Till There Was You [FINISHED]

Chapter 1: The Shelter

October 2008

I reach over my bedside table to remove the battery of the alarm clock that will produce ear-shattering sounds in about five minutes.Yes, I almost always beat my alarm by a few minutes.Though it won't easily annoy me even if it rings the hell out of my whole neighborhood because today is quite special, nothing can make my giddy mood change.

After having breakfast and preparing everything I need for the day, I walk up to my car to start the engine. I don't usually go with a driver whenever I go out for personal matters.The sound of Lady Gaga's Born This Way halts me.

"Hello?" I pick up.

"Hye Soo, the agency called me to ask if you could drop by the office as they will need to talk to you about your upcoming project."

"Ah Yumi eonni,I don't think I can make it. The agency knows I have something important today... If it is not too urgent, can't they push it back please?" I plead to my manager. Dang, I won't refuse if my destination today is not as important as my life.

"I understand... I'll try to ask the agency. Don't worry, I'll keep you posted then."

"Thanks so much eonni!" I sigh. I love my manager. She is like a big sister to me. I have never been managed by anyone other than her. I could say without a doubt that we really have tight relationship.

As I finish my 2-hour drive from Seoul, I turn off the aircon of my car and open the windows to enjoy the soft breeze of the countryside.I am currently in Gyeongsang to visit a home I built for kids who didn't have someone to take care of them. I am in my prime and even though I don't have a child of my own, I don't feel it because whenever I visit here, I am always hit with a warm feeling that I think mothers feel when they carry their child in their arms.Only a few know about this shelter, specifically Yumi, Amy and the people who work here. I take so much effort in maintaining my privacy even if my life at work is very open to the public.This is not even associated with my Ambassadorship at UNICEF because I want to keep a part of myself that is away from the public.

"Hye Soo noona!" I hear an exciting shout as I near the entrance of the shelter.Ah, that is Jihwan who is a few years younger than me. He is the caretaker and manager of the shelter. He works round the clock but it doesn't seem like he gets tired.

"Eonni!" Another exciting squeal from Jihwan's twin,Yoona. She helps her brother manage the shelter for me.They work hard with me to keep it a happy and sustainable place for the children.Whenever we get sponsors, they are the ones who assist me with all the paperwork. When I decided to build this place five years ago,I projected to shoulder the majority of the costs as much as I could and never thought I would get regular sponsors because I made my identity confidential and I have not been too involved in the initial proposals. Turns out, there are genuinely kind-hearted people who would give what they can to really help without anything in exchange. Eventually,when I felt like trust and confidence have been built, I decided to come forward and personally thank them in a simple exclusive event for our sponsors we held a year ago. There, I mustered up the courage to ask for yet another favor from them. That is if they could help me keep my identity as confidential as possible. I asked them to treat me like a silent partner. They were very understanding enough to do so. Nowadays,I am still very careful about meeting new sponsors.

"Oh,Yoona! Jihwan! It's been quite a long time. I really missed you guys! How is everyone?"

"As usual noona, the children miss you already. It's been what...3 weeks since your last visit?" Jihwan excitedly answers.

I look at him with a guilty look.

"Ah eonni, I have good news! Someone reached out and would like to donate a sum to help us with the children. An initial meeting with Jihwan and I have already been set in place."

"Wow!That is so amazing!Will they visit?"

"Eomma!" "Noona!" "Eonni!" I hear them loud. My attention is taken away from Yoona by my little angels.I told them they could call me whatever they want. There are about twenty five kids with ages ranging four to seventeen. A few have left early when we found qualified foster parents to adopt them. But for some,we will have to wait until they are of legal age before we can let them go.The group is divided into clusters of little ones and teens. The older ones voluntarily take care of the others.They are all so sweet and adorable.

I welcome them with a big hug then carried Kyun, a four-year old in my arms. Around five more hug my legs and waist. They hold onto me until before lunch time.

It's like I am living in a different world when I am here. I always feel my heart getting fulfilled. 

Oh how time flies, it's already 7pm and I need a 2-hour allowance to drive back home.I am definitely going to be knocked out once I get home.

"Noona, about the sponsor Yoona mentioned earlier..."

"Oh,what's wrong?" 

"This time, they personally want to meet the founder of the shelter."

Oh no...

"Ahm, do you think they are suspicious of our shelter's legitimacy because I don't show up?" 

"I don't think so noona.I sent over certified files to prove our legitimacy as a charitable organization."

"Will you ask them one last time please? If you could extend my apologies because my schedule is quite swamped..."

Hearing me drawing a blank, Jihwan agrees. "Okay, noona. I will really try. But if they refuse one last time, I think we won't have a choice."

I think for a moment. Perhaps, it will be fine.

"Okay, then. One last time. If it doesn't work, I'll meet them." 

"Thanks, noona! I know you are very busy. Thanks for doing all these."

I sweetly pout like I would to my other angels and give him a pat on the shoulder.

"Ah don't mention it. I should be the one thanking you both."

He is like a little brother to me.I hug Yoona and the children as well and get in the car with a heavy heart. I want to stay longer but I have a meeting scheduled the next day for my next project.

When I enter the living room, I almost instantly collapse there.

Woooh, I am so beat! But it's all worth it.

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VOCAB:

Eonni - big sister for a female

Noona - big sister for a male

Eomma - mom