Queen of Love

Chapter 33

“It’sourprofessionalopinion that you remain lying low,” said Rachel Tseng, the woman in charge of Genevieve’s public relations. While she had a whole team at her disposal, it was Rachel who acted as the face of Genevieve’s account. Whether everything was her idea or was merely distilled through her didn’t matter. The result was the same. This perfectly round face with a bob and fringe appears on my screen and tells me my fate. “We’ve done all of the damage control within our power, from getting the video taken down with the threat of legal action or bribe… and, well, we’ve worked overtime to remind the Singaporean and Taiwanese public all the local good you’ve done for them. Pandemic relief, scholarships, and…”

Genevieve cut her off. “Is this going to affect the launch of my Tokyo bar? I can’t get a feel for what the mood is here.”

Rachel shrugged. “Japan is a different beast. They have stronger anti-defamation laws we can use to our advantage, but you’re still a foreigner. Plus you’re dating a Japanese woman. If it’s difficult for you to get a feel for how people treat you there, imagine the difficulties we’re having here in Singapore. Also, hope you weren’t planning on visiting Malaysia anytime soon. Pretty sure you’re on a list right now.”

“What list?”

“A list. That’s all you need to know.”

Genevieve sighed. “Because of the video, or because of the girlfriend?”

“Like I said. A list.”

A groan soon croaked through Genevieve’s body. She scraped her elbows against her Tokyo kitchen counter and was thankful Aya was currently at the office. Whether that meant she was returning full-time or not was unknown. Genevieve had other things on her mind.

“Although…”

Genevieve perked up at Rachel’s tone. “What?”

“There’s a lot you could do from here in Singapore. If you’re willing, you can come back and start our five-point plan for rehabilitating your local image. One of my colleagues has already drawn it up. He was the one who helped Christopher Cheung recover from that giant yacht crash that took out that Russian oligarch’s marina.”

“I thought you said I should lay low for a while.”

“You will be lying low, but there’s more you can do while holing yourself up in your estate here in Singapore than out there working in Tokyo. When is your bar supposed to open? Can you push off some of the work on your assistant? Your girlfriend?”

“I can’t ask Aya to do that…”

“Yes, of course. This is merely our professional opinion, Ms. Liu. It’s ultimately up to you what plan you want to enact. But…”

“What? Tell me.”

“If you stay in Tokyo, it would be good for you to only be seen with your girlfriend. A show of solidarity to the Japanese public. If you come back here…”

“Yes?”

“I’d suggest she stay in Japan while we rehab your image first. The local public will be more open to forgetting your… indiscretion… if the person they associate it with isn’t around. Do you know what I’m saying, Ms. Liu?”

Genevieve’s lips rolled into her mouth. “I think so. They don’t want to see my Japanese girlfriend in Singapore if they think she’s responsible for ruining my reputation.”

“I didn’t want to be the one to say it but… yes, essentially. Sentiments are what they are, Ms. Liu. If you were new money, I would tell you it probably doesn’t matter, but you’re from an established family who has roots firmly planted here in Singapore. Your circle contains people who have firmly held prejudices. They love Japanese money, but not the people.”

“I’m aware of how the economics and politics work out.” One of many subjects Genevieve had to learn the hard way while she was growing up. To that day, she knew her parents wouldn’t have approved of Genevieve dating a Japanese man, let alone a woman. Only thing worse would have been a Muslim Malay. Or, her parents forbid, an Indian person. Genevieve couldn’t help how her social circle responded to these things, but she could do what she was able to move her own life forward.

And Aya’s. Her girlfriend was at the forefront of her mind while making her decisions.

“I’ll let you know,” Genevieve told Rachel. “I’ve got some things to think about.”

“So you know, Ms. Liu, I’m not suggesting you break up with your girlfriend.”

“I didn’t think so.”

“I’m remembering the last time something like this happened. When you were dating the Hong Kong heiress whose families ended up having ties to the…”

“Yes. I remember.” Genevieve didn’t need reminders. We broke up not because I didn’t trust her family or what they were doing to my image, but because I told her I loved her. Too soon. That breakup had not been mutual. It had been initiated by Genevieve’s ex, a woman who had wanted to take things slow while she acclimated her family to a female partner.

As usual, Genevieve could not hold back her feelings.