Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 3 2018 | Page 342

New Journeys to the West
St. Paul's Convent School, Tan, Kai Shuang Rachel - 15
‘M
r. Anton Sun, please report to Mr. Harris Lee’s office immediately,’ the announcement cut
through the noise in the office, where employees chattered. Anton grumbled to himself as he
excused himself from the discussion the boys were having about last night’s football match.
He stalked towards the office furthest from him, where a secretary, Melissa Guan, sat and smiled at him.
‘Mr. Lee will see you now.’
He entered the office cautiously; the last time he was called here he got told off for his work ethics. ‘Mr.
Lee, you wanted to see me?’
‘Ah, Anton, just the man I wanted to see. Sit, I have something big for you.’
Anton gulped. ‘Yes?’
‘Mr. Elijah Tang has proposed that you go with him to India as an intern to our company’s branch there.
There will be two other workers, Alva Sha and Dirk Chu, who will also go with you. But this is just
between you and me,’ his tone lowered; Anton inched nearer as he beckoned him.
‘Elijah has a record for being too unaware of his environment and gets into trouble too easily. The board
decided that they wanted a few more people to help Elijah out and keep him out of harm’s way. So, please
do help keep my friend safe.’ Lee suddenly clasped Anton’s hand; he almost jumped out of his seat.
‘I will do my best, Mr. Lee.’
He chuckled. ‘How long have you been working here? Call me Harris. Now shoo, you’ll be leaving
tomorrow morning. Take the day off and pack. Elijah will meet you at the airport and he’ll brief you there.
Ta-ta!’
‘Goodbye, Mr. Lee,’ he nodded before exiting the glass office.
***
‘I’m going to be sent to India, mom, take care.’
‘Yes, I love you too. I won’t get into trouble.’
‘I swear I won’t join a gang and whatnot— jeez mom, chill.’
***
‘Shut up, John. It’s work; your stupid match can wait.’
‘Well I don’t know, maybe years.’
‘Ugh, just— fine, I’ll see. I’ll be back soon.’
***
He dragged his sleeping body from bed and managed not to trip over his luggage as he groggily called a
taxi. It was 3 in the morning, and he was still sleepy. It didn’t take long to get to the airport, since he lived
nearby.
He stepped into the airport and the smell of fresh brewed coffee attacked his senses; he longed for it. He
checked in. And then he looked around for the bunch of lost sheep he was to protect. There they were a
few aisles away from him. Harris sent some files over yesterday and being the dutiful idiot he was, he went
through them and studied the profiles of them. Alva Sha had curly long hair and a beard to match. Dirk Chu
was a surly youngster with an annoyed (and annoying) expression permanently etched into his features.
Elijah Tang was a pleasant man with a gentle smile and serious demeanor.
‘Good morning,’ Elijah first greeted him as he dragged himself over.
‘You work in a proper company, dress like it,’ Dirk’s nostrils flared.
‘Dirk,’ Alva reprimanded lightly. ‘I’m sorry, Anton.’ Alva tried, ‘It’s really early and Dirk has no intention
to offend you. Nice hoodie by the way.’
His hoodie was a simple store-bought one, for 20%. ‘It’s alright. Not everyone is brought up the proper
way.’
‘You!’
Anton only smirked, daring him to say anything else. Dirk silently fumed.
‘Boys, we’ll start briefing. We’re going to India. When we get to the airport, there’ll be someone to bring
us to the firm and we will have to retrieve the set of documents called ‘the scrolls’. And we-’
‘Why the weird name?’ Anton couldn’t help interrupting.
‘The company,’ Elijah offered, as if it would explain anything. But the glint in his eyes suggested that if