Trusting You With My Love

[Someone5]

aww, raymond is so caring towards annie. please update soon, i'll be waiting.

[Yak]

Yes Daai Jie, I combined some chapter to make them about the same length. Will do major editing too, maybe to cut out unneeded parts. Sorry about the slow update for DIF4, I have internet problem

Thanks everyone for reading and leaving your footprint by commenting On with the story!

[Yak]

It's a bright early Saturday morning. The sun was shining through Annie's glass window and hit her on the face, but she still sleeping peacefully with the rays of warmth roasting her cheek.

Annie's room is huge and luxurious. Half of the room have skylight roof where sunshine can shine through and fill the room with warmth. On the south end is a balcony that shows the view of the large backyard with a crystal clean swimming pool. There is a swing on the balcony that is comfortable and large. From there, the entire view of the backyard and city light beyond made it a wonder sight. Even though Annie can't experience the beautiful view, she still enjoy sitting on the swing and feel the nice cool air that breeze by slowly or listen to the bird chirping in the morning.

Quietly, Eileen walked into the room and saw Annie still sleeping peacefully with rose red cheek from the warm sunray. Eileen quickly switch on the button next to the balcony to have a beautiful glow in the dark stars binds rolling slowly across the glass ceiling to cover up the skylight roof.

The soft buzzing sound alerted Annie to turn her head toward the sound of the blind rolling down. She pulled herself to sit upright and yawned, afterward a bright smile painted on her face, "Good morning Eileen, what time is it?"

Startled, Eileen heart jumped a bit when she hear Annie, "I'm sorry Miss Annie, did I woke you up?"

Annie shows a bigger smile, "It's okay Eileen, I had enough sleep anyway." A excited spark glow in her eyes when she recalled what Raymond say last night about his race. "Eileen what time is it?" she asked again while slowly locating her slipper and sliding her foot into it and started walking toward the bathroom.

Her maid followed behind her. "It is 8:16 in the morning," Eileen informed while she put toothpaste on Annie electric toothbrush and hand it to Annie.

"Is Raymond still here?" Annie mumbled as she brush.

A confuses expression show up on Eileen face cause she couldn't hear what Annie is mumbling about, "What did you ask Miss Annie?"

Annie shakes her head. She finish up her brushing and gurgling the water to rinse out the bubbles. After she is through, she smile and repeat her question, "I was asking if Raymond is still here."

"Oh, Mr. Raymond left about 30 minutes ago, he say he needed to get ready for something, he didn't even have breakfast," answered the maid.

"Did you know what time his race going to be?" Annie asked.

"What race?" questioned her maid.

Wiping her face, Annie just notice Raymond didn't mention to anyone, "Oh never mind, can you help me find my cell?"

"Of course," Eileen cheerfully answer and walked out looking for Annie's personal phone, while Annie finish up. She found it on the sofa and brings it to Annie.

"Thank you, can you help me check if daai gor still here?" Annie requested, hoping to have a word with Gallen and see if he could take her to the race.

"Yes, Miss Annie," Eileen walked out toward Gallen room while Annie press the third button on the first roll, which is an on button.

"Raymond," she told her voice-activating phone. Her cellular phone dial up Raymond number and it rang two times before he answer it.

"Hello, Raymond speaking!" answered her cheerful and energetic brother.

"Raymond, when is your race and where are you now?"

Holding his phone between his right shoulder and ear, Raymond answered, "I just got to my bike shop. And the race is at noon. Are you coming with daai gor?"

"I just woke up, I'll go ask gor, I'm sure he could take me. Okay bye now, I'll talk to you later, I want to take a quick shower. Is it warm outside?"

"Yeah, I bet it'll be hot in the afternoon. Okay I'll see you later then," said Raymond.

Annie nodded, "Bye and good luck if I can't make it there."

"Thanks, bye!"

Annie, pressed the middle button on the top roll of her phone, which flash the phone, than she ordered her phone, "Call Steven." Her phone obeys and dials up Steven's number and he answer right away.

"This is Steven," he joyfully said.

"Hi Steven, is Annie, I just want to wish you lucks on the race, try to beat Raymond okay?" Annie chuckled.

"Aren't you coming?"

"I'll try, but just in case, good luck. I won't bother you anymore, I better go ask if my daai gor can drive me," Annie cheerful tone said, "Alright, bye."

"Thanks bye, hope to see you later."

"Okay," Annie replied and turns off her phone right when Eileen came back and told her Gallen is still in his room. "Great, I'll take a shower. Eileen can you help me pick a light color tank top and a Capri's pant?" Annie requested as she headed to the shower.

Her maid nodded, "Yes, Miss Annie" Within a few minutes Eileen enter Annie's private bathroom with her clothes, "Miss Annie I pick out a white Capri's and a light lavender tank top."

In the shower, Annie loudly replied, "Can you grab me a white fisherman hat and a purple shade sunglass too? Thanks Eileen!"

"Sure," Eileen walks back out and headed toward the walk-in closet again. After gathering the hat, Eileen set it on Annie makeup table.

Finish her shower, Annie is able to dress herself, even though it take her a lot longer to do so. She has a towel wrapped around her shoulder so her wet hair can lie on to dry. "Can you dry my hair?" she sweetly asked.

Eileen smiled at her with a soft chuckle, "Of course, it is my job." She blow dry Annie shoulder length hair and tie it up in a pony tail, but the front couple strand fall back down, so she curl it a bit and let it dangle on the side. Then she place the white nautical fisherman hat on, while Annie put her sun glass on and put a light lipstick on slowly. "You look perfect Miss Annie, like the weather outside," complimented the maid.

"Thank You!" Annie happily said, she is in a good mood today. "Will you pour me a glass of milk?" she asked.

"I'll go get it now," Eileen walked out, Annie headed toward Gallen room and knock on the door, Gallen open, Annie smiles cheerfully.

"Good morning, what bring you here?" Gallen curiously asked. He knows that something is fishy when he saw Annie widen smile like this.

There is running shower sound that Annie could pick up and know that it must be Maggie, who is showering. Pleasantly smiling, Annie gently reaches her hand toward her brother voice and holds his elbow and gets his attention. "Ah gor, I just wanted to say good morning to you first thing in the morning, that's all," she told Gallen with voice trying to sound innocent as she slowly moves to her main point.

The older brother laughed knowingly after seeing a slight spark of wishful puppy eyes form Annie's sightless eyes. "Yeah right! You think I just met you today?" he asked teasingly with trace of chuckle. He continued his way toward the stair, guiding Annie along with him. "Just spill it out, what do you want this time?" asked Gallen.

"I really wanted to say good morning," Annie replied sweetly, still trying to play her innocent trick, "and......"

"And?" Gallen snapped at her playfully with a smirk on his sharp handsome face. They are now in the living room heading toward the dinning room. "I thought you say just good morning?" he teased.

Annie pouted at him on purpose cause it has always work in the past, "I just wonder if you could take me to Raymond race, I wanted to go myself but mommy would never let me, I wanted to support Raymond and Steven. Please Gor...." she smiles wishfully toward her brother.

After hearing nothing but silent chuckle, Annie begins to give him her puppy face again and nudged him until he agrees. "Alright, I'll take you, since Maggie is going out with Flora anyway. So when are we going and where is the race?" asked Gallen as he signal a maid over to take his breakfast order. They walked up to the dinning table to settle down.

Gallen glanced at Annie noticing she is still thinking with confuse eyes. "Don't tell me you don't know where it will be held," he said as he pulled out Annie's chair to guide her into it. He too settles down on his seat and ordered his breakfast.

"No... I know, it at Sky Swan Mountain and the race is at noon," Annie answered with definite voice, but she weren't too sure. She recalls that's what Raymond said.

"It only 9:05 we still has about three hours. Let eat first," suggested Gallen. Both Lisa and Howard just stepped into the dinning room from the backyard. "Morning dad, mom," greeted Gallen. Both Lisa and Howard slightly nodded their head to Gallen and settle down for breakfast.

"Morning mommy, daddy," Annie chirped with a good mood.

A maid walked up to Gallen with a cordless phone. "Mr. Gallen, Mr. Sunny on the phone asking to speak to you," said the old maid as she handed Gallen the cordless phone.

"Hello, Sunny what wrong?" Gallen wonder. He could hear Sunny voice being a bit hesitated and know that his cousin must want a favor from him.

"Well Gallen, I need a big favor from you, I forgot that I made an appointment with one of the client to negotiate about the Chan's project at 11:30 am, but I couldn't make it. Is it possible that you can go for me? I would ask someone else, but since you are the only one that follows the project with me, it'll be easier. You think, you have time to help?" Sunny questioned with hope.

Gallen eyes frowned a bit when he looked toward Annie, he sighed business is business, "Okay, Sunny I'll be there at 11:30, which restaurant will the meeting be held?" Hearing what her brother just promises their cousin, Annie turns her head toward her brother voice with a bit of anger show up on her face. Because she knows that it meant Gallen aren't going to take her to Raymond race.

Sheepishly, Gallen tries to avoid Annie eye. He knows Annie is blind, but even though she can't see him, it make him feel guilty when he saw those angry eyes. To him business is always more important then anything even family. "Okay Sunny, I got it, don't worry, bye-bye," Gallen ended his call. He looked up at Annie trying to explain, "Annie....um I can't..."

"But you promise!" Annie blurted out causing their parent to look up wondering what is wrong. Annie really wanted to go out for a day and she needed Gallen to go with her cause her mom doesn't trust her to go by herself. She felt unfair that Gallen could just forget about his promise to her like this.

"I know, but business is more important than going to Raymond race right?" Gallen tries to reason with Annie.

In a disappointed and hurt tone, Annie replied, "Business is always more important than anything to you. Even your words of promise! Why promise me and keep my hope up if you could just forget about it?!" Her tone gotten a bit harsh cause she really wanted to go and was excited about it, but now it all impossible.

"Annie!" warned Gallen, who is a bit mad to see her acting so childish and demanding, "Can you be a bit more reasonable?" His sister became silently muted with face that is obviously boiling up with disappointment.

A disappointed sigh came from Lisa. "Annie, you know work is very important to Gallen. What do you want? Maybe I can help," offered Lisa.

With a soft growl, Annie shakes her head sadly and started to stir her plate of food. "Nothing," she bluntly answer her mother, cause she know Lisa will not agree to take her out anyway. From past experience, she also knows that her mom will make it a big deal, if she is the one going with her. Flora and Maggie just join them at the table.

The oldest brother sighed as he saw Annie sit there quietly with anger building up, obviously not too happy with him. "She wanted to go to Raymond race at noon, but Sunny just call that he needed me to replace him for the meeting a 11:30. And the client is very important to the project. We can't cancel, not because of little things like this," Gallen told Lisa.

"Annie you know you're not suppose to go to place where it crowded with people. It's so hard to take care of you with all those people pushing and shoving trying to get through. Beside Gallen is right the client is very important," stated Lisa.

Annie is silent and mad the entire time, she hate it when her mom treat her like a five years old that can easily get lost and always kept her away from large crowd. And to say Gallen is right that the client is more important than his promise.

"Why don't you join me and Flora today?" suggested Maggie, who wanted to cheer Annie up, "We are going to lunch with Kenix at noon and shop for a while after that."

"Yeah, we can choose you some new fashionable clothes, it will be fun, just us girls," added Flora.

"No!" Annie stubbornly said with stern expression.

Her father finally lowered his newspaper to look at her with disappointment, "Annie, stop being so childish. I don't want to hear anymore of your whining, especially about going to a nonsense race. Get your breakfast and eat now."

The family chef, Robert stepped up to Annie, "Miss Annie what would you like for breakfast?"

Drinking her glass of milk, Annie stubbornly mumbled, "I'm not hungry."

"Robert makes her an egg and ham sandwich," instructed Lisa.

"I say I am not hungry."

"You need something to eat before you take your medication," reminded Lisa.

Howard begins to thinks that he and Lisa had spoiled Annie too much. "Annie listens to your mother," he warned.

Sadly, Annie nodded. But suddenly an idea popped up, she smiled at her plan to show her parent that she is not a child anymore. With a little grin she obediently eat her sandwich when Robert bring it to her. When Annie is eating, she pays close attention to the voices of conversation among her family, waiting to find the right time to request for something. "Mommy, can I go to uncle Bobby cafe today?" her innocent voice finally spoke up when she hear her mom voice being in a good mood.

Paused with uncertain eyes on Annie, Lisa explained, "But I'm not free to take you."

"Is okay Eileen can go with me," Annie suggested with a bright smile toward her mother voice.

Lisa shakes her head and was about to object, but her husband hold her back. "She is growing up Lisa, we can't worry too much. Beside she is only going over to your brother." Howard warned with his fatherly eyes on Annie, "Don't you try play any trick now, young lady." He then glanced over to the maid, "Eileen, tell Dave to get the car ready to drive you two."

Excited, Annie cheek brightens up within second cause the first step of her plan worked. "No daddy, I want to take the bus like how Bowie taught me," Annie sweetly pleaded.

"A BUS?!" the shocked and over protective mother ask. Lisa sighed at Annie, "No way! You either go with Dave or you'll stay home."

"Mommy pleases! I just wanted to try out what Bowie taught me, and Eileen is coming along anyway. Daddy, you pay so much to have me home school, don't you want to see me use the material I learn?" Annie nudged Lisa arm, "Please...please...please..."

Her older sibling chuckled at her pleading state. Gallen decided to help her out, since he did feel kind of guilty to break his promise. "Mom it'll be okay since Eileen is going and it good for her to try new things and be independent," Gallen helped.

A big grin from Annie is directed toward Gallen, she is happy to hear someone on her side. "Yeah, mommy even Gallen trust me, why don't you?" she slightly pouted, it will work and she could feel it.

Giving in a bit, Lisa deflated her lung, "Okay, but you promise to be careful and come back in two hours."

Right when Annie hear Lisa agreed, Annie is happy as a calm cause her plan is going exactly the way she wanted it to. She is too excited that she didn't even really listen to what Lisa just said but she answered anyway, "Yes, I know..."

With worry expression, Lisa turn to seriously looked at Eileen in a warning way, "Eileen don't you even let her out of your sight for a second."

"I know Mrs. Lam," Eileen replied with confidents.

Annie shot up from her chair, "Yes!! Lets go now Eileen..."

Flora immediately pulled Annie back before she could escape. "Not yet! Are you forgetting something?" Flora asked.

"Huh?" was Annie confused response

Shaking her head, Flora sighed while placing two pills on Annie's hand, "This."

"Oh this," Annie quickly drank it up follow by a glassful of milk. She didn't even peep a single whine.

"Slow down, you'll choke yourself," teased Flora.

"There! All gone. Eileen lets go," Annie ordered and headed toward her room with Eileen following closely.

In her room, she head toward her closet with Eileen behind her. "Eileen can you get a handbag for me that matches my outfit?" Annie excited happy voice requested.

"Ok, how does a pale yellow Gucci handbag sound?"

"It'll work! Can you go find me a comfortable sandal that will match also?" Annie purposely ordered cause she wanted to get Eileen out of the way so she can pack. And since all her shoe is downstairs, this will give her time.

"Alright," the maid replied and walked out.

Carefully, Annie manipulated her hand to pull out her dresser draw and grab her hello kitty wallet and her walking stick to place them in her handbag. She also grabs her phone and places it in. "Perfect everything is ready!" she exclaims and walked out the room to head down toward the front door, while Eileen saw her and walk her down the stair.

"Miss Annie, I pick out the Richard Tyler white sandal, would that be okay?"

Smiling charmingly, Annie nodded. At this point anything is okay, she just want to get out. Lisa walked out to the front door to join them. "Annie, you be careful and stay close to Eileen," Lisa turn to Eileen with serious warning eyes, "keep an eye on her."

"Yes, I will Mrs. Lam," the disciplined maid replied.

Annie rolled her eyes with a happy chuckle, "Mommy I'm not a five years old going to school for the first time. Trust me, I can take care of myself. Bye," she walks out with Eileen next to her.

"Be careful!" Lisa couldn't help herself from warning Annie again.
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It's now 9:47 am, at a busy airport of Hong Kong. The flight from England and Japan has just arrived. Benny wearing a casual white Polo shirt and a pair of khaki pant, he just walked out of gate F-4 of the Hong Kong new airport. He is heading toward the elevator to go down and pick up his luggage.

Meanwhile Michelle just walked out of gate F-7 also heading toward the elevator. She was talking on the phone with Sunny and sipping on her cup of hot coffee. The more she hears Sunny nagging voice scolding her, the more she gets frustrated and angry. "You have no right to control my life!! I'm over 21 and officially an adult. I am not even your daughter. So stay out of my life!" Michelle disrespectfully warned before she hangs up.

Flamed up with anger, Michelle decided that she needs to go to the restroom and see if her makeup needed anymore touching up. So she turns around without looking and ran into Benny with her high heel accidentally kicked Benny lower left leg. Benny immediate reflex is to swing his arm out to grab hold of his lower left leg in pain as he moaned softly trying not to scream. But that simple reflex of his arm causes the hot coffee Michelle is holding on get knocked out of her hand and landed on both her and him. Benny finally couldn't hold in the additional pain of being burn by hot liquid so he let out a short scream, "Ahh."

Seeing her dress getting a bit stained, Michelle growled with disappointment and angrily shoved Benny away causing him to fall to the ground. She darted at Benny like it was all his faults and begins to scream her scolding, "LOOK WHAT YOU DID, YOU JERK!" Everyone attention is turned to her loud voice as she continue, "Can't you look where you are going?! You low class people are so manner less!"

Benny eyes widened on her with disbelieve to what he is hearing. He pushed himself off the floor and hissed angrily at this unreasonable brat. "Manner less?!" he questioned her with his yelling voice cause there is no need to be polite to her, "Who are you calling manner less?! You are the one suddenly turn around and push me over! Look at my white Polo shirt. And who are you calling a jerk, you snobby BRAT!"

Scanning over Benny simple outfit, Michelle gave him a disgusted look. "It just a Polo shirt, my servant use it to mop the floor," Michelle cockily exclaim with head shaking at Benny. She pulled out five thousand dollar Hong Kong bills and throws it at Benny. "Here, all you wanted was money anyway, this can buy you ten of those rag to wear," with that she turns around and walked toward the restroom.

Benny is furious with anger built up inside of him and he look like he is going to explode any minute. "WHO WANT YOUR SNOBBY MONEY!!!" he screamed after her and throws the money at her direction before he turn around and head toward the elevator like a mad man mumbling angrily. Michelle didn't even bother to turn around or listen to him. The people in the surrounding jump in right away to pick up the money.
******

[jeh]

Geez, I don't like Michelle's character already. Hope she will change later on. Update soon.

[Someone5]

michelle and benny seem like a good couple. hope u updates soon!!!

[Yak]

jeh: don't worry, Michelle character will change. And I actually like writing her part.

Someone5: well, Benny and Michelle is not really what I have plan.

Okay lets the story continue...

[Yak]

The bus that Annie and Eileen were in just stopped a block from Bobby cafe so both of them got off. Annie know that she need to make an excuse that could get Eileen out of the way so she could make her escape and go to Raymond race. She knows that there is an ice cream shop right around here cause Bowie takes her to it before. So she uses this chance to manipulate her maid. Smiling sweetly at Eileen direction, Annie asked, "Eileen what time is it?"

"It's 10:40 Miss Annie."

"Great, I think I still have enough time," Annie mumbled to herself and didn't notice that she was saying it out loud.

"Enough time for what?" Eileen asks while observing Annie expression with a bit of suspicion.

The mistress smiled brightly with innocent shake of her head, "Oh nothing." Annie rubbed the back of her hand on her forehead, "Eileen it's so hot today huh? Will you go buy me a cup of ice cream, please? There should be one ice cream shop around that is very good."

Looked around and indeed, Eileen is able to spot a little fancy ice cream shop straight ahead. "Okay, come with me, it just straight ahead," the oblivious maid told Annie.

Purposely, Annie slumped her shoulder and act weary. "Is the line long? I don't want to stand; my heel is aching. I'm so tried Eileen, I wanted to sit down. I know there is a bench by the ocean very close to the bus stop. Why don't I sit there and wait for you instead? Please Eileen?" Annie sweetly paints a smile on her face.

Don't know what to do, Eileen glanced back and forth from the ice cream shop to Annie. "But Miss Annie, I'm not supposed to leave your side. Why don't we go to Mr. Wong cafe and get ice cream there?" Eileen suggested with hopeful eyes.

Giving an exhausted and hot look, Annie slightly shake her head, "But Eileen that is a block away and it soooo hot, I'm soooo tried. In fact uncle Bobby don't even have ice cream. Don't worry I'll stay put."

"Okay...but you promise not to wander off," hesitatingly reminded Eileen. She guided Annie to the bench that is facing the ocean.

"I won't," replied Annie. Silently Annie kept apologizing to Eileen in her mind, 'I'm so sorry, but I really want to see if I can be independent. I know mommy going to get so mad at you, but once I return I'll rescue you. I'll also show mommy and daddy that I can take care of myself. After they know I'm capable of taking care of myself, than they wouldn't have to expect you to take care of me too much. Which mean you won't get blamed or scolded as often. So in a long run, this will be good for both of us.' Annie paused her thought, she know she is doing this more for herself than Eileen. She sighed guiltily as she murmured in her thought, 'Sorry Eileen sorry.'

Keeping a very alert ears for noises created by Eileen, Annie carefully make sure that Eileen has left her side and walked far enough. "This is my chance," she anxiously exclaim. Quickly, Annie opens her handbag and pull out her walking stick. As she pulled out her walking stick her wallet fallen out and landed on the bench without her knowing it. Being in a hurry, she closes her handbag and walk quickly away swinging her stick back and forth to clear the way. She listens to everything closely as she try to head toward the curb and get herself a taxi.

At that time Benny just got off a taxi and try to recognize the building that changed so much since he left. He tries to recognize the way back to Bobby's cafe. He was staring up at the newly built building as he walks. While Annie was trying to walk as fast as possible away from Eileen direction, cause she don't want Eileen to spot her. She collided into Benny really hard, ending up falling on top of Benny. The sudden bump causes Annie's walking stick to get flipped out into the street.

Feeling embarrassed and clumsy, Annie quickly rolled herself off of Benny to sit on the sidewalk with hands patting around to search for her walking stick. Benny is getting frustrated cause this is the second time someone shoved him over today. He quickly get up and look at Annie with her lavender Cashmere tank top which cost around eight thousand dollar and her silk-blend Capri's which is about four thousand dollar and the Gucci handbag, not to mention her sandal, hat, and sunglasses are all main brand. With stereotyped mind cause of Michelle, Benny got furious noticing it was another rich girl that bump into him.

Flamed, he has an urge to speak first before this rich girl get a chance to insult him too. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU RICH PEOPLE ANYWAY!" Benny yelled at the poor blind girl, who is still patting her hands around the sidewalk looking for her walking stick. Her expression shows distress. "Can't you guy use your eyes to walk?!" blinded by anger, Benny didn't notice that Annie is blind, since her eye looked normal under her light lavender shaded sunglasses. "Don't you snobby people try to throw money at me again!" he warned unreasonably.

Never in her life, has Annie been scolded like this before, and she can't belief there is someone this mean in this world. Boiled up with anger mixed with sadness, Annie pushed herself to stand back up and screamed at Benny, "WHO ARE YOU CALLING SNOBBY?" She was yelling on top of her lung, her eyes were hard and cold as she stares ahead where the voice of this rude guy came form. "It none of your business if I can see or not," Annie softened voice grumbled, she is feeling a bit disappointed in herself for being so clumsy.

Benny didn't quite get Annie meaning in her last sentence or else he will certainly stop his assumption. "I'm not wasting my time arguing with you snobby worthless brat," he worded it out bitterly before turning to storm toward the direction of Bobby restaurant, leaving Annie in the middle of a busy sidewalk with out her walking stick.

Inflamed with tear starting to form, Annie shouted back, "JERK!!!" No one have ever yell at her like that before and call her a blind and worthless brat, other than that cousin Michelle. Still hissing a bit, Annie squatted down trying to find her handbag and walking stick. She couldn't find her stick anywhere so she gave up and pick up her handbag. She didn't wanted to stay long and let Eileen spot her.

Stepped closer to the curb, Annie sticks her hand out to wave like how Bowie taught her to get a taxi. A taxi stopped in front of her but she didn't know cause it's very noisy around her and she kept hearing Benny insult over and over instead of the braking sound of the vehicle, so she kept waving.

The taxi driver saw her still waving so he rolls down the window to yell out toward Annie, "Miss, do you need a Taxi?"

Snapped back to reality, Annie cheerfully answer, "Yes, I do!!"

The taxi driver notices that she is blind, so he quickly got out and open the passenger door for Annie to enter. He guided her in and closes the door for her and returns to his sit. He turn toward Annie after buckling up, "Where would you like to go miss?"

"Sky Swan Mountain please!" requested the excited young voice. The taxi driver pulls off the curb and headed toward Sky Swan Mountain, which is about an hour drive.

At the moment Eileen got back with Annie's ice cream. Her heart skipped when she couldn't see Annie at the bench, she kept turning trying to look for Annie in the crowded street. "Miss Annie! Miss Annie!! Where are you?" Eileen yelled with worry. She is getting very concern cause she doesn't know what to do. Then she notice the wallet sitting on the bench, she recognize it was Annie's. Eileen felt herself weaken as she run around searching for Annie. Her heart pound when she saw so many people around, it so hard to pick out who is Annie.

When her eyes caught the object in the middle of the street, Eileen stopped her footstep and dropped the cup of ice cream. Her eye widen in fear when she saw Annie's walking stick laying on the center of the street, full of car speeding by running it over, the stick slowly roll to the curb. Eileen quickly squatted down to pick it up with eyes fearfully searching for Annie. She was in tears. "OMG....Miss Annie where are you? Please be safe. She should be okay there is no sign of blood on the street or an accident..." Eileen tries to convince herself as she start to choke in her tears.

She glances at the busy people and asked them if they see a blind girl about 22 years old. Everyone shook their head trying to hurry to get to their destination. Eileen didn't know what else to do but to get back home and tell Lisa. She cried at the thought of Lisa reaction. She knew that she is in big trouble this time. She kept her teary eye open to search for Annie as the taxi drove off.
----------

The glass door of Bobby's Mini Pastry Cafe opens slowly as the bell rings, Benny walk in pulling his luggage behind him. His shirt was full of coffee stain and his pant was dirty from falling twice. Everyone turn their attention to Benny as he felt embarrass. Joyce walking up to him while Ada and Charmaine just walked out of the kitchen, they didn't recognize him at first, but Ada notice his luggage and Benny eyeing them.

"Are you Benny?" she asked in surprise and a bit of confusion. The dirty young man nods causing Ada and Charmaine to jump in joy and head toward him. "Benny wow!! You change so much!! I thought you will arrive tonight at nine?" Ada puzzlingly questioned.

The middle Kwan sibling is scanning her younger brother from head to toes like an alien exploring its' victim. "What happen to you? Who beat you up?" she caringly asks with eyes that seem to be getting ready for a fight.

Benny laughed with gladness to be home again, "I guess you still have your sense of humor after all." He glanced down on himself with a sigh, "It's a long story."

Ada helps Benny with the luggage while Charmaine drag him to sit down at a table. "We are free now," Charmaine informed with a curious smile. She is over joy to see her brother again, and it felt just like those good old days.

They settle down while Benny begins to explain, "I told you two that I'll be back tonight cause I want to surprise you guy." He saw Charmaine looking at his shirt and knows she wanted him to explain. "But it hasn't been good ever since I got off the plane," Benny hissed softly, "First a snobby, thought she's everything girl bump into me and spill her hot coffee over me and blame me for her clumsiness then she throw money at me and insulted me in public." Benny voice is getting angrier as he speak, "Then about twenty minutes ago another rich girl bump into me and made me fall again, but I'm not letting her insult me like the other one." He proudly stated.

"How did you know she is rich? Did she throw money at you also?" Charmaine nosily asked than chuckled as she added, "You must be rich now." Her sister elbowed her.

"I recognize her outfit from fashion magazine that I was browsing through on the long flight. Her entire outfit should cost over twenty thousand dollar. And no I didn't give her a chance to insult me with her snobby money!" Benny grinned.

"So what did you do to her?" the eldest sibling asked not really sure if she want to know the answer.

Benny grinned proudly, "I yell at her and walked away before she have a chance to. It actually felt good. Wish I could of do it to the first girl instead."

Ada laughed along with Charmaine. "Lets get you home so you can clean up and settle down," she suggested.

"Yeah, you need a bath for sure," Charmaine teased Benny. "So how is England?"

"Okay I guess, but I really missed you two," Benny claims. He wanted to hug Charmaine and Ada but saw them backed off. "Oh..." he looked at himself, "maybe after a bath would be a good idea." They all laugh.

"Why don't you wait for me and Charmaine for a minute, so we can change our clothes," Ada said before heading into the locker room joyfully with Charmaine dragged from behind.

"So where is Uncle Bobby and Aunt Esther?"

"Uncle Bobby is inside the kitchen getting frustrated trying to make a new dish, so I think you should stay away from him at least till he give up," Charmaine informed. She giggled at the though of the grumpy chef. "Aunt Esther just went to the Bank."

His two sisters left and let him sit there with some curious stare from the waitress and waiter every now and then. He felt uncomfortable and wanted so badly to be in clean clothes. He turns his head and look at a woman walking in, she was in her late thirty, she was looking at him curiously and he begins to recognize her. He jumps up from his chair and ran over to hug her tightly while screaming out, "Aunty Esther! I missed you so much!"

Surprise by this young man hugging her, Esther try to loosen his hug, Benny let her go, she smile and looked at his face, "Benny? Oh my, you grown so much I couldn't recognize you." She place her hands on his face, "I though you suppose to be in tonight?"

"I lied, I wanted to surprise you. Have I really change that much? I'm still handsome as ever aren't I?" he asked with puppy eyes. Esther laugh remembering how much he loves to joke, Ada and Charmaine walked out and join them. After a little welcoming chat, Esther finally releases her nephew to go home for a shower.
----------

Annie is happy and excited while she listens to the radio as the taxi driver drove her to Sky Swan Mountain. She shows a big grin on her face when she imagines Raymond expression seeing her came by herself. It been a fifty-five minute ride and the taxi finally stopped in front of a quiet and remote mountain. Nobody is around the area, not even the sound of bird or wild animals.

The taxi driver turn his head toward Annie as he speak, "Miss we are here, that will be $140 pleases."

"What time is it now?" Annie asked while she opens her handbag to find her wallet.

"It's ten minutes to noon," he answers with eyes glued to Annie, who is trying hard to search for her wallet.

Annie is starting to panic cause she couldn't find anything except for her phone. She flipped her handbag upside down and shakes it. "Can you see my wallet fall out anywhere?" she desperately asked.

The driver is getting impatient and mad, "No, Miss this trick is not going to work, give me the fare or I'll call the police."

Frustrated Annie searched harder, than she suddenly paused. "Oh, it must be that jerk!" she blurted out with rage, "He bumps into me to steal my wallet. Oh I'm going to get him. What do you mean you going to call the police? I didn't do it on purpose!"

"That what all of them say," the taxi driver grumbled.

"Trust me, I really lost my wallet," Annie frowned not knowing what to do. "Why don't you walk up the mountain with me, my brother is up there biking, he can pay you," suggested Annie.

The male driver isn't too happy about hiking the mountain. "Okay but your fare will add some more fees for me to hike up this mountain to get the fare," he bargained.

A bright smile shine on Annie face, she is so relief that he is willing to go. "Yeah, is okay he'll have enough to pay," Annie assured. She opens the door and he guided her up the trail. He breaks one of a branch so Annie can use as a walking stick. He was mad but when he saw Annie being blind, he felt pity for her, so he helps her walk up the trail and just wish her brother can pay him.
----------

Eileen just got back to the Lam Mansion and it was noon, she run toward the house really fast with worry about Lisa reaction. Flora and Maggie just walked out the front door, they were about to go meet Kenix for lunch. They stopped when they saw Eileen running toward them and Annie is nowhere in sight. They know it must be something big. Eileen finally reaches them. She is trying so hard to calm down and catch her breath. "Miss...Miss..." she panted.

Worry with impatient, they walk into the mansion as Howard and Lisa join them seeing Eileen without Annie. "Just slow down and take a deep breath. Where is Annie?" asked Flora.

Calmed down a bit but tear started to form, Eileen swallowed before she announce, "Miss..Miss Annie...she is missing..." Eileen is stiffened by the shocked stern expression of Lisa.

"WHAT?!" yelled Lisa, "I told you to not let her out of your sight! How could you..."

Also worry about his daughter, Howard interrupted in a calm tone, "Lisa calm down, let her finish."

All four of them are staring at Eileen for an answer. The poor nervous maid has tears rolling down her face nonstop. "After we got off the bus, Miss Annie said she is hot and tired so she wanted to sit down while I go buy her ice cream to cool off..." her shaky voice explained. She is sniffing, while the other listen to her speechlessly. "I told her to come with me but Miss Annie say she is too tire, so she promise to stay put and wait for me, so I went and got her ice cream." She wipe her tear and felt her knee weaken as Lisa stare at her with cold eye. "When I came back she was gone, I looked everywhere and found her wallet on the bench that she was sitting on." Eileen swallows her tears as more are rolling down, "So I look around the busy street for Miss Annie, but instead I found her walking stick in the middle of the road. But there is no sign of accident. I asked everyone, but no one seen her." She handed the wallet and walking stick to Howard, "I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Lam."

Lisa felt her knee waken, but she is furious that Eileen would let Annie get lost. "How many times did I warn you not to let her out of your sight!" Lisa scolded than sat down on the sofa cause she felt weak, "Oh...Howard what are we going to do. Poor Annie she is alone out there without money and her walking stick. She is never alone before."

"Calm down, she should be okay. She is not a child," Howard assured even though he is worry himself but he force himself to keep focus. "Eileen did you check if she is at Bobby?" he calmly questioned.

"No, I was too worry I didn't know what to do, so I return to get help," whimpered the maid.

"I'll call uncle Bobby right now," Flora volunteered, she dial her cellular phone and it rang, Esther pick up.

"Bobby's Mini Pastry Cafe, this is...."

"Aunt Esther, have you seen Annie today?" Flora cut in quickly, her voice was heavy with worry.

Esther could tell that something is wrong. "No she is not around, is something wrong Flora?"

"She was heading to your cafe and was missing on the way over."

"She haven't came by," Esther forehead frowned, "I hope she is okay. I'll go out to look around our area and call you back if we find her." Flora thanks her aunt and hung up. Flora informed her family.

"Could she be kidnapped?" Lisa asks with tears beginning to glister in her pair of weak eyes. Those four words echoed into Howard's heart, cause they have always worried that she'll be kidnapped one day.

"No, it couldn't be, Annie walked away herself cause she was using the walking stick," Flora reasoned.

Nodding in relief, Howard agreed, "Yes, that's right, she wanted to go somewhere alone. Where was it that Gallen say she wanted to go this morning?"

"She wanted to go to Raymond race!" Lisa answered with a calmer heart thinking that Annie must be with Raymond.

"I'll call him and see if he saw her," Flora said.

"I'll call Gallen and get him home to help," Maggie stated.
----------

Annie and the taxi driver have walked up the trail for about thirty minutes already and there is still no sign of the bike race, there is absolutely no one around. The driver getting very angry at Annie. Annie notice the silent trail, she too know that something is not right. Her heart pounded with concern to why there is no race.

Growled, the impatient driver finally gotten tick off, "Miss are you playing a prank on me, there is not even a fly near by."

Worried, Annie doesn't know what to say or do. "Is this Sky Swan Mountain? My brother must be around," she weakly said.
In a cold and bitter tone, the driver voice is offended, "Of course this is Sky Swan Mountain, is not my first time driving you know!"

Confusedly turning her head right and left trying to listen for other voices, Annie voice sheepishly requested, "I must got the wrong place, can you drive me home?"

The taxi driver thought Annie is trying to trick him again. "NO! I'm not going to waste any more time with you, Miss. I've been with you for about two hours now and I'm not getting pay. I'm not that stupid. If you want to go home, walk yourself home!" he angrily scolded before he stormed down the trail leaving Annie behind.

After knowing that he is running away without her, Annie is getting really scares now. "Please mister, you can't do this to me!" Annie yelled after him.

"At least I didn't call the police on you!" he shouted back with his voice trail off and the last word was barely audible.

"Why don't you just call the police, they can at least get me home!" Annie fearful voice loudly shouted. She waited for an answer, but nothing could be heard. She was so scare and don't know what she should do. She thinks of calling then she notices she left her bag in the taxi. Sadly, Annie sits down and starts to cry as she rolls into a ball. "Please don't leave me..." she whimpered.
----------

It was 1:05 pm, when Gallen came back rushing to the house. Flora called Raymond, but he hasn't seen Annie and he is going to look around Flying Swan Mountain for her. Exhausted from running, Gallen is out of breath when he asked, "Did she come back yet?"

No one answered. They were all silent, Maggie walks over to him to inform, "No, Raymond and uncle Bobby haven't seen her."

"Did you call her cellular phone?" Gallen questioned.

Everyone turn and stare at him, why didn't they think of that before. Maybe they were too worry or something. Gallen saw theirs expressions and got the cue, so he dial up Annie cell, everyone was hopeful again. The phone rang and no answer, the hopeful faces on everyone fade as they wonder what could happen to Annie. And why she didn't answer her phone. Howard got up and starts to pace around.

"Lets go find her we can't just sit here," Gallen said, "Mom you stay home in case she call or came back then you can contact us." He turned to his wife and sister, "Where do we need to start looking?"

"Aunt Esther and uncle Bobby is looking around their area. Raymond is looking around at Flying Swan Mountain. So we need to look around the bus stop area in downtown..."

"Wait! Why is Raymond at Flying Swan Mountain?" Gallen interrupted his sister to ask with confusion.

"That is where his race is held," his wife informed him.

A big smile show up on Gallen face, "I know where Annie is. She thought Raymond race was at Sky Swan Mountain. Come on we need to get there, it an hour and a half drive. We must hurry."

Everyone got up and follow him with hope again. "Mom, dad, why don't you two stay home in case she returns. Eileen and Dave I want you two to go back to the ice cream shop area to look, just in case. Flora calls Raymond and haves him goes to Sky Swan Mountain to meet us. Mom don't worry, us four will find her and bring her home safely." They lefts, Flora called Raymond and explain to him when she was in Gallen car heading toward Sky Swan Mountain.
******

[zzzbeauty]

Hiya Yak,

Right on, another fanfic by you.

I'm just beginning to read it, i will comment on it as i catch up.

I'm sure it's gonna be a great story...i love your cast by the way.

[jeh]

Hope they can find Annie soon. Poor Annie, it must be hard being blind Look like Benny and Annie have a misunderstanding. I'm sure they'll work it out later right? Update soon.

[Brainless]

Already read this story.
And I love it. n_n Well, actually I didn't finish Trusting You With My Love II yet.. so..
Just wondering, but did you stop writing Forbidden Affection?

[Yak]

zzzbeauty: Welcome to this fanfic! Hope you enjoy it as much as TOS.

jeh: Well, lets said Annie and Benny will have some tough time at the beginning.

Brainless: You might want to reread TYWML here, cause I'll change many things. As for Forbidden Affection, I have decide to focus on one fanfic at a time, so I can focus more. Therefore I won't be updating that until TYWML is finish. Thanks for reading my fanfics

[Yak]

The surrounding of Sky Swan Mountain is a network of deep green forestry with sunlight filtered out making the dirt trails extra dims. The empty quietness of the mountain created a spooky dead silent making every slight movement of Annie to amplify ten folds. Because of it far distance away from the residential area, this mountain has been deserted from hiker for quite a long while.

Not knowing what to do, Annie has sat down on the dirt trail silently sobbing for a long while. This situation reminds her of the accident sixteen years ago. But this time it's even scarier cause neither Raymond nor Steven is here to protect her. In this stage of lost, Annie begins to ponder about her family, especially her parents. She knows that they must be worries sick, if she don't return in time.

Sitting there sobbing, Annie slowly recall how her life has been protected by her family throughout the years. The more she remember how dependent she is the more she start to felt worthless and a burden to her family. She doesn't want to continue to depend on other whenever problem occurs. She wants to be able to take care of herself and solve problem for herself. With that thought in mind her sobbing immediately quiet down with trail of faint sniffling.

An urge of determination stir inside her, Annie wanted to prove that she is capable of being independent, to take care of herself, to solve her own problem. With confident in herself, Annie wipes off her tears and took in a deep sniff to get rid of the rest. "I can't just sit here and cry, I am old enough to get myself out. I need to show them I'm not a child," Annie loudly worded her thought to support herself. With her fear slowly fades away, Annie got up with alert ears listening closely to her surrounding. "Now how to get out of here?" she wondered with her heart still pounding anxiously.

Hearing no sound but nature, Annie shouted out loudly for help, just in case someone is around that could help her. No sound responded except for her owns echoes. Feeling a bit nervous, Annie begins to hum and whisper her favorite song that Raymond taught her when she was eight years old. The purpose of her singing is so she can keep her mind off of fear, as she slowly makes her way down the slope of the dirt trail with a branch to guide her.

During her way down, she tripped couple times on rocks and roots that stick out from the dirt trail. Even her fisherman hat been toppled off when she tripped multiple time. But Annie didn't get discouraged, she just get back up right away every time and continues. She was eager to get out by herself so nothing can stop her. The thirty minute trip going up took her about fifty minutes to get back down. She only has a few more steps before reaching the open road. Sadly, she stepped into a pothole and twists her ankle causing her to moan loudly as pain shot into her ankle. She tries to get up but it hurt too much to move, so she sat back down to rest awhile.

After about ten minute she got herself up again, but she didn't dare to apply too much force on her left swollen ankle. Annie leans her weight on the branch to slowly limp the rest of the way to the open road. She didn't know which way to turn to lead her down toward the city. All she knows is that it must be downhill. She decides to turn right, but once she notice that it's going uphill, a sly smile appear. She turned around to head down the hill, now in the right direction. Even though, Annie is really tired and in pain, but still she kept herself moving along cause she want to prove that she could do it.

Along the opposite side of the empty road of the mountain, a man stepped out from an old wooden shack. Seeing Annie limping about twenty feet ahead, he kept his vivid dark eyes on her with curiosity. His dark toned feature is expressionless and cold with empty eyes observing Annie while wondering why she is out here alone. He glanced the surrounding to check if anyone else is with her, but like he has predicted, it empty with only the two of them.

Minding his own business, he brushed his nosy instinct away, and continues to jog down the trail heading toward the same direction Annie is going. Suddenly Annie tripped over a crack, scraping her kneecap. The late twenty years old man slowed down his jogging to keep a close eye at her. He didn't offer to help her or let Annie know that he is around, cause he didn't like to interact or interfere with other people, especially during this period of time. Seeing Annie busily patting her hands around searching for her branch, he finally realizes that she is blind. The thought of her being blind send a twinkle of sympathy to his pair of sharp eagle eyes. Noticing her being so vulnerable, he is certain that he wouldn't leave her behind, especially in an empty mountain like this one. But he is not the type that is willing to show his care toward other either. The most he could offer is silently help her.

Annie pushed herself off the ground to continue her way. The silent man is definite that she is blind when he witnesses her walk straight into the branches of a large willow tree in front of her. He silently studies Annie with a slight upward curve when he hears Annie scolding the willow with mumbling voice. Annie didn't know that the branches were in front of her since they are hanging down to about her chest while her walking branch only swing back and forth beneath the waist.

Seeing Annie hurting herself, the dark toned guy has an urge to help her, but he reminded himself to keep a distance from Annie, cause he don't want to get Annie in trouble with him. He turned back to gaze toward the old wooden shack that is hidden deep in the mountain. When he return his attention to Annie, he saw her gotten up already and heading down the road. On the opposite side of the road, he followed after her cause he needed to get out into the city too.

They walked slowly for about ten minutes before he spot his bus heading up right on scheduled time. The bus stop was on Annie side of the road, so he has to goes over. Meanwhile Annie was so glad that she hears the bus engine running and the squeaky brake being use telling her that she finally found help. A big and hopeful smile shows up on her face with a hint of proud excitement. The guy caught her innocent smile, which made him felt a lingering happiness in his heart that he hasn't felt for a very long while. Even though his mood is lightened, his expression is still plain and dull, but his emotionless feature is very handsome in his own special way.

The bus driver opens the door to receive passenger. When the driver saw Annie messy appearance with mud stained outfit and face, also little scrapes all over her arms and legs, not to mention her messily loosen hair that is now dominated by green willow leave, he would of guess that Annie just escape from a Mental Illness facility nearby. But of course he kept his silly assumption to himself with another assumption of Annie being robbed pop into mind. "Miss are you okay?" asked the driver with a hint of concern, a confuse arch of his brows appear when he notice Annie heading too far toward the right. "Be careful, you are walking into the door!" the bus driver warned urgently. But luckily the dark tone guy from behind quickly interlocked his hand with Annie and pulled her to a stop.

A shade of crimson shadowed Annie cheek, she felt embarrassed to imagine her clumsiness. "Thank," Annie soft sweet voice said to the dark toned guy who still has tight hand holding hers. The guy let go of her hand with a no problem look. Annie wondered why he didn't response to her thanks, but she is too tired and really wanted to just go home. She turned back to face the bus and this time she carefully wrack her branch to hear where the step is, then she slowly got up with the silent dark toned guy quietly lined up behind her. "Um...how can I get to Willow Bay Mansion?" she asked the driver, who is now positive that Annie is blind.

Seven pairs of passenger eyes turn their attention to Annie with curiosity. The bus driver was looking at her from top to bottom not believing she live in Willow Bay, which is the richest neighborhood up in the hills. "There is no bus here that can take you directly to Willow Bay," his disbelieving tone replied, "You need to take this bus out to the city center and transfer to bus 56, which will get you to the Newman center then transfer to bus 74 which will take you to Willow Bay."

All Annie could hear is his mumbling, since his answer was so dreadfully long. "How long will that be?" she asked since it sound like forever.

The bus driver looks at the time and begins to feel impatient with all her questions. "If you can transfer right away on each stop you should be there at 5:30 pm."

"What time is it now?"

"It 3:16 now, miss please pay your fare and sit down, I'm getting behind on my schedule," the rough voice warned.

Sheepishly, Annie dropped her head and whispered, "Um..I have no money, my wallet been stolen this morning. Can you please at least drive me to the city center?"

Every passenger listens to her curiously, but the bus driver isn't buying her excuses cause he has been trick before. "Miss please get off and don't waste our time, I have a schedule to keep," the insensitive driver exclaim.

A bit of tears lingered into Annie worry eyes to hear that he wouldn't give her a ride. She is not willing to get off cause there is no way she can get home if she get off. "But I..."

The guy behind her cut in, "Here this is enough for me and her," the expressionless guy told the bus driver while handing the driver a twenty dollar bill.

A bright grateful smile shone on Annie face with eyes sparkled cause of her happy tears. "Thanks you so much!" she thankfully said toward the sound of the guy, "I'll..."

"Don't mention it," the guy quickly said. He look at her face closely for the first time, he think it's weird how the large and beautiful dark brown eye in front of him is sightless. He pulled out a fifty dollars bill from his pocket and places it in Annie's hands. "Here, this is a fifty dollars bill to get you the rest of the way home," his empty voice said, but to Annie his voice sounded really warm and kind. With one last glance into Annie eyes, he turns to head toward the back of the bus to find himself a sit.

"What is your name?" Annie cheerfully questioned as she smile warmly, she is touch to finally found someone nice enough to help. "I can pay you back once I get home."

The guy didn't even turn back to look at Annie, but he repeated, "I say before, don't mention it." He sat down at the third roll.

Annie smiled with respect, "Okay, thanks than." A young gentleman that sat on the first seats on the right of the bus stands up and offers Annie the seat, he then walk back to the back to find a new one. "Driver, will you please tell me when we get to the city center?" Annie sweetly asked.

The girl next to Annie speaks up, "I'll get off there and head for bus 56 too, I'll walk with you if you want."

Annie eyes sparkle as a bright smiles appear, "Thanks you so much, of course I wanted help." During the bus ride, the girl talks to Annie, while the dark toned guy is watching her silently, he could see how sweet and innocent this blind girl is, he haven't met anyone like her before that seem so pure and angel like. So he quietly and curiously eye Annie every move as she was talking to the girl. He couldn't hear her conversation or even get her name. A small smile shows up for the first time in a very long while.
----------

Right when the bus turn out into the street, Gallen car turn in heading up Sky Swan Mountain. They got off and spotted Raymond and Steven car just pulling up behind them. "Is there any news on Annie yet?" Steven asked with urgent concern. Ever since the accident, Steven subconsciously felt like it his responsibility to take care of Annie.

"No not yet," Flora sadly replied.

"We call her phone again and the taxi driver say he left her up there," Gallen informed with his head lifted up seeing the tall mountain, "He thought Annie is tricking him. Let not waste time. We need to find her before dark."

"Why don't we split so we can cover more ground? Steven and I will look around down here and you three head up. We'll meet back at the car in an hour?" suggested Raymond, who felt it's his fault that Annie is lost.

They all agree and spread out to look. Raymond and Steven look everywhere up and down the road but no sign of her. While they look down the road, Flora, Gallen, and Maggie walk up the dirt trail as their heart pound in worry cause there is still no sign of Annie around. Then Maggie stopped when she spotted something white between the brushes. She walked over and picks it up, Gallen and Flora slightly drop their jaw when they recognize it was Annie's white nautical fisherman hat that she was wearing this morning. They looked down the mountain and hoping not to see her. They were relief and let out a breath when Annie body is not there.

"Calm down...lets not scare ourselves," Gallen said, more to himself than his sister and wife. They looked for about an hour and still no sign of Annie, so they head back to the car to meet Raymond and Steven. They decided that Annie might have left already so they drive home to decide what to do next.
----------

Meanwhile Annie was in bus 56 with the girl heading toward Newman center. The girl tell the bus driver to stop when he reach Newman center. "Annie when you get off the bus walk across the street and there should be an another bus stop right in front and ask someone to help you get bus 74," she instructed Annie with uncertain eyes, "Would it be better if I go with you?"

Thankfully, Annie shook her head, "No is alright. You have helped me enough already. I think I could manage to get myself home from here. Thank you so much Eva!" Annie got off the bus, limping her way across the street when she hears the signal to walk beeping. Her ankle is really swollen red and hurt every time she bump it while she try to drag it along. She bumps into an old woman, "Sorry, can you please help me to the bus stop?"

Being in a hurry the old woman was about to refuse, but when she notice Annie being blind, her heart softened. "Oh...poor thing, are you okay?" her sympathy voice asked, "Here follow me." She holds on to Annie arm and walks her over.

Annie could tell that it's an old woman that is helping her from the voice. She gave the old woman her reassuring smile and tone, "I'm fine. I felt much better now, as long as I can get home soon. Paw Paul (granny) what time is it now?"

They are now lining up in the bus line now. "It 5:06 pm sweetheart, okay I need to get home to cook for my grandchildren. You think you are okay by yourself now?"

"Yeah, thank you." The old lady walk away and Annie turn to the left where someone is standing besides her also waiting for a bus, "Excuse me, can you please tell me when bus 74 come?"

"Bus 74 just left five minutes ago, another one will be here in another thirty minutes," informed a fifteen years old boy with school uniform.

Annie thanks the teenager and waited for the bus to get on. It has been a really long and horrible day for her, but at least she is able to head home by herself, which meant a lot to her. She felt proud, but the thought of her worry parents make her felt guilty. She needs to find the best way to explain and keep them calm. Then she think of Eileen, she knows Eileen must be in deep trouble with her parent. Annie wishes she could get Eileen out of the situation once she gets back home.
----------

Gallen just got home with his wife and two siblings along with Steven. Steven wants to make sure Annie is safe before he could settle his mind and return home. It is 6:40 pm now so the servants are getting dinner ready, but no one was in the mood to eat. Lisa is getting a headache from worrying too much. She felt guilty for not taking care of Annie well enough. She looked up toward the ceiling and silently prays to her half-sister in her heart, begging her to protect Annie and bring her safely home. Her half-sister has passed away twenty so years ago.

As time passed by with no sign of Annie, Howard is getting impatient and worries sick. His expression shows anger for his daughter's childishness in heading out by herself. "Did you guy find her?" asked the urgent father. Lisa looked up to see Gallen and the rest returned without Annie. Howard knows the answer since Annie is not around and every face was as gloomy as his.

"No, we found her hat and looked everywhere for more than an hour and nothing, we think she left herself," Gallen reported.

Shaking her head, Lisa took Annie hat into her hand, "This can't be happening, where could she be?" She sighed with a pair of motherly eyes staring at Annie's hat, "She must be so scares right now." Lisa felt weary from her worries, she shut her eyes with her hand supporting her forehead. Flora and Maggie walk toward Lisa and comfort her. Eileen and Dave walked in with dull expression. A hint of fear is in Eileen eyes, she didn't dare to make eyes contact with Lisa or Howard. Lisa turns to Eileen with hatred eyes and coldly stated, "You don't need to come back anymore. Just leave now. Don't let me see you again."

Being emotional like always, Eileen eyes bursts with tears as she shake her head, "Sorry Mrs. Lam, but I really need...."

"We don't need you anymore!" Lisa lost her temper and yelled. She sighed to calm herself down. "Annie is not even home," she softly murmured, "Get out now, I don't want to deal with you."

"Mom, be reasonable! Is not her fault," Raymond defended Eileen. He frowned with soft eyes, "It's mine, if I didn't told her about my race last night she won't try to go and got herself lost." Raymond has always felt guilty when bad things happen to Annie, cause he always thinks he's the cause of Annie being blind.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" warned Howard with sharp eyes on his son. Deep down he still can't fully forgive Raymond and Steven for Annie lost of sight. "Eileen go to your room now, so Lisa can calm down," he said in a calmer voice. Eileen listens and sobs her way to the servant room. Howard heading toward the phone, "I'm calling Thomas now and get some help." Thomas is the chief of the Hong Kong police.

Howard was dialing and stopped when he hear the servant yelling, "MISS ANNIE IS BACK!! Miss Annie is back! She is outside the gate. John is opening the gate for her now." Reported an old maid who is very cheerful and out of breathe. Everyone got up and head toward the gate. John, the gardener is helping Annie in, she was limping but happy to be home at last.

Annie could hear her family footstep running toward her. Lisa run up and hugs her daughter so tightly with a bit of tears glistered in her eyes that is now running down her cheek with relief. She tilted her head back with eyes up toward the sky and whispered, "Thanks Vivian, thanks."

After hearing what her mom whispered, Annie chuckled happily, "Mommy, I got home myself, don't give all the credit to aunty Vivian."

"Annie," warned Lisa.

"Sorry," Annie sheepishly said with a tighter hug on her mom, "Mommy, I missed you!"

Lisa released their hug to look at her condition. She is a bit shock to finally realize how messy and dirty Annie is. Her eyes focused in to look at Annie scrapes and cuts that are all over on the exposed skin, and the huge swollen and red ankle. "What happen?!" Lisa asked. The more she notice Annie multiple tiny injuries, the more she gets mad at her. "Why don't you ever listen to me?! See what you got yourself into?" she scolded with hard eyes.

Felt awfully guilty on making her mom worry, Annie try to move forward to say sorry, but she forgot about her left ankle, which is hurting very badly now cause she is applying force to it. "Owwww...." Annie moaned not daring to scream out her pain cause she don't want to get scold by her parents. Even though she didn't scream, but the pain level was evident cause there is a tiny trace of tears cascading down her face. She immediately lifts her leg up, which causes her to lose balance and fall, but Gallen caught her in time. "Ah...watch my ankle."

"Oh my, Annie don't move, you twist it pretty badly. Gallen lets carry her in the house first," Flora expertly instructed.

Howard slightly growled before his angry and disappointed tone finally spoke up, "Lets go in."

Annie dropped her head guiltily when she hears her father not too happy tone. "I'm sorry daddy, I didn't mean to get you mad. I promise I won't do it again," said the soft tone.

Her brother set her down on the sofa. Lisa sat by her and examines her cuts and scrapes all over her legs and arms. While Flora held her left leg up and slowly rotate her foot to see how badly it's twisted out of place. Annie bit her lower lips trying so hard to not show her pain. She finally couldn't stand it and screamed when Flora rotate it, "THAT HURT! Jie ah stop it, it hurt really bad!" Annie squinted her eyes like it help minimize her pain level.

"It serve you right that it hurt!" scolded the furious father. "How could you just leave without saying anything?! Do you know how worry everyone is? Can you grow up and obey for once! You are never going to get out of this house by yourself again young lady. Where ever you go Dave is going to drive, and that's final!"

"Howard don't be so hard on her," Lisa requested.

"Will she listen if I reason with her?!"

Flora patted her sorry sister back, "Dad, I think Annie learn her lesson. Lets take care of her twisted ankle first, I need to turn it right again and it'll hurt so Gallen and Raymond come hold her still."

Annie gulped nervously, "No... Don't touch it jie."

"Annie it'll never get better if you don't fix it early. Now don't be childish, it only hurt for a sec," assured the elder sister. Gallen and Raymond hold Annie left leg tight while Maggie and Lisa calm her nervous down. Steven was standing there quietly observing them, it not his place to speak up so he just stand there happy that Annie is back. Annie screamed so loud when Flora twists her ankle back in place, that even the neighbor could hear her. She was flooded with tears and her face was as red as a tomatoes. She wiped her tears away and didn't dare to whine about the pain. Flora wrapped her ankle up carefully and stiffly so she doesn't twist it again during the healing period.

"Don't use your left foot too much this week okay?" Flora warm caring voice ordered. Annie nods as tears were still rolling down her cheek cause her ankle felt like an elephant just stomp on it. Raymond help wipe off her tears and patted her back.

Howard glare left Annie and landed on Lisa. "Lisa you are right," his cold voice said. Lisa looks at him confusedly. "I'm going to hire a new maid tomorrow that can keep her eye on Annie. Eileen can leave and get another job after this month," he announced.

Stunned, Annie stopped her sobbing, "No!! Daddy is not Eileen fault. I tricked her. Is my fault, please don't fire her! I'll listen, I promise. Daddy..." She nudged Howard, who didn't response, his face is still stern with disappointment. "I got home all rights by myself anyway!" Annie pointed out with a pout.

"You got home alright?" Howard asked with eyes on Annie cuts and scrapes, he is very protective of Annie. It hurt him to see her in this condition. He doesn't want anything else to happen to Annie. He doesn't want to see another accident. He hissed loudly, "Look at you, you all scraped! Is this what you call alright? Is Eileen fault for being so easily fooled by you, I'll find someone that know exactly how to take care of you the way that it supposed to! And I hear enough from you already, go clean up and get ready for dinner."

Pouted and feeling unfair, Annie got up on her feet leaning toward her right side. "Daddy don't fire Eileen. Please, it's not Eileen fault at all, she need this job to support her mother and siblings in China."

"If you care so much about Eileen before, you wouldn't put her in the spot."

"I'm not a prisoner! What so wrong is it for me to go out by myself? Didn't I prove that I know how to take care of myself and get back?! You are so unfair! You always treat me like a bird in a cage!" Annie flamingly protested with flatten lips.

Howard darted at his daughter with hard eyes that show a glimpse of hurt hearing what Annie said. He only wanted to protect her and give her the best of everything. "I don't care if you think that I'm a cruel father. As long as you are living under my roof, you are going to listen to me and stay out of trouble. What I said earlier is final."

"But you can't fire Eileen, daddy. It's my fault. If you wanted to you can punish me, just don't fire her. I'm sorry, I really am..." a swept of dizziness hit her, making her felt weakened. Annie quickly lost her balance and fainted on the sofa. Everyone was shock and rush to her right away, even Eileen who hears the entire conversation from the servant room, step out and run toward Annie. Annie in a weak and soft voice, "Daddy, please daddy..."

Flora just notices why Annie fainted so easily, "Annie you didn't take your afternoon medication. And you must not have eaten since this morning."

Panicked, the father felt guilty for screaming at her like that. "Maggie call doctor Lau now!" Howard ordered. Doctor Lau is the family doctor for over thirty years. They carry her up the room. Flora and Lisa stay inside while the rest got out the room. Flora and her mom help Annie change into her pajamas and clean up her cut and wash off all the dirt on her. Dr. Lau came in with the rest and examined Annie from top to bottom. While Eileen stand outside listening in tears hoping that her mistress will be alright.

"Don't fire Eileen daddy..." Annie moaned in her sleep.

Brushing her bang, Lisa comforted, "Annie don't worry, Eileen won't get fire, just rest now sweetheart." Outside in the hallway, Eileen heard Annie words and felt so touched.

Dr. Lau checks Annie temperature, pulse, and heart rhythm. Then he gave Annie a shot and lay her down again while Flora cover her up with the blanket. Dr. Lau signals the family to walk outside to talk and let Annie quietly rest. When they walked out the room, Lisa saw Eileen standing there worry and in tears looking down on the floor. She sighed and gently pat the girl shoulder, "I'm sorry that I lost my temper earlier. Eileen why don't you go in and see Annie, I know she want to see you."

The maid nodded repeatedly, she felt happy and relief that Lisa has forgiven her, "Thank you, Mrs. Lam thank you." Eileen walked in and saw Annie asleep, she smile warmly and sat next to her.

Meanwhile, in the hallway, the old doctor with silver white hairs explain to the family about Annie condition. "Annie is fine right now, she is just overly exhausted that all her energy has been drain. I gave her a vitamin shot with some antibiotic in case infection occur cause of the cut and sprang ankle. She will probably have a fever tonight or tomorrow, but it shouldn't be too severe. No need to worry she should be good as new in a couple of day. Oh, don't let her skip her medication again," he smiled at Flora, "You did a great job with her ankle and cuts."

"Thanks you Dr. Lau," Flora said with a smile.

"Howard you don't have to worry so much, with Flora here, I'm sure Annie is in good hand." Howard let out a weak smile and walked his friend out while Flora and Lisa go look at Annie one more time before they head down for dinner. Steven saw that Annie would be okay so he excused himself and go home. The Lam's family eat quietly cause everyone was tired from the worry and rushing back and forth the entire day. Annie was sleeping peacefully with Eileen watching over her.
----------

The Lam's finish their dinner and went to bed. Raymond sits quietly on his balcony looking up into the dark sky with twinkling stars. He remember how much Annie love to look at the stars when she was a toddler. Then he recalls how he helps Annie decorate her entire room full of glow in the dark stars for her fifth birthdays. Raymond smiled as he remember Annie quickly close her eyes when one of the glow in the dark star got loose and falling down. He can still see Annie sweet smile while she made a wish and smile cheerfully up at her brother who is trying to reach the ceiling to put the rest up.

Raymond gazed at the stars for a moment, then his smile fade when the flash back of Annie's accident sixteen years ago came back again. He has been carrying a deep burden inside his heart cause of this horrible accident that could be prevented only if he didn't take her along. The dream of Annie accident had haunted him for so many nights, he would wake up in sweat hearing Annie cry when she hit the rock. Every time Annie get injured or lost he would blame himself, cause if Annie was not blind then she won't get into all these trouble at all. Even though Annie never blames him, he always felt guilty and responsible. Seeing Annie get hurt is worsens then getting himself hurt. So he always tries to protect Annie and take good care of her.

Raymond turns his attention to his watch, it is 10:20 pm now and the house is pretty quiet. He walks out of his room and peek into Annie's room, seeing her still sleeping peacefully. So he closes the door and head downstairs to the kitchen. Flora was in the kitchen mixing something and had her back facing Raymond.

"Jie, what are you doing?" Raymond softly asks so that he won't startle his sister.

Turn around and saw Raymond, Flora smile warmly, "I'm getting Annie's medication ready for her, she hate the liquid medicine cause of the bitterness and sourness, so I add some honey in to sweeten it up a bit."

"But she is not up yet."

"I know, but I have a call from the hospital that one of my patients is in critical condition and needed a surgery done, they help schedule him for tonight at 11:30. Which is why I'm preparing the medicine before I have to leave, can you make sure she drank it? She tends to keep it away as long as possible." Flora giggled at the mention of Annie tricky way to skip medication. "Why are you down here anyway? Are you hungry already?"

"No, I just thought of heating up the food so Annie can eat when she wake up, I bet she'll be starving," Raymond grinned weakly and turn toward the fridge.

Being observant, Flora could tell that he is not happy. "Raymond is not your fault that Annie got lost today, don't blame yourself for everything. Annie never blames you, so why should you keep making your life so hard? Everyone needs to be responsible for theirs own action, so no one should be blame for when an accident occur," reasoned Flora.

"I know," weakly said the brother, "That's why I'm trying to be responsible cause I'm the one that made her blind. I force her to move on when she was afraid. She was only six, I don't know what I was thinking making her climb down with us..."

"Raymond is an accident."

"One that can be prevented, only if I listen to Steven and wait till the rain stop before we climb up or just grab her hand tighter...or.."

"Raymond that is why they call it an accident, you could always prevent an accident if you know better, but we are human we not suppose to know better." Flora gave him a encouraging smile, "Just don't keep on taking all the responsibility, it's not healthy for you or Annie. Lets bye gone be bye gone, don't try to hold it back. Annie can accept the fact, why can't you?"

"Jie it so hard for me to forget when I see Annie trying so hard and get frustrated just to live a normal life."

Flora glanced at the clock, "I know, but it doesn't help to make yourself sad. All we could do now is to love her and support her. Life is always hard anyway. I really need to go now so I'll see you tomorrow, take care of Annie for me. Come on Raymond smile she will be okay."

Raymond smiled, "I will. Good luck with the surgery." Flora walk out and Eileen came in.

"Mr. Raymond, Miss Annie woke up," Eileen happily announced.

"Perfect," Raymond said with a warm smile, "I was about to heat up some food for her anyway, Eileen will you leave me and Annie alone to talk?"

"Alright, I'll go to bed now." With a smile, she turns around and head to her room. Raymond places a bowl of rice on the tray with a plate of food that he saved for Annie, and also the medicine Flora prepared. He carries it up to Annie's room.

Annie sniffed the air, " Mmmm........it smell good Eileen."

Her brother laughed, "Of course it does, I save them for you myself."

"Finally it your turn to save food for me, I thought there is no such day," Annie playfully teased.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. It nice out side do you want to eat on the balcony?"

Annie forgotten about her sprang ankle and bump it when she place it down on the floor. "Oouch!! That hurt," she whined with a childish pout.

"Why do you always act so kiddy in front of me?" Raymond chuckled at Annie expression, "Just wait a minutes." He place the tray on the table sitting in front of the swing out in the balcony, and returns to Annie. "Here let me piggyback you over," he suggested and grab Annie hands to places them around his neck. With hands securely holding onto Annie's leg, he piggy ride her to the swing. "Boy you are getting fat, maybe you should consider a diet," he joked.

"Maybe it you who is getting weaker," Annie defended. "Mommy always said that the wind cans blow me away. Mmm, I'm starving lets eat," she gave him a puppy face.

"Here," he place the bowl of rice and chopstick in Annie hand. "I save you a bit of everything, since you are basically a human garbage can that will eat anything anyway." He put a bit of everything into her rice bowl.

Pouted, Annie asked, "Why are you so mean? Isn't it good that I'm not a picky eater? Oh, where is your race anyway?"

Picking out the fish bone from the steam fish, Raymond chuckled, "It was at Flying Swan Mountain, how did you get the idea it was at Sky Swan Mountain anyway?"

"I remembered is something Swan mountain..." Annie stopped when she hear the phone ring. "Aren't you going to get that?"

"I'm busy pulling bone out of your fish princess," Raymond explains.

Eileen walked in with the cordless phone, "Miss Annie, it's Mr. Julian call."

"Thanks," Annie said while Eileen place the phone on her hand and exit the room. Annie chuckled, "No, I'm fine, no need for a CID to come over and scold me. How is your day? Capture any bad guy yet? You know your record for solving crime is dropping," Annie teased.

"We would definitely do better if there is fewer running away from home girl like you to give us more work," said Julian from the other line. "I heard you fainted and broke your leg. Is it serious?"

"From who? That person must really hate me," Annie asked with laughter. Her stomach growled, "I'm not chatting with you, I'm very hungry. Talk with ya other time."

"Is this how you treat a cousin that is calling to care about you?" Julian asked while purposely sighed, he is bored since he didn't go to the concert and Charmaine is busy with Benny and didn't return his call.

Annie ignored his complain and begin to stuff her mouth with rice. She mumbled with rice, "I'm betting you are bore cause both Charmaine and Ada don't want to entertain you anymore. Okay, tell me your problem, I'm here to help. Met a new girl?"

Julian sighed with boredom, "I guess I could sleep now there is no sense talking to you. Just wanting to check and make sure you are okay before I sleep. Goodnight girl."

"Alright goodnight Jule. Don't worry about girl, both Charm and me will keep an open eyes to search one for you," Annie said after she swallow.

"An open eye?" laughed Julian making Annie pout. "I might as well be a priest."

"Fine goodnight!" Annie playfully shouted to the phone before she shut it off. "Meany," she turned to her brother chuckling, "Are you on his side?"

Raymond looked up at Annie, "I'm always neutral when it come to Julian and you. But if it were her, of course I'll be on your side."

Annie laughed, she know her brother always stand up for her when it necessary. "Well, did you or Steven win the bike race?"

"No, we were actually the last two of the twenty contestants," he chuckled at what happen.

"Oh really," Annie sarcastically dragged, "That couldn't be possible, it my brother and Steven you are talking about right? They are the best two bikers ever born isn't it? Hmm, that really weird."

"Hey we are! Is just that we have an emergency call to save some squirrels live."

Annie is confused but very interested, finishing up her bowl of rice with the fish that Raymond just added in, "What happen? What squirrel?"

Raymond exaggerated, "Imagine this, two handsome young men were the best bikers ever born and I meant ever born. So of course the other contestants could stand no chance against them. The two handsome men were leading the race. At about midway from winning, two squirrels decided to go out on a date, so they cross the bike trail to go over to the large acorn tree for lunch. The two handsome bikers saw the lovely couple right in front of their way and a deathly accident could occur. Those two young hot looking guys also have the kindest heart and are willing to lose their gold medals, so they press on the brake so hard and fast that the bike squeaked and throw them to the floor, while the lovely couple finally reaches the other side. But the two poor young men became last as the rest of the biker pasted them. Lovely isn't it?"

Laughed, Annie sarcastically say, "How nice of the two handsome young men, do I know them?" She shake her head slowly, "No I haven't met anyone that nice yet, can I meet them one day Raymond? And what does it have to do with you and Steven losing?" She finished her dinner.

"Of course you know them, I don't blame you since you never seen how handsome I am," he grinned.

Annie pretended to gag, "Hey I still want my dinner."

Her brother hand her the medicine, "Flora told me to make sure you drink this in front of me. Now hassle up kid."

"I just told you I want to keep my dinner," she sighed and drank it up fast. "Hmm...something is different, this is not that bad this time, what is in it?"

"She added honey."

"Why didn't she think of it earlier? Where is jie now?" Annie asked.

"She need to do a surgery, so Annie were you mad not being able to find me."

"At first I was," Annie said as she drank the other two pills and signal Raymond to carry her back in. "But I learn how to solve my own problem and got home. I was so glad to know that I could take care of myself. Aren't you proud Ray Ray?"

Raymond place Annie on her bed and went to the restroom to wet a washcloth for her. "You call that taking care of yourself? Did you know you have like hundreds of cut and a sprang ankle that will keep you in bed for at least three days?" He hand her the washcloth and she wipe her mouth. "What else happen? Do you need to use the bathroom?"

"Yeah, I want to brush," Annie replied. Raymond carried her to the bathroom and back to bed when she is done. "I met some very strange people today. The first one was such a jerk, screaming at me after he bump into me, he called me a snobby worthless brat and told me to use my eyes to walk!" anger and some tears show up as she tell Raymond. "Wait till I see him again, I'll give him a piece of my mind!"
The brother couldn't help but chuckle as Annie make an angry face. "Calm down, there is lot of people like this out there, not worth it to get angry over."

"If it wasn't because of him stealing my wallet, I could of took the taxi home."

Raymond didn't know that Eileen has found Annie wallet, since he weren't home then. "He bumps into you to steal your wallet? That bastard. Sorry bad word."

Annie smiles sweetly as she think of the nice stranger on the bus, "But the second guy was really nice, he is willing to pay for my bus fare and gave me fifty dollar so I can pay for the other bus fare. But it strange that he wouldn't tell me his name and he sound really empty and sad. I wonder what experience he been through to make him felt so lonely and cold. But I could tell he have a kind heart."

"Sound like you have a very good impression of him and being all curious, do you like him?" Raymond teasingly asked. He looks at Annie suspiciously as he bends over to the night stands to grab a new novel by Patricia Cornwell.

Blushed, Annie shake her head, "Don't be silly, I don't fall for people that easily. Raymond what is the next novel?"

"Try to change the subject huh?" teased her brother.

Pouting, Annie demanded, "What do you mean by that Ray Ray Lam?"

"Okay, okay, I'll stop if you stop calling me that kiddy name. The next novel is 'From Potter's Field' lets start shall we?" he begin to read to Annie, but for only ten minute because Annie has fallen asleep on his shoulder. He stops and slides Annie slowly down so she is lying down on her bed with her teddy. He knows that Annie has a rough and long dreadful day. He turns off the light and walked out with the door behind.
******

[jeh]

Phew, glad Annie got home safely I'm thinking that guy was Louis right? Are you going to make this a Louis-Annie fanfic or a Benny-Annie fanfic? I know you won't answer my question but I just feel like asking Update soon.

[Someone5]

annie is kinda lucky. keep up the good work!!

[Yak]

jeh: Yes, the mysterious guy is Louis. As for how this being an AL or AB fanfic, you'll have to read

[Yak]

Every weekday morning at Bobby's flat was like a busy flees market, especially with an addition of another family member from now on. Like always, Esther is in the kitchen early in the morning to labor herself over the stove cooking chicken rice porridge for breakfast, while Ada help set the table. Benny has woken up and standing in front of the hall bathroom door for fifteen minute already. "Jie ahhh..." he wined in a tire voice, cause he has been rushing Charmaine for the last fifteen minute already. "Will you hurry up? What take you so long? Come out now!" he demanded as he pounded on the door to annoy her until she will come out.

Inside the bathroom, Charmaine is putting a light coat of mascara on. She was in no hurry to get out. "Can you be a gentlemen and wait without whining? I'll be out in a minute. Just gives me sometime, I'm almost finish," Charmaine replied with a tiny hint of irritation.

"That what you say when I first ask!" her brother shouted back.

"Charmaine hurry up, Benny looks like he is going to explode," urged the eldest sister with a trail of giggle.

Esther is putting the pot of rice porridge on the dinning table. She glanced over toward the hallway with laughter, "Ada there's no use, she take that long every morning anyway. Benny, why don't you go to the bathroom in my room, I think Bobby is about done."

Benny nodded as he run to the master bedroom and saw Bobby still sleeping on the bed. He ran into the bathroom as quick as a speeding bullet. After about ten minute he came out looking nice and fresh. He went to his room to get neatly dressed with a slack and a white dress shirt along with a blue tint tie to match his pant. Then he ran out to the dinning table and grabs his bowl of porridge to eat.

"What take Charmaine so long every morning?" he asked while blowing on his spoonful of steamy hot porridge.

"She wants to look perfect everyday, in case a star search agent saw her. You know she always dream of joining showbiz," Ada looked at her brother sharp image, "So where do you work at?"

Eating his fried breadstick, Benny mumbled, "This breadstick is better than any of the London Chinatown breadstick." He smiled proudly with excitement, "I am going to my training program this week then they will send me to follow a case with another professional the following week for about a month or so. Then I get my own case.

"What take Bobby so long?" their aunt wondered.

"Uncle Bobby is still sleeping like a baby," Benny stated with a smirk.

"What?!" Esther rolled her eyes with disbelieves, "I got him up and to the bathroom myself. How could he go back to sleep again? Aggrrr..." She walks to her son room to wake up Henry and went to master bedroom to drag Bobby up again.

Dressed in simple but fashionable dress, Charmaine finally walked out of the bathroom. She grinned, "See, what's the rush? Uncle Bobby is not even up yet."

Her younger brother looked at her up and down with a disappointed look, "You took hours and still just look like this?"

"Benny! Don't say that or she'll go back in for couple more hours," warned Ada.

"What do you boys know, casual is the best way to show the true beauty," Charmaine exclaim with confident.

"Then natural will show even more. So why waste time in the bathroom?" he always tries to pick a fight with Charmaine. It's a way for them to communicate ever since childhood.

Sat down, Charmaine smile at Benny, "I'll not waste my energy and time explaining to a five years old and cause me a wrinkle."

Benny slightly enlarged his eyes with a surprised look, "Oh, you actually notice that you get wrinkle easily at your age?" He loves to playfully tease Charmaine and see her get ticked off. It has been five long years without arguing with Charmaine and he kind of miss it.

Being their sister, Ada has experience and knows that once they start it going to be forever before they stop, so she has to get one of them away. "Benny it time for you to go if you are going to catch the bus." She smiles brightly, trying to stop their argument from going any further.

Glanced at the clock, Benny quickly gobbles up the rest of his porridge. "I really need to get going, Charmaine wait till tonight, I'll finish the discussion with you." He got up and head out.

"Sure anytime anyplace!" Charmaine yelled after him.

"When will you two grow up? I thought five years would of help," murmured Ada.

Charmaine chuckled, "Jie, a little teasing won't hurt and it helps energize the rest of the day."

Ada laughed, "Are you insane?"
----------

It's almost noon times, but Sunny is still home cause he have to prepare his presentation to present to his client at one in the afternoon. Michelle just walked into the large doorway of the mansion angrily as she head up to Sunny computer room. She furiously throws her credit cards on Sunny desk, which he is sitting there working on his presentation. "What do you mean by this!!" she demanded for an answer.

Her brother has purposely cancelled all of her credit cards accept for one, which has a credit line up to 150 thousand per month. Sunny stopped his typing and glanced at Michelle with steady eyes. "I'm not letting you waste your time to just fly here and there to shop. How old are you?" he return his attention back to his computer screen as he reason with her, "Michelle, you are 23 already, for crying out loud. You need to finish up your college degree and enter the world. I check your grade and you basically failed every single class!"

"You have no right checking on me!!" protested Michelle with hard eyes darted at her brother.

"If I have to support you, I've the right. I'm not going to let you spend your whole life wasting my money on nonsense," Sunny plainly said.

"You're not my financial support. Daddy is!"

Stopped his work again, Sunny looked at her stilly in the eyes. He is getting mad after hearing her say that her dad was the one paying for everything. "What did dad pay for!" he inflamingly asked her, "Did he pay all your credit card? Did he pay to run this family? NO! All he gives you is a million dollar on your birthday and you usually spend all of it within a month! So don't you dare to say he support you!"

"So you want me to move out of your life, is that it?!" Michelle angrily hissed.

"If I want you to leave, I don't even allow you to have five thousand dollar to spend for each day. I won't even give you a penny! Do you know the five thousand dollars is what most people in Hong Kong get for one month of hard labor?" Sunny asked.

"How could you compare me with those low class slaves? And this house belongs to daddy, and so does the money he left behind! I get a share of it too."

Swallowing his anger, Sunny tries to keep cool, "This house belong to grandpa, if dad have the title he would of sell it and throw us to the street, lucky uncle Howard is the holder of the house. And dad took all the money with him when he married that girl. Get out now so I can finish my presentation. If you want to leave and go to dad, you can at anytime. If you decide to stay, the least you could do is act maturely."

"I won't be here forever, trusts me, once I find a place I'll leave," Michelle bitterly said before she storm out of the room and slammed the door behind. She always said she'll move out when she is angry with Sunny. Sunny shake his head and sat back gown trying to concentrate on his project.
----------
Back at Bobby home in the evening at seven, Esther set up dinner for three, since Bobby and her two nieces has went over to visit Annie and is kept for dinner by Lisa, leaving only Esther, Benny, and Henry home. Benny and Henry are playing game cube in the living room. The eight years old boy laughed with pride to see how easily defeat able his cousin is. "Benny, you are terrible at games! I thought your email said you beat everyone in London! They must not even know which button is jump to lose to you!" he cockily teased.

"I just want you to feel pride before I crush you like an ant," responded Benny while giving the boy an evil smile, "You know, I'm older than you so of course I'm suppose to let you win a couple of game or else you will never stand a chance and give up right away."

Henry laughed loudly, "Yeah right! You haven't even won once and we played for more than an hour already."

"Time for dinner!" called Esther, "Henry goes wash your hand!"

Obediently, Henry got up and head to the bathroom. Benny got up and walks to the dinning table. "Where is jies and uncle?" he asked while he sat down and begins to eat.

"They are at Bobby's sister house to visit Annie and have dinner," explained his aunt.

"Yeah, I wanted to visit Annie too! But the tutor is coming tonight at 7:45 for my piano lesson," whined Henry, who has always love to play with his cousin Annie.

"Who is Annie? And why do they need to visit her?" Benny casually asked to have conversation.

"Annie is my cousin, she got hurt on Saturday, so they go give her flower to cheer her up. Annie is great, I always go to the park with her and push her on the swing. She always plays with me and I teach her how to play with my toys. I bet you'll like to hang out with her too. Why don't you take us to the park next time she comes to visits? I bet you two can be great friends," suggested Henry.

Benny slightly nodded, "So she's your best friend?" Henry nodded with definite. "Sure I'll take you two out to the park and buy you too cotton candies. And if I save up enough money by then I'll buy you two toys." He smiles at Henry joyfully.

"Great! I bet she'll come on Friday party."

"Henry eats up. Benny, I think you mistaken, Annie is 22, she's not a child," explained Esther.

Surprised, Benny is also confuse, "Oh, I thought she is younger then Henry, since it sound like Henry take care of her and teach her how to play his toys and push her on a swing?"

Esther chuckled at Benny stage of lost, "Annie is blind. That's why Henry takes care of her. But she is very playful and cheerful, and she love to play with kids. She is a wonderful girl, too bad she can't see." She pick up some chicken with her chopstick and drop it into Henry bowl.

"Is she born blind?" Benny nosily asked cause he is always curious about the blind.

Shaking her head, Esther answered, "No, is an accident..." The doorbell ring, she got up to open it and it was the piano tutor. "Please come in," Esther welcomingly greeted.

While Henry is practicing his keys to the tutor, Esther wash the dishes and Benny in his room reading his textbook on the blind.
----------

Kenix is Maggie and Flora best friend since college. She is really close to Maggie cause they are the same age and they both major in business management and graduated together. They also enter the same company to work, which is Millennium Cooperation. Then Gallen fall in love with Maggie and married her. After being married Maggie don't work anymore, so she only see Kenix once in a while.

In her cozy flat, Kenix have her apron on as she cooks in the kitchen, she try to cook lamb chop and bake potatoes for dinner. In her small but classy dinning room was a round glass dinning table that is large enough for four. On the table she setup a dark crimson tablecloth. On top of that was a candleholder with three pink candles with flame that are dancing romantically. Next to that is a bottle of champagne sitting in the ice to chill. There were two sets of china and silverware on the table with two large wine glasses. She has the light off, but many candles were lit in the living room and dinning room giving a dim and romantic feeling.

Kenix walked out of the kitchen toward the CD player to load a sweet background melody to further more set the mood for her special evening. Right at that moment her doorbell ring just in time, so she took off her apron to reveal her silky white dress showing her nice body curvature. She opens the door and smile sweetly as she hold on to the bouquet of white rose that was just given to her. She hugs him and kissed his lip softly and holds his hand to guide him to the dinning room.

"I'm really sorry about Saturday night. Annie got lost and came back pretty late and she fainted. I'm sorry to miss our date," explained the married lover of her.

Kenix smile at him sweetly, in a calm and understanding voice, "I know. Flora call to cancel the Saturday lunch and told me everything. So how is Annie, she's all rights I hopes?"

Her best friend husband nodded with a tempting smile on her. He is glad to know that she is very understanding. "She is getting better today, but she had a fever yesterday cause of her swollen ankle and had to stay in bed the entire day. Enough about Annie." He sniffed the air, "Mmmm...something smell really delicious."

Remembering her sizzling lamb chop, Kenix gasped, "Oh I forgot. Lets me go get the lamb chops. Gallen, why don't you take off your suit and relax for a while." Within five minutes, she returns with two plates of lamb chops and bake potatoes, while Gallen pour the champagne into both glasses. "I hope you like this," she said with a smile.

"At least it smell and look wonderful," Gallen complimented.

They eat slowly as the romantic atmosphere filled their heart. They talk about their weekend. They has been seeing each other like this for a year now, ever since their business trip to France. That trip allowed them to know each other better and fall in love as they worked closely on the project. And just being away with just the two of them to a romantic country as France bring spark into their relationship. Kenix try leaving him before, since he is her best friend husband, but she couldn't, she love him too much to loss him. Both of them agree not to let anyone else know cause they don't want to hurt Maggie. Gallen love Maggie a lot and would never divorce her, but he also love Kenix cause she is unique and special.

They finish dinner and are now dancing intimately to the romantic music in the living room. "I could stay late tonight, I told Maggie not to wait for me," he whispered into Kenix ear. With a charming smile, he holds her closer, Kenix smile too and enjoys the time being close to him.
----------

Annie's new cellular phone rang, but she is still sleeping. The ringing finally annoys her enough to wake up a bit. "Eileen can you get the phone..." she mumbled in her half-asleep stage. Annie tries hard to ignore the phone so she can fall back to sleep, but the phone kept ringing. She sleepily called out again, "Eileen?"

Finally she notice that Eileen is not in her room yet, so she got up and slide into her slipper in search for the phone. She listens closely and walked toward the balcony. It was sitting on her swing cause she was complaining to Julian about her boredom last night. She was bore and needed someone to listen to her sad story cause she was recovering from her fever and her parents wouldn't let her leave her bedroom.

Annie sat down on the swing and moves her hand around to try locating the phone. She picks it up and presses the talk button. Sleepily, Annie yawned before she answer, "hello" She lies her head on the back cushion of the swing wanting to fall back to sleep.

"Annie, are you still there?" a familiar female voice asked.

Notice it was Charmaine voice, Annie sleepily asked back, "Charmaine? Do you know what time it is? Eileen is not even in my room yet, it must be before eight huh? Couldn't you let me sleep in a bit longer? What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry I woke you up but I really want to know if you are coming to tonight party."

Woken up and alert now, Annie joyfully questioned, "Today is Friday? Yes! Finally a chance to get out of this house!"

"So I guess that is a yes then, right? Hey, the main reason I wanted to call is that I want to ask if you can sleepover tonight. It'll be fun cause uncle Bobby and aunt Esther decided to have the friends over for karaoke. It'll probably take the whole night, you might as well sleepover."

Annie is quickly excited by the idea, her eyes twinkled with happiness, "Really? Sound like a great idea. I bet I could get mom to let me go or I'll ask gor for help."

Her friend giggled, "Aren't you old enough to decide for yourself?"

"That's what I thought, but after last Saturday I am pretty much kept as a prisoner," complained Annie.

"That serve you right," Charmaine joked, "Anyway try to come, Benny is not going to be home tonight, so you can get his room."

"Benny? Oh your brother, is he back to Hong Kong already?"

"Yeah, but he just finish his training program and they are celebrating at one of the member house, so he won't be home. I'll introduce you to him tomorrow, when he come back, you'll like him, he is fun to be around, and I must say myself he is pretty cute and handsome," sugar coated Charmaine, who is still trying to sell his brother to Annie.

Annie shrugged, "Sure, I will try to make it tonight."

"Great!! I'll see you then, oh Steven planning to make lot of your favorite pastry so be sure to come early," informed Charmaine.

"I know, I'll try to be there by five. Bye," Annie hung up and quickly went into the bathroom to brush. Eileen still hasn't come in yet, so Charmaine must have called very early. Annie is too excited, so she decides to go ask her parent first before she changes. She walked out into the hall and heading toward her parent room, when she heard Raymond arguing with her dad in the mini library room, she quickly head toward the room to find out what's going on.

"You never trust me in doing anything!" Raymond angry tone complained to his father.

His father disappointingly asked, "What did you do that proven you can be independent?"

"I know, I'm not as good as Gallen and follow yours every order and footstep. I have my own dream and goal, doesn't mean that I am not disobeying you. At least I can stand on my own," the rebellious son stated.

"Stand on your own? You call asking your older sister and mother to financially support you as standing on your own? Don't think that they didn't tell me and I wouldn't know. I am not that old to be blinded. If you can be independent you won't even need anyone help!" the father stated with a sigh.

"Howard, please calm down, Raymond is really independent, he don't ask us for money very often and every time he borrow it, he give it back to us right away. Give him a chance to explore," Lisa helped.

"It's because of you spoiling him like that and protecting him all the time. Look at him, all he knows is to cause trouble and mess thing up," Howard unreasonably claims.

"I know you still resent me for causing Annie sight!" Raymond pointed out. Annie just got to the doorway of the room and heard her name being mention, so she stood out side to listen. "You think I like it when she is blind? I rather it was me! One mistake doesn't mean everything else I do will be a mistake."

"I don't resent you!" Howard furiously snapped, "But what did you do to make me have confident in you? You didn't even try to finish up your college degree, all you could think of is your stupid bicycle shop! I take a step back and allow you to open your own shop and now you want to move out? Is this house really that bad!"

A dead silent settle upon them for a few seconds before Raymond spoke up, "I just want to be independent, I'm 25 years old already. I don't get why moving out is such a big deal with you."

"I'm your father," Howard reminded. He sighed, "Have you think of Annie?" He didn't know Annie was outside the hall listening. "You know how much she cling to you and care about you. How could you just move out? She need you, she want you to be around! I don't care what else you want to do, but you are definitely not moving out. If you still want to move out then never step your foot in this house again!"

Hearing the entire argument outside, Annie can't believe that she has become such a big burden to Raymond. She quickly walks in the room, "Daddy, I'm fine without Raymond. I don't want him to be unhappy."

All three of them turn and look at Annie, they are stunned that she is here, Annie eye was red even though no tears appear. Raymond shuts his eyes for a sec and gently apologized, "I'm sorry Annie, is not your fault. Trust me." He walked to Annie and comfort her, he hate to see Annie sad.

Step away from Raymond, Annie stepped toward her dad. "Daddy, I don't want to be anybody burden and I could take care of myself. It's not even Raymond fault that I am blind why take it on him? You are not being fair. He has his right to be independent and live his own life!" Annie clearly declares to stand up for Raymond.

Lisa gently tug Annie's arm signaling her to stop, "Annie. Don't talk to your father like that."

Looking straight into his daughter large beautiful eye, Howard stubbornly replied, "What I say before is final, I'll not change my mind, if he want to leave he could, just never come back. And I am not finish with you yet, so don't try to defense your brother. Why are you up so early? Go back to bed now it only seven!" With that he walked out of the room and head to his bedroom.

"Annie is not because of you that Raymond can't move out. Your father just didn't want any of his children move away from him. So don't feel responsible. Raymond why can't you just obey him once, he really loves you, can't you see? He never knows how to communicate with you, but he would never be happy if you move out. Just stay here for now, we don't really limit you anyway so what's the different? You think about it," the supporting mother said before she walks out and head to her room to calm Howard down.

Raymond turn toward Annie, "I'm sorry to drag you into this in an early morning. Mom is right it not your fault." He let out a slight chuckle, "Dad has always use you to stop me from moving, he is right, I would miss you so much if I move out." Trying to cheer Annie up, Raymond added, "But it was a nice try though, don't you think? I guess living here wouldn't be that bad at least you will always save me food."

Annie gave her brother a quick hug, "I never thought I would be your problem. Ray Ray please remembers that I always wanted you to be happy too."

Her brother laughed, "You are getting mushy. I told you before is not your fault. Honestly I do feel guilty for your accident, but that is not what makes me take care of you so much. I know it corny, but I really love you as my kid sister. Remember how we always play together when we were younger? Steven and I always take you out, when we go play. Now enough with the sorrow face. Did my yelling wake you up?"

"Oh no, I totally forgotten! I was going to ask mommy and daddy if I could go to Charmaine for a sleepover," Annie pouted.

"I don't think this is a good time to ask," Raymond reminded.

Smiling sweetly, Annie grinned, "Is okay, I still have gor, he will convince dad to let me go. What time is it? I wonder if he is up yet."

"It's 7:45 in the morning. I bet he is up, he need to go to work by nine anyway."

"Great I'll go get him, I'll see you around." Annie ran out heading toward Gallen room.

Gallen was at the stair heading down when Annie knock on his bedroom door, he turn around. "Annie? Are you looking for me? Why are you up this early?" he walked back up toward Annie.

"Yeah I'm looking for you. I need your help gor." Gallen walk her to the dinning table, while she explains everything.

"That's not a good way to start a morning, especially when you want to go out," teased Gallen. "Let me see if I can help, why don't you have breakfast with me first. Robert could you make me an egg and sausage breakfast with toast. What do you want Annie?"

"I don't feel like eating yet, I just want a glass of milk," she ordered while Gallen help her pull her chair out.

"Robert gives Annie a glass of milk and a muffin," he turn toward Annie, "Don't make me feel like a pig okay?" They both laughed.

Eileen just walks out of the kitchen, "Miss Annie? You are up already?"

"Good morning Eileen."

"Lets me get your medication," her maid turned to head toward the kitchen again.

A little frown appears on Annie face, "Do you really have to?"

"Of course," said a cheerful voice of her sister from behind, "Now is my patient being disobedient already?"

"Good morning jie," Annie greeted with a bright smile.

"Robert I want oatmeal with strawberries. So what are you up to this early in the morning? You usually hasn't turn your back at this early time," Flora joked.

"Charmaine called and wonder if I could have a sleepover at her house. Gallen promised to convince dad to let me go."

Just walked down with Lisa, Howard settle down on his sit, "He did, did he?"

"Daddy?" Annie called in surprise. Gallen and Flora chuckled.

"Why can't you ask yourself?" her father asked.

"I thought you were still mad at me," Annie sheepishly said.

"So you turn to Gallen for help?"

Annie shakes her head with the biggest smile, "Daddy, can I go to uncle Bobby cafe party tonight and sleepover? They are going to have a karaoke party at their house afterward. Jule will be there too, so is Steven. Please daddy?" Annie is giving her dad a puppy face.

"As I say before if Dave is driving you, you can go," Howard warmly said.

Jumped up, Annie cheered, "YESSSS!"

"Wait, if you get into another trouble, you will be grounded for life, you hear me?" Howard warned.

"I won't," promised his youngest child.
******

[Someone5]

please update soon. i hope annie meet benny.

[jeh]

Yeah, I hope Annie meet Benny too. Can't wait to see how they would react Man, I can't believe Gallen is having an affair with Kenix. I don't want Kenix to be the third person Maggie is sure going to be so mad and sad if she find out. Please update soon.

[Yak]

Someone5: your wish is my command, kekeke Following chapter will have what you want to read. have fun!

[Yak]

jeh: yes, next chapter will have Benny and Annie. And yeah, Kenix, Maggie, and Gallen relationship will be a mess. The more complication the more fun to write, right? Enjoy reading! Thanks for support.

I'm splitting replies so I can post up my poster on the next page. keke, sorry if it annoy anyone that I waste space. This green poster is made by Pen.