Chapter 16-Jeju
Rescue Me
"I know you're going to be busy.. So I'll wait for your calls, okay? Even if it is past 1:00am in the morning.
I will wait for your calls yah, Ambeo-yah?"
"Yes oppa.. I'll call you. Wish me luck!"
"Amber fighting!"
"Fighting!"
It's Key's encouragement that keeps her going. She was to leave for Jeju because of a one-week forum organized
by a Taiwanese commnunity in Seoul where she was invited as a guest speaker and mentor. The forum is for young,
aspiring Taiwanese business students. They were hoping Amber could share some of her experiences in succeeding.
Two hours, it took her a good two hours of flying to arrive in Jeju Island. It was her first time there. She only
saw a glimpse of what the island could be in movies or dramas she used to watch. The dramas didn't lie. Jeju is
stunning. Different from the busy and hustling city of Seoul, Jeju is like a countryside you could run to and feel
at peace. She took her first step and she already loved it.
Since the forum would be held in one week, Amber doesn't speak until the following day so she decided to roam
around the island and enjoy a mini-vacation. She rented a bike. The island wasn't so big so most of the locals
suggest one should ride a bike to fully enjoy the island.
She made her way around Jeju. She visited the market, mini-shopping mall, various restaurants but her most
favorite spot in the island was a temple. It is quite secluded since the temple was on top of a hill. She didn't
mind the climb up. she wanted to know what kind of temple is lurking on top.
After 20 minutes of walking, Amber reached the top. The temple was rather tiny yet dainty. Amber started to walk
around trying to see what made the temple so special.
"Are you here to pray for someone?" an old voice spoke.
Amber got quite creeped out and surprised at the same time. She hopped on place and turned around to
find out it was only an old man.
"It's almost dusk dear. You should go home." The old man said.
"Ahh, I don't mind going home quite late.."
"What are you doing here anyway? People rarely visit the temple at this hour.. Praying for someone?"
"Yeah. Sort of.."
"You know this place is known to bring peace of mind to those who visit it.They say the atmosphere of the
temple and the view of the lake is breathtaking and could calm you down.."
"I'd testify to that."
Amber stared at the lake the old man was talking about. While staring, she asked something..
"Appa, how did you end up in this temple?"
"Appa?? Errhhm. Well, it was about 22 years ago.. I met a woman. At that time, I knew she was the one.
The very moment I saw her I knew she was the woman for me. I asked her to be my wife though we were very young.
I was only 17 and she was 15. Of course, our parents knew about it and opposed of it especially from her side.
Soonyeoung came from from a wealthy family. My family wasn't very rich but we had enough. Still, they opposed.
We decided to elope one night and escape to Seoul but an accident happened.. We were in a hurry. I crossed the street.
She got left behind but since we were in a hurry, she crossed even though the light was still red. She got hit
by a car. I headed to this temple right after she was sent to the hospital. I vowed that if she lived, I will
serve this temple. She survived. My family made it seemed I died while trying to save her. I never left this temple
since then.."
"You never got to see her again?"
"Once. But it was long after she thought I died. She already had a family of her own. She didn't recognize me.
She was really happy. She and her husband had a daughter at the time. I was really happy for her.."
"But what about you? You never got the chance to love again?"
"I feel in love with the chance of helping people and feeding off of their happiness. I am still grateful
because I know for a fact that the woman I truly loved is alive and living well."
"That was really noble of you appa.."
"Just call me Hyun appa."
"Hyun appa, can we take a picture together? I want to show you to my loved one.."
"Sure."
Amber took a picture of the two of them together with the wonderful color of the dusk as their lighting.
She captioned, "At the temple in Jeju I met a new man, Hyun Appa.. :p"
Key received it and laughed. He replied "I'm jealous TT A TT. Take me there soon!"
Amber no longer replied after receiving Key's message. "Hyun appa, I've got to go."
"Okay dear. Be careful.."
"Just call me Amber.."
"Okay Amber.. 'til we meet again.."
-----------
Amber had a peaceful sleep that night. The relaxation she got from her talk with the old man definitely helped.
Her pep talk was scheduled that day and she's got to admit. She is nervous, REALLY nervous.
"Now, let us all welcome Ms. Amber Liu!"
She heard claps. Apparently, it was her turn to speak. She climbed up the stairs and the students cheered on for her.
"Uhhmm. Hello.."
"Hi."
Amber tapped the mic and blew air into it. "Okay.. So, I'm Amber Liu. Nice to meet all of you.."
Her heart was pounding like crazy. She wanted to walk of the stage right then and there. The students
staring at her also made the situation a lot more nerve wrecking. She clenched her fist, looked down
and saw something shiny on her shirt. It was a pin. She didn't notice it but apparently Key placed the heart pin on the hem
of her shirt to let Amber remember he is always with her. She had the courage to finally speak.
"Okay, sorry about the brief moment of silence. Again, I'm Amber Liu. I am of Taiwanese descent.
I came from L.A. California. I know, it's far..I studied business there and migrated here to Korea to
establish my life long dream of owning my own business."
"Ms. Liu, have you always decided that Korea is the place to go?" a student suddenly asked.
"Ahh, to be honest.. No. I never really thought of my destination before. But since Korea is a booming
market even before the Hallyu Wave, I foresaw the future if ever I established my business here that is
why I decided to establish my business here."
"Were there moments you felt that you chose the wrong path?"
For some weird reason, memories of Henry and her fighting flashbacked.
There was this time when Henry came home from training and was extremely tired. The boy was surprised
to see that Amber wasn't home though it was already quite late, 9:00pm. Henry had been training since
six in the morning so he was hoping Amber would be home to actually assist him. Amber came home around at
9:30pm and Henry was furious. He yelled at her and asked where she was. Amber explained that her client
treated her for dinner since the product was selling really well. She had thoughts of giving up right after
that fight.
"Sorry, I ugh.. Yes. Of course. There were definitely those times I wanted to give up, yet again I thought
to myself. Why give up on a dream just because of one obstacle, you know? At the end of the day you are the
one who is responsible for your fate. So never let something or someone let you down..I almost did. But I
didn't. Thus, here I am talking to you guys."
Amber finished her pep talk and it was evident the students liked her. She made her way back to her hotel
room until someone wrapped an arm around her shoulder..
"That was some talk you did up there.." a familiar voice stated.
Amber's heart pounded. She turned her head and she was right. It was him again, Henry.
"Ughh. Thanks.."
"Lunch?"
"Sorry.. I've got something to do Henry.."
"Come on Amber."
"Henry, look.."
"Look Amber. I'm sorry.."
Amber's words just went right at the back of her tongue.
"I'm sorry for leaving you so suddenly..Things happened back then. I was immature. I was frustrated.
Let's just say I needed a break from all the fuss that was going on. I was stupid for letting you go."
"And now what? You expect me to welcome you again? What do you think of me? A fool?! Hell no.. You
got a girl pregnant. I saw it with my own eyes!"
"What?! Pregnant? What in the world are you talking about?"
"I saw you! You were walking hand in hand with her.."
"Where? What the?"
"In downtown Seoul, about three months ago.. Don't make a fool out of me Henry.."
"Downtown Seoul? Gosh, Amber. That was my sister!"
"Sister??"
"Yeah.. She came to visit me from Taiwan. That was no girl I got pregant, that would be like the worse thing."
"Then.."
"Look, I haven't dated since we broke up. I've been busy promoting with my members.."
Amber was speechless. She didn't know what to say. She had perceived the whole idea totally wrong.
Of course she was his sister.. Why didn't she the resemblance.
"So, lunch?"
"Okay." Amber mumbled.
"All right. See you. I'll call."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The truth behind the pregnant woman with Henry is now revealed. What would Amber do now? Stay tuned.
Comments