By ilikeoldchangke
Riona shook everyone’s hands and there was no hiding the wide smile everyone had on their faces.
Riona : Please take care of me ah….. I look forward to working with you guys….
I could see the sighs and the sudden slouch of everyone’s shoulders as they smiled a silly smile at Riona. Riona was like the sun and she oozes this aura of cheerful happiness.
Somehow you just feel your spirits lifted when you are near her.
Her voice is not the squeaky type you get from the average sweet young thing. It isn’t the hard and gruffy stern voice you get from the old office virgin with a vendetta against the whole world as well.
There is a softness to it, like a melody. Calming, reassuring, and polite. It’s like the voice will only deliver good news. Even her Singlish, there’s this classy zing to it.
Her ‘la’ dragged on, leaving a tail behind as it gets softer, melting your heart.
Her ‘meh’ came with a raised eyebrow with genuine curiosity.
I have to admit, it’s quite exciting to be talking and interacting with her.
Everyone fought to help Riona with her bag, trying to appear gentlemanly.
Mohan offered to get her coffee, Rizwan pushed to get the 2 spots beside Riona as we walked and Eric asked if she needed some reading material on the flight.
Nelson and Tommy cut in front of the group like some rude drivers overtaking on the expressway.
The made a 180 degree turn, walking backwards as they smiled like a couple of lost teenagers seeing their idol for the first time.
Nelson : You want doughnuts ?
Tommy : You want curry puffs ? ….. I like old chang kee….. do you ??
Riona : Really ? … hahaha… I like old chang kee too….
Tommy : my name will get you 18% off everything….until end of 2017…
Riona : hahaha… really meh ???
Tommy : don’t believe you try….
Derrick appeared out of nowhere with a duty free shopping guide and thrust forward to Riona who laughed and accepted it like a actress swarmed by paparazzi.
Riona : I’m fine guys…. Hahah.. really.. thank you….
Not willing to lose out my first contact advantage, I scurried forward and asked Riona if she travels often.
Soh caught up and crashed the whole fucking party when we got to our check in counter, pushing everyone out of the way.
Soh : KNN la!! All fuck off …. Fuck off… fuck off…..
Mohan : Soh… can you mind your language…. We have a lady here…
Everyone gave Soh a disapproving look, behaving like saints as Soh gave a thick middle finger to the group.
Soh : Riona… come with me…. stay away from them… they’re going through puberty again…
Riona : hahaha…. I think they’re quite cute…
That’s it la.
The cute word.
The 10pm meeting in her room.
Life is beginning to look good for me again.
The group of us erupted as we squeezed and fought for Riona’s attention as she chuckled and covered her mouth, amused at the attention she was getting.
She removed her shades as we got to the check in counter.
Soh : Different counter… you all go over there….
Riona and Soh went to the business class check in lane while the rest of us grumbled and joined the queue for economy.
Jim : 45 minutes flight also fly business ah….
Eric : Never ask you fly budget already very good already…. SQ to KL leh…. You take before or not ??
Come to think of it, I realised I’ve never took a plane to Kuala Lumpur before, I’ve drove, took a bus but never flown.
After the lot of us checked in, we went to the duty free shopping area with Riona.
Like a bunch of school children, we followed her around keeping her laughing and amused with our antics.
There was never a moment Riona was not laughing or smiling. The more I interact with her, the better I felt about our secret.
Riona is 28 years old, she is single and she’s the only child. Her parents are retired in Thailand.
Tommy asked Riona what does she look for in a guy.
Riona : A little bit of everyone of you lor…. hahaha
The noise we made upon hearing her reply really sounded like we were just entering puberty and seeing a female for the first time.
After a bit of shopping, Riona wanted to grab a coffee before boarding and the group split into 2. Half of us stayed with Riona while the other half literally charged into the café, rounding up tables and chairs.
Soh whipped out a 50 dollar bill, asking what Riona would like to drink.
Riona : Coffee… black…. No sugar…. Thank you ah… hahaha…. What about the rest of you ??
Mohan : Me too… same same…. Same as you… I like my coffee black as well… haha…
Nelson ended up ordering the same drink for the group as a few of us pretended to be coffee connoisseur, amusing Riona even further.
You could tell she’s a little overwhelmed by the attention but she was enjoying them nevertheless.
Riona : now now….. let me be clear on this…..hahahah… I’m… ermm… not available ok…. Hahaha…
Riona told the group of us that she’s only interested in women.
Mohan was the first to reply with his thumb and index finger stretched out under his chin, his pathetic attempt at trying a James bond look.
Mohan : I’m pretty sure I can change your mind…..
RIona laughed even harder when Derrick won the fight by saying he will change sex.
Derrick : I will become a woman for you….
Soh stopped the banter just before the time comes for boarding and asked Riona if there were any concerns she would like to raise with the team.
Soh : And stop your nonsense guys…. Don’t forget we’re here to work…. It begins the moment we land…
The noise volume went down a notch and Riona sat forward and addressed the team.
Riona : Ok… here’s the thing…. It’s a simple job…. I’ll be making a withdrawal of about 900k in RM… and another 210k in USD……. my client only deals in cash…. So as a member of the fairer sex, my concerns are of course safety…..and I don’t want to get rob hahaha…the money is not all mine…. But I’m still accountable…
Riona’s banker has already made the arrangements for the withdrawal and all, so we just need to make sure she arrives at the hotel safely with her money.
Riona : There are multiple parties involved so quite a few people will know that I will be there transacting in cash…. This is why I felt I needed some insurance you know…. So I asked Tony for some contacts…. And he introduced you guys…
Rizwan : Ok…. We’re in the middle of town…. And with a group of us… I don’t think anyone will be making an attempt to rob you….don’t worry…
Riona : This brings me to the 2nd thing I need to tell you…there’s a 2nd deal that I need to conclude…… at the shooting range ……
Soh : Oh…. We’re not aware of that…
Riona : I’m sorry… it’s a last minute arrangement….. hope you don’t mind….
Soh : What do you need us to do ??
Riona : Errr… actually nothing…hahaha…. Just bring me to the range safely that’s all…. My business is with the range owner anyway….
Soh nodded and smiled.
Soh : No problem then…. All good !
Riona : and….. since we’re there…. I’m thinking of doing some shopping…. I don’t mind some company if you guys have no plans…
I was the first to react, immediately putting up my hand.
Jim : Don’t worry… I’ll accompany you as a friend…. No extra charge…
Everyone wanted in as well and she chuckled, amused by how ridiculous this was getting.
Riona : No need everyone la… hahaha… it’s going to be so funny with the whole group tagging along as I shop…. Hahaha..
Soh : All of you shut up… !…. I don’t mean you Riona… sorry….
Soh : I’ll have a couple of them follow you around just to be sure….
Riona : Really !!.. that’ll be great !!! …
The way she lit up with her eyes made half the team at the table went ‘ ahhhhh’ in a satisfying manner.
Riona : Tsk !… stop it !…. hahaha…
That jab on the arm she gave Mohan who was sitting beside her was all he needed to lay his life down for Riona.