[Lumiere7]

Qi: hello uncle kiat, so did aunty tell you about a job for me?

Uncle : sorry. who is this ah?

Qi: Its me Xiao Qi, remember me? Aunty may gave me your number de..

Uncle: not sure who you are leh...

Qi: I'm Kuang's Wife, your Nephew..

Uncle: oh. Kuang that cb Kia. oh… You're his Wife?

Awkward pause.......... xiaoqi was embarrassed and not used to the word CB.. she wasn’t used to uncle’s hokkien style of talking either. uncle felt a rush of excitement.. he actually knew who xiao qi was, but acted blur as per usual his cocky self.

Uncle: hear he run away to malaysia liao, is it true?

Qi: ..... yes...

uncle: oh… sorry ah…… you suey la marry this type of guy…..

long awkward pause… xiaoqi didn’t know what to say, she was feeling hurt, desperate and embarrassed at the same time. at the same time, uncle kiat felt the excitement grow, grow into ideas, hope and fantasies forming..

Qi: actually uncle, can you…

uncle cuts her off: wait. so you call me for what ah? you want to help him pay back the money he borrowed ah?

uncle kiat remembered xiaoqi from the CNY gatherings. he has always eyed her and always squeezed pass her in the crowded kitchen whenever he had the chance, his arm brushing pass her back and buttocks which were tight and perky.

xiaoqi was very shocked by what he said. she stuttered: i’m… i’m sorry.. i really didn’t know


Uncle: cheh. i thought you were calling to help him pay back. he borrowed a lot leh. then what you call me for?

xiaoqi's heart pounded even faster, she was getting even more scared and feeling the pressure. her finances were tight, maybe lesser than $400 left in her bank. She had credit card bills mounting, she's not paid her bills for two months.

qi: uncle, my situation is really bad now. i was hoping you can offer me a job. i have a degree in...

before xiaoqi could finish her sentence, uncle cut her off, sounding not interested.

uncle: ok ok ok. you want to come for a job interview today? i am conducting job interview for a few girls later.

girls?

xiaoqi found it a little odd, but she was too desperate.

qi: yes yes! thank you so much uncle!

uncle: oh don't thank me yet. i never guarantee anything ok. you better take it seriously. many girls want this job you know. by right interview slot filled already. i see you relative so give you this chance to prove yourself you deserve this job.

qi: thank you so much. thank you so much. so what time is the interview? and where? i don't have formal wear. I wear a dress. is that ok?

xiao qi hasn't worked since she got married 15 years ago. in fact she has never taken on a career/job after her uni graduation as she got married right away to a supposed rich family.

uncle: you got cheongsam right?

qi: yes i have.

uncle: bring two set, the blue one and the white one. and wear high class a bit. the interview is at MBS. what time can you reach?

it was 1.15pm.

qi: erm. i think i need about 1 h and half to reach.

uncle: just take a cab down la.

qi: i'm very broke already. i cannot afford to take a cab.

uncle: don't worry, uncle pay you. just take a cab down. don't take train, later sweat the make up not nice already. try and reach before 2.30pm. reach already call me. bye

he hung up before she could say anything.

xiao qi felt a wave of relief. she suddenly could feel some hope in this very troubled times, ignoring the lingering wary why uncle kiat would remember the cheongsams that she had. she bathed and got ready, put on nice make up and headed down.