Making a plan

Directly after her conversation with Mr. Long she had panicked and felt very threatend by him. But looking back now maybe she had let herself be too influenced by his position of power. He was her boss sure, but she didn't have much direct contact with him. In fact she had only seen him a few times since she started working at the club, because it was usually Mr. Chen that took care of the management of the club.

Looking back, she realised she had let herself be intimidated by Mr. Long, and had run away like a frightened rabbit. But was she really going to let someone else bully her like that? The reason why she had broken away from her family was because she couldn't bare being restricted by them anymore.

When it had just been her mulling everything over in her head, it had all seemed so impossible. But now an outside perspective had given her some clarity and focus, and she felt her resolve to tackle the problem head on solidify.

"You're right, Auntie. If I avoid him long enough, then he will eventually loose interest. But long-term, I think I'll also start looking for another job. Just in case things get too awkward."

Her spirits lifted immediately with the decision made, and she flashed Auntie Sun a relieved grin. Auntie Sun smiled gently back at her and patted her hair affectionately.

"The most difficult part of a problem is indecision. Now that you have a plan, I can see that you feel a lot better."

Emma nodded.

"I've made up the bed in the spare room, you can stay up longer if you like, but I'll go to bed now. I feel a bit tired."

Emma thanked her and helped her to her room. Then she went outside into the garden again.

Night had fallen and the garden was enveloped in darkness. Some bugs were buzzing around the porch light, but apart from that the night was quiet.

Emma wrapped herself tightly in a blanket and stared up at the stars. Ever since young she had always felt fascinated by the stars.

Auntie Sun used to say that if humans could only decipher it, they would be able to read their fates and destinies in the stars. Emma had always thought Auntie Sun's superstitious streak clashed with her pragmatic personality.

After Auntie Sun stopped working for the Huang family, Emma had helped her find a place to live outside the city, which was more suitable due to her lung condition. When they had found this little cottage, Auntie Sun had insisted on choosing it a over other options because of the 'good spiritual energy' of the mountain.

Emma had been unable to change the middle-aged lady's mind, and in the end had given in. Even now Emma couldn't quite understand this wierd quirk of Auntie Sun's, but she supposed everyone had some unusual traits.

Feeling the fatigue seeping into her body, Emma got to her feet and stumbled sleepily to bed. She was so focused on getting under the warm covers that she paid little attention to her surroundings. But if she had, she might have noticed a pair of glowing green eyes in the darkness, which stayed fixed on her until she disappeared out of sight.