“But? It sounds like there is a but coming.”
“But given what you mother has done to control and manipulate events, I think it is time to make new arrangements.”
“Are you cutting me out of your life?”
“No, James, I will not do that to you. You are my son, and will always be a part of my life, but you now have to make some decisions.”
“Like what?”
“Well, I’ll give you the choice. I’ll give you your dream, say half million US to start life over, perhaps in Vancouver, Canada. Another alternative, move here to Hong Kong and start a new life. You could live here in the complex, if you like, or perhaps your own bachelor pad.”
“And the third choice?”
“There is no third choice, James.” George studied James
“What about returning to San Francisco? If I leave San Francisco, who will take care of my mother?” James felt anxious and couldn’t think straight. How could he defend his mother, especially after reading those letters?
“That choice, I will not support.”
“In other words, if I choose to stand beside my mother, the woman who stood beside you, the woman who took care of me, the one you shared all those times with, the woman- -”
“The woman who betrayed our family, nearly destroyed my business, made me vulnerable to an attack here through Richard, got John killed and nearly killed me and Tang. I’m sorry James, but if you stand with her, you stand against me. Remain part of my family. Take the new life. It is your best option. With a new life, I can do anything you need to help you.”
James sat long on the sofa twisting the family ring. There was too much to consider and he really needed someone to discuss the decision with, but his father was expecting an answer before he left the room. He looked up at the shrine with the new picture of John. He looked at his father. Together they sat staring, each waiting for the other, James for his father to give him another way out; George, waiting for James’ decision, or an acceptable alternative.
Chapter Eighty-Seven
Tang and George stood on the terrace just outside the living room watching Lauren and Catherine in a deep discussion over a bridal magazine as they smoked some cigars.
“I thought she would wait at least a little while, before she would dive into looking for a dress. I mean, I only gave her the ring this afternoon.”
“The bracelet you gave Catherine was a nice touch.” George appreciated Tang more then ever. The way he took care of John after San Francisco, the way he managed to keep open the lines of communication and took care of the difficult situation with James, all reaffirmed the decision he made earlier with his council.
“You realize of course, Tang that you are marrying a woman with a very determined mind and very expensive tastes.”
“Trust me George, I know your daughter only too well. But don’t worry, you gave her the hotel chain, I have that small fishing business and some property where I’ve been investing my own money. We’ll manage.”
“Yes, I’m sure you will. I have no doubt in your abilities. That is why during a council meeting earlier, it was decided that given Tsao’s death and the retirement of Ho’s uncle, you should become the Fu Shan Chu. Do you accept?” George watched Tang’s face light up.
“I’m honored, George. I will be honored to take this role in your organization. You have my oath and support.”
“And, I have a little something for you.”
“What’s this? This is the key to your new place. I bought you a condo in that building over there,” George pointed across the way to the condo complex situated a ways down the Peak. “If there is one thing I learned the hard way, it is that a man shouldn’t live with his in-laws once he is married. Do you think Lauren will like it?
“Absolutely. Thanks, George. I don’t know what to say.”
“Why not go inside and share the news with the ladies.”
Together they walked back into the living room. The women were indeed excited. Lauren hugged her father, while Tang gave Catherine a hug. Tang could hardly believe it when Catherine returned the hug and kissed him on the cheek. They decided to get married in a year’s time, in spring of the year of the dragon.
Champagne was brought out and the family celebrated for the rest of the evening.
Chapter Eighty-Eight
James walked off the plane and straight through immigration and customs. Exiting the airport, he hailed a taxi and went to Chinatown. He gave the driver a good tip and watched as the cab driver drove off. He dropped his bag, leaned against the gate marking the entrance into Chinatown and stared down the street, which to the average person looked deserted. The neon signs were as silent as the night. But he knew if he knocked on certain doors, where he would find the mahjong parlor, gambling den, whorehouse, or drugs, if he wanted. He knew where the guys were stationed should he want company. He could feel their eyes upon him now, as he stood there thinking.
Picking up his bag, he began walking down the street, before turning onto a side street. Slowly, he went up the hill and into his apartment building. He rang the doorbell and looked into the eyes of the man who opened the door. The eyes had a familiar character about them. He walked passed the guy and into the living where he dropped his bag on the closest chair.
“It’s about time you got home, your plane landed over two hours ago.” Rose got up and hugged her son, who stared at her with a coldness she had never seen before, as if his decision to support her was a poor one. She watched him reach into his pocket and pull out an overstuffed envelope.
“Hello mother, here are your divorce papers.” James had a second envelope with a sizable check inside but given the presence of a strange man who appeared a few years older than himself he decided not to hand that over for the time being.
“Hmmm. We’ll talk about this later. Well, what happened?”
“Not now, I’m tired from the trip. Who’s this?” James pointed to the guy, who had opened the door.
“This James is a very important man.” Rose took James by the arm.
“Really, Mrs. Choi, I’m not important.” The guy smiled.
“Please I’m no longer Mrs. Choi. You may call me Aunt Rose, or Mrs. Cheung.”
“Thank you, Aunt Rose. I’m honored.”
“Like I said, who are you?” James asked the guy whose smile he didn’t trust.
“James, I would like you to meet your cousin, Eric Lau-Cheung, from Amsterdam. He’s your Uncle Richard’s son.”
James was stunned. This means he is Kiu’s brother.
“Hi James, nice to meet you,” Eric reached out to shake James’ hand. He stared hard into James’ eyes trying to evaluate the man.
“Nice to meet you too.” James shook Eric’s hand.
“It’s time for you to learn about us Cheung’s,” Rose went into the kitchen, picked up the tray with coffee and tea and returned to the living room. “It’s going to be a long night, but we have lots of planning to do before Eric returns to Europe tomorrow afternoon.”
The three sat down in the living room. James couldn’t believe what he was hearing. They were plotting against his father. He just left the man and had promised to remain loyal to the Choi family, because after all, he was a Choi proven no less by medical tests. He was still in the society for heaven’s sake. His oath meant something to him and now his mother was asking him to avenge her honor, avenge her family, and avenge Richard. She was asking him to join forces with Eric. He closed his eyes and wished the nightmare would just end, but when he opened his eyes, they were still sitting in Rose’s living room and they were expecting an answer.
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The Dragon Within His Shadow Page 43