Luxe - 15 - It's Just Simply Wrong

[Raymond’s Point of View]

Why in the world…why is Tavia here? Why are they meeting?

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting, I had trouble getting the files. Lots of numbers you know.” Tavia spoke. I could tell she was laughing at herself while speaking.

“It’s okay.” He replied. I glanced over and saw a small smile on his face.

I guess it’s common for them to meet since they know each other, but why at this time? Of all times, they chose this one, a time that only stirs up my mind. I sure do have a vast imagination, and the thought I just had a short moment ago about my own girlfriend made me ashamed of myself to the lowest levels. Am I starting to turn into my father? I’m starting to over think, over look everything, and only calculating everything for myself. No, I can’t be.

“So how low has the numbers dropped in AVC?” he asked. I couldn’t stop myself from wondering. Why are they discussing AVC? Of all things, I know these two were friends, but AVC wasn’t really a normal conversation topic.

“I don’t know, here look.” Tavia replied. I stood up, beginning to walk over to them. I could see both their faces clearly, and I was beginning, I was beginning to suspect my own girlfriend. I can’t believe it, have I gone mad? After what Bernice announced at the dance, and after what I overheard my parents talking, am I really going mad? In a more childish view, I would say this totally sucks. But no, I’m no longer a child and everything is taking me by surprise.

“Oh…” he suddenly spoke, and I stopped, listening. “This is bad…your company rates are dropping too low.”

“Well what do you suggest I should do to stop that? I mean this is why I asked you to come here in the first place.” Tavia spoke.

It seems…I have been over thinking. Tavia had just spoken those words clearly. She asked him to come meet her here, to help her find ways to pull AVC out of the deep pit. I can’t believe that with a simple misunderstanding, my wild imagination had caused me to doubt Tavia. Even for one mere second, it wasn’t right of me. It’s just simply wrong.

“Eh…you could get your boyfriend to sell the company. I mean there’s nothing wrong with backing out right now.” He laughed.

“Kenneth Ma! Jesus! Another plan please, selling isn’t an option. I’m sure you wouldn’t tell Nancy to see her company.”

Kenneth only laughed at Tavia’s reaction. I couldn’t help but smile a little, even after my long, dreadful night, I smiled. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I walked over to them. Hoping Tavia could make my day a bit better.

“Hey…I didn’t expect to see you here.” I began casually.

“Raymond!” Tavia spoke, full of spirit. Kenneth simply gave me a smile and a nod, but that was enough. “You didn’t call me this morning.” Tavia reminded me.

“I’m sorry…” I spoke, indicating towards the chair, waiting to see if I could sit down. “I got really busy, and I was about to call you right away…but well…you’re here.” I smiled, sitting down and pulling the chair closer to Tavia.

I could tell she noticed my tired expression as she sighed and shook her head. She didn’t have to say anything to tell me she knows. Just by looking, she could tell I was tired, exhausted, and just by looking at her, I could tell she knows. I guess this was how much we understand each other, but I still couldn’t stop my mind from running wild earlier, doubting the one person that understands me most.

“So…uh…ok…now I’m taking myself as a representative from Wu Enterprise…” Kenneth began nervously, probably awkward between Tavia and I.

I forced a smile, hoping to ease the mood here. Tavia and I were waiting for him to continue as he choked on his words from the awkwardness. Kenneth Ma sure is an interesting person, too bad I’m simply too busy to get to know him more.

“Ok…” Kenneth began again. “Since both of you are from AVC Insurance, both companies have had a 35% percent share holder drop, and it’s held by Bernice Liu. The best way to handle this is to talk to someone close to her that would be willing to give us at least a tiny bit of information.”

“We can’t talk to her parents…they seemed clueless to what was going on that night.” Tavia interrupted.

“Well how about Ron Ng?” I suggested. “Ron’s engaged to Bernice, and he and I are friends so it makes it easier.”

“Then we’ll talk to him right away. If we keep delaying things, the stocks would only drop lower and lower.”

~*~

[Nancy’s Point of View]

Looking in the foggy mirror, I hated what I’m seeing in it. I could see dark bags under my tired eyes, the pale expression on my face, and the pain that I’ve tried to hide away for so long. These clothes I’m wearing, this pair of skinny jeans and a white graphic tee, weren’t even mine. They were Bernice Liu’s. She has a nice figure, but the way her clothes are, it just doesn’t fit me right. I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh as something came to my mind. This was exactly like my current situation with Ron. I need him, I can’t deny that fact. But we just simply don’t fit each other, like wearing someone else’s clothes. We don’t belong to each other, and harsh, but there is a wedding ring to prove it.
I grabbed my purse, disgusted with what I’m seeing in the mirror. I searched through it, literally dumping everything out. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring much since I never thought I’d need it last night. All I had was my dead cell phone, an eye liner pencil, a portable mirror, and that small white envelope. I pushed everything aside and scurried to the envelope, surprised as I realized it was empty. Did I really take all those just last night? I couldn’t remember, but that was probably the reason.
Shoving everything back into my purse, I opened the bathroom door. I need to take this one step at a time, and the first step is to talk to Ron. I’m not too sure if I still know him as well as I thought I did, but I need to make sure he doesn’t feel troubled about our night together. After what happened, I could probably predict that Bernice would want to speed up the wedding, and so, very soon Ron will be someone else’s husband. He can’t have anything from his past relationship holding him back then, it’s just simply wrong.
He smiled at me and stood up, walking over and taking my hand. This was just like before, just like the times when we did belong to each other. But the problem is, that was years ago, and now is a different time.

“Do these clothes fit right? I could look for some more in the closet.” He spoke. His voice was so gentle to my ears.

“No…but thank you.” I replied. “Um…this is a lot to ask…but did Bernice happen to leave any make up behind too?” I asked, remembering that my single eye liner pencil won’t do much in covering my horrid appearance.

He shook his head. “It’s not too much to ask…but she didn’t leave any make up behind. I’m sorry.” He replied softly. “But…I like you better without make up.” I couldn’t stop myself from looking up at him, surprised and confused. “It reminds me of when we were younger.” He smiled.

I was hesitant…but I pulled my hand out of his, gently but I know I’m hurting him. “Ron…” I began as I sat down on his white sofa. “I’m sorry…but you have to remember that we aren’t those two reckless kids we were four years ago anymore. You’re getting married soon…and I still have to learn to be a proper adult and help my dad with his company. We simply don’t belong to each other…not anymore.”

He knelt down beside me, his eyes not showing me his clear emotion but a mixed. “Nancy…I told you…I can’t just pretend that nothing happened between us last night.”

“Well what are you going to do then? You can’t just leave Bernice for this…nothing happened last night and that’s final. You’re engaged Ron…besides you’re the chairman of a large enterprise…what do you think will happen if this gets out? You’ll lose everything. I know these business people, they care about face, and trust isn’t something they look for anymore. What they want is how much power and respect you have. If what happened between you and me gets out to the public, you’ll lose everything.”

“But I’m hurting you…and don’t you miss those times when we were together? I can’t hurt you…and I miss those times.” Ron sighed.

“Ron…I’d rather you hurt me than both of us. Why cause two people pain when you have the option to only hurt one?” I asked him, truly meaning what I said. “If you won’t do it for yourself, say I’m selfish but please think about me. What do you think would happen to my father’s company if this gets out?” I asked, knowing it’s the only other way to get Ron to agree with me. “Besides…” I began, knowing yet again I will tell another of what I call a white lie. “I don’t miss those times we were together.”

I saw his expression, he was surprised and hurt, but I can’t let him hurt two people. I know my pain will slowly heal with time, but Bernice I’m not too sure. Even though she’s turned my life upside down, I won’t gain anything if I hurt her.

“I don’t miss our time together before you left. Every day you’d flirt yourself up some girl you don’t even know, sleep with her and probably take away her virginity, then you come crawling back into my bed at night. I don’t get you, and I don’t get why you’re doing this. Me being with you back then was only a fling, and it’s time I make my own choices excluding you.” There, I finished my lie. But how did Ron take it?

“I’m hurting two people…right now aren’t I?” he asked, looking at his hands, avoiding eye contact with me.

“Yes…and with that ring on your finger…it tells you that the person you should choose is Bernice. You’ve already made a promise to her.”

“But I’ve made promises to you too…” he spoke, suddenly looking up. “I promised I’d take you to Paris. I promised I’d hug you…every night…and…I promised…I’d marry you someday…”

He remembered…I can’t believe he remembered.

“I made promises to you too…not just Bernice…”

“It’s true…but you’ve already broken the promises you made to me…don’t break the promises you made with Bernice. One’s enough…don’t hurt two people…”

He only nodded. I wasn’t sure if what I said had gotten through to him, but this is a start, for both of us, not just Ron. At least now, I have nothing but my own emotions holding me back. I can finally, freely walk away now.

~*~

[Tavia’s Point of View]

Raymond hasn’t spoken to me much this morning. Maybe it was because he was tired, tired from the dance last night, or maybe it could be something else. At the moment, I didn’t care which, all I know is that he’s sitting here, beside me as we drove to Ron’s apartment. He was holding my hand in the car as we drove silently behind Kenneth’s car. It was a bit different from my usual car rides with Raymond. This ride, unlike others, we held hands. He didn’t tell me why, but he was holding my hand as if afraid to let go. I wanted to talk to him, but I didn’t know how to start a conversation at this moment.
We were driving by roads which I’ve grown familiar to, but I never knew that Ron’s apartment was around here. I just then realized that Ron and I haven’t spoken to each other in a while. Face to face, we’ve only talked for about three or four times. But online over instant messaging, we used to chat nearly every night. I’d inform him of what was going on here in Hong Kong, and he’d brag to me about his travels around many countries. Lately though, or for the past nine months, we haven’t spoken too much.
I stepped out of the car, following Raymond and Kenneth as we crossed the busy street. I stared up, breathless at the tall, grand apartment complex that spelled out expensive on the door. We walked in, and without even asking the security guard to check for us which floor Ron was on, Raymond walked into the elevator, followed by Kenneth and me.
He pressed the button to floor eleven. I guess that was where Ron lived. Raymond must’ve been here before, how else would he know and be this casual? I waited as the elevator rose. My eyes kept wandering until I landed on Raymond. He looked tired, exhausted to the point where he could collapse and fall asleep right here and now. He must’ve been awake the entire night. What else could explain his tiredness today? What I wanted to know was what kept him awake. His company falling is a big deal, but isn’t enough to keep him awake the whole night. There was something else. I didn’t want to ask, even if I did he wouldn’t tell me the truth. That’s how I always am to him anyways. He’d ask me a question, and depending on the topic, I’d lie and give him the answer he wants to here. It was dumb, stupid, since we’re dating, but what else can I do?

“So what exactly are we going to talk about when we get with Ron?” Raymond asked.

“We’ll ask him what his opinions are about the droppings of our companies and his. Then whether he knows anything on what Bernice plans to do next. Ron’s a smart businessman, and he’s engaged to Bernice. Surely he has to know something.” Kenneth replied.

“Has Mr. Wu come up with any sort of ideas on how we could handle this problem?” Raymond asked.

“No…actually I think there’s something more to the partnership between your dad, Dominic Lam and my boss Mr. Anthony Wu. Mr. Wu, after from his surprise last night from that announcement, he received a call from someone. Then…he was smiling again as if nothing was wrong.” Kenneth confessed. “Did you notice anything different with your dad?”

Raymond was quiet. I watched him quietly as he seemed to be thinking about something. He hadn’t realized it, but the elevator has already arrived on our destined floor. Raymond finally snapped back to reality once the sliding doors opened.

“Yeah…” he spoke, seeming like he’s finally decided on something. “Last night…I overheard my parents talking about someone. They weren’t discussing about the company stocks dropping like I’d guessed…but they were talking about Michael Yeung’s daughter.”

Shit. Is Raymond catching on? No, he doesn’t know anything. But if Dominic and Michelle were talking about Michael Yeung’s daughter, then they’d probably know my identity already. Shit, this is really bad. If Dominic Lam already knows who I am, then why is he still keeping me this close to him? He’s too complicated, and at this moment, more than ever I need to talk to Damian. Everything else that worried me before wasn’t as big of a deal now. I can’t let Dominic Lam stop me before I even get a chance to do anything. But running out of this elevator and giving Damian a call is just plain stupid. I have to wait, wait at least until we’re done talking with Ron. Then I could come up with some excuse to get away from Raymond, and then I can call Dominic and meet up with him.

“Michael Yeung…you mean the business prodigy who died two decades ago?” Kenneth asked.

“Yeah…I guess him. Somehow…my parents mention him. What I don’t get is why they’d mention him…if he’s already dead? My dad isn’t the type of person to bring up the past.”

“They mentioned his daughter right?” Kenneth asked, seeing Raymond’s nod. “Well then maybe his daughter is involved in this somehow. Michael Yeung died about 20 years ago. His daughter should be somewhere around our age, or at least still be alive I’m thinking.”

Damn Kenneth. Why did he have to open his big mouth. I don’t need anyone looking into my identity right now, and Kenneth and Raymond are over worrying themselves. If Kenneth is smart enough to figure out that I’m still alive and that I could possibly be involved with this, then he’s smarter than he looks. He could even find out the truth that Michael Yeung’s daughter is really me. Why am I even worrying about him finding out if Dominic Lam already knows though? Wait, Raymond still doesn’t know I’m Michael Yeung’s daughter. How would he react?

“We don’t know who Michael Yeung’s daughter is though.” Raymond replied.

“Hey…Tavia Yeung…Michael Yeung…you two have the same surname!” Kenneth smiled.

How could he smile about something like this?! In my entire life I’ve never been provoked to strangle anyone before, but Kenneth has crossed the line. Has he really figured it out though? Or has he taken me as a suspect, kind of like a detective solving a case. This is all too stupid and ironic. I need to talk to Damian as soon as possible.

“Nah…Yeung’s a pretty common surname.” Raymond replied. Luckily he’s defending me. “Besides, Tavia only got into the business industry for less than a year. I’ve been in it for most of my life and I still don’t get most of this.”

“Fine…” Kenneth sighed, disappointed that is random assumption is “wrong”. “We’ll just go talk to Ron first, then we’ll worry about what your parents discussed later. I’m getting tired of holding the door open anyways.”

We walked down the hallway, finally. At least they’ve temporary let go of the question about Michael Yeung, my father. I still have to go through with my plan I came up with two minutes ago. I have to take it one step at a time. First talk to Ron about the sudden buy out with Liu Banking Co. Then I have to find and talk to Damian as if my life depends on it. That’s it, that’s as far as I got, and my heart rate is exceeding at a dangerous rate already. Curse Kenneth and his mood swings. This man may seem simple at a glance, but the more I talk to him, the more I realize how smart and calculating he is, almost as if he’s a spinoff of Anthony Wu. Even Nancy isn’t this calculating, and she’s Anthony Wu’s blood daughter.

“The door is unlocked…” Raymond spoke.

“Something wrong?” I asked, trying hard to keep my voice calm.

“I don’t know…but Ron’s not careless enough to leave his door unlocked.” Raymond replied.

“Ah…okay…we need to talk to him…and his door is unlocked. Just turn the knob and push.” Kenneth spoke, opening the door.

We stopped, frozen in our tracks. I could tell Raymond was surprised, but the person shocked the most is Kenneth. His jaws nearly dropped, and his mood swing yet again changing. I couldn’t believe my eyes, but I know what I saw. There she was, sitting on the large white leather sofa, staring back at us with surprise. Ron was kneeling beside her, and both seemed to be having a serious conversation just before we came in, unannounced. Nancy was wearing clothes that didn’t belong to her. I could tell, because Nancy never wears graphic t-shirts from CK.

Silence…absolute silence.

She suddenly stood up and grabbed her bag sitting on the other couch. As her best friend, I knew exactly what Nancy would do next. She whispered something to Ron, probably an apology I guessed after reading her lips. Then she rushed up to us, fast so that I can’t read her emotions through her eyes. She was avoiding eye contact with me.

“I’m sorry Kenneth…” Nancy spoke quickly before rushing out into the hallway and disappearing in the elevator.

Then it finally occurred to me. Nancy didn’t go clubbing last night like I’d always assume she would. No, last night, she was hear, with Ron. I was sure of it, seeing that her dress was still lying on the back of Ron’s chair. Was this a coincidence, or faith?