RECKLESS AUDACITY

CHAPTER 5: The Obsession

Kuala Lumpur, September 2011

United Airlines touched down at approximately 7:45 p.m. at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Frank and Mark Froth, the Head of Strategy & Expansion at Legacy Financial, were whisked through departure formalities in Terminal 1 and into a waiting Mercedes.

It was his first time in the Asian subcontinent and Frank was trying to concentrate on what Mark was saying, and at the same time soak in the glimpses of lush greenery, and the beautiful landmarks that spawned the 45-kilometre road from the airport to the Kuala Lumpur City Center, that rolled along the way.

The Sepang International Circuit flashed by as they navigated towards Putrajaya. Frank wished he had come alone. That way, he would have made the driver drive slow or stop so that he could capture some scenes on camera. The Petronas Twin Towers loomed in the distance, as did the Kuala Lumpur Tower. They soon entered the City Center and went straight to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel where they would be staying for the duration of their assignment.

Three weeks ago, a call came through from Legacy Financial, the second largest subsidiary of Sterling Capital.

"Hi, Frank. This is Mark from Legacy Financial. We're looking to expand our businesses into Southeast Asia and we're looking for a firm to undertake a risk assessment of a number of potential portfolios. If you are interested, I would like to arrange a meeting”.

Frank had looked at Edward and mouthed, "Legacy Financial."

"Absolutely, Mark. We're interested. When would it be a good time to meet?" Frank responded.

“I will forward an email to you with the details. Prepare to make a presentation. This is a sole source, but we will expect your very best.”

Two days later, they had a meeting with Mark and a couple of Legacy executives.

“We haven't decided on anything yet but we are looking to establish a presence in either Malaysia or Singapore and we want a more agreeable destination, especially one that does not ruffle the hairs on the backs of the Securities and Exchange Commission.”

“Have you identified any potential partners yet?”

“We currently have Global Capital Ventures in Malaysia, and Venture Singapore in Singapore. We need you to take a look at the two, and advise on the most secured partner - high returns, relatively low risk”.

“Any inside information as regards their ties to China?” Edward asked.

The long tentacles of China seem to invade every inch of Asian space, from education to sanitation. It was a voracious pack of wolves that was devouring everything on its way under the guise of the Silk Road. The unsuspecting investor would think they are dealing with a neutral institution, when in reality they are contending with China.

Mark tossed a bunch of folders in front of Edward.

“So far, this is what we have gleaned. We need you down there to peel over their beautiful facade and let us see what is inside there. Hopefully, you should be done in three months.”

The representatives from their host, Global Capital Ventures, comprised of twelve serious looking men, with plastic smiles spread over their faces, welcomed them, and ushered them to a private meeting room. Frank was feeling jet-lagged, and the last thing on his mind was a meeting. Luckily, it was just an introductory meeting which lasted only ten minutes. A young lady, Siti, would be their assistant and be stationed in Room B487, should they require any assistance.

Mark had a pre-arranged meeting with an old acquaintance and was whisked off to Chinatown, leaving an already bored Frank with Siti. He hovered around the bar for a while, but after a couple of drinks the sombre atmosphere was getting on his nerves. He wanted to feel the pulse of the city. He beckoned Siti, who had insisted on taking a seat in the foyer, watching his every move like a sentry.

“Where do I go to feel the pulse of the city?”

“We can try the Bukit Bintang.”

“And what will I find there?”

“Lots of restaurants, bars, many people, tourists. It’s an entertainment place right in the middle of the business district”

The Butik Bintang turned out to be a popular shopping and entertainment district in the city, with numerous malls, restaurants, and nightlife spots. The unmistaken loud-mouthed American tourists could be seen everywhere in their ill-fitting summer dresses, cameras hanging around bulging necks, and inconveniencing every one within reach with “can you please take a photograph”. Frank tried to convince Siti to have a meal with him, but soon gave up when all she could take was a bottle of sparkling water. He wolfed down a plate of nasi lamak and washed it down with teh tarik, courtesy of Siti, who said he should try the local dishes. Not bad.

They spent a couple of hours walking around the district, with Frank sampling various types of tea and alcoholic beverages. Siti made him understand that “whatever he needed was at his beck and call”. Frank laughed at the subtle implication - a high-priced w***e was sitting somewhere waiting for a call. He was man enough to find his own horse.

By the time they got back to the hotel he was pretty much slushed, having committed the rookie mistake of underestimating the potency of the local alcoholic beverages - tuak, langkawi liqueur, toddy and arrack. When he almost stumbled, Siti couldn’t help but laugh, “I told you to slow down.”

“Don’t worry, I have seen worse”

He made it to his room and slumped onto the bed. He felt a presence in the room. He turned his thumping head to see a stunning young lady, 18 years or younger, walking into the bedroom. He could not decipher through the haze in his mind and eyes how old she was, given her petite, delicate structure. She was dressed in a red Cheongsam, which she discarded with one swift movement of her hand, as she approached the bed. His breathing was torturing him, but his eyes never left this beautiful silky-skinned goddess that stood by the bed.

Her eyes never left his as she slowly peeled off his shoes and clothing. Her hands reached out to pick a bottle of god-knows-what, which she poured into her hands and started to slowly rub it all over his body. It had a slight burning sensation which surprisingly left his skin cool and relaxed. His world exploded when she brushed her lips with his. He tried to hold her head so he could crush his open mouth on hers, but with one slick movement she slipped out of his clasp. She teased every inch of his body with her tongue and hot breath gushing out of her petite nostril. After what seemed like an endless pleasurable torture, this "welcome to Malaysia" gift of a goddess, courtesy of GCV, sent him on one hell of a memorable pleasure trip.

The entire team of Sterling’s Asian Expansion Group, an ad-hoc team set up to advise management on their planned expansion into Asia, arrived the following day. The next two months were pretty hectic. There were layers and layers of frameworks to peel away to understand the business model of Global Capital Ventures (GCV), the golden duck managing almost a quarter of the assets of 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Presidio Heights, September 2011

Sleep had eluded Edward.

He lay in the dark listening to his wife’s measured breathing. His mind was thinking about someone’s wife, probably asleep over some thirty miles away. He felt himself getting aroused thinking of her.

Was Alice a nut case?

Stripping naked in a restaurant? That was crazy. And he realised he loved crazy. Every cell in him wanted that crazy 24/7. She was a force of nature, and he was powerless to resist her magnetic pull. She was a drug that slowly sucked up all your mental faculties, leaving you banging your head against the wall. You know it is dangerous, but you still pump it into your veins every day.

His body quivered in anticipation. The dawn was not breaking fast enough. He will be seeing her today. She had called, her first ever call to him, asking if he was free to join her at a sod-cutting ceremony for a corporate social responsibility project Sterling had undertaken in Bolinas.

He glanced at the clock on the stand. The neon hands read 2:45 a.m.

He groaned.

Furton House, Outer Richmond, September 2011

With a grunt Sir George rolled off his wife.

Alice stroked his balding head until she heard the all too familiar snore. She slipped out of the imposing bed and into an adjourned bedroom, smaller, but her haven. It was always the ritual, she couldn’t stand the snoring. She slipped into bed, naked, and covered herself with a sheet. Her fingers caressed her inner thigh, stirring an unsatisfied desire within her. But she would get her satisfaction.

She allowed her mind to float on ether seeking Edward. A smile graced her lips as she located him in her memory and pulled down their last screenplay. They had rushed out of the Avant into a waiting cab. The drive was blurred in her memory. She could see his broad smile flashing down on her. She could feel him reaching out to touch her. He was pulling her strongly towards him, crushing her against his chest. She felt helpless, yet pleased that he was possessing her like no one had ever done before. He was bending over to nibble her hardened n*****s, as his fingers slipped into her wet slit. His fingers were moving faster. Her eyes rolled, her nostrils flared like a horse in the race of its life. The back of her spine arched up to accommodate the thrusting of his finger. His lips crushed onto hers. Then he felt his massive phallus tearing open her receptive orifice. The ride went on and on and on. He knew what she wanted at every turn, what she needed with every breath. He knew her. And her body responded in rhythm to his play.

With an audible gasp she felt herself explode. She lay on the bed and cussed Edward. Why is her love for this pest betraying her hate? She turned over, pulled out a tissue from the night stand, and wiped the drip running along her thigh. With a satisfied sigh, she rolled over.

She couldn’t wait to see him today.

Bolinas, September 2011

Sterling Capital had sponsored the construction of an ultra modern baseball field for the Culter May Primary School, and today almost the whole of the small town has turned up for the official handing over ceremony. Even the mayor, not wanting to miss the spotlight on the local news, was present. Sterling was represented by her Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Valerie Kim, but Alice had tucked along because “she loved to see children happy”.

When the official opening ceremony was almost over, she stepped off the podium that had been mounted, murmuring to the Senate President that she had another meeting to attend to, and that she wanted to take in the view of the school and its surroundings before leaving. The President nodded her understanding, and offered to accompany her, but Alice dismissed the idea.

“Don’t let me drag you away from this moment .”

“Thank you very much for gracing this ceremony with your presence”

The principal, Maggie, insisted she would accompany her and be her tour guide. Alice feigned surprise at seeing Mr. Edward Marden of Summit Securities.

“What a pleasant surprise.”

Edward reciprocated with a bow.

“You must know Mr. Marden”, she turned to the principal. The excited principal, Maggie, pointed out that Summit had helped streamline their accounting department, making every activity very simple and understandable.

“And they did it all for free. We didn’t spend a dime.”

“I am glad that the business community is learning to give back to local communities”

“We have not fallen late on our monthly returns since you completed the project. We are so very indebted to you”

“Hear, hear,” Alice clapped.

Edward faked a bow, and they all laughed. By this time, they had reached the main entrance doors of the school. An announcement boomed on the address system that the much awaited march between Culter May Primary School and Polk Hill Primary School was about to begin. It was the climax of the day, and that was what had drawn the whole community to the school. There was a loud cheer from the crowd as the two teams trotted onto the newly constructed astro-turf. Magge had to leave, she needed to support her team, but said Alice and Edward were welcome to peruse the art and other exhibitions that were displayed in the halls.

“Mr. Kokopelli, the janitor is around somewhere, I will have him help you navigate around the premises”, she yelled as she hurried back to join the enthusiastic crowd.

Edward and Alice continued into the brightly lit hallway. They stopped to admire the caricature paintings that were pinned up on the walls. Edward thought of his daughter, Iris, and her dark-modded art that still hung in their living room. They climbed up the stairs to the first floor and entered one of the classrooms. Its windows overlooked the field, giving them a “VIP view of the match in progress.”

They heard the janitor’s voice booming through the hallways, “Hello! Anybody here?”

Alice put her finger on Edward’s lips, and they sat quietly. Then they saw him walking hurriedly towards the field, obviously not wanting to miss the game.

Though Edward knew Alice would try something crazy, he never for once thought it would be there - right in a classroom with the possibility of being discovered. With the classroom door open. Without prior warning, she crushed her lips on his, pulling him away from the window onto the teacher's desk. Books and pencils scattered on the ground, as she pulled him on top of her. Her breath came in gasps as she moaned with the rhythm.

Edward’s ears pricked. A click of heels on concrete. He pulled himself free from Alice and raced to the open door, pulling up his pants. Coming from the far end of the corridor was the Principal and the janitor. He turned in panic, but Alice was calmly, but hurriedly replacing the fallen articles from the floor back onto the teacher’s desk. He dashed back to sit on a table about arms length from her, pretending to be engrossed in the game.

There was a touchdown!

Alice squealed in delight, jumping and clapping. The principal loomed large in the doorway, a smile on her face.

“There Mr. Kokopelli, there they are. Now, you have made me miss that touchdown.”