Priscilla: Hectic day

Whoa! A whole lot of stuff happened just in one night. Although I was shocked to the bone, I soon was able to figure out what happen and what really were everybody's thinking.

That faithful early morning when Qiu proceeded to the stables with Zaizai, Mum and Dad came back from the trade convention.

"Whoa.. What a flight." Dad said.
"Oh, dear, please. It was first class." Mum said, in her usual sarcastic manner.
"Hi, Mum; Dad." I greeted them at the door with two flutes of champagne.
"Stress Relievers, any takers?" I asked. Both of them took it.
"How do you know about this?" Mum asked.
"About what?" I asked her.
"This champagne thing. The only ones who knows about our weird habit of relieving stress were only ourselves." She said.
"I don't know. Honest. I have this habit too." I said,
"So I just shared with you, I was still wondering whether you will take it or not.." I added.
"Strange.." She replied.
"Never mind. Is Autumn in?" Mum said. She's the only one in the house that will call Qiu by this name.
"No. She went horseback riding." I replied.
"Oh, I just thought of bringing her to buy her birthday present." Mum said.
"Oh, it's alright; I know what is the best present you can give." I said.

So, the three of us went out to get Qiu her birthday present. We went to three pet farms before I got the most fabulous present.
"That," I said as I pointed to the little puppy in the pan. "Is IT." I finished.
"You sure? I dunno. A dog?" Mum said, unsure as she actually decided on something else rather than a dog.
"Yes." I replied. I carried the puppy in a dog carrier and headed back to home. On the way we saw Qiu with Zaizai riding through the ranches but there was something amiss, something very sensitive that clouded my mind. Was I thinking too much? Or there was really something going on there? I dunno.

Mum and Dad retreated to their room to enjoy an afternoon soaked in the Jacuzzi. I brought the little puppy to the kitchen and set it on a chair. Just then, Ken came in.
"Hey Ken." I said, not looking up.
"How you know?" Putting himself down on a chair that had the puppy on it.
"WATCH OUT!" I yelled and Ken stood up almost immediately.
"WHAT WAS THAT?" Ken exclaimed.
"Qiu's birthday present." I said.
"What's its name?" He asked.
"Keiko." I said, "She only response to this name." I added.
"Oh, I see. Can I play with it?" He asked, while
poking his finger at the carrier netting.
"Ya sure. There are some toys in the paper bag beside it. Be careful with it, ok?" I said.
"Okay." He replied, and took the puppy to play.

After some moment, Qiu came in and tripped over a ball that I bought for the puppy and sprained her ankle. Frantic and shocked, I quickly told Jerry to called mum and dad as he came running when he heard her scream. In all that commotion, Zaizai carried her all the way to her room with me following beside her, a helpless Vanness behind us, a confused Ken behind him carrying the dog. Zaizai put her down on her bed, Mum and Dad came in with Doctor White. He said was just a minor sprain, not anything serious, so I was quite relieved; and I didn't really set my mind to think over what happened.

Dinner was cooked by Chef Gwan and everyone ate silently. Mum and Dad did not join us that evening so they weren't aware of what's going on. Night fell and everyone went to bed. Everyone, except Van. I saw him sitting by the garden terrace (overlooks the sea on one side and the garden on the other).
"Van?" I called out. He turned around.
"Oh, it's you.. I thought.." He trailed off.
"You thought I'm Qiu, right?" I replied. He smiled weakly.
"Having a rough patch?" I asked. He did not answered.
"Wanna talk?" I ask again, as I sat down beside him.
"I dunno." He said.
"Dunno what?" I asked.
"Zaizai." He said.
"What about him?" I asked.
"You saw him this afternoon..." He said,
"carrying Qiu up to the room..." He continued, sounding very disappointed.
"Uh.. huh..." I agreed.
"It was so.. so... Erh!!" He said, frustrated.
"Oh..." I said, realised the something I felt amiss was, truly...
The plot becomes thicker and darker.
"I understand. I'll talk to him. We'll see, ok?" I said. "Go and have a good night's rest." I added.
"Good night." I said.
"Good night." He said.
Then, I met Jerry on my way down to the beach to have a walk.
"Pris, what are you doing so late at night?" He asked.
"Going down to enjoy a walk in the moonlight. The weather is cool tonight." I said.
"Can I join you?" I said.
"Sure." I said.

Soon we were walking along the beach barefooted and enjoying each other's company. We sat down at a bench and listen to the waves lapping on the shore.
"How's Zaizai? Have you had any chance talking to him?" I asked.
"Ya, I just finished my conversation with him when I meet you." He said.
"Oh.. Did.. he say anything about.." I trailed off.
"Qiuru?" He finished my sentence.
"Ya." He said.
"What did he say then?" I asked.
"He just said he wanted to have a fair competition with Vanness. That's all." He said.
"Okay.." I said, understanding the meaning behind the sentence.
"Okay, shall we walk back?" I said.
"Okay." He said, and we started walking back to the house.