The Arrival

"Hmm… Joann, is that you? You have not left yet? What are you still doing here?" The person who made the enquiry was the director. He had finished his work and was leaving when he noticed a female figure wandering around the set. He assumed it was one of the extra who had lingered so when he got closer, he was surprised to see it was one of his movie's main actors.

"Ah, director. It's you. Leaving already?" Joann glanced at her watch before mumbling, "I did not realize it is so late already."

"Indeed. Aren't you going to be the party? If you do not leave now, you are going to be late. Also why are you still here?" asked the director.

Joann answered, "I am going but only after I find my car key…" Joann looked around her while she said that.

"Your car key? You have lost it?"

"Unfortunately so… I have them placed alongside my house keys inside a leather purse but I can't seem to be able to find it anywhere. I wonder where I have misplaced the thing…" Joann groaned with evident frustration.

"Wait a minute. A black leather purse about ye size?" The director asked while making a rectangle about 20 by 15 centimeters in the air using his hands.

Joann's eyes glowed with relief and she answered excitedly, "Yes, it is exactly that size! Have you seen it?"

"I cannot be sure it is the same purse you are looking for but I found something similar in the editing room. I have asked the staff there but none of them came forward to claim it so I left it on the table before I left. We should go and see whether it is the purse you have lost."

Joann followed the director to the editing room. "This is indeed my purse! Thank you for finding it, director," Joann exclaimed holding the purse in her palms.

"You're welcome but I didn't really do anything. Just be more careful next time."

"Alright, thank you again."

"Let's get a move on, we do not want to be late for the party," suggested the director.

"Of course, let's walk to the parking lot together." As they moved towards their cars, Joann could not help but wonder, 'But I have not been to the editing room today so why my purse would be left there? The only person I remember having something to do with the editing room was Qing Qing who went there to give the director her recommendation for the party tonight but of course she would not have anything to do with this, would she?

'Of course not, what am I thinking?'

…

When Joann arrived at the restaurant with the director, the party was already going at full swing. The place was rowdy and people were having fun. The food was nice and the wine flowed freely, it seemed like Qing Qing had indeed made a good recommendation.

The director bade farewell to Joann and wandered over to the group of staff who was happily enjoying themselves.

Joann's eyes swept the room and they soon fell on Qing Qing and Lee Mu who sat at the far end corner of the room. That particular rectangular table was pushed against the wall and the chairs were placed at the other three sides. This arrangement was probably to make it convenient for the customers to enjoy the view while they dined. She frowned noticing how close they were to the window, thus exposing themselves to the prying eyes of the public. Qing Qing and Lee Mu took the two seats that were arranged at the side, Lee Mu taking the seat adjacent to the window while perpendicular to Qing Qing was a seat that was left open. Next to the empty seat were the rest of the crew members which formed a line down the long table.

'Then again, Qing Qing did say this place is newly open and thus free from unwanted crowds. She is probably right, along the way here, there wasn't much cars on the road and before coming up, the first floor dining area looks quite empty as well. Maybe I worry too much. I mean… What is the worst that can happen?' thought Joann innocently as she walked over to Qing Qing who had noticed her and was waving at her.

"Sister Joann, you are finally here! Here, I have reserved this seat for you." Qing Qing stood up from the seat she was sitting on and scooted around the corner of the table to sit down. She had vacated the seat that was next to Lee Mu.

Joann wanted to say she could take the empty seat just fine but the young woman moved faster than Joann's lips could. Asking Qing Qing to move again seemed rather rude so she just took the place Qing Qing had vacated.

As she sat down, she only managed to smile at Lee Mu when Qing Qing on the other side of her asked, "Sister Joann, did you manage to find your purse? I hope you do."

"Actually, I did." Joann turned to Qing Qing before continuing, "The director found it for me. Weirdly enough, it was left in the editing room."

"The editing room?" Qing Qing repeated in the form of a question.

"That's right, I find that to be quite weird as well. Qing Qing, you visited the editing room when you went to meet the director. Did you notice my purse in there then?" Joann asked.

"Hmm… I cannot really tell for sure but I do not think so, I am sorry for unable to be more of a help," Qing Qing answered while she scratched her chin.

"It's alright, I don't expect you to remember small details like this for no reason at all. It is not your fault," Joann consoled the young woman with an understanding smile.

"Sister Joann, did you ask the staff in the editing room? Have they seen anything?"