Chapter 80: The Promise of Brooklyn Bridge

When they reached about halfway across the bridge, the sun had already dipped down over the East River.

The western sky was beginning to be stained with an intense orange glow, and the edges of the cumulus clouds blazed as if set aflame by some gigantic fire.

The skyscrapers across the river in Manhattan were turning into grand silhouettes, and in every window of those buildings, the sunset reflected in scattered golden shards.

“Let’s stop here for a moment.”

Lee Jun-hyuk spoke.

He leaned against the heavy stone railing, silently gazing out at the magnificent view before him.

Catherine stood quietly beside him.

A gentle breeze swept over the river, causing her golden hair to flutter softly. She brushed her hair back with one hand, but the wind did not cease; it continued to swirl lightly between the two of them.

“Congratulations again on your expansion into Chicago.”

Catherine was the first to break the silence.

“I thought about it again last night. It’s truly amazing. To grow your company this much in just three months…”

“I was just lucky.”

“It wasn’t luck. It’s all your ability, Jun-hyuk.”

Catherine looked up at Lee Jun-hyuk.

The sunset’s light tinted her face red, making her blue eyes shine deeper and clearer, like sapphires.

“Have you finished preparing for the trip to Cuba?”

He changed the subject.

“Not yet. I have no idea what to pack.”

“It’s a warm place, so bring lots of light, cool clothes.”

“Actually, I’m most worried about my father. His health hasn’t been good lately, so I don’t know if such a long journey will be alright for him…”

Catherine’s expression darkened.

Lately, James Morgan’s heart had not been well.

He always carried Nitroglycerin with him, sometimes clutching his chest in secret when others weren’t looking.

“If he gets enough rest on the ship, he’ll be fine. I’ll look after him closely.”

Lee Jun-hyuk reassured her gently.

The two began walking again.

By the time they had nearly crossed the bridge and reached the Brooklyn side, it was past 6 p.m. They discovered a small Italian restaurant hidden between old brick buildings.

“Do you think this place is alright?”

“If I’m with you, anywhere is perfect.”

The restaurant was cozy.

There were only about ten wooden tables, but that made it feel even warmer and more inviting.

The plump proprietress came out herself to greet them, speaking English with a thick Italian accent.

“Oh my, what a lovely couple! I’ll give you a table by the window overlooking the river.”

Outside the window, they could see the evening scenery of Brooklyn.

It was a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, quite different from the splendor of Manhattan. Children played ball in the streets, while adults sat on their stoops chatting.

A young waiter, who looked like the owner’s son, came to take their order.

“We’ll have two of today’s specials, please.”

Lee Jun-hyuk ordered.

Wine, of course, was unavailable.

Instead, the waiter winked and offered them some “very special grape juice”—it was likely moonshine. But Lee Jun-hyuk politely declined and ordered regular juice.

Catherine said,

“Next week, we’ll finally be going to Cuba.”

“I’m already excited to see Mr. Jose and Mr. Delgado again.”

“They’ll be so surprised. For me to show up with such a beautiful partner.”

“Partner…”

Catherine softly repeated the word, blushing. That sweet term still felt unfamiliar to her.

The appetizer, Bruschetta, was fresh tomatoes and basil piled atop crisp, toasted bread.

A generous drizzle of Olive Oil made it fragrant.

“Tell me more about Pyongyang.”

Catherine took a bite of Bruschetta and spoke.

“What is Pyongyang like in December?”

“In December, it’s very cold. Sometimes, white snow covers the whole world.”

Lee Jun-hyuk recalled his memories fondly.

“The Daedong River freezes solid, and people walk across the ice.”

“Really? On the river?”

“Yes, children skate, and adults go ice fishing.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. Like something out of a fairy tale.”

The main dish, Seafood Pasta, was loaded with shrimp and clams, rich with the scent of Garlic and White Wine. Of course, it wasn’t real wine.

“What do you think your family will think of me, Jun-hyuk?”

Catherine asked anxiously.

“Showing up suddenly with an American woman… Won’t they be surprised?”

“They’ll be surprised at first, of course, but they’ll quickly grow to like you.”

“Really?”

“Who in the world could dislike someone as lovely as you?”

Catherine beamed brightly.

In the candlelight on the table, her face was more beautiful than anything in the world.

After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant.

Even though it was past 8 p.m., the sky wasn’t completely dark. The faint glow of dusk still lingered in the western sky, and above it, one or two early stars appeared.

Lee Jun-hyuk suggested,

“Shall we walk back across the bridge?”

“Yes, let’s!”

They walked up onto the Brooklyn Bridge again.

This time, they walked towards the night view of Manhattan.

On the bridge, gas lamps began to flicker to life, casting a soft yellow glow over the path.

“Jun-hyuk.”

Catherine said as they walked.

“Do you think…we really could get married?”

It was a sudden question.

Lee Jun-hyuk stopped walking.

“Why do you ask something like that all of a sudden?”

“I just… Sometimes I’m so happy that I get anxious. I’m afraid all of this will vanish like a dream.”

Catherine leaned against the railing.

Below her, the dark waters of the East River flowed silently.

“I know that we can’t get married in New York State. The law forbids it.”

Her voice grew weak.

“But still…”

Lee Jun-hyuk gently took her hand.

“If we can’t do it in New York State, we can go to another state. If that’s not possible, we can go to another country and get married.”

“Really?”

“There are always ways if you look for them. The most important thing is…”

Lee Jun-hyuk placed his hands on Catherine’s shoulders, making her look at him.

“That we love each other and want to spend our whole lives together. That’s all that matters.”

Tears welled up in Catherine’s eyes.

They were tears of happiness.

“I love you too, Jun-hyuk.”

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him gently. It was a short kiss, but more heartfelt than any words.

A few people crossing the bridge glanced at them. Some frowned, while some young couples smiled. But for Lee Jun-hyuk and Catherine, nothing else in the world mattered; it was as if only the two of them existed.

“I’ll see you home.”

“Yes.”

By the time they crossed the bridge, it was past 9 p.m.

They hailed a taxi for Catherine’s home.

In the taxi, Catherine rested her head on his arm and seemed to doze off a little.

They arrived in front of her house.

“Today felt like a dream,” Catherine said as she got out of the taxi.

“It did for me too.”

“Next week’s trip to Cuba…”

“Yes, I’ll contact you again on Monday.”

Catherine waved and went inside.

He waited until the door closed, then the taxi drove off again.

On the way back to the Plaza Hotel, Lee Jun-hyuk thought.

Marriage.

It still felt a little early, but someday it was bound to happen. If it was with Catherine, he felt certain he could build a happy home.

He arrived at the hotel and went up to his room.

There was a letter on the desk.

It looked like it had been brought up from the front desk.

It was from Cuba.

He opened the letter.

Jose’s neat handwriting caught his eye.

“Mr. Lee.

I am reporting the results for the second quarter.

Sugar production: Exceeded expectations by 15%.

Net profit: $210,000.

Delgado’s sales record is especially remarkable. He has become a completely different person.

All the farm workers are well. Miguel’s wife has given birth to a second child—a healthy son. She asked me, with tears in her eyes, to thank you, for it was thanks to you that she could give birth in the hospital.

The news that you are coming next week has put the whole plantation in a festive mood. Everyone is waiting for you like a hero.

Your loyal friend,
Jose Rodriguez.”

$210,000.

Much more than expected.

It seemed Delgado had truly turned over a new leaf.

Lee Jun-hyuk set down the letter and looked out the window.

The night in New York was still as bright as stars.

He sat at his desk and wrote a reply.

“Jose,

Thank you so much for the good news.

I plan to arrive in the second week of July. This time, I am coming with very special guests.

The woman who will be my fiancée, and her father.

Please convey my heartfelt congratulations to Miguel. I’m curious if they’ve chosen a name for the baby.

Give my thanks to Delgado as well. I want to see with my own eyes how much he’s changed.

Well then, see you soon.

Lee Jun-hyuk.”

He put the letter in an envelope.

If he mailed it tomorrow morning, it would reach Cuba within two weeks.

He lay down on the bed.

Tomorrow was Saturday.

He planned to take a rare day off from the office and rest.

He closed his eyes.

The kiss with Catherine came to mind again.

That brief, but eternal, moment on the Brooklyn Bridge.

He couldn’t sleep.

He tried opening a book, but couldn’t concentrate.

His thoughts kept wandering to the future.

Next week’s trip to Cuba, and the visit to Pyongyang in December. Everything was moving so fast, but in the right direction.

Saturday, June 26, morning

He slept in.

When he opened his eyes, it was past 9 a.m.

He ordered breakfast via room service and opened the newspaper that came with it.

There was an interesting article in the business section.

The headline read, “RCA Stock Soars Day After Day.” It said the price had risen another 5% just yesterday.

Lee Jun-hyuk’s $6 million investment would now be almost $7 million.

At that moment, the phone rang.

It was Thomas.

He seemed to be working, even though it was Saturday.

“Mr. Lee, this is Thomas. We got a telegram from Chicago. Yesterday’s sales volume was 800 cans!”

1,300 cans sold in just two days. Truly a jackpot.

“And we’re getting floods of telegrams from distributors in Detroit and Cleveland, all requesting formal contracts.”

“We’ll handle them in order starting Monday.”

After hanging up, Lee Jun-hyuk thought.

It was certainly rapid expansion.

But when opportunity came, one had to seize it without hesitation.

Around noon, he went outside.

He took a walk in Central Park.

Sitting on a bench by the lake, he watched the people.

Families picnicking looked so peaceful.

“In December, I too will meet my family like them,” he thought.

A reunion after seven years. How would it feel?

“Mr. Lee?”

Someone called him.

He turned to see George Howard.

He seemed to be out walking with his wife.

“Mr. Howard! It’s a fine weekend.”

“Thanks to you, we’re having a very good one. Did William tell you? Because of you, all three of us have made a lot of money.”

That evening, he had a simple dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Over the meal, he organized the schedule for the following week.

Final preparations for the Cuba trip on Monday, departure on Tuesday.

They would arrive in Havana in three days by ship.

He returned to his room and began to pack in advance.

Mostly light summer clothes. And a few small gifts for Jose, Delgado, and the people at the plantation.

At eleven, he went to bed.

Tomorrow was Sunday.

He had promised to go to Church with Catherine.

After the service, they planned to have lunch together.

He closed his eyes.

The week had passed by like a storm.

The hot summer of 1920 was finally drawing near.