Face-to-Face
***
Emerging from the airport on Jeju Island alongside Min-ho, Eun-chae stretched her arms out wide as if shaking off a yawn, her face lighting up with a radiant smile.
"Wow, I never imagined I'd make it to Jeju!"
"You've really never been?"
"Never had a reason to. Mom was always swamped, and Dad passed when I was little."
Something must have clicked, because she whipped her head around at lightspeed, eyes narrowed like a bird's.
"Are you teasing me right now for never coming to Jeju?"
"You're too sharp; I can't even joke with you."
"But where's our ride? I heard people usually rent a car when they come here."
"President No will be along shortly."
As if struck by a brilliant idea, she beamed mischievously.
"Ah... You don't have a license, do you, Min-ho? Technically revoked, I mean."
"Why poke at my sore spot?"
She burst into giggles, clearly amused, before replying.
"Grandpa told me all about it. It even hit the news back then. Driving without a license, always drunk. Picking fights too."
"Grandpa said that?"
"Who else?"
"Fair enough. There was a phase like that."
Scrutinizing Min-ho's face intently, Eun-chae wore an expression of pure wonder.
"You don't strike me as the type now... What happened?"
"That wasn't me back then."
He spoke the truth, but she had no reason to buy it.
"That's one hell of an excuse. So you're a whole different person now?"
"Wouldn't a grander excuse be better?"
"Whatever. I was excited to try all sorts of food, but now you've killed my appetite."
"I'll head back up this afternoon for the work report."
"Fine, today can be a trial run... Next time, day trip for sure..."
Before Eun-chae could finish, President No Jun-hwan appeared right on cue.
She shot him another glance and asked,
"You heard that?"
"No. What'd you say?"
"Sigh... I really should watch my mouth..."
President No, who had rushed over from the mainland Jeju site where he was securing land for the bottled water factory, arrived out of breath.
"President. Sorry I'm late. I stopped for gas."
"You're late, but your timing's impeccable."
"Not the wife... President Gu Eun-chae, perhaps? Anyway, pleased to meet you. I'm Athena Real Estate President No Jun-hwan."
"Nice to meet you. Gu Eun-chae."
"This way, please."
The three climbed into the car and set off toward the factory site.
"If you're busy, why not send a staffer? Why come yourself?"
"It's you, President. Of course I'd come personally."
"No need to go that far. Next time, I'll just cab it."
"Nonsense. It's my job. And the factory land contract's done."
"No drama this time? Must've been tricky."
"Routine by now. They all had big plots, so it went smoother than expected."
It was an era when hardly anyone bought bottled water.
Eun-chae, who had dismissed Min-ho's talk as a joke, unleashed a barrage of questions.
"Min-ho, the bottled water factory thing—was that for real?"
"Think I'd fake it?"
"No, I just..."
"Serpent in your belly?"
Her face turned beet red as she turned to stare out the window, dodging the conversation.
"Why are you staring like that?"
"You used the factory land as a perfect excuse to drag me to Jeju for... you know... those thoughts?"
"No, I didn't!"
"You know, Eun-chae—strong denial means affirmation."
Glancing in the rearview at their playful bickering, President No wore a fond, uncle-like smile.
"President, that's the best part."
"I'm drowning in meddlers already, and now you're chiming in too?"
"At my age, those feelings fade to memory. Watching you two stirs up the old days—feels good."
"We'll see about that."
Near Jocheon-eup, President No rolled down the window to explain. Warm sunlight bathed them, a refreshing breeze blowing through.
Eun-chae's long straight hair danced in the wind.
Without a word, Min-ho reached out and gently smoothed the stray strands.
"See the flag at one o'clock? That's the start—secured 35,000 pyeong all the way to the opposite side."
Distracted by Eun-chae for a moment, Min-ho admitted,
"Sorry, zoned out—missed that."
Catching the subtle vibe between them, President No replied tactfully.
"No worries. I'll brief you on arrival."
Tying back her hair with a band, Eun-chae whined to him like a niece venting to her uncle.
"President, get a load of this. Is that what someone who hates it does?"
"My job's on the line—I won't say a peep."
"Dragging me to Jeju out of nowhere, sneaky skinship at just the right moments."
"Not skinship—the wind messed it up."
"Ugh, bruising my ego! That's why I can't quit. Denies it deadpan if I push. President No! Back me up!"
Unsure how to respond, President No swiftly pivoted.
"We're here. Hop out."
"Like president, like subordinate—you two are cut from the same cloth, you know?"
"I'll have a word with him later."
The trio disembarked and toured the site on foot.
"Flag here to way over there—all factory land. Precisely 35,000 pyeong, ample for the water plant."
"Heard JK Construction swung by."
"Yes. Came right away, like last time—Chairman must've tipped them off."
"Details in the report. TL;DR?"
"Buildings, facilities, gear: max one year six months."
"Perfect. Good work."
"No, sir—with funding secure and your trust, I'm grateful."
Flipping through his notepad mid-report, President No raised a point.
"Did you know about the water source here?"
"Suspected. Always heard this area's full of wells."
"Team was stunned on first survey. 'How'd he know?' they kept saying."
"Luck on luck."
No second-lifer could pinpoint every spring across Jeju's vast lands. Simple reason: the bottled water he bought often listed this address.
A tiny memory, massive payoff.
"Prime spot, generous plot. Learned plenty from you again, President."
Mid-serious shop talk, Eun-chae's stomach let out a mighty rumble.
All three cracked up.
"With me since the start—you must be starving. Nearest restaurant it is. Any cravings?"
As Eun-chae started to speak, Min-ho cut in.
"Eun-chae's been raving about pork noodle soup the whole ride."
"Lucky—top spot right nearby. This way."
As President No started the car, Eun-chae jabbed Min-ho's side and whispered,
"How'd you know I wanted pork noodles?"
"You brought it up a bunch on the way."
"Making me out to be an idiot? Never mentioned it to you."
"Rack your brain—you did. No time to bicker. Starving—let's roll."
***
After lunch, Min-ho and his group pulled up to a nursing home with stunning sea views.
No clear reason for visiting this unfamiliar spot.
To suss out the intent, President No asked,
"President, someone here for you?"
"Later. Thanks for today."
"I'll wait till you're done."
"No need. Taxis galore up front—we'll cab to the airport."
"Understood. Call if needed."
"Appreciate it."
Sensing something off-limits, President No bowed out without pressing.
Clueless Eun-chae simply gazed at the sea, beaming.
"How'd you find this place? Sea's gorgeous, gulls soaring—like a movie shot."
Min-ho's heart weighed heavy; truth time for the beaming girl.
Words stuck in his throat, but time ticked down.
Standing beside her, sea-gazing long minutes, he finally spoke.
"Remember our first deal?"
"Duh. You track Mom's real killer; I feed you intel."
"Relieved you do."
"Why so grave all of a sudden? What's with that?"
"I... found the culprit."
Beyond imagination.
Her beaming smile evaporated.
"You found... the culprit?"
"Yeah. That's why we're here."
"You mean... he's here?"
"Check these docs first. Full rundown on your mom's case."
The truth she'd chased forever, now in reach.
Hands quaking, she drew the papers from the envelope.
Truth hurts.
She pored over the dossier from former Chief Prosecutor Yoo Jae-yong, page by steady page.
At last, the case's guts spilled out.
Rage etched her face; tears streamed from her eyes.
"So in the end... the culprit's Choi Son-hwan?"
"Not spelled out, but circumstances scream he ordered it—makes him the perp."
Eun-chae's grief and fury over her lost mother dwarfed anything Min-ho could fathom.
Tears flowing, fists clenched tight.
Warm sun shone; sea crashed on, oblivious.
Beauty blurred from view.
Turning to the waves, she murmured to herself,
"Mom... found the bastard... I'll make him just like you..."
Resolution set, she turned a steely face toward the nursing home, steps deliberate.
Let her go, and disaster loomed obvious.
Grabbing her arm, Min-ho said,
"You really gonna kill him?"
"................."
"Eun-chae! Answer me! Answer!"
Wiping tears with her sleeve, she replied,
"Day Mom died... so did I. Don't care the fallout. Ending was locked in from jump."
Calm voice, but rage boiled from her core.
"Might feel cathartic, but you'd rot in prison for life. Can't let that happen."
"And if I stick to it?"
"You'll change your mind once we're up there."
Locking eyes with Min-ho long moments, she spoke gravely.
"Fine. Let's go in. I'll decide."
They entered wordlessly.
Elevator down, footsteps echoing down the hall.
They reached former Assemblyman Choi Son-hwan's room.
Min-ho nodded; eased the door open.
Sea-view haven, but the old man lay solitary.
Once Yeouido's roaring tiger, now a withered shell awaiting the end.
Panoramic vista meant nothing to death's doorstep.
Eun-chae fixed her gaze, advancing on the bed.
No soul knew the waits, the tears for this stride.
She closed in on not the man, but the buried truth.
The instant she neared...
The old man stirred at the footsteps, head turning with glacial slowness.
Eyes vacant, yet piercing straight into Eun-chae's.
Cracked, withered lips parted with effort.
"Yoon Gwi-young's... daughter... Knew... you'd come..."