[Nancy’s Point of View]
Finally…finally he let his arm down and pulled back. I couldn’t utter a sound, make a word, or even find the strength to make my legs run away from him. No, all I did was stand there, staring back into his eyes as I tried to slowly blink the tears out of mine. Kenneth in my eyes had always been a brotherly figure. But somehow, just somehow, after that kiss, I’m beginning to realize something that I’ve looked over in the past. No, I can’t let my thoughts confuse me. I wasn’t going to let Kenneth walk into trouble, and I can’t hurt him anymore.
“Why are you always running away from me?” he asked me, reminding of our relationship in the past two months.
“You…deserve better. Why are you being so foolish?” I asked him in reply.
He paused for a moment, but it didn’t look like he was thinking. Instead Kenneth was reading my expression, and it scares me but he knows me too well for our own good. “…because I can.”
I hadn’t realized it until now, but I’m too close to Kenneth. I pushed away, but he pulled me back. Funny, this man won’t let me leave him, while the other man is trying every means to push me away. This was life. Now though, after all those things, I am at a point where I don’t want anyone else walking into my life. Kenneth, I wasn’t prepared for what he will do. Knowing Kenneth as well as I have, he’s the very definition of one word, unpredictable.
“I’m going to take care of you…and I’m going to help you stay away from whatever might harm you.” He spoke softly, his eyes warm and gentle as he looked at me.
“You…” I muttered, wondering if he found out about my foolish addiction.
“I…I know I shouldn’t have done this…but I did some investigating on you…for your dad. When I got the reports from the investigator…” he stopped himself, needless to say what we both had in mind.
“For my dad…you didn’t tell him did you?” I asked him.
“No…because I know your dad looks at you as his perfect little angel…and I’m not going to ruin that image. Nancy…you’ve got to stay away from those…you told me you want to keep the child just now, and to do that you’ve got to first keep yourself safe and healthy first. I told you I was going to take care of you…”
“Kenneth…” I spoke, stopping him. “Can I please have some time alone? Trust me…I won’t do anything stupid. I can’t afford to make any more mistakes.”
He nodded. What I still haven’t figured out was how well Kenneth is handling this. He agrees to take care of me, he worries about me, he cares for the child and agrees with me on keeping it, but yet he’s not enraged or even one bit mad at me. Any other guy out there would go on a rampage if they find out the person they love is pregnant, but Kenneth is proving otherwise. No matter, even without Kenneth I was still going to keep the baby and continue on with my life. I guess with his help, it makes things easier. I really need to get my thoughts away from the topic, I just hate to think about it but yet it keeps popping up.
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
I hate being in this position. I don’t know how many other people in the world would understand the feeling of being torn between two things you desperately want, but unable to force yourself to give up either one. I hated Dominic Lam, and I want to punish him myself in this world of injustice, but then I am undeniably in love with his son, Raymond Lam. Thinking back, if I’ve never met Raymond then I wouldn’t have met Dominic and none of this would take place. But then if I didn’t meet Raymond back then, I would be a lowly cashier or bartender somewhere down the street, rather than a board member of one of the largest insurance companies in Hong Kong. I guess everything has a price, but I never wanted to become a board member, it was all a huge shock for me.
My hand gently swept across his face. Raymond was laying on my lap, catching up on the sleep that his house had failed to provide him. I didn’t mind being the only one awake in this house. Instead I am actually enjoying the silence. It is in silence that I am able to think clearly, and able to find a small location to relax my mind and just take a step back from everything. I ran my hand softly through his hair, unable to hold back my smile at his sleeping face. I can’t hold back my smile, but I can’t hold back the guilt either. Raymond finally found out what kind of evil man his father is, but he’s hurt. I don’t want him to be hurt, and I just hate seeing him like this. I close my eyes and just simply let my hand slide off.
My knuckles fell upon something hard. I felt curious as I pushed his jacket aside to see his PDA cell phone. Though I’m his girlfriend, I never really found the need to look through Raymond’s phone. For some reason, now I did. Am I really changing, or am I just seeing the truth that I’ll have to choose one path out of the two I have in front of me. I picked it up silently without waking him up and turned on the screen. I’ve worked a phone like this before, and so I knew where everything was. I looked in Raymond’s private records, and scanned through each files close and carefully.
He turned in my lap, and my heart jumped a couple feet, but luckily I managed to have enough control over myself to keep me from waking him up. I felt guilt, I felt disgusted at myself for doing this to Raymond, but I have to choose a way. The only thing I can say to him is that I’ll repay whatever I took from him afterwards. I’m just hoping I can get through with all of this, and that my so called uncle wouldn’t pull any more surprises for me. He turned again, and this time my heart was racing. Deciding to look at it all later, I sent all of Raymond’s files and scheduled meetings over into my phone. Waiting a few seconds, I saw that those were the longest seconds in my life. My eyes constantly back and forth between Raymond and the phone, I felt like a petty thief. What am I but a petty thief?
~*~
[Raymond’s Point of View]
Again in my life, there was silence, no there was absolute silence. Lately moments like these have been happening more and more often, and I hate it down to the core. I could feel Tavia’s warmth as I laid on her lap, pretending to catch up on my sleep. No, I am not asleep, I am actually wide awake. How could I sleep after my mom told me each and everything she and my idol father did to the woman I love and her family? No wonder I could sense a small, hidden barrier placed up each time Tavia and my dad were with each other. Right now though, I’m only laying back and closing my eyes. I know I’m fooling Tavia, but what other ways can I discreetly repay her? Like my mother said, without Tavia’s father, my own father wouldn’t be where he is now, and I wouldn’t be the rich boy I am.
I could hear the soft, muffled sound of my phone buttons being pressed, but I was expecting that. I knew Tavia had already known what my father did to her family, after my mom told me everything. For every normal person, they would want to do something about it, and even though Tavia doesn’t have a lot of experience she would still be curious on what she could do. So I purposely set in all my files and schedules into my phone, knowing she will fiddle with it somehow. This is my one and only way of repaying her. I know Tavia, and I know she won’t lose herself. What I’m hoping for is for this twenty year long problem to be resolved in a fair manner so that neither side receive any more damage. The idea seemed almost impossible from what my mom had told me, but with help I’m sure I can arrange things.
“I’m sorry Raymond…” Tavia suddenly spoke. I didn’t know if she knew I was awake or not, but I’m not letting my cover be blown that easily. I kept as still as possible and listened to her every word.
She touched my cheek first, gently as I could feel the softness of her hand. “I’m sorry I’m doing this…but I just can’t choose.” She stopped for a moment, and then let out a soft, bitter laugh. “I think I’m starting to become like Ron, unable to make a decision and stick with it. I love you…but I just can’t let someone like him go on without punishment. He’s done enough to me…and as a woman…I’ve got to protect myself and my future…”
By “he” I knew she was referring to my dad. It pained me; I’m not lying because it actually hurts to listen to her words. I didn’t like it when she referred to my father as such a despicable man, even though he is. I also didn’t like what has happened to Tavia, and it was all for my sake. I don’t know what will happen between the two of us now, but keeping quiet is the only other option I have…if I still want to keep Tavia. I love her…and no matter how hard I convince myself that I don’t, in the end I know it’s all just a lie and that I need her in my life.
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
You’re such a fool Raymond, you’re such a fool. I didn’t know why he is still staying by my side even after finding out the truth, but he’s such a fool. I don’t think Raymond knows anything about what Damian had planned for his company, because if he did…Raymond just wouldn’t be here right now.
My cell phone vibrated softly beside me, and I lifted it up to see a text message sent from Damian. I hesitated to open it, because knowing him it would be another task that I have to do, but then just sets me torn between two things I can’t risk losing. His first task was to take part in Nancy’s company, and that’s just throwing our friendship on the very fine thread I’m walking on. Now for his second task, I’m afraid to know.
The message opened up, and his exact words were simple, but impossible for me to do.
“Steven will be arriving on the morning plane tomorrow. I want you to be the first one to see him, and give him a set of documents I’ve left in your mailbox. When he sees the document, he should willingly hand you his five percent of the company. I’m not asking you to do this as a favor anymore. I’m requiring you to do it in order for us to take back what is ours.”
The message ended there, and I was already looking at the impossible. For one reason, I’m not well acquainted with Steven, and two, why does the shares have to go to me while he just sits back and no one suspects a thing about him?
Then the final question lies in me. Will I have the guts to complete his request or not, and what will happen then?
~*~
[Ron’s Point of View]
In terms of romantic relationships, mine is more messed up than anyone else I know, but for me, that wasn’t my top priority right now. I had much bigger things to worry about, and those bigger things involve the fate of the three people I care about and their companies. In simple terms after I’ve looked at everything Bernice had given me, my company and hers are being held hostage in this struggle between the Yeungs and the Lams. Nancy’s company is the fighting power, and whoever has part in hers will have a higher advantage. While within Raymond’s company, there are two parties against each other. I know Damian Lau’s business personality, and he will bring us many surprises to the game. But as for the link in all of this, Tavia Yeung, a person I’ve known for quite a long time, I am unable to predict what she would do. She is obviously in love with Raymond, but she is also tied in the knot of vengeance for her dead parents. The only innocent party in this are Raymond and Nancy, and at the moment I can’t contact any of them.
“Mr. Ng…Mr. Ng…” the private investigator snapped.
“Oh…I’m sorry…I was just thinking…continue please.” I replied to Investigator Chan.
“Okay…so you requirements for my group are to follow Miss Nancy Wu, Miss Tavia Yeung, and Mr. Damian Lau is that correct?” he asked.
“Yes…but to make things easier I think for Damian Lau…you should also search the records by Damian Yeung too.” I replied, taking to mind that Damian is related to Tavia and should have the same surname in the past.
“Okay…that is all I need from you sir. Thank you for your business.”
I nodded and pulled a humorless smile. I need information, and what better way than hiring private investigators? I need to know what Tavia and Damian are up to, and possibly set up a counter against them. But as for Nancy, I know her too well, and I worry she might do something foolish. I needed to make sure she’s safe, because no matter what happens between us, I am still indebted to her.
~*~
I hadn’t noticed the time earlier, but by the swift gust of wind hitting my face, it was late evening. The sun was setting in the horizon, and Hong Kong is still as active as ever. It’s been such a long time since I’ve taken a walk down this road, and I just wish I could’ve shared tonight with Bernice. Unfortunately, unlike me she is drowned behind a pile of papers at her office. She’s doing more work than I am. All I’m doing is walking down memory lane.
At first I thought I was just thinking too much, but when I saw that person sit there on the bed of sand, I knew who I was looking at. I wasn’t ready to see her yet, and my idea of handling one problem at a time has just fallen down the toilet. I couldn’t walk away, no I couldn’t do that to her again. Slowly, I made my way to her side. She seemed to be fully unaware of my presence, so I sat down beside her.
She turned around, her face like a fallen angel. Nancy looked like there was so much on her mind, but right now…she and I are nothing more than good friends.
“Y…you come here often?” I asked her.
She nodded. Yet she still hasn’t spoken a word.
“I…is something wrong?” I asked, beginning to choke on my words.
She shook her head this time, but still not a single word.
“We’re…we’re g…good friends right…?”
“You’re heartless bastard!” someone suddenly screamed.
The very moment I turned around, a large fist suddenlypounded against the side of my face, knocking me over into the said. My head is rumbling, hurting like crazy after that punch. I didn’t even get to see who the person that punched me was. Trying to get back up, I kept slipping on the sand while my head is still running in circles.
“Kenneth! Kenneth stop!” Nancy’s voice sounded.
I cleared my vision, straightening out my mind as I forced myself onto my legs.
“…hitting him won’t change anything…” Nancy pleaded, nearly sobbing.
“Kenneth?” I spoke. “What happened? What are you doing here?”
“What happened?! What happened?! You should be asking yourself that! What happened two months ago huh?! Everything was your fault!”
“Kenneth…” Nancy pleaded.
“Nancy…” he turned back to me, his hands gripping tightly at my collar and lifting me up. What has gotten into Kenneth? He wouldn’t over-react like this.
“You want to know what happened? Four years ago you were the bastard that left her! Ten months ago you were the heartless jerk that returned to her life with a fiancée! Then…two months ago you were the same heartless bastard that slept with her…and got her pregnant! Nancy got into drugs when you left her before, and just as she managed to walk away from that, you get her pregnant and now she’s back on square one! Why are you doing this you her?!”
“Kenneth Ma!” Nancy literally screamed at the top of her lungs.
“Nancy’s pregnant?” I asked, defeated and worried.
“You were the first and only guy she ever slept with.” He replied with hatred and disgust.
“Kenneth let go…please!” Nancy pleaded, pulling his arms off me.
I watched as Nancy’s pixie like body tried to pry Kenneth off of me. She was so weak and fragile before, but Nancy is so weak between the two of us. She was pregnant, and it was my entire fault. Once again, I was the one who was widely awake during that night. Nancy was the drunken one, and I was the one that was wide awake. I was the one who couldn’t hold back and got on top of her. Everything…was my fault.
“Kenneth!” she screamed again, finally getting our attention. “It’s not gonna change anything.” She sobbed, taking Kenneth’s hands and pulling him away.
I fell back.
“It…was all…my…fault…”
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