Senior Chen breathed in the airy scent of nature and appreciated the breathtaking panorama before him. He gazed at the water as it drifted downstream with the high noon sun glistening over its wrinkles like the brilliance of black diamonds and listened to ballads of the birds, the whistles of the wind gliding through the trees.
This was the blissful solitude most people yearned for, but unlike them, Senior Chen never enjoyed being alone. One of the many reasons he and his wife clicked, was because they were both lonely growing up, longing for siblings. Thus, they were thrilled upon discovering they would have twins.
This was the wedding gift he gave to Adele, her favorite place. A myriad of memories was created at this cabin, just like a Parfait it was layered with the sweet, the nutty, and the sour, but it was perfect. He sat in the wicker chair on the first floor of the dock with his eyes glued to the black lake and murmured, "An empty house but your voice still echoes and your scent still lingers."
"Sir, the area is secured. They are approaching now," the head of security announced behind Senior Chen.
Senior Chen muttered, "Lewis, why does it feel like the calm before the storm?"
Lewis, the head of the bodyguards concurred, "It always is when that person decides to show up."
Senior Chen exhaled loudly and stood at the rails, his knuckles showed up white on the wooden banister as he glared at the land on the other side of the lake, confused about this particular appointment. He closed his eyes briefly upon hearing the clicks of shoes approaching behind him and when he opened them again they were devoid of emotions. He spun around with a forced smile upon hearing the gruff voice said, "Old friend, it has been too long."
Senior Chen stared at the man standing before him and hummed, "Indeed. How have you been, Percy?"
The man named Percy stood before Senior Chen with a bent back posture, supported by a Derby handle diamond-studded walking cane. He had very distinctive features with his bulging eyes, a wart on his chin, and buzz-cut grey hair. His smile was bright with subtle hints of mischief. Senior Chen looked at the lanky-looking man putting on a show.
"Well, you know no complaints. If it wasn't for seeing you the news I would have thought your children and grandchildren had already put you in a pod and turned you into a tree," Percy snickered.
"I could say the same for you. If you hadn't made this appointment I would've thought your enemies had already sink your body deep into the ocean."
The two men laughed heartily at their comments, hugged, and patted each other on the backs. The maid directed them to the table on the dock and quickly brought over their lunch.
Senior Chen sipped on his water and asked, "Which dark hole did you come out from?"
"Why ask when you know? It sounds like you aren't pleased to see me."
Senior Chen's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he eyed the man sitting across the table. "No, I was just wondering what could make the almighty Percy Long visit me after so many years," he said, deadpan.
Senior Chen has known Percy Long for over five decades. He was known as the King of Publishing, building his company from the ground up by any means necessary. They were as thick as thieves but at some point, their friendship became strained. Although there was no bad blood between them, whenever they meet, Senior Chen was constantly wary of Percy because he was like a leech.
Percy pursed his lips, "X, don't be so cold-blooded. I just wanted to visit my old friend before I close my eyes."
Senior Chen continued to eat the grilled fish and laughed, "Nonsense, I'm quite certain you will outlive me."
They sat under the umbrella after their meal and started to play Go. While Senior Chen was exuding serenity during the game deciphering the moves, Percy was tapping his cane on the wooden floor, bothered by both the game and his sole purpose of this visit.
Percy calmed his anxiety and probed, "I heard your granddaughter is around, how is she?"
The corner of Senior Chen's mouth twitched and he played dumb, "Alexis is good now, she's in remission."
"I mean Gabriel's girl. I heard she came back recently. She must be a breath of fresh air in the house, huh?"
Senior Chen made his move on the board and mused, 'It's only been three days and you already know she's here. You sure as hell live up to your title, Fantasist.' He lifted his head and flashed a broad smile, "Indeed. Both of my granddaughters are like that, they have My Beloved traits."
"Adele would have been proud of that if she was still alive. She was gentle and hot-tempered but always the social butterfly. Such a pity she went down like that."
Senior Chen massaged the back of his neck and hummed in agreement. Talking about Adele with this man evoked many pleasant memories and also a few dreadful ones that he'd wished to forget. During those times he used to confide in Percy a lot since he was the closest thing he and Adele had to a brother. He was present throughout their marriage, the birth, christening, and growth of their sons, Damian and Gabriel. He also helped Senior Chen through the passing of Adele. However, little did they know, there was an invisible line between altruism and reciprocity in Percy Long's dictionary. He's an opportunist who doesn't recognize the value of camaraderie and tramples on others to get what he desires. They say that darkness tries to eradicate light and when it doesn't succeed it creates a shadow instead. Percy Long was this shadow.
Percy had a veiled expression but his mouth twitched upon seeing the color drained out of Senior Chen's face and said, "I heard Damian's daughter is marrying Elaine's grandson. That's a powerful union."
"Yes," Senior Chen asserted as he snapped out of his daze, "Lexi and Toby have been together since university, it's high time they tie the knot."
"What about Gabriel's girl? Who will she marry?"
"Why do you ask?" Senior Chen could see from a mile the response that was coming. He had known Percy has another intention to meeting him other than simply catching up. His time was so precious that he wouldn't waste a minute on things that has no gains.
Percy chuckled, "Do you still remember our pact? I think we should fulfill it now."
"I'm listening."
"You once promised me the marriage of Gabriel and my daughter but that didn't take place. So let your granddaughter and my grandson fulfill what their parents couldn't. Then all will be forgotten," Percy proposed.
Senior Chen was like a pressure pot, boiling on the inside but refused to whistle under tension. He had discovered this proposal coming from the first mention of Alyssa but he did not think Percy had the balls to ask this of him given their history. However, it was exactly because of their history that he took off his mask and suggested this. This was his sole intention of this meeting. The loyalty Senior Chen had for Percy had long perished, therefore he didn't care about his opinions and pointed out, "I've learned my lesson the hard way, so I won't be matchmaking again. Besides we need to let the young people live their lives."
"These young people don't even know what's good for them and if we leave them be, they will have numerous relationships and abortions before they are ready to settle down. It's only right for us elders to make the right decisions for them just like how our parents did for us."
Senior Chen pursed his lips, "Times have changed and I won't force Alyssa into marriage as I did with Gabriel."
"You can't back out of your promise, Adele would prefer this marriage than to have the family name tarnished."
"Is that a threat?" Senior Chen placed his stone on the board and glared at Percy.
This was the first time Percy has seen the dominant side of the man across the table. The Xavier Chen that he knew was easy-going, charming, funny, and cultured. Percy knew his old friend's deepest, darkest secret, so he wasn't fearful of him and pushed through like a lawnmower, "If you buy it like that then... it's just time for you to repay my kindness."
Senior Chen was furious but kept his calm and said, "For old time's sake I will ignore your threat but let me make it clear, neither I nor my family does not owe you anything, and as I said before, I will not make the same mistake twice. Even if it was up to me I still wouldn't choose your family for Alyssa, she too extraordinary and..."
The rapid footsteps moving towards them interrupted Senior Chen. As both men looked in the direction of the sound they saw Lewis with the phone to his ears and an anxious expression on his face. He leaned down to Senior Chen's ears and whispered, "Miss Alyssa and young master Lucas were in an accident. I was informed by the bodyguards that they have been taken to the hospital. The car is ready for us."
Senior Chen nodded and held his composure in front of his guest. He stood and apologized, "Sorry, something urgent has come up."
"Okay, I should leave too." Both of the men walked to the driveway with their respective bodyguards in tow. Percy was deeply annoyed because the meeting didnt go according to his plan and added, "Sleep on our conversations and call me when you make a decision."
"There is nothing to think about. I've already made my decision and it's no."
"Are you sure that's the road you want to take? I guess you're not afraid of your granddaughter knowing you're the reason for her father's death."
Senior Chen halted by the opened car door. His hands trembled upon hearing Percy's statements. He ignored him and proceeded into the car. He deliberated, 'Misery like company.'