A Loss

The next day, Hye Jin came to the servant quarters to wish me but since I was still abed, she just barged right into the room and jumped on the bed.

"Hey sleephead, wake up" she cried as she pulled the blanket.

"Hye Jin?? What time is it" I said sleepily.

"Its 9 am"

"Huh 9am!!! I slept so late??" I exclaimed as I quickly sprang out of the bed.

"Don't worry. Sometimes you are entitled to sleep late" Hye Jin said a matter of factly.

"Happy Birthday Eun Su" Hye Jin said as she bear hugged me tightly. "I have a birthday surprise for you. We are going to Jeju Island for the weekend. I asked Dad and he arranged everything so just pack your bags and be prepared to leave okay"

"Jeju Island? Are you crazy? I can't go to Jeju Island. What about Grandma???" I cried out. I was quite used to Hye Jin wild schemes but this was by far the most outrageous.

"I knew you would object so I asked Grandma already and she gave us her permission. Besides I'm leaving soon and I just wanted to go on a trip, just the two of us and make memories. Can't you do that for me?" Hye Jin said as she begged me making puppy eyes. I was conflicted but in the end I knew I had to give in as this may be the last time we would be together before she left.

"Okay fine. I could never win against you"

"Yes!!! Jeju Island here we come"

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"And that concludes the last will and testimony of your mother, Mrs. Han Mina" the lawyer exclaimed. "So now in accordance with the will, 60% of JH Group of Industries now belongs to you Mr. Han Ji Hu"

As he stared at the young man sitting before him, he wondered what thoughts occupied the young man's mind for he presented a cool and calm facade to the world in the aftermath of his mother's death.

"What about my mother's ashes?" Ji Hu asked.

"She wanted you to scatter her ashes in the place where her happiness lies. She said you would understand if I said so" the lawyer answered. Though he was confused at the unusual request of his client but it was not his place to probe.

"Thank you Lawyer Jang" Ji Hu said as he prepared to take his leave.

"Once again, I'm sorry for your loss Mr. Han"

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As Ji Hu entered the house later that night, the servants were nowhere in sight. The house was eerily silent but Ji Hu was used to the silence that always seem to accompany the old resident. In all the years he lived there, the house had never resounded with the sound of laughter. It was a cold and lonely place for a little boy to grow up in. It had been in the Han family for generations passed down from father to son and so it came to be in his father's possession when his grandfather died.

His parents came from two of the most prominent chaebol families in South Korea and had an arranged marriage resulting in the birth of JH Group of Industries. But though the merger was a success with JH Group opening up avenues not only nationally but even in the international market, the marriage was not a happy one. His Dad spent most of his time away from home building a conglomerate empire leaving his Mom pining away the hours at home. Though his parents never fought he barely had any memories of them spending time together as a family.

After finishing school, he went to the states to continue his further studies but the sudden death of his Mom brought him home to fulfill her final rites. The past few days to him passed by in a haze of grief but he held a tight rein on his emotions for he was not used to scenes of emotional display.

The study light was still on highlighting that his Dad was home. Ji Hu didn't know why but he made his way towards the study perhaps hoping for a chance to share his grief with the one person he could call family. Sensing his approach, his Dad glanced up from the documents he was perusing and said " Did you meet Lawyer Jang?"

"Yes, he read me Mom's will and gave me her ashes" Ji Hu replied readily.

"I see. Its fine then. Go to bed. Its late" Chairman Han said. Seeing Ji Hu still lingering in the hallway, he queried "Is there anything you need?"

"Actually..." Ji Hu began "I'm leaving for Jeju Island tomorrow morning. I thought maybe you'd like to go with me"

Chairman Han remained silent for a long time. In the end he replied "Ji Hu.....I'm sorry. I have an important meeting tomorrow which I cannot postpone. You just have to make the trip without me."

"Why did I even bothered asking when I knew you would say that" Ji Hu burst out angrily. "All these years, you never had time for the both of us. All you care about is building your empire. Do you even think about us? I thought now at least with Mom gone, you would change. But I guess that's just my wishful thinking. You Chairman Han, you don't have whats call a human heart"

"Is that what you really think about me, Ji Hu?" Chairman Han asked. Seeing his question met with no response, he heaved a sigh and said "Then, I have nothing more to say"

"Fine, tomorrow I'm leaving for Jeju island and from there I'm going back to the states, I'm never coming back to this place again. Goodbye Chairman Han" Ji Hu stormed out.

Chairman Han watched the retreating back of his son holding out on the urge to call him back and explain. But he knew no matter what he say it was already too late. He had too many regrets in this life and his son was lost to him forever.