When the first ray of sunlight illuminated the break of dawn, the fleet of stars in the skies began to shimmer away. It made Wayne feel bittersweet as he knew his time had just gotten shorter. The quiet last few moments he had stargazing with Pei Li or rather Penny was getting more comfortable for him to not want to leave this world.
However, he knew it was only his wishful thinking.
"Happy Chinese New Year…" Penny said gently noticing his grimaces as he sat up from lying on the roof tiles. He gave her a meaningful look before he reached out to her loose fringe and tucked it behind her ears.
"Take care…" He said before leaving for his house.
Penny could feel an unexplainable heartache when he left. It was as though it was the last time she might be able to see him but she could not understand her complicated feelings then as she shrugged and headed into her room.
That was when she recalled it was the day of her marriage.
Penny wanted very much to just walk to the cliff at the hilltop of the village where many had jumped to their deaths and end it all there for Pei Li and herself but her curiosity got the better of her. Penny wanted to see who the unlucky man her good-for-nothing family had arranged her with. She promised Pei Li she would take chances to end their miserable life thereafter.
It did not take her very long to get dressed as the red "qi pao" prepared by her mother. It had long sleeves and was long enough to cover the bruises on her long slender legs other than her arms. She did not bother putting on makeup but her mother forced her to put on a red lipstick instead.
Penny took a last look at herself in the mirror and wondered if dressing up for her death was even necessary.
Wayne sat by the corner of his old house's front door half waiting for his family to arrive while half fighting the urge to walk to the same hilltop cliff and end everything. However, his curiosity to see which girl the family set up him with got the better of him. He wanted to ensure he compensated the girl well with his leftover inheritance before he left.
As his agitated father stormed up to the house, furiously ranting at him for being missing and ignoring everyone's calls causing panic the night before, Wayne sat quietly waiting for the chaos to subside. Only when his younger brother, Chester urged him to join the family to make their way to the bride's house, did he start to barge.
Wayne thought it would be a distance but to his surprise, his family stopped at a familiar house a stone throw away and two familiar figures stepped out from that house, for the first time being well dressed. He was even shocked at how friendly both families were.
Wayne's eyes were darting around at the sight of their daughter, who was the one whom he was speaking to the night before, Pei Li but she was probably still hidden in the room till the greetings were over. Wayne's hope that Pei Li was really his bride was high as she was the only child remaining in that house.
He thought about the promise he made to her last night; her long-awaited freedom. That alone was enough to make him revive the will to live on for the sack of Pei Li as he obediently followed the elder's instruction to hand over gifts to the in-laws.
Pei Li's mother escorted her out of her room moments later. Her face was covered by a veil and it was disappointing for Pei Li who was still in Penny's consciousness to not be able to see her bridegroom just yet.
Wayne noticed the discreet act of plucking her fingernails when she was nervous. It was not Pei Li's act which he recalled. Anxiety built up in him as he began to doubt it was Pei Li.
Instinct made him pull down her veil, revealing his charming look in his red "changsan", which is a traditional outfit to pair with her cheongsam. Their intense stares, ignoring the adults' bantering about customs and respect, made the couple contemplate in their respective minds, on their decision to commit suicide or not.
It's you… They both said in unison in their mind.
Penny stopped plucking her nails while Wayne's worries dissipated instantly. Amid the chaos, Wayne took her hand in his.
"I will take her as my wife only if you accept a few conditions." Wayne sternly directed his demands to his father who was scoffing at him.
"This marriage is to be kept a secret. If this leaks out, I will do anything to ensure that the person who leaked the news does not get to be reborn." Wayne threatened as his mother gasped and wanted to reprimand him but he raised his hand to stop her.
"And I would stop all financial support." He sent out the final blow but had stated his next demand as his old man choke on his cigarette puff.
"You insolent boy! Good for nothing! Do you know how much you owe this family?!" He bellowed as Wayne was reminded of the past but forced himself to hide it for now from Pei Li who clearly needed a lot of protection.
Penny was stunned at Wayne's gestures and threats. She never thought he returned for this last night. She never expected it to be him next to her and now, fulfilling the promise he wished he could give her last night; her freedom. That was enough to make her stop contemplating taking her and Pei Li's life as she began to see the future for Pei Li.
"As for her…" Wayne directed at Pei Li's mother. "I will arrange a safe place for you to stay and work after this." Wayne knew to win Pei Li over was to ensure her mother's safety and doing this would only make Pei Li worry-free.
She vowed to herself to fulfill her promise to him too, by buying him the happiness he longed for. By doing so, she kept quiet as a mark of agreeing to the marriage and his demands.
Probably due to exhaustion, Penny began to feel dizzy from all the thinking that she fainted into Wayne's arms without being able to convey her deals with him. But she was satisfied with the criteria he had laid out. It was a better start than she had expected as Penny finally let Pei Li's body have a good rest at ease.
Wayne instantly carried her to his car and drove all the way to the hospital in Qi Tai ignoring the family members.
You're my priority from now on Pei Li. Your mother is next… Don't worry… I will ensure her welfare is well taken care of. The rest of them can just perish for good for all I care… Wayne thought to himself before making some phone calls to his agent for assistance.
In Kung Tap, after enjoying a late night of fireworks, Violet returned to the stillness of quiet that night. She had not imagined she would be able to enjoy herself this far and had the bravery to get that tattoo she always wanted if it was not for Sebastian. She was also counting her blessings to be able to befriend an artist which rarely anyone could.
As she ran a few places in her mind to visit for the day, she noticed a caller ID which was her brother's name, Sam Chu. She wanted to pick up but she knew she was not ready to face all that. As she ignored the call, she went to get ready and headed down to the hotel lobby excitedly.
Little did she expect to see Sebastian in disguise with glasses and shabby sun beach clothes waiting for her. She chuckled at his impromptu visit as she walked up to him.
"What are you doing here? Aren't you afraid of being caught by paparazzi?" Violet questioned as he smiled.
"What's there to worry? Everyone in town knows me and they protect me well. What do you think of this disguise? Works well?" He asked while turning around as she laughed.
"Definitely! How was your sleep? Had a good night at your sister's place?" She asked as they walked to leave the homestay.
"Yes… And you?" She could sense a sad tone in his reply as she smiled sadly.
"Same." She replied and they both had a tacit understanding that none of them could sleep well in their situation.
"So, where should we go today?" He asked trying to liven up the mood while she began to explain her plans for the day which involved visiting several trademark temples where he had assisted her with filming.
He had already noticed since yesterday that she was a natural on camera. She could instantly switch her personality in and out of the camera. She was also spontaneous with her reviews and made him wondered how did this girl not end up in the entertainment industry.
He also took the whole night to go through her video logs and blogs on her travels. She was tip-top with her recommendations and constructive with her criticisms too. If he needed marketers, she would definitely make it into his list.
When night arrived, they went to the night market and had pork burgers from the fast food restaurant before having some local spicy stir-fried dishes and barbeque meat patties.
"Every single time I come here, their pork dishes are awesome! It's so juicy and tender that makes you want more." Sebastian said while munching on his burger.
"Oh, don't you get the same in Qi Tai too?" Violet asked before taking the next bite of her burger.
"When I am in Qi Tai, I need to look after my diet. Besides, food tastes more vibrant in none four seasons countries. I don't know why but most likely it's due to the produce being not too fresh like it is in Qi Tai for example that, the flavors thrown in to cover the fishiness actually brings out the taste a lot better." Sebastian explained as Violet nodded in agreement.
"That's right. In Lagopool where I live, there are many fresh produce being imported that we rarely get good quality. Even if we do, the price is exorbitant and ridiculous." Violet concurred as Sebastian smiled.
"So, you're from Lagopool I see… I have been there briefly before for some work. A very expensive country and nothing much honestly." Sebastian said as Violet blinked and shrugged in a moment of realisation that she had revealed some personal details.
"That's fine. It's not like you could do anything knowing where I am from. I agree Lagopool is boring…" Violet shrugged.
"So, what's the plan next?" Sebastian asked wiping his hands with tissues.
"Tonight? Chill I suppose…" Violet said before sipping her beer.
"I mean your future..." His question made her stare into his gaze asking herself the same question which she had no answer to just yet. She completely was unprepared neither was she ready to make a decision yet.