Imperial Dynasty

3 years ago

"Pop!" Cielo pulled a party popper over Trishelle's head and streamers flew all around her. "Congrats on opening Imperial Dynasty!" Cielo congratulated Trishelle.

"Haha! Thanks a lot, Cielo! This is the beginning of a new era!" Trishelle proclaimed confidently.

"Hey, if you need a little boost. I can help you arrange something…" Fuego nudged Trishelle.

"What? Cielo, Fuego. Both of you have helped me a lot already. You don't have to help me by investing!" Trishelle was touched by her friends' offer but quickly rejected them.

"Haha! What are you talking about? What I meant was...…" Fuego whispered into Trishelle's ear with a sinister grin.

"What?! No! Wha..you mean you..are you crazy?!" Trishelle pushed Fuego away immediately after what she heard him say. She could not believe what Fuego had just proposed. Chills went up her spine as she stared at both of her friends in disbelief.

"Heh! Well, if you're not with us then you are against us!" Fuego sneered, looking down at Trishelle. He pulled Cielo's hand and walked away.

"What? No! Wait! Cielo! Fuego! Don't go!" Trishelle reached out and tried to grab her friends but to no avail. They pushed her hand and walked away, never turning back again.

A year had passed after opening the Imperial Dynasty

"Elli! Come on! Let's go! Aren't we supposed to go Blue Cosmos for dinner today?" Trishelle happily pulled Ellison by the arm.

"I can't Trish. I have an extended shift to cover. I'm sorry." Ellison apologized as he felt guilty.

"Oh! Then another time I guess…" It was the anniversary of the Imperial Dynasty. All she wanted was to celebrate with someone, to forget the pain of losing her two close friends on this day. She had still hoped; hope that they will come back. But...

Trishelle slowly walked home. She felt it was hard to breathe and started taking deep breaths. Tears fell from her eyes and she started sobbing, clenching her chest filled with pain.

Back at Blue Cosmos restaurant present day

"Trish, I should head back to the hospital." Ellison bid Trishelle goodbye.

"Alright, I'll come to get you after work." Trishelle nodded. Trishelle signaled her driver to send Ellison back.

Ellison quickly got into the car after it arrived and headed back. The moment Ellison left, someone called out to Trishelle.

"Miss, I believe your friend dropped this." A waiter from the restaurant handed Trishelle a wallet.

"Oh. Thank you." Trishelle sighed as she took the wallet from the waiter. "This guy…"

Trishelle opened the wallet to check its contents and saw a picture of both of them inside. She smiled lightly but her expression changed immediately after she saw the picture beside it. A picture of Ellison with another girl.

Trishelle fished out her phone quickly and dialed a number. "Hello, have you reached Raffles Town?"

"Boss! Yes, I just arrived. Is there a problem?" The tone behind the call was slightly afraid.

"Find out who this person is by 8 pm today," Trishelle ordered as she took a photo of the picture and immediately send it to the person on the call.

"Er...8pm?! Boss, I just landed you know?"

"Is there a problem?" Trishelle challenged impatiently.

"Ah..no! No problem at all!"