Fan Fiction |
by Suki Chan
Mr. Paul Ho, his father, repeated himself, “Let me say it one more time. You are going to marry the daughter of Johnson Lee.”
Andrew did not believe what he heard.
“We have made an agreement with Lee’s Corporation that they will give us the sole trademark for their line of garments in Asia. Lee’s Corporation is based in Europe and wants to expand to Asia, and that’s why we are cooperating. It’s going to be a double-win.” Mr. Paul Ho crossed his legs.
Andrew glared at his father.
Mr. Paul Ho continued, “You understand how profitable that would be to our Ho’s Enterprises. Winning this trademark will for sure subdue our competitors in the garments retail market, and we shall become the largest retail chain in Southeast Asia! The popularity of their designer brands can also help us with our plans on expansion to possibly Korea and Japan. To secure our cooperation with Lee’s in a long-run, building a marital relationship is the best way.” Mr. Paul Ho explained in a business tone.
“Why using my marriage on this business plan?” Andrew screamed, “I ain’t a chess on the board! I ain’t sleeping with someone I don’t like! Mom, don’t tell me you agree on this too!”
“Andrew, stay calm and tell me.” His mother, Mrs. Belinda Ho, approached, “Why are you so reluctant on this plan? We thought you don’t have a girlfriend now anyway. Do you still miss your ex Yvonne? Or are you dating someone now?”
“That Yvonne is long gone. We ended up in a fight and broke up…for sure no hope to hook back. I don’t even remember much about her face now! And I’ve been so busy at work and have no time to find other girls. I don’t care anyway.” Andrew told the truth.
“Then, in that case, why being resistant to this marriage that we’ve arranged for you?” Mrs. Belinda Ho comforted her son, “The most important thing is, I’ve met the girl. Trust me. She’s lovely, very mannerly and educated. You’ll like her for sure.”
“There’s no way that she will agree to this.” Andrew thought this would be the best excuse.
Mr. Paul Ho showed a grin, “You’re wrong, Andrew. She’s a very obedient daughter and listens to all the arrangements by her dad! She agreed already!”
Andrew lost his words.
“Andrew, it’s up to you for a yes or no.” Mr. Paul Ho looked at him, “If you don’t marry her, the consequence is, you won’t get a penny from me. I will give the shares of Vooki, our 15-stores retail chain, all to your elder brother Kevin.”
Andrew was outraged, “No dad! It’s always that he takes care of your trading business and I do Vooki! I’ve spent so much effort over the past few years on it! Why should Kevin get it for nothing! It’s not fair and I won’t let go!”
“You’re a smart son. You understand what’s more important.” Mr. Paul Ho knew he was winning.
“Fine! For the sake of the business, and also, because you are my dad, I shall listen to you! I will marry her but I’ll treat her like shit!” Andrew howled.
“It’s up to you, as long as you agree to sign the paper.” Mr. Paul Ho was firm. This was the only answer he cared to receive from his son, “The wedding will be held soon. Give me your preferences and I can accommodate. I’ll arrange people to do all the preparations and all you need to worry about is getting ready to be the groom.”
“Have the ceremony as low profile as possible.” Andrew said coldly, “I don’t want to hear a damn greeting from anyone as there’s nothing to congrat me on. Just have the paper ready, I will sign it with that bitch and quietly bring her back home afterwards.”
“Alright, I do not object.” Mr. Paul Ho agreed. “But let me remind you, she’s not a bitch. She’s Mrs. Ho: your wife, the daughter-in-law of our family. I don’t care what you do to her when you shut your bedroom door. In front of other people, no matter what, she is your loving wife! Is that clear?”
Andrew sneered and walked upstairs. Mrs. Belinda Ho still tried to say more nice things about the girl, “You want to know more about her? She was born in England, and went to girls private school in Switzerland for primary and secondary school, and then girls university. She’s now at her last school term and will graduate next month…”
Andrew did not bother to listen and slammed his bedroom door.
*********************************
One month later
The wedding ceremony was held at a little church in London. Only the parents of both sides and a few close friends of the bride attended. Andrew acted cold throughout the entire ceremony. He did not even look closely at his bride, and with only an intuitive impression of an ordinary young girl under heavy makeup. They mumbled over the vow. Her little finger softly wore the ring on him, while he roughly stuck in on her. They signed the paper, thereafter became legal husband and wife. Andrew roughly uncovered the veil and did not even bother kissing her. He reluctantly hugged her face just hoping to get over this annoying ceremony.
After the ceremony, the new couple was shoved like puppets to a little decorated room where a crew of photographer, cameras and lightings were all set up, waiting for them. They took a few standard, emotionless pictures.
“Get closer! Smile, Mr. and Mrs. Ho!” The photographers instructed. Andrew did not care and kept his face dull.
Andrew walked away as soon as the pictures were done. Afterwards, the couple caught the flight and flew back to Hong Kong immediately, while Andrew’s parents will be staying in Switzerland for a short while to deal with some business matters with their new in-laws. As expected, Andrew had all these assistances helping them to arrange for their boarding and luggage. Andrew walked into the First Class cabin and sat down as his seat. He instructed the flight attendant not to bother him. He popped a sleeping pill into his mouth and covered his eyes with a sleeping mask so he did not have to see the girl sitting by his side.
**********************************
Andrew stepped out from the bathtub and put on his bathrobe. The hot shower in his ensuite luxury bathroom had relaxed him a lot. He wept the vapour on the mirror and stared at himself. He sighed and walked out to the bedroom. He saw his bride sitting on the bedside uneasily and restlessly. She had taken her bath in the guest bathroom and was in her pink pyjamas. Her heavy make-up was all cleansed away, leaving a plain and young pretty face. As soon she saw Andrew, she had a shocking expression in her eyes. She looked scared.
Andrew sighed again and decided to break the ice. Her innocent beauty softened his heart a bit. He was only speaking harsh to his father for the sake of arguing. No matter what, from now on, he had to live with her, “How do you like this house and the bedroom? If you need anything, go ahead and talk to our housekeeper Lin jei. She’s been with our family for 30 years and is in-charge of every little thing in this house.”
“Thanks.” She dropped her head and said very softly. She had a nice girly voice.
Andrew noticed that she looked uncomfortable and rather shy, in which he could understand. At this point, they did not even know each other, yet ironically they were a couple, a legal couple already. He asked, “Your name is…Kylie.”
She nodded.
“Kylie Lee.” He called naturally.
“Yes…hm…no. Kylie…Ho.” She answered shyly.
Yes, since the moment they signed the paper, she became Kylie Ho.
This recalled Andrew of their relationship. His mind flashed through and tried to bring this out in a better way, “Yes, we’re married now. You’re my wife.”
She bit her lips.
“As you realize, we don’t even know each other at this point. I know this is ridiculous. But since we’re married, I guess we just have to do it no matter what.” Andrew approached her, “This is pathetic. We don’t even like each other.”
She understood what he said. She was frightened and did not know what to do.
He turned off the lights and said in a commanding manner, “Alright, lay down.”
Kylie panicked.
Andrew thought she got upset because of his attitude, “Sorry. I should at least be softer and ask for your agreement first. You can say no.”
Kylie did not say a word.
He assumed that she did not object. He sat down beside Kylie and approached her face. Through the moonlight creeping into the room, they could only see the features of each other’s face. His lips softly pressed on hers.
Very soft tiny lips.
He put his arms around her little body and steadily pressured her down onto the bed. She closed her eyes tightly as she trembled. As she felt Andrew covered on top of her, she clutched her fists and grasped the bedsheet, and all her nerves began to strangle. Andrew slowly slid his hand into her pyjamas dress. But at the same time, he already noticed Kylie trembling vigorously. He began to suspect something wrong. She was definitely more than feeling uneasy and nervous. He withdrew his lips and stared at her; her whole body tightened up and began to sweat.
Andrew was shocked, “Why are you trembling like this? Don’t tell me…you are a virgin.”
This was the first time in Kylie’s life that someone asked her that question out loud. She slightly opened her eyes and nodded shyly.
Andrew recalled the greenness reaction of her lips when he kissed her. He asked, “Tell me the truth. Do you have a boyfriend? Or I should ask, have you EVER had a boyfriend?”
“No...I…have never been in love before.” Kylie whispered.
“What the heck!” He abruptly jumped up. He could not believe it. His parents forced him to marry her, a girl who had not even touched a guy’s hand before. And how can she agree to such an arrangement at the first place? She did not even have a taste of love, and was put together with another guy to spend the rest of her life. Andrew roughly wiped his lips and felt disgusted. With no feel of love, no compassion, nothing…he had just snapped away her precious first kiss.
“This is unbelievable!” Andrew stood up and stayed away from her.
“…What’s the matter? Did I do anything wrong?” Kylie was confused and asked. She did not understand why Andrew would have this reaction. She sat up and pulled the quilt to cover her half-naked body.
“Ok, let me make this clear.” Andrew sighed, “You and I both understand clearly that our marriage is a just joke. We don’t even know each other, not to mention about love. I thought, alright, our parents wanted us to do so, fine! We will just get married and see how it goes. Maybe we’ll suddenly fall for each other, though I doubt it. My plan was that since we’re married, then might as well be a real couple, I mean in terms of sex, but of course we definitely won’t have kids. After a couple years, if we still don’t get along, we will divorce. Simple and nothing to worry about! Don’t you agree it’s an ideal solution?”
Kylie was stunned.
Andrew shook his head, “But my plan won’t work now. How can I do this with you if we already plan for divorce at the first place? I can’t be your first man in this case. No, I can’t bare this responsibility.”
Kylie faltered and tried to approach Andrew, “…why…”
“I guess I should just let everything as is, and just leave you alone.” Andrew walked out the room, “I need to think clearly about our relationship, and what we should do from now on.”
Andrew slammed the door, leaving Kylie alone in the dark. Divorce! The first night of their marriage, her husband brought this word up. Kylie softly touched her lips with the remaining warmth from Andrew’s kiss. Her confusion turned into sadness. She did not do anything wrong. Why is he doing this to her?