Kang Chi: Beyond Life and Time

Chapter 4: Beyond Time: Where Is She?

Kang Cheol saw the car overtook him as the driver tried to beat a red light. Unfortunately, it side-swept another, and the next thing he knew, he was calling Yeon Seok because he would be a little late for the meeting.

"Wae?! Wae geuraesseo?!" Yeon Seok muttered with disappointment. "I swear, Kang Cheol, if you weren't my best friend and CEO of this company...I swear...."

"Mwo?" He answered with a scoff. "You're gonna fire me?"

As he continued to explain the situation, a woman came running towards the scene and began mediating between the involved parties.

Yeo Wool-ah....

He wanted to get out of his car and talk to her, ask for her card, or maybe get her phone number somehow-anyhow-but he just could not hang up on agitated Yeon Seok. He did not want him to explode early in the morning.

I must talk to her....

As Yeon Seok went on ranting on the phone, he saw Yeo Wool signaling at the traffic to continue. He shifted the gear and drove past right in front of her-so close, and yet so very far. He looked back at her from his side view mirror, and he noticed that she also had her sight fixed on him....

Is she looking at me? Did she, perhaps, see me?

As much as he wanted to turn around and follow her, he decided it would be better to plan his next move. They both started on the wrong foot, and another wrong move could result to a chain of wrongful events. He had waited for this moment for centuries; he would not want his patience's worth go down the drain.

What's a few days more?

He was not as late as he anticipated, so Yeon Seok was not as agitated as he was on the phone. They entered the conference room for the shareholders' meeting, but all through out, the only thing that occupied his mind was how to get in touch with Yeo Wool again.

He was so eager to get out of the conference room, he was the first to stand when the meeting wrapped up. He hurriedly went to his office, Yeon Seok behind him.

"Daepyonim..." He began, prompting him to turn around, hiss at him and look him sternly in the eye.

"Mwo?" Yeon Seok whispered. "We're at work...."

He turned his back on him again after a sigh and proceeded to his office. Yeon Seok briefed him about his itinerary for the rest of the day, but he was not paying much attention, until....

"...Eo, and the Jongno-gu District Police Department called earlier. They wanted to...."

"They called? Wae?"

"Let me finish first, then...."

"Eo, gurae...."

"They wanted to talk to you to personally apologize for the incident of mistaken identity and misapprehension the other night. They were being bashed by the netizens because of the news...."

"News?..."

"Jinjja, Daepyonim..." Yeon Seok uttered with a heavy sigh of frustration, his arms drooping listlessly. "What were you thinking? Where have you been? What were you doing? You don't seem to be at the moment lately...."

He just took a deep breath and let it all out again. He did not utter a single word. What should he say anyway? Yeon Seok was right. He was not at the moment...because his time-and mind-was wandering around Yeo Wool.

"Eo...So...What about the news?" He asked, when he noticed that Yeon Seok stopped talking, perhaps to accommodate him, or he was just being sarcastic.

Yeon Seok took his phone from his pocket and searched online about the news he was referring to and showed it to him.

"Eo...Jamkkanman, that's not what happened...."

"That's why they wanted to make a formal apology, and maybe clear this up for the public by issuing a statement."

He wanted to plan his next meeting with Yeo Wool, but it seemed that he did not have to. This would be a perfect reason for him to show up at the police station. And since he was supposed to be the one to clear everything up with the public, he knew he is on the advantaged side. Yeo Wool would definitely thank him after this.

"What did you tell them?" he asked Yeon Seok.

"I said we'll consider their request."

"Joha. Kaja."

"For the first time today, that's the most decisive thing you've said, so far."

"This will be the second...you drive." He said as he threw the keys at him.

Captain So could not quite contain his enthusiasm upon seeing them walk into the station. Exactly the reaction he had anticipated and hoped for. He offered them to take a seat.

"Anjeuseyo...Do you want some coffee or tea...or anything to drink...D-Daepyonim?" Captain So asked self-consciously.

"Eo...Aniyeyo. Geu ireun ijoboryoyo. We won't be staying long, anyway."

"Then..." Captain So continued as he hurriedly signaled at Jung Ju to take position at the front of the group. "Please accept our sincerest apologies."

Everyone in the station, led by Captain So and Jung Ju bowed their heads in front of them.

"We were at fault by causing you unnecessary stress and embarrassment during that night. We ask for you forgiveness."

"Guraeyo. Munje eobseoyo. Let's forget about it." He answered, as he discreetly looked around, searching for someone.

"Daepyonim..." Captain So continued as they straightened up. "You may be wondering where Officer Dam is...."

"Eo, Ye...Officer Dam...."

"She called in sick today."

"Guge iyujyo...."

"Geuraeyo. So, we...her colleagues would like to apologize to you in her behalf."

"Algessumnida. Apology accepted. Shall I make the statement, then?"

His statement was taken, and a short video of the entire police department apologizing to him and his acknowledgement were recorded. After their work was done, he was still hoping Yeo Wool would show up at the very last minute, but of course, she did not. They left the station with his heart a little heavy, because of longing to see her that much.

"Yeon Seok-ah."

"Ye...?"

"Can you ask the captain for Officer Dam's number?"

"Wae?"

He just hissed and looked at him sternly.

"Arasseo...arasseoyo...." Yeon Seok hesitantly said as he turned back to the station.

"Jamkkanman...." He uttered; his hand raised as if to stop him.

On second thought....

"Wae? Jigeum mwo?" He asked, his tone reeking annoyance.

"Shingyeong sseujima...Kaja." He decisively answered after a few moments, signaling him to get in the car.

On his way home, after dropping Yeon Seok off at the office parking lot, Yeo Wool filled his mind once again. If he wanted their next meeting to be perfect, he knew he could not just barge into her place of work, much more into her life. He must have no room for errors. His first move could make or break what lies ahead between the two of them. This time, his fate will not be in the stars, but in his own hands.