1. The Lift

Level 48, Group President Office. 

When the lift door opened, Melainy saw a breathtaking view. The whole Marina Bay is in front of her - MBS, Art Science Museum, and the Singapore Eye…She had been doing an internship in Vaxo Group for 6 months while working on her double degree program, oh and, she took on a part-time job as a math tutor during the weekends. Her internship supervisor was a known workaholic who threw her into multiple projects that even a full-time associate would find challenging. No wonder she had never come to this side of the Vaxo Group building and enjoyed such a view. But she managed to get awarded as the “Vaxo Star Intern”. 

It was widespread that the “Vaxo Star Intern” would get something amazing - not just a return offer. Rumour said that previous interns used to get 5-day-4-nights stay package at Maldives, or a winter onsen trip to Hokaiido, or one month free stay at Ritz Calton. 

As Melainy walked towards the mysterious group president office, she wondered what she would get as the star intern this year - although she would prefer cash if there is a choice. 

The door slided open automatically after she confirmed her identity with the secretary. She saw Edmond Lew, the well-known Vaxo group president. Every wrinkle on his face stated power. Surprisingly, there was another young guy, and surprisingly he was quite good looking. For a moment she couldn’t move her eyes away from his face. But soon she’s back as the calm and smart top performing intern. 

“It’s my pleasure to present to you my internship key projects, Edmond…” Melainy started her presentation after a short introduction. Now she knew the good looking guy’s name - Vincent, although he still did not share what he was doing here. Throughout the presentation, he had been sitting next to Edmond and watching her with his full attention, as if he was appreciating a piece of art. This maade her a bit nervous. But perhaps that’s Edmond’s expectation for a young intern - who would be 100% natural when facing the group president? 

As she wraped up her presentation and a short Q&A with Edmond, she walked out of the group president's office with a smile. She thought she did well. She could tell it from Edmond's eyes. As she steped into the lift, she realized someone taller was following her. She looked back and saw Vincent. 

“Hey.” She greeted, a bit unnaturally. 

Vincent was carrying nothing but a black notebook. Tall and sleek, he fitted the luxury lift well, while Melainy’s wearing a slightly oversized blazer - that was the only piece left from discounted G2000 store, and carrying a heavy backpack with her laptop, water bottle, school textbooks all inside. She realized how amusing the two of them might appear standing together inside this lift, so she stepped a tiny little bit away from him, and kept her chin up. 

“Could you do me a favor?” Vincent said. 

“What?” As Melainy responded she found Vincent leaning towards her, his face unusually pale. The next moment, he fell on her shoulder, so heavy that she had to hold the life handle to avoid sliding to the floor. 

So Melainy’s day ended up with sitting in the freezing hospital waiting for the “don’t know who Vincent” to wake up. Well correct - it was said that the top intern would get something amazing. 

Her phone ran out of battery, so she could only stare at Vincent’s handsome face. As time passed by she couldn’t help yawning and felt extremely sleepy. 

“Could you do me a favor?” 

That was the first thing Melainy heard when she woke up. Now she’s having a backache and her neck was stiff. She looked around and found Vincent sitting on the bed, looking at her. 

“What?” Melainy stood up, a bit annoyed. She stretched her arms and started to pack her bag. “I don’t even know who you are, sir.”

“Well, you know my name, and we just spent one night together.”

“Can you not make it sound so wrong?” She looked up, clearly feeling offended. 

But his eyes were as calm and innocent as Walden Pond. “I’m just stating the fact, Melainy Pay. Now could you do me a favor? I have a formal dinner tonight and I need to bring someone with me. I was wondering if you could go with me, Miss Pay.”

“Even if we’ve known each other for only a few hours? What do I have to do and what will be my return?”

“No wonder you get a distinction for your economics degree, Melainy.” He smiled. “You just have to dress up and be who you are, oh and act as if we are quite close. In terms of return…how about your one-month salary?”

“Am I in some romantic TV series?” Melainy asked with a sarcastic tone. She didn’t realize that her messy hair after a nap makes her question less fierce. 

“I am seriously asking for help, Melainy. In fact this is my second day in Singapore.” Vincent took out his wallet and handed her a business card. 

Vincen Chou, Associate Professor at National University, Economics Department. 

After a while of silence, Melainy put the business card in her pocket. “Would you pay for my dress too? I don’t have any formal ones.”

“Sure. We can meet in a shopping mall after I’m discharged from the hospital.”

Slightly nodded, Melainy reached out for her pen in her backpack. “Can I leave you my number? My phone is out of battery.”

“Definitely. Here.” Vince opened up his notebook headpage. Melainy Pay, 82931497. Now her name is on his notebook.