HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE: HAPPINESS? 3

Joe swallowed her food and looked at Madame Lila, "Umm…" she began. The Madame gave her a studying look, "I…I… think it was a great answer."

The Madame challenged Joe this time, "Not too proud?" Joe looked at Kenji. Kenji was about to speak for her. "I am not asking you Kenji. The question is for Josephine," the Madame said.

Joe closed her eyes and calmed down. She took a deep breath and answered the question, "It may have sounded a tad proud for you Madame, but isn't one entitled to be? What I mean is, isn't it a necessity for an individual to take pride in what he or she is and wants to be?"

David smiled at the response feeling proud of his best friend, "That was a very well point made, Madame. I couldn't argue with that."

Christine joined the conversation, "Even if we have different views about my answer, I would like to get the Madame's reason why she thought it was proud," she said.

Madame Lila looked at Christine, "Before I answer that, you said a moment ago, that you do not want your being a Wei to define you because you are Christine first and foremost. And who is this Christine, if I may ask?"

David looked at Christine and smiled. He answered, "This Christine is an independent, strong-willed, confident and a beautiful woman."

Joe looked down. She felt a pang in the heart. Will David ever look at her that way?

"That is from your point of view David, I am asking Christine. How do you perceive yourself, Christine?" Madame Lila asked.

Christine smiled at David and looked at the Madame, "My perception of myself is similar to David's."

Madame Lila chuckled, which surprised them, "Really? Forgive me if I am not convinced."

Christine asked, "Why not?"

"Beautiful, yes you are. But strong-willed? Confident? Independent? To what measure? I do not intend to degrade you or to make you uncomfortable. But if you are strong-willed, then how come you 'could not' be involved with your family's business? Do you really not want to be identified as being a Wei? Or is it because the identification thereof, entails too much pressure?"

"Mother…" David warned.

"It is all right, David. Go on Madame," Christine said.

"Christine, you are born as a Wei first and foremost before being a Christine… your abilities, your talents… and all the things you could do is because YOU are you… a Wei," Madame Lila began to explain.

Christine listened attentively.

Madame Lila continued, "Sometimes, young people are too proud to say that they are strong-willed and confident. But being confident does not allow a present situation to alter oneself. But, altering that situation to be oneself. Running away and not accepting yourself as a Wei or different from the Weis is arrogance without a basis, synonymous to cowardice and definitely not confidence. If you want to be a true strong woman, then face who you are and alter the situation. Because whether you like it or not, at present? Christine is only a beautiful girl, and what makes her strong? Being a Wei."

Christine let out a soft chuckle, "I admire the Madame's perception. The truth is, it is just too difficult to make people believe that I can do better, much better than any other Weis… but at the same time, I do not want to fail as a Wei."

Madame Lila gave her a smile, "Now that admittance makes a beautiful, confident and a strong-willed woman. Take my advice Christine, go back home and learn from your father. It takes more courage to go back than to leave."

Christine nodded, "I will do that and I will prove to the Madame that I am a better Wei."

"I will be waiting. But until that day, allow me to let our guest enjoy the evening. David, why don't you take your girlfriend to the gardens? A beautiful woman will make a garden even more beautiful."

"If that is your request, I will be much willing to oblige," David said and held Christine's hand.

"You are all dismissed…" Everyone stood up. "EXCEPT for Josephine," the Madame quickly added.

David and Kenji looked at Joe who looked at the Madame. "Josephine, I have something to talk to you about in my office," she said and stood up.

"David, I really wanted to see the garden," Christine said.

David nodded and gave Joe one last look before leading Christine out the garden. Meanwhile, Kenji looked at Joe, "Will you be alright?"

Joe looked at him and smiled, "Of course," she said and followed Madame Lila.

"Sit down," the Madame quickly said after seeing Joe come into her office. Joe obeyed and sat down across the elegant Ji.

After she sat down, the Madame continued talking, "I enrolled you at a Women's University in Francua for a year. You will continue your studies there and at the same time I took the liberty of putting you in beauty and etiquette classes. You will be leaving Chiness anytime you see fit, and by that I mean, as soon as possible," she said.

The news came as a shock to Joe, "Why? I mean No… I do not wish to leave. Chiness is my home… I would NEVER…"

The Madame sighed and cut off her theatrics, "Before you put a period to that 'No' and that 'Never', I want you to think about your parents, who you are, and your responsibilities. Needless to remind you, that you are the sole heiress of the Chen clan. Would you think your parents will be happy seeing you like this? You will be the head of your share at the JC Industries, would you think your employees will give you respect, when you act like this?" she scolded Joe.

Joe was silent right away. Madame Lila has a point. She also has responsibilities.

Madame Lila continued, "I meant no disrespect of your choice of behavior and mannerisms. I am very much open-minded. However, tell me Josephine. Tell me honestly, do you consider yourself a man or a woman?"

Joe looked down. She is a girl through and through. It's just that… it's just that she promised David and she does not want to break that promise. It might be foolish to anybody else but to her, it's very important.

"I am waiting for an answer," Madame Lila told her.

"A woman," she uttered softly without looking up.

Madame Lila softened a bit and took a deep breath. "I do not want to force anything on you as much as possible. I treated you as my daughter. But that mannish behavior is frightening me. I don't believe it is really what you want. What happened, Josephine? I envisioned you to be this great woman, just like your mother. If you are a woman, then act like one… Look at me Josephine." Josephine did and the Madame continued, "I want you to think about this and I expect you to reconsider. This is for the best. I want to present you to society. And with that I want you to be proud and confident about yourself: The TRUE you…. A lady… a strong woman of Chen. Go along now, think about it," with that, she dismissed her.

Joe walked out the office in slow paces. What Madame told her was all true. Still, she does not want to leave. David needs her. David will not allow it. She must stay because of David. Yes… David… David will surely help her out with her decision. '

It's about time I talk to him. I need his advice,' she thought as her feet made a path heading to the gardens.