[Solo] - A Business like Play Date - Part 1
Words: 1,180




Quan Sadao sat with his back high against his throne like chair as he listened, un-amused, by A’Meiya’s prattling. The girl was trying to convince that his wonderful, business soaring idea was indeed a bad one. And for all the love he had for his wife he had promised not to throw her out and instead accepted to listen to her useless words on the matter. The girl was like a bamboo stick, thick on the outside and hollow in the middle. There wasn’t a day gone by that he didn’t thank the gods she wasn’t sired by his own loins. At least she had that much going for her, she was just there, annoying and as tiresome as she was as long as she behaved and kept out of sight he could almost imagine she didn’t exist. It wasn’t always like this.

Before his sons came along, when she was just an infant, he had taken a shine to her. It was enjoyable to have someone to listen to his stories of the fantasy adventures, far out to sea or to new and foreign lands and she was the best listener when it came to tales like those. But he had his own sons now, ones who would sit and listen to his tales; go fishing with him, play Mahjong and so much more. With each passing year it became more difficult to spend any time with her and then eventually she was older and someone he didn’t know. He was too busy to get to know her now, she was just there. A’Meiya. The daughter of his beloved wife and cherished soul mate Fung Mee. She was just an unfortunate side effect to this marriage and nothing more, not now. Not with her being who she was. He would never see her as an equal, there was a time when he thought he would bring a new wave of revolution to the business world, have a female take over his work. He never thought that sexism would be a defining feature in his career but the older he got and the further prejudice he saw he knew he could never see A’Meiya as a true daughter, as an heir to his empire. At this stage he would never let A’Meiya near an inch of his business, until now. Now was something she could do to help in aid of his clothing empire, and the girl was refusing to do it!

“I just don’t see why Step-Pa, I mean, Mister-San Quan, I don’t see how I can help your business by knowing someone’s daughter. I mean…what if she doesn’t like me…what if she doesn’t like my dress…what if she doesn’t like mochi balls!” The thought that she might not like the mystery girl never entered her head as her own insecurities flooded her mind. All her friends were made by accident. A bump here, a fish slap to the face, all had happened in the spur of the moment. But this was being set up! And it was also the fact that she had to behave! Like not her version of behaving, but her Step-Pa’s! That was almost too much to comprehend and the corners of her dress were being chewed up and spat out again as she paced the room, teeth marks in the fabric becoming more apparent with every twist and turn and cry of protest. Sadao had been taking it all in his stride to a point and now, now he had had enough. A hand was raised; palm facing Mei worrying form and the room fell quite. A’Meiya instantly stopped her moving and stood shock still facing her Step-Father with unease and fear. It was never good thing when Step-Pa asked for silence without actually saying it and she waited with baited breath.

“A’Meiya, I do not ask this from you as a favour, but as an order, to your family. Xia Tsai Shen is a very powerful, political man. A man whose words can reach the top and extend across this land just as quickly, he is extremely popular and influential. I need an edge to get an audience with him to talk…business. Intelligent and forth right I wish to extend my hand to him so that we can discuss greater things for our country. But like I said he is a politician, his time does not come cheap and no matter how high my own status goes it is near to impossible to arrange a meeting, but –"

A’Meiya eyes had been rooted to the floor throughout the entire conversation. She hated these private meetings between them when she couldn’t even have Mother as protection. His voice was laced with contempt; she was useless and she knew it, he was constantly telling her that. Yet now he was giving her a chance to redeem herself, how ever small and she thought it wise to say no to this! How she wished she thought before she spoke! The finishing word struck the silence with a crack, it was time for her too look up and face him.

“But…his daughter, Xia Shin Mu, she is our key and I want you to befriend her A’Meiya anyway you can. Understand?” A slight nod was all she could muster right now. How she hated her Step-Pa’s control over her, but she agreed none the less. Maybe she could bring an extra outfit or two in case she didn’t like the first? Or maybe she didn’t like clothes? Oh they could go to the hot baths! Or get food!

“A’MEIYA! Are you listening?” The furious tone snapped Mei like a punch, spitting her out from her day dream and again she found herself nodding quietly to his demands.

“Good. I have set up a meeting at the Noble Estate Gardens, the one designed for public use. I felt inviting her to our home so soon would seem needy and desperate, I want this to be a natural attraction between you both, I want you to become steady friends A’Meiya. A girl of such heritage and upbringing will only be good for you; someone like her may teach you what being a noble of status involves…I don’t think I have to remind you to be on your best behaviour do I?” A shake of the head was her first reply; she was getting dizzy with all these movements but she held of making gagging sounds till she was out of the room and ear shot.

“Good….now Yuk-Lan will be your escort for the day, she has been advised to report back to me with every detail –" A further glare from her guardian sealed her thoughts as Mei looked close to protesting such a need and her mouth closed with a sigh. “A’Meiya hmm…that is all, you are excused, but I warn you, do not return with bad news I expect nothing but plans for the next meeting now…get out of my sight.”

It was the last friendly thing he would say to her for a long while.


[Please read the continutaion of this RP here with Part 2]