Big News Big Decisions Ch.2

A few days have passed and from the texts she received from Kim Tan, it seems her earlier thoughts were accurate—he's totally falling for her. She knew how forward he could be, but she always felt he had a soft charm. She had known him since they were kids; their parents were friends and business partners, but it wasn't until he came to the U.S. that they met in person. They wrote letters to each other as pen-pals, especially after he had a fallout with his best friend in middle school.

Summer spent the last few days out on the beach as she usually did: surfing, doing yoga, dancing at night-time beach clubs. But what she thought was a typical day turned into something she really did not expect. Her father had called her to return home, as he had some news he wanted to discuss with her. She hurried home; this was unusual since her father never talked to her about anything serious.

"Abeoji? What is it?" she spoke softly, always a little worried about coming into his office.

"Ah Summer, looking very sunny my girl, have a seat," he smiled cheerfully at her from behind his desk and pointed to the couch in front of him. She quietly closed the door behind her and walked over to the couch. "I…" He paused for a few seconds and cleared his throat, "I know you really enjoy your life here in America, and I know you have an undeniable connection with this ocean," he smiled to himself, but then turned serious again, "but I would like you to consider moving to Seoul."

Summer was looking very intently at her father, hanging on his every word, "Mwo? Korea? …but why now? I thought we stayed in the U.S. because you wanted me to be close to …mom's family?" She looked down at the ground at the thought of her mom, her eyes stinging. Her father hated to see his only daughter so grief stricken. He got up from his chair and went to sit next to her on the couch, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"My girl, you are right, I decided that because after your mother passed I didn't want you to suffer alone and felt your American family could be more of help to you. I…did not know how to console you at that time as I was very sad myself. But, I'm getting much older now and you know that one day you must take this company into your hands. I know you will do a great job."

He smiled lovingly at her as she looked up at him in surprise, "You…do? But…I know nothing of business, I don't know how to run my own life, let alone Bak Entertainment…" she started shaking her head, the anxiety in her chest creeping in.

"Summer, this is why I would like you to go to school in Seoul. You would go with Kim Tan, and meet all his friends. His father has humbly offered to watch over you and made sure you got the chance to attend the best school for students like yourself; students who have a lot of potential and will be taking over companies themselves."

"Kim Tan is going back to Seoul? Does he know this?" She stands up quickly, "Abeoji, I want to make you proud, I do, but this is all so sudden. I love my life here in America, I love how free-spirited people are here. I heard from Kim Tan how people can act in Korea. I wouldn't fit in." She walks over to the door, and looks back at her father's face, "I …need some time to think about this," then, she ran out the door.

oOoOoOoOo

"Tan! Are you home? Kim Tan!" Summer barges into his house, looking around. She notices a girl standing on the stairway with Cha Eun Sang. The girl has Cha Eun Sang's wrist in her grip and looks very displeased. Cha Eun Sang's suitcase is laying on the floor at the bottom of the stairs with all her stuff out again. Summer walks over, looking questioningly at the two girls. The girl glances at her in disbelief, and then her face turns into the iest face Summer has witnessed in a long time, "Ya! Why are all these homeless people in Kim Tan's house?" She drops Cha Eun Sang's wrist forcefully and starts heading up the stairs while making a call from her cellphone.

Summer looks at herself and her clothing and shrugs, then looks at Cha Eun Sang, "Cha Eun Sang gwenchanayo?" She takes her wrist gently into her hand and inspects it. She pulls her wrist away and laughs nervously, "Gwenchana, don't worry about me. Please call me Eun Sang." Summer smiles at her. "Arasso, my name is Summer, by the way. I don't think I had a chance to introduce myself a few days ago. Are you staying at Kim Tan's?"

"Ne, but I think I should be flying out very soon", she looks nervously upstairs where the other girl went, "That is Kim Tan's fiancé." Summer looks shocked, "So that's the infamous Rachel…" she looks upstairs as well, the realization dawning on her, Summer looks around, remembering why she came here in the first place, "Where is Kim Tan?"

Before Eun Sang could answer, Kim Tan walked in the door and saw the two girls on the stairway, "Oh hey Summer, I got dinner for Eun Sang and I, you want to join?" he smiled walking over. Rachel heard him coming in and at the same moment started walking downstairs, "Kim Tan. You don't see me for over a year, and you already have two girls in your home? Are you that quick to forget me?" Summer couldn't tell if she actually felt hurt, or if this was just an act.

Kim Tan's smile faded very quickly, and then turned into a forced smile that Summer never witnessed before. "You've gotten prettier, why the sudden visit?" Rachel's glare did not change as she approached Kim Tan, pushing the girls out of her way, "Why didn't you meet me at the airport? I messaged you, but you must have been busy picking up homeless people."

Summer couldn't help but laugh at this, "Listen we're not homeless, we're his friends."

Kim Tan looked over at Summer, "Take Eun Sang to your place tonight." He started gently pushing them to the door while Rachel waited on the stairway. Summer stopped him in the doorway and grabbed his forearm. She spoke in English this time, "Let me know if you need help, and I need to talk to you tomorrow." He quickly nodded and closed the door behind them.

oOoOoOoOo

Summer took a very confused Eun Sang to her home, assuring her on the way that they would figure out a way for her to get back to Korea soon. She introduced her to her father and he was happy to have her spend the night, knowing Summer did not have many girlfriends, if any. Let alone Korean girlfriends. He hoped this girl would also influence her heart in agreeing with his decision to have her attend Jeguk High.

"Kamsahamnida, I really don't mean to be a bother," Eun Sung bows to Summer when she hands her some extra blankets and pillows while setting up the guest room. Summer smiles at her and rubs her shoulder in a friendly gesture, "Really you're not a bother at all, it's nice to have a girlfriend around. Let's set up your bed and go have dinner in the kitchen."

They both ate ramen while standing around the island, "So your father wants you to move to Korea and attend high school with Kim Tan?" Eun Sang is trying to get the story right, as Summer was begging her for advice. "Ne, apparently it is a high school made for people like me. I'm supposed to take over my father's business one day. I really want to make him proud, but the last time I was in Korea was when I was little. I feel like my lifestyle will not fit in."

Eun Sang nods, a bit overwhelmed with everything as she is not used to being in the presence of rich homes and families. "I don't really know what it means to have a business to take over, but I feel your father wants to give you the best chance." She had never encountered such nice rich people like Kim Tan and Summer, and was happy to have crossed paths with them, "If Kim Tan is your best friend as you mentioned, it may be nice to be in school with him as well."

Summer slurped the rest of her ramen, and nodded in agreement, "You made a lot of valid points Eun Sang. I mean it would be kind of fun to change up my surroundings. I want to stay friends if we both will be in Seoul!" Eun Sang smiled back, "Do you like horror movies?" Summer laughed at this, "I absolutely love them!", "Then we will be great friends".

After Eun Sang finished her dinner they both went upstairs still talking about their likes and dislikes, enjoying each other's company. Eun Sang briefly forgot the anxiety she was feeling about returning to Korea; she really hoped her best friend, Chan Young, would come through and decided tomorrow was another day.

Before the girls parted into their separate rooms, Summer looked back at Eun Sang, "Do you like Kim Tan? I think he likes you; he doesn't have feelings for Rachel. It's all business." Eun Sang blushed at this and started shaking her head, "Ani, ani, I don't want to be in the way." Summer smirked, "You didn't say you didn't like him." She turned towards her bedroom still smirking, "Everything happens for a reason Eun Sang, jal jayo." She closed her door, leaving behind a slightly embarrassed Eun Sang, who quickly went to her room still blushing.

AUTHORS NOTE: Just a heads up I will publish a few chapters a week, but no less than one chapter a week. It will depend on my schedule. Next chapter Summer will be moving to Korea, so that is something to look forward to!