Sat.u.r.day, continued …After the toast, Junior and Ton looked like they were about to leave the stage ignoring a couple of things, so Alecia moved towards the microphone and indicated to her father to hand it over.
"Dad, before everyone gets sidetracked into their own things with this party, I have a couple of things to say. Junior and Ton, thank you for being the best father two brothers a girl can have. You have been a rock in times of trouble. While our lives are different from what we expected twelve months ago, and we are now taking different paths. Remember that you will always be my brothers and nothing will change that."
"Dad, thank you for being who you are, our rock and our support, the one who makes us strive to achieve. We can only wish you and Amanda the best for the future. Now, given your birthday is on Monday, can I ask everyone who is here to raise their gla.s.ses, and …" Alecia turned and looked at her brothers, who reluctantly raised their gla.s.ses "Happy Birthday Dad for Monday." Everyone in the around echoed the happy birthday, and there were Mr Yao"s and Yao Tan"s through the crowds.
With a nod of Yao Tan"s head, the birthday cakes were brought out and placed at the front of the stage. After Happy Birthday was sung, the cakes were cut, and the cakes were taken back out to be cut up for everyone. The wait staff started to circle around again with trays of food for everyone to eat, and more drinks.
Junior and Ton realised that given the attention had been focused on them that the could not put into place the plan that was spoiled, but at least the attention was on them. People started to come up and talk to them.
Alecia, however, with James slipped off to the side. "James, did Uncle Yi tell you what time our flight to Singapore is?"
"No, we will have to go and ask him."
With that they walked over to Hou Yi and Anna, who were quietly sitting,seemingly lost in each other"s eyes. "I hate to interrupt the love fest here …"
"Shut it James. If you were not my brother."
"Calm down Anna. You know you need to keep calm, and why."
"Spoilsport. I do not need you playing nurse."
"Well that is what I am, so settle down. Yi, I forgot to ask what time the flight is?"
"7pm James."
On checking the time, James and Alecia realised that Alecia needed to start saying her farewells, so that they can get ready to depart for the airport. James lent down, and whispered "We need to start saying out goodbyes, so we can change and head out."
Alecia nodded and with James accompanying her, she headed to to the gift tables and opened those gifts and cards for her separating them into two piles, one to take with her and the other to remain here until they returned. When she was finished Alecia requested a hotel staff member to take the items she was taking with her to her and James" room.
With James accompanying her Alecia then started to make her way around the room, speaking to the guests. When she reached Jessica, Melissa and Sally they were talking to Junior and Ton who seemed happy that Alecia"s best friends were talking to them.
Alecia knew that Junior had a crush on Melissa and Ton on Sally, they and Jessica tolerated them for her. Alecia wondered to herself things would change while she was away. If Melissa and Sally were determined to have nothing to do with her brothers romantically while she was away, it would crush their dreams and make them move on with their lives, while preserving her friends.h.i.+ps.
Alecia b.u.t.ted in and gave her friends hugs, reminding them that she would be in contact once she was settled in Australia, and they could talk. James gave each of Jessica, Melissa and Sally a hug and a kiss on the cheek indicating it was nice to meet them.
Alecia then hugged and kissed her brothers before saying "You know I am going to miss you like anything. I want a few of promises from you two."
"Why should we?" responded Ton.
"Well, Ton, I want you to please do some paintings for James and I to put in our new home when we get back. You need to send me photos of them and I will pay you for them. Junior I want you to please compose a short piece of music for you to play when James and I have our formal wedding ceremony here. Finally, I am going to think about Dad"s challenge while I am away, can you promise me you will try to achieve your challenge."
Ton could not believe what he was hearing from his sister. She wanted his artwork. Maybe he could follow what he wanted, in becoming an artist, rather than going down the same path as Junior. He nodded and gave his sister a hug and a kiss, and then shook James hand.
Junior could not believe his sister. He was reluctant to agree with her as Alecia was intending to drive a wedge between him and Ton. However he decided today he would not say anything and gave Alecia a hug and wished her the best.
As they went to leave, Alecia and James, said goodbye to Yao Tan and Amanda Mei, and Hou YI and Anna as they were exiting. They returned to their room, changed and packed their bags, before calling down to reception and heading towards the airport, for their flights to Australia.