Fan Fiction |
by Suki Chan
Kylie’s tears fell.
“No point to argue over that now.” Andrew comforted her and made a ‘T’ sign with his hands, “Pause.”
She was still crying.
“Ok ok, I believe you aren’t being a big mouth to my parents. You are being good.” Andrew panicked, “Gee, I’m scared of girls crying. Alright, I’m sorry.”
She was a bit embarrassed, “That’s…ok. I’m sorry too…if I…scared you.”
They both gave a little chuckle and looked at each other. The atmosphere softened a bit.
“You know, all of sudden, I have to live with a stranger. I really need time to adjust.” Andrew said frankly. He handed her a kleenex.
“I understand, of course.” Kylie nodded and wiped her face, “Same for me.”
“It takes time…maybe we can live together in harmony, as good roommates.” Andrew thought.
That is at least a good start, Kylie said in her mind.
Andrew said, “If you’re really bored at home, you can arrange with our chauffeur Tim to take you out. He takes care of dad most of the time. Mom and I both drive.”
Kylie smiled and appreciated it.
“As my apology, let me treat you for dinner tomorrow night, ok? We can also go for a drive to see around Hong Kong.” Andrew suggested.
“Thanks Andrew.” Kylie was glad.
“Sounds good. We’ll have a fresh start with our friendship” Andrew reached out his hand, “Hi, my name is Andrew Ho.”
Kylie tittered and shook his hand, “Hi, my name is Kylie Ho.”
Andrew sat up, “Are you sleepy yet? If not, let’s chat.”
“Sure.” She agreed and sat up.
“Tell me more about yourself, Kylie.” Andrew started.
“Hm.” Kylie would love to take this good chance to begin with Andrew, “I was born in London. When I was 5, my parents divorced, and my custody was with dad, while mom visited me maybe once a week. Anyway, both were so busy with their own businesses that I rarely saw them. I was always with nanny and other servants at home. A few years later, they both re-married and I began to have a bunch of step parents and siblings. I had even less chance to stay with my parents. At primary 6, my dad sent me off to a girl’s boarding school in Switzerland, and after secondary school graduation, I studied at a girl’s university, major in Education.”
“Wow.” Andrew did not expect Kylie to have such background, “So…you’ve been in all girl’s school for your whole life? Can’t imagine that…I stayed in boy’s school before 18 and I felt like a monastery already. When I went to university in Canada, I was set free, finally.”
Kylie chuckled, “Hm, my secondary school is somewhat connected to the university. A lot of students continue their studies there.”
“Now I know why you miss your friends so much, because you’ve been studying and living together with them for many years.” Andrew nodded and began to understand more about his arranged wife.
***********************************
“Mr. Ho.” The staff approached and greeted his boss.
Andrew scanned around, “I’m passing by to check out the audition of the models.”
“This time, there are 30 models, all from different model agencies.” The staff pointed far. A bunch of young girls were fooling around and touching up their faces in front of the big mirrors. They were keen to show their best to be selected.
Andrew could hear their noises when he was at the door, but he expected it. He ran a business in garment retail. His staff, sales at stores, customers, and even the models were mostly females. He was a rather strict boss. He did not care how chattering and gossiping his people were off work. But while working, Andrew had high expectation on them to be diligent and professional. Of course, dealing with these models were the most difficult especially during these auditions and fittings, because they were not his staff. And, communication with these young girls did require different strategies.
“Mr. Ho, the audition will begin soon.” The staff led Andrew to a comfortable seat. He sat down and crossed his arms, just wanting to briefly see if the audition was running smooth. It involved a big upcoming promotion project and he needed to follow closely.
The young girls found this young man watching them and gossiped, “Hey who’s that good looking guy?”
“Looks like he’s the boss here!”
“You all are so dumb! He’s Andrew Ho, the big boss of Vooki! His family is low profile, but I remember seeing him a couple times on magazines!”
“Wow! We should really show off in front of him so he can pick us for this project!”
Andrew rolled his eyes and gave a quick scan at the noisy crowd. His focus fell on one girl and cannot keep his eyes off her.
**************************************
“…yes…I miss you all. Thanks for the card you girls sent me.” Kylie was on long-distance call with her friend, “…hm…I’m doing…fine in Hong Kong, just have to get used to things here...Oh…you’re visiting Martha this weekend? Good…overnight train is comfortable. How’s she doing? Yes…I’m sure she’ll do fine in her Masters program because she’s a bookworm…haha. Got to hang up now? Oh yes, it’s almost midnight on your side and you have to go to work tomorrow. Alright, bye…” Kylie reluctantly put down the phone. All of friends were occupied in their busy lives. She was the only one staying pointlessly in this mansion by herself. She felt very lonely.
Suddenly she heard some noises downstairs.
“What are they moving in? It’s huge!” Kylie was surprised when the movers carried an enormous box into the house. She knew it must be Andrew again. This guy just loved to buy new furnitures without notifying anyone. Fortunately his house was big enough to fit any strange things.
The maid instructed the movers while answering Kylie, “Siu lai, it’s a new piano.”
A piano?
The movers began to unwrap and settle down all the pieces. Half an hour later, a shiny white 9-feet grand piano sat beautifully in the middle of the living room.
“So pretty!” Kylie softly touched the piano and whispered.
“Siu lai, there’s card with the piano.” The maid handed an envelope to Kylie. She opened it:
Kylie,
I’m guessing that you play the piano. If not, go ahead to find a teacher and do some lessons. Tell Lin jei and she’ll arrange for you. Hope this piano can accompany you on your spare time at home.
Andrew
Kylie appreciated Andrew’s kindness. She quietly sat down in front of the piano and began to play a melodic masterpiece. She passed her performer level examination when she was 18, but her husband did not know, or might not care to know.
**************************************
“Ok, the last item on our meeting agenda is on the upcoming promotion project on the launching of our new lines from Lee’s Corporation.” Andrew turned to the sales and marketing manager, “How’s the progress? This is the first time we do the promotion project with a TV channel, like a combination of travel and fashion show. We have no experience, but I must keep an eye and be updated on what the TV crew is up with.”
The manager reported, “I’ve been keeping in touch with them. They are ready to give us the schedule and the hosts of the show for the filming at Guam Island. Now it is on us to confirm on the models and do fitting as soon as possible.”
“Now’s the selection going?” Andrew asked while his secretary noted it down.
“After the audition, we reviewed and selected 7 models. We are still deciding on the last one. We need 8 in total.” The manager handed Andrew a file with some photos inside, “Here are a few potential candidates.”
Andrew flipped through the photos and suddenly stopped at one of them, “Who’s this?”
The manager read, “Sabrina Yeung, 22, from Star’s Agency. She’s been in the industry for 3 years. Her past modelling experience includes mostly picture modelling in magazines, demonstrating new fashion, introducing restaurants, on-sale boutiques, feng-shui horoscopes etc.”
“She’s looks ok. We can pick her.” Andrew suggested.
“Mr. Ho, it seems that she’s been modelling for all these various miscellaneous things. I’m not sure about her image in raising her up to the level of filming our TV promotion show.” The manager was a bit concerned.
“To me, it doesn’t really matter. We aren’t putting her to the leading actress of a movie or something. The TV channel has its own hosts, of course wearing our new fashion. Our models will only be standing around as cameo roles. Their only use is to flash our clothes in front of the camera.” Andrew insisted.
“Alright Mr. Ho. We will include this Sabrina in our group.” The manager marked it down. What Andrew said was true anyway; it did not really matter. Sabrina looked pretty and had good body shape, and that was the only main factor. Most importantly, the boss seemed to be interested in this girl.
**************************************
The selected models arrived for their first fitting. The marketing coordinator would also have a briefing with the girls to get them prepared for the filming and series of promotion coming up in the next couple months. Andrew walked in with the crew and heard irritating noises again. Out of them, Sabrina was the one making the highest pitch.
“I know, of course I know! I’ve been modelling for all these famous brands at top magazines…” Sabrina bragged in front of other girls; only 1% of the fact was true.
“I’m sooo sorry. Can you teach me again? Please…” Sabrina softened her voice and gave a pity look to the floor assistance. He got an electric shock and gave Sabrina a privilege to learn slowly from the beginning again.
“My bag is real LV! Duh! I never buy fake stuffs. It’s not that expensive and I can afford it! How much? Hm…about $5000…” Sabrina held tight to her bag and would not let other girls see the dangling stitches and fading colour brand tag.
The more Andrew heard from Sabrina, he found her very annoying. But at the same, his attention was somehow hooked up with this weird girl. Sabrina seemed to realize that Andrew had his eyes on her. She turned around, and immediately Andrew looked away.
A crew staff led Sabrina and other two girls to Andrew and introduced them. The two young girls were nervous facing the big boss, and squeezed out some smiles while faltering to talk about themselves. Then it was Sabrina’s turn.
“Nice to meet you, Sabrina.” Despite the odd feeling in his heart, Andrew was always serious with his work. He tried to concentrate, “Do you have any questions?”
Sabrina suddenly stuck her head over closely to Andrew and lowered her voice, “I heard you’re married.”
Andrew was shock, yet he had to maintain his manner in front of his people. “Yes.” He answered in a dry tone. He cannot deny the fact.
Sabrina gave him a strange face and walked away, leaving Andrew in amaze.