[Raymond’s Point of View]
What was I supposed to do? What’s going to happen now? The moment felt like a million years passing by as I stood at the doorway, looking into my parents’ bedroom as they stared out, shocked that I had just overheard their argument. They didn’t argue over any random topic, they argued about something deeply involving me. Tavia Yeung, my mother said they have caused enough harm to her for a life time. What did she mean? I looked up, confused, and demanding an answer this instant.
“Raymond…” my mom sighed as she ran over.
“What happened?” I simply asked, trying hard not to raise my voice at the caring woman who raised me all these years.
She turned back and glanced at my father. I can see the hesitance in both of them. She then gently took my hand and led me into the other room. I turned back, seeing as my dad dropped back in defeat, his mind still constantly thinking.
“I…I don’t know where to start…” my mother sighed as we sat down in her room.
“From the very beginning…I want to know everything.” I replied, my voice shaking.
She looked up at me with reluctance, but after a moment of thought, she started…
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
It was morning already…I couldn’t even tell. As I sat up from the cushion of my leather sofa, the soft brightness of the sun brushed against my face. I blinked a couple of times as I rolled off the couch. I still haven’t found Nancy, but yet Raymond had shown up last night, driving my feelings for him even deeper than before. It was something about the rain last night that made me want to watch the rainfall with him every day. Raymond Lam, I didn’t want to hurt him, and there is a way I can do that. The only problem lies within me. I can’t just back away when Dominic Lam is still right in front of me, and Damian is speeding up the process of taking back everything that belonged to us.
Blocking the light from my eyes, I tried to push those thoughts away and walk into the bathroom. I didn’t realize the door was closed, and nearly walked right into it. Funny, I never close the bathroom door when I walk out of it. Turning the knob and pushing the door open, I was completely unsuspecting of the sight.
“Nancy…” I spoke, seeing her standing at the bathroom sinking, coughing and wiping her mouth. “What’s wrong?” I asked, rushing over, awake as ever.
“Nothing.” She replied, pushing me aside as she washed her face.
Finally fully awake, I realized what was going on. “You’re taking drugs again…aren’t you?”
She looked up, a bit surprised at me. “How’d you find out?” she asked.
“Never mind how…why are you taking drugs again?! You told me you’d quit a long time ago!”
“Tavia…just…I just don’t want to talk about it.” She replied, pulling herself up and leaning back on the sink.
“You only do drugs when something big is bothering you…” I spoke, knowing that was the last reason she did drugs. “What’s happening?” I asked.
Nancy looked at me, unable to speak. She was refusing to talk, but I know a part of her wanted me to know. That’s just how Nancy is. Slowly, her fingers unfurled a small pregnancy test. I looked down at it, at the three letter word on the dial of result. My eyes widened, but yet no sound came from either of us.
After what seemed like a million years, I finally spoke. “Who’s…who’s is it?” I asked, needing to know who the heartless bastard that would do this was.
She turned away from me. “…Ron…” she replied, barely above a whisper.
How was I supposed to help? How was I supposed to do anything to help when she is pregnant with Ron’s child?
“Tavia…I’m grown up now…I can handle this by myself.” Nancy spoke softly, her tone much more mature than ever.
“Nancy…are you sure? You’ve still got a lot of people who still cares about you.”
“I know…I’m not going to do anything stupid. I know what to do…” she paused for a moment as though she’s finally come to accept reality and the decision she’s about to make. “I’m keeping the child…”
My foolish friend…she didn’t deserve any of this. What she deserved is a man who properly cared for her, who would accept responsibility, and would not abandon her at a time like this. Ron Ng, I’d always thought he would be better than that, but after finding out Nancy’s little secret, I’m prone to think otherwise.
~*~
[Ron’s Point of View]
THUD.
A pleasant wake up alarm as I fell off my sofa. Was it morning already? I pulled myself up, trying to straighten out everything in my mind. What Raymond said made sense to me last night. I needed to come to a sound decision, and I need to fast. I need to make a decision, and I need to stick with it for good this time. Nancy was right, Raymond was right. Hurting one person is enough, I can’t hurt another one.
My house was messy, and I wasn’t prepared to go to work this morning. I yawned as I walked out of my bathroom, rampaging the fridge for something to eat. My mind is still constantly wondering. I’m thinking between two women. Two very obvious, very important women in my life. I know that one I need to assure happiness to them, and the other I need to keep them as my very close friend. I just can’t decide which, that was the problem there. My other problem was the endless questions in my mind. Was emotion and feeling really what I was looking for or was it something else?
The doorbell rang.
I walked towards the door, pushing it open with my messy hair and clothes, unprepared for anything. I saw the girl standing in front of me, and I suddenly smiled once I saw her. It seemed like a first in a very long time, and it was emotion. What irony, a long drunken night alone and in the morning this woman shows up at my door.
“Morning Ron…I…I’m sorry for everything…” she spoke softly.
“Why are you apologizing?” I asked, not expecting an apology as the first thing coming from her mouth.
She walked inside, taking my hand gently but timidly. Looking up at me, she finally began to speak. “I’m sorry I’ve been a total jerk to everyone…and I’m sorry I’m keeping things from you…but I can’t handle this by myself anymore…and I really need your help.”
Bernice Liu. Miss Bernice Liu of Liu Banking and Co. came to my door this morning, asking me for my help. I of course wasn’t going to deny my fiancée, and especially after what she’s done for me and NG Enterprise. I quickly glanced down at the platinum ring on my finger and hers. Nancy was right, I’ve already made a promise to her, and I can’t break another promise. I can’t hurt a second person over the same reason, my own selfish, indecisive self again.
We sat down and she took a deep breath. I stayed quiet as Bernice began her explanation.
“Damian Lau…is Tavia Yeung’s uncle. Tavia Yeung is Michael Yeung’s daughter…and Damian Lau is his brother. Due to the grudge between Dominic Lam and the Yeungs…Damian wants to take back everything that was his, including Raymond’s company…” She paused for a moment as I tried to take everything in. This was unreal. “Damian Lau is a sly man…and knowing that my parents’ company had economic power over both AVC, Wu Enterprise, he forced me into buying up their shares or he will disperse your company…that’s how I got your 25%...”
I was quiet. I didn’t know how I should respond, or even if I could. “So…what you’re saying is…Damian Lau wants to take down Raymond?”
She nodded. I was correct.
“But how did you come to get this information?” I asked her. “How did you get involved?”
“He came to me in person. Remember those loose branch investment shares you made when we were bringing the company back up for insurance? He was the party who bought all of those…and if he uses them to bribe the board members…you will lose…”
My company…this happened all because of my company. Just as I thought I could slowly try and solve everything in front of me, more problems pop up. I was the one who was responsible for this. If I didn’t make those insurance investments, this wouldn’t have happened.
“I know you’ll be blaming yourself for this…but don’t be. We were just doing what should be done at that time…Damian was just too sly.”
“Does Raymond know anything about this?” I asked her.
“I don’t know…I haven’t really gotten a chance to talk to him…but…I need you…I need your help to get him out of this. I don’t want you to think that I still have feelings for him because I don’t. He’s just my really good friend and I can’t watch this happen…”
“I know…he’s my friend too…but Bernice…I want you to keep this 25% you hold, along with the 35% of both Raymond and Nancy’s company. I need you to use this power you push back at Damian. Don’t give it to him no matter what.”
She nodded. “He arranged a meeting with me next week…maybe you should come…”
“I can’t…I know this may sound weird…but I can’t let him know that you told me yet. This is serving to our advantage…just do as I say from now…”
She nodded, resting her head on my shoulder. I looked down to place a kiss on her cheek. More and more problems just keep popping up, and more and more people are getting involved.
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
“…you’ve got to promise me…stay off those drugs.” I reminded her again and again.
“I can’t…I just need them…they help me get through things.” She sighed, a bit frustrated.
“They’re harming you…and if you want to keep this child then you better stay off of them. Nancy you’ve already done this once…you can stay away from them for good this time.”
“I need to go out.” She sighed, grabbing her bag and standing up. “I’ll do my best…I won’t do anything foolish…”
“Nancy…” I suddenly called as if I have no control over myself. She turned back, expecting me to say something. “You’re dad’s company…its stocks are dropping really low…” I sighed with Damian’s request lingering in my mind.
“I know…I placed Kenneth in charge of it for the time being.” She replied, walking out the door.
Kenneth…Kenneth Ma. Nancy and her dad entrusts him with everything, and it’s hard to believe that Nancy is afraid to even lend a piece of her heart to him. Nancy wasn’t going to worry about her father’s company at the moment. She had more problems concerning herself that she still needs to handle. If I was to satisfy Damian’s request, I would have to go through Kenneth. But how am I supposed to do that when he is the only person who I can’t predict any of his actions. He is always so unsuspecting and spontaneous. Could he be in any way affected by Nancy that could lead me into satisfying the request easier, or is he still the one person whom I can’t tell what he’s thinking? I needed to talk to him, and I needed to talk to him fast. I didn’t want to do anything to hurt Nancy, but I’ll be able to give everything back to her once everything is finally at an end.
The door bell suddenly rang, pulling me away from my thoughts. I opened the door, and Raymond was standing there, looking at me. “Raymond…” He looked like he didn’t get any sleep tonight, and that something was deeply troubling him.
Without a warning, Raymond pulled me into his arms. He held me tightly, not letting me go as he pushed me into the house, letting the door close by itself.
“Raymond what’s wrong?” I asked, trying to get just a little bit of breathing space.
“I’m sorry Tavia…I’m sorry what my parents have done to you…” he mumbled, his face buried into my shoulder as I could feel him tearing up.
I froze, letting his grasp tighten around me. He knows, after so long Raymond finally knows. He finally knew how evil and despicable his father is. He finally can see how much pain his father has caused me. It’s hard for me to say, but he owed me so much. I let him hug him, as suddenly I could feel my own eyes tearing up.
Did I not want him to know? Did I not want to burden Raymond further of the truth? It can’t be. Since the day I found out Dominic Lam was his father, I’ve been trying to find a way to let Raymond know of his father’s wicked mind. I should be happy right now, but I am not. Why? Why is that? Raymond’s hurt, I can tell. He’s blaming himself. Knowing him, I know he’s blaming himself, and knowing him I know he will feel indebted to me. I should be feeling happy, I should feel a small sense of victory because if Raymond feels indebted to me he will try to do what’s best and soon be pushed to hand the company back to me. I should be happy that he finally found out without me telling him, but why am I not? As though I didn’t want him to find out. As though I wanted him to just live his everyday life without much worries like before we met, and keep thinking that his father is the saint of the world. Why am I not happy? I am not one bit happy right now…why?
~*~
[Nancy’s Point of View]
My throat was dry, and there’s this great pressure on my chest that makes breathing a difficulty. I was going to endure this though, because I want to keep the child no matter what. It was my child, and my mistake that this happened. My mistake for trusting a man not worthy of my trust, and not being able to let him go even after he’s already gotten himself a new woman at his side. It was my fault I created this child. The child inside of me is at no fault, and I can’t punish it for something I’ve done. I’m going to keep it, and hopefully one day I can learn to grow up and teach this child that trust is something hard to earn and give.
I gripped my bag and stomach tightly as I roamed the endless busy streets of Hong Kong. In all my life I’ve never seen Hong Kong like this. Like I am the only one here and no one else. It’s a different feeling, yet it’s not loneliness, no it was something else. Something I haven’t yet figured out.
“Nancy!” someone called my name. I turned around, looking for the one. “Nancy!” he called again.
I reacted instantly. Turning away from him, I ran across the street, trying to avoid him. I know this is bad, and I know I’ve caused him pain, but that’s why I’m running. I know myself more than anyone, and if I stay around him any longer I will only cause him more pain. Gripping my stomach as I ran, I felt a small pain. Maybe I’m not supposed to be running with a child in me, but I can’t just stand frozen and let him…
“Nancy!” Kenneth called again, grabbing my arm and pulling me back.
What kind of idiot am I? I had totally forgotten that Kenneth can outrun me any day. I probably shouldn’t have even left the house in the first place.
“Nancy why are you running? Why are you running from me?” he sighed, looking at me with hurt in his eyes.
“Kenneth…please leave…please leave and never talk to me again…I don’t want to cause you anymore pain…please…”
“You’re causing me pain just by running away from me. So what if you slept with him? Most girls in Hong Kong have done worse…Nancy please…just give me a chance.”
“I can’t Kenneth…you don’t understand. It’s unfair to you if I do…and I just don’t want to hurt you. I can’t even keep myself away from trouble…I don’t want to cause you any.” I spoke, pushing him away.
He grabbed my arm again the moment I got it off. “I don’t care if that’s not fair. Please…”
“I’m pregnant with his child! I don’t want you to be here! Please just leave…” I released, pushing him away.
I knew I hit the spot, I knew Kenneth was surprised by my words.
“Would you want someone who’s foolish enough to trust someone and then let herself go in the process? I do drugs now! Do you want a girl that is addicted to drugs and alcohol?! I have a child in my stomach! Would you be willing to raise and love a child that’s not yours?! I can’t even keep myself away from trouble…who would be willing to take trouble into their hand? No one in Hong Kong would, no one in the world would!” I was tearing up, my eyes were blurred with the tears that have gathered and released all at once. I couldn’t hold it back. “I can’t do anything right. I can’t even be a proper filial daughter…I can’t even grow up…I don’t even know how to be a mom…I’m not prepared for the child but I’m going to keep it…I don’t want to get you involved Kenneth. You don’t deserve anything like this…you deserve better. You deserve someone who can tell right from wrong…someone who isn’t a drug addict.” I dropped back on the brick wall, tears flowing from my eyes.
I am hoping that he would just walk away. I can’t afford to make any more mistakes in my life, and I can’t bear to see my close friend walk into trouble. I wish he would just walk away right now and just leave me be.
Without a warning he pulled be into his arms. His hold was tight but it was warm. Then suddenly I felt his lips on mine, holding me closer than ever before. His tongue was trying to break the very, very thin layer of ice between us, and I’m afraid he’s succeeding. I tried to resist, but Kenneth had placed his hand behind me so that I wouldn’t be able to pull away from him. Why must he do this? Why must he walk into all this trouble? Why must he be so foolish?
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