Without You I Have Nothing (57 page)

_{Lu-Lu added her
instructions. "We'll wait while you shower and dress and then be on our
way as we have a big day planned. Let us know when you're feeling low again
from the humidity and we'll rest."}

_{Quickly, Jennifer
readied herself and the three were on their way.}

_{Passing Peter on his
way back to the room from his swim, Jennifer gave him a quick kiss and couldn't
resist waving his credit card under his nose.}

_{"We'll go to The
Cold Storage for breakfast then hit the stores!”  These were the words as they
climbed into a taxi and simply asked for Orchard Road.}

_{The day had started
and Jennifer knew it was going to be long, busy and interestingly different.}

_{The first stop after
breakfast was with a Chinese seamstress who obviously knew the girls well. When
introduced in English, Jennifer found out that this older lady was their aunty
who had owned the shop for years. Before she knew it, she was removing her
clothes and was standing in her bra and panties.}

_{Tape measures seemed
to be everywhere and the seamstress draped an exquisite gold brocade fabric
around her as she took Jennifer's measurements for a Cheongsam.}

_{All conversation was
in Cantonese. Jennifer agreed with the choice of fabric and style, knowing that
all this was part of Peter's planning from the previous days. She didn't
understand a word, yet she understood what was happening amidst all the
smiling, shouting pandemonium.}

_{Lu-Lu and Lee-Lee
must have told Aunty about Jennifer's dehydration as she produced two tall
glasses of fresh lime and soda. She insisted that Jennifer sit and drink both
in the correct order - sour then sweet.}

_{The two girls picked
out the same brocade fabric in red and ordered three dresses.}

_{Jennifer produced
Peter's credit card but felt humbled as the twins told her to put it away as
Father was paying.}

_{"Now Jennifer,
we need shoes and accessories to match the dresses."}

_{Back in her skirt and
blouse, Jennifer was ready for the next adventure.}

_{With swatches of
fabric in their hands, the girls marched off, determined to make the day a
success.}

_{The day was ending
when they returned to Raffles. On entering the suite, Jennifer was amazed to
see three Cheongsams, one gold and two red, spread across the bed.}

_{"How did these
get here?”  Jennifer asked Lee-Lee and Lu-Lu in surprise.}

_{"Part of the
friendly, smiling service of the East,” was the reply. The three girls unpacked
their parcels, making sure that everything matched and was ready for the
evening's event.}

_{Sitting back with
their shoes off, the girls ordered afternoon tea from room service. They
chatted about the day and explained to Jennifer the plan for the evening. However
their explanation was less than explicit, leaving out some details so as not to
spoil the surprise.}

_{Meanwhile Peter had
been collected and taken to meet his Chinese Father. He spent the morning
telling his father of his life in Australia and of his plans for the future
with Jennifer.}

_{His Chinese Father arranged
for a tailor to meet with them and make a suit for Peter so he would be a
well-dressed businessman at the evening's event.}

_{Knowing his Chinese
father's attitude towards money, Peter believed that sometime during the day
his father would demand that he account for all the money heaped on him as a
reward for saving the four girls in the jungle all those years previously.}

_{A series of Board
meetings followed and question followed question on how Peter had spent the
money, as he was required to account for every cent. Hisses of approval met his
explanation of how he had increased the amount by 75%. The meetings and
questioning were thorough without considering all the financial statements he
had supplied on a regular basis.}

_{The day of meetings
was finally finished. It was time for Peter and his Father to get ready for the
evening.}

_{Peter was most
anxious to meet Jennifer again. In a parlor off the Ballroom of the Raffles
Hotel, he waited patiently until Jennifer stood in the doorway. He felt his
heart leap.}

_{Dressed in a golden
Cheongsam with its Dragon and Phoenix pattern, she was so beautiful. The
Mandarin collar, the half back of the dress clinging to her body with the slit
up to her thighs, emphasized her figure. Her red hair hung down to her
shoulders and she radiated her love for him.}

_{He took her by the
shoulders rotating her so he could view her beauty.}

_{"I knew my frog
made a good Prince Charming. I must get the name of your tailor,” Jennifer
commented as she turned him around.}

_{"Did the girls
tell you what's happening tonight?”  Peter inquired.}

_{"They told me
the basics saying it was an important evening with your Father."}

_{The sound of the door
opening and a voice from behind, asking them to follow interrupted any further
conversation. Peter slipped her arm through his and patiently followed the
concierge to the entrance of the ballroom.}

_{Pausing, Jennifer was
astounded to see hundreds of Chinese standing to welcome them. Her eyes opened
wide as she saw a semi-circle that included her mother, her father, her
brother, the twins and a tall imposing Chinese man with a tiny attractive woman
beside him - obviously his wife.}

_{The Master of
Ceremonies began speaking and Peter bent closer to whisper, "He's
welcoming us in Mandarin. Next, he'll use Cantonese and then he'll repeat the
welcome in English. This is your Chinese wedding reception, so enjoy."}

_{To the left of the
doorway was a table on which stood a huge wedding photograph of them. Around
the borders of the photograph were hundreds of Chinese signatures. Behind the
table stood a red heart-shaped box with a slit at the top.}

_{"This is where
the Ang Pows from the guests are placed,” Peter explained. "We'll donate
the money to charity."}

_{"... Mr. and
Mrs. Peter O'Brien.”  The M.C. seemed to have finished.}

_{Holding Jennifer's
hand tightly, Peter moved onto the stage with her while cheers and shouts rang
out around them.}

_{The M.C. handed Peter
the microphone and he responded with the Cantonese sibilants rolling so easily
off his tongue. In each of the languages he repeated the words, "My wife
and I thank you all for accepting us as part of your family. To be in this
circle of love with family and so many friends makes this a truly memorable
occasion. Again I say thank you."}

_{Peter tried to hand
the microphone back to the M.C. but a small hand reached out and took
possession of it. Jennifer, with a beaming smile and tears of joy at seeing her
family in this unusual situation, quietly added, "My husband spoke for us
but I feel so overwhelmed with your love for us that I, also, must thank you. To
Lee-Lee and Lu-Lu, I express my gratitude for helping me spend Peter's money on
dresses, and of course for the fresh lime sodas."}

_{Her brief words
caused gales of laughter.}

_{Then the people in
the circle of love moved forward to hug and congratulate the couple.}

_{Jennifer and Peter
warmly greeted her parents and Andrew, who was very pleased to tell her they
had seen the two of them in the streets and had to hide so they wouldn't spoil
the surprise.}

_{Peter's Chinese
Father swooped on Jennifer. Behind him, was his wife listening and smiling as
he spoke.}

_{"Ah, at last we
meet you!  Congratulations Jennifer, you have tamed The Little One."}

_{He turned his
attention to Peter. "Peter, if you don't mind I'll forget the Asian way
and do the Australian thing.”  Without waiting for an answer, he hugged
Jennifer and kissed her on the cheek.}

_{"My daughters
told me you were beautiful, but, my girl, words can't describe your beauty. Thank
you, my dear, for taming this man to whom we owe such a debt but perhaps you
already know."}

_{He introduced his
wife. The Chinese and Australian parents sat on either side of Jennifer and
Peter. There was no hint of uneasiness with the language barrier.}

_{Jennifer noticed that
Andrew sat between the twins. She knew they would keep him in control.}

_{"Peter you never
cease to amaze me. How did you keep such a secret of my family being here in
Singapore?”  Jennifer stared into his eyes and all he could do was laugh and
lean forward for a kiss.}

_{"Don't blame me.
My fathers arranged this long before our Australian wedding. The Chinese and
Tamil sides of my family did all the preparations. So pleased are they with our
marriage they insisted on paying all expenses. Your family left on the flight
after ours and have been the guests of my Chinese family."}

_{Realizing Peter had
let something slip, Jennifer grinned. She instantly realized that there would
be a special occasion with Peter's Tamil family and she looked forward to being
in KL.}

_{In front of Peter was
the usual plate of chilies, and Jennifer surprised everyone by delicately
selecting a small piece and swallowing it. She smiled to herself, knowing that
Peter had taught her the art of chili eating so her mouth was not on fire.}

_{The twenty-course
banquet was exquisite, and, when Jennifer proved her dexterity with chopsticks,
Peter's father remarked, “Peter has taught you well."}

_{He looked at Peter,
still receiving congratulations from the guests. "You've lost none of your
Cantonese, I notice, Peter,” he commented wryly after Peter had spoken with
person after person who arrived at the table to congratulate them.}

_{Whenever people
arrived at the table armed with a drink in hand, Peter stood, touched their
glass with his and shouted, "Yam Seng!"}

_{Jennifer noted that
Peter only sipped his drink while the other person drained their glass. She was
amazed at the number of toasts proposed and drunk.}

_{Her father danced
with her and proudly bent to tell her that she looked radiant and extremely
happy. Excitedly, he continued to explain the way they had arrived in Singapore.
He added how impressed he was by the extent of the hospitality showed them.}

_{Dancing with her new
Chinese father-in-law was different, as he wanted to compliment her on her
beauty and her acceptance of the Chinese customs and behavior.}

_{Even Andrew was
subdued, but he only danced once with his sister. The remainder of the evening
he spent dancing with the twins.}

_{Elizabeth took time
to take her daughter aside. She discussed the whirlwind that had taken over the
family's lives since the wedding. She mentioned that they had learned to eat
with their right hand and that her ability with chopsticks had improved.}

_{Knowing that another
piece of the jigsaw that formed Peter's plans had fallen into place, Jennifer
made no comment but listened attentively while watching Peter dance with his
sisters.}

_{During the evening,
Jennifer found herself in the powder room with the twins who were eager to tell
their story.}

_{"Has Peter told
you of the floggings he took for stealing food for us?  Did you know we were
both madly in love with him because he saved our lives and we wanted him to
marry both of us?  Do you know...?”  The stories seemed endless.}

_{Later, on the dance
floor Jennifer's jewelry flashed almost as much as her eyes, and Peter knew
every man present envied him. They didn't talk as they danced. Words were
unnecessary.}

_{Their bodies spoke to
each other incessantly. The brush of her thigh against his, the warmth of her
hand in his and the feel of her waist cradled in his arms sent Peter's blood
racing. When his lips lightly brushed Jennifer's Peter knew her body was
answering.}

_{They were both tired
when they returned to their room.}

_{Peter enjoyed
Thursday's early morning swim, taking this time alone to plan the day. The air
hadn't warmed yet and the water, though tepid, was refreshing as he floated
idly awaiting Jennifer's arrival.}

_{"Got cha!” 
Peter heard the shriek as two soft hands sent him to the bottom. Spluttering
and coughing he surfaced to see Jennifer's face close to his.}

_{"Jennifer, I
love you so damn much it hurts, but that won't save you!” and he dived to catch
her. Lifting her high against his chest he growled, "I do love you and
I've been so bloody foolish."}

_{"No, not
foolish,” she exclaimed, "just very, very patient and considerate."}