Rich People Problems-Kwan 2017 (WWT)

After lunch, as the two of them stood at the entrance of the Helena May on Garden Road
bidding farewell to each other, Isabel asked, “What are you going to do now? Some
shopping in Central? Can my driver drop you off anywhere?”
“Well, I’m leaving for Singapore in a few hours, but I’m going to meet with Charlie first.
I think he’s at the house, waiting for me to make some decisions about the decor.”
“The new house in Shek O? I’d love to see it sometime. After all, Chloe and Delphine
are going to be spending half their lives there.”
“Of course. Actually, if you’re free, why don’t you come with me right now?”
“Oh…well…I wouldn’t want to intrude…” Isabel said hesitantly.
“No, no, I’m sure it will be fine. Let me just text Charlie.”
Astrid quickly shot off a text:
ASTRID LEONG: Hey! Just finishing up with Isabel. It went GREAT.
CHARLIE WU: I’m so glad.
AL: Isabel would like to see the house. Ok if I bring her?
CW: Sure, if you don’t mind.
AL: Of course not. See you soon.
“Let’s go!” Astrid said, looking up from her phone. The two of them jumped into the
back of Isabel’s chauffeured Range Rover and sped off. As they made their way around
the south side of Hong Kong Island, the landscape began to change dramatically as the
dense skyscrapers that cascaded down the mountainside gave way to picturesque bays
and ocean vistas.
The winding highway took them through Repulse Bay and its crescent-shaped beaches,
hugging the coastline as they passed Deep Water Bay and the village of Stanley. Finally,
they arrived in Shek O, a historic fishing village on the southeast corner of Hong Kong
Island, which was also home to one of the world’s most exclusive neighborhoods.
“Charlie’s always longed to live here, but I would never let him. I prefer being closer to
town. I could never live way out here in the middle of nowhere—I’m too much of a city
girl,” Isabel remarked as they pulled up in front of an imposing metal gate with an
attached gatehouse.
“There’s no one there,” the chauffeur said.
“Oh, we don’t have it staffed yet. Just enter 110011 into the keypad,” Astrid said,
glancing at the instructions Charlie had texted her. The gate slid open silently, and they
proceeded down the long driveway to the house. Rounding the corner, the oceanfront villa
cantilevered on a rocky cliff came into view.
“This place is so Charlie.” Isabel laughed as they drove up to the imposing series of
contemporary structures designed by Tom Kundig clad in steel, limestone, and glass.
“Your house on The Peak is more traditional, isn’t it?” Astrid inquired.
“I’m not sure where you heard that, but it’s classical Palladian, built in the twenties. I
have it done in a French provincial style. I wanted it to feel like a manor in Provence. You
must come over the next time you’re back.”