They shook hands and with a pat on the back, Charlie left. Cozener, traitor, renegade, mutineer, double-crosser and quisling were not the adjectives Charlie would use to describe himself, yet he was nothing more than those words. His friendship with James, once true and absolute, had been poisoned with Kai’s malevolent words. Kai had convinced him that James had bamboozled the brotherhood. But what Charlie failed to see, was how it furthered Kai’s ambitions. He didn't like the game plan as it seemed too complicated, with far too many risks. Kai's words had made it all seem very easy and when he thought about it, it all made sense. James was the hypocrite. He got the shit from his father and then just managed for it to disappear. Kai was right; James needed to be taught a lesson.
Chapter Thirty-Two
A few hours had passed. As soon as George stirred from his nap, Lily was standing by his side. “Do you feel better now?”
“Yes and stronger,” said George.
“Are you ready for more visitors? I understand Mrs. Choi is waiting.”
“Hmmm. Yes, I suppose the time has come. Please take a short break, okay?”
“I understand. While they are here, I will stay down at the nurse’s station. If you need me, just buzz and I’ll come right in. Okay?” Lily handed him the call button.
“Okay.”
“Then I’ll go and get them. You must promise to take it easy, while they are here and not get too excited. Please, okay?”
“Okay.” George was getting to like that word ‘okay.’ It was Lily’s favorite English word and she used it whenever she could.
The minutes seemed like hours as he anticipated Catherine’s arrival until the door swung open. Catherine hesitated in the doorway, looking at him and as they exchanged glances, he felt his stomach ache, a spark rekindled. There was a connection, a bond between true lovers that is never extinguished. The moment, however, was spoiled by the arrival of an exasperated Richard, who looked liked he had to run to catch up with Catherine. She could move quickly when she desired, thought George, who stared into the cozener’s eyes. He was shocked when Catherine did something totally unexpected.
“I said, you’re dismissed Richard. I’ll have the guard send for a car later. Thank you.” Catherine pushed Richard out and closed the door on him. “Hello George, how are you feeling?” Catherine bent over him to give him a kiss on his forehead.
“I’m fine, Catherine, I’m fine.” George looked at Catherine and thought, good for her. “I’ve made a decision.” George started coughing and Catherine helped him drink water. “I’ve decided Lauren will take over Choi Enterprises.”
“Oh, thank you, George. Lauren will do very well and you’ll be proud of her.”
“I held an emergency meeting of the board by phone. It has been agreed. Lauren will assume the position as President in my absence. Catherine,” said George, as he indicated for her to open the drawer of the cabinet. “There are two copies of- -” but he started coughing again. Catherine rushed to get him some more water, and tried to help him take a drink, but he pressed the button summoning Lily.
“Rest a minute George,” Catherine rested her hand gently on his shoulder.
“It has been ten minutes Mrs. Choi, will you be staying longer? Mr. Choi needs his rest.”
“Just a little bit longer Lily.” Catherine mimicked Lily by adjusting George’s pillows.
“Catherine, please. Lily, Lily?” George tried to reposition himself on the bed. Lily was instantly by his side helping him to sit up and moved the IV bag so the needles wouldn’t hurt him. “Thank you, Lily. That’s enough for now,” he said. She took her cue and left the room, silently, yet quickly.
“She seems efficient.”
“Catherine, please, she isn't a threat to your position. I assure you.”
“That’s what you say about all of them.”
“Woman enough! I’m tired of repeating this conversation. You have no equal and there is no other, but you. I love you. I’ve always loved you and no one else. The others were just playthings. Now please change the subject.”
“Our son, John, has returned.”
“Without my permission.”
“He was ordered by James to return, so I’ll thank you to remember, he isn’t disobeying you. He was ordered back.”
“Yes, I know. Both you and Tang have reminded me of that since his arrival.”
“He is our son, George, our son. Yet, you banished him. Why?”
“To save him.”
“Save him of course from the police, whom I might add, you’ve paid off. No, I want to know why you banished him from our lives.”
“To tame his arrogance. Tell me, has he changed?”
“Yes, he has grown up somewhat, but he is also sour. You hurt him very much when you turned your back on him. He seems to have lost his wild spirit. But- -”
“But, what?”
“He- -” Catherine stopped as the door opened and John entered the room, halfheartedly.
“Hello, Uncle George,” said John who hesitated by the door. “It's nice- - How are you feeling?” John walked over to his father’s bed. The site of the man hooked up to the machines and IV touched him in ways he didn’t expect. He felt it in the pit of his stomach.
“Fine. Why did you come back before I sent for you? Why?” George said with a measure of hostility. It was more, because he didn’t know what to say than for any other reason.
“I was requested by your son, James, to come and represent his family.” John saw his mother’s eyes wince at even the mention of the other family.
“James sent you?”
“Well, he did and the next time you talk to him, you can verify it for yourself.”
“How are things in America?” George tried to break the stagnant, sour mood.
“Things are okay.”
“What have you learned so far?”
“That things are never as they seem.”
“Really? This is good. What else?”
“Is this a test?”
“Every day we test ourselves, John.”
“Well I’m tired of the test.” John was getting testy.
“Don’t be so harsh with your father, John,” said Catherine.
“He’s not my father, or have you forgotten his edict, Aunt Catherine?”
With those words, a realization focused in George’s mind. The lack of communicative skills between them was wider than any gap, and so far apart that a bridge, at this time, was impossible to build. Instinctively, both men knew this. When George sent John away, he didn’t realize how wide the chasm would be. He figured on a river that could be bridged when needed, but not an ocean. He felt his error as deeply, as he was sure Richard felt a victory.
“John, please, this is difficult for all of us. When I made the decision, it was for your own good and not to be vindictive.” George began an uncontrollable round of coughing.
“John, there are things happening in your father’s business that neither of us are privy to know. Sometimes, a decision is beyond our grasp of understanding, but that doesn’t mean it is not valid. Instead of being angry, we must try to learn how to see the other perspective.”
“Aunt Catherine, I’ve been trying to see the other perspective, but no one wants to say anything. We are not a family. He ended it, when he disowned me. Now, I’m forced to return as less than what I am. I was ordered to come back and visit this man. I was not requested. I was not allowed to make a decision for myself. I’m under orders to serve. This man reduced who I am, because it fitted his needs and he didn’t give a shit about anyone, save himself!”
“John, enough!” shouted George. “You are still my son and I care about you.”
“Then, why did you send me away. Why?”
“Because you’re a disappointment. Just when I needed you most, you want nothing to do with business other than play with cars and fast women. I need a man, not some hotheaded boy by my side.” George, beyond agitation, began wheezing and coughing, violently.
; “Then why didn’t you ever take an interest in me? You spent time taking James to games and being with him for his birthday parties. Why didn’t you take me to games when I was a kid? Why did you always go off to America? Why?” John demanded.
“John, we’ve discussed this already! Enough!” Catherine knew they had to settle score but this was neither the time nor the place.
“John, there are matters, things you don’t know about.” George’s face was flushed. “If you had shown you were interested, I would have- -” but he couldn’t continue, he needed water and Catherine helped him drink from the glass, but even drinking was difficult.
John just continued pacing back and forth in the same little square of the room. His feelings were a mixture of hatred and longing. He loved and hated his father at the same time. He had never seen his father so weak and vulnerable before.
“John, you shouldn’t get him angry. Look at what you are doing,” said Catherine.
“He never cared if I got angry, or was upset that he missed my birthday. He never was there when I needed to speak to him, but he finds time to speak to James all the time. Look, he has already placed James ahead of me. I - - I’m having - - I’m leaving,” and John left.
“John that’s not true, not true. John!” Suddenly, George’s voice became inaudible as he clutched his chest, the alarms began going off on the various monitors.
“John, get a doctor!” Catherine shouted. “John!” When she turned to look, John was gone, but nurses, Lily included, and doctors were rushing into the room. Catherine moved away until her back was pressed hard against the wall. She stood there watching as they worked over her husband. She cried silent tears as terror and confusion filled her heart. Part of her wanted to run after her son, but part of her needed assurance her husband would survive. She cowered in the corner of the room, none to patiently, watching as the beeping line of the monitor danced violently across the screen.
George’s heart had gone into ventricular fibrillation. She heard without hearing the doctors and nurses shouting their commands as they tried to save him. When they pumped his body with electrical shocks, she felt the vibrations in her own. Her world was melting away from clear definitions, into a misty haze. She was scared and cried, the only way she had to let the terror escape the confinement of her inner self. Suddenly, the dancing blip returned to a more normal rhythm. 'He’s back,' she heard someone say. With each blip, the pattern became more regular and relief seemed to permeate the room. She felt calmer herself and knew for the first time with any certainty where she belonged. The game had ended, she made her decision. Her son had his life to live, her daughter soon would have one with a husband, and I will have my husband, thought Catherine. She had reached a resolution in the span it took to save George’s life.
“Mrs. Choi?” Dr. Leong noticed as he looked up that Mrs. Choi was hovering in the corner. “Lily,” he said, and they both went over to her and helped Catherine into a chair. Leong said something to Lily, who went to do his bidding.
“I want you to take this and sit still for a while,” said Leong.
“What is it?”
“A mild sedative. Please, Mrs. Choi.”
“Yes.” Catherine swallowed the pill and closed her eyes. She was stressed but refused to show her concern to the world.
“Lily, stay with her.”
“Yes, doctor.” Lily pulled up another chair and sat next to Mrs. Choi. She took hold of her hand to comfort her. Together, they watched George rest comfortably.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Richard’s face was still flushed nearly an hour later. He couldn’t believe his world had turned off course. He had lost a significant battle in the Choi war and to women, no less. He was furious he lost control of the company to the daughter and as if that wasn’t enough, Catherine had dismissed him. It wasn’t done for sake of appearances, but to out and out, send him away. He had lost control over the woman and he didn’t know where, or when, it occurred. A mere woman had gotten the better of him and in front of others. He would have to deal with her later, he thought. He hated to admit it, but even after all these years, her admonishing him and selecting George, over himself, still irked him.
He flagged down the first red taxi he saw. “Dundas and Shanghai.”
The driver took him down the mountain and through the cross-harbor tunnel. His destination was one of the oldest, nondescript, teahouses in the Yau Ma Tei part of Kowloon, called the House of Song in English. Its name was derived from the songbirds the men brought with them when they came for tea. Richard couldn’t care less about the birds but he had to meet someone very important to him, who held the birds in great esteem. Richard was going to meet his son, Eric Wu. He could have taken a Choi limousine, but limo driver’s talk and his private dealings required the utmost secrecy.
Eric was Richard’s son by his favorite mistress, whom he called Springtime, because her hair always reminded him of spring. He encouraged her to give their son, her name as opposed to his, for their son’s protection. He feared that if George ever uncovered Eric’s or Kai’s existence, he would try to destroy them and Richard was determined his line would continue.
Richard got out of the taxi and looked up at the old mortar-and-brick building before entering its ancient green wooden door that was propped open with a hand-carved stone lion. He went directly to the second floor and looked around anxiously. The room was filled to capacity with men of various ages and their birdcages. It took him a few minutes to locate his son. Eric was standing, praising a particular bird that belonged to the owner of the teahouse, while holding his own aloft in comparison. His elegantly caged bird was just another, amongst row-upon-row of cages hanging from poles suspended from the walls and ceiling. Each cage was occupied by a small light grayish-brown bird. The small birds were about the size of a canary and had a melodic song that could put the canary to tears. Eric was standing, listening intently, to the elderly man, who was imparting the virtues of a certain type of feed and the number of crickets one should feed the hua mei, as the birds were called in Mandarin. Painted brow would be their name in English, as the name refers to the lines around the birds' eyes.
Richard stood briefly, admiring his son and felt a measure of pride rising in his throat as he got choked up. At twenty-three, Eric had become a levelheaded and refined young man. He watched his son listen with intense respect to the elder man. While some displayed their canaries and finches, it was the hua mei, which were most-prized and highly regarded for their singing ability. The sweetness of their voices could soften the hardest of souls to tears. Richard recalled when Eric got his first bird. He was about fifteen and wanted it to make his mother happy. It was strange to Richard that such a delicate creature would last so long in the heart of a boy, living onward in the heart of the man. As he approached his son and the old man, he noticed their birds sang sweetly in unison.
“Ahh, here comes my appointment now,” said Eric to the elder man. “I’ll talk to you again next week. Thank you.” Eric saw the scowl that his father wore and chose to ignore the attitude. He picked up his cage and walked over with a smile.
“Hello,” Eric reached out to shake his father's hand.
“Hello, Eric.” Richard’s voice revealed both the pride and pain of his heart.
“Well, what do you think? Isn’t she a beauty?” Eric held his prized bird aloft. He noted the tension in his father's face softened as the bird sang brightly.
“Yes, a fine bird. Although, I had thought that by now, you’d be into a different species.”
“I am, Dad. I like the ladies, but these gals- - Well, these gals don’t give me headaches, and they don’t go shopping with my wallet either.”
“Well said.” Richard laughed along with his son. “Let’s sit and have some tea.”
As they settled at a table, Eric hung his elegant and intricately carved cage above them, on the pole stretching across the window. Richard placed an order and soon various plates of dim sum were being set before
them. They enjoyed the various delicacies along with light conversation. Richard hated George for denying him the ability to raise his sons with him here in Hong Kong. He also blamed the man anytime something happened to them that he felt he could have prevented if they were by his side. On the whole, he felt his relationship with his son Eric, was a good one. Richard would do anything for Eric, and was sure Eric would reciprocate.
“Why have you asked me back to Hong Kong?”
“Certain things have occurred and I want- - I need you here for the time being.”
“Where I’ll be safe?”
“Yes, I want you here in part for your safety, but in part, for your destiny as well.”
“Ah, yes. All the planning, over all those years, has led to this moment. I take it now is the time for us to strike?”
“Yes, now. I’ve already begun. I assure you, they’re at their weakest, most vulnerable.”
“It’s not going to be easy, Father.”
“Nothing of value is ever easy to obtain, but- -”
“But, you are destined to avenge the generations of pain. So, where exactly have you figured me in all of this? Where do you want me to strike first?”
“In the heart like an arrow, you shall go and cause the Choi’s to bleed.”
“Dad,” Eric with attitude, did not want to hear the singsong stuff. “How? How can we break them? They have money and resources and- -”
“And, I have access to their private records, in-depth knowledge of their company’s inner strengths and weaknesses. All these years I looked, listened, watched and recorded. We’ll start with this.” Richard handed his son the corporate balance sheets, a listing of all Choi’s long and short-term debt, their corporate investment strategy and holdings.
The Dragon Within His Shadow Page 20