As the metal bird slowly landed on the tarmac, the sun was s.h.i.+ning shyly, as clouds were seen covering the glowing might.
A man in black overcoat emerged from the opened door. He ran both hands in front of his lapels downwards as he smoothed out the creases. He puffed out his chest proudly and lifted his chin; and snorted at the gloomy weather. Large aviator gla.s.ses were covering his dark brown eyes as he scanned the surrounding area.
"Tsk! No welcoming party for us? Those people have been slacking, huh", he scowled inwardly.
He ran his fingers on his slightly wavy hair before he slowly turned around and offered his hand to the lady behind him.
Two slender long legs stepped out of the airplane door. A pair of jet black stiletto heels descended on each steps of the ladder as the large, masculine palm enveloped her hand and walked ahead of her. The s.h.i.+ny, red-lacquered soles clicked and clacked softly on the metal stairs as he guided her to step down from the plane and finally landed firmly on the dusty tarmac. Her brunette hair slightly swayed from the soft breeze around her.
Few men in black suits followed behind them as they exited the plane while carrying brown and gold monogram suitcases. Trunks of luggage case were brought out from the plane. They were transferred into the awaiting rows of black SUV cars.
Leading at the front was a dazzling black Chrysler 300 series limousine. Upon seeing his master stepped down from the plane, a poised, middle aged man in black uniform held the car door opened and patiently waited for his master and mistress. One hand covered in white glove was holding the door while he put his other hand on his abdomen and slightly bowed his body when the man and wife entered the car one after another.
Charles and Helen slowly relaxed themselves once they were seated inside the luxurious car which could fit twelve people. Charles went to the middle section of the limousine and sat on the quilted leather seat. He was facing a built-in mini bar and an interactive 24 inch LCD monitor. He reached out his hand and opened a champagne bottle that was on the wooden table in front of him. He poured the golden sparkling liquid into two crystal gla.s.ses and pa.s.sed one to his wife.
Helen was seated near the door. She slowly stretched out her legs and took off her shoes. A quilted leather purse with two metal buckle at the front at the shape of overlapping "C" letter was thrown carelessly on the seat next to her. As her husband offered the gla.s.s of champagne, she lazily reached out a hand to receive it, while the other hand was taking off her sungla.s.ses and also threw them to the side of the sofa.
"Where are we going now?" Helen"s signature low and husky voice slowly asked her husband the question, before her lips touched the rim of the crystal gla.s.s and sipped a little.
Charles leaned back on the sofa and crossed his legs. One hand was holding the gla.s.s, while another hand was unb.u.t.toning his dark blue suit jacket. "Let"s go back to the penthouse first. I"m sure you want to freshen up after that flight," he answered while lifting the gla.s.s to face the skylights on the car ceiling. He softly sighed while he was admiring the sparkling bubbles lazily.
She was staring down at her perfectly manicured fingers, and when she heard his replies, she lifted up her face and looked at him, "No. I want to meet them right away!"
Charles finally left his gaze from the ceiling. He tilted his head while giving her a tired look. He slowly turned his head to look at Helen, he squinted his eyes and sighed while saying, "Dear, they will not go anywhere soon, what are you rus.h.i.+ng for? We argued with father the whole night. I am tired, you are tired. Can we PLEASE rest for a while?"
He spoke each words slowly, as if he was talking to a five-year old kid. He especially stressed his tone on the word "please" as he locked his eyes with Helen"s.
Upon hearing his words, she snorted softly and Helen turned her face away in disgust to look outside the window. From afar, she could see the iconic landmark of this city, the Oriental Pearl Tower gradually appeared in her sight.
He waited for a while. When he did not hear any further argument from his dearest wife, Charles slowly stretched out his hand to grab the cordless phone on the bar. He dialed a b.u.t.ton, and the call was quickly picked up by the driver.
"To the penthouse," he said curtly and then he hung up right away after finis.h.i.+ng his words.
The long, black limousine slowly cruised the highway towards the concrete jungle, with the man and woman inside who barely spoken any words to each other anymore.
Pairs of eyes were looking at the two women who were in a staring contest. Shao Yan stood her ground while waiting for Risa to respond. She promised herself and also her team that she would not back down easily.
Her beautiful cheekbones slowly relaxed. Risa could feel that her gaze is warming up to Shao Yan and her att.i.tude. Her lips slowly curved up, "Very well, project manager Shao. You got my attention." She raised her wrist and looked at the time, "I will give you fifteen minutes. And if you can not convince me during these fifteen minutes, please redo the deck," she lifted her face and looked at Shao Yan, "You have to redo the whole thing." She tilted her head and threw a challenge look at Shao Yan, while raising up her soft eyebrows, "Deal?"
Shao Yan slowly curved her lips and her round eyes shone brightly. She then pursed her lips and gave a firm nod, "You will not be disappointed," and then she stepped to the side, and stretched out her arm to behind her. All five fingers were pointing towards the direction of where she came from, "After you, Miss Yamaguchi."