[Nancy’s Point of View]
He sat only two tables away from me. We’ve been sitting here for at least a half hour now. Ron Ng, his face, his name, nothing about him has changed. When I first knew him, he was rumored as a heartless playboy, and I fell for him. He left without a word three years ago, and we’ve never talked again after. It makes me wonder why he would show up here and now. It makes me think why in the world of all places he decides to return to Hong Kong, and the one question I still need an answer to. Did our year long relationship mean anything to him?
I couldn’t take it anymore. My coffee has already cooled and reached the bottom, so there’s no reason left I should be here. I picked up my bags and headed for the door. Trying so hard not to look at him, I couldn’t manage to hold back a small peak. I couldn’t help but notice a small change in his aura. He seemed a lot more professional, a lot more business oriented that his typical player looks. No matter, I continued to walk on.
His hand suddenly held me back. He gripped onto mine, hard.
I turned around, frustrated with what kind of game he was trying to play with me.
“A private company bought up a large share of NG Enterprise over in Taiwan.” he spoke coldly.
“So?” I replied, wondering why it involved me. I tried to pull my arm back, but his grip was too strong.
“The two co-owners of the company are Dominic Lam…and Anthony Wu…” Ron continued.
After his words, my suspicion rose. For some reason, I just have a feeling that the partnership between Dominic and my dad isn’t as simple as it seems. My dad is a very calculating man, and Dominic is interested in the profits. There is something lurking behind this partnership, something big, and Raymond and I have just blindly sealed the deal.
“I don’t care what my father does. I’m not a part of his enterprise.” I replied, trying to get out of this situation.
“You’re name is listed as a shareholder. You hold 50% of the private company’s investments…”
“What?” I asked stupidly. My mind launched in an endless train of thoughts. Something is definitely up, and my dad is the one with the answers. The problem is, I can’t reach neither him nor Dominic until they return from Taiwan next month.
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
I banged my phone on my knee, hard. This stupid piece of technology decides to break when I finally need it more than ever. Starting to work as a personal assistant for a rich boy, heir to a successful company definitely requires a phone, and mine decides to break at this time. Sighing, I opened my bag searching for my wallet. I had forgotten that I cleaned the entire thing out last week after a bet on one of the drag races. Rolling my eyes, I dropped my head back on the car seat, waiting impatiently for Raymond to step out of the gas station.
“Is everything alright?” he asked me, entering the car.
“Yeah…it’s fine…why?” I replied, trying not to bother him with anything else.
“Nah…you look tired. Let’s get you home.” He spoke, starting the engine of his car.
Raymond’s eyes shifted over to the dashboard. He noticed my phone which I’ve tossed on it, frustrated that the rigged piece of technology won’t work. I saw his eyebrows rise slightly. I turned towards the window, trying to hide my smile. It was normal of a rich boy to not know how frustrating it is when something breaks. Rich people can always get anything replaced and not give a care in the world about what is broken. People like me are different from people like Raymond and Nancy. Unfortunately, we’re too different.
“Is something wrong with your phone?” he finally asked as if he hasn’t figured it out already.
“It’s just being stupid.” I sighed, sitting back on the seat as he drove.
He only gave me a quiet nod and continued driving. It came by surprise when Raymond suddenly stopped in front of a store with big letters on top of the entrance saying “Sony Ericson”. We got out of the car and I followed him in. He seemed so casual, so carefree. Nothing seemed to be able to trouble him, and it makes me wonder. How do rich people live their life when they have absolutely nothing to worry about?
“Can I have a lineup of the latest models?” Raymond asked the girl behind the counter.
She responded to him with a polite nod and a cute smile. I would smile too if a rich and handsome guy like him came up to me, but the fact that we’re two worlds apart kept me distant from him. Judging from today, Raymond seemed like a nice guy. Unlike the stereotypical rich and snobby kids I’ve came acquainted too in school, he and Nancy are way different.
“Which one do you like?” Raymond suddenly asked, interrupting my thoughts.
“What?” I replied, surprised and confused as I stared at the five phones sitting in front of me. They sure look expensive.
“You’re phone’s broken…and if you don’t replace it soon how am I supposed to contact you?” Raymond replied. “Here…this brand is pretty much indestructible. If you throw it at someone I think you’ll break their skull first before you break the phone.”
I laughed. I didn’t know why I was laughing but I did as I sat down in the chair next to him, looking at the lineup of expensive cell phones.
“You finally laughed! I never thought you would!” Raymond smiled. “It’s okay. Girls look pretty when they’re happy so yeah.”
He was either being super nice, or his usual attitude is just a charmer. I just never imagine someone with money, looks, charms, and girls chasing after them to be this nice like him. “How did you know these phones are indestructible?” I asked him.
“Well…I dropped mine a couple times. Here…you can get this one. It’s the same as mine and if you don’t know how to do something I can help you. Or if you’re more of the sassy type then go with this one.” He spoke, picking up two phones. “This one is Nancy’s favorite since she can chuck it as hard as she can and still be able to call people afterwards.”
I smiled, trying hard not to laugh and knowing that if Nancy was here and wasn’t caught up over her relationships then she’d definitely punch him. “It’s so expensive though.” I sighed, picking the model he said he had. It was a white phone, sleek and it even feels pricey.
Raymond only laughed as he pulled out his wallet and paid right away. I was a bit shocked with how fast he makes decisions. Giving me this job, buying me a phone, is this how all rich people live life?
We were back in the car and he was driving me home. I placed the cell phone in my bag, sitting back in the seat and waiting for my destination to arrive. I wanted to start a conversation with him, but I didn’t know what to talk about. With Nancy, although she is rich she’s still a girl. But with Raymond, I am stoned.
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
I’m guessing today was a good start. I drove Tavia back to her apartment and watched as she went up the stairs, waving good-bye from her bedroom window. That was then I decided to leave, though I’m still a little worried about her. After all, she’s still a girl, and she’s living in one of the most dangerous streets in Hong Kong. To me, it was either she is too ignorant to care about her safety, or she had no choice. It is much more reasonable for me to go on the thought of my second idea.
Getting back into my car, I decided not to think about it anymore. Tavia is my personal assistant now, and I can continue to befriend her during work. Anyways, it’s already getting really late. I’ve just realized that after glancing at the clock for the first time today. I drove past a couple streets, closing in on the area around Causeway Bay. Tonight I was planning on doing something I haven’t done for a very long time. Possibly stop by a café and just enjoy the night. That café Nancy told us to meet her was a pretty ideal place.
~*~
It was a fifteen minute drive trying to weave through all the traffic. I was a little surprised that at this time of night there would still be so much traffic, but then I remembered. I live in Hong Kong, a city that never sleeps.
Stepping out of the car, I can feel a soft breeze hit my face. It wasn’t much, but this was all it took to bring back an old memory. Closing my eyes, I forced the memory to leave, fearing it would once again scar me like it did before. I ignored the fact that the memory still lingers in my mind as I walked into the café.
I sat down at the table closest to the row of windows, looking out at a busy street in the midst of the night. My coffee finally came, and I sat there, stirring it, inhaling deeply as its aroma shot up my nose. I remember the same feeling I’d always carry with me to a café, but tonight was different. For some reason, tonight’s feeling was different from the rest, but yet similar in a way. It was quiet, and I couldn’t help but notice the changes in me.
Then, there she was, walking into the café with a small smile on her face. The smile was neither happy nor sad, but it still gave a feel that she had nothing to hate from life. She was the same girl in my memories, but it’s been so long and her outer appearance had slightly changed. Instead of wearing her hair in a light pony tail like before, she had it straight and layered. Instead of just a simple polo and jeans, she had on designer clothes, a curvy yet business like top, and a nice white mini skirt. Unlike before, she definitely showed off the fact that she was from the upper class and there were no mistakes about it.
I only sat here, watching as she ordered her coffee and began looking through a rather thick folder of papers. She probably didn’t see me, and I don’t plan on her to. If she did, I wouldn’t know how to face her. After everything between us, I could only be a coward and hope that she would forget everything, or act as if nothing has happened between us. I hoped that she would forget, but I know I never could. I sipped my warm coffee, my eyes still on her, using a pile of papers as an excuse not to make it obvious. She’s changed a lot, but something tells me she’s still the same girl from before. Bernice Liu…
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
I dropped to my couch, frustrated, annoyed, I don’t know how to explain my emotion at the moment. I’ve been trying to reach Nancy all night, but no response. This isn’t like her. Though Nancy is a lot more playful and childish for someone our age, she still responds to calls. It’s been three hours, and still no word. I really needed to talk to her, asking her more questions about exceptions in the higher society. It seems to me that today, I’ve finally seen the full side of the exceptions. There is more to the typical stereotype snotty rich kid I’ve always had in mind. Nancy was a small exception. Then after meeting Raymond, I realized there was more.
“Ugh!” I sighed. “Nancy I hate you…” I mumbled to myself.
The clock read 11:30 PM. I was about ready to give up. Hopefully I can talk to her tomorrow morning when she comes to pick me up like she promised. I quickly got myself ready for bed and headed into my room.
Jumping onto my bed, I’ve never longed for a good night of sleep as much as tonight. I snuggled my blanket like a baby, tossed and turned comfortably in the warmth of my bed. My eyes opened wide when I realized that since I’m working as a PA to an upper class man, I’ll need to make myself presentable. I jumped off my bed, the thought of a warm night of sleep fading from my mind as I opened my closet.
I fell back in defeat once I actually took a close look at what was inside. If it’s not a tank top then it’s a mini skirt. If it’s not something awfully revealing then it’s something too old to wear. I sighed, troubled with my outfit for tomorrow. I continued to ruffle through my closet, looking for something good to wear, hoping that I had something hidden in one of the many boxes below.
Opening box after box, I still found nothing. I would’ve never thought that looking for a presentable outfit would be this hard. Of course I could always go with my usual style, but judging by the impression I’ve already given his mom this morning, I wouldn’t want to change her mind and have her look at me as some street hooker. There was another box, lying in the corner of my closet, dusty from being there so long.
I reached for it, pulling it out to the light where I can see it clearly. Once I saw what exactly the box looked like, I stopped. I would rip open the lid and look through it like all the other boxes, if only it wasn’t this one. I wasn’t yet ready to face the past, and the past is the only thing that is in this dusty box. I only sat there, hugging my knees tightly as I tried to fight the thoughts all rushing back to me. Just by seeing this box, all those mental images are coming back. I don’t want them to, but they are, and there’s no way I can stop them.
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
It was getting late, and if I go home any later my mom would surely nag. I’ve already paid for my coffee, so I stood up and left. I headed towards the door, certain that no one would notice me leaving. I was closing on the door, my eyes tired and ready for bed. I suddenly hit someone, and stopped myself, pulling back as I rubbed my eyes and apologized.
“I’m sorry…” I spoke, trying not to yawn.
I only heard a soft chuckle after that, and I opened my eyes wide awake.
“You’re going home already?” she asked me.
I was baffled, I was shocked, I didn’t know what to say or how to even answer her question.
“Aren’t you gonna say anything? After all…you did sit over there and looked at me for the last hour.” Bernice smiled, looking up at me.
She noticed…and all that I thought she was busy looking over those papers. I smiled...
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