The Golden Dragons

Copyright November 2011 Lulu Press ISBN: 978-1-105-30785-0

Email: [email protected] Cover Concept by Jiani Yu Photo and tattoo artwork by Andy Shou Editor Lady J. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously, and resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.

This book is dedicated to The One that makes a way when there is no way. To you I owe everything. To my sister in spirit Judith Gott-Jones. We have climbed some mountains, let's hope the next valley we come to is a much longer walk before the next mountain. To Lady Orchid aka T. Sparks, thank you for words of encouragement from the start and for making me laugh. To my sisters at BWLBi (Rain) for allowing me to post. To my daughter Alexa for artwork. And to Andy Shou for the masterful tattoo artwork used on the cover.

Chapter 1 Edward Huang, the owner of the Golden Lotus Restaurant stood behind the bar flipping through one of the local newspapers to pass the time, business was slow after lunch. You could hear the cooks in the kitchen restocking for the dinner rush. He looked down at his silver Chopard watch checking the time, fixed the charcoal pinstriped Versace suite jacket and the light blue cuffs on his tailored shirt. Edward glanced it himself in the mirror that hung behind the bar, making sure that his hair was not out of place, he smiled. Elana always came in, the same time every Friday, 6 pm sharp with her girl friend, Darci. It was a pleasure when the two came in, but Edward specially liked the one named Elana. She was the one he had his eye on for some time. She stood about 5’6”, caramel smooth colored skin and chestnut brown hair. He was unsure of where it would lead, but he knew that he was ready to get back into the game again. His last serious relationship had been five years ago and it was a total disaster. He was ready and he wanted to make Elana his own. Winston, his partner was a slight built man that stood about 5’7.” Edward stood over Winston easily at 6.” He was chain smoking Main land Chinese man, by way of the Hong Kong underground. A womanizer, loved to gamble on anything, and anyone. If he could make a buck off you, he did. He was a very cold calculating man whose only family was triad. Edward detested the idea of his father sending Winston to help him run the business. It wasn't the business his father was concerned about he just knew how his father’s mind worked, he was forever reminding you who was in control. Winston’s presence was just that. Edward had just looked up from the watch when a white BMW pulled up in the and parked. He smiled, threw the newspaper under the counter and announced to the staff in Mandarin that customer’s were coming. A pair of slender bare, caramel colored legs were the first thing you saw emerge from the driver’s side of the car, an equally stunning were a pair of brown slender legs appeared from the passage’s side. If one did not ask, you would assume that they were sisters. Edward could hear their laughter as they entered in the door. “And just what are you two ladies up to this evening,” “Nothing yet” Darci answered. “How are you this afternoon,” Elana asked. She wore a designer beige twill dress with stripy sandals to match. “Some old thing, Work, sleep, work,” Edward replied? Edward sat them across from the cashier area that way, he could appear to be working, yet keep his eye on Elana. Just then Winston came from the office and walked over to the table where Darci and Elana sat. “It is always a pleasure to see you two come in, so what will you two be eating tonight?”

Elana smiled, “Well, it all depends on how hungry we are.” “ Just let me know when you’re ready?” Winston walked over to the cashier counter and stood by Edward. “ Both would bring in good money,” Winston said to Edward in Chinese. Edward looked at Winston and replied, "Why is everything about a profit with you?" Winston smiled and said with a laugh, "Money is what makes the world go 'round." Winston reached for the bottle of plum wine and took down two glasses, still speaking in Chinese, “ Well, tonight is as good as any night, I've got a plan for mine." Winston handed Edward one of the glasses, “let’s get this show on the road.” Edward and Winston both walked over to the table where the two ladies sat and watched Winston carefully as he poured the plum wine. Winston was also infamous for slipping knock out drops too. Edward was determine that Winston would not get a chance to slip anything in Elana's drink. Edward handed Elana her glass of wine as Winston handed Darci hers. “Here’s a glass of wine to get you two started.” Edward said. The wine flowed freely during the dinner, Edward could see that after two glasses Elana had reached her limit and Darci was on her fourth. Winston was about to pour more wine when Elana announced that she had reached her limit and that she was the driver, “don’t worry Edward will see that you get home and I’ll see that Darci gets home.” “Well, in that case keep it coming.” Darci laughed. Elana smiled at Edward who was back at the bar cashing a customer out. She motioned for him to come over to the table. “Edward, it looks like Winston has made you my designated drive. In which case, I need to get home.” she said slowly hoping that she did not miss pronounce any words. Edward smiled, and thought to himself just how much of a lady she was even when she had too much to drink. Edward offered his hand to Elana and helped her up. “Don’t’ do anything that I wouldn’t do, and if you do, do it right?” Darci said with a giggle, “I’ll call you in the morning.” When they walked out a side into the parking lot there was a warm summers night breeze that blew a slight whiff of Elana's perfume in Edwards direction. He inhaled it's fragrance and for a moment, he was lost in her. Edward opened the passage side for Elana, helped her in and fastened her seatbelt.

By the time he had walked around to the other side and got in, Elana appeared to be sleeping. Her was head tilted towards the passage side and rested on the seatbelt. He started up the car, backed out of the space and drove towards Elana's apartment. "Do you know where I live?" she asked with her eyes still closed. Edward let out a little laugh, "I should, you order enough from the restaurant." he replied. "I hope you're not implying that I don't know how to cook." with her eyes still closed. "Oh no, I never... I'm sure you know how. And have a good reason why you don't." Edward waited for Elana to reply, but she didn't. All he could hear was her breathing ever so quietly as he drove towards her apartment. It wasn't until he had pulled into a parking space at her complex that she woke up. "I see we made it." Elana didn’t seem to worry about Edward coming into her place. Most guys wouldn’t get pass the lobby door. But Edward, she liked him a lot, he was tall and built. He reminded her of her boyfriend from high-school. Elana took her shoes off and asked Edward if he would like anything to drink. He shook his head no and walked over to a group of photos on a table. He could tell by looking at the pictures that Elana loved to take pictures. Edward spotted a couple of pictures with Elana, and an older couple. “They must be your parents?” he asked. “Yes, there my parents. they live in Hawaii." Edward took the picture and looked at it more closely. “You’ve got your father’s eyes and your mother’s mouth.” He said. Elana laughed, “Both of my parents were in the Army and I had the privilege of traveling. I finished high-school in Hawaii, and college in Connecticut.” She then took Edward by the hand, led him to the couch. Elana asked him in Mandarin if he had family in Connecticut. Edward looked at her in disbelief, “You speak Mandarin?” Elana laughed, “I wish you could see your face!” Edward laughed, “You are full of surprises, aren’t you?” She smiled, if only he knew that she had heard him say the first time they met, he would die!” Damn he thought, I wonder if she ever over heard me talking about her.

“I see you like all kinds of music, specially jazz” Edward said hoping to clear his thoughts. Elana got up from the couch and stood next to him, “I love jazz,” she replied, “how about you?” Edward let out a little laugh, “You are full of surprises aren’t you?” he asked. “What do you mean?” she replied. “Nothing. It’s just like you’re too good to be true. And yes, I do like jazz.” He said with a smile, “I’ll bring over my CD’s, you’ll like them.” Edward walked toward the door, he didn’t want to over stay and most certainly he wanted to be welcomed back. “ Well, I better get back. I have a business to run.” He turned to face Elana, “ Let me give you my number that way you can give me a call when you’re not working, but then again, that’s all the time.” she joked. Edward smiled, “Well who knows, maybe things are about to change.” Elana wrote down her number and handed it to Edward. He took hold of her hand and gently pulled her toward him, and kissed her on the lips. For a brief moment, they both stared at each other, “Well, I better be going, I’ll call you tomorrow, bye.” “Goodnight Edward, and thanks for seeing me home.” Edward stood on the other side of the doorway and smiled to himself, yes things were indeed about to change. He had just walked outside when he looked up and saw Winston sitting in his car waiting for him. “I take it things are not going as we had planned, but by the look on your face I’d say you may be on the right track.” “Time” Edward said, “all in good time.” Back at the restaurant things was busy as always, Edward couldn’t wait to get home. And when the last customer was gone, staff cleaned up, money counted, Edward and Winston had a beer and talked. Winston had took Darci home only to find out that she still lived with her parents, so he

asked if she would like to go to china-town in the city one weekend, and of course she said yes. Edward didn’t speak much about Elana, his plans were totally different from Winston. Winston looked upon Darci and Elana as profits for their organization. Elana however, would not become a part of that, he wanted her all to himself. Winston waited for Edward as he set the alarm and locked the door to the restaurant. They both got into their cars and grove off. On the way home Edward listened some R&B and thought about Elana. Things had to change, he had been living a non existing life in the organization for as long as he could remember. Here he was thousands of miles away from Hong Kong, sharing a house with six restaurant staff. It was time he made a change and soon. When Edward got home some of the guys were still up playing cards and drinking. One of the guys asked if he wanted to play or have a drink. “No, not tonight”. He went into his room and closed the door. Ever since he had gotten back from Elana’s she was all he had been thinking about. He wanted her so bad, he could still remember how soft her hands and lips felt. Just thinking about her made him get a hard-on. Edward took off his suit and put Elana’s number by the phone, he would call her in the morning. Turning on the shower and stepping in, he hoped that it would subside his urges, but the thoughts of Elana was still implanted in his brain. He knew tonight would be the longest night he had ever had. That night Elana laid in bed and listened to Darci go on about Winston. Darci was in to older men and Winston was the man she needed to get away from this small town. Elana listened for a while and told Darci that she was going to sleep. She hung-up the phone and dreamt of Edward that night, she wondered if he had ever been with a black woman. Morning came quickly and, peeked it’s sunny head though the window . Edward did not want to get up as he had tossed and turned all-night. He picked up the phone and dialed the number, the phone rang twice. The voice on the other end was still sleepy, it was soft and early above a whisper. “Did I wake you, I can call you later if you like?” “No, I was just laying here thinking about you." "Oh, I hope it was good", Elana smiled. “Yes, it was very good and how was your sleep." Edward smiled, “Couldn’t sleep, I was too busy thinking about you.” “Well, I just wanted to say good morning and find out if it was ok to come by after work tonight? It would be around 11, 11:30." “ Of course it’s alright, I’m looking forward to seeing you.”

“Well, I’ll let you go back to sleep. Maybe if I get a free moment, I’ll call you.” “That would be fine, I’ll see you later, bye.” Edward said good-bye and hung up the phone, he turned over and thought of Elana once more. Next time the phone rang, it was Darci on the other end. “Girl, rise and shine. We need to get dressed so we can get the stores. I need to get me something to wear, because Winston is going to take me out after he and Edward get off tonight.” “So, you and Winston are seeing each other, where’s he taking you?” “Chinatown, to see the Chinatown no body see.” “What’s that, the opium rooms, gambling a hotel room? Girl, you better be careful.” Elana laughed. “Look who’s talking, who’s to say that Edward won't sell you in to slavery.” “Um, I’ll be his slave any time.” They talked for awhile and agreed to met at Darci’s house. At the mall, Darci went straight for the make-up counter. She loved cosmetics!, and shoes, and clothes, and..... If Darci had her way, she’d live in a major department store. After spending almost three hours shopping Darci was ready to go home. Darci, dropped Elana off at her place, “Hey, do you think it would be alright to have Winston pick me up at your place? I don’t want my folks bugging me about going out so late.” “ Like you never left home late before?” “Yeah, but not that late!” “Sure, but you can’t spend the night, I might get lucky and the last thing I need is you disrupting my groove.” They both burst out laughing and give each other a high five. Elana got out and went into her studio apartment. There wasn’t much to clean because it was small and besides she didn’t like a lot of clutter anyway. She put away her shopping and decided to relax before her big night. 10:30 pm Darci arrived to begin getting ready for her date. Elana had just gotten out of the shower and was on the phone talking to Edward. He had called to see if there was anything she needed before he came over. Darci had already spoken to Winston and he would follow Edward over to Elana’s place.

Elana and Darci set and watched the television monitor for their dates to arrive. The buzzer at the main entrance went off and Elana` buzzed them in to the lobby. Soon after that the Edward and Winston had arrived at her front door. Elana greeted them in Chinese, Winston was stun for a moment and quickly asked her in Chinese if Edward had taught her to say hello. Edward smiled because he hadn’t told Winston that Elana could speak Chinese. Elana answered him and told him about her father’s family tree. During all of this Darci stood there in shock, of all the years she had known Elana, she never knew she could speak Chinese. “Well” Darci said, “this is a big surprise to me and to think, I thought I knew you. Or maybe you learned to speak it from eating too much Chinese food!” she laughed. Edward could sense the jealousy in Darci’s voice, it wasn’t the first time. He had picked up on Darci’s catty remarks whenever Elana said or knew something that she didn’t. Darci was the type that she was not going to be out done. He knew her type, but wasn’t about to say anything and be the one to break up their friendship. If anything Elana would have to find out for herself. Edward could see that Elana was little embarrassed, “She doesn’t’ like to boast about what she knows.” he said coming to her defense. Winston didn't care for women that was book or street smart. He liked them stupid to the point where whatever he said was right even if he knew for a fact that it was wrong. “Are you ready to go?” Winston asked Darci. She nodded her head yes, picked up her bag and purse. She kissed Elana on the cheek and whispered to Elana, “This is going to be exciting.” As Darci she closed the door behind her. “Well that was interesting” Edward said as he pulled out a bottle of plum wine and handed it to Elana. "What do you mean?" He didn't mean for his thoughts to be so vocal, so he lied. "Oh, I was just thinking about Winston. He just seem to be in a hurry." "Well

from

what

I

hear,

Winston

has

a

fun

filled

night

planned."

“Would you like to have a glass now?” “That would be fine, there’s nothing like a nice glass of wine, jazz and a good women” Edward shuffled though several CD’s for the player while Elana went to get the wine

glasses. When she came back into the living room, he had opened the bottle and was seated on the couch. She sat down next to him and poured the wine in to the glasses. Edward sat there and took in her beauty as if she was a glass of fine wine. Her chestnut brown hair was pinned up on her head with one lock of hair that fell loosely by the corner of her eye. The fragrance she wore was hypnotic. And the royal blue silk dress with thin straps. Made him wonder if she was wearing anything underneath. Elana as she handed him his glass of wine, the slightest touch of his hand made her body quiver. Edward had his shirt unbutton showing off his muscular chest. With the sight of his exposed chest she found it hard to speak, she took a sip of wine hoping that it would help her collect her wicket thoughts. “Would….would you like to freshen up?” she asked nervously. “Yes, that would be nice. I wouldn’t want you to think that my cologne was Chinese food.” he laughed. Hoping to easy her nervousness. The last thing he wanted was for her to be uneasy. Elana went into the bathroom and took put out a set of towels. When she turned around he was standing there, shirtless, a tattoo of a dragon head that just covered the left side of his chest, ran across the shoulder to his back and then wrapped around his left forearm. ’Oh, God, help me.’ she thought, ‘because I‘m about to sin.’ “Will you be joining me?” he asked. “Not tonight.” she blushed, closing the door behind her. “I don’t bit.” playfully he called out to her. Elana stood with her back to the door and thought, 'But I might.' They stayed up listening to music and drink wine until Edward fell asleep on the couch. He looked so peaceful. She didn’t want to wake him, so she covered him with a sheet and got into her own bed. Some time before morning light, Edward went into Elana’s bedroom and found her fast asleep. The hair that was once pinned up had come up done and spread across a satin pillow. He kneeled on the bed trying his best not to wake her. He only wanted to kiss her good bye, be a gentleman and leave. But when he bent to kiss her, she stirred and whispered to him. With arms beckoning him, Edward and Elana’s story.

“Don’t leave. Please stay.” This was the beginning of

Chapter 2 They had been seeing each other for over three months. Edward had made it clear that his intentions towards Elana were nothing but honorable, even though his father was the head of the Triads in Hong Kong. His only dealing was the restaurant and he didn't enjoy being connected, but it was his fate. Expecting the worst he recalled her saying, 'I knew you had connections when I saw your tattoo. If it was a problem, I would have dropped you.' That's what he liked about her; she was easy going and understanding. Not like his exwife, Sue Lin. She was all of the names that you could think of when provoked. The kindest name he could call her was, "Euro-trash." Edward Huang was born and raised in Hong Kong on March 9, 1952. He was the fourth eldest of six siblings, three older brothers, James, Robert and Thomas, his oldest sister Dorothy and his baby sister Susan. Their mother died while giving birth to Susan. Their father had little to do with the girls. He saw that they all attended good schools and hoped the girls would find well-to-do husbands. He hired a nanny, housekeeper and spent more time at business than usual. As the boys got older, they were brought into the “business.” James became a banker to laundry money, Robert a lawyer, to dry it. Thomas wanted to be like their father and Edward wanted very little to do with any of it. It was the house keeper that alerted Edward’s father about the Black magazines found under his mattress. When his father questioned him, he told him that he liked the features of Black women. At first his father did not worry about Edward’s fetish. After all, there were hardly any Blacks in Hong Kong. Suddenly fearing that Edward would end up with a Black girl sent chills through his father's body. So he took Edward to a whorehouse and when Edward wouldn’t lay with any of them. He quickly arranged for Edward to marry a girl from a wealthy well known Hong Kong family. Edward wanted no part of the arrangement, but managed to talk his father into letting him complete college before he would marry. Hoping that with time, this “girl” would find somebody else. Edward had his own agenda; he wanted to put as much distance between him and the organization as possible. He applied for admittance at Yale in Connecticut for Engineering. Edward graduated at the top of his class, the only family member that showed up was Dorothy. She was sent on behalf of the family as father and his brothers were under the watchful eye of the Hong Kong police and Interpol. His father sent over a blank check, as a graduation present (the amount was far more than Edward had expected), with a note attached saying, “ Well done, although, we have yet to find where to place your skill. We will be expecting your return to marry soon.” After prolonging and much protest, Edward was chaperoned back to Hong Kong by one of his father’s henchmen. And three months later married to Sue Lin Chao. Both could tell after the first night that the marriage was not of love, but of convenience.

Sue Lin became pregnant and produced a son, who was named David. Life in the Huang house was anything but joyous. Edward stayed busy and Sue Lin, stayed gone, spending much of her time with friends in Europe. Leaving David to be cared for by a nanny and Edward. One night when Edward and Sue Lin were home together they began to argue about how neither one cared for each other and they should just get a divorce. Sue Lin during the argument slapped Edward and called him a nigger lover, and how his father hoped that by her marrying him he would forget about his black fetish. Edward grabbed her by the neck of her dress and slapped her back. He didn’t realize how hard he had slapped her until she fell on the bed and her dress ripped, exposing her bare nakedness. He stood there looking at her, he hated her. He could feel the muscles in his jaw tighten. Sue Lin laid there on the bed and laughed, “Look at you!” she taunted, “You can’t even fuck me. It takes a real man to satisfy me and that’s something you’re not.” She was about to get up when Edward pushed her back onto the bed and forced himself on her. After it was over, he hated what he had done. Sue Lin laughed and thought the whole incident was comical. She laughed when he tried to apologize for his action. “You can’t even fuck without being sorry.” she laughed and took the torn semen soaked dress and threw it at Edward. This wasn’t him, he was not that kind of man. He had allowed her to get under his skin. How he hated her and hated himself for allowing the bitch to get at him. A month later, Sue Lin was pregnant with their second son Michael. It was clear that Sue Lin detested the idea of being pregnant again. One day, Edward had received a anonymous call telling him that Sue Lin was on her way to have an abortion. But Edward arrived at the doctors’ office in time to stop her. Edward knew that the marriage could go no farther. He told Sue Lin to have the baby and she could come and go as she pleased. He would see that David and the baby would be cared for. The day after Michael was brought home Sue Lin packed her bags and left for parts unknown. (BITCH) Edward was brought back to reality, when Winston spoke, “It must have been good last night, because you haven’t said one word since you came into work.” Edward looked up from the bank ledger, "I was thinking about Sue Lin." Winston scoffed, "Why are you thinking about that bitch. You can't seriously be thinking about getting back with her?" "Just thinking about all the shit she put me through. I've got my sights on someone far better than Sue Lin."

"I hope that you are not losing yourself to this woman either. That would not be wise." Edward looked at him it was like hearing his father disapproval, "I don't need fatherly advice from you. Stay in your own lane, and I'll stay in mine." Winston was the last person to give fatherly advice and he knew for sure that whatever fucked up shit Winston was getting into with Darci, he didn't want to be a part of it. And he didn't want Elana caught up in it either. Edward sat back in the chair and pretended to be interested in what was going on in the meeting. His thoughts were deep into his past, how he befriended a classmate named Drew Jones. Drew’s family was from England and his father was stationed in Hong Kong with the military. One day after school, Drew invited Edward to come home with him. Edward was in for a big surprise when he was introduced to Drew’s mother, who was Black. Edward was dumb struck, for one he had never really seen a Black person before. There weren’t hardly any Black people in Hong Kong at all! The proof must have been written all over his face, because he remembers Drew’s mother asking him if he was alright and Drew laughing hysterically. Drew’s mother was African American and his father was Jamaican decent from England, but his father was also, mixed with White. So when you looked at Drew, you didn’t know he was Black. He looked more like he was French Indonesian. Edward spent as much time as he could at Drew’s house as possible. He loved listening to R&B, Watching Drew’s parents dancing the “slow drag” to songs like 'Body and Soul' and 'Stand in my Corner.' Just thinking about those days put a smile on Edwards face. He also remembered him and Drew sneaking a peek of the centerfold of ‘This Week’s Beauty’ in Jet magazine. While trying to hide their erection was not easy. It was Drew’s 17th birthday, that his father surprised his son and Edward with a trip to a whore house. They had to swear never to tell anyone. That was the first time Edward had ever been with a woman, let alone a Black women. Those were the best of his teen years. He and Drew were inseparable. During summer break one year, Drew and his families went for a visit in England, but they never returned for the next school session. It was one of the lowest points in Edwards’s life. Once again his thoughts were disrupted by Winston’s snide remark. “You have been sitting here in the meeting and have not said a word. This woman must really have taken your mind.” Edward knew just went Winston was up to, he loved drawing attention to someone else. And then sit back and watch the reactions from everyone. The snake. Edward’s Cousin Chen asked if everything was OK. “Sure everything’s fine.” “Well I don’t know, every since you’ve been dipping into chocolate. You haven’t been the same.” He said with a toothy smile. Winston could not resist going there. He had to let the group know of Edward’s secret desire. He then sat back to watch the other’s reactions. But much to his dismay, the only person that said anything was Chen. “Damn she must deliver the goods anytime he comes to a meeting and doesn’t say anything, it has to be good.”

Edward laughed and played it off, but deep inside he wanted to kick the living shit out of Winston. Whatever happens in his bed stayed there and was not for the public. The bastard.

Chapter 3 He felt that it was time to make a commitment. He had been rehearsing what he would say to her for almost a week. In his mind it sounded good, but when he verbally spoke, he sounded like a bumbling 15 year old on his first date. So one day he just throw caution to the wind and ask Elana if she would move live with him. "Move in with you and the restaurant help at your place?" she asked. Edward chuckled, just thinking about Elana living in with him and a staff of eight would be disaster. "Nooo, a place of our own. Geez, picture you in a house of nine men all leaving the toilet seat up. I would never hear the end of it." Edward could tell that Elana was a little hastened about it, "Everything will be legit and if you ever decide that it's not for you, I'll respect that and you'll be free to leave." Within three weeks of asking Elana to live with him, Edward had purchased a splendid three story brick townhouse in a private development. He didn't tell Elana right away, he wanted to surprise her. So when the time came and the house was ready, Edward called Elana and asked her to met him at a “friends” house for dinner. "A friend, I hope you're not talking about Winston's?" she questioned. Edward knew that Elana really didn't care much for Winston, but she put up with him for he and Darci's sake. "No" he said with a laugh, "take down this address and met me there about any hour from now." and hung up the phone. He looked around the house, making sure that everything was just right. He kept thinking, 'God, I hope she likes the place.' He was taking a big chance, but she was worth taking it for. The table was set for two, the bed was made and fresh towels with lit candles where waiting for her arrival. Elana drove up to the gate of the development and pressed in the numbers that Edward gave her. 'Damn, these friends of his must have some serious money. She read in a news article that Trump had something to do with the building of these homes.' As she continued down the road she passed a small pond, a club house, tennis courts, basketball courts, two pools and a play area for kids with picnic tables. She had almost forgotten where she was going due to all the amenities she was staring at. She finally arrived to her destination. Elana walked up to the townhouse, and noticed that not too many people had moved into

the development, but then again she thought, 'not just anybody would be moving into a place like this anyway.' She walked up the steps and rang the door bell, for some strange reason she expected to hear children running and screaming to answer the door first. But much to her surprise, it was Edward wearing an apron that said, ‘Kiss the cook’ and a oven mite on one hand. "Come in, you didn't have any trouble finding the place did you?" he said with much enthusiasm he giving Elana a peck on the cheek. Elana was still in a state of confusion, replied “No I knew were the place was." "Come on in and make yourself at home." as he disappeared into the kitchen. Elana followed him into the kitchen, "Edward, where are your friends? In fact, why are you wearing an apron?" Edward peeked into the oven and closed it, "It's almost ready." and turned his attention to Elana as he removed the oven mite and the apron. "The friends...well that was a lie. I called you over here because I wanted to surprise you.” "Surprise me." "Well, I wanted to welcome you to our new home." Elana stood there motionless and confused. Edward looked at her not sure what to expect. Was she going to walk out or faint? “I.....I don’t understand? What do you mean?” Edward took her by the hand and walked her thru the whole house, all three floors. Finally, Edward stopped and looked at her, "Elana, you haven't said a thing. What’s wrong, did I do something ...I know I should have spoken to you but.....” Elana stood there for what seemed like an eternity, tears fell from her eyes. Elana placed her finger up to Edward’s lips, “No, you did nothing wrong, you did nothing wrong at all” She kissed him “I hope you like it, I wanted it to be some place special for us. A place where we can make memories.”

Edward left Elana to walk around on her own, while he went back to cooking. After she spent time exploring on her own, she went into the dining room to find Edward setting the table. "So, are you ready to eat?" he asked. Elana stood there looking at Edward, "You are amazing. Truly amazing." Elana walks over to Edward and gives him a big kiss. “Did you hire an interior designer? This is stuff I would have picked out.” “Why do you think that I asked you about designs and furniture?” “To tell the truth, I just figured that you were just keeping up with your architect stuff.” “So I take it that I was correct on all points.” He smiled. "Yes you were. I don't know what you have planned for desert, but I have something just for the cook." as she played with the buttons on his shirt. Dinner was excellent and after a couple of glasses of wine, they found themselves having desert in the bed. Elana slipped out of her clothes and laid upon the king size bed. Just then Edward walked into the room. “I think we should test the bed out, but I didn’t bring any....” Edward removed his shirt and smiled, “I’m already a head of you” as he pulled the drawer to the nightstand open and revealed the necessary items. “Well, well that’s what I like, a man that takes care of everything” “And right now I need to take care of you”. Elana reached over and picked up the phone, she just had to tell Darci the news. She could tell by the tone in Darci's voice that she didn't sound happy for her. Darci moved into Elana’s apartment, and Winston stayed over at times. Winston took care of Darci, kept her on a short leash. One night Darci had come home later than she expected. The first thing Winston did was to grab her by the arm with one hand and take his fingers of his free hand and push them into Darci’s vagina and dared her to make a sound or move. After removing his fingers examining them he pushed her causing Darci to fall on a wooden table. "Call next time when you’re going to be late, and not give me a reason to check you again." he said. This wasn’t the first time he had roughed her up, and it would not be the last. Winston

had gotten a room at the Sheridan and he had even rented her a car for the weekend. Darci was excited by the good life and big money that Winston shelled out on her. She knew that this was the right man for her. After all, look at Elana and Edward. One Friday evening after work, Elana dropped Darci off at the rental place. Darci picked up the car and drove over to the restaurant to get the key to the hotel room. Edward greeted her as she walked in. “So you’re alone tonight?” “Yeah, Elana chickened out on me, she wasn’t up to hanging out’. Edward smiled, “Winston’s in the office”. Edward was glad that Elana wasn’t the same type of girl that Darci was. Darci loved the fast life, living on the edge. just being with Winston, she was playing close to fire and was about to get burned. Darci walked to the office and knocked. Winston told her to come-in. “So, how’s my sugar baby tonight”. “I’m fine, I thought I would go to the hotel room and then maybe go downstairs to the nightclub.” Winston looked at her and smiled ,”I don’t think so, tonight I want you to get your rest, you have a busy night ahead”. “Really, and just what do you have in store for me” Winston stood up and handed Darci an envelope, “When I leave from here tonight, we are going to New York”. Darci’s eyes lit up, she loved New York, “Oh, this is going to be good”. Winston gave a little laugh, “Calm down, I have some people I want you to meet, some are very important people. So go home and get that nice outfit I bought.” “Sure thing, I’ll be ready." Winston walked Darci out to the where Edward was at. “I’ll see you when I get off.” Darci smiled and he sent her on her way. Winston looked over at Edward and said, “Take note from tonight on, I’ll show you how to keep them in control and eat out of your hands.”

Winston picked Darci up at the hotel about 12 a.m., the drive to New York was quiet. Darci couldn’t stand it, “Winston, who are these friends you want me to meet?” “You’ll see, I want you to be on your best behavior.” They soon arrived in Chinatown and pulled into an alley. Even though Chinatown isn’t very big, Darci hadn’t seen this part of town. They got out of the car and walked to a door in the alley. It made Darci feel a little uneasy about going in, she laughed to herself and thought, funny how nothing seem to bother her before, but this did. Little did she know, her life was about to change forever. Once they walked inside she could see that it was an opium den. Young girls, wearing barely nothing waited on men while they smoked. Winston walked past and lead Darci to a room and told her to sit down. The room was dimly lit with a several large tables placed around. Off to one side a small bar and another door. Winston lit a cigarette and walked to where Darci was sitting, “You’re looking very lovely tonight.” Darci looked up at him and smiled a nervous smile, “Well baby, you wanted me to look my best and that’s what I did.” “That you did, these friends of mine are very powerful people. And I want them to meet you, so that means you need to be nice to them.” “Oh Winston, you know I’ll be nice to your friends!” “That’s good because if they’re not happy, than I’m not happy. You understand?” Darci nodded her head. Just then two more girls entered the room with a several men. They greeted each other and sat down at one of the tables. “Winston, is this an after-hours club?” “That’s what I like about you, you catch on fast.” The room began to fill up fast, Darci soon realized that she and the other girls were there to be host and help the men spend their money. Winston sat by the bar and watched Darci at work, yes she was definitely the right choice for this job. Darci seated herself by a middle-age man that was playing mah- Jong. Although she did not understand the game, all she needed to know was he had the cash and he was winning. Yes, this was indeed the life Darci liked, it was fast, it was exciting and it was dangers. By the

morning, Darci alone had pulled in six hundred dollars, not counting what the man paid the house. It was 5 a.m. when Winston and Darci arrived back to the hotel room. Once they were inside the room, Winston handed Darci three hundred dollars, “Here, this is for an excellent job tonight, if you continue to do well I may make you the head hostess”. “Well in that case I better work harder.” Winston unzipped her dress and kissed her on the neck, yes he thought I have big plans for you. The dress slid from her body revealing Darci‘s lace bra and panties. “I’m off to the shower,” she said. Winston walked over to the small bar and poured himself a drink. He removed his clothes and sat on the bed in his underwear. Winston thought about how foolish Edward was about Elana. He would never allow himself to become so deeply involved as Edward had. Women were meant to serve man, not man to service women. Darci came out of the bathroom and laid down next to Winston. He reached over and cupped one of her breast and licked it, Darci let out a low moan. Winston then took his hand and parted the lips between her thighs with his fingers. “Oh Winston, please don’t tease me.” “That is not my plan, I’m only getting you ready.” Every weekend Winston took Darci into New York to work. He even had her dancing top-less at times, this went on for several months. Finally the time had come, Winston wanted to see just how much Darci cared for him. On one particular weekend, Winston had Darci perform sexual favors for one of the regulars. Darci put up a fuss but quickly agreed when Winston pulled her into the next room smacked her. She stood there for a moment stunned, she saw the look in Winston’s eyes and immediately knew he meant business. Darci went out of the room and walked over to her regular customer Mr. Kim. She wanted to cry but she knew if she did Winston would clean the floor with her. Mr. Kim had just won again and was putting away his winnings when Darci whispered in his ear. Mr. Kim produced a smile that reminded her of the Cheshire cat in “Alice in Wonderland”. Mr. Kim announced that he would not be playing and followed Darci into the next room. After sometime Mr. Kim emerged from the back room, he walked over to where Winston was standing. Mr. Kim handed Winston some money and left. Winston entered the room where Darci was. She was seating on the bed putting her shoes on. Darci looked up at Winston, he

could tell that she had been crying. “Why are you crying, you should never feel sad about anything I ask you to do” he walked over and lifted up her chin, “Kim was very pleased with you and paid well for your services.” Darci held on to Winston’s sleeve, “Winston, please don’t make me do that again, I only want to make love with you.” Winston looked at Darci then glanced at his sleeve, Darci released her grip. “That’s much better,” he brushed the sleeve as if she had soiled it, “you see Darci, you like the kind of life a man such as myself can offer you. You enjoy the money, the cars, the trips, The life. So if you wish to remain in the lifestyle that I have provided you with, I suggest that you do as you’re told. Now go fix your make-up and get back to work.” Winston turned and walked out the room. Darci went into the bathroom, Winston was good to her in his own way, she thought and she may as well use him for what it was worth. Darci fixed her make-up and went back to work. The next evening a few fellows from the Organizations were getting together at one of their many bars. Tonight was going to be real interesting, especially when everyone came see the “new” entertainment that Winston had provided. Winston saved a seat at his table for Edward, he had a little surprise for him. When Edward arrived he went up to the bar and ordered a beer. He saw Winston at a table with several other members. He wondered what trickery Winston had up his sleeve this time. Winston motioned for him to join them. Edward walked over to the table which was up front. The table was near a small stage with some girls dancing topless. The bar had a good size crowd, with some of the men acting like they had just been released from the state prison. Winston ordered another round for everyone at the table and then went to backstage. He reappeared and sat down, he had the look of a pleased man. Suddenly the lights on the stage went off, turned on again. And when they did, there stood Darci wearing a gold thong and top-less. Edward was in shock for brief moment. He looked over at Winston who was looking at him. “If you could see the look on your face”, Winston laughed, “you look like you’ve seen a ghost!” By this time everyone at the table was looking at Edward and was laughing also. Edward was speechless, there were no words. “You see, Edward chosen not to use his prospect as I have used mine.” “And what a good one it is!” someone shouted.

Edward tried not to stare, he felt bad for her. Just as the music was ending, Darci looked right into Edwards face. Darci had the look of shame written all over her face, she ran from the stage to the back. Edward attempted to rise from the chair, but Winston grabbed him by the arm. “How could you do something like that to her. You know the relationship that she and Elana have together.” “Relationships come and go. Darci will get over it and you’ll see that Elana moves on with hers.” he said with a laugh. Edward stood up and walked toward the back room where the girls changed at. He found Darci seating in front of a make-up mirror crying. “Darci, ...Darci, I’m sorry this happened.” “Are you apart of this also?” “No, I wanted no part of this, nor do I want Elana to be part of it.” “Please Edward don’t tell Elana about any of this, please.” Edward said that he wouldn’t tell her, if she ever find out it’s because you or Winston told her. He walked back out the bar, he didn’t even taking the time to tell Winston what a scum bag he was. All the way home Edward couldn’t help but think about Darci. How would Elana feel when the ties between two friends come to an end. Even better than that, how would Elana feel towards him if she found out. Elana was no dummy, she would surly believe that he has the same plans for her also. Damn Winston, damn, damn, damn. When Edward got home he found Elana watching television. He walked over and sat down next to her. As much as he wanted to tell her what Winston had put Darci up to, he knew that if he did, she would doubt his serenity towards her. “Hey baby, didn’t you just leave?” She looked at Edward, and could see that something was bothering him. “Edward are you alright?” “Yeah, I got all the way there than realized that I didn’t want to be there.” “Elana, I need to ask you a question and I need an honest answer. Do you believe with all your heart that I love you?”

“Yes. Why what did you do.” She smiled. “Elana , please tell me the truth, do you believe I love you?” “Yes! Why do you ask?” “I need to know this, do you believe that I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you?” “Edward! I do love you and no, I don’t think you would try and hurt me. What is going on?” “Nothing, I just needed some reassurance.” He kissed her and stared into her eyes, "No matter what happens around us, always remember that I love you.”

Chapter 4 Edward went into Chinatown on Saturday, he was in search of a birthday gift for Elana. After some time of going in and out of shops, he stepped into a jewelry store. That was when Edward saw them, he had never seen anything like them before. Black pearls, perfectly spaced strung on invisible nylon thread. Edward had the jeweler place them in a box with the earrings to match. Yes, this would be a perfect gift for Elana. Edward walked back to the ally where he parked and placed the gift in a brief case in the trunk. Most people would not have done what Edward had done, but most people wouldn’t mess with anything that belong to the Organization either. Edward walked back out the ally and over to the bar. He hadn’t been back there since Darci’s debut. And that had been over a year . Edward saw very little of Darci except when she would occasionally stop by the restaurant to speak with Winston. Darci was spending most of her time in New York and it wasn’t for shopping either. Inside some members were sitting around drinking and talking. Edward must have stayed for an hour or so then decided to walk over to Pell Street to get some soup dumpling and then go to the Herbalist. It was in the afternoon and Chinatown showed no signs of slowing down for the evening. If a dollar could be made it was going to be done. When he arrived at the Herbalist, the store wasn’t too crowed. People were ordering herbs and teas for medical reasons. Edward asked a young herbalist to make him a small batch of “Passion tea.” The herbalist looked at Edward in shock and glanced around to see if anyone was listening. “Is there a problem with what I asked for?” Edward asked. “Oh no, it’s just that it’s a very old mix and no one ask for it any more. Let me see if my grandfather can mix it up for you.” The herbalist walked to the back and reappeared with an old white haired man. “Young man, do you know what you are asking for? Have you ever used any before?” “No, but I have heard much about it and would like to take some home with me.” The old man took Edward by the arm and walked him to the back of the shop. “Young man, Passion tea is a very strong tea. It can stir up feeling that the faint in heart are unable to take. It is only used when a man and a women wish to be closer, that is why they call it passion tea. Wait here while I go mix some for you and your lady friend, who knows she may become your wife.” The old man laughed and walked back behind the counter with his grandson following close behind. A several minutes had passed, the grandfather and the grandson both appeared. The old man handed Edward a small brown bag with directions. “Be sure that you read the directions very carefully, too much can cause a lot of stress on

the heart. Remember what I said, use with care, and come see me when your first child is born!” Edward paid the grandson. The old man laughed and patted Edward on the back as he walked toward the door. Edward had just walked out the store, when a waiter from the restaurant came up to him. He was out of breath as if he had been running. “Edward, you must come with me.” “What do you mean I need to come with you? What ‘s happen?” “Your car, someone has broken into your car!” Edward and the waiter walked quickly back to the ally way to where Edward parked it. The waiter began to explain to Edward how he happen to spot a young man in the trunk of the car and when he spotted the waiter looking at him, he ran off with Edwards briefcase. “Did you get a good look at the guy?” “Oh yeah, I’ll remember him if I see him again.” Edward looked in the trunk hoping the brief case containing three thousand dollars and Elana’s gift was long gone. He knew reporting this to the police would lead to more questions that he did not want to answer. He would handle this in his own way. With just a week before Elana’s party, he walked back to the jewelry hoping to find more black pearls. When the jewelers saw Edward, he began to worry if he had done something wrong. “You’ve got to help me.” Edward asked. “Yes, yes how can I help you.” Edward explained what happen. “Oh my” the jewelers replied. “I don’t have any more in the store, but I can order it?” “That will be fine, how soon can you get them.” The jewelry picked up the phone and began placing the order. “It will take one week, is that O.K.?” “Yes, that will be fine, I’ll be back on Friday to pick them up”.

By the time Edward had gotten back to the car, the word had been put out on the street. Only a small time hood would do something that stupid. Someone that was not familiar with Triad territory. When Winston heard about the incident he laughed, “Don’t worry, the guys are on the lookout. Who knows the guy just may be stupid enough to return.” The day of Elana’s birthday had arrived. Elana, and their neighbor from Connecticut arrived by limo to the restaurant in Chinatown. A small section of the restaurant had been blocked off for the party. Elana was seated between Edward and Winston. She leaned over to Winston and asked where was Darci. Elana knew that Darci would not be there. But hoped that maybe she might have tried to come. Winston could see the disappointment on Elana’s face. “I’ll be sure to let her know how she has disappointed you.” “That’s alright, things come up. I’ll talk with her during the week.” Edward could tell by the look on Elana’s face what the conversation was about. He whispered in Chinese that everything would be alright. The waiters brought out several different appetizers and drinks. Several of Edward associates and their wives were invited and joined the party by to wish Elana Happy Birthday. She found it funny that none of which she knew, but it was obvious Edward had told them. The atmosphere was happy, people laughed and joked around between courses. At one point during the meal, a waiter came to Edward and whispered into his ear. The waiter pointed across the room to a young man with a female companion that sat across the room. Elana noticed Edward staring at them while he played around with a spoon. “Edward, is something wrong?” “No, nothing’s wrong. Are you having a good time?” he asked. Never taking his eyes off the couple across the way. The muscles in his jaw drew tight. And the look of anger was in his eyes. Elana had never seen him like that. His whole demeanor changed which caused her to be concern. “Everything is fine. But something is troubling you, look at what you just did with the spoon.” She whispered to him. Edward looked at the spoon and tossed it to the center of the table. Everyone at the table was aware that something had upset Edward. Winston and several associates said to Edward in Chinese, 'To let them handle it.' “No” Edward replied, “This needs my personal attention.”

Just then there was a small commotion over at the table where Edward had been staring at. One of the waiters had spilled some food on the guys pants. Winston and one other waiter followed the man down a hallway which lead to the bathrooms. A few moments later, Edward stood up unbutton his jacket and hung it on the back of the chair. Two of the associates went into the bathroom area. The waiters came out with the food and began to put it on the table. Edward stood up. “If you'll excuse me, I must attend to some business. Please start without me, I’ll try not to be too long.” he said apologized to the group. And walked towards the kitchen. No one noticed Edward when he came back out with a meat cleaver in his hand. Winston and the Waiter had gotten the man in to the meeting room upstairs. Edward entered the room and laid the cleaver on the table so the man could see it. Edward walked up to the man and asked, “I believe you have something that belongs to me.” The man shook his head, “No, look I don’t even know you or these guys” “Last week you were seen breaking into a car in the ally. You took $3,000 and a black pearl necklace. So, I’m asking you politely, where’s my stuff?” “Look man....” Edward punched the man in the face, “Wrong answer!” Edward hit him and asked again, “Where’s my jewelry?” The guy was playing it tough, but that was a wrong move because it pissed Edward off even more. Edward grabbed the man by the collar and punched him twice. The man was bleeding from his mouth and nose. He had fallen back in the chair. “I don’t know what.....” This time Edward kicked him out of the chair and on to the floor. Edward grabbed the man by the collar and was about the punch him again. “Ok, ok, my girlfriend has it, she has it on.” He cried. Edward picked the guy up and punched him with every sentence he spoke. “This is for breaking into my car, this is for stealing my girl friends gift, And this is for making me buy another gift.”

The man could hardly stand. Edward did a side kick that sent the man down the flight of stairs and into the hallway by the bathrooms below. With all the commotion, Elana looked towards the hallway to see Edward descending the stairs, and shouted. “Close that door!” A waiter standing near did so. Now the only sound anyone could hear was the occasional bumping and muffled voices in the hallway. The dinner guest looked at Elana, who had stood up and was about to walk over to the doorway. But the waiter at the door prevented her from going through. Winston walked over to Elana to calm, "I’ll go see what the trouble is. Go sit down.” Winston then walked into the hallway and closed the door. When the door did open the waiter came over and asked Elana to please give him Edwards car keys. She asked what was going on, but the waiter would not answer. Elana handed him the keys and watched he disappear into the kitchen. A few of the associates got up from the table and went into where the commotion was at. This was really getting to Elana, who was clueless and no one would give her an answer. One of the associates’ wife, said to Elana in Chinese, “This is our lives. We worry about them, and some time we bury them. This one I would not worry about, this is small potatoes.” It was then she actually understood the power and the respect that came with being connected. Now that the door was open Elana and the party had a full view of the hallway. The waiter reappeared carrying a white shirt and went into the men’s room. And walked out, with a blood covered shirt. This time it was their neighbor John who stood an up and spoke, “I don’t know what in the hell is going on! but I’m going to see.” He walked down the hall and into the men’s room. Within a few moments, John reappeared with a stunned look on his face. A short time afterwards, Edward came out, put on his jacket and walked over to the table that he had been staring at earlier. The girl looked surprised when he sat across from her. Edward signaled to a waiter that brought over a paper cup, and sat it in front of Edward. Edward then slide the cup in front of the girl. Elana couldn’t hear what was said but the next thing Edward did was place an open napkin in front of the girl. She then took off a necklace and earrings and place them on it. Edward took the napkin and put it in his jacket pocket. The girl looked in the cup and put her hand up to her mouth and walked quickly from the restaurant. Edward walked back towards the table and sat down. “Edward, what is going on?” Elana asked.

“Just a little business,” he replied. John chuckled, “Edward, that was sweet. You are the man!” “No, just a small fish in a big pond.” Edward then asked Winston to get Elana’s gift out of the safe. When it was brought to the table Edward give it to Elana. It was a large black velvet box and inside were three strands of black pearls with the earrings to match. Elana sat there speechless as she read the enclosed card. ‘Black pearls for my Black Pearl. Elana, you have brought me more joy that you’ll ever know. Love Always, Edward.’ Elana kissed Edward “Oh Edward, their beautiful.” It was around 10 o’clock when the limo took the neighbors back to Connecticut. Edward and Elana walked down the alley to the car. Edward took Elana by the hand and twirled her around, “So you feel like dancing?” “No”, she replied in an drunken slur. “No, then what would you like to do?” as Edward grabbed Elana by the waist to keep her from falling, he leaned against the trunk of the car. Leaning again him, she could feel his erection and she smiled a wicked smile. “I saw a side of you that I have never seen before. And just thinking about it is making me excited.” She took her hand and rubbed his rock hard erection. Edward closed his eyes. “Elana, not here.” He begged. “Edward I want you to fuck me, right here!” Edward gave her a puzzled look. First, he had never heard her use the F word and secondly, he wasn’t sure he heard the request correctly. “What? I have a suite for us at a hotel.” Elana took his hand and moved it up her thigh. “I don’t want to make love, I want you to get gangster with me and fuck me here in the alley.”

“Are you serious?” as he asked as he removed his hand from her thigh. Judging by the look on Elana’s face she was dead serious. Edward was hasten, he promised himself, that he would never mistreat a woman. Elana grabbed his hand again this time she placed it on her vagina. "Where are your panties?” “Never mind panties. I want it now!” she demanded. She pulled away, leaned forward on the trunk of the car and pulled her dress up above her hips. He unzipped his pants and entered slowly. Elana moaned softly with each stroke. He had to admit that it was good. When it was all over, Elana turned to face Edward and kissed him. “Now that was fucking fantastic.” she said breathless. “And you are so nasty, you little freak and I love it. Now let’s go.” He said as he fixed his pants. Edward turned to get into the car that’s when he noticed Winston standing in the alley door way. Winston smiled at him and closed the door. It was a night that Edward would not forget. Elana would never find out about the first gift, the beating the man received, the missing fingers or that Winston and the busboy watched their sexual act. On the other side of town, Darci was too busy to attend Elana’s birthday. Winston had her hosting a party. There were a couple of big shots coming in from out of town. Darci had Winston get a suite at the Plaza. Her motto was 'If you want to catch big fish, use big bait.' It took a lot of proving to Winston that she was worth her weight. And she proved it on several occasions. She no longer worked the after-hours club. She was fishing for big fish! Darci had gotten Winston to get the “organization” in to using their limo drivers to advertise their call girl service. Whenever a high roller came to town 9 out of 10 he would ask the driver where he could find some action. They always lead them to Darci and her girls. And she had the best. The word began to circle the street and soon Darci and Company was at all the big parties. If you were a somebody, they were there. The Organization had set it up to look like the girls worked at the club. So each week the girls got a paycheck. Darci walked into the bedroom and saw Winston seating on the bed. When she got home from work. “So when did you get in” she asked. “Just now. How was your day.”

“OK. How’s Elana and Edward?” “They’re fine, Elana was disappointed that you wasn’t there.” He said taking off his suit jacket and gave it to Darci to hang up. “You know that Elana is a hot little bitch.” Darci looked at Winston and said, “Don’t call my friend a bitch.” “Friend!, shit you haven’t seen her in God knows when and hardly speak to her on the phone. And you don’t want me to call her what she really is!” “Why do you have to call her that!” “Darci after the party the bus boy goes to take a break, comes back to get me and what do you think I see!” “What do you see.” Darci asked sarcastically. “Edward fuckin Elana on the trunk of the car!. I tell you it was a sight. She’s all bent over and Edward banging the shit out of her!” Winston was laughing so hard he had to sit down to catch his breath. Darci stood there in shock, “Get out of here, stop lying!” Winston was still laughing “For real and you watched them.” Darci asked. “Hell yeah, they were in public.” He took his pants off and gave them to her to also hang up. “Nobody saw me. Except Edward and that was when he was getting in the car.” “If Elana knew that you was watching she would have died.” Darci laughed. Darci went into the bathroom and turned on the shower for Winston, he soon followed. “Baby it gets even better! Remember a week ago when somebody broke into Edwards car? Well guess what? The dumb fuck shows up tonight at the restaurant with his girlfriend and she’s wearing the gift Edward brought Elana.”

Winston got into the shower and lathered himself up and continued talking. “Boy, I haven’t seen Edward get that mad in a long time.” Darci sat on the bathroom counter, “You mean Edward gets mad? I didn’t think he had it him.” “Believe me Edward is not one to mess with. Tonight he beat the shit out the guy, then cut two fingers off the man’s hand.” “Edward! Our Edward did that?” she asked. “Yeah our Edward. The guys lucky he’s missing two fingers and not his life! Cross Edward, lose your life. His father heads one of the biggest gangs in Hong Kong, hell, in Asia!” Darci sat there in silence, her mind was still reeling from shock to think that Edward could do something like that. And to find out that his father was a top man with the Triads. Interesting she thought, Edward had his usefulness after all. The next afternoon, Darci went over to the apartment were her girls stayed. The girls were just starting to get up and get ready for the night. “Hello ladies, how was last night.” Darci shouted as she walked into the apartment. was not up, to get up.

She wanted to make sure that everyone that

“I couldn’t wait to get home, some fat fuck from Butt Fuck Arkansas kept sweating on me all night. just because you’re oriental they think you’re suppose to say ‘oh you want to fucky, fucky’ ” Ming Sue stated in her New York accent. The whole apartment screamed with laughter. Ming-sue laughed and said in her best Asian accent, “So I kept asking if he wanted to 'fucky, fucky.' Shit I aint no FOB, I’m 3 rd generation American.” Darci sat down and shook her head, “Well I hope it was worth it.” “Hell yeah” Ming-sue said and handed a crisp $1,300 to Darci. “Well tonight is going to be another busy night. So wash the cat and look your best.” Darci went back home to get ready for work. She would go with some of the girls and help “entertain”. When she arrived back, the girls were getting ready for their customers. The man from Arkansas was back and asked for Ming-Sue. She smiled and showed him to the room.

As soon as they left the living room , everyone started laughing. After awhile the other girls had customers and they went to work. The evening was going just fine until Ming-Sue came out the room and motioned for Darci, to come down the hallway to where Ming-sue was standing. “Psst, Psst Darci, come here.” “what's wrong?” “I think he’s died.” “what! “ Darci said “come look.” Ming-sue opened the door and they both went in. There on the bed butt naked laid Mr. Arkansas. “Girl what did you do!” Darci asked. “I didn’t do anything. It was straight sex. Next thing I know he was acting like he was Cuming and just fell over.” Darci shook her head. She looked in his wallet and found the usual stuff plus $3,000. “Damn, I need to make a call.” A call was made to the organization and sent some of boys over to dispose of the body. Within an half hour, two guys showed up dressed like waiters from the hotel’s restaurant downstairs. They came in with a food cart covered with a long table cloth. In a few minutes they came out with the man and all his belongs carefully hidden under the cart. Darci looked in the man's wallet, not carrying to know his name, but rather how much cash he had. It was their lucky day, he had a total of $3500. She took out two thousand and put one in her bra. “Well, I think you and I are finished for the evening.” as she handed Ming-Sue the other $1,000, “I know you’ll keep your mouth shut.”

Chapter 5 They had been together for almost two years. Edward deepest desire was to have more

children He had told Elana about his sons and they could not come to live with him due to an agreement with their mother. He never did get to use the tea that he brought, it was still locked away. Although he had never used it, he just remember over hearing his mother and aunt talk about such things when he was younger. Edward let out a little laugh, ‘ancient Chinese secret.’ Tonight will be the night that he tell her his desire and if it’s meant to be then it will be. Edward was putting away some money in his secret hiding place when he saw the small brown envelop of tea. He put it there for safe keeping after Elana’s birthday year ago. He remembered the day he brought it. Perhaps now would be the time to start a family. Just then, Elana come into the bedroom, “Edward would up zip me up.” “And just where are you off to?” he joked. “Oh, Rita and I are going to help Liz pick out baby furniture.” For a moment, he wondered how she knew what he had been thinking about. Edward put his arms around Elana’s waist hugging her from behind. “I wonder what it would be like to have one.” “One of what?” Elana asked. “A baby.” he replied as he looked at her reflection in the mirror. “Just zip me up.” She gave a little laugh. He kissed her on the neck, “Elana, I was being serious, I would like for us to have a baby.” “You are serious!” as she turned to face him. “Elana, I’ve only asked you to do one thing for me and that was to live with me. Just have a child for me, that’s all. And if for some reason you don’t enjoy being a mother, I’ll understand.” Elana thought about it for a moment and kissed him, “OK, tonight.” “Tonight, Elana are you sure? I don’t want to put any pressure on you.” Shocked by her sudden reply. “You’re not putting any pressure on me, tonight.”

Edward spent the majority of the afternoon preparing for that night. When Elana came home they eat dinner. “That was a good meal. Are you trying to butter me up so I won’t change my mind?” she joked. “Well, it's the very least I can do. I mean it’s seldom we get the chance to eat at home together:” “You don’t have to butter me up, because I’m already buttered. I haven’t forgotten what I promised you.” as she took him by the hand leading him to the couch. “No, you really want to have a baby?” “Of course, I think it's time, don’t you? You go up and get ready while I clear off the table.” She had to laugh because he sprinted up the stairs like a kid. Humming Rod Stewarts song, 'Tonight’s The Night.' When she finally got up stairs, Edward had showered and was running bath water for Elana when she came into the bedroom. “Your bathe should be about ready” as he turned back the bed covers and had pillows of every size on the bed. “Well I see that you have been busy preparing for this.” Edward smiled, “Well it was just in case and I wanted to be prepared.” “This is to be a very special night.” As he unzipped her dress and helped out of it. He lead Elana into a candle lit bathroom and helped her into the tub. “Wow, you really have out done yourself.” “I want to make sure we have the right atmosphere. Now you lie back and relax.” After sometime, Elana emerged from the bath and enter the bedroom. The only light in the room was candles. Scented oil filled the air and jazz was the music that set the tune of the evening. Edward was had on black silk pants, his bare chest glowed from the candle light. He took Elana by the hand, lead her to the bed and sat down. Edward poured some in a small cup and handed it to Elana. “I made a special tea for us, drink some.”

“What kind of tea is this? I don’t recognize the favor.” Edward put the cup back up to Elana’s lips, “It's called passion tea.” “Passion tea? I never heard of it.” she replied. “Sssh, take another sip, it's a special blend. Old Chinese secret.” He smiled. Elana took another sip than handed Edward the cup. He took a drink from it. “Edward I feel strange, am, am I suppose to feel.... feel like ....like this?” He took another sip, “You’ll be alright.” Edward could tell the tea was working. Elana’s body was relaxed, he reached over and ran his finger down her arm. Her body shivered. “Edward, what’s.... Happening? I.... feel like.....I’m in .....an echo ... tunnel.” “It’s alright, lie back.” Edward turned the last drop of tea up to his mouth. He was beginning to feel the effects of the tea as well. He rose off the bed and untied the drawstring to his pants. As the pants slid down it felt as though his skin was melting away. The tea was working. Edward laid down next to Elana, they caressed each others. A simple touch sent tingles throughout their bodies. As he entered her, the feeling was so intense, every movement, every touch was magnified. The room was filled with cries of passion. Their bodies dripped with sweat, until finally the tea had worn off and it was over. The next morning, Elana awoke to find pillows all over the floor. She got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. She turned on the shower and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. There were bruises on her wrist, hips and inside her thighs. Just then Edward walked in and kissed her on the forehead. “Edward, what happened? Look at my body!” she asked. Edward looked down at his private part, he was also swollen and bruised. “I don’t know, I think we tried to kill each other. Do we have anything for pain.” he asked as he looked in the medicine cabinet. He turned and handed Elana two pain killers, “Here, you look like you could use some too!”

A month later her suspicion was confirmed by the doctor it was time to tell Edward. She drove over to the restaurant. The lunch crowd was gone, so it was quiet and the perfect time to tell him. Edward was restocking the bar when Elana walked in. He could tell something was on her mind. “Hey, how’s everything.” “Edward I need to talk to you.” “Sure, sit down.” He brought over a glass of plum wine. “So what’s up?” She wasn’t sure how to say it, she still was in shock herself and it wasn’t like it was a mistake. So she counted to three and blurted out. “Edward, I’m ....I’m pregnant.” Edward sat there motionless, and stared at her. “Edward, did you hear me?” Elana was about to pick up the glass of wine when Edward picked it up and downed it with one gulp. “Yes, I heard you. Are you alright, is everything OK?” “The question is, are you alright?” He put Elana’s hand to his lips and kissed it. Then announced in Chinese to everyone in the restaurant. “I’m going to be a father!”

Chapter 6 It was a busy night at the restaurant. Edward could wait to get home. Elana was already sleep when he arrived. He must have been tired, because Elana startled he when she woke him. “Edward it the phone, its Hong Kong” “Hello?” he answered still not fully awake. “Hello, it took you long enough to answer. Did I interrupt some forbidden passion?” the caller said snidely. “No, no we were sleep, dad it’s three o’clock in the morning. What's wrong?” “Everything fine, I need you to come to Hong Kong and work on my building.” “Sure, I’ll do it, I’ll be over in about four or five months, I can work on it then.” “No, I have already paid for your ticket and its waiting for you to pick it up. You’re flight leaves 7:45 am your time today.” “What!” Edward was fully awake now and sitting up in bed, “father you just can’t make arrangement......” “Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do. Have your ass on that flight.” The line went died. Edward was pissed beyond pisstivity, “Fuck!” he shouted as he through the phone against the wall. He got out of bed and walk to the closet. Elana sat up, “Edward, what’s wrong?” Edward was taking clothes out of the closet and putting them in a suitcase. “My father had just ordered me to Hong Kong. He wants me to design a build a building for him!” “So when do you have to leave, now?” “Yes, this morning.” “What!” she shouted, “he can’t expect you to leave on such a short notice!” “Not only does he expect it, but he also brought the ticket and has it waiting at the airlines desk.” “Edward how long are you going to be gone? There’s no way you’re going to be back by

the time the baby is born.” Edward looked at Elana, he could tell that she was upset by all this. He climbed on the bed and held her. “I don’t think so, but I promise you won’t have to go through this alone, I promise. I’m going to do everything I can to come back before time. I want to be there.”

Chapter 7 The plane made it descent towards the runway on the edge of the south china sea in Kowloon. As the plane descended more, you could almost touch the television antennae on the apartment buildings. Edward was home. When the plane landed, Edwards, older brother James was there to met him at customs. “It's nice to have you home.” “Is it” Edward answered. “Yes it is. It's been a long time since anyone has heard from you. Well except for Dorothy and the boys. But you never call father.” “What is there to call him about. The organization sends him his report and his share. Anything else does not concern him.” James could tell that Edward was not happy to be there. “Come, here’s our car.” A Rolls pulled up to the curb. The driver got out and put the luggage in the trunk. “Company car?” Edward asked. “Just one of many.” “James, do my son’s know that I’m here?” “No, father hasn’t told Dorothy or the boys.” “Look, why am I really here, he could have gotten any one to do this. Hong Kong is full of architects.” “That much is true” replied James, “But none of them are his son. Edward, just do what he wants, make him proud. Then get back to your life in America. Hell, there are times I don’t want to be a part of this life either, but I am. We all know you don’t care for this business. But what can we do it’s our fate.” Edward didn’t answer, he sat there and thought about Elana, the baby and his son’s. They wouldn’t be a part of this, not if he could help it. The car pulled up in front of a large office building. It was all too familiar it brought back memories that Edward wanted to forget. Memories of secret meetings and secret deals. The lobby had been re-decorated and a horrendous statue was now it’s new occupant along with the security desk.

Edward pointed to the statue, as they walked through the lobby, “Su Su must have been responsible for this.” He asked. Susa was Edward’s pet name for his artsy baby sister Susan. James laughed, “How did you know?” “Because it looks like something she would do. What in the hell does she call this one?” Edward replied. “It’s called, ‘Man reaching for the stars.’” James snickered. “It’s reaching for something. And father’s view on it?” “He hates it.” He laughed. They rode the elevator in silence to the tenth floor. When the doors opened, it was dimly lit. The office workers had all gone for the day. James and Edward walked through a set of double doors into a large conference room. And there at the head of the table sat on of the most powerful, most feared man in Hong Kong, Charles Huang. Also, in the room was Edwards two brothers and his sister Dorothy’s husband, George. Edward’s brother Thomas broke the ice, “Well, well, well the prodigal son has returned.” “And had to be told to do that.” his brother Robert said snidely. Edward could tell that none of this was going to be pleasant, being in his father’s presence never was. He walked over to his father and bowed, “Father.” His father nodded with approval, “It’s good to see you my wayward son. How long has it been.” “Too long.” Edward replied. “Sit, I see and hear that life is treating you kind.” “Father, what is it that you want me to do?” “I want you to build me a building. Is that too much to ask for? “No.” Edward answered. “Good than tomorrow we shall get started.” Edward spent the afternoon setting up his office and getting acquitted with his secretary. When it was time to leave, he met up with George and had a driver to drive them home.

“Dorothy and the boys will be happy to see you. It was hard not to tell them that you were coming.” George said. George was a slim built man, stood about 5’6, wore wire framed glasses and smoked. Father give George a job mainly to keep Dorothy in the style of life she was raised. After Edward and Sue Lin broke up, Dorothy moved in to take care of his sons. And when he decided to move to America, Dorothy married George and has been there ever since. When they finally arrived at the house George opened the door slowly and stuck his head inside. By George's action, Edward expected a shoe or something to come flying at them. Dorothy called out from the living room, “George, you finally made it home.” “Yes and guess who I have with me!” “If it’s that drunken brother of yours put him in a cab and send him home.” George looked at Edward pushing his glasses up on his nose and gave a little laugh, “No, it's your brother Edward.” Dorothy ran out to the foyer screaming. She caused such a racket that Edwards son’s came to the top of the stairs to see what had happen. It was good to be home. The next morning Edward and George headed out for work. Edward went into his father’s office, “Good morning father.” “Good morning, how was your first night back home?” “It was fine. Do you have a sketch of what you want father.” “No, that’s why you’re here. Edward I want you to design a building that will immortalize me. I’m an old man. I want to be remembered.” “Father, you have family and you have sons.” His father walked to a window and beckon Edward to join him, “You see all those people below? Very few know who I am and those that do, fear me. When my time comes, I want everyone in Hong Kong to know the philanthropist, Charles Huang. Not the head of crime family.” Edward looked at his father, in the sunlight he could see just how much he had aged. His father had been at this 'game' a very long time. Funny, how now he wanted to be remembered as a kind man. Edward went to his office. It was located in the corner of the building where Edward had views from both sides.

“I thought that perhaps the view may inspire you to do something great” Charles laughed and patted Edward on the back, “well, I’ll leave you to get settled in.” Once his father left the office, Edward picked up the phone and called Elana. “Hello baby, did I wake you?” “Edward, is that you?” “Yes, it's me. How are you?” “I’m fine, the baby is fine. I miss you.” “I know, I miss you too. Listen, take these two numbers down. But only call if it’s an emergency.” He gave her the phone number to his house and the office. “I’m not going to talk long because I’m at work. I just wanted you to know that I miss you and that I’ll call every couple of days.” Edward could hear her crying and tried to comfort her, “I know how you feel. I promise that I’ll be there before the baby is born. At least I can make it home for that. I love you.” And hung up the phone. Over the next weeks Edward worked hard and long. Sometimes, working in to the wee hours of the morning. All he could think about was getting the sketches done so he could be home for the birth of his child. But each sketch that was shown his father just wasn’t good enough. Sketch after sketch, floor plan after floor plan it seemed endless. The weeks turned into months. Edward was just finishing up the eight sketch, when he received the call from their neighbor John, from Connecticut. “Hello, Edward?” “Yes, who is this?” “It’s me, John.” “John? What wrong, has something happen to Elana?” “Elana is in the hospital.” “Hospital? The baby is not due for at least two more weeks! What happen?” John told Edward how Elana’s blood pressure had gone up and the doctor put her in the hospital

to induce labor. “There’s no way I can get there before the baby is born. John, I need to talk to Elana.” “I’ll get the number to the room and have Liz call you. Liz is there with her.” Edward began to pace the office floor. His mind began to play out the ‘What ifs.’ He blamed his father for dragging him half way around the world. This was something that could have been done at home and mailed UPS! Just then the phone rang, it was Liz “Edward, she’s not doing well, she’s having a really hard labor. And if they can’t keep her blood pressure from getting higher, it can hurt the baby. “Can I speak with her,” Edward asked. Liz handed the phone to Elana and left the room. He could hear her trying to catch her breath. “Elana, I’m sorry. Baby, I know that I promise.....” Elana was trying to speak between breaths, and the only words she was able to say was, 'You promised.' Her words cut Edward to the core of his very soul. Elana cried out in pain, “You promised me.” He heard the pain in her voice, he could do nothing, he could say nothing. The phone receiver fell from Elana’s hand as she cried out in pain again. On the other end of the receiver Edward could hear a long continuous beep and people entering the room shouting orders. The last words he heard before the phone went dead was, 'emergency.' Edward franticly dialed the phone trying to get the number to the hospital in Connecticut. When he was finally able to get the number, maternity would not give him any answers. Edward slammed the phone down and became enraged. According to the secretary, Edward trashed the office overturning an antique desk, that took six men to set it up right again. She called his father and showed him the damage. Charles immediately sent Thomas out to find him. They had no idea where to start looking him. In fact, it was a phone call to Winston that helped them locate, 'try the jazz clubs or any where they play R & B.' Thomas Searched until he came to a small club, with Edward sitting there drunk. Edward looked up and saw Thomas, “Well, I didn’t know that you were into R&B.” “I’m not. I’m here to take you home.” “Home, you’re here to take me home. Who sent you, our father?” “Look Edward, it doesn’t matter who sent me, I’m here. Let’s go.”

Edward stood up and needed to be helped to the car. “You know something Thomas?” “What's, that little brother.” “I really hurt her.” “Who did you hurt?” Thomas opened the door and put Edward into the car. “Elana, I made a promise to her and I hurt by not being there.” By the time Thomas had closed the door and gotten in the car himself, Edward had passed out. It would be one of the longest nights in Edward’s life. In his sleep he could find no peace, no rest. He felt his world coming apart at the seams. He woke up sometime around three in the morning. He wasn’t sure where he was and wasn’t sure of what happened. Edward reached out his arm, found a lamp and turned it on. Somehow he had made it home. Was he dreaming about Elana and the baby or was it real. He had to find out. Edward dialed the number to the house and got no answer. His heart began to pound and his mind was racing, where could she be? He thought back to the morning in the office, the phone call from John and Liz. Oh, God, Elana was in the hospital! Later that morning Edward went in to work. His office was still in a disarray. “Good morning Mr. Huang. Your father would like to see you.” Edward went into his father’s office to find his brothers and George there. His father spoke as he entered the room. “It’s good that you can join us. We were just talking about you.” Edward sat down at the table with the others. “Winston called and wanted you to know that your lady friend and son are doing fine. I was also told, that she is of mixed blood. It pains me to know that you continue to have this fetish for black flesh. It is one thing to sleep with them, but to produce children. You know any children you have with her will never be part of this family” Edward walked over to the bar and poured himself a drink. “That’s too bad for you and anyone else that thinks like you do father. You would really like Elana, that’s her name. She’s a good person, come from a good family. It’s too bad that

your racist closed minds will never know her or our child.” Edward downed the first drink and poured another. His brother Robert spoke, “Edward you know we have strived to......” Edward cut him off “The problem is that everyone of you have forgotten the illegitimate children you have. How many of them are not a part of this family?” He knew for a fact that his brothers and father had outside children. “The only difference with me is, my child is half black and Chinese.” There is a brief silence then his father spoke, “Edward, while surveying your tantrum, I saw the sketch you was working on. That will be my building.” Edward downed the drink and walked towards the door, “Than let’s build the damn thing, so I can go home.” Later that night Edward arrived at home to find George and Dorothy sitting in the living room. He walked in and spoke to them. It was George that exactly broke the tension that was already there, “Edward, your sister and I have been talking about you.” “And just what was the topic, let me guess, my private life.” Edward said as he sat down. “What you said today at work put a lot of us on the line.” “Like I said, it’s too bad that none of my family will know them.” “Oh Edward, don’t punish us because we don’t share fathers view. George and I, even Susan we will welcome Elana and the baby in our family.” Dorothy began to cry. “I need to talk to my son’s to tell them what has happened.” Edward called his son’s into the room. He didn’t realize how much they had grown. David, the oldest was 12 average built, that love to read. Edward remembered David telling him that the family had just about every profession accept a doctor. And that’s what he wanted to be. Michael, was the typical 9 year old, he a smooth talker when put into a jam, and was always thinking about the bigger pictures. He reminded him of his self in some ways. He missed not being with his sons and wanted them to come live with him. Which meant, he had to get Sun Lin to agree to some new terms. He wasn’t sure how to tell them about Elana and the baby. He could only hope that it would not be a traumatic blow to them. They had never known him to have a girlfriend. Now here he was about to introduce two complete strangers into their lives. In fact, they had never known him to go on a date. looked at his sons and wondered how they react to the

news of having a brother and about Elana. He took a deep breath and realized that the only way to do this was just say it. “I have something that I must tell the two of you.” The oldest David spoke, “And what is that father?” “This is not easy to say, but while I’ve been in America, I met someone that’s special to me.” “And you got married?” Michael said cheerfully. Edward smiled, “No but I have a girlfriend named, Elana and I we just had a little boy.” There was a brief silence, then their faces lit up with big smiles. “That’s good. We thought you didn’t like girls. It’s good that you have someone.” Michael said. Edward had a surprised expression on his face. He didn’t realized that they had been observing his life. He looked at Dorothy that pretended to be picking imaginary lint off her clothing. It was oblivious that she must have been talking about his love life in front of the boys. She looked up and notice Edward with raised eyebrows glaring at her. She smiled and continued to hunt for lint. “No, that wasn’t the case. I’ve just been very busy, that’s all.” Edward replied. “Well it doesn’t bother us as long as she makes you happy” David said. “I hope she likes kids and don’t act like Sue Lin.” Michael mumbled. “Michael that comment wasn’t necessary.” Edward said, “don’t talk about your mother like that.” “She doesn’t act like a mother and that’s why I call her Sue Lin.” He said with a huff. “Besides, she doesn’t want us calling her mother. She prefer that we call her Sue Lin, or auntie.” David added. “Well, Aunt Dot always says, ‘there’s two kinds of mothers in the world, the one that cares for their child and then there’s Sue Lin’s who is a…..’” Dorothy quickly jumps up from her chair and covers Michael’s mouth. “Sometimes you talk too much.” She scolded. Edward wanted to laugh because he didn’t have to imagine what other colorful words she and

called Sue Lin. “Well, I’m sure your Aunt was just upset when she made that statement. And didn’t mean it.” Michael sat next to Edward on the floor and asked, “What does she look like?” Edward reached into his pant pocket and pulled out his wallet. He then took photo out and handed it to Michael and passed it around.

Chapter 8 One evening Edward called Elana to let her know that he had received the pictures and to see how everything was at home. There were things that he had to tell her, things that should have taken care of long ago. And things that he didn’t want her to hear from anyone but him. He had never told her about his father’s feelings on mixed relationships. Somehow, Edward had hoped that his father would have just excepted his preference. And tell her that he never divorced his wife. It was time, that he had to tell the whole truth about his past. The phone rang for some time until finally she picked it up. “Elana, Is everything O.K.?” “Yes, how’s everything in Hong Kong?” Elana asked, “Did you get the picture of the baby yet?” “I got the picture today. Things are OK here, I can’t wait to get home” Edward paused he wasn’t sure how she was going to take the news he had to give her. “Edward, are you still there?” “Yeah, look I have something I need to tell you. It’s something that I should have done a long time ago. I’m not sure how you're going to take this, but it’s time you found out.” Elana sat down, she didn’t like the way this conversation was going, “What is it that you have to tell me.” “Elana, I’m still married. We never divorced. After, Michael was born, she just left.” “So why now? Why tell me this now. Are the two of you getting back together?” “No, there’s no way we could ever get back together.”

There was a long pause, “Elana?” “Yes, I’m still here.” Edward could hear the sadness in her voice. “This doesn’t change anything between you and I. I haven’t seen her since she left and that’s been over nine years ago.” “Is this your way of telling me that we are finished?” “Oh God no, that’s not it at all. I love you and I want us to be together. I’m just sorry that I didn’t tell you much sooner in the relationship.” “Yes, you should have said something before now. Like you fucking forgot, yeah! You can forget to pick up the dry cleaning, forget to pay a bill or to pick up milk. You don’t fucking forget to tell someone that you claim you love that you forgot to tell them you’re still married. Now, I don’t know what to think. I need some time to sort this shit out in my head. It’s just a lot to take in at once.” Suddenly, the phone went dead. Edward stood there still holding the phone receiver after Elana, slammed the phone down. Damn, was she pissed and she had every right to be, he thought to himself. He just hoped that he didn’t screw it up. That night Elana found it hard to sleep she wasn’t sure what to make of all of this. It didn’t make sense, why would he wait all this time, three years. You just don’t wait three years to tell somebody, supposable the person you love and have child with that, ‘Oh I forgot to tell you, I’m still married.’ Maybe it was his way of saying it’s over. And if that was the case then her father was right, she was an idiot! The next morning, Elana called Darci. Although she and Darci weren’t as tight as in the past, Elana still needed a friend to talk to. Elana told Darci about Edward’s marriage. Darci was shocked, “I can’t believe he would do something like that. He could at least told you when you started going with each other.” Elana sighed, “I know, I just feel like he’s breaking off with me.” “Well don’t worry, I’ll speak to Winston. Maybe he can find out what’s really going on with Edward.” “That will be good. Because at this point, I don’t know if I should just pack my things and leave or what.” “Just stay where you are, I’ll call you when I find something out.” Darci hung up the phone and turned to Winston, “Looks like trouble in paradise.”

Winston lit a cigarette, “What do you mean.” “It seems Edward forgot to tell Elana that he’s married.” Winston laughed. “Yeah, looks like trouble in paradise.” Darci give him a high five and the two busted out laughing. Winston picked up the phone, “I need to call Hong Kong. appreciate my scheme.”

I know someone will

The phone rang and the voice that answered was Charles Huang, “Hello, Charles, Winston here. Yes, I believe I may have come up with a plan to break them up.” Winston thought about it. Yeah, with enough pressure, Elana will work for him. Charles got off the phone with Winston, he then spoke to his son Thomas. “It looks like we may be able to break up this relationship of your brothers.” “How’s that,” Thomas asked. “I think we may have just want we need to keep your brother home and more focused on family business. He must be taught once and for all that everything he does is for the sake of the family.” Thomas understood far too well about family business and now Edward had to be taught even if it meant destroying his life in Connecticut. Edward got to work and called Elana. Hoping that she had time to cool down and think things through rationally. The phone rang several times, leading him to believe that she had left him. “I hope I didn’t wake you.” “No, I just put the baby to sleep.” Elana didn’t know what to say, “Edward, why? Why would you wait so long to tell me something that is important like that. You have no idea how it makes me feel.” she begin to cry, “I feel like a fool. All this time, does Winston know that you’re married?” “Yes, he knows.” “Oh God, how could you! The two of you must have had a good laugh.” Edward heard the pain in her voice, “Elana, nobody laughed at you. Winston knows how bad my marriage was. Elana, believe me I’m not trying to hurt you.” “But you have.”

“Elana don’t do anything dumb. I love you, I love the baby. I don’t want to lose either one of you.” Elana didn’t answer she continued to cry and hung up the phone. There was no use of calling her back, she wouldn’t listen. Time, I’ll give her time, he thought. Maybe with time she will have a change of heart. That next morning Dorothy sat out on her mission to shop for her new nephew. She decided that she would go see her sister Susan and show the babies picture. Dorothy got off on the fourth floor and went into Susu’s Interior Design. The receptionist, a small skittish girl looked and saw Dorothy coming through the double doors, picked up the phone to announce her when she just walked past and into Susan’s private office. Susan looked up from her drawing, and laughed, “Dorothy, Are you giving my receptionist a hard time?” Just at that moment the receptionist looking rather frazzled by Dorothy’s action ran into the office. “I was trying to call you, but Mrs. Dorothy wouldn’t wait. I’m sorry.” Susan looked at the receptionist and gave her a very sternly, “I’ll over look it this time, but don’t let it happen again.” The receptionist walked out, closing the door behind her. When the door was closed, they both laughed. “Oh Dorothy how could you torment that poor girl like that. You do it every time you come here.” “I only do it because I need a good laugh. I like to see her run after me.” “So what brings you this way?” Dorothy and Susa sat down on a couch, “Well after we talked last night, Edward came home. Susa, father and the others are giving him such a hard time about his girlfriend and the baby. I feel so sorry for him.” “It’s hard to believe that they are doing this to him. It’s clear he has no desire to be a part of the business. Why don’t they just leave him alone.” Dorothy just shake her head, “I don’t know. I told him that we would accept Elana and the baby. Look, I had copies made of them, here’s your copies.” Susa looked at the pictures, “She’s very pretty, if you didn’t know, you would think that she and the baby was Hawaiian.” Susa took the pictures and put them on her desk.

“So how’s Edward holding up under the ruling fist of Charles Huang.” “He’s drinking, George says he’s doing it a lot.” “Edward needs to hurry up and get out of here.” Susan and Dorothy decided to upstairs to see Edward. When they got to his office he was standing by the window. He didn’t even hear them come into the room. Dorothy and Susan walked over to him and put their arm around him. They could tell he was having a bad day. “Are you O.K.” asked Susan. “No not really. I just got off the phone with Elana. She’s still upset. Damn, how could I have been so stupid!” “It’ll be alright. Just give her a little time to think things though” Dorothy said. “Hey look, why don’t you join Susa and I for lunch. My treat!” “Thanks but I need to get back to work. The sooner this thing gets done the better. Some other time.” Edward walked over to his drafting table and started working again. He was hoping that for the time being he could take his mind off of his problem. “I’ll see you later big brother.” Susan said and kissed him on the cheek, “you take care of yourself.” “See you at home. Here’s your pictures.” Dorothy placed them on the drafting table. She and Susan walked out and closed the door. “I hate this.” Susan said. “I do too” replied Dorothy. The two women didn’t see their father and Thomas walking up behind them. “You hate what?” asked their father. “Oh, it was nothing.” Susan said. The father looked at them both and said,” The two of you must have come from seeing Edward. He is busy and do not need to be bothered by you two!” Dorothy and Susan walked to the elevator and left. “It’s not safe to talk anywhere in this building. He’s in to everybody business!” Dorothy said.

Edward sat the drafting table and stared at the pictures. He loved Elana and Joseph. And missed them both. Thomas and his father walked in. Edward looked up and turned back to his work, “Is there something I can help you two with?” They walked over towards him. It was the father that noticed the pictures first. “I see you have photo’s to comfort you?” His father picked up the pictures and took a closer look, “Very pretty, very pretty indeed. Winston was right. You can’t tell.” He handed the pictures to Thomas. Not even looking at the baby’s picture. Thomas looked at the pictures and smiled a devilish smile of his. Edward took the pictures from him, “Don’t even think about it.” “Well, I’ll let you get back to your work.” the father said and walked out with Thomas. The weeks turned into months. His calls to Elana began to grow far between. The construction of the building took up much of Edward’s time. He began to feel the strain on he and Elana’s relationship and started drinking more. He hated begin away from her, she could not come to him because the baby was not old enough. And he couldn’t go to her.

Chapter 9 The actual construction on the building was a moving along. Materials for the building had to be ordered and then shipped to Hong Kong. Edward was in constant battle with his father and brothers over the cost of materials. While Edward wanted to spend the money, they wanted to line their pockets with it. At one point his father had an order of steel stopped and ordered a cheaper quality. Edward was furious, he told his father that he was not taking responsibility for anything that happened. The pressure was getting to him, and the drinking continued. There was times that he was too hung over to even make it to work the next day. Most of the time, Edward would leave the job and go to a local nightclub where they played R&B. He’d sat there drinking and listening to the local talent sing. The owner even knew his name and what he drank, J&B on the rocks. Edward became one of the steady customers. The people there made him forget the problems that waited on the other side of the door. When he wasn’t at the bar drinking, he was at home with his sons or out with them. Edward really did enjoy being with them. One day they went to a local park to play catch. It was Michael that asked why Elana hadn’t called in a while. “Dad, how come you don’t talk about Elana and Joe any more, did you two brake up?” “No, we didn’t break up. Why, have you been listening in on your Aunts conversations again. Did someone tell you that we were?” “No, David and I was just wondering that’s all” “Hey dad, why don’t you send for them to come over” David said. “They can’t come over, Joe is too young.” Edward hadn’t really talked to Elana in over a month and when he did the conversation was short. He knew that everything he had built with her was fading away. And right now he was in the palm of the devil. On the other side of the ocean Elana was having problems of her own. Darci had been calling her and telling her that Edward was indeed getting back with his ex. But every time Elana would confront him he would deny it. It got to a point where she didn’t want to even talk to him anymore. The only one she could turn to was Darci and Winston. Winston withheld profits from the restaurant to make it look as though business was slow. And where she use to get $1,500 a week profit, now she was getting $500. She remembered Winston telling her that if she ever needed anything all she had to do was call. After all Edward would do it for him. A few days later, Elana went to work at the restaurant part-time. Winston was busy working on Elana, while Charles worked on Edward. It was Winston goal to eventually have Elana work for him.

When he told Darci his plan she was upset, “How could you! Next thing you know you’ll be sleeping with her.” “Sit down and shut up. Listen Elana can work for you, which means you don’t have to!” Darci thought about it then started to smile, “I never thought about it like that. When can we get this thing started?” Winston patted her on the butt, “It’s already in the works. Once she see’s she’s not making any money at the restaurant, I’ll offer her a better paying job working at the club.” The restaurant business was not an easy job. No wonder Edward would be so tired when he got home. She hardly had time for the baby. Elana just couldn’t believe this was happening to her. One day while she was working, Winston pulled her aside, “Elana, I know you’re not making enough to make ends met. If you need extra money there’s a job working in a nightclub.” Elana looked and said, “I may have to take you up on it, if things don’t get better.” Winston smiled and thought to himself, things won’t get better, I’ll see to it. One day while at work the restaurant was empty. One of the cooks named Allan, saw Elana on a break “You look like someone that has the weight of the world on their shoulder.” Elana looked at him, he could tell that she had been crying. “I feel like I’m carrying it.” Allan looked around to see if Winston was anywhere, “I can help you if you like. I know that Winston is not a man that is fair and can’t be trusted. If you should ever need my help, please see me. I really mean it. Edward has been very good to me and my family.” Elana looked at him, “In what way?” she asked. “My wife was sick and needed medical help. So, Edward sent for my wife and son. He even got us an apartment. Plus gave me more money in my pay. That's why I said if you should ever need me or my family help see me.” “Thank you Allan, I my need it soon.” That night Elana was determined that Edward would not get the best of her. She would

show him that she could survive with or without him. The next day Elana set out to prove her point. She began to put together a financial plan for a business loan. She was going to open her own restaurant, a Chinese take-out. Elana called Allan and told him her idea, he was delighted, “You get the business loan and I’ll get you the help. I’m ready to leave this place. Winston is always cheating me and the others out of our pay.” “Really?” replied Elana, "I thought he was a nice guy." He’s offered me a job working in a nightclub making more money.” “No! Elana you mustn’t take the job no matter how much you need the money. Winston has a reputation as a pimp. You can’t, Edward would be very upset if he was to find out that you did such a thing!” “I have to do something soon The restaurant is losing money. That’s why we’re not getting paid what we should.” Allan laughed, “Did Winston tell you that?” “Why yes, he’s been very helpful since Edwards been away.” “Trust me, anything he does is not for your benefit, but his own. You watch yourself.”

Chapter 10 Back in Hong Kong, Charles did everything possible to under mind Edwards work. And with Thomas help, things were going fine. Thomas even went as far as to set Edward up with a girl. This girl was to come on to Edward and get him to go to bed with her. Her name was Miko. Miko began to show up at the same bar Edward would be at. At first, it wasn’t working, but one night when Edward was drunk and in need of female companionship. He went to Miko’s apartment. The next morning Edward woke up to find his clothes off and him laying in bed next to Miko. Edward sat up on the edge of the bed and thought to himself, this can’t be happening. Miko opened her eyes to see Edward getting up. “What’s your hurry. You’re not going to leave before getting some more?” Edward found his pants and put them on, “what happen last night?” “You don’t remember? Oh baby you was great. I haven’t had any body love me like that in a long time.”

“No, I don’t believe anything happen. Nothing like that happened.” He found his shirt, socks, shoes and put them on. “Oh, but you did.” Miko got out the bed and tried to put her arms around Edwards neck, only to be pushed away. Edward walked to the door and closed it behind him. Miko opened it and yelled, “All you guys are the same, just fuck them and leave them!” then slammed the door. Once outside Edward had to stop and think about what happened last night. If he did sleep with Miko it was the worst mistake he had ever made! Edward went home and got into the shower hoping to wash Miko and last night down the drain. He dressed and went downstairs to find Dorothy in the dining room having coffee. “Well, it’s nice to see that you made it home. Everyone was worried about you, specially the boys. You had promised to take them to the movies.” “Damn, I completely forgot” Edward said. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat across from her. “I don’t want to sound like a mother, but you need to stop drinking so much. You’re hurting the people that love you the most. Oh yeah Christmas is in a week, I hope you have gotten something for Elana and Joe. She has obviously thought about you. Your package is in the living room.” Dorothy got up from the table and walked out the room. Edward followed her out and into the living room. There on the table sat a large box addressed to Edward and Family. He sat down and began to open the large package. Inside was seven smaller packages, each addressed to family members. Six of them a label said, “Do not open until Christmas,” the last was a DVD with a note attached, 'Elana and Joe.' He was about to put it in the video player when the boys and Dorothy came in. “It looks like Elana has sent everyone gifts. I was just about to put in this DVD she sent.” When the taped started, it showed Elana, Joe. She had put together a Christmas party and a few of the neighbors from the community were at the house. It was quite a feast. Each guest came in front of the camera and wished the viewer a Merry Christmas. Throughout the viewing Edward watched Elana she hadn’t changed but he could tell that she was not happy, she wasn’t her cheerful self. Soon the guest left and the camera stopped, but came back on again. This time it showed Elana sitting in front of the camera alone. She spoke to the camera, “Hi, by the time you get this Christmas will be in a couple of days. The baby is starting to pull up on things, he should be walking soon. Who knows maybe for Christmas.” She looked

down as if to collect her thoughts. “My parents asked about you, I still haven’t told them that you are still in Hong Kong, for obvious reasons. Winston has been very helpful, especially since the restaurant isn’t doing so well and the money coming in has been less. He has given me a parttime job waiting tables, still it’s not much, but he said that if I needed to make more, I could work in the nightclub waiting tables. I told him I would think about it. Edward, I’m so confused. Part of me wants to believe you. But I can’t let you hurt me, I can’t live on a hope and a promise only to find out that you and your wife have gotten back together. It’s been almost a year since you left. What am I to think, what I’m I to do. Edward, I miss you and I need you home. Your kisses are almost a memory. I miss seeing you walk through the door, hearing your laughter, the way you call my name, the sweetness of your lips, your touch. I miss you!” Elana began to cry, she got up and turned the camera off. Edward turned off the DVD player and went to his bedroom. Dorothy sat there in the living room, which seemed like an eternity. She knew that if her heart was broken, she knew that Edward was devastated. She went upstairs to Edward’s room and knocked. She could hear music playing from behind the closed door. “Edward, open up the door.” she pleaded. “Dorothy, go away. I don’t feel like talking, I just want to be left alone.” Dorothy turned the door knob and was able to open it. She stepped inside to find Edward sitting up on the bed with a glass of scotch in his hand. “Drinking is not going to make the problem go away. Only you can do that.” He took a drink, “What do you know about pain! Uh, tell me what do you know!” She slapped the glass from his hand, “I know enough that’s it’s eating my brother up inside. I know that it’s slowly driving him out of his mind, I know it’s got him backed into a corner and instead of him fighting to keep his woman, he’s cowering behind a bottle of booz! Edward, you disappoint me. Where is the brother that defied our father, that would stand up for Susu and I while growing up? Where is he? because he’s needed now!” Dorothy walked out of the room and closed the door. Edward went to the living room later that night and played the tape over. George came downstairs to get some water and noticed Edward sitting there, “Edward, are you alright?” “About as alright as I’m going to be.” he replied. George came into the living room and sat down. “Dorothy told me all about it. Is this the DVD?”

They sat there and watched it, but it was George that caught it. “Edward, what does Elana mean that the restaurant isn’t doing well? Winston calls, fax over report and deposits money in fathers bank account.” Edward stopped the tape and looked at George, “You’re right. How can that be. Winston is trying to pull a fast one on Elana.” “But why would he do that he’s your friend, he’s father’s friend.” “Winston is up to something and my father maybe in this as well. All I need is the proof.” he answered. George smiled and said, “That’s no problem. I can get that. You just need to find out how much Winston is putting into his account.” “No problem, I’ll tell Elana where to find the keys and safe combination. George you are a genius.” Edward and George both left the living room and went to bed. The next morning Edward called Elana and thanked her for the Christmas package. “Elana, I saw the tape. What do you mean that the restaurant isn’t doing good. If you was in need of money all you had to do was use want was in the bank. You could have even used the money I have hidden away.” “I didn’t want to use all your money. I was doing fine with the $1,500 a week. But with the restaurant not doing well, all I was getting was $500 a week.” “What!” Edward said, “what do you mean that you was only receiving $500 a week.” “That’s all, Elana, listen you and I both are being played! Winston is playing you and my father is playing me.” Edward told Elana where she could find the keys to the office and the combination to the safe. “Now when you get it, I need you to copy it and go home call me. Don’t let Winston or anyone else see you doing this. I love you and be very careful.” A few days later, Elana was able to get into the office at the restaurant. Once inside She found the safe opened and made copies of bank statements and payroll. Elana had just walked out when Winston came back. “Oh, there you are. I forgot you said that you had to run out” She put her hand into her pants pocket and realized that she didn’t have the key! Winston unlocked the door and walked in.

“Was there something you wanted to see me about?” Elana walked in behind him and spotted the key on the edge of the desk, “Why yes, I wanted to know what exactly I would have to do at this night club?” Elana sat on the desk next to the key, and while Winston talked to her, she slipped the key into her pocket. “You would just wait on tables however, there is a position for a topless dancer. The pay is much more. Would you be interested? Elana was no longer interested in what Winston had to say, especially now that she had the key! “Well it sounds very tempting. Since Edward is out of my life, I need some excitement.” Winston placed his hand on her thigh, “Well if you need some excitement, you let me know. I always said that Edward was a fool when it came to you. And for him to leave you here this long proves it.” Elana stood up and walked towards the door, “Well, I better get back to work.” Elana finished her shift and waited for Edward to call home. Since he had received the DVD, things between them had changed for the better. “How are you doing, your father still trying to discourage you?” Edward laughed “That’s putting it lightly. altogether. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.”

How about just trying to piss me, off

“Edward, I got the information you wanted. Do you want me to fax it to you?” “No, I’ll call you when I’m standing at the fax. I want to be sure I’m the only one that gets it. Well baby, I better get going. I love you. Call you soon.” Edward went in to the office and picked up some specs he had left the day before. He called Elana back like he said and waited by the fax machine. Thomas had just walked in to the office when Edward got the last page. “So, what brings you in so early?” “Business, just business” he folded the pages and put them into his pocket, “If anyone’s looking for me, I’ll be at the building site.” Edward said as he walked towards elevator. He would look over what Elana had faxed when he was out of sight. He went to the parking garage and got into the car. Edward was just about to pull out of the parking space

when he realized that he had forgotten the specs. When he got back upstairs he noticed that the door to his father’s office door was ajar. As he got closer he could hear Thomas talking to someone, “So, how did it go the other night?” “He was so drink that he didn’t know what happen. I told him that we made wild passionate love.” The female voice said. “Well did he?” Thomas asked. “Baby he was too drunk to get it up. Oh my god, Thomas. If you could seen the look on your brothers face the next morning.” Edward stood by the door and continued to listen. “So, when do I get paid” “Don’t worry you’ll get your money. Now come over here and make me happy.” Edward had heard all that he cared to hear. He opened the door just as the women was about to oblige. It was Miko in the office with Thomas. They both was in shocked to see Edward standing there. “So I see she is the company whore. I hope Thomas and my father pay you well for this Miko.” Thomas zipped his pants, “Oh I see you have met Miko. Yes, she works at one of our houses.” Thomas laughed nervously. He was unsure of what Edward had heard. “So little brother, I thought you had left the building.” Edward walked into the office and closed the door, “I did but I remembered that I forgot my specs. So tell me Miko, how much are they paying you?” Miko looked at Thomas for an answer. “I don’t know what you're talking about.” Miko hide behind Thomas, unsure of what Edward might do. “Don’t play dumb with me. I heard everything.” Edward walked closer towards them, “tell me Thomas, what was the plan!” Edward drew back his fist and was about to punch Thomas when their father walked in. “Edward, leave your brother out of this. He was merely following my orders. Thomas, you and that stupid whore get out of my office.” Charles said rather annoyingly.

Thomas and Miko walked out and closed the door. Edward looked out the window at the Hong Kong skyline, “Father do you hate me?” he asked. Charles walked over to his desk and sat down, “No, I don’t hate you.” “Then why are you trying to set me up?” “Edward, you are the only son that does not wish to be a part of this business. And I’d do anything to get you to be a more active person in this organization. What is it that you detest so much about it? This business has been very good to you and your sons. You could easily run your own, either here in Hong Kong or in New York. But you refused, you would rather take orders from someone that is not even you equal. You are the one that I trust to carry on when I die.” Edward turned to look at his father, “What do you mean, it was always assumed that Thomas would be the one.” Charles laughed, “That’s the problem everyone assumed wrong. I wouldn’t trust that womanizing fool to be in charge of all I have worked for. And your other brothers would also squander it away. No it is you that I wish to head this family.” “Father, I have no desire at all to head this organization. I can’t believe that you would go to any height to keep me here?” “See that is why I wish for you to take over. Nothing gets pass you. You were always aware of everything around you. Even as a child when others thought your mind was somewhere else. You knew exactly what was going on.” Edward turned and walked toward the door. “Edward, please think about what I said” his father said. Edward didn’t reply but walked out the door. Edward couldn’t believe what his father had just said to him. There was no way that he wanted to run it. It was bad enough that he was running the restaurant and had connections. But to run 'IT', that was another thing. Since Charles had confessed to Edward, he had a sudden feeling of relief. Well at least where business was concern. Edwards love life, would weed it’s self out with time. Thomas and Miko made a mess of the situation. He needed something else, or someone else to do the dirty work. Charles opened his office safe and took out some money. He walked down to Thomas office and found Miko with him. Charles handed Miko the money which she counted,

“Its only half!.” she said. Thomas glanced over at his father. “You did a half ass job, so you get half.” Charles said to her. “What! I had a hard time getting him into bed and undressing him! Thomas was of no help!” Thomas looked over at Miko, “I think you should leave well enough alone.” But she continued to speak, “I worked hard.....!” Suddenly Thomas raised his hand and slapped Miko. She fell backwards landing on a chair and sending money flying into the air. “You will never speak to my father like that again!” Tears ran down Miko’s cheek, her voice trembled, “I’m sorry, I was wrong to speak to you like that.” All this time Charles stood there and observed Thomas. He spoke very softly to Miko, who was now getting up. “Now you get nothing, leave! Go back to the house and work!” Miko wiped her face and walked out the door. Thomas laughed, “And she thought she was really going to get paid!” He began to pick the money up, “so, now what do we do?” This time it Charles slapped Thomas, “Next time I send you to do a job, do it right!” Thomas was in shock, it had been a long time since his father had slapped him. Charles took the money and went back to his office. Edward went to the new building and gave the specs to the work supervisor. While he was there he saw Susan. Susan had been put in charge of the interior design. She was talking to her assistant when he approached her. “Hi, how’s everything going?” Susan smiled, “Not bad. How about you? Tell Elana thanks for the gift. I sent her and the baby gifts off yesterday. So it will be late.” “I still haven’t gotten them anything yet. I don’t’ know what to get.” as he toyed with a pencil on the desk. Susan shook her head, “Men what would you like her to have or see her in?”

“I never thought about it like that. I know what I’d like to see her in!” smiling one of his devilish smiles. “Well buy it!” “I couldn’t go and pick something out like that!” “Oh, but you don’t have a problem talking it off of her." “Come on Susu! Go with me and pick something out.” Susan shook her head no and answered Edward playfully, “No way, I’m not going to have my sister in law mad with me.” She continued to laugh, but stopped when she saw that Edward wasn’t. He had a serious look on his face. “Edward, I was only playing. Of course I’ll help you.” “No, it wasn’t that. It was what you said.” “What did I say that’s got you all serious.?” “It was the part about the sister in law. I’ll see you later.” Edward gave Susan a kiss on the cheek and walked out. bewilderment and called after him, “Edward, don’t do anything stupid!”

Susan stood there in

Edward went Christmas shopping and booked a flight for home. He went back to the office to find his father and tell him that he was leaving. When Edward got to the office he found his father standing near a window looking out over the city. “Father, I just came from the new building it should be ready within a month. All that’s left is for Susan to finish, the floor that your offices will occupy.” Charles did not turn to face Edward but spoke to him with his back to him. “Edward, you have done very well with the building. I’m very proud of you. I know that in the past I have been hard on you. And have disagreed with you. Please sit down.” Charles sat at his desk with Edward sitting across from him. “Edward, tell me about your lady friend, Elana. What is it about her that makes you want her? Edward looked at his father, he could feel his temperature stating to raise, “Look father I didn’t come here for you to tell me about how much you dislike her, First of all, you don’t even

know her. You haven’t even tried to know her.” “No, I really want, you to tell me!” Edward sat there and wondered if his father was for real then he answered him, “She’s beautiful inside and out. She’s charming and witty.” Charles studied Edward as he spoke to him, “Does she make you happy?” “Yes, mentally and physically. We complete each other.” Charles smiled wickedly, “I see, have you taught her the Exercises used the Taoism she gives you pleasure?” Edward blushed, “We give each other pleasure. It’s who she is on the inside.” Charles raised his eyebrows, “And that is?” “She’s my soul mate, the mother of my child and children to come. She’s to me what mom was to you.” Edward replied. “I see. Now I see. Tell me Edward, would she die for you?” he said with a nodded. Edward frowned at the question, and answered, “I suppose she would. She almost did when she had my son. Why do you ask?” “No,” his father replied, “not in child birth. All women risk their life. That is how your mother died. I asked, would she die for you?” Edward was silent for a moment then, answered, “I’d like to believe that she would.” “That is the answer I was looking for,” Charles asked and smiled. Edward stared at his father, not sure how to take his question. “Father, I’m leaving in two days. I’m going home. Everything is done except what Susan is doing. I’m not needed here, my work is done.” Edward expected his father to be upset, but he wasn’t. “That is fine. I knew you would not stay. It was nice to have you here as long as we did. I will say my good-bye now as I will not be here when you leave.” “Where are you off to then” Edward asked. “I’m going to visit my sister and her family in China. You should go some day. See the rest of your people.” Charles said.

Edward stood up, “Well father, take care of yourself, I’ll try and call more often.” “That would be nice.” he said with a smile. Edward was just about to walk out of the door when he stopped. He turned to his father and said, “If I were to marry Elana, would you disown me?” Charles turned his chair to face the window, “That is something I do not care to answer. Why are you thinking about it?” Edward didn’t answer, but walked out and headed home. On the way, Edward kept thinking about what his father said, “Would she die for you?” It made him uneasy, what did he mean by that anyway. When Edward arrived at the house he found George in his study, “Oh Edward, I’m glad that you made it home. I have the information that you’ve been waiting for.” George handed Edward a brown envelope containing the fax from Winston concerning the restaurant. Edward took the envelope opened it and sat down across from George. “It looks like Winston has been lying to Elana about the profits.” George said. Edward opened his briefcase and took out the fax he received from Elana, “He’s been ripping me off big time. Look at what he’s depositing and look at what he’s sending! I can’t believe the shit would do this to me! I wonder what else he’s up to!” Edward walked over to the bar and started to pour himself a drink. He looked over at George who was shaking his head, “Edward, you need to keep a clear head.” “You’re right, I need to hurry up and get home before Winston ruins everything I’ve worked for.” Edward put papers in his briefcase, “Thanks George, you have been more of a brother than my blood brothers have been. I’m leaving in a few days for America. You and Dorothy have been very good to my boys. Once I get things settle there, I’ll send for them.” George looked over his glasses at Edward, “You’re leaving. Does Dorothy or the boys know?” “No, I just decided today. And I haven’t told anyone except you and father.” Edward said. “I know Dorothy’s going to be upset. The boys will be glad to know that they may be coming to America soon. But I need to get Sue Lin agree to me taking them out the country.”

Chapter 11 Meanwhile back in the states. Elana somehow convinced the bank to loan her the money she needed to start her business. When Winston found out that Elana was opening up her own restaurant he was in shock, Where did she get the money. And who was going to help her. Later that evening Elana and Allan met and looked at some locations. Until they found the perfect location and it wasn’t too far from the restaurant. Winston went home that night and told Darci all about Elana's plans. Darci was livid about Elana's venture. “I can’t believe that she’s doing this! It will never work. The only thing she knows about Chinese food is ordering it!” Winston paced the floor, “Don’t worry, I’m not finished with her yet!” Just then the phone rang, it was Charles, “Winston, I’m an old man. I’m tired of fighting my son. There are some things you can’t change and he is one. If you could get him to reconsider it would be fine. But I’ve washed my hands of this situation. Also Edward is coming back to stay, he will be there in a two days.” Winston smiled, “I understand. I’ll be in touch.” Winston hung up the phone and turned to Darci, “So you want to clue me in?” “All in due time, in due time.” Winston replied, “Edward’s coming home and he needs something special to come home to.” Darci looked at Winston and smiled, “One of my special parties?” “No, he needs something that’s going to shake his world apart. Edward needs to know where his priorities are. And right now your friend is fucking it up.” Darci looked at Winston and said, “How’s she doing that? I thought you liked Elana?” “I do like her, I like her so much I want her to work for me. I want to pimp her.” Winston laughed. Darci stared at him, he had that look in his eye when he was going to do something crazy. And whatever it was she was not crazy about how he felt about Elana. She was not going to share him. And she was not going to let Winston put Elana over her. “What are you thinking Winston?”

“Oh, when I’m finished we’ll be sitting on top of the world!” The next day Winston met with some small time thugs and told them of his plan. They needed to work fast and do the job that very night. The thugs met at the restaurant after all the staff had gone. Winston let them in through the delivery door. They were three Asian want to gangsters, they hoped that this would get them in with the 'Organization.' “There will be no killing, we are just going to rough up the person and who knows, maybe get some pleasure while we’re at it” Winston said. One of the men asked, “How many people will be there?” “Just two, a women and a baby” Winston replied, “let’s go, we need to get this job done and be long gone before dawn.” Later that night, Winston and the three men parked just outside Edwards complex. Entered through the basement, and disabled the alarm system. Once inside, they went upstairs and found the baby sound asleep in the first room. The next door was where Elana lie sleeping. They pulled down their sky mask and made their move. Elana was awaken by someone shinning a flashlight in her face. The first thing she thought about was the baby, she sprung from the bed to see him. But she was tackled by one of the men to the floor. Two more tried to subdue her, she grabbed one of them by their shirt, it ripped. Elana screamed but was punched in the face and told to shut up. “Where’s the money?” one of the men asked Elana. “I, I don’t have any. Take the jewelry, it’s worth a lot.” One of the men walked over to the dresser, but was stopped by the leader, “No leave the jewelry.” “My baby, where’s my baby?” Elana cried. The man that seemed to be the leader replied, “Your baby’s fine right now, but if you don’t corporate, he may not be. Now I want you to listen and listen good. We know that you’re opening a restaurant in this area. So if you don’t want anything to happen to your business or your baby I’d advise you to do as you’re told. Every month we want $5,000." “There’s no way I can get that kind of money. I don’t know how much I’m going to make.” Elana replied. “That’s not my problem, but a big problem for you if you don’t have it.” Elana begin to cry, she could taste the blood from her busted lip.

“Do you understand!” the leader asked as he yanked her hair, “do you!” “Yes” she sobbed. One of the men ran his hand up between her legs, Elana kicked her legs wildly on the bed and kicked him in the groin. This made matter worse, as he then began to punch her in the face until Winston pulled him off of her. Someone taped her mouth, ankles and her hands. “let’s see how he likes her now.” one of the men said as he walked out of the room. The men left the house as quietly as they had entered. Staying close to the shadows until they were able to make their get away, leaving Elana bound and gagged to the bed. The time had come for Edward to leave, Dorothy, George, the boys and Susan came to see Edward off for America. It had been a trying time while he was there, but if it wasn’t for them, he wouldn’t have made it as long as he did. They said their good bye and watched as Edward walked down the long corridor to the plane. Edward was finally going home. It was a long flight and Edward slept most of the way. He couldn’t keep his mind on anything but getting to Elana and the baby. This would be a good Christmas, he would do want he had put off for some time and what Elana’s parents had hoped he would do, he would ask her to marry him. When the plane landed in JFK airport it was 4 a.m. After getting through customs, Edward rented a car and headed for Connecticut. Not much had changed, there was always construction going on, but otherwise the drive was smooth sailing. It was dawn when Edward pulled up in front of the house. He searched his pockets and found the key to the front door. Edward put the key up to the lock and noticed that the door was not closed all the way. He pushed the door opened expecting to see Elana on her way out, but instead the house was quiet. Sitting his bags down in the foyer, he checked the alarm panel and found it had been disabled. Edward walked up the stairs cautiously not sure what or who he would find. He opened the first door to find his son sleeping soundly, he walked into the room to get a closer look. Edward smiled and gently touched the baby cheek. The child stirred but did not wake. Edward walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. He then came to his room, the door was slightly opened. Pushing it opened that was when his eyes fell upon the blood stained sheet and a body twisted amongst it. Edward walked over to the bed to find someone resembling Elana bound and gagged on the bed. The person in the bed face was so badly swollen that he wasn’t sure if it was her. Edward kneeled by the bed and touched the body, that was when it awakened. The women looked terrified, her eyes wildly searching around the room. “It’s ok, I’m not going to hurt you”, he said. Edward got up and went into the bathroom to get the scissors. He walked back to the bed and cut the tape from her wrist and mouth. The women curled herself in to a ball and began to cry. That was when Edward noticed the ring on the women hand, it belonged to Elana.

“Elana?” he asked reaching over and touched her. She drew her body away from him. He called to her again, “Elana, it’s me. Edward.” Elana slowly lifted her head and looked at Edward. She tried to speak but was unable because of the swelling, her eyes filled with tears. This time when he reached for her she laid in his arms like a baby, trembling. Edward could only remember crying one other time and that was when his mother died. And this would be the second time. When the ambulance and the police arrived, at the same time, waking the residents in the complex. John, Corbin and Rita ran up to the house to find Edward walking out with the paramedics and Elana on a stretcher. “What happen!” Rita asked. Edward could hardly get the words out, “It’s Elana, she’s been attacked.” “Edward, where’s the baby?” Rita asked Edward looked at Rita, “Oh God, I forgot all about him.” “It’s ok, I’ll get the baby. You go with Elana.” The wait at the hospital was enough to drive a person insane. Doctors, nurses and police came in and out of the examining room, but no one would give Edward any answers. The only sounds were he could hear was Elana’s muffled cries behind closed doors. Edward begin to pace the hallway outside the room, he wanted to be in there with her, he just wanted to take away her pain. Suddenly, a detective approached Edward and asked to speak with him. The detective introduced himself as detective Jones. He then took Edward into a private room where they could talk without interruptions. “Mr. Huang, I need to ask you some questions. Can you tell me what happened.” Edward told the detective how he found Elana and that he had just returned from Hong Kong. He reached into the pocket of his coat and showed his passport along with the plane ticket stub. Edward then reached into his coat inside pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. “I planned on giving her this today, for Christmas,” Edward opened the box and showed the officer a two caret diamond ring. “You think she may still want to get married?” The detective hunched his shoulder, “I can’t say, things like this can be pretty traumatic. Some people get over it quickly, some take time, and some never do.”

After sometime a doctor came out and spoke to Edward about Elana’s condition. They would be holding her for a couple of days for observation. They had moved her up to a floor and would sedate her so that she could rest. The doctor give Edward her card and told him to call if he had any questions. Edward went up to the room where Elana was sent to. He entered to room to find her laying there, he could see that she was in a lot of pain. “I’m not going to stay long because they gave you something to make you rest. Elana I still love, no matter what has happen, I still love you. I’m going home and take care of the baby, so you rest.” Elana still unable to speak managed to whisper, his name. Edward took her hand and squeezed it and kissed her on her forehead, Elana began to cry. He wiped the tears from her face, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Edward walked out of the hospital and got a cab home. The police was still there dusting for finger prints. Edward went up to the bedroom and found the bedding removed and Elana’s nightgown in a plastic bag, marked evident. Once the police had left Edward poured himself a drink, whoever did this would pay for it, and pay for it dearly. Edward called Dorothy and Elana’s parents to tell them what had happened. Elana’s mother said that she would come out to help with Joe. He then went over to Rita’s to get the baby, but he was sleep. “It’s alright, he can stay the night” Rita said, “Corbin and I already said that we would watch the baby until you and Elana get settled.” “Thanks, Elana’s mother is coming out tomorrow to help. This is not how I hoped to come home.” Corbin looked at Edward, “You look like you could use a drink? Would you like one?” Edward shook his head no, “I need to have a clear head. There’s a lot of work for me to do.” Corbin raised his eyebrow and glanced at Edward, he remembered the birthday party incident. “Any leads?” Corbin asked. Edward shook his head, “No, but when I do someone will pay.” “Will if you need anything or advice come see me. You know you can count on us.” Edward walked towards the door to leave, “oh yeah, welcome home”. The next morning Edward checked on Joe and went to the hospital to see Elana. He walked into the room to find her applying a cold compress to her face. Elana tried to smile but

was unable to. Edward walked over, kissed her and said, “How are you?” “Joe, how’s Joe?” Elana’s speech was slightly slurred. “He’s fine. Rita has him. I called your parents last night.” Elana began to shake her head and cry, “No, I don’t want them to see me like this.” Edward took her hand, “Elana, I had to tell them. It’s ok, your parents are coming. They should be here tomorrow” He wiped her tears, “you need all the support from everyone that cares about you.” She tried to speak again, “You… I need you.” “You have me, I will always be there for you,” as he tried to comfort her. Just then the doctor came into the room with a women. “How are you this morning Elana. Did you rest O.K. last night?” the doctor asked. Elana nodded her. “I’m glad that you are here, Mr. Huang. I would like you and Elana to met Mrs. Jenkins, she’s from the victim crisis center. I hope that the two of you will use the center for counseling” Mrs. Jenkins was as older lady in her late fifties, well dressed and well spoken, “I’m here to help you in any way I can.” She looked at Edward and could see that he was wondering how the center could help him, "The center is not just for women Mr. Huang. It’s also there to help the significant other cope with any feeling that they may be having. Here I’ll leave some reading material for the both of you. You may feel that you don’t need support of a group, but believe me it can help. Call me, and we’ll setup an appointment.” The doctor had been looking at Elana’s chart during the conversation with the crisis counselor. He looked up at Edward and Elana, “Well I see that you’re doing better today. How about I let you go home?” Even though she could barely speak the doctor could tell by the look in her eyes that she was ready to leave. “Good. I’ll let the nurse’s station know that you can leave. Elana, Edward, good luck to you both. It’s not going to be easy, so do the counseling.” The doctor shook both Elana’s and Edward’s hand then walked out of the room. Elana took Edwards hand and held it tight, “We will make it, we’ve come too far to have

this set us back. Let me go home and get you something to wear. I’ll be right back.” When Edward got home the answering machine light was blinking. He walked over and listen to the message. Susan had called crying wanting to know how Elana was, Allan called and asked if Elana was still meeting him at the restaurant, Elana’s parent’s telling him what time there flight would be in tomorrow. Edward wondered why Allan would be calling for Elana. Edward called Allan’s home and spoke to him. Allan was so pleased to know that Edward had returned. Edward found out about the restaurant that Allan was helping Elana start and how Winston had been cheating the employees out of their pay. The more Allan told him about how things were the madder he got. “So it seems that Winston has been busy while I was away.” Edward said. “Yes, maybe I shouldn’t say anything but I feel that I must. Winston has even tried to get Miss Elana to work in the nightclub in NY. Of course, I talked her out of it. Telling her that Winston meant her no good.” Allen replied. “Thank you for doing that and thank you for helping her with the restaurant.” “Edward it is my pleasure to help in any way I can. You have been very good to me and my family. It is only right.” Edward paused and then told Allan the news about Elana. There was silence then Allan spoke, “I cannot believe that someone would hurt her. She has done nothing to harm anyone, who, who would do sure a thing!” “I know, but I would appreciate it if you would continue to set up the restaurant and run it while Elana is recuperating.” “Oh, it would be a privilege. I would gladly do it. You tell Elana not to worry. I will take care of everything. You just take care of her and the baby.” Allen said. “Thank you, if you need anything just call me. Oh Allan, don’t tell anyone specially Winston about what happen to Elana.” “Not to worry I won’t. Good-bye.” Edward hung up the phone. There was still the question of how did Winston know that Elana was in the hospital. Edward went back to the hospital and brought Elana home. He then stopped and picked up Joe also. Back at the house Edward found Elana standing at the foot of the staircase, “Is there anything wrong?” he asked.

Elana didn’t answer she just stood there as if she was frozen. Once again he asked if anything was wrong. She turned and looked at him and replied, “I can’t go up to the room! I just can’t.” Edward took her by the hand and lead her to the living room, “You don’t have to go to the bedroom. It’s hard, I know. I couldn’t bring myself to go into it either.” He removed Elana and the baby coat and they sat down on the couch. Edward took Elana’s hand, “Tell me, do you think if I moved the furniture around, it would help?” “I don’t know.” “Well, we have two other bedrooms beside Joe’s room. You could go sleep in one of them.” Elana looked at Edward and asked, “Would you sleep with me?” “If you wanted me to. I don’t want to rush you or make you feel like you have to do anything. What happened was traumatic.” “Before I go and move things around, is there anything you want?” “No I’ll be alright.” Edward went upstairs and began the task of moving around furniture. That was when he found it. It was a gold chain with a jade Chinese good luck symbol. It was behind the head board. He picked it up It didn’t look like anything that belonged to Elana. Maybe she brought it while he was away. When he finished with the room, he took the piece down stairs. He found Elana in the kitchen feeding Joe. “Elana, is this your necklace?” he held it up for her to see it. “No, where did you get it?” she asked after looking at it. “I found it while moving the furniture. I’ve seen it before, but I can’t place it.” Edward took the necklace and placed it in his pocket. “You don’t think it belonged to the ....”, he stopped short, he couldn’t bring his self to say it. “It could be,” Elana replied, “I remember ripping something, on one of them.” “Them? Them!” Edward shouted. Edward turned away from Elana, he could feel his jaw muscles tightening. Edward looked out of

the kitchen window he tried to compose himself, “How many were there?” Elana could tell that he was upset, she knew that whatever she said would not make it easier, “Four, there were four. They had ski mask and they were Asian.” Edward turned around and asked, “How do you know they were Asian?” “They spoke Chinese and English”, she replied. “What did they say, did they want money or jewelry?” he asked. “No, they want me to pay them $5,000 a month for the restaurant I’m opening” she said “I didn’t tell you about the restaurant because I wanted to surprise you.” “I know. Allen called, he was looking for you, he told me everything. He said that he would handle everything and for you not to worry. How many people know that you are opening this restaurant.” Elana wiped the baby’s mouth and gave him some juice, “Just Winston and Allan. Why?” Edward kissed her on the head, “Just trying to put this whole thing together, that’s all. I’m going downstairs, call if you need me” Edward went into his office in the basement and sat at the desk. He took the jade necklace out of his pocket and looked at it. He had seen it somewhere but he couldn’t place it. Edward picked up the phone and called Winston at the restaurant. But he wasn’t working today. The question still haunted him, how did Winston know about Elana? Did he have something to do with the attack? One thing was sure, his sister’s and George would not have told his father and brothers. Which only meant one thing, Winston had something to do with. But who helped him? This he had to find out, it was clearly not part of the organization. That night Edward sat up on the chase lounge and watched Elana while she slept. It would was to be the start of many sleepless nights for the both of them. During the night Elana began to talk in her sleep, twisting and turning, fighting. Her legs kicking wildly, crying and whimpering. Edward got up and turned on the light, Elana was reliving her attack. He called to her, wanting to touch her, but afraid that it might startle her more. Finally, after calling her several times Elana woke up. She looked around to find Edward standing near the bed. Only then did he sit down to her to comfort and to hold.

Chapter 12 Winston walked into an midtown bar and sat down at a table with three other me. A waitress came over to the table and asked Winston what he wanted to drink. He sized up the waitress as if she was a porter house steak, ready to be eaten. She walked back to the bar to place her order. Winston reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out three envelopes and handed them to his accomplices. “You did well. Just keep your mouths shut and you might get work again.” Winston said to the men. “If you should ever need our services, you know where to find us.” The leader said. The three men took their share and walked out of the club and into the night. One down and one to go, and he wasn’t finished yet! The waitress came back with the drink and placed it on the table. Winston handed her the money but held on to it. “There’s more from where that comes from.” The blond haired women smiled. “And just where would this be at?” Winston smiled a devil smile, “in a black Mercedes in the parking lot.” Winston went to his apartment there in the city. Darci was getting ready to go to work with the girls. It was hard to believe that she actually enjoyed the work now. And at times he even found himself getting jealous that she was having other men. Winston walked into the bedroom and got undressed. Darci was putting the finishing touches to her make-up she smiled at him, “What’s up, you in for the evening?” “Yeah, think I’ll stay in tonight." “Well, then you need some company?” Darci asked. “No, you go on, I’ll be here when you get back.” as he smacked her on the butt. “Keep that up and you won’t have a quiet evening at home.” Darci laughed. Winston got into the shower, and thought about last night. Darci said her goodbyes and went out for the evening. Darci thought it was kind of odd for Winston to be home so early specially because he loved the night life. She had no idea what had happen last night, she just remembered him coming in just before dawn. And that was odd for him specially when he closed up the restaurant. He always made it in between twelve and one a.m. Darci got worried when he didn’t come in by 1:30 a.m., called the restaurant and got no answer.

Once Darci had left Winston had the apartment all to himself. He went into the living room and made himself a drink. It was while Winston was relaxing that he noticed something different. He got up and went into the bed room, it wasn’t there nor was it in the bathroom. He checked around the floor, he still could not find it. The necklace was gone! He didn’t remember taking it off. In fact, the last time he had it on was when he....Oh no, he left it on the pillow at Edwards house!” The next morning Elana’s parents arrived in town and Edward met them at the airport. The ride to the house would have been silent if it wasn’t for Elana’s mother making small talk. Edward guess that she was trying to ease the tense. Edward knew that Elana’s father didn’t care much for him since he and Elana had decided to have a child out of wedlock. Once they made it to the house, they found Elana in the living room. She looked at her parent and turned to hide her face. Her mother Flo walked over to her and put her arms around her, “It will be alright, everyone that cares and love you are here for you.” “Oh mama, I didn’t want you and daddy to see me like this.” Elana’s father walked over and hugged his daughter, “Everything will be OK.” joined them. Edward took the suitcases upstairs, he was glad that he called. She needed her family more than ever. When Edward returned he had Joe in his arms, as soon as he saw Elana he wanted to get down and walk over to her. “He has gotten so big,” her mother exclaimed. “Yes he had grown. He looks like his father.” Ray replied. Edward wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or as an insult. But Ray laughed and said, “That’s good, because Elana was not a pretty child.” Flo nudged Ray to remind him of Elana’s injuries. “What?, she wasn’t. Edward, she was the skinness kid I ever did see. She reminded you of a twig with a big head.” “Oh daddy, don’t start. He used to call me coconut head.” Edward walked over to her and kissed her, “but look at the beauty she’s turned out to be.” he said. Elana frowned, lowering her head, “Now look at me, not anymore.”

“This is only temporary.” her mother replied. Hoping to lighten the atmosphere, Edward asked if anyone would change like some tea or coffee. “That sounds like a good Idea. I’ll help you.” Ray relied and followed Edward into the kitchen. Once they were in the kitchen Ray sat down at the table and watched Edward heat some water. “Has there been any leads.” Ray asked. “The only thing the police have are fingerprints.” Ray looked at him, “fingerprints and they still haven’t found a match?” “I did found a jade necklace behind the head board. I believe it belongs to one of the perpetrators.” “You said one of the perpetrators. Are you telling me Elana was attacked by more than one person?” “Four to be exact.” “Have you told the police about the necklace?” “No, they couldn’t find the damn thing and they’re the ones that tore the bed apart. They will drag this out until Elana gets tired of pursuing it, then they’ll drop it” Edward said. “My poor baby girl. Who would so such a thing.” “I have an idea, but I need to get move proof. And when I do, I’ll take care of it my own way.” Edward replied. They were just about to have tea when the door bell rang. Edward went to the door and answered it. It was detective Jones. Edward invited him in and introduced him to Elana’s parents. “Would you like to join us in a cup of tea or coffee?” Elana asked. “No, no thank you. I came by for to see how you and Mr. Huang were doing and also to tell you that we are still looking.” Edward looked at Ray as if to say, see what I mean. Ray asked if the police had any leads. The reply was just what Edward had said they would be. The more Edward listen to the detectives excuses, the more agitated he got. Elana knew this because he had reached down and picked up one of Joe’s building blocks, and started cussing in Chinese. This was when Elana

intervened by directing the detective towards the door. “Well detective Jones, thank you for stopping by. If I remember anything, I’ll let you know.” The detective Jones had just closed the front door behind him when Edward throw the block at the door. Edward continued to ramble on in Chinese. He excused himself and started to walk downstairs to his office, “Ray, would you like to join me?” “Sure, we can finish our talk.” Ray replied as he followed Edward. Elana looked at her mother, “I don’t like this, Edward is up to something.” “How do you know?” Flo asked. “Mom, after three years, I know when Edwards upset.” Once Edward and Ray were in the office, Edward walked over to the bar. “I know it’s early, but would you like a drink?” “Yes, after that bullshit line that cop just give, I need one.” Edward poured two glasses of scotch and handed one to Ray. Edward then walked over behind the desk and put both hands on the wall then gave it a push. The wall panel popped opened and Edward then slide the wall to one side. “Ray would you close the door and lock it.” Ray walked over and did so, when he walked back to his chair, he smiled. Behind the wall was a large home safe, Edward opened it and revealed a mini arsenal. “Well I see you’re into gun collecting. I take it Elana doesn’t know about this.” “One never knows when you might need it. No Elana doesn’t know, some women get Squamish around guns.” “You don’t know Elana then. Elana was raised with guns.” Ray laughed. Edward turned and looked at Ray in disbelief, “Elana? I always took her to be anti gun. ” “So what is your plan?” “I need to go to Chinatown and see some people. I just can’t sit by and wait this out.”

Edward put on a holster then took two hand guns, loaded them and placed them in the holster. He then took two spare clips and put them in his pocket. “Ray I know that you don’t agree that Elana and I had Joe out of wedlock. But I do love your daughter more than you’ll ever know. Whatever I do, it’s for her. If anything happens to me, Elana and Joe will be taken care of for the rest of their lives. Even though my father and brothers do not approve of Elana, my sisters, son’s and brother-in-law do.” Edward picked up his drink and downed it. Elana became inquisitive and called down to Edward and her father, “What are you two up to down there?” Ray opened the door, “Nothing”, he replied. “Edward wants you to throw down his jacket.” Elana got the jacket and started to come down the stair but her father stopped her. “Are you sure you two are not up to something?” she asked. “I’m sure, now go back upstairs,” Ray stood at the bottom of the stairs until Elana was out of sight. He went back into the office and re locked the door. laughed.

“I see she’s still nosey” Ray

Edward put the jacked and zipped halfway, hoping that the guns could not be easily seen. “I better get going. I’ll call to see how everything is.” he said. Ray extended his hand and shook Edwards, “You do what you have to do and take care of yourself.” When they went up stairs, Elana and Flo were drinking their tea, “We started without you two.” Elana said. “Edward where are you off to?” she asked. Edward winked at Ray acknowledging that she was being nosey and lied, “I need to check on the restaurant.” He kissed her and the baby on the cheek, “I’ll see everyone later and walked out the door.

Chapter 13 Edward arrived in Chinatown around noon, he stopped by the restaurant Chen. When he came in, everyone was surprised to see that he had returned. Chen was there with a few of his men having a meal and invited Edward over to the table. “Edward, it’s been awhile. How’s your father?” Chen asked. “His doing fine,” Edward replied, “how’s everything been here.” “Umm, funny you should ask, that’s what me and the guys were just talking about.” Chen said. “In what way?” Edward asked. “It seems that we have a renegade amongst the tong. Someone wants to brake off on his own.” Chen replied. He then yelled for a waiter, “Now bring him a beer.!” Edward gave Chen a half smile, “So do you have an idea who this renegade might be?” “Sure, it’s your partner, Winston.” Edward looked at Chen, “Oh, this is interesting. I haven’t seen him since I’ve been back. I have some questions of my own to ask him.” “Let me guess.” Chen said, “does it have anything to do with the restaurants?” “Yes, as a matter of fact it does. Plus some other stuff” Edward said, “how do you know. Don’t tell me he’s been screwing the Organization too.” This time Chen just nodded his head. Edward shook his head in disbelief, there was one thing that he knew and that was you never try to pull a fast one on the Organization. “What a dumb ass! What makes him think that he can pull a fast one.” “I don’t know, but he’s doing it. And it’s not just with the restaurants either, it’s with anything he’s got his greedy little hands in.” Chen said. “So tell me, how much does he owe.” Edward asked. “Don’t you worry about it. Lucky for you. You was in Hong Kong. Otherwise I’d be getting ready to get in your ass.” The guards and Chen laughed. “So tell me what really brings you down here. You should be at home with that cute little honey and your son. Oh yeah! Congratulation on the son.” Edward had been playing with the glass of beer the whole while, but when Chen asked

what was the real reason was, he down the glass. Chen looked at Edward and said, “Either you're thirsty as hell or your really pissed off. Tell me what’s going on” Edward leaned in closer to Chen as he did not want anyone else to hear. “Three days ago I come home to find Elana bound, gagged and beaten. The police are dragging their feet and they totally missed this clue” Edward reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace. Chen took it and looked at it closer. "Interesting, why would someone leave behind a necklace? What can I do for you? You want me to handle it?” Edward shook his head, “No, I’ll take care of that personally. I just need the names." “I’ll have my guys listening for you. Anything else I can do for you?” Chen asked. “Yeah, don’t tell Winston, I have a feeling that he may be connected in some way.” After a while they decided to go upstairs where they would not be disturbed. Chen pulled out some mah jong tiles to get a game started. Sometime had passed and Edward pulled off his jacket. Chen and the guys stopped dead in their tracks. It was Chen that spoke, “Damn, you really mean business!” “Nobody does what they did and expect to get away with it” Edward replied. Chen motioned for one of the guys to bring a bottle of scotch over. “I’m glad we’re on the same side. Give Tony the clips.” Chen said. Edward took both clips out of the gun and handed them to Tony. Leaving the two extras clips, hidden in his jacket pocket. Chen poured Edward and himself a drink, “This shit has really got you bad. What else is going on?” “Elana is getting ready to open a take-out restaurant. The perpetrators are extorting $1,500 a week from her. I have a feeling that Winston is in on this. There is only one other person that knows and I trust him.” Chen raised his eyebrow, “I can assure you that the Organization had nothing to do with it. We didn’t even know that she was setting up a business. If this is true, the little bastard is all over the place. He needs to be stopped and soon.” Chen signaled for Tony and one other member to come over to the table.

“I want you two to hit the street. See who’s been hanging around Winston lately. And also, who’s been in Connecticut in the last few days without my permission.” The two guys left with their assignment. When Edward got home that night, he found Elana and her parents listening to music. He walked into the living room and greeted everyone. “I didn’t expect to find you guys still up.” Edward went over to Elana and kissed her, “how are you doing?” “I’m fine. How’s things at the restaurant?” she asked. “Everything's fine.” As took her by the hand and started to dance slowly. Pulling her close to, he remembered the guns in his holster and jacket. “Edward, what are you hiding in your jacket?” Elana asked as she leaned away from him. “It’s nothing,” he replied, pulled her closer and continued to dance. Hoping that she would just let it go. “Well your nothing feels like something.” Elana stopped dancing and pulled down the zipper to revel the guns. She looked at Edward with disappointment and shook her head. She didn’t wait to hear Edwards explanation, but turned and walked out of the room. Ray looked at Edward and said, “You should have told her about the guns.” Flo shook head looked at Ray and then at Edward, “I don’t think it’s because you have guns. It’s because you feel that you need to handle this your way.” Ray asked, “Did you find want you were looking for?” “No, but the word is out. I hope to get some information soon.” Edward replied and went down to his office. He put away the guns and ammo, and then went back upstairs. “Well, I think I better go upstairs. I have a lot of explaining to do. Good night.” He walked into the bedroom to find her sitting on the bed. “Baby, I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you to you about the guns.” “Edward, it’s not the guns, that made me upset. It’s what you plan to do with them.” she said.

Edward walked over to the bed and knelt before her, “Elana I’m sorry. I’m responsible for you and for want happen. If I had been here none of this would have taken place.” “Edward, you can’t blame yourself just like I can’t blame myself. It just happen. I don’t want you to get into trouble because of this, just let the police handle it.” He kissed her and stared into her eyes, “You know I want you so bad. But I know that you are not ready. I will not make or put any pressure on you. When you are ready, you must come to me. I will go and sleep in the loft.” Edward went into the close and got his pajamas and walked out of the bedroom. As he closed the door, he could hear Elana crying softly. That night Elana didn’t dream of the attack, but of Edward. In the dream Elana went looking for Edward but couldn’t find him. It began to rain, she walked down an ally way and saw bodies dead bodies on the ground. But there was one, that was lying in a door way. Elana walked over and saw that it was Edward. He had been shot, she bent down and held him in her arms. Edward stared at her, smile and told her, ‘I’ll always love you’ then closed his eyes. Elana sat straight, up in the bed screaming Edward’s name. Edward heard Elana scream and ran down from the loft on the third floor. When he got there Elana parents was standing at the door. They looked surprised that Edward was standing in the hallway. Edward opened the door and turned the light by the bed. Elana was sitting up holding her head in her hands, crying. 'Edward, Edward.' was the only words she keep repeating. “Elana, Elana. Wake up.” Edward gentle touched her. Elana opened her eyes to find her parents and Edward in the room. Her body trembling, dripping with sweat, she reached out and he took her in his arms, “It’s alright, every things alright.” Early that next morning, Elana woke to find Edward sleeping on the chase lounge. She got up and knelt by him, “Edward wake up. Come get in the bed with me. You don’t have to sleep in the loft or on the chase. This is your bed also.” She took him by the hand and lead him to the bed. Elana then cuddled up in his arm and they went back to sleep.

Chapter 14 Meanwhile, in Chinatown, things weren’t going all that well for Winston. He started to wonder how he was going to get back the necklace. It had to have fallen off when his shirt was torn. And to make matters worse, Darci even noticed that he wasn’t wearing it. He had lied,

telling her that the chain had broke and he was getting the clasp repaired. “Winston, it doesn’t take five days to get a clasp replaced. Who’s the bitch you gave it to!” “Look I told you that it was in the shop, I didn’t give it to anyone.” Winston got his coat and started out the door. “Look, if you need me, I’ll be at the restaurant in Connecticut.” On the way to the restaurant, Winston tried to get the lies straight that he would tell Edward. When he arrived Edward hadn’t made it in. Winston went over the paperwork to make sure everything was in order. The last thing he wanted Edward to know was that he was beating him out of his share. Edward came into the restaurant and went to the office to find Winston, “Hey, it’s good to see you made it back. How’s everything?” Winston asked. It took all that Edward had to act like he wasn’t aware of what was going on. “It’s good to be back. So how’s business?’ “It could be better.” “That’s good. I sure could go for some good news.” “Why, what’s going on?” Winston asked. Edward was waiting for Winston to ask why, he wanted to see his response when he told him. “When I came home, I found Elana had been attacked.” Winston looked at Edward and tried hard to act surprised, “What! you must be kidding. You would think that all that money to live in a gated community something like this wouldn’t happen. That’s terrible, who would do such a thing.” “That’s what I’d like to know." Edward could sense how uneasy he was making Winston feel, “Yeah, she’s doing fine now.” “So the police have any clues as to who did it,” Winston asked. Winston looked nervously around the desk until he found a cigarette and lit it. His hand shook ever so slightly that if you weren’t paying attention you would not have noticed it. But Edward did.

“The police have something, but they are not saying anything.” “Well, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. They’ll catch them.” Edward sat in a chair across from Winston who had just lit the cigarette and now was putting it out. “Why did you say they’ll catch them?” Edward asked “Did I say them? I meant him. In any case, life goes on. We have a restaurant to run.” It was a long day for Winston, being around Edward made him uneasy. He wasn’t sure as to how much Edward knew or if he had anything to worry about at all. Edward had been in the office going over bank statements when he called out to Winston. Winston came in, “What’s up?” Edward put the statements away, “It looks like the restaurant wasn’t doing so well when I left. But after looking at the bank deposit for the last couple of days, the profits picked up.” Winston gave a nerve laugh, “Yeah, I noticed the same thing. It’s as if people knew that you were coming back.” “Yeah, isn’t that interesting.” Time that day seem to stand still for Winston was on pins and needles the entire day. Edward noticed Winston going off at the slightest thing. Soon it was time to go close up, ordinarily Winston would make up the deposit slip. But that night Edward surprised Winston. “You've been making in the morning while I've been gone. I’ll do the deposit.” Winston looked at him in a surprised way, “Oh, I can do it.” “No I’ll do it. After all you’ve been doing for over a year. It’s only fair that I should do it for a while.” Winston couldn’t wait to get out. They locked up the restaurant and went their separates ways. Surely Edward must know something. He didn’t go into New York, but stayed at the apartment that he rented for Darci in Connecticut. He needed time to himself, time to think about his next move. He called Darci to let her know that he would not be coming in to the city. Of course she thought that he was with somebody, she was beginning to argue with him. Several time he had to remind her who was in charge and put her back in her place. Winston got on the phone and called three associates, he wanted to met with them. Since he was unsure with just how much Edward knew, he would have them pick up the money from the Elana’s and the others Chinese businesses that he was extorting from. Yes, he was setting up

with his own tong. Winston was tired of taking orders, and small kick backs, he wanted it and wanted it all! The phone for awhile before someone answered, “Hello, is Soo there?” The voice on the other end called out for Soo to come to the phone, “Yeah, this is Soo.” he said. “Soo, this is Winston. Listen can you met me at the bar in Chinatown tomorrow night?” “Sure thing, you want me to bring the others?” Soo asked. “Yeah, bring them. I’ll see you tomorrow night around one.” Winston hung up the phone and thought, yeah I’ll let Soo and the others make the pick-up. That way if anything goes down, he would be in the clear. When Edward got home everyone was in bed sleep except Ray, he was watching the news. “Hi, you made it in,” Ray said. “Yeah, how’s everything going here?” Edward asked. “O.K., I’m glad everyone’s sleep. It’ll give us men a chance to talk. That’s if you’re not tired.” Ray said. Edward took off his coat and sat down across from Ray. “So what’s on your mind.” “Edward you was right about what you said a few days ago. About me being upset, with the choice that you and Elana made. Sometimes it’s hard for me to realize that she’s not a little girl any more. But after seeing how the two of you interact with each other I realized that you really do love my daughter and she really loves you. You see that she and the baby are well taken care of. You actually treat her as if the two of you were married.” “Funny you should say that, most people think that we are.” Edward got up, “I’ll be right back.” He went down stair to his office and shortly returned. Edward handed Ray the small velvet box that held the engagement ring. “I wanted to give it to Elana the day the attacked happened.” Ray opened the box, his eyes widen as he gazed upon the 3 carat, “Well, I guess you do love her. That’s quite a diamond.” Ray handed it back to Edward, “so when are you going to ask her?” “I don’t know. With all this that’s going on, she may not want to.”

“Well, there’s only one way to find out, you’ll have to ask her.” Ray said, “Well, it’s time for this old man to get to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” Edward sat there after Ray had gone to bed and thought about what he had said to him, the only way he could find out was to ask. Edward locked up the house and went up to bed, he found Elana sound asleep. He was sure that she would have one of her nightmares. So he went to sleep on the chase and waited for it to begin. Sometime around 3 am it started, Edward could hear Elana crying and kicking. Edward got up and turned on the light. “Elana, Elana wake up, wake up.” Elana opened her eyes, with tears streaming down her cheeks, she threw herself into Edward's arms and held on to him like a frighten child. “When will this end,” she cried, “when will this end.” He held her and said, “Soon, I promise you. It’ll be over soon.” The next morning Edward got up to find that he was the last one downstairs. Everyone else had eat and was sitting in the living room having tea. He greeted everyone good morning. Edward then announced that he had something to say, he got down on one knee, and began to sing the words to the song, 'Here and Now.' He took out the ring and handed it to her, while he continued to sing. Elana was speechless and started to cry. She looked at her parents for approval, especially that of her father who winked at Edward with a smile. Edward then took the ring and slipped it on to her finger; he then took her by the hand and danced to the rest of the song.

Chapter 15 The night, Winston left work and went to Chinatown. He met Soo and his associates at the bar. They sat at a table away from the crowd so no one could hear them. “I’m glad to see that you made it,” Winston said as he motioned for the waitress to take an order. “So what is it that you want us to do for you?” Soo said. “I need you guys to make the pick-ups tomorrow and met me here at 9 pm.” One of the guys asked, “Is there a special time you want us to make our rounds?” Winston paid the waitress for the drink, “Just before closing. That way you’ll have the majority of their cash.” Soo took a sipped of beer, “What if they don’t have all the money?” Winston smiled his wicket smile, “We want all, not some, not half, but all. And if they don’t have it, well I know how much you guys get off on violence. Do whatever you must to show that we mean business.” Across on the other side of the bar sat one of Chen’s guy, Tony. He had been there when Winston and his friends showed up. Winston was too busy trying not to be seen that Tony saw him. Tony motioned for the same waitress that waited on Winston’s table. She came over, Tony asked her want was going on over there at Winston’s table. It didn’t take too much for her to spill the beans. “Did they saw where they were going to met?” Tony asked. “No, I didn’t hear that. But, I’ll find out,” she said. The waitress walked away waited on some more tables, then went back to Winston’s table. “Would you like to order anything else?” she asked. Soo looked her up and down and smiled, “Yeah, you baby.” She smiled at him and said, “Well if you’re in the neighborhood tomorrow night, I just might be available.” She then went back to the bar and waited for the bait. Winston reached into his pocket and pulled out directions to the different pickups. “I want you guys to memorize these directions then throw them away.”

“Sure don’t worry, we can handle it,” Soo replied. “Good, then I’ll see you guys tomorrow at 9pm.” Soo and his friends got up and started to walk out. Soo stopped and spoke to the waitress, “So how about tomorrow around 10 pm.” She smiled and licked her lips, “I was hoping you wanted some tonight?” Soo smiled and told his friends to met him in the car. The waitress, took him by the hand and lead him into a back room. Within a few minutes of moving her hips on his cock, she had him talking. He told her all. How he was doing this job for Winston could get him in big with the big boss. Then he wouldn’t have to work for Winston. He liked the way that sound, he liked it so much that as he slammed his cock into her, he told her all about the trip to Connecticut and what time he’d be back to fuck her again. Soo cleaned his self and walked out of the back room with the waitress close behind. Tony waited a second and then went outside. He then signaled to one of his friend to tail the three. Tony went back inside, the waitress walked over and told him everything she knew. Winston got up and left the bar a short time later. He was glad to have that piece of business out of the way. Just let them do the dirty work, he was tired of getting his hands dirty. As he walked over to the restaurant where he parked his car, he had the uncanny feeling that he was being followed. But every time he would look around there was no one. ‘I’m just being paranoid’ he thought and laughed it off. Winston got in his car and drove home to Darci. Upstairs above the restaurant Chen waited to hear from his look outs. Tony and the others reported in to Chen with their report, “It looks like Winston is going to make his move tomorrow to pick up some money, where I don’t know. I do know that they plan to met in Chinatown anywhere around 7 and 10pm.” Tony said. “How you find that out?” Chen asked. “From your niece, she set a date with one of the guys for 9, but he said make it 10.” Tony replied. Chen laughed and asked, “What else did you guys find out.” Tony followed, Soo and his friends to some storefront clubhouse in Brooklyn. And had came back with the model of the car and license number. “You guys did good. Let’s piece this thing together and see what we can do.” Chen said.

Chen went into his private office and made two phone calls one to Hong Kong and one to Edward at home, knowing that he would want to be a part of it. Edward had just made it in when Chen called. “Edward, this is Chen. Can you talk?” “Sure, what’s going on” “It seem that Winston is having some of his boys do a pick-up tomorrow. I’m not sure where and what time but we know that they're going to met at the bar between 7 and 10pm afterwards. You want me to send some guys to watch you Elana’s place?” Edward thought for a moment, “Yeah, I’ll front the money and have it marked. Let them think that they got away with it.” “Sounds like a good idea, they’ll be there when they open up. Give me the address.” Edward gave Chen the address and said, “What about Winston?” “Don’t worry about him. I’ll have him and his friends waiting for you when you get here. Go rest, we’ve got a busy day tomorrow.” Early the next morning, Edward got up and went down to his office and locked the door. He took a piece of paper and begin to write out instruction for Elana and Dorothy should anything happen to him. He wanted Dorothy to see that his sons had nothing to do with the Organization and where to find money to support them. For Elana, he wanted her to have the house and money that he had put away in the house, bank and stocks. He also told her how much he loved her, how much he valued her love and friendship. And most of all how proud that she was the mother of his child. He put the combination number to the safe in the office and a safety deposit keys with the names of the banks in the with the letter. Edward then went to the wall and opened it and took out his holster and guns out. He took $1,500 out and marked each bill with an orange marker. It was then that Edward saw it; he looked closely at a picture that was on his desk of him and Winston. Winston had on a shirt opened at the neck and around his neck was a jade pendent. When he had finished he went upstairs to see if Ray had gotten up. Edward found him sitting in the kitchen, drinking a cup of tea. “I’m glad that you’re up. I wanted to talk with you before I leave.” Edward said. “What’s on your mind.” Ray asked. “I got the call last night, so I’ll be leaving to take care of some business.”

Ray put down his tea cup and looked at Edward with questioning eyes. He handed Ray the two letters and said, “I need you to give these to Elana if I don’t come back. If she ask where I went to just tell her...” Elana had just walked in to hear Edward talking to her father. “Tell me what?” Elana asked. Ray put away the letters so Elana would not see them. “I just was telling your father to tell you that I have to go into the city for a meeting, that’s all.” He lied, it hurt him to have to do it, but it he knew that if he told her his really intent, she would go ballistic. Edward smiled at her and looked into her eyes, “Did I tell you how much I love you?” Elana smiled back and replied, “All the time.” He gave her a long passionate kiss, in case he didn’t come home, he wanted her to remember it. Edward then went back to his office and prepared to leave. When he came back upstairs Flo and Joe was in the kitchen with Elana and Ray. Edward walked in and spoke to Flo. He picked up Joe kissed him and tickled him, he loved to hear him laugh. “Edward, is everything alright?” Elana asked. “Yeah, why do you ask?” “You just seem to be far in thought.” “No, I’m ok, just have a lot on my mind right now that’s all." Edward glanced at his watch hoping by doing so, it would cut down on questioning, "I’ll see you guy’s later.” Chen’s guys arrived at Elana’s restaurant, Edward was waiting for them in side. Edward had already informed Allan about what was going to take place with Chen’s guys. Allan was told just to act like they worked there, and when the guys come to pick up the money, let one of Chen’s men handle it. Edward reassured Allan that everything would be alright. Edward then gave them the marked bills and went to Chinatown to wait for Winston. It was a long day the waiting was starting to get to Edward. He just wanted all this to end so he could get back to a normal life with his family. Normal, would his family ever be that after what happen to Elana and especial what would happen today. It was sometime around 5pm

when the first call came in, it was from Elana’s restaurant. The pick-up had been made, Chen’s men followed the guys to six other locations. In one instance, they even got physical with one owner, beating up his son and slapping his wife. Winston’s friends then got on the thru-way and headed back to New York around eight o’clock. Chen’s men followed them straight to Chinatown, where they parked outside the bar. The next call Chen received was to tell him that his package arrived from Hong Kong and that Winston had just showed up at the bar with friends. Chen smiled, “Bring the package with you.” and hung up the phone. He then looked at Edward and said, “Well, it’s show time.” Winston and his associates were too busy counting out money to even notice that the bar had been emptied. When they did notice, the bartender was the only one and he smiled at them and continued to wiping the bar top. Some other members came in and sat at tables nearby. Soo became nerves and asked, “Winston what’s going on?” Winston glanced around and noticed that the bar was getting busier, “I’m not sure.” Just at that moment door to the bar swung open and in walks Chen and about 20 members of his entourage. “Brothers, come, come join us.” Winston greeted them. He did not see Edward walking behind with Tony and Crazy Larry. But when he did, he knew that there was going to be trouble. Tony was Chen’s enforcer and Crazy Larry, was Charles Huang’s enforcer. And if Crazy Larry was in New York, he wasn’t there on vacation, he was sent to do whatever Edward needed him to do. “Well, I didn’t expect to see you here, Edward. How’s the family?” Winston asked trying his best not to appear nervous. “Cut the bull shit Winston, like you give a shit about his family.” Chen replied as he sat down at the table. The three associates looked nervously at Winston not sure of what to do, one of them began to fidget in his chair. Winston looked at him and told him to stop moving about so much before he gets somebody killed. “So Winston, can you tell us who the renegade in the tong is?” Chen asked. “Renegade?, surely you don’t think that’s it’s me!” Winston answered, “I’ve been faithful to the tong, always!”

“Always Winston, now that’s funny. Always. Somehow that’s not the truth, New York, Connecticut and Hong Kong records don’t match. It seems that someone is getting more than he’s suppose to and it isn't the tong!” “There must be some mistake, in the bookkeeping. Let me look into it” Winston replied. “Oh, you’ll get your chance.” Chen then turned his attention to Soo and his accomplices, “And you three, just who in the fuck do you work for ‘cause you sure don’t fuckin’ work for me!” Soo cleared his throat, “We work for Winston.” “Yeah, we work for Winston” another one joined in. Chen and the others laughed all but Winston and his friends. “Then if that’s the case, whatever Winston gets, you’ll get also.” Chen replied. The money that Winston had been counting out was still on the table. Chen motioned for Tony and Crazy Larry, “Check for the marked bills and pull them out.” Winston reached in his jacket for a cigarette, but Tony grab his hand, “I was just getting a cigarette, that’s all.” Tony pulled the pack out and threw them on the table. Winston hand shook as he tried to light the cigarette, he knew that he would be done away if he didn’t come up with something to cover his ass. Crazy Larry pulled the marked bills out counted it and placed them in front of Chen. “It's all there.” he said to Edward. Edward walked up to the table and looked at the money and asked, “Why? I trusted you when I didn’t trust my own father, I even trusted you to watch and take care of someone that is dear to me. But instead you decide that you needed to have more than your share, it’s not bad enough that you stole from the tong but you stole from me.” “What are you talking about. I did nothing to harm you or Elana. I tried to help her, I even gave her a job!” Winston replied. That was when Edward threw the jade pendent necklace in front of Winston. “What’s this?” Winston asked.

Trying his best to sound innocent, but the quiver in his voice said Guilty. Before anybody knew it Edward had pulled his gun and pointed it at Winston. “It belongs to you! It came off when Elana pulled it off of you during the attack.” Winston’s associate that had the fidgeting problem pulled his gun but he wasn’t quick enough. Tony turned and shot the gun out of his hand, and turned back to Winston. Soo looked at his wounded friend that was bleeding from his hand, “Look man, I don’t want any trouble. We were just following Winston’s orders.” Edward looked at him, “So you’re telling me that the three of you were in on the attack too!” Before he realized it Soo nodded his head yes. Edward gave him a blow to the chest with his fist that sent him flying backwards out of his chair, sliding across the floor. Edward walked over to Soo, reached down broke his arm. Soo laid there crying out in pain. Edward walked back over to the table and pointed the gun back at Winston. “I asked you why, why would you do that to another brother.” Winston looked at Edward he knew that his time was coming, “Because you had everything at your command, all you had to do was make a call and fire would have rained down from the sky. You do not have to fight for a position to head a tong, you are born into it. And you are too weak to take charge of it.” Edward grabbed Winston by the collar and forced the gun barrel into his mouth. Chen grabbed Edwards arm and said, “No! not yet. He needs to answer to me also. Take them to the warehouse, but don’t kill them, just make them suffer.” Some of Chen men got them up and took them out a rear exit. Chen looked at Edward and laughed, “Damn, you’re becoming a mean bastard. You’re father would be quite proud.” he said. When they had got to the warehouse, they had chained them to metal post. Members had already begun to use them as punching bags. The third guy, the quiet one, begin to begged for mercy as soon as he saw Edward and Chen. Crazy Larry and Tony begin to taunt the man using him to practice sidekicks and punches. The poor man just stopped trying to defend himself at one point and collapsed. Edward walked over and spoke to the man, “Did you attack her?.” The man could hardly speak, he looked up at him with his blood covered face and whispered, “Yes.”

Edward pulled his gun out and shot him in the leg. The man cried out in pain and begged, “Please, just kill me. I can’t take anymore.” Edward grinned and said “You’re not getting off so easy you need to suffer some more.” he then kicked the man in the leg he shot. Edward then walked over to Winston. The suit that Winston was wearing was covered with bloodstains. Winston had been severally beaten about the face and upper body. He laid on the floor watching his associates being beat close to death. He saw Edward approaching and tried to sit up. Edward squatted down and yanked Winston’s head back by the hair and asked,

“Why? "

Winston smiled a bloody smile, some of his teeth had been knocked out, “You want to really know why?” Winston asked, “To show you that you are no better than me. Yes, I took what belonged to you, I enjoyed beating her, hearing her beg and taking your most prized possession, her......” Edward didn’t wait to hear the rest of what Winston had to say, he kicked Winston in the face. Winston spit a mouth fill of blood out and laughed. “Is that all you got pretty boy, the only reason you’re getting the best of me is because I’m all…chained…up!” he shouted, “you couldn’t kill a fly, you’re nothing like you’re father. Your father is a heartless bastard, you, you’re just some panty wipe wanna be thug. I know bitches tougher than your ass. Edward walked away from Winston, “Let him go” he said. Edward took off his jacket and holster. A member walked over and undid Winston’s chain, no sooner as the chains came off, Winston grabbed the chain and swung it at Edward hitting him in the back. Winston had received severely blows to his upper body causing him to fall several times, he was no match for Edward. The other members had never seen Edward like that, it was as if he was a totally different person. Time after time Edward kicked Winston keeping him off balance. Winston dropped the chain at one point was able to retrieve picked up the chain and began to swing it, one of the swings hit Edward in his side and another on his upper arm. The next time the chain was swung at Edward he grabbed it and pulled it towards him. He then took the chain and wrapped it around Winston’s neck and began to chock him. Winston’s fingers crawled at the chain struggling to loosen it. Edward kept applying more pressure until Winston’s body went limp. Edward let Winston’s body drop and he kicked him. Edward walked away from the crumpled body. He was just about to put on his holster when Winston got up on one knee, gasping for breath and said, “Yes, I did it and I’d do it again!”

Without thinking, without hesitation, Edward pulled his gun from its holster and fired point blank at Winston’s forehead. There was a hush in the warehouse, the members stood in complete silence. The three conscience associates of Winston coward to themselves unsure if the same would be done to them. Suddenly Crazy Larry started laughing, “You are traitorous. I love it!” He then walked over with another member and dragged Winston body to a oil drum. They then picked the corpse up, dumped him in and filled it with cement. Soo and his associate were in shock, they begin to pull on the chains trying to break free. “No, no” shouted Soo, “We was only doing what he told us to do.” Chen walked over to the remaining three and said, “Remember when I asked who did you work for and you told me, Winston. I told you that you’ll get whatever Winston gets. Well guess what?” Chen then signaled for some of the members to finish them off. They then took their unconscious bodies and dumped them also into separate oil drums and begin to do the same process that was done to Winston. Soo came to just as the cement was around his neck, he began to scream. The cement continued, until it covered his head. The members then took the lids and covered all four drums. “What do you want us to do with them,” Tony asked. Chen looked at Edward for some suggestion. Edward put on his holster and jacket, he looked around at his tong brothers, smiled a sinister smile and replied, “Ship them!” Some time around three that next morning, Edward made his way home. It had been a long day, some lives had been changed forever. Edward pulled in to the garage and went into the house, the house was dark and silent. He went downstairs to his office, put away his gun and poured himself a drink. He didn’t get a rush out of killing like some people did, but he did get satisfaction from killing Winston. Edward picked up the picture of him and Winston and threw it into the trash. He turned off the light, locked the door and went upstairs to bed. Edward had just stepped out of the shower and saw Elana standing there. “Oh, did I wake you?” he asked. “No, I just wanted to see if you were ok.” as she handed him a towel, she saw the bruises from that the chain had made. “Edward, were did you get those bruises from?” she asked. “Bruises, what bruises?” Edward said.

Elana pointed to them, “Here and here.” Edward looked and laughed, “Oh it’s nothing. Some of the guys and I were fooling around and we got out of hand.” Edward put his pajama bottom on and went to get on the chaise to sleep. Elana walked over to him and took him by the hand. “I wish that you wouldn’t sleep on the chaise. You make me feel like you are punishing me for what happened, it wasn’t my fault!” Elana said the tears began to fall from her eyes. He took his hand and wiped away the tears, “I know it wasn’t your fault, nor am I punishing you. I told you why, it takes everything I have not sleep with you. When I sleep with you, I want you. And like I said before, I know that you are not ready.” he said. Elana rested her head on his chest, she could feel his heart pounding, Edward let out a deep sigh. Elana stepped away and lead him to the bed, she then unbutton her gown and let it slip to the floor. She reached over and untied his pajamas pants, and laid on the bed. “Elana, don’t do this unless you're sure, I’ve waited this long.” Taking him by the hand and pulled him down onto the bed, “Make love to me Edward, make love to me now.” It had been over a year since he had made love, it felt good to be inside of her. He missed the deep moaning she made when he hit the right spot, the way she moved her hips in time with him. Several times he had to stop and recompose himself. He wanted to be sure that either she came first or they came together. He took her long legs and put them on his muscular shoulders, deeper penetration, better pleasure, better fun. It wasn’t long that the passion was more than he could stand. Elana legs began to quiver and she clawing at the sheets, begging him to go faster. He knew that she was Cuming and he was right behind her. He pulled out of her slowly, and eased her legs down. Edward looked down at Elana and kissed her, “Are you alright?” he asked. She didn’t answer. He asked her again, hoping that with everything that had happen he didn't do more damage., “Elana, are you alright?” “Yes” She whispered, “It’s been so long. It’s like the very first time, It was beautiful.” He gave a little laugh and kissed her, “Better than the first time.” Later that morning, Edward woke to find himself alone in bed. When he final did get up

he made his way downstairs to find everyone had already eaten and was dressed. “Well good morning sleepy head,” Elana said and kissed him. “I didn’t expect to see you get up so soon. You want anything to eat?” Edward walked over and take Elana off to one side, he kissed her and held her, “How are you this morning?” he asked. “I’m fine.” He wanted so bad to tell her about last night, he wanted to tell her that he had taken care of everything, but he couldn’t. Just then the phone rang, Elana has about to pick it up, when Edward intercepted. “Hello. Yeah. no. their fine. Ok, ok that’s fine, I’ll see you on Sunday.” Edward smiled, “that’s good. They know what to do with it. Well, I’ll see you then.” He hung up the phone and smiled at Elana and kissed her on the forehead. He was pleased that he wouldn't have to worry any more about her. All her fears left on a steamer heading for South America. Edward got his cup of tea and he and Ray went down stair to the den. “It’s good to see you made it. You really had me worried, especially when we didn’t hear from you. I tell you it’s something I don’t want to go through that again.” Ray said as he handed Edward back the letters, “I guess there’s no need for these now.” Edward took the letters, removed the safety deposit box key went into the office and shredded them. He came back and sat down across from Ray. “No I won’t be needing them. In fact, I hope never to need them.,” Edward said. Ray looked at Edward he could tell that he was still bothered by something. “What’s on your mind.” “It’s nothing, just tired that’s all.” Just then Elana called downstairs, “What are you two doing?” Edward looked at Ray, they both laughed and said, “Nosey!” Over the next few days life for Darci was crazy. It seems that nobody had seen Winston for a few days also. She called Edward and asked if Winston was at the restaurant or even in Connecticut. Edward lied to her and told her that he hadn’t seen him in days. Well, it wasn’t really a lie, he hadn’t seen him in days. He just didn’t tell her that he was dead. One day when Darci checked the mail box she found a small box addressed to her. The

first things she thought was Winston is sending her a gift to make up for being gone so long. She went upstairs and sat down on the couch, placing the box on the coffee table. Darci looked at the box and tried to think what was in it. She reached over and opened it carefully, she lifted the lid to find Winston jade necklace. Now this didn’t make sense, this didn’t make sense at all. Darci picked up the wrapping paper, looked for a return address and found none. This was beginning to drive her up the wall, where was Winston! The next morning Darci called Chen, she wanted to know where Winston was and if anybody knew, he would. Chen agreed to met her in the restaurant around noon that afternoon. Darci arrived for her meeting, she wore a tight leather skirt, heels and a silk blouse. “So you must be Darci” he said, “what can I do for you?” Darci didn’t wait to have a seat, she pulled out a chair and sat down, “I’ve been looking for Winston and I was wondering if you have seen him?” “What makes you think that I’ve seen Winston.” “Well I figured that you may have seen him.” Chen laughed and said, “I wouldn’t worry about Winston, he has moved on the big and better things. Besides, you work for me, not Winston, so from now on you’ll give the money to Tony.” Darci sat there in shock and said, “I work for you now?” “That’s right, you’ve always worked for me. Winston just let you believe otherwise. Now go to work and don’t think about doing anything, because I’ll have you dropped right where you’re standing.” Darci got up from the table and walked out the restaurant. She couldn’t’ believe what she had just been told. She went back to the apartment that she and Winston shared, it was so empty, so cold knowing that Winston would not be coming back. The thought still haunted her where was he. Why would he leave and not even pack a bag. Everything was the same way that Winston had left it. It was as if he had just walked off the face of the earth. Now, what was she going to do, she had fallen in love with him and now he was gone. Over the next several weeks things began to progress, Edward was now the sole owner of the restaurants. Elana’s take-out restaurant was even doing good. Once a week they attended couples counseling and Elana would met individually. She was beginning to make strands in the session, Elana very seldom had the dreams, but there was still a little trouble in the bed room. Ray and Flo left and headed back to Hawaii after they had seen that Elana was doing fine. Ray had developed a relationship with Edward which was good. Ray’s departing words to Edward was, 'Just do what’s right by her and the baby and you’ll have no problems with me.'

Chapter 16 Life for Darci was changing, Chen made Darci move out of the apartment and in with the other girl. He had found a larger place now when customers came by, not only could they get sex but also, smoke opium and anything else. Her life had taken a turn for the worst. Where she was once sitting on top of the world, now she was waiting for johns. Several months later, Darci had settled into her new surroundings. Darci showered and got dressed for Chen’s birthday. Some of the girls had been selected to attend and entertain his guest. Darci and the others were driven over to another location where the party was being held. It was a large room with a hallway that had private rooms to take care of paying customers. There were plenty of couches, tables and chairs also setup for private conversations and the bar was well stocked. When Darci arrived there were people already there. She knew most of them from the night club and the back room. She saw Mr. Kim, he smiled at her and told Darci that he wanted to see here later. Darci stood off to one side to observe the clientele. And that’s when she saw him, he had just walked in with Chen and the rest of his entourage. She hadn’t seen him since, that night at the club and that had been a couple years now. He still had it. He was still as handsome as ever, still looked good. And he belonged to her once best friend. Darci walked over to where he was standing, when two of Chen’s body guards stepped in front to block her way. “It’s ok let her through,” Edward said. “Edward, it’s good to see you,” Darci said. Edward smiled at her, "It’s good to see you also.” Darci give Edward a hug, but his response was distant and somewhat cold. “So how’s Elana and the baby?” “Everyone’s fine, you should call her when you get some free time.” Darci was about to say something else when Chen cut the conversation short and told her you need to get to work. That night Darci and the girls worked the room entertaining the party guest. And through the whole thing Darci kept her eye on Edward. Darci want so badly to get him to herself and ask he if he knew or heard from Winston. But she knew that she couldn’t because of Chen. The liqueur, drugs and sex flowed freely that night. At one point Darci was allowed to serve some coke to the guest. When Darci got to Edward, she knelt in front of him and placed the mirror before him.

Edward looked down at Darci, shook his head with a frown, “No, I’m not into it.” She still knelt before him and said, “You don’t have to worry about Elana finding out. You should try it if you haven’t before.” Chen laughed, “you’re wasting your time. He’s not in to it.” Darci got up and went to the other guest. Even while the others smoked some opium or did coke, he wouldn’t join them. The whole night the only thing Darci saw Edward do was drink whisky, beer and maybe take a pull on a blunt that unbeknown to him was laced with drugs. After some time the drug in the blunt began to take its effect on Edward. Some of the guys took him to one of the rooms down the hall. Darci tried to follow them, but was stopped by Tony, “Now you know he’s untouchable. If he didn't call for you, don't even think about it.” Darci looked over Tony’s shoulder to see what room Edward was being taken into. Some time had passed and soon everyone had forgotten about the drunk guest that were in the rooms down the hall. Darci managed to slip from the party and make her way down the hall to where Edward was at. When she opened the door Edward was sleeping, they had removed his jacket and shoes. He looked so peaceful, like a little child. The room had a video camera hidden in a cabinet. She dimmed the lights set the camera up and turned on the record button. Darci walked over and looked down at Edward, she kissed his on the lips. She stopped when he stirred in his sleep. After a few moments, she unbutton his shirt, pants and removed them from his body. She then removed her clothes and straddled his body and kissed his chest, he smelt so good, his skin was smooth under her finger tips. He smiled at her and kissed her then rolled her over on to her back. Darci opened her legs to receive him and as he entered, he whispered Elana name. Darci was finally having a taste of what Elana had. Edward took her hands and held them over her head, he began to thrush deeper, she moaned his name. “Edward, don’t stop.” He continued, taking his full measure, deeper and harder. She closed her eyes and thought of Winston. Edward felt good. Suddenly, she could feel herself reaching her peek, her thighs began to quiver, suddenly she exploded. Soon after Edward came, he rolled off of her and went back into his drug induced sleep. Darci got dressed and then put Edwards pants and shirt back on. She knew what she did was wrong by two counts, first, Edward was a tong member, and if he wanted her all he had to do was take her. No questions asked. She knew she was wrong for taking him! Secondly, he was her best friend’s boyfriend. She knew that Elana would never do anything like that to her and she knew that Edward would never do it with her if he wasn’t high. Boy, did she mess up. If she ever got caught, Chen and Edward would kill her! She thought about what Winston had said some time ago about how much power Edward and his family had. Yeah, she would keep the tape, one never knows when one may need it. She removed the tape

from the camera hid it in her bra and went back to join the others at the party. Sometime in the early morning, Chen and Tony came to wake Edward up. Edward was already sitting on the side of the bed, holding his head in his hands. “God, my head hurts. What in the hell was in that drink or was it the blunt?” Edward asked. “You don’t remember?" Chen asked. He didn't have the heart to tell him that he had accidently smoked the wrong blunt. Edward continued to rub his head and said, “I feel like my head is about to exposed.” Tony helped Edward up, “Come on, I’ll have one of the guys cook some breakfast and get you something for your head.” “I’ll skip the breakfast and just take something for the head.” Chen then made the comment, “You know what your problem is Edward, since you’ve become domesticated, you’ve forgotten how to have fun!” Edward laughed and held his head, “You go to hell. Domesticate my ass.” They walked outside into the night. The air was crisp, Edward turned up the collar on his navy blue Brooks Brothers wool coat. He wasn’t in shape to drive, so he give another member the keys to his car and rode with Chen and Tony. They drove out to long island to Chen’s beachfront house. It was a beautiful large white house that sat behind a tall gate. In order to gain entry, you needed a code or you had to be buzzed in. They drove up the driveway and parked in one of the four car garage. Once they got inside they went into Chen’s private den. He called it private because no one was allowed in the room, not even his family. The den had just about everything you could hope for, Edward walked over to the bar and got some water. “Chen, you have any aspirins?” Edward asked. Chen opened his desk draw and threw Edward the bottle. “Thanks.” Edward took the aspirins and looked at the pictures that Chen had on the wall. Edward saw a picture of him and Chen when they were kids in Hong Kong. Edward laughed said, “I can’t believe you have this picture of us on your wall, two dirty kids on bikes.”

Chen looked at the picture and said, “I keep it to remind me of our days of innocents. When the only thing we knew about world was how to have fun.” Chen then pointed to another photo, this one showed, a woman with four boys and a small girl seated on her lap. Edward looked at the picture and removed it from the wall, it was a picture of his mother with his brothers and Dorothy when she was about a year old. “Where did you get this picture?” “Uncle gave it to my mother after Auntie died.” Edward’s mother and sister both married brothers, one being Edward’s father Charles and the other being Chen’s father. “I haven’t seen this picture in years. All the pictures of my mother was taken out of the house when she died” he put the picture back on the wall, “I remember we weren’t allowed to mention her name or bring her up in his presents.” Edward went and sat down on the couch and waited for the aspirin to take effect. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was going on 4:30 in the morning. “Damn,” he said, “Elana’s going to kill me.” “Why is she going to kill you?” Tony asked. “I told her I wouldn’t be out late. Damn.” Chen laughed and said, “If I didn’t know any better I’d swear that somebody was pussy whipped!!” Tony and the others burst out laughing, even Edward had to laugh. “Forget you guys. I just happen to have somebody that means a lot to me.” Edward changed the subject and asked, “I've been meaning to ask, who called for Crazy Larry?” “I called Uncle and he sent Larry. Uncle said he didn’t want you to get into any trouble and to let Larry handle it. But you was too quick and handled it yourself.” “Yeah” Tony replied, “you should have seen yourself. It was like you was totally someone else. You wasn’t the Edward we know.” Edward looked at them, “What do you mean, like I was someone else?” “Just what he said, like you was somebody else,” Chen said, “man, we was in shock.

Edward there was a side of you that came out that made even Crazy Larry shiver. I told uncle about what happened even he couldn’t believe it.” Edward got up and walked to a window that was facing the ocean, the sun was just starting to rise, “I hope that I never have to be that person again.” The ride home to Connecticut was long and quiet. When he got to the house the sun had completely risen. Corbin was out with their dog, Champ. Edward waved and walked into the house, taking off his jacket he went upstairs. It had been a long day, all he wanted was to shower and wash the day from his body. He opened the door to the bedroom, and went into the bathroom. Edward trying not to wake Elana, he removed his clothes in the bathroom and got into the shower. The warm water felt good so good that it was making him sleepy. He got out, toweled off himself and got into bed. Elana stirred in her sleep, she moved closer to Edward and continued to sleep. Later that morning Edward, woke up and sat on the side of the bed. His head was still pounding from last night escapade. Elana had just stepped out of the shower, when Edward walked in. At first he handed her the towel, but then decided to dry her off himself. Her slender golden brown body dripping with water, stirred up emotions deep inside of him. Edward began to dry Elana’s back and kissing her on the neck, running the tip his tongue down her spine then kissing the small of her back. Elana closed her eyes and grasped for air. She could feel herself getting wet. Edward then faced Elana and knelt in front of her and began to dry her legs, he held her by her hips and left a passion mark on her hipbone. Elana ran her fingers through Edward’s hair, she found it hard for her to catch her breath. She closed her eyes as he then begin to kiss her stomach, he ran his tongue up to her breast and kissed each one. Elana’s body shuddered, Edward whispered and told her how much he loved her and how much he wanted her. The smoothness of her lips reminded him of rose petals. Edward picked Elana up and carried her to the bed where he laid her down. Her body trembled with excitement, she reached out her hands to and pulled him onto the bed. His fingers felt the moistness between her thighs and explored the wetness. She pushed her hips forward to allow him deeper penetration. As hard as it was to contain himself, he watched her as she grind against his hand. Her back arched, she moaned his name. He could tell by the rosy color of cheeks and earlobes that she was going to cum any moment. His hand was soaked from her sweetness. He looked at her as she laid sleeping. She was everything to him, the very air he breathed. He must love her, he killed a man and order the death of three others for her. He kissed her, got out of bed and went down stairs. Edward picked up the phone and called Hong Kong to speak to his brother Robert. The phone rang several times before it was answered, “Hello, Robert?”

“Edward? Is that you? What’s wrong.” “There’s nothing wrong, I just need you to do me a favor.” Robert was in shock, Edward had never called him before, “Sure, sure what is it.” he asked. “I need you to get Sue Lin to sign an agreement so the boys can come live with me in America. I don’t know where Sue-Lin is, but maybe the boys might or her parents. But I need you to do that for me. Will you be able to?” “Sure that’s no problem, even if I’m unable to locate Sue-Lin, I can get the paper work done. “You plan on marrying Elana?” Edward knew that he was going to be asked that questions and he also knew that the answer that he gave would not be the one his brothers and father would want to hear. “Yes. Before leaving Hong Kong, I brought an engagement ring.” “Oh, I see. I hope you know what you're doing. You know backs will be turned on you.” “I’m aware of what the outcome will be.” There was a sigh, “Well, ok then I’ll start on it in the morning.” “Thanks.” Edward said and hung up the phone.

Chapter 17 Edward was on his way to work, when he Elana called him back to answer the phone. “Edward this calls for you, it sounds like it maybe from Hong Kong.” Edward came back into the house and answered the call, “Hello” he said. The voice on the other end sounded familiar, but he could hardly hear the caller. “You’ll have to speak up, I can hardly hear you.” The caller tried to speak louder, but he still was unable to hear them clearly. Then suddenly someone else was on the phone. Edward sat down he looked like he had seen a ghost. He hung up the phone and sat there for a moment. Elana was standing there looking at Edward, “Are you ok?” “Yeah, I'm fine. That was Sue -Lin on the phone, she has cancer and she’s dying.” Elana didn’t know how to respond to the news. In her opinion, Sue-Lin was not worthy to be considered a mother. There are two types of mothers in this world and wasn’t the first one. Edward looked at Elana with concern, as he wasn’t sure how Elana was taking all of this. “I need to call Hong Kong and see if the boys know about this,” Edward said, he then picked up the phone and called. Dorothy answered the phone, “Hello, Edward it’s so good to hear from you. How’s Elana and the baby?” “Everyone’s fine. Dorothy, have you heard from Sue-Lin?” Dorothy played with him pretending that she didn’t know who he was talking about, “Oh, Sue-Lin. That bitch that left you with two small kids, no I haven’t seen or heard from that Euroslut, why?” Edward knew that Dorothy didn’t like Sue-Lin, she disliked her more than he did, and Sue-Lin left him! “Look Dorothy, I just got a call from Sue-Lin, she just called me to let me know that she was back in Hong Kong and that she was dying of cancer. I mean I find it odd that she would call me. I just spoke to Robert last night and asked him to file papers for me so I can take boys out the country. Now this morning I get a call from somebody I haven’t had contact with in years! I find it strange.” Dorothy continued to talk, then Edward smiled, “Yeah, I asked her about two weeks ago.”

he reached over and took Elana by the hand, “I may as well marry her who else is going to put up with my b.s.” He kissed Elana hand, “Besides we love each other. And that’s all that matters. Well, I’ll call later talk with the boys. Love you bye.” Edward hung up the phone and looked at Elana, “Well, I better be going. You want me to stop by your place and do the books for you?” Elana ran her fingers through his hair, and said, “No, the baby and I will go there later. So when were you going to tell me about you filing papers for the boys?” “I would have told you last night, but more important things came up.” “And was amazing!” as she played with his tie, “you wouldn’t have time for a replay?” Edward smiled, “No, but if you play your cards right, I might be able to fit you in for a nooner.” And smacked her on the butt, Elana kissed him good-bye and watched him drive away. That afternoon Elana, Edward and the baby returned home. Elana could hear the phone ring as she opened the front door, she ran and picked up the phone. “Hello” she asked. “Is Edward there?” the caller asked. The connection was bad and Elana could barely hear. “Who?” Elana asked again. The caller sighed and made a comment to someone that was with them, about Edwards black whore answering the phone. Elana’s forehead winkled up and she responded to the caller, “Excuse me, who are you calling a black whore?” “Look, I need to speak to Edward! Now go get him!” the caller yelled. By this time Edward and Joe had made it inside the house, just in time to hear Elana telling the caller off. “I don’t’ know who the fuck you are. Don’t call here no more. Come to think of it is this that shank ass, trifling bitch Sue Lin?” There was a pause. “Umm, it must be any other woman would have hung up or cussed me out by now. Look, let me enlighten you. You hadn’t seen or talked to him in years. And now you're sick, you think you can walk back in and play the sympathy card? You’ve got another thing coming, the only sympathy you’re going to find here is in the dictionary between shit and syphilis!”

Elana let that information sink in for a moment. “Now, when you call someone’s home what are you suppose to say?” Sue Lin’s voice cracked, “May I please speak to Edward?” “See now that wasn’t so bad. Hold on, he just walked in. Oh it was nice talking to.” Elana smiled a smug smile and handed the phone to Edward, he knew who she was talking to without even asking. Rolling his eyes to the top of his head, she was the last person he wanted to talk to. “Sue-Lin why are you calling, what do you want? If you want to see the boys, call and talk to them. You know how they feel about you, so don’t get your hopes all up.” (sigh) “What! That’s bull-shit and you know it, I never stopped them from seeing you. How many times have you had them waiting for you to visit only to have them be disappointed.” Edward could feel himself getting mad. “What! You must to be out of your mind! You want us to get back together and be a family. Look Sue-Lin I hate to say this but the cancer must be effecting your mind, because there is no way in hell I would ever get back together with you!” He let out a little laugh, “I’m sorry you’re sick, but we have nothing in common but our sons.” Edward said, “no, no not even for the sake of our sons would I ever get back with you.” he paused, “you don’t have to sign the papers, I’m the one with time on my side, not you.” Edward then slammed the phone down and referred to Sue-Lin in Chinese words that he did want Joe to repeat. He then walked into the living room, poured himself a drink, and sat down in his favorite leather chair hoping that the drink would calmed him down. Later that night, David and Michael called Edward, to tell him that they had heard from their mother. Apparently she had also attempted to play on their sympathy, but it had no affect on them. They told her that they were sorry that she was sick and that if they had time between their studies they would come see her. This did not set well with her, because called the evil and they acted just like their father. It was David that reminded her that she was the one that broke promises, not their father. She became enraged and hung up the phone. The boys then wanted to know how Elana and Joe was doing. Edward handed Elana the phone so that they could speak to her themselves. They told her that they could wait to come live with them. Edward picked up the extension, “Father, when will you marry Elana?” David asked. Edward asked David why he needed to know. “Because we want to call her mom instead of Elana. Father, you tell her. I don’t want her to get mad.” You could hear Michael in the background coaxing David to tell her.

“No” David insisted, “You tell her then.” he said. David then gave the phone to Michael, you could tell than Michael was not the shy one of the two. “We call you mom because you are more than a stepmother to us.” Elana was speechless, “Well thank you. I’m honored that you think of me like that.” She handed the phone to Edward and wiped the tears from her eyes. After Edward hung up the phone and joined Elana on the couch. “You know, they really do refer to you as their mother. It’s funny how they have taken to you without even meeting you.” He put his arm around her and Elana laid her head on his shoulder. “So when are they coming?” Elana asked. “As soon as they finish their studies,” Edward answered, “we’ll all be a family then.” Over the next coming weeks, Sue-Lin would make her weekly call to Edward. She was determined that she would cause as much havoc in his household as possible. Sue-Lin had no intention of getting back with Edward, but she did like to mess with his mind. It was true she had been diagnosed with cancer and was told that she had six months to a year to live. She laughed it off and told the doctors that she was determine to have as much fun as possible before dying. Her live-in lover Hans from Germany talked her into trying some experimental drugs that could only be found in Malaysia, so once a month the two of them would go so she could be treated. They rented a little house right in the city so they wouldn’t be have to travel so much, everything was in walking distance. When Sue-lin wasn’t in treatment, she was running with her friends from one continent to another. Friends that came from over thrown countries, trying to live off of their now nonexisting titles. Sue-lin had went to school with several of them while in Switzerland. She didn’t have to front about a title that she didn’t have, wealth was her title. Her family owned one of the largest shipping companies in Hong Kong. And she was daddy’s little girl. She thought about her marriage to Edward, it was a sham to begin with. It was a marriage of convenience, a business deal made by their fathers. Sue-lin knew of Edward and his taste for black women long before she married him. A boy she was dating at the time introduced her to him at a school dance. It was later that same evening the boy told her that Edward wasn’t into Asian or white girls, but into black girls only. She remember she laughed, because you hardly ever saw a black person in Hong Kong! At would be years later after they were married that she would find out for herself. She saw him coming out of a night club with a black woman. She detested being pregnant, who in would want to carry a child in them for nine months,

mess up your body, and then have them clinging to you for another nineteen years! She would have been able to flush Michael, if the nanny had not told on her. But the deal was that after she had the baby, she could leave Edward and kids behind. Her father would settle the broken agreement by giving Edward and his father more than half the shares in his shipping business. Every month Edward and his father got paid! Sue-lin got dressed and had the car brought around to the front. She would go to the hospital and have chemo therapy. She hated having it, it made her sick to her stomach after receiving it and it had taken out all of her hair. Sue-lin walked into the living room and found Hans going over a racing form, “Sue-lin before you go, leave some play money for me, ok.” he begged. Sue-lin looked at Hans with disgust, she was getting tired of giving him money to play on the horse. Whenever he won or got money he had outstanding markers. She remembered one time in Monte Carlo, Hans had ran up a debt so high that when they tried to sneak out of the hotel, they got catch. Hans was arrested and she had to call her father and have him wire money to pay the debt, hotel and bail Hans out of jail. Over the next coming months Sue lin continued to call Edward periodically and harass him and Elana. It got to a point that Edward was tempted to put a hit out on her. But it was Elana that talked him out of it, telling him that he wouldn’t be able to look at his son’s without seeing Sue-lin’s face. Edward walked in the house from work and found Elana relaxing in the living room, he walked over to her and kissed her. “So how was your day.” “Ok except, for our regular caller, you know who.” Edward sighed and flopped down in the chair, he just wanted to be done with Sue-lin once and for all. “I just wish she would hurry up and....” “Edward don’t say that. Even if you can’t stand her don’t say it.” He shook his head and said, “I know, but she’s really getting on my nerves. She won’t even sign the papers, why for the life of me won’t she sign the damn things.” “Edward, she’s a women that’s running out of time. She’s already lost. She’s miserable and she wants to make everyone’s life as miserable as hers. Sue-lin is angry, that’s why she does what she does. So don’t worry about the papers. Like you told her, time is on your side.” Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, the phone rang. It startled Edward, he sat up in bed trying to collect his bearings. By the time he reached for the phone Elana was woke, “I got it, go back to sleep.”

“Hello” Edward asked. “Hello, may I speak to Edward” the caller said. The voice on the other end was a male with a thick German accent, that was not familiar to Edward. But the caller knew who Edward was. “Who is this?” The caller cleared his throat and said, “I’m sorry to be calling you, but I thought that you should know that Sue-lin is dead.” “What! Who is this?” “Oh I’m sorry my name is Hans, I’m a friend of Sue-lin’s. Yes, I called to let you know that she’s dead. She jumped from the balcony.” There was a brief pause, Edward could hear someone pouring something into a glass. Hans came back on to the phone. “I had to have another drink, this has been a day that I will never forget. Sue Lin was upset because the treatments wasn’t working. She had become depressed and stayed in bed the majority of the day. That went on for two weeks. But what really pushed her over the edge was today when she read in the news paper that the doctor in Malaysia had been arrested for practicing without a license. He wasn’t even a real doctor and the people that he took money from was given false dreams and medication. I tried to comfort her by telling her that there are other doctors and not to give up hope. She asked me to bring her a glass of water and when I walked into the room I saw her jumping over. I have not contacted your son’s as I think it would be better coming from you.” Hans said. Edward thanked Hans and hung up the phone. Edward relayed the story to Elana and then turned out the light, ‘Elana you were right, time was on my side.’ Edward did not attended the funeral and had to beg his sons to go. Dorothy accompanied the boys also after begin begged. And of course, Sue-lin’s family was not pleased to learn that Edward would not be attending. He told them that he didn’t want to appear hypocritical by showing up after ten years. Later the day of the funeral, Dorothy called and told Edward about it. It was sad that of all the people Sue-lin knew, only a hand few showed up. Edward shook his head when he heard the news, it was like he use to tell her that, ‘not everyone that smiles in your face is your friend, they only want your money.’

Chapter 18 Somewhere in the East Village, Darci has hiding out. She had been doing a little work on her own. It seemed that Darci had been working at time independently and pocketing the money for herself. She was tired of working for someone else and giving them all the money. She had managed to save quite a bit before Winston’s sudden disappearance. And with what she had taken for herself, she was all set to make her move. She couldn’t stay in New York because Chen would kill her. She was on her way to Hawaii. She would stay there for awhile, make some money and move on again. She was determine she was going to make money and travel in the same process. Darci put the airline ticket in the lining of her leather jacket pocket along with $10,000 worth of travel checks and her ace in the whole, the cam tape of Edward. Tony or Chen wouldn’t expect to look there. Darci slipped the jacket on and walked outside the apartment that she shared with one other girl. Shared, that was funny she thought, neither one of them was there long enough to do anything but fuck and wash their ass. But the girl she shared the apartment with had the same idea as Darci did, she was leaving her pimp also. Darci hailed a cab and went back into Chinatown, she knew that Tony or Chen would be waiting for the money. She didn’t care what they did to her. If she didn’t get killed or too badly mangled she was on her way out of there tonight. Darci had just made it in when Chen, Tony and of all people, Edward showed up. Darci didn’t know what to think, what was he doing with them. Did he remember what happen that night, god she hoped not. At least not yet, she was saving that tape for an emergency, it was going to be her ace in the hole. All the girls brought their earnings and put them on the coffee table in front of Chen. If they didn’t come correct Tony was going to beat them. Darci remembered right after coming there one girl didn’t bring home any money after being out all night. Chen had Tony not only beat the girl, but also all the girls in the house, including Darci. Darci walked up to the table and turned in her money, “This is all I made.” Chen looked at the $150 then looked at her and said, “Where’s the rest of my money Darci?. You keep fucking with my money.” Chen pulled out his gun and pointed it at her. All the other girls ran for cover as they did not wish to be shot also. “You seem to have forgotten what I told you bitch, I will drop you right where you’re standing!” Edward said to him, “No don’t, let me handle it!” he walked over to Darci and slapped her to the floor, “Get up!” he yelled.

Darci laid there on the floor crying and trembling. Edward yelled at her again, “I said get the fuck up!!” Darci didn’t know what to do, she was in shock that Edward had slapped her. Edward reached down and grabbed Darci by the arm, she begin to kick and scream. He then dragged her down the hallway towards an empty bedroom and closed the door. Once they was inside Edward bent down and whisper to her that he was sorry that he had hit her, but she needed to play along if she wanted to live. Darci nodded her head yes and began to scream as if she was in pain. Edward broke a lamp, while Darci made noise by bouncing off the wall and doors. Edward then whispered and asked how much more did she owe, she told him $200. He reached in to his pocket and took out the money. Darci was grateful and kissed him on the cheek. Edward was about the reach for door, when Darci ripped the front of her dress and messed up her hair. “Now open the door” she whisper. Edward grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back to the living room. He then pushed Darci to the floor and gave Chen the $200. “Stupid had the money in her bra.” Edward said. Chen looked over at Tony and the two of them laughed. “Damn, you’d make a good pimp! You’re really getting off on this abuse stuff.” Chen said. Edward grinned at him, “No, I just can’t stand a thief.” Tony laughed, “Don’t we know that.” Edward looked over at Darci who had gotten up off the floor and winked at her, in turn she gave a wink back. Chen and Tony would have beaten her so bad that if they didn’t kill her, she would have wished that they did. After Edward had saved her ass, she decided that it was time to get the hell out while she could. Somewhere on the Hawaiian main island, Darci was looking out of her motel window. She turned and sat on the bed and laughed out loud. Darci couldn’t believe that she made it, she actually made it, freedom. It was so easy, she got dressed to go out for that night and kept going. She had a suitcase packed and just walked out, leaving the girls to believe that she had a trick taking paying her for the weekend. It was too good to be true. She wished she could see their faces when they realize that she wasn’t coming back! Yes, life was looking up, it was her turn to live and if times should get hard all she had to do was send a little video. Over the next few days Darci went sightseeing and pick out good locations to work. She even managed to pick up a few dollars while sightseeing. A few of the guys from the tour wanted to, how should she say it, ‘ taste some coffee’ and she was more than happy to serve. Darci, leased her a convertible car, found a furnished apartment near the beach and worked in

one of the hotels as a cocktail waitress. Soon the men guest at the bar would give her their room number and ask for private parties. Darci didn’t mind with the pay, tips and choochie money, she made out good. When Darci wasn’t working at the bar, she was on the beach “working.” She worked whenever the opportunity presented its self. Tony stopped by the apartment to pick up some money and was told that Darci hadn’t been seen in a while. When he told Chen what happened and if he wanted him to find out. Chen shook his head, “No, she’s been nothing but trouble since Winston’s death. She’ll turn up somewhere. And when she does, we’ll handle it then. Just let her think that she’s gotten away with it.”

Chapter 19 Now that Sue-lin was out of the way, Edward and Elana was free to make plans for their wedding. They decided to get married in Hawaii that Dorothy, George, the boys and Susan could also attend. There was much planning to been done, wish wasn’t easy being thousands of miles from the wedding site. Edward had gotten, Chen, Tony and the boys to be in the wedding. Elana had gotten her two high school friends and two little cousin’s to be in the wedding. Thanks to Elana parents for double checking all the arrangements it wouldn’t have been able to pull off. So many things took place in the coming months. It was hard for Edward to keep pace, but he managed to do it all. One afternoon Edward went into the city to pick up a wedding dress he had specially made for her. As soon as Edward walked in the shop keeper called to his partner to bring out the package. “Hurry bring out the boxes, he’s here.” Edward could hear the partner in the back room struggling to get the box, but in the process, he was dropping everything else. The shop keeper smiled at Edward then excused himself, going into the back room to help his partner. When they did emerge, they brought out two large brown boxes. The men placed them on a large table and opened one of the boxes. Inside was the dress, it was an white silk sleeveless Chinese style dress The long sleeve short jacket was also white silk trimmed with white seed pearls along the edges. They had even made a small drew string pocketbook to match. Edward was very pleased with the workmanship. “This is very nice I’m very pleased with it.” he said. The men smiled and nodded, that he liked the work. Then they opened the other box, inside that one was a man’s jacket made of the same material and the same style. “You like, try on. Please try on.” one of the men asked. “I didn’t order a jacket for myself.” “I know we had much material left over and we decided to make you a jacket to match that of your bride. It is a gift. Our wedding gift to you, from us. After all, you come to us often and have your suits made, you have been very generous to us. Please you take.” Edward smiled and said, “Thank you, it’s kind of you.” He paid them and walked out of the shop with his two packages and drove back to Connecticut. In the coming months Edward spent a lot of time making arrangements for his sons to join him in America. He wanted the transition to be as smooth as possible. He and Elana had gotten school applications from several private schools in the area. Edward had their school transcripts sent to the schools and waited for acceptance. And after sometime they had been accepted in a private day school in Westport.

Meanwhile the wedding was taking shape. One night Elana sat at the dining room table and began addressing invitations. Edward was sitting in his favorite chair, watching television. He was still recuperating from his injury and didn’t go into the restaurants except to pickup receipts and deposits. “Edward, I’d like to send your father and brothers an invitation.” Edward looked over at Elana, it didn’t seem to bother him that if they were invited or not. “I don’t know why you feel that you need to waste postage and invitations when they are not going to attend. The only people from Hong Kong will be Dorothy, George, Susan and the boys.” “I know, but at least it can’t be said that they didn’t get any invitation.” Edward shrugged his shoulders, “The choice is your’s, but it’s a waste.” Elana addressed each one and placed them into a larger envelope, marked “C. Huang Enterprise, Hong Kong.” A month later, the response to the invitations came in, Elana was pleased. However, Edward’s father and brothers didn’t respond at all. It sadden her to think that they would actually go thought with it. She didn’t bother to tell Edward as she knew he was putting distance between them. Elana’s parents had blocked off a several rooms at the hotel were the reception was going to be held. And a suite for the couple. As the time draw near Elana let Edward handle the arrangements regarding the restaurants while they would be away. Edward had planned a surprise honeymoon that was going to take two weeks and passports. No matter how much she tried, he wouldn’t tell her where they were going. Even while making love and at the height of ecstasy, he wouldn’t tell her. Elana, tried to get information again, “Edward, where are we going on our honeymoon?” she asked. “God, there’s just no shaking you, is there?” Elana pinched him in the side with her finger nails. Edward flinched and begged for mercy, “Ok, Ok I’ll tell.” He started laughing again, Elana reached to pinch him again, but he jumped out of bed before she could get him. “I’ll give you one hint and no more, all you need to bring is a bathing suit and that’s all.” he said.

Elana sat up in bed and said, “Just a bathing suit? What about when we’re not at the beach?” Edward smiled one of his mischievous smiles. Elana smiled and throw a pillow at him, “Nasty boy!” He walked into the bathroom laughing and replied, “Yeah and you love it!” Elana got out bed and followed him into the bathroom, “Edward! come on. I need to know what to pack.” Edward turn on the shower, “No, I’m not telling you anymore.” he pulled her closer to him and kissed her, “ No matter how many times you pinch me, or we make love.” Edward then picked her up and stepped into the shower with her. He then backed Elana into the corner of the shower, and began their love process all over again. The months flew by and it was time for Edward and Elana to marry. Chen and the guys had a little get together for Edward and Elana. Chen had asked Edward if there was any friends in Connecticut he would like to attended. Of course, he gave them Liz, Rita, Corbin and John ‘s Address. Chen even sent a limo to pick everyone up the night of the party. Chen didn’t spare the cost, after all he was the only family Edward had in the states. A few days later Edward, Elana and Joe left for Hawaii. When the plane landed at Honolulu International Airport, Edward had arranged for a limo to pick them up. It was pleasant ride, a warm mild breeze was blowing in from the ocean, it reminded Elana of her youth, playing on the beaches. This was the Hawaii that she liked. Life hadn’t always been kind to her, growing up on military bases around the world wasn’t always fun and games. There was times when she had to fight to stay live. Her parents knew that it would not be easy for her as it was not easy for them. Yes, being back opened the flood gates for Elana, it stirred up emotions and feelings that she had suppressed. When they arrived at the Hilton they checked in and was shown to their room. It was a large suite that had a living rooms, kitchenette, bedroom and bath with a large whirlpool. The view from the balcony was breathtaking. It was Edwards first time actually being in Hawaii, lay over's from China didn’t count. Joe was his busy self, turning the television on and off. Elana call you parents to let them know that they had arrived and was at the hotel. The remainder of that day was spent at Elana’s parent’s house. Other family members and friends stopped by to see Elana, the baby and Edward. It had been a long time since Elana had been home, in fact the last time she was home was six years ago. Ray and the other male relatives begin cooking, turning the gathering into a luau. This made Edward feel right at home, especially when it came to cooking. Edward and Ray was good for telling you that the best cooks in the world are men. Something that any smart women would not argue about, if she

didn’t wish to cook. And to put the finishing touches on the gathering, Elana and her cousins did the hula. Elana and Edward went back to the hotel, leaving Joe to spend the night with doting grandparents. It had been along, tiring day. Edward collapsed on the sofa when they entered to suite, “Man, I’m beat.” Elana knelt on the floor and removed his shoes, “I know, you want to take a shower or a bath?” Edward smiled, he looked like a little sleepy boy, “A shower would be fine.” Elana went into the bathroom and turned on the shower and began to remove her clothes. She called to Edward but he didn’t answer, she went into the living room to find him fast asleep. She stood there and looked at him. Shaking her head, she thought it would be a shame to let a good shower go to waste. When she came out of the shower, he was still knock out on the sofa. This time she turned all the lights off except the one in the kitchenette area and went to bed. Downstairs in the hotels lounge Darci was about to punch out for the night. It had been a long shift, but she wasn’t complaining. Her boss had asked her earlier if she would like to work the following Saturday for overtime. It seemed that there was going to be a wedding reception and they may need extra help. “Sure, I could use the extra money.” Darci said, “well, I’ll see you on Monday.” Darci walked out to the parking lot, it was a beautiful night, the breeze from the ocean was just right. She got into her convertible and drove over to a local nightclub where the action was nonstop. Darci pulled up to the nightclub’s front door, the bouncer who was a body builder, named Kimo. He walked over to the car and opened the door for her. “Well, I was wondering when you was going to show up.” Kimo said with his perfect smile. Darci smiled and got out of the car, “So now the fun begins.” Kimo removed a small bag from the trunk and handed it to Darci. As soon as Darci opened the door to the club and walked in some of her regulars began to whistle and clap. “Calm down, calm down, you guys act like you really miss me.” Darci walked to the back of the bar and into the dressing room. Inside sat a dancer named Candi, she was a bleached blond from Wyoming. Her parents

owned a large dairy farm. Candi was in Hawaii going to college, at least that’s what she told her parents. Instead of her going to school, she decided that she would become a dancer. “Boy am I glad you showed up, they want us to do our dance together.” Candi said. Darci laughed and said. “See, I told you that they would like that lesbian shit.” Darci changed into her costume which was a gold lima thong with a matching bra that was missing the cups. Darci slipped on her gold heels, and said to Candi, “ Come on girl let’s go make us some coochie money.” Which made Candi laugh, she just loved it when Darci called it a coochie. The bar was packed with sex hungry men. When the music was cued up for Darci and Candi to come on stage the men went wild. The girls danced, performing suggested sexual acts upon each other and doing positions that only an acrobat could perform. A man jump up on stage and wanted to join in on the act. Kimo and Micky, another bouncer, had to remove a man from the stage and out of the bar. When the dance was finished, Darci and Candi had made a little over a hundred dollars, not counting want was thrown on stage. Sometime around three in the morning after the bar had closed, Darci, Candi, Kimo and Micky went to an all night diner for breakfast. The four of them had developed a good friendship. Kimo liked Darci a lot and wanted to be more than just friends. He hadn’t worked up enough nerve to tell his intentions, but he would tonight He remembered having a conversation with Darci right after she started working at the bar, that she reminded him of his cousin in some ways. Darci laughed when he told her this saying, “If you have a cousin that does what I do, she’s in big trouble.” “No,” he remembered saying, “some of your mannerism are like hers. She’s tall and slender, like you. The way you tilt your head.” Darci smiled at him and said, “She must be your favorite cousin.” “She is.” Kimo replied. They was about to walk into the diner when Kimo held Darci back, “You guys go on and get a table, we’ll be in, in moment.” Darci looked at Kimo and asked, “What’s wrong?” Kimo cleared his throat and ran his fingers though his long wavy black hair, “Darci, I don’t know how to say this, but...”

Darci could see that Kimo was having a hard time saying what was on his mind. “What are you trying to say, just take your time.” She smiled. Kimo took Darci by the hand and said, “Darci I really care for you and want to be more than a friend. I ....” Darci put one finger up to Kimo’s lips and said, “I feel to same way about you too.” Kimo smiled, he took Darci by the hand and joined the others in the diner. “I know this is at the last minute, but I was wondering if you would like to come to my cousin’s wedding this Saturday. She’s the one I told you about, the one you remind me of.” “Oh, I wish I could, but I already promised my boss that I would work this Saturday.” “The reception is going to be where you’re working, I’ll stop in to see you. Maybe when you're on your break, you can meet her, you two are so much alike.” Kimo said, “I really would like you to met her before she leave for the main land.” After breakfast, Candi and Micky went their separate ways. Sometime around noon Darci woke up and looked over at Kimo who was fast asleep. His tanned muscular body was beautiful, Darci bent over and licked Kimo’s nipple. Kimo opened his eyes and smiled “You need me to satisfy you again?” he said. Darci smiled it was nothing like good sex in the morning, she gave him one of her do I need o ask looks. And with that, Kimo rolled over on Darci and kissed her, “Open wide.” Darci obliged and was glad she did. He brought out feeling that she had long deny herself, feeling that she hid when she was with ‘other men.’ The next day Elana and Edward met with the Wedding consultants face to face, all before it had been done with a fax machine and with Elana’s parents. She and Edward was pleased with the plans. And the final stop was the bridal shop. Elana drove to her parents house to drop off Edward. Elana drove over to the Hawaii Royal Mall and went to the bridal shop. When she got there the other girls in the bridal party was there waiting. Everything went like clockwork, it was too good to be true. Everyone’s dress was just right and the only adjustment that had to be done was to Elana’s waistline. The seamstress at the shop told Elana to come back in about an hour and the dress would be finished. The girls walked around the mall and went into buy last minute stuff. When Elana returned, the dress was finished.

That evening some Chen and Tony arrived. Edward and Elana met them at the airport. It was their first time being in Hawaii and just like Edward a layover didn’t count. As Tony and Chen walked down the ramp, it was Tony that pointed out Edward. By the time they had gotten their luggage, Elana had brought the car around to pick them up. She was leaning against the car when they came out of the terminal. Chen nudged Tony and said, “You was right she’s got more curves than the wall of China.” Tony laughed. remember Tony?”

Edward greeted them, “Chen, this is Elana,” he said, “Elana you

“It’s nice to met you Chen, and how are you Tony, still playing chicken?” she asked. Tony looked at Edward and smiled, “I guess you didn’t buy it.” Elana smiled and said, “No. I didn’t.” Edward put their bags into the trunk and drove them to the hotel. In all the years that Elana had been with Edward he had never brought her around any of his associates besides Winston. Even at her birthday party, when she asked who they were, he just told her, associates and their wives. And since Winston’s sudden disappearance, Edward never really mention anyone else, but Chen and Tony. The less she knew the better. “So Edward, now I see why you have kept Elana a secret.” Chen said. Edward didn’t response, he knew that Elana could handle Chen and Tony without any help from him. “Are you always so full b.s.” Elana asked. Chen laughed and said, “Only when I think I can get away with it.” Tony looked at Chen, “So Elana, you think you could hook us up with some girls.” Edward laughed, “You guys are not going to start anything where for me to clean up.” “Man we would never do anything like that. We want to be able to come back.” Tony laughed. Chen was in agreement, “That’s right. We promise we’ll behave. Boy Scouts honor.” Edward almost choked on what was just said. Elana laughed, “Boy Scouts! Do I look like I just fell off the boat with you? There’s no way that I’m going to let you guy’s loose with my girlfriends or my cousins.”

They looked to Edward for some help, but he was too busy laughing. Before they knew it they had arrived at the hotel. Elana pulled up front so they could get their bags and check in, while she parked. Chen and Tony’s room was down the hall from Edward and Elana’s suite. Their room also had an ocean view with two queen size beds. Edward walked them to their room and said, “Once you guys get settled in, we can go out to get something to eat and take in some sights.” “That sounds like a good plan. We’ll see you in about hour, how’s that.” Chen said. When Edward did come from the room he was fully dressed, “Come on you two, Elana will met us downstairs at the restaurant” Edward said. When Elana arrived she asked if they would prefer to go to the Chinatown district and eat. They all got into the car and went to enjoy “real Chinese cuisine. The meal had to be good Chen, Tony and Edward ate like there was no tomorrow. “I feel like I never left home. It reminds me of my mom's cooking.” Tony said. When they finally finished, they could hardly walk out of the restaurant. By the time they go back to the hotel, the only thing that Tony and Chen wanted to do was sleep. The next morning it was Ray’s turn to drive Edward and his friend around and got fitted for their tuxedos. That event went over without any incident and they all managed to return home without getting drunk. At times Elana watch her father and Edward interact with each other, it made her feel good to know that they got along. Her father was really enjoying himself. During the course of the evening, Ray had pulled Edward and his friend off to his private room. It was in this room that was off limits to Elana and Flo, it was his domain. Ray started it off by giving them a drink of homemade wine. “Here’s to my future son-in-law. A man that takes care of business in more ways than one.” Ray said and winked his eye at Edward. “seriously, I’m glad that you are the man that is marrying my daughter. I knew that you really loved her when you took care of that situation.” Ray stopped and looked at Edward as he was unsure if Chen and Tony was aware of the attack incident. “It’s ok they were there when the situation was taken care of.” Edward said. Ray then continued to speak, “Then you know that what he did was because he loves her. Elana has been hurt by so many men. When they find out that she is mixed, they run the other way.” “That’s their lose and my gain.” Edward replied.

“Edward is your family coming to the wedding?” Chen asked. Edward took a sip of wine, “The only ones that will show up are Susan, Dorothy, George and the boys.” Chen and Tony both acknowledge his response. Ray shook his head in dismay, “Your father and brothers will not attended?” he asked, “that’s too bad. Is it because she is half black?” Edward got up and walked over to a window that overlooked the backyard. Elana was with her mother watching Joe play in a kiddy pool. “Yes, I’m afraid so.” Edward replied. Ray, Chan, and Tony could hear the sadness in Edwards voice. “That’s too bad, she’s a nice girl. None of us have a choice what family we are born into” Chan said. He was all too familiar with Edward’s dilemma. Ray took a sip of wine and looked at Edward, “I can remember when I first started going with Flo. We both was in the Army. Everywhere we went people stared at us and pointed at us. And when Elana was born that gave them something else to talk and point at. Edward, Have you always had this love for kapu ? ” Edward looked at Ray, “Kapu?” “Kapu, means forbidden, taboo” Ray replied. “Ever since I was about sixteen. Have you always had this kapu?” Ray laughed, “My father would say, you not right in the head since you tasted the forbidden.” Edward smiled and said, “Your father was right.” “Your life is going to be hard if you let negative people influence you. The two of you must become one, each of you watching each other's back. Together you can beat the world, divided you will fail.” Edward acknowledged what Ray was says. He was right Edward thought the two of them must stand together. Flo stood at the ‘man cave’ and knocked, all she could hear was R &B music, muffled voices and laughter. Suddenly the room got quiet, and Ray cracked the door open, “What, were we too loud?”

The smell of alcohol and cigar smoke made Flo take a step back when the door opened, “Elana’s tired and she’s ready to leave.” He closed the door and relayed the message to Edward. Suddenly laughter erupted from behind the closed door. When they emerged from the room Flo wanted to scream, Ray had managed to get Edward, Chen and Tony drunk, he alone came out sober. “Daddy, how could you do this to me!” Elana said, “now, I have to get three drunks back to the hotel.” Ray laughed, “Their not drunk, their happy. Come let me get them in the car for you.” The ride to the hotel was quiet, because they slept on the way there. Elana pulled in front and attempted to get them out of the car when she spotted her cousin Kimo coming across the parking lot. “Kimo?” she called out. Kimo looked in the direction the voice came, “Hey cousin.” As he gave Elana a bear hug that picked her up off the ground. “It’s good to see you.”Elana replied as she tried to catch her breath. He peeked into the car and saw what Elana was up against. “Umm, looks like you got your hands full. Wait here, let me help you. I’ll be right back.” Kimo went into the lobby of the hotel and reappeared with a luggage rack. “Kimo what are you going to do with that?” Elana asked. “Just watch” he said. Kimo took Chen, Tony and Edward then sat them on the luggage rack and pushed them into the lobby. “Now go park the car.” Elana parked the car and returned to help Kimo with the luggage cart. As they entered the lobby all you heard was snickering and camera flashing. She was embarrassed, but it was funny and decided to take a couple of pictures of her own. When they got up to their room Kimo put Chen on one bed and Tony on another. He then wheeled Edward down to their room and put in also in bed. “Thanks Kimo. I’m glad you came along when you did. What brings you here anyway.?” Elana asked. Kimo smiled, “I came by to pick up my girl. She works here in the bar.”

“Will I see you at my wedding?” “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” he replied, “I better go. Oh yeah, tell your future husband to stop drinking Uncle Ray’s homemade brew.” Elana laughed, “I’ll be sure to tell him.” Kimo went back to the lobby and went into the hotel lounge to find Darci just finishing up. “Hi baby, how was your day?” he asked. Darci smiled and kissed him, “Not bad and yours?” Kimo laughed, “I just saw my cousin when I came up, her future husband and his friends were drunk so I helped her get them to their room.” Darci looked at him puzzled and asked, “How did you get them to their rooms.” “I put them on the luggage rack.” he said. Darci laughed, “Come on let’s go. Did you eat yet?” “Not yet, I was waiting for you.” Back at Darci’s apartment the only meal that was serviced that night was her butt naked on the bed. Sometime in early morning she was able to put Kimo to sleep. Darci got up and went into the bathroom and showered. She liked Kimo, he made her feel loved something that she hadn’t felt in a long time. The love-hate relationship that she and Winston had couldn’t compare to this. At least Kimo didn’t beat her and degrade her. Darci stepped into the shower and tried to forget her life in New York. If she played her cards right, she could have the sort of life that Elana had. She wondered how Elana was doing, she wanted to call her. But after running off the way she did, she didn’t want to risk Edward finding out. Darci got out of the shower and put on a night gown. When she went back into the bedroom, Kimo was still sleeping. He opened his sleepy eyes and smiled, “There you are. I was wondering where you went to.” “Did you miss me.” “I always do” Kimo replied. Darci got back in bed and cuddled up next to Kimo. “I’m here now, let’s go back to sleep.” she said.

That morning just as the sun was starting to rise Elana got up and joined some of the hotel guest down on the beach for ti chi . When she got back up to the room, she found Edward still in bed. Half of his back was hanging off the bed, he wasn’t aware if he was in the world or not. Elana got into the shower and got ready for the day. She then ordered room service and had them bring up some fresh fruit. Elana was sat on the balcony when Edward staggers out to join her on the balcony. Flopping down onto a chair and held his head in his hands. “How’s your head?” Elana asked. “What was in that stuff you father gave me to drink.” Edward said, “I feel like my head is going to explode.” By the time room service arrived the waiter brought the platter and placed it on the table. The waiter looked at Edward who was still holding his head and asked, “Is there anything else I can get for you?” “Yes, coffee and some aspirin?” Elana replied. The waiter smiled and walked towards the door, “I’ll be right back”. Elana walked over and stood behind Edward and began to message his shoulders, neck and the temples of his head. Edward was like putty in her hands, “Does this make it feel a little better?” she asked. Edward leaned his head back and let it rest on the back of the chair, “Ummm, that feels good.” he said. Edward took Elana hand and kissed it, “Did I tell you how much I love you and how lucky I’m to have you?” he said. “Your actions are much louder than words.” Elana replied, she then bent down and kissed him. After room service arrived, Edward showered and dressed. He called to Chen’s room, after several rings, Chen picked up the phone. A sleepy voice answered the phone, “Yeah?” “Chen, wake up. Are you guys still alive?” Edward asked. He could hear Tony in the background mumbling about something. Edward asked, “What is Tony mumbling about?” Chen laughed and held his head, “Tony asked if it was ok to bust a cap in your father in laws ass for give us that wine last night.” he said. Edward laughed and said, “Yeah, I know how you guys feel.”

“You know I kept dreaming about weird shit, it was strange. My heads killing me, what the fuck was in that shit anyway?” Chen said. Tony took the phone from Chen and said, “Let me tell you, man Elana’s father should market that stuff and call it the head buster. Man, he needs his butt shot. That shit will kill you.” Edward laughed. “Well, I just called to see if you guys made it through the night. You know something, I don’t even remember getting back here last night?” Edward turned and looked at Elana, “Elana how did we get back here last night.” Elana smiled and replied, “You don’t want to know, if you guys could have seen your selves. Tell them tomorrow is the wedding, so they may want to take it easy today. We’ll get the tuxes this evening from my parents.” That afternoon, the flight from Hong Kong came in. While they waited for them to come through customs, Edward began to pace. Elana could see that he was excited about his sisters, brother-in-law and sons arrival. “What’s taking them so long.” he said. Elana took him by the hand and said, “Every things OK. So stop worrying.” A few minutes later, they walked out. The boys spotted Edward and ran over to greet him. A man fitting the description of George took pictures of everyone. Elana wanted to laugh, because he reminded her of a typical tourist. Elana stood off to the side and watched Edward greet each of them. She could tell see that he had calmed down once he saw them. They all walked over to where Elana had been standing. Dorothy was the first to greet Elana, “I finally get to met you”, she said, “this is my husband George.” George was hesitated, unsure if he should bow or shake Elana’s hand. To solve it, Elana gave a short bow and told him that she was happy to met him. Susan was all smiled, “It’s so nice to meet you. It’s good to see brother happy again.” as she gave Elana a hug. “It’s good to met you also.” Elana replied “Yes, it’s good to see him happy. He was so miserable when he was in Hong Kong.” Dorothy said. Elana looked over at Edward, he and the boys were in deep conversation. When he

looked up and saw everyone smiling at him. “Elana, I want you to meet my boy’s, David and Michael. Boy’s, this is Elana.” Elana smiled and opened up her arms to hug both of them. The boys walked over to Elana and hugged her, kissing her on the cheek. Michael pulls Edwards arm to get his attention, “She’s look better than most moms I know. She's a keeper.” "I'm glad to know that she meets your approval." Edward laughed. "She's defiantly a better choice than their mother." Susan replied, "which is one reason why I will not succumb to an arrange marriage." Edward chuckled, "And we all thought it was because no one wanted you." Susan laughed and pinched him on the arm, "Ouch!" "Is everything alright?" Elana asked. Susan smiled, "Everything's fine. Just telling big brother how lucky he is." "I keep telling him that." and answered him, Elana laughed. They managed to get everyone and luggage into the van, it was the first time that any of them had been in US territory, except for Dorothy. Elana gave them a short tour on the way to the hotel. They kept saying that they had heard so much about Hawaii. They were glad that the wedding was being held here. “I’m glad you like it. It was Edwards idea to have it here.” Elana said. Edward looked at Elana, he knew that she had just made that up. Because he hadn’t really thought about where to have it. “Oh really.” Susan said. “He felt that it was be much easier for everyone and my family to attend.” Elana said. “Your family lives here?” Dorothy asked. “Yes,” Edward answered. Elana gave a little laugh and said, “George you have been taking picture ever since you got off the plane are you going to have enough film?”

He smiled, “Oh, I hope that I can buy more while I’m here.” he replied. Edward laughed and said, “Sure, we’ll stop so you can get some.” They final arrived at the hotel. Tony and Chen had been out by the pool doing what they do best, flirting with all the girls. Everyone was shown to their rooms, the boys room was joined by a door to Dorothy and George’s room. Susan’s was directly across from Chen and Tony’s room. “Well, I hope everyone is pleased with their rooms. We’ll let you get settled in and then later this evening Elana’s parents are having a Luau for us. It's an Hawaiian feast. So everyone rest for awhile and around 4p.m., we'll leave.” Edward and Elana had just returned back to their room was watching television, when there was a knock on the door. Edward went over and opened it and found David and Michael standing there. “Come in. They want to know if they can be with us for a while.” he said. Elana smiled and said, “Sure come on in.” Michael came in and made himself right at home by seating next to Elana on the couch. Edward laid on the floor with David beside him. Before long Michael had inched his way closer to Elana. He looked at her said, “Mom, can I sit next to you?” “Sure, you can." Before long, Michael laid his head on her lap and fell asleep. Elana looked down at him and smiled. Is this what it was going to be like, the five of them lounging around on weekends the smell of cookies coming from the kitchen? She hoped so and smiled. Edward got up off the floor and was about to wake him when Elana stopped him. “Don’t wake him. He’s OK.” Edward looked at the two of them, it was as if they had known each other all their lives. Elana was the mother that Sue Lin would never have been to his son’s. He could tell that she would love and care for them as if she had birth them herself. By this time tomorrow, his family would be somewhat complete. All that was missing now was to have a daughter. That evening everyone met in the lobby to go to the Luau. Elana’s mother came over to pick-up and drove the girls to the house. Edward drove the van with all the guys to his in laws house. Once they arrived at the house, the party began. Elana’s relative made Edward’s family feel welcome the moment they stepped in. It was as if they knew each other all their lives. And once again the men took over and did the cooking.

Ray brought out his supply of homemade wine and sat it on the table were the men had gathered. As soon as Tony saw it he said, “Oh no, I’m not touching that stuff! I’m just starting to feel like my old self again.” Ray laughed, “Why? What happened to you last night?” Tony just shook his head and said, “I’m staying away from that stuff! This morning I felt like the top of my head was blown off.” Chen and Edward both agreed with him. “What in the hell is in it” Chen asked. Ray smiled, “Can't tell you.” “And you don’t won’t to know, trust me, you don’t won’t to know.” Kimo chimed in. Kimo shook Edward, Chen and Tony’s hand, “Hi, I'm Kimo, Elana's cousin. It’s good to see that you survived Uncle Ray’s wine from last night. Yeah, when I saw the three of you, you guys didn’t know if you were in the world or not.” “We met you last night?” Edward asked. Kimo smiled and said, “Well, I met you guys. I’m telling you, you guys were tore up from the floor up. I helped Elana get you guys to your rooms.” The three of them could only shake their heads in disbelief. “I had to put the three of you on luggage rack and take you to your rooms.” “No, there’s no way. I would have known it.” Edward said. Kimo laughed, and called Elana to come over. “I’m telling you brother it happened.” Elana walked over to where they were at, “Cousin, thanks for last night. There’s no way I could have done it without you. So what’s going on here?” “I was just telling them that they were smashed beyond recognition.” Kimo said. Elana put her hands on her hips and nodded her head, “You three was pathetic last night, with the help of my father. Oh, here’s the proof.” As she pulled out her cell phone with the

pictures. Edward took the phone , looked at the picture and shook his head in disbelief as he passed the phone to Chen. “Oh man, I can’t believe this. Ray I can’t hang with you! How could you let me go home with her drunk!” Edward said. Meanwhile in Hong Kong, Charles Huang and his sons boarded a plane for Hawaii. Once the plane took off, Charles sat back and got comfortable for the flight. He thought about when his secretary, Elizabeth, brought in the large white Eed Ex envelope and put it on his desk. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he knew that it was from Connecticut. He could not think of any reason why Edward would be sending anything to him, without telling him first. Charles opened the envelope and found four smaller envelopes inside addressed to his sons and himself. He read the invitation and placed his invitation along with his sons in the 'In basket'. Glancing at his watch, he had just a few minutes to take care of a few more things before his doctor’s appointment. He would think about all this when he came back later. Later that day, Charles sons showed up at the office. It was James that spoke, “Father did you also receive an wedding invitation from Edward?” “Yes. I did.” “I don’t understand, why he would go ahead with this farce. Apparently he does not care about family values. And it doesn’t bother him if he is no longer apart of this family.” Robert said. Charles said nothing, he let his sons go on about Edwards lack of family interest. And all the other stuff that no longer bothered him. Life was too short. Little did they know that he had already had his secretary book three for business class and one first class. That had been several months ago, now here he was in Hawaii. His sons could not understand how he could go back on his words. He would not tell them, but he had his reasons. Charles had gotten rooms in the same hotel. The reservationist wanted to put them on the same floor as the other guest, but he told her no. A limo was arranged to pick them up at the airport and would also drive them to the wedding. When they got to the hotel, they checked in and went up to their rooms. This is where they stay until the next day. That night when everyone was back at the hotel. It was hard for everyone to get to sleep. Elana had planned on staying at her parents' house. That way she could get dressed then leave with her parents for the church in the morning. Elana went up to the room to get a few items to take back. But Edward stood in the doorway of the room, preventing Elana from leaving.

He raised his hand and touched her cheek, “I don’t what to spend the night alone.” he said. “It’s only for tonight." she said as kissed him on the cheek, "Tomorrow we will be together forever.” Edward pulled her closer to him, “Stay with me until I fall asleep then.” Elana looked at him, she had never seen him act this way before. “Edward, is everything alright?” He held her tighter, “Yes, everything is just fine. I just don’t want to be alone right now, that’s all.” Elana took him by the hand and lead him to the bed. She removed his shirt and his shoes. She was about to take off the dress she was wearing, but Edward stopped her. “I don’t want to make love. I just want to hold you until I fall asleep.” They got into the bed and he held her in his arms. There was no need for words, Elana could almost feel the pain in Edward. Something was trouble him and he didn’t want to speak on it at the time. After sometime had passed she spoke, “Edward, please tell me why you’re in so much pain.” “That’s what I love about you.” he said. “you’re so receptive of my feeling and thoughts. You and I were meant to be. It’s our fate. After tomorrow, you and our son’s maybe the only family I will ever have. I cannot ask those that do not agree with my father to choose sides. Your father told me about the problems that he and your mother went though. He made a statement that will always stay in my mind.” “What was that.” “He said our life is going to be hard if we let negative people influence us. We must become one, each of us watching each other's back. Together we can beat the world, divided we will fail.” “He was right.” Neither one of them spoke another word. Soon Edward dozed off to sleep. Elana got up and slipped her shoes on her feet. She stood there and watched Edward sleep, he looked so peaceful. She bent down and kissed him on the lips. Edward smiled and without opening his eyes and said, “You’re leaving now?”

“Yes” she replied as she picked up her dress and put it on. “Drive carefully and I love you.” he said. Edward then turned over and continued to sleep. Early that next morning Elana got up, she found it hard to sleep. She was about to call Edward when the phone rang. It was Edward, he sounded so sad. When the bridal party arrived the next morning, the house turned in a mad house. It reminded Ray of Elana's her pajama parties when she was growing up. It was too much for him, so this morning he packed up his belongings and went to his private domain. And waited until he was needed. Back at the hotel with an hour and half to go, Edward forgot where he put the ring. He called down to Chen and Tony’s room in a panic, shouting in Chinese about the ring. Chen went down to see what was going on. When he got there, he found Edward on his hands and knees in his socks, shirt and underwear crawling on the floor. Tony walked in behind Chen and laughed. “If you knew what you looked like down there, you’d get up.” he said. Chen had to calm him down by getting him a drink. “She’s going to kill me! Chen, she’s going to kill me!” Edward kept saying. “Calm down Edward, it’s got to be here somewhere. Where did you have it last.?” Chen asked. Edward shook his head and said, “That’s it, I don’t remember.” Tony picked up the phone, “What’s Elana’s parents number?” Edward jump up and took the phone away from Tony and said, “What are you crazy! She can’t know that I can’t find the ring.” Tony snatched the receiver back, “Look either you tell her you can’t find it or get killed.” Edward looked at Tony and dropped to his knees, “OK, you kill me now. Because if she does it, she going to make me suffer.” Chen and Tony burst out laughing “Oh go on and laugh, you might be thinking, ‘That sweet little thing wouldn’t hurt a fly.’ Yeah keep thinking things like that, it’s these ‘sweet ones’ that turn on you. Next thing you know there’s a spoon stuck in your chest.”

Chen and Tony are breathless with laughter. “A spoon in the chest?” Chen snorted, “why not a knife?” Edward looked at them as if they were crazy and shouted, “Because it will hurt more! Now stop laughing at me and help find the damn ring.” Soon it was time to get dressed Flo helped Elana put her gown on. She stood back and tilted her head to one side. “This is a day that every daughter and mother dream of. This is your day baby.” Flo said. Flo wiped her eyes and smiled, “You’re a beautiful bride” Elana started to cry, “Oh mama, I’m so happy." she said, “I better stop crying so I can put on my makeup.” Elana looked into her cosmetic bag and saw the box that the ring was in. Elana laughed because Edward had put it there for safe keeping. She pick up the phone to tell him that she had the ring. “Hello” Tony answered. “Hello Tony? Did I dial the wrong number?” Elana asked. “No you have the right number. We’re just in Edwards room helping him get ready.” Edward got up off the floor and began to pace the floor, swearing in Mandarin and shake his head. “You want to talk to Edward?” When Edward realized who Tony was talking to, the look of shear panic sweep over his face. Edward shook his head no, The last person he wanted to talk to was Elana. Chen thought the whole thing was too funny. Here's this guy that killed his business partner, terrified to tell his soon-to-be wife that he can't find the ring. It was price-less. Tony handed the phone to a reluctant Edward, “Hey baby how everything?” “I just called to tell you that I have the ring. Remember, you put it in my cosmetic bag?” she asked. Edward was a little hastate about answering, he then cleared his throat and answered, “No, I didn’t forget. Well, you bring it with you to the church. I’ll see you there. Love you.” Edward hung up the phone and said, “She had it all the time. I put it in a bag with her make-up.”

Charles stood on the balcony with his son’s and watched the excitement below. They could see George taking pictures of everyone standing next to Edward, his grandsons looking up at their father as he placed his arms around them. Dorothy appeared to be fixing something on Edward’s jacket, while Susan was brushing the back of it. Chen and Tony were to be too busy looking at girls. Soon everyone got into a van, Edward, Chen and Tony rode off in the limo for the church. All this time while they were watching, no one spoke a word. Thomas looked over at his father, somewhat expecting him to comment on what they had just observed. Charles walked back inside and sat on the couch to watch television. Thomas turned to see if their father was out of hearing distance, “Father has been acting strangely ever since he received the wedding invitation.”, Thomas said. “Yes, I have noticed it too.” Robert said, “especially if Edward’s name is mentioned.” Charles looked out towards the balcony and said, “What are the three of you conspiring about?” Thomas came into the room, “It was nothing, just talking about the weather.” he said. James and Robert came in and sat down. “The limo will be here to pick us up soon.” Charles said, as he put on his jacket. Just then the phone rang, James answered it, “Yes, we will be down shortly. Thank you.” Charles picked up a small red envelope and placed it in his suit pocket, “I have taken the liberty of also preparing liaise for each of you to give. We would not like to appear rude.” The limo pulled up in front of the church and let Charles and his son’s out. When they stepped inside an usher asked if they were with the groom or the bride. “We would like to be seated near the back.” Charles requested. The usher seated them amongst friends of Elana and asked, “Would you like to sit in this row?” Charles nodded, “Yes, this will be just fine.” As they waited for the wedding to begin, Edward, Chen and Tony came in along with the minister and stood in the front of the church. From where Charles sat, he could see that Edward was nervous and was fidgeting with his tie. It reminded him when he brought Edward his first suit and tie. Edward kept saying that the tie was chocking him. The thought, put a smile on Charles face, that wasn’t something that he did on a daily basis. But then again, it wasn’t everyday he saw Edward happy. Things change, just like the seasons and he had changed too.

The pianist sat down and began to play Luther Vandross’s, “Here and Now” with Kimo singing it. Everyone stood when the bridesmaids entered and began walking down the aisle in, their pale blue strapless satin dresses , with shoes to match. Next was Ray standing with Elana at the back of the church. Her white satin strapless gown flowed just above her shoes as she walked. She had put her hair up and wore a simple all white orchid haku headpiece. She carried a floral arrangement of white roses with baby's breath. Edward watched Elana walk down the aisle, she seem to float her movement was ever so slight. Edward glanced over at Dorothy and saw that she and Susan crying too. George was taking pictures and the boys, the boys were all smiles. Chen patted Edward on the shoulder and whisper, “She’s beautiful Edward.” Chen was right is beautiful. When they reached the front of the church, Ray took Edward hand and placed Elana’s hand into his. He then walked over and took his seat next to Flo. His baby girl had grown up and starting a new chapter in her life. He squeezed Flo’s hand to keep for crying. It wasn’t a long ceremony, but it seemed like any eternity to Edward. The last time he was this nervous was when he and Sue Lin was married. One thing he was sure of, Elana was nothing like Sue Lin, thank God. They exchanged their vows the rings, the minister pronounced them man and wife. Edward took Elana in his arms and gave her a long passionate kiss. Causing the guest and family members to cheer and clap. Charles sat there and watched his youngest son, show the world how much he loved this women. Thomas, Robert and James shook their head, they could not believe that Edward would go through with it. In their minds, from that moment on they no longer had a brother. Thomas smiled a wicked smile, but his was for a totally different reason. Now he had a better chance of taking over the ‘organization’ now with Edward out of the way. He couldn’t believe that Edward through with it knowing that their father would disown him. Edward walked his new bride out of the church without even noticing his father or brothers. Charles and his sons managed to slip though an exit without anyone ever noticing them. They had the driver bring them back to the hotel where the reception was also being held. When they arrived they waited in the lobby until more people showed up. Charles did not want to be the first one in but didn’t want to be the last either. Charles was seated in a chair that offered a view of everyone that entered the hotel lobby. It was from here he saw Dorothy, Susan, George and the boys when they arrived. They were quite surprised to see Charles and their brothers there. The boys ran over and gave their grandfather a hug. “We didn’t expect to see you here father, as a matter of fact, we didn’t expect to see any of you.” Susan said.

Charles looked at Susan sternly and replied, “Is it a crime that a man is at the same place his son is staying or getting married?” “I just meant that we all know how you feel about this.” Susan knew any time he made her brothers come, deep down inside that he had a change of heart. “I understood what you meant.” Dorothy attempted to smooth everything over hoping that her father would not cause a scene took him by the hand. “Well it’s good that you came. Let’s all go in and be seated. So father when did you arrive?” as they walked towards the banquet room. It was a large room with six large round tables covered with a blue table cloth and white napkins on either side of the room. In the middle was a wooden dance floor, a long table was at one end. Off to one side of this table was three tier wedding cake with white roses and silver candied pearls. On the opposite side was an ice sculpture of a Chinese dragon and phoenix, surrounded by punch and hors d’oeuvres. They were seated near the bridle table on one side of the room. Elana’s parents came in shortly after and sat down at a table on the opposite side of the room. It was a short moment afterwards that Flo and Ray walked over to greet Edwards family. George stood and greeted Flo and Ray, “Please, come I would like you to met Edwards father and brothers.” Charles and his sons stood and shook Flo and Ray’s hand. “It’s nice that you came. Edward is a fine young man. We are happy to have him as part of our family.” Ray said. He already knew how Edward’s father felt about the situation. But he was not going to let him know it. “It is a pleasure to be here.” replied Charles. There was one thing about Charles he could be very diplomatic when the occasion called for it. Flo smiled and said, “Well I hope that you’ll be staying for a few days afterward. Perhaps we can get together before all of you leave.” By this time the banquet room was almost full. “Well, I think we better get back to our table. We’ll be back later, but please make yourself at home.” A few minutes later the DJ walked up to the microphone, “I would like everyone to stand and welcome Mr. and Mrs. Edward Huang.”

Everyone stood and began to clap as Edward and Elana walked in with the wedding party behind them. They walked over to the bridal party table and sat down. Edward looked over to his left and that’s when I saw his father and brothers. Edward leaned over to Elana and whispered to her that his father and brothers were at the table with Dorothy and the others. Elana glanced over to take a look. She couldn’t understand why they never replied , but she was glad that she had counted them anyway. “Did your sisters say anything about them coming?” Elana asked. “No, from looking at their faces, they are just as surprised as we are.” Edward replied. Elana sat there unsure of what to do, she hadn’t planned on Edwards father and brothers. She knew that they objected to Edward marrying her, she knew that they didn’t want anything to do with Joe or any children that they may have together. She looked at Edward he didn’t say anything, but she could feel it. She loved he too much to see him go through all of this. Elana got up from the table and went over to speak with her father. “Dad, I need your help. Edward and I didn’t know that his father and brothers were coming. And now that they are here, I feel that we should a have a tea ceremony.” Edward walked over, “What is going on over here?” “I was just asking my father about have a tea ceremony for your family?” Elana said. “I really don’t see the need to have one. Dorothy and Susan are just fine without the tradition.” “Please, let’s do this. At least it can’t be said that we totally disrespected them.” She pleaded. Edward let out a deep sigh, although he was against it he agreed, “Fine, if that’s what you want to do, we’ll do it.” “Father would you arrange for it in our suite.” she said. Ray smiled and said, “Don’t worry about it everything’s going to be just fine.” Edward and Elana went from table to table and thanked each one for attending the wedding. All through this process, guest tapped their glassware, a single that they wanted the couple to kiss. At one point Edward whispered, “If this keeps up, we’ll need chap stick with all this kissing” Elana looked at him and they both laughed. Edward then walked Elana towards his family table, “We may as well get this over with.”

he said. As they approached the table, the men stood up to greet them. The boys walked over to greet them, “Father, you and mother look so nice. Aunt Dorothy and Aunt Susu have been crying through the whole thing. Isn’t it a time to be happy, not sad?” Michael asked. “No, they're just happy for father and mother.” David said. Edward took Elana’s hand and lead to her to where his father was seated. Charles and his sons stood when Edward and Elana approached the table. “Elana, I’d like you to met my father, Charles Huang.” Elana did not dare to look directly at his father, she did not want to show disrespect. Elana gave a short bow and said, “It is indeed an honor to have you join us today.” “It was kind of you to invite us” Charles replied. Edward then introduced her to his, brothers, “Elana these are my brothers, Robert, James and Thomas.” Elana bowed and also greeted them. Edward held Elana ever so close that he could feel her heart beating. As they danced the first dance. This was his day, he was going to show his father and brothers that he loved her, she was his wife. After the song ended, Ray walked over to Elana and Edward and told them that everything was ready waiting in their room. “I’ll go on ahead and change. By the time you bring them up stairs, it’ll be ready.” Elana said, she kissed Edward and walked away. Ray, Flo and Elana left the banquet room and went towards the elevator. Elana didn’t see the women partly hidden behind a marble column on the other side of the lobby. She wasn’t aware that it was someone that knew her well. When they reached the room, they found Ray’s mother watching television. Joe laid on her lap sound asleep. “Tu tu why don’t you lay him in the bed?” Elana said. “He’s ok, it’s not every day I see my great-grand son. Leave him alone.” Elana smiled and went into the bedroom to change into the dress that Edward had brought for her. Edward walked over to the table where Chen was holding a conversation with one of Elana’s

cousins. Chen excused himself and spoke to Edward, “Is everything alright? your brothers have come. ”

I see uncle, and

Edward sighed, “ I guess every things ok. Elana wants to have a tea ceremony in the room for them.” “Why? Man, get away with all that tradition. That’s why uncle and your brother’s are acting the way they do.” Chen replied. “Well in any case, I’ve got the job of bringing them up to the room. It’s going to be the longest damn ride on a elevator in history.” “I don’t envy you in anyway.” Chen give a smile and patted Edward on his back. Edward go up from the table and walked over to where his family was at. Susan was on her way back to the table when she stopped him. “Is everything alright?” “Sure, why do you ask?” Edward said. “We saw you and Elana speaking with her parents. And then we saw her leaving with them. Well, Dorothy automatically assumed that Elana was upset with you.” Edward picked up an Chinese sweet cake from Susan’s plate, “Umm, not bad, I’ll have to take some up to the room for later tonight.” Susan took the cake from his hand, “I’m talking to you and your thinking about sweet cakes!.” Edward laughed, “Susu, you and Dorothy need to stop worrying. Every things just fine.” he took back the sweet cake and bit it, “now come on.” Edward walked over to his father, “Father, Elana and her family have set up a tea ceremony for you. Would you please come with me up to our room.” Charles looked at Edward and said, “It was not necessary for her family to go to such means.” “Elana and her family are doing it out of respect.” Edward asked them to follow him to the room. The ride on the elevator seemed like an eternity, the silence was driving Edward up the wall. Finally he broke the ice, “When did you arrive father?” “We arrived yesterday afternoon.” Thomas replied.

Edward turned and stared at him, he hadn’t forgotten what Thomas and Miko had done. “I wasn’t speaking to you. I was speaking to father!” Charles feeling the tension between the two, “Stop this at once!” By the this time the elevator stopped and opened its doors. They followed Edward down the hallway to the suite. He found Elana, her parents, and Ray’s mother holding Joe. “Please come in, we have been waiting.” Elana said. Tutu spoke, “I will take the boys into the bed room until you are finished.” Edward walked over and picked up a sleeping Joe from Tutu’s arms. Dorothy kissed him on his cheek and said, “He’s a sweet child.” She looked over to see her father looking at the child and wondered what he was thinking. When he glanced over at the child. Edward went into the bedroom and laid Joe on the bed. When he returned Elana was in the kitchenette area prepared the tea. Her hands shook as she poured the hot water into the teapot. “It’s alright.” Edward said to her. Edward carried the tray with the teapot and cups to the coffee table. Elana came into the living room and began to pour the first cup of tea. She and Edward both carried then cup and kneeled before Charles and handed it to him. When Charles took the cup from Elana, she in turn did something that was not part of the ceremony. She began to speak in Chinese to Charles while her head was still lowered, “I beg you, please do not disowned your son. I can live with knowing that you will never acknowledge me or our children. But I cannot live with myself knowing that my husband will never see or hear from his family after today. Please don’t do this.” The room remained in silence except for the soft cries coming from Elana. Charles sat the tea cup down on the coffee table. “I wish to speak to Edward and Elana in private.” It was Ray that suggested that everyone go back down to the reception. He then went into the bed room and brought Michael and David out and joined the others downstairs. Everyone followed Ray out of the room leaving Edward, Charles and Elana alone. Charles spoke to Elana, “There is no need for all of this. Please get up.”

Edward helped her up and sat he next to his father. “Neither one of you are aware as to why I’m here.” Charles paused and took a deep breath, “I wish to see my son marry and my new grandson.” Elana and Edward were stunned. “I don’t understand, what do you mean father?” Edward asked. Charles looked at Edward, “Since you left Hong Kong I have had time to reflect on things. I am an old man that is set in his ways, at least that is how believed myself to be. But I realized to disown you and your family is not only denying your children their heritage, but I’m hurting myself by not having the pleasure of knowing them. Life is short and no man knows the hour in which he is to leave.” “Father is there something wrong? Is it your health?” Edward asked. Charles smiled and replied, “Just old age” Elana looked up to see Tutu standing in the bed room doorway. “It is a very wise thing that you have done. My father disowned me when I married Ray’s father. On my father’s deathbed it was said that he continually called for me with his last breath.” She walked over and took Charles by the hand, “Come, come see your grandchild.” Charles followed her into the bed room and found Joe fast asleep. Charles smiled and whispered to Tutu, “He reminds me of Edward when he was that age.” Edward held Elana close, kissed her and whispered in her ear, “What you did was very noble. Thank you for bringing us together as a family. Did I tell you that I love you today?” “By your actions.” She replied. In the hotels lounge bathroom, Darci sat in a stall and cried. She had seen Elana with her parents getting on the elevator. She wanted so much to go over to Elana and congratulate her. This was the cousin that Kimo wanted her to meet, if he only knew that years ago they were the best of friends. Darci came out of the stall and wiped her face. She stood in front of the mirror, staring at a face that no longer looked familiar to her. She had the same hopes and dreams that Elana did, why should Elana have all the luck. Why should Elana be happy, she deserved to be happy and she was determined to have it all too, come hook or by crook.