Holly did a double take. Her frown deepened as she asked, “What? Why?”

”The boss and his secretary are leaving for Shanghai first thing tomorrow morning.” He put the last pen in his briefcase and clicked the locks closed. “But of course that last part isn’t for public ears.”

”Shanghai?” Was all Holly could manage. The boss was saying so many things and she was finding it hard to believe any of them.

”What’s happening in Shanghai?” she finally asked after a beat or two had passed.

”I have been invited for a party by an old friend and you are escorting me, along with Viktor of course.” He added the last part for good measure.

A lot of employees had been known to bulk whenever a trip with the boss was mentioned; Edward didn’t want Holly —or any of his other employees for that matter— getting any ideas.

The invitation had come with a spot for a plus one. Edward knew it was just the Pins hoping he would introduce them to someone, a girlfriend at least.

If only she were still alive. Initially, he had planned on going alone, but after the recent development with the Yangs, he figured he might need someone he trusted to go along with him.

When he’d made the decision to take his secretary along with him as well, Edward couldn’t decide but her help might be required —especially when he and Viktor got side-tracked with other business.

”Um, well, that sounds like fun sir.” Holly couldn’t help the smile that enveloped her face.

Edward nodded and stood up. “Shut down for today. I’ll send a driver to your apartment by seven tomorrow morning to bring you to the airport.”

Holly was too excited to speak. She gave a series of nods and stood aside as Edward made to leave the office.

”Pack enough for a week’s stay.”

***

The first place Edward drove to after he left his office was his tailor’s shop. Mr. Jeong had been his personal stylist since he was rich enough to afford one and had been fitting every single item the man wore.

As Edward walked into the unfamiliar premises, the eyes of Mr. Jeong’s employees followed him wonderingly. They all knew of Edward Wu, how could they not?

He was the biggest client their boss had and the only one that had never step feet in their workshop.

He seemed to know where he was going as he walked straight for the door at the back of the ground floor.

No one stopped him as he moved for the bosses office, knocking twice on the door before letting himself in.

”Good afternoon Mr. Jeong.”

Carried away by the amendments he was making to the waistcoat the dummy before him was wearing, the bespoke tailor did not hear the door to his office open.

It was not until Edward had spoken that he realised there was someone in the room with him.

”Oh. Ah. What a surprise, Mr. Wu.” Even Ned Jeong was astonished to his client in his office. “Please have a seat. Why didn’t you call me to come around?”

As he questioned Edward’s presence in his office, Ned cleared the pieces of fabric and wasted materials from the chair that had been designated for visitors.

”Don’t bother with that, I’m in a hurry,” Edward said dismissing his offer of a seat. “I need a suit by this evening. One suitable for an old school party.”

”This evening you say?” it was clear from Ned’s expression that the timing was a big problem.

”Yes. I know it’s nearly impossible, but this is an urgent matter.”

The tailor sighed. It wasn’t uncommon to get demands like this on the job. He was used to it from Edward particularly and was in fact prepared for it.

”Let me get my tape and take a few measurements. You look like you’ve added some flesh since the last time you fitted for a suit.”

Edward smiled. “I’m a growing man Mr. Jeong.”

Ned laughed as he drew his long off-white tape from around the neck of his male dummy. He took it to Edward and placed it against his body to begin taken the necessary measurements.

He didn’t use any book to record the readings he was taking and Edward didn’t ask; he was used to it by now.

Whenever Mr. Jeong handled his clothes, he never needed any book to remember the centimetres he had marked.

”No sharper pencil than this my memory here,” Ned would say, disputing the common adage.

Edward had no reason to doubt the retentiveness of his tailor’s memory, as long as he got his clothes fitted perfectly.

”Done!” Mr. Jeong rolled the tape and set in on his desk. “I’ll start work on it and have it delivered to your house before its lights out.”

”Thank you, Ned. I apologise for the rush.” And, as he turned to leave, Edward decided he would express his apology when the bill arrived.

***

By the time Edward arrived at his apartment, it was already getting very late. He had just stopped by the mall to get a few things he would need for the trip.

He hadn’t known shopping for gifts could be both exhausting and time consuming. He could have waited till he got to Shanghai of course, but Edward didn’t if he’d even have the time.

The Pins were sure to demand his full attention and wouldn’t want him going anywhere without any of them in tow. He missed and didn’t miss their infamous clinginess.

Greta came out of the house to welcome him and when she saw the bags he was carting, quickly rushed to his side to help him.

”Thank you Greta,” he told her, releasing only one bag to her hold. “Have my clothes arrived yet?”

”No, sir.”

Edward nodded but said nothing. He glanced at his wrist watch then nodded again. There was still enough time before midnight when Ned had promised to deliver.

”I’ll be taking a trip to Shanghai tomorrow and won’t be back for a week,” Edward informed Greta as they walked to his room. “You are in charge, as always.”

Greta nodded with a small smile, “Of course, sir. Have a safe trip.”

”I will.”