The First Lady

V: Egged

(Heesung)

Go Aeshin. He's intrigued, like really, really intrigued. Unlike those of her age who has their lives mapped on social medias, hers are almost nonexistent. No Facebook, no Twitter, no Instagram(!), not even an old account of Me2day. It is through other people's posts that Heesung learns more about her. An aspiring shooting athlete. A model. Ah, that explains her eyes following him at the airport. Her surprise revelation of dating the rising young politician Choi Yujin. Their sudden marriage before the final election and the happy ending of Choi Yujin winning the election. A shotgun marriage? Not likely, since there's no news about it and the youngest First Lady is still walking around looking like a single lady. At least that's what she looks like in the paparazzi photos: carefree.

His further investigation reveals a rather interesting finding: Aeshin and Dongmae meets each other frequently, and those meetings weren't official since no Yujin was spotted. Except for one time at the shooting range, where Yujin arrived later and left earlier, looking rather disturbed. A brewing scandal? Interesting, but Heesung is looking for more than that. A stronger virus that will attack Yujin's life, rendering him numb, just like what his father went through.

Now that Heesung has decided to focus on Aeshin and destroys Yujin through his lovely wife, Heesung can't help but to notice something. Yujin has this special gaze only visible when he's looking at Aeshin. Be it at press conferences or in those paparazzi shots, he is always looking at Aeshin like she is the most beautiful thing in the world. Maybe, she does mean the world to him. Heesung's curiosity grows. Yujin is really reckless to show off his world to the whole country. Doesn't he realize how many people are itching to destroy him? But to Heesung, that means an easier job for him. He will become the punisher for Yujin's past deeds.

His eyes feel heavier, so he lies on the sofa he was sitting on earlier. He picks up a photo of Aeshin and stares at it for a long time. What's the deal with this petite girl that makes the cold-hearted Yujin head over heels for her? Her features are sharp but soft, her lips are almost scowling in the photo but she looks childlike instead of unapproachable. Instead of feeling like a distant noblewoman, Go Aeshin looks like a friendly lady. Her round eyes, her cute nose...Wait, what was he thinking? Heesung slaps his own cheek. Maybe he is really sleepy for his mind to wander around way too much. He gives in to his heavy eyes, with the photo of Aeshin still in his hand...

(Aeshin)

Her stare is empty, if anyone would realize it. But no one is there in front of her except for the ducks, so Aeshin is safe in her own thoughts at the moment. She is waiting for Dongmae at the manor with the excuse of rehearsing the speech for tonight, but they are actually going through the old documents of Congressman Lee's past dealings and deeds. Aeshin doesn't want to jump into conclusion early on, so she has see to the bottom of it. Yujin is her husband, and she wants to be able to trust him.

"Aeshin?" Dongmae's half-whispering voice takes her by surprise, causing Aeshin to accidentally push the orange juice glass onto Dongmae's suit. Oh. My. God.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Sunbae-nim!" Aeshin hurries to fetch the tea towel on the rack but Dongmae is faster. He dabs it on his blue suit, still grinning at Aeshin's reaction. Heh, she's funny when she's at loss like that!

"You should be more careful and graceful, Aeshin. How will you compose yourself tonight during the dinner? President Choi will kill me if something happens then!"

"Hmph! Are you looking down at me, Section Chief Gu?"

"With all due respect, My First Lady, I am just being cautious." Dongmae grins.

Aeshin glares at him before her signature smirk appears, a proof of her being comfortable at last. Dongmae is pleased to see her being a bit better from before, when he first walked into the garden. Maybe she will feel better to hear the latest news he has about Choi Yujin.