Chapter 44

ECHOES

When Jing found herself standing outside Hua Ze Lei's offices, going over an internal battle whether to step in or not, she suddenly felt the urge to turn tail and run. After all, she had no idea what to tell him.

Of course she could always say she was just here to check up on how he is. But after what she found out from her conversation with Shancai, she suddenly does not know how to start a conversation with Hua Ze Lei.

She was spared from further contemplation about this when the lady secretary seated on the table just outside the inner office happened to glance up and spot her, already having a ready smile as she stood up to meet her.

"Miss Teng Tang Jing," the woman, whom Jing presumed to be Sachiko over their phone conversations, said, bowing slightly. "Reception rang me about you coming up here. Sir Hua Ze Lei is still speaking with someone so if you would not mind waiting?"

Jing shook her head quickly. "I can wait," she said and proceeded to glance around the outer office of Artiste's General Manager and owner.

It is, undoubtedly, Hua Ze Lei's domain, she thought to herself, noting the understated décor of the room. The neutral hues and colors, the simple yet classy furniture, even the calm and serene feeling the very air seemed to exude.

Calm and serene: the exact words to describe Hua Ze Lei.

"Can I offer you anything while you wait?" Sachiko spoke softly from behind, and Jing shook her head, refusing graciously.

As she turned her head to the side, a large portrait at the other wall caught her eye. Jing moved closer, looking at it quietly.

Sachiko, watching the famous former model and now head of the equally famous airline, said, "She is Artiste's very first talent. So you could see why she is accorded such esteem."

Jing nodded, returning her gaze to the large portrait.

Unlike those large looming posters and billboards of Aisha all over Tokyo, this one was more...natural. The smile was warm enough to make one guess that this photograph was taken especially for someone – a single person – and not for the adulating fans.

This was all the confirmation Jing needed.

When the door opened she turned to find Hua Ze Lei walking out with a member of his staff. When he lifted his gaze and met hers across the room, she smiled.

"Hi," she said, walking towards him.

Hua Ze Lei stared at her for a long moment, then said, "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Just an old friend dropping by to say hello, and how are you." When he kept staring at her with that unnerving gaze, she laughed nervously. "Oh, alright, I just wanted to talk to you. I think we have a lot of catching up to do. After all, it has been a while."

He seemed to think for a moment, then nodded. Pulling the door of his office closed, he turned to Sachiko.

"I will be out for an early lunch. I will see you this afternoon."

His assistant nodded and smiled, watching the two leave the office, shaking her head in marvel as she watched Teng Tang Jing leave with her boss, thinking what a great couple they made.

Thirst. She is dying of thirst.

Aisha literally stumbled out of the dance studio, feeling thoroughly suffocated and tired.

She had spent the better part of the morning going through her new dance routines with her group in time for the launching of her album in a couple of weeks. Hour flowed into another hour, se became too absorbed in the routines that when she realized it, exhaustion was upon her like a weight of a thousand boulders.

She not only needed water; she badly needed some air.

Distastefully Aisha looked down at her tank top and sweat pants, instantly regretting not grabbing her jacket on her way out. She is sweating like a pig, she concluded, borrowing the idiom the Americans always used.

Then she shrugged. She knew almost everyone in this building. Who could she possibly run into in the hallways anyway?

Suddenly she froze in her tracks as she caught a glimpse of the two people she was about to meet in the hallway.

Aisha was about to turn on her heels and go the other way, but she realized it was too late. Hua Ze Lei's pace visibly slowed down when he saw her and, beside him, Jing noticed this and followed suit, eventually seeing Aisha when she followed the direction of his eyes.

Not knowing what to do, not knowing where to go, Aisha contemplated just walking right past them.

Come to think of it, there is no other way, right?

Taking a deep breath, Aisha resumed walking. All the while she was aware of Hua Ze Lei's eyes on her, but she just kept right on, her gaze fixed straight ahead, hoping her knees would not betray her and buckle underneath her.

Jing was also quietly looking at Hua Ze Lei to Aisha, then back to Hua Ze Lei. No one could really even guess what she was thinking.

When Aisha was already in front of them, she simply gave a low bow of her head, then moved past them wordlessly.

She closed her eyes when she heard Jing call out her name.

"Aisha."

Slowly Aisha turned around, careful to fix her eyes on Teng Tang Jing, who was smiling at her.

"How are you?"

Aisha mustered a smile. "Fine, ma'am."

Jing laughed gently. "I thought we were past that 'ma'am' stage already. Anyway, Lei and I were just going out to lunch. Would you care to join us?'

Disbelief roared through Aisha. Jing could not possibly mean this! She shook her head, trying to sound as gracious as possible.

"Thanks for the offer, but my hands are quite full at the moment," she said, spreading her hands wide. She could feel Jing taking in her sweaty appearance and once again berated herself for coming out here without at least making sure she looked more presentable.

But then again, who would have thought she would meet Jing – and Hua Ze Lei – in the corridors?

Stupid, she scolded herself. Hua Ze Lei owns the place; of course she should have expected to bump into him one way or the other!

"Alright," Jing said, still smiling in that friendly manner. "See you around, then."

Aisha nodded and, without waiting for Jing to say any more, said, "Have fun," then turned on her heels and fought the urge to run away from them as far as possible.

With her back ramrod-straight she kept on walking, not really sure where she is heading, only knowing she has to get as far away from them as fast as possible.

When she reached the corner, she made a quick turn and, away from the view of anyone behind her, leaned against the wall, breathing hard, ignoring the curious glances from the other employees who happened to pass by.

It took a long time for her breathing to return to normal and her heartbeat to return to an even rhythm.

Slowly Aisha moved to the side, peering through the window directly overlooking the parking lot of the building.

She felt her throat constrict and her chest contract in pain as she instantly spotted the two of them.

Hua Ze Lei was opening the door of the passenger side of his car, and Jing was getting in, but not after putting her hand on his sleeve and seemed to say something as he nodded his head.

After Hua Ze Lei closed the door, he looked up, as though sensing someone was watching him. Aisha quickly hid from view, repeatedly telling herself that this was what she wanted.

Hua Ze Lei said he would fight for her.

He must have changed his mind.

This was what she wanted, what she preferred.

Still...damn it, it hurts!

"Stop right here," Jing said suddenly and Hua Ze Lei slowed the car down, wondering if finally she had decided on where they are to have lunch.

He looked around and was suddenly assailed by familiarity with the streets.

Jing was speaking. "I know where we should have lunch." She pointed ahead. "See that Italian restaurant? I have not tried eating there before, but I heard good things about it. Why don't we go try it?"

Hua Ze Lei did not say anything, staring at the restaurant she was referring to. 'Of all the places...' he thought with dismay.

"Are you sure?" he asked her. "We could go some place else. I know a restaurant nearby that serves French cuisine..."

"I would like to try Italian this time," she said, and he knew there was no changing her mind. With a silent sigh he brought the car in front of the restaurant.

The sigh was not lost on Jing, who turned and gave Hua Ze Lei an assessing glance, wondering what he is thinking right now. He had not been much of a talker since they left Artiste a few minutes ago.

When the valet opened the car door for her, Jing turned in more curiosity when the valet addressed Hua Ze Lei as though they were casual acquaintances.

"Sir," the valet said, tipping his hat at Hua Ze Lei. "You are back." Even the curious glance the valet turned in Jing's direction did not pass unnoticed by her.

When they entered the restaurant, the maitre'd was instantly there to welcome them warmly. "Sir," he said, bowing low. "The usual table?"

Jing looked at Hua Ze Lei, who shook his head.

"Not necessarily," Hua Ze Lei replied. "Wherever will do."

"Certainly, sir," the maitre'd said then gave Jing another a curious look before signaling for a waiter to assist them.

She knew something was up when she noticed most of the waiters in the restaurant were giving her those same appraising – and wondering – looks.

They were led to a table near the windows and, after giving their orders, settled for the wait.

Jing took a deep breath, looking around the restaurant. "This is nice," she remarked. "Have you been here before?"

Her question was testy, and this did not escape Hua Ze Lei. "Once or twice," he replied.

"That is not the impression I got from the crew," Jing said.

"They are just friendly," he said nonchalantly.

Too friendly, she thought, but thought better of saying it out loud.

They spoke of trivial matters while waiting for their orders. Hua Ze Lei was his usual noncommittal self that anyone would immediately conclude there is nothing wrong. But Jing is not just anyone.

She had spent a good part of her life knowing Hua Ze Lei. Something is wearing down on him, and she sensed it. She also had an idea what it was.

When their table was cleared, Jing leaned back on her seat and looked at Hua Ze Lei intently. Before she could open her mouth to begin asking her questions, he beat her to it.

"I was quite surprised when I heard you are now running the Airline," he said. "I thought you were content in France. What changed your mind?"

She shrugged, deciding to give him time to ask his questions before she took her turn.

"My family," she replied. "After Dad's attack I knew I had to come back. Besides, Europe does not work for me anymore."

Slowly he nodded, as though understanding.

Jing laughed softly, and he looked up in surprise. "Admit it, Hua Ze Lei," she said. "You were not really interested to know that, right?" He opened his mouth to protest but she went on speaking. "And this lunch is not for you to ask me questions, but for me to ask you."

"Ask what?" he asked back.

"Something changed you," she said, taking a deep breath. "And I think I know what did it. Or who."

"You do?" Hua Ze Lei began to wonder what Jing was getting at.

She nodded slowly. "Do not think I did not notice how you and Aisha acted when we met earlier."

He did not say anything. She went on.

"I know, Hua Ze Lei. Shancai told me."

At this Hua Ze Lei turned away, irritation in his eyes.

"Don't blame her," Jing said quickly. "I called her and asked her the questions. She only wanted to help."

"Help?" Hua Ze Lei repeated. "How could anyone possibly help?"

"You are going through a rough patch, and we are here to help you."

"Thanks," he said, still trying to appear gracious. "But if I needed your help, I would ask for it."

At this, Jing smiled. "Shancai told me you would say that," she murmured. "What really happened, Lei?"

"I thought you and Shancai talked about that," Hua Ze Lei replied almost bitterly.

"But I want to hear it from you."

"I do not have time for this." He moved to stand up, but her next words stopped him.

"Do you know what entered my mind when we met Aisha earlier?"

Hua Ze Lei looked at her, and suddenly he felt he was interested to know her thoughts on the matter. After all, she had been his friend for the longest time.

Knowing she finally caught his attention, she continued.

"I remembered the first time I met Shancai. She was running then, chased by some bullies. She fell down and then there you were, involved in a tug-of-war with A Si. This morning, I remembered that scene vividly, because you had that same look that you had before."

"What look?"

"That look that says you cared about her. Deeply." Hua Ze Lei looked down. "Only this time it was more...intense. You looked at Aisha with so much intensity that I knew this time it is different. This time it is stronger."

"You should have taken up psychology, Jing," he said dryly.

She let his taunt pass. "You went against Dao Ming Si in the past. I wonder what is stopping you now." She leaned forward. "I want to help - "

"Did you have a talk with Dao Ming Si, too?" he asked. "Because you are beginning to sound a lot like him."

He lowered his voice when he noticed she was hurt by his accusation. With a small sigh, he said, "Listen, Jing, I appreciate this. But you do not have to tell me to care for her, because I do. You do not have to tell me to fight for her, because I am, and I will. I do not need further prodding or encouragement from anyone."

He stood up, suddenly tired of this conversation. "I have to go back to the office."

"Aisha is a very nice girl." Hua Ze Lei stopped, his back to her as she went on speaking. "In fact, if I were given the chance and made to choose who I will be, I would like to be her."

He turned around and looked at her, not sure if he was supposed to believe her.

But she looked thoroughly sincere as she repeated, "I would LOVE to be her."

Hua Ze Lei blinked, noting sheer honesty in her open face. Then, in spite of himself, a slow smile appeared.

"Nobody could be her," he said.

He shrugged. "Don't worry about the bill, I'll take care of it."

As he strode out of the restaurant, speaking with the butler for a few moments, Jing knew he came to this restaurant not only once or twice.

Jing looked down at the table, noticing for the first time his half-eaten lunch and untouched dessert.

So it is true. He has it bad.