you by training Sung Joo well. You helped me so much and I learned so much from you. It’s about time to transfer what I learned. Minho will understand. He love me too much” said Shin Hye

“Thank you for that Shin Hye, but I know Minho so well. Talk to him first” said Min Jung

“I will Eunnie” said Shin Hye

When she got home,  Shin Hye was trying to call Minho but his line is busy.  She just sent a text message to Minho.

“Oppa, call me when you’re free”

Few minutes later, his number appeared on her celphone screen

“How’s my baby?” he asked

“I’m fine Oppa, how about you, how was your day?” she asked

“I’m happy because I’ll be seeing you this weekend” said Minho

Shin Hye was quiet. She doesn’t know how to break the news to Minho

“Baby, you’re quiet” he noticed

“Oppa, can I tell you something? Promise you’ll not freak out?” she said, her heart beating fast

“What? Don’t tell me you will not be coming home?” his voice still jolly, thinking that it was only a joke

“You’re quiet. Don’t tell me it’s true?” he said, the tone of his voice changed.

“Oppa, it will only be for a few...”  Minho cut her before she can continue

“You made a promise. You kept me waiting. And you failed me. Do you think this is easy? Am I the only one in this relationship? “ his voice was shouting

“Oppa, please don’t get mad. Let me explain” said Shin Hye

“Enough explaining.  Stay in New York. I don’t want to keep you here if you don’t want to. Don’t give me excuses” and then he ended their conversation

Shin Hye was dumbfounded. She didn’t expect things to be like this. She tried to call him but his phone was off already. She call his grandmother but he was not home yet.  She sent him a text message.

“Oppa, please you didn’t let me explain. It will only be a two weeks extension. Please don’t be mad” said Shin Hye in her text

After an hour, she received a reply from him

“I wanted a fiancée .. I wanted you. I am going crazy already...  You are playing with my emotions. I am not used to this. I have given you so much time.. one day, two days, two week extension, it doesn’t matter how long. The fact that we agreed and you made a promise. That’s all I can give... If you arrive this weekend, I will be the happiest guy in the world. But if you didn’t , it’s your choice. You decide. Our fate rest in you” said Minho

“You are being difficult and unreasonable” said Shin Hye

“You are leaving me with no choice” said Minho

Shin Hye didn’t reply anymore. She knows she will not win.

The following day, she talked to Sung Joo.

“I understand Sunbae, I know you need to choose. And I am sorry for causing you this trouble” said Sung Joo.

“It’s ok. Its not your fault. You can just email me. I know you will do well. I will talk to Min Jung to take it easy on you”  said Shin Hye

“I understand Mr. Lee. He has been waiting for you. He has been too patient and you, not coming back on the day you promised must be a limit for him” said Sung Joo

“I know him. He’s just being stubborn. I will not tell him that I changed my mind. So that he’ll have something to think about” said Shin Hye.

She also told Min Jung not to inform Minho. He’ll get his own doze of medicine.

“Serves him right for being unreasonable” said Shin Hye

Her flight was delayed. Shin Hye was so pissed and she can’t even text Minho. She called his secretary and asked for his schedule. She was told that Minho blocked off his schedule for two days.

After more than 4 hours delay, Shin Hye boarded already. Shin Hye asked Minho’s secretary not to inform him about the delay in her flight. But she called Halmoni to inform her that she’s coming home. She told Shin Hye that Minho