Empress Ki Heirs: Episode 17

Ta Hwan greets Seung Nyang with a kiss on her cheeks and gives her the bouquet of red roses. 

“Are we celebrating something special today?” Seung Nyang asks.

But he just smiles at her naughtily, “Special? Uhmmm, just looking at you every day, every minute, every second is always a special day for me.”

“Here we go again with your cheesy lines, Mr. Kim Ta Hwan.”

“And you always fall in love with my cheesy lines.” Then he flirtly winks at her.

Seung Nyang shyly smiles as they enter the restaurant. The place is so elegant decorated with gold and white carvings on the wall and a chandelier hung above. Her gaze travels around the place. There are few people inside the restaurant, each table is decorated with fresh lilies and a grand piano located at the right side of the restaurant. 

A service crew escorts the couple to their reserved table. After a few minutes, Ta Hwan excuses himself and goes to the restroom. While she is waiting for the appetizer and also for Ta Hwan, a romantic music starts to play. She is surprised to see Ta Hwan playing the piano then he begins to sing. She is mesmerized by his song which made her teary-eyed.

After singing, he slowly walks toward Seung Nyang while saying something.

“Cha Seung Nyang, the woman who always makes my heart flutters more and more. We’ve known each other for only a short span of time but it seems like I’ve already known you for a long time. We’ve been through the ups and downs of life and I still want to walk on that same path with you.”

 

Then, he kneels in front of her and takes a small box from his suit. He opens the box containing the golden engagement ring he bought on the other day.

“Ms. Cha Seung Nyang, will you spend the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me?”

She is speechless for a few seconds and eventually says, “Mr. Kim Ta Hwan...yes, I will marry you.”

He almost wants to cry upon hearing her response. They kiss and hug each other tightly while the other people and the service crew congratulate them.

At LOEL Group, Joo Won is furious on what happened to his sister. He orders his lawyer to attend to his sister’s case and his secretary to proceed to plan B. After his lawyer and secretary leaves, he is in deep thought when suddenly Oh Young enters his office. He is not expecting her but thankful enough to see her. They talk for awhile but his mind seems to be wondering somewhere which she immediately notices.

“I heard about your sister’s involvement in Yuan’s data theft. Please don’t proceed with your plan.” She pauses and speaks in a serious tone. “Yes, I heard everything you said to your secretary before I came in.”

Joo Won looks at her disappointedly. “Do you still feel something towards Ta Hwan?” He says sarcastically.

“Are you doubting me?” She calms herself. “You and Ta Hwan are very special to me. Don’t make me choose between you two. Please think about it a million times before everything is too late.” Then, she leaves sadly.

 

Joo Won is devastated on what he just heard. He loves Oh Young so much that he doesn’t want to hurt her but he also doesn’t want to disappoint his mother, too.

Oh Young decides to go to Oh Soo’s office. She invites him to the themepark because she feels down and stressed out. Knowing her for a long time, he suspiciously asks if Joo Won did something to her but she just denies it and tells him that her boyfriend is just too busy. At the themepark, they enjoy every ride and games they play.

While they are resting after one crazy ride on the rollercoaster, she unintentionally tells him that if they aren’t siblings, she wants him to be her boyfriend. He looks startled until she realizes what she said and blushes. She excuses herself to buy some drinks.

Ta Hwan and Seung Nyang are walking in the park happily. He continues to smile brightly at the same time stares at her and the ring on her finger. Then, she pinches his cheeks.

“Your smile is disturbing. Are you still in Cloud 9?”

“I’m just too happy. Wait, are you not happy for our wedding?”

“No.” She says blankly but just to tease him and walks before him.

“Nyang-ie!” He runs after her. Then, she suddenly turns around and gently kisses him. “You look so cute and funny when you’re annoyed.” 

He didn’t speak for a few seconds and touches his lips. “Nyang-ie, can you please repeat what you just did?” He says while pouting.

She flirtly smiles at him as she leans closer then, she immediately pinches his nose.

 “Ouch Nyang-ie! Days ago you fetish my neck...and now my nose.”

She loosens his grip and quickly kisses his nose. She sweetly smiles at him and proceeds walking. While Ta Hwan is still in shocked after those stolen kisses until he suddenly yells in gladness, “I’m in heaven!”

Joong Won goes to the police station. He asks Bel Ami if his older brother is the mastermind but she just denies it and claims that they are innocent. He tries to control himself from saying some inappropriate words because he can’t get any straight answers from her. Outside the interrogation room, Secretary Kim advises Joong Won to be patient when suddenly his phone rings. They go back to Yuan Group immediately.

Ta Hwan and Seung Nyang also arrive at Yuan Group and go directly to his brother’s office. They are discussing the sudden drop of Yuan’s stock prices and the investors who are gradually withdrawing their investments. Sam Gwan also assures them that there’s a high probability of Bel Ami getting convicted given the hard evidences they have gathered.

It’s been a long day for everyone in Yuan. Ta Hwan notices Seung Nyang’s frustation on the whole situation.

“Is something bothering you?” He asks.

“I think I should talk to Joo Won. I had known him for years and he’s a nice person.” She replies.

He holds her hands. “You don’t have to do it. This battle is between Yuan and LOEL so just leave it there. About Joo Won, people are sometimes unpredictable and are prone to change.”

She seems not satisfied on what she heard but prefers not to argue with him anymore.

After finishing some legal documents, Sam Gwan decides to go home.  On his way out of Yuan, he meets Young Rang. They talk for awhile. They ask forgiveness from each other and agree to stay as friends for the sake of their children.

“The Chairman is a good person and a friend in need. So when I heard that you married him, I felt at ease because you finally found a more reliable man. And I am very happy with my family now.”

“I guess this is our fate and we need to accept it. I was hurt when you left me but the Chairman was there to care for me and love me through the years. I can still remember when he hired you as our driver, I argued with him for days but he is just too kind and patient on me.”

Their conversation ended well and leaves a pleasant smile to each other.

Sam Gwan arrives at his home. Nam Hoon politely greets his father and even carries his bag. He looks at his son suspiciously and asks if he did something wrong in school. But he just denies it and shows his university entrance exam result. He successfully passed the exam and even attained the number one place. He instantly hugs his son tightly and tells him how proud he is.

 “Ta-da.” Seung Nyang exclaims, “Ta Hwan and I cook seaweed soup for this special day.”

While eating, Sam Gwan notices the ring that Seung Nyang is wearing but didn’t bother to ask her because he already knows what it means. After their dinner, he invites Ta Hwan outside to drink some soju. While drinking, Ta Hwan nervously tells Sam Gwan about his intention of marrying his daughter. Upon hearing it, he empties three bottles of soju and finally advises Ta Hwan to make his daughter always happy or he will have to face his wrath. Afterwards, he feels sleepy and Ta Hwan brings him back to his house.

Seung Nyang escorts Ta Hwan to his car. He hugs her tightly and whispers, “You are the greatest gift I’ve received in my life. I love you, Nyang-ie.”

She is overwhelmed on what he just said and smiles broadly. 

“Are you not going to say anything? Like I love you, too.”

She just smiles at him teasingly. “Why do I still have to say that?”

“Aigoo, you’re such a tease.” Then, he leans closer to kiss her while she slowly closes her eyes.

“Nyang-ie! Where are you?! It’s cold outside! Go back to the house now!” Sam Gwan who suddenly wakes up and is still drunk calls for his daughter.

Ta Hwan is disappointed again with the almost kiss and snaps his fingers. Seung Nyang just laughs at the situation and bids him goodbye.

Next morning, Joo Won and Ta Hwan are having a meeting with the IT Department regarding Yuan’s information system security. Then, Secretary Kim bursts into the meeting room and tells everyone about the special meeting the Board of Directors had requested. The siblings immediately go to the Board room. 

Half of the Board wants to oust Joong Won from being the CEO but the other half disfavor the idea. Joong Won doesn’t know what to say with the series of incidents that are happening. Then, Ta Hwan suddenly speaks up and asks the Board to give them time to solve the problem. The Board eventually grants his plea. 

Ta Hwan accompanies Joong Won to his office. He is worried because his older brother looks pale in these past few days. 

“Hyung, are you alright?” He asks in a worried tone.

“I’m alriiii....” Joong Won suddenly faints.

“Hyung! Hyung! Wake up, hyung!”

***

TO BE CONTINUED

Writer: janice

Pictures credit: as tagged, to owner