Heinrich Schneider

On the way home, Finland was thinking about the perfect guy, Caspar, and frowned when she remembered that he felt sorry for her. He probably came from a wealthy family and never experienced life's struggles, so when he was faced with a poor person like her, he became interested because it was something foreign to him.

Or maybe he was just that white person with white savior syndrome, acting like a hero to the people in third world countries like Asia and Africa to show off their kindness and mercy to the world...

Finland felt offended. She had no choice in life. She was born without knowing her father and her mother died when she was very young. Her grandmother, who raised her with difficulty, had also died. She owed the Singapore government three years of work. All she could do now is work as good as possible for three years, save money and then set the direction of her life.

She did not want to depend on others and wasn't willing to be indebted to anyone. Except for Jean... Ah, Jean had helped her a lot, and Finland vowed, in life and in death, she would always remember Jean's kindness to her.

[Jean, do you still remember the doctor I crashed into at the airport? I think he is truly a very rich person. Apparently he did buy the Continental Hotel and now lives in the hotel's penthouse. He invited me over to take a look.]

Jean replied to her WhatsApp one minute later.

[No kidding?! What were you doing at his penthouse?]

[Nothing. He just wanted to show off his place.]

[Oh. If he wanted to show off his wealth, it is possible that he likes you and wants to impress you. Is he handsome? Send me his pictures?]

[I don't have any pictures of him, sorry.]

[What's his full name? We can google it.]

Finland sighed. She still did not know Caspar's full name.

[I don't know. Didn't have time to ask.]

[The guy is very mysterious. Next month I will go back to Singapore and we can investigate him together.]

[Oh, you're coming here? I cannot wait! Coincidentally, next month LTX is responsible for Bartz's new product launch in Singapore. You have to come!]

[I'll see later, I may have a job in Singapore.]

[Oh, you also need to visit my house! It is very beautiful - like a fairy tale.]

[Of course!]

It had been almost four months since Finland last met Jean. At that time, Jean was too busy so they only met twice for dinner. Jean was 24 years old, and he said that he could walk the runway for a maximum of only 2 more years. That was why he tried his best to accept as many jobs offer as possible. Thereafter he would go back to school or look for another job that did not focus solely on appearance.

Jean enjoyed taking videos while traveling and he wanted to go to film school or have his own travel show on TV or YouTube. He always said that Finland should be a travel writer, and with him as her videographer, they could travel the world together.

Unfortunately, until now, Finland had never traveled abroad. Jean often offered to take Finland traveling to other countries with his frequent flyer miles, but Finland always refused.

"One day there will come a time for me to fly and explore the world with my own means, Jean. I don't want to be a burden to anyone. I want to explore the world with my wings," that was how Finland always refused his offer.

The number one place for Finland to visit was Finland, her father's country of origin, and number two was Paris, where Jean lived most of the time.

***

Finland was working on a project report when Ms. Fang called her.

"Finland, thank you for your help. The Continental Hotel just contacted me and confirmed our event for the 10th." She had a wide smile on her face when she delivered this announcement to the whole room. "Our program will be successful!" To Finland, she said, "I won't forget the bonus I promised."

Finland could only nod softly, not knowing what to say. Her colleagues in the Marketing department applauded, but she heard talks of contempt here and there.

As Caspar suspected, Finland's co-workers were convinced that Finland was a mistress to one of the Continental Hotel's bigwig. Ugh...

It's okay... she thought to herself. After all, she knew the truth. She got the venue by taking the hotel owner to dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Other people didn't need to know this.

She sent Caspar a text message to thank him.

[We received the confirmation for the venue. Thank you very much. I owe you dinner. I'm willing to treat you whenever you're not busy.]

[I'm not busy tonight.]

Oh, that was fast, thought Finland. However, she did not want to back down on her words, so she immediately replied,

[Okay, I choose the place. Should I pick you up at the hospital?]

[Oh, today I am teaching the medical students at NUS. Just pick me up at the campus?]

[OK]

Caspar sent his location and schedule for the day. Finland took note of it. Suddenly she thought of something.

[If I can't find your class, whom should I ask for? I don't know your full name. I don't think you will be holding your phone when you're teaching.]

Gotcha, thought Finland. Finally, I can know your full name…

For a long time, there was no reply from Caspar. Finland began to worry... maybe Caspar didn't want her to know about him.

Lunchtime arrived, and as usual, Finland ate her home-made lunch in her cubicle. She just finished her lunch and was on her way to the pantry to wash her lunch box when Jennie, the office manager, came to her desk carrying a beautiful flower arrangement.

"Finland, there are flowers for you. Just delivered. The card has the Continental Hotel logo on it," she said, handing the flowers to Finland who was shocked to death.

Ugh... what a way for Caspar to tease her. Now people will really think she was a mistress...

"Thank you," Finland said wearily. She put the flowers on her desk and read the note on the card. The whispers around her began to grow louder but she pretended not to hear.

[I'm looking forward to our dinner at a Michelin Restaurant. - Heinrich Schneider.]

Oh... apparently THIS was his real name!

Finland held her breath the moment after reading his name. The whispers around her were getting louder. Someone must have read the content of the card and started the gossip. They knew that the sender of the flowers was someone named Heinrich Schneider. May started googling his name.

"Uh, isn't he the businessman who owns the Schneider Group that recently bought the Continental Hotel?"

"No wonder Finland can get the venue..." Lily said softly to Tran next to her.

"There is no picture of him on Google; I think he is an old angmoh* (foreigner)," Tran replied. They both looked at Finland with a disgusted look.

Finland held the urge to go to NUS and drag Caspar to her office, so her colleagues could see how young and handsome the Continental Hotel owner actually was and stop their gossip. Instead, she calmed herself with a long sigh.

.

*angmoh = what people in Singapore call foreigners/expats who have white skin