Chapter 11 — The Light That Calls Me

It's because I'm meeting a customer. I used to think... His coldness towards me. It's because the pressure to start a business is too great. He just gave all his patience... to someone else. I was the only one left in the old studio. The rain fell for a long time. I opened the black iron box. Take out the portable hard drive inside. On the hard drive... Save all the documents from the first days when Co Tram Chu and I started our business together. I open each file one by one. The first business plan... I wrote it. The first product description... Also written by me. Even the first slogan of Te Quang Furniture... was also thought of by me.

"So that everyone surrounded by darkness can see a ray of light."

Co Tram Chu printed that sentence on the packaging of all products. But every time I give an interview. He all said... That was an idea I stayed up all night to come up with. Then I heard it. Just smile. No exposure. Because I always think... Those things... belong to both of us. Until... I opened a hidden folder. Inside... There's a recording. Recording date... It was three years ago. Just one month before we got married. Co Tram Chu's voice was very light.

"After we get married..."

"You should no longer participate in the company's foreign affairs."

My voice rang out.

"I don't like socializing."

"I also don't like facing the media."

"Later..."

"I'll take care of things outside."

"I just need to take care of the housework and design."

"But I want everyone to know..."

"Te Quang's furniture is not yours alone."

"What if you know?"

"Between husband and wife..."

"Whose name comes first..."

"It's nothing important."

"Tram Chu."

"I'm not fighting for fame."

"I know."

He laughed softly.

"So..."

"Don't think too much anymore."

The recording... That's the end. I sit in front of the computer. No movement at all. Right from then. I felt like something was wrong. But Co Tram Chu hugged me. Said... He just wanted me to live more lightly. I no longer attend company product launches. I entrusted all foreign affairs interviews... to Co Tram Chu. As for me... At home drawing the design. Draft editing. Product testing. Little by little... He turned me into an invisible person. New employees entering the company... Only know that Co Tram Chu is the boss. Media... Only know that Tham Uyen Ninh is the chief designer. No one knows... Those lights... Were lit from which desk first. Only now... I truly understand. Co Tram Chu... Didn't suddenly betray me one day. His betrayal... It started a long time ago. Little by little. Little by little. First... He erased my name. Little by little, my right to speak was taken away. Then stole my work. In the end... He really thought... I originally didn't deserve all those things. At that moment... The phone rang. It's a message from Ha Lam. He is one of the early investors of Te Quang Furniture. Also my senior at the same university. When I quit my job to start a business. He once reminded me:

"To Duong, the scariest thing about running a company is not lack of money."

"It's about putting everything in one person's hands."

I still laugh he's too careful. Ha Lam texted: 【I heard about the shareholders' meeting. Are you still okay?】 I replied: 【Still alive.】 Very soon after that. He texted again: 【That's good. Tomorrow afternoon I will take people to the old studio. Maybe you will need to rearrange the supply chain and product line.】 Looking at that message... My nose suddenly stings. Co Tram Chu never asked me... Are you okay? He just asked... Do I sign the agreement or not. As for Ha Lam... The person whose advice I once dismissed before. It's the first person to ask me... Whether I'm still alive or not. I only answer with one word. That night. I copied all the old documents into three copies. One copy was given to Duong Ninh. One copy is kept in the safe. The other copy... I keep it with me. It's not because I don't trust anyone. But because finally... I understand. Something that belongs to you... Can't just be given to someone else to keep. The day Co Tram Chu came to the old studio... It was the Friday after the shareholders' meeting. He did not give any warning. I am with Ha Lam discussing the supply chain of the new product line. Suddenly there was an argument downstairs.

"Mr. Co, Miss To said she wouldn't see you."

"I'm her husband."

"It's my ex-husband."

Co Tram Chu's voice echoed upstairs.

"The divorce agreement has not yet been signed."

"Legally, I'm still her husband."

I put down the documents in my hand.

"Let him up."

Ha Lam looked at me.

"Are you sure?"