Rich People Problems-Kwan 2017 (WWT)

Astrid noticed the glint of sadness that played across his eyes as he took his first bite of
the crisp yet fluffy white bread. “Listen, I heard about how you’ve been banned from
Tyersall Park. It’s so ridiculous. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to help, but now that I’m
back, I’m going to try to figure something out.”
“Come on, Astrid, you’ve had so much to deal with. Don’t worry about it. Do you know
the stunt my mother’s been trying to pull? She wants me to get Rachel pregnant, pronto,
and then she’ll announce the news to Ah Ma in the hopes that she will want to see me.”
“You can’t be serious!”
“She called Rachel and demanded to know where she was in her cycle. She had Carol
Tai’s plane all lined up to whisk her to Singapore this weekend specifically so that I could
impregnate her. She even had a honeymoon suite ready at her friend’s resort in Sentosa.”
Astrid clasped her mouth in laughter. “Jesus! And I thought I had a crazy mother!”
“No one is crazier than Eleanor Young.”
“Well, at least she’s still trying to look out for you. She’ll do anything for you to get back
in Ah Ma’s good graces.”
“For my mother, everything’s about the house. But you know I just want to see Ah Ma.
It’s taken me a while to get there, but I realize I do owe her an apology.”
“That’s big of you, Nicky. I mean, she was pretty horrendous to you and Rachel.”
“I know, but I still shouldn’t have said the things I said. I know how much it hurt her.”
Astrid reflected on this, staring into her teacup for a moment before looking up at her
cousin. “I just don’t understand why Ah Ma suddenly doesn’t want to see you. I sat by her
bedside for a whole week while she was at Mount E. She knew you were on your way
back, and she never mentioned a thing about not wishing to see you. Something’s up. I
think Auntie Victoria or Eddie or somebody’s been influencing her while I’ve been out of
the picture.”
Nick looked at Astrid hopefully. “Maybe you can find a way to bring it up with her…
delicately. You’ve always had a way with her that no one else has.”
“Oh, didn’t you know? I’m persona non grata at Tyersall Park too. My parents don’t
want me to show my face at the house, or anywhere in public for that matter, until this
scandal blows over a bit.”
Nick couldn’t help but laugh at the whole situation. “So we’ve both been
excommunicated, as if we were the devil’s spawn.”
“Yep. We’re the friggin’ Children of the Corn. But what can we do? Mum doesn’t want
anything at all to risk upsetting Ah Ma right now.”
“I think Ah Ma would be more upset that you’re not there by her bedside,” Nick said
indignantly.
Astrid’s eyes brimmed with tears. “We’re losing precious time with her, Nicky. Every
day, she’s fading away more and more.”