As we walked into Champagne and Oyster Bar the place was beautifully lit with candles at every corner and tables. It was a lovely evening and our favorite waiter Luigi, walked us to our table. We sat and ordered our drinks while waiting for our guest of honor. When you book into an expensive hotel such as Le Sirenuse you expect the staff to be attentive, courteous, and everything should be just right. Yes, everything felt exceptionally luxurious here......
Looking around I can see flickering lights coming from houses located on the hills really brings out a magical feeling. Simply beautiful....I feel like I was born to live here.
I opened my eyes and saw that Hans was simply looking at me with a smile. I took a deep breath and glee at him in embarrassment.
"Tell me the truth.....you love it here, don't you babe?" Hans leaned forward, gently grabbed hold of my hands. Without hesitation I hold his hands tight.
I nodded and again closed my eyes. "Beautiful place isn't it? And we are leaving soon? (I opened my eyes)....You've confirmed our flight reservations?", I asked.
"Ah..ha...", a short reply. "But if you are serious, I can set up an office and work from here....".
"An office here? Wow that would be awesome, wouldn't it? Thank you so much for the wonderful times I had in Rome and Positano. I am grateful for the opportunity and times we spent together. I hope we can do this again perhaps next time with our children?" I looked at his face and I can see a glimmer of excitement from the corners of his eyes.
"Babe, the pleasure was all mine. Remember this, I am not only your husband. I am your friend, your partner and your lover. Don't ever feel shy with me if and whenever you need help." Hans words was so reassuring.
"Thanks Hans. I love you." I said as I run my fingers vertically on his face.
He took my hand, kissed it and said, "I know......".
We shift our conversation about the interview tonight while holding each other's hands when I heard a voice from behind, "Hello Mr Hans Azman?"
Hans stood up and said, "Just Hans please. Mr Fazidin, thank you for coming and it's really good to meet you." Hans extended his hands and they both shook hands.
Fazidin...? I was shocked and I felt blood rushing straight to my head. I think I stopped breathing for a few seconds. I almost blackout when I heard that name! No, it can't be him! It can't be the Fazidin I knew back when I was in college. The guy I dumped when I was in the States. Please let it not be him.........
Unfortunately God didn't answer my prayers......I looked up and saw his face. "This lovely lady here is my wife, Atikah.", as Hans introduced Iddin to me.
Still seated I said politely, "Hello it's nice finally get to meet you. Mr. Fazidin right? Hans has told me a great deal about you. He is really impressed with your work." I lift my arm and shook his hands. I can feel him gripped my palm gently. And to my surprised he lift my arms and he bent a little to kiss my hand. Oh...my..., how classy of him.....
"Lovely to meet you, too. Atikah. Have we met before? Rasa macam pernah jumpa you...." he asked.
Well,..well,...well,...what do you know.....nice game you're playing Iddin.....nice one I should say. I just smiled but I could feel my face was flushing hot with embarrassment. I pull my arms slowly and took a sipped of my lemon and cherry cocktail. "Well, as they say, the world is round. Please, please have a seat.", I replied.
"Thank you. (He took a seat opposite of me...) Apologized if I interrupted your moment earlier. It looked kinda intimate. I apologized again." he asked.
"It's alright we were just discussing about work." Hans replied.
"Luigi, please get my special guest here,.....what would like to drink, Fazidin?" Hans asked.
"Southern Comfort on the rocks please..." Fazidin answered.
I instantly look up at him when I heard he ordered Southern Comfort. But he was already looking at me....as though he knew that will jog back the memories. "Huih, sejak bila dia pandai minum whiskey?", I said inside to myself. I quickly turned and look at Hans.
I felt uncomfortable sitting opposite of him. I need to maintain calm and be professional tonight. I don't want Hans to lose this guy. Hiring him is our objective tonight. Should I tell Hans about Iddin? I can't tolerate the fact that now and then he would steal quick glances at me even when Hans was talking to him.
"Come Fazidin, help yourself to the oysters. You cannot get it any fresher than here." Hans offered some to Fazidin.
"Hmm...yes it's really good. You are right, Hans." Fazidin tasted one and then took a sip of his whiskey. "So Atikah, are you working in the same architecture firm? You're an architect, too?".
Okay Tika, keep it cool and straight to the point, I said to myself. And smile.....
"Yes and no", I answered. "Yes, I am working for Tan Sri's firm as a consultant. And no, I am not an architect. I am currently doing HR work until Tan Sri finds a suitable candidate to fill up the HR Director position." I gave a girly smile to him.
I shift the conversation. "How was your flight?" I asked and rest my back against the dining chair.
"It was tiring. I flew from Perth to KL to meet a client and await connecting flight to Naples via Rome. Still experiencing jet-leg. Overall it was good." He explained and took another sip of his whiskey.
Someone is either very thirsty or.......pretty nervous here....and it is not me!
"Perth? You are still working in Perth?" Hans asked.
"I'm in between jobs. My wife lives in Perth and she likes it there. She went to school there and after we were married she stayed on in Perth while I commute back and forth between KL and Perth. But now, I wanna to be based in KL because my father is not in good health. I need to be with him." Iddin explained and looked at me again.
So he's married......and yes,...his father was a cargo ship captain...I remember that....
"And your wife,....will she be following you any time soon?"aku sibuk bertanya pulak.
"No. She can't stand the hot and humid weather kat Malaysia....", he laughed and continued, "Orang melayu Malaysia tetapi perangai tak macam melayu......We tried to live in KL but she had a hard time adjusting so we decided to go back to Perth.", we all laughed.
"Guys, please excuse me, as I need to make a few phone calls back to Malaysia. Need to call the office before they are closed for the day. I will be back in the moment." Hans got up and kissed my lips. That was a signal that the interview has begun.
Part 2.
"So it's a small world after all and look at you, you have changed so much....the last time I saw you, you still had your braces on...." Fazidin started to bring back memories from 15 years ago. I knew the moment Hans left I will be the interviewee. "Why did you dumped me?"
Ouch! I folded my arms and rest them on the table. I did not expect him to be so direct. "Thank you for unfolding old memories." I said and his question was really intimidating.
"Iddin,....Excuse me I'm sorry. Fazidin, we are here for a casual interview. Tan Sri sees huge potential in you to expand your career in his company." I explained to him about the firm's intention.
"It's been a while I heard that name. You seorang saja yang call I, Iddin.", he stared at me and that gives me the shivers.
"Since when you started drinking? The Fazidin I know, doesn't drink." I asked and squeeze a piece of lemon on an oyster.
"People change. We evolved. Sometimes to be someone we hoped to be....", and he lift my piece of oyster. He put it close to his lips and suck in the tender crustacean into his mouth. He placed the empty shell back on the plate. Glup! I swallow my saliva as I watched him and felt like tearing apart his throat. Damn. That was my oyster!
"I'm sorry, did I ate yours?", he pretended to be surprised.
"It's okay.....", I replied and force myself to smile.
I am hating this conversation. Hans, please come back. Quick!
"Consultant, huh? Did you get the job because your father in law owns the company?", he saw Luigi passed by and asked for another whiskey.
I smiled and explained, "The HR Director left recently due to family commitment. And while they are looking for a replacement, I was hired on contract basis just for this assignment. We want to offer you a VP position with 15% shares". You will sit on BOD and have a voting right."
"So you freelanced?" Iddin asked and sipped his whiskey.
"Occasionally, when my service is required. I have a full time job. Erk,...excuse me, I rasa macam I yang kena interview ni when it was supposed to be the other way round....." I am getting irritated by his attitude.
"Yes, I know your job. It's to hire me and get things done. Okay, let us shake on it.", and he held out his hand.
I was confused. "Shake on what?", I asked.
"The VP position. I accept the offer. Let's shake on it." he said again with full of confidence.
"Just like that? Wait, I am very confused here. I haven't fully explain your job scope and you are accepting the offer?, I asked.
"Does it matter? In my mind right now, I know I will be seeing a lot of you....", he said and still had his hand out.
It was an unwarranted feeling but I shook his hand anyway. He smiled and sipped his whiskey. "Welcome aboard to Hans & Hans.", I said and this means I have sealed the deal.
"Cheers...! Thank you and we have so many things to catch up...tell me more of what you do....I mean your full time job....", and he asked for another whiskey.
"Iddin, I think you've had enough. It's already your third glass." I advised him.
"What can I say, I am celebrating for a new job and thrilled to meet again the woman who dumped me once upon a time. And the funny part was I haven't the slightest idea why she did it. Every time I think, that is after you left me, you will take a piece of me with you.", Iddin whispered slowly and catch hold of my hands. I pull my hand back but he held on tight. The looked in his eyes told me that he has other plan to ruin me or maybe plotting a revenge for what I did to him 15 years ago.
Credit to PaulYoungVEVO and You Tube
"Stop it Iddin. It's not nice if Hans sees you're acting like this. I am his wife please have some respect at least towards Hans. Perhaps you had too much to drink already." I was angry but I controlled my voice. I looked around so that nobody is watching us.
"Ok,....I am sorry....", and he gave a smirked.
"Don't you smirk at me.", now I am really pissed off.
"I have never gotten over you Atikah.", he stared at me. I stared at him. "Big rock you have on your finger. Is that your wedding ring?", Iddin asked and wanted to touch the ring.
"Stop it Iddin....", I snapped at him.
"I gave what you wanted and now I deserve an explanation about what happened 15 years ago. Why did you dump me?" he insisted. He asked for another whiskey.
"Iddin, no more please. You are not thinking straight. How 'bout some coffee, alright?" I tried to persuade him.
"I am fine Atikah.....Luigi,...one more please. And whatever the lady wants..." I shook my head and signaled Luigi to go.
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