[Bernice’s Point of View]
I stood there quietly, awaiting his answer. Somehow I felt like there was someone else in this matter, someone who just wouldn’t reveal themselves. I couldn’t figure out who, everyone I would consider already has a very suitable explanation as to where they are at. I kept waiting and waiting until the unpredictable Mr. Kenneth Ma began chuckling as if my request for an explanation was a silly remark.
“Even if there was someone paying me to do so, what makes you think I’d tell you?”
“I was just taking a chance. It would be nice to know who the real party is requesting me to do all this stuff.” I shrugged. “We’re done with that. What about my end of the bargain? How do suppose Ron’s heart will return to me? And why would you of all people be trying to break Ron and Nancy up? I thought you guys were friends.” I asked with a little smirk at my lips.
He turned away from me, shoving his hands in his pockets as he clipped the envelope with his arm. I couldn’t see his expression, but I heard a longing sigh come from him. “To be honest with you, I don’t trust Ron Ng one bit. It was hard for me taking the gamble that he won’t break Nancy’s heart again, but judging from his past heartbreak records, I don’t think they’ll last long. I’d rather have Ron leave Nancy quickly so that she won’t break down too hard when he really does change, again.”
“So in the end, you still want Nancy, and you don’t trust Ron?”
“Of course, but I only want Nancy to be happy, and having Ron by her side is just too much of a gamble. Sure Nancy is pregnant with his child, but when has Ron ever been responsible? I’ve asked several investigators to check up on Ron, and in his younger days who knows how many girls he got pregnant.”
“You don’t know Ron at all,” I interfered. “He’s a lot different now.”
“So do you want him back or not?”
“I do, I want him back even if I have to give up everything I have.” I replied immediately.
He turned back to face me. The look behind his eyes gave me a confused and doubtful feeling, but my need for Ron surpassed any doubt I had. I stood there and continued listening to a man I’ve just only met all because of a couple people’s reach for desire.
“Ron has a sympathetic side to him, seeing you get hurt he’ll be bound to doubt his decision to stay with Nancy. Then he’ll come closer to you again, and eventually, knowing our indecisive playboy here, he’ll leave Nancy and come back to you.”
“Seeing me get hurt,” I mumbled. “What makes you seem so sure?”
“I just know from a very reliable source,” he shrugged with a rigid grin on his face. “It’s your decision what you do next. I already have what I wanted.”
“Tell me more,” I spoke, tugging on his arm and pulling him back before he left. “I need to know, please.” I struggled to let the last word leave my breath, but finally it swept out at the thought of having the man I love come back to me.
“I don’t know,” he began with a sigh. “Get hurt in front of him? Become so weak that it becomes heart-wrenching for him to watch?”
~*~
[Kenneth’s Point of View]
I placed my foot sharply on the brakes as my car jolted to a complete stop. Sitting on the side of the road and watching as millions passed me by, I searched for my phone. Pulling it out, I finally began to wonder if what I’m doing will work in the end. Funny, I’ve never doubted myself before, and of all times I start now.
“Hello,” I spoke after dialing in the unforgettable number engraved in my mind.
“Hello,” a mellow voice answered. “Did you do what I asked?”
“Yes, all done. I slipped the paper works under your door at your apartment. What’s the next step?”
“This is the last thing I’ll ask you to do for me. Call Damian and tell him that Bernice has the majority of the shares and that he should work his way into taking it from her.”
“Why should I tell him that though? Bernice doesn’t have any of the shares now.”
“That’s the point,” the other line replied quickly. “Kenneth, please do this last thing.”
Without much hesitation, I agreed. “Alright, then I can finally leave for Taiwan and be assured that everything will work out?”
“Yes, I’m 100% sure that this will work. And besides, you’ll be able to keep track of everything even when you’re helping Mr. Wu out in Taiwan. I’ve got it all prepared for you, you can leave and come back whenever you want.”
“Alright then,” I sighed as I massaged my temples. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Just as I hung up this line, immediately I dialed another number. I don’t know why I was in such a rush when I had so much time left. Maybe because I wanted to get all of this over with, but yet my rush wouldn’t end these problems any sooner. The final outcome will be at the board meeting in a couple of days. Then maybe things will come to an end.
“Damian Lau,” I spoke.
“Ah, Mr. Ma, what can I do for you today?” He asked with a casual, carefree tone.
I don’t know if I will regret doing this or not, but to help out this was all I could ever do. With all the control I had, I tried to level down the doubt within me and forget about them for just a moment. After this call, even if I regretted my decision, I still wouldn’t be able to change it, and the outcome would be what she had wanted. I only wished that her desired outcome is what’s best.
“How would you like to easily take full control of AVC?” I asked him with a casual yet arrogant tone over the phone.
~*~
[Bernice’s Point of View]
As I left my car, I couldn’t deny the feeling growing within me. That feeling inside kept me grounded all over Ron. I long for him, I wish to see him, and I don’t mind that his heart belonged to someone else. Scary enough, I’m not myself any more when I’m around Ron or even when I think of him. I want to be with him, but the things I’ve done to make that happen has all turned out to be wrong.
“Ron, please be here,” I mumbled quietly to myself as I headed for the large water fountain.
It was late in the evening, and I’ve just about had enough of circling Hong Kong in a seemingly endless car ride. I walked towards the marble fountain, taking slow steps for I am fearful he may not come. I had called him over the phone earlier, but his tone to me was cold and uncaring. Did something change between us?
I stopped at the edge of the fountain, able to see my reflection in the water. Where was he?
“Bernice,” a deep and tired voice called out to me.
I turned around, hopeful.
He walked towards me slowly, his head low and his hands stuffed in his pockets. He was quiet, and so was I. Neither of us knew what to say.
“I’m glad you showed up,” I finally sighed.
“Bernice,” he began. “Don’t keep doing this. Don’t keep hurting yourself like this, I know that I’ve hurt you a lot, but make this the last of it. I, I can’t be with you.”
“What are you saying? Please tell me you’re only with Nancy because of the baby, and because you just want to take responsibility,” I begged.
He was quiet and avoided my eyes.
“Ron,” I spoke, reaching for him.
He moved back slightly. Without realizing it, his minor movement had just mentally slapped me in the face. He was moving away from me. From his pocket I saw him pull out something, a small, navy blue velvet box. My heart stopped beating, scared.
“I didn’t choose Nancy because she carried my child. I chose her because she is the person I truly love, and I plan on marrying her as soon as possible so I can amend for all the times I’ve torn her apart in the past.” His voice was low, but it was loud enough for me to hear and loud enough to rip me apart. My eyes filled with tears as I stared at the diamond ring inside his palm.
“Please don’t do this,” I begged in a whisper.
“I’m sorry Bernice. I’m sorry for everything.”
Looking at Ron behind the tears that filled my eyes, I couldn’t explain what was happening. Inside me there was this pain that pained me so badly. And inside my mind, all I felt was a vast emptiness. Inside it I also saw Nancy. If Nancy never showed up in his life, he surely would’ve chosen me instead. If Nancy never returned, Ron and I would still be perfectly happy with our lives. Every thought I had from that moment on was a simple wish to rewind time, and for Nancy never to show up in his life. If Nancy wasn’t here, Ron would be with me.
~*~
I sat there for such a long time. Ron had already left awhile ago, but I’m still sitting here, crying. My head was in my hands as I tried to come up with an explanation why everything turned out like this. I came up with many answers, but none I could accept. It just hurt so badly to see him walk away.
“Miss Liu,” someone suddenly called my name.
Wiping the tears from the face, I looked up to the voice. I was caught by surprise when I saw him standing there. “Damian Lau,” I greeted. “What do you want?”
He must’ve noticed my tears for he immediately apologized. “I’m sorry. This must be a very bad time.”
Whatever it was he was going to say, it couldn’t be worse than what I just went through. “Just say it,” I told him.
He thought for a moment, and then his sly smile suddenly widened his face. “I would like to buy you entire share of AVC from you.”
I straightened myself. Damian doesn’t know that I no longer hold any part of AVC.
“If you are willing to sell it to me, I will not only pay you a fine price, but I will also do you a small favor,” he offered.
I wanted to see what he would do, so I stopped myself from telling him I don’t have the shares. “What kind of favor?” I asked.
“I understand that you and Mr. Ng have been having some…difficulties. I can solve them all for you.” He replied in a calm and understanding tone.
It drove my curiosity to wonder what would happen, so I decided to press onward. “How are you going to take away my difficulties?”
“I have my ways. But you have to agree to me that you will give me the shares after I have done you the favor.” He spoke, handing me a small stack of paper. “Sign there please.”
I gave him a small smile through my tears. “You actually got a lawyer to work this out?”
“We’re in the business world Miss Liu, everything needs to be written down on paper, or else I might get cheated.”
“True,” I nodded as I signed the papers. “I’ll see if you can solve my problems for me. See you later Mr. Lau.”
~*~
[Nancy’s Point of View]
Standing there, I watched as he placed each folded piece of clothes into his suitcase. We didn’t speak, and we made no noise except for the soft swept of air as he tossed his shirts. I sat on the side of his bed, wondering why he had to leave. At a time like this, it’s the worse time to leave. Surely the explanation he gave me was only a lie, and it must be his own will of leaving, but why? He would never leave at a climax like this, would he?
“You’re so quiet today,” Kenneth spoke as he zipped his suitcase shut. “What’s wrong?”
I tried to pull a smile and sat up. “Why do you have to leave at such a bad time?”
He chuckled softly. “Your father needs an extra hand over in Taiwan. He originally wanted you to come, but, well you have other plans.” He replied.
Inside, I knew he was lying. Kenneth may be calm, but I could feel the shakiness in him. He was afraid of something. “When are you coming back?”
“Hopefully soon,” he turned to me and smiled as he answered. Slowly, Kenneth came towards me and pulled me gently into his arms. He hugged me tight, in a longing, fearful way. What was he so worried about? “Promise me you’ll stay out of trouble while I’m gone,” he spoke softly.
I nodded as I wrapped my arms around his waist. At times like these, Kenneth felt more like a brother to me than anything else.
~*~
Leaving Kenneth’s apartment, I was immediately followed by Ron’s surprise appearance to walk me home. Tonight, I was so quiet. I couldn’t find the words to say, nor did I want to say anything. I continued on beside him, holding hands, in his arms. I felt at peace, calm, and serene. As we walked, Ron too was quiet. When we suddenly stopped by a large water fountain I had never noticed before, he turned to me.
With a smile on his face he asked, “Why are you so quiet tonight?”
“I’m just trying to enjoy the silence,” I smiled.
He took my hands and looked me in the eye. I felt a sudden sense of thrill and anticipation running through me. He then smiled and got down on his knees, slowly.
“I’m sorry I’ve kept you waiting for so long. I’m never ever this serious in anything I’ve done before, and I’m terrified. But…” he smiled and waited for a moment. “Will you marry me?”
I was caught speechless. Overjoyed, all I wanted to do was screaming and jump up and down like a child. I haven’t been this happy in such a long, long time.
“Yes!” I replied, hooking my arms around his neck as he picked me up. The rest of the moment was filled with blurs of beautiful city lights that I’ve missed in all my life.
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