CHAPTER 3: This weekend

AUDREY

I blinked rapidly, staring at my dad for a second, before turning to Richard. Claire giggled mockingly from her seat, staring with contempt as if waiting for me to get embarrassed.

“Uhh… dad, I don't think it's really—” I said, trying to divert the question, unsure if Richard knew what to say. But then, I felt Richard squeeze my hand gently without looking at me, as if telling me that he's got this.

“I would first gather all the facts together as evidence,” Richard began, staring directly at my dad, completely unfazed.

“Then what?” my dad asked, taking a sip from his champagne glass.

“Then, I'll speak to you first—privately, but if you're unwilling to change, I'll present the evidence to the board so actions can be taken. The company comes first before anyone else—and that includes the CEO.” Richard said, taking his own glass for a sip.

The whole table froze instantly. My dad leaned back, furrowing his eyes cautiously as one of his business partners beside him whispered in his ear.

I forced a smile at Richard, completely stunned by his bold and fearless response.

'An ordinary deliveryman shouldn't have this much boldness to confront someone this powerful,' I thought, unsure what I thought about him.

Claire also froze as she stared at him from her seat, but Richard didn't flinch, completely aware that all eyes were on him that moment. I'd never seen that much confidence before.

“Hmmm,” My dad murmured, as he gulped down the entire glass, “The company comes first before everyone, including the CEO, huh,”

“That's right, sir.” Richard nodded before glancing at me for a second. Suddenly, my dad and the rest of his business partners cracked up and burst into long laughter.

“I must say, I'm really impressed, Richard,” He smiled, “that was a very smart response.”

My shoulders sagged, relieved that my dad was happy, at least, not like the first man I introduced to him a couple of years back. Richard smiled back with elegance.

“When are you planning to marry my daughter, Richard?” my dad suddenly asked.

My heart instantly sank that moment. Richard, who was all confident and bold, suddenly panicked. He turned to me, pulling a weak smile as he tried to speak but the words weren't coming.

“Um, father,” I spoke up trying to bail him out, “We're planning by the end of September—”

“September?” My dad sputtered, his voice tight, “That's three months from now, and I won't be in the country during that time.”

I replied calmly, “So maybe we can move it to mid or early Septem—”

“Move it to this weekend.” my dad suggested, cutting me short. My lips parted, hanging in dismay. This wasn't part of my arrangement.

“This weekend?” My voice raised, “No, Dad, absolutely not! We've not even started any preparations.”

“You don't need any preparations, Audrey, and besides, my business partners will be travelling back to China after our executive meeting next week. You're the future of this company and I wouldn't want them to miss your wedding.” My dad said, his voice firm and undeniable.

My breath snagged in my throat, eyes locked with my dad's as if waiting for him to say he was joking. Richard turned to me, perplexed.

“Dad, please no.” I persisted, “We can't get married this weekend. If you're in a hurry to travel back to China, we'll gladly wait for your return before—”

My dad's face suddenly turned red. “What the hell are you saying, Audrey?" He barked, turning to Richard, "Why engage my daughter if you're not ready to marry her?"

"It was my idea, Dad," I said quickly as he turned to me, but he wasn't listening.

"You're very lucky that I'm impressed with Richard, not like your other dumb and obsessed boyfriend you brought last time. But if you don't want to marry him, trust me, there are thousands of suitors waiting."

“I want to marry him, Dad," I pressed on, "But—"

"No buts Audrey!" My dad insisted, You're not getting any younger, young lady! You're getting married this weekend and that's it!"

"Dad?!"

“What did I just say?” my dad roared, slamming his balled fist on the table, hard enough to make the glasses topple, spilling the drinks on the table.

I flinched at the impact of his fist, my jaw dropping as I stared at him, frozen. At that moment, I stormed out of the table, while Claire smirked the whole time, enjoying every bit of pain I felt.

"What are you smiling about?" my dad turned to face her, "Yours will commence right after Audrey's"

Claire's expression turned sour instantly as she stormed out of the table as well.

I stumbled to my room and fell into my pillow, bawling and slamming my fist on the bed. But it wasn't really about what happened, but the memories of my betrayal, earlier today came back fresh in my mind.

A knock came twice on my door, but I ignored it. Then Richard's voice followed as he stepped into my room.

“Are you okay, Audrey?” he asked.

I sat up quickly and wiped my eyes before turning to him. “I'm… fine,” I said, trying not to sniff too hard.

“Look Audrey," Richard whispered as he sat on my bed, "I know something is bothering you. You can talk to me."

"Don't worry, I'm fine,” I insisted, forcing a smile, “I'm sorry for putting you through all this Richard.”

“It's okay—” Richard smiled back, trying to hold my hand, but I withdrew them and stood up.

“No, no, it's not okay!” I sighed, walking toward my bookshelf. “I dragged you into my personal issues and it's not okay. You probably have loved ones waiting for you at home. I'm going to write a check so you can go.”

Richard suddenly stood up to approach me, “What about your dad? If I go now, he might marry you off to one of his business partners. Would you want that?”

A deep sigh of anguish escaped my chest as I turned to face him, “What about your siblings, and—"

“They're all deceased,” Richard said, leaving my words hanging.

My mood softened into sympathy. I moved closer to Richard and held his left hand, while holding the check.

“I'm really, really sorry about that, Richard,” I whispered then slowly, I squeezed the check into his hands. “Please, take this check of ten million dollars. You've done your part, let me deal with my problems.”

Richard stared at the check in his hand for a while before he turned to me and smiled.

“I can't take this, Audrey,” Richard muttered, squeezing the check back into my hands. “I've come this far and I can't just back away like this. I need to finish this too.”

My lips curved slightly to the left, "You don't have to do this, Richard.” My voice broke into trembling whimpers, but Richard remained persistent.

“Don't worry about me,” he said, “We'll wed this weekend, just like your father wants and after he travels back to China, then you can pay me and we can go our separate ways.”

“But Rich—” I tried to speak but Richard suddenly placed his index finger across my lips, shutting me down.

“I no longer consider this a business deal, but a friend helping his friend. I've not had a lot of good friends lately, so let me do this, as a friend… alright?” he said, raising my hand as he pressed his lips on my dorsum.

I nodded a bit hesitantly as he slowly pulled his finger away, smiling. I returned the smile. For a moment, I forgot all about my pain.

As Richard made for the exit, still smiling at me, I felt something strange. There was something about his smiles, his eyes—something sharp and mysterious.

From the way he acted all confident at the table, and his willingness to proceed with the wedding this weekend, I realised that instant, that there was more to him than just an ordinary delivery man.