Luxe - 07 - Don't Walk Away

[Raymond’s Point of View]

I blinked slowly as my eyes adjusted to the lights. Luckily the lights were dim and made adjusting a lot easier than expected. I realized that I had just fallen asleep while working over a solution or explanation for the different numbers in our graph and records. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up and straightened myself in my chair. I looked around the room, and found Tavia asleep on the large leather sofa on the other side of the room, papers and files lying all around her, open.
Standing up from my chair, I smiled. I caught her face as she was asleep, and it is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my life. She neither smiled nor frowned, but her lips were perfect. Her eyes closed but didn’t seem to affect her beauty at all. I walked over slowly, seeing that she was curled up into a ball, probably from the open window. I took my jacket off and gently placed it on her, knowing she’ll definitely catch a cold if she keeps this up.
Her eyes suddenly opened. It wasn’t shocking or surprising. She only gradually opened them, slowly as she adjusted to the light just as I did. I smiled, perhaps widening the smile already on my face. She responded to mine with a soft smile of her own as she sat up and stretched. Gently she handed my jacket back to me as I sat down beside her, pushing some files away to make room.

“Did you come up with anything yet?” was the first thing she asked me.

“No…but I think you’re working a little too hard.” I smiled, hoping she understood it the right way.

“What do you mean?” she asked me, her expression still tired.

I pointed to all the open files lying around us. “I’ve never met an assistant that would stay and work overnight just for something like this.”

“Well it’s important. Besides, isn’t it my job to help you?” she smiled, gathering a stack of files together, cleaning the childish mess she made.

“You know, sleeping over night at the office made me think of something.” I spoke as I bent down to help her.

“What’d you think of?” she asked me. Her voice was soft but it somehow gave me a feeling that she was listening very closely.

“Well…I think we all need a vacation. Perhaps a trip to Japan, or maybe Paris…” I suggested.

“Raymond…I agree that we need a vacation but are you trying to run away from the problem at AVC Insurance?” she laughed, stacking up yet another pile.

I only smiled. How did she see through it? Knowing all of my other past assistants, the suggestion of a vacation would drive them madly excited, jumping on their feet. Tavia was different, and it really makes me wonder why she’s so different from the other girls I’ve met. She was really something, and the moment she replied to my suggestion, I’ve never felt so close with anyone. In the past month or two we’ve been working together, Tavia seemed to have drawn a fine line between us. She must have a good reason, but at times it would make me feel awkward being with her, seeing the clear awkward expression on her face. I couldn’t help but smile when she was the one to joke with me this time.

“I’m not running away…I’m just suggesting a break.” I laughed, trying hard to start up a conversation with this interesting girl.

“Well then maybe we should handle this problem and then take a break. After all, you can’t just walk away when you’re in the middle of doing something.” She spoke, her voice soft and airy.

[Flashback]

“Well then maybe we should handle this problem and then take a break afterwards. After all, it’s not right to walk away when you’re in the middle of something.” Bernice smiled and she spoke, running her hand through my hair as we sat together on the park bench.

[End of Flashback]

What Tavia said was way too similar to what Bernice had told me when we were getting ready for our high school exams. It was way too long ago, but somehow with Tavia’s words it brought the lost memory back to me. The way Tavia said it was similar to Bernice’s, but yet it was also different in a way. She never cease to drive further into my curiosity, and I didn’t know what else to do except let out my smile as Tavia and I finished cleaning the last pile of folders.

“So how about we all go on a vacation after this problem is solved? You, me, Nancy, Ron, Bernice and other people…” I suggested again.

She smiled and nodded.

“Don’t walk away…” I spoke, referring to the situation I was planning on putting on hold.

“Yeah…don’t walk away.” She agreed, smiling and nodding like a little kid.

This was a different side of Tavia I haven’t seen in the time we’ve been together, but it was interesting. Perhaps the theory was right. Humans do behave much more naturally when they awake from a good sleep. I smiled, my smile seemed inerasable as we returned to our work and close studies of the numbers.

~*~

[Ron’s Point of View]

It’s been such a long time since we’re this close, but unlike before I no longer feel a sense of awkwardness between us. I sat at the bedside, my hand gently caressing her face as she slept. It hadn’t occurred to me but it seems that the morning had already come. This had been probably the longest night in my life, but I don’t regret any of it. I had spent the entire night, sitting beside Nancy, watching her as she slept. I can’t explain it, but for me, there is just some amazing feeling all around whenever Nancy is present.

She squirmed a little, stretching her arm out and then rubbing her head. Nancy opened her eyes slowly, adjusting to the dim lights I had in the room.

“You’re awake…” I smiled.

“Why…” I could tell she stopped herself from saying anything else. I only watched as she sat up, her headache still annoying her. “You took care of me the entire night?”

I nodded. I tried to speak up an answer, but I just couldn’t. My voice vanished the instant she asked me.

“Then what about your girlfriend?” Nancy suddenly asked, something I had not expected.

Through the entire night, I did not have one thought of Bernice in my mind. Was I really this foolish? Have I basically dug my own grave when I proposed to Bernice in Hong Kong. Nancy still doesn’t know Bernice was my girlfriend and fiancé, but she is sure to find out sooner or later. How am I going to face this? I know I still love Nancy, but I’m playing this game, betting on the thought that probably my love for Nancy isn’t as deep as my love for Bernice. Bernice had been through so much with me, and I can’t leave her. What should I do?

“You were drunk…so I took care of you. After all…we know each other and I couldn’t just leave you lying on the street.” I mumbled my answer, unsure of what to say.

“Ron…this is just like you. Don’t you ever think before you do something or do you just go by your emotions? This is exactly how you got your playboy title during high school…you already have a girlfriend…and I’ve done so much to try to erase you from my memories. Can you please…just do what is best so that no one will be hurt?” she asked me, her voice sounded sincere, as if she’s thought this entire sentence through but never had the guts to really say it to my face.

I looked down at my hands. “The reason I left four years ago…was because my dad’s company was running into some troubles over in Taiwan. I went over there to help him out, and ended up succeeding him in the enterprise. During that time…my fiancé was the one who helped me through everything. Her family gave mine the money we needed to stand back up on our feet. I felt love with her…and I also felt like I owed her so much…so…that’s why we’re here right now…in simple terms.” When I stopped, I could just see the pain in her eyes. She was beginning to tear up, and it pained me to see her this way.

“Ron Ng…please don’t try to insult me and cover it up with a simple explanation. If our love to you was really that forgettable then why did you bring me here?” she asked, her voice shaky.

“I told you…I couldn’t just leave you lying on the street.”

“It’d be better if I was lying on the street. At least I wouldn’t have to be with you and start feeling the pain all over again.” She paused for a moment, wiping away her tears. “Who’s your girlfriend?”

I hesitated to answer, but I know she must find out sooner or later. “Bernice Liu…daughter and heiress to the Bank of Hong Kong…”

She gave me a quick nod as she pushed the blanket aside and stood up, still staggering and struggling to gain her balance. Before I knew it, Nancy had grabbed her bag from the side table and was rushing out of my apartment. Just like Raymond would’ve said, I’ve gotten myself into deep waters as always. The only difference is, unlike high school where I could always heartlessly buy my way out of anything, I can’t anymore. Nancy and Bernice are two very different people, but they aren’t the type of girls who would accept money over love. I love these two women, but I just can’t tell which one holds a bigger place in my heart.
I’ve learned from my deceased father to never let an opportunity pass you by, and what I’m facing with right now was an opportunity to mend my relationship with Nancy. I couldn’t bear hurting her any longer, and when I showed her that engagement ring I felt more pain than I ever had in my life. Right now I know I love Bernice and I will marry her soon, but I couldn’t bear the thought of Nancy leaving me. I watched helplessly as she searched for the door out in my maze like apartment. I knew she was growing impatient, but this was the Nancy Wu I loved.
Without further thoughts or anything, I rushed up to her from behind and pulled her close to me. I held her tightly, I held her close as I could feel the streak of tear slide down her beautiful, delicate face. Her heart was too fragile for someone like me, but I can’t help it. I can’t watch her walk away from me, it’s just too hard.

“Why do this?” she whispered, trying not to show her pain.

“I’m sorry…I just can’t…I know this is selfish…I know I’m greedy…wanting both of you…but I just can’t watch you leave. I’m sorry Nancy…sorry for everything…”

I could feel her pulling away. She placed her warm hands on mine, yet she was gently taking my hands away, pushing me away from her. Once my grasp dropped completely in defeat, Nancy walked out of my apartment. I don’t know what to do between the two women I can’t let go of. Having to choose just one is too hard, but keeping two is only hurting all of us. At this moment I could remember when Bernice walked away from me once after a big fight. The possibility of these two girls walking away from me is painful, but both on the same levels. How am I supposed to choose?

~*~

[Tavia’s Point of View]

We were just heading out of AVC Insurance’s main office building. This was probably the very first time I’ve spent the night with anyone, and from my background this type of thing was never expected. The possibility for me to stay with a man inside his bedroom would be higher than sitting in a professional office all night long with a perfect man. I couldn’t complain because I’m not losing anything, but this is surely a shock for someone with my status.

“Where are we going?” I asked just as Raymond put his phone away.

“I just got a text from Kenneth asking us to meet him urgently. So I guess we’re going to have a small breakfast meeting with Kenneth.” He replied.

“You mean Wu Enterprise’s Kenneth Ma?” I asked, surprised Raymond knows so many people that I’m also acquainted with.

“Yeah. Come on I’ll drive.” He smiled as we headed towards his luxury class car.

~*~

When we got into the restaurant, Kenneth was already there, waiting. The expression he wore on his face spelled out impatient. He smiled once he saw us and waved us over. Raymond seemed casual, but somehow for me, the thought of sitting in a professional breakfast meeting was a bit odd. I’ve never done anything like this before, in fact I can’t even recall the last time I actually sit down and have breakfast. Whenever I’m at Raymond’s house in the morning, I would only watch them eat, feeling quite awkward sitting in the same table as my boss.

“Raymond Lam…good morning.” Kenneth greeted us both with a handshake. “…and Tavia…haven’t seen you in a while.” He laughed.

“What’s the urgency?” Raymond asked immediately as we took our seats.

Both Kenneth’s and Raymond’s casual expression slowly faded away within the matter of seconds. They looked like business professionals as we ordered our drinks. The waitress probably knew what was going on and our drinks came out within seconds. Once they did, Kenneth finally began speaking. I could probably guess that this had something to do with the partnership between Dominic Lam and Anthony Wu.

“I want to know if you have noticed a dramatic difference between the numbers on your records and the graph reports for your company’s profits…” Kenneth spoke.

“I have…in fact to be completely honest with you we just found out last night. My explanation would probably someone taking money out of the profits coming in and filling the account back up with the money at a later time. But I haven’t came up with a reason as to why.”

Kenneth nodded. For once I actually see Kenneth’s serious side, other than his handy man side whenever he’s around Nancy or her family.

“The same has been happening to our company.” Kenneth finally spoke. “Raymond…have you ever thought about the possibility of a third party being involved?”

“No I haven’t. The thought has never crossed my mind but that is a very good point. So how do you suggest we handle this problem?”

“Actually…I’m sure Tavia could come up with a plan. After all, she does get put into situations similar to this often from your previous jobs right?”

Why in the world did Kenneth decide to mention the past? How would he know that I’ve helped girls take money out of the register and then fill it back later when I was still working at the club? I was mad at him, but then I realized how Kenneth would find out. The name that popped in my mind was Nancy. Nancy could spill anything when she’s drunk, and I know Kenneth has always been the one to care for her during hangovers, so of course he would know. The trouble for me right now is telling Raymond how we should handle this.

“Um…well…” I began shakily, trying to make something believable up. “We could always fight fire with fire…change the numbers of the total profit coming in before anything else happens, then that would lure out the culprit or possible third party into doing something big or out of the ordinary since they didn’t take that amount of money. We just have to keep a close eye on everything.” I suggested, hopefully it was okay.

Raymond gave me an agreeing nod. “I think this suggestion might work…but the difference in AVC from Wu Enterprise is if we want to closely monitor the changes, we’d have to go through with the Stocks and Budget Department. The problem is I’m already doing too much and if I look over anymore it would get really suspicious.”

“Well then you could possibly transfer some of your shares to someone else. Someone you trust and could contact you immediately if they found anything.” Kenneth suggested.

“That’s a good idea.” Raymond agreed, sitting up from his chair. “Tavia…I’m going to transfer 5% share to you…can you inform me right away if you find anything?”

“Wait…m…me? You’re joking right? It can’t possibly happen…I mean I’ve only been working here for a month or two…” I stuttered, shocked at how fast he could come to a decision. “Anyways, transferring shares take a lot of paperwork and other complicated stuff, by the time we finish the transfer this would probably all be over.” I spoke, trying to get out of this.

“Actually it’s easier than it sounds.” Kenneth interrupted. “Here…I still have some emergency transfer forms that you could fill out and bring it to the bank immediately to transfer. It should probably take only ten minutes.”

I really wanted to slap Kenneth right now. Why on Earth would he suggest something like this, and what in the right mind was Raymond thinking? I am just learning all of the workings of the office in the past month, and now he decides to transfer 5% of his shares to me. Apparently to guys it doesn’t occur to them how much trouble they could stir up by doing something like this. I’ve already tried to talk my way out of it, but it seems futile.

“Thanks.” Raymond spoke as he took quickly filled out the form. “Why do you carry this around with you anyways?” Raymond asked. It was a question I would’ve asked to, it is quite suspicious for Kenneth to carry forms like these around.

“Mr. Wu is a very…unpredictable man.” He smiled, answering the question with ease as if rehearsed. “I have to go now, Mr. Wu is going to have another meeting in twenty minutes and I have to be there. I’m sorry.”

“Wait Kenneth…” I suddenly spoke. “Have you heard from Nancy? I couldn’t reach her all day yesterday and today.”

“No…” Kenneth shook his head. His clever face was quickly changed with a worried expression. I’ve never seen Kenneth’s look change so fast in one day, but I guess this is just how business people are, weird and unpredictable.

We walked out of the restaurant after Kenneth, and I was zoned out, deep in thought about the sudden rise in status I’ve just experienced. First I went from a bar girl to an office worker, or personal assistant. Now I’m a share holder to one of the biggest insurance companies in Hong Kong. It never really occurred to me, but life changes fast, and the expression “life is like a rollercoaster” really makes sense now. I just couldn’t believe that within five or so quick sentences that Raymond would agree to transfer five percent of his company onto me. To him it may not be much, but judging by how big his company is, five percent could possibly mean up to billions of dollars. This was too much for me, I have to get out of this somehow.

“Hey where are you going?” Raymond suddenly asked me.

I turned around, a bit dazed.

“Don’t walk away now…come on. My car is back here.” He laughed.

That moment, he suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me gently back to where his car was parked. I’ve held hands with guys before, but somehow when Raymond held mine, the forgotten sensation of a first love had just came back to me all over again. I could once again feel the butterflies in my stomach, the sensation that shot up my spine from anxiety, and I could feel my cheeks suddenly burning. This hasn’t happened ever since middle school, but what about this man that could bring this beautiful, one of a kind sensation all back to me?