ARISTOCRACY | crazy rich asians

9

THE LOCKE CLUB

KITTY

Kitty Tai was confused as she was kicked out, once again, from a high-end dining club in Hong Kong. She thought that purchasing that wretched old painting could earn the respect of elite members of society. She hardly feels welcomed with the number of stares and talking mouths that escapes from a person's face as she's being escorted due to "management reasons".

But she never lose hope as she was invited by Evangeline de Ayala, wife of a Filipino business mogul, Pedro Paulo de Ayala, and apparently new in town. She thinks that through Evangeline's invitation, she won't get kicked out again!

Evangeline appeared to be wowed by Kitty's big donation to Sir Francis Poon's foundation, and when she suggested meeting for lunch at the Locke Club, Kitty felt all that hard work has paid off. After all, she had months transformed herself into Hong Kong's leading art collector and philanthropist.

"Good afternoon. May I help you?" The host asked her.

"Yes, I am meeting Miss de Ayala for lunch." She answered

"Missus de Ayala?" the host officiously corrected. "Yes, I meant missus," Kitty replied nervously. 

"I'm afraid she isn't here yet. Please have a seat in our parlor, and I'll show you to the dining room as soon as she arrives." He said and showed her around.

Kitty was glad to be escorted and admired by the lavish design and atmosphere that the place has to offer. Unknown to her, sets of eyes followed her figure which erupts gossip and backbiting ensues. Still mad about the performance that she did last night at the foundation. 

One of the ladies glaring at her is Ada Poon, the wife of Francis Poon. She was promised that last night the spotlight was supposed to be hers without Claire Lau, Hong Kong's darling, in the mix. But Kitty stole it.

'She should pay for what's supposed to be my night,' Ada sinisterly thoughts. And she just has a plan in mind. 

Evangeline de Ayala entered the parlor in a pretty black-and-white Lanvin shift dress and gave Kitty a double-cheek kiss. "So sorry to be late—I have no good excuse, except that I am always on Manila time." She told her.

"Don't worry—I was just admiring the art," Kitty graciously responded. "Quite cool, isn't it? Do you collect?" Evangeline asked her.

"I'm just beginning to, so I am trying to educate myself," Kitty said modestly, wondering whether Evangeline was just pretending not to know that she had recently bought the most expensive painting in all of Asia.

The ladies approached the reception desk together, and the same host greeted them warmly. "Good afternoon, Mrs. de Ayala. Joining us for lunch today?" 

"Yes, just the two of us," Evangeline replied."Wonderful. Please come with me," the host said, escorting the ladies up the curved marble staircase. 

When they entered the dining room, Kitty noticed quite a few people gawking at them. The manager of the club came rushing toward them with a look of importance

"Mrs. de Ayala, I do apologize, but there seems to have been a huge mix-up with our computerized reservation system. I'm afraid we are completely overbooked today and will not be able to accommodate you for lunch." He said to them.

The host looked taken aback by his manager's declaration but said nothing. 

Evangeline looked puzzled. Confusion arose from her features. She's always been allowed in this club since she stepped foot on Hong Kong soil with her socialite mother and senator father. And now being newly wedded to one of the richest men in the Philippines, is completely unexpected.