THE ENGAGEMENT.

TROUBLED CONSCIENCE.

CARMEN.... (For those who don't remember who Carmen is, she is the house help in Mr. Bennet's home)

Was it my place to inform her about what I had heard two days ago or did she already know by now? How was she dealing with the news?

Oh how troubled I was. Olivia was always good to me and much friendlier than I ever expected. She always checked on me to see how I was doing. She didn't deserve this happening to her. I had to call her and comfort her during this trying moment in her life.

****************

OLIVIA...

I landed in Vietnam late evening, I am pretty sure it was past 6:30 p.m. I was tired and excited at the exact same time. This was my first time outside of the U.S.

I grew up in a poor family to the extent we were never able to travel to Kentucky to visit our relatives there. My parents left Kentucky for New York hoping for better opportunities which they didn't find unfortunately. My father worked as a cashier at a small fast food restaurant while my mom worked two jobs; a dish washer during the day at the same fast food restaurant my father worked at and a waitress at a local bar in the evenings. I rarely spent time with them as they were always busy trying to make ends meet.

I was more than ready to enjoy my time here in Vietnam with my friend and workmate Mia. After getting off the plane, we walked to the luggage area to search for our bags as well. I had an email with the directives on what we were supposed to do in Vietnam. I turned my phone on and opened my gmail account. According to the directives, a driver would be waiting for us upon our arrival.

I took my bags from Mia and we walked out of the airport premises. Outside in the waiting area were crowds of people holding all sorts of gifts as they waited for their loved ones. I did not exactly know how the driver who was to pick us up looked like. I stood searching for a familiar face.

"Ms Olivia?" an old bearded man inquired.

I turned to face him before replying, "Yes."

"I am Robert. I am your designated driver," he responded with utmost respect that I didn't deserve.

Mia and I stood looking at him in awe of how he spoke to us like we were some kind of celebrities. Interrupted from my thoughts, Mia introduced herself and shook his hands.

"Is this all the luggage you have?" Robert asked pushing the luggage courier to the parking lot.

"Yes," I nodded.

We followed Robert to the parking lot where he stopped in front of a grey Ford explorer. He pressed a button on the car key holder and opened the boot where he placed our luggage. My attempt to help him lift the bags into the boot was futile as he convinced us that he could manage on his own.

Mia and I did not persuade him any further, so we entered the car, took our seats and buckled up.

Robert eventually joined us in the car and drove us to the hotel where we were to stay during our time here in Vietnam. On our way he engaged us in conversation telling us so many interesting things about Vietnam, it's history, culture, tourist places.

"Did you know that the tortoise is a lucky symbol in Vietnam," Robert told us enthusiastically.

"Oh really? Why is that?" Mia asked him while I was absent minded enjoying the view outside.

"It's believed that they are bringing luck and health. We admire the longevity of turtles and believe that keeping tortoiseshells at home will prolong our lives as well,"

"But is that really the case?" Mia asked skeptical of this belief.

"Oh yes it is," Robert responded.