Lost Love (Complete)

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25  

Chapter 1

Alec Su:
A handsome young man with a good caliber of working and had already being very successful at the age of 28.

Vicki Zhao:
A pretty young lady at the age of 23. Lost her mother at 22 and now are in Beijing doing something her mother told her to do before her mother pass away. Always dress as a tomboy and cut her hair real short. In Beijing she staying at Auntie May house where Auntie May is her mother swoon sister.

Zhou Jie:
A musician professor who fall for one of his student and created quite an uproar as he had a fiancé that his mother had arrange for him when he was just a baby and is expected to marry the following year.

Ruby Lin (is this ruby real surname? Sorry I don’t quite remember):
A musician who play violin and quite good at the. The student who had an affair with one of the university professor, which cause her much pain. She is 24 this year and staying at Auntie May house whom, this auntie treat her like her own daughter.

Louis Koo:
Age 27 this. A trainee at one of the most popular club in Beijing. He is Alec’s best friend. Love to go down to disco, as he loves to dance very much.

Jessica Hsuan:
Age 25 this year and working in the Angel Disco as a waitress there. Full of fun and love to joke around. There are lots of guys who fall for her but never one that could catch her heart. She also stay at Auntie May house as she is Auntie May niece.

Auntie May (this is just a maternal character I created for all this three spiritful girl for I feel that they are in need of a mother warmth as they are quite single and alone in Beijing):
A loving character. Age 57 this year and a famous retired singer who own a spacious where she rented her room free to those who are fated to be with her or she like. She has a servant who helps her out with taking care of her house, who she treated like a sister, Ma Jie.

While in Beijing University…

Ruby is having a test whether or not she is able to enter the upcoming competition. She plays with all her skills and talent and putting her emotion in each string she pull and plug. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw that Professor Zhou are slowing making his way to one of the bench. Feeling happy that at the very least her loves are able to make it for her audition. With the feeling of more sure of herself, she try even harder and putting more of her emotion into the song hoping that her love will be able to understand and caught her meaning.

While still in Beijing but at auntie May house…

“Jess are you waking up?” shouted Ma Jie from the below.

“Ma Jie. Let me sleep for a while, will you? I’m so dead tired here, yesterday night the club were full house and now you wake me up early in the afternoon for what?” Jess shouting back to Ma Jie. Pulling the blanket over her head to get on with her sleep.

At down stairs, Ma Jie shaking her head and say to herself, “Jess is better off with another job but she just wont hear of it. With her education she could have get a better job at a decent times but she just wont hear of it.”

“Ma Jie, you talking about Jess again? I told you let her be. As long as she is happy and she didn’t do any harm also. All she do is that becoming an owl.” Tell Auntie May to Ma Jie.

“But Miss May how could you let your only niece work in such a complicated place? There are full of all those nonsense youth who have nothings better do.” “Ma Jie I already told you as long as Jess behave herself and she is happy with what she is doing then I will let her be.” Smiling at Ma Jie. Shaking her head at Ma Jie.

Back to Vicki…

“Aiks what are the goat doing on the road” sighing to herself. Stopping her car she got down and start shooing them so that she could get on with her way. At the same time there is this guy who have been waiting to try to get a lift to his destination sawing this, feel that this is his good chance at getting a lift from Vicki start helping her to shoo the goat from the main road to the road side.

“Thanks for helping” Vicki said to the passerby and start getting back to her jeep. The guy did not move away but start following Vicki from behind.

On seeing this Vicki feeling a bit weird “You wanted a lift is it?” ask Vicki to the passerby. “Yes yes! Could I please? I will get down at the next bridge there only.”

“Oh, well sure why not. Get into the jeep then and let be on our ways” say Vicki towards the passerby. “By the way you could call me by the name of Khan” say the passerby to Vicki. “How bout you? What should I call you miss?” “Well you could call me Vick if you want.” Smile Vicki towards Khan and get back on the road.

“Anyway Vick what are you doing driving all these alone? And a gal at that. It very dangerous you know for a gal?” Khans ask Vicki. “Oh I was just going to Beijing to visit my mother swoon sister. “Oh I see. Anyway how come you didn’t ask me why am I going down towards the bridge there?” ask a curious Khan towards Vicki as he see that she is quite silent after his question.

Out of manner, Vicki as where Khan was going and why. With this head start Khan launch into a story telling of why he were going there and why and all the way saying that it not his fault that his wife leaving him to go home to her mother house and not talking to him at all. Saying that once in the while as man should socialize with his own circles of friends. On and on he say non-stop and all Vicki could do is that smile at him when he shoot a question at him and before Vicki could answer him. Khan would normally answer his own entire question back.

Stopping the car Vicki look at Khan and say “We are here.” Khan looks around “Oh! So fast? Anyway thanks for the lift and it good to chat with you.” Vicki offers him a smile and thinks to herself. All he ever did is carried on the one-sided conversation but at least I have a free radio. Smiling again. Vicki were just going to put the gear into the jeep and start going when suddenly Khan ask her a question. “Vick do you think that my wife will follow me back home. You know I really miss and love her so much.”

On seeing this unsure Khan, Vicki feel a pity for him and start taking the cross that hang at her jeep and give it to Khan. “Khan takes this. It given to me by my mother. My mother told me that it would give people lucks. And so far it been true.”

Seeing this Khan feel so grateful and at first reluctant to take something from Vicki as she had already help him by giving him a lift but as Vicki insisted and say that by giving it to other people who need it maybe she will have more luck. “Vick, you such a good person, well I wish you will get all your wish came through and be able to be successful at what you are going to do at Beijing”

With that, Vicki smiles and drove away from a Khan that keeps yelling. “Good Luck Vick! And Thank You!”

Back to the university…

“Professor Zhou, how do you think is my performances just now?” ask Ruby towards Zhou Jie. “Ruby I think your performance are great and if they don’t take you on if their lost so don’t worry I think you will make it. Anyway how bout a dinner tonight?” asking Zhou Jie towards Ruby and his eyes are full of love and admiration for the girl in front of him. “I’m sorry Professor, I promise auntie May that I be at home for dinner and I have to get her a present as today is her birthday.” Feeling down for she have to let down the professor offer of dinner. Suddenly an idea hit her. “How bout if you come to dinner with me tonight to celebrate Auntie May’s birthday?”

Feeling unsure, “But… I don’t know Auntie May? Moreover I haven’t even bought a present for her yet.” “Oh don’t worry bout it. Jess already buy something for auntie May and all we need to do is give her the money and I’m sure that she have included my share in so addition to one more person would not matter much to her.” Ruby said in order to convince Professor Zhou to follow her home to celebrate Auntie May birthday and to let auntie May have a look at her boyfriend. Who are such is genius. Being able to be a professor at such a young age is nothings easy. “Oh… well…” hesitated Zhou Jie.

“Oh please?” beg Ruby, looking at Zhou Jie with her pleading and pitiful eyes which are so adorable that Zhou Jie were unable to deny her anything at all when she pull this trick.

“Well. Ok. Ok I go. Now stop that look. You know my heart always soften when you look at me like that” Zhou Jie given in to Ruby pleas. “Oh yes. You the best. How I wish were are alone now so I can give you a kiss.” Looking left, right, up and down before settling for a peck at Zhou Jie cheek.

Smiling at Ruby, Zhou Jie pick up her hand they walk to car park.

“Auntie May, Happy Birthday!” both Ruby and Jess chorus together.

“Thank you girls. I feel so happy this year with two such adorable girls celebrating it with me.” Shedding a tear of happiness.

“Now auntie it not good to cry on your birthday, oh by the way this is Professor Zhou. I hope you don’t mind me bringing a friend with me without consulting you first Auntie May.” Ruby introducing Zhou Jie to Auntie May. Auntie May looking at Zhou Jie and start thinking to herself ‘so this is the guy Ruby been telling me about. Hmm not bad looking and look like he got some style. And it look like he love Ruby a lots.’

“Hello Auntie May, just call me Zhou Jie will do. I hope that you don’t mind I drop on such a rush moment” 0shaking auntie May hand.

“Oh no it ok. They always say the more the merrier.” Welcoming Zhou Jie into the party while thinking to herself that, ‘so he got manner and too. Not bad. Not bad. Think auntie may to herself.’

As they were getting to the table to start eating for the feast suddenly came a blinding light of a jeep.

“Oh who could it be at such an hour?” said Ma Jie. “Let me check who is it.”

“Miss May! Miss May! Come and look who is here,” shouted Ma Jie from the door.

“Oh my goss it you Vicki!” running from the table and hug Vicki. Feeling so happy that Auntie May cried all over again. On seeing this Vicki does not know what to do except hug Auntie May tighter. Feeling the warmth from the older lady seeping into her bone. It like the feeling of being home again. “Auntie May happy birthday.”

“You remember Vicki!” feeling so happy that she is able to see Vicki on such a day and suddenly remembering something. “Oh I almost forget introducing you towards the other people. You are naughty. You should I have told me that you are going to arrive today so I would have been able to make a better preparation for you.”

“Auntie May I thought of giving you a surprise as today is your birthday. Don’t you like it?” Vicki smiling at the Auntie May whom she treated like her mother. “You know of course I like it. You know I been chasing you to come down to Beijing to stay with me since you mother pass away. You have to let someone take care of you also right but you insisted that you have to take your times to settle everything at Hai Nan first before you are free to come and stay with me. Anyway this is Ruby and this is my niece Jessica, you can always call Jessica as Jess,” pulling Vicki in front of Ruby and Jess. At the same time they shake hand this three girls feel a string towards each other like they are going to be the best of friends.

Smiling “Hi! Nice to meet the two of you. I been hearing so much of you two that it feel like I know you both all my life. You should have heard how Auntie May brag on about the two of you when she came down to visit me at Hai Nan.”

“It Ok. The same happen here. Whenever she is back from the trip she always tell us bout you this and that. That we both felt like you are beside both of us all the times,” said Ruby teasing Auntie May.

“Now, now enough of it the three of you. Stop teasing me. Vicki goes and wash your hands and face then we all can start eating. I think you guys should be famish by now” while saying this Auntie May gesturing to Ma Jie to bring Vicki to her room and clean up before joining them. Smiling to herself, ‘I’m glad that these three girls hit it off so well.’

While Ma Jie thinks to herself that now Vicki is here. Miss May would stop worrying so much at what Vicki are copping and so on. Even though she and Miss May know that Vicki could always take care of herself but Miss May still like to worry too much sometimes.

After the dinner…

“Auntie May I will go out for a while” shouted Ruby from the doorway to Auntie May and out she goes with Zhou Jie. While in the car Zhou Jie ask Ruby, “Ruby who is that Vicki?”

“Oh she is the daughter of Auntie May swoon sister. Why?” now Ruby are curious at Zhou Jie question. “Nothings it just that I see Auntie May seem to treat her with so much warm.”

“Oh. Well you have to know. Auntie May really love Vicki as one of her daughter as she look after Vicki since she were born. Vicki life is hard from what I heard from Auntie May. She have to look after her sick mother and have to take care of her mother café as well which is not easy for a girl her age. Moreover from what I heard is that she even managed to attend some night class on cookery course.”

“Wow she is definitely a tough gal at that. From I see of her I thought she is the type that needs constantly mothering or someone to take care of her instead. Hang on a minutes. What about Vicki’s father?”

“From what I know from Auntie May. Vicki dad leave her and her mother when Vicki were not even born,” thinking back on herself, ‘she is really something, if I were her, I would have break down long time ago.’

“Well at least now I think she had Auntie May to mother her around now.” Smile Zhou Jie at Ruby for he knows what is going inside that bright head of hers. “Well enough talk bout Vicki, let thinks what are we going to do this Sunday?

Chapter 2

Looking back at Auntie May, “Auntie May you know I promise my mother that I would look for him and I think that this upcoming contest is the best chance I have. I will take this to creation of my mother and enter it under my name. If he is not able to recognize the creation then I don’t think he is the one. Do you think he will recognize it?”Feeling unsure of herself for the first time.

“I’m sure that he is able to recognize it at the first glance. There are no second person who could cut out such an extraordinary piece of work except your mother in this whole world.” Consoling the unsure Vicki. ‘This is the first time I ever see Vicki so unsure of what she is doing. I hope that she be ok and this task would not be too hard on her.’

“Auntie May, did mother ever mention anything bout him to you?” ask Vicki snapping Auntie May from her thoughts. “I’m sorry Vicki, your mother never mention anything bout him to me at all. All she ever say is that she will only have two love in her life and that is you and him.”

“Auntie May do you know I miss her so much?” ask Vicki. She feel like crying but the tears would not came. Even on the day where she buried her mom into the earth. All she could manage is smile but not cry. She felt like a piece of her heart have been tear out. It been one year but the wound remain fresh. She often wonders when she would be able to think back without the feeling of loss.

“Vicki, stop thinking and look ahead. There a lots things for you try and do yet. Pull yourself together, your mom would not want you to act this way. This is not the way she brought you up right?” patting Vicki hand giving some console to her.

“It ok Auntie May I would know what to do.”

“Ma Jie when Auntie May came down tell her that I’m off to works,” with the parting words to Ma Jie, she started her bike and race down the road to work. ‘Hmm… Vicki is really pretty. I like her doleful eyes the most. It so cute when it sparkle.’

Upon reaching her destination, she passes her key to the doorman, “Thanks guys!”

“No prom honey. Only for you!”

“That what you say to all the girl,” smiling at Kent.

“Hey Jess you late today,” scold the manager good naturally.

“Oh come on. I told you bout it yesterday and now you are scolding me? You should talk to that head of yours. Why don’t you remember things that should be remember and forget things that should be forget?” joke Jess with the manager.

“Now. Now don’t you get cheeky on young lady. Get to work then,” smiling, the manager thought. ‘What a girl like Jess doing in this kinds of place.’

“Hey, Tim,” jolt the manager from his thought. “Oh you. So what you doing here Louis?” “Well what can a person do here? Of course dancing. Hey you got any good gal to intro to me that can shake her bom bom real well?” joke Louis with Tim.

“Find it yourself!” shaking his head and walk away to check the stock at the basement.

While Louis walk towards the bar and not looking at where he were going. “Ouch! Hey watch where you going man!” shouted Jess at Louis. “Well now you don’t have to be so rude do you? After all I’m a paying customer here.”

“Who care you pay or not. Just look where you going and you would pay less,” with that Jess walk away without looking back. While Louis stand there staring at Jess back. ‘Now that what I call a girl. Well her bums are not bad as well. Maybe I could get Tim to introduce her to me later.’

Shaking his head he walk towards the bar and get the bir he were intended to get before the bumping happen.

Chapter 3

“Morning Auntie May. Oh by the way don’t wait up for me for lunch for I be having lunch with my friends today ok,” walking towards the toilet and pop out her head bestowing a smile for Auntie May.

“Just be careful at what you doing. Here is Beijing and not like Hai Nan at all.” Laughing at the adorable face of Vicki. ‘I can guess what she is wishing to do. I pray to god that let her be successful at what she is doing.’

At one of the restaurant…

Looking at her watch, ‘I hope Jewel will be here soon.’ Soon after her thought a girl in white walk towards the restaurant with an anxious look on her face. The girl keeps looking left right and keeps on going till she reaches the restaurant. It like she reaches a place of safety where she sighs a relief sigh.

“Jewel over here,” wave Vicki. “What wrong? Why are you looking like that?” sensing something wrong with Jewel.

“Oh, nothings,” evaded Jewel.

“Jewel there is something your mother told me to pass to you,” passing the knitted sweater to Jewel. “Jewel what happen to you? Your mother is very worried about you and there is a rumor back at the village saying there, they saw you working in a karaoke as a waiting gal? Is it true?”

“Vicki mined your own business. You just been in Beijing for two days and now all you do is trying to teach me? Who are you to me?” shouted the already tension Jewel at Vicki.

On seeing this Vicki tried to calm Jewel own, “Jewel we been best friends since both of are in diapers it just pain me to see you like this. And you know I would help you if you were in pain or in any trouble at all. And it been a long time since I saw you and you haven’t even reply a letter I wrote to you at all for over a year.”

Sensing that she is a bit rude towards Vicki, Jewel tried to compensate by leaving, “It nothings at all Vicki and by the way I’m not free and my friend had already came to pick me up. If there is something you want to contact me at. You could reach me at this no. Bye.”

All Vicki could do is stare at Jewel retreating back and with the feeling of frustration. Don’t know what to do with her time. She decided to drive around Beijing to clear her head before she went back with her mood and alarm Auntie May.

As the time near she stop at a building where there were reporters waiting anxiously for someone important to appear. Vicki stops her jeep at a side and get out and start standing behind a few other reporters to catch a glimpse of him.

At a far distance a black BMW came that way and all the reporters start saying, “He is here!” Hearing this Vicki start getting anxious as she is too short and tried her best to catch a glimpse of him between people. With all her effort all she could do is catch a glimpse of him. ‘So that is him.’

After all the reporters manage to catch a photo of the honor judge they all went into the room that being prepare by the hotel for the conference to catch what the judge is going to say bout the competition. With this Vicki follow the rest of the competitors and line up to get the form for the competition and slip into one of the back row to hear what the judge have to say.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m happy that all of you take the time to gather here …” and on the conference goes on. But Vicki mind were not totally on the conference but taking the times to absorb the guy who had change her life all this times. Feeling low in mood for not being to able to get the chance to talk to him or even shake hands.

Vicki went out and surprise to know that it is late and knowing the time Jewel went in for works decided to drop a surprise visit and try to make up with Jewel.

At the karaoke…

Vicki peeps around but could not catch where is Jewel and starts getting anxious for the guys there are look one kind at her. And she hates the glance they throw her way. Finally a guy who work there approach Vicki to find out what is she doing there.

“Miss could I help you?” ask the manager there. “I think you are in the wrong place for this place is not for a girl,” further explain the manager towards Vicki.

Already at a very low mood, Vicki does not want to talk further just rudely say to the manager, “Why can’t I be here? I’m a customer also. Here is karaoke and I came here to sing. As long as I pay my bill what you care?”

“I’m sorry miss. Would you please follow me then? I will take you to the place you want,” shaking his head the manager gives in. “Here is the room miss. Do you need anything else?”

“Nothings else. But you could please called a girl by the name Jewel to come and see me?” ask Vicki politely feeling a little embarrass for being so harsh towards the manager just now.

“I’m not sure which girl you looking for. But I would as the Mamas to come here and you could tell her personally which girls you look for. Would that be ok?” ask the manager towards Vicki.

“Ok then. Thanks.”

With that the manager close the door behind and left Vicki alone. After a few minutes, Vicki starts staring at her watch and does not like the feeling of waiting for so long decided to start looking room after room for Jewel by herself. After a few room, at the same times there is a guy in suit pull a few girls into a room. Seeing this, Vicki feel that one of those girl might be Jewel start follow behind them and try to catch a glance to whether or not Jewel are among them.

“Girls now listen here. If you girls manage to make Alec here happy. You girls no need to life a finger in your life again,” said Tom trying to make the uninterested Alec take a glance at the girls he had brought in for him. Look at Alec bored face, “Alec you don’t like this kinds of girls is it? I find someone who are more plain for you.”
Suddenly looking outside seeing Vicki standing there trying to peep in and misunderstanding that Vicki also work there but with a different style, “Come in what do you think you doing out there?” pulling a protesting Vicki into the room and push her towards Alec.

“Ouch, what do you think you are doing,” shouted Vicki at Tom. Standing up and try to get out of the room. At the same moment, “Where do you think you are going?” shout Tom at Vicki and at the same time catch her by her arm and throw her at Alec again.

Seeing this Vicki got mad and stands up and slap Tom right in the face. “Hey what do you think you doing? How dare you slap me!” Tom catches Vicki by her arm to prevent her from escaping.

“And who do you think made you god to treat me like this?” ask back Vicki.

On seeing this, Alec feels a sense to prevent Vicki from further harm try to get Tom to rationalize. “Come on Tom. Forget it. I’m not interested in these kinds of things. I already told you from the very beginning.”

Seeing this is her chance to escape, Vicki quickly walk out of the room without a back glance. “Hey you don’t run away.” Trying to run after Vicki but was block by Alec. “Forget bout it Tom. Let it go.” With that Tom return to his own sit and forget bout the whole incident. But to Alec, there something which are unexplainable that happen inside him. He could still sense the feeling of Vicki body when she falls on top of him just now. ‘Will I be able to see her again?’ wonder Alec.

Meanwhile back at the room, Vicki swore viciously. “What a crazy sex maniac! Who do they think they are!” throwing herself down at the chair and take a sip of the bir in front of her.

“Hi are you the girl who are looking for Jewel?” suddenly a woman with low cut dress came in. On hearing the name ‘Jewel’, Vicki forget bout her own anger, “Yes and you are?”

“I’m the Mamas here,” introduces the woman. “I’m sorry if you are looking for Jewel. She is no longer working here. If you had come yesterday then you are able to see her then. For yesterday is her last day here.”

“But she told, she work here and I just meet her today,” Vicki getting anxious as she is unable to contact Jewel anymore as her friend only gave this karaoke address and there are no other forwarding address for her to find her. “By the way do you have any other way to contact her?”

“I’m sorry I don’t.” seeing Vicki disappointing face, the Mamas offer, “How bout you if you leave me a forwarding address from you and if Jewel came back then I ask her to contact you?”

“Thanks a lots that is so nice of you!” feeling better that there are one way to get in touch of Jewel instead of non at all.

“It ok for I don’t want to see you go back empty handed as you came a long way just to find your friends,” smiles the Mamas. ‘It a things to treasure with this kinds of friendship. This is a rare thing to come by. What a lucky girl Jewel is.’

Suddenly the club waiter came bursting into the room, “Mamas the police had came to check up!” with that they waiter went out of the room.

“What? Well I guess it nothings for I came here to look for friends and I don’t work here at all so I don’t there will be much trouble for me right?” doubting herself Vicki look at the Mamas.

“It no good girl the police would not listen to reason at such a times. I tell you what it is better if you stay in this room and don’t come out. Let hope that the police will not check this room. Come out when you feel it safe, maybe after one hour it will be the best.” With that Mamas leave the room leaving Vicki all alone in the room.

After one hours…

Vicki pokes her head out and looks around. Everything is so quite that it feels so eerie for Vicki. Looking at her right and left, and on she walk trying to find a way out of the karaoke as this is Vicki first times she is kinds of lost.

Suddenly, Alec came out of the bathroom and feel that something is terribly wrong for the karaoke seem so quite. With that he say that Vicki was walking his way, “Hey, excuses me do you know what happen? Why is the karaoke so quite?”

“Don’t you know? There is a check up just now,” answered Vicki. Looking at Alec and recognizing him as the guy who help her just now. “I’m going off now. Do you have transport to return to where you want to return?”

“I think so unless they took Tom away as well then I have to call a taxi,” looking down at Vicki.

“I don’t think there are taxi at such an hour. How bout if I gave you a leave? Since you help me out just now. Let me return the favors,” with that Vicki walk out of the karaoke with Alec trailing behind her.

‘She is such a good girl. But it can be love at first sight would it? Impossible I only just meet her.’ Thought Alec to himself.

On the way to the hotel Alec staying at was a quite journey as Vicki keep most to herself and would not talk much and Alec with a lots of things to solve it out and had quite and enjoyable journey with sliding glances at Vicki. With each look, Alec feels that Vicki looks more pretty. As Alec never had this feeling before, he does not know what to make out of it.

“Ok we are here,” stopping her jeep. She looks at Alec as he is getting out of the jeep.

“How do I thanks you for your help?” ask Alec, trying to think of a way to get Vicki to leave with him her contact no so that he could have the chance to meet up with her and maybe finally sorting out this feeling he had for her.

“It oks. It nothings much. Bye.” With that Vicki back out her jeep and went on with her way leaving Alec standing there and staring at the disappearing Vicki. Sighing to himself, ‘I wonder if I will have the chance to meet her again?’

Chapter 4

‘Who is that girl, I wonder if I’m able to meet her again. Maybe if I went to the same karaoke tomorrow night I might be able to meet up with her again.’ Thought Alec who is still complicated at the feeling he had for Vicki. Suddenly the ring from telephone broke into Alec thought. “Hello?”

“Alec is that you?”

“Yes that me. Where are you Tom?”

“I’m in the police station. I had been taken back from the karaoke for some investigation. Don’t worry about me. I was worried bout you as you were not in the group where they had taken me. So I thought maybe you be in the hotel. Anyway how you get back to the hotel?” as Tom know that there is no taxi at these kinds of period and Alec don’t have any transportation in Beijing as well.

“Oh, a kind person who didn’t being taken by the police offer me a ride at the point of seeing me stranded,” explain Alec simply as he does not want to go into details as he know Tom had a big mouth.

“Oh that good then. Anyway I be back around 2am so don’t wait up for me as I have to clear some of the document here before they are able to release me,” Tom worried that Alec would wait up for him to discuss the upcoming competition details, Alec is one of the honor judge as well but were not in the conference this afternoon as he had something urgent to settle.

“It ok, just now Mr. Soong and had phone and tell me everything in details,” Mr. Soong is one of the honor judge and look quite highly at Alec for his capability but sometimes Mr. Soong felt quite threaten by Alec skills. So it kinds of hate and admiration relationships between this Mr. Soong and Alec.

While Vicki in the jeep…

“That guy really are good looking and it seem like he is very polite,” Vicki starts talking to herself. ‘I wonder if I be able to meet up with him.’ This is the first time Vicki ever feel something for a guy ever. It not as if there no one who chase after her back at Hai Nan. It just that there is never a guy who manages to triple her heartbeat within seconds of lying eyes on him.

“Well I don’t think I will be able to meet up with him any more and I must stop thinking bout him. I must start thinking bout the upcoming competition and start planning my next steps. If not I would not be able to fulfill my mother dream at all.” Vicki advised herself.

The next morning…

“Morning Vicki,” greet Ruby.

“Morning to you too. What are you doing up so early?”

“Oh I have to go to university to get my result and I’m kinds of late for it already. I were wondering now that you are awake…” Ruby trailed off, as she feels shy to as a favor from Vicki as she only know her for one day.

“Oh sure. Just let me wash my face and have change then I take you where you want to go. Ok?” understanding Ruby difficulty in asking for a favor.

“You sure it Ok? I mean if it not I can always call a cab,” hesitated Ruby as she feels it wrong to trouble Vicki and she does not really know the way around Beijing that well.

“Don’t worry bout it. It just a easy job then maybe after seeing your result we could go round Beijing and you could show some good spot? How bout that for a return favor being your driver?” solving Ruby problem.

“That great. Let get going then,” as Ruby are eager to be on her way.

“Well I know you are eager but I think you should let me have a change first I mean you are not going to ask me go round Beijing wearing this pajamas are you?” said Vicki teasing Ruby.Blushing at this Ruby quickly nod her head.

At the university…

Seeing Ruby coming out from the hall, Vicki run up to Ruby and takes her hands and starts shooting question at her.

“How is it? Are you accepted?” asked Vicki who in turn feel quite desperate for Ruby.

“Well.....” Ruby trailed off.

“Well what? Tell me the result faster,” urging Ruby by pulling her hands.

“I made it!” scaring Vicki.

“Why you naughty girl. You have me scare just now with your expression. I thought it were a failure,” heaving a sigh, with the feeling of relief, that Ruby is able to made it into the orchestra team.

“Now that for paying you back for teasing me this morning when I already feeling anxious,” saying Ruby tongue in cheek, showing her tongue at Vicki and suddenly a warm feeling overwhelm her that she run into Vicki arms and starts crying into Vicki shoulder.

“Now. Now what are you crying for,” patting Ruby back trying to console her.

“I’m sorry, it just that I’m so happy that I finally made it. Do you know that this is my third time trying for this team and if I didn’t made it I don’t know what should I do with my future,” explaining her distress to Vicki.

“Hmm…well never mind that now. You already made it you know what they day, first a failure, second a shy and third the charm. Well it right and you really did made it,” pushing Ruby backs and gives her smile of encourage.
Smiling back at Vicki, “Thank Vicki, I don’t believe it that I just know you for one dear. It feels like I know you all my life. You so understanding and helpful.”

“Now don’t go on like this if not I think I will have to leave you here. You are giving me goose bumps talking to me like this. If I don’t help you, who will take me around Beijing then?” trying to enlighten sudden overwhelm Ruby.

“Ha… now I know why you help. So there is something you want me to help you in return,” with that both girls walking towards Vicki’s jeep holding hands and laughing at each other. For an outsider they would have thought that these two girls had known each other their whole life and they are swoon sister and would not have believe is said that these two girls just know each other, yesterday only.

After the sight-seeing…

“Ruby I need to go and hand in something for my competition. Would you like to follow me? It only take a while to attend to that,” looking at Ruby sideway.

“Sure no prom,” smiling at Vicki. Being the curious types Ruby as more, “What competition is that?”

“Oh it a gold designer competition,” explained Vicki.

“You are a designer? I thought you were studying cookery?” now Ruby seem to get it tight up in a not.

“Oh I’m joining in this competition on mother behalf. The story is a long one Ruby and I don’t feel like talking bout it now. Maybe some other times ok?” parried of Vicki.

“Sure no prom. Take all you times Vicki but I want to let you know something. If you ever in need of a shoulder or an ear, you can always count on me ok,” Ruby said for sense there are something deeper than meet the eyes.

“Well remember you said that yourself. Don’t blame me if you don’t get enough sleep the next times I came to bother you with my boring stuff,” joked Vicki easing of the tension she always felt whenever she thought of the matter. “Ah we are here. Let get going,” parking her jeep at a side and get out of it with Ruby trailing behind her.

‘There is definitely something wrong here, but well Vicki will tell me when the times are right I guess,’ Ruby think to herself.

Inside the hotel at the reception…

“It seem like we have quite a number of contestant this times, I hope that we will be able to get some real talent this times,” said Alec to Tom.

“I’m sure…” before Tom were able to finish his sentence, Alec walk out on him and start going the opposite way. “Alec wait up, where are you going?”

“That girl!” rushing ahead without waiting for Tom.

Chapter 5

“Mr. Soong, can you tell us why you choose gold as the symbol of this time competition?” asked one of the reporters. Considering this question, at the same time Mr. Soong eyes were lifted and rested on an immobilized Vicki for the shock of coming face to face with him.

“Why don’t you ask this contestant instead?” suggested Mr. Soong for he wanted to hear how the contestants look at this time competition and see how far they understand of the competition theme.

With this the reporters’ attention shifted to the immobilized Vicki and start asking her the question Mr. Soong suggested. While at the same times Alec and Tom came to halt behind Vicki overheard what Mr. Soong had suggested. Before Alec could came to Vicki rescue. Tom opened his mouth first.

“Yeah why don’t you say something about it?” interjected Tom who still feels the sting of Vicki’s slap and feeling that this is now his turn to embarrass Vicki in front of public. “I thought you were so full of ideas?”

Upon hearing this from Tom, Vicki where shock out of her stupor and throw a glare at Tom before taking a deep breathe, “To me gold symbolized the stability of love in the human race, where at the same time it could be taken and represent the star that hang on the sky.”

Hearing this from Vicki, Mr. Soong were shock at how similar her ideas are to his and start staring at Vicki. Alec and Tom were equally shock as well. For they never dream that Vicki know the main ideas of this time competition symbol stand for.

The reporters happy and satisfied with Vicki’s answer, shift their attention back to Mr. Soong and at the same times notice that Alec, who is also one of the judges standing behind Vicki, start haunting to take some photo and with question of this times competition. While Tom begin showing the reporters and Mr. Soong to the conference room and pulling Alec towards the conference room at the same times.

Meanwhile Alec keeps throwing glances at Vicki but is bewildered that Vicki does not even noticed him at all but keep on staring at Mr. Soong retreating back. Feeling confused for the hurt he is feeling and does not like the way Vicki is staring Mr. Soong as if nothings else in this world existed beside Mr. Soong.

Outside the building…

“Vicki are you alright?” asked a concern Ruby.

Waking up from her stupor, Vicki just stared blankly at Ruby, not knowing what to say, “I’m all right I guess,” smiling weakly at Ruby before turning away.

“Vicki?” doubting Vicki answer.

“It nothing, really Ruby stop worrying about me. I thought you want me to drop you somewhere?” trying to divert Ruby attention from her problem.

Sensing that Vicki does not wish to discuss what is troubling her, Ruby gave in, “It OK, the place I wanted you to drop me just a few blocks away from here. I will walk there.”

“Well if you are sure then, bye see you back home,” parting with Ruby, Vicki got into the jeep and drive home.

Back at home…

“Hi Vicki you back early. Where is Ruby I thought she is with you?” ask Jess when she does not see Ruby.

“Well I don’t think we should worry bout her, she is have candle light dinner with…” smiling at Jess.

“OK there no need to go into details. You won’t made me envious one,” looking thru Vicki little plot.

“What a smart little girl you are!” rubbing Jess head Vicki turned away before Jess could return the same curtsy to her. Jess not giving up start to go after Vicki but a ring from the telephone stops her.

“Hello?” Jess answered the phone.

“Hello? Can I speak to Vicki please?” asked a timid voice from the other side.

“Vicki! Your phone,” called Jess towards Vicki. Feeling curious she ran towards the phone and pick it up, “Hello? Vicki here.”

“Vicki…it Jewel here, I …” not knowing what to say to Vicki. Sensing something wrong with Jewel, Vicki asked her to calm down and tell her slowly. After hearing the phone,

Vicki slammed the phone and pick up her backpack and looked at Jess, “Jess do you know the way to END OF THE WORLD RESTAURANT?”

“Of course,” looking at the weird Vicki.

“Good then could you please show me the way there? I will drive,” without waiting for an answer from Jess, Vicki drag her towards her jeep and started the Vicki leaving a bewildered Jess looking at her from the passenger sit.

Chapter 6

“What do you mean you are getting married?” Ruby stared at Zhou Jie.

“Ruby, please don’t made this any harder for me,” pleaded Zhou Jie, who is looking extremely helpless. He knows he should have told Ruby earlier but he could not find right words.

“I’m the one who are confused, last two days ago you just told me to plan for an outing for this coming Sunday and now you are telling me you are getting married but not with me but with another girls,” Ruby starts raising her voice as she felt that she is being cheated.

“Ruby, please could you slow down your voice? There are other people here who may know who I am,” pleaded Zhou Jie softly.

“So I guess this is the end of it then. Well ok then. BYE!” splashed her glass of water towards Zhou Jie before leaving the restaurant. Feeling tears stinging at the back of her eyes, she quickens her steps ignoring Zhou Jie shouts.

“Ruby!” shouted Zhou Jie helplessly as the waiter are bugging him to pay the bill before allowing him to leave the restaurant. By the time he pay the waiter and ran out of the building Ruby is nowhere in sight. Looking at the sky, swearing helplessly at himself and at the same feeling lost for he does not know how to detangles him from the knots. ‘Gosh, what am I going to do? I can’t not married June but I also can’t married her.’

At End of the World Restaurant…

“Jewel, how much does your boyfriend taken from the cashier?” asked Vicki.

“I’m not sure but all I know is roughly about USD3000,” looking anxiously at Vicki. “Vicki no matter what you have to help him. I can’t lost him now after all the things we been thru. I know he would not have taken the money if not for his father illness.”

“I know Jewel. Not I don’t want to help you but the point is where do you want me to look for money at such a short notice. If we are back at Hai Nan, then maybe I could have some way,” looking at the restaurant owner Vicki pleaded on behalf of her friends, “Boss could not you be a more bit lenient. I mean if you could have give them seven days then why not another three days?”

“It not I who give them those seven days, they the one who begged for it,” looking despicably at jewel and her boyfriend. “Anyway I already called the police and they are on the way. The only way out for you guys are pay back the money he have taken or visit him at the jail.”

Feeling helpless, Vicki looked at Jess, “Jess do you have that kind of money with you know?”

“I’m sorry Vicki, I can’t help you but if Auntie May is here then she could have help you but she is at Taipei at the moment,” shaking her head at Vicki.

While at the same times, Alec is in the other room having dinner with Tom, “Hmm…I never have thought that Beijing had such a wonderful dish as well. I always thought that Shanghai is the only place with heavenly food.”

“It use to be true last time but Beijing had decided to follow Shanghai footsteps and not lost to them, now almost everything that Shanghai have, Beijing also have it as well,” said Tom whom are feeling proud to be one of Beijing individuals.

“Anyway I’m going to the washroom first, be back later,” with that Alec went out of the room, at the same times Vicki lifted her eyes and saw Alec, suddenly an idea came into Vicki head, “Boss could you give me a few minutes?”

“What the use of giving you a few minutes? If you have the money you would have pay me now,” said the boss who is feeling ungracious at the moment. “Anyway if you want to have a few minutes so go ahead but be quick at that, I don’t have much times to waste on scum like him.”

Vicki quickly ran out of the room after Alec. “Hey you!”
Hearing someone shouting at him and wonder who it is, Alec turns around and takes a look, “You!”

“Yes it me. I need your help. Could you help me?” enquired an unsure Vicki.

Happy at seeing Vicki, Alec could only stare at her, “Excuse me? Could you hear me?” not feeling comfortable with Alec stares.

“Oh! Sorry. What can I help you with?” feeling happy that Vicki would approach him for help. At the same time Tom came out of the room, “You! What do you want?”

“Could you lean me some money?” totally ignoring Tom.

“How much do you want?” Alec who is ignoring Tom as well but Tom would not remain being ignored, decided to butt in again, “Why should he lean you some money? Who are you to him?”

“About USD3000, can you?” ignoring Tom again.

“What made you so sure that I have such an amount with me right now?” Alec decided to tease Vicki a bit but Tom at the same time butts in again, “Well even though Alec have it. He would not lean it to you also.”

“I’m not sure about it but if you have it, could you please lean it to me?” at the same time look at Tom and decided to give him a piece of her mind, “I’m not asking from you idiot, so shut the hell up.”

“Why you…you,” feeling angry at being called an idiot.

“Well I decided to give you the money and not lean it to you,” Alec decided to stop things before it get out of heat, draw out his wallet and took the amount of money

Vicki enquired and gave it to her. Looking at the money and back at Alec, Vicki took the money and quickly ran to her friends who are waiting for her outside the room and passed the money to the boss.

“Here is the money my friends owed you. Count it, is it the correct amount?” shoving the money towards the boss. The boss seeing the money forget all the rude words she had uttered and begin to nod her head happily walking away and asking Jewel boyfriend to follow her and decided to patch things up as Jewel boyfriends is a good workers.

Alec who stands from afar see what Vicki is doing feel touch that there is still such a good friends who would help her friends in this world.

After Vicki finish things up for her friends, she went back to Alec, “Give me your contact address and I will return the money you have lean me just now.”

“It oks. Forget about it,” feeling generous towards Vicki.

“No it your money and I could not just take your money like this,” Vicki who has always being independent does not like the feeling of owing someone something.

“Yes she right Alec, you should gave her your contact no., I mean she is a nobody to you and USD3000 is not a small amount.”

Jess who is looking from afar decided to approach Vicki from behind at the same times Louis came out from the other room and bum into Jess.

“Why you!” losing his balance Louis fall down hard and drag Jess with him, with Jess landing on top of him and him at the bottom.

Vicki seeing this happen quickly ran towards Jess to help her up with Alec trailing behind her, not letting go of such a good opportunity that landed Vicki into his lap. “Jess is you alright?”

“Yes I’m fine, it not me who are the bottom,” smirking at Louis and totally ignoring him.

Seeing this from Jess, “Hey you should thanks me for breaking your fall…” before Louis could continued, “Louis!”

“Alec!” shocked to see his best buddy there Louis forget about Jess and quickly get up and hugged Alec, “It been a long time since I see you my friends.”

“Yes it been some years back huh,” hugging Louis back but Vicki butt in, “Erm… excuse me, I don’t mean to interrupt your reunion but if you could leave me with your contact no. Then I could give you back your money.”

Looking at the Vicki who is not giving up on her move Alec decided to come into a solution to solve it, “How about if you accompany me for 5 days? I take it as a repayment for the money I given you. Come to Bayview Hotel at room 118 at 9am.”

With all said, Alec turned away from Vicki and focus on Louis while Tom decide to add salt to the wound, “Well how fortunate you are! I would have never known that worth that much.”

Chapter 7

“Forget it Vicki, it not worth getting angry with this types of scum,” soothing Vicki feathers. “Lets get going, I have to prepared for work anyway.”

“Oh I’m sorry, I totally forgotten that you have to work as well,” her focus on Tom words disappears with the worries that she could not get Jess back home in time for her works. With that Vicki left with Jess towards home and forgotten about Tom scathing words but Alec option still linger in Vicki minds while Louis image linger in Jess minds.

While in the Ruby room…

“I don’t believe it. He will do these kinds of things to me. I thought he love me more than his life,” said Ruby with vengeances while pumping her fist into the pillow, “He does not even came after me. What kinds of guy he is!”

“Ruby? You back early? I thought you were having dinner with your Zhou Jie?” Vicki asked curiously sensing something wrong while Jess trailed in behind her and sitting down at Ruby bed facing her.

“We are finish!” said Ruby.

“What do you mean you guys are finish?” now Jess is getting more curious, “I thought you guys were so loving. Zhou Jie were so considerate towards you the other when he is here for Auntie May birthday.”

“He is getting married to another girl!” with the words out, Ruby started crying her heart out, leaving Vicki and Jess at loss for they don’t know how to console her and what to do with Ruby except keep on passing her tissue. After half an hour Ruby’s cries turn to quite sob.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cry but I just can’t stand it anymore,” apologized Ruby towards Vicki and Jess.

“It oks Ruby. There are nothings wrong with crying like a baby,” Jess trying to teased Ruby to enlighten the air.

“How can you still tease me at a time like this,” pouted Ruby.

“Oh we are sorry princess,” joked Vicki.

“Oh why you guys are so...” Ruby getting works up with Vicki and Jess.

“Don’t get angry Ruby, we are just trying to lighten your mood,” explained Jess trying to smooth out Ruby ruffle feathers.

“Yes Jess is right,” chorus Vicki.

“Well I guess you guys are just trying to cheer me up,” amended Ruby heaving out a sigh, “I feel so useless.”

“Forget about it Ruby. You still have us right?” Vicki trying her best to console the desolated Ruby.

“Anyway Ruby look at the bright side, you still have both of us to accompany you right? By the way I have to go off to works now so Vicki you take care of Ruby ok?” Jess looking at Vicki sending a signal towards her.

“Leave it to me. Don’t worry I will handle everything from here,” receiving Jess signal.

“Come on Ruby I’m sure you haven’t eaten yet. Let get out and have a feast celebrating that Zhou Jie is not lucky enough to have you for his wife,” pulling Ruby up from the bed.

“Yes you are right,” agreeing with Vicki and get her purse and on they all went out after looking everything up.

While at the restaurant…

“So Louis what you been up to? Still the same old you?” asked Alec towards Louis while stuffing foods into his mouth.

“What else? Anyway what are you doing in Beijing? I thought the last I heard of you, you are in Singapore?”

“Well I’m here to judge the competition for this year they held it in Beijing so here I am,” explained Alec.

“By the way what is your relationships with the girls just now?” getting curious for Alec knowing the girl.

“Which girl do you mean? The one with the big eyes or the one with the big bum?” noticing that Louis seem to care for the other girls.

“Well...the one with the big bum,” looking sheepishly at Alec.

“Ah I see, I know the girl name called Jess. That what I heard Vicki called her just now,” providing the tips Louis been trying to dig it out of him.

“Oh I see,” thinking to himself, ‘so that is her name, suite her quite well.’

“Hello? Anyone there?” Alec waving his hands in front of Louis.

“Oh I’m sorry Alec, I were thinking about something,” say Louis.

“I know what you thinking of it started with the letter ‘J’ right?” teased Alec.

“Hey come on stop that. Don’t say it out loud wills you?
What bout you? What is your connection to this so-called girl called Vicki that you are willing to give her USD3000 without any question? I never know you could be so generous,” fired back Louis and it Alec turn to turns red at the remark.

“Ok, ok I don’t ask about your and you don’t ask about mine ok?” surrendered Alec.

“Anyway do you think that your Vicki stay together with Jess?” getting back to his own problem.

“How should I know? Maybe I could ask Vicki for you when and if she came by tomorrow?” offered Alec, well of course Louis would jump at the chance of that now. With all this solve, they concentrated back at their meals with leisure please but leaving a dissatisfied Tom.

Chapter 8

“Mom I really could not marry June,” pleaded Zhou Jie.

“Well it too late now, Zhou Jie. You should think that with June, she could help you to advance your career while this Ruby is a nobody!” said Zhou Jie mom not expecting that her son would have a second thought on marrying June.

“But…mom you have to understand it not June I love but Ruby. How could you ask me to marry someone I don’t love. It will only spoil our life together. Do you want to see my life spoils?” asked back Zhou Jie towards his mom.

“Well even though you don’t marry June I would never agreed on to your marriage between Ruby and you,” putting her foot down.

“I don’t care any more. I only love Ruby and I will only have Ruby for my wife or I would not marry my whole life,” finally putting his leg down and walked out.

“Zhou Jie! If you walked out of this room now. Don’t ever come back!” threaten Zhou Jie mom.

“Fine if that what it takes,” decided to give everything up for Ruby.

“Zhou Jie!”

with that Zhou Jie went to Ruby home straight away...

“Ruby it me,” ringing her doorbell.

“Get loss, Zhou Jie!” shouting through the machine towards Zhou Jie.

“Ruby, please hear me out. Would you let me sleep outside? I just had an argument with my mom regarding you and now I don’t have a place to go to. For I have decided not to marry June after all,” explained Zhou Jie into the machine towards Ruby. Upon hearing this, an exhalation went through Ruby.

“Zhou Jie!” Ruby opens the door and throws herself into Zhou Jie arms.

“Ruby!” Zhou Jie voiced was coarse with emotion. “I promise you that I will never ever leave you again.”

All Ruby could do is nod her head. Eyes shimmering with tears at the thought that Zhou Jie could sacrifice everything just for her. “Zhou Jie, I’m sorry that I dump that glass of water on you.”

“It oks. I think it that glass of water that wake me up and tell me that I could never ever lead my life without you,” smiling at Ruby tenderly while wiping her tears away with his hands.

“Ahem!” coughed Vicki announcing her present, “Sorry to
disturb you guys but you are blocking the way, and I have to go to the airport now to fetch Auntie May. If not I be late.”

“Vicki!” Ruby shake out of her lover embrace with blush, looking sheepishly at Zhou Jie before turned back to Vicki. “Oh I almost forget that Auntie May is back today.”

“I think you are too happy to remember anything else, and here I were scared for you. Am I right Jess?” turned behind to reveal that a laughing Jess had also been watching the imitating scene between Ruby and Zhou Jie.

Turning bright red, Ruby could only hide behind Zhou Jie from Vicki and Jess view. Both of them laughed at Ruby but at the same time felt happy for Ruby that Zhou Jie in fact does really love her. “Vicki I think we better get going then after fetching Auntie May, you could drop me at my work place later after works I will catch a ride home with my colleague.”

At the airport…

“There is Auntie May!” Jess waved her hand furiously at Auntie May and Ma Jie.

“Welcome home Auntie May. How is your trip?” asked Vicki while helping Auntie May and Ma Jie to collect their luggage. “Wow this luggage is heavy man. Auntie May what did you bring back? The whole Taipei?”

Laughing Auntie May shocked her heads at Vicki but kept silent and didn’t tell Vicki a single thing. “Auntie May I tell you something,” interjects Jess who is helping Vicki to drag the entire luggage.

“What something interesting happen when I were away?” said Auntie May.

“Yes! Ruby and Zhou Jie almost break up but now they are back together but now Zhou Jie does not have a home to go to for his mother have disown him on the cause of Zhou Jie does not agreed to the arrange marriage his mother arrange,” told Jess the whole story in a few sentences.

“Wow, you mean at the aged there is still arrange marriage existed?” Auntie May asked curiously as she is a modern thinking woman.

“Of course Miss May, there are still some part of people in this world that still use the old values,” explained Ma Jie who been listen silently.

“There is some more, Vicki bum into a guy who are willing to give her USD3000 without a single words,” said Jess before Vicki could stop her.

“Jess!” all Vicki could do is shouted Jess name.

“Well it true what,” Jess go on and ignoring Vicki pleas.

“Well I seem to remember that Jess bum into a guy and sit on top of him,” teased back Vicki to take the topics of her.

“Well that an idiot person and does not count,” so on and on this two girls brag on about who and who and argued about this and that good naturally. While Auntie May and Ma Jie who looked for behind could only laugh at this two girls bickering but feels fresh being entertain.

“It seem like we miss a lots of good show, Ma Jie,” Auntie May say to Ma Jie.

“So it seem Miss May,” smiled Ma Jie.

After dropping Jess off to work…

“Auntie May!” Ruby shouted as soon as she seen Vicki jeep drive into the driveway with Zhou Jie trailing behind her.

“Welcome back Auntie May,” greeted Zhou Jie politely.

“Ruby don’t just stand there, come and help me with the luggage. It seem like Auntie May and Ma Jie have bought back the whole Taipei,” joked from behind who are trying to managed with all the luggage.

“I help you guys. Why don’t you all go and have a rest while I bring all those luggage in,” offered Zhou Jie.

“What gentlemen!” teased Vicki.

“It my pleasure madam,” smiled Zhou Jie while bowing low at Vicki. With the entire luggage inside. They sit down and have tea together while discussing general things.

“So Zhou Jie where are you staying now?” asked Ma Jie out of the blue.

Unsure of what to answer Ma Jie, Zhou Jie could only shake his head and looked at Ruby. Suddenly an idea came into Auntie May minds, “How bout if you stay with us? We have a spare room but it quite small if you don’t mind?”

“I’m not sure that is good. I don’t want to be a bother to you,” rejected Zhou Jie politely.

“It not a problem. For the room are empty anyway. All you have to do is clean up a bit. Don’t reject me young man this is all I can do for you for all the sacrifice you made for Ruby,” Auntie May smile at Zhou Jie refusing his rejection.

“Then I go and get the room ready,” Ma Jie starts standing up to go and clear up the room.

“No, Ma Jie you sit down. You just got down from the plane and must be tired. I will so and air up the room for you. Ruby come and help me,” Vicki preventing Ma Jie from getting up and dragged Ruby off to help her with the room.

“Why you drag me with you?” Ruby demanded looking anxiously back at Zhou Jie.

“Don’t you see that Auntie May is dying for a quite words with Zhou Jie?” explained Vicki, “If you are there, then Auntie May would not have ask the thing she wanted to ask for the scared of offending you.”

“Oh I see,” Ruby, heaved a sigh at hearing that.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure that Auntie May just want to ask what is Zhou Jie future plan and maybe help him out if she can,” console Vicki and all Ruby could do is smile a weak smile at Vicki.

“So Zhou Jie what is your plan now?” asked Auntie May.

“Well there has always been an offered from this university for me but I rejected it for my mom does not allowed me to go there, for she say that they have no standard,” explain Zhou Jie for he had already plan everything out for he does not wish to make Ruby suffer if she follow him.

“Well I guess it all settle then,” smile Auntie May, ‘this guy is always full of plan; I hope that he is also full of plan on how to take care of Ruby as well.

The next morning…

“Ma Jie where is Vicki?” asked Jess first thing in the morning.

“She out. She said not to cook her dishes today for she would not be home for the whole day till after midnight,” said Ma Jie towards Jess, suddenly she lifted her head, “Aiks! How come you are up so early in the morning? What you looking Vicki for?”

“Oh nothing, it just that I could not sleep,” said Jess silently for when she told them about the incident, she did not tell the other half of the option Alec had open to Vicki. ‘Don’t tell me that Vicki really went there?’

While at the same times, Vicki is knocking at Alec hotel room, unfortunately it is Tom that open up the door, “So you are here! I hope that you are able to make Mr. Su happy. I still don’t see that you worth that much.”

Ignoring Tom totally, Vicki walked into the room but Tom would not left being ignored, “Did you hear what I tell you?”

Not bothering to answer Tom, Vicki looked around the room for Alec, “Hello are you there?” on seeing this rude Vicki, Tom were so frustrated that he made a grab for Vicki but before he could turn Vicki around and give him a piece of his minds, Vicki swung around and slap Tom squarely at him at the face. At the same times, Alec walked into the room.

Chapter 9

“Enough Tom!” Alec ordered from the doorway, “Lets get going instead.” With Tom have no choice but to follow Alec order as Alec is his head but he silently swore to himself, ‘Just watch out BITCH, there would be a payback day.’

“Hey where are we going?” asked Vicki while running towards Alec totally ignoring Tom.

“My name is not YOU, you can call me Alec if you want, but my surname is Su,” correcting Vicki.

“Oh well ok. So Mr. Su,” Vicki address Alec but Alec glared at her and not liking the way she kept things so formal, “Well I mean since I’m here to work for you, it would be better that I kept things formally right?”

All Alec could do is stared and Vicki, heaving a sigh he walks ahead, ‘How am I going to get closer to her and understand her if she insisted on keeping the distance. I must think of a way.’

************************************************************

Meanwhile, since Jess had woke up early and could not get back to slept she decided to drop by her working place before paying a surprise visit to Dicky. On her way into the disco, her manager sported her and asked her over.

“Jess, I could not believe what I hear but I guess it true,” patting Jess backs. “Louis is a good guy but he just love to flirt sometimes but never too much for harm.”

Totally at loss at what her manager is talking about, Jess could only looked at him with a blur expression on, “I don’t get what you mean boss.”

“Now don’t go pretending Jess. I already know it all. Louis already tells me about it. There is nothings to shy there you know,” shaking his head at Louis.

But all the manager does is confuse Jess even more, “Boss I think you made some mistakes here, I don’t even know this Louis character you talking about.”

“Why Louis is your boyfriends of course,” announced the manager.

“What!” now Jess gone totally bewildered at the manager statement but before Jess could utter another words Louis came in and said airily, “ Hello, honey,” and dropping a kiss on Jess forehead before dragging her off to a corner far away from the manager earshot’s before Jess could tell out the home truth. Without waiting for Louis releasement, Jess stomped her feet hard down into Louis feet and gaining freedom.

“Is that the way you treat your boyfriend?” gasped Louis, bending down to rub hard on his feet.

“Excuse mister. Who said you is my boyfriend, get it into your thick head, I don’t even like the sight of you. How could you be my boyfriend,” snickered Jess at Louis.

“Now. Now there is no reason to get nasty right? All I did is just play a little harmless jokes,” Louis said trying to lighten Jess anger.

“That’s not a thing to play mister,” looking at Louis before parting with the final words, “By the way I does have a boyfriend but the name is Dicky and not Louis!”

‘What she had a boyfriend already? Why am I not told that? But I’m not giving up; it had taken me 27 years just to find the right girl to share my life. As long as she is not married, she is a fair games to all,’ thought Louis to himself for he finding himself more and more attracted to Jess. With his minds sets, Louis decided to follow Jess to see who is this Dicky character.

Chapter 10

While going back to Vicki…

“You should thanks Alec that you are able to come here,” Tom rambling on but all his rambles seems to be falling a deaf ears for it seem like Vicki is not paying him any heeds at all, “This is an extra bonus for you job. For it not ordinary people whom can came here and loiters around you know.”

Suddenly at the same times Mr. Soong came down from the club stairs with the company president, “Morning Alec.”

“Morning Mr. Soong.”

“It seem like you are early but you are not enough early,” deliberately saying that with an underlining meaning, “I don’t really understand this times youngsters? Do you Mr. President?”

“Soong go easy on the young,” the president siding Alec sides, seeing this only anger Mr. Soong more but before he could retorts his attention shift towards Vicki and were surprised to see her here, “Wow it only been only one days and you manage to hook up with a handsome and rich guy.”

“I …” before Vicki could finish her sentence, Tom interject, “Mr. Soong don’t get the wrong ideas. She is the type that works for money. If you want it as well then I could arrange it for you as well.”

On hearing this from Tom. Mr. Soong views on Vicki took a new turn and he look at Vicki from top to down and from bottom to up. Without saying a word, Mr. Soong walks away with Mr. President and threw Vicki a snickered on his ways passes her. While all Vicki could do is stared at Mr. Soong till he gone from her sites. When Mr. Soong gone from her sights she turn and glared at Tom backs, which front, are facing the club counter.

Going back to Louis trailing behind Jess unnoticed…

“Jess you here,” a woman greets her, while Louis pretending to be one of the bystanders looking at the windows decoration. “Yes I’m here to give Dicky a surprise visits. Don’t announce me. I will go in there myself.”

Not noticing the uneasy glances the woman throws at her in her hurry to enter the shops, “Dicky?” Jess called out softly upon entering the shop.

Suddenly instead of hearing Dicky’s answering called. She could hear some soft moans coming from the other sides. Curious, Jess follows the sounds and came to a stand still not believe what her eyes are seeing.

“Dicky!” on hearing Jess gasped Dicky turn around and were shocked to find Jess standing there staring at him while Mary leg is wrapped around his waist and his pants around his knees.

“I could not believe this! Someone please tell me this is a lie!” shouted Jess.

“Jess please hear me out!” pleaded Dicky, at the same times trying his best to detangles himself from Mary and pulled up his pants but he was not fast enough.

“Do you know where is this? This is a shop and it facing the main roads and you are doing these kinds of thing! What … what …,” could finish her sentence, “Now I know why you always wrap up the windows and saying that the design is not yet finish? It just all an excuses right?” without waiting for an answer from Dicky, Jess start tearing the sheet covering windows display shocking a few of the out bystanders as well as Louis which are standing out there as well.

“Jess please don’t do that,” begged Dicky but to no avail.

“Now you know shame? Then you should not have done it right. It too late! We are finished! F! I! N! I! S! H! E! D!” with the finals words, Jess stalked out of the shops without a backwards glance at the same time seeing a familiar faces, she threw herself into Louis arms and cried her heart out. All Louis could do is stand there and marvel at the feeling of Jess senses and patting her head.

While in the golf club…

All Vicki did was following Alec around the golf ground while Alec enjoying the sports and leaving Vicki feeling bored and playing with the grass. Suddenly Alec seems to notice that Vicki is extremely quite and decided to enquire her about it.

“Vicki is you feeling bored?” enquired Alec towards Vicki.

“No, I’m not,” trying to hide it by shrugging her shoulder.

“Well do you know how to play golf? If not you will be bored for there are nothings else to do in the golf ground except playing ground. Come here and try it out,” indicated Alec at Vicki trying to gain a closer distance with Vicki. Before Vicki could rejects Alec offers, Tom interject.

“Alec save your breath. She! She would not know how to hold the stick not saying hit the ball,” snickered Tom towards Vicki. Whereas Vicki who had never throw a challenge back at people face, when towards the bad and pick out a golf sticks and started hitting the ball.

Truth enough she proves Tom right, all Vicki did was ended up hitting the air. Alec taking a pity on her, walkup behind her and how her the right way of holding the golf stick and right way of hitting the ball. But with this Alec have to hug her from behind to show her the right way.

Vicki who has not been hugs by a guy all her life. Feeling extremely uncomfortable in Alec embrace. At the same time she could not comprehend what Alec is trying to tell her for she could not concentrate at all with him so close up and all she could is wishing that Alec would steps away from her soon.

“Alec save your energy. The girl is a total mule head,” with that Tom walk ahead of them to return to the clubhouse for a rest.

Meanwhile Alec finish teaching Vicki, took a steps back to lets Vicki try her hands on the games once more. This times Vicki did hit the ball with just a swoops not wasting Alec energy as Tom had predicted.

“Yes!” shouted Vicki gaily; feeling the exhalation and forgetting the feeling of loss she feels when Alec steps away from her.

Alec smiling at Vicki, seeing her childish expression, “You look prettier when you are smiling, you should smiles more.” Alec remarks make Vicki stare at him.

Suddenly a shout from Tom broke into Alec and Vicki dazed. Alec sensing something a miss quickly ran towards Tom. Upon reaching, they saw Tom crouching down holding his bleeding mouth.

“Oh my god Tom! What happen to you?” holding Tom up and shouted at the same times, “Someone call an ambulance!”

“Alec you should not have let that bitch come close to the golf ground!” gasped Tom through his bleeding mouth; while at the same times glaring at Vicki whose impassive face are slowing breaking into a grin. J.

Chapter 11

At Ruby sides…

“Zhou Jie, do you think your mom will accepts me?” asked Ruby halting Zhou Jie from pressing the bell.

“I’m sure she will accepts you once she get to know you for what you are,” Zhou Jie tighten his hands on Ruby hands before pressing the bell, to his shocks, “June!”

“Hi, Zhou Jie,” smiles June and turn to Ruby, “You must be the Ruby, Zhou Jie mom been telling me about you, let me introduce myself, I’m June and as well as Zhou Jie’s fiancée.”

Ruby being an intelligent one know that there are battle ahead for Zhou Jie and her for she know from the way June introduce herself, she will not give up Zhou Jie without a fight. “Hi, June. I’m glad to be able to meet you at last for Zhou Jie been telling me about you.”

“Oh really?” June eyeing Ruby warily for she sense that this girl is not a weak character and she will not give up Zhou Jie no matter what.

“June, listen to me. You know that this arrange marriage between the two of us are arrange when we just a baby in the cradle and you know I always treated you like a sister only,” Zhou Jie trying to ease the tension that he could feels building between Ruby and June, “June…”

“Zhou Jie, you back and you bring a friend back with you as well,” Zhou Jie mom called out before Zhou Jie could further explained, “Well bring your friend in, I know that you will come to your senses sooner or later. That Ruby is a nothing compare to our June.”

“Mom, the friend I brought with me is Ruby,” Zhou Jie said halting his mom movement, without a words, Zhou Jie mom push June inside and band the door on Zhou Jie face.

“Zhou Jie you are out of your mind! How dare you bring that soiled girl to my house? Get out from here before I called the police,” Zhou Jie mom shouted through the door. Well Zhou Jie and Ruby have no other choice then leave the compound before more misunderstanding happen.

“Auntie Zhou, don’t get all cooked up, I’m sure that I could win Zhou Jie back from the bitch,” June adding oil to the fire. Cooking up more of the fuel to make Zhou Jie mom hate Ruby even more.

“Yes I trust you June. I don’t know what Zhou Jie see in that girl!” sighed Zhou Jie mom.

Back to Ruby and Zhou Jie…

“Ruby, I’m sorry for what just happen just now. I didn’t know that June is in there,” trying to ease the guilt he is feeling for making Ruby face with the spoiled June.

“It ok Zhou Jie I understand and it is I who are wrong towards June not the other ways around,” consoled Ruby.

“Gosh, Ruby you really made me fall in love with you more by every minutes I spend you with you. Now I know why I have fallen in love with you,” Zhou Jie hold on to Ruby and as both of them are oblivious to the world they did not notice that there is a pair of eyes watching their every move which are planning their down falls.

************************************************************

Meanwhile let see what happen to Jess…

“Jess!” Dicky chased out after Jess but came to a halt at seeing Jess crying in Louis embraced.

“Get away from me,” turning away from Dicky and dragging Louis with her, “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cry all over you.”

“It ok,” handing Jess tissue.

“Jess! Please hear me out!” begged Dicky, “Mary is the one who threw herself at me, I didn’t mean to do it.”

“Oh really? Then if you have the mean to do it then you guys would not be where you guys were when I brag in right?” stopping in midways, turning and glaring at Dicky, “Dicky, I don’t want ever to see you any more. Louis lets go.”

“Please. Don’t be so cruel Jess. This is the first times and it would be the last as well,” pulling Jess to face him.

“Lets me go!” Jess starts to pull her hands away but Dicky is far stronger than her, “You hurting my arms!”

Seeing this Louis who likes Jess very much starts helping her to get detangles from Dicky hands but Dicky who are desperate in getting Jess to forgive him hit out towards Louis, Louis who are expecting the violence caught the punch under his chin which send him sprawling at the ground.

“Stop! What you do you think you are doing? How are you hit my friend!” Jess shouted at Dicky, and running to Louis aid.

“Jess I don’t mean it. I’m sorry,” Dicky apologized hopping in gaining Jess forgiveness but all is in vain and was about to shot out to take hold of Jess arms again but Louis stand in and push Jess behind him as a protective gesture.

“Take your hand of her bastard,” Louis brushing off Dicky hand, “I won't give Jess to scum like you!”

“How dare you! Who are you to judge me?” shouted Dicky.

Suddenly before Louis could retorted, a police came by, “What happening here? You guys fighting in the street?”

“No. No sir, it just an misunderstanding,” Jess quickly steps in to explain to avoid trouble.”

“Well if like this then get going, you guys are blocking the path,” with that the police turn away. Taking this chance, Jess drags Louis off and away from Dicky.

Chapter 12

Meanwhile at the golf club...

At the same time Tom is on the stretcher being stretch toward ambulance he is also busy cursing Vicki, “Alec, I swear to you I will get back at the bitch! Just you watch out bitch!” Tom muffled the treat out of his injured mouth.

“Tom save your breath, you need it,” Alec advising Tom and hoping to gain silence from Tom, but his advice came to naught for Tom raves on and on non-stop. But to Alec surprise instead of guilty look he saw on Vicki face, he only see a smug look on it. After the raving Tom being taken away, Alec decided to question Vicki.

“Aren’t you feeling sorry at all,” asked Alec at the same time he walked towards Vicki.

“Why should I?” Vicki asked back and giving Alec a blank look.

“Well you injured him after all,” directly after the report out of his mouth, Alec realize something, “Well I guess he deserve it for being so cruel towards you but you should at least feel sorry for him.”

“Oh really?” Vicki asked again.

“Oh forget it!” waving his hands, getting frustrated at Vicki behavior, “Let get back to the hotel then.”

Hearing this, Vicki gave a second thought, “Back to the hotel?”

“Well of course. If not where should we go?” Alec puzzle by Vicki question, “Get into the car will you?”

Not wanting to anger Alec further, Vicki gets into the car reluctantly. ‘What does he want to do back at the hotel?’ thought Vicki to herself and doubting Alec intention, for when they are back to the hotel room there is only her and Alec in the room.

Meanwhile at Jess side…

“How is your chin?” Jess asked concerning for she feels sorry that Louis get hit because of the brawl between her and Dicky and Louis is just an innocent bystander who is just trying to help her out, “Come on in and let me get something for that chin.”

“Oh its ok,” trying to act there not much too it but wince in pain when he was trying to force a smile for Jess.

“Well at least let me have a look at that,” noticing Louis’s pain and not wishing to bring the subject as Louis does not seem to want to talk about it, “Ma Jie! Can you give me a hard boiled egg please?”

“If it is trouble forget it,” but was enjoying the way Jess looking after him and his heart is feels the warm even though Louis know that it just guilt that made Jess turn his way, ‘Well it better than nothing.’

“Here this is the egg you want,” handing the egg over to Jess and casting a glance at Louis.

“How do you do? Ma Jie,” noticing the glance Ma Jie throw at him.

“Oh fine. How about you…?” she pauses as she does not know Louis name.

“Oh call me Louis will do, Ma Jie?” supplied Louis quickly.

“Well if you guys are finish introducing, Louis could you please keep your chin still? I’m trying to rub the egg over the swollen place to take off the swell,” said a irritated Jess.

“Oh, sorry,” apologized Louis and sit straight up letting Jess applying the egg on him at the same time he look down at Jess and keep staring her with his heart in his eyes and are oblivious to Ma Jie presence. Well even though both of them are oblivious to her presence, Ma Jie could tell that, ‘So this Louis like Jess. I think this Louis look better off than that stupid Dicky.’

“Well that should do,” Jess finally announce.

All of the sudden Louis had the feeling of lost when Jess move away from him but he dare not pull Jess back to him for he does not want to lost this golden chance by some of his overbold move, “Anyway I should go now.”

“Oh well. I think I keep you long enough. Thank Louis for helping me out just now,” getting up from the sofa and extended her hand towards Louis.

“Don’t mention it,” and walk through the door.

“Jess…this guy…” before Ma Jie could start her question again, Ruby and Zhou Jie came home.

“Jess you home,” Ruby said flung herself down beside Zhou Jie and heaved a sigh and Zhou Jie did the same. *Sigh*.

“How come you back so early?” Jess forgetting bout her own trouble as she sense there is something that had gone wrong for Ruby. “I thought you were going to visit Zhou Jie mom?”

“Don’t mention it,” avoiding Jess question.

“My fiancée turn up,” Zhou Jie said simply.

“Your fiancée?” now Jess is getting work up, “What do you mean your fiancée!”

“My arrange marriage fiancée turn up. For it seem that my mom call her up and tell her everything,” Zhou Jie explained, “And it seem that my mom had set her mind that Ruby is not acceptable for me as her daughter in law.”

“Oh I see,” Jess cool down after hearing Zhou Jie explanation. “Well Ruby since Zhou Jie mom is so status awareness. Why don’t you flung your status back to her. I mean it not like your dad is a nobody it just that this is Shanghai and your dad reputation are back in Hong Kong and Taiwan and you seldom went to this social party your dad face always seem to appear with your mom and so the reporters seldom link you to this Mr. Lin.”

“Jess you know the main reason I’m in Shanghai is because I want to be somebody by my own effort not because I’m my daddy daughter and now you asking me to flaunt my status to Zhou Jie mom?” Ruby throw a look at Jess.

“Oh sorry. I forgotten about it,” Jess turning her innocent look at her. “Oh well. All well will end well.”

With that Jess get to her room to lie down before turning in for her work and Ruby and Zhou Jie sitting down at the sofa thinking of a way to convince Zhou Jie mom without revealing who is Ruby actually and Vicki and Alec on the way back to Alec hotel room. While Jess is brooding over her heart broke and June scheming on how to get Zhou Jie back for herself.

Chapter 13

Tom – Lam Ka Tung
Dicky – Eason (I don’t mean to criticize him so don’t take it too seriously for Eason fans ok?)
June – Zheng Jia Yu (Who is her fans??? Mail me if you feel that this is an insult to her but given her true nature of bitchness (don’t mean to sound this harsh but she made wanted to slap her in the face) I’m sorry that I have to use her for this character)

************************************************************

At Alec hotel room…

“Ah…it feel nice to take a bath after all those sweats,” Alec said as he walked out of the bathroom. Looking at Vicki, “You might as well take a bath.”

“Now?” Vicki asked and at the same time catching the towel Alec threw to here.

“Yea. Hurry up we don’t have all days,” Alec said and toweling his hair so he does not see the hesitated move on Vicki part.

Inside the bathroom…

‘What does he think I am?’ Vicki thought to herself and the more she thought the more she fumes. Without a second thought, Vicki grab up her bag and strode out of the bathroom. Vicki came to a halt after she step out of the bathroom and into the living room, there she saw Alec sprawling at the sofa with his clean clothe on.

“Hey you are fast. I thought most girls spend hours in the bath,” Alec said when he notice that Vicki was standing behind him.

“Why are you dress?” Vicki asked directly and she is really confused about this Alec character.

“Well we are going out of course I have to dress, you are not telling me that you want me to go out in my bath robe now are you?” Suddenly common sense hit him like a bullet. “You not thinking that I brought you back for the payback of the money are you?”

“No, no,” Vicki denied it quickly and change the topic, “Well let get going. You did say that you want to go out now.”

Shaking his head to himself, Alec follow Vicki out of the room with a smile lingering in his lip, ‘What an active mind she has but I guess I could not fault her thinking for if I were in her situation I would have thought the same as well.’

Meanwhile back at Zhou Jie and Ruby…

“Zhou Jie what should we do now?” Ruby turned towards Zhou Jie with a worried expression.

“Ruby why don’t we do as Jess suggests? We call your daddy over…” before Zhou Jie could even finish the sentence Ruby butt in.

“Don’t even think about it Zhou Jie. I know my dad love me and he would do everything in his power to make sure that I’m happy but if I call my dad over here to settle this problem. My dad will not give face to your mom and your mom is going to hate me for life,” Ruby explains for she does not want to start on the wrong foot with Zhou Jie mom.

“Oh I see,” Zhou Jie, heaved a sigh. Suddenly his hand phone ring. “Hello?”

“Jie, this is June here,” June identified herself over the phone.

“Who is it?” Ruby asked softly.

“Oh hi,” Zhou Jie closed his hand phone receiver and answer Ruby softly, “It June!”

“Well I was wondering if you could come and we talked over a cup of tea,” June suggested.

“Sure why not. It more than what I owe you anyway,” Zhou Jie agreeing with June while signal to Ruby to hold on and he will explain everything after he hangs up the phone.

“Oh ok then meet me at the Green Tea House at 3.30pm then,” June said and hangs up the phone.

“Well what does she want?” Ruby asked the moment Zhou Jie hang up his phone.

“She want to meet me at the tea house to have a talk,” Zhou Jie says.

“Oh,” was all Ruby could respond but she was not to comfortable at the idea of Zhou Jie meeting June alone but what can she do?

“Do you want to come along?” Zhou Jie noticed the uneasy look on Ruby face.

“Oh no it ok,” Ruby quickly declined. “It not that I don’t trust you. It just that I don’t trust this June character.”

“I will be careful, don’t worry over much ok? Try to think which wedding shop you want to have your photo taken instead,” Zhou Jie trying to divert Ruby thinking to other things and silently he is touch by Ruby concern toward towards and proud of her for she trusted him.

“Oh ok, be home early ok?” Ruby getting up and follow Zhou Jie to the car and give him a kiss on the cheek.

“I will,” with that Zhou Jie get into the car and drove on after waving goodbye to Ruby. But the feeling of uneasiness return again and she could not dismiss the feeling that something bad is going happen.

“Ruby? Why are you standing there?” Jess came down and saw Ruby standing in the doorway staring into empty space.

“Zhou Jie just go out to meet June,” Ruby turn towards Jess, “Jess I could not dismiss the feeling that something bad is going to happen to Zhou Jie and I’m terribly worried.”

“Why don’t you follow him then?” Jess asked.

“I don’t want him to think that I don’t trust him that why,” Ruby explained her action.

“I have an idea,” Jess said after a moment of thinking.

“What?” Ruby asked.

“Why don’t I take you there by bike?” Jess suggested.

“I don’t think…” Ruby hesitated.

“Oh come on, all we need to do is hide from his views and he will never ever know that you are there,” Jess waving away Ruby hesitation and drag Ruby towards her bike and throw a helmet for Ruby.

With that Jess took Ruby on her bike and trail after Zhou Jie who are oblivious that he is being follow while June at the teahouse has plan on how she is going to threaten Zhou Jie into succumbing towards her. Meanwhile at Vicki, something is going to change the way she threat Alec.

Chapter 14

“So June what is it that you want to talk to me about?” Zhou Jie says as soon as taken the sit opposite June.

“Oh well I thought we should settle this things the formal way,” June said pettily.

“June I know, I did you wrong but…” Zhou Jie stops in midway for he does not know what should he say to compassionate toward June.

“Well it in the past now Jie. The reason I call you out is to tell you that I’m expecting,” June drop the bombshell without any hesitation.

“What do you mean you are expecting?” now Jie is getting anxious for suddenly he remember the night where he spend at June room after he had a cup too many on the night where he quarrel with Ruby.

“Jess did you heard what I heard?” Ruby anxiously catches the hand of Jess.

“Ruby cool down, let hear the rest before we burst in,” Jess holding back Ruby and giving her hands a reassuring squeeze.

“I mean what I say Jie. I’m expecting your child in 7 months times,” June says in a more direct point and she could hear Ruby gasp which gave her pleasure but at the same time she does not know that Ruby is link to Vicki. Vicki is the one who can prove what a bitch June is that even Zhou Jie mom does not know.

On hearing this, Ruby could not hold herself no more that she ran to Zhou Jie table and grab his cup of tea and splash it at Zhou Jie, “I HATE YOU!” and ran out towards the and into the street, Ruby eyes full with tears and does not look where she going.

“Ruby! Watch out!” Zhou Jie shouted when he saw that Ruby is on the verge being run over by a lorry but it is too late as Ruby turn back and look at Zhou Jie was all she saw before all her world turn black.

“Ruby please don’t leave,” Zhou Jie running to her side and cradle Ruby limp body in his arms, “SOMEONE CALLED AMBULANCE!”

“Ruby!” was all Jess could mutter out for never in her wildest imagination that thing could turn this bad. While all June did was standing there and think to herself, ‘Now with Ruby out of the picture, Jie be a easy catch.’

Meanwhile Vicki and Alec were enjoying their crab at a restaurant, “Hmm…I never thought that the crab here is so delicious,” Vicki said unconscious of the looks Alec keeps throwing at her, at the same time licking her fingers and how Alec wish that he is the one who are licking Vicki finger’s for her.

“You never been here before?” Alec asked out of politeness.

“No,” was all Vicki answered.

“Well not only the meals are delicious but I has a wonderful eating companion at the same time,” Alec said and stared Vicki at the same time Vicki lifted her head and look at Alec and their eyes meet, each of them is so enthrall at each other that the world cease to exist suddenly Vicki hand phone rang and spoilt the moment.

“Hello?” Vicki answered the phone and quickly evaded her eyes from Alec, ‘What the heck am I doing?’

“Vicki?” Jess asked anxiously.

“Yes? Jess is that you?” Vicki heard Jess anxious sound and starts getting worried, “Is something wrong?”

“Ruby…Ruby…” Jess could not get the words out.

“What? What wrong with her?” now Jess really get Vicki work out, “Jess calm down and tell me what wrong?”

“Ruby involved in an accident just now and now she is in the operation room,” Jess blurted out, “I don’t know should I called Auntie May.”

“Jess which hospital are you at?” with that Jess told Vicki which hospital she is at and without saying a words Vicki grab her backpack and walked out of the restaurant without a words to Alec but Alec always being the intelligent one was able to guess what wrong from the conversation he heard Vicki talking over the phone and quickly pay the waiter their bills and follow Vicki out and jump into the jeep.

“Vicki? You ok? Do you need me to drive?” Alec asked concernly from the look of Vicki pallor.

“Oh my goss!” what all Vicki could gasped and slummed over her steering wheel, “What so I tell Auntie May?”

“Vicki why don’t we get to the hospital first and meet up with this Jess then we discuss things over?” suggested Alec and at the same time patting Vicki back in hope of give her some comfort.

“Yes, yes that is a good idea,” without another words to Alec, Vicki put the jeep into gear and only have one destination in her minds. All the way to the hospital Alec keeps looking at Vicki in a way a lover looks at their love one when they are in depression state but they were unable to help them except looking on it only as a bystander.

Upon reaching the hospital, Vicki rushed in after parking her jeep with Alec trailing behind her. After pressing the lift button she waited anxiously for the lift to arrive but given her true nature Vicki could not take the waiting any more that she rush towards the exit door and took the stairs two at the times, all in all Alec just run after Vicki and not uttering a words for he understand Vicki feelings.

When Jess saw Vicki, she running towards Vicki and throws herself into Vicki arms and let out the pent up tears she being holding back. When Alec reached Vicki he was out of breath for he never ever took the stairs so fast at once.

“So how is Ruby?” Vicki asked in her calm voice after Jess cool down a bit.

“She is still in the emergency room,” Jess said through her hiccupped, “I’m so scared Vicki!”

“Cool down Jess,” Vicki calming Jess down and at the same time patting her back, “Ruby will be ok.”

“It all my fault Vic,” Jess confess.

“What do you mean your faults?” Vicki getting confused now.

“Because I drag Ruby after Zhou Jie,” Jess blurted out, “If I wasn’t such a busybody then Ruby would not be hurt and would not get involved in the accident at all. It all my faults.”

“So that is the reason, why suddenly Ruby was at the teahouse,” Zhou Jie grabs Jess by her collar and shakes her, “Why are you so…!”

“Zhou Jie cool down!” Vicki pushed Jess behind and caught hold of Zhou Jie at the same time Alec start walking towards Vicki for he was scared that Vicki got hurts but all Zhou Jie did was collapsed into Vicki arms and sob, “I know what you feeling Zhou Jie but you got to be tough just for Ruby.”

“I know Vic I know but what would I do if I loss her?” Zhou Jie continued to sob in Vicki arms.

“Zhou Jie why don’t you sit down I buy you guys a cup of coffee,” leading Zhou Jie towards a long chairs by the wall and walk to the other end to get the coffee she promise still with Alec trailing behind her unnoticed.

“Vicki?” Alec called out softly but it seems like a gesture for Vicki that she turns and fall into Alec arms and sobs her heart out, and all Alec did was hold Vicki tighter as if he wanted to absorb all Vicki pains into his own body and help her with the burden.

“I’m scared Alec!” Vicki sobbed.

“I know Vicki but you got to be tough if not how are you going to break the news to Auntie May and console her at the same time,” Alec tried to reason with Vicki, “for it seem that Zhou Jie and Jess are incapable of doing it except for you so you have to keep your head cool.”

Chapter 15

“I wait here for you,” Alec said but Vicki is oblivious to him again and all Alec could do is stared at Vicki back.

After Vicki got out of the bathroom and having refresh she starts noticing Alec presence and before she phone Auntie May, “Alec I wants to say thanks for being here for me, if you aren’t here for me just now I don’t know if I could have managed it myself.”

“Don't mention it Vicki,” Alec feeling happy that Vicki has return to her normal and starts taking notice of him was all worth it to his thought, “We are friend right?”

All Vicki could do is smile at Alec, “I think I better called Auntie May now.”

“Auntie May?” when a woman answered Vicki calls.

“Yes? Is that Vicki?” Auntie May asked.

“Auntie May could you come to the hospital now?” Vicki says calmly.

“You mean you stuck at the hospital?” Auntie May not feeling any of the heats, “Sure I be there in half an hour times.”

“Ok, I wait for you here then,” Vicki said nonchalantly.

“Now Vicki I think you better take the coffee you promise Zhou Jie and Jess,” Alec cut in directly after Vicki hang up the phone.

“Ok,” was all Vicki answered.

“Vicki,” Alec said softly, “I want you to know that if you need anything, anything at all I will be here for you ok?”

At that moment, an understanding pass between Vicki and Alec a bond that should have been existed earlier but because of Vicki's ignorant she has choose to ignore it but now the bond are forged.

“Thanks Alec,” Vicki turning and hug herself to Alec, the feeling of being care is so wonderful that Vicki does not want to leave Alec embrace at all but she know she has to. But this times instead of walking one behind and one front they walk side by side towards Zhou Jie and Jess whom are both oblivious to what had just happen except their own misery.

“Zhou Jie?” Vicki called out softly.

“Vicki,” was all Zhou Jie could gasp. Suddenly out of the corner of his eyes, he saw June. “You! You know that Ruby was there.”

“You!” Vicki shouted the same times shocking Zhou Jie.

“Vicki you know her?” Zhou Jie asked.

“Yes, I know her,” Vicki said coldly, “Not only I know her but I know the color of herself as well.”

“What do you mean?” June tried to evade but she knows it too late, “Vicki don't you dared to spoilt my moment.”

“What do you mean I spoilt you moments?” Vicki said calmly, “I know you for what you are. I don't have to spoil your moments. You have spoilt it yourself long time ago being a bitch you are today.”

“Vicki what do you mean?” Jess snapping out of her distress and starts getting work up. “You mean this stupid idiotic bitch did all this in purpose.”

“Yes that what I mean,” Vicki said with Alec calmly standing behind her and smoothing her backs.

“Vicki I think you better explain,” Zhou Jie said.

“June is someone who will do anything to get something she want,” Vicki said and throwing a glare at June before continuing, “she would even go as far as kill to get it and there is one in her nature, she may be rich but she does not have friends around her for last time in our class, she torture a girl just to get a guy to herself and the girl suicide because she could not tolerate the hurts June did to her."

"Oh my god!" Zhou Jie gasped.

"What did June did?" Jess asked, "until the girl suicide."

"Well you should ask her then," Vicki staring at June real hard now, remembering the pain she brought to them all and now here with Ruby. She will never forgive her if Ruby die.

"What are you guys looking at me for," June not liking the stares she getting from them, "I did nothing to her!"

"Is it?" Vicki said coldly, "Have forgotten how you got her drugs! Or how you taking picture after you having her strips and post it around the school?"

"June!" this times instead of someone the group gasping it was Zhou Jie mom that gasped.

"Auntie!" June was shocked to see that Zhou Jie mom is there, "don't believe them auntie."

"June how could you harm an innocent girl like that," Zhou Jie mom gasped further for never in her wilder dreams that what a black heart June have, "I may not has like Ruby to be my daughter-in-law but if compare to you I would welcome her with open arms."

"Auntie you don't mean it," June begged, "don't listen to Vicki, it not true."

"I think you miscalculate one thing," Zhou Jie mom said coldly to June, "Vicki is my long lost sister child."

"No!" June shouted, "You!" June pointing a finger at Vicki and was about to jump at Vicki but Alec who has been well prepared, grab Vicki and thrust her behind her protectively and was ready for any onslaught June was about to do.

"I will get you Vicki, this I promise!" seeing that she is overpowered, June ran out, "You spoiled all my things don't think that you will live happily, you will cursed the day you were born when I'm done with you!"

"Vicki you alright?" Alec asked and smoothing her hair back for her as well and all Vicki could do is nodding her head as assurance for suddenly she felt that all her energy had drained from her body.

"Sit down will you?" Alec was worried for he could see how pale Vicki face was all of the sudden and he know that all this must have wrecked all the terrible memory up and running about for her.

"No I think I better get down to get Auntie May," Vicki said with colors coming back to her face, "I don't want her to get all worried when she does not see anyone there."

"I accompany you down then for I don't trust that June," Alec holding up Vicki and walked with her in his arms to the main entrance to get Auntie May.

"Mom what do you mean that Vicki, is my cousin," Zhou Jie asking with Vicki gone from the scene.

"Jie I have know about this since the day of Vicki arrival to Shanghai," Zhou Jie mom said, "for she came to see me before she went to Auntie May house to pass me something my sister want me to have."

"Mom," Jie said softly for he could see how much her mom love her this long lost sister.

"And now she is dead," Jie mom start to sob, "Dead!"

"Mom, think on the bright side," Zhou Jie consoling her mom, "At least you have Vicki now."

"Yes, you are right," Zhou Jie mom wiped her tears and gives Jie a smiles.

"Jess!" Louis shouted the moment he spotted Jess.

"Louis!" Jess cried out again and throws herself into Louis waiting arms and sobs her heart out again.

"It ok," Louis patting and smoothing Jess back for her, "I'm here now."

"Auntie May," Zhou Jie noticed a solemn woman figure approaching them at the same time but a slower pace and in more control.

"Zhou Jie," was all Auntie May said before she calming sitting down to awaits the results of the operation.

Suddenly a nurse burst out of the emergency room, "Which on of you are patients relatives?"

"Her relatives is not here," Zhou Jie, answered immediately, "I'm her fiancé."

"That be good enough," the nurse said, "the patients are losing a lots of blood and our hospital don't have her types of bloods at the moment so we need blood donors right now if not the patient life will be in danger."

Chapter 16

“Her blood types are B which are very rare in the occasion and very seldom there is a match for her but if she does not have the blood right now her life will be in danger,” the nurse explain.

“My blood is B,” Vicki shouted quickly.

“Then follow me,” the nurse turn away and Vicki follow her quickly but Alec was not determine to be left behind by Vicki when only just started to understand each other.

“Vicki! Thanks a lots,” Zhou Jie shouted.

All Vicki did was nodding her head but she does turn her head back to acknowledge Zhou Jie words of thanks. With that Vicki was gone to donate blood leaving Zhou Jie, Jess, Louis, Auntie May and Zhou Jie mom awaiting the following results.

“Vicki you ok?” Alec keeps on asking her.

“I’m ok Alec,” Vicki smoothing Alec anxious hands, “stop worrying.”

“Well how do you expect me not worry,” Alec said, “you keep telling them to take as much as they need for Ruby.”

“Her life is on a string Alec,” Vicki tried to reason with Alec, “do you expect me to just stand by and keep my blood to myself?”

“No I don’t mean that,” Alec said, “I’m just worried about you.”

“I understand Alec,” Vicki giving Alec a smiles.

“Miss you so lucky,” a nurse who are monitoring Vicki blood interjected, “your husband is so loving.”

“We are not yet married,” Vicki said with a blush building up in her face.

“Well it seem like you both are to me,” the nurse giving a smiles at the loving couples, “well it seem like we have taken more than enough out of you.”

“Is it enough for Ruby?” Vicki said quickly not minding her own health in return.

“It more than enough miss,” the nurse said and walked out with the last packet of the donated blood from Vicki.

“Now you lie down and rest and listen to me,” Alec while pulling Vicki down to lie in the bed.

“But I want to go to the emergency room and see how is Ruby pulling,” Vicki said.

“If you insist…” Alec trails off after agreeing hesitantly, “But you have to promise me to sit down ok?”

“Ok, ok I promise you,” Vicki agreed quickly for she knows that now she is too weak to fight Alec if he insisted that she should lied down and rest. With that Alec help Vicki up from the bed and supported her all the way to the emergency waiting room, which seem to be full of the others as well.

“Vicki,” Auntie May greet her when she saw Vicki walking towards them, “Come and have a sit. You stupid child you should rest after donating so much bloods.”

“Well I did insist that she rest,” Alec said but earning a stare from Vicki, “but she insist that she want to be here for Ruby.”

All Auntie May did was patting Vicki hands which rested at her arms and give Vicki a smile, “You are just like your mother. Not thinking about yourself but all you did is thinks about the others.”

“Don’t worry Auntie May,” Alec said reassuringly, “If she does not think for herself I will think for her.”

“Ah!” was all the things that came out of Auntie May mouth causing Vicki to blush real red, “Now that more like it.”

“Because of you,” Vicki nudged away Alec hands on her shoulder but Alec put it back and give her squeeze and smile tenderly at her. Suddenly the light on the emergency room was switch off causing everyone to stand on their feet waiting for the doctor to come out.

“How is her?” Zhou Jie asked immediately.

“You are the patient?” the doctor asked.

“I’m her fiancé,” was all Zhou Jie answered the doctor.

“The operation is a success,” the doctors smiles reassuringly towards Zhou Jie but warns him at the same times, “next time take good care of you fiancée and I think you should dismiss the long term engagement for you fiancée is two months pregnant. It a wonder that you fiancée does not have a miscarriage.”

The news hit the group in awe, all of them have one thought, “Ruby’s pregnant?” but the stances were broke the moment Ruby was drag out in the hospital bed by two nurse with a bottle dripping into her arms and her legs were bandaged up.

“Ruby,” Zhou Jie quickly grabs her hands and follow the nurse to the room while Jess signal that she will handle the hospital procedures for them all and said that she will go back with Louis.

“I think all of us should go back and rest and leave Ruby in Zhou Jie hands,” Auntie May suggested, “Especially you Vicki, you look very wane right now.”

“Yes, yes I agreed,” Alec said quickly and half supported Vicki, “Come I take you home, I will drive Zhou Jie mom and then Auntie May home.”

“But you don’t have a car,” Vicki protest weakly for she is feeling very dizzy now.

“I can use your jeep,” Alec said, “give me your jeep keys.”

“It in my pocket,” Vicki said and hand her jeep keys over to Alec before passing out in Alec arms.

“Vicki!” Alec was shocked and noticed that her face is real pale.

“I think we better take her home and let her rest,” Zhou Jie mom said quickly, “Maybe I could over night at Auntie May house. This could save Alec a trip from for and fro.”

“It a good idea,” with that Alec quickly put Vicki gently into the car sit into Auntie May arms and Zhou Jie mom gets into the seat next to Alec and on they drove.

Meanwhile Jess was handling the hospital procedure with Louis by her side, “How you know that I’m in the hospital?”

“Your manager told me,” Louis answered nonchalantly.

“Oh I see,” Jess, said, “So what is so important that you come and find me for?”

“Jess, can you give me a chance?” Louis said after gathering all his courage shocking Jess into a stand still, “You don’t have to answer me now.”

Chapter 17

¡§Jess I¡¦m not pushing you anything just take your times,¡¨ Louis said seriously.

¡§I will think about it,¡¨ Jess said after a while of silent, ¡§thanks for not pushing me and being so understanding.¡¨

All Louis did was rewarded Jess with a smiles and shrug his shoulder as is he does not mind the waiting at all. Finally they get the procedures done and pop in to look at how Ruby is doing and finding that Ruby is still sleeping and Zhou Jie is sleeping beside her in a chair. They decided to leave the couple and head back home. When Jess reach home she does not wish to disturb them but finding that Auntie May is awake and sitting in the sitting room with Zhou Jie mom.

¡§Auntie May you are not asleep yet?¡¨ Jess asked and looks at Zhou Jie mom.

¡§No, I can¡¦t sleep to be sleeping,¡¨ Auntie May noticing the look Jess throw at Zhou Jie mom, ¡§She is Zhou Jie mom and she is staying here for we decided it be easier at the moment so Alec does not have to do double trip for Vicki is too exhausted.¡¨

¡§How is Vicki right now?¡¨ Jess asked at the mention of Vicki, ¡§She look so pale after the blood drawn. Is she ok?¡¨

¡§She is fine,¡¨ Auntie May answered Jess, ¡§She is resting at the moment with Alec looking after her.¡¨

¡§Oh I see,¡¨ Jess, answered with some thoughts on her minds, ¡§Well I think I better get to bed then. Auntie May don¡¦t stay up too late.¡¨

¡§Goodnight then,¡¨ Auntie May answered, and looked at Zhou Jie mom to resume their conversation.

Jess got into her room but she could not sleep for in her mind she keep remembering the words Louis told and make her keep on sighing. ¡¥What should I do? Do I love him enough to accept him?¡¦ She is so blank. She does not know the answer to it all. In the end she decided that she should sleep and forget about it and think about it in the morning.

While at Louis sides after he send Jess home, he does not leave but instead stand below her room and look at her room until the light in her room disappear did he make a move to get going. ¡¥I hope she be able to accept me. I don¡¦t know what will happen to me if she rejected me.¡¦ But what Louis did not know is that Dicky was at the opposite lane in a car and he saw everything that happening, ¡¥so that guy got hot for my Jess. Don¡¦t he ever think that he will get Jess for himself. I sooner destroy her then hand her over.¡¦ With that Dicky speeds his car away without Louis notice for he is far too absorbed in his own mind to think that his love for her will bring danger into Jess life.

The next morning, Ruby was slowly waking up after the anesthetic wearing off. The first thing Ruby see was Zhou Jie head lying down on her arms with his others hand holding on to her right hand. Seeing this, the hate Ruby feels for Zhou Jie evaporate.

¡§Zhou Jie,¡¨ Ruby called out lovingly towards him.

Slowly waking from his sleeps, Zhou Jie rubs his eyes, and suddenly he jolted awake for he remember where he is and he look up to see that Ruby is looking at him lovingly, ¡§Ruby!¡¨

¡§Jie,¡¨ Ruby said out again with more love this times.

¡§Ruby promise me that you never scared me like this again?¡¨ Zhou Jie said caressing her hands with his face.

¡§I promise,¡¨ Ruby smiles at the evident love Zhou Jie have for her.

¡§Ruby,¡¨ was all Zhou Jie could said for he is totally at the lost of words.

¡§My baby!¡¨ Ruby jolted up remembering her baby, ¡§is it ok?¡¨

¡§Ruby, Ruby! Calm down,¡¨ holding down Ruby to prevent her from hurting herself further, ¡§our baby is save and sound in your belly.¡¨

¡§Really? You not lying?¡¨ Ruby said suspiciously.

¡§Ruby do you think that I would lie to you?¡¨ Zhou Jie asked Ruby.

¡§I guess not,¡¨ Ruby smiles.

¡§Why you didn¡¦t tell me that you are pregnant?¡¨ Zhou Jie asked.

¡§I wanted to that evening but you were called out by June,¡¨ suddenly a sudden blot came into Ruby minds, ¡§What about June?¡¨

¡§Don¡¦t mind her,¡¨ Zhou Jie waved his hand at the thought of June whom nearly cost him Ruby life, ¡§she a liar, it lucky for us that Vicki strips her mask for us.¡¨

¡§Vicki?¡¨ Ruby getting curious at the turns of event, ¡§what does Vicki have to do with this?¡¨

With that Zhou Jie took his time and explain all the things that have happen when Ruby was inside the emergency room and what Vicki have done to help them.

Meanwhile back at home Jess was slowly waking up to the morning, ¡§Erm¡Kit only morning?¡¨

¡§Jess you awake?¡¨ Auntie May opening the door crake a bit.

¡§What up Auntie May?¡¨ Jess sitting up on her bed and indicated that she is indeed awake.

¡§Jess is something wrong with you and Dicky?¡¨ Auntie May asked for she have been wondering since yesterday night after she saw that it was Louis with Jess at the hospital and not Dicky there.

¡§We broke up,¡¨ was all Jess said and turned her head side way hiding her face.

¡§Oh I see,¡¨ Auntie May seeing that Jess does not want to talk further about it so she does not want to discuss further about, ¡¥Maybe I should ask Vicki or Ruby talk to her and see, them seem very close.¡¦ ¡§Oh well I got to go now for I already promise Zhou Jie mom that we will go to tea together this morning. Do you want to join us Jess?¡¨

¡§No you go along Auntie May,¡¨ Jess turn to Auntie May and smiles at her, ¡§Don¡¦t worry about me.¡¨

With that Auntie May walked out and leave Jess alone with her thought, ¡¥Well I might as well go to the goldsmith shop.¡¦

At the same time, Alec was waking up at Vicki room but Vicki still sleep on and oblivious that Alec had been sleeping in the same room with her all night long but the main difference is that, Alec sleep at the armchair in Vicki room and Vicki in her big and comfortable bed.

Alec move quietly as not to disturb Vicki slumber, and thought to himself at the same time, ¡¥She is so beautiful.¡¦ Walking up to Vicki and look lovingly down at her, ¡¥What did I do to deserve such a good girl?¡¦

Suddenly Vicki move and Alec does not want to surprise Vicki quickly move back to the armchair and pretend to be asleep. ¡§Erm¡K¡¨ Vicki sounded at the same time stretch her arms above her head, it been a long time since she had such a wonderful after her mom died.

Suddenly a figure sleeping in the armchair caught her eyes, ¡¥It Alec!¡¦ she move quietly to him and look down at him not knowing what to do with him.

¡§He so cute!¡¨ Vicki said to herself, at the same time kneeling down beside the armchair and caresses his face lovingly with her hands, out of the sudden Alec hands shot out and catch Vicki unprepared and pull her down causing Vicki to stumble into Alec hard chest.

¡§Caught you!¡¨ Alec said softly.

¡§Why you!¡¨ Vicki gasped out of breath.

¡§Now tell me the three words that you been owing me,¡¨ Alec demanded.

¡§What three words?¡¨ Vicki pretending she does not know what Alec is demanding from her, suddenly at the mention of those three words Vicki seem to remember that Alec owed it to her as well, ¡§Hey you also owed me that.¡¨

¡§I love you,¡¨ Alec bit out softly looking into Vicki eyes at the same times. Those three words caught Vicki off balance for she never expected that Alec really love her, she only thought that Alec is fancying her only.

¡§You never thought I will love you right?¡¨ Alec guessing what is on Vicki minds. ¡§Vicki I promise you, I will only bring happiness in your life,¡¨ Alec vowed with feeling.

¡§Alec,¡¨ Vicki said out softly, ¡§I love you too.¡¨

With Vicki opening her heart to accept Alec, there seem to be not much thing to be standing in their way, each unaware of the world existence except each other. Alec gazed softly into Vicki lovingly eyes and slowly lower Vicki lips to his where their breath mingles and merge as one, ignorant to everything but each other.

¡§Vicki,¡¨ Auntie May opens the door without knocking in first causing both Alec and Vicki tore apart from each other embrace and making Vicki blush ripe red, ¡§you awake?¡¨

¡§Yes I am,¡¨ Vicki almost chokes on her reply.

¡§I¡¦m going out now,¡¨ Auntie May announced, ¡§I be back later. Oh I want you to look into Jess, she in misery state right.¡¨

¡§Oh ok,¡¨ Vicki still blushing but Auntie May does not seem to be noticing Vicki disarray state causing Alec to stifle a giggles.

Directly after Auntie May got out, Alec broke into a fits of laughter causing Vicki to stand there and stare hard at him. ¡§How can you still laugh?¡¨

¡§I don¡¦t mean it funny,¡¨ Alec trying very hard to stifle his laughter, ¡§it just that you look so adorable with two red bright spots on both of your cheeks.¡¨

¡§Hmm¡K¡¨ Vicki stomped her feet and turn away from Alec.

¡§My dear I don¡¦t mean to hurt you,¡¨ Alec seeing that Vicki is not buying it at all, ¡§Ok it all my faults.¡¨

¡§Gotcha!¡¨ Vicki said out of blue, turning the table on Alec.

¡§Why you naughty little girl,¡¨ Alec caught Vicki hands and drag her to him and was set to show her all this love for but was stop by Vicki.

¡§Alec!¡¨ Vicki knew what is Alec intended intention but she has another matter in her hand. ¡§I have to get to Jess. She need me now.¡¨

¡§Oh ok,¡¨ Alec was quite frustrated, ¡§why is it seem there is always something that need you attention or that you are not free?¡¨

¡§Be a good boy ok,¡¨ Vicki trying to smooth Alec irritation and smooth her hand down his back. ¡§Try to take a rest instead. Since you haven¡¦t sleep yesterday night. Take my bed.¡¨

¡§Ok,¡¨ feeling better that Vicki does care for him as well and not only for her friends, ¡§Be back soon ok?¡¨

With that, Vicki throws a loving smile to Alec and walked out leaving Alec to rest in her bed. As soon as Alec head hit the pillow he was fast asleep. Seeing this Vicki walked back in cover Alec with the blanket before going out again to Jess room.

¡§Jess?¡¨ Vicki knocked softly at Jess room.

¡§Come in,¡¨ Jess invited, ¡§the door is unlocked.¡¨

¡§You ok?¡¨ Vicki asked as she sited herself down beside Jess crouching figure at the bed.

¡§Vicki,¡¨ Jess shot out softly, ¡§I¡¦m so confused.¡¨

¡§Why?¡¨ Vicki asked softly.

¡§Louis told me to accept him,¡¨ Jess confess, ¡§but I don¡¦t know if I¡¦m able to accept another after so soon.¡¨

¡§Is Louis pushing you?¡¨ Vicki asked.

¡§No, he isn¡¦t,¡¨ Jess, said out softly, ¡§instead he telling me take all the times I wants.¡¨

¡§Well then I don¡¦t see anything wrong with that do you?¡¨ Vicki solving Jess problem, ¡§You can tell him that it take times for you accept him. Maybe all you need to do is get to know him better before you do and rash decision.¡¨

¡§Yes I think you are right,¡¨ throwing Vicki a grateful smile.

¡§Jess before I go out,¡¨ Vicki said, ¡§ I want you to tell me something honestly.¡¨

¡§What is it?¡¨ asked Jess.

¡§What happen between you and Dicky?¡¨ Vicki asked for she does not with to beat around the bush, ¡§If you does not want to tell me it ok.¡¨

Chapter 18

“Take your time,” Vicki put in softly, “I’m all ears.”

“Well I think it not that hard to start anyway,” taking a deep breath before continuing with her next sentence, “Dicky cheated on me.”

“Wow,” was all Vicki could respond for she never expected that which earn a smile from Jess.

“I never expected that myself,” Jess said herself.

“I’m sorry Jess,” is all Vicki could say.

“He is my first love you know Vicki,” Jess finally get moving with her story, “We meet at a pub and right on the spot I say to myself, ‘Wow I found my dream guy!’ but it turn out sour which is why I’m scared that Louis will turned out just like Dicky for the first time I meet up with Louis is a disco.”

“Jess what do you see in Louis?” Vicki interjected softly.

“I don’t know Vicki,” shaking her head softly.

“Why don’t you take the time Louis offer you and find out more about it then,” Vicki put in, “Maybe you find something in Louis worthy your love.”

“I think that should work,” Jess still doubting it.

Suddenly Vicki remember something, “Jess I think someone will be able to help us on this.”

“Who?” she asked out right.

“Alec!” Vicki said.

“Yes! Now I remember, Alec and Louis is friend,” both remembering the encounter at the restaurant a few days back which had seem like years to them for in this few days that were so much things that happen at once, all bad and good.

“Then what are we waiting for?” both clambering out of the door in haste to get to Vicki room.

“Alec!” Vicki shaking Alec awake from his slumber.

“What?” Alec said groggily.

“We have something to ask you,” Vicki continues shaking Alec.

“What it is?” Alec asked at the same time looping his hand around Vicki waist bringing her nearer to him, “Is it about our marriage date?”

“Alec!” Vicki blush to the root of her hair, “Get serious will you?”

“Ahem…” Jess clearing her throat.

“Alec!” Vicki shaking his hand violently to get his responds.

“Oh well,” Alec sitting numbly up in the bed but drag Vicki to sit in his lap, “Now what I can do to serve you two ladies?”

“I want to know more about Louis,” causing Alec to crock a eyebrow at Vicki, “What I mean is that I want to know what kinds of man Louis is.”

“Well not that is interesting,” making Jess twisting her hands together.

“Alec!” slapping his hands, “Stop making Jess nervous.”

“Ok let get serious here,” at the same time hug Vicki tighter to him as it was an easy task as Vicki is not resisting the closeness between him and her, “Why are you so interested in Louis all of the sudden?”

“Well…” Jess getting red out of the sudden.

“Don’t tell me you fall into Louis charm?” Alec makes a wild guess.

“No!” Jess rasped out but Vicki continues for Jess, “Your so called friend had asked my dear sister, Jess to accept him.”

“You serious?” making Vicki batting her eyelash at him.

“Yup, I’m serious,” Vicki, emphasize it by nodding her head.

“Jess?” Alec doubting Vicki word.

“Yes it true,” Jess confirming Vicki words, “Louis ask me to go steady with him when we were at the hospital handling Ruby hospital procedures.”

“I don’t believe this,” Alec shaking his head, “I never dream that a day such as this will arrive.”

“What do you mean Alec?” asked Jess for she is confused by his answered and Vicki echo Jess confusion which she feel for herself as well, “Yes, Alec what do you mean?”

“Well I never thought I live to see this day,” Alec words only made both Vicki and Jess more confuse then ever.

“Alec can you please stop talking in riddle?” Vicki said frustrated, “If I had thought that getting answer out of you will be this hard I would not have asked you.”

“Yes, Alec,” Jess agreeing to Vicki words, “I agreed with Vicki, all you did is making us more confuse.”

“I’m sorry ladies it just that I never ever expect that Louis will be doing the asking,” Alec starts explaining for the benefit of his lady love, “You have to know Jess, for all in my life I have seen the girl who make the request toward Louis and not the other way around.”

“Ah!” earning the answer from Vicki, “Jess this prove that Louis really does love you.”

“Yes, Jess,” wanting to help his only friend Alec decided to put in a few words for Louis, “Louis will never ask you if he does not love you. For I never ever seen him play with a girl or a woman heart before even though they always throw themselves at his feet’s.”

“Oh…” was all Jess could think of as a suitable respond, “I think I get the picture. Anyway thanks for helping Alec and I don’t think I want to disturb the love nest here. It getting kind of warm in here just looking at you two dopey lover.”

“Jess!” Alec halted Jess before she step out of the room.

“What is it?” looking back into the room.

“Louis is a good guy,” Alec put it softly.

“I know Alec,” Jess said softly, “but I’m scared that I’m not worthy of him.”

“No, I don’t think so,” Alec encouraging Jess, “If Louis think that you are not worthy of him then he would not have made the first move.”

“Thanks Alec,” Jess smiled feeling encourage, “I feel better now.”

“You always welcome,” earning a kiss from Vicki on the cheeks and Jess slowing back out from the room for she could see that both Alec and Vicki are too absorb in each other to notice her leaving.

“You the best,” Vicki turn so that she is facing Alec.

“Why you say so?” Alec leans his forehead at Vicki forehead and stare into Vicki admiring eyes.

“I say ten words but you only say one word and Jess believe you,” Vicki said.

“I don’t think that this is the case,” Alec said, “I think Jess believe me in this, is because that I’m Louis best friend.”

“Don’t care what you say,” Vicki gives Alec a peck on the lips, “you the best!”

“Now there is only the two of us,” with that Alec, set to prove his love for her in a more physical way then the words itself only. The two lovebirds are so absorb in their own world that they forgotten about June treat at the hospital but what they don’t know is that June is scheming something real evil that will make Vicki suffer for the rest of her life and Alec along with her.

“Jess!” Louis shouted the moment he saw Jess coming out of the doorway.

“Erm…” Jess is kind off shy in front of Louis, “What up?”

“Oh I was passing by so I thought that I came by and see you,” Louis said awkwardly.

“Oh I see,” Jess said shyly, “I was just thought of going out and have a walk by myself. Want to join me?”

“Oh sure,” Louis said immediately. So on both of them walk side by side and talking about almost every topic that came into their mind but both are kinds off shy to brooch the actually result. ‘Oh what the heck,’ Louis thought to himself.

“Jess,” Louis called out softly.

“Yes?” Jess answered almost breathlessly, “What is it?”

“Have you thought about what I said to you yesterday?” Louis said at the same time reaching out to Jess hand and give it a firm squeeze.

“Louis, I…” Jess wanted to say yes to Louis but the problem is that she does not know if she is worthy of him.

“Yes?” Louis waiting breathlessly.

“I don’t know if the thing between us will work,” Jess tries to think of a way out.

“Yes! Yes!” Louis immediately bit out, “It will work!”

“Louis,” Jess kinds of amuse seeing this side of Louis for he is far from the guy she first known whom she thought as a flirt, “Maybe if we tried it out first but if it does not work. Do you promise me that we will break of in good term and remain friend?”

“Yes!” Louis whole face changes into someone who will say that one who has the whole world at his feet’s, “I promise you!”

With this Louis pull Jess toward him and hug her real tight and Jess smile for she may have broke off with Dicky but being in Louis arms seem so right to her, ‘I don’t know what I do to deserve him. I think I will thank Alec and Vicki for this.’

“Jess I promise you with all my heart that I will only bring you happiness into your life,” Louis pulled back a little and said it to Jess.

“Louis I trust you,” was all Jess said and lean her head on Louis shoulder blade.

So immerse they are in their own world that they seem to forget that they are at the road side, “Jess!” Dicky shouted out for he had seen the whole scene happening in front of his eyes.

“Dicky!” Jess rasped out and hides behind Louis.

“What do you want?” Louis bit out, hating the site of Dicky for he only reminds him of the pain he brought into Jess life.

“None of your business!” Dicky hissed out toward Louis.

“Jess, please talk to me?” Dicky pleaded and totally ignoring Louis presence.

“Go away Dicky!” Jess walk out from Louis behind but stand next to Louis, “We have nothing else to say!”

“No, that not true Jess,” Dicky not giving up, “You know you still love me right?”

“No,” Jess said politely, “the love I had for you are gone with the day you have affair with that girl!”

“Jess it just a fling!” Dicky said.

“A fling!” Jess bit out.

“Yes, that right it just a fling,” thought that he had finally convinced Jess.

“Louis let go,” dragging Louis along with her.

“Jess!” Dicky was on the verge of reaching out to Jess but Louis pulled Jess out of his reach and plug out towards him.

“Get your hand off my girl!” Louis holding Dicky by his nape and throw him to the floor like a pile of garbage.

“Louis,” Jess pleaded with him for she does not like violent.

“I let you go today not because I’m scared of you but because of Jess,” Louis bit out, “so it better that you get your hide back to where it belong and don’t show your face in front of us again!”

With that Louis and Jess walked away, while Dicky sprawled at the sidewalk swearing to himself and loud enough to reach both Louis and Jess ears, “You still have not seen the last of me!”

Chapter 19

“It nothing darling,” Louis stop Jess from fussing over it, “It just a small scrap that all.”

“Well at least let me have a look at it,” taking back Louis hand and ministering it with a handkerchief.

Looking down at Jess bend head, Louis feel like the whole world is really down at his feet. Never ever before he felt so much love. Taking Jess hands into his own he press a kiss into her hands, “Jess thanks you.”

“What for?” Jess staring into Louis eyes, which are full of love for her, and losing herself in the whirlpool of love.

“For giving me a chance,” dropping a kiss at Jess forehead.

With every passing moment the love of this three couple grew, and get stronger that even the windiest wind could not even blow it away, so for the pass few days, everything is peace and full of love the three couples. Each couples have their own heaven but sometimes they went out together and in return theirs friendship deepen, at the same time the other two couples are helping Ruby and Zhou Jie preparing their wedding for Ruby is pregnant and Zhou Jie does not want Ruby to be bearing the burden alone any longer so they plan on a quite and peace wedding where to closest friends and relatives are there only.

“Mom! Dad!” Ruby waving at her parent when she spotted them coming out from the arrival depot.

“Ruby!” Ruby mom running to her and hug her, “How I miss you!”

“So you are Zhou Jie,” Ruby father extending a hand over to Zhou Jie and exam Zhou Jie in silent, ‘Not a bad young man. My daughter has taste!’

“Yes, uncle,” Zhou Jie said politely knowing that Ruby dad is examine him.

“What some more uncle?” Ruby mom interject, “you should start following Ruby calling us mom and dad.”

“Yes…mom,” Zhou Jie said in a kind of shy manner.

“Now that better,” Ruby dad laugh heartily.

“Dad, Mom,” Ruby sided Zhou Jie, “Don’t do that.”

“Wow you are not even married but you already standing on his side, it seem like I already lost my only daughter and only child at that,” Ruby dad said causing a scarlet red to spread at Ruby cheeks.

“Daddy!” Ruby pouted at her dad making her dad laughing at that, Ruby mom decided to butt in and said, “Well let get going shall we?” smiling lovingly at her only daughter.

Back at Auntie May house…

“May!” Ruby mom hugs Auntie May, “Long time no see and thanks for taking care of our daughter when she is here, I hope she is not too much of a nonsense to you.”

“No, no,” Auntie May who has love Ruby as one of her child defended her, “She is good.”

“Ha ha ha,” Ruby dad laugh again.

So on all of them have a lovely chat and plan on how Ruby and Zhou Jie wedding must be done with Zhou Jie mom happy blessing after her disappointment in June. With that Ruby and Zhou Jie wedding date was set one week from the day as both Zhou Jie and Ruby does not want a too extravagate wedding. Having the whole week peacefully and forgetting both Dicky and June character.

On the wedding day…

On the dot where Ruby was going to say yes Dicky suddenly burst in through the door, “No! The bride is mine!”

All head turn to look at Dicky, “Jess you are mine!” Dicky repeated again.

“Are you out of your mind?” Zhou Jie shouted. He was angry that only by a second Ruby would had been officially his!

“No I’m not,” Dicky, stress.

“Dicky what you doing here?” Jess stands out and asked Dicky.

Suddenly Dicky look at the bride and stared back at Jess, “Jess you are not the bride?”

“No!” Jess bit out and suddenly Louis stop Jess with his hands and continue for her, “Even though she is not married to Zhou Jie I would never let her go back to you as well!”

“No! No!” Dicky shaking his head and said one last sentence before running out, “Jess will always be mine!”

After the Dicky incident, Jess apologize to ruby first before they continue but she does not know that Louis who stood at her acted nonchalantly by the incident does not really like the sound Dicky send the message across for he feel there is something definitely wrong with Dicky.

Just after the ceremony, they were taking picture at the entrance when they found that Vicki was missing from the scene, “Vicki?” Alec shouted, but there was no response.

“Where is Vicki?” Ruby asked seeing that Alec is so anxious about Vicki being missing.

“I’m not sure,” shaking his head, “she told me that she wanted to go to the washroom for a while and it been over 15 minutes and I’m worried.”

“Hey pal,” Louis patting Alec back while looping his hand at Jess waist, “Don’t worry. What could happen to her at a washroom?”

“I guess you are right,” Alec heaving a breath of release and they start getting ready for Ruby and Zhou Jie leaving to the airport. After about 45 minutes Alec start getting real worried for he could not find Vicki anywhere.

“Jess,” Alec gasped out of breath, “I could not find Vicki anywhere!”

“You sure?” Jess trying to calm Alec down.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Alec, confirmed.

“You checked the washroom?” Zhou Jie asked.

“Yes!” Alec said calmly for he knows that if he does not keep his head. He will not be able to help Vicki.

“Zhou Jie I think we better run through the ground again,” Louis suggests.

“Yes I think we should,” Zhou Jie nodding his head.

“But…what bout your flight?” Alec asked.

“Don’t worry about that,” Zhou Jie throwing Alec a smile, “We can easily catch another flight. Finding Vicki is more important.”

“Well then what are we waiting for?” Ruby was impatient to start the search for she feels that, this incident will have something to do with June’s threat at the hospital that day.

Chapter 20

｡ｧGosh, Vicki where are you?｡ｨ Alec shouted out.

｡ｧAlec,｡ｨ Louis called out, ｡ｧDid you find anything?｡ｨ

｡ｧNo,｡ｨ Alec answered back, ｡ｧOh where could she be?｡ｨ

｡ｧAlec calm down,｡ｨ Ruby walking up to Alec, ｡ｧI｡ｦm sure she is just around here somewhere.｡ｨ

｡ｧYes, Alec Vicki is right,｡ｨ Auntie May at the same time trying to calm herself down, ｡･Oh what am I going to tell Vicki mother is something happen to her.｡ｦ

｡ｧAuntie May, why don｡ｦt you elders all go back and rest first and leave it to us?｡ｨ Zhou Jie suggested, ｡ｧMom, why don｡ｦt you go back with Ruby mother and dad first for you guys seem to be very tired.｡ｨ

｡ｧYes I think we better,｡ｨ Ruby dad agreeing to Zhou Jie suggestion for he know that even though they stay they would not have been able to help out as well and start leading them to the van, but Auntie May turn back on the very last minutes, ｡ｧAlec, promise me that you will phone me the first things you guys find where Vicki is no matter what her condition is ok?｡ｨ

｡ｧYes, I promise you Auntie May,｡ｨ Alec walking up to Auntie May and taking her hands into his hand and giving Auntie May a reassuring pat, ｡ｧAuntie May don｡ｦt worry, we will find her no matter where she is.｡ｨ

After Auntie May, Zhou Jie mom and Ruby father and mom left they continue with the search but to no avail. The search continues for another 45 minutes before Louis speak out, ｡ｧI think we are wasting our times here.｡ｨ

｡ｧPlease we must not give up so easily,｡ｨ Alec, begged, ｡ｧI don｡ｦt know what will I do without her. Please God! Don｡ｦt take her away from me!｡ｨ

｡ｧAlec calmed down!｡ｨ Zhou Jie rasped out, ｡ｧI｡ｦm sure Vicki is Ok.｡ｨ

｡ｧBut can you guarantee it?｡ｨ Alec grabbing Zhou Jie collar and start advancing on him, ｡ｧCan you!｡ｨ

｡ｧAlec!｡ｨ Louis grabbed Alec from behind and spurned him around to face him and gave him a little shake, ｡ｧDo you think you will be able to help Vicki like this?｡ｨ

Hearing this from Louis, Alec break down and cried, ｡ｧOh God!｡ｨ

｡ｧAlec,｡ｨ Jess and Ruby squatting down near Alec and start patting his back, ｡ｧWe know you are anxious, so does we but we have to tough just for Vicki. I｡ｦm sure Vicki need you right now and if we find Vicki do you think you will be able to console her in your current state?｡ｨ

｡ｧYes, yes you guys are right!｡ｨ Alec standing up and wiping his tears away, ｡ｧI｡ｦm sorry Jie, Louis.｡ｨ

｡ｧDon｡ｦt mention it,｡ｨ Zhou Jie walking up to Alec and patted his back while nodding to Louis, ｡ｧWe will be in your state if our love one are the one that disappears without trace.｡ｨ

｡ｧAlec, I think we have to start search the area around for it seem like Vicki is no where in the church ground,｡ｨ Jess suddenly think about it, ｡ｧDo you guys think that Vicki will be somewhere around here?｡ｨ

｡ｧI think Jess is right,｡ｨ Louis seconded, ｡ｧFor we have run the church ground flat but still we could not find trace of Vicki.｡ｨ

｡ｧLet split up then,｡ｨ Ruby suggested.

｡ｧYes, that right,｡ｨ Alec nodding his head quickly, ｡ｧbut I think we need more help that way.｡ｨ

｡ｧDon｡ｦt worry I think I know someone who can help,｡ｨ Louis said, ｡ｧMy friend Koma.｡ｨ

｡ｧYou mean the guy with the dog,｡ｨ Alec suddenly remembering one of his old classmates, ｡ｧthat name Gigi?｡ｨ

｡ｧYes that right?｡ｨ Louis confirming Alec words, ｡ｧLet not waste anytime, let me call him and we can start soon.｡ｨ

While they we were waiting for Koma to arrive with his dog, not far away from the church lies a small hut out of the view. Alec they all have been passing through that place for a couples of times in their search but they have never consider the hut at all for they did not seen it.

Inside the hut lie Vicki, hands and legs tied together with a handkerchief in her mouth preventing her from shouting out for help. Vicki at first has been unconscious for someone hit her from behind render her black out on the spot. Vicki has been trying for the pass minutes, which seems like life long to her to get out of the ropes but to no avail instead causing the ropes to bite into her tender skin where it lay.

Vicki at first have been really afraid for before June, leaving her in her state had said that this is just the beginning but as minutes pass fear turn to anger and anger turn to desperation. ｡･God what did I did wrong?｡ｦ Vicki starts thinking to herself. She is badly battered for June, had laugh merciless when she caught Vicki unaware at a turn around the corner. Thinking back｡K

｡ｧYou never think that I carried out my threat don｡ｦt you?｡ｨ June smirked after pouring a pail of ice-cold water over Vicki to wake her up, causing Vicki to sputtered and coughing at the same time.

｡ｧYou!｡ｨ was all Vicki managed to rasp out at the cold she is feeling right now.

｡ｧYes, me!｡ｨ June laughed a little and looking down at Vicki at the same time, ｡ｧThought you seen the last of me? How could you? I｡ｦm your friend. How can you threat me like this?｡ｨ June add in sweetly putting on her coy look.

｡ｧWhat do you want?｡ｨ Vicki speaking through her clattering teeth together of the coldness she is starting to feel cold-water effect and her head throb like hell.

｡ｧWhat do I want?｡ｨ June bit out, ｡ｧYou dare to ask me what do I want! Let me tell you this is only the beginning. My, my Vicki you are cold. How heartless you must think I am. Here let me pour you some warm water.｡ｨ

Without another thought June pour another pail on water, but instead of the warm water she promised it a hot boiled water that she pour over Vicki, making her yelp of the pain and instantly Vicki skin turn a bright red as if she been scorch by the sun. Vicki yelp of pain would have been heard miles away but because of the church wedding bell no one could hear her.

｡ｧYou bitch!｡ｨ Vicki shouted, recovering from the pains that are even biting into her flesh right now.

｡ｧMe bitch?｡ｨ June return softly, ｡ｧMy, my Vicki, where is your manners nowadays? Anyway I think I have to leave you now. Oh by the way I be visiting you very soon don｡ｦt you worry ok? This is only the beginning of the game!｡ｨ

With that June had started laughing non-stop while walking out after stuffing a handkerchief into Vicki mouth to prevent her from getting rescue too soon, some of Vicki skin had started to peel and it causing Vicki a lots of pain and at the same time the rope are cutting into her flesh as well. Whimpering softly Vicki trying to move slowly but every move cause her pain.

Praying to herself, ｡･God please let me Alec find me. I don｡ｦt think I can stand it anymore.｡ｦ With that Vicki pass out cold while the team there had start getting ready waiting for Koma arrival.

｡ｧKoma!｡ｨ Louis shouted and waving at him when he spotted him coming down from his spot car.

｡ｧLouis,｡ｨ Koma running over with his dog in his arms, ｡ｧI get here as soon as I can after I got your call.｡ｨ

｡ｧThanks for coming Koma,｡ｨ Alec said.

｡ｧDon｡ｦt mention it Alec,｡ｨ Koma patting Alec shoulder, ｡ｧI｡ｦm glad that I｡ｦm able to help you. Let not waste anytime. Alec do you have anything of Vicki right here?｡ｨ

｡ｧYes,｡ｨ Alec taking out the other pair of shoe he had found when burst into the washroom to find Vicki but instead of finding her he had only found her shoe where he pick it up and run towards the rest of the gang, ｡ｧHere is it.｡ｨ

Koma taking the shoes and passed it under his dog nose, ｡ｧGigi, get the smell and start looking for the owner.｡ｨ

Gigi like the good dog she is started sniffing the shoes, after she sniffed the shoes, Koma drop her to the floor and Gigi starts sniffing around the ground to get the sense of Vicki from the smell. The whole gang anxiously following behind Gigi awaiting the result after a few minutes, Gigi took them to the hut not far away from the church.

Chapter 21

“Jess behind you,” Ruby pointed out and Jess turn around looking at it snatching it out, “What does it written?”

“Oh my gosh!” Jess breath out after reading what it content, “It say that this game has just begun!”

“Oh no,” Zhou Jie bit out, “it had to be June who did this to Vicki then.”

“I think we better send Vicki to the hospital first,” Louis suggested after looking over Vicki wounds, “she seem to be very seriously injured and I think we have to involve the authority in this.”

“Yes I think Louis is right,” Alec standing up with Vicki in his hands started walking out of the hut when he spotted a movement from Vicki, “Vicki?”

“Alec…” Vicki whispered, “you came…” was all Vicki said before passing out into Alec arms again.

Without another words, Alec stalks out of the hut without a backward glance and started striding towards Vicki jeep and getting into the back seat and cradling her softly into his chest. Louis understanding Alec movement, get into the driver seat with Jess beside him started the jeep and head towards the nearest hospital.

At the hospital…

“That June is really vicious,” Zhou Jie sighed out.

“Alec relax, I think Vicki wounds does not seem to be as serious,” Koma trying to calm Alec down, “it lucky we found Vicki fast enough.”

Alec still not responding to them just sits there at the bench waiting for outside the emergency room staring at the curtain there. Suddenly the curtain was swooshing open and a nurse came bursting out. Looking around, “Who is the patient relative?”

“I’m her fiancé,” Alec stands up quickly, “What wrong with her?”

“She is stable but she need to be carefully administry but we need the patient relative to for the patient need to do some operation,” the nurse explain.

“Why?” Alec confuse for if Vicki is ok why must she need to go to the operation room.

“Because we need to close the wounds on her head properly,” the nurse satisfying Alec curiosity, “if the wound are not properly clean and stitch up it may cause some brain infection.”

“But Vicki does not have any living relative,” Jess said.

“No, no she have,” Alec burst in, looking at Zhou Jie, “Can a cousin sign the form?”

“Yes he or she can if the patient relative are too far away for this wound have to be clean now,” the nurse stood there looking at them.

“Zhou Jie I think you better follow the nurse and sign the form,” Ruby interject and Zhou Jie quickly nodding his head following the nurse to settle the procedure why Vicki was push out and into the operation room with Alec they all following them to wait outside the operation room except Ruby, “I will join you guys later, I has to phone Mom them first and tell them that we already found Vicki.”

With that Ruby went towards the telephone booth and Zhou Jie settling the necessary procedure, Alec, Koma, Louis and Jess waiting outside the operation patiently, the operation is minor but it took about 4 hours for they surgeon need to make sure that they clean Vicki head wound properly and not leaving any kinds of debris inside Vicki head and stitching it back again. After seem like life times to Alec, the operation room light was switch off and the surgeon strode out.

“How is she?” Alec quickly walks up to the surgeon and asked.

“Are you the patient relative?” the surgeon asks first.

“No, no I’m her fiancé,” Alec said and pointing at Zhou Jie, “he is the patient cousin.”

“She had already been stabilized but at the moment she will not wake up so soon as the anesthetics will only wear off after another 3-4 hours times, her burn are bad but the patient are lucky for the hot boiled water are not splash from her head down for it would had badly infected her head wounds if it were done that, at the same time I think the patient have catch a cold from the cold water,” the doctor explaining the patient situation to Zhou Jie and Alec.

“Oh my gosh!” Ruby covering her mouth.

“Will it leave any scars on her?” Jess asked looking at Alec.

“Yes it will leave some scars but if the scars are properly taken care off it will wears off after 2 years,” the surgeon confirmed.

“Can we see her?” Alec asked impatiently for he wanted to be at Vicki side right now. The surgeon nodded his head and walks away.

“Alec I think you need to prepare yourself,” Louis stopping Alec, “Vicki is seriously burn she may look like…”

“I don’t care what she look like,” Alec pushing Louis hands away, “I love her not because of her look, I love her for herself.”

With that Alec walks away and quickly enter Vicki room not caring anything else and not minding that Louis they all are following him into Vicki room, “I want the best care for Vicki.”

“Alec, Vicki does not has the money to pay for it,” Ruby said.

“I have,” was all Alec said without looking at Ruby. Dropping into a chair beside Vicki bed, Alec takes Vicki bandaged hands softly into his, Alec sweetly caress Vicki bandaged head thinking about the nightmare she must have gone through and feeling guilty that he was not able to protect her, “I’m sorry.”

“No Alec it not your fault,” Koma patting his shoulder softly.

“No it my fault,” Alec said looking at them, “I should have known that June will have come back for her.”

“Alec,” Ruby said, “if you insisted it like this, then it is as much as our fault as well. For we are the cause Vicki in this state.”

“Alec, Ruby is right,” Louis trying to talk some sense into them, “it no use blaming ourselves right now. We have to think of something for I’m sure June will be back.”

“Yes we have to think of something,” Zhou Jie seconded.

“But what can we do?” Jess asked, “We don’t know where she would strike next and if she strike soon I don’t think that Vicki will be able to withstand another blow like that.”

“Jess is right, we have to come up with something, but we must not tell Auntie May they all about what had just happen,” Louis added in.

On they started planning on how to take care of Vicki and never leaving her alone, after settling everything, the group started to disperse leaving Alec behind taking care of Vicki. After about 4 hours, Vicki started to stir.

“My face!” Vicki shouted after feeling her hand and head in bandaged jolting Alec from his nap.

“Vicki!” Alec quickly rush to Vicki side and start calming her down, pulling her hands down from her face, “There is not harm to your face the burn are only at your arms and body.”

“You not lying to me?” Vicki grasping Alec hands at the same time Alec pushing Vicki gently down into the bed and pulling the blanket over her.

“Vicki looks at me,” grasping her face to see him, “Do I look like lying?”

“No I guess not,” sighing to herself, before they could continue there was a light tap at the door, “Who is it?”

“It us Miss Zhao,” two inspectors coming revealing their batch, “we are here to take statement from you. If you don’t mind us disturbing your rest?”

“It ok,” Vicki invited the two inspectors in, “You guys are just doing your job.”

With that what the inspectors wanted to know, Vicki answered them not adding anything and not leaving anything out. Alec whom sits beside all along, wincing from the pain Vicki must be experiencing when she was in June custody. After one hours of giving statement and the inspectors has all the details they wanted, take their leave to let Vicki has her rest after promising that they justice will be brought forward. The moment, the inspectors leave, Vicki sleep like a baby for the statement brief had take it tool on her. Alec taking his sit beside Vicki stares longingly and lovingly at her, promising to himself that, there is not going to be another mishap going to happen to her again.

Chapter 22

Vicki waking up slowly to the early dawn, feeling a weight at her right hand she look at it, seeing Alec sleeping peacefully at her side but holding to her bandaged hand, “I never thought that I will has someone to love me for myself,” Vicki said softly to herself, thinking back on her past.

“Mom,” Vicki cried running home to her mom.

“Vicki what wrong with you? Why are you crying?” Vicki mom got on her knees and start wiping Vicki tears away.

“Mom my classmate said that I’m a bastard,” Vicki sobbing told her mom, “Is it true? Is it because that I’m naughty that why my daddy don’t want me?”

“Vicki!” Vicki mom grasp her by her shoulder and turn Vicki slowly towards her, “Vicki don’t listen to them. They are just spurting nonsense. You are a good girl.”

“Then why is my daddy not here then?” Vicki does not understand why everyone has a daddy and she doesn’t.

“Your dad is at a faraway land, Vicki you a good girl,” Vicki mom hug Vicki to her and patted her small shoulder, “don’t think too much Vicki. Just make sure that you take care of your study?”

With that Vicki had stop crying and listen to her mom, doing the best in her study with only one hope in her small little heart, that is if she is good enough her daddy will return to her and she will no longer be bully by other kids and no longer people will called her a bastard but as time pass by, Vicki little hope perished with times and Vicki grow up fast for her mom are falling ill with every single minutes leaving Vicki no times to think about her dad. After all the waiting the little love Vicki had for her daddy gone with the time as well leaving emptiness in her heart that nothing will be able to fill it up till now.

“Vicki,” Alec whispered from his sleep jolting Vicki back to the present.

Looking back at Alec, Vicki know that Alec will love her and take care of her but the emptiness left by her dad will always be there, which was one of the reason why Vicki had hold herself back and not trusting any guy. Back at the village where Vicki stay, she is known as the Ice Princess, for even though Vicki is pretty enough to attract the opposite sex attention, one stare from her would have stop any guy intention. To some her coldness may attract some guys who are brave enough to test their hand but they always go back empty handed and head bend.

“Vicki,” Alec whispered again, stopping Vicki thought.

‘At least now I have Alec and the rest of the gang as well as Auntie May,’ Vicki thought to herself with a smile. Not noticing there a crack in the door of her room, where a shadow stalks angrily away.

At Auntie May house…

“Auntie May what you doing there?” Jess entering the kitchen seeing Auntie May busying with a pot.

“I’m cooking some porridge for Vicki,” Auntie May explain with her back turn towards Jess, “You can have some if you want.”

“Nah, leave that to Vicki,” Jess rejected that, “I’m sure Vicki need that more than I.”

“It ok,” Auntie May assure Jess, “It enough for all of us. I’m sure Vicki could not eat all that as well.” Without another words from Jess, she pour a bowl for herself and a bowl for Louis, after pouring she walk to the couch and wake Louis up for breakfast for they are going in to the hospital to visit Vicki with Auntie May.

Meanwhile let see what happen to the newly wed couple…

“Jie,” Ruby shaking Zhou Jie shoulder gently.

“Erm…” was all Zhou Jie respond before he sleeps on and dragging Ruby down to his chest.

“Jie,” Ruby patting Zhou Jie cheek gently, “wake up, we have to pay our respect to your mom and then we have to go to the hospital to see how is Vicki doing.”

Peeking his eyes open, Zhou Jie stare at Ruby lovingly, “Why should I? I want you to myself today.”

“Jie!” Ruby gasped and stop Zhou Jie roaming hand, “Come on, your mom is waiting for us now.”

“Oh ok,” Zhou Jie said grumbling.

What a day for the newly wed. No time for themselves at all but I guess there is always the next day right?

Back at the hospital…

“Vicki,” Auntie May greeted her upon seeing Vicki sitting up on her bed with her right hand still in Alec grasped, speaking softly seeing that Alec sleeping soundly by Vicki bed side and Vicki smoothing Alec hair lovingly with her other non-bandaged hand, “How are you feeling?”

“Much better,” Vicki said softly not to disturb Alec sleep. Smiling to Auntie May.

“Well then have some of this porridge,” Auntie May open up the container and pour some of the hot porridge for Vicki and leaving some for Alec.

“Thanks Auntie May,” but before Vicki could think of a way to distract her hand from Alec grasp without waking him, Jess burst into the room, “Vicki!”

“Shhhhh…” Vicki hissed out but it was already too late.

“Vicki!” Alec shouted for he thought something gone wrong.

“Alec I’m here,” Vicki grabbing Alec hands, “It just Jess just sorry.”

“Oh,” Alec calming down and embarrass to see that Auntie May was there holding back a laugh.

“Oh I’m sorry I didn’t know that you was sleeping,” Jess apologized before bursting into laughter.

“What so funny?” Louis who just enters the room was curious what made Jess laugh so loud. It took some times for Jess to explain it between laughter, which Louis broke into laughter after Jess told him the story. “Man, Alec I never thought I seen that day of you.”

“Well, you are the same as well,” Alec counters, recovering from his embarrassment; “I never thought that you would walk the earth where woman walk on it.”

“Alec!” Louis shouted out stopping Alec and turns a hue red, “Alec you promise.”

“Tell, tell,” Jess starts shaking Alec to tell and Louis at the moment grab Alec shoulder to stop him from telling, the whole room racked with happy laughter and Auntie May just sit at the sofa and see the scene laughing quietly to herself and enjoying the friendly batter. After the batter stop, Alec spoon Vicki her porridge causing another teasing scene to happen in the room again, this time with Zhou Jie and Ruby joining them as well and Zhou Jie mom was on the scene as well. However Ruby mother and father weren’t there for they have caught an early flight back to Taiwan to finish up their business before joining them again in Beijing.

“Vicki I go and get you some water,” Jess offer seeing that Vicki pitcher of water are almost empty now.

“I help you,” Louis offers getting up from his seat.

“No,” Jess pushing Louis gently down back to the their, “I can get it by myself, it just a few feet away.”

Stepping out of the room, Jess came to a halt coming face to face with Dicky, “What you doing here?”

“I came for you my love,” Dicky said silently, shooting a hand out to grab Jess causing the water pitcher to fall into the floor with a clanking noise.

“What the noise?” Alec said.

“Jess!” Louis shooting out of the chair and yank the door open in one motion in time to see Dicky dragging Jess away with him. Without wasting any time Louis went after them in a shoot.

“Let go of me!” Jess struggling against Dicky.

“No,” Dicky whispers into Jess ears without letting go of his grip, “you are mine!”

Dicky keep dragging Jess with him, seeing that Louis are closing in on him, he took the stairs and ran towards the roof top going very near the edge, “Jess will always be mine!” Dicky shouting loud enough to be heard by Louis.

“Let go of her!” Louis commanded with fear for there is a craze look in Dicky eyes.

“No, she is mine!” Dicky rasped out, “even if I has to die, she will die with me for she will always be mine.” With that Dicky jump from the rooftop with Jess, seeing this Louis dive in to save Jess.

“No!” Vicki shouted out, who just reach the scene with the rest of the gang and tried to run out to hold on to louis but Alec held her back.

Chapter 23

“Jess!” Louis shouted, “Hold on!”

“Jess you are mine!” Dicky shouted denying Louis claim and grab Jess right hand tighter and started tugging, in the way of making Jess fall with him but Louis not giving in an inch grip on tighter and starts coiling his hand on the wire.

“Louis!” Jess gasped out, with the feeling like she is being torn into two, with Louis grabbing her left hand and Dicky tugging hard at her right hand, “I can’t hold on much longer…”

“No!” Louis denied it and grasped Jess hand tighter, “You must not give up on me!”

“No! Jess you are mine!” Dicky denied Louis and starts tugging harder but everything has it way and Dicky hand got slippery and he could not hold on any longer that he lost his grip on Jess hand he started falling. “No!” was the last statement heard from Dicky before he fall flat on the ground below 10 floors.

Jess close her eyes against the site of Dicky falling down and send a prayer that may God bless his soul and finally he had his own deserve peace. With Dicky weight gone, Louis was able to grab on tighter on Jess, “Alec!”

Without wasting a single second, Alec run towards the wired and starts pulling Louis up, “Jie give me a hand here!” Both Alec and Zhou Jie try their hardest to pull both Louis and Jess up, not to be leave behind both Ruby and Vicki run down towards the wards and called up the nurse to look into Jess and Louis condition.

After 15 minutes, ambulance and police car arrive at the scene to take Dicky lifeless body away, the three couple standing at the main entrance to watch the parade, each holding close to their partner. While Jess and Louis stare at the scene, Jess whispered, “Louis!”

“Jess don’t think bout it,” Louis hugging Jess towards him and put her head on his shoulder, “It not your fault. He choose his own path the minutes he jump down the building.”

“I don’t know Louis, I feel that it partially my fault,” Jess confesses.

“No!” Louis denied it, “it not your fault!”

“Jess, Louis is right,” Ruby said beside her, “it could have happen to anyone else.”

“Yes, Jess don’t think bout it,” Vicki patted lightly on Jess back, “Ruby is right, it could have happen to anyone else, didn’t you listen to the policeman just now, they say that Dicky have a mental problem since he was a child?”

“I guess you guys are right?” Jess giving in.

“Why don’t we go in and have some coffee or tea?” Zhou Jie suggested.

With that each man lead their own love into the hospital, behind them the siren light blink out of sight taking Dicky lifeless body with them and the sky starts to cry softly, as it pain them to see another soul departure and the pain that love have cost. To Dicky it a lost love but for the other three couple they have something that they would treasure as each day pass. After the event pass for two week everything quieter down. Giving the three couple times to spend in leisure in each other companion. The sick and injured one recuperates in their lover arms. Dicky incident faded into history and both Louis and Jess starts their new life together. On a quite Sunday at a beautiful sunset beach. Louis decided to make a move.

“Jess!” Louis grasped Jess hand and bend down in front of Jess on a bended knee, “Would you marry me?”

“Louis!” was all Jess could manage for Louis had taken her by surprise and the crowds are urging Jess to accept Louis proposal.

“Please?” Louis begs taking out a diamond ring from his pocket.

“Louis! I don’t know what to say!” Jess gasped.

“Then say yes,” Louis, press it gently into Jess hand with his eyes full of hope and love that one could drown in forever.

“Yes!” Jess said out softly the first time and shouted it the next breath, “Yes!” without another words Louis got up from his knees and wrap Jess into his embrace holding her tightly to him. Both content with the love they have for each other to start building their own paradise. Both Ruby and Jess has already found their heaven and paradise. How bout Vicki? Is her heaven complete with Alec by her side? At the pre-wedding of Jess and Louis Aunty May gave the three girl a gift they will forever remember that bond their friendship together as well as their love to each other and to their lover. Ruby was given the symbol of moon for her kindness, while Jess was given the symbol of the sun for her cheerful self and her carefree way of treating things, while Vicki was given the symbol of the star for she is brave to handle whatever situation and the passion of doing things her way.

On the wedding day, Alec was scared that something bad would happen to Vicki so that he already ask Koma to help him without Vicki knowledge and ask Ruby to keep an eyes on her and not to inform Vicki of it. After Jess and Louis exchange their vow to each other Vicki and Ruby excuse themselves to go the washroom.

“Zhou Jie are they back yet?” Alec feeling uncomfortable without Vicki at his side, as June is not caught yet. The feeling of something is going to happen is nagging at Alec guts. Since the last incident, June seem to have vanished from the earth, no trace could be found of her, even her own dad does not know where is his precious daughter are and of course June dad blame Vicki for the downfall of his pamper daughter.

“No,” was all Zhou Jie answered.

“Do you think something happen?” Alec asked anxiously.

“Alec relax,” Louis coming up and patting his shoulder, “I’m sure that they are both save. Jess had already volunteered to go and look for them.”

“Oh,” Alec letting out a long sighs.

“Come on Alec,” Koma coming up to join them as soon as he get himself detangles from the girls, “Don’t be a worry wart.”

“I’m not it just that the feeling is there…” Alec looking helpless at them, well sure both Zhou Jie and Louis had already pass their turmoil and what ever is going to happen is going to be something minor.

“I know what you feeling Alec,” Louis commented, “I felt that too when I saw Dicky holding Jess hostage and jumping over…” Louis suppresses a quiver at the mention of the it. Suddenly they heard Jess scream.

“Ruby!” it was heard all the way from the toilet, jolting the gang into a run towards the direction. On arriving at the scene, Zhou Jie paled from seeing his love one is laying in the floor in a pool of blood. Without a word Zhou Jie gathered Ruby into his arms and run for the car.

“Vicki!” a whispered escapes Ruby mouth.

“Where is Vicki?” Alec shouted after scanning the area and no trace of Vicki could be found.

“Ruby!” Zhou Jie gasped, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine my darling,” Ruby said weakly, “That is no my blood, it just paint.”

“Oh darling you had me scared!” Zhou Jie buried his face into Ruby neck and suppresses a shiver.

“Ruby!” Alec grab Ruby arms and made her look at him, “Where is Vicki!”

“June got her,” Ruby said, “I’m sorry Alec. We are caught unaware.”

“Oh no!” Alec kneeled down and buried his face into his hands and give and pull out his head from his hand, face facing the sky and give an anguish shout that tore anyone heart who heard it, “Vicki!”

Shaking her head, Jess lean against Louis, “Why? Why must this happen to Vicki? Isn’t her suffering enough? When is this going to stop?” Jess asking bewildered, her question which seem like no one know how to answer, the feeling of scared, anger for Vicki is there.

“Alec cool it down, I…” Koma coming forward planting his hand hard down on Alec shoulder blade.

“How can I be cool?” Alec cut in without waiting for Koma explanation, “How can I know what the bitch is going to do to Vicki now? Do you know that Vicki still suffer from last time incident? She is having nightmares every night and it tore my heart to see her in this condition.”

“Alec, I…” Koma tried again but Alec but in again, “Oh god! Please return Vicki to me!” Alec cried out into his hands.

“Alec I can help you,” Koma said out in a rush hoping that his words will penetrate Alec anguish.

“Vicki…” Alec said seeming like he didn’t heard Koma statement at all but suddenly the words sank in, “Koma! Did you just say what I heard?”

“Yes, my pal,” Koma nodding his head letting the whole things sank deeper into Alec brain.

“How?” Alec said snapping out of his anguish and starts walking towards Koma while the rest waits for Koma next statement.

“Remember you ask for my help yesterday night?” Koma asked Alec.

“Yes that right,” nodding his head furiously.

“Well I planted a chip into Vicki blouse button yesterday without her knowledge and we can detect where ever she is as long as she is inside China,” Koma explain briefly for he know that the gang would not have the patience to hear him explain it technically of how the whole thing work at this kinds of situation.

“Then what are we waiting for?” Jess said, anxious to starts the search. Without another words Koma took out his stuff and starts tracking Vicki where about using his intelligence machine.

Chapter 24

The unconscious body started to stir, while the other soul just stood there and watch the process, “You finally awake,” June spoke up, “I thought you are going to sleep through the afternoon.” As Vicki is bound and gag and she could do is stared at June with anger.

“Aren’t you rude?” June bit out softly, “Here I’m asking you something but all you did is stared at me.”

Vicki continue to stare at her and not uttering a single sound, “Oh how absent-minded I am, I forgotten that you are bound right?” with that June walked forward and untied Vicki gag. But still Vicki did not utter one single word.

“Mind, mind,” June bit out after a while waiting for Vicki respond, “Aren’t this girl just to uptight?” still all Vicki ever did is stared at her, “Where is that boyfriend of yours?”

“None of your business,” Vicki bit out finally. At the same time feeling that the wall of her lips is hurt from too much gnawing on the rope. Vicki know that no matter what she say it would be useless for June already had in her mind to hurt her and there is nothing she could to stop her. As if she could with her all bound up and all.

“Why,” June asked back crocking a brow, “Of course it is my business if not you don’t think that I will ask about it will you?”

“June surrender before it is too late,” Vicki trying to advise her for after all they were classmates once before.

“I have don’t know wrong!” June shouted finally losing her composure, “If someone is wrong then it YOU, not me. Do you hear me? If you haven’t come along Zhou Jie would have been mine! The Zhou fame and fortune would have been mine!”

“June you could never take something that does not belong to you,” Vicki put in softly but someone Vicki words seem to penetrate June mind and anger her the more.

“No!” June shake her head vehemently, and walk over to Vicki and start jabbing her finger into Vicki chest with enough force to cause the skin to break, slowly blood begin to soak Vicki thin white blouse and causing Vicki to wince from the pain, “If you haven’t open your golden mouth then all this would not have happen would it?”

“Zhou Jie bound to found out about it sooner or later wouldn’t it?” Vicki try to rationalize with June but it seem to be wasted effort for the glaze look is still in June eyes and June is shaking her head violently, denying Vicki words to sink it even though deep in her heart she know that Vicki is right, “June there is still place for you to turn back, please listen to me?”

“No! You always wanted to be better then me in everything,” June denying Vicki words and blocks it out of her heart and mind, “You took my friends from me! Because of you everyone look at me with scorn in their eyes! If it weren’t for you, I would be the most popular girl in the school!”

“Vicki!” Alec burst into the room all of the sudden.

“No!” June denying it and grab Vicki taking out a knife from her pocket and hold it against Vicki throat, “Don’t come near me!”

“No!” Alec trying frantically to think of a way out of this mess and starts to walk closer to the pair but was stop in the mid-air by June tightening the knife into Vicki throat and breaking the skin there, “Don’t come nearer if you value her life.”

With that said Alec stops his stride but that does not stop the cops from bursting into the room with June dad one step behind, “Darling! Listen to daddy please?” Alec steps aside to reveal June dad.

“Dad!” on seeing her dad June tears starts to fell softly down her cheek.

“June please put down the knife?” June dad pleaded with her.

“No! You know I can’t!” June tighten the knife in her grip and her grip on Vicki tighten as well causing Vicki to lost an amount of breath, “I’m too far deep in this. I don’t want to go to jail!”

“June, dad promise you that I will hired the most famous lawyer in the whole world to save,” June dad had already on the search for that for even though he blame Vicki for all the things that had happen to June he know that June had somehow committed a crime and it was partly his fault for pampering June too much since she was a child.

“No!” with that June jab the knife hard down into Vicki stomach and again into Vicki chest, June was pulling out the knife and on the verge of stabbing the knife again into Vicki but was stop by the cops, they fired at June at the arms causing her to lost her grip on the knife but unfortunately the knife drop down straight into Vicki again.

“Vicki!” Alec shouted and kneeling down at Vicki grabbing her and starts running towards the ground where an ambulance had waited readily, without another words the paramedics get to work, taking Vicki out of Alec protecting arms into the trailer and starts the engine fast with Alec riding with them, the rest of the gang who been in the ground floor saw what had happen and get into their car without another words and drive after the ambulance. While Vicki had long lost consciousness the moment the second knife stab into her chest taking away her breath and her availability to think. While the cops tiding up and putting June under custody for trying to harm another citizen with June father begging the cops for mercy on his daughter behalf but to no avail.

In the hospital Alec and the rest of the gang pace the floor outside the emergency room, suddenly a nurse burst out from behind the curtain without waiting for a second Alec grab the nurse and demand answer from her, the nurse calmly state that she have to go and prepare the surgery room with that Alec was at lost of words and sit down hard on the bench but he was on his feet like a lightning the moment Vicki was push out. It broke his heart to see that Vicki had thousand of tubes stabbing into her body. Alec and the gang follow Vicki till the outside of the surgery room where they sat down again and awaits the results. After about 3 hours in the surgery suddenly a nurse burst out from the room again without waiting for an answer, Alec grabs the nurse again.

“What it is?” Alec asked anxiously.

“The patient are losing too much blood!” with that the nurse turn on her heels and ran toward the blood storage room and get a packet for Vicki before rushing into the surgery room again.

“Oh no!” Alec shaking his head denying the nurse words, burying his heads into his forearm and stand punching the wall causing his hand skin to breaks at the pressure it applies.

“Alec calm down!” Koma grab Alec hand from behind and pin it behind his back to prevent Alec further from hurting himself, “if you keep on like this you would not be able to help Vicki at all.”

When Koma felt the tension from Alec ran out he slowly let go of Alec but stand on guard just in case Alec started the action again but Alec did not starts it again instead he slum down onto the floor, the light went out of him imagining the worse.

“Zhou Jie,” Ruby grasped Zhou Jie hands tightly and whispers, “Why must all this happen to Vicki?”

“Ruby,” Zhou Jie hugging Ruby to him and patted her back softly and consoling, “don’t worry, everything will be ok.”

“Jess,” Louis guides Jess to a bench, “why don’t all you guys sit down first I go and fetch us something to drink and eat.”

“Louis you go ahead,” Koma indicates his heads towards Louis his eyes not leaving Alec face at all, “I will look after them here.”

With that Louis went to get them something to drink and fill their stomach, the surgery went on for another 2 hours leaving the group from anxious to depress. Suddenly after 5 hours the light in the emergency room went out, the group get on their feet on the speed.

“Who is the patient relative?” one of the surgeons asked.

“I’m her fiancé,” Alec owned up, “is she ok?”

“I’m sorry we already did our best,” the surgeons shaking his heads, it the pain the surgeons as well to deliver the bad news, he always get the urge to smash his first into the wall whenever he fail to save a life but he keep his cool, “She will slip away quietly without pain, this I promise you.”

“No…” Alec denying the doctor words.

“You can go in and accompany her but only you,” the surgeon allowed that for he can see from the guy expression that he love his fiancée very much, “you can talk to her all you want but she would not be able to hear you for she is too deep in the coma.”

“Vicki!” both Jess and Ruby gasped with horrors and they slumped over each other crying bitterly. While both Zhou Jie and Louis who come to love Vicki as a long lost sister was at lost of words and does not know what reaction to give.

Alec without looking at the rest of the gang went into the intensive care room wearing the hospital gown, looking at the pale figure of Vicki lying among the white pillow and the white bed made Alec heart ache, suddenly Alec couldn’t seem to hear Vicki breathing and get frantic that he grab Vicki hands and kneel down beside the beds and lay his head against Vicki chest to feel a heart beat and it was there. Sighing a relief Alec took a chair beside Vicki bed and starts stroking her hair and suddenly he had the urge to talk to Vicki.

First of all Alec told how much she meant to him and told her not to leave him. The loving words turn to threat and finally Alec gave in and whispers softly, “Darling don’t leave me please? Take me with you. How do you expect me to live without you?”

Chapter 25

Still there are no respond from Vicki whom lay lifeless on the bed even though there are breath coming out from her nose, suddenly Alec feels a light tap on his shoulder, turning around to see who is the culprit, Alec came to a shock to see Mr. Soong there beside him standing there with a sad look.

“Mr. Soong,” Alec said in greeting but he does not know what else to call him for Alec remember well the encounter between Vicki and Mr. Soong, which lead to some misunderstanding between him and Vicki in the first place. Recalling the second day of their promise outing, Vicki was very reluctant to follow him to one of the contestant ball but Alec made Vicki into going by holding her to the promise that she is actually working for him and have to follow his instructions for the next five days.

Alec leaving Vicki to her owns self and wonder off doing his necessary stuff, and made her promise to meet him at the hotel lobby at 9.30pm sharp. Vicki following Alec instruction went to the boutique to get herself a dress suitable for the ball, on seeing Vicki entrance the salesgirl whom took in Vicki appearance, wearing a jeans and a t-shirt with a bag slung over her shoulder says haughtily, “Miss I don’t think that our stuff here would be suitable for you.”

“I thought the same,” Vicki returns with the same air and stands to walk out but deliver the final sentence, “If it weren’t for Mr. Su, I would not have walk in here.” After saying her final words, Vicki turn on her heels and starts to walk out.

The boutique owner who was at the shop at that time, her head snap up at the mention of Mr. Su name, quickly rush forward to stop Vicki from venturing out of the shop, “I’m sorry miss, my girls didn’t know that you are Miss Vicki and Mr. Su had already phone us and told us what to prepare for and all the bills had already been taken care of. Please follow me.”

With that the owner lead Vicki up to the boutique and show Vicki a dress which Alec had hand pick for her the day before, it is a spaghetti strap dress, which are white in color and the silk like material. After showing Vicki the dress the shop owner lead her to a parlor where a hairdresser and a few girls in waiting have been waiting for Vicki arrival. All in Vicki life she has never been pampered like this before and this pampering is making Vicki a lots more uncomfortable, with two girls brushing and polishing her fingernails, while the hairdresser shaking his head at Vicki hairs and keep commenting that Vicki should not have cut her hair so short with such a lovely face.

With all this set to works, after two hours of this pampering Vicki face the long length mirrors and not believing that the one who are standing in the mirror is she, it is the most shocking view that ever happen in Vicki life while the owner and the whole hairdresser stuff moan and awe at the sight he had manage to create out of Vicki. The girl whom facing back Vicki had the most flair complexion one can see, with the dress molding out her figure leaving one to doubt what she look light, her lips soft and provoking just begging to be kiss, her hair top up at her head and leaving several tendrils playing around her neck making it the more enchanting, the sight was indescribable leaving the people in the shop speechless for never in their wildest dream that such a girls still existed.

After the setting up, Vicki when to the lobby to wait up for Alec as promise, most of the people stares at Vicki and smirk at her, for never in their wildest dream that a person would come to this kinds of function wearing as she did, but Vicki ignore them for she feel that this is herself and there are no need for her to follow Alec instruction to the root, after a few seconds of standing in the lobby Vicki starts to wander about and coming to the hall, a stewards stop her from entering, “Miss you cannot go in there for you are not dress up.”

Vicki feels happy that she does not have to attend the function just nodded her head and starts turn on her heel to get out of the place but she was unlucky for Alec sported her and called out to her to called her to wait up for him. Stopping in her track Vicki turn to face Alec frown, “I thought I told you to go to the boutique to dress up?”

“I did,” Vicki, answer with a shrug.

“Then why are you not dress up?” Alec asked feeling all his effort going to waste with this girl.

“Well I did try it on but the girl I saw in the mirror is not me so I don’t want it,” Vicki says with another shrug.

“Oh, alright,” with that Alec drag Vicki into the function not minding that she is not dress for the occasion for as long as she is here with him, there was trouble gaining an entrance for Vicki as she is not dress but finally with a give and take Alec manage to get Vicki into the function just the same but Vicki have to wear someone else shoes for she cannot go in wearing the sports shoes she hands for it is just not done, while Vicki was sitting down and wearing her shoes, Mr. Soong approach her and asked her to follow him to the other conference room. This was not left unnoticed by Alec who watch this from afar and unable to reach her in times.

“Who are you?’ Mr. Soong asked her without another delay the moment the door close behind them.

“I’m Vicki Zhao,” Vicki said.

“What is Zhao Mei to you?” Mr. Soong asked straight.

“She is my mother,” Vicki answer in short for she know what to come next.

“My dear girl don’t you ever think of taking this name to gain advantages on me,” Mr. Soong warn in advance.

“I don’t need you money to survive,” Vicki said coolly, “I just want you to clear my mother name as it is deserve.”

“Then you will go to the DNA blood testing as we suggested?” Mr. Soong inquired crocking a brow.

“Yes I will and there is no need for this private conference,” with that Vicki storm out of the room leaving Mr. Soong staring after her back. Alec whom waiting anxiously outside the door was alarm by the look on Vicki face and starts demanding what is wrong.

“Vicki!” Alec grab her from behind and turn her to him, “Did he try something on you?

“No,” Vicki turning her head away from Alec for she does not want him to see the weakness in her.

“You can tell me,” Alec persuaded for he feels that something is terribly wrong here.

“Can we go somewhere else?” Vicki requested her eyes not quite meeting Alec eyes as yet, “I tell you there and not here.”

“Ok,” with that Vicki lead Alec out from the ballroom and drive him and her to a seclude place at the beach there. There Vicki pour out her heart towards Alec as she never have done before except with Auntie May, right from that moment an understanding starts between Alec and Vicki and Alec did all in his power to protect Vicki from Tom vicious tongue and all his best to arrange the test between Vicki and Mr. Soong. After the test was done, Vicki told Alec to accompany her to the beach this times taking the container that carried her mother ashes to the seaside. There Vicki release her mother ashes into the sea leaving the pass behind and starts anew. For she does not care what the result turn out to be for in her hearts she already know the answer and she did the test is in the good name of her mother.

So seeing Mr. Soong at the hospital beside him, Alec was shock. “I know you are not expecting me,” Mr. Soong says as he can see the shock in his face, “I myself also did not expect in the world that I still have a daughter in me.”

Alec just nodded at him for he already know the whole story to this, “I’m sure Vicki would like you to talked to her,” Alec standing aside to let Mr. Soong talk to her.

“Vicki,” Mr. Soong grasps her hands and says in a soft voice, “I still need you to tell me what your childhood is like. Please give a chance to made up?” Alec whom stands aside felt a lump at his throat seeing the scene, after all Vicki had done to clear her mother name, she would not be able to live long enough to savor the success. Mr. Soong whom felt light headed walk out with tears stricken face for after all this long, finding something and losing it in another breath it just too much for his age.

“Vicki!” Alec grasped her hands, “Please there are still a lots of things you need to do. I love you.” Alec buried his head into Vicki hands and sob out his pent up despair, suddenly Alec heard a whisper in his hairs, “Vicki! Is that you? Tell me again?”

Gaining all her energy, Vicki said in a clearer voice, after hearing this Alec laugh out of joy, the gang whom stood outside fear that Alec had lost his minds a long with Vicki, burst into the room without qualm but instead of seeing a craze Alec, they see that Alec is beaming at Vicki sleeping figure, turning to them Alec said in a joyful voice, “She said she love me too.”

*THE END*

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