[Tavia’s Point of View]
I can’t help but be a bit surprised Raymond had taken me out to the beach. It was about 8 in the evening, and yet the crashing tides never looked more beautiful. I could smell the ocean air, hear the waves hitting the shore, and the calling sounds of seagulls flying above us. It was a refreshing feeling, and what made it the lovelier was Raymond’s presence standing beside me. I turned to him, and he was smiling.
I giggled softly. “Why are we at the beach?” I asked.
“Dinner!” he replied, pointing to the small area lit up by candle lights just beside the pier.
A smile formed widely on my face, almost as if it was permanent. I never thought Raymond could be this romantic, but he is. He held my hand, pulling me over to where the picnic blanket laid. We sat down and there I found a nicely arranged three course dinner for two sitting there, waiting for me.
“I had Steven bring it out…I hope it’s okay.” He spoke, opening the bottle of red wine.
It was nice, actually it was so lovely I couldn’t even pull the smile off for one second. We first had dinner, talking quietly while listening to the enchanting melody of the crashing waves. The meal was quite good, but there was just something about this dinner that made it specially appetizing. I was caught in a moment of hopeless romance by Raymond Lam, once again.
He brought me a glass of wine after we finished, and pulled me into his lap. I know that before I would feel very awkward with him doing that, but at this moment in time I did not mind at all. I leaned back comfortably, my head on his shoulder as he reached up and planted a soft kiss upon my lips. Raymond Lam, you sure are something. Not only are you a charmer, you can be hopelessly romantic too. I smiled, closing my eyes as we just sat there, listening to the melodic song of the sea.
“You know…where did you get this idea?” I asked after a while.
He laughed. “Who said I couldn’t have thought it up?” He pulled me closer, kissing me again on my cheek. “Actually…my dad did this once for my mom and she told me, so I guess I’d give it a try. Do you like it?”
I heard him clear and well. He said his dad did this for his mom which meant Dominic Lam was once hopelessly romantic, or as how I thought of Raymond. I worried, if Raymond could give me this feeling so easily, saying he learned it from his dad, then what else could Dominic and Raymond have in common? As thoughts surrounded my head, Raymond kissed my lips again, this time without me noticing.
He pulled back, smiling softly. “I love you.” He sighed, and I knew he meant it by the slightly serious yet mostly caring expression and look in his eyes.
“I love you too.” I replied softly, telling the pure truth to him.
It’s true I love Raymond; he was the first man that gave me protection, the first man who made me feel this way. But yet I simply can’t look at him without worry, worry that his father’s reflection was in him. I personally didn’t want anything to do with Dominic Lam, but after meeting Raymond it was inevitable. Another thing I couldn’t forget, Dominic Lam had literally challenged me in the elevator earlier today.
“It’s a pity because when I saw his daughter, she seemed to have her father’s blood. It would be interesting to play a game with her.” Were the exact words that Dominic Lam had said to me.
The worst part is, no matter how much I love Raymond, there is a strong side of me that would gladly accept this challenge any day…
~*~
[Nancy’s Point of View]
Placing my cell phone to the side, I leaned back on the couch, a headache banging inside my head. Kenneth had burnt those papers, but after our talk with my dad, everything just got much more complicated. We can’t get my name off that shareholder’s list no matter what, and my father’s only explanation to putting my name on there in the first place was because he needed to play with Dominic Lam’s head. I haven’t seen my father for weeks, and when I did this was the conversation we had. Unlike other families, when I see my father we don’t exchange simple words like –How are you?– or –Are you doing well?– Instead I only ask him for explanations. It was such a shallow relationship between us. I rubbed my head, wondering the next problem in my mind. How in the world am I going to find 2 million dollars to fill in for the missing amount? I haven’t told my parents this, but I can’t just leave it like that either, and I can’t simply withdraw the amount without drawing in some unwanted attention. I slammed back on the couch, a searing pain ripping through my shoulders, reminding me I sprained it earlier.
I never thought of this before, but I really hate the hard leather of this couch I’m sitting on. My shoulder is still piercing with pain from earlier today, and now the couch is only putting on more strain. I leaned back, edging my weight to my other shoulder, trying to ease the pain. Reaching for the television remote as I had hoped to free my mind from the stress just for a couple minutes. My phone suddenly rang. I knew the caller couldn’t be Kenneth, we just hung up no more than a minute ago.
“Hello?” I answered, forgetting to check the caller ID.
“Nancy…how is your shoulder?” Ron’s voice asked me over the phone.
I hesitated to answer, but then yet again, friends can ask friends how they’re feeling too. I guess this is the relationship that Ron and I should have, just simple friends. “It’s getting better.” I replied.
I could hear his soft chuckle on the other line. “That’s good. I was worried…you were screaming pretty loud when they put your shoulder back together.” He spoke softly.
“Yes…but you’d scream too so none of that. Anyways…thanks…this morning I don’t know what would’ve happened.”
“So…are you free tomorrow?” he asked me.
Though I can finally say we are friends, I still don’t feel comfortable walking around with Ron, especially after his fiancé had made her appearance the other day at the dress store. “Um…I can’t. I’m helping Tavia out with some stuff…and the day after that is the dance. Then I still have to handle some business matters.” I excused.
“Oh…I nearly forgot. The Mid Autumn Dance is two days from now.” He laughed.
“Uh…I guess I’ll see you at the dance then. I have to go now.”
“Okay…see you at the dance. Good night.” He replied softly and we both hung up the phone.
I sat back in the couch, finally having a topic to pull my mind away from a world of numbers. I could remember around a year ago, everything was so different. I was actually looking forward to the dance then, but now, I don’t think I’m that excited for it to come. I sighed. I know I’m going with Kenneth, and there’s nothing bad about him, in fact I was thinking about going in a bit more with Kenneth. I guess that’s a change from last year. Along with that, Tavia will actually be attending with me this year. That was another big change.
The door opened and Tavia walked in, a bit surprised that I’m lying on the couch. I smiled, greeting her. I couldn’t blame her surprise, after all, even though we stay at the same house, we never see each other. Each night I would go out somewhere, varying from parties to joy rides. We were both unpredictable.
“You’re actually home tonight.” She smiled, setting her bag down and sitting beside me.
“Yep…so anything new?” I asked, flicking the television remote to the side.
“I don’t know…” she replied, her eyebrows suddenly bunching together when she saw the huge bruise on my shoulder. “Nancy what happened?” she asked, worried. “Did you get into a fight?”
“I wish it was that interesting…I just nearly got hit by a truck.” I rolled my eyes, just like how we used to talk in the old days. It was somewhat like the old days. In the old days I didn’t have business problems lurking in the back of my head, and I can’t tell Tavia either, it wasn’t her problem to worry about.
“A truck?! You’re kidding! Are you okay?!” she freaked.
I simply laughed at Tavia’s expression. “I’m okay! I’m still sitting here aren’t I?” I replied, somehow not wanting to mention anything else that happened today into our conversation. I knew Tavia would further interrogate me if I did, so why would I? “Anyways…how was your day? I asked you earlier and you were like…I don’t know…” I spoke, trying to imitate her voice.
She sighed. “It’s too complicated.” She paused for a moment, but then began again knowing I wouldn’t stop till she told me the story. “Remember that man I told you about before? The one that caused my parent’s death?” she asked.
I was taken back. Our simple conversation suddenly shifted into something so much more. I was ready to listen, but somehow in Tavia’s tone I could tell something was going on. I didn’t sense the grinding of her teeth once she began to talk about that man anymore. Instead she was casual, speaking softly, her eyes staring off into space.
“I guess I can’t hide this forever…” she sighed. “As you know I’m dating Raymond…it was a shock at first, even for me…but I guess we’re going steady now…”
That part I knew. Raymond can keep secrets, but when it comes to me and Steven he’d tell us anything. Tavia’s relationship with him was something that was made public long ago, but why would Tavia mention it now? In a conversation about the man who caused her family to fall, why now?
“The man who lied and caused my father to commit suicide, who killed my mother in that fire…and who took away everything precious in my life…is Raymond’s father…Dominic Lam…”
I didn’t know what to say. Dominic Lam, he didn’t seem like that kind of man. Either that or I haven’t taken a closer look at him, but it’s hard to believe that all this would happen to her. Either Tavia had just fallen into a tricky array of faith…or something more is planned behind this. I hate to think of her problems this way, but I’m afraid that everything would sooner or later simplify into the value of money. Dominic Lam, he’s working with and against my dad right now, could they be planning something too? I could’ve possibly made the biggest mistake in my life that day I recommended Tavia to work at Raymond’s company. Yet, why would it be so ironic that Dominic Lam was the man who broke her family, and for Tavia to be dating Raymond?
“He doesn’t know that I’m still alive…” she went on. “Dominic Lam doesn’t know that I’m alive. He thought Michael Yeung’s daughter died along with her mother in the fire…but he is wrong. I’m sitting right here, and in fact I’m closer to him than he’ll ever think. Today in the elevator…he challenged me. He said if Michael Yeung’s daughter was still alive, it would be an interesting game between us both. He was literally challenging me…saying I’m just like my father. I’ve never thought of it, but now I’m starting to think I am like my father.”
“Tavia…if he doesn’t know you’re alive then why can’t we just let it rest?” I asked.
“You don’t understand. Every time I look at that man, I could never forgive him for what he’s done. Every time I talk to him he would somehow mention my father, or make me think of him as if he is urging me to start something. You don’t understand what it feels like to be this close to the man who destroyed your family and not be able to do anything about it.”
Tavia is strong and stubborn, but I’m afraid if she keeps thinking like this she will make a mistake sooner or later. I’m no saint, and I’m not a wise person, in fact I’ve made more mistakes than I could count in my life, but this is the one thing I can try to stop. I hate to admit it, but Tavia does think like her father. I’ve heard my dad mention him only once or twice, and about his ideals. But comparing Tavia to her father’s description, they think alike. If I know the business industry well enough, if this struggle continues we would all end up losing something. The business industry is a place kind of like modern war fare. Families’ internal fighting over shares, stocks going up and down, and the constant battle of one company swallowing another. Tavia seemed really affected by Dominic’s proposed challenge, and I’m afraid something more will happen if she doesn’t stop thinking this way.
“Maybe he’s right Nancy…” she began again. “I do think like my father…I’ve noticed it during the board meetings, Dominic Lam would always point out our similarities. I just can’t stand it whenever he mentions my deceased father without a care in the world as if he meant nothing to him…”
“But you love Raymond…what do you think would happen if you really go against his dad? Dominic Lam may not even mean it when he spoke of a challenge. Business men are like that, having nothing better to do.” I interrupted her, reminding her she could go wrong in some ways.
Tavia was quiet for a moment. I don’t know what she was thinking, I don’t know what was going on in her mind, but as a friend I just hope nothing bad will happen. She sighed. “I guess…I guess you’re right…after all…we did throw our past away already right?” she suddenly replied. “But…I still have to admit…I never understand the mind of you business people. Even you and Raymond have complicated minds for business.” She sighed.
I saw her smile appearing again. I was glad she could smile after this, but I couldn’t erase the feeling that something is wrong. Dominic Lam really affected Tavia, and the fact that she’s now Raymond Lam’s girlfriend just makes everything worse. How could Tavia regain her smile so fast and easily? Maybe I don’t know her as well as I thought. Maybe Tavia could be lying to me this very moment. Or maybe I’m just over thinking the situation and doubting my best friend. There were so many possibilities, but unlike other times I couldn’t choose one to just sit on, even if I’m lying to myself.
“Oh by the way…I haven’t spoken to Ron for such a long time!” she spoke, possibly trying to change the conversation.
I wish she hadn’t, but we all have to move on in life anyways, and she was right, Tavia and Ron haven’t spoken for such a long time.
~*~
[Ron’s Point of View]
My footsteps soft and inaudible, I snuck into the dark room without a sound heard. I shoved my phone in my pocket after a private conversation with Nancy. Closing up behind the girl staring blankly at a computer screen, I gently wrapped my arms around her. I could feel a slight jolt of surprise from her and new that my act of childish astonishment had worked. I smiled as she laughed, moving to her side and kissing her on the cheek. I sat down in the chair, bringing her to my lap as we scrolled through the files.
It was about five minutes later when Bernice suddenly began to speak. “How come your mother approves of these private investments?” she asked.
“It’s a win-win situation for us.” I answered her. “I know you do banking, but stock business is way more complicated. You see here…with Wu Enterprise and AVC Insurance dueling it off as we speak…they’re the one losing, my company is simply a host.”
“Banking isn’t a simple job you know. There is a possibility that the bank could buy out shares of these private investments you have here.” She laughed, pointing to the long list of numbers. “Aren’t you worried though? If you look at it in a more personal way…this is Raymond, your best friend and your old friend Nancy dueling it off.” Bernice reminded me.
“I know…I’m still trying to find a way that is good for both parties…but the problem is…it’s not Raymond and Nancy we’re talking about. This is a duel between Dominic Lam and Anthony Wu.” I explained, closing the screen and pulling her closer to me.
“I thought they were partners? Didn’t Nancy and Raymond sign the agreement contract for them? I heard Raymond speak of it once or twice.”
“Yeah…unfortunately, in a more experienced mind Raymond and Nancy are nothing but pawns in their fathers’ game. Don’t worry…I’ll stop this…but letting them know right now isn’t the smartest idea when we have no solid evidence to show.”
“So basically if anything happens to this set of investments here…NG Enterprise wouldn’t suffer any losses right?” she asked and I replied with a nod. “Well let’s say for example the shares do get bought off buy a third party or whatever you call it, what would happen?”
I was beginning to wonder why all of a sudden Bernice is asking me so many questions. She’s never really questioned much about my company before, so what was her point of starting now? Though Bernice’s family had lent money to me, she’s still never asked this much, and the scenario she’s just thought of, it was way too complicated and there are simply too many interworking ideals with it for Bernice to even both. Why did she though?
“Well…I’m not too sure what would happen…but as I said my company is in the safe zone. It’s simply a board for the game of chess that Dominic Lam and Anthony Wu are trying to play. If anything was to happen, they would be the first to suffer. But…I’m gonna try to help keep it stable and make it harder for anyone to tip the scale.”
She simply nodded. After a short moment Bernice began talking again, her tone a little bit different from before. “So you’re helping out Raymond…your best friend? Or are you on Nancy Wu’s side, a simple old friend?” Bernice asked, opening the screen again.
I paused, wondering where she was trying to go with this conversation. “I’m not on anyone’s side. They’re both my friends and we’ll help each other. Raymond has a business orientated mind, so he can go on his own for a while. Besides I heard Raymond’s girlfriend Tavia has a brilliant business mind so that gives him an advantage. What I’m really concerned about is Nancy. She always jokes around and I’m afraid she’ll let her father use her too much and possibly tip the scale to a point of no return.” I spoke, thinking aloud for part of it.
Bernice laughed softly after my comment. “You make no sense at all. What does a scale have anything to do with this?”
“As I said, Anthony and Dominic view this as a chess game…the scale is to see who’s in the lead…and at the current moment they’re even sides. If one party takes lead…something bad will happen. It’s human nature…”
She simply nodded, understanding what I’m trying to get across. “Okay…so now…I understand why you’re helping Raymond…because he’s your best friend. But why Nancy Wu? Even as a simple friend…knowing you Ron, you wouldn’t go this far to help her. Who is she to you?” Bernice asked, pointing the cursor at our account balance with the record of me transferring 2 million dollars into Kenneth Ma’s account, also known as Nancy’s private account.
I didn’t know how to answer her. Instead in my mind right now was only one thing. I have to meet with Kenneth some time soon. We’ve only met for a short time, but I can tell he’s trustworthy. That is the reason why he’s on Nancy’s side after all. He and I both share the same objective in mind.
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
I was waiting in the car. Tavia had asked me to drop her off at a newly opened café this morning for some reason she wouldn’t tell me. I didn’t mind Tavia keeping secrets, but I didn’t want her to be troubled either. So instead of driving away, I parked my car on the other side of the street, watching her as she sat down at a table beside the window, waiting for someone it seems to me.
After a few minutes, I sat up from my seat when I saw her approaching. Bernice was walking into the café, her bag around her shoulders and in her hand was a large tan envelope. I watched as she sat down across from Tavia, both greeting each other with a smile.
What in the world was Bernice doing there. First, I didn’t even know that Bernice and Tavia knew each other, and second, what was in that yellow envelope? I wanted to find out, I wanted to so badly but I can’t. Tavia had asked for a little privacy, a little room to herself and I wasn’t going to damage our relationship by charging in there and demanding to know what was going on. I was worried though. Worried that Bernice might drive some new ideal into Tavia, worried that Bernice might worry Tavia with some random topic. I was worried that they would mention me in their conversation, after all, my current girlfriend and my ex girlfriend are sitting in there, talking to each other.
I simply watched, holding myself from going in. I saw Tavia’s change in expression from afar and knew something was going on. Bernice’s expression wasn’t much different from Tavia, but knowing Bernice for so long, something seemed to be wrong, as if she knows something that none of us do. Bernice was mainly the one doing the talking, and Tavia seemed to be thinking. What could they be talking about? I’m dying to know, and I’m dying to know what was in that envelope.
After a long conversation between them, Bernice then handed Tavia the envelope. I saw her look inside, or peek, in more descriptive terms. Her expression was cold, unreadable and no longer could I tell what was on her mind. Something important must’ve been in that envelope, something big that could cause Tavia to worry so much. I’ve never seen her this worried even after all those complicated business meetings, but whatever was in that envelope was big. Bernice’s expression then revealed a bit more. I could see she was confused too. Yet both girls were confused over two totally different matters. That I know as a fact. I know Bernice too well, and I’ve come to know Tavia’s personality quite well. Their confusion was the only thing I could determine. As for me, the question still remains. “What were they talking about?” and “What was in that envelope?”
I squinted my eyes, trying to get a better view. I saw Tavia check her phone, and after a moment she suddenly let out a small laugh. There was something wrong with that laugh though, something different from her usual one. I watched closer and saw Bernice pull out a magazine. What in the world are they doing? First they were hopelessly confused, and now they’re looking in a magazine together. I waited, and saw that it was a dress magazine as Tavia held it up. Could they be simply showing each other their dresses? But why since Tavia and Bernice don’t know each other, or do they?
Leaning back, I simply laughed at myself. I guess I’m just over thinking the matter. If I wanted to know, I could always ask Tavia. I sat back in the chair, confident she would tell me the truth. Trying hard to push that thought aside, I thought of the upcoming dance. I drove my car away, convinced that I’m probably just over worrying. I can know about the relationship between Tavia and Bernice by simply asking Tavia. What I really should be worried about is the Mid-Autumn Dance, which was tomorrow. Fast…
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