[Tavia’s Point of View]
It has been such a long night. I couldn’t stop tossing and turning in my bed. I couldn’t fall asleep no matter how hard I tried. I kept wondering about the day before. Was it just pure luck that my best friend happens to know a young, rich, handsome man that is nice and welcoming of me, or is this all just a mere illusion? I still can’t believe it. Once the clock hit 6:00 AM, I’ll be working as a personal assistant of Mr. Raymond Lam. I’ve read in magazines about his dad, and he’s proven to be such a talented man.
Now what I’m worried about is the difference of class. Just by reading the magazine articles, Old Mr. Lam seems to have a keen eye on the difference of class. So I thought about me. I’m only a mere street girl with luck of chance to have Nancy Wu as my best friend. Raymond is heir to AVC Insurance, one of the largest and most prosperous companies in Hong Kong.
My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the loud ringtone I had on my phone.
“Hello?” I answered, still tired and sleepy from a night without sleep.
“Tav are you awake yet?” Nancy’s voice blurted through the phone. “I’ve been waiting down here for ages!” she exaggerated no doubt.
“Yeah…hold on.” I replied, hanging up and getting out of bed.
~*~
[Nancy’s Point of View]
I checked the clock. I read exactly 6:30 AM. My hands couldn’t stop tapping the steering wheel, bored and tired. I didn’t get any sleep last night after a sudden call from Kenneth. He’s been my dad’s right hand man for ages, and yet we barely know each other. Last night he decided to call, trying to ask me to keep the company dropping rates a secret from my parents. Honestly, of all people Kenneth expects me to keep a secret.
Looking out the window, I still didn’t see Tavia walking down. Reaching for my phone, someone suddenly caught my eye. He was a tall man, sunglasses, a black and white striped polo, and worn out designer jeans. I couldn’t think of the name at first, but he looked awfully familiar. He was on the phone crossing the street and I was watching him. He turned, his eyes seeming like they’ve caught mine, and I froze.
Right then and there, I froze, my eyes staring into his through those black sunglasses. My heart pounded like crazy, and it hurt like an old wound was opening up. I wanted to just stomp on the gas pedal and jolt at full speed away from him. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. I was determined not to let him hurt me again. I was determined to erase him from my life completely. I was determined to forget about him, no matter how painful it is. I gripped the wheel, feeling the flexing of my bones, cracking.
“Is something wrong?” Tavia’s voice suddenly asked.
I turned around in shock. She was already in the car, and waiting for me to drive. “Um…no…”
“Are you sure? You didn’t look too well earlier.” Tavia asked.
I knew she was worried. She knows me too well, and whenever something was up, Tavia was the first one to worry, even before my parents. “No…” I lied. “I’m fine…let’s go.”
Without another glance at the man just twenty feet in front of me, I pressed on the gas pedal. The engine of my black Mercedes roared to life. I drove the car forward, curving just a little to avoid hitting him. I wasn’t thinking anything else, except for the swift maneuvering I’ve became used to inside this roaring metal death trap we all call a car.
As I passed him by, that moment seemed to have lasted longer than anything else in the world. He was looking into my half open window. I could feel his stare through his sunglasses. I could feel his coldness, but yet I could reminisce his warmth as well. I couldn’t stand it much longer. He wasn’t going to wreck my life, no, not again. The car went on at top speed down the empty road, and so did I, back turned without another thought of him in mind.
It’s been five minutes only, and as I drove I glanced over at Tavia. I could tell she wasn’t comfortable with the speed I was going at. I could tell easily with her hands gripping the side of my leather seat, nearly clawing it out. To please Tavia and hopefully lower her heart rate, I slowed down. I could hear her sigh softly, and usually I would giggle, but not today, not this morning, unfortunately.
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
The sun was soft today. Unlike other days it didn’t blind my eyes with lights that woke me by surprise. Today’s sun was light and welcoming. I woke up by myself, and gladly got out of bed instead of dragging and moaning like other days. What was so special about today?
As I walked down from the stairs, I could hear my auntie’s voice blabbing on about something. Michelle has always been a talkative person, very helpful and social, but who was here that caused her to blab this much? I paused, trying to listen to them. Unfortunately the thick walls in my house didn’t allow eavesdropping to be an easy task.
“…and I’m glad that he’s finally gotten someone to help him. That boy has been all drowned up in work ever since his dad pulled him in.” Michelle finished.
I jumped off the last two steps, my eyes caught on that girl from yesterday I had immediately accepted for as my personal assistant. She was the one Michelle had been talking to. She was sitting there quietly as she listened to Michelle’s seemingly endless conversation. Tavia only nodded and smiled, but somehow everyone could tell that she was listening, closely.
“Raymond…you’re finally awake. Tavia here has been waiting for a while now.” Michelle smiled.
“Morning…” I smiled, mainly towards Tavia.
She gave me a smile as I walked down to the kitchen. I could hear Michelle taking Tavia’s hand and pulling her towards the kitchen, following behind me. I couldn’t hold back my smile this time. I walked on; walking past a tall bar counter that my dad loved so much. Sitting on our dining table were four dishes of eggs, bacon and toast. My eyebrows raised, wondering why there are two extra meals.
My question was solved when Nancy sat down. Of course she would choose the biggest plate on the table. She looked up at me, her eyes edging to Tavia who was now standing behind me. I turned, smiling lightly at her, careful not to scare her away on her first day of work. She seemed uncomfortable. I wonder why.
“Um…we’re having breakfast?” Tavia asked, a bit surprised no doubt.
“Of course we are honey!” Michelle replied. “It’s seven in the morning, it’s breakfast time!”
“Tav sit down it’s fine.” Nancy added, hoping to help. “Auntie Michelle makes us breakfast all the time!”
“I…I just didn’t know that there’s breakfast before work…” Tavia spoke, shaky.
I laughed. I just couldn’t understand why she is just so shy. Of all the girls I met, she is the first one that is nervous in my house. She’s the first one that didn’t purposely try to please and kiss up to Michelle and me. What type of girl is she and how in the world did Nancy come to know her?
“Raymond stop standing there like a stick! You’re the one who gave her the job so explain it to her!” Nancy interrupted my thoughts.
“Um…well…” I began, searching for the right words. “Since you’re my personal assistant, every morning you meet me at my house. Around this time we have breakfast, and then we leave for the office at eight. In the office you just help me do things…they vary so I’ll tell you when we get there.”
I watched her. She only gave me a shy nod as she timidly sat down at the table. For some reason, whenever I look at her she would avoid my eye contact. She seemed so scared and surprised. Has she ever sat down and had breakfast with anyone before?
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
The entire morning took me by surprise. First I had breakfast in a house I don’t know that is a million times bigger than my cramped up apartment room. Then I was driven here in yet another luxurious car that is not Nancy’s but my boss’s. Now I’m sitting here, behind this large and comfy desk, fiddling around on an expensive computer, doing nothing. I am a bit surprised that people actually get paid to do this.
I was bored out of my mind. That Raymond guy is sitting in on a private meeting right now, while I’m sitting out here, waiting. It’s been at least an hour and they are still discussing something utterly important. I looked around, people all around me. If they aren’t dressed in high end fashion then they’re carrying the latest trends, using the latest and most expensive make up, technology, everything. I feel so out of place, sitting here in a simple white mini skirt, sky blue dress shirt and a necklace my mom had left me. My phone vibrated softly beside my arm. I picked it up, answering immediately after I saw Nancy’s name and number flash on the small screen.
“What is it Nan?” I answered.
“I’m just checking on you. How is your day so far? Is Raymond torturing you?” she asked.
“Well…I guess it’s been fine…as for torture…then yes if you count boredom.”
“Really?!” Nancy replied, surprised. “I just checked the records at my dad’s company. We’re going in for a partnership and I’ll be representing…but we’ve got a problem…”
“What is it? Tell me and I’ll tell Raymond. I guess that’s what I’m supposed to do for my job.”
“Well their numbers are dropping on the market, and my dad is a bit worried about that. He would ask me to talk to Dominic Lam himself but he’s somewhere in Taiwan right now. So can you tell Raymond to meet me at the Autumn Café today at noon?”
“Sure. I’ll set you up an appointment right away…er…after Raymond gets out of this meeting.”
“Thanks Tavia. Oh…and you come too. It’s lunch time and we’re going out to eat.” Nancy finished quickly, hanging up the phone.
Once my eyes fell back onto the door, Raymond walked out. I hurried and walked over to him. His face was straight and tired, but once he saw me he suddenly smiled. This rich boy really confuses me at times. Usually I would imagine people as rich as him and Nancy to be a little prejudiced, but these two are completely different.
“What’s up?” he asked me.
“Nancy just called. She said she wants you to meet her at Autumn Café today at noon to discuss your company partnership.” I answered, trying to sound as professional as I possibly could.
“Okay. Are you coming too?” Raymond asked me.
“Um…well…I don’t know…” I replied, confused on how I should’ve answered him.
“You’re my personal assistant. You have to come anyways.” He laughed, walking back into his office.
“Um…is there anything else I need to do?” I asked him before he closed the door.
Raymond paused. “Well you could help me sort through some files. I just didn’t want to drown you in work on your first day. Come on in.” he spoke, pushing the door open for me.
“Considerate rich boy…that’s a surprise.” I mumbled to myself.
“Excuse me?” Raymond asked politely.
“Uh…nothing…sorry.” I replied, surprised he heard me.
~*~
[Nancy’s Point of View]
The café was such a quiet and peaceful place to relax. I leaned back in the soft cushion of my chair, closed my eyes and just inhaled a deep breath of the alluring smell of coffee. I opened my eyes slowly and turned towards the clock. It read noon, just around the time Raymond should be here. Just as I sat up, the bell on top of the door rang softly as Raymond and Tavia walked in. I watched as my best friend struggled with her walk. She was taking small steps unlike the usual seductive stroll she would do each night in the dance clubs. She was walking behind Raymond, and for the very first time in my life I noticed Tavia as being shy.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Raymond laughed as they sat down. “You know since you’re so good at this stuff why don’t you help your dad with the company more?”
I looked at him, half smiling and half glaring. “Did he ask you to convince me?”
“Well…your dad and my dad talks…and my dad tells me things…so…” he stopped himself, knowing where our conversation would eventually lead to. “Anyways…let’s get to business.”
“Okay…” I replied, though my mind suddenly side tracked to other things.
Tavia quickly got the papers out. She laid them straight and perfect on the table, yet without saying a word she only watched us. I sat back as she prepared. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was the Tavia I knew or some clone that had replaced her. Tavia had either really changed, or she really wanted this job bad. I guess I’ll never know because I’m not in her shoes.
“After tracking your company on the market for over a month, my dad is still a bit concerned with the steep levels you have in your chart. Either you gather in a whole bunch of money at a time, or you lose out a whole bunch…and he’s not willing to take that gamble constantly.”
“Well our company had been in sort of a gamble as you said for the past three months, but the results have came back and we’re making huge sums of profits in the end. The company standards are high and for the amount that we lose, there is always the stored account to take care of that.” Raymond replied.
~*~
Nearly an hour has passed. Raymond and Tavia had already left, and we’ve sealed the deal. It was either a poor decision of my father to entrust such a huge partnership to me, knowing that I will take the gamble and sign the contract anyways, or he trusts me so much to put this all in my hands. Either way, I still feel uncomfortable handling these business affairs. It was all just another simple trick of his to get me more involved with business. I still could never read his mind.
Another warm cup of coffee came for me. I placed my head on the table, watching as the steam rose from the surface of the liquid, slowly. I couldn’t really tell what my point being here is, but all I know is that I didn’t want to leave. It’s just something about this place that makes me want to forget about everything that is troubling me and just enjoy a nice and warm cup of coffee. As the steam rose, my mind unknowingly began to pry deeper into the memories I’ve tried to lock away.
~ Flashback~
August 5, 2005. I decided to try out a new coffee store that all my friends have been talking about, complimenting on how good their coffee is. I stepped foot into the store for the very first time, and immediately the scent of fresh brewed coffee filled my nose. It wasn’t overwhelming like other places, no, this scent was just right to set the peaceful and relaxed mood.
My coffee finally came, and I decided to wait until it cools, not wanting to burn my tongue by rash actions. I placed my head on the table, watching as the steam rose from the cup, slowly. The background music was something familiar, something I’ve hear before but just couldn’t tell what the name was.
Engulfed by the music, my eyes wandered all around. I stopped when my view fell on the door. A tall young man walked in, a small smile on his face with light dimples on his cheek. He looked tall and handsome, yet those signature dimples brought a childish side to this man. I sat up, my eyes unintentionally caught in his.
He looked at me and smiled. Casually he strolled towards me, one hand in his pocket, his smile growing wider. It didn’t occur to me before, but it seemed like we were the only two people in the store. He bent down at me, his smile still on.
“Hello…mind if I have a drink with you?” he asked politely, sitting down once he saw my nod. “I’m Ron Ng…and you?”
~End of Flashback~
I closed my eyes, wincing in pain. Forcing myself to return back to the cup of coffee, I couldn’t help but turn at the opening of the door. A tall young man stepped in, a small smile on his face with light dimples on his cheek. His one hand was in his pocket and his other still on the door. He looked around, just as I sat up.
Once I realized who he was, I froze. I didn’t know what to do or how to respond. It seems he saw me, and his smile suddenly disappeared. We were looking straight into each others’ eyes, and instead of the sweet feeling of encounter, we were filled with awkwardness.
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