Chapter 168 -- LFN Storyboard 2

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, [8], 9 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 08:01:17 06/15/08 Sun
Author: taurus2124
Author Host/IP: CPE-124-188-5-96.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 124.188.5.96
Subject: Chapter 168
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons ... continued" on 07:57:02 06/07/08 Sat

Chapter 168

Reaching their destination the limousine pulled up in front of the entrance to The Lookout restaurant at Victoria Peak where Karen Ho was to rendezvous with her client Peter Li-Wah. The chauffeur exited the vehicle and stood quietly as he held the rear door open for Karen and her escort to get out. Once they had exited the vehicle he got back in and drove the limousine into the parking lot where it was evident other wealthy clients� chauffeurs had also parked. Several stretch limousines similar to the one from which Karen had alighted were lined up. Their chauffeurs were casually smoking cigarettes and talking to each other as they relaxed knowing that they had the time to do so before their owners returned from their dinner engagements.

Making their way inside the building, Karen and James Peng entered the waiting elevator which swiftly took them up to the top of the exclusive sky high restaurant. Perched right on Victoria Peak, 1,355 feet above Hong Kong, The Lookout was a 360 degree revolving restaurant that boasted a beautiful setting. Both indoor and outdoor seating had panoramic views set on two levels that were impressively linked by a sweeping spiral staircase. The restaurant's sheer glass walls were all that stood between the diner and some of the most spectacular postcard scenery in the world. It overlooked the city with unimpeded views of Hong Kong's busy harbour, world famous skylines, the many hills of the New Territories undulating in the background and the South China Sea.

They got out of the elevator and made their way to the reception area.

The sound of a live band providing light entertainment for the patrons filtered through the restaurant unobtrusively as they walked to their destination. Looking around, it was obvious to Karen why the The Lookout catered for an exclusive, moneyed clientele. Displayed on the walls of the reception area and bar were expensive original Art Deco artefacts and memorabilia sourced from all over the world. The restaurant was also renowned for its superb, fine food and d�cor. This was the place in Hong Kong to wine and dine prospective clients and Karen knew there was none wealthier than the person she was to meet ... Peter Li-Wah. Sealing a deal with him would be extremely lucrative and would help to maintain her cover. Not only that but wealthy clients were known to make donations to the triad, and her client was someone the Rising Dragons could exploit in the future.

At the reception area they were met by the Maitre-D who had already been informed that the beautiful interior decorator was Mr Li-Wah�s personal guest for their private dinner meeting this evening.

�Ah, Miss Ho ... Mr Li-Wah is waiting for you. If you would follow me please, I will show you to his private room.�

�Thank you.�

Renowned for its ambiance, the restaurant also provided an atmosphere of relaxation and elegance together with intimate private settings for couples. It was to one of these that Mr. Li-Wah�s guest was taken.

Following the Maitre-D, Karen and her escort were shown to a secluded room on the Viewing Terrace, again with breathtaking views and adjacent to the bar. Decorated with lush foliage each room separated the diners from their nearest neighbour; the management had provided private dining rooms where conversations remained intimate from prying ears. It was obvious that Mr Li-Wah had taken great measures to secure their privacy for he�d arranged that they meet in one of these settings where they would not be disturbed. As an extra precaution, his private bodyguards were at the ready to keep people at bay as they discussed business.

As they entered the room and approached the table Peter Li-Wah stood up and greeted her. �Good evening Karen ... Welcome to my restaurant.�

�Thank you Mr Li-Wah, it is truly spectacular.�

�Please call me Peter. I�m sorry I was unable to pick you up. I trust that James has taken good care of you?�

�Yes ... everything was fine.�

�Excellent ...�

He personally seated her ushering Karen into the seat opposite him at the intimate table set for two. Turning to his assistant he gave him a dismissive nod. James acknowledged him and quietly took his leave. The hovering waiter then approached the table and took a bottle of chilled wine from the wine stand and showed it to Mr Li-Wah. He nodded in appreciation.

�I have taken the liberty of ordering some wine. I hope that meets with your approval?�

Eying the expensive bottle, Karen replied, �Certainly.�

As the waiter was about to perform his task Mr Li-Wah said, �No ... Let me. That will be all.�

He too left the couple alone. However a bodyguard stood unobtrusively in the background.

Filling her glass with the amber liquid Peter raised his glass in a salute. �Here�s to a wonderful evening. I hope that we can do business together.� They clicked glasses as both scrutinized the other across the table.

�Oh I�m certain of it. Salut Peter.�

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Entering the reception area and bar of the expensive restaurant Michael walked over to the bar to order a drink.

�Good evening sir. What can I get you?�

Turning to face the bartender Michael replied, �Milk.�

�Coming up,� he replied nonchalantly.

In his job, the bartender had heard many a strange request from customers for the drink of their choice, but this was a first for ordinary milk at this restaurant. The bartender looked at Michael somewhat surprised by his selection of beverage especially given the man�s demeanour at the bar. There was something about this man that radiated authority and strength. He appeared to an imposing sort of a guy and was mysteriously aloof and softly spoken. An unsolicited shudder suddenly shot thorough his body that the bartender could not explain. Nonetheless, he made up the beverage for his customer without so much as a raised eyebrow.

Once done he put the drink on the bar. �There you are sir.�

�Thank you.�

�Enjoy.�

While sipping his milk, Michael casually leant on the bar and as he did so he scrutinised the private dining room area of the restaurant. He noticed that Karen Ho had just taken a seat opposite her client in the corner of the restaurant in a guarded area which was in sight of the reception area and bar. Her back was to the door. Michael observed that this part of the restaurant had private security and a man was standing guard at the closed door turning away people wishing to dine in that area.

�I thought we were able to dine here,� an indignant couple stated.

�Sorry. Private party.

�Let's go Beth ... we know when we�re not wanted.�

As the couple were turned away, another large man came out of the private room where Karen was meeting her client and stood next to Michael before giving the bartender an order. �Can I get an orange juice?�

�Michael casually spoke to the man. �I need a favour.�

Sizing up the man who had spoken to him the bodyguard asked, �Who the hell are you?�

Michael briefly looked through the glassed door to see Karen talking to her client.

�Give Mr Li-Wah�s companion a message.�

�Why?�

�Because she knows me.�

The man�s expression seemed to indicate that this was not the first time that he had been asked this request by a man whenever a pretty woman dined with his boss. �Sure she does,� he replied dryly.

�There's something in it for you.�

�And what's that?�

�I'll give you back your gun.�

The bodyguard quickly glanced down at the side were he was wearing a shoulder holster, unintentionally showing Michael where he carried his gun.

With a slight smirk, at Michael he said, �You don't have my gun.�

Before the man knew what was happening, Michael made a sudden move kneeing him in the groin. Caught unawares he bent over somewhat incapacitated and in pain. Michael quickly seized his gun. He released the safety clip and aimed it at the man standing at the door while using the man�s body to hide the gun from the retreating couple who had just been refused entry. Meanwhile the guard at the door reached for his gun when Michael hit his associate, but stopped when he saw where he had the gun aimed. The restrained bodyguard began to cough and groan at the pressure he exerted to his arm. Protesting, his restraint fell on deaf ears as Michael again made his request in a controlled but softly spoken demand.

�My name's Michael. I'd like a word with her. Understand?�

Straightening up the winded bodyguard winced and cast a look in Michael�s direction. He nodded his assent to his request, picked up the orange juice he�d ordered and returned to the dining room. As the second guard followed behind, Michael quickly hid the gun in the waistband of his trousers behind his back. He watched as the bodyguard approached the couple at the table.

While the man leant down to speak to Karen, Michael took another sip of his drink. He observed her body language as she listened to what he had to say. Her back suddenly became ramrod as the bodyguard�s words registered. No doubt she was remembering the last time they were together in the park with Steven. he ironically thought. Michael then saw Karen slowly turn her head around to stare at him standing outside near the bar.

Judging by the look she cast his way he knew she was resolved to the fact he had somehow managed to find her. He also noticed a wry smile pass Karen�s lips. It was fleeting and she covered it quickly but that one cynical smile spoke volumes. Karen knew he wanted to know about Nikita�s location and Michael knew the contest between the two of them was only just beginning.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Play on text from ... Treason and Double Date

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies: