Empress Ki Heirs: Episode 13

It's early morning and Ta Hwan is already awake but he seems to be thinking about what happened yesterday. He can still remember the taste of the foods he ate, the soft lips of Seung Nyang that taste like tteokbokki which makes him giggle more, and the sudden behaviour of Oh Soo. He even recalls his bestfriend’s words that he values their friendship more than anything or anyone and that he loves him as his real brother. This makes him teary-eyed and smiles. Then, he gets his phone and calls someone.

After lunch, Ta Hwan asks Seung Nyang to go out with him for awhile. They go to a nearby park while holding hands. She is so happy to be with him until he lets go of her hand which surprises her. She looks at where Ta Hwan is looking at. She is even more surprised to see Oh Soo from afar as if waiting for someone and then, she faces Ta Hwan. But he just hugs her comfortably and whispers that they need to clear things up between them and he further says that he will respect her decision after this. She returns a smile and then he leaves her.

She walks towards Oh Soo and sits beside him. There’s silence between them but they seem to be comfortable now.

“Sorry.” They say in unison and shyly laugh.

They talk about their mistakes in the past, letting go, and moving on. Their conversation goes out smoothly without any hurtful feelings and even agreed to stay as friends. He even teases her about how she almost breaks his teeth when they kissed a few years ago. She blushes and yells at him not to bring that up. But he just continues teasing her. 

At the other side of the park, Ta Hwan is enjoying the wonderful scenery when someone catches his attention. A woman suddenly collapses and luckily, he is on time to catch her. He tries to wake her up but there’s no response so he decides to take her to the nearby hospital. At the hospital, he is talking to his family’s doctor regarding the woman’s condition when suddenly he receives a call from Joong Won, his older brother, telling him to come to his office immediately for an important meeting. 

Joong Won and Ta Hwan are busy discussing about their potential investors when Gong Shil peeks from the door and makes a hand signal to Joong Won that she will go somewhere which he easily understands. Ta Hwan stares at his brother suspiciously and asks if he is already dating her. He hardly coughs and tells his younger brother to focus on what they are doing. Then, he mumbles something about helping him on Gong Shil in which Joong Won overhears and starts to show interest. Ta Hwan tells him everything he learned from Sam Gwan.

Gong Shil passes through a bookstore and becomes curious of people and even ghosts coming to and from the store so she decides to go inside. There’s a long line of people along the counters holding the same book entitled “Silence of Love."

“It seems to be a good book.” She says. Even the ghost that always follows her encourages her to buy the book.

“Here.” Someone hands her the book.

Oh Soo encourages her to read the book and gives it to her for free. She looks shocked to know that he is the writer of the best-selling book. He asks for her number to ask about her opinion after reading his book but she shyly tells him that she already have his number and she’ll contact him. He is surprised and just smiles at her sweetly.

Oh Young meets Chae Young Rang and tells her that the wedding will be cancelled. Chae Young Rang looks shocked upon hearing it and persuades Oh Young to continue with the wedding. But she seems to have made up her mind and apologizes to her and leaves. 

On her way out, she meets Joo Won with his mother. He introduces them to each other. His mother is fascinated with Oh Young’s beauty and even teases his son with her making them blushed a bit. After sending his mother home, Oh Young tells Joo Won about the cancelled marriage and he feels worried about her. But she just tells him that everything will be alright and sweetly smiles at him. He holds her hand without saying anything and just stares at her. While this is the first time she feels secured to be with a man and she’s happy with it. 

Seung Nyang and Nam Hoon are preparing dinner when Sam Gwan arrives. He praises her daughter’s improving cooking skills then Nam Hoon butts in that it’s because of her boyfriend. She immediately covers her brother’s mouth with ssambap and whispers to him to shut up. But Sam Gwan already looks shocked and verifies what he just heard. Knowing her father’s bad temper when it comes to her suitors, she denies it which he immediately believes because he trust her so much. She knows that telling a lie will only make things worst but she has no choice but to wait for the right time to tell him. So to ease his suspicion, she gives him a glass of champagne.

Oh Soo and Young Do are consoling Oh Young. She just thanks them for being her supportive brothers and says that she’s already okay because of Joo Won’s help. The two Chois are curious on Joo Won’s involvement but she just shyly giggles and says nothing. She excuses herself to prepare some snacks for them. Once she left them, the Choi brothers whisper to each other to investigate about Joo Won’s intention even though he is Oh Soo’s friend. Young Do teases his brother if he is envious on their stepsister’s men but he just pinches his ear which makes him yell out of pain. 

On the next day, Joong Won passes by a coffee shop and remembers Gong Shil and her ghost friend, who loves coffee. As soon as he enters the shop, his sweet smile turns into a frown. Gong Shil and Oh Soo are having good laughs when she notices him standing from a distance and even invites him to their table. She continue to praise Oh Soo’s passion for writing which makes Joong Won feel irritated and eventually leaves them. She is puzzled about his sudden reaction but Oh Soo just smirks and tells her, “Its Okay, Its Love” which makes her more confused and decides to run after Joong Won.

Joong Won walks very fast and continues to mumble to himself. He stops when she hears Gong Shil’s voice but ignores her and continues to walk until he can’t hear her anymore. Then, he glances around but he can’t see her then he starts to look for her. Then Gong Shil makes a sudden appearance like a ghost from a nearby tree but he just didn’t react. She is annoyed on his no reaction look and tries to leave him but he immediately grabs her hand and puts it on his chest.

“Can you feel it?”

“Feel what?” She says looking nervous.

“Can you feel my heart....my heart that continues to beat for you.” He says while looking at her eyes intensely.

She says nothing and gets drowned in his intense stares.

At Kim’s mansion, Chae Young Rang is in deep thought while recalling her conversation with the private investigator. She already knows everything about Seung Nyang and her relation with Sam Gwan. She wants to confront Sam Gwan early next morning but she suddenly remembers the good, old days with him. She remembers their first meeting in senior highschool, the day she falls in love with him, and the day he breaks up with her. She wipes her tears that still continue to flow from her eyes. When Ta Hwan enters the house and is concerned about his mother. She hugs her son tightly and pleads to him not to leave her no matter what. He is confused by his mother’s odd behaviour and decides not to tell her yet about his relationship with Seung Nyang.

Days pass by. Seung Nyang is carrying a lot of boxes as she heads to Yuan Group. When she accidentally bumps to a woman who just came out of nowhere and drops the boxes on her, she looks worried about her condition but the woman tells her that is okay and helps her to stand. 

The woman introduces herself, “Hi. I’m Bel Ami.” 

She sees the Yuan Group logo and exclaims, “I’m so lucky to meet someone who’s working at Yuan. Actually, I’ll be having my job interview today at your company but I’m not familiar with the places here in Seoul.”

Upon hearing it, Seung Nyang offers help and brings her to Yuan Group. Everyone they passed by gets lost like a mad dog when they stare at Bel Ami. Seung Nyang notices this and praises her charms but Bel Ami just humbly tells her that there is beauty in everything just not everybody sees it. While on their way to the HR department, they meet Ta Hwan and Seung Nyang introduces her new friend to him. 

“You seem familiar?” Ta Hwan remarks.

Bel Ami shyly giggles and thanks him for helping her the other day in the park. Then, he remembers and happily pats her on the back. Seung Nyang and Ta Hwan are discussing something about work and personal things while Bel Ami secretly stares at them. When he already left them, she teases Seung Nyang about how they sweetly look at each other but she just tells her to stop fooling around and to do her best for the interview. 

Joo Won is discussing about Yuan’s future expansion plans with her mother. His mother praises his son and tells him that she wants to see Chae Young Rang and her family to suffer.

“Don’t worry about it Omma. Yuan Group will gradually fall into our hands.” He makes an evil laugh.

Then, a woman wearing a weird headdress enters the dim lighted room.

“Omma...Oppa, I’ve successfully infiltrated the Yuan Group.” Bel Ami says with an evil glare.

***

To be continued

Writer: janice

Pictures credit: as tagged, to owner