Stephen has just come back from Australia.

But instead of enjoying a romantic candlelight dinner in a French restaurant somewhere by Cecilia’s side as he had expected to do days ago, he was sitting alone in a bar, both confused and scared.

His cell phone rang.

Stephen looked at the name displayed.

Cecilia.

What is he going to say to her? Or rather, how is he going to say those things to her?

On the plane, he had thought a lot. He had thought long and hard about him, about her and about them.

He had finally made a decision. However painful this decision would be for both of them, he was convinced it was the only solution.

No matter what, he couldn’t jeopardize her safety. In Stephen’s mind, that was the least that he could do: to protect her.

As the cell phone continued ringing, Stephen just sadly stared at it. Anguish crept into his features as he took the call.

Stephen: Hello.

Cecilia: WHAT HELLO???? WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW????

Stephen: In a bar.

Cecilia: IN A BAR? Do you know that I’ve been waiting for you for two whole hours now? Have you forgotten about our date tonight?

Stephen: I won’t be coming, just go home now.

Cecilia: WHAT???? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR…

Before Cecilia could finish what she had wanted to say, Stephen had already hung up.

Stephen (to the bartender): Give me another glass of whiskey.

Bartender: Sure Sir.

Half an hour later

When Stephen was about to take another gulp of his umpteenth glass of whiskey, Cecilia, who was dressed in a beautiful blue dress, came in and angrily strode towards where Stephen was sitting.

Cecilia (taking the glass from Stephen’s hand): Stephen Fung, what do you think you’re doing?

Stephen (totally ignoring Cecilia, to the bartender): Get me another glass.

Cecilia stared angrily at the bartender as if to say “Don’t you dare give it to him”.

The bartender just stared at them both in annoyance. He then went to serve another client, leaving the two alone to resolve whatever problems they had.

Cecilia (feeling the heat rising): What’s going on here, Stephen? I want an answer!

Stephen (finally looking at Cecilia): You know what? You’re just my girlfriend Cecilia, not my mother. So stop yelling at me like that!

Cecilia was so shocked by Stephen’s harsh words that her mouth just dropped open.

And then a little later after the initial shock came to pass, she finally found her voice back.

Cecilia: IF…IF… YOU…YOU FIND ME SO ANNOYING, THEN WHY DON’T WE JUST BREAK IT OFF ???!!!

Stephen (looking straight in her eyes, in a calm and nonchalant tone): You said it yourself. Let’s break up then.

Cecilia (both shocked and angry): Fine! (she turns away from Stephen and runs out of the bar crying)

As Cecilia disappeared from his view, Stephen looked down in sheer agony as he mumbled: “I’m sorry Cecilia. I didn’t have a choice.”

Just when Stephen was about to call the bartender over for another glass of whiskey, Louis walked in the bar and came over to where Stephen was sitting. He has seen the whole scene between Stephen and Cecilia.

Louis (tapping on Stephen’s shoulder): Stephen...

Stephen (hostilely shrugging off Louis’ arm): Get out of my face, I don’t want to see you! (he ignores Louis then raised his hand for the bartender)

When the bartender came over, Stephen was about to make his order when Louis cut in.

Louis (to the bartender): He has had enough drinks for tonight.

Stephen (feeling his anger rising, he lashes out at Louis): Why the fuck do you even care ??!! Who do you think you are???? It’s none of your fucking business what I do with my life, you fucking bastard. (to the bartender) Don’t listen to him, give me another glass of whiskey!

Bartender (getting angry at what has been happening with Cecilia and now with Louis): You guys sort it out! Stop wasting my time!

Stephen (shouting after the bartender, he’s very drunk at this point): Hey you! Come back here! Give me another glass of whiskey!

Looking at the situation, Louis didn’t have much of a choice but to drag Stephen out of the bar by force.

Louis (proceeding to grab Stephen): I have something important to tell you!

Stephen (protesting, he tries to push Louis away but Louis seems to be too strong for him at this point): I don’t fucking care what you want to tell me! Let me go, you fucking bastard!!!!!

Louis (dragging him out of the bar by force): I don’t freaking care if you care about what I have to say! But you’re going to hear me out!

Outside the bar

Stephen (screaming): Let me go, let me go, LET ME GO, bastard!

As Louis finally released Stephen from his grasp, Stephen stumbled back.

Louis (trying to approach Stephen): Stephen…

Stephen (moving backwards): Get away from me!!!

Louis: Stephen, calm down!

Stephen (in an incredulous tone): You want me to calm down???? (laughing hysterically) You -want - me - to - calm - down.

Louis: Stephen…

Stephen: Tell me how to calm down Louis after knowing what you have done to both Jessica and the company. Who are you, Louis? Are you the Louis I’ve grown up with because I can’t recognize you anymore! First, you’re doing all this shit behind Jessica’s back and now you’re messing up with the company, turning it upside down! What exactly are you doing Louis? What exactly are you trying to achieve????? The company is half yours! Have you forgotten all about our parents and how they’ve worked so hard all their lives into building what we have right now???? Why are you destroying everything?

Louis (he looks down, sighs and then looks back up): Stephen, I know that no matter what I say now or how I try to explain it, you’re not going to listen. But please, (he takes out two plane tickets from his pocket and hand them to Stephen) please, take these. Your life is in danger and this is the only thing I can do for you right now.

Stephen just looked at the two plane tickets in confusion as his mind started racing.

Louis: Contact Cecilia now and leave for England for the time being. I promise you that I will take care of everything and I can assure you that if you leave with Cecilia now, you will both be safe.

Stephen just looked at Louis for the longest time as he said those words.

In the space of only a few weeks, everything has happened so fast that trying to cope and deal with everything has been taking its toll on him. He wanted so much to vent all his anger and frustrations at Louis but at this point, Stephen didn’t feel like screaming, shouting or asking any questions anymore. He was just suddenly so exhausted that he didn’t feel he had any more energy left in him to do any of these things.

Looking at Louis’ expression, Stephen knew deep down inside that Louis still cared. But that wasn’t enough for him anymore. He hated Louis now, he was convinced of that. This man, who he has always trusted and loved as a brother, has betrayed him and Jessica time and again and turned both of their lives into this huge, unmendable mess. And for as long as he lived, Stephen would never forgive him for that.

As Stephen’s mind swirled with thoughts, Louis spoke again and for the last time.

Louis: I know that you hate me, Stephen but please reconsider what I just said. Remember that you also have Cecilia to think about too.

With that Louis just put the tickets in Stephen’s hands and left.

Stephen just looked on as Louis left.

When he could no longer see Louis, Stephen then turned his attention back to the tickets in his hands.

As he looked at them, Louis’ words suddenly reverberated in his mind:

“You also have Cecilia to think about too.”

Less than a month ago, he had promised her the world by proposing to her. They were all so happy back then, without a care in the world. Why couldn’t things keep being what they used to be?

He shook his head at the naïve thought.

They were only happy because they lived in ignorance. And sometimes, Stephen had to acknowledge that ignorance is bliss.

As Stephen looked at the tickets, a picture of a smiling Cecilia formed in his mind. And suddenly, he didn’t care about anything anymore.

At the moment, Stephen just wanted leave everything behind and fly with Cecilia as far away from this place as possible.

With that thought in mind, Stephen was about to put the tickets in his pocket when a voice in the back of his mind prevented him from doing that.

His father’s.

As Stephen looked at the beautiful full moon above him, thoughts of his long deceased father resurfaced in his mind.

**********************************FLASHBACK**********************************

They were both sitting on the chairs in the balcony of their huge mansion observing the beautiful full moon as they had a father and son chat.

Mr. Fung: So, how are you liking it, working in the company?

Stephen (smiling): Not bad at all, Dad. And Louis has been very helpful.

Mr. Fung (nodding): Yes, Louis is indeed a very intelligent and hardworking man. Jessica and him do make a wonderful couple.

Stephen (smiling): Yes. I think they make a perfect couple. If I could be half as good as Louis is in doing business, I’d consider myself very successful.

Mr. Fung: Louis is good, there is no doubt about it. But you know what son? I have always been very proud of you as well.

Stephen smiled at that.

Mr. Fung (smiling): Stephen, you have never once made me worry about you.

Stephen (smiling): Wow father, you’re pretty generous with the praises tonight.

Mr. Fung (he smiles and then he suddenly turns serious as he looked at Stephen): But Stephen, there are two things that are getting me very worried right now.

Stephen (his eyes turning very serious): What is it Dad?

Mr. Fung (sighs): Your sister.

Stephen (his eyebrows arching in surprise): What about her? She’s doing very well. Aren’t you proud of her also?

Mr. Fung: I am very proud of her, Stephen. I love your sister just as much as I love you. It is just that I am worried that…what I want to say is that your sister isn’t always as strong as she seems to be. Since she was young, both your mother and I have cocooned her in our protective shell. Because of that, she has never really ventured in the world on her own and I am afraid that she might be taken advantage of for that reason. Stephen, if it’s possible, always keep an eye out for her. Even though, she is your older sister, I need you to take care of her when I will no longer be here to do so.

Stephen (nodding his understanding): Dad, don’t say that. I am sure you will live a hundred years and more. Don’t worry, though. I will always take care of Jessica.

Mr. Fung (nodding): Great then. There’s another thing, Stephen.

Stephen (nodding seriously): Yes, Dad.

Mr. Fung: I need you to take care of the company. You know how I’ve worked all my life into making it what it is today. When I will no longer be able to, can you take over it?

Stephen: What do you mean Dad? Don’t you trust Louis?

Mr. Fung: I do trust Louis, Stephen. But sometimes you also need to pave the way for yourself just in case… Louis does possess half of the company’s shares from his own father’s heritage. I possess the other half. He’s therefore every bit the company’s chairman as I am. He has just let me sit on this chair out of respect for your sister. He seems very in love with her now but who knows about the future? He still bears a different last name, Stephen. In case he’s no longer in love with Jessica, I don’t want to see him swallow the other half of the company.

Stephen: I would try to father, I promise.

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

As Stephen recalled his promise to his father, he just knew that he would never be able to leave everything behind in order to go with Cecilia.

He would never be able to live with himself if he did.


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We're very sorry about the late updates! But we kinda make it up with 2 chapters right? :) Just wanted to say THANK YOU to our readers for your patience. We hope you enjoyed both chapters. If you have time, tell us what you think so that we can improve :)