Rich People Problems-Kwan 2017 (WWT)

designer. Pierre Cardin, I think.”
Oliver exploded in laughter. “Mother, no one would copy a Pierre Cardin. It’s probably
one of those 1980s designers Mabel used to love. Scherrer, Féraud, or Lanvin back when
Maryll was in charge. Well, at least you can say it still fits. You didn’t bring one of your
little cloche hats, did you?”
“No, I didn’t. I packed for Singapore weather. But Oliver, what do you think of this?”
Bernadette asked, fingering the impressive jade-and-ruby butterfly brooch pinned to her
lapel.
“Oh, it’s fabulous.”
“You sure no one will be able to tell? Heaven forbid I get seated next to your
grandmother and she notices,” Bernadette fretted.
“With grandma’s glaucoma, I don’t think she can even see that you have the brooch on.
Trust me, I had the best jeweler I know in London replicate it.”
“I should never have let the real thing go.” Bernadette sighed.
“We didn’t really have a choice, did we? Just forget it ever happened. You still have the
brooch, right here. The jade looks flawless, the rubies look real, the diamonds are
sparkling like they came straight out of Laurence Graff’s hands. If I can’t tell, no one will
be able to tell.”
“If you say so. Now, do you have a tie Dad can borrow? The only one he brought got all
stained with chocolate cake last night. So sad, once Tyersall Park goes, I’m going to miss
that chocolate cake.”
“Of course. Go to my closet and pick out anything you’d like for him. One of the
Borrellis might be nice. Actually, give me a second and I’ll do it.” As his mother left the
bathroom, Oliver thought to himself, I’ve learned my lesson. Next time I’m going to put
them up at a hotel, even if they kick and scream. * This flat is just too small for three
people.
* Asian parents visiting their adult children who live in other cities ALWAYS INSIST on staying with them, no matter if
the child lives in a studio apartment or the house is already bursting at the seams with too many hormonal teenagers,
and even if the parents could afford to buy out a whole floor of the Ritz-Carlton. And of course, even if you’re forty-six
years old, suffering from sleep apnea and chronic sciatica, you’re still expected to give up your master bedroom to your
parents and sleep on the inflatable mattress in the living room. Because that’s just how it is.