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“I’ll give it to my grandparents so we can move out. They’re not really my parents, my grandfather introduces me as his son, so people don’t ask questions. My parents died in an earthquake when I was a baby. They have given up everything to make sure I have an education. I want to repay them.”
My heart broke for the boy, he looked no older than fifteen.
“I’m glad I could play a part in with your family getting a better life. Good luck,” I said. He nodded, and we left his home after saying goodbye to his grandmother.
Adaline
I was bowled over by Ming-Yue's ingenuity to buy and sell comics overseas and I felt protective of the young lad. I was doing the same at his age, but it wasn't to help my elderly grandparents. My reasons seem vapid in comparison, but I was desperate to leave home and get away from my toxic parents. He told us he lost his privileges for the internet because he got caught selling another comic. The person I talked to online and via video feed was his assistant teacher.
Ming-Yue was wise not to show his face, as I wouldn't have made the trip to Hong Kong. I wouldn’t have trusted that he was genuine. Ming-Yue assured me he could still carry on his business as his assistant teacher would talk to his customers in his own home.
I had the comic safely tucked away in my hand luggage. Callum had upgraded my ticket as a celebration, I didn't protest. I slept the whole way home on the flight, which seemed a waste of ticket, but at least I could sleep.When we exited the airport, Haydn was waiting for us to drive us home. Another perk of dating a rich man. Technically the driver belonged to his mother, but we were firm friends after we had met at the hospital.
Darlene showered me with affection, suffocating at times but I relished the attention. To her credit, she didn't make too much of an issue about my hearing. After I'd gone to dinner at her place with Callum, I visited every week to have a gala meeting. At the first meeting, she pulled out some leaflets for a hearing loss clinic that could accurately diagnose my condition. I sat patiently as she explained everything, even offering to pay. Darlene had gone to the effort of learning a few words in sign language. It meant nothing to me as I'd avoided the prospect of waving my hands in the air when I wanted to communicate. Avoiding speaking to people in public was enough for me. I was thankful I was a child of the computer age, and by the time I needed to start a business, the Internet revolution was in full swing.
Callum coming to Hong Kong gave me food for thought. I dreamed no one would care enough about my well-being to get on a bus for me, let alone fly halfway across the world. I had people in my corner, and it swelled my heart.
We arrived back at the shop to find the door wedged open and a pungent smell of turpentine wafting out the door.
“They're back,” Felicity called out to Scottie while she walked towards me. Her dungarees were covering in splattered paint. Navy blue flecks, peppered her legs and arms. A lot of it was dry which gave me an indication of what they were doing while I was gone.
Felicity hugged me hard and then so did Scottie.
“Good to have you back,” he said taking my small suitcase. He dashed away to place it on the stairs and came back. “Don't want to get any paint on it,” he explained.
"Did you get the job done?" Callum asked Scottie, he was standing directly behind me.
"Unfortunately. Tell me I never have to go back there?" He pleaded.
"No, you don't have to go back. The job's done." Callum chuckled, and so did I, Scottie's face was a picture of repulsion.
“I need a shower, then I can make some lunch for us all. Come up in about an hour?” Callum said to Scottie and Felicity.
“Dude, you take an hour to shower?” Scottie said. I giggled, and Felicity elbowed Scottie in the ribs. “Ah, man, TMI,” he said and went to the other side of the shop. He stood with a paintbrush in hand ignoring our laughter.
Felicity dashed to the side of the shop where the counter and register would be.
“Doesn't it look great? I will get a comfy stool to sit on while I keep a careful eye on the customers.” Felicity said.
Felicity was buoyant with energy, and she pretended to ring up a sale.
“Where will I be?” I asked, amused by her enthusiasm for my shop.
“Upstairs buying and selling,” she replied.
“I can build you an office down here if you'd like,” Callum offered.
“Is there room?” I asked looking around the room.
The floorboards were repaired and painted. The shelves were empty, ready to be filled. It was looking a lot like a comic shop. I had left all the planning to Callum and Scottie, they knew what I wanted with the guidance of Felicity more than I did.
“I've allowed for it,” Callum said nodding towards the back of the shop.
“Really? I can have an office?”
He shrugged like it was no big deal, his adorable smile pleased that I was excited.
“I figured that you didn't want to spend every day sitting on a bean bag with a laptop heating your thighs. You complain that you get restless legs after working on it. I toyed with the idea of converting one of your bedrooms, but an office in the back by the store room is more sensible.”
