When Mom politely tried to decline the wine, saying it was fine, a tall, blonde middle-aged man approached from the other table.
“Your mysterious charm, madam, dining with your children is so beautiful that I sent a gift—please don’t refuse it.”
“I appreciate the kindness, but I don’t want to drink in front of the children. I’ll accept your intentions, so please understand.”
Mom declined courteously to avoid offending him, smiling behind her hand while naturally showing the sparkling wedding ring on her finger.
“It’s already opened—such a shame. Meeting like this is fate; if alcohol is a burden, would a short conversation be okay?”
The man persisted in flirting with Mom despite James and Jenny watching.
He must have seen the wedding ring but didn’t seem to care much.
“Mom, he doesn’t seem like he’ll leave easily—just hear a quick introduction and send him off.”
“Why are you suddenly okay with it?”
“This guy’s super famous. It’s just surprising to meet someone like him here.”
When James spoke to Mom in Korean, the man said happily,
“Oh! You’re Korean. I have a very deep connection with Korea. I acquired the United Engineering building in Manhattan and partnered with Korea’s Taeu Group to build a World Tower in my name.”
He said that due to his ties with Taeu Group, he’d soon visit Korea personally to build a super-high-rise residential-commercial complex in his name.
When Mom showed a fake smile without much interest, he handed over his business card and introduced himself.
“Donald Trump. I’m fairly famous in America; seeing you don’t know me, you must not have been here long.”
“Yes. I came to America three years ago following my husband. He works as a professor at the university hospital in Washington state.”
The man hitting on Mom at the Windows on the World restaurant in the World Trade Center was Donald Trump, who would become U.S. president in the future.
James wanted to chase him away for flirting in front of him and Jenny, but found it somewhat interesting to see the future president’s behavior like this.
“Oh, Seattle—quite far.”
“My sister wanted to attend a vocal school in New York over summer break, so we left Dad at home for a bit. You’re in real estate construction, right?”
“Hoo. Looks like you know me.”
“Plaza Hotel and Taj Mahal owner—I know that much.”
“Hmph~ Sharp kid.”
Donald Trump aggressively invested in large real estate in the early-mid 80s, achieving consecutive big successes, rising to wealth rankings at a relatively young age and gaining fame.
Wanting big money through risky adventurous investments, Trump opened the Taj Mahal casino hotel in 1990.
Casino hotels are hard to fail—cash cows—but opening amid sharp real estate downturn hit hard.
The 1987 stock crash led to recession, full depression by 1990; unable to pay interest on borrowed billions for the super casino.
Plus, a helicopter crash killing many Taj Mahal executives—an misfortune striking Trump’s winning streak and pride.
Trump dropped from Forbes 400 richest for the first time since 1982; Trump Organization faced massive debt, inevitable restructuring.
Trump bought the Plaza Hotel he acquired in late 80s for $390 million, but by ’92 debt was $550 million.
Business unstable, hundreds of millions in debt, reputation fallen; scandal with 26-year-old actress Marla Maples led to divorce suit with wife.
The Trumps’ conflict dominated front pages for 28 days; he divorced, married 26-year-old Marla in ’93.
Born attention-seeker Donald Trump used his divorce and remarriage for PR, satisfied with public name recognition.
But this year, divorcing again after 4 years marriage, legally single Trump didn’t hide his conquest drive, flirting with women whenever opportunity arose.
“Men grow stronger overcoming pain. I had pain too, but now stronger than before. Learn from a great adult like me.”
Ironically, Trump’s failed marriages dominated front pages and news, raising his recognition further.
From wealthy businessman to pop icon, he cameo’d in popular sitcoms and Home Alone 2, enjoying media; with economy and real estate reviving, returned to Forbes 400 in 1996 announcing comeback.
“Madam, my relationship with Korea is very special. During tough times building unprecedented luxury residence Trump World Tower in Manhattan, most constructors refused. But only Korea’s Taeu Group took my hand, starting joint project. I was destined with Korea.”
Trump emphasized special Korean ties with his characteristic hand gestures.
He likes Korea now, but later clings to North Korea, slaps tariffs on South Korea, extorts $350 billion like this?
James inwardly cursed, but post-IMF disintegrating Taeu Group and Trump partner for a while.
Taeu Group handled most funding, construction, architecture for Trump World Tower; Trump Organization local PR, marketing, sales.
Building first in his name, this tie led to Korea visit this year for super-high-rise project.
He visited again for Yeouido model house opening event; ties led to Trump Worlds in Seoul, Busan, Daegu.
“Mr…. Trump, I hope your business prospers. I’d like to continue meal with my children now. This is a very special occasion paid by my son.”
Mom said James reserved the restaurant and paid dinner.
Hearing young-looking Asian boy paying expensive course meal, Trump looked slightly surprised.
“Sharp tongue—indeed no ordinary kid. Must get a lot of allowance.”
“No. We stopped giving James allowance long ago. James is a computer genius—makes programs and earns big money.”
Mom happiest bragging about child, told stranger Trump James sold programs to Microsoft and Walmart.
Plus, assets grew so much, last summer break personally tutored by famous Omaha investment firm head for management.
“No way—personally learned from Warren Buffett?”
“Grandpa Buffett gives lots of allowance—nice.”
Quiet Jenny, hearing Warren Buffett, said he gave allowance—warm, kind grandpa.
At first listening moderately seeing Mom happy, Trump realized James’s deeds extraordinary.
“Strangely wanted to talk to this table—must be fate. While in New York, good to meet often, dine, talk Korea.”
“Mom busy with sister, but I can teach Korean.”
“Should bond with whole family—not good meeting just you. Enjoy New York. Look forward to seeing madam again.”
Large stature, huge presence Trump finally returned to his table; Mom relieved.
“Really strong narcissism. Famous?”
“New York real estate tycoon—loves attention, appears in wrestling, famous for media faces. Recently news often for divorce suit; this year cheated, divorced young actress he married.”
“Really strange person. Mom still doesn’t understand American culture.”
“That guy’s hand gestures and speech weird.”
Jenny imitated Trump’s speech, danced with his signature gestures; James and Mom burst laughing.
Brief happening, but beautiful, youthful Asian Mom often hunted; first so aggressive with kids present, she said.
With proud husband, lovely children, Mom disliked macho American men, wisely repelled approaches.
“Yesterday at World Trade Center dining with Mom and sister, Donald Trump sent Romanée-Conti to our table.”
“Haha. That guy would. Unique character. Eccentric, but endless confidence and ability real.”
Next morning at vocal school met Taylor Swift’s dad; telling Trump story, he laughed enjoying.
“Still amazing directly talked to Trump.”
“Got his card too.”
Mom about to throw Trump’s card, James asked for it; showed Scott card with personal contact.
“Born businessman—instinctively sensed you’re no ordinary kid.”
“Said going Korea soon for business. Showed interest in Korea.”
Financial expert Scott knew much about Trump, told interesting stories James didn’t know.
“Dad! You like James more than your daughter?”
“Haha. No. Our daughter’s prettiest, cutest in world.”
Enjoying telling Trump stories to finance-talk-capable James, Scott genuinely happy; seeing, Taylor puffed cheeks jealous.
“If our daughter grows up brings son-in-law like this—great.”
“Hmph! If Dad likes, I’ll think about it.”
Young Taylor curious about rare handsome Asian boy; Dad constant praise, she accepted, developed crush.
James didn’t dislike Taylor’s interest—patted head, teased thanks.
As vocal class started, James with Mom leaving building, unexpectedly met someone in lobby.
“Meeting madam again here—truly fate.”