He remembered that day clearly.
It had snowed a few days earlier. The white precipitation was beginning to transform into dirty slush and slippery ice. He ran as fast as he could, swerving pass other pedestrians. His heart hammered anxiously with each passing second.
His anxiety began to subside as soon after the seaport was in sight, running as fast as he could he crossed the street and reached his destination. The entire area was practically vacant due to the below zero temperature. He turned in circles, while the harsh winds blew, trying to locate his target, a silly girl that had promised to wait for him every day until he arrived.
Little did she know, he had never had the intention of coming, love was but a game to him. Yet an unexplainable tug in his heart told him to come today because or else a stubborn girl might fall sick from the freezing cold.
When he finally came to a spot where a set of footprints was deeply embedded, he didn't know whether to feel sad or relieved that along the adjoining street; two pairs of footprints could be seen walking away.
She finally gave up.
Thoughts of her had been buried since that day but seeing her at the orphanage the other day had triggered those forbidden memories.
Why did her face surface before his eyes when he least expected it?
A deep solemn voice interrupted his thoughts. His eyes shifted from the monitor to the door, meeting the face of his adopted father, Simon Tse.
"Father," he greeted respectfully, ready to get up from his seat, only to be gestured down by his adopted father who took a seat across from him.
"I just received a wedding invitation from the Chens; their second son is marrying Tony Chung's daughter," he paused momentarily, "I want you to go with me. It's time you began associating with the socialites of Hong Kong. Relationships are very important in business."
"I understand," he answered despite his reluctance to attend another boring wedding.
His adopted father must have sensed his unwillingness. "Don't worry Nicholas, I promise you won't be bored. There will be plenty of pretty girls for you to chase after."
They both laughed knowingly.
Love was nothing but a game or so he thought.
Only one woman was dear to his heart.
His mother, but she had died.
*
Staring into the starry skies on the terrace, Charlene recalled her day with a slight smile. Hand in hand with her husband, they walked into the orphanage compounds, bearing bags of clothing and toys.
It had been a long time since they spent a day together. Since returning to Hong Kong together, her husband had spent day and night at the office, worrying about business matters. So many nights, she waited for his return, only to disappointedly slip into the cold and lonely bed on her own. Silently, she had seen him staggering through their bedroom doors, pale and tired, but without fail he planted a kiss on her forehead before drifting off to dreamland.
He was a good husband.
Her smile broadened as she recalled her husband energetically distributing the gifts they brought. His face held only serene and love as he helped some of the children assemble their new toys.
Maybe in another year or two, they will have their own child.
She knew he would be a wonderful father.
He didn't have a dangerous streak, nor did he enthrall with excitement but he was steady and stable.
He may not have been her first choice but he was definitely the best choice.
There comes a point in every woman's life when they become too tired to play games.
While it maybe hard to find a person to capture one's heart, it is harder to find a person that knows how to cherish it.
She had found the person.
"A penny for your thoughts," she looked up to meet the wise face of her mother-in-law.
"Mother, why are you up so late?"
"Gillian's wedding is tomorrow. I can't sleep," the elder woman sighed.
Charlene nodded knowingly.
Inwardly, she prayed for her sister-in-law's happiness.
*
Life was so ironic.
Donned in a gorgeous satin and lace wedding gown, she stood with her arm tucked under her father's, the way she always dreamed of yet the groom was the very person she had been running away from for six years.
Her heart no longer held resentment and distaste for the man she was destined to marry, all that she hoped for was to save Chung Enterprises and her father, nothing else mattered anymore.
If those were fate's plans for her, she would willingly accept them.
She was too exhausted to fight any longer.
Daniel had waited outside her gates for the last month despite her refusal to see him. While it hurt to see his pain and distress, deep down she knew it was for the best that he let go now instead of another inevitable time down the path.
What would be the point of prolonging their pain?
He deserved to be happy.
The sooner he forgets her the sooner he could be happy.
Whereas she, she had already resided to fate.
She had fought and lost.
*
Inside the grand ballroom of the most prestige hotel in Hotel Kong, Charlene was running around busily from errands given by her mother-in-law. Accidentally, she bumped into someone she hadn't expected to see.
"Charlene," he greeted her, while his female companion walked off to the restroom.
"Nicholas," she returned the greeting politely, feeling rather uncomfortable. "Well I better get going."
Unexpectedly, she felt a strong hand around her elbow.
"Charlene, would it be possible for us to meet again," he said quickly releasing his hold, "You know, sit down and talk?"
"I don't think that would be possible," she said as her eyes lingered on his handsome features.
"Why?"
"Charlene," a voice called from behind, saving her from having to answer.
Turning, she was met by her husband's concerned face, "Kenny."
"This is?" Her husband drew an arm around her petite waist and nodded politely at Nicholas.
"This is Nicholas Tse," she introduced, "and this is Kenny Chung, my husband."
Immediately she noticed the disappointed look that flashed across Nicholas' face.
And silently in her heart, she whispered, "I'm sorry."
*
Dressed in a ruby red satin evening gown with her hair elegantly put up, Gillian stared absent-mindedly into space as she stood by her new husband while he spoke to some business associates.
Every so often, friends and family would walk over to congratulate her, taking her farther and farther away from her husband's side, her lips curved into a slight smirk as she recalled these were the same people that forsaken her after she had been disowned.
What a realistic world it was.
Taking a glass of champagne from a passing server, she began sipping on the alcoholic drink, disregarding her empty stomach, ignoring the burning sensation from within.
Suddenly from the side, someone brushed by and slipped a small gift box into her hand. Opening the small box, she found the engagement ring that she had returned to Daniel along with a note.
"Meet me outside."
Tightening her fist, she crumbled the note.
Crumbling all her previous hopes and dreams.
Selecting another glass of champagne from a server, she gulped the fizzling liquid until the entire glass had slide down her throat. As the alcohol began to take effect, she giggled her way around the room, laughing and flirting with male guests, unaware of her husband's trailing eyes following her.
*
The jacket of his tuxedo was carelessly tossed aside; the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up and loosely untucked from his black dressed pants as Edison placed his unconscious wife onto the bed. Having consumed too much alcohol, she had passed out during the reception, luckily he had been able to catch her before she fell to the floor.
Intently, he stared at Gillian's delicate features, the curve of her long lashes, the slight upward turn of her lips, suppressing the urge to kiss her.
He had seen the sadness masked beneath her smile.
He had seen the tears on the corner of her eyes as she laughed.
He had been the one to drive her to such misery.
"Don't...Don't turn into Father."
The words of his sister echoed in his ears.
No comments:
Post a Comment