Acting in progress

Chapter sixteen

The sight that greeted her rendered her speechless. She clasped her bag to her chest as her eyes widened. The mansion looked like something from architectural digest. Like a Victorian England mansion turned modern in the most flattering and beautiful way ever.

The sound of water gushing from the fountain finally jolted her out of her reverie. She shook her head several times, as if to clear away the remains of the lingering awe. 

She wiped her face clean of any stunned expression and she stride elegantly along.

The inner gate swung open to admit her in, and she had another hard time arranging her facial features. So, there were really people who are this rich? By any definition, this should be the visual description of "as rich as croesus". No sooner had she entered, her eyes caught several other people in the room.

She breathed a copious sigh of relief at the sight. At least if they were to be gutted and deboweled, she wouldn't be the first. She took a seat at the farthest end of the most cushiony lounge sofa she's ever sat on. Not that she has many lounge sofa for comparison.

"Excuse me?" A shrill voice said from behind her, making her jump in fright.

She turned her head and almost double over with a laugh. But she caught herself quickly and nodded with wide eyes shinning with mirth. Behind her was a tiny lady, wearing the most ridiculous turban she'd ever seen. Purple plums adorned the turban, she had a huge sunglasses balanced on her tiny nose and her mouth was painted vivid red.

"How may I help you, miss?" She asked in English

The lady looked distressed as she groaned into her hands "oh..oh..no english? No English!"

Lin wei took pity and nodded, she greeted the lady in Cantonese and watched as her eyes lit up like thousand stars in the sky. Really, she does have some pretty hazel eyes amidst the large wing eyeliner.

"Have you been here before? I mean, I've been living in this country in all my life and I swear I've never been to a mansion as huge as this! I'm Shen Yue by the way" she held out her hand after the small ramble. She blinked rapidly and stared between her outstretched hand and Lin wei's reluctant face.

Lin wei resume the role of the haughty rich heiress and smiled before answering "oh I don't know about that, house like this are common in America" she lied smoothly.

She shook hands with Shen Yue and coughed a little, as scent of lavender and beetroot surrounded her.

What the hell of a combination was this?

"Really? Really! You're from America? Are you ABC?," She looked wildly excited like her Christmas came early.

Lin wei barely nodded and smiled serenely.

"My flight landed three days or so ago. I came down here from Shanghai," The lies were rolling off her tongue quite smoothly. And she fancied she could fool everyone around if she did keep on this Amazing performance of hers.

The conversation continued from one topic to another. And Lin wei learnt that Shen Yue was a new college graduate and in need of money to pay off her student debt. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they took no note of their surrounding.

The crowd of women were indeed increasing. Different dresses and mannerisms was scattered around the lounge. Pretty in different range and Lin wei wasn't even suprised to see a black lady or two in their midst. Seriously speaking, people came from far and wide.

People like her, who were lying through their teeth and pretending to be something they were not, people who are truly rich and famous. (Of which Lin wei and some others derived their lies on). Some other were like Shen Yue, who were really true to themselves. No matter how... unconventional they seem. People who simply came there because they were curious.

Their conversation was cut short when a lady with tattoo and piercings, covering every inch of her body, approach them with a smile. She took the seat next to Shen Yue and checked her wristwatch.

She stretched open her tattooed palm and introduced herself as Olivia Tang.

"I'm Olivia Tang and it's nice to meet you," she repeated as a dazed Shen Yue shook her hand vigorously. Regardless of the tattoos and piercings, Olivia was the most soft spoken and polite.

"Many people always recoil after seeing or touching any part of my body. You guys don't seem too surprised," she observed with a small smile.

Lin wei shrugged, "this is 21st century, where people have the right to do whatever makes them happy. It doesn't matter what form and shape it comes in. And this things aren't a biggie in America."

Shen Yue nodded vigorously, then proceed to bombard Olivia with questions after question.

What does she do for a living? Tattoo artist

Is she an ABC too? Yes, but she's been living in China since she was ten years old

Why this job? Because she has a soft spot for children without mother. Just like her.

That earned her a teary eyed hug from Shen Yue and a sympathetic Pat from Lin Wei. 

The trio discussed their fate and wondered about the worst case scenario.

"What if he is like the man in blue beard and his wives? You reckon he's looking for his wives?" Shen Yue shuddered.

"Say, what if he's a cannibal that eats humans? Females especially?" Olivia suggested and watched with a small smile as Shen Yue shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Oh pessh! We'll be fine," Lin wei assured them with her heart pounding madly inside her throat. They have to be fine, right? Right?

"Only rich people like you would say something like that, no?" Shen Yue looked at Olivia for support. Olivia nodded in accent.

A jolly voice boomed from the speaker, which they had no inkling of it's whereabouts and it messages was clear enough.

"The interview starts in ten minutes. Welcome to Ezekiel Wang mansion!"

Flurries of moment and gasp rented the air. Shen Yue flew from her seat as her eyes widened in shock. She removed her sunglasses for better theatrics.

Lin wei stared at the two, wondering what was wrong, surprising or depressing that could cause this reaction from them.

*~*~

ABC : America born Chinese