When Anne walked out of the practice room a short while later, she could immediately hear the little children excitedly laughing in a room adjacent to hers. Their laughter bore such innocence that it contagiously made her smile with them. Anne walked towards the room and looked through the little window on the door and peered at the scene inside.

Inside, the little children all sat in a circle eagerly looking at a woman who was standing in front of them seemingly preoccupied with arranging various items into bags. The woman’s back was turned towards Anne so she couldn’t see her face but just from the way she chose to dress herself and from the graceful way she moved, Anne could tell that she must be from a really wealthy background. When the woman turned around, Anne’s face turned pale at the unexpected sight that greeted her.

It was Jessica.

Jessica walked towards the children with a handful of gifts that she proceeded to distribute to one child after another. Each time she gave out a gift to one child, she would take the time to smile, hug and whisper something to that little child that would immediately brighten up the little kid’s face.

Looking at Jessica now, Anne could immediately understand why Louis couldn’t help but fall in love with Jessica. It was simply inevitable. There’s a certain aura around Jessica that could charm the most miserable soul and brighten it up without an effort. But the one thing that especially set her apart from any ordinary woman, was the demure dignity that embodied every single one of her gestures. She was simply the perfect woman in every aspect. Beautiful, educated, rich, gentle, compassionate...and furthermore, there was no denying that she loved Louis.

Anne had always sympathized with Jessica and felt she owed Jessica for having carried on with Louis during all these years. And although, she admired Jessica for the inherent charm and beauty that she possessed, Anne had to admit that she wasn’t a saint and that a part of her couldn’t help but also resent Jessica, the woman who had so effortlessly stolen half of Louis’ heart.

At the thought of Louis, Anne turned to leave. She didn’t want to awkwardly come face to face with Louis, who she knew would come to pick up his wife in any time.

In front of the orphanage

As Louis pulled in front of the orphanage, he could spot Anne’s back as she walked out of the orphanage by a side exit.

As Anne slowly disappeared from his view…

***************************FLASHBACKS******************************************

In a low-rent apartment

Louis was sitting on a chair looking down at the floor deep in thought, when Anne unlocked the door and entered the small apartment.

Louis (immediately looking up, he stares at her): How was school today?

Anne (hesitating a bit): ……The same.

Louis (his eyes piercing into hers with an intense gaze): What new piece did you learn today?

Anne (avoiding his eyes): Nothing special.

Louis (angry, he stands up): Why are you lying to me? I talked to Mandy today. She said you haven’t been in school for the past few weeks. I know you’ve been teaching privately instead of going to school.

Anne: Ah Tin I…

Louis: You’re going back to school tomorrow, I’ve talked to the director and he had agreed to have you back.

Anne (calmly but firmly): I don’t want to go back.

Louis (yelling): Remember what you promised me when you followed me? You said you were going to listen to me…(he calms down a bit, his voice even and firm now) So tomorrow you’re going back to school, no more discussion.

Anne (she looks straight at Louis and yells, emphasizing on every word): I WON’T GO BACK AND YOU CAN’T MAKE ME. I promised you I would listen to you but not when you’re being unreasonable. Don’t you think that I don’t know about all those bruises that are all over your body!

Louis (his eyes looking down at the floor, his voice soft): You don’t have to worry about that. I can handle everything. All you need to do is to concentrate on your studies.

Anne (in a desperate voice, hot tears spilling from her eyes): You’re only human Ah Tin! Why must you carry everything on your shoulders all the time? (she looks up into his eyes and shakes his hands) Please let me help you.

Louis just kept silent as he gazed down at Anne knowing that no matter what he said now, he wouldn’t be able to change her mind on this matter. He gently brushed off her tears and then with violent strength, he pulled her into his arms.

As they hugged, he silently promised to himself that from now on, he would take good care of Anne and strive to give her the best of everything. Never will he allow anyone to hurt her. Never, ever.

*************END OF FLASHBACK************************************

Jessica (tapping on Louis’ shoulder smiling): Louis!

Louis (snapping out from his memories): Huh?

Jessica (getting in the car): What were you daydreaming of?

Louis just smiled off her remark.

Jessica: Louis, you should have seen the kids. Their smiles really warmed my heart. Do you think we could maybe donate more this year?

Louis: Sure.

In front of Louis and Jessica’s mansion

Louis (from the opened window of his car): Jessica, you go in and prepare yourself for the charity ball while I go and take care of some work in the company. I’ll be back in two hours to pick you up.

Jessica (nods): Ok, don’t be late.

Louis: I won’t. Bye Bye.

Jessica (waving back at him): Bye Bye.

When Jessica turned around and walked towards her mansion’s main door, she saw Stephen sitting on the steps that led to the door.

Stephen (pointing to his watch): You are exactly 15 minutes late, Mrs. Koo.

Jessica (smiling): I know, I know. It took me more time at the orphanage and then with the traffic...

Stephen (lifting up the dress in one hand so that it is in front of Jessica): Here’s your dress for the evening.

Jessica (smiling sheepishly, she takes the dress): Thanks.

Jessica unlocked the door and walked into the house with Stephen following her from behind. When Jessica closed the door, Stephen sauntered into the house and that was when she noticed the small basket of strawberries in his hands.

Jessica (with an incredulous tone): What did you do this time?

Stephen (grinning sheepishly): Well, we went to the movies and Cecilia insisted on seeing “Bounce “and you know how I hate those romantic comedies…so I said no to it. We ended up arguing about it. And I said “why should I always be the one to spoil you? Why can’t you just try to please me once?”. Obviously Cecilia got extremely mad and walked out on our date.

Jessica (shaking her head): You guys are just amazing! Aren’t you tired of continuously bickering with each other for the silliest thing?

Stephen (sitting down on the sofa, he suddenly turns serious): Well sometimes, yes.

Jessica (turning concerned): Stephen…but you knew how Cecilia was…

Stephen (seeing the concerned look in Jessica’s eyes, he smiles): Of course, I know how unreasonable Cecilia is. Sometimes, I can get extremely frustrated with Cecilia and I’m sure she also feels the same way about me at times. We have our differences. She’s unreasonable but then again, your brother is no angel either (referring to his hot temper). I might act goofy most of the time but when I proposed to her I was extremely serious about it, I knew what I was doing. Of course, bickering can get quite unpleasant but you know it is good in a relationship because it helps you understand the other person better.

Jessica (relieved, she smiles): But too much can make it fall apart too so you better sweet-talk her soon or else days later, you’ll be taking wedding photographs alone.

Stephen (smiles): Ok Ok Jess, I know what to do. You’re beginning to sound like an old lady repeating the same things all the time. (standing up) So now that I accomplished the mission of safely bringing the dress to you, can I leave now?

Jessica (shaking her head, she smiles): You and your mouth…Ok, Bye. Wish you luck with Cecilia. (then looking at the strawberry basket in his hands) Don’t you think it’s about time you change tricks? You can be more innovative, you know.

Stephen (smiling mischievously): I know it’s an old trick but it always works with her (laughing, he makes his way out of the house).

Jessica just shook her head at her brother.

---

At the Charity Ball

Jessica (holding a glass of wine): So any special someone that I should know of?

Gallen (chuckling): Not really. Up until now, I still haven’t found anyone nearly as perfect as you were.

Jessica (smiling): Really? I’ve read somewhere that you are currently pursuing the beautiful lawyer Flora Chan. Don’t tell me it’s just rumors.

Gallen (smiling mischievously): Tsk Tsk Tsk. Why can’t I never keep any secret from you?

Jessica (smiles and with an excited tone): You know, we really ought to have dinner some time so that I can teach you some tricks. You were pretty dull when we dated.

Gallen (he gives her a reproachful look for her remark but then he smiles): Do you really think that Flora, like any ordinary woman, could have resisted my charms? (whispering) Of course, we’re together now. You’re the first one to know so hush. Besides that, I don’t think your husband would be very happy about us meeting each other for dinner.

Jessica looked in Louis’ direction. He was socializing with some men, business partners probably.

***************************FLASHBACKS******************************************

In Jessica’s office

Jessica and Gallen were standing a little too close to each other because Gallen was trying to adjust the bracelet for Jessica. Earlier, when Jessica tried to reach up and take a file down in order to discuss it with Gallen, the bracelet had slipped from her hand.

Suddenly the door swung open as Louis walked in holding a huge bouquet of roses.

Louis: Jessica I……….(he looks at Gallen, then at Jessica and then at their hands)

Furious, Louis threw the bouquet of roses he was holding, down on the floor and stormed out of the office without a word.

Jessica ran after him.

Near the elevator

Louis roughly pushed the button impatiently waiting for the elevator when Jessica caught up with him.

Jessica: What’s happening?

Louis (not turning back to look at her): Nothing, I just didn’t want to disturb you two.

Jessica (her face red with anger): Louis Koo, do you have the slightest idea of what you’re saying??? I’m your WIFE, maybe you could start to trust me a little!

Louis didn’t offer any reply, he chose to simply ignore her as he got into the elevator and left the building.

*****************END OF FLASHBACK*****************************************

Jessica (her eyes never leaving Louis, she says to Gallen with a confident smile on her face): Before maybe… but now, he won’t… I’m sure he won’t.