In the lobby of the National Airport.
All eyes involuntarily move to a young lady. Maybe because she was too scantily dresses for the cold winter, maybe because of her height which was rare for a Chinese, it could also be because she was wearing such high heels despite her height. Or that she radiated such brightness, she dazzled. Or the enigmatic countenance that can pull anyone in.
This magnetic lady didn't have anyone waiting for her at the lobby, so all the curious eyes strained on her till she was out of site.
Out of everyone's sight now, Lora Li turned looking towards the entrance of the lobby which was now far away as she reminisced the joyous moments of reunion and the sad moments of separation she had witnessed a few minutes ago.
She sighed and hailed an airport taxi. As she sat in the back, she gave her address, removed her ear pods and closed her eyes. She was back in the country again.
Everyone has a root but not Lora Li. She was abandoned as a baby by the alley of a ghost town behind an industrial area on the outskirts of a big city. There, some other children, abandoned like herself had nurtured her. She was their muse. They had motivated themselves to work hard for their little Lora.
Lora had a happy childhood. Her brothers and sisters always took her to school and back. By the time she entered high school she already understood the foreign terminology 'PARENTS'. Her brothers had explained her beginning to her in the most simple, less harmful way they could but it had still affected her. She became more sensible and wellbehaved until she was offered all- round scholarship to the United Kingdom at the age of fifteen.
It had been fourteen years since then. She was a full grown woman now. She had worked really hard overseas and established her own firm in many parts of Europe. Her brothers and sisters were also doing very well overall.
In the car, she raised her head and smiled catching the driver off guard. The smile was oddly cold but it couldn't displace the brightness in her eyes.
The car stopped in front of a two towering sky scrapers that looked like the 3D outline of an open book. Lora stretch her long legs out as she got out of the car. She eyes trialed every inch of the buildings like a mother does her child. The building had been her idea. Her brother had followed through. On the roof top of the building 'LI CORPS' sat boldly at the centre. She smiled as she walked with her luggage towards the building.
Lora dashed out of the elevator towards the only office on this floor. Everyone knows that the 14th floor of the Li Corporation was for the boss and his family. No one, not even his secretary could enter the office on this floor. He held meetings and signed deals on the fifteenth floor. Even his personal assistant is also his fourth junior sister.
So for everyone at Li Coperation, the 14th floor was a no- go area.
After a polite knock, Lora open the door.
"First Senior Brother, you promised to come pick me up. You didn't keep your word. Don't you all know that it is better to come pick me up than organise a suprise like this. Ehn?"
"Second sister, I told you she will not be surprised."
"Little Bo, I know but I can't help it."
"Please transfer my winnings ASAP. Little sister, come. Sit here."
Lora Li, looked at each and every face that was looking back at her. This was her family. All the people she loved were here, right now.
Li Lefan, her first senior brother. The most quiet and tenacious of them all. Handsome with distinctive facial contours and sharp brows but too reserved. His employees call him 'The Great Leopard'
Shen Jia, her second senior sister. Adventurous, enthusiastic and intuitive. The most lovely and friendly of them all.
Bo Wenze, bright and daring but sly, a business strategist and stockbroker. He had a very innocent face misguiding people's perception of him.
Lin Shi, cold and reserved. She has vivid eyes that expressed nothing but coldness. A little stern stare from her will cut off every wishful thinking.
"Sure" she went to sit beside her third senior brother.
"Lora, look at you. You've gotten thinner than the last time I saw you. Is the food still not to your taste. I especially went to great length to find that chef. His food taste almost the same as mine."
"No one can beat your cooking, sister. The chef cooks well too. I just cannot get used to any other person's cooking, you are the best."
"How is the market in Europe now? Any prospects"
"You know better than anyone what prospects there are third senior brother. Don't tease me"
"That's it. Let her relax. It's time to go."
"Ah, senior brother, only Lora makes you say so many sentences at once. Alright, everyone I'll host you tonight."
"Little Bo, you are always the host. If not, why will I ever invest in a club house."
"Because it brings in a lot of returns. Don't hold on to that fake prejudice of yours, please."
"I'll use the rest room first and join you downstairs."
"I'll wait for you." Said Lin Shi
Lora looked at her and smiled. She smiled back.
Just as Lora stepped out from Li Lefan's rest room, she had a flash. Her eyesight stretched far into the distance. Many many miles away from the bustling city, deep within a forest in an uncertain terrain, she saw a glowing object. As she tried to concentrate on the object, it's light pierced her eyes and she quickly shut them.
"What wrong, little sis?" Asked Lin Shi.
"Do you... Still see them" she was hesitant about asking. They had all promised to pretend that that matters didn't exist.
"Nothing, sis. I'm fine"