Chapter 5

Just before afternoon, Hannah entered a small, cozy café with James. After being seated, James, who was still cool and calm initiated the conversation. “Thanks for making time for me. I know you’ve been busy with finding a job and all.”

“It’s fine. I’ve just been doing mostly house duties anyway. What’s up?” Hannah, in her simple tucked in t-shirt, tried to keep cool also. She had a feeling what James wanted to talk about.

“How have you been feeling about this whole marriage ordeal thing for the past six years?”

Hannah shifted in her seat being put on the spot. “Honestly, I didn’t agree to it initially, James. But your father gave me no option saying that it would fulfill his promise to my father and that it was the only way for my mom, grandma, and I to escape life in the country. I was young at the time and had no choice.”

“I know, and I’m sorry he put you in such a tough spot. But, think about it, my dad and your parents are gone now. They don’t dictate that for us anymore. We’re older and wiser. Hannah, I love Sherry very much. I want to spend forever with her. I want you to be with something who will love you too.”

In that moment hearing James proclaim his love for Sherry, it felt like her heart dropped and the pressure was on her to play it off. It wasn’t that Hannah had developed much favor towards James, but it was unfair how she was controlled by Martha all these years to conduct as a faithful wife to James while he was running around basically having an affair!

“Is that really what you want?” Hannah unknowingly asked.

James was taken back a little unsure where this was coming from. “Yes.”

“Draft the papers. Whenever it’s ready, I’ll do as you say.”

Hannah got up and left before James could respond. She took and taxi and went to the closest body of water, a small lake. In the distance was Rose making her way to Hannah clueless but happily. “Hannah, I came here as fast as I could. What’s wrong?” She saw the long face.

Hannah, sitting on the wooden bench, only looked forward and said, “We’ve decided to move forward with the divorce. He brought home his girlfriend.”

“Whoa! Is he still as handsome though?” Rose rudely asked. Hannah glared at her with disbelief and scolding eyes.

“Really, Rose?”

“Ah ya, I was just curious. All those photos of him you kept in secret all these years. I just wanted to know if the person was as comparable.”

“You ill intentioned woman….” Hannah’s voice got quieter. “No, he’s even more handsome. Rose, how is it fair that I’m going to be a divorcee before my life has even started?”

Rose put her hand over Hannah’s back and pulled her in for a side hug. “Don’t think much about it. In this day and age, people willingly divorce over stupid things. This is completely out of your control.”

Hannah finally broke out a soft cry, “I wish my mom and dad were still here. I don’t know what to do. Where am I going to go?”

While the world seemed to be moving unconcerned, the two continued to sit as nature kept tossing on by. “Hannah,” Rose handed her a manila folder, “I do have some good news for you though.”

Lifting up her wet eyes, she asked, “What is it?”

It was the formal letter of a job offer to Mrs. Hannah Chen for the position of an elementary teacher. “You’re going to be a teacher, Hannah! You did it amongst all the other ten applicants.”

“I did it! I’ve got a job, Rose! Funny thing is, Martha just scolded me to get myself situated to leave James. This must surely be a sign.” Hannah said half laughing at the world who was making a joke of her life right now.

“Stop moping about it now. There are a few very handsome teachers working there as well. Even the principle, he’s very handsome. Your moving on to greener grass. Don’t you dare think less of yourself.”

The two laughed until Hannah felt better and went home.

***

In the evening when Hannah came home, Martha, James, and Sherry were happily engaging conversations around the dinner table. She slowly made her way in and the conversation ceased when Martha couldn’t help but look up with a bit of irritation seeing Hannah.

James, who was now in his dark comfort clothes greeted her indifferently, “Ah, come have a seat and eat if you haven’t.”

“I’m fine. Thanks.”

Martha sneered and questioned, “Then what brings you here? If you have nothing to do, you can go do what you must.”

Sherry, in a comfortable loose, navy dress quickly turned around and said kindly, “Please, join us. We have yet to get acquainted.”

Hah! Acquainted after stealing someone’s husband? Hannah scolded in her head.

“No, thanks. Have a good night.” She left to the maids quarter.

“Sherry, don’t you worry about her at all. She is not compatible for my James at all. You two match each other very much. I have a very strong feeling that that raggedy girl will be gone soon if she has any decency and self-respect. I will support and do whatever I can for you and James to marry.”

Hearing Martha’s reassurance, she smiled politely but smirked connivingly when James and Martha were no paying attention.

***

Henry, Esther, and Phillip sat across from Martha and James inside Henry’s white marble living room while they discussed matters of the company. The important things that Henry emphasized were Phillip and James’ ability to withstand criticism and cooperating with shareholders. He warned them many times that whichever one did not feel qualified to withdraw now. Because of Phillip overcoming his alcoholic addiction just a year ago, Henry was still building his trust with leaving such big tasks to his son. That’s not to say Phillip hasn’t overcome many hardships and achieved many accomplishments. But to tally mark James and Phillip’s winning points, James was far ahead now that he has also finished his master’s degree with many internships under his belt. However, James’ lack of moral conduct within the home worried Henry because home was where the heart should be and right now James’ home was not in order.

“Until either one of you can prove to me that you are capable of being a president of a corporation, I will consider an outsider.” Henry was calm and collected although he had been very busy for the past couple of weeks being back in Beijing as co-president to their Beijing company.

James was feeling bold. In fact, he’d always been bold and not afraid to challenge elders if it meant to express his opinions. “Uncle, before you go, I would like to talk about it…”

Henry sat back down with a very serious look on his face. “Say it quickly, boy.”

“The divorce…”

“That again, eh? Servant, go get my car ready now!” Henry shouted across the room.

The others looked around the room clueless to what Henry wanted to do.

Esther said calmly with her collected face, “Hon, what are you doing?”

“Just follow me.”

Together, they all returned to Martha’s mansion. It was already late into the evening. Henry leading them inside barged through the many corridors to the maids’ quarter while the other followed frantically. Sherry, who was casually lounging in the living room jumped up with she saw the party come in. “James, what’s going on?” James coldly looked at her and continued to follow behind Henry.

In the dark, tiny maids’ quarter, Henry knocked on the last door a few times before it opened.

Hannah’s pale, confused face looked at him but gently asked, “Uncle, what brings you here?”

Immediately, Henry frowned in realization that Martha had made no attempt to relocate Hannah in her mansion of multiple bedrooms and kept her in a despicable maid’s quarter.

“Pack up your things, dear.” He said to her firmly.

Martha whose face was so red that she couldn’t hide it blurted out, “Brother, I was preparing a room for her. I promise. Hear me out.”

Hannah quickly packed a small backpack of belonging in a daze of what was going on.

“Sister-in-law, your endless servants and many rooms in this gigantic house…and yet, Matt’s daughter is still here in the maid’s quarter.

Instantly, Hannah grabbed Henry’s arm and tried to assure him, “Uncle, please don’t scold mom. She’s been very busy lately and I’m already so grateful to have a roof over my head.”

Henry disregarded Hannah’s pleas. “If Stephen was here, he would have upheld his promise to Matt. Now that he’s not here anymore. I will uphold that in honor and respect to our forefathers. This was a little matter you could’ve gotten taken care of. I see that it’s not because you are incapable. It’s because you don’t want to. Your guest, Sherry, she has a room. Correct?”

Martha could only mumble with difficulty back.

Esther took Hannah’s hand and Henry said to her, “Dear, come stay with Uncle and Aunty for some time.”

Confused, Hannah refuted. “Uncle, I’m really fine. Please, don’t yell at mom anymore.”

Martha furrowed her brows with disgust at Hannah.

“Come. Come stay with us for some time until after Uncle’s party, please?” Esther pleaded gently.

Hannah slowly nodded obediently.

They made their way back to their home leaving Martha’s head fuming with steam.