Offer To The CEO

As Yao Tan and Anna exited the restaurant, Yao Tan turned right rather than left which would have taken them back to where they had been dropped off .

Moving slowly Yao Tan spoke "Anna, I just wanted to show you a couple of things before we leave the area, so you understand some things to tell James . When the triplets were born, calling this area a dump, would have been kind . It literally was the worst area in town . As I said earlier this was the only option where I could live, work and afford to care for the children without spending hours per day travelling and wasting money better spent on the triplets . "

Pointing to a building across the street, he continued, "I was able to convince my parents to loan me enough money, at a commercial rate, to purchase a tiny one-bedroom apartment in that building . I was considering renting a two-bedroom apartment but its rental was more than what the loan repayment on the one-bedroom apartment was . "

"All it had was a small bedroom, large enough for three cots and then a bunk-bed and single bed when they were old enough along with a cupboard for their clothes . The lounge was bid enough for a sofa bed, where I slept, and a chest of draws and small cupboard for my clothes . It had a tiny kitchen, bid enough to cook in, and a cupboard in it for a was.h.i.+ng machine and dryer when I could afford to buy them . I could also fit a table and chairs for us and there was a small bathroom . "

"Any money after the loan repayment and living costs was also paid off the loan . When the triplets started school, which my parent"s paid for thankfully I started to use the equity I had to buy other apartments in the area, building up a property portfolio to support the triplets should something happen to me . We remained in the neighbourhood until they were ten, and by that time I owed the building . Over the last seven years I have purchased three other building, which all generate income allowing me to repay my parents for the children"s education costs and their help . "

"Why are you telling me this?" quietly asked Anna .

"Alecia took the move the hardest . Shop owners like Mama and Papa, and if I am realistic even criminals in the area as well as people in-between all fell in love with the triplets . Alecia became their little princess . Since we moved into the apartment I have made each of them come back and work in one of the shops for a couple of weeks, to learn the value of everything they have, but Alecia spends more than that here . "

"The people in the area will be here to protect the three of them . James needs to know that . By the way, the real reason I brought you here is that I wanted you to come to a meeting with some people who most would call less than savory . They, are as protective of me and the children as possible . They protected us, as they and others in the area realised quickly I was a young vulnerable single parent . A couple of them, while you and Amanda were talking to the artists messaged me . They said that they had information that I needed to know about . It made me wonder what they know . "

A few paces further along, from behind Anna heard a voice . "Tan, we thought we told you to come alone . "

"Snake, I should tell you to slither away, but this is not anyone . You know Alecia married on Friday . " As Yao Tan finished speaking a tattooed slim man, moved around in front of them .

"So you told me Bug, but why in world did you let her marry anyone?"

"Snake, she blackmailed me, so what could I do . "

"Some piece of …"

"Snake, you might want to stop . This is Alecia"s sister-in-law, Anna . "

"Oops . Nice to meet you . Everyone calls me Snake . "

"Hi Snake . "

There was a few seconds pause, as if Snake was thinking or recalling something . "Hang on, you married that CEO, what is his name …"

"Snake, you are thinking of my friend Hou Yi . "

"That is right that Toff that would often come down here when you went back to school . "

"Snake, can we go somewhere to sit down?"

"Come on, follow me . " They started to walk down a narrow alley way between two buildings . The alleys twisted and turned to the point that Anna felt lost, and about ten minutes later they reached a door, which Snake opened for them .