[Nancy’s Point of View]
Steven was quiet for a moment, something running through his mind that I have no way of telling. He sat there, fiddling his thumbs as he was hesitant to tell me what’s really going on and why he’s here. I sat up, and he noticed my movement on the bed. My expression was serious, I think. Hopefully by that he’ll have some more trust in me and tell what was going inside him and outside him that would cause him to have to hide here.
“I went over to Taiwan as part of a business venture in place of Uncle Dominic.” He finally began after moments of lingering on his decision to tell me. “But when I got over there, turned out the business partner I was supposed to be discussing with was just a hired con-man, and he tricked me into signing the papers that transferred a huge sum of money into his personal account. After that he left of course, so I was left there. I panicked, so I took my own money to patch up the hole and came back to my uncle, lying that it was a bad deal for us and we shouldn’t do it. I was running out of money and I wasn’t able to keep up with all my stock shares. That sum was so big!” he explained, defending himself reasonably. “And then there she was, perfect timing. As soon as I got off the plain, Miss Tavia Yeung…I’m sure you know her. She met up with me right at the airport, and had me sign a set of already prepared papers that would transfer my five percent hold of AVC over to her in exchange for another sum of money that would pry me out of debt.”
I sat back in wonder. I wasn’t shocked, because I know Tavia is still new at this, and she could easily be tricked by someone else to do all of this. At least that is what I hope to believe in, and I just hope someone will pull her out of the ditch soon, before anything bad happens. She’s bought up Steven’s share of AVC, and by what he said I can pretty much guess the sum isn’t a small number. But where did Tavia get the money? Of course she’d need someone rich at her back, or does she? Surely the party who’s tricking her has more tricks up their sleeves.
“I’ve done a lot of research, tracking, and private investigating.” Steven spoke again. “It turned out that Tavia only spent a mere twenty-thousand dollars into buying that conman. The money I gave to that con-man went into her hands, and she simply gave it back to me after the transfer.” He chuckled, his laughter without a single drop of humor. “She’s definitely one heck of a girl. Raymond’s still upset with her, I mean he was the one who investigated on her trick, and now she’s even working for Damian Lau, or should I say Damian Yeung Chung Yan.”
“Damian’s in this too…” I thought aloud for a moment.
Steven nodded. “He’s the one faring on Tavia’s side. They’re pretty determined to take back AVC, but you know Raymond won’t give up without a fight. Tavia and Raymond, their personal relationship is hard to say, but business wise they both won’t take a step down, or take any compromises. I’ve already tried talking to Tavia, but she won’t listen.”
“Tavia won’t listen to you.” I interrupted. “I know her, and she’s really stubborn once she’s made a decision. But…do you know exactly what her intentions are? I’m not talking about Damian’s intention, that’s obvious. But has Tavia said anything about her own intentions?”
He shook his head. “No…I’ve tried asking, asking her what she wants. I talked to her a couple times at some random café we were near, but every time I asked her about her intentions or desires, she’d avoid the question, change the subject immediately, or give me an answer that has nothing to do with it.”
This was exactly how she is, at least that was what my thoughts of her had said, but I haven’t seen her in such a long time. I looked down at my growing belly, and realized how long it’s been since everything. I rubbed my large bump gently, trying to ease that aching pain that would come so often nowadays. Tavia Yeung, maybe people are just misunderstanding her. Maybe she has something else up her sleeve, and maybe she’s trying to help them out after all. I’m only hoping she’s still that old Tavia that I knew and became best friends with. I wish she was still the same more than anything.
~*~
[Ron’s Point of View]
I was solemn in a cafe, my eyes staring off into space as I continued to stir the already cold cup of coffee. It's been a long time since I've seen her, and now I wonder how she's doing. I can't believe myself, how could I possibly keep up with this lie? Besides, how could she lie for me anyways?
The door to the cafe suddenly opened. I only saw the back of a slim waist woman who seemed to be pregnant, walking into the store. Could she be Nancy? No, I didn't call Nancy to come yet; I haven't called her at all in the last three months. I don't know if I can keep the lie though. Living with Bernice, it wasn't until things have “settled” down that I realize how much we don't match, at all. How can I live with her for the rest of my life if I'm already having doubts about our engagement, let alone marriage?
“Oh you're six months pregnant already?” I heard the young cashier exclaim at the woman who just walked it.
The woman only nodded, speaking too soft for me to hear.
“Who's the father?” the cashier asked.
I looked closer, finding some familiarity in this pregnant woman. I was almost certain she's Nancy, except with longer, straightened hair. The woman turned around, her lips curled up in a small yet humorless smile, seeming kind of forced. I was surprised, shocked and scared at the same time. I was right, that woman was after all Nancy. She walked towards me, her wandering eyes catching my presence quickly.
“Hello...” she greeted as if we're far off strangers.
I nodded and tried to give her a smile. “You wanna grab a drink?”
She smiled, this time a little bit warmer. “So how have you been?” she asked. “How are your plans with Bernice going?”
“We set them on hold.” I replied, short and simple. There was some confusion in her eyes. “Bernice and I wanted to help Raymond and AVC first before our marriage.” I explained.
She gave me a nod, smiling a bit but seeming like she's avoiding my eyes.
“So...how's the baby?” I asked, wondering in curiosity at her growing stomach. She must've gone through a lot of pain, carrying our baby alone like that. I hate myself, I hate myself so much.
“Okay...” she replied. “It's a boy...I haven't decided a name for him though.” she smiled, rubbing her belly gently.
This was my chance I thought, I can't believe it. There was a sense of thrill that came to me, the fact that I'm talking to her again, talking about OUR baby together. “How about naming him Alex?” I asked. “You've always liked that name.”
“You still remember? That was like years ago.”
I simply shrugged, not knowing what to say about this. “Does it hurt?” I asked, trying to ease the awkwardness. “Does he kick you a lot?”
“Yeah.” she laughed. “He'll be quite active when he's born.”
We were both smiling. I wanted to touch her stomach so much, to get closer to her, and also to feel the child I’ve given her, and all the pain that goes with it. I wanted to listen to him, to my son inside her. In a long time, I would've never thought Nancy and I would be able to sit down and smile or laugh together again. Though it wasn't how I had imagined it in my dreams. Instead of being with each other, holding hands and laughing as we walked down the busy sidewalks together, we were at a café. She was with Kenneth, pregnant with my baby and caring for him alone, while I'm with Bernice, trying so hard to find a safe way to go at this. This was awkward, but judging from everything else, this was enough for me.
Suddenly Nancy's face grimaced in extreme pain. She gripped her belly, and the hand sitting on the table balled up into a fist. She was hurting. I rushed over, got out of my seat and got by her side immediately, without a second thought. Without even realizing it, I held her hand in mine, pulling her closer to me, ready to pick her up and rush her to the hospital.
“Is something wrong?” I asked in a rushed voice, beginning to panic from her pain. I could just sense it by the feeling of her nails digging into my arm. I didn't mind though, I kept her closer.
“I don't know.” she spoke through the pain. “It just really hurts.”
“Let's go.” I spoke, picking her up and dropping a bill on the table, paying for our drinks.
I could feel the eyes in the store staring right at us, but now was not a time to care. I picked her up, holding her close to me and careful not to hurt her or the child inside. She was lighter than I had expected, perhaps from her poor eating habit that has been a problem when we're still together. I ran her out into my car and set her in the front seat gently. Her face was twisting in the pain, and I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to ease it and make it better. What kind of person am I?
The car engine roared to a start and I stomped on the gas, launching the car forward in a panic attack. I held her hand, gripping it tightly as I drove on. Please let her be okay. I already hate myself enough that Nancy's carrying our baby alone; please don't let anything bad happen. I got more of a panic when I heard her scream that she's tried to hold back for a while. She was sweating and tearing at the same time. This was too much for her fragile body.
“Ron it hurts!” she managed to tell me through her pain.
“Hang on Nancy. Please.” I spoke, feeling that I'm sweating myself as I tried to drive faster.
~*~
[Ron's Point of View]
The hospital was one busy place. People dressed in white, nurses and doctors rushed back and forth, even in the waiting room. There were all sorts of emotions here, every array one could think of. I could see happiness in a man as the doctor walked out, sliding the curtains open. He was holding his baby tightly, crying as he gripped his wife's hand, both of them smiling at their newborn child. I could see guilt in another man's face as he sat a few seats away from me, rubbing his head and sweating out bullets. Then there was worry in an old woman's eyes as she paced back and forth on the echoing floors of the waiting room. There were many emotions, and many stories here. As for me, I probably would be worrying, scared to death. I could feel the blood drained from my face, flushing pale as I waited for the curtains in front of me to open.
“Doctor, doctor what's wrong with her?” I asked in a panic once I saw the man in the white robe walk out here.
“She's okay, she was just having some problems with the baby turning and developing in her body. We gave her a shot and some medicine to ease the pain that won't affect the baby's growth.” he spoke in a monotone voice.
I sighed, leaning back on the hard, solid wall beside the curtains.
“But I'm afraid I have some bad news.” he added. My heart sank, shooting my legs back up to see what he had to say. “Due to her prior drug abuse and Gastric Lavage from taking in too much ecstasy at the same time, I'm afraid her heart won't have a very high survival rate, going through with the baby.”
“What?” I gasped in disbelief. “What do you mean?”
“I told Miss Wu this before.” he spoke. “I told her about her condition right when she found out she was pregnant. She still chose to keep the child, and I'm afraid her heart won't be able to make it that far. There is a chance both will survive, but it's still a gamble. Miss Wu had contracted heart problems prior to her pregnancy due to drug abuse. After she's pregnant I could see there were still some drugs being used along with alcohol consumption. Luckily she's chosen to stop for the past four or five months now, but her chance with the child is still a gamble.”
The doctor excused himself, walking away to care for another patient. I couldn't find myself to believe in what he said. Nancy's pregnancy with my baby is a gamble for her, meaning she's putting her life at stake. What's worse was that she knew about her problems prior to the pregnancy, and still chose to keep the baby. Oh Nancy...
“How are you feeling?” I asked, pushing the curtain aside and rushing up at her side.
“I’m fine.” she laughed. I could tell she was trying to ease my worry, but it's not working.
“The doctor talked to me. Why didn't you tell me about your health problems?” I asked, scared and worrying for her. “He said that you've abused drugs before, causing your heart to create problems for you. Now that you're pregnant, you're gambling with your life. Nancy, I don't want the baby if it means you're going to die.”
“What are you talking about?” she laughed. It was a lie she didn't even have to tell. I could see the tears appearing in her eyes. “I'm not going to die.” she spoke, choking on her own words with the doubt clearly visible in her eyes.
“Nancy...I don't want the baby. I want you to stay alive. Please, think about you yourself for once.” I begged, holding her hand close to my chest as I ran my hand through her hair.
She sat up slowly, still stiff from her back pains. “Why would you choose to let go of your baby?” she asked me. “He's your baby...”
“But you're more important to me...” I spoke, unknowingly telling her what I've felt all along. “It wasn't until now that I realize the difference between you and Bernice. I don't love Bernice...I love you.”
“How could you say that Ron? You're engaged to her.”
“Nancy please…I admit that I was a bastard, an asshole before, but now I don't want to make any more mistakes. I want you, not Bernice. And I don't want you to die over something that I've caused to happen.”
She was quiet, tears falling slowly down her beautiful, angelic face. Her hands were with mine, intertwined and fitting perfectly, but she was caught speechless in my explosion of emotions.
“I love you Nancy Wu...” I spoke, knowing that's how I truly feel.
~*~
[Tavia’s Point of View]
Almost done, all I need now is two million dollars. Where am I supposed to get that amount of money? I can’t rob a bank at this stage. My eyes continued glued to the flashing computer screen, looking closely at the set of documents Kenneth had sent over. These were records from Nancy’s company. I guess I was wrong after all, and Nancy does take part in the development of Wu Enterprise. These records show transactions she’s made, but they’ve only brought gain and growth to the company. I guess I’ve always been wrong about Nancy hating her family business.
If I’ve done the math correctly, then Wu Enterprise will be able to buy up NG Enterprise if they please. Right now in Ron’s current state, he’ll want to help Raymond, and if we manage to trick him into giving Nancy the shares, she’ll have control of both enterprises. Then with both Wu Enterprise and NG Enterprise behind her, she can buy up AVC Insurance without a second thought back. This was it, this was exactly why Kenneth sent me these documents, to assure me Nancy has gotten the business genetics from her father. But what I can’t determine is if she’ll be willing to help or not. It’s too much to ask of her, especially during her pregnancy. Damian is a tricky man, and if he finds out somehow then I’m only putting my dear friend in danger.
My cell phone suddenly rang, a familiar ringtone that was muffled from inside my purse. I stood up, searching for it and picking it up without looking at the screen. “Hello?” I answered.
“Tavia…can you come see me?” a very, heart winding familiar voice spoke.
I took the phone back, looking at the screen in disbelief. It was really Raymond Lam, calling me.
“Can you?” he asked again.
“Sure…where?” I asked him. My voice was a bit shaky, and so was my hand.
“I’m at the front entrance of your building. Can you come down?”
“Yeah.” I spoke, hanging up the phone and quickly running out of my apartment.
I don’t know if I’m dreaming or not, but Raymond has actually called me and asked me to come see him. His voice was normal, neither shaky nor deep and distant. It was normal like he’s asking a friend to have a conversation. I can’t believe it. In the elevator, I stood waiting, getting impatient to go see him. I know I shouldn’t, I know I might as well keep everything hidden until the end. Since I’ve gone this far I might as well keep up with my act. It’s been months, so why didn’t I? It was because of something inside me, something I know very well. I miss him. I miss him so much and I want to see him. That’s why I can’t stop, that’s why I can’t get out of this elevator, walk back up to my house and keep up with the act I’ve given him for so long. I miss him so much.
The elevator bell dinged, and the two metal doors began to slide open. Slowly, I saw the side of his face. He was standing outside my building, not in his car with his hands in his pocket. I stepped out, slowly and softly as if scared to wake someone up. I walked over to him, a bit hesitant because I’m scared of his reaction. I was scared that what if he only wanted to see me to try to convince me to leave Damian’s side and help him instead. I was scared, not wanting Raymond to bring up the horrors of business and numbers, the very thing that brought us apart in the first place. I was scared but almost certain he would. After all why else would he be here at this time of night?
“Why did you want to see me?” I asked him, taking a step back mentally, fearing that he’ll bring up AVC and Damian again.
“I was wondering…” he began slowly.
My heart froze in place. Here it comes. If he asks me to stop working with Damian, how could I respond to him? Silently I’m wishing Raymond would stop short in his words and not say anything at all so I don’t have to worry.
“I was wondering…if for one night we could forget about AVC, forget about business, and just celebrate together…?”
He didn’t say it. I paused, thinking about his every word. “Celebrate?” I asked him, a bit surprised that a small smile has appeared on his face.
“It’s my birthday…” he smiled.
“You really want me to celebrate it with you?” I asked, my heart skipping yet another beat.
“It’s your birthday too. Have you forgotten your own birthday?” he asked me, leaning in a bit closer. His eyes were becoming very alluring, but I stopped dead and think.
Was it really my birthday? Today is…January 15…it is my birthday, along with his.
“So can you spend our birthdays with me?” he asked with hope in his eyes.
There was a strong part of me that wanted to say yes so badly. But there was something else in me that was holding me back. Why would Raymond all of a sudden want to forget everything for one night? Was there something behind his actions? He didn’t even mention the words asking me to give up on AVC. Instead he wanted me and him to forget about it for one night, and spend our birthdays with him. I could tell, no, I could feel Raymond is hiding something. There was something going on, and a part of me is saying so. I don’t know if I should agree or not. A strong part of me wanted to so badly, but the smaller part can’t be ignored either. Just what is Raymond planning?
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