Chapter 8 – God’s Gift (Part 1)

On the night when heavy snow fell, she opened her heart to a beautiful man. It was the Pandora’s box that could either be a gift from God or a disaster.

Then came the sudden ordeal.

The hope she found within was more precious than a rare jewel, and even though she knew it wasn’t hers alone, she held it deep in her heart.

However, to protect what she had, responsibility and sacrifice were inevitable. Perhaps because she willingly embraced even that, she had to endure much misfortune and harsh realities that constantly sought her out.

During those heavy times, she waited, hoping Tae Seo-jun would return soon. She longed for the day she could see him shine from afar, even if it was just a glimpse.

Even though it was just one night, he had already become more significant than her first love.

Eom So-yeon gave up her spring semester as a fourth-year student and flew to Vancouver because she faced something she couldn’t handle alone.

After spending a year with her parents in Canada, So-yeon returned to Korea the following year to complete her studies and resumed her entertainment activities, grateful even for minor roles.

From that time, Eom So-yeon was plagued by both major and minor misfortunes.

Projects that were verbally agreed upon and only needed her signature suddenly fell through, and she frequently had to drop out of projects she was already appearing in.

And So-yeon discovered that someone who didn’t view her favorably was behind these incidents when that person visited her hospital room during her stay due to a major accident last year.

The woman, who said it was the price and warning for daring to appear in the same project as her, didn’t hesitate to make chilling remarks that were either threats or advice to So-yeon.

At that time, So-yeon couldn’t say anything. There wasn’t much she could do. It was like the difference between a tree with lush leaves and a sapling just sprouting. Compared to the woman’s powerful position and influence in the entertainment industry, So-yeon was merely an aspiring actress.

In the midst of this, there was a stroke of luck. Thanks to Jo In-ha’s recommendation, who had settled at CN first, and Do-soon’s bold drive as her self-appointed manager, So-yeon signed an exclusive contract with a major domestic entertainment agency at the end of last year.

Knowing it was the agency Tae Seo-jun belonged to, she didn’t hesitate. On the contrary, being able to watch him closely seemed like a trace of God’s pity for her, as if luck was on her side.

Since Tae Seo-jun entered Eom So-yeon’s life, her time had been precarious, like walking a tightrope. Yet, she had the resilience of a tumbler, able to get up again no matter how many times she fell, which helped her endure until now.

But the harsh God wouldn’t even allow her the small wish to wait and watch from afar.

Her first kiss with him. No, all the firsts she shared with Tae Seo-jun were still cherished memories.

So-yeon had never once revealed who her first man was. Therefore, unable to show any signs in front of Do-soon, she sat blankly, casting a vacant gaze into the air.

At such a time, Do-soon, with trembling hands, fiddled with her phone screen and spoke tearfully.

“The fan club members have all gathered now. I need to go and find out exactly what happened.”

“Where is that?”

The faint light in So-yeon’s eyes, which had been like a flickering candle, brightened. As if she couldn’t afford to miss even the smallest hope.

“Can I go with you?”

“Why would you go there?”

“How can you drive in that state of mind? You’ve got something urgent, and my work is done, so let’s go together. Don’t you want to?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Then, let’s go!”

Despite the cold weather, she was still in the thin clothes she wore during the shoot.

Quickly moving outside the studio building with Do-soon, So-yeon climbed into the driver’s seat of the van with a light motion. While driving was the manager’s job, in urgent situations, Eom So-yeon, who could rival a race car driver, often took the wheel.

Pushed to the passenger seat, Do-soon hastily fastened her seatbelt, still in a daze.

“Let’s go!”

“What? Oh!”

So-yeon, kicking off her high heels and throwing them to the back seat, pressed the accelerator with her bare foot.

There was no need to say “Hold tight!” as Do-soon’s hands had already instinctively gripped the handle.

With a screeching sound, the car swiftly exited the parking lot.

***

After 10 long hours.

A large Chinook helicopter, flown from the Middle East to the Korean Peninsula, landed on the military emergency runway.

As the two rotors slicing through the air slowed down, the thick dust gradually settled, and the figures of soldiers disembarking from the helicopter became clearer.

Soldiers on stretchers and several bodies in coffins were transferred to military ambulances, and the remaining five warriors, in single file, walked across the runway and entered the headquarters.

Despite the long flight which could have exhausted them, they maintained a composed and dignified appearance.

It was only a partial return of the deployed troops.

“Form up!”

Five officers, including the special forces team leader, gathered in the commander’s office to announce the completion of their mission. They had shed the grime of foreign lands and changed into their formal uniforms.

“You’ve all suffered greatly. Nothing must have been easy in such dangerous circumstances.”

After the subordinates saluted, the commander’s stern lips opened heavily.

“I received reports that Captain Tae, despite being injured, contributed the most.”

“That’s not true, Commander.”

A retaliatory terrorist attack by Middle Eastern rebels on the Korean military base. It was retribution for rescuing hostages, resulting in numerous casualties and six deaths in a heinous disaster.

However, the armed group Tamayon did not touch the U.S. military base, which had conducted the operation together. This made it even more bitter for the Korean military.

Having handed over the hostages to the KOR-US combined forces, Tamayon’s pride wouldn’t allow them to remain idle, and with the anticipated negotiations unilaterally canceled by the Saudi government, they had to vent their frustration somehow.

Yet, confronting their own country or a powerful nation like the U.S. would have been burdensome. Thus, they used the Korean military as an example to demonstrate their power.

They understood the absurd cause and effect. However, without UN approval, the Korean military couldn’t even retaliate and had to clench their teeth, focusing on recovering the painful scars left by the sweep.

But it was a situation that could have been avoided. If only the Saudi king, who led the negotiations with Tamayon, had informed the Korean side in advance of their collapse.

Instead of expressing regret, the Arab prince avoided his grave responsibilities by simply signing a check.

With something as trivial as money.

Unfortunately, similar things frequently occurred in our own country as well.

Starting with individuals who had no qualms about becoming dogs under money for their desires, to large groups that placed life and human dignity beneath their power and prestige.

Three years as a soldier.

Time had proven useful. Though he had left his homeland in disgust at the irrational humans, no small resentment remained to spew curses during that time.

He realized that centering his life around a subhuman woman for nearly two years was his arrogance and a wrong choice.

And Eom So-yeon. She reminded him that he could miss her for years after just one night, awakening him to the fact that such pure emotions still remained within him, making it a meaningful time that occasionally made his heart flutter.

Having fulfilled his mission and more, Tae Seo-jun returned to his homeland with reddened eyes. Yet, his composed voice and expression remained unwavering.

“I merely did what I could. Our military, which united to restore order, was honorable.”

Everyone remained silent for a while, moved by his firm voice.

A soldier never bows his head. But when mourning fallen comrades, it was different. Tae Seo-jun and the other five men removed their officer caps and bowed their heads in silent tribute.

Each of them calming their heavy hearts.