This Burns My Heart Page 0,106

Soo-Ja curtly. In that moment, Soo-Ja decided she did not want Jae-Hwa’s money. What did she take Soo-Ja for? A beggar? Even if she had called to offer her ten times the sum, Soo-Ja wouldn’t have taken it.

“This doesn’t change anything, I hope? I mean, money shouldn’t come between friends,” said Jae-Hwa.

“Of course not,” said Soo-Ja, her lips tightly pursed.

They would never be friends again. The difference in class made it impossible.

Soo-Ja held the telephone in her hands, not ready to dial the numbers. In a moment or so, she’d call Gi-yong Im to let him know that she wasn’t able to raise the money to buy the land. In a moment or so, she’d thank him for waiting for her, and for giving her the opportunity. In a moment or so, she’d hang up the phone, and then it would be over. And because it would be over—taking her hopes with it, and replacing them with the ring of defeat—she hesitated before calling.

“My favorite investor, Mrs. Soo-Ja Choi,” said Gi-yong, in his animated voice, when he answered the phone. He was always selling—a place, an idea, an emotion. “How are you?”

“I am well. I could be better, of course. Which is why I’m calling you,” said Soo-Ja, holding the phone close against her face, her hand made into a fist brushing against her cheek.

“If you’ve changed your mind, it may be too late. The money has already been routed to my account, and once it gets in there, it’s awfully hard to pry it out of my fingers,” said Gi-yong jokingly.

Soo-Ja thought she could hear him tapping against his desk with a pen. “Yes, the money. I’m sorry I don’t have the money. That’s why I’m calling you. To let you know that you’re free to sell the land to someone else. I did the best I could, but I couldn’t get it.”

“Mrs. Choi, the land is yours,” said Gi-yong calmly, and she could hear him leaning forward on his desk, becoming more attentive. “Your money has been deposited, and the contracts have been drawn. I thought that’s why you were calling, to set up a time for the signing.”

Soo-Ja stood confused for a moment, as if Gi-yong had been speaking a foreign language, and it took her a few extra seconds to translate the words, one by one. “Did you say, ‘your money has been deposited’?”

“From your silent partner,” said Gi-yong, a little impatiently.

“My silent partner?”

“Yes, and he’s so silent I don’t even know who he is. All the arrangements have been made through his accountant and me. His accountant reached my office this morning, and informed me that he was making his line of credit available to you. The transfer has been successful, and the deal has transpired quite smoothly.”

There was only one person in the world who would do this for her, thought Soo-Ja. Yul, you stubborn mule! How many times do I need to tell you I don’t want your money?

“Mr. Im, I’m afraid there has been a mistake,” said Soo-Ja, with asperity in her voice. “Please cancel the deal. Right away.”

“Don’t be silly! You wanted the land so much and it’s yours now!” said Gi-yong, in his trademark high spirits. Soo-Ja could hear the squeaky springs of his leather chair as he leaned back against it.

“Mr. Im!”

“Send your husband here to sign the papers tomorrow morning,” Gi-yong interrupted. “Although I’d prefer if you came.” He did not try to hide the leer in his voice. “I can imagine you’d prefer to sign papers yourself, in your name, but I know you’re too clever a woman to emasculate your husband like that.”

“Mr. Im, I’m serious. That money—”

“Oh, before I forget,” Gi-yong interrupted, “your silent partner asked me to relay a message to you. He wants you to know that this is only a loan, and you’ll have to pay him back.”

Soo-Ja closed her eyes, taking this in. Yul knew that was the only way she’d accept his help. But I’d rather have the man than the money. Is there no way to have an exchange?

“Anyway, I do have to say I was surprised that you pulled through. You said you’d come back by the end of the month, and indeed you did, with three days to spare. Now, you may be interested to know about certain rumors circling around city hall. As I mentioned before, my original estimation was that they’d start building on the land in fifteen to twenty years, and that’s how the