Tai Jun's thoughts: Lies...

I was looking for you. The front desk told me that you went out to buy pantyhose for a guest. Since when it is your duty to do these sort of things?

I passed by the business center, Shin Dong Xian was inside. Through the glass window, he signaled me as if I was his servant. I did not want to go in but as an employee of the hotel, I have to.

"How can I be of service to you?" I said politely, leaving out the word "sir" deliberately. Even though he is a guest at the hotel, he is not a welcomed one.

"I am just wondering how your game preparation is going?" so, he started to brag about his plan, and flashed the card in his hands in front of me:" 10, J, Q, K, same suite, all in my hand now." He spoke with much confidence.

"So you still don't have the Ace." I knew where the Ace is and I fight back.

"The game is getting more interesting now. However, I wanted to voice my displeasure... hotel manager should have their ego too...don't you think it is not appropriate for them to buy undergarments for hotel guest?" How did he know? How did he find out that before me? My confidence is shaken a little but as the protector of the hotel, I cannot back down: "I'll let you know when I got the Ace."

"Don't you know that I've got it already? I suggest that you don't place too much bet here." He smiled.

I could not see through him: is it true or is he only bluffing? I nodded politely so I could get out the business centre fast.

I went to your office but you were not there. Chun Qing told me that you went out to buy undergarments for a guest.

Xu Zhen Yin: so the whole world knew about it already, and I was the last one. What am I to you, really?

"... Madam Song is in our hotel..." I could not hear what Chun Qing said, except these few words. The Madam Song who ruined my life and career 3 years ago? The Madam Song that hold the crucial 3% shares? Why did she have to appear now to haunt me?

You were sitting in Diamond Villa, sulking.

You lied to me: why are you not telling about Madam Song in the hotel? I knew and appreciated your concern. However, I am a man and I can handle my problems. Besides, this is related to the fate of the hotel...

"What else are you hiding from me?" Why did you tell Shin Dong Xian before me? What else did you tell him. You turned and looked at me. "What?"

"Nothing? Really nothing?" I am giving you another chance to come clean.

"When did I lie to you?" A few minutes ago, and now, as everyone, including Shin Dong Xian, found out about the pantyhose before me.

"... I just bumped into him ...", you still tried to lie to me.

You bumped into him!!! You told someone you bumped into about humiliating events like this:"... do you have a brain?" I did not mean it. Last time, I said you were casual, I also did not mean it. However, I said it and you heard it.

"Yes, I have no brain. I was just trying to help..." that angered you, and you stood up, "I'm sorry that you have such a brainless staff. The very smart GM, please take care of yourself!!!" You dumped the bag of underwear and stormed out.

I sat there for a while before I could get up. Sorry, Zhen Yin, I did not mean what I said, but they just came out. You know how tiring it is to solve crisis after crisis? This really drained me. In front of everyone else, I have to watch my words and behavior. When I am with you, I tend to relax a little. I thought you would understand, but you did not. I had no energy left to explain to you. I am really sorry, Zhen Yin... I could have sit there longer, but as the GM, I had to get up.

I went to Madam Song's room with the bag of undergarment you dumped on the chair. I hesitated before I knocked on the door: I have no choice but to see her as I needed her shares.

The door opened, she greeted me with a smile. The same Madam Song: looked exactly like 3 years ago, did not aged a bit.

I felt very uncomfortable when I went into her room. She wanted to close the door behind me, but I deliberately pushed it open again.

"How's your trip?" she asked.

"What trip?", I thought.

"I knew she was lying... I still remembered her. She came to me 3 years ago, telling me that Mr. Han Tai Jun would be fired, and asked me to help in resolving the matter" You went to see her 3 years ago for me? How come I did not know? How come I am always the last one to find out?

"I came to apologize... there was a Shin Dong Xian here, wanted to buy the shares from me", Shin Dong Xian was here before me, so he got the shares already and I was too late...

Then, she turned around, went to the table, picked up some documents and said, "I came to repay my debt." So, this was the crucial 3% shares, the Ace that both Shin Dong Xian and I were fighting for. Finally, the Ace is in my hands, handed to me by the person who ruined my life.

Madam Song held out her hand. As the general manager, I had to shake her hand.

I felt her grip tightened, refused to let go, and her thumb started to massage the back of my palm. All my hair stood up, and I panicked: is this another one of her traps? I wanted to shake her hand loose but somehow it was glued. As soon as she released my hand, I made an excuse and walked out of her room as fast as I could.

It does not matter any more what happened before. What is important is I got the shares and the hotel would be saved.

The whole gang went celebrating, Yun Xi was there, but you did not show up. I walked her home, and found President Jin outside the house. He accused me of toying with his daughter's feelings, and I replied politely that Yun Xi is a smart, hardworking staff at the hotel, and as her boss, I appreciate her effort. However, is that all? I could not think and I did not want to think. Today has been very long, much longer than 24 hours.

Still, I did not go back to the hotel, but waited for you downstairs as I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier during the day.

You came back with big bags of grocery. As if you knew I was coming for a drink, you bought wine as well.

Jenny cooked us some food to go with the wine and went into her room. In your living room, we sat, drank and talk.

"I am a no-brain manager, and not treating our GM properly..." You are still upset.

"Enough, OK?" That was my apology. What sort of apology was that? Why can't I say something nice, something comforting?

"Did you give her the pantyhose? You did not put it on for her as well?" Even though it was supposed to be funny, it reminded me for a past that I would rather forget. It started to hurt. Stop that, OK?

But, there is one thing I want to know: did you go to see her 3 years ago, for me?

"... don't know... can't remember..." you smiled bitterly, "I would do anything for you then..."

You have done so much for me, and I appreciate it. But why am I always the last one to know? Why didn't you tell me then? You have done so much for me then. Would you still do so much for me now?

"You missed a very good women, you know?" You looked at me, "You won't get another chance!"

Yes, Zhen Yin, you were right. I've missed my chances and now it is too late. I did not want to talk anymore and lied flat on your sofa. You asked me to leave, but I refused to move. Today is very very long, in particular, that 10 minutes I spent in Madam Song’s room. I am tired, I need a rest, so I closed my eyes, lying on your sofa.

You covered me with a blanket, "Good night, Han Tai Jun."

Han Tai Jun. Why is it Han Tai Jun? Why is it not Tai Jun? Don't you have any feelings left for me anymore? What happened to your necklaces: the one from Shin Dong Xian, and the one I bought you for your birthday?

They are both missing now, you said quietly...

Zhen Yin's thoughts: Lies...

I was forced to face him in Diamond Villa. "If you can’t come to my side, then … I’ll have to go to you", I heard him saying. I saw his determination to get Hotel Seoul in his eyes. What is he the hunter and his prey being hotel seoul? I felt trapped and sad. I also felt angry over being wronged and humiliated by Madam Song. I dumped the bag. I sat on the sofa, my head down. I have to calm down in order to face and answer to Madam Song’s request afterwards.

You arrived and started questioning me. You are aware of Madam Song’s arrival? I have no intention to lie to you. This is some simple concern for a good friend. I hope you can stay away from the woman who has framed you 3 years ago. Am I wrong?

You are still questioning me? I didn’t hide anything else. I could feel the anger returning.

"What wrong did I do?", I asked. So, you know that he knew about my humiliation. That wasn’t deliberate act. Can’t you get the situation clear and facts correct first? Can’t you say something comforting, even if its to any employee who has just been humiliated? I have been running around and busy … and forced myself to keeping a distance from him … all for the good of the hotel … and what I get from our GM is just a word, and that’s "brainless"? My actions are unworthy of a hotel manager? Is this how you perceive? All right, sorry for having such a "brainless" manager, GM! I dumped the bag of undergarments and left. Since you are so SMART, deal with it yourself.

I kept my tears in-check till the office. I broke down there, for sadness and for the grievances suffered. I took the rest of the day off. The hotel has a smart general manager. It’s all it needs today.

The night, I met you downstairs, carrying a bag of wine. I bought wine and snacks too. Coincidentally, we couldn’t sleep and need a drink. We seem to be more comfortable as friends. I needed a drink for the day’s events, what’s your reason? I turned round … hey, why are you still standing there?

There isn’t atmosphere. Thus, I turned on the music. "I am a brainless manager … ", I mocked. "Enough, OK?", you replied. No apology from you? "Can’t you treat me better?", I asked. " …I am afraid you’ll be cheated!", you rebutted. You seem to have the natural talent of stepping on where I hurt most. "That’s enough!" … before I get angry.

Later, I teased you for being so unreasonable earlier. So, Madam Song told you that I begged her 3 years ago, for you. "... don't know... I can't remember...", I munched something, trying hard to recall that 3-year-old scene, "Then … then … I would do anything for you then..." Now then you realize that, Han Tai Jun "You have missed a very good women, you know … you won't get another chance!"

You laid on the sofa and closed your eyes. Don’t sleep here. Go back to the hotel. You didn’t seem to hear me. You must be tired. I used a blanket to cover you. "Good night, Han Tai Jun." I stood and turned to look at you, the man I used to love then … that was 3 years ago.

With your eyes closed, you asked about my 2 necklaces. I felt my ornament-less neck. "They were missing", I answered. I walked back to my room.

I received two necklaces in one night. Ironically, I threw both the necklaces away, one after the other, in the following 2 days … one is lost, and the other is with him …