Chapter 1 #2
Train? She thought a moment. While she wasn’t an athlete per se, she did enjoy physical activity. “I do enjoy biking, and I make a point of taking a long walk every day.”
“Excellent. Excellent,” Dr. Ang said. “Has April mentioned her training?”
Again, Sonya frowned as she thought of the brief exchange with the young woman. “No. I’m afraid we didn’t get to that.”
“Well,” the doctor said with a bit of a chuckle. “My daughter has begun to train in the martial arts.”
Impressed, Sonya cocked a brow.
“She is particularly fond of the Shoalin Temple style. Are you familiar with this style of martial arts?”
Nodding, Sonya said, “I’ve heard of Shoalin Kung Fu..”
“She is at the very early stages of training but is very interested to learn more. You see, her first tutors were monks, and they taught her a few moves. She instantly fell in love with the art but has not been able to find a Master to train her.”
“How unfortunate.”
“Indeed. Perhaps you could help her find someone to coach her.”
“It would be my pleasure,” Sonya said. “I’ve trained in the martial arts myself, though I am far from being a master. But I’m certain I could find someone to train April.”
The doctor chuckled and sighed. “Ah, that is so good to hear. You sound like a very intelligent woman, Miss Song, and I can very much imagine you getting along just fine with my daughter. Tell me, how proficient are you in Chinese? My daughter needs to learn the language of her ancestors.”
“It’s my native language,” Sonya said. “In other words, I am quite proficient.”
“Good,” he said. “You see, California does not have many people who speak the language, much less teach it. And she does need to improve her English, as well.”
“I’m sure we can manage to do both.”
“I’m happy to hear you say that. We are very fortunate to have found you.”
“It is I, Dr. Ang, who is fortunate to have found this position.”
He chuckled. “Needless to say, you are hired, that is if you’ll accept the position.”
“Absolutely. I can’t wait to get started.”
“Good. Unless I am further delayed, I should be back in America in a few days. In the meantime, I do hope that you will not let my daughter’s whimsical experiments drive you away.”
Experiments? April had mentioned her many projects but had not said anything about experiments.
“For the most part, they are quite harmless,” Dr. Ang went on. “But my daughter does have a wonderfully creative imagination and at our summer home she has all the liberties she requires.”
Sonya’s brow rose as she wondered about the ‘harmlessness’ of these so-called experiments. “I’m happy to hear that she is creative and imaginative. Being curious about the world is a wonderful trait to have.”
“Ha, yes,” he said with a warm laugh that was filled with pride. “She does take after me, after all. As a scientist, I do believe I’ve influenced her somewhat.”
“As it should be,” Sonya said.
“I’ll leave you to it. I’m sure April will show you around, get you acquainted with her pets, her garden, and her projects. Don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you like, and I shall meet with you in a few days.”
“Very well.”
“Good-bye, Miss Song.”
“Good-bye, Dr. Ang.”
Sonya carefully set the receiver back in its cradle.
“Oh,” April said as she entered the room with a tray laden with a silver teapot and fine china teacups. “Did I hear you say good-bye?” She set the tea tray down on the coffee table.
“I’m afraid so,” Sonya said as she resumed her seat on the sofa. “Did you wish to speak to him?”
April shrugged and poured tea into the two delicate teacups. “I just wanted to know when he was coming back... tell him how much I love him... say good-bye... that sort of thing.” Pinching a sugar cube with small silver tongs, she held it aloft and gazed at Sonya. “Sugar?”
“Two, please.”
April dropped two sugar cubes in the teacup and handed to Sonya who looked curiously at the content.
“Oh, my,” April said as she sat in one of the yellow floral armchairs with her own cup of tea. “I didn’t even ask about the interview with my father. How did it go?”
“Very well,” Sonya said as she sipped her tea that had an unusual and interesting flavor. “He had many questions and appeared to be satisfied with my answers.”
“I take it he hired you then, right?”
Sonya nodded.
“Oh. Perfect. I liked you the moment I opened the door and saw you there. I’m so happy to have this matter settled and squared away.
Now we can move onto other things. After our tea, I’ll show you around.
You’ll love it here. The grounds, while slightly neglected due to lack of help, are immense and perfect for a sunny stroll as we have so many tall trees that offer cool shade. ”
No longer able to keep her curiosity to herself, Sonya looked into her cup then up to April. “Interesting flavor,” she said. “Not to mention the fascinating color. Where did you get this red tea?”
“It’s Hibiscus tea. It’s excellent for blood flow, and I do enjoy that unusual taste.”
“Fascinating.”
“Isn’t it the most beautiful color you’ve even seen in a teacup? That deep, rich blood red.”
“My favorite.”
“Oh, well then you’ll love the room that I do all my experiments in. It’s entirely red.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” Sonya said. “And that reminds me; your father asked that I teach you a bit about science. He specifically mentioned biology and physiology. Are you working on something in one of those fields?”
Excited, April set her teacup down and stood.
“Indeed, I am.” With animated gestures, she went on.
“I’m working on something that is to help mankind, and I do hope to discover something remarkable soon.
For the time being, my work revolves around the workings of the human body, and I’m focusing namely on human blood. ”
Surprised by the focus of April’s project, Sonya gasped, effectively spitting out the sip of tea she’d just taken.
The red tea splattered the rose-colored sofa as well as the pale gray rug at her feet.
She quickly picked up a white linen napkin from the tea tray and wiped her mouth.
The hibiscus tea left blood-like stains on the pristine white fabric.
“Are you all right?” April asked.
Finding it hard to breathe, Sonya fought to regain control of herself. She set the linen napkin down, embarrassed by the mess she’d made of it.
“Can I get you something? A glass of water?”
Sonya shook her head as she pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her mouth.
Only a few spots of the bloodred tea remained.
“I’m fine. Truly. I just had a sip gone down the wrong pipe.
” She forced a smile as she got to her feet.
“I really do apologize for frightening you. I believe my trip here has worn me out. I must be a little more fatigued than I thought.”
“Of course,” April said. “How insensitive of me to not offer you time to rest from your trip. I’ll show you to your room right away.”