18
A month later, my dad came to see me.
Bags of my favorite snacks. A warm, loving voice. Fake concern in his eyes.
He thought he was a good actor. He toured
my apartment, then sat on the couch,
reminiscing, expressing his worry.
I sat with a glass of lemonade, watching his
performance.
After half an hour, he got to the point.
“Olivia, about that contract bid… can you let
<
“Olivia, about that contract bid… can you let
our company have it?”
Our company.
A month ago, he was trying to take my shares. Now, it was “our” company.
I knew which bid he meant. A big opportunity for both Everbright and his company,
Morningstar.
I stayed silent. He softened his tone.
“Olivia, I know you’re still upset about
everything. I was just angry. You’re my
daughter. We’ve been together for twenty
L
years. You’re the most important person to
- me. It hurt that you didn’t seem to care…
Janet told me later that you were going back
to save me. I know I misjudged you.”
He took my hand, his eyes filling with tears.
“I know I haven’t been a good father, to you
or your mother. I’ll make it up to you. For both
of us. Okay?”
He went on and on.
He knew exactly what to say.
Tears rolled down my cheeks. I sniffled
dramatically.
<
“Okay, Dad. I understand.”
I squeezed his hand, my voice soft.
He kept asking me to come home. I nodded.
“Okay, Dad. I’ll pack my things and come
back soon.”
He left, happy.
I closed the door, wiped my fake tears, and
made a call.
“Mr. Chen, about that bid next week… go all
out. I want it.”
<
I looked at myself in the mirror.
The fake emotion was gone.
I still didn’t understand how my mom, so smart, could be so blind to his flaws.
Delusional. Pathetic. Stupid.
He actually believed I’d throw away the bid
because of his little act.
He really was naive.
<
19
