Chapter 14

Henry had organized a meeting with Phillip and James since the two have been working very hard lately. He was impressed with the accomplishment thus far and wanted an update from their projects.

Sitting across the two equally handsome young men, Uncle Henry’s stern face studied their character recently. He finally began. “James, tell me what’s the update with your project with Mr. Zhiang?”

James, in his fitted navy suit, spoke up. “Everything is going accordingly. He just wants to buy out a property nearby the mall but there’s an existing apartment complex that would need to be negotiated with. It’ll take money and manpower. I’ve already gotten the landlord’s approval and he’ll be meeting with my team tomorrow to sign the contract. I’ve sent the financial part to Phillip to look over. Haven’t heard from his department yet.”

Henry darkened his eyes and looked over to Phillip who was getting nervous in his seat.

“Haha, Dad. I’ll have the financial contract done by the end of today and sent over to James.”

Bang! Henry slammed his heavy hand onto the wooden, cherry desk. “Stop messing around and get your head out of your behind.” He scolded Phillip loudly. Phillip lowered his head with an uneasy expression.

“You’re really asking to lose CEO position, huh?” Henry sneered at Phillip. He continued, “Some things will be changing a little. The company in France is in some trouble. My wife and I will be heading back there immediately tomorrow to handle the situation over there and we’ll return as soon as possible after.”

James looked concerned, sat up and asked, “Uncle, what happened?”

Henry looked away disappointed. “One of the executive directors left in charge was caught embezzling a lot of money. I have to go clean it up. It’s gone public and the shareholders are demanding solutions now.”

There was a moment of silence.

He interrupted the silence again, “James, I’m leaving you in charge of acting CEO. You’re exemplifying better qualities than Phillip and you’re more aware of our ongoing projects as of now.”

Phillip sat up and opened his mouth to argue, but Henry interrupted him quickly. “And you, shut up. You haven’t proved to me enough yet.”

Now get out of my office, you two.

***

The next day James had called his assistant to schedule the day off for him so he could visit Hannah’s grandmother and look around to relocate her. He did not know that Hannah had also taken the day off to visit Nai Nai and the two travelled separately.

“Nai Nai, I brought your favorite treats and meals. Have some clementine,” Hannah handed her grandma some fruits. She looked so carefree and joyful in her pale summer dress and hair in a loose bun.

“My dear, how are they treating you?” Nai Nai grabbed Hannah’s thin wrist.

She smiled assuring, “Aunty and James are very good to me, Nai Nai. You don’t have to worry about it. I have shelter, food, and an education.”

Nai Nai gently nodded in approval, but she just didn’t know the full truth about Hannah’s living conditions before in the maid’s quarter. Martha had purposely sent Nai Nai far out because she did not want to take care and bring her into the home. Nai Nai and Hannah were ultimately separated for the past few years. It had just been them two since Hannah’s mother passed away a while ago from a broken heart that never healed after Matt’s passing.

Truth was, Nai Nai may look healthy for her age but she had gotten so sick recently that her health was ultimately declining.

While still talking, they heard the door creak open. Hannah was astonished to see the handsome, familiar person who just walked in. She almost dropped the spoon in her hand. They stared at each other for a moment.

“Li…Liam.” Hannah’s face was momentarily pale.

Liam, who was tall, short brown hair, wearing a leather jacket and jeans walked in closer. He carried his helmet along.

“Hannah, Nai Nai.” He shot a warm smile. He did not expect to see Hannah.

Out in the back garden of the nursing home, Hannah and Liam were seated on the cement bench with some distance in between them. They just looked ahead nervous to turn to each other.

Liam was calm but his heart was secretly racing. “How are you?”

She sat up and quickly took a glance at him with an awkward smile. “I’m good. Thanks….What about you?”

“Me? I’m fine as well.”

The sun was almost setting in front of them and the atmosphere was tense. 

“What about your schooling? Did you finish?” Liam continued.

“Yeah, started my job already. You?”

He nodded gently. “Mm. I finished earlier than expected. Are you still in Beijing?”

She nodded back. “It’s easier to find a job there. Where are you now?” Hannah finally turned to give him genuine, gentle eyes.

He smiled a little bigger, “I went back home.”

“Home? Cuandixia?” She was surprised.

“Mm. My friend and I developed a non profit organization. We are bringing solar panels into the country.”

Her jaw dropped. “Wow! Liam, that’s amazing.”

Back in Nai Nai’s room, James knocked and entered.

“Ah, son James. You’re here as well. I’m so blessed today to have so many visitors,” Nai Nai exclaimed.

James smiled politely but was confused as to who else came. He scanned the room briefly and on the two chairs was a small purse and on the other was a motorcycle helmet.

“Grandma, I didn’t know you had so many people coming today. Is Hannah here also?” James asked.

She nodded. “Yes, she and her friend went out to the garden to chat. Go ahead and follow them.”

He assumed it was another man from the helmet. James felt his heart tighten and fists clenched. His coldness still made him look fiercely handsome even when he was just in casual clothes. He assumed she planned to meet another man here. How despicable!

Sure enough in the emptied garden were two figures with their backs to James. He quietly walked up to them entering Hannah’s peripheral.

She stood up immediately startled. “James.”

Just then Liam also stood up and looked at James who has hovered over them with a dark aura. Liam was just a bit shorter than James and little less striking. He gave a polite smile and held out his hand towards James, “James. Long time no see, my friend.”

James’ calmed down and returned a smile, “I was wondering who Grandma’s extra visitors were.” They shook hands. Hannah’s nerves settled a little looking at the two of them. It was like seeing a flashback of them when they were all still young and very poor in Cuandixia before James moved away.

Hannah said, “James, I didn’t know you were coming here.”

James looked coldly at her briefly and ignored her. He was upset just now seeing her casually having a conversation with another man.

They sat down so Liam and James could catch up a little. Liam and James had not seen each other since James moved away when little.

James asked, “How’s your family?”

“They’re fine. My grandparents have passed on since, my parents are fine. I heard you’re a big shot now.”

“Is that what they say about me?” James smirked a little sarcastically.

“Even so, you’re very fortunate. Always getting the rare opportunities.” Liam glanced at Hannah when he said this. The light in his eyes dimmed a little as he looked away.

James noticed the quick interaction and was suddenly confused. The sun was setting in the horizon and the last light was now disappearing and James got up to dismiss himself. In the midst of them walking inside, Hannah suddenly tripped a little behind James and Liam. “Ow.” She was midway propping herself up with a scraped palm when she saw James take an indifferent look at her and continued walking inside. Liam stooped down and held her hand to help her up. “Thank you.” James was irritated by seeing Hannah touched by another man. He thought, "What a scheming woman."

When Liam and Hannah got to the room, James was already gone.

“Are you often in Beijing?” Hannah asked after he walked her out to her cab.

Liam still looked at her nervously and said, “No. I spend most of my time in Cuandixia now. I might in the future since we’ve been getting some promising business.”

She nodded. “It was good seeing you again, Liam.” Her heart felt heavy and her head dropped.

His also felt pained. If it was his way, he would grab and pull her in for a long hug and vent out how much he had missed her.

“Take care, Liam.”

“Take care, Hannah. And tell James it was good to see him again.” Liam hopped on his black motorcycle and waited for her cab to exit first.

Once in the back of the cab, under the moon light, Hannah’s shoulders shrank and her face fell onto her palms. She softly sobbed with a broken heart, “Liam.”