by Alexia Praks
Two Months Later
Their new home was up on the eighth floor of the Sunset Tower just out of Surfers Paradise, one of the most prestigious sets of apartments in the Gold Coast. Of course, Chan and her sisters just couldn’t believe their luck, and this was all thanks to Jeremy White.
On one side, the apartment had great views overlooking the beach and sapphire sea beyond and a beautiful inner courtyard on the other. There were lush greens in the tropical garden with mini waterfalls and a large swimming pool in the center where they could enjoy themselves as they pleased. Their two-story dwelling was spacious, light, and tastefully decorated to a high caliber. Something Chan had always dreamed about, but never had the chance to possess until now.
There was a large foyer at the entrance that led to the open-plan living area and kitchen on the left. The living area itself had a French double door that opened into the courtyard, likewise with nine other apartments on this floor. To the right of the foyer was a formal lounge, which they could use to entertain their friends, and a study, which Chan would be using as her drawing and writing studio. On the second floor, there were three bedrooms, one overlooking the courtyard and two toward the sea. Chan chose the bedroom that overlooked the courtyard, which she’d fallen in love with on first sight. There was just that something cozy about a courtyard view.
Dara and Soriya, on the other hand, took the ones that overlooked the sea, since they liked the spaciousness and openness of the view.
The moving and unpacking didn’t take them long, as the sisters didn’t have a lot of belongings. Now Chan stood in her bedroom, smiling to herself with satisfaction as she’d just finished setting everything up.
The new queen-size bed was tastefully furnished with a dark purple and silver damask cover set. A bedside lamp in the form of an intricately designed elephant sat to the right and a vase of peonies to the left. To the left side of the room stood shelves filled with her books and to the right two chest-of-drawers for her clothes. On the other side of the wall, near the window that overlooked the courtyard, she had her study desk with her laptop and a few notebooks and pens.
She sighed and threw herself on the bed, smiling because she could finally rest. Her smile, however, was short lived when she once again remembered Dave’s messages. She closed her eyes and told herself he’d never find them now. They had sold the house. She’d changed her phone number. There was nothing to worry about.
“Chan!” Dara’s voice boomed out from downstairs. “Come on. We’re starving.”
“And there’s no way I’m cooking after this moving and setting up the apartment,” Soriya said loudly. “I’m beat. We’re going to yum char. Get yourself down here and pronto!”
Chan chuckled. Gosh, Soriya sounded as if she were really starving. Her tone of voice was so demanding, as per her usual when she was very hungry. But then again, yum char was her favorite food, and she’d go all crazy if she didn’t at least get to have it once every fortnight.
Chan shook her head and reluctantly got up from the bed, still feeling more than a little exhausted. She grabbed her satchel and headed out the door.
“Coming,” she called out as she came down the stairs, just in case the sisters were wondering what was taking her so long to respond to their demand.
“About time,” Soriya said the moment she saw Chan. She grabbed her wrist even before the sister’s feet could land on the last step and hauled her toward the door.
It was some half hour later when Chan stared with disbelief at the cupcake that looked very much like a cup of hot chocolate in front of her. It was beautifully made with white fondant as the cup and handle and the chocolate meringue as the hot chocolate. On top of this sat a pretty little candle.
“What is it for?” she asked, pointing chopsticks at it.
“It’s your birthday cake,” replied Dara proudly. “Since you made it quite clear you don’t want a party or fancy birthday cake with the number twenty-five on top of it, Soriya and I made an executive decision we’d just go with the cupcake.”
Chan sighed. They had to do it, didn’t they? These sisters of hers had to remind her today was her birthday. Of course, they’d never thought much about birthdays, since their mom had passed on, in fact. There was no joy without her, so they never did anything to celebrate when that time of year came around for them.
“Twenty-five is like a quarter of a century,” Dara said. “I think it’s special, so even if we’re not really celebrating, we are kind of celebrating.”
“Thanks for the thought,” Chan said with a chuckle.
She picked up a dumpling with the end of the chopsticks, dipped it into the small bowl of deep-red chili sauce, and then popped it into her mouth. The intense flavor, mainly the hot spices from the chili, burned her mouth. As she ate, she noted her sisters glancing at each other.
“So are you gonna make a wish?” Soriya asked.
Chan put the chopstick down on the table and lifted the Chinese tea to her lips.
Dara chuckled. “Come on. Make a wish.”
Chan sighed. “And what could I possibly wish for?” Though, in her mind, she only wished for one thing. To be able to move on and live freely without thinking about Dave, Lisa, and Amie. She wanted to leave her unwanted baggage behind. And honest to God, she’d tried, but they just kept coming back to bite her.
“Lots of things,” Soriya replied. “A hunky dude. That’s what you really need. A hunky dude to kick start your romantic life.”
The moment Soriya said that, Chandra pulled a face. “I’m not interested in guys right now.” Except, of course, Lilly’s dad, the voice in the back of her head sang out delightfully. The thought of him instantly caused her core to warm deliciously.
It had been two months since that day she’d accidentally, unofficially met him. But Chan had never stopped thinking about him or the fact that she’d dreamed about him kissing her and embracing her. It had happened five times, and every time she woke up, she’d smile and feel warm and happy.
Her sister would mention she had a sort of morning glow as if she’d just had sex. Which was so untrue because she’d never shared a bed with any man… Well, not willingly and not for a long time now. It was good. It was liberating…
She still wished Dave could just go to hell though.
“So you’re a lesbian?” Soriya’s voice drew her back to the present.
“I’m not interested in girls either,” she said mildly.
“What? You gonna be a nun?” Soriya couldn’t help herself.
“Of course, my dear. I’ll just be as is for a couple more years and then I’ll think about men,” Chan said jokingly.
The sisters suddenly looked serious, and Chan knew they understood the meaning behind her words. She immediately sought to rectify the gloomy situation that appeared out of the blue.
“Anyway, thanks for trying to help me out,” she said. When they still didn’t brighten up, she continued. “All right, let’s light that candle so I can make a wish.”
Soriya smiled then and raised her hand to catch the waitress’ attention. A moment later, the girl reappeared with a match and the single candle was lit.
Before the two younger sisters could open their mouths, Chandra raised her hand to stop them from singing the happy birthday song out loud and embarrassing her in public. Of course, they could do that in the privacy and security of their own home, but not in public.
“Don’t,” she said seriously. “I’m not five.”
Both Dara and Soriya chuckled.
“All right, if you say so,” Dara said.
Chan nodded and then closed her eyes. Her mind, however, was blank as she began the process of making that all-important wish. What could I possibly wish for? she wondered. Hadn’t she made up her mind that she’d wish for herself to be free of her unwanted baggage, to be free completely from Dave, Amie, and Lisa?
The deeper she dug into her own thoughts, however, the less important these people appeared within her mind. It wa
s when she thought she better open her eyes and pretend she’d made a wish that the image of a man appeared before her. Tall, masculine, dark hair, and a warm smile. Yet he was faceless to her.
Her heart skipped a beat, and Chan flashed her eyes open. She shivered, feeling more than a little bewildered that she should suddenly see Lilly’s dad within her mind’s eye. When she saw her sisters still looking at her, waiting for her patiently to go ahead and blow out the candle, Chan got ahold of herself and leaned forward. She winked the single, tiny candle out with one puff. The little flame of smoke danced across her face and then disappeared as she straightened herself.
“So what did you wish for?” Soriya asked.
Lilly’s dad. Instead, she teased, “A rich, hot man who is kind and understanding and funny and likes kids.” She even gave the sisters a wink.
Both Dara and Soriya laughed loudly.
“Yeah, right!” Dara said.
“Hot chocolate, anyone?” Chan took the candle off and lifted the cupcake via the handle. She brought it to her mouth and took a bite. It was vanilla cake inside. Creamy and soft. It was perfect. “Delicious,” she said. “Good choice.”
After taking a few more bites, Chandra observed her sisters as they continued with their meal, satisfied their plan of throwing her a wee birthday celebration was accomplished.
As she gazed at them enjoying their meal, Chan thought back to their past. They’d been together through thick and thin since their mom’s death. Then, of course, there’d been their dad’s freak accident when Chan had only turned seventeen. It was a big blow to all of them. Then Amie kicked them out of the house, which hadn’t at all surprised Chan. A part of her had been glad they no longer had to live with the woman.
The three of them had to move in with Grandma Lin in her tiny flat. Family affairs had been left to Chan to take care of. Then came the blow of the will, when the sisters had been left with nothing but their personal belongings. Even now, Chan still couldn’t believe their dad had left them with barely anything. Except of course the holiday house here in the Gold Coast, the house they’d just sold to the Harrington Group for just over a million dollars.
Chan returned her attention to her surroundings. The Chinese restaurant was, as usual, jam packed with customers. Most were having yum char. Various conversations in multiple languages filled the air as they continued their meal. It was half an hour later when they decided to leave the restaurant and head back to their new home.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 7
