Redeeming The Golden Ticket To Life

[POV Hu Qiang]

Day five of seven days exile from Bai Chang-

I have been drowning myself in the sea of work. It is my way to avoid home. Ever since Bai Chang met the unfortunate accident, due to my guilty consciousness I found my solace in the office. Overworking myself to the ground felt reasonable as well as justified.

The downside was mostly faced by my subordinates. They had to work overtime with me and they dealt with this hell for three long years. We did progress well over the years, but it was literally accompanied by the blood, sweat and tears of all my employees and me. 

They all felt a sense of relief this past few months after Bai Chang woke up. I made sure to spend most of my time with her. To make up for my past stupidity as well as to address my new found love for my wife. I really want to give our relationship a shot and hence all the fuss.

But, like the stupid person or as an illiterate in the matters of heart, I made the worst mistake of trying to run my wife's life and sure enough, she couldn't stand my acts and kicked me out of her house. While Zhang Wei also made it clear to my parents that the trust level of Bai Chang towards us is at an all-time low. She will only decide her next move depending on our moves. It sure is nerve-racking. 

I looked towards the clock. 

[Tick Tok Tick Tok Tick Tok Tick Tok]

As the second's hand moved at its pace I simply calculated the amount of time left of my sentenced exile.

[Knock Knock]

"Who's there?" I asked while I gathered myself.

"It's me," Ming Li answered from outside.

"Come in"

He walked in while holding an envelope.

He walked all the way opposite my desk and then simply handed me the envelope. 

"This is?" I prompted him.

"Your travel schedule for the next few days," he replied.

I pulled out the papers inside and read through them.

"So first you will go to Country A, we have two meetings. One is with their Secret Intelligence unit while the second one is with the Chief Senator of the upper house meeting us as representative of the government of Country A, designed as a charity meet. 

Both the meetings are arranged by Matt at our City NY branch. From there we will fly down to Country E across the small pond and meet with Mr Dickenson. The prospect of the meeting will be arranged by them on spot. 

They are cautious about the security code and do not want to over-reach for it until its value is proved."

"If they will wait till the value is proved, it is more profitable for us. We were giving them something at a lower price but if they want to pay double the amount, then who am I to stop them from doing so?" I stated.

"You also have a meeting fixed with the security council general of Country I of the middle eastern region. I didn't expect that we would get this much traction."

"You know your madame already gave me an exact value that we will make from profits after our sale of this customised security code. Would you care to take a guess?" I asked him in humour.

"Fifty million dollars is my highly conservative but qualitative estimate."

I simply smiled at him.

"The estimate she gave was a hundred million US dollars by the end of this year."

"What??" Ming Li had his jaw unhinged at the stated number.

I simply started to prepare for these meetings as Bai Chang, the original creator of the code would not be there with me. So I have to prepare on all fronts.

*******

Day Six of seven days exile from Bai Chang- 

Last evening we took a chartered flight to Country A. Me and Ming Li. 

(Yes this person tagged along with me on the pretence of work. But I know he is here to meet his partner Matt. Their blooming love only adds oil to the burning embers of grief in my heart from being exiled by my wife.)

We arrived here at City NY, early in the morning. After grabbing a cup of coffee from Starbucks we drove onwards towards our meeting venue and on our way were to pick up Matt from his apartment.

(Seriously!! Am I here to work or to witness their love?)

The car slowed down at the downtown Country Club, Bronx.

A young and handsome caucasian, thin nasal aperture ("nose narrow"), a small mouth, facial angle of 100°–90°, and orthognathism exemplified. He had dark hair on his head with an exposed forehead and pale lips. He looked sharp in his tuxedo, though covered in clothes I am sure they pack a lot of well-toned muscles underneath it.

(I admired the man's handsomeness. My rotten luck, here I am admiring someone else's man while pinning from the separation from my wife. When did love and relations become so difficult for me?)

"Wipe that drool off your face now will you?" I advised Ming Li.

"Boss, I smell something sour and something burning. Are you sure we do not need to bring out the fire extinguisher from the back?"

"Do you wish to be deported back to the mainland?" I asked him through my gritted teeth.

(I sincerely wished that I could wipe that glee off his face.)

I looked at my watch.

There is still one day, sixteen hours, thirty-eight minutes and forty dots two-two seconds left and counting.

(Hang in there, we will meet soon. I will drag my shameless self and follow around my own wife, if I have to do so.)

The car gradually stopped and Matt entered the car and rode shotgun.

Ming Li's face turned black.

While I was overjoyed within my heart I still asked Ming Li, "What happened? Did the cat get your tongue?"

(Oh the peace I felt at that moment!)

"Good Morning Sir," Matt greeted me from the front seat.

"Good Morning Matt. Did you have a good sleep?"

"Yes sir, a perfectly sound sleep. What about you? Did you have a comfortable journey?"

"I wish I could say so. But I had an annoying companion who would not shut up all the time we were up in the air. He is your loyal admirer," I added.

"Oh! Nevermind him, he speaks a lot. He is a real chatterbox. I apologise for your discomfort," he apologised so politely.

"Why are you apologising to him? He is being salty as madame threw him out of the house for being insensitive and nosy about her stuff," Ming Li chipped in.

(I swear to god I will make him pay for all this that he says today at a later date! MING LI just WAIT for it…)

"If you know that he is down, then why are you rubbing salts on his wound? Are you not afraid that he will post you a place that would be hell for you next time and I won't fly down to save your sorry a**," Matt replied.

"Thank you for your support Matt." the only thing is, I am not too sure that he was trying to make me feel good or trying to protect Ming Li's a** or taking a side jab at me while I am down.

Well, that is Matt for you. He is excellently eloquent. That is the reason he handles most of our companies overseas diplomatic ties.

"Jokes aside, what are we facing today Matt?" I steered our conversation back to business, otherwise, I will be peeled apart by these two sharks with me.

"Today we will first meet Senator Murray. The man has served in the Army. He was also sent on a trip to Country AF. Served on the intelligence team for about a year and a half. Came back to the Capitol and ran for the Mayor post in a drive to serve his nation in a better way.

This man is hard and carries a bit of a reputation for being an advocate for hard measures to limit press freedom and compartmentalisation of information. Words from the lobby have it that he is loved by the Pentagon," he reported.

"So what are his trigger points?" 

"He had a partner while he was serving in Country AF. His partner met with a terror attack and lost his life in a crossfire between their forces and the terror group. While the major reason behind the incident is a potential intel leak from their forces.

He is very sensitive to such issues."

"So he is a double-edged sword. He might benefit us or make us lose our potential buyer in the International market, huh. Matt, what was his partner's name?" I enquire.

"His name was Walter; Walter O Harris."

"Great. Now boys let us put our game face on. We have to get a buyer soon to ensure our own safety. Now we can't have the national intelligence of Country C breathing down our neck, now shall we?"

(I can't let the past repeat itself, all over again!)