Lisa return to her own apartments with big and small bags. She sigh as she sink into her sofa. Her feet aches with the heels that she wear for the whole day. She had drink two cups of brown sugar milk tea to keep up with the trying on clothes and all those walking. Also the sugar makes her happy so that she can keep smiling to her mother-in-law. She look at her watch and wonder if she should call her father and ask him what she had heard this morning. Did her marriage bring in benefits to the Han family? This is something that she did not head of from the beginning. Was this why her father was frowning during the period of time when she got married?
On Friday she is working as usual and her staff is talking about the function for tomorrow. Most of them are excited.
"I hear that the wife of the CEO is appearing."
"He is married?! You sure about it?"
"Pretty sure! I mean who doesn't want to marry a rich young man. I would!"
"I wonder how does his wife looks?"
"Probably someone like Lisa... they say men are attracted to woman who is a certain type."
"Stop gossiping there. Get the work done. You got ... an hour before work is over. I am still waiting for the new report feedbacks!"
They alls scramble and she look at the chat messages on the phone. Most are talking about the function for tomorrow. She scroll through and find the chat messages with her father. She message him if he is free to meet for dinner. He reply fast that today he is free thus they arrange to meet in the city.
While having dinner, he ask many things about her marriage life. She lie everything she and Simon have cooked up. Finally, they eat in silence when she decided to ask what she wants to know.
"Father... did i marry into the Han family with dowry ?"
"Yes of course. Traditionally, we need to give you a some items but i decided that i will use the money into investments and get back those interest for you instead of letting it sit there."
"So where is it now?"
"In the Han family business ventures. When mature, they are suppose to give it to you."
"How long?"
"I can't recall... i do have the contract in my safe. Why did you ask? Did your in-law talk about it? Hmm... to think that in order to marry you into their family i have to show my sincere heart first by giving in the investment. Daughter i hope, your position in the family is stable. Your mother-in-law is a shrewd in the business world but as a normal person, she is just a woman. So you better get along with her."
That night, Lisa sit alone in her apartment to watch the night sky. She recall that night after the first meeting with the Han family. She goes home and sit alone in her room. She look at the french window in front of her bed. Her sister walk in and sit beside her.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet that other family. I really cannot marry anyone without love in a marriage. "
"So you think i can?"
"Why not? You are the favourite child that father likes."
"If he likes me, he wouldn't allow me to go to a matchmaking..."
"He have to... if this matchmaking works... our family will be good for the next few years. Whatever he invested will return ten folds."
Her sister gets up from the bed.
"In any case, it's a win win situation. I will go marry the man i love. He promise me a good life after today."
"Who is he?"
"You don't need to know. I will never appear in this family again. I am not wanted nor i want this family. I hope you have a happy family. Don't disappoint me."
After that day, her sister left the house and did not let anyone know where she have gone to. Her father that raised two daughter up alone become a lonely man after Lisa got married. He never mentioned the other daughter again nor he bother Lisa with any issue in his life. In comparing to Simon's family, it seems like he is living with more a family compare to her's.
In the morning when Lisa open her eyes, it's Saturday. A day that she have to pretend that she is sick. She roll around on her bed hugging her bolster tight. She switch on the phone to find her mother-in-law message her the address of the hotel and what to wear. She is expected to help to welcome the guest. She put the phone on the bed and use the pillow to buried her face. While Simon is already awake and he is reading the newspaper as usual. He have to go to the reception by twelve noon. He and Lisa have planned to say that she is unwell. He wonder if his father-in-law attending the party? He haven't seen him since after the honey moon. He hear some music and smile. Lisa is awake thus he picks up his mobile phone and message her. 'Keep your phone with you all times. i will message you if there is anything. Especially with mother.' she reply with a thumbs up icon. He roll his eye. 'Could you next time make an effort to replay my message with longer sentences.' he see the message is read and the application says person typing. after a long wait, he got an 'Fine. I will.'