Chance

by Carolyn M Bowen

  The ink was barely dry on documents transferring ownership of Liu Chang’s condo to Ming’s dummy corporation when he received confirmation of the job offer, he’d anticipated. He hurriedly drew up the documents transferring the property to her from the dummy corporation, to deliver personally in Beijing. He texted her the good news and she invited him to stay at her home until he could find a suitable place. He agreed.

  He typed his resignation letter, giving a two-week notice if desired. The CEO was aware most of his clients were Chinese, and they weren’t accepting cases at this time; perhaps a week’s notice would suffice. He hoped for an early departure, for Ming’s work wouldn’t show up in his billable hours, for obvious reasons. Sydney blamed her for Nancy Lynn’s murder.

  The CEO agreed to a one-week notice due to the current business mandate regarding his top sources. She scheduled an exit interview with Sydney prior to his departure. He wasn’t looking forward to the meeting. She could spot a lie, and he hoped to be long gone before she suspected he’d helped Ming purchase US property.

  The meeting with Sydney was cordial on her behalf, thanking him for his commitment for growing the partnership during the past two years. He couldn’t wait to exit the front door, for he didn’t want to discuss any of the projects he’d worked on that could lead to Ming. He smiled and thanked her for the opportunity to work in her prestigious firm. In the end, mutual respect won out.

  He left the law office and went directly to the airport for his flight home. He’d already packed and cleaned out his apartment in advance of his leaving. He was headed home.

  Ming met him at the airport for the drive to her home. Humbled by her gracious offer, he said thank you. He had a few days before starting his new job and would look for an apartment with easy access to his new office while being her guest.

  Ming picked up on his mood and said she had friends with apartments near his new employer and would be glad to make a call. And, perhaps after construction of her new units, he’d want to move to a newer building with more amenities. He couldn’t believe his good luck. He smiled and said, “Thank you.”

  Before his first day of work, he was moved into his new apartment. Ming insisted on decorating based on the principles of Fung Shui, creating a balanced harmony throughout his tiny dwelling. He let her have free rein, for good luck and prosperity were his goals in returning home.

  He thanked her and promised to stay in touch for dinner and conversation. Ming said she’d miss him.

  He replied, “I’ll message you after getting familiar with my new employer and his expectations.” And, he reminded her to put him on the new tenant list for her new apartments.

  “Consider it done,” she said.

  He saw it first in the newspaper—the passing of her respected father-in-law, and knew after the appropriate time, he needed to call Ming. He knew with family ties he’d receive the traditional invitation to his funeral in a pink invitation to celebrate his longevity. And he’d respectfully RSVP and send white chrysanthemums and a white envelope with money to pay his respects.

  The old ways die hard in China, and one that has lasted is the reverence to one’s parents and the paying of respect in the traditional way. Ming had fulfilled her husband’s obligations and would continue until his mother’s death, whose illness could take her any time if she didn’t succumb to grief from her husband’s passing.

  Cheng Li called Ming to let her know she was in his thoughts during this difficult time. Being friends with her husband, he’d met his father as a teen. She thought it best he stand back until the appropriate time of greeting friends of the family. He understood her reasoning, and concurred.

  No one was surprised when within a month, her mother-in-law passed away peacefully. Ming’s obligations to her husband’s family was concluded after her young adulthood was spent in the care of his family. Cheng Li sent the appropriate sympathy card, hoping if she needed someone to talk to, she’d call.

  Her son, Chang Bohai, was home from his studies at a prestigious university in the United States that welcomed the out-of-state tuition from rich Asian families. Before he returned to finish his education, he’d be wealthy in his own right, with the inheritance from his father’s and grandfather’s estates. Chinese inheritance law guaranteed the rightful transfer of property rights to her and Liu Chang’s son. The income from family assets were at his disposal.

  Ming called and asked Cheng Li to meet her at the end of Ghost Street, at a popular restaurant for dinner and conversation. He knew she’d had a rough go of things recently and quickly accepted her invitation. He was right; she needed to talk.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  The Salt Life - Barbados

  Walker was diligent in keeping up with the latest news around the world that could impact his technology business or Sydney Jones. His offshore company had exceeded his expectations without the taxation of living in the United States. He loved his new home in Barbados and had expanded his holdings to saltwater fishing boats hiring locals to captain his charters at above-average salaries. He’d hired a local marketing firm to partner with Barbados tourism to bring customers for his business, creating a win for everyone.

  He was living a life of luxury, moving from his once get-by shanty to a luxury community not far removed from where Sydney had stayed on her last visit. He’d worked a sweet deal by providing tech security for the corporate owners. When he wakened in the mornings, the ocean view met his gaze a few steps from his villa.

  He had women over for the night; one or two, maybe longer. He learned not to let women get too close, for although his new life looked inviting, he knew it could blow up in his face. His job was to stay on top of things and make sure that didn’t happen. Sweet Isabella was dead because of him, and although he’d made her tormenter and CIA corporate leaders pay for ordering her death, he’d always have to watch his back. His only wish was his death certificate never be challenged; for he was the next hit ordered by the US government.

  When he awakened during the night panicked and drenched in sweat, a look in the mirror of the man today calmed him. The Australian surgeons did a seamless job of creating his new identity. No one could trace him from them, for he’d used a fake ID and photo prior to surgery. The thought calmed him. But he knew if Sydney got a whiff of his being alive, she’d come after him for answers about his leaving, as he’d never had the chance to explain.

  He monitored Sydney’s home and watched his son, David, grow up and start school. Daniela was still with them, teaching at his elementary school and caring for him at home. Sooner or later, she’d meet someone and fall in love, and her stay in David’s life would change. He hoped Sydney planned for this occurrence, as their son would be lost without her presence.

  He picked up chatter from Beijing about the death of Liu Chang’s parents—one after the other. He wondered if Ming Chang waited for their timely death or increased the odds in her favor. He quickly searched her US holdings and found a connection. Sydney was the administrator of Nancy Lynn’s will, her dead husband’s mistress.

  Walker noticed the contract for kill targeting Sydney in Atlanta was deleted from the Soldiers of Fortune website. Instead of feeling calm, he felt uneasy, as the employer could be changing tactics, not calling off the hit. He didn’t have a clue what it meant.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Mommy Dearest

  Ming received news from the private eye she’d hired that her now adult daughter was living in Atlanta near her adopted family. She’d wanted to see her, if only from a distance, before returning home after meeting about her husband’s will.

  She would’ve if not for her attorney Robert Lewis’s strong suggestion she leave immediately, or face being detained for questioning about her husband’s murder. She took the advice, knowing she’d return when the coast was clear.

  The right opportunities became available and Cheng Li helped her buy her husband�
��s condo anonymously. Inheriting her late husband’s seat with the Chinese Black Society provided the leverage for taking over her husband’s business in the US and aliases to travel. With a change in hairstyle and desired facelift—with double eyelid surgery, removing the slant from her eyes—she had a European look. She now had passports with multiple identities.

  She thought she had the bases covered until she read the detailed report from her private investigator. Apparently, her daughter was curious about her Chinese family and located her father in the US. No doubt, he’d been surprised she existed, for Ming had never disclosed her pregnancy. There was six years difference between Alicia and her brother. She got lucky and didn’t have to abort or orphan another child, in keeping with the Chinese one-child rule.

  Banking on her continued familial curiosity, Ming threw caution to the wind and called Alicia to let her know she was returning to the States and would be in contact after arriving. She wanted to get to know her daughter and explain her abandonment was the only way to keep her alive and get her out of her communist country.

  From the looks of things from the private eye’s report, Alicia was making a life of her own quite successfully. Ming wanted to get to know her and explain the reasons for leaving her at a place where female infants were abandoned to be adopted by foreigners. She was not the first woman who’d faced the extinction of her child. They shared their secrets when another was facing the same dilemma.

  She planned to talk with her daughter until she understood the heartbreak of leaving her in the care of strangers. Afterwards, she’d deal with Sydney Jones, the woman who made her husband’s mistress a star, so everyone gazed at her beauty and not see the whore she was.

  First, she wanted to clear out the furniture and personal belongings of her late husband and leftovers from his mistress. His furnishings remained for staging during the quick sale of the property. She agreed, they did show off the property. However, she didn’t want his spirit clinging to his belongings and hanging around, causing ghostly problems.

  She planned to rip out the interior walls and completely renovate after a supernatural cleansing of his dwelling, burning sage throughout the condo near windows and doors. This was a start; then, she’d clean every chandelier with a cloth soaked in warm water and a white vinegar solution. After a thorough cleansing, she’d place clear and rose quartz with other clean energy stones, like amethyst and citrine, into display containers around the home to remove negative energy.

  Her ancestors believed in talking with spirits, and telling them to leave was crucial in ridding the residence of the dead. She planned to walk through every room and tell him to leave and take his mistress with him.

  Once she was convinced the condo was spic-n-span, with no remnants remaining of her husband and his whore, she’d call Alicia.

  The renovation of her high-rise was completed on schedule and by skilled craftsman. Although she’d incurred a hefty contractor’s fee, she was pleased with the results. Now she could entertain in her home. She wanted to meet Alicia at her condo, where they could talk without interruptions. A trip to the local grocer and she had fresh flowers and tasty appetizers for snacks. She selected traditional Chinese music featuring the bamboo flute zither on her wireless surround sound stereo system and waited.

  The doorbell chimed and she breathed slowly to calm her heartrate and get control of her emotions. This was the day she’d anticipated for a long time, and she wanted to make a good first impression.

  She opened the door and her beautiful Asian daughter was standing there. She smiled and waved her into her home. Remembering Chinese customs, she’d read about, Alicia removed her shoes at the entry and barefoot, followed Ming into the spacious living room.

  Ming offered a refreshing drink of Long Jin, Dragon Well Chinese Tea. Alicia accepted her offer and gifted her the special bouquet she’d selected for the occasion. Ming said, “Thank you. Allow me to select a vase to display the lovely arrangement at its best.”

  Minutes passed, seeming like hours, before Ming returned with the bouquet in a crystal vase. Sipping her tea in wordless silence, Alicia then began the conversation speaking in Mandarin. Ming was surprised, and told her English would be fine. Alicia explained that her adopted parents wanted her to learn about her heritage and embrace her ethnicity. Her early childhood and the support of her adopted family impacted her decision to become a psychologist and human rights lawyer.

  Their discussion flowed smoothly at first, about the weather and her flight from Beijing and Alicia’s education and work. As the conversation took on a more personal note, the yin and yang as they talked took on the darkness of Ming and the lightness of Alicia, leaving an overshadowing, conflicting heaviness in the air.

  Alicia was curious about her living in the US and asked the reasons behind her decision to leave Beijing and have dual residences. Ming tried to convince her of the burden she carried of giving away her firstborn. She’d had a lifelong struggle to get to where she was now, meeting her daughter. Living in the US was the only way she could learn more about her and share a future.

  Alicia noted the subtle way her birth mother asked about her career plans. Apparently, the PI she’d hired had already provided the information about her work history. Yet, there was something more she was hoping to learn.

  At the mention of Sydney Jones’s law offices, Alicia saw a barely veiled look of contempt in her mother’s eyes. There was more to the story than she was telling, and she’d like to know why she’d use the facade of finding a long-lost daughter to accomplish her goals.

  Ming asked pointed questions about her job at the law office, circling back around to questions about Sydney knowing her father, asking specifically, “Did you know your father’s will was prepared by Cheng Li at your office?”

  Not rising to her interrogation, she said, “I’m not familiar with other attorneys’ work at the office.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  Alicia thought she probably knew more than she wanted to share until she learned Ming’s motive behind the questions. She was getting cagey with her attempt to learn something; what, wasn’t clear. She decided to end their meeting so she could clear her head to discern motives behind Ming’s agenda for meeting her.

  Alicia stood and said, “Thank you for wanting to meet me. I appreciate your sharing the details surrounding my birth.”

  Ming didn’t expect her to leave so soon; they’d not even tasted the delicious vegan appetizers she’d bought for the occasion, knowing they were her favorites, according to the PI’s report.

  “I hope we can meet again soon,” she said. “Maybe next time we can meet for dinner at one of the upscale restaurants recommended online, or perhaps one you know?”

  Alicia quickly said, “Sounds good, I’ll let you know.” Then hurriedly reached for her mini backpack and slung the leather strap over her shoulder. She turned and said goodbye, pausing at the entry to slip on her heels before exiting.

  As the elevator ticked off each floor descending from the penthouse to ground level, she was thanking her lucky stars for her adopted mother. She’d just met Mommy Dearest and it sent chills through her body.

  She could read her birth mother’s aura and saw the anger leaping out in flames like a starving tiger. Her boss, Sydney, was involved in her rage. She decided it was time to talk with her to identify the source of Ming’s festering anger. Her gut instinct said, things could get bad. She couldn’t shake the eerie feeling of their meeting and hoped Sydney wouldn’t think she was crazy.

  Alicia called Sydney’s assistant to make an early morning appointment. She hoped she had an idea about what was going on with Ming and her plans in the US.

  Sydney’s assistant reserved Alicia a spot early in the day. Being punctual and having privately rehearsed what she’d say, she was pleasantly surprised at Sydney’s response about a nonlegal and personal matter. Sydney was easy to talk with and open t
o knowing more about her concerns. Sydney told Alicia about Ming’s husband’s mistress, Nancy Lynn, and the connections to her and the law offices. She assured her she’d investigate Ming’s plans and if she should learn anything new, let her know. Alicia felt relieved someone else was watching Mommy Dearest. In the meantime, she’d see what she could learn.

  She decided to accept the offer of dinner with Ming. Perhaps she’d let down her guard and talk with her long-lost daughter. Alicia called. Ming was glad to hear from her and they made plans for dinner the following evening. Alicia pulled the news stories from the Internet about her natural father, Liu Chang, and Nancy Lynn’s murders. Both remained unsolved. Something pricked her mind, wondering if Ming was responsible. If so, she was gutsy to return to the States—unless she’d not finished her mission.

  Their dinner reservations at the swanky new sushi restaurant in metro Atlanta was everything it was said to be—excellent. Alicia had the vegan toppings, while her birth mother enjoyed the traditional offerings. Ming complimented the chef, saying it reminded her of home. While sipping their chardonnay, Ming visually relaxed and smiled. She was a pretty lady, and Alicia suspected lovelier in an Asian way before her cosmetic surgery.

  Her birth mother began talking about the years she’d spent taking care of aging parents and the desire to live in the US with her husband at least some of the time. Her hopes were dashed when his trips home became sporadic at best, typically for special family events where his absence would be frowned upon or mandatory meetings with his colleagues. She’d heard rumors about his living in the States and knew Nancy Lynn was photographed with him on numerous occasions. She recognized she was his live-in mistress; unlike the numerous women he’d dallied with in the past. She blamed Sydney for everything, and for his leaving property and assets to Nancy Lynn, which she now managed through her estate. She’d purchased his property anonymously when it went on the market. She wanted to live and work in the States to be near her children.