Chapter 4: Unwanted gift - I

A week had passed since my mother had returned from Korea, and during that time we never again spoke of her unusual request. Personally, I preferred it that way, the less I knew the better. If I am honest, once, I had rationalized the situation in my head. I was a little annoyed at myself for overreacting, as my mother did say if I didn't like the person, I need not date them, so there was really nothing to be anxious about. All I need do once I arrive in Korea, is to be observant of any unusual and pushy female's and once I figure out who she is, I will simply keep my distance.

As I sat at my office desk, still pondering on the matter, I hadn't realised my secretary Andrea had entered my office and had been calling my name for some time now.

"Mr Yong-Smith, Sir, Sir, SIR!" she raised her voice, startling me from my daze.

Slightly flustered, I quickly composed myself and answered, "yes sorry, how can I help?" I asked, realising she had a large file in her hand.

Before handing me the file, she gave me a complicated and questionable expression. But before she could ask, I promptly gave her a response.

"Am fine don't worry" I reassured her with a soft smile, then turning my attention to the file at hand.

"is those the designs for the new HBB bank? I asked knowingly.

For the past three years, I had been working on this particular project, from its pre-designed stage, straight through to its construction and final completion stage. It's the biggest project I had been solely responsible for since my appointment as director of the UK branch five years ago. At the age of 31 many young architectures and designers would kill to have the chance to work on a multi-million project. Furthermore, being a director of one of the country's top architectural companies, with its name and branding becoming well known around the world.

I took the file from Andrea, who seemed satisfied with my earlier response, and I flipped through its pages looking over every detail I had envisioned, laid out neatly on its pages. The most rewarding part of being an architecture was being part of the finished product, and that requires me to create the interior design touches. "The two colours go well with the overall theme" I muttered to myself. I had reservations on how best to incorporate the customer's colour choices of orange, grey, and green. But by making the walls orange and the furnishings a mixture of their other chosen colours, put together with some much warmer colours, I was able to complement the orange well.

Even Andrea herself was impressed with the final touches, "it came out a lot better that I thought" she looked on in amazement.

"You think?" I asked, feeling a great sense of achievement, even though I have done this a hundred times. Even the smallest projects gave me a sense of pride.

With a big smile on her face, Andrea expressed her admiration, "I don't know how you come up with such ideas, Sir. I on the other hand, couldn't even decide on a colour theme for my small kitchen. In the end, I chose a dark purple with added glitter that doesn't even sparkle." She confessed.

"What? Hahaha!" I couldn't help but chuckle, just imaging her disappointment.

"Sir don't laugh, I was very excited thinking I was going to walk in and be greeted by shiny walls or at least a little shimmer ….. But after two days I realised I was duped and the only sparkle I saw was with the use of my daughter's magnifying glass" she continued, her expressions making her misfortune even more amusing.

"Well if you ever need my help next time let me know, I don't mind giving you some ideas" I said with a smile, watching as her face beamed in excitement.

"Really?" she exclaimed.

"Of course, and seeing that we work together, I'll only charge you half price" I declared teasingly, trying to keep a straight face, as I spoke.

Quick-witted, she hit back at me suggestively, "Are your charges per the hour or do I have to book ahead? If so, who should I call to schedule an appointment?" She pulled out her phone, pretending to dial a number.

"I charge by the hour, and I can only work at night" I quickly replied before we both lightly chuckled at each other. Andrea is one of the few people in the office I could light-heartedly joke with in this manner. Making her that much valuable to me.

After closing the file from earlier satisfied, I looked at her warmly, "All joke aside, I would be happy to share some ideas with you when you're ready, and it would be free!" I clarify.

At that moment, I felt a sadness come over me, knowing that I would not see Andrea for a while. Though our relationship is predominantly professional, she is someone I also have a friendlier relationship with.

After pausing for a moment, I address Andrea seriously, "Andrea, I need to inform you of something. In a few weeks I will be returning to Korea, my parents need me to oversee some projects there, and the possibility of me running the offices over there. With me being fluent in the language, they thought it best that I go, that means my mother will be here instead of me." I told her.

With her eyes widen, she grasped, "Oh no!" she expressed as she continued, "do you really have to go? Why not make your brother take extra classes in learning the language? Do you even remember how to speak the language? Get an interpreter? Why must they send you away" she complained.

Her reaction made me favour her even more, after what had happened all those years ago, I have always had this requirement to be liked by others. And for her to be so affected by my impending departure was just the response I sought. Though I couldn't possibly admit such an undignified thing about myself. Therefore, I held back my smile and dismissed her pleads as her merely overacting.

"Haha! I don't mind, it would be nice to challenge myself in a different environment" I lied.

Truthfully, I didn't want to go, knowing that I will not only be required to work, but be courted by some unknown woman and possibly encountering a pass I left behind. The thought alone gave me an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach.

Satisfied that I favoured the idea, Andrea calm down, but remained visibly upset. I understood her concerns, considering she had only worked for myself the past five years.

"Andrea, don't worry, my mother, or as you know her as the chairwoman, is great am sure you will be fine working under her when am gone" I tried to comfort her. But I only managed to frightened her even more.

"I will be working with Chairwoman Yong-Smith?" her lips trembled as the words escaped her lips, causing me to raise my bows slightly.

"Why do you seem so scared, my mother is far more laid back than myself socially, though she can be strict professionally. Regardless, it would be unlike her to dismiss you because I am to be relocated, I promise you, after working with her, you will soon forget about me." I convinced her, finally seeing the tension in her expression soften.

Nodding her head, she reluctantly accepted the changes ahead, "okay sir, in that case I will make preparations for Chairwoman Yong-Smith".

However, As she was headed out of my office, she suddenly turned back to face me, having forgotten to inform me of another matter. "Oh, by the way, your flowers have arrived out front, who are they for? Do you have a family event?" she informed me with an inquisitive look.

For myself, I was confused, "what flowers? I didn't order any flowers, who are they from?" I arose from my desk, intrigued to find out.

Instantly I assumed they were from my mother, considering she had been acting rather awkwardly towards me ever since that day. Whenever she wants to seek our forgiveness, she would often send us gifts, so it was quite looking forward to seeing what she had sent.

However, I was stunned when I came face-to-face with a Korean Hwahwan* with the words written in Korean, "I can't wait for us to meet again".

***Hwahwan*** a special kind of flowers often given as special occasions or funerals. A quick internet search will provide you with an image.