Chapter One: Welcome Home
"Raymond, can you slow down and wait for me? I can't catch up with you," a young woman with a ponytail complained while trying to catch her breath.
"Hurry up Rain, we will be late to the law office. My uncle will not be happy about this," Raymond Lam rushed his girlfriend as he quickly ran toward the elevator.
"Wait for me," Rain Li removed her three-inches heels as she ran after her boyfriend, who is impatiently waiting inside the elevator.
"What are you doing removing your shoes for?" Raymond questioned.
"Can't you see that my heels is broken? Raymond Lam, you are such a careless boyfriend," Rain complained.
"If you didn't spend hours in deciding what to wear, we wouldn't be rushing here," Raymond explained.
"This is my first time meeting your uncle since we came back from the United States. Of course I have to look my best," Rain pulled out a compact mirror from her Burberry purse to check herself out.
"You look the same as yesterday when we got off the plane. What's the difference?" Raymond rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"You don't know how to appreciate a beauty before your eyes. There are so many guys going after me in college and I ended up picking you," Rain poked her index finger on Raymond's chest. "I could have chosen Alex Fong, the athletic. I don't even know what I like about you. I must be blind during that time," she whined.
"You're not blind that's why you chose me. You must be proud to have such a handsome looking boyfriend to show off," Raymond winked at Rain with a conceded smile.
"You? Huh…you're the one who should be proud to have me? Beside, I'm the beauty queen of the University of Southern California (USC)," Rain tucked her tongue out.
"But Rain, you lost to Linda Chung. Remember?" Raymond honesty stated.
"Do you have to remind me? You know that the reason why she won is because her boyfriend's father has connection in the pageant. And you…"
"Okay honey, we're here. Can we drop this for now?" Raymond quickly interrupted as he wrapped his arm around her tiny waist and pulled her closer to him.
"A-hem, I haven't hear the magic word yet," Rain demanded.
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. My girlfriend is the prettiest in the world. Will you please forgive me?" Raymond begged and curved his lips downward like a sad puppy.
Rain laughed at her boyfriend's silliness. "And?" she tapped her index finger on her cheek.
Raymond smiled sweetly revealing his dimples and kisses Rain on the cheek.
"Much better," Rain looped her arms around Raymond's arm as they stepped out the elevator.
"Raymond, my boy. It's been four years. You've grown so much since I last saw you," a middle-age man hugged Raymond.
"Uncle Bowie, I missed you so much. How have you been?" Raymond asked as he gave his uncle a manly hug.
"Good," Bowie Lam responded. "Too bad your father and I couldn't make it to your graduation. Your father was sick and I have to take over the business," he explained.
"I know father's health condition wasn't that good, but his death is just too sudden. He couldn't even wait until I come back," Raymond sighed. "By the way, how's the funeral going?" he asked.
"Don't worry about it. Everything is under control. Your father's funeral is scheduled next Sunday," Bowie answered. "And this is…" he paused as he studied Rain from top to bottom.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Rain Li," Raymond wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"Wow, I didn't know Raymond has such a beautiful girlfriend. Nice to meet you Miss Li. I'm Bowie Lam, Raymond's uncle," Bowie gave Rain a firm handshake.
"Nice to meet you too Uncle Bowie. You can call me Rain. Raymond always speaks proudly of you. He said that you're the one who helped out his father's business while he studied oversea," Rain smiled.
"It's the Lam's family business. It's my responsibility anyway," Bowie laughed as he opened the door and proceeds inside the law office.
"This must be Mr. Raymond Lam. I'm Sammul Chan, Mr. Gilbert Lam's personal attorney," Sammul gave Raymond a firm handshake.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Chan," Raymond greeted.
"You can call me Sammul. Since everybody is here, we can start now," Sammul guided his guests inside a meeting room with a long wooden table. "Please have a seat," he directed.
"Whatever my dear brother decision is, I will respect it," Bowie proudly spoken.
"I was supposed to announce the will after the funeral, but I will be flying to Paris tomorrow, so I need to get this handle as soon as possible. I hope you don't mind doing it today," Sammul politely asked.
"I don't mind. We will need to do it sooner or later. Let's get this out the way, so I can go back and remodel the office," Bowie speaking with confidence.
"I don't mind either. I hope father will rest in peace," Raymond sighed with water eyes.
Rain placed her hand on top of Raymond's hand to comfort him.
"Good. Let's begins," Sammul took out a document and started reading it. "On behalf of Mr. Gilbert Lam, he holds seventy percent shares of the Lam's Corporation, which sixty percent will be given to his only child, Mr. Raymond Lam and ten percent will be given to his younger brother, Mr. Bowie Lam. All the Lam Estates including the Lam's mansion located in Hong Kong, other properties in Mainland China and properties throughout Europe will be given to Mr. Raymond Lam as wells," he announced. "Any question? If not, you can sign the document," he ordered.
Bowie is shocked to what he had heard. "Are you sure that the will is up to date?" Bowie questioned.
"Yes, Mr. Bowie Lam. Mr. Gilbert Lam had made this will a couple months before he passed away. No matter what, we will have to respect Mr. Gilbert Lam's decision. If you are not satisfied with the result, you can try to appeal, but just to let you know that there were two witnesses and two doctors presented during that time. The doctors can prove that Mr. Gilbert Lam is in the state of clarity before signing the will," Sammul explained.
Bowie laughed sarcastically. "Of course I'm satisfied with the result. As I said early, I respected my brother's decision. Don't worry Raymond. I will assist you in running the business. Your bachelor degree in architecture will not be wasted," he forced out a weak smile and unwillingly signing the document.
"Thank you Uncle Bowie, I don't know what to do without you. I will learn as much as I can from you," Raymond signed the document after Bowie.
"Good. Everything is all set. Congratulation Mr. Lam. The Lam's Corporation is one of the top ten construction company in Hong Kong," Sammul gratefully shook Raymond's hand.
Bowie gave Raymond a hard stare before he disappointedly exited the room.