..... our love can last over time .....

South Korea January of 2020.

On 20 January 2020, National IHR Focal Point (NFP) for the Republic of Korea reported the first case of a novel coronavirus in the Republic of Korea.

Kim family has been leading the country as a multinational electronics conglomerate until 2000 when the board was involved in a scandal. To save the company from going bankrupt they approached the Lee family who is the largest automotive manufacturer and proposed an arranged marriage between their 2 children. Kim Do Yun was an only son who was 15 at that time and Lee Ae Cha an only daughter who was 14 at that time has been engaged since then. Although they go to the same school, attend gatherings together, and even belong to the same school clubs they don't know much about each other but they understand the responsibility of being the next in line in their respective businesses.

They got married right after they both finished a Master's degree in Business abroad and have been blessed by a daughter and son. True enough their union propelled both of the families' companies to the top not just in their country but to the whole of Asia. Just like any business, they faced setbacks but were always able to bounce back however they were not able to foresee a pandemic as destructive as coronavirus. Not only are they the ones affected but the whole world as well.

When both companies closed each one of their factories they needed an emergency exit plan to be able to bounce back immediately and both of the board agreed to set up a feasibility study in the Philippines. Do Yun agreed to conduct the study which meant bringing his whole family to settle temporarily in the Philippines. Since Manila is overcrowded and Davao seems to be a bit far off, they chose Cebu as their new home and expansion.

Do Yun and Ae Cha's success can be credited to their commitment, dedication, and teamwork not as a couple but as business people. For the last 10 years of their marriage, they have not traveled together during business trips thus this will be the first time that they will be working on the same project. Since they were always away from home, their children got used to having servants provide them with their needs. Although they have been staying in Cebu for a year now and have been able to finish their feasibility study they were not able to start with the expansion yet due to a lack of investors thus they needed to extend their stay for the next 2 years. Kim Chaewon their 9-year-old daughter and Kim Ha Jun their 8-year-old son had been homeschooled since they arrived but the couple decided to enroll them in school in the coming school year for them to improve in their socialization especially their English communication skills.

They bought a studio unit in one of the low-rise condominiums in Cebu and a separate unit for their workers under a dummy Filipino name. They have someone responsible for cooking only, doing the laundry, cleaner, and 2 tutors all stays in. Now that they intended to stay for another 2 years, they then transferred to a mid-rise condominium in Cebu this time with 1 bedroom unit each. They also needed to hire additional workers as a driver, 2 school companions, and 2 personal secretaries for both of them.

After having a long conversation with Emily, Amor went back home to discuss her plan with Theo immediately. Upon hearing the news from Amor Theo just sat motionless in his wheelchair, "Theo.....," Amor called his attention.

Theo let out a sigh, "Are you informing me, or are you asking for permission?" he asked. But Amor only pressed her lips in response afraid that she might provoke Theo. "I neither agree nor disagree but given the circumstance, I'm in right now I don't think my opinion matters so you decide what to do, I want to sleep now," and he tried to get off from his wheelchair but he lost his balance and fell on the floor instead. Amor then rushed to his side but he pushed her away, "I can do it! Get out!!" he shouted. He then dragged himself toward the bed and pulled himself up. Amor tried to assist him to lie down but he pushed her again, "I said I don't need your help! If you want to leave, just leave now!!" he shouted again. Amor obediently went outside the room and found her mother sitting in the living room.

"Amor, just let him be. He is going through tough times now," Elizabeth tried to comfort her daughter.

"It seems this is the better thing to do, for now, I just hope he gets better soon so that I won't have to be away that long," answered teary-eyed Amor.

"I will pack the clothes now for Jacob and Michael and we can leave together in the morning."

Just then, Henry, Olivia, and Emma arrived from school and paid their respects to their mother and grandmother. "Grandma, how long will Jacob and Michael stay with you?" asked Henry.

"Why don't you discuss your plan with the children?" referring to Amor.

After Amor explained the situation to her older children. Olivia protested, "So you will leave us here alone to take care of our father while you take care of other people's children?" This is the fact that hurts Amor much but she tried to assure her children this is just temporary.

"Olivia, I know you don't deserve to shoulder the responsibility of taking care of your father at your age for now but this is not permanent. Aunt Evelyn will also come and visit you every day, I can also come home every now and then. That's why you help your father take his medicines regularly so he will get better as soon as possible then he can go back to work and I can come back home as well."

"I can take care of papa but I will also miss you ma," cried Emma and Amor is now in tears as well.

She could hardly believe it but she is actually leaving the reason for her living.