"Madame Tam, where shall I place the
orchids?"
"Oh, put it by the altar, please."
I didn't look back to check on Dua. I knew she'd do
every duty I gave her properly. It had been a very long time since I had
trusted anyone so. I suppose it was a nice feeling, to have some sort of
company again.
Que was going to bring Hang, my niece, to me for
the first time. We'd been preparing for their visit for a week now, and I spent half of my day
at the markets, looking for the best quality meats and fruits, and the other
half preparing the house. It was more decorated than usual, and looking at the
busy rooms I wondered who I was trying to impress. Was it Que? No, she knew
what my house looked like, didn't she? Then was it Hang? But would a child
truly care about the beauty of my house?
I think I was just trying to show Hang the
greatness of our family. I knew the poverty she lived in, and I think I just
wanted to show her our family was... better. I felt guilty for doing this, but
I also knew how Que really wasn't on my side. Ever since Ton had died... no,
ever since her brother took everything away from us, Que hadn't truly been a
part of our family. But Hang... could be. She had my blood. Our blood. She was
family. For the first time in years, I was going to be with my family.
I was in the kitchen, finishing up the preparations
when I heard chatter. They had to be here!
I walked out, opening the main door with excitement I hadn't felt in
years. My mind completely ignored Dua and Que, and I focused on the child.
Fearful, beautiful, so so beautiful. It was like seeing Ton as a little boy
again. Just the sight of her warmed my heart, and gave me hope. Life was
better. Life was splendid, in fact, and it would just keep getting more and
more wonderful.
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