Chapter 20: The Return

3 years later

Minho is meeting with the company Lawyer. They meet once a week to check on commitments and anything important and urgent.

“Carl’s team is doing great as expected.” Said the Lawyer

“I wouldn’t have hired him to replace me as the manager of my previous team if I didn’t know he can deliver.” Said Minho “That team will be a waste if I don’t place a good manager to handle them”

“Very well said Boss.” Said the Lawyer “By the way…I think you’ve seen the news this morning. Samuel Park was brought to the hospital again yesterday. Nobody can say what the problem was. But people are starting to speculate that FlyAir’s CEO might need to retire soon.”

“He’s not young anymore. But his mind is still very sharp.” Said Minho

“Have you seen the contract proposal?” asked the Lawyer

“I’ve seen it. But I’m still thinking about it. A partnership with FlyAir again…that’s something that we need to dig deeper before we decide.” Said Minho

“You were able to deliver the commitment we made them in 1 year instead of the agreed 2 years. I think FlyAir knows what you can do. Now that SkyRock and FlyAir is almost the same size, there is no other company FlyAir can get the best partnership from than SkyRock.” Said the Lawyer.

“I don’t know if that partnership can really help SkyRock…If there are rumors like Samuel’s retirement, a partnership with FlyAir might pull SkyRock down. There are always 2 sides of a coin here.” Said Minho

“Are you going to visit Samuel Park in the hospital?” asked the Lawyer

“I have a great debt from Samuel. Things like visiting him when he’s brought to the hospital, regardless of the decision to have a partnership or not, I have to be there to make sure he knows I am still thankful for everything he did.” Said Minho

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Sulli’s anxious. This is Uncle Sam’s 2nd hospitalization in just a month. What is going on with him? Why is he not telling her anything?! Sulli looked at her Mom who is sleeping on the plane seat beside her. Her Mom had been longing to go back to Korea. Not knowing much English, the past 3 years had been hard for her Mom. But she stayed by her side all throughout.  Sulli checked her email. She saw an email from Robbie, her childhood friend.

“Robbie? I just said goodbye to him yesterday.”  Said Sulli

The e-mail says Robbie will be going back to Korea too a week after. He is sad that he can’t accompany Sulli now since he will manage everything that needs to be finished this week so that he can follow next week.

“Wow…What has gotten into him? He has never gone back to Korea for the past…what…18 years?” said Sulli

Sulli’s mom woke up

“Still a few hours?” asked Gene

“Just an hour left, Mom. We’ll be home soon” said Sulli smiling.

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Minho and Carl is sitting on the car going to the hospital. Carl is stressed. Minho is not an easy to please boss and he is very demanding. He can’t remember when he last had a good night sleep.

“You keep checking your phone.” Said Minho

“Luis led our sub team to a presentation to a client. I wanted to know what’s going on there since you pulled me here without warning.” Said Carl

“Relax…Your team is the best in the company. And Luis is pretty much ready to take on your role. So don’t be too anxious.” Said Minho

“You’re saying that because you don’t have Minho Choi as your Boss. If you have him as Boss, I assure you that you will be more anxious than I am” said Carl

Minho had to laugh at that. Carl had sacrificed a lot when he asked him to work for SkyRock. There were other offers for Carl which can pay him higher but Carl chose SkyRock because of Minho’s request.

“Does Belle know all your angst about work?” asked Minho

“Who else would I pour my heart to?” asked Carl

“I better meet with Belle soon. Just so that I know how to keep you working for me.” Said Minho smiling

“I have to tell Belle which part she needs to highlight to you so that I can get a bigger salary.” Said Carl chuckling

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Sulli arrived in the Incheon Airport with her Mom. They went through all the queues rather quickly. Their driver was already waiting for them when they got out of the airport.

“Nice seeing you again, Ajussi. Can you bring my Mom home first?” asked Sulli

“Wait…How about you?” asked Gene

“I’m going straight to the hospital. I can’t stand the anxiety anymore. I need to see Uncle.” Said Sulli

“I’ll go with you.” Said Gene

“No Mom. You are tired. And I don’t want to take care of 2 fellas if you ever get sick too. So go home and rest first, OK? Then you can visit Uncle tomorrow.” Said Sulli smiling “Ajussi, please take care of my Mom.” Said Sulli

Gene can’t argue that she’s tired. She is not good with long haul travels. She’s worried about Samuel, but Sulli is right…she needs a few hours of sleep.

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