Chapter 9 – Haunting Past
“Mum! Dad! I’m so glad to see you again. Here, let me help you with your luggage!”
Vanessa runs forward to hug her parents before helping Mr Ho to push his trolley across the concourse of the arrivals lounge at the beautiful Hong Kong International Airport. Mrs Ho follows closely behind and Michael takes her hand luggage from her.
“Auntie – let me take that!” he offers, he is still a little shy around his prospective in-laws.
“My car is just in the car park – it isn’t very far!”
“You won’t be calling me Auntie for very much longer!” laughs Mrs Ho.
“Wait – there is still one more person!”
A man rushes through the sliding glass doors of the restricted area, clutching his case and his documents. Panting a little, he puts his passport away. Vanessa runs forward and gives him a hug.
“Big Brother! You made it! I thought you weren’t going to be back!” she calls.
The hug is reciprocated and he turns to Michael and puts out his hand.
“Hi, I’m Frankie. Nice to meet you.”
“Pleased to meet you too – I’m Michael, but you know that already…” laughs Michael nervously as he realises the closeness between this brother and sister.
“Hey, you’ve done well to win my sister’s heart – you’d better take care of her or you’ll have me to answer to!” Frankie laughs with a reassuring wink. Then he looks around to see who else is around and is a little disappointed when he doesn’t find what he is looking for. Michael is a little bemused as he herds them off towards the car park.
Vanessa spots her brother’s disheartened expression and totally understands what he is thinking. She sides up to him and whispers mockingly:
“She’s filming so she couldn’t make it – you’ll catch her later!”
*
“Wow – British chocolate! For some reason it just tastes so different and so much nicer than the stuff you get out here!” Gigi points out as she and Auntie Sin tuck into their presents from Mr and Mrs Ho. They have come over to make sure all is in order and to welcome their friends back once again.
“Well, old Ho. I bet you didn’t think you’d be back here again so quickly!” chuckles Auntie Sin as she shares a drink of tea with her old friends. She and Eva’s mum used to live next door to the Ho’s before the families emigrated.
“And after you all promised to look after my daughter for me!” taunts Mr Ho, but he is secretly pleased that his daughter has found a good husband and will soon bear him a grandchild.
“Well, we have found her someone to look after her permanently now!” replies Auntie.
Meanwhile, out on the balcony, Eva and her childhood friend Frankie share a reminiscent moment.
“Who would have thought that little stumpy girl who used to come to our house would end up as such a popular TV star?” comments Frankie.
“Hey! Don’t laugh at me… I never planned it this way! How have you been lately without me keeping an eye on you?” defends Eva.
“Not much really, working part time in IT – like everyone else over there at the moment, but the markets are quite tough so I’ve had to go back to mum and dad’s restaurant to help out. After all it is about time they enjoyed life.” Frankie shows his total commitment to his parents.
“That’s good, at least you get to see them more… I wonder how my folks are doing.” Eva suddenly thinks about how much she misses her own family.
“Oh, your folks are fine – they are very proud of you, but you know Chinese families will never tell you that!” says Frankie reassuringly.
Eva changes the subject.
“So you’re little sis has overtaken you! Have you managed to find yourself a Mrs Ho yet?”
Frankie is a little hesitant with his response:
“I’m… I’ve been waiting for my special person…”
“Oh? And who is this who doesn’t know a treasure when she sees one? I must know her – after all, I have known you since I was born!” continues Eva.
“Eva, I really want to tell you…” Frankie starts.
“Eva! Frankie! Come and get some sago pudding! And there’s some huge lychees here as well – better come before Gigi gets them all!” calls Auntie from inside the room.
“What do you want to tell me?” asks Eva to Frankie
“Umm… I just wanted to say that there is some food on the go and we’d better go in and get some!” Frankie decides to keep his words for another day.
*
A car is parked on the side of the road in the leafy suburbs of the mid-levels. Across the road is the gate to a beautifully peaceful convent. From the front seat of the car, a shape recognisable as Anthony is watching over the entrance, anticipating something of interest. This is journalism at its peak.
Anthony’s efforts have not gone to waste, the gate to the convent swings open and a tall, medium built man walks out. He is wearing a baseball cap over long, shoulder length wild looking hair and sunglasses, but through the disguise, you can tell this is Louis or at least someone who looks very like him. Anthony pulls out the long lens of his camera and snaps a few shots before noting where the man is going.
The Louis-twin hurries off down the hill and jumps into a car. Anthony recognises this as Louis’ car so he follows him as the car starts and speeds off. An expert in the art of tailing stars, he manages to keep on the back of Louis’ car and follows him all the way back to Louis’ apartment. To the surprise of Anthony, the man who steps out of the car has removed his cap and wig and he can clearly see that the driver was Louis all along.
Anthony is overjoyed. He pulls out his mobile phone and dials a number:
“Hello, is that the Caritas Sanctuary? May I speak to Julia Wang please, I am a friend of hers!”
*
[ November 24, 2002: Message edited by: Em ]