Unfinished Business 1
As I supported my staggering father, Kim Yoon-sik and the other aides rushed over. I entrusted my father to them and picked up the phone that had fallen on the airport floor.
“Director, this is Jin Do-jun. What’s going on?”
His voice trembled, and I could immediately sense something was wrong.
Trying to calm my racing heart, I replied, “He’s in shock right now and can’t talk. Please tell me. Is it about Grandfather…?”
The director hesitated, and my anxiety grew. I needed to know what was happening, so I raised my voice.
“Director!”
My eyes squeezed shut, and my teeth clenched involuntarily.
“A gag order?”
I breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Director Lee was there and took the necessary actions I would have wanted.
“How is Grandfather’s condition?”
Even if they say he’s stable, it’s not something to be relieved about. When an elderly person collapses, it might not be long before the next time, and the second time could be fatal.
“I understand, Director. Please ensure the hospital staff keep this confidential. Thank you for informing my father…”
As soon as the call ended, I turned to the aides who were watching me intently.
“Let’s head to Sunyang Medical Center. As quickly as possible.”
“Yes.”
Kim Yoon-sik took out his phone and arranged for a car to be ready.
“What did they say? Is your father alright?”
My father, pale as a sheet, managed to speak.
“Yes. He’s resting now, so don’t worry.”
“Phew… that’s a relief. Let’s hurry.”
My father started walking briskly, almost as if he were running.
As we crossed the hospital lobby, the director and a few department heads rushed over, bowing deeply.
“Where’s my father? Is he in the special ward?”
“Yes, but visiting is difficult. He’s in a deep sleep, so you’ll have to wait a bit.”
Standing in the middle of the lobby, my father bombarded them with questions, while the director looked uncomfortable, and the department heads fidgeted nervously. It seemed the gag order would be useless. Everyone in the hospital knew us, and just by looking at our expressions, they could guess something significant had happened in our family.
“Let’s move to a quieter place. There are too many eyes here.”
As soon as I spoke, the director led my father to the special ward.
“Is Director Lee Hak-jae still at the hospital?”
“He left a little while ago. I believe he went to the office.”
My father had a mountain of questions, but he held back. Seeing Grandfather was the priority.
In the hospital room, Grandfather lay sleeping with an oxygen mask on.
We all stood silently for a few minutes, watching him, before stepping outside. The two burly men guarding the room couldn’t hide their tense expressions.
In the director’s office, after sipping some tea, my father finally spoke.
“Will he be able to leave once he wakes up?”
He couldn’t bring himself to ask if Grandfather’s life was in danger, so he asked indirectly. But neither the director nor the doctors could meet his eyes.
“He’ll need to stay hospitalized for the time being… No, it’s unlikely he’ll be discharged.”
“Does that mean he’s in critical condition?”
The director glanced at the doctor beside him.
“Um, it’s a cerebrovascular issue. The blood flow isn’t smooth.”
“A stroke?”
“Yes. His heart has weakened significantly. Considering the Chairman’s age, it’s a natural aging process.”
“Why can’t he be discharged?”
In response to my cautious question, the director explained.
“If this happens again, no one can guarantee anything. If he collapses again, treatment must be completed within three hours. After that, the golden time will decrease. Such incidents will occur more frequently, and the intervals will shorten.”
“I’m sorry to say this, but it’s a natural aging process.”
Even doctors can’t defy the cycle of life and death. Only one question remained.
My father slowly asked, “Uh… how much longer…?”
It was a difficult question for the doctors, and they exchanged glances.
The director, receiving the looks from the other doctors, answered.
“We can’t say for certain. If this happens again, no one can guarantee anything. All we can promise is to do our best.”
Grandfather’s death couldn’t be postponed any longer.
It was an unbearable thought, but one I had to accept. And as the realization that the day wasn’t far off hit me, tears I had been holding back began to fall.
Returning to the hospital, Director Lee Hak-jae was slightly surprised to see Jin Yoon-ki, but then remembered he was the hospital’s chairman.
“Brother.”
“Yeah. When did you get here?”
“A while ago. What happened?”
Lee Hak-jae was the one present when Chairman Jin collapsed and was managing the situation. Jin Yoon-ki had no intention of excluding him just because he was the son.
“I talk with him for a few hours every day. We were walking in the garden when he collapsed. You’ve heard the doctors’ opinions, right?”
“Yes.”
“It’s not something I want to say, but we need to prepare. The Chairman won’t return to full health.”
“Yes, I’m prepared. But, brother.”
“Yeah.”
“Why did you issue a gag order? I was about to contact my siblings, but I hesitated…”
“It was the Chairman’s order. He always said he wouldn’t leave this world in one go. Even if the Grim Reaper appeared, he’d chase him away once and regain his senses. He insisted he’d settle all unfinished business before meeting the Reaper.”
Jin Yoon-ki was at a loss. An elderly man over eighty could pass away from a minor accident like slipping on ice.
It’s not something to gamble on with such slim chances of recovery.
Seeing Jin Yoon-ki’s expression, Lee Hak-jae seemed to guess his thoughts and smiled.
“Trust the Chairman. I know him better than you do. He said he still has unfinished business, so he won’t pass away until it’s done.”
“Still, I should inform my brothers and sister. We can’t keep it a secret that Father collapsed, can we?”
Lee Hak-jae shook his head vigorously.
“Let’s wait. Didn’t the doctors say he’s okay? He’ll wake up soon. We can contact them after receiving the Chairman’s instructions. I’ll take the blame for any resentment from your siblings.”
Jin Yoon-ki recalled the doctor’s words that his father was just sleeping. Since he wouldn’t pass away like this, he decided to follow Director Lee’s advice.
And so, everyone waited for Chairman Jin to wake up.
It wasn’t until dawn that Grandfather woke up.
We rushed to the hospital room, but Grandfather only asked for Director Lee Hak-jae.
My father and I waited anxiously outside the room, but their conversation seemed endless.
After a long while, Director Lee emerged from the room and stopped us.
“Go home for now. He said he doesn’t want to see anyone today. He’ll rest more and contact you, so let’s respect his wishes.”
“What do you mean? We’ll just see him briefly and then leave…”
“Stop it.”
As I reached for the door, my father grabbed my wrist.
“He knows you’re here. If he’s asking you to leave, it means he wants to be alone. Let’s be quiet and go home for now.”
“Yes, Do-jun. It’s not like he’ll pass away today or tomorrow. The doctors said the more rest he gets, the better. It’s frustrating, but we have to wait.”
Seeing the resolve in my father and Director Lee’s eyes, I couldn’t insist any further.
“The best medical team in the country is on standby 24/7, so don’t worry and go home. I’ll handle a few instructions from the Chairman and then head back.”
“Understood. I’ll wait at the hospital until Grandfather calls for me.”
“Don’t make me repeat myself. The Chairman wants everyone to go home. If you stay at the hospital, the doctors will be on edge. Go home for now. You’ll be contacted as soon as the Chairman asks for you.”
Faced with Director Lee’s stern gaze, I couldn’t argue any longer.
Director Lee disappeared to meet with hospital staff, and I left the hospital with my father.
It was only in the car on the way home that I noticed my father’s eyes were wet.
“Are you alright?”
Of course, he wasn’t, but I couldn’t think of any other words of comfort.
“Do-jun.”
“Yes.”
“When I got the call that your father had collapsed, I thought all those memories had been erased. But they hadn’t.”
“What memories?”
“The ten years of my youth. The years when Father was disappointed in me, and I resented him. We’ve rebuilt our relationship over the past decade and made many good memories… but I don’t know why only the memories of regret come to mind.”
I couldn’t say anything, so I just held my father’s hand tightly.
“Do-jun.”
“Yes.”
“From now on, don’t think about anything else. Just focus on being the adorable youngest grandson. Forget about succession and shares. Just act like a child. I’m asking you.”
“Yes. I’ll try to make sure Grandfather has as many happy memories as possible.”
I gave the answer he wanted, but it wouldn’t be easy. As complicated as my thoughts were, Grandfather’s must be too.
And my Grandfather would undoubtedly remain dedicated to his role as Chairman of Sunyang Group until his final moments.
Wondering when I could see Grandfather again, I couldn’t sleep a wink until morning. I stayed home all day, not going to work, in case the hospital called.
The phone rang past 10 p.m. It was Director Lee Hak-jae.
“Yes, Director.”
“The chairman wants to see you. Come alone, without any aides. And don’t tell your father. You understand?”
“Yes.”
“Use the underground parking lot of the special ward. You know the private entrance, right?”
“Yes. I’ll head out now.”
As soon as the call ended, I grabbed my car keys and headed to the parking lot. For the first time, I regretted giving away all my fast sports cars.
Ignoring several traffic signals and speed cameras, I raced to the hospital.
In the underground parking lot of the special ward, one of Director Lee Hak-jae’s subordinates was already waiting for me.
“Hand over your keys and head up. They’re expecting you.”
“Thanks.”
I handed over the keys and got into the elevator. Why did it feel so slow today? I tapped my foot impatiently.
When I opened the door to the hospital room, I was taken aback by the unexpected scene.
“Grandfather, what on earth are you doing?”
He was dressed in a suit, wearing a coat and even a fedora.
“Why the fuss? I’ve got somewhere to be, so I dressed for the occasion.”
The hospital director and doctors were also in the room. I hoped he wasn’t being stubborn about discharging himself prematurely.
“It’s fine. They’ve given their permission.”
“How can it be fine? You’re not ready to leave yet. You need to rest more.”
“Quiet. Who do you think you’re treating like a terminal patient?”
“Grandfather!”
“Boy, there’s no time. Can’t you just follow me quickly?”
His wavering eyes, and Director Lee Hak-jae nodding behind him, made me relent.
Especially his urgent words about time pierced right through me.