70 House Warming (2)
[Evelyn's Point-of-View]
Evelyn breathed out a sigh of relief after reading Phoenix's message. She turned on her computer and spent an hour answering emails.
This was a standard practice of hers. She didn't always work on the weekends but she did check her emails to keep them from piling up.
When she finished, she worked on finalizing her proposal for Wednesday. She had compiled her list of reputable doctors along with their letters of recommendation. It added value in that it showed the medical community was on board and believed in the success of the project.
She included the statics that she had used when she presented it to her father. She made a checklist for the rest of the work.
Evelyn was in the middle of making her checklist when Ben knocked on the door and poked his head in.
"Hey, what are you working on?" Ben asked. Evelyn placed her hands on the edge of the desk and pushed herself back a bit. "My presentation with Li Corp," she answered. "The one where you're pitching against Shawn?" he asked. She nodded.
"Are you okay?" Ben asked. He came in and shut the door behind him. He took a seat across from her. "You know, everyone keeps asking me?" she replied.
"Because we want to give you the opportunity to tell us if you aren't. We know you hold it in," he said. Evelyn sighed.
"I'm trying to be fine. Some moments are easier than others and some are harder. But this is how I handle things, by moving forward," she said. Ben pursed his lips but nodded.
"Jinhai is helping you make things easier?" Ben asked softly. Ben didn't often pry and he wasn't usually one to gossip so Evelyn wasn't offended by his question.
"Yes," she answered. "How did that happen? You guys haven't spoken in years." Ben said.
"That night that Shawn said he wanted a divorce, he showed up at my hotel room. He apologized and took care of me that night," Evelyn began. Ben raised an eyebrow. "I wanted to get drunk that night. I needed someone to look after me. So Jinhai did," Evelyn clarified and sat back in her chair as she explained.
"Then he kept showing up. Even when he knew I was still upset with him. He was there for me exactly how I needed someone to be," she said. "Have you forgiven him?" Ben asked. Evelyn thought for a moment. She waited to see if she had any lingering feelings of resentment.
"A part of me is upset with the fact that he wasn't there in the past five years. Especially when things were hard for me. My entire life, he was always there. But during some of the worst and darkest days of my life, he wasn't," she said carefully.
"Darkest days?" Ben questioned. "During my miscarriages. He had to have known about it. Especially since the second one became front page news. He never called," Evelyn clarified.
Ben studied her closely. "He was there," he said quietly. Evelyn, whose eyes were downcast shot up to meet his.
"What did you say?" Evelyn asked. "That first time. That night you twisted your foot and broke your ribs. Jinhai came to the hospital. I had called Zain. I had gone out to get coffee. When I got back, I saw him standing outside your hospital room," he said.
Jinhai had told her about it, but she hadn't truly believed him. "Why didn't you ever tell me?" Evelyn asked him.
"At the time I was more concerned about you. And he made me promise. He thought you wanted space, so he gave it to you. He tried to be there the best he could," Ben said.
"He loves you, you know?" Ben asked. Evelyn smiled. "Yes, I believe he does," she said.
"What about you? Do you love him?" Ben asked. It should have felt weird to talk about this with her little brother. But for some reason, it wasn't.
"Yes," she answered after a moment's pause. "Then I'm happy for you," he said with a smile.
They soon joined the others outside. They were putting together the finishing touches.
Evelyn made a pot of coffee for everyone. Garfield hopped up onto the table and Evelyn stroked his fur while she took a sip of her iced coffee.
Not long after, the doorbell rang. She glanced at the clock on the wall and she knew it would be her uncle.
Mingxi opened the door for him. He took off his shoes and walked over to her. He handed Evelyn a bottle of wine and gave her a hug.
He said hello to everyone before he turned back to her. "You said there was something you needed to tell me?"
Evelyn nodded. She led the way to her study. Jinhai joined them.
"Jinhai! Good to see you," Uncle Wai said.
"Uncle Wai," Jinhai greeted. They gave each other a brief handshake before turning to Evelyn.
Evelyn went back to her desk and pulled up the email with the video that was sent to her last night. She waited until the two men came to join her before she hit play.
Jinhai put a comforting hand on her shoulder. Evelyn forced herself to watch it. It hurt every bit as much as it did the first time.
Uncle Wai's hands were clenched into tight fists against his side. He pulled out his phone when it finished. He typed something into it before he placed the phone to his ear.
"Ng, its Wai. You have until Monday night to convince Shawn to sign the divorce papers with the stipulations by the end of Monday night. If not, we will see him in court this week," Uncle Wai said into the phone then hung up.
"Xiaoli, I'm so sorry," Uncle Wai held out his arms toward her. She walked into them and hugged him back.
Jinhai let them have their moment while he awkwardly stood there. Uncle Wai pulled back and put both hands on her shoulders.
"How's your wound?" he asked her. "My father told you?" she asked. He nodded. He looked concerned and worried.
"I'll be okay. I have the best security in the world," she tried to joke. "Xiaoli, that's not funny," Uncle Wai said.
"I wasn't trying to be. But I refuse to allow them to make me live my life in fear. I have things to do," she said. Uncle Wai sighed. He knew that it was no use trying to convince her otherwise. His goddaughter was as stubborn as they came.
They exchanged a few more words before they rejoined the other's outside. The other's were sitting around the coffee table drinking their coffee. Evelyn went to make her uncle a cup. Then the three joined the others on the couch.
"Where's John?" Chloe asked. "It's still early. He'll probably be here around 4," Evelyn answered.
"Your latest conquest?" Ben teased. "I just think he's nice," Chloe said defensively. "Oh and the fact that he looks like a model has nothing to do with it," Ben retorted.
"Ge Ge, I didn't know you liked men," Chloe shot back. "I don't. But I'm man enough to recognize that he's attractive," Ben said.
"Who's John?" Uncle Wai asked, interrupting Chloe's reply. "My assistant," Evelyn replied.
"Isn't Mingxi your assistant?" Uncle Wai asked. "She is my personal assistant. John Ru was one of my employees at the manor. I took him with me when I went back to work at WWO. He handle's a lot of the day to day stuff at work," Evelyn explained. "Ah," Uncle Wai replied.
They sat around and talked until the others began to arrive. Phoenix and Zain showed up around 3 o'clock holding trays of food.
The men helped carry the stuff up from the car. There was a lot of food. Phoenix gave Evelyn a hug and everything was right between them again. Phoenix went to wash up and came back wearing comfy clothes. She put on an apron and began to cook in the kitchen. Zain stuck close to her and helped her.
John arrived half an hour later, and Deming and Lady An arrived at 4 o'clock. John brought her more coffee, and Deming and Lady An brought photos and a big house plant.
"Okay, let the party begin!" Chloe said cheerfully as she popped a party streamer. Evelyn decided not to get angry at the mess that was made. Chloe then turned on the stereo and party music began to play.
She took a seat on the couch and Jinhai sat next to her. Coffee lay his head down on her lap on her other side. Deming, Uncle Wai, and Lady An went out on the terrace to enjoy the view from outside. Chloe, John, Ben, and Mingxi took a seat on the floor in front of Evelyn and Jinhai.
They pulled out a deck of cards to play Big 2 (Chinese Poker). They decided that they would play for money and played with house rules.
Zain and Phoenix were in the kitchen working on dinner together. Evelyn looked at them together and was grateful for the fact that they looked like they were getting along with each other.
Evelyn rested her head on Jinhai's shoulder and simply watched her friends and enjoyed the music. She was trying to allow herself to enjoy life a little, while ignoring all of her other problems.
Soon, dinner was ready and everyone gathered around the dining room table. Beautiful china and silverware were spread throughout the table. A napkin that was folded into a beautiful swan was on the center of every plate.
Evelyn sat at the head of the table with Jinhai on her right side. "This looks incredible, Phoenix!" Deming said sitting down at the other end of the table. "Thank you, Zain helped," Phoenix replied with a smile. Phoenix took her seat to the left of Evelyn and Zain sat on Phoenix's other side.
Naturally Uncle Wai took the seat to the right of Deming and Lady An took the seat next to Deming's left. Chloe and John sat next to Jinhai and Ben and Mingxi sat next to Zain.
The food was laid out in front of them. The table looked symmetrical, with all the same foods available on both ends. Everyone was given Soju and a shot glass with the exception of Evelyn who had fruit infused water.
As one of the hosts Evelyn raised her glass to propose a toast.
"Thank you all for joining Phoenix and I in celebrating our new home," Evelyn began warmly with a smile.
"It worked out well that you came with me to pick out furniture, you picked out your own room," Evelyn said to Phoenix with a chuckle. A couple of other laughs went though the table.
"I am starting the next chapter of my life and I am grateful to everyone here for being a part of it. Thank you," Evelyn said with a smile. Only Jinhai heard the hint of sadness in her voice.
When Evelyn sat down he reached for her hand and squeezed it. She kept her features collected but she gripped his hand like it was a lifeline.
Phoenix stood next and lifted her glass.
"Thank you everyone for coming. Evelyn and I used to talk about moving in together and living a carefree life when we were children. But we went to different colleges and we never had the chance. I had thought those days had past us by and I was okay with it. But now, we get to live that dream we had had," Phoenix said.
"Well sort of, she might need to get rid of Jinhai," she teased. Everyone laughed and Jinhai scowled. His eyes showed amusement though.
"I'm just kidding. As long as he doesn't get in the way of our girl days, he can stay," Phoenix said with a smile.
"Anyway, dig in everyone!" Phoenix concluded her toast and everyone took a sip of their drink. Everyone began helping themselves to the food in front of them.
Jinhai however placed food in front of Evelyn before getting some for himself. Zain tried to do the same but Phoenix kicked his foot. At the last moment he placed the food in front of himself and Phoenix got her own food.
Everyone ate and they were sure to compliment the chefs. The food was delicious and the conversation was light and enjoyable.
Occasionally, the conversation broke off into smaller groups. But they all sat and talked together. It was like a big family that Mingxi and John felt included in.
