[Tavia’s Point of View]
“Good evening…you must be Miss Tavia Yeung.” He greeted me, his voice nice and solid.
I couldn’t do anything else but smile. I wanted to know if he even recognized me, and screaming it in his face was no way to go at it. “Good evening…um…you’re Mr. Lam?” I spoke, my voice straining not to rise in suspicion.
“Nice to meet you…and I’m sorry I’d love to stay and chat but I still have a little business to attend to. How about you and Raymond talk?” he spoke quickly, walking away.
I stared at the man as he left. I was beginning to wonder whether he recognized me at all. Surely by my name he would find some familiarity in it, but his expression was straight and truthful the entire time. It seems to me that either Dominic Lam is very forgetful and that incident twenty years ago meant nothing to him, or he is just a very experienced actor and can hide his feelings well. I chose to believe my second thought, knowing even if it’s not true I can still set up a precaution against the same man that destroyed my family.
“Hey…so are you free for dinner?” Raymond suddenly asked.
His eyes were on me. That’s when the thought hit me. How can such a monstrous man like Dominic Lam have a son like Raymond? Raymond was truthful, honest, nice and caring, a total opposite from his father. Now as for me, how am I supposed to face Raymond? I was thinking about quitting before, but now looking at the idea from a different perspective, I can’t afford another job loss at this time, and it wouldn’t be right to quit just one week in.
“Uh…I’m sorry…I’m supposed to meet Nancy tonight. I forgot to tell you…but she said you wouldn’t mind…” I answered.
“Oh…well maybe some other time?” he asked again, smiling once he saw my nod. “Is she going to pick you up?”
“Yeah…I’m gonna call her.” I replied. “Thanks again for the phone…it was…really a surprise…”
“I know it’s weird for your boss to buy you a cell phone, but hey you’re Nancy’s friend so you’re my friend too.” He smiled, his presence suddenly sending warmth to my body. “I guess I’ll be going. Call me if you need anything or just want to talk.”
I kept my smile on until I was certain no one could see me take it off. I just could never imagine Raymond’s father as the very same man who not only destroyed my family but smashed my life. I was only four then, but his face was very clear and I could never forgive that man. Yet my problems still remain. How am I going to face Raymond? I can’t lie to him every time I see him and I can’t quit the job either. Along with that, I’ve grown very fond of Michelle and her calm ways of handling things. It hurts to know that such an evil man can still live a life such as this. Another problem is my friend Nancy. She wanted me to come with her to the park tonight and bring my box, what is she planning to do with it?
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
I had originally planned to take Tavia here this evening, but it seems Nancy’s already filled up her schedule. So instead, I just sat back in the soft cushion of the café lounge and relaxed, enjoying yet another quiet night in this café I’ve grown very fond of. The alluring scent of coffee here never gets old as I leaned back, inhaling the sweet sugary scent of my vanilla caramel latte. I looked out in the window to see the million lights pass me by. The world seems to all be moving, except for me. To others I’m not too sure what the feeling is, but for me right now, there is an unexplainable enjoyment to this.
The soft bell from the door chimed as it opened. I snapped out of my own world and back to reality, only to find someone I hadn’t expected. I couldn’t tell if it was excitement or what but my attention fully fell on her. Bernice walked in the door. Once again she was smiling, but a lot brighter than before. I wanted to walk up and talk to her, but I immediately stayed back once I saw that she was with someone. The shocking news was that the man is someone I know. He was someone I know too well.
“Raymond!” Bernice exclaimed once she saw me, immediately walking over to my table.
The man followed her. He held a permanent soft smile on his face.
“Wow…it’s so ironic…I always see you here.” Bernice smiled. “Can we sit with you?”
“Sure…” I replied. My eyes then shifted from her to the young man beside her. “Ron…how have you been?” I asked.
“Great…better than ever I guess.” He laughed.
I could tell that there was something much more than simple friendship between Bernice and Ron. Something tells me that if I wanted to find out, it wouldn’t be hard but it would be painful, in other words it would hurt me in a way. My eyes moved quickly, and I saw that they were holding hands. It was something I would never imagine, and something that arouse a lot of questions in my mind.
“Raymond…okay…you’ll be the first person I tell this to.” Bernice laughed, excited.
“Sure…what is it?” I asked her, afraid to find out what she had in mind.
“Well…” Bernice began.
Ron suddenly smiled, yet his smile wasn’t normal. It neither spelled out happy or sad. It was a smile of secrecy, and sure enough I knew he was thinking of someone right now. The issue is, the person in Ron’s mind is definitely not Bernice. His smile shifted into awkwardness as the moment grew. I needed to know why in the world he would take this step if the person in his mind was someone else, someone we both know.
“Ron and I are engaged!” Bernice squealed as they held up her hand which wore the beautiful diamond ring.
I was stunned, baffled, and speechless. I don’t know what to do. How am I supposed to respond when Ron and Bernice are engaged? If it were any other couple I would immediately congratulate them, but this was Ron and Bernice I’m talking about. I don’t know what in the world Ron is thinking, and I have to find out. At the moment though, what should I say? How should I react when the girl I once loved announces to me that she’s engaged to my best friend? What am I supposed to do when I know my best friend proposed to the girl I love when he clearly has a different girl always lingering in his mind?
“Congratulations…” I replied, trying my best to sound happy for the two of them.
“Thank you!” Bernice smiled. “Well I need to go to the bathroom for a touch up…you two talk. You haven’t seen each other for a long time so…I’ll take my time in the bathroom.” She spoke quickly, disappearing into the hallway.
Ron’s eyes were on me, his face was straight and expressionless after Bernice had left the scene.
“What the hell were you thinking?” I asked him, not holding back on my emotions.
“Bernice and I have been dating for two years. I figured now would be the right time.” He replied with simplicity.
“Don’t act innocent.” I snapped, knowing Ron is too thoughtful to do something like this without a real reason. “Why would you decide to propose to her just when you get back to Hong Kong? You know about the past between her and me, why would you do that?”
“Raymond…I’m sorry…but I really do love her. I’m sorry about the past…but honest…I didn’t plan it this way. It was just a sudden thing but I’m ready for everything.” He spoke, somehow his words seemed truthful.
“Forget about me for a moment. Bernice and I are over and we made it clear before she left. But…why would you propose to Bernice when you know that Nancy is…”
“Nancy’s over me already.” Ron interrupted, his voice slightly rising. “I checked with Tavia, and I checked with Nancy herself. She’s over me already…”
“Tavia? You mean Tavia Yeung right?” I asked him. I continued on once I saw his nod. “Tavia’s my assistant right now, how come I’ve never heard her say anything about this?”
“I asked her to keep it private. Since she was Nancy’s best friend, I kept contact with her over the years. You didn’t really think I’d leave Nancy just like that did you? I talk with Tavia, asking about how they’re doing and if things are beginning to move forward after I left.”
“Ron…I don’t get what you’re trying to accomplish here. Four years ago, you were the one that told me Nancy was the one for you. Now you’re saying you and Nancy are over and you proposed to Bernice?!” I replied, raising my voice as I looked at him.
“I guess the feeling between Nancy and I weren’t strong enough. Bernice just seems to make everything better. I know you’re mad, and you have the right to be but I’m sorry Raymond. I love Bernice truly and that’s why I proposed to her and nothing else.”
I hate to admit it but knowing Ron as well as I do, he was actually telling the truth. There was still one question I needed to ask him though. “If you truly loved Bernice…why were you thinking of Nancy just now as Bernice announced your engagement to me?”
I was certain the person in his mind was Nancy, and I was correct. Ron didn’t say anything after that question, instead he only sat there and stared into space. Knowing the look on his face, he was probably thinking, reminiscing his past. I know him too well, and I wasn’t going to let his foolish emotions get to him and ruin his life. I suddenly stopped to think. One part I needed to help Ron come to a permanent decision, and one part I’m hoping that he is not truthful to Bernice. Am I really that selfish, wanting her all to myself? I know it would hurt her, but I wasn’t certain of what I’ll end up doing in the future.
“Idiot…” I sighed under my breath, uncertain if I am calling Ron that, or myself…
~*~
[Nancy’s Point of View]
I sat down on the edge of the fountain, my eyes staring at the ground as Tavia pushed her large cardboard box in my view. I looked up at her, my mind confused and unable to find the right words to say. But yet I knew what question she would ask me, and my answer to that was the whole reason we’re here in the first place.
“Why’d you ask me to come here with the box?” she asked me just as I had thought.
“I want us to be freed from the past…” I answered her, knowing my answer was too vague and spontaneous.
“What do you mean?” she asked me, a bit confused I’m guessing.
I sighed. I didn’t really want to play charades with her the entire day but I wasn’t certain if I’m ready to tell anyone this. I glanced at Tavia, and the look on her face just gave me enough courage to confess.
“Ron came back to Hong Kong a couple days ago…” I began as Tavia’s attention was all on me. She bent down, her worried eyes showing me she’s listening. “He wanted to let me know for sure that we are over…and apologized for hurting me and leaving me without a word four years ago…” I paused, afraid to say the rest. “Then…he…showed me the engagement ring he was gonna give to his girlfriend and invited me to come to their wedding…” I finished.
Almost immediately Tavia wrapped her arms around me. She hugged me tightly just like she always would when I’m troubled. She was more like a sister to me than a best friend, and at that moment I just couldn’t help but let a tear jerk from my eyes. I didn’t want to show how weak I was, and I didn’t want to say it to her but I’d really like tonight to end fast. I know my past has given me enough troubles and I know Tavia’s past has scarred her deeply. I’m done with all that and I’m ready to throw it all away.
“Tav…” I spoke, pulling away and placing my hand on her cardboard box. “The reason I asked you to bring this box…was because I don’t want to be the only one to throw away the past. I know this is selfish but I want you to do it with me.”
I could see her thinking, hard. She kneeled down on the ground beside me, her eyes glued to the box. Inside the box was something Tavia had never shown me before, and I knew it haunted her so much that she was bound by the fear all these years. I had never asked what was in it, because asking her would only bring back the rushing memories and pain for her. When I asked her to bring the box here tonight, I knew it would hurt but I’m hoping that this would be the last time our pasts would pain us.
“What do you want me to do with it?” she asked me. Her voice was a bit airy, soft and quiet.
“Here…I brought my necklace tonight…and I’m gonna throw it away. As for you…I know whatever is in this box it must hurt you pretty deep, and there’s only two ways to face it. Open the box and accept whatever is inside…or just throw it away…”
I knew as a fact my suggestion was outrageous and unnecessary but what other options do I have? Just today the man I loved, the man I’ve been waiting for all these years with an inch of hope that he still loves me, decided to tell me he’ll be proposing to his girlfriend who was definitely not me. What am I supposed to do? I can’t let him hurt me much longer. I can’t let our memories together pull me back from starting a new relationship, so what choices do I have? I might be overreacting but doing this is better than just sitting there wrapped up in pain. I had to erase those memories, and the best way is to throw away the necklace he gave me, the necklace that represented it all.
“Nancy…” Tavia suddenly spoke. “I don’t want to open the box…” she told me. I knew she had more to say, but yet she’s holding back. “I don’t want to open it…because…to be honest with you today something happened that’s even worse than opening the box.”
“What happened?” I asked, curious to know why and wanting desperately to help.
She only shook her head, closing her eyes for a second to calm down. “I don’t want to talk about it. I want to be like you…”
I was quiet, looking at her, wondering what is in her mind.
“I want to throw away my past just like you. I don’t want it to hurt me anymore…” she sighed, and then there was yet another pause. “Have I ever told you what was in the box?”
I shook my head. I’ve never asked, so of course I didn’t know.
“Inside the box is memories of my parents…” she stopped suddenly but began again soon after. “For normal circumstances, after they passed away I would want to keep everything I had of them…but there was another problem…inside the box was also memories of the very man that had caused my family to break. That man destroyed my father’s company with a simple lie and some bribes, just like that my dad was in huge debt with the government. He committed suicide, and my mom told me why…she showed me who the man was, and we thought we would be fine if we left Hong Kong…”
I couldn’t say anything to comfort her. Tavia looked like she was about to cry, but sure enough she would hold back the tears.
“Unfortunately before she left, somehow the man got to our house and demanded my mom to give him the files. I only heard him repeat about the files but I never really knew what they were or what they’re about. My mom refused, and he slapped her. I was hiding in my room at the time, and I watched as she tried to destroy a large yellow envelope by burning it. That man slapped the lighter out, and within a few minutes our house suddenly burst into flames…”
I couldn’t believe what I’m hearing. Tavia had really been through all this, and that man she was talking about, who was he? If I was in her shoes, I would definitely hate that man down to the core. I just can’t believe she’s been through so much, adding on to the difficult life she was leading before I recommended her this job. Before she finished the story, I knew Tavia had met that evil man she was talking about, but who was he?
“Nancy…how are we going to get rid of the box and your necklace?” she asked me, pulling me back to Earth.
“Are you sure you don’t want to look in it?” I asked her one more time. She shook her head and pushed it to me. “Okay…” I spoke, standing up. “The trash pick-up truck over there…”I showed her. “We just have to toss it in there.”
Tavia began walking. We both could be considered at the same pace, in the same boat, but yet we were also different in a way. Each of our steps were reluctant, but we still walked over to the truck. Standing behind it, I watched as the man tossed a large heavy bag of trash in the rectangular whole and the turbines crushing the bag. Before I tossed mine, Tavia had already thrown in her box. Following my friend, I did the same. Watching as our past was crushed by the truck turbines, I couldn’t help but be relieved. I couldn’t tell what Tavia was thinking, but she looked a lot better. Her tears were drying up.
“I guess…we’re over with the past…” she spoke.
“I guess so…” I sighed, couldn’t help but wonder about what would happen next. What will I do now that I’ve finally freed myself from the pain that restricted me before?
[Tavia’s Point of View]
I watched as the dump truck swallowed up the cardboard box along with Nancy’s necklace slowly. I didn’t say a word because I know Nancy really needs to let go of her past. Before, I would fear to open the box but yet I would still treasure it like it’s the last memories of my parents. But now, after seeing that man’s careless face walk down the office hallway, this box meant nothing to me.
Watching and doing nothing is unbearable, but after I realized that even if I did save the box, there wouldn’t be anything I could do with it. So why not throw away something unnecessary and create something useful? Like Nancy had said, tonight was the night we’d free ourselves from the past. I know Nancy could do it and I support her, but my past is too deep to erase, and simply too hard. Yet I fear for my own actions in the future knowing how much I hated that man, but yet the impression that his own son has given me is unimaginable. How am I supposed to deal with the very man I hate down to the core but yet his son is someone who simply enjoys putting a smile on my face?
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