Chapter 1: The Dark Secret
Scene 1
Fifteen years ago, JaeKyung and JanDi grew up together as sisters. They were raised in an upper class family in Korea. JaeKyung is ten years old and the oldest child. She has always been caring and protective toward JanDi, her six years old sister. JanDi has been spoiled by her mother since the day she was born. Her mother would always make her favorite food and purchase toys for her everyday. Whenever JanDi is sick, her mother would take time off from work to take care of her and make JanDi favorite shrimp porridge. JaeKyung knew her parents didn’t treat her the same way as JanDi. Before JanDi was born, JaeKyung was the apple in her parent’s eye. She received undivided attention from her parents especially from her mother since she was the only child. After her mother gave birth to JanDi, she told JaeKyung to protect and treat her little sister well since she’s the oldest child. JanDi look up to her older sister as her role model. Every little thing JaeKyung does, JanDi will follow her.
One day, JaeKyung took JanDi to an abandoned tree house down at the end of the street. It's a secret place that nobody knows about. This is where JanDi and JaeKyung would tell each other about their hope and dream.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" JaeKyung asked.
"Unnie, I dream of becoming a lawyer when I grow up." JanDi said in a cheerful tone.
"If you want to be a lawyer, you'll need to work harder and do well in school. Araso?" JaeKyung told her.
"I'll do my best in school. What's your dream, Unnie?" JanDi asked.
"My dream is to become a successful businesswoman." JaeKyung replied.
“Oh, I almost forgot I’ve something to show you.” JaeKyung took out the white and pink bracelets. “I've made two bracelets in my craft class today.” The bracelet is a sweetheart stretch pearl with sterling silver heart dangling.
“JanDi, this is for you. I want you to have this as a symbol of our sisterhood.” The pink bracelet has JanDi’s name engraved on it.
“Thank you, Unnie. I’m glad to have an older sister like you. You’re the best.” She gave JaeKyung a big bear hug.
“You’re welcome my little sister." JaeKyung smiled at her.
“I can’t wait to show this off to my friends at school tomorrow.” JanDi said in a cheerful voice.
They spent the rest of the day sharing funny stories that happened at school. The sounds of their laughter and giggling can be heard miles away.
Scene 2
Mrs. Geum’s friend, Mrs. Park, called to inform Mrs. Geum that she has returned to Korea. They haven’t seen each other for a long time since Mrs. Park resides in Boston. Mrs. Guem invited her for an afternoon tea in the living room. Shortly after Mrs. Park arrival, JaeKyung came home from school and overheard their conversation.
Mrs. Park looked at the family portrait, “So this is your two beautiful girls. JanDi is a very beautiful child. She looks exactly like you. It’s strange that JaeKyung doesn’t look anything like you or your husband.”
Mrs. Geum handed Mrs. Park a cup of tea and replied, “That’s because we adopted JaeKyung from the orphanage when she was a baby.”
“Oh, I see. Did she knows about this?” Mrs. Park asked.
After Mrs. Geum sipped her tea, she said, “No, we decided to keep it a secret and wait until she’s older to tell her the truth. I thought I couldn’t have a baby after three miscarriages that’s why we adopted JaeKyung. JanDi is a blessing in disguise. She’s my precious gem. I would do anything to make her happy.”
“How do you feel about JaeKyung not being your biological child?” Mrs. Park asked curiously.
“I used to treat her like my biological child until JanDi was born. Adopting JaeKyung was the worst decision I’ve ever made. She’s nothing compares to JanDi. My JanDi is a bright and loveable child.” Mrs. Geum responded.
JaeKyung’s life was shattered when she heard this shocking news that changed her life forever. JaeKyung understood now why her parents treated her differently from JanDi. JaeKyung went into her bedroom and threw JanDi’s picture frame against the wall. The glass frame shattered into pieces.
“I hate you, JanDi. Why do you have to be born? Omma would have loved me more than you.” She murmured to herself.
This led to the end of JaeKyung’s sisterly love toward JanDi. The rage and jealously that JaeKyung felt toward JanDi was consuming everyday.
Scene 3
A few months later, Mr. and Mrs. Geum took their children to a Haevichi Resort hotel in Jeju Island for a family vocation. It was the first visit for JanDi. JaeKyung came here with her parents several times before JanDi was born.
The first day on the trip, Mr. and Mrs. Geum took JaeKyung out to see the Jeongbang Waterfall. It’s the only waterfall to fall directly into the sea.
While their parents were busy setting up the picnic table with food, JaeKyung took this opportunity to get rid of JanDi.
“Omma and Appa. I’m taking JanDi to the bathroom. We’ll be back in a few minutes.” JaeKyung told her parents.
“Don’t go too far, alright?” Mr. Geum said.
“Ok.” JaeKyung told her father.
She turned to JanDi and whispered in her ear, “Let’s go, JanDi. Don’t you want to see the waterfall? I’ll take you there.”
“Yes, I want to see it. Let’s go, unnie.” JanDi held JaeKyung’s hand.
When they were reached to the ground level, JaeKyung took JanDi to a secluded spot where nobody can see them.
“Look JanDi, do you see the water falling down from up there?” JaeKyung’s asked.
“Oh wow. It’s so beautiful.” JanDi gazed up at the waterfall.
“Unnie, can I touch the water?” JanDi asked curiously.
“Sure, come here.” JaeKyung stepped on a large rock and takes JanDi’s hand. When JanDi has almost stepped on the same rock, JaeKyung let go of her hand and shove JanDi into the water.
“Unnie, help me. I can’t swim.” JanDi was struggling in the water. JaeKyung stood there motionless as she watched JanDi swept away by water.
“Goodbye.” That was her last word to JanDi. She took off the white bracelet and threw it into the water.
Two hours later, JaeKyung came back to find her parents.
“Omma and Appa!...I can’t find JanDi. I was in the bathroom and she wandered off alone without me.” She lied to her parents.
“What???!!..Where did you take her?” Her parents asked.
“I took her to the bathroom on the ground level” JaeKyung responded.
“What are we going to do, yobo? Our child is missing. What happen if she fell into the water or someone kidnaps her? ” Mrs. Geum began to panic.
“Calm down. I’ll call the police.” Mr. Geum told her.
Five hours into the search, the police found a pair of pink shoes floating on the water. They couldn’t find JanDi’s body and reported the bad news.
“I’m sorry Mr. and Mrs. Geum. I’m afraid that your daughter fell into the water. We can only find her shoes. Her body might have flow into the sea.” The police said.
“Noooo..my daughter can’t be dead.” Mrs. Geum began to cry in her husband arms.
“Please continue on searching for her body. We can’t assume that she’s dead until we find her body.” Mr. Geum said.
“It’ll take a few days to search the entire area. There is a slim chance that your daughter will still be alive. It’s best to be prepared for the worst.” The police informed Mr. and Mrs. Geum. Mrs. Geum couldn’t believe that her precious daughter is now dead. The bad news was a shock for Mrs. Geum causing her to faint in her husband’s arms.
The police continue on with their search throughout the night, but they couldn’t find JanDi’s body.
Scene 4
[Jeju hospital]
“Unnie…Unnie..help me...I'm drowning.” JanDi was crying out for her sister in her sleep.
"It's okay sweetie. You're safe now." An elderly women said.
JanDi slowly opened her eyes when she heard an unfamiliar voice, "Who are you?" she whispered softly.
"You can call me halmoni. I found you floating in the water. Thank goodness you're okay. Please tell me what happened."
"Halmoni, I...I only remember falling into the water and calling my sister for help." JanDi said as she was trying to recall her memory.
"Do you recalled your parents or sister's name?" Halmoni asked.
JanDi shook her head, "No..I don't know."
"That's ok sweetie. I'll let you rest now." Halmoni smiled tenderly at JanDi and left the room.
Halmoni went outside to talk to JanDi's doctor.
"The child that I've rescue, can't seem to remember what happened to her. What could be the cause of this?" Halmoni asked concernly.
"From the CAT scan, this child suffered a concussion when she fell into the water. It'll take her sometimes to get her full memory back." The doctor informed her.
"She can be discharge tomorrow." The doctor replied.
"Thank you doctor for taking good care of her." Halmoni said.
The next day, JanDi and Halmoni left to Seoul on a private jet.
Scene 5
Halmoni decided to bring JanDi to her home. She lives in an Italian Villa mansion. JanDi and halmoni were greeted by several maids and butlers in the main entrance hall. There was the round table adorned with an attractive display of flowers in the hallway. The interior was furnished with the highest-quality natural marble floors, beautiful pillars replicating Athen’s shrines, luxury antique furniture.
Halmoni gave JanDi a tour of the mansion. The doors to right and left of the hall led to the drawing room and library. To the rear of the hall a pair of matching doors led to the dining room and a small sitting room with the kitchen. There are five guest rooms each with their own private bathrooms, a communal dining room, plus another room furnished for relaxation with large sofas and a television. On the ground floor was a room with a snooker table, a conservatory complete with huge swimming pool, and the outdoor tennis courts.
When JanDi walked inside the living room, she saw a family portrait hanging in the middle of the room, there was a boy with curly black hair sitting on a sofa next to his parents and halmoni.
JanDi pointed at the portrait, “Halmoni, who’s the boy in the picture?” she asked.
“That’s my grandson, Goo JunPyo, he’s ten years old. The one next to him is my son and his wife. They’re currently residing in New York. JunPyo is handsome, isn’t he?”
“He’s very handsome, halmoni. I hope to meet him one day.” JanDi shyly said.
“Of course sweetie, you’ll meet him someday.” Halmoni put her arms on JanDi’s shoulder.
Halmoni brought JanDi to the dining room and told one of the maids to make chicken soup for JanDi. She tried to make JanDi feel comfortable in her house.
“Do you remember your name?" Halmoni asked her.
"No.." JanDi said softly. JanDi picked up her spoon and began to eat the soup.
Halmoni saw a pink bracelet on JanDi's wrist. "That's a pretty bracelet. Can I see it?"
"Sure, halmoni." JanDi took off her bracelet and handed to Halmoni. Halmoni noticed the name "JanDi" engraved on the bracelet.
"JanDi?...JanDi...I think this is your name sweetie. From this day forward you’ll be called “Goo JanDi.” I’ll provide you with the best education. All of your personal needs will be taken care of by me.” Halmoni said in a tender voice.
It was the best decision that JanDi reside with her since she doesn’t want a bright and lovable child to end up in the orphanage. Halmoni enrolled JanDi in Shinhwa Elementary School. The school is filled with rich people who can afford to go there. It’s one of the best prestigious schools in Korea. JanDi was determined to make her grandmother proud of her by studying everyday and aces all her exams. In her first year, JanDi had excel in all her classes. Her teachers told Halmoni that JanDi was extremely clever and bright student. They recommend that JanDi skip two grade levels since she’s a gifted child. Halmoni agreed and was content to hear the good news.
Side Note:
The Goo family is one of the wealthiest families in Korea. Halmoni’s husband was a well known real estate billionaire. It was an unfortunate event that he passed away due to a heart attack. After the death of her husband, she decided to sell her husband business to a foreigner so that her son can move to New York with his family and live a comfortable lifestyle. A few years later, JunPyo’s father establishes a successful real estate company in New York City since the economy was booming at that time. JunPyo’s father wanted halmoni to move to New York with them, but she declined since she wanted to spend the remaining of her life in Korea. Halmoni was very lonely after JunPyo’s father and his family left to New York. She was very fortunate to have met JanDi after living alone for the past five years. JanDi’s lively personality and energy make halmoni feeling happy and youthful again. Halmoni has a reason to keep looking forward to tomorrow.
