[Tavia’s Point of View]
I could hear my mother’s voice. It’s been such a long, long time since I’ve heard her, but somehow I could now. I could hear her yelling at me, asking me to go hide. Afraid and helpless as I was, I did as I was told. The lights in our two bedroom apartment were dim until my mom turned them on fully. I rushed into my little room, locked the door like any four year old would, and of course, hid inside my closet.
Keeping as quiet as I could, I tried to listen out for my mom. I wanted to know where she was, I wanted to know what she was doing and what was happening that she told me to hide myself. I heard the sound of our front door opening, and then footsteps of someone walking into our house.
“What do you want with us?” I heard my mother ask, her voice strong and showing hatred for whoever walked in.
“I only came for the documents.” A man spoke. I could recognize that voice. I could recognize him from when my father was standing on the roof of a skyscraper, crying at me, telling me never to trust that man. I recognize that he was Dominic Lam, once a close friend and business partner of my dad, but now our family’s worst nightmare.
“Those files don’t belong to you. They’re the last of my husband’s work, and the last thing is for them to fall into your hands.” My mother detested, I could tell how much she despised that man.
“Crystal…what are you…a single mother going to do with a set of private accounts anyways? Why don’t you just give it to me so I can further expand my company, and I’ll guarantee you and your daughter a safe haven here in Hong Kong?”
“Dominic Lam…you lying bastard!” My mother retorted. “My family learned the hard way never to trust you…if we didn’t trust you, we wouldn’t be framed for fooling the clients, and Michael wouldn’t be dead!”
“Crystal I’m asking you one last time! Give me those private bank accounts…”
They continued to argue. I wondered, the documents that evil man was talking about, what were they for? I heard my mom say they were private bank accounts, but what did he need them for? I tried to listen, but once I returned to their conversation, I heard nothing. I waited and waited, but still there was nothing. I wanted to go outside and see what was happening, but I was scared. What should I do? I didn’t want to become a burden and make my mom worry even more about me.
As I sat wondering what was happening outside, I didn’t realize that everything around me was beginning to heat up. I began to sweat, and everything I touched was burning hot. I gasped for air, suffocated from the smoke. When I tried to push my closet door open but it wouldn’t. I was stuck, and suffocating from the smoke that filled my lungs.
I didn’t know how long it was or what was happening, but I was beginning to fall asleep. My lungs were still screaming for air, about to explode. I called my mom’s name, but no sound came from my throat. I was scared, and lonely. About ready to let go, my closet door suddenly open. I wanted to get out, but I could barely move. Suddenly, a man in a mask approached me. I was scared. I didn’t want him to touch me. Yet there was nothing I could do about it. The masked man reached for me and then picked me up. Everything went black afterwards, as I tried to find the man’s face but I couldn’t behind the thick mask.
~*~
I sat straight up from my bed, my forehead soaking with sweat and my entire body hot and burning. I took deep breaths, looking around only to find myself in my own room, alone in my apartment. I leaned back, my head resting on my pillow as I sighed. I could feel my eyes wet with tears, and my heart was still slowing down from beating so fast.
“It was just a dream…” I sighed.
My mind knew better than to think of it as a simple dream. It was a flashback, of what really happened that night when I lost my mother. I rubbed my head, trying to think if I can remember anything. It was hard, but now that I tried to think of it, everything is slowly fading away from me. The only thing I could remember was that Dominic Lam wanted a set of documents that belonged to my dad, and my mother said they were private bank accounts. What I couldn’t answer was why did Dominic want those after he got the entire company, and what happened with those documents. I shook my head. They were probably burnt along with everything else that belonged to me during that fire. I then remember that night a lot more clearly. That night was my fourth birthday, and it was also the night where Dominic Lam took away everything that belonged to me, leaving me with nothing. Absolutely nothing.
The sound of my cell phone ringing suddenly interrupted my thoughts. I reached over at my bedside to pick it up. “Hello?” I answered, my voice still tired and my hand still shaking.
“Tavia?” Raymond’s voice came through. I rubbed my head, wondering if this was faith or irony that Raymond would call right after that nightmare of a flashback I just had. “I was wondering what time I should pick you up and where. Or maybe I could accompany you to meet with Mr. Li about our plans and terms for him.”
I had totally forgotten about it, but now after working for over three months, I meet privately with clients to discuss our terms and agreements in place of Raymond. Mr. Li was probably my 9th client I had to meet with this month, but the thought had escaped my mind until Raymond mentioned it again.
“Um…I think I’ll just meet him at Autumn Café. I’ll call you when we’re done…I heard Mr. Li likes to ramble on so I’m not too sure what time.” I answered him, trying hard to keep my voice below the suspicion level.
“Oh okay. I’ll go and pick up the private records from the bank then. Bye bye.”
“Bye bye.” I replied, hanging up the line.
When Raymond had said that he’ll be picking up the private records from the bank, it had shot a sudden idea of hope into my mind. Those documents that Dominic Lam had wanted, if they were bank records, then surely I could go to the bank and ask about them. I got up from my bed, getting ready for my upcoming meeting, and also for an unmasking I’ve been waiting for.
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
I shoved my phone back into my pockets, walking out of the office building and heading for my car. I spotted it, parked just a block down the street as I crossed the road. After talking to Tavia, I couldn’t help but notice a slight change in her tone. Every morning I would usually call her, and today was no different. The problem is, instead of moaning at nagging at me for waking her up so early, this particular morning Tavia seemed more awake and conscious than I was. Then I thought more about her.
Since we’ve gotten so close now, why don’t I just try to move forward with her? After all, other than being my assistant, Tavia has now became a very good friend of mine. The thing I’ve noticed is that I look at Tavia differently from how I look at Nancy and all my other friends. Since Nancy is a close friend too, it would be fair to compare her and Tavia. With Nancy, I worry about her but to be honest, not to the point where I have to see her every day. With Tavia, I do. With Nancy, I didn’t mind embarrassing myself in front of Nancy, knowing if I didn’t then she’ll find a way to embarrass me anyways. While with Tavia, I fear embarrassment. Is it just because I knew Nancy longer that I find these differences or something else? I couldn’t really tell, but another part of me is screaming a fact I can’t deny. Every time I’m with Tavia, I feel that the missing part of me is already being filled. Whenever I’m with Tavia, I feel just as when I was with Bernice before, but a lot better. It’s a questionable feeling, but at the moment I don’t know if I should dwell anymore into the thought. After all, it would only confuse me even more than it already is now.
“Raymond…” a familiar voice suddenly spoke. I looked up, finding Bernice standing right in front of me. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” she asked, walking up to me.
“Sure…” I answered as we both walked into the café that was right beside us.
As we sat down, Bernice began to speak. “I don’t know if it’s right to tell you this, but since it involves your family I thought you should know…”
“What is it?” I asked her, wondering what was so important.
“After helping Ron look through his company’s paperwork and records the other night…I found a file with your company’s name on it.” She paused. “Ron knew about it, but he wouldn’t tell me anything other than what was already in the file…”
“…and what was in the file?” I asked her, hoping it was something good or normal at least.
“Records of contracts and agreements your father had signed. Your family owes a great deal of money to Ron’s company…and not only that…Dominic Lam have also borrowed over 20 billion dollars from my parents.”
I sat back, not knowing how I should react right now. What would my father be doing with over 20 billion dollars? “Are you sure there isn’t a misunderstanding?” I asked her, hoping for a possible yes.
She shook her head. “Here are the files.” She handed me a bulky set of papers from her bag. I took it, hesitating to open it and look inside myself.
“Thanks for letting me know…” I replied.
Bernice only gave me a nod. I hate to say it but I feel that the distance between her and I have grown so far apart that we are merely acquaintances now. It was a sad thing, but judging by the facts and the ring on her finger, it was probably the best way for all of us.
“Raymond…I’d also like to ask a favor of you…” she began softly, probably thinking about her words.
“Anything…” I replied, sitting up, showing her that I’m listening.
“Since you and Ron are friends…can you please find out something for me?” she asked. “Can you find out if he and Nancy Wu of Wu Enterprise have anything together?”
This was another shocking news. How did Bernice not know that Ron and Nancy used to date? By the tone she was speaking, she didn’t know anything about them. I wasn’t sure if telling Bernice this fact would do her harm or good, but I had to. It was the truth, and even if Ron tried to hide it sooner or later it will be revealed.
“Bernice…did you ever know that Ron and Nancy were dating?” I asked, seeing that her eyebrows rose in surprise. “They dated in high school…but when Ron left to help his dad in Taiwan…the relationship ended there.”
She nodded. “But this one night when Ron drove me home…I looked out from my bedroom window and saw that he hasn’t left yet. Then I saw him get out of his car, run across the street and picked up this drunk girl. I looked closer and realized she was Nancy Wu of Wu Enterprise. Then he brought her to his car and…”
“Ron and Nancy are still friends. I hate to tell you this but if you were ever drunk like that, I would run over and drive you home myself too. I’m sure that was what Ron did…” I spoke, trying to comfort her though I know there’s a possibility I could be lying.
I don’t know if what Bernice had really seen was true or not, and I don’t know if Ron really drove Nancy home or somewhere else, but I know I’m going to find out. Though this doesn’t really involve me, I couldn’t just stand in the sidelines and watch as Ron get all caught up in his emotions like he always do, and end up hurting two innocent girls in the process. In high school this was what it’s like, and getting all caught up and confused over his emotions was also what led him into having the playboy title. But now we’re not in high school anymore, and I wasn’t going to watch Bernice or Nancy get hurt from this. I’m sure Tavia wouldn’t either.
The moment I thought of Tavia’s name, I knew what I should do next. Since Tavia is Nancy’s closest friend, I could possibly get Tavia to help her. I couldn’t help but smile a little when I realized that there was yet another thing Tavia could help me with, yet another thing that could tie this girl into my life. I don’t know what exactly she is to me, and what I am to her, but Tavia Yeung just seems to be a symbol of light for me. Just thinking of her could change my mood completely. Then I looked at Bernice and began to wonder…
~*~
[Nancy’s Point of View]
Kenneth has been staring at me for the last ten minutes as I read these files. Using the files as a cover, I scanned him to possibly figure out what was wrong. The only thing I noticed was that Kenneth seemed to be cracking his fingers more than usual. He looked at me nervously, a lot different from the Kenneth I would usually see. When he’s with me Kenneth is a lot more childish and bubbly, when my father enters the picture Kenneth is immediately professional and clever. Those were the only two sides of Kenneth I know, but a nervous side was something I haven’t seen before.
I fixed my position in my chair and placed the file on the table. It was just another report on the human resource and salary department, it wasn’t hard to handle. It was the least of my worries at the moment. For some reason in the last week or two I just couldn’t stop thinking about the 50% Ron had told me about. I could just feel something is up, but my father is the one doing this, and what more can I do about it?
“Are you finish reading?” Kenneth asked me, sticking his head closer to get my attention.
I laughed at the expression on his face. It was a child’s expression of nervousness. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes.”
“Well…since the Mid Autumn Dance is coming up…I was wondering if you would go with me…?”
It had slipped my mind. I didn’t even know that the dance was coming up, and since it’s already autumn, the dance was closer than I had expected. It was something that I haven’t gone to for a while, ever since high school probably. The Mid Autumn Dance was a simple excuse for all the upper class families to get together and show off what they had. It either varied from possession to company profits and gain, and even the beauty and popularity of their children. It was a place where I can see all of the different stereotypical descriptions of rich people. It was also a time where I fully hate the fact that my parents own a company and is part of the upper class.
“So?” Kenneth asked me, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Well…I guess I’ll go…” I answered him unsurely with thoughts of Ron lurking around in my mind. “But on one condition…don’t tell my father that you’re helping me get information about the 50% in Taiwan’s private investments.”
“Deal.” He replied happily. “So how about we go and buy a dress for you later? I guess I’ll also need a tux too…I mean…that’s what we’re supposed to wear right?”
I smiled. I knew he was trying to make me laugh with that stupid question, but I thanked him for trying.
I looked out my window into the office floor. I could see my father chatting with our secretary outside, and his face seemed a bit worried. I wanted so badly to just barge up to him, demanding an answer on why he placed my name on that list of shareholders on private investments that he made and I had no knowledge of. I stopped myself, knowing I couldn’t. I’m not a kid anymore, and barging up demanding an answer was no way to go with this. I guess I’ll just have to stick with Kenneth’s suggestion, quietly play the innocent daughter as Kenneth gathers more information for me.
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
Leaning against my car, I checked my wrist watch, seeing that the hand had just hit nine. I looked up at the café door, expecting a girl to walk out any minute now. After three months, we’ve definitely grown closer. I think that other than being her boss, Tavia and I have really grown into something more. I didn’t want to think too much into it, but I know I can’t deny the facts either. I only wondered if Tavia feels the same. I could remember the moment I met her, I knew Tavia Yeung was something different. I just want to know how she feels about me so that I could have enough confidence to take it another step closer.
I looked around, my eyes suddenly landing on my cell phone lying on the dashboard of my car. The date said September 18th. It suddenly reminded me that the Mid Autumn Festival this year will be on the third of October, and that means I only have 15 more days to get ready. The one problem remains for me, who should I ask? The festival is just another excuse for our parents and fellow members of the upper class to show off anything and everything, but as the heir to AVC Insurance, I have to go. But yet, who should I ask?
“Hey…what are you thinking about?” Tavia suddenly asked, pulling me back to Earth. “What are you thinking about? I’ve been calling your name five times.”
Turning around, my eyes suddenly widened finding that Tavia was standing really close to me. We were merely centimeters away. She was shocked, just as surprised as I was and we were staring into each other’s eyes. I couldn’t tell if it was her heartbeat or if it was mine, but the sound rang loudly in my ears. Thump, thump, thump. It kept going on and on, growing louder as the moment lingered. We didn’t say a word, but slowly I felt my cheeks burning up. Could I possibly be blushing? I could feel my stomach tensing up as if it’s turning upside down inside me. What kind of feeling is this? It was weird, but it was good, interesting at the same time. This feeling also greatly reminded me of how Bernice and I felt when we first kissed. The only difference I could see is that Tavia and I aren’t kissing. We are simply staring into each other’s eyes, standing possibly around one mere centimeter away from each other.
I didn’t know if this was faith or irony that just after I thought of who I should take to the Mid Autumn Festival, Tavia shows up right in front of me. I smiled at her, knowing she’ll be expecting me to say something soon. I was shocked, searching my brain for the words. Slowly and awkwardly I backed away from her with a timid smile on my face. I was making such a fool of myself in front of her.
“I…I’m…sorry. I was…g…gonna ask you if… you…could be my date to the Mid Autumn Dance?” I asked, choking on my words and stuttering. What was wrong with me today?
Her cheeks were bright red, and I could see her hand fidgeting with her bag. She was laughing nervously as she thought of my question.
“I…I’m serious…” I added, hoping she understood me through my nervousness.
She paused. Something was going through her mind, but she had on a smile. “Yes…I’d love to.”
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