** Destined to Be? ~ Chapter Two **

Chapter Two of my series -  there will be hints of the main plot of the story here. ^^ Lovely foreshadowing! I mean after all, I can't just have Lei and Shan Cai just live happily ever after in this fic.. Muhahaha.. gotta make 'em suffer! *evil grin* Do not get any weird ideas from this.. I'm not some weird psycho person with a deep desire to kill and torture.. or am I?

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“Shan Cai!!” her mother’s high-pitched voice came through the door.

“Ma!” Shan Cai ran out to greet her mother. They cried as they held each other. “Ma! I’m so happy you are back.. I missed you so much!”

“Hey! Don’t forget your father!” he called out before going to join in on the group hug.

“Go and bring in the luggage! What are you doing lazing around?” her mother cried to her father.

“Ok ok.. I’m going!” he went, defeated to get their small suitcases.

Shan Cai giggled and walked into the house with her mother. Sometimes her parents could be so childish.. but maybe that was why she loved them so much.

“My poor daughter.. Made you live in such a small place. Now we have earned enough money from the fishing village, your papa will find a good job here in the city!” her mother shouted, as if trying to hint something to her husband.

“Yes yes yes..” he father agreed as he came stumbling in with the luggage. “I will not make you live badly again!” he declared.

Shan Cai smiled, “It doesn’t matter. As long as we are together and happy, it’s okay.”

Suddenly her mother burst out crying. “Ma! What’s the matter?”

“Shan Cai.. you are all grown up now..” she sobbed, “So mature..”

“Aiyo.. mama..” her father patted her on the back, “Don’t be sad. It is good that our daughter is grown up!”

“Yes yes.. we must be proud!”

Shan Cai smiled at the two of them, “Of course, you are my parents!”

Her mother paled at her sentence and her father’s face fell.

Seeing the weird looks on her parent’s faces, she stared worriedly at them, “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

“No no no..” her father gave a weak laugh, “Nothing..”

“Oh yes.. I nearly forgot..” her mother’s face brightened up, “How are things going between you and Dao Ming Si shao ye? Are you getting married soon? Must have lots of babies..” she said dreamily.

“What are you talking about?” Shan Cai blushed heavily, “I.. er.. I broke up with him..”

“What?!” her mother screeched and started gasping for breath.

“You know your mother has asthma! Shouldn’t do this to her! Get the puffer!” her father shouted out.

After taking a few puffs from the puffer, she calmed down and stared at Shan Cai. “What do you think you’re doing? You CANNOT break up with Dao Ming Si shao ye!” she reprimanded.

“Wait.. you haven’t even let me finish yet!” Shan Cai cried exasperatedly, “I..” she blushed, “I’m with Lei now..”

“Oh!” her mother said in realisation, “Hua Zhe Lei shao ye? The one who helped us pay our fees? Ah! He is good!” she praised. “Though not as rich as Dao Ming Si shao ye..” she mumbled resentfully.

“Who cares about money? I’m happy with Lei.. Me and Dao Ming Si are just friends,” she explained.

“Ok ok.. let’s go and unpack now!” her father said loudly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

San Chai smiled softly as she left the house. Lei was always so thoughtful and considerate. He had already secured a place for her in the Hua Zhe enterprise. She didn’t want to work in the Dao Ming company anymore – the risk of running into Dao Ming Feng was too great. She shuddered, the cold-hearted woman never failed to invoke fear within her. The painful memories of the past were too vivid for her liking.

 * Flashbacks *

 The steely cold eyes watched her as she walked over to the piano. It was Dao Ming Si’s birthday party. The first time she had met his mother, Dao Ming Feng. She had developed an almost instant disliking to the woman.

 She watched as Hua Zhe Lei tried to convince Dao Ming Feng that she wasn’t ready.

 “A girl who wants to marry into the Dao Ming family to be a daughter-in-law, sooner or later she will need to enter into the society circles.  If she doesn’t even have the minimum courage for an event like this, then how do you think she be able to handle other things?” Dao Ming Feng stares icily at her again, a slight smile playing on her lips. “Please begin, Ms San Cai.”

 She sat down determinedly and started to bang out disjointed chords. She watched as everybody winced at the loud harsh music. She relished the look of surprise on Dao Ming Feng’s face. Then she stopped suddenly, she recomposed herself before starting a new song.

 This time, a beautiful melody floated into the air. “There use to be a philosopher in the west that has once said.  Women.  Elegant diamonds, glittering pearls, can win you your false, preposterous imaginations.  Who knew that your encounter with it would only leave a snobbish poison, an arrogant fragrance, that scent which teases a person and kills a person.  Women.  When you once again salute to wealth, shout merrily at fame, raise your arm at power, then please don’t ask about those singing supporters of yours.  It is not known where they have flown off to now.  Because its voice has already dried up so that it’s mute.  For the truth, one’s glory, and a clean soul, it has perished away.”

 She glared defiantly at her enemy, she would not be beaten down by these snobby rich people. Dao Ming Feng was glaring at her angrily, outraged at the underlying message in her words. After finishing her playing, only F3 applauded.

“Whether a person’s soul is noble or cheap, is that judged by if she can play the piano or what background she is born from?  What brand of clothing she is wearing? What’s so great about knowing how to play the piano?  Let me tell you all, I only know how to play this one piece.  And so what?”

 She looked over at Hua Zhe Lei, silently thanking him before walking away. Dao Ming Feng was arguing with her son – CEO’s daughter.. She was not a rich person..  Dao Ming Si rushed over to her, pulling her with him, out the door. The beginning of a long hard journey for them – a test of their love.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You think you gotta keep me iced, you don't

You think I'm gonna spend your cash, I won't

Even if you were broke

My love don't cost a thing

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Their second encounter.. Dao Ming Feng had come to her home.. Dao Ming Feng and her assistant, Yu Tian. Shan Cai’s mother is courteous, eager to please. Dao Ming Feng has no interest, she gets right down to business.

 “I think there’s no need to be courteous.  I’ll just be direct about the reason why I have come to visit your house today. Miss San Cai.  I ask that you stop having illusions about Dao Ming Si.  Of course, I won’t ask you to give up for nothing.”

 Yu Tian opens a briefcase full of money.. Ten million dollars. Dao Ming Feng explains.. “Everyone knows Ah Si’s important responsibility in succeeding the family’s business.  So, being his mother, I have to supervise his inappropriate behavior at all times. Especially those tripping little rocks and also some weed that’s harmful to the eye that shows up along the road when he is growing up.  I must show up at the first moment to help him destroy it.”

 She glares at Dao Ming Feng, angry at her words. But Dao Ming Feng continues.. saying that her son is only playing around with Shan Cai. Shan Cai’s mother is angry. She gets a large container of salt and dumps it over Dao Ming Feng’s head. She starts to defend Shan Cai, ordering the visitors to leave their house.

  The cold eyes bore into her soul as they watch her again. Shan Cai looks back defiantly, glad to have them leave her house.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Think I wanna drive your Benz, I don't
If I wanna floss I got my own
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 The third time.. Yu Tian has brought her to an expensive hotel.. to a room with Dao Ming Feng and Dao Ming Si. She wonders, what is the old woman up to this time? The door opens, revealing He Yuan Zi.. Dao Ming Si’s fiancée. Shan Cai looks over at Dao Ming Si, eyes wide with shock.

 Xiao Zi’s parents enter. Dao Ming Feng and the He’s greet each other cordially. Talking about their children’s arranged marriage. Shan Cai stands, humiliated. Dao Ming Feng turns to her and smiles.

 “Miss San Cai.  I’m very happy that you could find the time to come today.  Under this kind of condition, do you understand the situation now?”

 Shan Cai looks down, “I understand..”

 Dao Ming Feng nods and goes over to talk to the He’s. She wants to leave.. but her feet feel like they are nailed to the floor. She cannot move. Suddenly Dao Ming Si starts to beat up the bodyguards around him.. before grabbing Xiao Zi’s hand and running out the door. She stares at their retreating backs in shock.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When I took a chance
Thought you'd understand
Baby, credit cards aren't romance
So you're tryin' to buy what's already yours
What I need from you is not available in stores
Seen a side of you that I really feel
Doing way too much, never keep it real
If it doesn't change, gotta hit the road

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Mei Zuo, Xi Men and Lei visit Shan Cai at her house. They chat for a while before Shan Cai gets another visitor – Dao Ming Feng. She accuses Shan Cai of using unscrupulous methods to break up Ah Si and Xiao Zi. She tells Shan Cai that both of them had simultaneously decided to cancel the wedding. She asks Shan Cai when she will stop pestering Ah Si. Feng even insults Shan Cai’s parents, condemning them for teaching Shan Cai to use underhanded measures to obtain her goals. Lei jumps to Shan Cai’s defense, reproaching Feng for going too far with her words. Feng shuts him up. Mei Zuo also tries to help Shan Cai but to no avail. Knowing that Shan Cai’s parents had gone to live at the fisherman’s village, Feng mocks her for not taking the money that she had offered them earlier. She insults Shan Cai further by hinting that she is loose for bringing the F3 into her house.

 Furious with what Feng has said, Shan Cai calls her "an old hag". She tells Feng to buy Ah Si a dog leash if she wants to control him so much. Shan Cai is aware that in Feng’s eyes, she is nobody. However, she wants Feng to know that she (Shan Cai) condemns her (Feng) and is the worst person she (Shan Cai) ever knew in her life. In Feng’s eyes, she only sees herself and Ah Si and looks down on everyone else. Shan Cai declares that she does not welcome Feng at all and orders her to leave her house immediately. Furious that Shan Cai actually dared to speak to her in that way, Feng leaves the house.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

All that matter's is
That you treat me right
Give me all the things I need
That money can't buy, yeah

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 Shan Cai has lost her house and is living in Dao Ming Si’s mansion. Working as his personal servant. But.. Dao Ming Feng is back.. Shan Cai is all packed and about to leave. When she opens the door, she comes face to face with Feng. Feng chides Yu Sao for allowing such a dirty person to enter the mansion. Shan Cai tells Feng not to scold Yu Sao and conveys her intention to leave at once. Feng stops her and demands that Shan Cai quotes her a price. She is willing to pay Shan Cai any amount of money as long as she stops pestering Ah Si. Shan Cai is disgusted and at a loss for words. Yu Sao speaks up for her and insists that she will not allow Feng to throw Shan Cai out of the house. She threatens to kill herself if Shan Cai were to leave the house. Knowing that she has to show Yu Sao respect no matter what, Feng allows Shan Cai to stay for the night on account of Yu Sao. She walks off angrily.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A thing, a thing, a thing
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You think the money that you make
Can substitute the time you take
Take the keys here to my heart
Then you can win my heart and get what's in my heart 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 This time Dao Ming Feng has attacked her friends – Xiao You and Qing He. Shan Cai goes to Dao Ming Mansion to confront Feng. She walks in angrily. Feng asks her to sit down but Shan Cai rejects her offer and tells her that she would go when she finishes talking. Feng tells her that she does not want to waste her precious time on her and asks her if she knows what had happened.

 Shan Cai tells her that if she did not know then she would not appear so rudely before her. Shan Cai continues asking her for what she wants her to do, any thing just to stop her stupid movements. Feng picks up the phone and cancels everything. When she is finished Shan Cai tells her that she would immediately leave the house and never come back. She also promises that from that day on she and Ah Shi would never have a relationship again.

 Feng is pleased and asked her if there is anything else she would want to say. Her twisted smile stays on her face, its warmth never reaching the merciless cold eyes. Shan Cai tells Feng that she is a ruined person, maybe in business world she is the richest and best of them all but on this world there are many things, which are precious and better than money but she would only use money or power to threaten them.

 Shan Cai tells Feng that even a mouse on the dirty street is better than her. Feng is angry and asks Shan Cai what she means by precious things, love or friendship? Feng asks Shan Cai to leave and does not want to waste per precious time. Shan Cai angrily picks up Feng’s cup, Feng angrily stands up. Shan Cai tells Feng that there is no way of rescuing her now and that whatever Feng does to her she would not give up, she then warns Feng that if she ever does anything to her friends she would not forgive her. With that she drops the cup on the table and walks off.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I think you need to take some time
To show me that your love is true
There's more than dollar signs in you
Then you can win my heart and get what's in my heart

  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dao Ming Si has stopped eating – in hope to win his mother’s consent for his relationship with Shan Cai. She declares to Dao Ming Feng that she will wait for Ah Si in front of the house until Feng decides to let him go. She will fast with him until he comes out.

The dark eyes hold no sign of sympathy or compassion. They show no feelings. Was Dao Ming Feng really that heartless?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You think you gotta keep me iced, you don't
You think I'm gonna spend your cash, I won't
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing
Think I wanna drive your Benz, I don't
If I wanna floss I got my own
Even if you were broke
My love don't cost a thing

(Lyrics from "Love don't cost a thing" by Jennifer Lopez)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Shan Cai’s P.O.V:

 I smiled as I made my way to the coffee shop where I was meeting Lei. It reminded me of our last date when we had gone to fly a kite. It seemed so vivid still in my mind..

 * Flashbacks *

 Shan Cai sits on the bench, waiting for Lei to arrive. After many minutes, she is still sitting there – but , it doesn’t matter. When he finally comes, she is so happy – floating on a cloud. Everything else is forgotten.. in that moment.

 “Did you wait long?” he asks, a hint of concern evident in his voice.

 “Oh no.. I only just came.” She responds eagerly, smiling up at him. “Where are we going?”

 “Doesn’t matter. What about you?”

 She shrugs, “I don’t mind either.” (I’m happy just being with you.) She adds silently. “Um…why don’t we go for a walk?”

 He nods and gives her a faint smile before walking off. He walks ahead with her trailing behind. Lei is so handsome.. but Dao Ming Si with his pineapple hair is handsome too.. she can’t help but smile as she thinks of him. (What am I doing? I am on a date with Hua Zhe Lei.. I shouldn’t be thinking of Dao Ming Si.. I have promised myself to forget all about him..)

 They have been walking for so long.. and yet, he still hasn’t said a word. So different from the loud Dao Ming Si. “Shan Cai,” Lei suddenly stops walking and turns to look at her. “This is the first time I’ve been on a date with a girl. Please forgive me if I do anything wrong..”

 She looks up at him, her eyes open with surprise. She feels so touched by this simple comment. All thoughts of Dao Ming Si suddenly fly from her head - in her mind there is only Hua Zhe Lei, her perfect prince. “Hua Zhe Lei..” she whispers softly, looking up into his eyes. Deep pools of dark mysterious brown, she drowns herself in those eyes.

 “Lei.. just call me Lei.” He smiles and ruffles her hair affectionately.

 She smiles, “Orh.. Lei.” She grins – like a little girl who has just been given a lollipop. He grins back at her and takes her hand.. She can’t help but notice his hands are cold.. unlike Dao Ming Si’s which seem to secure her with their warmth. What is she thinking? Suddenly she walks into a man, she looks at Lei’s reaction – but he is still walking, he doesn’t seem to care. She remembers Dao Ming Si. He would certainly have created a big scene if he had been here. Shouting and yelling at the man, displaying his concern for him openly. But Lei.. he just walks on, not once looking back to see how she is.

 She apologizes to the man quickly and hurries to catch up to Lei’s long strides. She looks at Lei’s impassive face and wonders, what is he thinking? Dao Ming Si, he can be read so easily, his emotions showing so plainly on his face, but Lei is so withdrawn. They go to a park, sitting side by side on a bench. Silence fills the air, she longs for something to happen. Looking up at the sky, she shivers slightly, “The sky looks so grey.. Looks like it’s going to storm.” He nods and again, all is silent. “Look, there are people still flying kites in this weather!” she points.

 He looks over to where she is pointing, a smile draws up the corners of his lips, “Don’t you know, that when you fly a kite when it’s going to storm, is more fun than usual? Want to try?”

 She smiles, “Hao ah.. (Okay.)”

 The kite soars high, fluttering in the wind. “This is my first time to fly a kite..”

 He smiles, “Having fun?”

She nods, “Yep!” she looks up at their kite, flying free in the sky. “When you are flying the kite, it feels very far away, but there will always be the string connected to it, so you do not feel too bad about it.”

They fly the kite for a while then Lei falls asleep on her shoulder. A short and simple date.. but it would always remain in her heart forever..

*End Flashback *

“Shan Cai, have you waited long?”

I looked up, breaking out of my trance. “Oh no, I only just came.” I smiled, it seemed just like a re-enactment of our first date.

He sat down, “Sorry I was a bit late.. Have you ordered anything?”

“No, I was waiting for you..”

He grinned, “你真的是很可爱! (You’re so cute.)”

I blushed, “Lei! Don’t think that just because you have just come out of hospital.. you can tease me like this!” I looked down into my cup of coffee – in actual fact, I was pleased with his little ‘compliment’ – it was strange how happy he could make me feel just by a simple “You’re so cute.”

Lei feigned shock, “What? I was giving you a compliment! Anyway, order something.. I’m so hungry!”

I grinned, “Aren’t you always?” I said affectionately. I have never actually known him to be so open to anyone, it makes me feel so special that he only acts like this around me..  

“I had breakfast really early okay? And you eat a lot too..” he accused, “Hurry up and order. I have to take you somewhere special today.” His eyes twinkled as he smiled mysteriously. I didn’t even bother to ask for details – knowing he would never give them. “Well? Hurry up and order Shan Cai!”

“Ok ok.. fine..” I grumbled, before calling the waiter..

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Lei’s P.O.V:

 Shan Cai walked slowly in a blindfold, “Where are you taking me Lei?” The smile of excitement on her face was so cute, I don’t think I will ever get tired of watching her. She has a natural grace about her that makes me love her so much. “You can take off the blindfold now.” I announced as we arrived.

 She lifted the strip of cloth from her eyes and saw that we were in the park. The same park we had gone to for our first ‘date’, exactly one year ago. The look of wonder and surprise on her face told me that I had chosen the right present. The park was only a part of my gift of memories that I had decided to give her on our anniversary. Kites soared through the air as the wind blew strongly. I held out the green and pink bird kite, “Want to have a go?”

 She smiled, “You remembered..” How could I forget? I thought to myself. That date, I hadn’t really paid much attention to her, my mind was still revolving around Jing. It had been my first date with a girl and at that time I didn’t really know Shan Cai that well.. but now that I did, I knew she would like my present. “Thankyou so much..” she said tearfully.

 “Silly girl, don’t cry. I have other surprises for you later.. we can’t have you crying all day!” I grinned. “Take the kite.” She took it from my hands and threw it into the air, letting the wind carry it away. The reel turned as the kite flew higher and higher. “This is great! How did you find the kite?” she asked excitedly.

 I smiled softly at her childish antics, “I have my ways.” Do you know that I have kept the kite for so long? It has always been hanging in my room.. reminding me of you.. I sighed happily; I had never dreamed that I would finally be with Shan Cai.

 “I’m so glad that things turned out this way.. I can’t believe I didn’t realize this sooner.. Being with you makes me feel so happy and complete.” Shan Cai said tearfully as she turned to look at me. “This is the best present you could ever give me.”

 “As long as you are happy, I am happy.” I pulled her into my embrace and kissed her on the forehead. The kite was temporarily forgotten.

 “Lei…” a lone tear ran down Shan Cai’s cheek. “What if this doesn’t last? I’m so scared to lose you.. again.”

 “Don’t be silly, I won’t let anything come between us. Everything will be okay.” I wrapped my arms around her tightly, “I promise nothing will ever happen to us. I love you.” She nodded, resting her head on my chest, her warm weight felt so comfortable in my arms. I leaned down to kiss her, her soft lips were so irresistible. “I love you too Lei..”

 Suddenly she broke off the kiss, “Oh no! The kite!” I looked up and saw that the string had broken and the kite was flying free in the sky. A dark feeling washed over me, was this a bad omen for our relationship? Shan Cai’s face was filled with disappointment as she watched the kite fly away…

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 “Ying De..”

 I took her hand and led her through to the rooftop – the place where so many of our memories remained. “How could there’s nobody at school today?” she asked.

 “Because it’s the school holidays stupid!” I burst out laughing.

 She blushed, “I lost track of the dates..” she mumbled, “Don’t laugh you evil person!” she shouted and gave a light punch on the arm. “You’re so mean..” she pouted and looked away with her arms crossed.

 “You think I’m mean? Then I’ll just go now..” I said lightly before walking away towards the school. I knew she would run after me so I deliberately walked slower. After a while I could hear her soft footsteps behind me, “Hua Zhe Lei! Wait up!” she shouted. “How can you be so mean to your girlfriend?” she blushed, “I mean..”

 “You mean what?”  I prompted.

 “Nothing! Now are we going to the rooftop or not?” she asked loudly before marching past me towards the rooftop.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Shan Cai’s P.O.V:

 We sat together on the rooftop silently next to each other. It feels like the old days when we used to sit on the ledge and talk. I looked over to see Lei’s face and his expression is just the same – with just one difference. His eyes are filled with love and warmth not the deep bottomless dark pits of black that looked at you coldly. Lei was just as handsome as before.. the same Hua Zhe Lei I fell in love with when I first came to Ying De. It was ironic that after all I had been through with Dao Ming Si, the one I end up with is still Lei. I can’t help but wonder how things would’ve turned out if I never had the accident in Japan. I wouldn’t be here with Lei now.

 They are both such different people – the gentle and sensitive Hua Zhe Lei and the loud and egoistic Dao Ming Si. They both cared for me in their own special way – but Lei seemed to understand me more, unlike Dao Ming Si who would just make decisions himself without consulting me. Still, he displayed his concern for me openly unlike Lei who would just care for me in his own quiet way. I love both of them – but they have switched places in my hearts in the past few months. Lei was now my boyfriend and Dao Ming Si, my friend.

 “Shan Cai..” he said softly, breaking the silence, “Do you remember how you used to come up here and call us F4, pigheads?”

 I blushed lightly, I remembered the incident too well. It had been so embarrassing for me.. “It was true!” I protested, “F4 is nothing but a bunch of idiots.”

 “Even me?”

 I grinned, “Yes, even you!”

 “Oh.. then I guess I won’t show you the rest of my anniversary present. Since you think I’m an idiot..” he said nonchalantly before hopping off the ledge and walking out the door.

 I giggled, “Lei! Don’t do this to me..” I pouted, “What’s the rest of the present?” I asked eagerly.

 “Why should I show you? You think I’m an idiot don’t you?” he teased mercilessly.

 I grumbled, sometimes he could be even worse than Dao Ming Si.. “I was joking..”  I mumbled reluctantly, I hated the way he could make me do things – he just knew me too well, maybe even better than I knew myself.

 “Good girl.” He smiled triumphantly, “Let’s go then.” He took my hand and led me out of the school building. I guess Lei is really my true love – no matter how much he teases me, I still love him. If it were Dao Ming Si, I would’ve ignored him and he would always have to be the one who says sorry to me. Even though Dao Ming Si always acts like he is the one in control – his hopeless love for me makes him surrender when I don’t pay attention to him for a while, just like a little kid. But Lei just knows me too well, he knows I don’t really mean it when I ignore him – instead he is the one who makes me surrender. He is the only one who holds this kind of power over me.. although sometimes I can make him do things for me too..

 I grinned as I followed Lei to his car, he really is a special guy..

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 “Oh my god Lei! It’s so beautiful!” I cried. He had driven us to the beach, it was deserted. I knew he had probably used a certain amount of money to make it this way, but it was great, knowing we would have the whole beach to ourselves. Lei had been so thoughtful – he hadn’t spent too much on me, knowing I wouldn’t like it. It was a nice sentimental present, giving me another set of memories to cherish.

 The sun was setting over the beach and the beach was draped in the soft golden and pink light. In the middle of the beach was a large table with two large candles near the middle. Rose petals surrounded the table giving it a nice romantic look. There were two chairs on either end of the table. A bottle of wine and two glasses sat next to a vase of flowers in the middle.

 I couldn’t help but smile, this was great. A candlelight dinner on the beach, my favourite place in the world. “I bought you a dress for tonight.” I heard Lei faintly, I was still too entranced by the beautiful scene before me. I turned around and saw a beautiful shimmery blue dress in his hand. I took a sharp intake of breath, “Wow.. it’s so pretty!” I fingered it lovingly as he placed the dress in my hands. I didn’t dare to think how much the dress cost.

 “Don’t worry about the money. Think of it as another anniversary present for you.” He said quietly. He really knows me so well. I blushed, thinking of the humble gift I had got for him. “Umm.. I have something to give you too.” I mumbled.

 “Really?” his face lit up as I started to look through my bag for it. “I know it’s not much..” I started to say as I handed him the small bag.

 He opened it and took out a nicely decorated photo album. Inside were the photos of us that I had managed to find. It wasn’t much compared to the wonderful things he had done for me that day, I prayed that he would like the present

 “Thank you Shan Cai..” he said softly, I was surprised when he pulled me into a hug and gave me a kiss. I kissed him back passionately, glad that he liked my present. Lei really is my Prince Charming – he has all the qualities I can wish for in a guy.  I loved him so much..

 “Go and change now Shan Cai. I want this to be a night for you to remember.” He said softly before ushering me to a nearby restroom.

 When I came out he was already dressed in a white tuxedo (predictable..), standing next to the table waiting for me. I smiled graciously and sat down as he pulled out the chair for me. He sat down himself and clapped twice. A waiter came rushing out from nowhere with a tray in his hand. “Hua Zhe Lei Shao Ye, everything is ready.”

 Lei nodded and the waiter proceeded to pour out the wine for us. He bowed politely before retreating. He soon came back with two other waiters behind him, each carrying a dish with a lid. Inside was the entrée – I didn’t quite recognize the food but it tasted quite nice. I made a mental note to ask Lei about it later. After eating the first course, a waiter brought a little shiny black case. Lei unclasped the lock and took out his beloved violin.

 “You are the one who inspired me to compose this piece, I have called it “Last Song”.” He said softly before raising the violin onto his shoulder. His eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he began, a soft clear melody ringing in the night air. It started off as a melancholy tune, filled with sorrow and pain – it brought tears to my eyes as I listened. Had I really inspired him to write such a beautiful song? The tune slowly changed to a slightly happier note before it turned sad again. The ending was lively and he ended on a quivering note that echoed in the air.

 I clapped enthusiastically as he bowed. “Did you like it?”

 “Of course I did! It’s the best thing I’ve ever heard..” I grinned, “You really are so talented!”

 “Do you want me to teach you?”

 I nodded. “But you have to be prepared to do a lot of hard work.” He warned, then his face broke out into a smile, “I’m sure you’ll be as good as me after some practice.”

 “Do you really think so?”

 “Of course, since you have a great teacher like me!” he grinned.

 “Whatever..” I rolled my eyes. “So are we going to eat more? I’m starving..”

 He chuckled lightly, “Who’s the pig now?”

 I blushed, “Whatever..”

 He clapped his hands again and the butler came up with slightly larger dishes. “The main course is ……”  I didn’t quite catch his last few words – I think it was French. The arrangement was so pretty that I didn’t want to eat it and destroy the pattern. But eventually hunger won and I gobbled it up greedily.

 Last of all, came the desert. There were some berries and flower petals floating in some sort of pinkish water and more fruits and flowers around the bowl – and some fresh cream beside it. The fruit was quite nice with the cream – then I saw Lei eat the flower petals. I sniffed it suspiciously and found it smelt like roses. I vaguely remembered we had been told in class that rose petals were edible. I picked up my spoon bravely and ate a spoonful of rose petals with rosewater. The taste was terrible, I tried to wash out the taste with red wine but it still remained. I shuddered at the thought of the taste, I had developed a dislike to roses after that little experience.

 When everything had been cleared from the table, Lei stood up and walked over to my chair. A man with a violin stood by, waiting. A wind picked up, the seaside was really quite chilly.. “Are you cold?” Lei asked concernedly, he took off his own white coat and placed it on my shoulders. “Shan Cai Xiao Jie,” he bowed, “Would you like to dance?”

 “Of course.” I smiled as I placed my hand in his open palm. The music started playing and we danced together in the soft light of the moon. The moonlight illuminated his handsome face as we danced; I hugged closer to him wanting to feel his warm presence in my arms. The strong feeling of love surrounded us.

 “Shan Cai.. I have one final present to give you.”

 My eyes widened, another present?

 He took out a small velvet box and handed it to me. I opened it up slowly to find a small silver bracelet with small yellow flowers on it. “The yellow flowers are Widelias,” he explained as he helped me put on the bracelet.

 “This has been the best day of my life.. Thank you so much Lei!” I cried as I embraced him tightly. What had I done to deserve such a great boyfriend? I just hope I won’t lose him again. Suddenly a loud shot rang out in the air. I screamed and pushed Lei onto the ground, afraid he would get hurt.

 He fell to the floor unharmed, I smiled – he was okay. His face was filled with worry as he looked at me. Then a sharp searing pain burned in my side. It was then that I knew.. I had been shot….

Chapter Three                                                                                                            Review Chapter.

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