The Rules Series

peaceful and serene everything was after that powerful storm last night. Luckily, her home hadn’t been damaged. The main road was still blocked due to the mudslide, but luckily, there was a smaller less traveled road on the other side of her house. It took a little longer to get to her father’s, but she’d arrived in plenty enough time for tea. Pulling on the thick chord, slowly, the curtains began to part until they were fully open. Speaking softly to herself she dusted off her hands. “Perfect.”
Now, with an unobstructed view, she could truly say this was her favorite room in the entire house. It faced the awesomeness of the Li River. Nothing was more beautiful than looking over the river in the summertime as it flowed through the Karst Mountains, so tall and powerful. Every now and again, Gina could see a small tour boat full of visitors admiring the beauty of her homeland. She often wondered what would it be like to be one of those people; to have been born Gina Lee instead of Gina Lee Xiou.
In the past, the river gave her a sense of peace from the chaotic world she’d been born into: a father whose business was his one great mistress, and who ruled his family and business in much of the same way as the river flowed—unrelenting. Business took precedence over everything including family. Nothing stood in the way of that. It didn’t help that Xiou Incorporated seemed to keep one foot in legitimacy and one foot out. Having to manage unsavory characters would jade anybody. She certainly had been jaded while her father groomed her to take over the business and at the same time knowing it would never happen.
Gina took in the lush greens of the forest, and landscapes left virtually untouched by man that was only separated by the river. It took her back to a time when she and Nina were children. Nina always loved the sweet fragrance of the Osmanthus trees. At the time, Gina could care less. Now, when she was home the fragrance always made her feel closer to her. Nina was the sweetheart. So different from Chang and her.
Was this room where their mother fell in love with her father? Or, did she ever love him?
“It’s too bright in here. Close the curtains.” Chang Lee Xiou demanded in Mandarin. Like clockwork, he strode into the room toward the dining room table with a newspaper hidden under his arm. His stride full of purpose and his face stern. As long as Gina was in his presence, they would only speak in their language.
Ever the dutiful daughter, Gina automatically pulled the cord and the curtains partially closed blocking out most of the sunlight. She walked towards the table as well and took a seat. “Good afternoon Father.”
Chang never made eye contact as he took his seat. “Good afternoon.” He placed his newspaper on the side of the table.
Gina picked up the steaming hot teapot and poured her father a cup. Chang finally looked up into her eyes. “I heard you took a little trip to the States recently.” She stilled but only for a moment. She continued pouring tea into his cup and then into her own.
“I’m not surprised you heard that. Nothing ever seems to escape you.”
“No. It doesn’t. And you would do well to remember that daughter.” Chang picked up his cup and took a long sip, then replaced it back into its saucer.
Curiously, she tilted her head. “I remember a lot of things father. But, there is this one nagging little memory that’s quite fuzzy. I was hoping you could help me with it. Would you like a biscuit? I made sure they prepared your favorite.”
He nodded and Gina placed one of the scrumptious biscotti’s onto his plate. Chang took a bite of the biscuit and another sip of tea. “Before we get into that would you care to explain how I have a granddaughter, which you knew about, and didn’t tell me?”
At this point, Gina wasn’t surprised that he knew. It was really only a matter of time. “Hmm…that’s really an interesting question. It actually ties into what I wanted to ask you about Laurette.”
He wasn’t expecting that. “Laurette?” Her name hadn’t been mentioned in years. Instantly, Chang appeared uncomfortable. However, without breaking eye contact, he deftly picked up his cup of tea and took another sip. “What about her?”
Calmly, Gina asked, “Why haven’t you ever had this room re-decorated? It’s obvious you hate it.” She could see him swallow deeply while his face remained unchanged.
“I don’t hate this room. There are some memories that I choose to preserve. This room is one of them.”
“Did you love her then?”
“Who? Why all the questions?”
“Laurette. Did you love her?” Gina looked around the room and spoke as if answering her own question. “You must have considering this room hasn’t changed in over twenty years. The décor is a bit dated.”
“I can’t believe we’re talking about this. Or, that you even remember her.”
“Why wouldn’t I? Who wouldn’t remember their mother?”
The shock was evident on his face.
“What? You didn’t think we knew? See father, I can keep secrets too. But, back to my original question. Did you have her killed?”
Chang slowly lowered his cup. “So, you knew about her, yet you said nothing.”
“I am your daughter. You have taught me well. One thing you have always stressed was timing. How timing is everything. There was no need to say anything—then. I am curious and thought now would be a good time to get answers