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» ASIB AFTER THE WEDDING CH. 29 - 30, RE POST
| Guest_nenggeulis |
 Posted: Oct 30 2009, 09:26 AM
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A STAR IS BORN
Author: Cynthia Muak Chapter AW-29 As soon as they waved Xiang Jie through the departure gate at the airport, they were missing him already. Baby Bao Bao kept looking back towards the gate where his uncle had just passed through, his chubby little fingers were wriggling about with one index finger pointing crookedly towards that direction, as if he wanted to go too. He was crying. Shan Mei tried her best to pacify him. Even Daddy was finding it taxing consoling him, until he copied one of Xiang Jie’s tricks, swinging Bao Bao from side to side, then up and down. The crying abated, baby looked at him curiously, and very soon he was gurgling happily and noisily. Xiang Zhe laughed along with him and asked, “Is that why you’re giving love and loyalty to your Uncle? Come, Daddy wants a hug and kiss too!” Baby was soon hugging and kissing daddy all over, and daddy was laughing and kissing him back. === At MBS, Planning Dept was busy helping PR Dept churn out P.R. and organise Founding Day anniversary celebration. Several important new guests were invited, namely Sir Michael Dutton of CTN-UK and CTN-Asia/Pacific, not because he recently came into 20% share of MBS, but as the owner of dubbed material, the Natural World Phenomenon, allowing MBS to screen this series without screening fees. This programme received very high viewer % rating and was sponsored entirely by IT Mountain Bike Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sunyang Motor Corporation. Both cooperations with CTN-KE were highly successful, with Two Sides To A Coin monopolising afternoon viewing. This year the format was little bit different from previous years. Four large video screens were mounted on walls to show award winning programmes: Natural World Phenomenon Best Documentary, Foreign (CTN) (dubbed Korean) Two Sides To A Coin Best Producer (MBS) Best Live Entertainment (MBS) Best Chat Show (MBS) Viewers Choice (MBS) Critics Choice (MBS) Best Chat Show Host (CTN) Best Chat Show Host (CTN) Best Newcomer (CTN) Sponsors Choice (CTN) Most Popular TV Personality (CTN) Best Children’s Program BBS Children’s Programme (BBS/MBS) Never Look Back Best Afternoon Drama W/D) MBS Musical Postcard, radio Most Popular Radio Show (MBS) Most Popular Deejay (Zhen Shan Mei) When it came to the Cake cutting ceremony to commemorate the charity and bursary foundations which the Wen Rong Group sponsored, the First Lady of MBS Miss Zhen Shan Mei was invited on stage to present the cheque to the invited guest, the head of Liu Yi University. Together they cut the cake. All present could see how proud their president was of his wife. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Throughout, he was trying to catch her eye, as if wanting to pass on some secret message only the two of them understood. Xiang Zhe was trying to tell his wife she was right about Zian Da. He knew everything that went on in the station. The video clip screening on Musical Postcard showed her behind the mic and next to her carousel on the night, husband and wife played their guitars, and the small gathering in the canteen afterwards. He didn’t see anybody filming anything that night, yet there they were up on the video screen. Must be one of the production assistants. That Senior Zian Da managed to keep this secret from him. Michael enjoyed this video clip the best, and asked for a copy to bring back to London. === “Hi, it’s me. Are you busy?” Shan Mei’s sweet voice came over the phone. “Depends on what you want,” his soft voice was full of innuendo. “I know how you always want to make my birthday special. This year, I want to spend it at our little cabin. That would be the most special. Okay?” “What about food? Everything is so basic there.” “The cabbage you grew should be ready for plucking around that time. I’ll make something with it. Just thought I’ll let you know before I forget about it. See you later. Love you, bye” He was smiling into the phone. “Love you?” She must be reading something or watching some romantic movie? She must be feeling romantic. He must remember to put some fresh roses in their room tonight, to put her in better romantic mood. Maybe he would get some reward? He had been out late the past 3 nights, out with Uncle Jin entertaining a party of Chinese contractors visiting Seoul and they were interested in buying some Wen Rong heavy machineries. By the time he got home, his precious little wife had long been asleep. He had missed her so much. == Meanwhile, Shan Mei had finished a session of beauty treatment for her skin. She wanted to tone up her skin to perfection in time for her birthday special with her husband. With one more session to go, her skin was looking and feeling fabulous. She browsed around the shops to see what kind of interesting goodies she could get for that day. She already had a theme in mind. She shoved the shopping bag into her briefcase not wanting her husband to see. Her mobile phone rang. It was Ma asking them home for dinner. They managed to get some special crabs. Shan Mei agreed at once, knowing how much Xue Zhang loved crabs though he was too lazy to pick the meat off their shells. She arranged a time with her husband. They went home to shower, then took baby with them. They took a great French white that was supposed to go very well with shellfish. While Shan Mei was picking out the crab meat for her husband, she teased Ma about crabs being ‘best and fresh from the market today?’ Ma shyly answered, the stall owner insisted on giving her 4 of the biggest crabs when Ma stopped by his stall and recommended the crabs. The men were drinking and eating and they all had a great time. Suddenly she remembered that horrid movie about drunken driving, and reminded Xue Zhang she was afraid to sit in a car driven by a drunken driver. Xiang Zhe understood her worry. He had felt guilty about the movie, but at that time he needed it as a means to an end. Ever since, she had not mentioned about ‘driving lessons’ again. Pa also understood, especially now they had a baby on board. As Pa played with Bao Bao, he hinted it was about time for them to start on Baby No. 2. Xiang Zhe gave his wife a funny look like “I told you so.” “Aiyo, Pa. Have you asked You Zhen Ge and Minnie for their contribution to the family? I’m under tremendous stress from Xue Zhang. He wants a baby girl. I’m afraid if we have another boy, he will send me away from the house.” As she finished talking, she noticed her husband getting up from his seat and eyeing her with a threatening look. She tried to run off when he chased after her, and tickled her silly after he caught up with her. Shan Mei was laughing away like crazy. Baby saw his mother laughing. He sat there looking at his parents playing some kind of new game, he began to make cooing sounds too. Pa said not to worry. “Princess, if that happens, just return home with the baby, and I’ll give him surname Zhen, and he’ll be our family’s little prince.” Ha-ha, Pa laughed happily away. The idea was not bad at all. When they left, it was very late. Baby was already fast asleep. Before Xiang Zhe drove off, he gave his wife a tweak of her nose, chastising her for trying to give their babies away. == Today was Shan Mei’s birthday. Xiang Zhe had scheduled the morning for meetings. He kept the afternoon for paperwork and internal staff meeting. When the last bit of paper had been cleared from his desk and handed over to his secretary for handling, he stretched out his arms in his chair and let off a satisfied sigh. He checked the time on his wrist watch. It was already 4.30. He called his wife on her mobile phone. “Dearest wife, I’ve cleared all paper work. Do you want me to collect you now?” “I’m at the cabin already. Come when you’re ready. The cabbage you grew looks simply incredible. I’m waiting for you to see it before cutting it up.” What was she doing? It was such a hot day, why couldn’t she wait for him? He didn’t drop by home but drove straight to the cabin. He called out to her as he walked through the front gate. “Over here in the courtyard,” his wife called back to him. His eyes nearly popped out when he saw her. She was in the skimpiest of bikinis. Large beach towel was laid out on a beach mat. On the table were iced coolers in champagne flutes, decorated on the top with little paper umbrellas and orange slices. She looked sensational. His spirits soared dizzily. He was grinning widely after he got over his initial shock! She walked into his outstretched arms. He hugged her tight to him and gave her a very sensual kiss to match her sensual look. “You vamp, you’re driving me crazy!” he hissed huskily, squeezing her derriere hard. As Shan Mei laughed softly, she took a small packet from the chair, and told him his beach wear was in it. He laughed and ran off excitedly to change. Xiang Zhe came out in his tight fitting Speedo trunks looking tall, lean and gorgeous. One look at him, Shan Mei said she was never ever going to let him loose on a beach. He laughed, telling her not to worry, he would be too shy to appear in public. He normally wore loose surfer shorts at the pool. And he would definitely not let her out of the house, forget about beach, if she wore something like that. He loved the way she was dressed, but for his eyes only. He began to run his fingers over her silky smooth, creamy white skin, and began to kiss her bare back, her bare shoulders, her flat stomach, her thighs all the way down to her feet. He didn’t want food, he wanted something else now, urgently. When he kissed her mouth hungrily, his hands found their way into her bikini top, busy caressing her mounds. He was groaning and moaning, as his groin moved against her. They lay side by side on the beach mat exhausted. Xiang Zhe turned on his side, still not getting enough kissing his wife. He never expected her to be dressed as such. It blew him away. He wanted another beach party soon before summer was over. She had to come in another new bikini outfit. Surprise him like today. Shan Mei passed him the champagne. It was champagne with peach juice added. He loved it. As soon as he finished it, he wanted another glass. Shan Mei took him to the kitchen to look at his cabbage. It was beautiful, he admitted. But he tried to make his wife understand, food was the last thing on his mind, that minute. He was still too overwrought seeing his wife in a bikini to want anything except her! They went into the Jacuzzi. He couldn’t keep his hands off her. He was smiling roguishly every time he caught her eye, and started kissing her all over again. He lay in the warm water, happily accepting the fact that he was completely enchanted by his wife. If being enchanted by his wife gave him this euphoria, he begged to be enchanted by her forever! Shan Mei tried to get up quietly from the water. Her husband shot out his arm to deter her, “Not allowed.” He opened his eyes and arched his brow. Shan Mei told him, “to prepare dinner.” Her husband told her he wasn’t hungry. “Darling, if only you truly realise the way you have affected me this afternoon, you’d offer me something else.” “I’ve got a little cheese cake in the fridge, will that do?” He looked at her in exasperation, she trying to play dumb, or what? He suddenly got out of the tub, carried her off to have a hot shower, slowly stripping off her bikini, and he divesting of his trunks. They soaped and rinsed off each other clean, then he carried her off to their cabin. When he lay Shan Mei down on the quilted mat, his lips began blazing a trail of hot kisses starting from her head of hair. Shan Mei wondered what had gotten into him? By the time they awoke it was almost midnight. They put on their beach robes which Shan Mei had ready, then went to pack up nicely their beach mat in a plastic case and store it under the cabin. Beach towels, dirty laundry packed away in laundry bag to take home for washing. After the wife cleaned out the Jacuzzi, she brought out vegetable salad; later the cake, cut into half. They sat under the star-lit sky, slowly having cake with their champagne. Xiang Zhe leant over to his wife, gave her a big slurpy kiss and told her, “I love you so much, so very much, birthday girl. Thank you for inviting me to your most fabulous party. How about planning another beach party for August?” Shan Mei gave her husband a beguiling smile, indicating to him to finish his cake. She was very happy, the birthday party was an unqualified success; her Xue Zhang hadn’t stopped smiling, since he arrived at the cabin. A STAR IS BORN Author: Cynthia Muak Chapter AW-30 The big function room was abuzz with excitement, to celebrate CTN-KE’s milestones in Korea. Completion of 4th year since CTN first arrived in Korea with its English service; 3rd year CTN-KE offered Korean language services; 1st year CTN-MBS cooperation. On large video screens on two opposite walls of the room were shown CTN’s achievements in Korea, the highlights of which were the 3 years in which Shan Mei swept away all the major awards. “Two Sides To A Coin” was shown on one dedicated screen. The sponsors had gathered before the screen, talking animatedly with their local sole representatives of their products. None of CTN’s other regional offices had a show this successful. Xiang Zhe was quietly standing in one corner watching the screens. He never tired of watching his wife wearing her beautiful hanbok the 1st year, then that golden exquisite creation the 2nd year, and the stunning gold/white lace gown she wore earlier this year to the award ceremony. She looked simply so beautiful. Her radiant smiles were being flashed all over the screens. He wanted so badly to go up to her and kiss those luscious lips. Several representatives from CTN’s regional and world wide offices were present at the cocktail party. Tonight, Shan Mei was wearing the little black lacy Chanel number, which brought a devilish grin to Xiang Zhe’s mouth when he remembered how his wife bit him hard on his back, after which he could think of nothing else but her for the rest of the day. Some sophisticated looking ladies introducing themselves as CTN’s Tokyo and Sydney offices’ representatives engaged him in their conversations. He entertained them politely, although he would rather be watching the video screens and his wife who was at that time being introduced by David Dutton to some aristocratic looking men, most probably CTN-UK’s shareholders. “Hello girls. I hope you realise who you are trying to flirt with?” Michael’s smooth voice came across, Xiang Zhe was so relieved. “The President of MBS?” cooed the girls in unison, one of them trying to hold on to Xiang Zhe’s arm. The man looked so gorgeous, the two girls were wondering how to hijack him for themselves after the function. “The husband of your future boss!” came Michael’s swift retort “But you’re our boss,” the girls giggled. “Not when I move up!” Michael laughed, and walked away with Xiang Zhe. “Junior, you better watch out. Those girls are trouble makers. They love the smell of money and power. They have been making a play for me since Day 1 of CTN start-up. As long as they do their job properly, they can stay. I don’t encourage them one bit. Take them out for a coffee, the next minute, they think they are Mrs. Michael Dutton. You see that Akiko from Tokyo office and that Laura from Sydney office, they look like they want to kill every good looking woman in this room. Shan Mei is the only one who is totally unaware of the competition going around, that’s why she’s so natural and looking the most beautiful.” “What did you mean about ‘future boss’?” Xiang Zhe asked Michael, a frown already appearing on his forehead. “David has proposed I take over chairmanship of CTN-UK from next year. I’ll be based in London, traveling mostly between UK and USA. We’d like Shan Mei to take over directorship of CTN Asia/Pac. We have made her an offer last week. She told me you and baby were her top priority and she didn’t think it would be fair on you. She hasn’t mentioned it to you?” Xiang Zhe shook his head, he was deep in thought. Would she want to take up the challenge? He was the deterrent, no? Seeing his confusion, Michael further added “It’s only Tokyo, Sydney, Hongkong and Singapore. She only needs to spend 1 or 2 days a week in one place, one month will cover the entire territory. You’re my two most favourite people. We are like family. She’s going to be the most powerful woman in the broadcasting industry in Asia. You look at her over there. The men are simply hanging on to her every word. You think about it, you don’t give her the okay, she’s going to reject the offer.” “So, who’s going to guarantee someone won’t come along one day and take my wife away?” This was foremost in his mind. “If she was so easily tempted and swayed, Junior, I’d have tried my darnest to make her Lady Michael Dutton long before she married you. That’s the very reason why we love her. She’s absolutely rock solid. You stop worrying about her and better start teaching yourself on how to say ‘no’ whenever those hotties come up and flirt with you. When I’m back in London, I won’t be around to rescue you. You’re the only one who can guarantee your wife stays happy. You hurt her, she goes.” Michael then fished his mobile phone out of his pocket. “This is your rescue device. Girl tells you she is sick, call the doctor; girl tells you she needs help, call your secretary; girl tells you her car has broken down, call AA; girl tells you she wants a lift, call taxi; girl tells you she wants to buy you a drink, tell her you’ve to rush off for an appointment. Never, ever fall into their trap to get you alone with them. I’ve spent 20 years evading their wiles. Don’t use your mobile phone to only call up your wife.” A little while later, Xiang Zhe left the function room and went to the hotel lobby, sat down by himself in a quiet corner and ordered a drink. While smoking a cigarette, he mulled over what Michael had said. There was some kind of innate chemistry between Michael and Shan Mei, like it was pre-destined. Otherwise, how could Michael on seeing Shan Mei on television simply decided she was to be CTN-KE girl, and had her image on big video screen in their London office Conference Room, even before meeting her in person? Now, they wanted her to cover CTN’s entire Asia/Pacific region. Take himself for example; he never bothered with girls before and lived like a monk. Yet he couldn’t get her out of his mind after sending her to the hospital the first time they met. He let her go, but that night at home, he became so worried he couldn’t sleep at all. He kept berating himself, he should have insisted on sending her home, to make sure she arrived home safe. He had never taken the initiative, and wouldn’t know how or was simply not interested to meet girls, yet where she was concerned, he was trying to find all sorts of plausible excuses to meet up with her. Now, she was his wife and mother of their baby. Their meeting was pre-destined too, yes? He wanted to spend his every waking and every sleeping hour with her. Could he bear to let her be away from him 2 days, sometimes 2 nights, a week? Michael was prepared to groom Xiang Jie the way he groomed Shan Mei to ensure CTN and MBS had strong continuity. Michael had a point, he was now shareholder of MBS and Wen Rong; of course he wanted to see all three going forward in the right direction. Shan Mei hadn’t mentioned any thing to him. Was she going to reject the offer outright, without even seeking his opinion? He heard her drying her hair, and went into the bathroom to help her. Now that her hand was free of the hair dryer, she circled her arms around his waist, her face resting against his stomach. She began lightly nibbling at his belly button, sending tingling sensations right up to his nerve’s end. After task completed he carried his wife to bed. He pulled her into his embrace, whispering into her ear that she had had a tiring day, being hostess at CTN’s anniversary function, “be a good girl, go to sleep.” She puckered up her lips for a kiss. He bent down to give her a kiss, but he simply couldn’t make it brief, once his lips touched hers, he kissed her deep and long and slow. His hand went off on its own tangent, caressing her tenderly all over. All evening he had wanted to kiss her, now he couldn’t stop. == Deep in the night when he stretched out his hand, all he felt was empty space on Shan Mei’s side of the bed. He propped himself up. There was no light coming from the bathroom. He went outside, no light on except the landing light. He went upstairs to their office. She was not there. Nursery door was open. He went in and saw his wife leaning against baby’s cot, staring down at Bao Bao. He joined her. She leant her face against his shoulder, and they remained there, staring at their beautiful baby. After a long while, he carried her back to their room. He sat down on the bed and placed her on his lap. He looked at her. “Something bothering you?” he asked very softly. She shook her head, and attempted to crawl back to her side of the bed. He wouldn’t let her. “Is it the directorship offer? Want to talk about it?” She shot a look at him, her eyes big and round in surprise. “Michael told you about it?” He nodded. “It’s a challenge. You should take it. It’s good for CTN and MBS.” “I don’t care about the company. I only care about you and the baby.” “Then take it. MBS is about me, you and the baby. Why else do you think I stay on in Korea? If not, I would have moved us a long time ago to London. I remember you once said my main responsibility was to continue the legacy of my mother by making MBS the premier broadcasting station in Korea. I cannot do that on my own. I need you. Meanwhile, Michael will groom Xiang Jie to help you, when I move over to Wen Rong. ” Shan Mei sobbed into his chest saying she couldn’t bear to leave them, even if it was for one or two days out of a week. She would miss her husband too terribly much. “For Tokyo, you leave very early in the morning, and return same day on last flight. For Hongkong, Singapore, and Sydney leave by last flight of the day, arrive first thing the next morning, then return by last flight the same evening. Sometimes, I could come with you for a short romantic break.” She suddenly jerked her head up, smiling at her husband, “you would?” He nodded his head, giving her his besotted look, then tweaked her nose playfully. Promising to think the whole thing over, she cuddled up to her husband, ready to go to sleep. But he had other ideas. He pulled her up close to him, started raining feathery kisses on her face, her neck, her shoulders, his hand under her nightgown caressing her in all the right spots, until she was writhing with pleasure. The next morning at the office, Xiang Zhe buzzed his secretary. “Miss Lee, can you please ask accounts to bring to me my mobile phone bills for the last three months? Thanks.” When the phone bills arrived, Xiang Zhe looked through them. The bill for last month showed all calls were made to Shan Mei’s mobile phone, or the house or her office. The other two bills showed the same pattern, except for a few calls interspersed in between made to Father, Patrick and Zian Da. He leaned back in his chair and laughed. Rubbing at the happy wrinkle on his forehead, he cursed silently, “this Michael.” He wasn’t aware that was what he did; apparently observant Michael was. (tbc) |
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