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Apr. 2nd, 2005 06:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gabriel_tamAs the door slides open, the sound of a deep voice carries clearly. "... and there's the man of the hour, himself." Friedlich turns to the new arrival. "Gabriel, it's good to see you. Where's your lovely wife?"
Gabriel Tam grasps his hand, shaking it firmly. "Nĭ hăo, Martin. I'm sorry to say that Regan's indisposed this evening. She sends her regrets to you and Ruth as well; you know that she'd never pass up one of your events by choice." He looks around at the assembled group with a charming smile. "I trust that I haven't missed anything too important?"
"We were just talking about your new position," a new voice interjects. "Quite a coup, that, especially given all the scandal--" She's cut off with a hissed word from Ruth Friedlich, but the malicious satisfaction in her glance makes it clear she's said enough.
Gabriel's expression freezes for a split second before he bows very slightly to the speaker. "You're quite right, Catrina," he says mildly. "However, I'm honored that the members of the Board do seem to trust my judgment, despite my son's unfortunate ... illness. There's hope yet that he may make a full recovery, of course, once he gets proper treatment." He smiles cordially. "But you can be sure that I'll remember your concern." The point is very clear.
* * * * *
Hours later, as he prepares to leave, Friedlich takes Gabriel aside. "Look, I'm sorry about Catrina; she's disappointed that her husband wasn't selected instead, and she's always been a little bit suŏxì, you know that--"
"Don't worry about it, Martin." Gabriel straightens his jacket, then offers his hand, which the other man takes. "I know exactly what she's after."
"Ah. Well." An uncomfortable pause, and then he asks, "Has there been any word?"
"No," Gabriel answers. "They're still looking... it's been a pleasure, Martin, but I must get back. Wăn ān."
It's been a long evening, and it's not over yet. Gabriel Tam steps out the front door.
Gabriel Tam grasps his hand, shaking it firmly. "Nĭ hăo, Martin. I'm sorry to say that Regan's indisposed this evening. She sends her regrets to you and Ruth as well; you know that she'd never pass up one of your events by choice." He looks around at the assembled group with a charming smile. "I trust that I haven't missed anything too important?"
"We were just talking about your new position," a new voice interjects. "Quite a coup, that, especially given all the scandal--" She's cut off with a hissed word from Ruth Friedlich, but the malicious satisfaction in her glance makes it clear she's said enough.
Gabriel's expression freezes for a split second before he bows very slightly to the speaker. "You're quite right, Catrina," he says mildly. "However, I'm honored that the members of the Board do seem to trust my judgment, despite my son's unfortunate ... illness. There's hope yet that he may make a full recovery, of course, once he gets proper treatment." He smiles cordially. "But you can be sure that I'll remember your concern." The point is very clear.
* * * * *
Hours later, as he prepares to leave, Friedlich takes Gabriel aside. "Look, I'm sorry about Catrina; she's disappointed that her husband wasn't selected instead, and she's always been a little bit suŏxì, you know that--"
"Don't worry about it, Martin." Gabriel straightens his jacket, then offers his hand, which the other man takes. "I know exactly what she's after."
"Ah. Well." An uncomfortable pause, and then he asks, "Has there been any word?"
"No," Gabriel answers. "They're still looking... it's been a pleasure, Martin, but I must get back. Wăn ān."
It's been a long evening, and it's not over yet. Gabriel Tam steps out the front door.
