PROMPTS

Economics and Mr. Ri (14)

Hong Chang-sik pleaded with Ms. Yoon's mother for understanding. "I'm sorry, Madam, but Ms. Yoon has not returned from her conference in Busan. She'll be back later tonight."

"Why did she not inform her family that she would be out? We had dinner plans for later. If she could not make it, we could have rescheduled," Han Eun-jin said. "Are you sure you're not covering for her, Mr. Hong?"

Her leading question had basis. 

A few nights ago, a close family friend mentioned that she had seen the Yoon's daughter at an exclusive club in Jeju. "I did not approach as she seemed to be on a date with a tall, dashing man! I did not want to interrupt their moment."

Seri was seeing someone? Han Eun-jin thought, though outwardly, her face did not register any surprise.  After all, the only date they ever met after Mr. Ri Jeong Hyeok were those marriages they tried to set up for her, none of which made it past the first meeting.

As a mother, she always wanted the best for Seri even though she went about it incorrectly, which she belatedly realized. It pained her that after all these years, her daughter still would not share this part of her life with Han Eun-jin, but she couldn't really blame Seri. It was Han Eun-jin who gave her a tough choice, one that extinguished the fire in her daughter Seri's eyes. 

That fire that was brought by Seri's love for her Mr. Ri.

So, Han Eun-jin went to Seri's Choice's headquarters to see Seri. But now she was being told Seri had a conference in Busan? 

Her mother's instinct told her something was going on. 

I'm sorry, Seri. Forgive me for this, she thought. Then, she dialled her private investigator's contact number.

"Yes, Madam? Do you need me to follow someone?" the investigator asked.

Hesitating, she suddenly said, "I... no. I think I will handle this on my own. Thank you." She had slighted Seri so many time before, now she will get answers... as a loving mother concerned for a daughter she cherished.

"Hello, Dean Kim?" Han Eun-jin said to the next caller she dialled. "May I visit the University? I wish to speak to Professor Ri Jeong Hyeok."

*

"Ms. Jisoo! Ms. Jisoo!"

Yoon Jisoo was surprised at the shout from the other end of the phone. "Mr. Hong? What's wrong?"

"Ms. Jisoo, your mother is on her way to the University to see one of your professors and she doesn't sound happy," Hong Chang-sik said. "Are you in trouble, Ms. Jisoo? Should I call Ms. Seri?"

"I'm not in trouble --" she started to say, but then turned to stare at a worried Song Hae In's face. Could her mother have found out about Song Hae In and her? "Mr. Hong, I have to go."

Quickly ending the call, Jisoo turned to her boyfriend and asked, "Did Professor Ri already report for work today?"

"Yes, I saw him this morning and informed him about us so that we could avoid any potential conflict of interest," he disclosed. "Is something wrong?"

"Let's go. I think my mother is going to confront him," Jisoo said, pulling him with her.

"What? Why? You haven't told your mother about us," Hae In pointed out.

"I know... but she's a mom. She knows stuff," Jisoo said. "Let's go!"

When they arrived at the faculty office, Hae In stopped her from turning the knob. "Jisoo-ah, if your mother makes you choose, don't choose me."

Jisoo made a face. "Don't be overly dramatic. She won't make me choose. She knows that drama will work on Seri but not with me," she said, rolling her eyes.