The house in Bukit Timah

[Happyendingz]

Bro ILOCK,

I remember reading the preview of this story where Yi Ling and Jackson was holding on to a kid each and running up hill. Now that Yi Ling is dead, the part from the preview must have been wholly edited.

I can only imagine how much you write and edit your stories to make it better. Kudos and thank you for being such a great and captivating writer.

[otamay]

Anxiously camping here for more updates please.

[bloggert]

Maybe Yi Ling is a bit more resilient than that and did not really die? Either that or it's her twin? We're all hoping because we've secretly fallen in love with Yi Ling!!!

[Johnnykhan]

NO!!!!

pls dun tell me this is the ending??

[admirer09]

To be honest bro, your stories are the best and I look forward a lot to it in SBF. I even hoped that one day someone can take your story and adapt it into a movie.
But leh, this story is like the itawon class. Started off strongly but behind so so nia, sorry to say that cause a lot of your other stories to me are like classic. Maybe circuit breaker period you write, your wife and child keep come and disturb you isit. Nevertheless thank you for your time for writing this story but my favourite will always be the Little India story. Cheers !

[Giansex]

Originally Posted by admirer09

To be honest bro, your stories are the best and I look forward a lot to it in SBF. I even hoped that one day someone can take your story and adapt it into a movie.
But leh, this story is like the itawon class. Started off strongly but behind so so nia, sorry to say that cause a lot of your other stories to me are like classic. Maybe circuit breaker period you write, your wife and child keep come and disturb you isit. Nevertheless thank you for your time for writing this story but my favourite will always be the Little India story. Cheers !

Lol..white snake ??

[high5]

Originally Posted by Happyendingz

Bro ILOCK,

I remember reading the preview of this story where Yi Ling and Jackson was holding on to a kid each and running up hill. Now that Yi Ling is dead, the part from the preview must have been wholly edited.

I can only imagine how much you write and edit your stories to make it better. Kudos and thank you for being such a great and captivating writer.

Still have her sister

[sjump]

I probably wanted Yi Ling to have a good ending at the towards of the story given the amount of burden and sadness depicting her.

Depressing plot twist, but good story to read nonetheless. Thanks bro ilock! Can't wait for the next part.

[atmos]

this is when Yiling's sister come into the picture again.

[alee]

Originally Posted by atmos

this is when Yiling's sister come into the picture again.

I feels that tiling looks like IU in Hotel De Luna. Those haven’t watch can watch in Netflix.

She got the cold yet helpless look hahaha

[InwardBound]

Very nice story, sure hoping there will be much more.

[Flyer1]

I react to yiling death in disbelief. Last time was GOT Ned Stark in season 1. Unreal.

[nicko7o7]

So unpredictable, great updates, bravo!

[ilikeoldchangke]

A paramedic came to attend to my wound while several other came to deal with the bodies.
I remembered the guy kept asking me to let go of Yiling but I can’t.

I don’t know if my fingers and muscles were cramped or what’s wrong with me. I can’t let go.
I just can’t.

More people flooded into the house. Some documented the scene, after which the rest started to clean up.
They worked methodically and quietly.

I don’t know who they all are, but one thing for sure, they are organised, discipline and from the looks of it, related to the government.

James juggled 3 phones and he rest his forehead in his thumb and index finger while leaning on the parapet as he made calls after calls.

Yiling is gone and whoever she worked for needed to know.

Billy : Hi….. my name is Billy….

I looked up at him and again, I was struck with a sense of familiarity. I have seen him somewhere. This face, this voice.

I suddenly remembered our meeting in Little india. The commercial building Yiling brought me to. I’ve seen him there before.

Billy : Bro… we’re friends…. With Yiling….. we’ll take care of her now….

I looked at him and somehow he convinced me to release my grip on Yiling’s body while the others couldn’t.

Billy : We’ll take care of her…. I promise……


I watched Yiling being carried carefully into a body bag before being put on a stretcher and I broke down while the paramedic tended to my wounds.
I failed to protect her.
I could not protect my employer, and the woman that I love.

Billy : we’ll clean her up…. And….we’ll send her body back to the castle….you will need to take care of the wake….. can you do that bro… ?

I nodded.

I heard screams and shout on the ground floor.

Cindy, Candy and Kamal had arrived.

Hong wept on the floor like a wreck mess and I saw Candy sank onto her knees.

Cindy, no matter how well built and tough she may be on the outside, she broke too and she hugged onto Candy.

Cindy : no…. no…. please… no…

Kamal : arghh!... arghhhhh!!...

Kamal walked unsteadily towards the stretcher the guys were bringing down groaning like an injured animal.

Kamal : Is this her…. is this…

I hopped down a few step while being supported by 2 paramedic and the water works flowed freely when I saw Kamal scream in anguish before he turned and started to kick a wall before punching it so hard I could see blood on his knuckles after the 1st hit.

He kept punching before he fell, tripping on his own foot. And he too laid on the floor and wept.

I could see more of La Bella Vita’s men arriving at the compound.

Many of them unable to believe what has happened.

The queen is dead.

And then there’s Seven, there’s Xiaoyu, and there’s Aaron. Not to forget the men in the bus who were taken by surprise.

Billy was the one in charge on the ground that day.

He directed the clean up, he sent people away, he brought more people in.
It was a massive project and he handled it with east.

Everyone knew who he is. Even James went to him when he needed something.

Billy sent us back to the castle and say he will be in touch.

I went straight to the medical centre.

Kamal came and gave me a shot to help me calm down before he rushed to the security centre.
He wanted to see what happen with his own eyes on the cameras above the makeshift prison.

My world went dark shortly after that and in between dreams, I actually thought I was dead.



22nd December 2017
Friday
4pm


I drifted in and out of consciousness, by the time I was fully awake, I saw Rachel and Henry walking in through the door accompanied by Hong.

They brought a hamper and Rachel took the seat beside me.


Jackson : How…. How long have I been out… ?

Rachel : A little more than a day….

Henry : we heard what happened…. We’re sorry for your lost….

Rachel : Uncle Ben dropped by earlier too…. But you were asleep….

I could feel the pain from my wounds but it’s not that bad that I can’t move.


Jackson : Hong…. Are the rest ok… ?

Hong nodded.

Hong : Kamal’s drunk…. Cindy and Candy…. They’re….. they’re picking some…. Some….. nice clothes for… for….

Hong tried hard to control his emotion as he leaned against the wall of the ward I was in. He covered his face and his heavy body began to slide down until he was sitting on the floor.

Rachel : Jackson ….. Let us handle the wake….

I turned and looked at Rachel.


Rachel : The Rajahs…. Will make sure it’s fit for a queen…. It’s the least we could do….

I wanted to ask the rest for their opinion, or perhaps someone I can consult this decision with, then I realised that, there is no one left to ask.
No one left to give instructions.

Hong has snot coming out of his nose. Kamal is dead drunk.

The girls are not around either and even if they are, I doubt they would be able to make a decision, not in their current state at least.


I nodded as I looked at Henry and Rachel.
Jackson : ok…. Ok….. Please do your best….

Henry : we will…. get some rest….

Rachel told me that Yiling had dealings with the lawyers at Rajah Holdings.

Rachel : A… couple of months ago…. Yiling came to us…. She left something for you guys….. our lawyers will be in touch…

Jackson : Why…. ? what is it…

Rachel : I guess…. She’s starting to have doubts as to who to trust towards the end….

I exhaled and I could feel the stabbing pain of grief creeping up my heart again.

Rachel : get some rest…. We’ll make sure the wake is done properly…. Not just for Yiling…. but for the rest as well….



23rd December 2017
Saturday

11am


I walked out of the medical centre with the help of a crutch and I could see the large tent being erected in front of the castle ground.
What the Rajahs promised, they delivered.

Hong lit a cigarette beside me and told me they worked through the night.

Hong : They never stopped….. not even to take a break… they never stopped….. the guys erecting the tents….laying the cables…the portable toilets…. They just kept going….

The area which the tent covered is huge.


Almost a football field in length. Flowers and wreaths lined the sides of the tent and I could hear the Rajahs shouting at the electrical guys to start the generators for the aircon.

12pm

The cookhouse is running full steam ahead.
All 3 chefs plus their helpers are present to make sure everyone gets fed, from ad hoc workers to the Rajahs who worked through the night.

Trucks lined up 3 deep in the narrow driveway as they unloaded food and drinks.



2pm

I stood in the makeshift funeral hall, looking at the bodies of my friends.
Xiaoyu and Seven laid side by side in coffins. Aaron’s body has been retrieved by his remaining family, a younger sister.
The coffins are covered up.

A table filled with offerings, flowers and food is set in front of the 2 coffins.


Billy arrived with Yiling’s coffin shortly after 2.30pm.

She has her own corner in the funeral hall. Candy and Cindy oversaw the arrangement, from where to put the chairs and tables to Yiling’s favourite flowers.
The picture they chose for Yiling is one of her smiling radiantly.

I walked over to Yiling. It felt unreal, like a bad dream. Seeing her with her eyes closed and not moving under a glass panel.
She looked beautiful, she always has.

Billy came over to me and introduced himself properly this time round.


Billy : You must be Jackson…. I work with Yiling frequently… on a lot of matters…
I shook his hand and he told me to expect a crowd.


Billy : Yiling has made many enemies …..but she made a lot of friends as well…. I expect most of them to come…….

Jackson : ok… thank you…

Billy : please try to make sure all guest leave by 12 midnight….

Jackson : Why… ?

Billy : Yiling’s family will be coming….…….they need the privacy….

I nodded.


It’s been more than a year since I last saw Yvonne. I wonder how she is doing.

Kamal hasn’t shaved for a couple of days. He was holding onto a cup of coffee as he sat at a table alone.
Hong bit onto a unlit cigarette and stared blankly into space.


I left them alone and I went back to my farmhouse.

I took a shower with much difficulty before changing and grabbing my jacket.
Slipping on my jacket, I looked at my bandaged ear. Right by the mirror there’s a few photos taken by Seven with his polaroid camera of us having steamboat during my first few months at La Bella Vita.

[ilikeoldchangke]

Declan was in them too.

I pulled the photos out and put them under a book.

When I returned to the hall, guests started arriving. Hong and Kamal went to wash up and get changed.
The least we could do is look decent and dignified for the evening.

The Rajahs were among the first.

Rachel, Henry and their men arrived. They paid their respects but did not stay long.

Rachel : if you need anything Jackson…. You have our number…

Jackson : Thank you… for everything you’ve done….

Rachel : It’s not for free Jackson… we’ll send you the invoice later…. Don’t take it personally but this is business at the end of the day…. haha
I smiled and I shook Rachel and Henry’s hands.
Yes the Rajahs are all about doing business, but in that instance, they did more than just business, they built a relationship.

The white snakes came as well.
Not only uncle Ben.


I watched them from a distance away and Hong told me that all the elders of the White snakes are present. They kept to themselves mostly but when the Monks and the thieves arrived, they briefly interacted.
I was not in the mood for any small talk and I kept to myself.

Throughout the day, more and more guest came and went.

Businessmen, foreigners , even diplomats. Numerous charity organisations, even the abbot of a temple, the bishop of a church and nuns from a hospital.
Yiling is rich, she has money and from the people arriving for her final journey, you could clearly see where those money went to.
The guestbook was quickly filled up and a 2nd one was immediately made available.


A guy dressed in suit flanked by 2 Rajahs approached me. I did not see him earlier with Rachel.

Ruihao : Hi Jackson … my name is Ruihao…. I’m Yiling’s lawyer….

Jackson : hi…

Ruihao mentioned that she has left something for us and he would like to speak with the group in private.
I brought Ruihao to Yiling’s study and he waited for the rest to arrive.

Once Hong, Kamal , Candy and Cindy were gathered in the study, he unlocked his briefcase and produced a large sealed envelope.


Ruihao : This is a sealed envelope, and I am to unseal it in all your presence….upon Yiling’s departure….

He slid the wax seal with a letter opener and reached inside to pull out a series of thumb drives each clearly labelled with our names.

Ruihao called out each one of us and he kept the rest which were not present.

Ruihao explained that Yiling made and update her video message every year, this one was made 3 months ago.
There is one which all of us were to view together, and the other in the thumb drives, that was meant solely for our individual viewing.

Ruihao : The individual message contains further details of what financial arrangements Yiling has made for you after her departure…..she has a list of personal assets…. Some she donated… some she gifted to you guys…. I can’t reveal what she gave to who….. but I can assure you that she has been fair….. and that in the event that anyone of you…… no longer wants to be part of La Bella Vita…. You are all set for life….


Ruihao held up the rest of the thumb drive and added that what Yiling left to the rest, who are unfortunately not around anymore, will be given to their next of kin.

Ruihao paused to let that sink in before asking if we have any questions.

No one had any.


Ruihao : Please… may i… ?

He gestured to the large TV in Yiling’s study and I nodded.

Ruihao asked for the blinds in Yilings study to be drawn and the door to be locked.
I felt myself tremble and my legs went weak as I looked at Yiling on screen.

Dressed in a maroon dress complete with makeup and earrings, she looked like she was about to head out for a dinner function. Her hair is done up nicely and she did a really good job on her eyeshadows, giving herself a cheeky seductive look.

Several pairs of her heels were visible as well. I could see she has trouble making up her mind which one to wear that day.

The video was made in her room.


She adjusted the camera, walked to the seat she prepared earlier, before walking back to adjust the camera again.

Ruihao increased the volume and we waited for Yiling to begin.
Yiling cleared her throat and began while deciding where her eyes should look.

Yiling : so…. Ermmm… I make this video once a year…. And…..and…. it doesn’t get easier….but…but…. it’s something I have to do…. So everything doesn’t collapse like a house of cards…..hahah


She laughed at her own joke before composing herself.

Yiling : ok… jokes aside….If you are seeing this…. It means I’m dead….

She suddenly pointed a finger at the camera and issued a warning.

Yiling : And if I’m not dead !!! ….. you will be….. if I know you watched this… !!! YOU… !! YES… HONG!!!..and you JACKSON!! …. You better switch this off now and run !!!!


Hong jumped before breaking out into a laugh, silently acknowledging he’s one of the least obedient one. I smiled too at her sense of humour.

Yiling : Just kidding….haha… anyway…. I guess chances are….. I’m gone by now…
Yiling sucked on her teeth and click her tongue before taking a deep breath and exhaling.
She referred to a piece of paper she kept by her side, sat back on the chair and crossed her legs while resting both hands on her knee as she continued.

Yiling : I know the question on everyone’s mind right now would be who is going to be in charge of La Bella Vita……It’s a heavy burden….and it weighs heavily on me to decide who I am going to choose….. because …. This is not a position I want anyone of you to be in…… and I meant it from the bottom of my heart……


She adjusted her seating posture, obviously uncomfortable with making this video.

Yiling : girls….that includes you Xiaoyu…haha…i…I don’t think this is situable….for us girls….given a choice… I don’t want to be the queen of this castle…. It sucks….i’m serious…

Yiling laughed before saying that she would have loved to have a normal life.

Yiling : One where I can date…. Go holidays… enjoy myself….yada yada yada… blab la bla… ok…ok… cut.. enough about this…. I need to cut this part out….. girls….


She came over to the camera, and we could see the video jump forward and Yiling is back on the seat again.

Yiling: Ok girls….. ermm… the stuff I want to talk to you about…..is not meant for the boy’s ears… so…. Refer to your own private videos ya… muacks ! I love you all … don’t worry…. I’m not throwing this shit job on you… haha.

She stopped blabbering and let the mood settle before going on.

Yiling first talked about Kamal.

Yiling : Kamal….Dr Kamal…. Sighzz…. You don’t belong here… you belong in a hospital…. Saving lives….not in a shit hole like La Bella Vita….. I was hoping you would eventually walk out of the shadow…and go back to your old life….
Kamal’s eyes closed and I could see tears streaking down his cheeks as he kept his arms folded.


Yiling : I want to see you with your hair dyed black… I want to see you in a suit….. in your white coat… in your old sports car….wearing your expensive watch….looking confident and smug as you walk down the hospital corridor…I know you need time to heal wounds we cannot see…. And I hope that day will come for you soon……

Next she moved on to Seven.

Yiling : Seven I know you wouldn’t want this as well…. Networking and smiling in front of people you hate is the last thing you would do…..but smiling and dealing with people I hate is something I must do everyday…..and I know how much you enjoy fishing……there won’t be anytime for you to fish if you do this……..and Hong….

Hong started sobbing quietly as Yiling went on.


Yiling : Somewhere inside that big, vulgar….rough….techno loving…. and sometimes violent body….. is a very big heart…….you have a big heart Hong….. you don’t show it….but I know….

Hong slid onto the floor and covered his face with his hands as the video continued playing.

Lightening the mood suddenly, Yiling added that she has to deal with a lot of women as well.

Yiling : and … you need to deal with a lot of girls in my position… Hong !!!!! hot … beautiful and slut like women… !! they are all CHIO BU ( hot babes ) …

Yiling folded her arms and shook her head like a teacher disapproving something a naughty student has done.


Yiling : Tskt… tsk.. tsk…. Cannot… cannot… you cannot one…. Confirm you won’t be able to resist their charms !!!.. they will confirm gobble you up !! hahaha.. show a bit of leg you weak already… haha..

Yiling’s exaggerated expression is too funny to fight and everyone laughed.
Hong laughed in between sobs.

Yiling : Aaron…. i… I know your capability….you’re really good with administering day to day operations….very good organisational skills….and…to be honest…. It looks like you are the best person for the job…..but you are not a risk taker…. To run the castle… you must be willing to take risks…. Even if it means knowing that you might lose….Before I made this latest video….i actually chose you…. To take over La Bella Vita….but I’m afraid I changed my mind….sorry….

Yiling stopped talking for a few moments and checked her phone before rejecting the incoming call.

Yiling : Declan…. I worked with you for the longest time…. ever since the day this fell on my lap…..I’m thankful for the guidance along the way… all the help you have given me…. but you’ve always talked about spending your retirement in a remote island…..of peace and calm….. And you’ve expressed your opinion so many times to me before….. that this is a shit job…. A thankless one…. Besides… you’re going to retire in a couple of years…..


By then, I could see several pairs of eyes in the rooms looking at me.

Yiling finally came to me.

Yiling : and that leaves…. Jackson…. The…. Newest….member of the team….

There was a long pause before Yiling apologised.

Yiling : I’m sorry Jackson …. This is not a prize…. It’s a burden…. A curse..… and don’t worry… you have a choice… you can say no…

Yiling went on to say that the burden of keeping a couple of hundred men, women and their families fed will fall to me should I take this up. The numerous charities La Bella Vita supported, the warehouses , the properties , both local and overseas and a lot more.


Yiling : The castle is a massive place to upkeep…the headache you will get is unimaginable…. You need to worry about money….about people doing shit behind your back and you will never get a good night’s sleep….so… please consider it carefully….

Yiling looked at her phone again in the video before rejecting the call a 2nd time.

Yiling : Guys… I hope you give Jackson the same support you gave me if he agrees….it’s not an easy position to be in…. and Jackson….it’s ok to say no… Don’t be afraid to say it…. I’ll say no if I were you….

Yiling wrapped up the video asking us not to worry if no one takes up the post.


Someone will come.

Yiling : ok… that’s all I have for you all…. Remember to watch my private message to you alone ya… ?

She made 2 cute Korean style heart with both thumbs and index finger before saying she loves us all.

Yiling : I love you guys…..don’t be sad….ok.. ?