TRAVEL ROMANCE SERIES: #6 NEW YORK | DARLING

3. Hongkong 香港

— One Month Later, Since Dubai دبي —
Le GM Grande, Central District, In March

GEOFFREY

It was hard to admit it, but she got his attention. There wasn't anything extraordinary about Veronica Ramos, nor was she the prettiest one he'd ever come across. Counting even the emotional baggage and the number of men she'd gambled her heart within less than twenty-seven years of existence, it should be a snappy decision to steer clear of her.

But what was this unnecessary attraction he had towards her? Was he experiencing a midlife crisis? Or was she the embodiment of a karmic fate? Whatever it was, he could damn well afford to address his curiosities because he was a free man.

Frankly, he was so hungover that night after the promotion ball, he couldn't tell if the intoxication came from the aged junmai saké or her unpredictable personality hiding behind her rare blue-green eyes. So much so that he postponed his early morning meeting and fell asleep in an adjacent suite to the office. It's been ages since he woke up at seven, as his days usually start at five in the morning. The last time he slept this long was in college, chatting with this girl till dawn. He ended up marrying her after their graduation. A few months later, they separated.

Amid the organized chaos of his empire, Veronica had lingered in his mind from time to time, particularly on stoic nights, with a glass of whiskey at hand. And then, the unexpected breakup with his long-time girlfriend surprised him after she announced an interest in motherhood. Veronica saw it coming, which made him wonder if she was psychic.

After weeks of contemplation, he finally gave in to this undeniable urge. And it took Zane forty-eight hours to locate Veronica. His junior assistant confirmed through an airline source that Veronica Ramos was scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong before noon today.

In that time frame, his staff planned his entire stay towards the very last minute. Part of the itinerary was to oversee two of his hotels in the morning. Earlier, he'd done the one in Kowloon and the other at Hong Kong's Central district, where he and the airline crew would stay tonight. After the hotel visits, his assistants also squeezed in a brief afternoon meeting with a Chinese architectural firm. The plan was to run into Veronica, ask her out to dinner and let Hong Kong's harbor lights take its course.

"Sir, there's been changes in Veronica's roster," Zane's voice abruptly boomed over the speakers.

The young assistant was working remotely from Dubai while Sonia, his senior assistant, accompanied him to Hong Kong.

"Miss Ramos is no longer flying to Hong Kong. She swapped her duty for another at the last minute. Based on her new roster, she is now in Bali, Indonesia. Would you like me to arrange for the G650 to fly over there after your meeting with Larry Chiu?" Zane asked.

Changes like these were inevitable. Thankfully, his staff's radar detected it early on.

"Very well. Get the jet ready for Bali," Geoff said. "And book me at the Royal Arya."

"Yes, sir."

Thirty minutes after Larry Chiu and his associate architects left his office, Sonia barged into the office.

"You have to see this," she said, switching on the TV suspended on the wall.

Geoff looked up and watched live footage of Bali after a sudden earthquake. The reporter announced a major volcanic eruption brewing.

"This will be more than just changes," Sonia sensed as they watched the chaos occurring right before their eyes.

"Check where Veronica is exactly," he said in a snap.