Considering that he had been dead against Tang getting a divorce from his beloved Mei Zhen, why would Mr. Xie suddenly wish to help him? On top of that, he wanted to do so over drinks, instead of simply telling him the same, right here at office. What was up with him?
Tang sighed.
There was, of course, no choice. He was not going to let go of any help, sincere or otherwise, in this already prolonged matter, just because he didn't like his father. Right then, his phone rang.
"All papers have been signed and duly stamped. The place belongs to you now," the lawyer's voice spoke at the other end.
Tang thanked the man for his hard work and disconnected the call.
A smile hovered on his lips…
Later that evening
"You took the right decision by coming here. I think you are going to enjoy this. Does your phone have a sharp camera?" his father's words greeted him.
Tang was thrown into confusion by his father's demeanour and words. Did he plan to take a selfie with him right now???
"Had you wanted to click pictures to commemorate tonight then you should have chosen a different table. Currently, we are seated in the darkest corner of the room," he replied irritably.
"Yes, I had a tough time deciding which table was the best one, hidden from everyone's eyes but affording the best view. After all, it wouldn't be wise if the prey scented that the predator was nearby," he continued speaking in tongues.
Tang wasn't sure if his father was drunk or was simply being difficult.
After a long day at work, he simply didn't have the patience to play any games and snapped, "I am not interested in being anyone's prey tonight nor do I wish to hunt anyone."
"Are your sure about that? Even if the prey is your lovely wife?" his father's voice held a challenging note in it.
He looked at Mr. Xie sharply.
"Why would you invite me over to hunt your favourite pet? Is this a trick?" he asked suspiciously.
Mr. Xie's eyes clouded momentarily but he recovered the next minute.
"You can question my intentions later. As of now, all you need to know is that Mei Zhen has become 'close friends' with a hugely successful hotel tycoon from Beijing. The airlines have benefitted hugely from the frequent flying between these two in the past few weeks. The rumour floating around is that the man is completely smitten with her and is hoping for a long term association with her. The table that we are at, provides a good view to their table and also to the, ahem… elevators going up to the rooms," he gestured towards the table where Mei Zhen was seated.
Tang hadn't registered Mei Zhen's presence in the restaurant till now. He spotted her sitting with a guy and then looked back at his father in amazement. He had absolutely no idea that something like this was cooking behind his back. But more surprising, was the fact that his father had found out about it and plotted this evening. Knowing him, Tang wouldn't be shocked if he got to know that his father had manoeuvred the choice of table, which Mei Zhen sat currently at.
"Can you stop looking like as if you have swallowed a whole fish? Time is of essence here," Mr. Xie chided him, noticing his dazed expressions.
Tang didn't know the reason for this sudden change of his heart. But for now, he gave his father a grateful look and focussed on the task at hand.
Next morning, Lawyer's office
"Why have I been summoned so urgently? Where is the fire?" an irritated Mei Zhen walked into Tang's lawyer's office. Her own lawyer trailed behind her.
"Really sorry to have called you at such a short notice. I have arranged a gift for you and I couldn't wait to give it to you," with that, he handed over his phone to her, where the pictures from last night told their story.
Me Zhen's face paled immediately but she attacked him the next second.
"Did you spy on me? Shame on you. So what if I dined with someone? Last I checked, it wasn't a crime, especially for someone whose husband went to the extent of faking amnesia just to get cosy with his ex-girlfriend," she threw the words at him.
Tang wasn't fazed by her attack at all.
"Uh… maybe you haven't scrolled down the album fully. Not only does it contain pics of you walking into the elevator with the gentleman, but also, err… of your activities inside the room that you shared with him. You see, the hotel staff was really helpful at the hotel last night. Maybe you should look to acquire this one," he said with an earnest expression on his face.
Mei Zhen went white and then red in the face, upon hearing his words.