Rich People Problems-Kwan 2017 (WWT)

pieces and sequins, white capri pants, and fluffy white bedroom slippers embroidered
with the Four Seasons Hotel logo. On her fingers sparkled an emerald ring; another ring
consisting of three interlaced bands of diamonds set in white, yellow, and rose gold; and a
pear-cut diamond ring that was nearly as big as the real fruit itself.
“How is he? How’s my baby Valentino?” Irene asked breathlessly, rushing toward Ah
Tock and the plastic bag.
“Mrs. Wu, he’s doing very well. The surgery was a success, but he’s still a bit sluggish at
the moment from being drugged. Let’s get him acclimated back in his tank.”
“Yes, yes! Aiyah, Astrid, I didn’t even see you. Come in, come in. Sorry-ah, I am so kan
jyeong *2 today because of Valentino’s procedure. My goodness, don’t you look lovely.
Who are you wearing today?” Irene asked, admiring Astrid’s floral kimono-inspired wrap
dress.
“Oh, this is a dress that Romeo Gigli made for me years ago, Auntie Irene,” Astrid said,
leaning in to give her a peck on the cheek.
“Of course it is. So pretty! And don’t you think it’s high time you started calling me
Mama instead of Auntie Irene?”
“Come on, Mum, lay off Astrid!” Charlie said, standing at the front door. Astrid beamed
at the sight of him and rushed up the steps to give him a tight hug.
“Aiyah, I’m going to tear up and ruin my mascara. Look at my two lovebirds!” Irene
sighed happily.
As the group entered the house, Charlie steered Astrid towards the sweeping Gone with
the Wind–style double staircase instead of the living room.
“Where are you two going?” Irene asked.
“I’m just taking her upstairs for a little while, Mum,” Charlie said in a slightly
exasperated tone.
“But Gracie has spent all day making so many types of nyonya kueh. You must come
and have tea and nyonya kueh with me in a little while, okay?”
“Of course we will,” Astrid said.
As they climbed the stairs, Charlie said in a low voice, “My mum is getting more and
more needy every time I see her.”
“She just misses you. It must get rather lonely for her now that none of you are around
in Singapore.”
“She’s surrounded all day by her staff of twenty.”
“It’s not the same and you know it.”
“Well, she has a house in Hong Kong—she could spend all her time there if she wants,
but she insists on staying here,” Charlie argued.
“This is where most of her memories are. Just like yours,” Astrid said as she entered
Charlie’s bedroom. The space had been redecorated several years ago in cool, masculine
tones with shagreen-covered walls and custom-designed contemporary wood furnishings
from BDDW in New York, but Charlie had kept one reminder of his childhood in the