The Unfilial Daughter - Chapter 28

"...Ms. Choi has already signed the divorce papers. She requests no alimony or any financial gains. The apartment and boutique that you have recently transferred to her name will be returned to you. Whenever it is convenient please stop by our office to sign the papers," the monotone voice of the female lawyer rang into his ears.

Where would Charlene live if she moved out of the apartment?

And her boutique, was she really going to close it down?

The phone in his hand felt heavier by the second. "I would like to meet with Charlene before I sign the papers. Can that be arranged?"

He needed to speak with her but knew it would be close to impossible for him to seek her out. She would just avoid him the same way she did the previous times.

"I'm sorry Mr. Chung, Ms. Choi does not want to see you," came a matter-of-fact reply.

He took a wearisome breath. "I understand."

But he really didn't understand.

And couldn't understand.

He worried for her.

After agreeing to drop by the lawyer's office at his earliest convenience, Kenny dropped the phone back onto the base. An enormous weight formed on his chest. Breathing transformed from an effortless reflex to a strenuous chore.

There was no doubt that Charlene would always be the only person in his heart. And no matter the circumstances that had pulled them apart, he sincerely wished her happiness, even at the price of his own.

But was she really happy?

Had she forgiven Nicholas?

Were they still together?

Was he treating her well?

As much as he wanted to care, he knew it was no longer his place. He had no authority over her anymore. Not even as a friend.

A sudden knock on his door disturbed his thoughts and brought his assistant into his office. Her cheeks flushed with color and her breath short-winded and wheezing. She seemed worried and afraid. "Mr. Chung, two men from the Department of Housing and Urban Development are outside. They want to see you immediately."

He immediately understood her uneasiness and felt the same feeling strike his heart. "Show them in right away."

"Yes sir," she answered and quickly walked out the door.

In less than a minute two men dressed in finely tailored suits strolled in, carrying an air of authority as well as menace. "Mr. Chung, we would like to speak to you about the new resort that Chung Enterprises with Tse International."

The moment of revenge has finally arrived.

Was it really the beginning of the end?

*

Arched over the long oval bathroom sink, her gathered hands brought splashes of cold water from the running facet onto her pale face. But the usual exhilaration that came with the gesture eluded her while the feeling of discomfort remained. When her back straightened, reflecting from the rectangular cabinet mirror, a pair of dim eyes, colorless cheeks, and white lips greeted her. Against the black velour hooded jump suit that she wore, her complexion seemed even more tired and sickly.

Incredible nausea had forced her out of bed and into the bathroom early in the morning. More than once, she had emptied the contents in her stomach into the porcelain toilet bowl, leaving her light-headed and gasping for air.

The nasty chill from the night before must have given her a cold or worse, the flu.

Taking careful steps into the small living room, her head immediately found its way onto the back of the cozy couch, vaguely aware of the softness of her elastic velour pants against her legs. Soon her white sneakers were pulled onto the cushion and for a long while she remained curled in fetal position.

Despite her condition, she had intended on returning to the nursery to help Leila and most importantly to search for missing wedding band. But her husband had adamantly insisted that she stay home and rest while he drove over to the nursery alone, leaving her a small pot of congee, promising to return as soon as he could. With a reluctant nod she agreed.

Never been one afraid of loneliness, she couldn't help wishing her husband would hurry home. The months of living in the beach house with only each other for companionship, she had grown accustomed to his constant presence. Most times, they would either be in the den attending to business or her in the kitchen tending to their next meal while he took up chores around the house. It was reassuring to know that he was never more than a few rooms away. It was this same knowledge that made his current absence even more pronounced and the house even emptier.

Her ears immediately perked up when the melodious sound of the doorbell resonated through the quiet house, her mood lightened at the thought that possibly her husband had returned, yet could not shake the feeling that it was someone else. The conscientious person that her husband was, he had never forgotten his keys.

But who else would it be?

Her parents and brother would not come unannounced.

Perhaps some more busybody reporters looking for interview, or the occasional stranded motorist that required assistance?

Nevertheless, she slowly made her way to the front door, still battling against the nausea spell.

Her neatly shaped brows involuntarily creased in confusion when an unexpected handsome face greeted her through the top of the screen door. "Daniel?"

Dressed in his usual style of designer shirt and matching pants, his eyes looked longingly at her but did not speak.

Her fingers reached to unlock the white screen door. "What are you doing here?"

It had been a few months since the last time she had seen him. She vaguely recalled that it was during a status meeting for the upcoming resort. In the presence of so many others, neither had acknowledged each other with more than a polite nod.

What would prompt him to suddenly drive out here to look for her?

"Gillian, I have to speak with you," his voice carried much urgency. Then suddenly his right hand shot out at her. "Come with me."

Powerless in her fatigue state, she found herself unable to break free from the tight grasp of his strong hand. In a blink of an eye, all she could hear was the flapping sound of the screen door hitting against frame of the house while she stumbled weakly into his car.

Her eyes traced his tall figure helplessly confused as it crossed around the front of the car and slipped into the driver's seat. "Daniel, what is happening? Where are you taking me?"

But rather than answering her, he ignited the engine so that it roared loudly, then with a swift right turn of the steering wheel and a hard stomp to the gas pedal, the car was speeding down the deserted road.

Fueled by newfound uneasiness, her discomfort from before grew at an exponential rate. With one hand on her chest and the other tightly grasping the leather car seat, seeking for some sort stability, her patience began to thin. "Where are you taking me? Answer me. Why won't you answer me?"

Breathing was becoming difficult. It had taken several gulps to suppress the overwhelming queasiness that erupted in her chest and throat. Then abruptly the car pulled to the side of the road where only once in a long while another car would pass by.

His hands were still curled around the steering wheel but his eyes were slowly traveling to her. In them, she saw pain and disappointment.

At one point, he had been the most important man in her life. Had it not have been for his generosity, she would have never been able to be part of one of the best marketing teams in New York. While other coworkers turned their backs on her because of her sometimes headstrong rash decisions, he took her under his wing and befriended her. And eventually their friendship turned to love.

Without him, she would not be who she is today. He was her mentor, best friend, lover, and almost husband. Had they not returned to Hong Kong, it was undoubtedly that they would be married by now. Perhaps even with child.

But the appearance of Edison had changed everything.

In a strong solemn voice he began to speak. "Why did you lie to me? Why didn't you tell me that Edison Chen had blackmailed you?"

Her lips parted slightly from shock and her eyes grew wide with guilt. "Wh--What? What are you talking about? I don't know what you are talking about."

"There's no point for you to deny it. I over heard your brother explaining to a woman the exact circumstances of your so-called perfect marriage," he recalled bitterly. "Edison Chen had blackmailed you with Chung Enterprises. If not you would have never married him."

Cecilia.

The woman her brother was speaking to must have been Cecilia. Her childhood friend had been extremely concern over the matters of her marriage during her last visit. She must have forced the truth out of her brother.

"Why, Gillian? Why didn't you tell me the truth? Why did you lie to me?"

Her eyes adverted from his and moved to stare at the empty road ahead.

Why had she lied?

Why hadn't she told him the truth?

Perhaps, it was because at the time, she really didn't know how to face him, to put into words her painful dilemma, to see him inevitably pained by her decision. The beautiful excuse of sparing him from ensuing torment and agony was just cowardice on her part, afraid she would break down and back away from her decision once she saw his handsome face.

"Don't you know that I could never be happy without you?"

His words crushed her like a ton of bricks. Exhaustion unlike any she felt before washed over her.

A long time ago, their love had meant the world to her. But now, at this very moment, her heart already belonged to someone else. How she wished she could reciprocate his feelings. But yet, she couldn't. It was too late for them.

Their paths were destined to be different.

The lapse of silence came to an end when he suddenly took her cold hands into his warm ones. "Gillian, leave with me. We can start over again."

"No Daniel," she refused, turning her head from side to side while immediately pulling her hands back, afraid suddenly of his touch.

"Why not? Are you afraid of Edison Chen?"

"It's not that."

"Gill..."

"I've fallen in love with him, Daniel."

"No," he cried, turning his head from side to side. The look of disbelief immediately overcame his handsome features. "No, you're lying. You're just afraid he would make true of his threat. You're afraid for Chung Enterprises."

"I'm sorry, Daniel."

"How can you love him? Edison Chen is a monster. Do you know how many businesses he destroyed? How many lives have been ruined by him?"

Her lips pressed together helplessly, pained by her former fiance's distressed state.

"Please tell me you're lying, Gillian. Please tell me you're lying," he pleaded with her.

His desperation torn through her heart, yet all she could do was quietly apologize. "I'm sorry."

Despite all they had been through together, that was only comfort she could offer him.

"Take care," she said, taking a deep breath before turning to the door. He made no movements to stop her, still staring at an area on the dashboard it was as though he was too lost in his memories and regrets to notice anything. On his face was the look of undeniable defeat.

The chilly fall wind brushed harshly against her delicate skin, blowing her hair wildly. She closed the door with a light slam and began to walk forth.

It was time to go home.