2 Han is now dating An Ning (2/2)
”You remember your ex-wife An Ning?” his mother snickered from the window.
”Of course I know An Ning,” her son said impatiently. ”What do you mean Han is dating her? How can he date her? Isn't he in the army?”
”He took a leave. It seemed the military brass forcibly kicked him out of the barracks and ordered him to have an R&R after that thing happened with the prime minister. I don't know how he met An Ning though but it seemed they're together now,” his father said.
”Don't be ridiculous,” Richard said, staring at his father with a grim face. ”How can he be together with An Ning? She's my wife!”
”Ex wife,” his mother muttered sullenly.
”It does sound incredible but at least she didn't cheat on you,” the older man harrumphed. ”Honestly, Richard. On your wedding day? Can't you be more utterly shameless than that?”
Richard flushed angrily. ”I happen to love Valerie. I'm going to marry her.”
”Well, marry her on your own then. We won't have anything to do with her now or in the future.”
”Don't you think that's a bit unfair, dad? You don't even know her.”
”What is there to know?” his mother said, taking the chair opposite her son. ”She seduced you and forced you to cheat on your wife.I don't need to see her to know what kind of woman she is. Was she even a virgin the first time you had her?”
”Mom!” Richard was furious.
”Anyway, that's all we want to say. An Ning is better off with your brother. And if you're thinking of marrying that woman, you're on your own. We don't want to see her or talk to her or even want her in this house. You can leave now. Your mother and I have other better things to do than look at your sorry face.”
That said, his father nodded his goodbye then picked up his book without another word. His mother didn't even pretend to be gracious. She glared at him then picked up a magazine from the stacks beside her chair. Richard was left bottling his anger impotently. He drove back to the city grim-faced and so furious he could eat bullets.
He drove straight to an exclusive street dotted with tall building apartments and parked his car underground. The brass and gleaming elevator took him to the ninth floor. 903. An Ning's apartment. He hadn't been here before but knew she lived there because a mutual friend told him so. The door opened with one ring of the bell.
An Ning wasn't in the least surprised to see him. She opened the door and he followed after her without another word. The apartment was bigger than a loft and so exquisitely decorated it rivaled a museum. Richard was surprised to see a huge picture of a naked young man sleeping on a bed of roses hanging in the living room. Richard did a double take. The young man's face was as familiar to him as his own. He turned towards An Ning with a scowl.
”So, it's true then.”
”What would you like to drink?” An Ning said, lifting her brows questioningly. He continued to stare and scowl at her. In the end, she poured red wine on a glass and handed it to him.
”Cheers,” she said, saluting him with water.
”Why?” Richard bluntly.
”Ask me that after maybe a month?” she shrugged. ”It's nothing serious…yet. We go out to have fun. I like him.”
Richard sipped his wine, his eyes never leaving hers. The both of them stood at one end of the room, measuring each other silently. He resented her look, which met his equally without fear. He suddenly didn't know what to do with his simmering anger. Shame, guilt, the sudden rush of memories assaulted him.
The glass fell from his hand and shattered on the floor, the wine splashing like droplets of blood on the immaculate marble.