A few days later at Hung Sam Joyce was about to enter her office when she noticed Nic, who as usual, was standing before Louis’ door. He had been severely injured when Louis and he were kidnapped and she knew it first hand because Louis had asked her to accompany him to the hospital and drive him back home after the medical check-up. During their time together, Nic had managed to speak less than ten words to her, which most of the time, were either “thank yous” or “sorries”. In that area, they were quite alike since Joyce never liked to speak much either. For that similarity, she liked Nic and found it comfortable to be around him. She had expected Nic to be taking some extra days off because Louis had made it quite clear that he wanted Nic to do just that. But curiously, Nic had insisted to report back to work as soon as that was possible. Joyce looked at Nic who was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt underneath and a black tie that he kept loose around his neck. The outfit, while very well-tailored seemed in Joyce’s observation, a bit too large and overly formal on Nic whose looks matched better with more casual clothes such as jeans and t-shirts. Even his awkward demeanor suggested that he too wasn’t really comfortable in wearing such clothes. She approached him. Nic watched as Joyce walked in his direction. Perhaps he had always had his mind preoccupied with doing his job properly so he never really noticed anything except for Louis’ whereabouts. Only that day when Louis had asked Joyce to accompany him to the hospital, did he start to notice Joyce, how gracious and respectful she had been towards him the whole time even from his first day of work when she introduced herself to him so warmly while he more or less kind of gave her the cold shoulder. Nic observed Joyce. She was dressed all in black: a long knee-length unbuttoned coat, a stylish tank top accompanied with a mini-skirt underneath. She didn’t wear much make-up on except for a touch of dark red lipstick. The way Joyce chose to dress herself was undoubtedly sexy in any man’s eyes, but what especially attracted Nic to Joyce was her nonchalant, almost oblivious attitude to the way she might have been perceived by other people. She didn’t have a clue and she didn’t seem to care either. Joyce (taking out a bottle of medicinal wine from her purse, she hands it to him): This might be very efficient for you. It took Nic a few seconds to register what was happening, as he was still lost in his thoughts when Joyce addressed him. There was a moment of hesitation before he accepted Joyce’s “gift”. Nic (inclines his head a little in a sign of gratefulness as he took the bottle): Thanks a lot. Joyce just smiled back and headed towards the conference room to prepare for the meeting that was going to take place soon, while Nic just stared at the bottle in his hands, a small smile suddenly curving on his lips.
In the conference room
There were about 12 people present in the conference room including Louis, Stephen and Sunny. Most of them are important shareholders of Hung Sam to the exception of Sunny who was nothing but a mere worker who had been promoted high enough to be able to take part in most of the important meetings concerning the company. Everyone knew that Louis favored Sunny because Sunny had once saved his life. All attention was now focused on Stephen who was standing straight in front of the projector animatedly presenting his proposal for a new project replacing the failed GRII project. Due to the kidnapping incident, Louis had not been able to sign the contract before GRII’s representative Mr. Chu took the last flight back to China. As a result, the cooperation between Hung Sam and GRII had been terminated. Stephen (having wrapped up his presentation, he anxiously asks): What do you all think about the project? Nobody had anything to say until Sunny spoke up. Sunny: Great idea Mr. Fung! But don’t you think it might be a bit too risky? If the project doesn’t go as you planned it would, the company’s shares will probably go down drastically. Mr. Lee: I agree. Better be safe than sorry. Mr. Chow: Even though, I initially really did like the project, it’s true that we ought to reconsider it. We can’t risk the company’s reputation. Stephen looked from one elderly to another as they repeatedly and unanimously agree with Sunny. Most of them are elders who had been friends or important people who had worked alongside his parents for quite some time. How he wish they could put just as much trust in him as they did with his parents. Looking at the situation, Stephen just knew that his project would never come through because all that the people in this room, maybe except for him and Louis, ever cared for was simply, money, money and money; enough money for a prosperous retirement. Sunny: I do have another proposal though. Joyce then stood up and distributed a copy of Sunny’s project to each person in the room. Stephen has now sat down in the chair beside Louis, reading Sunny’s file. Everyone then turned their attention to Sunny as he explained his project. Stephen: Mr. Chan, in the project you’ve listed a number of conditions. Condition # 10 is quite unclear to me. Would you mind clarifying on it? Sunny: Good question Mr. Fung. I’m sure that everyone here probably understands it so I don’t think it’s a good idea to go over it because that would only be a waste of time. Maybe you could read it once again and if by then you still don’t understand it, you’re more than welcome to pass over my office and I would personally explain it to you. Stephen could feel his blood boiling after hearing Sunny’s taunting words. If it wasn’t because Stephen still had a little self-control left to him, he would have probably come over and bash Sunny’s head in the wall by now. His hot-temper was starting to get the better of him when all the shareholders started to agree with Sunny one after another. Mr. Wong: I think you have a wonderful idea here, Mr. Chan. Mr. Lee: I agree with Mr. Wong. It’s safe and it does bring a lot of profit to the company. Stephen could feel his anger rising as he had to sit there in his chair and listen to everyone bragging about Sunny’s petty project. Stephen just kept silent, his eyes staring at Louis, waiting for a reaction. When Stephen realized that Louis was not going to say anything, he just simply lost it. He stood up with all the files he had taken the time to prepare for the meeting, in his hands. He then in a fit of anger, threw all of them on the conference table. Stephen: What is this project going to contribute to the company? A few millions maybe… in how long? One year, two years? I know what all of you are thinking, you are all afraid of risk because it may make you lose some ridiculous small amount of money for retirement. So don’t go all-righteous and tell me how much the project would affect the company’s reputation and growth because I know you all could care less about all that. You all continue without me because I don’t think I can stand such BS talk anymore. With that Stephen stormed out of the conference room without bothering to close the door. Louis (to everyone): I will have a decision by tomorrow.
Inside Stephen’s office
Stephen could barely contain himself as he entered his office and closed the door abruptly hard behind him. His cell phone rang. Cecilia: WOW, calm down! Stephen (he softens his voice a little bit): Sorry. Didn’t know it was you. Cecilia: It’s okay. I just called to tell you that I just baked a cake. Stephen (smiles): What kind of cake? Cecilia: Yours and Louis’ favorite. Come over tonight and tell Louis to come too, I also prepared his share. Stephen (at Cecilia’s mention of Louis’ name, he raises his voice): I don’t think he’ll come. He’s too busy reviewing that bastard’s stupid project! Cecilia (extremely annoyed): Why the hell are you shouting at me? What does that have to do with me anyway? Did you swallow explosives or what? (she hangs up on him) In a mad rage, Stephen threw the cell phone on the floor.
Inside Sunny’s office
Sunny was speaking with someone on the phone. Sunny: That annoying bastard is proposing a new project replacing the other one. Man: I don’t care how you do it, but you have to stop him. Sunny: Okay. I know what to do.
7 o’clock at Anne’s house
Anne was in the kitchen putting the final touches on a variety of meals when she heard someone turning in the lock of the house’s main door. Anne immediately dropped everything she had in her hands and hurried out of the kitchen. It has been days that she had been worrying about him. How many days, hours, minutes, seconds after the kidnapping accident, were how many days, hours, minutes, seconds she had been worried sick about him. He had called her many times assuring her that he hadn’t suffered any injuries, that he was safe and yet, until she saw him for herself, his words seemed to bear no substance to her. She knew that even if he was ever hurt, he’d never tell her because he would always be afraid that it might worry and trouble her. He has always been a considerate person, sometimes even too considerate and she knew that this particular personality trait, would eventually destroy him one day. But that was also the same particular personality trait that had made her fall for him so completely since when she was still a young girl. But apart from that, he has always shared everything with her and she knew that he would never lie to her. As Louis opened the door, he was greeted with a concerned Anne who ran up to him and hugged him tightly, so tightly as if she was afraid that he would vanish away in a moment if she didn’t hold onto him firmly enough. He let himself relax in her warm arms while she let his strong arms soothe the helplessness she had been feeling for the past few days. And for the first time in a very long time, she called out his name, the name she had always called him by since when they were young. Anne: Ah Tin, I have missed you. Louis: I know, Hoi Lan. I’ve missed you too. A short while later when they pulled away, Louis took Anne’s hands in his and led her towards the sofa. They sat down. Anne: What happened? Tell me everything. What did they do to you? Did they hurt you in anyway? Louis: They didn’t do anything, they just pulled me in their van and kidnapped me along with Nic. They only wanted money. But I managed to escape before they could get anything. Louis (nods in agreement): I suspect it’s them again. Anne (turning extremely concerned, her eyes shining with worry): I think they want to warn you. If they could do it once, they could surely do it again and the next time, they won’t let you off so easily. Ah Tin, promise me you would be careful. (she unconsciously takes his hands in hers) Louis (he gently squeezes her hand reassuringly): Don’t worry, I won’t let my guard down. I’ll be careful. (and then he smiles) But before we talk again, I think I should relieve my stomach first. It’s reeling in pain now because I’m truly starving. What is on tonight’s menu? Anne (smiles): All your favorite dishes are on the menu tonight. It just remains to be seen if you can eat all of them. Louis (playfully): Is that a challenge that you’re tossing my way? Anne smiled and said: I’m going to the kitchen to get the dishes. Louis: I’m going to the bathroom to wash my hands now, can’t wait to savor your delicious cooking. As Louis walked to the bathroom, Anne brought out all the dishes from the kitchen and has started to settle the table when she distinctly heard a beeping sound coming from the living room. It was Louis’ beeper. Anne called out for Louis but he couldn’t seem to hear her. She looked at the message displayed. When Louis reemerged at the dining table, Anne was holding out his coat for him. Louis looked at her with questioning eyes. Anne: She called. GiGi has a high fever and she’s already on her way to Tang Shiu Kin Hospital. She told you to meet her there. There was a moment of silence as Louis just stood there seeming a little lost in what was happening. Anne closed the door for him.
At Tang Shiu Kin Hospital
When Louis dashed into the hospital, Jessica was sitting alone in one of the chairs in the waiting room. Jessica’s forehead wrinkled in concern as tears of fear glowed in her eyes. He could feel her nervousness as she just sat there staring hollowly ahead, the laughter and life normally embedded in her eyes, temporarily missing. Louis went over and sat beside her. He took her hands in his. When Jessica saw Louis, she didn’t say a word, she just buried her face in his chest. Louis just held on to Jessica as he said: “GiGi is going to be alright”. They just sat together waiting for the doctor to come out, Louis lending all his strength to Jessica. Even though, Louis too was extremely worried, he kept himself straight up and under control because he knew Jessica needed him now more than ever. Moments later, the doctor came out. Both Louis and Jessica immediately stood up. Louis (his voice strained with nervousness): How is my daughter? Doctor: She is alright. She just needs to stay for the night for further observation. You can take her home tomorrow. Both Louis and Jessica sighed in relief, feeling the huge burden and fear lifted off their shoulders. Louis & Jessica: Thank you, Doctor. The Doctor just nodded and he left shortly after. Louis: Jessica, have you eaten something yet? Jessica: I’m not hungry. Can you just stay here with me? Louis just nodded as he took out his coat and cover Jessica with it. He wrapped one arm around Jessica’s shoulder while she leaned on his shoulder. Jessica soon fell asleep while Louis stayed up all night just watching over her and reflecting on things.
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