Dressed in her favorite pink stripe pyjamas, Cecilia yawned as she slowly walked down the stairs and towards the huge dining table.

Sitting at the table was Andy Lau, a handsome 50 year-old man whose face was, for the moment, hidden behind the spread out newspaper he was reading.

Despite his age, Andy looked every bit as attractive, lively and charming as any handsome young man could.

A very successful businessman and a most sought after billionaire widower, Andy is also the best friend of Louis’ father.

Cecilia (bending towards her father smiling): Morning Daddddy.

Andy (putting down the newspaper to finally reveal his face, he smiles): Good morning, my spoiled daughter.

Cecilia (grimacing at Andy, she sits down in the chair beside his): Why are you always teasing me?

Andy (smiles): Because I like to see your childish reaction to my teasing. (turning serious) Cecilia, you’re getting married soon, I can’t be beside you all the time. You should start acting more like an adult.

Cecilia (seriously): I will. (grinning) But Daddy, you still have to put up with my childish behavior for another six months.

Andy (smiling, he shakes his head at his daughter): Hurry up Cecilia and eat your breakfast. Don’t let Stephen wait for you. And speaking of Stephen, it’s been a long time I haven’t seen him. Tell him that I’m not a too difficult father-in-law.

Cecilia: Of course not Daddy! Stephen is just busy with Hung Sam’s heavy workload.

Andy (grinning): No need to be that defensive Cecilia, I was just kidding!

Cecilia (excitedly): Why don’t we invite Louis, Jessica and Stephen for a Christmas Eve party here? It’ll be so fun!

3 days later inside a movie theater

Stephen and Cecilia walked out of the “Bounce” showroom hand-in-hand.

Stephen: Didn’t I tell you that this movie would be really boring?

Cecilia: Yeah you’re right, it was pretty bad. So next time, we’ll see Pearl Harbor.

Stephen (incredulous): WHAT? Not Ben Affleck again! I’m almost as good-looking as him so just watch me instead and it’s free!

Cecilia didn’t reply to Stephen, instead she just suddenly froze in place.

Stephen waved his hand in front of Cecilia’s eyes wondering what had suddenly come over her. He then turned towards the direction of Cecilia’s stare.

Stephen couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Clenching his fists, Stephen was ready to run towards them but Cecilia held him back.

Cecilia (shaking her head): Don’t make a scene here Stephen. Just talk to him later.

At a basketball court

Stephen was sitting down on the ground when Louis walked towards him smiling.

Louis: Hey, why did you call me out here so late? Why didn’t you bring a ball?

Stephen (he just glares at Louis and then he stands up): I was afraid you were busy with some other things.

Louis (his smile fading immediately): What’s wrong?

Stephen (yelling, his face red with anger): You promised me you would never hurt my sister again! This is not your first time, BASTARD!

Louis just remained silent, shocked at the suddenness of the situation.

Stephen: I want to hear your explanation.

Louis (looks straight at Stephen): I have nothing to say.

There was a moment of tension as both men just silently stood in front of each other.

Finally, Stephen spoke up.

Stephen (pointing to Louis, in a loud voice): This time I won’t tell Jessica because I know if I tell her now, it will be over between you two. I can’t bear to see her getting hurt again after all that she’s been through for you. And I don’t want GiGi to grow up without a father… (shaking his head in frustration, anger rising within him again at the mention of GiGi) Why do you have to be such an irresponsible bastard all the time?

After practically spitting out those last words, Stephen turned around and started to walk out from the basketball court. He wanted to leave this place as soon as possible because he knew that if he stayed here a little longer, he wouldn’t be able to contain himself and will maybe do something that he will regret later.

Before Stephen left, he had turned around and said to Louis:

“In some unexplainable way, I can feel that you still love Jessica. But why? Why? If you love someone so much, how can you bring yourself to hurt her time after time?”