"A Family Affair"
written by
Michael Gray
Belvedere watched the man across from him struggle to contain an anger which boiled with the power of a dozen stars.
“Please explain why I was put through this humiliation, Mr. Belvedere.”
“Humiliation?” he asked with a grin. “I take it she refused?”
“Would I be here otherwise?” a now visibly angered Qiang Xiào said. “You insisted I give the Lau family another chance to set this right.”
Belvedere grinned. “You are a persuasive man, Doctor Xiào. I find it difficult to believe you weren't successful in convincing her to marry your son.”
“Mei-Wan Lau is an unprincipled little tramp who has no sense of duty to those she is obligated to!”
Belvedere's mind began to wander. “You'll get no argument from me on that account, sir. No argument whatsoever.”
“Then you knew this?!” Xiào demanded.
“I knew she could be difficult, but you knew that quite well yourself going into this arrangement.”
Xiào took a long breath. “I was convinced both by you and her parents that she could be...”
“I gave no such assurances. If you remember, I suggested a subtle approach.”
“If she knew her place, that wouldn't have been necessary.” Xiào grumbled. “And knowing her place was a requirement for this marriage to work.”
“That is outside my area of responsibility. I didn't raise her,” Belvedere said with a sour grin.
Xiào nodded. “Her parents allow her too many liberties. If she had been raised properly, raised as I had been led to believe she had been...”
“Again, that's not my problem.”
“But I thought you wanted this marriage to work?” Xiào asked.
“Would I have gone to all this trouble if I hadn't?” Belvedere more stated than asked.
“Then why didn't you help it come to pass?”
Belvedere folded his hands on the desk he sat behind. “I resurrected the arrangement you had with the Lau family. I offered certain incentives to both sides to encourage everyone involved to put their best efforts into making this a reality. But I could not force Mei-Wan to agree. Obviously, none of you could either.”
“I don't think anyone could,” Xiào said with a touch of resignation. “She is too headstrong, too determined to go her own way, ignoring the destruction in her wake. Even now that her family will likely disown her, I doubt she has any real understanding of what she's done.”
“You knew that three years ago when she married McCall.”
“That was an extraordinary situation,” Xiào replied. “We all thought she had died in that prison camp. The Lau's had agreed to release us from our commitment four months before she returned.”
“I know.” Belvedere looked out the window of his office just as the sun set behind Golden Gate Bridge. “I am sorry it did not work out, but I don't know what you want me to do about it now.”
“As my family kept our side of the arrangement, I would still like to receive those incentives you mentioned.”
Belvedere laughed. “Don't worry, you'll still get paid... but only half.”
“Half?!”
“I think that is more than reasonable considering the result.”
Xiào watched him for several moments, no doubt deciding if haggling was worth the time and effort. Fortunately for Belvedere's sake, and his own, Xiào decided to relent.
“Yes... that will be acceptable.”
“Then our business is done.”
Doctor Xiào nodded and rose from his chair. “I am quite skilled in the genealogical arts. I could research your family origins for you if you'd like. That is assuming Belvedere isn't some alias necessary to your work.”
“I was adopted.”
“All the more reason for me to investigate. I could trace your true lineage if you would but provide a genetic sample.”
Belvedere smiled. “And if there were any skeletons in that family closet you'd then have leverage over me, correct?”
“You wound me, sir,” Xiào said with the slightest of grins, playing the offended party in this curious dance they were engaged in. “I only sought to help you learn about yourself.”
“I know who I am.”
“But one's family plays such an important role in who we are,” Xiào said. “Even if we have never met them.”
Belvedere leaned forward, stretching out his arms on the desk. “I know far more about my family than I care to. Good day, Doctor Xiào.”
Xiào gave a quick nod, then left the office.
Belvedere stood and looked out the large picture window as the crimson glow of the sun faded over the horizon. He turned to a panel across from his desk and began reviewing his appointments for the evening.
He smiled at how successful this plan had been, and how much he now enjoyed that success. But then revenge always did have the sweetest of tastes.
His mind focused on a single thought.
So, your family will disown you, Mei-Wan...
Belvedere's smile faded.
Now you will know the pain you inflicted upon me.
* * *
Dark Horizon Story and Characters Copyright ©2009 Michael Gray
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