Though he tried to not let it show, Louis was preoccupied and worried about something; that much Anne could tell. Because rarely did he seem so lost within the confines of his thoughts as to be so absolutely absentminded to his surroundings.

Anne (gently calling his name): Louis?

Louis (snapping back to reality, to Anne): Huh? (then to the waiter) I’m sorry. (he then handed the menu to the waiter who had been waiting, the waiter then leaves)

Anne: Are you okay?

With a gentle, assuring smile Louis nodded slowly.

Seeing the look on Louis’ face, Anne knew he was probably worried about Stephen just that he was trying to conceal that worry in front of her so as not to affect her.

Anne (taking both Louis’ hand in hers, her eyes showing concern): You already did all that you can do. Whatever that happens now is not within your control.

Louis (squeezing her hand gently and yet assuredly, he smiles again): I know.

“I know”, two simple words and yet be so perfectly representative of Louis as a person.

To anything unfortunate that befell on them, it was always “I know”, “It’s okay” or “I can deal with it”.

Louis has always been a sharp and observant mind in control and though that control seemed to have slipped into confusion for a while, she could feel it returning in full force this morning as he came by surprise to pick her up to bring her to this restaurant. Although, still agitated and preoccupied, there was a certain clear-mindedness to him that had been vacant lately. Any confusion that might have clouded his mind for the past few years seemed to have dissolve away because there was a certain conviction about every single one of his actions from the way he rang the bell to her house to the gentle smile playing at his lips as he kissed her morning when she opened the door for him...

Something happened. Even though, what happened she couldn’t possibly know, he seemed to have gain that control back, and the weird part is that she didn’t know if she should be happy or sad over this new turn of events.

Though Anne still loved him just as much as she ever did, she had to admit that he was no longer the man she has fallen in love with or that kind-hearted and simplistic boy she had first met.

Back then, just like her, he used to treat and view life with so much simplicity and optimism.

All that however changed after his mother died. Whatever naiveté and optimism that were a part of who Louis was, withered the same day his mother died. From that moment onward, something inside him seemed to have frozen; his emotions hardened and neatly wrapped under a wall of icy indifference. Looking at Louis, sometimes she felt he didn’t see himself as part of the world but more like an indifferent outsider looking in. This was the attitude he adopted in front of everyone, except with her…that is until he met Jessica.

Whatever Jessica did or had in her, she was able to warm him up to the world around him, something that even Anne couldn’t do.

And for that Anne couldn’t quite figure out whether she was more jealous or more grateful towards Jessica.

As that last thought lingered in her mind, Louis’ cell rang.

He picked it up and with a nod of his head directed at Anne, he excused himself from the table. It has always been an unspoken agreement between them; Louis never heard his calls in front of her.

A few minutes after Louis made his way outside, a man entered the restaurant. He looked around the room trying to search for his business friends when his eyes suddenly landed on Anne who was now sitting alone at the table. The man grinned as soon as he saw Anne’s solitary figure at one of the tables.

He walked up to her and before she even realized he was there, he had already sat down in front of her: in Louis’ empty seat.

It was Wong He, one of Anne’s least favorite people in the world.

For a while, Anne was worried that He would see Louis but she kept her fear under-wraps so as not let He suspect anything. She was just hoping that Louis would see He at the table and would not walk up to them.

Wong He (smiling at Anne, his tone mocking): Hi Anne! What a pleasant surprise!

Anne (her usual gentle eyes suddenly turning hostile as she looks straight at him, her voice both firm and cold): Running into you is anything but a pleasant surprise.

Wong He: Oh, is that so? I just thought I’d come by and keep you company since you looked particularly lonely sitting here at this table.

Anne: Honestly He, I’d rather be lonely than to be spending time with you.

Wong He: Don’t women like to say one thing and mean the exact opposite? (then suddenly noticing Louis’ set of forks and knife) Well, it seems to me that you will have some company,

Anne (carefully trying to remain emotionless as she speaks): My friend just cancelled. But whether I do have company or not, it has nothing to do with you.

Wong He (fainting a hurt expression): Ouch. Aren’t we a little wee bit harsh here? I was just worried about you that’s all.

Anne: I never knew you had the ability to care for anyone.

Wong He (getting frustrated): Ok, let’s be fair here. It was never me, Anne. It has always been you. I loved you and offered you everything and yet, you still chose that jinx over me.

Anne (with a warning, fiery look): Stop calling other people “jinx”, especially someone who is no longer with us.

Wong He (starting to enjoy himself): What is wrong with me calling him a “jinx”? Everybody did. Even his father didn’t want him. That was quite smart of his father actually; after all didn’t he jinx his mother? He even jinxed your parents! At least, now that he’s dead, he will no longer jinx other people.

Anne (shaking her head in disgust): This is what makes you so despicable, He. You know all these unfortunate happenings had absolutely nothing to do with him, why do you keep on demeaning someone like that?

Wong He: I did not demean him, he IS an inferior. All this talk of course is just to remind you that your choosing him over me was a grave mistake.

Louis was about to cross the doorway and back into the restaurant when he noticed a man sitting in his seat.

Wong He.

It was years ago, long lost years that he thought he had altogether forgotten about. But upon seeing He again, that part of his life came back and it came back so suddenly and in such intensity as if a long time ago because of its sheer brutality, it has been branded in his memory.

***************************FLASHBACKS****************************************** A middle-aged man threw a small bag of belongings containing some clothes and a small photo frame at a young 15 year-old boy and pushing and shoving him out of his front door.

Uncle Heung (with intimidating authority): Get the hell away from here, there’s no place for you here!

The boy said nothing, his face remaining a stubborn picture of emotionlessness, as he bent down and picked up his bag.

He turned around and was about to leave when a voice called out his name.

Anne (running towards him, tears running down her cheeks) : Ah Tin, don’t leave, please. (she reaches out for his hand and holds it to keep him from leaving, she then turns to her uncle) Uncle, please I beg you, don’ t throw Ah Tin out of the house!

Uncle Heung (impatient): Anne, you’re just a little kid, you don’t understand.

Wong He (coming from behind): That’s right Anne, don’t interfere in adult’s business. Foster father knows what he’s doing.

Anne (her tone insolent): I don’t care! This is my parents’ house, I have the right to keep whoever I want here!

Uncle (very angry at this moment): Well, not anymore! It is my house now, you spoiled little brat. It is time you learn a little discipline. Shut up and go back to your room!

Anne (looking at her uncle seriously, her tone surprising calm and firm): If you won’t let Ah Tin stay, I’m leaving with him!

Louis (at Anne’s words, he lets go of her hand, he then shakes his head at her as a sign telling her to shut up): That’s enough, Anne. I’m leaving.

Uncle (authoritative and unyileding): He, close the door!

He (seriously): Anne, this is your last chance.

Anne (with determination etched every single one of her features, she gets out of the door and grabs Louis’ hand): Ah Tin, we’re leaving.

Louis (he looks at her intently as if asking her if she was sure about what she was about to do, Anne nods her head, he squeezes her hand and nods): Let’s go then.

****************END OF FLASHBACK****************************************

A distinct painful void formed in Louis’ stomach as those memories came flooding back to him.

It was a long time ago, but it was as if it was just yesterday. He could still clearly hear them all, each and everyone of them rejecting his pleas. Back then, he didn’t ask for much; all he wanted was to survive and for someone like him, even that wasn’t allowed.

~

I’m sorry Sir, we do not hire here.

I’m sorry Sir, you do not meet our qualifications.

Go away, we can’t hire you! You’re not qualified.

Sir, please understand. We’re just a tiny little company, we truly can’t afford to go against the powerful Heungs.

~

***************************FLASHBACKS******************************************

Dressed in a white, sweaty tank top and dirty jeans, Louis was carrying a huge bag of rice on his shoulder when Wong He walked leisurely out from the elevator.

Wong He (motioning to the other two workers, Ellesmere and Steve): You two can go home now.

Ellesmere (immediately dropping the bag of rice that was on his shoulders, he wipes the sweat off his forehead): What about Ah Tin?

Wong He (giving Ellesmere a warning look): Do-you-still-want-to-go-or-not?

Ellesmere (he gives Ah Tin an « I feel for you» look and hurriedly walks off with Steve lest Wong He changes his mind): Of course!

Wong He (after Ellesmere and Steve quickly left, he turns to look at Louis who continued working in silence as he carried one bag of rice after another, in a taunting tone): So Tin, how are you adapting to this new type of environment and work? Well, you know what they say, “when your horse dies, you’ll have to get down and walk” and now that you no longer have Uncle and Aunt to back you up…

To He’s annoyance, Louis just continued working in silence totally ignoring his taunting remarks.

Wong He (angry that he is being ignored, he takes a huge bag of rice lying on the floor, he walks to Louis and dumps it hard on his already burdened shoulder):

Louis’s body sank lower at the additional charge on his shoulder but he kept on carrying both bags as he walked.

Seeing Louis still stubbornly carrying on, burning with incredulous anger, He took another one and flung it on his shoulders. This time, Louis’ shoulders couldn’t sustain the heavy charge and he fell hard to the floor with the three bags of rice on top of his back.

He (bending down near Louis’ face, he whispers menacingly in Louis’ ears): Just remember, you are nothing but a pile of dirt. You will never be anything but dirt under my feet, an inferior. Not only that, you’re a jinx. You jinxed both your mother and Anne’s parents. (pointing to Louis’ head) Your survival and Anne’s solely depend on me, if you were smart, you wouldn’t get me angry! (he leans back, stands up and then gives Louis a kick) Now, why don’t you stop lying there and get back to work? I did not pay you to lie on the floor, did I? (Motioning to all the rice bags left) In two hours, you’ll have to get rid of them all, otherwise, I’ll reduce your pay.

****************END OF FLASHBACK****************************************

As those memories came back to him, a wave of anger mixed with resentment washed over Louis.

He turned back and walked outside of the restaurant.

Picking up his cell phone, he dialed a number.

Louis: Wong He’s here. If in three days, he’s still here, I don’t ever want to see him again.

After the call, He had already left.

Louis came back inside the restaurant and both he and Anne resumed eating.

While Anne and Louis were eating their meal together, at the other end of the world, Jessica was sitting on a plane traveling from Paris to London.

Jessica looked down at GiGi who was now lying peacefully asleep in her arms. Tenderly, she stroked the baby’s face. A few minutes ago, GiGi had a crying fit. Although comfortable in Jessica’s arms and just recently fed , the baby had unexplainably and suddenly erupted in loud cries as her hands and legs flailed about. Her little face all red, the baby restlessly thrashed her arms and legs trying to get out of her mother’s arms as if it seemed to be looking, searching for something that was no longer there.

It took a long while before the baby finally calmed down and fell asleep. Caressing GiGi with tender glances, Jessica could not help but notice how much the little girl resembled her father, a father she had assumed for dead the day he walked out of their home and into another woman’s embrace.

Louis.

Even the sound of his name left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Inside Louis?office

A young man in his early twenties with his hair neatly kept at shoulder-length, sat before Louis with a number of files in his hands.

Stephen: Louis, I think that this is truly a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. GRII (Grand Resources International Investment Corporation) from China is really interested in cooperating with us on real estate development over there.

Louis: I’ve thought about it Stephen, but this is a really big and time-extensive project that we are dealing with. If we cooperate with them, we will have to gather all the company’s assets into this one project and I’m afraid it will slow down our growth process in the local market. And with all the concurrence that we are already facing, that does present huge problems for the company’s standing in Hong Kong.

Stephen: I agree that the project does present some risks. But Louis, there is a whole growing economy in China that we could find nowhere else because over there, unlike any other place, the market is still pretty much untapped. I really do think that this is our perfect opportunity to step into the international market.

The sounds of someone knocking on the door suddenly interrupted their conversation.

Before Louis had the chance to say “come in? Sunny had already opened the door and invited himself in. A young man dressed in a black suit and white shirt followed Sunny inside the office.

Sunny (courteously to both Louis and Stephen): Am I interrupting anything?

Stephen: Of course not, Mr. Chan. Anybody else would have been kicked out of here already but of course, you’re an exception. Special treatment for special people.

Sunny (smiling, his face leaning close to Stephen’s): That’s why I always tell people that you, Mr. Fung, is a very easygoing boss.

Stephen glared at Sunny.

Sunny (turning to Louis): Mr. Koo, (pointing to the man that is now standing beside him) here is your new bodyguard.

Nic (extending his hand): Hi Mr. Koo, my name is Nic Tse.

Louis shook his hand.

Nic: From now on, I’ll be your be your bodyguard and your driver. I’ll be standing right before your door. Whenever you need me, just call me in.

Louis: Sure.

Nic left the room.

Stephen (to Sunny): I knew Mr. Chan always takes the company’s interests very much to heart, but I never thought that you’d also take up the job of hiring a bodyguard for Louis. I thought that was Joyce’s job. You’re not missing work, are you?

Sunny was about to say something when Louis cut in.

Louis: Stephen, hand me a more detailed plan for the project and we’ll discuss it at a later time.

Stephen (standing up): No problem, I’ll give it to you tomorrow.

Sunny: Mr. Koo, I think I should go and take care of some things as well.

Stephen and Sunny both turned to leave, Sunny leading the way. Sunny opened the door and stepped aside gesturing with a smirk on his face for Stephen to pass first. Stephen walked through the door without giving him a second glance.

---

Outside Louis?office

Nic was standing before Louis?door observing the surroundings when Joyce approached him.

Joyce: You’re?

Nic: I’m Mr. Koo’s new bodyguard.

Joyce (extending her hand): Nice to meet you Mr ?

Nic (shaking her hand): I’m Nic.

Joyce (smiling): I’m Joyce, Mr. Koo’s personal assistant. If you have any questions just ask me, ok?

Nic (did not return the smile): Thank you.

Joyce then excused herself to go back to her office.

---

At lunch time

As Louis walked out of his office, Nic followed him.

Louis (turning around): You don’t have to go with me, I’m just getting something for my wife.

Nic: Sir, Im strictly here for your security.

Louis: Well ok, if you insist.

---

Inside Louis?car

Nic: Where to Mr. Koo?

Louis: Restaurant “Saigon at Stanley? 90 Stanley Main Road.

20 minutes later

Nic (stopping the car): What do you want to buy, I’ll go buy it for you.

Louis: I’ll go alone, just wait for me here.

Before Nic could say anything else, Louis was already out of the car and crossing the street directing himself towards the entrance of the restaurant.

Since it was lunch time, a lot of people were already waiting in line. Louis patiently queued behind all the others.

Looking at Louis through the window, Nic wondered how Louis could stay outside for so long in such a hot weather. Even sitting in the car with the air conditioner turned on nearly to the maximum, Nic was sweating.

After an hour, it was finally Louis?turn to order.

Cashier: May I help you Sir?

Louis: I’d like to have sticky rice served with ice-cream and sliced mango, to go.

Cashier (he’s been waiting all that time just for that????): That’s all? Anything else, Sir?

Louis (smiling): That’s all, thank you.

Louis took the dessert and left to go find Nic.

Inside the car, Nic had fallen fast asleep.

Louis opened the door to the backseat and settled inside. He then tapped on Nic’s shoulder. Nic immediately woke up.

Nic (straightening up): Sorry Sir.

Louis: It’s ok, I was the one who made you wait for a whole hour.

Nic looked at the small bag in Louis?hands wondering what was inside it that could be worth so much waste of Louis?precious time.

Wealthy people are bizarre sometimes, he thought.

Afterwards, they went back to the company and Louis resumed working for the rest of the day with Nic standing before his door at all times.

---

8 p.m. at Louis?house.

The doorbell rang.

Jessica: Cecilia, can you get the door for me? (she’s in the shower)

Cecilia (watching TV in Jessica and Louis?bedroom): Ok!

Cecilia hurriedly jumped off from the bed and ran down the stairs to open the door.

When she opened the door, the only thing that was in her view was a small white bag with a little plastic bowl inside it.

Louis (finally deciding to show his smiling face): That’s for you sweetie! (his face turns a little disappointed at seeing Cecilia instead of Jessica)

Cecilia (chuckling, she takes the bag with both hands): Oh, thank you so much! How nice of you, Louis! I’m so touched!

Louis (taking the bag back and playfully hitting on Cecilia’s head): That’s not for you! If you want one, just go buy it yourself.

Cecilia was wrestling against Louis for the dessert, when Jessica walked down the stairs.

Jessica (amused): What’s this all about?

Cecilia: Jessica, your husband is SUCH a gentleman! (hitting on Louis)

Louis (shielding himself): She wanted to take YOUR dessert!

Jessica: Sorry Cecilia, can’t be on your side this time. After all, it’s MY dessert that we are talking about. (she smiles)

Cecilia (releasing Louis and the bag): OK, since I’m so not welcomed here, I’m LEAVING. Bye!

Louis and Jessica both laughed at her childishness.

Jessica: Ok, ok. What about I give you half of my dessert?

Cecilia: I don’t feel like it anymore. Eat it all, just don’t give any to Louis, he was so mean!

Louis: Sorry little baby!

Cecilia (making a face at Louis, and to Jessica excited): Before I leave, show him your present!

Jessica smiled and then ran upstairs to her bedroom while Louis just looked on with curiosity. Jessica came back with a black sweater.

Jessica (handing the sweater to Louis): Try it on.

Louis (quickly putting it on): That’s quite nice. Where did you buy it?

Cecilia: Who says that she bought it? Didn’t I tell you Jessica? Men are so absolutely clueless most of the time.

Louis looked puzzled.

Cecilia (sighed): Don’t you feel especially warm in it? She knitted it for you!

Louis stared warmly at Jessica. She blushed.

Cecilia (looking at her watch): I have to leave now. I’m seeing a movie with Stephen. (she runs back into the living room to get her coat and purse)

Meanwhile

Louis (looking at the sweater that is now in his hands): Thank you Jessica.

Jessica: No really, it’s nothing.

Cecilia who is now ready to leave heard Jessica’s words as she walked towards them.

Cecilia: What???? Nothing? (to Louis) She dragged me to 9 different stores just to get the right type of wool for this sweater!

Jessica: Hmmm, I think you’re late Cecilia. Stephen’s gonna be mad?

Cecilia: Bye! (she fast waved to them and immediately stormed out of the house)

As Cecilia left the house, Louis held Jessica’s hand with one hand, (the other one still holding the sweater) and they walked together to the living room. They sat down on the sofa, Jessica was now eating the dessert.

Louis (still staring at the sweater): Why do you always treat me so nicely?

Jessica (she looks up and then at Louis smiling): Silly! What kind of question is that? You’re my husband, of course I should pamper you. If I don’t, who knows? You might find another woman to do it in my place.

Louis (soft tone, he’s trying to smile in a “joking?manner): What if I really do? What would you do?

Jessica: I would?

Just then, Gigi’s loud cries echoed throughout the house from upstairs.

Jessica immediately put the bowl of dessert down on the table and rushed up the stairs.

Before Louis could follow Jessica, his cell phone rang.

Louis: Hello.

Sunny: I found it.

Louis: I’m coming. (he hung up)

---

Inside the baby’s room

When Louis got to the room, Jessica was holding Gigi in her arms. The baby had just woken up and Jessica was attempting to calm her down by singing a lullaby to her. Jessica’s soft and gentle voice was slowly putting the baby back to sleep as Louis stood at the doorway for a long time just gazing at her holding GiGi, their 6 months old baby.

Jessica was obviously the perfect woman, the perfect wife and the perfect mother, Louis thought.

But he…he was simply not the perfect husband.