In Dong Xian's PDA: End of games...

I invited him to a drink at Casablanca. I am on my usual seat, having my usual Martini and he sat where Leo normally would.

I thanked him for saving my life and he was very modest about it.

Even though we are even on number: he saved me once, and I saved him once, but we both know that the situation is different. Director Jin was in such a rage and he will not let me get away with anything less than a serious injury. Apart from this, I could never repay him for taking care of Jenny for all those years.

"It is funny how our fate seemed to be intertwined together." He remarked.

Yes, it is really funny, and such is fate. So many things has happened in the last few months... I have underestimated him when I first arrived at Hotel Seoul. Without a business degree and proper training, I never thought it would be this tough to fight against him. While I fought the game with my specialised knowledge and strategies, he fought it with his heart, defending the Hotel with his minimal resources. I still don't know how he managed to steal my 3% shares, let alone how he gathered the information and to release to the press in such a timely manner. I do not know what drives and motivates him, but he has earned my full respect.

Respect is one thing, war is another: between Shin Dong Xian and Han Tai Jun, there can only be one winner...

I told him, "I proposed already," and added that you have accepted as well.

I waited for his response: our game should be all over already, but I wanted to hear from him directly.

He did not say anything, as if he was not interested...

I told him that I will be leaving within a week and will be taking you with me. I need to hear from him, as your man...

But he replied to me, as the GM of the Hotel, "It is not up to me to agree or not. As you are taking away my left hand, I'm not feeling too good, that's all."

Avoiding my questions is not good enough ... I want to hear from him, as the man in your life...

He looked at me, did not want to reply, but I insisted. Eventually, he said, "In a poker game, if two players got the same sequence of cards, then, how do we decide on the winner?"

So, he still does not want to admit defeat, and thinks he still has a chance. Fine: "Then, it depends on the suite", I replied.

"Spade ... diamond ... heart ... club..., in this order?"

I nodded.

"Do you remember your suite?" He asked.

Of course I do: I have the King of Spade, Queen of Spade, Jack of Spade, 10 of Spade, and last night, I collected my last card: the Aces of Spade. With this hand, how could I lose? But, what does he think he has in his hand?

He refused to give me an answer directly but added, "I covered it so long ago that I don't remember what I am holding anymore."

He does not remember or he does not want to remember? Is this his way of telling me that he has given you up as I have saved Hotel Seoul?

No matter what, no matter whether he want to admit it or not, he has won the battle while I have won the war, and we both got what we wanted at the end.

The war is over now and it is time to make peace.

Genuinely, I wanted to befriend Han Tai Jun. Partly because I know how important he is to you, as a friend, partly because he is a person, worthy of my trust and friendship.

"Maybe we can become very good friends." I told him and waited for his response.

He looked at me initially, thought about it, and eventually said, "I have enough trouble coping with that good friend of mine... Thanks for your drink... Excuse me." Then, he left.

It has not been easy for me to make friends, as I know most people have trouble coping with my directness. However, that is me, and that is my style. Maybe, with time, he will change his view about me and understand that I truly wanted to be his friend...

So, it is the end of game finally, at least that is what I thought...

I went to buy you an air-ticket and planned to give it to you as a surprise. I even thought of where I could take you when we get back to NY: Empire State Building, Statue of liberty, and we should visit my foster parents too.

I know I don't have much money now but I know I can keep you warm in a little rented apartment, in some quiet neighbourhood... for the first time, I have a home of my own, with someone I cared for in it.

Thrilled with this new responsibility, suddenly, felt grown up ... being able to settle down, I can start making plans of our lives together... and growing old together... I was halfway up in the cloud...

I gave you the air-ticket...

You said, "Something unexpected happened... and I cannot leave the Hotel now...sorry... I can't go with you..."

You cannot go with me...

"I am sorry... I vowed to keep this a secret... I really cannot tell you... but you know my heart is with you, wherever you go...I am sorry..." Tears started to roll down your cheek...

I pulled you towards me, held you in my arms until you stopped sobbing… Silly girl, please don't cry: do you know your tears hurt me?

You returned the air-ticket to me… please keep it...

You left. I stood by myself for a long time, alone…

It came too sudden and I was caught totally offguard: I thought everything was settled...

Leo was already cleaning up when I got back to Sapphire.

"She is not leaving with us tomorrow." I told him.

"Then, what are you going to do?" He asked.

I don't know, I really don't... I gave up the Hotel and lost the battles. With you accepting my proposal, I thought I've won the war. But, Shin Dong Xian is wrong Leo and I are leaving tomorrow, and you are not coming with us.

I could not think of anything at all... Shin Dong Xian has disappeared again when I needed him...

I boot up my laptop, and the "quotation of the day" pops up on the screen:

If you love something, let it go...

If it comes back, then, it is yours...

If it does not, then, it never will...

Zhen Yin's thoughts: Struggling...

That uneasy thought about Tai Jun surfaced again the following morning … as I walked … I reached Sapphire … your engagement ring is on the fourth finger of my left hand … Sapphire ... I want to talk to you ... Then, I saw a car entering the driveway. Madam Cui, GM Han and some paramedics entered a neighbouring Villa to Sapphire. I overheard the conversation GM Han has with the doctor. I was shocked. GM Han finally told me the truth about Madam Cui.

I entered that Villa. Madam Cui is inside. I walked towards her. She has always treated me like her own daughter. When late President Cui is around, Mr Cui, Mrs Cui and I have shared numerous meals together. I saw her determination to take care of the ailing Hotel after President Cui’s sudden departure. She has explained and comforted me, even when I erred. She has become a mother figure to me over the years.

She has been kind, patient, graceful and gracious. Now, looking at her pale face, and a body being tormented by an incurable disease, pained me. She didn’t want me to worry. She didn’t even want to let me know of her illness. She has taken care of the fine details. Where have I been all these days when she is sick? I … I have only accompanied her over a few dinners.

"I need a favour from you", she said weakly. "If I am to depart one day, please don’t leave the Hotel. Can you take care of the Hotel for me? … I can leave peacefully if I know that Tai Jun and you are in the Hotel. I will worry less for Rong Qi", she asked, with a pale smile on her face. I sat and listened … with tears gathering in my eyes. Much mixed emotions arose within me, some lumps gathered in my throat. "That is my final wish … you will promise me, am I right?", she said to me. I heard her clearly. There and then, I can’t tell her about the ring. "Zhen Yin, promise me to stay in the Hotel …", she requested again … what else can I say or do then … I nodded. My eyes filled with tears.

She smiled at my agreement. "Thank you, Zhen Yin … Thank you", Madam Cui repeated. I am in a loss of words ... in a loss …

…

I stood alone behind the temporary bar counter at the outdoor celebration party for the staff that night. I was thinking about Madam Cui’s final wish and our engagement. Madam Cui gave a heart-warming speech. The staff is in high spirits. The true hotelier spirit … music started to play …

I do not feel lonely even if I don’t own anything

Because love and the world are all in my dreams

Because I have you waiting for me, I can tolerate anything

I have not parted with you in my heart …

I saw you walking straight towards me. I looked at you with an unwavering glance. This man, my man … wordlessly, you gave me an air-ticket. Air-ticket?

… Air-ticket? New York? Madam Cui? … things are coming too fast … stunned …

On the return route to Sapphire, you outlined our first trip together, "Zhen Yin, if you go to New York, which place would you like to visit first? Statue of Liberty? Empire Building … Leo is more special. He’ll go to Chinatown for beef noodles after touching down. He said that will cure his stomach upset. What about you? Where would you like to visit first?" … I … I look at you … I … I almost … how can I put it? You looked so happy, you have sacrificed so much … but … but I can’t go to New York with you now. I wanted to … but … what Madam Cui said … but …

I stopped, "Dong Xian, I wanted to tell you, New York …" confused, tongue-tied "I … I can’t go with you … Something unexpected happened... and I cannot leave the Hotel now...sorry...” Dong Xian, I am sorry. I hate myself to refuse, to not go with you now … but I can’t make the decision to leave now … how to put down everything? That talk this morning?, “I am sorry... I vowed to keep this a secret... I really cannot tell you... but you know my heart is with you, wherever you go..." Felt tears in my eyes...

You were right in front of me. You held me. Your scent, your closeness … my heart clutched … we stood for a while, you waited for me to stop sobbing, we looked at each other, you placed a soft kiss on my forehead … you put the air-ticket back into my hand and covered my hand with yours … I … I walked away … I don’t know how I could do so … I walked … confused … under the blossom trees, in front of Sapphire … we parted … tears rolled again, I cried ……

Dong Xian, we are in love ... However, can I go with you? … What about Madam Cui’s final wish? Her teary thank you at my consent … Can I leave the Hotel now? … Can I forgo the Hotelier job? … That uneasy thought concerning Han Tai Jun … All these happened within days … I lain my head on the bed that night … struggling hard …