Offer to the CEO

Thursday continued ….

On receiving Hou Yi's text Anna called out "James."

With that James came over, asking "What is it?"

"I need your help in returning to Hou Yi and my apartment.I will tell you why on the way there."

"Well …"

"Do not play that game James, it is important."

"OK Anna.Can we though make arrangements to go shopping afterwards."

"Well that has been planned for everyone this afternoon, followed by a huge family tea.With everything I have not spent much time with anyone while you have been here, and I plan to maximise that until you go."

On leaving the Ancestral Home Anna made arrangements to call Du AnLing once she was finished at the apartment to make arrangement to meet them.

Once they were settled into the car, and headed to the apartment, James turned to sister and asked "Why are your dragging me with you?"

"Do you remember Alecia Yao, from last night?"

"The cute girl from last night?"James was careful as he did not want to give much away, but Anna saw a far away look on James' face.

"Yes.What are you thinking about?It better not be in the gutter.She is only 16 and you are 22."

"She is cute."

"She is presently highly troubled.Her step-mother told me around six months ago at a charity function her father had taken to her she was s*xually assaulted.Given what she told me last night, it was not just that, but she was repeatedly r*ped.After talking with me last night, she has agreed to speak to the police to have those involved charged."

"S*it, someone did that to her…"Alecia did not tell him that last night.If she had, he would have been better prepared for this news.

"They did.I cannot ask her father, step-mother or Yi, given they will kill whoever was involved, and she needs help to get through the report.Rebecca will not be of help which leaves you and Rosemary.Given I saw how, a a glance she connected with you last night, you became the obvious choice."

"You should have said something. I am not sure," was James' reluctant reply.

"Susan told me on your first placement night with her in the Emergency Department you had to deal with a **** victim.She was terrified of everyone, except for some unknown reason you.You got her through treatment and speaking to the police.There is nothing different here, and I need your help."

"There is Anna.Despite the age difference something last night meant I..."

"Felt something for her?You know her father will kill you, and I suspect Yi will not be far behind him.Her father is overprotective of her, as he was only 15 when she and her two brothers were born."

"F*ck" responded James in utter shock.

"What Amanda, her step-mother and Yi tell me, their mother effectively abandoned them when they were born about prematurely.For money at their birth, she gave up her parental rights and only returns to the children's lives when she wants money.Tan to complete the school year, had help from his parents, but they were clear that he was responsible for them."

"He took three years off education to work at the family company to support them before returning to complete his education ending up in the same class as Yi, and he continued working part-time.When they commenced school Tan still working part time, went to university."

"He has, given what Alecia and Yi tell me seemed to balance this extremely well, and apparently despite their insistence he was responsible for the children, Tan's parents have helped raise them.However, Alecia has been protected more than her brothers as Tan was always concerned that she would end up a young parent, like him, which he did not want.The first time he took her to a society function, this happened."

"OK I get it.You need me to be a support, nothing more."

"Just at the moment, please."

Before James could respond the car pulled up at the apartment block, and the staff assisted Anna out of the car.Anna paused and informed them what was happening, but they replied that Hou I had already spoken to them.

Anna opened the elevator, and when it arrived at the apartment, she was greeted by Butler Ge, who indicated he knew what was happening and that he would arrange for tea, coffee and cold drinks to be brought to the lounge, and that Alecia and the police when they arrived would be escorted in.