A Painful Decision

After our little excursion on the shore, as we entered inside the mansion, I saw Madam Kang's car parked at the garage. It was rare for Madam Kang to be home this early but it was even rarer for Mr. Chairman, Hye Jin's Dad. They were both however, present in the living room when we walked in.

"Hye Jin, where have you been?" Madam Kang exclaimed. "What happen to you? You look like something the cat drag in" She cried out looking at our bedraggled appearance.

She ignored me completely and I didn't bat an eye as I was used to it. In her eyes there was always just Hye Jin, my presence rarely visible. She was of the older generation who firmly disapproves of any association with the hired help. She tolerated me only because of grandma but mostly because of Hye Jin for perhaps she felt my company at least curbs some of her daughter's wild ways.

"We were playing by the shore and lost track of time" Hye Jin replied as she inelegantly drop on the couch nearby.

"What am I going to do with this girl?" Madam Kang sighed as she held her head "You're no longer a child. A high school senior already, so please try to at least act like one"

"Hye Jin, you're the only heir to K Group of Industries. Try to act as a lady befitting your status in life and not like some hooligan. But alas! what can I expect if you insist on keeping such poor company" Madam Kang exclaimed as she gently stroke her daughter's hair while untangling it keeping me in view as I stood rooted at my spot by the door.

"Really Mom, you just need an excuse to blame Eun Su. Actually going to the shore was my idea alone not hers and before you asked, yes, she did try to dissuade me" Hye Jin said as she pushed her mother's hand away.

"Okay fine enough about that" Madam Kang gave up. She knew that arguing with her daughter would be of no avail and she had something else in mind she needed to persuade her daughter for. "Actually Hye Jin, your Dad and I have been meaning to talk to you regarding your future" Madam Kang began.

When Hye Jin made no response she continued further "Keeping your identity in mind, we have decided to send you to the states for further studies. Your Dad and I have selected the best of schools to pan out your career with every possible little detail with regards to your classes and boarding aboard already in place. You'll be leaving immediately after the finals at the end of the school year."

"Whatever you two have decided, I have no objections, provided Eun Su accompanies me too" Hye Jin replied offhandedly.

"I've had it with this girl" Madam Kang burst out angrily " We've listened to your unreasonable demands for years but this draws the line. You expect us to sponsor our housekeeper's granddaughter's studies abroad too after sponsoring her education freely for all these years. She should be grateful enough as it is without making such unreasonable demands."

Madam Kang's barely held on to her anger as she tightly clenched her fist. "At the end of the year you are going to the states and that's final."

"I'm not going and that's final" Hye Jin countered back. "Besides Eun Su grades are much better than mine. If anyone deserves the chance to go its her not me"

Her daughter was a headstrong girl. Once she made up her mind about something, there was rarely anyone who could persuade her otherwise. Seeing her ultimatum rejected out of hand, she was at a loss how to cajole her daughter into doing her bidding.

"Honey, aren't you going to say something to this stubborn girl?" Madam Kang cried out as she helplessly pleaded to Mr. Chairman for his support.

Mr. Chairman was going through some documents at his desk while keeping half an ear to the conversation at hand when finally he removed his glasses.

He came and sat by Hye Jin's side as he softly said "Hye Jin you're my only daughter and I only want whats best for you. Besides you know I have never treated Eun Su wrongly. How about you promise me to go to the states and in turn I promise to get Eun Su admitted in Seoul National University and sponsor her studies too."

"But Dad, you know Eun Su and I have never been separated. What would I ever do without her?" Hye Jin was dejected. For this once her father was on her mother's side rather hers.

"Consider this a temporary parting. It'll help both of you to grow up and be independent. Besides I believe your friendship is strong enough to handle this tiny hurdle" Mr. Chaiman explained.

"But Dad...." Hye Jin protested.

"Hye Jin" I called out. "Sorry Mr. Chairman for interrupting but I couldn't stop but overhear your conversation. Please let me have a say"

"Such audacious behavior" Madam Kang exclaimed. "Is this the manners that Housekeeper Cha taught you? What right do you have to speak in between when we are speaking to our daughter?"

Mr. Chairman silenced Madam Kang with a look as he gazed towards me.

"Eun Su has as much a right to say as we do. This matter concerns her too" he stated.

"Hye Jin, its okay" I assured her as I got down on my knees before her and held her hand. "Don't worry about me. All these years Mr. Chairman and Madam have been so good to me. In your absence they would continue to be so. So go to the states and become someone great. I'll be right here waiting for you."

Even though my heart was breaking thinking of our parting, I had to be strong and let her go.

"Eun Su is that what you really want?" Hye Jin queried.

"Yes its what I want. I want my friend to reach the pinnacle of success, to be the brightest star in the sky. I have full faith in you Hye Jin. Do me proud my friend"

"Okay then" Hye Jin said sadly. "If that is what you wish." She wanted to protest further but seeing the conviction in her friend's eyes, she didn't want to let her down. She vowed to herself to strive for success to safeguard her faith in her.

That night as I laid down to rest I quietly sobbed my heart out. I was no stranger to lost in all my 18 years. I was an orphan with only grandma to call family. My earliest memory of my Mom would always be her pale expression. My Mom was always sick, something to do with her heart, so she was always in and out of the hospital. I remember I used to be very scared as I prayed for my Mom to just live on and not leave me to fend alone in this world. I never knew my Dad and whenever I asked about him, my Mom would have a distant look and cry herself sick. So finally I stopped asking. I never even knew I had a grandma until I was 5 years old. The day my Mom died, she contacted my grandma who rushed to the hospital but it was already too late. With her dying breath, she handed me over to my grandma and from that day on, my grandma became my world as I became hers.

My Grandma was the head housekeeper of the Kang Residence so she brought me over to live with her in their estate. She was strict and disciplinary but she had a heart big enough to love both Hye Jin and me to pieces. She was not that much educated but she would teach us lessons she learn from her life for life was a great teacher she'd always say and fed us sweets from the kitchen pantry when no one was looking. We were her little treasures she'd call us.

That night when she found out that Hye Jin was leaving she wished her luck with a big smile but sometime later I found her in her room crying her heart out holding on to Hye Jin's picture. It was a night of sadness for me in losing a friend, a sister and for my grandma in losing one of her precious little treasure.