6 Fur coats are beautiful

Following a somewhat unfulfilling Christmas in New York, Valerie flew back to M City determined to have a serious talk with Richard. She was royally pissed when her calls and messages went unanswered. He had seemingly forgotten about her ever since she left and went to Venice for her movie shoot.

The New York trip was unplanned, deliberately omitted from his knowledge because she wanted to punish him for his cavalier attitude towards her. But it backfired big time since not only did he completely ignore her, he didn't even look for her while she spent Christmas alone with her mother's new family. What really set her off when she arrived was to be told by Richard's secretary that he was missing in action as well.

Not even Du Lu knew where he was. When she learned from a mutual acquaintance that An Ning had mysteriously vanished from the rounds of social activities that usually launched the Christmas festivities, her suspicion was triggered and she immediately did something even she knew was stupid by driving to her lover's parents' house in the middle of a snow storm.

Anger and resentment spurred her, however. She cannot and will not believe that Richard was playing her. It was usually the other way around. Look what happened during that auspicious wedding day.

She came, he saw and was subsequently conquered by her with nothing but a light, flirtatious smile on her part. She knew he loved her but she really couldn't understand what's keeping him from immediately marrying her.

An Ning was gone. His parents' objections seemed to her like flimsy excuses from a lover who supposedly will give her anything she wanted as long as she stayed by his side forever and ever.

Valerie pouted frowningly. He wouldn't even let her stay in his new apartment overnight even when she begged him to. He acted like he didn't care if she moved in with him or not. Valerie was too conceited and self-absorbed to explore the reasons for this estrangement so she self-confidently parked her car outside the ancient gate of her lover's ancestral house and rang the bell.

The visit would have gone well if not for Richard's mother. Although the old lady was polite and gracious, she was exceedingly even icily cold, her thin and exquisitely dressed frame positively vibrating with disapproval. She remained exceedingly polite yet glacial, not moving a muscle even when Valerie threw a tantrum and screamed Richard's name at the top of her lungs.

It was only when Valerie narrated her and Richard's first meeting that the old lady showed a response. Her lips thinned in a smile which was not actually a smile but the mere movement of the upper and lower lips.

"You say Richard fell in love with you at first sight during his wedding?" she said., sipping daintily at her cup of tea. "I didn't know my son was so romantic. Who would have thought?"

So soft were the words, so gentle, spoken in the measured well-educated voice of a lady used to command yet it halted Valerie's light-hearted prattle. She found herself stammering an apology, her checks flushing with embarassment as she stared at her opponent who can conquer opposition with the mere flicker of her lashes.

"Erwina, give Richard a call for me, will you?" she said to a middle-aged lady standing quietly by her side. This middle-aged person looked at Valerie expressionlessly then took her phone out and dialed a number. Richard's voice came on the line, raspy and somewhat listless.

"Sir Richard, Ling Ling wants to talk to you," Erwina said. The phone exchanged hands and the first thing that came out of Richard's mom's mouth were these words: "There is a young lady here who said the two of you fell in love at first sight during your wedding and that An Ning knew about it. Is that why she kicked you out?"

She didn't even wait for an answer, merely handed Erwina the phone and went back to sipping her tea. Ten minutes later, a somewhat dishevelled Richard entered. The old lady stood up and threw Valerie an indifferent glance.

"It was nice meeting you, Valerie. We will not be meeting after this, I think. Richard, I want to talk to you when you have the time." She walked out without another word, leaving a silence behind her that lasted for several minutes.

A somewhat deflated Valerie collapsed on the sofa with a sigh. "My god, your mother is scary. She almost made me pee my pants!"

"Why did you come?" Richard asked, taking the chair opposite hers.

Valerie was surprised. His voice almost rivaled his mom in its inflexible coldness. His expression was equally glacial, his eyes looking at her with mild curiosity and nothing more. Valerie forced laughter from her parched throat, her skin tautening as if aware of the presence of a sudden yet hidden danger about to spring its trap.

"What do you mean? I haven't seen you in nearly two months. Even Du Lu didn't know where you were. Of course, I was worried."

Richard took out a slim cigar and clicked open a bronze lighter to light up. Valerie was stunned.

"I didn't know you smoked. When did you take up the habit?"

"Not long ago. I was bored with nothing to do and took up smoking to amuse myself. It helps me think."

There seemed to be nothing to say after that. The awkward silence continued. Valerie was getting annoyed. Richard was unperturbed, continuously blowing smoke without a care in the world.

"When do you have free time?" Valerie said after a while. "I told my father about you and he suggested a meet up. I think it's about time, don't you think so?"

"What for?"

"What do you mean? Isn't that the usual custom between a couple who's thinking of marriage?"

"Are we getting married? I don't remember asking you."

Valerie stared at him like he was a not particularly pleasing bug crawling on top of her salad.

"Don't joke like that. It's upsetting."

Richard put his cigarette out on an ash tray with equal force as his growing impatience.

"Why don't we break up instead? I'm a pretty boring guy to be with and I'm sure you'll find someone better, more exciting. Besides, An Ning and I are back together. I'm thinking of asking her to marry me as soon as she's had the baby. I'll make it worth your while. Just name your price."

Each word struck Valerie's imploding heart with the burst of gun fire. She looked at him, feeling the slight trembling of her lips, the burning in her eyes. She didn't know she was crying until she felt the wetness on her cheeks, tasted the salt on her lips. Her heart was breaking while Richard sat unmoved. looking cool and crisp as a red apple as he watched her crumble in front of him.

"Why?" The question was almost a whimper. "You said you loved me. You said you wanted to spend the rest of your life with me. You didn't love An Ning. You fell in love with me. Was that all a lie then?"

"It was probably just hormones," Richard shrugged. "Anyway, I have to go. I have something else waiting for me. I'll have the driver drive you back. It's starting to look really crummy out there. Take care of yourself. By the way, I'll completely understand if you move to another agency after this. I'll pay the fee, of course. Just let me know."

And just like that, he was gone. The room emptied what's left of its little warmth as he strolled away and walked out of her life. Valerie sat there dazed and unmoving. The door opened and Erwina came in. She walked over to where Valerie was sitting and handed her an envelope. Valerie took it. She knew what it was but she really didn't care anymore.

The dream was over but it doesn't necessarily mean the end of the world for her. She opened her bag and took out her little compact. The redness was starting to fade from her eyes. The powder on her cheeks was slightly smeared and her lipstick needed a refresh.

Other than that, she looked perfectly fine. Under Erwina's stoic gaze, Valerie took out a comb and fixed her hair. The bag snapped close and Valerie stood up. Erwina silently motioned forward and Valerie followed.

"The driver is already waiting for you in the car. I also took the liberty of wrapping up some sandwiches and hot coffee to keep you warm in your journey. The old lady also sent you something which she hoped you will consider as a parting gift."

A maid emerged from a door carrying a large white box, which she slightly shook wide open as she neared Valerie's side. Valerie couldn't contain a surprise gasp. Held in the arms of the waiting maid was the most beautiful fur coat Valerie had ever seen in her entire life. It was a glossy black, obviously expensive and so exquisitely gorgeous it made Valerie's heart stop.

The maid silently helped Valerie put it on then stepped back for a quick look. The fit was perfect. The fur soft and ticklish and so warm it made Valerie giggle and laugh. She walked outside in her high heels, not even noticing the darkening sky and the falling snow. She glided down the stairs and into the car without looking back.

Heart break may go well with inclement weather but expensive fur coats have their own special little vanities as well. It was the merry go round of luck and charm. The world spins on its axis. Hearts break and bodies crumble into dust. But beauty endures. And that's really what matters.

Valerie watched the desolate landscape passed by outside her window and smiled. The journey was worth it after all. Despite her losing something important, it was still worth it in the long run.