The Im Family sat around the table after finishing their dinner to eat fruits..
"Have you heard about what Pil-Ho did to his wife?"
Im Ji-Sun asked her two children as she stuffed her lips with grapes.
"No, what about him and his wife," Im Ji-Hye looked at her mother before slicing her kiwi.
"Well, he blasted his wife this afternoon before turning the gun on himself."
Ji-Sun said simply. She had finished the grapes and moved onto her tangerines.
"He did what?" Sang-Jin was amazed.
Ji-Hye nearly dropped the tiny knife she was using to slice her kiwi.
Sang-Jin stopped eating his Fuji apples. "But I thought they were separated?"
"They are."
"Then why shoot his wife and himself?" Ji-Hye said quickly.
"His wife found love with his best friend."
"And I guess he felt betrayed," Sang-Jin added.
"I suppose so," Ji-Sun began. "From what I gathered his wife and his best friend had grown increasingly close over the last six months. And even went to the Philippines together recently."
"You know, I saw them out and about a few times but I didn't think they were dating," Ji-Hye admitted after a moment.
"The neighbors heard the shots and called the police. When the police came, her body was found along side her husband's in the kitchen."
"So it was a murder-suicide," Sang-Jin concluded tentatively.
"I think so."
"I think Pil-Ho was jealous and felt his best friend had stabbed him in the back."
"Marriages crumble and people move on, that does not excuse what he did."
"Yes, that's no excuse. They were separated and he was banned from their home because of threatening behavior towards her."
"I am not surprised he was banned, he was not a particularly nice man."
After had finished with the fruits, they moved to the parlour to drink some herbal tea.
It was at this precise moment that Im Ji-Hye decided to announce her future plans.
"Enn-Ho has asked me to marry him and I said yes."
Ji-Sun's face hardened. "It is quite out of the question."
"I shall be the judge of that, Mama," Ji-Hye replied before sipping her tea.
"You have only known him a week by your admission," Sang-Jin added quickly.
"What else do you know about him aside his army career?"
Ji-Sun threw the question at her daughter.
"I know he is studying to become a military prosecutor," said Ji-Hye defensively.
"Still you hardly know him," Ji-Sun sneered.
"I don't care, Mama. I know him enough to know he is the only man I want in the whole world."
"You feel that way now but give it time...."
"I will always feel that way," Ji-Hye cried passionately.
"But dear sister he has no money."
"I don't care, I want to marry him and that's that."
Ji-Hye stood up and rushed to the window.
"There is no need to shout," Ji-Sun said in a decided tone.
"But Mama!....I love him"
"I cannot give my consent on such a foolish venture. I will tell your father when he returns from his trip."
"But Mama!"
"I forbid you to see him again."
"Ji-Hye, it's wise to listen to Mama," Sang-Jin reasoned with his sister as he looked at their mother.
"I will not be bullied out of my decision. I am going to marry Enn-Ho."
With that Ji-Hye turned and walked out of the room.
ns 18.68.41.146da2
