Anne walked out of the Sainte Enfance Orphanage where she regularly and voluntarily teaches piano to the children in need. As she was about to cross the street, she saw a man. The sight of him made her stop dead in her tracks. His face was all too familiar to her. Wearing a pale grey suit and carrying a suitcase in one hand, he was standing on the sidewalk engrossed in a phone conversation. He didn't seem to notice her which was an immense relief to her because if there was one person in the whole wide world who she didn't want to run into, it was him. Anne turned around and took another path to avoid him.
In an Ice Cream Parlour
Louis was standing in line waiting for his turn to order when Anne walked towards him.
Anne: Sorry I'm late.
Louis (smiles at seeing her): It's okay. I'm the one who is usually late.
Cashier: Sir, what would you like to order?
Louis: May I have one cone of raspberry sorbet and one cone of chocolate ice cream?
Meanwhile, two women and a child had just entered the ice cream parlour and queued behind all the people waiting.
Jessica: So what happened with Stephen?
Cecilia: As usual, he yelled at me for no reason.
Jessica: He's hot-tempered, you know that.
Cecilia: Of course I know, I'm even kind of used to it by now. I wasn't exactly angry with him anyway.
Jessica: What did he do to make it up to you this time?
Cecilia (smiles): Just some sweet words. Besides, we're going camping tomorrow.
Jessica (surprised): You like those type of things?
Cecilia (shakes her head and grimaces): Not really. I just didn't want to spoil his excitement. You know, Stephen's the adventurous type, he loves stuff like that. (her eyes were now wandering in front of the line, she spots Louis' back).
Cecilia (points straight ahead): Hey Jessica, isn't that Louis?
Jessica (her eyes not looking at where Cecilia is pointing, she is too busy looking over GiGi who was making a fuss) It can't be Louis. He's at Hung Sam working right now, he just called me.
Cecilia: Oh.
Cashier (handing Louis the 2 cones): That would be 20 dollars.
Anne took the cones as Louis handed money to the cashier and thanked her.
Louis and Anne made their way to one of the table located in a corner of the ice cream parlour and sat down.
Louis (smiles): So how was your day? Is Danny (one of Anne's naughty student) still giving you a headache?
Anne didn't answer Louis. She seemed to be preoccupied with something, so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even hear Louis.
Louis: Hoi Lan? (slightly louder) Hoi Lan?
Anne (snapping out of her thoughts): Huh? Did you say something?
Louis: Is something bothering you?
Anne: Hmm, no.
Louis (hesitates a bit before he speaks): Hoi Lan, why don't you quit teaching at the orphanage in order to go back and study music instead?
Anne (playfully): Don't you think that I'm good enough already? Seriously, I just want to help those children out.
Louis just nodded
After a while, it was finally Jessica and Cecilia's turn to order.
Jessica: May I have vanilla ice cream in a cup?
Cecilia: And strawberry ice cream in a cup for me. Thanks.
While the cashier was putting ice cream in the cups for them, Cecilia and Jessica continued chatting.
Jessica: You know, Louis used to really like vanilla ice cream just like me but now he prefers chocolate.
Cecilia: What's the big deal? Stephen changes his taste in ice cream every month. You love Louis so much, so why don't you just change taste like him?
Jessica: No, vanilla's still the best.
Cecilia (now realizing that they are again talking about Louis): You are always dragging Louis into the conversation!
Jessica (smiles and then jokingly): So let's talk about Stephen instead. I think he will change his girlfriend very soon just like he changes ice cream flavors each month.
Cecilia: That's just because he hasn't found the flavor he likes best. But for girlfriends, I know I'm the one.
Jessica (smiles): You're truly not lacking confidence.
Cashier (handing the cups of ice cream) : Uh Miss, that will come to 20$.
After paying for the ice cream, Jessica and Cecilia thanked the cashier and walked out of the ice cream parlour, not knowing that if they had stayed just a little longer, they would have been able to see Louis and Anne.
6 o'clock p.m. at Hung Sam
Nic was waiting by the elevator when Joyce came near him with a bag.
Joyce: Do you know where Mr. Koo is? I can't find him anywhere.
Nic: He left.
Joyce: Aren't you supposed to be with him?
Nic: Yes but after work Mr. Koo insisted that he didn't need me, so I'm leaving now.
Joyce (looking a little disappointed): Oh.
Nic: What's the matter?
Joyce: It's just that I bought 3 lunch sets of rice for you, Mr. Koo and me. Have you eaten yet?
Nic shook his head.
Joyce: Care to have dinner with me here then?
Nic (hesitates a bit, he looks down at his watch and then at Joyce for a long while until he nods): Ok.
Both of them stayed silent as they ate, each of them not feeling the need to fill in the comfortable atmosphere with unnecessary words. Surprisingly enough for both of them, they found themselves enjoying each other's company.
7 o'clock p.m.
Nic: Here's your file Sunny.
Sunny (taking it): Good. (then surprised at seeing Nic still standing there, he shots Nic an annoyed look) What are you waiting for, standing there? Leave.
Nic left.
8 o'clock p.m Song playing: “A Man Like Me” by Louis Koo
Louis stopped the car in front of Anne's house.
Anne: Goodbye.
Anne was about to open the door and get off the car when Louis gently pulled her elbow to keep her from leaving. Anne turned to face Louis, a surprise look registering on her face.
Anne: There's something you want to tell me?
Louis took out two plane tickets from his coat's pocket and handed one to Anne.
Anne (staring at the plane ticket, at a sudden loss for words): Ah Tin.....
Louis: We are going to Australia together. (Anne then looked up at Louis, staring into his eyes)
Anne : You know you don't have to do that, I would understand.
Louis : I do it not because I have to, but simply because I want to. (gazing at Anne) Will you go with me?
There was a moment of hesitation as Anne just sat there gazing back at Louis as if she was trying to read his expression.
And then suddenly, she pulled him into a tight embrace as tears of joy mingled with pain fall from her eyes.
Tears of joy because the man she loves had loved her back enough to take every word she had ever said to him, to heart.
She had told him by accident on her birthday that she wishes to have a weekend trip with him somewhere. She hadn't expected him to remember it and much less for him to act on it.
But he did.
Tears of pain because it was only at this very moment that she could feel how much of a burden it must have been for him to deal with both Jessica and her throughout all these years.
He had gone through trials and tribulations to keep both of them happy as best as he knew how and at the same time, tormenting himself with guilt every waking hour for doing so.
And just as he had told her, he didn't do it because he had to, but simply because he wanted to.
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