[Tavia’s Point of View]
It wasn’t until this moment in time that I realized how impatient I’ve grown. I’m sitting here, twirling, playing around with a pen in my hand as I waited for the meeting to begin. Everyone was here, well, everyone except for Damian. I doubt we were waiting for him though. What was more interesting was that Michelle is also sitting in on this meeting. I have a feeling that she was the reason Damian isn’t here. After some easy research, I managed to dig up the fact that Damian Lau used to be Yeung Chung Yan. Adding on a simple English name and changing his last name was only to fool Dominic Lam. Come to think of it, Damian and Michelle haven’t met face to face yet, have they?
Leaning back in my chair, I tried hard not to show my bored expression. I looked beside me, and unlike me Raymond had already fallen asleep. I guess it was okay for him, since he hasn’t gotten much peaceful sleep this entire week. Now for me and my worries, Nancy hasn’t come home the entire week, and surely she hasn’t chosen to find another place to stay. Her clothes and belongings were still at my house. I need to find her and get things straightened out. The last time I saw her was when she walked out of Ron’s apartment. No matter what I do, she is still one of the closest people in my life, and not seeing her for a week sure has its toll on my worries. I sighed, looking around the room, wondering what to do. I already have so much to think about, and now this.
“I’m sorry to keep you all waiting…but you can start the meeting. I will simply be sitting in, nothing else.” A familiar female voice spoke up.
I looked up, the same time Raymond did as he pulled his tired head up. We were both surprised to see Bernice standing beside Dominic, a small smile on her face as she looked at all of our faces. She was simply sitting in on the meeting, was what she had told us.
“Actually…today’s meeting will be a bit shorter than most.” Dominic announced after Bernice took her seat. “Today I would just like to make one announcement.” He began as I noticed Raymond rubbing his eyes, waking himself up. “I have just transferred the position of AVC President and CEO to my son, Raymond Lam. Raymond now alone holds 35% of the company.”
I watched as Raymond stood up, pulling a fake smile on as he thanked people congratulating him. What I didn’t understand was why Dominic only gave Raymond 35%. With that portion, he would be qualified for CEO, but he has just as much say as Bernice did. Was Dominic quietly planning something?
“That’s all I have to say. If no one else has anything to announce, this meeting is now over.” Dominic spoke quickly.
Still, I don’t get it. Raymond and Bernice both have equal say in AVC. What is Dominic Lam planning to do? Surely he wouldn’t take this big of a risk with his own son. I still don’t understand, but by the look on Raymond’s face, I’m sure he did. Before making my way over to Raymond as we walked out of the meeting room, I stopped beside Michelle. I remembered what Damian had told me in our last phone call about a week ago, and I wanted to ask her just to see her reaction. I don’t know if this is good or bad, but I have nothing to lose.
“Um…Michelle…can I ask you something?” I whispered as we waited a bit for people around us to clear up.
“Sure Tavia…what did you need?” she replied softly like the elegant lady she is.
“Do you happen to know of anyone named Yeung Chung Yan?”
There was a pause, a very long moment of silence. Michelle’s reaction to my question was a pair of surprised, confused and worried eyes. She didn’t say anything, not yet. After what seemed like a very long time, Michelle finally pulled a smile, but I can see that this was a fake one, barely passing as a smile. “I’ve heard of him…but I’ve never really had a chance to talk to him. Please excuse me, I still have something I need to take care of.” She replied, walking away beside Dominic.
By her reaction alone, I was certain she knew who Damian was, but she was hiding it. Her reason for hiding her relationship with Damian was something I still need to find out, and I was certain to get it out of the man the next time we meet. If Michelle knew who Damian or Yeung Chung Yan was, she would have no doubt known something about my parents’ company problems, and the wicked deeds her husband did. It’s hard to believe a woman like Michelle would be so informed, and even involved.
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
“Bernice…Bernice wait up.” I called after her as she turned around.
“Raymond…” she spoke, somewhat surprised by her tone.
“Why are you still doing this?” I asked. I was determined to get her answer no matter what. Our meeting with Ron last time served no help at all from the unexpected surprise, but now since Bernice is here, I can ask.
She merely laughed, yet there was no humor in her tone. “Since I’ve taken over my parents’ bank, investing in your company isn’t such a big deal is it?”
“This isn’t investing Bernice. This is over binding, you bought up our shares, and basically you’re the boss too.”
“Raymond…I would love to sit down and explain everything to you…but I can’t. I can’t tell you anything right now…I’m sorry.”
“Why can’t you tell me?” I asked, not expecting an answer from the way this conversation went.
“Here…” she spoke, handing me an elegant pink invitation. “Ron and I have set the date. It’s three months from now. I hope you can attend.”
“Don’t change the subject Bernice…please…” I sighed, taking the invitation.
“Please excuse me.” She sighed, turning her back and walking away.
Bernice wasn’t herself. She was way more serious and ambitious. The Bernice I knew never cared about business, and yet she’s just told me that she’s now taken over her parents’ company. What exactly is her true intention, and why is she doing this? I have no other method of getting an answer. I guess asking Ron one more time would be my only option. But this time, perhaps at a better time than last.
“She still wouldn’t say anything?” Tavia asked, walking up beside me.
I shook my head, disappointed. I realized I was still holding onto Bernice’s pink invitation, and I held it up to show Tavia. “She wouldn’t say anything about business…but she and Ron have already set the date.” I sighed.
I couldn’t tell what Tavia was think this moment; I’m too caught up in my own emotional stir. Yet she looked up at me, tired as she let out a small, soft sigh. “I don’t know if I should ask you to do this or not.”
“What is it?” I asked her, certain that no matter what it is I will do my best for her.
“The last time we were at Ron’s apartment…when Nancy was there…” she began. “As Ron’s best friend…you should have a talk with him. The past week I don’t know where Nancy went, and I’m getting worried. Also, since Ron and Bernice have already set the date for their wedding…” she indicated to the envelope in my hand. “Ron needs to make up his mind. He’s hurting Nancy…and I could tell he’s hurting Bernice too. You should also try to see if Ron knows anything about Bernice’s actions. Since they’re engaged, he has to have some sort of knowledge.”
I nodded, knowing that sooner or later I’ll have to do it, even without Tavia asking. Taking her hand, I walked her back into our office. She let go the moment we closed the door though, her mind probably on other things as she sat down in the long leather sofa inside my office. Her eyes were distant, dazed, and of course tired. That last few days have been hectic, trying to find loop holes in this situations, handling everyday business cases that seem non-stop, and reorganizing everything since I’ve now taken over the role as chairman.
“Since you’re chairman and have 35% of AVC, you’re equal in line with Bernice…” Tavia began. “Why didn’t you buy up my shares, so that you’ll have more than her?”
I smiled, pulling her close to me. She was still innocent, and having a thorough knowledge of business but she hasn’t been here long enough to see all the cuts and schemes that these people love to play. I kissed her head gently as she relaxed her body upon mine. With all this trouble, I haven’t been able to spend enough time with her. The only times we can get close and personal is when we’re in my office, using work as an excuse, or when I’m driving her home at three in the morning which is too late to do anything else.
“It’s not that simple.” I answered before kissing her sweet lips. “I still want you to have a say…so your 5% stays. Also, I’m planning on giving you another five after I manage to finish the paperwork with Steven. He’s busy in Taiwan with some private investments my dad set up, so I haven’t been able to get back.”
“Why are you giving me more?” she asked me, pulling back slightly just to look me in the eyes.
I tried to avoid her eyes, but I just can’t resist. It was awkward for me to say it in a situation like this, but after a short moment of thinking, I decided. “I love you Tavia…and I trust you…the best choice I could give this 5% to is to you. I need your help, and I need you here with me. I guess it’s kind of foolish…stupid…or selfish of me…but I want you here with me. The 5% is like my insurance.”
“How is it your insurance? Giving me 5% of your company doesn’t stop anything…”
“But I know you…” I replied. “By your personality, you wouldn’t be able to leave, knowing that you still hold a part of my company. If you want to leave though…I still have to agree to sign the other end of the paperwork, and I’m never going to do that…I’m sorry…”
“It’s okay.” She laughed, leaning back on my shoulder. “You think too much. But…I won’t leave you…don’t worry.”
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
I hate to think of it this way, but Raymond is right. As long as I hold a part of his company, I can’t bear to leave him, especially in this state. He thought it all through, but unfortunately for this foolish man that I love, he’s probably made one of the biggest mistakes in his life giving me a part of his company.
I want to see his dad go down to the lowest depth, just like how my father did, and with the shares I can do it, slowly. Bernice is working as Damian’s scapegoat, and even though I don’t know the exact reason she agreed to it in the first place, Damian, including Bernice is on my side, trying to bring Dominic Lam down. Raymond is fully unaware of what I’m doing, and his curious suspicion Kenneth somehow managed to rouse up is gone. With the share of his company, I have more say than most, especially if Raymond gives me another five percent. The problem for me is, I love him. I love Raymond, and I can’t deny that, but I myself, don’t even know what I will do if I do get ten percent of AVC. With Damian and Dominic still here, they constantly remind me of what happened to my family, and every time I see Dominic Lam’s face, the day I lost my mother kept flashing back and flashing back in my mind. It’s unbearable. Why does Raymond always have to make things harder that it already is?
There are three choices I have in front of me. One, work with Damian and bring down Dominic Lam, taking back what is rightfully mine. Two, stop Damian from doing anything else and helping Raymond regain balance in AVC Insurance. Three, the last option which had just came into my mind. I could always buy a plane ticket and leave this place for good. Laughing at myself and my own stupidity, I couldn’t picture anyone else so foolish. Buying a plane ticket and getting out of here…I wish.
~*~
[Ron’s Point of View]
~ Flashback ~
“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? Besides…I don’t miss those times we were together.”
~*~
“I’m hurting two people…right now aren’t I
“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…I promised I’d take you to Paris. I promised I’d hug you…every night…and…I promised…I’d marry you someday…”
“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…”
~ End of Flashback ~
One’s enough…don’t hurt two people…I’ve already hurt Nancy so much. I’ve caused her enough pain for one lifetime, and I can’t do that to two people, both I really care about. Nancy was willing to pretend like nothing happened between us that night, even though none of it was her fault. She was drunk when I brought her home, barely able to get herself off the bed. While I was wide awake, perfectly aware of what I’m doing. In other words, Nancy took the blame for something I’ve done. She did it just for me to keep my happiness with Bernice…
“What are you thinking about?” Bernice asked, her voice pulling me back to reality.
“Nothing…just walking…looking at the lights.” I replied, using the street lights we passed by as an excuse.
“Well…are you still mad at me…from what I did?” she asked me.
Hurting one was enough…I can’t hurt two people. I sighed. “No…since we’re engaged, you were going to get a part of my company anyways. Also, if it wasn’t for your family, NG Enterprise wouldn’t exist now. I can’t blame you for that.”
She nodded at me as we made a turn down the road of busy people.
“But…I don’t agree with what you’re doing with Raymond and Nancy’s company. You took 35% of their shares, and even though you’re not doing anything right now, it’s still causing them harm in the field of trust and value. Their stocks are dropping bad.”
“I know…but I have my reason. I didn’t want to do it either…”
She suddenly stopped herself. I was curious to hear more, but Bernice was quiet. It never occurred to me, but now, I find myself hear wondering something I’ve never bothered with before. What does Bernice do when I’m not around her? By what happened with AVC Insurance and Wu Enterprise, I was as surprised as anyone when she made that announcement. I guess it’s difficult, and almost wrong for me to do, but I’ve got to pay more attention to what my fiancée is doing behind my back.
We walked down a couple more blocks before Bernice suddenly stopped in front of a thundering night club. I’ve been to this one many times before when I was younger, but ever since returning to Hong Kong, I just never have that carefree mood to party anymore. I guess this was one sign that I’m growing up.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her, turning to look at the people getting out.
“Shirley Yeung…” Bernice pointed out. I recognized Shirley from the party, she was one of Bernice’s close friends. She saw us, and walked over with a huge grin, hugging both of us in her long slender arms.
“OMG Bernice…Ron…it’s so good to see you!” she exclaimed, her face bright and cheery with flushed pink cheeks probably from too much alcohol.
“Did you get my invitation…and what are you doing here so late?” Bernice asked.
“Of course I got the invitation! I’m so coming to my best friend’s wedding!” Shirley replied, trying to keep her balance. “…and I’m here because I had to pick up my purse I left here the other night…and well I ended up staying a bit longer than I intended.”
“Oh…I didn’t know you still go to this club.” Bernice smiled.
“Well…ever since Eric moved his business here…it’s the best place to get a good deal. I’m just waiting for my friend to finish, she met some English dude inside…pretty good looking…but not as good as your Ron of course.”
I simply smiled at the drunken girl in front of me, trying not to say anything unnecessary.
“Hey Shirley…I’m ready let’s go someplace else…” Nancy spoke as she walked out of the club.
I was frozen in place. Seeing Nancy here was a big surprise, especially after she disappeared from my house last week. She was all dressed up just like anyone else going to the club, but she had much more make up on than usual. She wore so much make up that I nearly couldn’t recognize her if not for her voice. She was smiling, but it dropped immediately when she laid eyes on me. For some reason, I felt awkward holding Bernice in front of her, as if I’m cheating on both of them. But then, if I let go of Bernice now, it would only make everything worse. My eyes scanned Nancy, up and down. What caught my attention was her hand, shoving an envelope of something, quickly into her purse.
“Nancy…what a coincidence…” Bernice spoke.
“Yeah…” Nancy replied, trying hard to pull a smile but I know she just couldn’t. “Um…I got your invitation.”
Bernice sent Nancy an invitation? How come I wasn’t aware of this? Of all things that could’ve happened, Bernice sent Nancy an invitation. She was literally making this scandal between us unbearable to live on with any further.
“That’s good…I’m sorry…I know it’s a bad time…but…” Bernice began, polite and formal.
“It’s okay…you have my best wishes. Unfortunately, I’m sorry I can’t attend your wedding that day…seems I’ve got an emergency meeting with Bobby…and he’s a really busy man.”
“Thank you anyways…” Bernice replied. Everyone standing here knows that what Nancy had said was only an excuse.
“Please excuse me…and best wishes to both of you…congratulation.” Nancy smiled, turning her back and walking away with Shirley, her tone uneven and shaky.
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