“Oh really? I thought no one cared if you use your phone in first class.”

“Well, you don’t know this, but I’m one of those aviation geeks that actually likes to watch the safety demonstration.”

“I didn’t know you were off to London again. You should have told me—I would have lent you one of my planes.”

“That’s very kind of you. Kitty, I’m going to spend the next fourteen hours on this flight coming up with a plan. I promise you, Colette will never humiliate you again.”

“You promise?”

“Absolutely. And look on the brighter side…you have so much to look forward to. Your Tattle cover is coming out next month. You will be an absolute sensation, I tell you! And you’re besties with Yolanda Amanjiwo now. This is just the beginning for you, Kitty. Colette has to head back to some drafty old manor in England, while we are designing you the most spectacular house Singapore has ever seen.”

Kitty sighed. Oliver was right. There was so much to look forward to. She put down her phone and looked in the small gilt mirror that was given to her as a party favor last night. She did look a bit like Emma Watson, that actress who played Hermione Granger. And Oliver with his big round spectacles looked a bit like Harry Potter. Oliver really was a kind of wizard. And now he was going to wave his wand and bring even more magic into her life.

On the SQ 909 flight to London, Oliver turned off his phone and tucked it into the seat pocket. A flight attendant suddenly leaned into his row. “Excuse me? Is that an extra pillow I see? I’m afraid I’m going to need that,” she said with an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t even see it,” Oliver lied.

“And is that your leather bag? I’m also going to have to ask you to tuck it under your own seat. Make sure the straps are tucked in completely. We have a very full cabin here in economy class today,” the stewardess said.

“Oh, of course,” Oliver said, as he bent down to retrieve his bag, cursing silently. It was going to be a very long flight.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

TYERSALL PARK, SINGAPORE

The morning light filtering through the windows made the mahogany art deco furniture in Su Yi’s bedroom glow like amber, and Nick was shocked for a moment to see how tiny and frail his grandmother looked in the middle of her hospital bed, the machines clustered around her like an army of invading robots. It had been almost five years since he had seen her, and now a tremendous sense of remorse descended over him. How had he let so much time pass? He had lost five precious years because of a quarrel, because of his pride. As Nick approached her bed, he was temporarily at a loss for words.

Astrid stood by Nick’s side for a moment, and then she announced in a gentle voice, “Ah Ma, here’s Nicky.”

Su Yi opened her eyes and gazed up at her grandson. Tien, ah. He looks more and more like his grandfather every day, she thought to herself. “You look even handsomer than before. I’m glad you haven’t put on any weight. Most men put on weight after they get married—look how bloated Eddie has become.”

Nick and Astrid both laughed a little, breaking the tension in the room. “I’ll be back in a while,” Astrid said, quietly slipping out through the bedroom door. No sooner had she closed the door behind her than Professor Oon entered Su Yi’s sitting room.

“Good morning, Professor Oon,” Astrid said cheerily, blocking his way.

The doctor was momentarily taken aback. It had been more than a week since he had seen Astrid, and he couldn’t believe how she was dressed today. Holy Annabel Chong! She looked even sexier than he could have possibly imagined in this skater punk outfit and those bootylicious camouflage pants. It was better than any Japanese-schoolgirl porn site. Was she wearing a sports bra under that big hoodie? Her body was a work of God. Recovering himself, Professor Oon put on his blasé, clinical tone. “Ah, Astrid. Welcome back. I was just about to run the morning vitals on your grandmother.”

“Oh, don’t you think that can wait for a moment? Why don’t you give me an update first, since I’ve been away? Ah Ma seems rather well this morning. Could her condition be improving?”

Professor Oon frowned. “It’s possible. We put her on a new cocktail of beta-blockers, and she’s benefited from a sustained period of rest.”

“I’m soooo grateful for all you’ve done,” Astrid said warmly.

“Um, yah. After I look at her latest EKG, I’ll be able to give you a more accurate prognosis.”

“Tell me, doctor, have you heard of a specialist at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston named David Scott? Dr. Scott has developed an experimental new treatment for congestive heart disease,” Astrid continued, not letting him off the hook.

Wow, beauty and brains. A woman who can talk so seductively about heart disease, Professor Oon thought. That damn Charlie Wu was one lucky prick. If only Astrid came from another family, if only she wasn’t so bloody rich, she could be his mistress. He would set her up at his secret apartment at The Marq and watch her do laps, naked, in the pool all day.

—

Inside the bedroom, Nick was wondering what precisely to say to his grandmother. “Nay ho ma?”*1 he said, and then immediately wondered why he had asked her such a stupid question.

“I haven’t been too well. But today I’m feeling better than I have in many weeks.”

“I’m so glad to hear that.” Nick crouched beside Su Yi and looked her squarely in the face. He knew that the moment had come for him to deliver his apology. As much as he had been hurt by her, and as much as he felt that she had wronged Rachel, he knew that it was his duty to ask for her forgiveness. He cleared his throat and began, “Ah Ma, I’m so sorry for the way I behaved. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”

Su Yi looked away from her grandson and let out a long slow exhale. Nicky was home. Her dutiful grandson was by her side again, kneeling at her feet and asking for redemption. If only he knew how she truly felt. She was quiet for a few moments, and then she turned to face him again. “Are you comfortable in your bedroom?”

“My bedroom?” Nick asked, momentarily confused by her question.

“Yes, has it been made up nicely for you?”

“Um, I haven’t been staying here. I’ve been at Colin’s.”

“On Berrima Road?”

“No, Colin’s family sold that house a few years ago. He’s living in Sentosa Cove now.”

“Why on earth are you staying there and not here?”

It dawned on Nick at that moment that his grandmother didn’t have a clue that he’d been back for over a week. She obviously had nothing to do with banning him from Tyersall Park! He wasn’t sure what to say at first, but then quickly recovered himself. “There are so many people visiting at the moment, I didn’t think there would be room for me.”

“Nonsense. No one is supposed to be in your bedroom.” Su Yi pushed a button beside her, and within a few seconds Madri and Patravadee were by her bedside.

“Please tell Ah Ling to have Nicky’s rooms made up. I have no idea why he is staying at some godforsaken place instead of here,” Su Yi instructed her lady’s maids.