[Tavia’s Point of View]
It’s been about three days since Raymond asked me to a dance called the Mid Autumn Dance. I’ve heard Nancy mention if before once or twice, but I’ve never really been to one. I didn’t know what to expect, or how to get ready. The only thing I can say so far is that it’s pretty big. All the girls in the office are wondering back and forth, staring at store catalogs wondering which dress they should wear, how they should do their hair and make-up, so on and so on. It seemed pretty important to them, but my only question is what do they do there?
I was just straightening files out, preparing for yet another board meeting. After Raymond made a quick transfer of 5% to me, I suddenly found that my status had skyrocketed, and if I’m not mistaken many people are actually kissing up to me. I guess with a mere 5%, it’s enough for me to become a member of the board. It was a bit confusing since Raymond never really told me what his plan was, but somehow whenever he and Kenneth talked over the phone, they seem to understand it perfectly.
“Hey Tavia…are you ready for the meeting?” Raymond suddenly asked, walking up to me and standing awfully close.
“Just like every other day…yeah…” I replied, wondering if he had a different motive.
“Okay…here’s the game plan. Can you go in there and announce to everybody that we’ve discovered the difference in numbers and just tell them that we’re already having a select group look into the matter?”
“Sure…but why didn’t we just tell everyone when we first found out…and we don’t have a select group looking into it.” I reminded him.
“I know but let’s just say we are. It’s a little something I learned from my dad. I don’t really know how to call it but it’s kinda like a business trick.” He whispered to me as we entered the conference room.
I nodded, getting my head clear on what Raymond wanted me to do. I never really did understand business people, and I don’t think I ever will with the way Raymond is explaining this. Another issue that has been lingering around me for a while is that ever since I got the 5% thanks to Kenneth, I have to see Raymond’s dad more often. In normal circumstances it would be fine, but whenever I look at that man, I just can’t forget what he did to me. I can’t forget that Dominic Lam was the man who took everything away from me, leaving me with nothing, absolutely nothing. Each time I see that man troubled over his company affairs, I couldn’t deny my feelings of gratitude for whoever caused it. But yet, looking at that man, and then looking at Raymond, I suddenly felt a change of feelings. Raymond was so different from Dominic, and yet they’re father and son. How could this be possible?
“Okay…as we all know, the company is preparing for something very special around this time…so we won’t try to create more work for anyone. Let’s make this meeting quick.” Dominic announced.
I could see Raymond’s cousin shift uncomfortably in his seat and obvious tight suit. I believe his name is Steven, but I never really got the chance to talk to him since he was always with Dominic, and I’m trying every way to stay away from Dominic Lam. “There’s not much to discuss about…other than what we’ve already planned in the last meeting…” Steven added.
I suddenly felt a nudge on my arm. I looked over and saw that Raymond was just sitting back comfortably in his seat, yet his arm was nudging mine. I guess that’s my cue to go. Standing up, I felt a sudden rush of attention all shifting to me. I cleared my throat softly, hoping not to make a fool out of myself as I began to speak.
“In the stocks and budget department, we’ve found that there was a change in numbers from the graph chart taken immediately after our last six month’s transaction and the end profit record taken quarterly. The problem could possibly vary from anywhere between 5 to 10 billion dollars estimated, and could cause the company great loss if this continues on. Our department has already created a certain group to look into this.”
“Miss Yeung…and how do you propose the rest of us do with this? After all we’re all in this together and we would be willing to lend a hand.” Dominic Lam suddenly asked me.
I was taken by surprise. Raymond had never mentioned anything about this phase, and I’m not experienced enough to do this. Taking a risk after I looked at Raymond blank expression, I decided to just throw something on the table. “I personally feel that there is no need to concern other people in this matter after we’ve already gathered a specified group to look into this. Our department is fully capable of handling this matter just like the previous drops and sudden changes in stocks from 8 months ago. Besides the other departments and you board members have already had enough trouble to deal with, and this small matter isn’t worth your time.” I rambled, hoping it made somewhat of sense.
Dominic suddenly smiled. He stood up, still smiling at me, seeming like he was very satisfied but yet I couldn’t help feeling that there’s more to his smile than it seems. “You know Miss Yeung…you remind me very much of someone…an old business partner of mine actually. Have you heard the name Michael Yeung?” he asked.
I froze. He mentioned my father’s name right in front of me. Could he honestly suspect nothing that Michael Yeung is my father, and Crystal Tin the woman he drove to death was my mother? Could he be so careless as to not even remember my name? I don’t know how Dominic is looking at this, but he just told me I remind him of my father. Was this what my father would do? But I would never actually know unless I talk to Dominic himself. I could possibly find out more about my father and his business views, but just being in the same room with Dominic is enough to kill me.
Pulling on a fake smile, I nodded a thank you to him as I sat down. As I’d always thought, business people are plain too complicated. Even Nancy, someone who I’ve known for so long has a complicated business mind. Even Raymond, someone who’s just so innocent and carefree has a few tricks up his sleeves such as this one. I truly feel like an outsider sitting in on this meeting, but I wasn’t going to let all of my father’s work go to waste. I knew he worked hard for this company, I knew he dedicated his life to it, and I can’t let it fall under Dominic Lam, a lowly thief behind a mask.
~*~
The meeting had been going on for about an hour now, and I haven’t spoken a word since. Raymond stood up only about once or twice to further explain our plans to the board members, and that was it. Most of the talking seemed to come from a man sitting in the top beside Dominic whose face I do not recognize. He said he was a business tycoon from America, but there is just something about him that tells me he’s lying. The only thing I’m positive about that man was that his name is Damian Lau.
Raymond and I walked out together, walking slowly just behind his dad and Damian. I’m a bit confused as to how and why that man named Damian moved up the board so quickly and quietly, but that was out of the question now. In my mind I only knew that I need to help Raymond with his company, and make sure that the company doesn’t fall under Dominic Lam’s hands. I know I also need to get my feelings sorted out about Raymond, but I’m not too sure how to even begin that without Nancy’s help. Hopefully I can see her tonight.
“Tavia…hurry up we’re pretty busy tonight.” Raymond spoke softly beside me.
I turned to him with a blank expression. “We don’t have much to do unless there’s more to that plan of yours though.” I reminded him.
“I know…the plan is still in process but there’s something else. Hurry, we’re going to my car.”
I giggled softly as we rushed for his car in the parking garage just beside the building. Raymond was acting like it’ll be the end of the world if we don’t get to his car quick enough, and surprisingly I’m willing to play along to whatever he had in mind. We jumped in the car and within seconds we were already out of the garage and on the busy streets. He took me on a high way I’m certain I’ve never gone on before, maybe this was a shortcut or a new road.
After a few minutes of listening to the radio, Raymond began to slow down. I could tell we were still around the Causeway Bay area, but I wasn’t certain which part we’re at. He made a few sudden turns and finally jolted the car to a stop. As I stepped out, I was wondering what we were doing, standing in front of a designer dress store where the prices are through the roof.
“Let’s go!” Raymond smiled spontaneously as he grabbed my hand and gently pulled me in.
“Wait why are we here though?!” I asked.
“Well you did agree to go with me to the Mid Autumn Dance right?” he asked as I gave him a small nod, wondering where he’s going with this. “Well to go to the dance we’ll need some formal clothes, and I need your opinion too!” he finished, pulling me into the store.
“Welcome Mr. Lam, how may I help you and your friend today?” a woman asked us just as we stepped in.
“Um…I need something for both of us that matches I guess? It’s for the Mid Autumn Dance.”
I really couldn’t believe that a guy is actually dragging me out to buy a dress. Normally I would be the one doing the dragging, but this is a different situation. I’m standing in the middle of a store where even a strap from a dress would cost more than my monthly salary. Of course this probably meant nothing to Raymond by the expression on his face, but I just couldn’t push the weird feeling away from me.
My mind kept jolting back to the thoughts of Damian Lau, that man beside Dominic. I couldn’t tell why I suddenly thought of him, but he was nothing to me so there’s no point in continuing the process. I turned back to Raymond, following the woman around as she quick grabbed a pile of elegant, beautiful dresses and tuxedos for us.
“Here honey, try them on in the fitting room. Tell me if you need any help.” She spoke quickly, giving me the heavy pile of dresses and pushing me into a fitting room.
~*~
[Ron’s Point of View]
I pushed the light door open, walking out of the cramped fitting room as I fixed my tie on right. I looked over and saw that Bernice was just walking out a few seconds after me, fixing her dress too. She looked beautiful in it, like an angel sent from heaven down to me. She looked up and smiled, her smile soft and delicate as we walked towards each other. She pulled the bottom of the black silk dress up just a bit so she wouldn’t trip while walking, and leaned back into my arms. I wrapped my arms around her slim waist as we looked at ourselves in the mirror. This section was just for us, an entire collection of formal outfits made just for us, how nice. It wasn’t a surprise though, knowing that this boutique alone has about fifty other sections made for couples of the upper class. Yet, none of that matter to me now as Bernice reached up to plant a soft kiss on my lips. I pulled her closer, and we kissed more passionately, and a little rougher.
After a few minutes, I gently pulled back, just looking into her eyes. She smiled up at me as she pushed away, pulling up the bottom portion of her dress and fixing her top. I stood back and smiled, watching as my fiancé admired her dress in the mirror in front of us. I looked into the mirror and saw myself, standing there with a soft smile. What caught my interest was that somehow my smile has changed. It was different in a way, but I couldn’t explain it exactly. I kept looking at our reflection in the mirror until something in the background caught my attention. The mirror reflected a part from some other section of the store. I turned away, but the girl walking in the mirror reflection was someone I recognized, someone I wouldn’t forget.
“Ron what are you looking at?” Bernice asked softly, walking up beside me.
“I think I saw someone I know in the other section of the store.” I told her, not wanting to lie to my fiancé of course.
“Well why don’t we go say hi then!” she smiled, taking my hand and leading me around, looking through the different sections of the store.
“Red or black?” I heard someone asked as we walked towards another section. I could only say it was a male voice and nothing else, nothing I recognized.
“Red…you’re already wearing too much black and it’s gonna make your face look fat.”
I paused. I recognized the second voice very clearly. It was a female voice, soft and airy pitch. It was the person I couldn’t deny that is always lingering in my mind. It belonged to Nancy Wu. I didn’t notice it but Bernice had already walked ahead without me, heading for the section where the voice came from. I followed her, yet hoping that I’m only mistaken and that Nancy is not even here.
“Oh you must be Nancy Wu of Wu Enterprise! I’m Bernice Liu! Nice to meet you!” Bernice greeted as the two girls chatted a few words back and forth.
I walked in and there she was, standing in a silk silver dress with long gloves on, looking like an angel just waiting for her other half. She was smiling, and this was the first time since I came back to Hong Kong that she was smiling. Nancy seemed happy to meet Bernice as they conversed. I was sure Nancy knew who Bernice was, but I was shocked to see the smile at ease on her face. Then I saw the man beside her. He was someone completely unfamiliar to me, someone that could possibly be the cause of Nancy’s smile.
“Oh Ron…I didn’t know you and Nancy were friends!” Bernice spoke, pulling me in.
“Uh…yeah…old friends…” I replied, trying to sound natural.
“Let me introduce. This is Kenneth, a friend of mine…and this is Ron, an old friend of mine.” Nancy spoke, introducing me to the guy standing beside her.
I saw that she was holding onto his arm, and he was holding hers. Nancy looked up at me, her smile still on her face, unmoving yet her eyes seem to be saying something else. I knew that her eyes were the truth, but I couldn’t exactly read it under this façade she was keeping up. Bernice and Kenneth talked about the dance, leaving Nancy and I alone for a short moment. I couldn’t utter a word to her. All I could do was stare blankly into her eyes, trying to understand her hidden message.
“Your fiancé is nice. I’m glad you two are together.” Nancy finally spoke, her voice softer than before.
I nodded. “Thank you…and Kenneth…is he…”
“No…” Nancy interrupted. “He’s my dad’s right hand man…we’re just friends but…well he’s on my good side.” She smiled, looking over at the man chatting with Bernice.
Was Nancy moving on? I couldn’t tell with her eyes. By her voice and smile, I could be convinced that she’s moved on to Kenneth, but looking in her eyes made me think differently. I couldn’t understand the message Nancy was trying to give me, or if she’s even trying at all. She could possibly be hiding something, or yet she could just be a little nervous with Kenneth. Being apart from her for so long, I’ve lost the feeling of being able to sense her thoughts and feelings, but I’m guessing it’s for the better. Here we are standing, facing each other with our dates to the dance. We are nothing more than old lovers who haven’t had a normal chat with each other for a long time. I didn’t know how to take it, but I guess since Nancy’s already taken the first step, I should just follow her lead. I glanced over at Bernice and smiled, certain with my decision for once in my lifetime.
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
My tuxedo was surprisingly comfortable, and it looked pretty nice the least to say. I walked out of the changing room, seeing that Tavia was already outside, looking confused at her silk red dress. It was a strapless dress, curving around her body and softly flaring out as it went to her feet. It was beautiful, and Tavia looked like a fairy goddess in it. She was heavenly, not anywhere from Earth but a beauty from the bounds of heaven. Tavia was beautiful, and for once in a very long time, I could hear my heartbeat pounding louder and louder as if to burst out of my chest. I could feel like my stomach was turning upside down, but yet it was just the butterfly feeling. I felt something called love again.
I walked up behind her, looking in the mirror as I fixed my tie. I could see Tavia’s soft laugh in the mirror reflection as she turned around and looked up at me. We were awkwardly close to each other, but unlike other times I didn’t feel the need to back away even one bit. She reached up softly, her gentle hands straightening my tie for me.
“You look really nice.” She complimented as she fixed my tie.
“Thank you. You look dashing yourself.” I smiled.
Following the last comment was a long, quiet moment. It wasn’t as awkward as before, instead it was more enjoyable as I lost myself in her beautiful eyes. They were a nice dark shade of coffee, so soft and innocent that I just can’t pull myself away from hers. Unknowingly I was closing the small distance between us, just looking into her eyes as she did mine.
I paused for a moment, thinking if I should do this. Bernice’s image came up in my mind, but so did the ring on her finger. I’ve gotten over the fact that she’s marrying my best friend, and I even wished them happiness. There is nothing holding me back now from starting a new story, and my best option is to start it right here and right now. I casually closed in on the final inch, when our lips were merely one centimeter away from each others’. Tavia didn’t seem to resist, and that was my chance. I went in, placing a soft, gentle kiss on her lips.
I closed my eyes and my dreams to have taken over. I felt a nice, an indescribable feeling once my lips touched hers. I started out gentle, careful if she didn’t really want to kiss yet. She didn’t seem to resist at all, but perhaps a little shy or surprised at my sudden move. I couldn’t stop myself as I moved on to a much more passionate, a closer kiss. Placing my arms gently around her waist and pulling her towards me, this was a feeling completely new to me. I don’t know if I’m rushing out relationship by doing this or not, but now that I’ve decided I somehow can’t stop myself. Tavia Yeung, you drive my curiosity so. From the day I met you I knew there was something special about you…
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