Chapter 127: Parting and Reunion
Chapter 127: Parting and Reunion
With Yeon-jun's zero interest rate policy and quantitative easing, the New York stock market surged.
〈The Fed's Power That Makes the Corona Crisis Pale in Comparison〉
〈New York Stock Market Enters Year-End Rally. Positive Outlook on President-Elect Biden's Aggressive Stimulus Measures〉
〈Santa Rally Kicks Off, Expectations Grow for Pfizer Vaccine Shipments〉
〈Wall Street, Bank Stocks Rise on Fed's Approval of Share Buybacks〉
The Fed was dictating global capital markets.
A market clearly proving the economic order imposed by America.
"This incentive payout is going to hit an all-time high."
"You're right. Looks like at least $4 million. Haha."
"I rented a yacht in the Caribbean for winter vacation."
"Not too pricey?"
"$30,000. But next year, I might be able to buy my own."
"If this market keeps up."
Manhattan's Langham Hotel.
The bar was filled with Wall Street fund managers chatting away.
A place too pricey for low-level analysts or associates at investment firms.
These were the fund managers handling client assets or prop traders rolling the firm's money.
"Kim Shin's comments had me on edge for nothing. The stock dipped that day, you know."
"Yeah, no doubt. The Korean investors made a big move. But it ended up rising anyway."
"To the mighty Fed!"
"To the stimulus President Biden will bring!"
Ellie sipped her cognac as she listened to the fund managers' talk.
She hadn't gotten drunk no matter how many glasses she'd had.
For two years, she'd thrown herself into work.
Days sleeping more than four hours had been rare; she'd been obsessed, and as a result, she'd posted high returns and gotten promoted.
Especially this year, flipping from negative returns to massive gains—thanks to Kim Shin.
Following his bold investments had landed her in the top 1% at the firm.
Ellie pulled out her phone and checked an old text.
―Kim Shin: Heading to the airport now.
―Ellie: Leaving New York? Back to San Francisco?
―Kim Shin: No. Just gonna spend the end of the year quietly in LA.
―Ellie: Got it. Too bad.
―Kim Shin: Yeah. Let's meet again sometime if there's a chance.
Kim Shin had left New York.
‘I've accomplished so much this year, but I might've lost the most important thing in the world.’
The result of choosing work over love.
* * *
He never expected to run into Jo Soo-ah in Laguna Beach.
Joy mixed with the fatigue from flying in from New York melted away.
He walked the beach where Jo Soo-ah had been strolling.
Bodyguards were stationed a short distance away, but he was used to it and didn't mind.
"How'd you end up here?"
"I wanted to come to America to see you, oppa. I told Jong-yeop I wanted to visit the States, and he said you were heading to LA, so I flew in today."
He could guess why Lee Jong-yeop hadn't given him a heads-up. The guy secretly loved surprises.
"You took vacation from work, right?"
"I used my sabbatical. If it's okay, can I stay here a few days?"
"Of course. Your vacation's pretty long, so stay as long as you want."
Walking the sandy beach stirred up a lot of thoughts.
Back when he got divorced, he'd figured he'd live alone forever.
Ten, twenty years in a basement apartment.
Stay until redevelopment, save up, then move to something bigger.
Hold out at Arcor as long as possible, work diligently, collect paychecks—that was the goal.
If working at the same place as Han Chae-won got too awkward to bear, he'd consider re-employment elsewhere.
That's how he'd planned to live, but then he started a company and became an investor shaking up the New York markets.
Meeting Jo Soo-ah like this in America was even harder to imagine.
Even their Busan trip had felt like a one-night dream.
He'd thought divorce meant giving up and throwing away so much, but life had become this fulfilling.
"What're you thinking about?"
"Hmm... Haeundae in Busan."
"Why?"
"We walked the beach there too."
He recalled the Busan seaside they'd strolled.
They'd wandered Haeundae and ended up at a place for braised loach.
"How are your parents?"
"They're doing well. They worried a lot about me coming to America because of corona."
"America's hit hard by it. Gotta get vaccinated first."
"The K-Vaccine?"
"Yeah. Anyone can get it here."
Maybe it was all trivial small talk.
Still, talking with Jo Soo-ah put his mind at ease.
Maybe because of her pretty voice, or her beautiful looks.
Above all, she made him feel comfortable.
She wouldn't snap or get mad over little things like Han Chae-won.
No matter what, she'd listen to him, believe him—that's the feeling she gave.
"But back when you were a new hire."
"Yeah."
"I drove the company car sometimes, but I must've screamed 'broke,' right?"
"I didn't notice."
As a new hire, anyone could tell he had no money.
Just two suits, no spending on watches or belts.
Stuck to his cheap high school barbershop, only drank at cafes on the corporate card.
When you're broke, it shows somehow.
"Thanks for helping me settle in—you gave me that tie, and I've used it forever."
"I'm glad you wore it so much."
"First tie with that blue sheen, and I loved it."
The tie from Jo Soo-ah was his most cherished possession at work.
"I wore it a lot for interviews or meetings at Earth Resource."
"You didn't throw it out?"
"Of course not. Even wore it in Washington."
"At the meeting with President-Elect Biden?"
"Yeah."
"It really was that tie. I saw it on TV but figured you'd wear something pricier and better."
One thing he'd realized making big money:
Having cash didn't mean treating old things carelessly.
Stuff from his poor days held meaning unless rusted or moldy.
Especially with people—it was even more valuable.
Those he'd known since broke days felt far more precious.
"Wanna grab a beer if you're not tired?"
"Sure."
"But first, burgers. There's this really good place."
The great spots he'd explored in Laguna Beach.
Sharing his favorites with Jo Soo-ah felt perfect.
* * *
"I knew you'd meet today, but I didn't expect to spot you so easily on the beach."
Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
Lee Jong-yeop grinned from the large SUV driven by a bodyguard.
He'd deliberately stayed in the car so the two could chat comfortably without him tagging along.
Ralph in the driver's seat spoke up.
"That's the woman from Korea, right?"
"Yeah. They make a great couple, don't they?"
Lee Jong-yeop thought the pair walking the beach looked pretty romantic.
Jo Soo-ah was passive, and watching Kim Shin, he clearly lacked dating experience.
The type who likes someone but doesn't realize it.
Ralph said,
"The close protection team says they're walking to the burger joint."
"Hmm. Guess I should call the burger place."
Helping Kim Shin relax was his job.
"Yes, sir. CEO Kim Shin will be visiting."
―Oh, really? Gotta make the best burgers then.
The burger shop owner was a Kim Shin fan.
He had no idea how thrilled the guy was knowing Kim Shin vacationed in Laguna Beach.
"Please take good care of us. He's with an important guest."
―No worries. I'll set up a nice spot for a comfortable meal.
He reserved an outdoor table with a view of the sunset.
* * *
Burgers and beer with Jo Soo-ah.
The perfect Laguna Beach relaxation.
After filling up, they drove back to the mansion.
"What a amazing house."
"Yeah. I'll show you to your room."
He personally toured her through the mansion and carried her bags to the room.
When he first got the place in Laguna Beach, he'd felt it was a bit extravagant.
Unnecessary spending on a spot he wouldn't visit often.
But bringing Jo Soo-ah made Beverly Hills mansions flash through his mind.
‘Should've shown off an insanely expensive place.’
Hard to shake that urge to brag about his house.
* * *
That night.
With Jo Soo-ah staying over, sleep wouldn't come.
He paced the room aimlessly multiple times.
Stared at the garden landscaping from the window, browsed the internet on his phone.
Even searched his own name for the first time in ages.
―What’s big bro Kim Shin up to for New Year’s?
―He’s in New York, probably partying with beauties.
―Ugh, just a baseball fan eating chicken here. Jealous of Kim Shin—running businesses, buying sports teams, money to burn.
―I wanna live like that too.
The comments were oddly entertaining.
More experiences and insane money than in his twenties, but that pathetic side still lingered.
‘Man, I miss Korean fried chicken.’
Not homesick for Seoul, but the chicken flavor hit him. And with Jo Soo-ah here, excitement kept him awake.
She'd stay at least a few days, but memories from meeting her to now flooded back.
"H-hello... I'm Jo... Jo Soo-ah."
Their first meeting, teamed up as rookies.
Her blushing shyness, touring Gangnam hospitals together, introducing her to good eateries.
Nearly three months traveling provinces—no fights.
"Isn't Jo Soo-ah available? Man, this bro's trying to escape boring single life with her."
Na Sang-guk's old rooftop quip resurfaced.
So much had happened, time passed, and now they met in America.
―Kim Shin: Up?
Texting her right next door.
―Jo Soo-ah: Can't sleep.
―Kim Shin: Jet lag?
―Jo Soo-ah: Just... lots of thoughts.
―Kim Shin: Got it.
Silence for a while.
He was thinking not to bother her when she must be tired.
Ding!
―Lee Jong-yeop: Hyung.
―Kim Shin: Yeah.
―Lee Jong-yeop: Figured you weren't asleep. Know who the world's worst guy is?
―Kim Shin: Who?
―Lee Jong-yeop: The man who cherishes a woman when he shouldn't.
He knew what that meant.
So he mustered courage and texted Jo Soo-ah.
―Kim Shin: Can I come to your room for a bit?
―Kim Shin: Wanna talk.
―Kim Shin: Say no if you don't want. I know it's rude, but I wanna see you.
Time dragged.
Anxiety over messing up grew.
―Jo Soo-ah: You know I've been waiting all along, right?
―Kim Shin: Huh?
―Jo Soo-ah: Come over.