Trusting You With My Love

[Yak]

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Amanda, one of Bobby waitress, went to the glass door and flip the open sign around, so no new costumer will enter the cafe, while they set up for the party. The rest of the crew, which include the other two waitresses Joyce, and Emily, and the two kitchen aid Joe and CK are pushing the table away to have more room for party game. They are stacking the extra chairs on top of tables that will not be use. While Kevin, the only waiter of the cafe is servicing the last costumer who is just about done. Ada and Charmaine walk in and out the kitchen to carry food to the large long table. They had decided to do a buffet line by the wall so it saved up some room. Steven and Bobby both are trying really hard to cook new dishes and old favorites.

At the cash register, Esther and Henry are sitting there making up games for the party. Charmaine walk over to them, "So how is the game going?" She tries to grab a piece of folded up paper out of the glass jar. Her cousin slapped her hand playfully with giggling. "Henry that hurt," Charmaine whined with flatten lip to make him felt sorry. But since she has been doing it so often, Henry doesn't buy it anymore.

"You not suppose to see them yet, mommy say it would be more fun if no one know what they have to do," said the eight years old.

"Fine, I'll wait, I'll do good on all the game anyway," Charmaine childishly stick out her tongue at Henry to tease him. The glass door open and Julian walked in holding a big bag of fruits. "What is that for?" she asked.

"I don't know, Bobby call me and tell me to buy some fruits," answered Julian.

"Lets me get that for you," Esther offered, "They went out of fruit and too lazy to go buy it themselves. Thanks Julian."

"No problem, so how the setup so far? Is everybody here yet?" he looked around.

"We are only missing Annie, she say she'll be here by five, I wonder what take her so long?" Charmaine said.

Look down at his watch, Julian sarcastically gasped, "Oh wow, she is really late it 5:03 already, three hold minute late! I can't believe her!"

"Haha very funny! Sees if you can find another girl to be your partner for tonight game," she smiles at him wickedly, Ada just got out with the punch.

Julian grinned and walks over to Ada to put his arm around her shoulder, "Ada, my best friend will be my partner, right?" He smiles sweetly at Ada.

Ada slightly laughed at Julian action and shaking her head, "Sorry boy, I'm taken already."

"By who! Who would be more handsome than me to match up with you?" Julian asked with pride.

Walked out of the kitchen, Steven shows a smirk on his face, "Me of course. A chef and a waitress, perfect match right?"

Jokingly, Julian bursts out laughing, "You and Ada? Steven you match up better with Annie, so leave Ada to me."

"I wanted to, but my little boss has warns me to stay away from Annie," Steven shrugged and smile at Henry, "Beside Ada is perfect with me."

"Why does Bobby want you to stay away from Annie?" asked the confuse CID.

"Not my dad, is me!" Henry announced, "Annie promised to be my partner for the games." He smiles proudly, as the rest laugh at his childish behavior.

"Oh you are the little boss," Julian shakes his head, "Poor Annie."

"Hey, at least I'm better then you, Annie is willing to be my partner, who is going to be yours?" Henry asked with a pout.

"Don't worry, as they always say 'save the best for last', so pretty waitresses, any of you need a handsome date tonight?" Julian asked with charming smile. The rest just take him as a joker.

Seeing no one replied to Julian offer, Steven chuckled, "Julian I guess you will just has to apologize to Charmaine."

Charmaine looked up the ceiling trying to keep her laughter in, "So I see someone without a partner huh?"

"Yeah strange, I saw one in front of me too," Julian bickered.

"Will you two just apologize and get over it?" Ada suggested with shaking head and rolling eyes at them. The door open and Annie step in with Dave.

A happy smile appears on Charmaine, "Great Annie is here and she bought Dave, Dave do you want to stay for the party?" Charmaine wanted anyone to be her partner as long as it make Julian feel he not the only choice. Like routine, Steven walked over to Annie and pecks her on the forehead.

Dave, was a bit surprised that Charmaine asked. He shakes his head, "No, I need to return to drive Mr. Gallen. Miss Annie is there anything else you need from me?"

With a kind smile, Annie shakes her head, "No Dave, thanks for driving me here."

"Is my job Miss Annie. Okay I'll be back here at 11:00 tomorrow morning to pick you up."

"Okay, bye." Annie said.

"Is your ankle all better now?" Julian asked while bending down to exam it. He poked at it, "Look fine to me."

Annie gave him a reassuring smile, "Yeah Jule, my ankle is fine, but I almost bore to death. You don't know how it likes to stay in bed for three whole days straight. I'm so glad daddy let me come."

"What you mean I don't know? Did you forget who you bug when you are bore?" Julian asked.

Bobby got the last dish that he was preparing out. "You deserve it, using me as an excuse. Your mother called me demanding me to return her daughter at once," teased the uncle.

In a guilty tone, Annie apologized, "I'm sorry uncle Bobby, but mommy only trust my word if I say I'm visiting you."

"Don't listen to him Annie, he is just whining, your mom didn't call to complain. But you did give us all a scare that we haven't has for a long time," Esther said.

"Sorry, but I need to get out on my own once in a while. I did came back in one piece," Annie joked with a big grin, "Lets party!"

"Lets eat first I'm starving!" whined the youngest one.

Everyone huddled around the buffet table to get a plate of food, Steven help get a bit of everything for Annie. Everyone was busy enjoying theirs dinner, when Esther got to the center of the cafe with a remote control mike. "Okay, now that everyone got some food, let start our games. Whoever wants to play grabs a partner and stand in the middle of the room. Each pair stands inside the red box." Esther points to the floor with red tape forming a box just enough for two people to stand in.

Julian went to Charmaine and smile sweetly to her and held out his hand, Charmaine smile back and took his hand as they went to stand in the first box. Henry grabs Annie hand and takes her to one of the box too. The other also went to a box with their partner. Leaving only Joyce and Joe sitting on a chair eating while they watch. Joe is a forty-five years old kitchen aid, so Joyce really didn't want to play the game with him. Bobby walks over to her. Being generous, he asked, "Would you like to play the first game with me since my wife is busy hosting?"

"You're my boss, I have to listen, you know how hard it is to get a job now a day," joked Joyce. They walked to the last box.

"Okay, everyone ready? Who should pick the first slip? How about my handsome son?" Esther walks over to Henry and Henry sticks his hand into the glass jar full of slip of papers to pull one out.

Henry reading the slip but he is not able to read all the words so he hand it to his mom. "It say to have the gals be blindfolded and the guy to stand still while the gals feed them whip cream for five minutes, the pair with the fewest amount of whips cream on the guy face win. The pair with the most whips cream on loses," Esther read. "The losing pair has to pick a slip of paper from the penalty jar and do as it said to. Is everyone clear? Bobby why don't you go helps me grab the bowls of wipe cream. Here are the blindfold, guys help put it on your partner."

They did as Esther say, Henry was happy he didn't have to blindfold Annie, Bobby handed a bowl of whip cream to everyone. "Okay is everyone ready? Remember the guy can't move at all, but they can give direction. Let start," Esther announced.

Charmaine try to follow Julian direction but always miss aimed. "I say lower! Slowly Charm, okay to my left, I say my left not yours. Up a bit, okay straight ahead," instructed Julian. Charmaine was moving the spoon too fast and kind of shoved into Julian mouth making him cough. "You trying to kill me! I say slowly already," he complained.

"Oh shut, is not that easy. Are you okay? Gives better direction this time," Charmaine warned.

Meanwhile, Annie has no problem feeding Henry, if Henry can figure out his direction right. But Henry has a bit problem with describing what he want Annie to do, so most of the whips cream ended in his face and even his hair, since he is a bit short cause of his age. "No, I mean up Annie, yes, yes, up a bit more, okay move to the right and ahead," he directed. Annie move her spoon to the right and ahead slowly but it ended up on Henry left ear. "Oh no, I mean my right," he sheepishly said as he bit his lower lip.

"Sorry Henry, are you covers with whips cream?" Annie giggles as she imagines an eight years old boy with whips cream all over.

"Is not your fault, I can't give direction. I bet we are losing," he frowns with puppy eyes.

Trying to cheer him up, Annie comforted, "Is okay I bet there is a game in there that we can be good at. Come on lets not give up and continue. Where should my spoon go?"

At the right side of the room, Steven and Ada are leading the game, he only have a bit of whip cream on his nose. "Ada we are doing great, just keep remembering where my mouth is, but I'm a bit sick of all this whips cream, how about smaller spoon?" requested Steven.

"Sorry. How's the other doing?" Ada asked.

Laugh as he saw Annie and Henry, "You should of see Henry face, I think he having problem telling Annie direction."

"Poor thing, are they the pair with the most whip cream?"

Steven nodded, "Yeah seem like it."

"How is my sister doing?"

"Charmaine? Seem like they are starting another argument, it seem like Charmaine purposely shoving tons of whips cream into Julian month, poor guy," he chuckled along with Ada.

"Don't you think they make a lovely pair?" Ada wished, she know Julian for a long time and know that Julian is a nice guy, she wouldn't mind to have Julian as her brother-in-law.

"Not with games. Good thing Henry is playing or else they are the loser for sure," exclaimed Steven.

"3....2....1...okay time up everyone stop," Esther announced. She walks over to Henry. Bobby turns around and saw Henry with cream all over his face, hair, ear, and neck. He couldn't help but laugh loudly. Everyone was in shock when they saw Henry with all the whips cream. "I guess we don't have to argue, Annie and Henry lost this game for sure!" Esther stated with laughter.

"Annie what did you do to my handsome baby?" Bobby laughed. Esther gave Henry a wet washcloth to wipe his face and hair.

Laughing, Annie said, "He asks me to put them there." She nudged Henry, "Don't worry, we will win the next round, right Henry?"

"Henry I told you to practice more on your direction giving," Esther said as she helps wipe the cream off of her son. "Since it the gals that is doing all the feeding, let the guy pick and do the punishment." She hand Henry the glass jar full of punishment slips and Henry pulled one out.

Henry slowly read the slip, "It say to..." He stopped in embarrassment cause he can't recognize the next word, in a soft voice, "Mommy..."

"It said to propose romantically," read Esther. Everyone giggle as Henry look into everyone eyes and blushed. Annie was laughing at the thought.

Sighed, Henry turns toward Annie, "Annie will you sit down on this chair?" He pushed a chair for Annie to sit and went to one of the cafe booth and takes the flower out of the vase, while everyone giggles and watches him. Then he went to the buffet table to grab a donut with his hand and return to Annie. He looks at the people around him one more time and slowly kneels down in front of Annie with the flower up and a donut on the other hand. Henry clears his voice and signals everyone to quite down. "Umm..Annie will you pleaseeee marry me? If you say yes, I'll buy you donut for the rest of your life," he promised. Everyone bursts out laughing. Henry held Annie hand out and tried to slide the donut into her thumb.

Laughed hard, Annie nodded, "Of course my sweetie pie...but do I really have to take this ring, it not really my size." Everyone clapped and Henry felt proud of himself.

Bobby clapped the loudest, "Wow! My son is hot, I'm getting a daughter-in-law already?"

Laughed, Esther kisses her son on the forehead, "Great job Henry! Is everyone satisfied with Henry performance? Lets start another game!"

Joyce ran up to Esther, "Esther, why don't I host it so yours husband don't miss you too much, and I think he would pay back for what I done to him." She joked as she took the jar of games from Esther. "Why don't we have the winner pick this time, I think Ada and Steven did the best do you guy agree?" asked Joyce. Everyone cheer and she took the jar toward Ada and Steven. "Who want to pick?"

"Ada is the one doing all the works, let her pick," Steven offered.

Ada picked out one of the slip and reads it, "Have one of you be blindfolded while the other one feed you three things and you have to decide what it is. The one who guess the fewest right lose of course."


"Lets begin, one of you get blindfolds and I'll be back with the food." Joyce went to the kitchen and brings out a tray of Steven pastry with fruit mixed in pudding. She gave each team three different favor. "Okay begins."

This time Henry and Annie are doing great, since Annie is tasting, she is really good on telling what in it. And Henry has no problem putting it in her mouth. "What is in it, Annie?" he asked.

After tasting it carefully, Annie answer was definite, "Pear!"

Joyfully, Henry nodded, "Yes!!"

Since it Steven pastry he has no problem also on telling what it is, "Apple, but it a bit too sweet, maybe I added an extra spoon of sugar by mistake."

His partner giggled, "Steven we're still in the middle of the game."

"Oh, sorry," he open his mouth wide.

Meanwhile, Julian is frustrated cause Charmaine has got the last two wrong already, "Come on Charmaine! This is not that hard, how many kind of fruit favor is there?"

"I'm trying to concentrate here! Give me another bite," she demanded in a hurry. Julian gave her another bite at the pastry.

At the left corner, Esther has the last two wrong too, so Bobby was getting tense, "Come on honey, get this right or we will lose to Charmaine. Did she say what it is yet?"

"Give me time!!" Charmaine screamed in urgency.

"Kiwi!" Esther shouted.

"YES!" Bobby quickly picks his wife up and spins her.

"I know, it strawberry!" Charmaine finally said.

Disappointed, Julian rolled his eyes, "A bit too late don't you think?"

"Okay, Steven, Ada, Henry, and Annie win cause they got all three favors right. As for Amanda, CK, Emily, and Kevin had two favors right. The last two teams both have one favor right, but Julian and Charmaine lose since they take the longest to finish. Here why don't the girl do the punishment since they are the one making the guy lose." Joyce handed the punishment jar over, Charmaine pouted and take a slip out.

"The girl need to....." Charmaine stopped with her eye bulged out toward the word KISS. Swallow her embarrassment and continue reading, "The girl need to French kiss the guy." She looked at Julian then dropped her shoulders while everyone bursts out laughing, than she take a deep breathe and turn toward Julian as her face blushed so much. "Julian this is your lucky day!" She press her lip softly onto Julian and gave him a French kiss, Julian was surprise that she is really doing it, but he enjoy it, then Charmaine release herself and warned him, "Don't you ever mention what happen today again, you got me!"

Everyone laugh while Julian stand there still in shock. Charmaine face is as red as a tomatoes. They continue their game and played at the cafe till nine.
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The party continues at Bobby's flat. Everyone at the cafe party earlier came except Joe, who don't participate much anyway. While some gather around the TV singing karaoke, others play cards. Looked at the time seeing it being five minutes to ten, Esther got up to tap on her son shoulder, "Henry it's your bedtime."

Henry is busy teaching Annie how to play with his digital pet dog, he didn't want to sleep this early. He turns to his mom with a puppy face, "Mommy, can I stay up longer? Tomorrow is a Saturday, pleaseeee..." he pleaded while bending over to hug his mom leg.

"Honey, let him stay up a bit longer. It so noise anyway, he won't be able to fall asleep," said his father.

Looked into her son perfectly round eyes, Esther heart softened, how could she refuse this adorable face? With chuckle at his expression, Esther nodded, "Okay, but you promise to go straight to bed once it's eleven, or else you will be very grumpy tomorrow."

Cheerfully, Henry jumps up to hug his mom and smooch her left cheek, "I promise!!" He returns to show Annie the trick his digital puppy could do.

In the background are Julian and Charmaine singing a duet. On the sofa, Ada is sitting next to Steven playing card game, but she stopped and laughs at the horrible sound Julian and Charmaine are making. "Wait," she stopped the card game to suggest, "I can't take this anymore, they are giving me goose bump, I say we change singer, in favor please say I."

"I!" the rest spontaneously said one after another, except for Julian and Charmaine.

Charmaine pouted. "Hey! I am not that bad, it all his fault anyway, he can't even read all the words. And running off key all the time," complained Charmaine.

Talking into the mike, Julian argued back, "What you mean I didn't know all the word? It just that they are in short hand. And you are the one that running off key like a horse, maaaaaaaaaa..."

Everyone covered theirs ears, and together the scream back at Julian, "JULIAN!!"

"Oh, sorry, but don't it sound like her?" he chuckled goofily.

"Julian Lam! You are starting to annoy me," Charmaine warned as she stared at him with an evil smile.

Knowing what Charmaine wanted to do, Julian begin to back up, "Oh no, you are NOT!" He dropped the mike and took off running around with Charmaine after him trying to pinch him. "Ow...ow.....I give up, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he apologized when Charmaine finally got him.

A big satisfied grin appear in Charmaine face, she pinch his ears and drag him over to the living room again. Everyone shake their head at the two silly clowns. "Can you let go now?" Julian demanded. Charmaine let go of his ears. "Thank you, gosh you are so barbaric no wonder you still don't have a boyfriend yet."

With an evil smile again, Charmaine glare at him, "What did you just say?"

Pressed his two lips tight, Julian innocently shake his head, "Nothing, really nothing."

Sits cross-legged on the carpet, Joyce tease, "No need to find someone else, you two look perfect with each other. Movie always have bickering couple end up with each other. Why don't you think about it Julian? She did kiss you."

Charmaine throw the sofa pillow at Joyce playfully, and defended herself, "With him! Are you out of your mind? Maybe you have too much. I would kill myself if I ever love him as a boyfriend!" She pretended to gag, "yuck...I think I better sit down before I pwek."

"Just face is Charm you are falling for me, but too bad you are not my cup of tea. How could I love a girl that sing like a horse and beat me up cause I was saying the truth? I would of die after a week of dating," Julian exclaim. Charmaine throw the last sofa pillow at him. "See what I mean?"

They all laugh and have fun playing game until midnight came before they leave. Bobby and Esther has retrieved back to their comfy bed, while Ada is showering in the hall bathroom. The room across from the bathroom was Benny room. Both Charmaine and Annie are showered and in their pajamas. They are lying down on Benny's full size bed talking about Charmaine, Ada, and Benny childhood pictures. Charmaine was describing the picture of Benny having curly hair to Annie, "We took this picture of Benny when he got his perm. It very funny, cause it's like a mushroom hairdo, very curly."

"Why would a guy want to perm his hair?" Annie asked with giggle.

"Well, he was seven in this picture. I remember it was because of Ada and I told him that if he don't let us curl his hair, all his hair will fall off and never grow back again. He was stupid enough to believe us, and begged us to curl it for him. Our parent was terrified seeing him after they came back from the restaurant. But they have a great laugh, not Benny though, he tries to design a prank on us. Maybe that is how he started to love playing prank on other people."

"Poor guy, you guy are so mean to him." Annie curiously asked with interest, "What prank did he play on you two?" Ada just walked in to join them after her shower.

Ada chuckled, "It's wasn't that funny back than. He sneak into our room when we were sleeping and cut our hair, we has to wear hat for almost three months before our hair grow back evenly to get a hair cut."

Laughing, Annie is imagining two bald girls and a boy with curly mushroom head. "Yours relationships with your brother are so...how you put it?"

"Sibling rivalry?" Charmaine said.

"Yeah, exactly, but it sound fun though," Annie smiled.

Ada shake her head, "Oh trust me is not fun at all at that time, we pretty much got in trouble with our parent everyday."

"It's became fun when we met Julian. Benny and I team up our force and played prank on Julian instead," Charmaine grinned proudly.

"Poor Julian, no wonder you guys always argue even now," Annie said.

Ada sleepily lies down on the bed beside them, "You should of seen poor Julian back then, they pretty much play prank on him every time they see him." She chuckled, "And he has to fall for them all the time, such a sad sight. I think Julian still have Benny phobia. Test it on him, just tell him you like Benny. He will try to mail you to Africa to hide you from Benny. Trust me." They laugh as they share their childhood experience until two before Charmaine and Ada decide to return to their room to sleep while Annie sleep in Benny full size bed.
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At about 3:40 in the middle of the night, the door to Benny room slowly turns and opened. A pair of weary and sleepy footstep slowly headed straight to his owns bed. It was Benny who has return, since he can't sleep at his mentor house. Being too restless, he head straight to bed without changing into his pajamas or turn on the light. Once he saw his bed, he rolled himself onto it and fall right asleep not even noticing that the other half of his bed is currently occupied, since no one has inform him that his room bed given away for the night.

They slept side by side in the cozy dark night for a long while before the silent is finally disturbed. It was Benny who turns his body toward his left to hug the comforter with his arm and leg, not knowing that Annie was under it. Hugging the soft object, he quickly fell deeper into his sweet dream. But his sudden heavy arms and legs upon Annie made her stir a bit.

Sleepily, Annie notices something is wrapping around her so her mind quickly alerted. She gently patted her hand around the heavy weight that is wrapped around her waist snuggly. And she could sense that her pair of legs are restrained cause some heavy object is on top of it too. From her touch she could tell that it belong to a male cause it was masculine. Annie didn't know is it a dream or is it reality, but her heart stopped as she screamed out as loud as she can, "AHHHH...." She pushed the stranger hand and leg away while trying to sit upright.

Alarmed, Benny is confused to the loud scream next to his ear and he felt a soft hand trying to shove him away. He quickly ran to the light switch to turn it on. "Who are you?! What are you doing in my bed?" they both ask at once.

Benny stare at her with a sense of familiarity, "What do you mean your bed? This is my bed! Why are you sleeping on my bed?" He finally remembered when he saw her before and gasped, "You are that snobby worthless..." his voice trailed off not wanting to insult her again, instead he demanded, "Get off my bed now!"

Once Benny called her snobby worthless, Annie could recognize his voice, cause he is the only one who has called her that. She is furious and angry for him to keep on calling her that. She grabs anything she could put hand on and throw it at his direction with his voice to guide her. "It's you! Oh I am going to killllllll you! You jerk, how could you steal my wallet?!" Annie grabs hold of his piggy bank and throw it at him, "This will teach you not to call me name!"

The ceramic piggy bank was too heavy, so instead of hitting Benny it just got his big toe when it shattered pieces afterward. Benny is jumping up and down in pain holding his toes. He angrily scolded her, "SNOPPY WORTHLESS BRAT! You are going to pay for all this damage!"

Standing up on the bed, Annie grab the pillow, "You stolen all my money, it should be enough for me to break everything in here!" She throws the pillow at his direction but it missed.

Benny stares at her in disbelief that she missed him, when it was a clear shot. His jaw dropped with surprise, "Are you blind???" He started to chuckled, cause his question was meant to tease. If he would of know that Annie is blind, he will certainly not use that sentence.

After hearing his remark, Annie got more inflamed and quickly walked toward his direction holding his Dingdong alarm clock while Benny backed up. Benny gulped with anxious eyes on his memorable clock. "Give that back to me!" he warned and angrily claim, "Who want to steal your snobby money? Stop accusing me! Don't you dare throw that at me, if it break I'll kill you!" That Dingdong clock was from his childhood year, given to him by his parents. Ever since his parents death, he treasure that clock like precious pearl.

"If it wasn't you, who else could have stole it? You bump into me on purpose. You jerk!" Annie was about to throw the alarm clock at him, but Benny grabs hold of her hand trying to retrieve it. Annie is stubborn to let him take it away from her, which made Benny shoved her back causing her to lies down on the bed with him on top of her to pin her down. "Get off me, you pervert!" screamed Annie like her life depend on it.

Everyone in the flat are woken up by the loud commotion and now heading toward Benny room. They could hear Benny voices shouting at someone with anger while Annie voices in the background screaming back.

Pinning Annie still on the bed, Benny quickly snatched his alarm clock away from her and safely pushes it aside. His eyes finally return to Annie and for the first time, he stared into those deep vivid brown eyes ahead of him, feeling a sense of her innocent. He slightly growled when he saw his room in a mess, "Who would want to touch you? I'm saying this one more time, I did not stole your wallet!" He frustratingly stated as he darted at Annie with anger.

At the moment, everyone rushed in and was shock seeing all the broken glasses and things thrown everywhere. But they were even more shocked with their jaw dropped and eyes bulged out seeing Benny on top of Annie pinning her down like that.

Yelling at her brother furiously, Charmaine scolded, "Benny let go of Annie now!" Obediently, Benny let go of her and got off her, but his stern darting eyes is still glaring at her.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Annie quickly pushed herself off the bed and tries to stand up on the floor. "Annie don't move sweetheart, there is broken glass everywhere," warned her uncle, but it was too late, Annie has already stepped on a piece of broken ceramic.

"Oww..." Annie groaned with frustration on herself for being so clumsy, especially in front of that jerk. Her eyes were quickly reddens with a hint of tears, but she stubbornly kept them in not willing to let Benny see her weak side. She quickly sat back down on the bed lifting her feet off the floor. Benny was curiously looking at her with confusion. Bobby carefully walked through the floor not to get cut himself. He sat down beside Annie to lift her foot up and exam it. "Uncle Bobby it's him! He is the jerk that stolen my wallet and called me a snobby worthless brat after he bump into me!" Annie tattletale to Bobby.

Meanwhile Esther went to get bandages for Annie, Bobby takes a glance over to Benny seeing his long face with confuse eyes. Bobby than return his vision to Annie with a soft chuckle, "I'm sure it just a misunderstanding. Annie don't move, let me pull it out. By the way he is Benny, Esther nephew."

Standing by his sisters, Benny looks at Annie curiously, he's still can't be sure that Annie's pair of beautiful innocent soft eyes is blind. But he is furious cause she kept accusing him of stealing. "I told you before I did not STEAL your wallet! Did you hear me?" he questioned with a puff of injustice.

"Benny shuts, can you be more of a gentlemen?" asked his eldest sister. Ada started to pick up the pillows that are on the floor.

Swiftly, Bobby pulled the ceramic piece out making Annie screamed with her eyes squinted tight, "JERK!"

While trying to stop Annie foot from bleeding, Bobby has to deal with her and Benny issue. "Annie stop it, it probably a big mistake, I believe Benny wouldn't steal," he calmly explain.

"He still has no right calling me a snobby worthless brat and tells me to use my eyes to walk! I'm pretty sure it was him who bumped into me," Annie pouted as she kept still so her uncle could help her.

"Benny how could you say such things to her? Is she the one you told us about when you got back?" Charmaine asked while the rest stare at her with blank faces.

"What!? It's not all my fault, she bump into me! Don't make me sound like the bad guy," Benny told Annie.

"I did not!" Annie shouted back with her voice horsed a bit. A trace of tears was in her eyes, Benny saw it and felt guilty, he know that he shouldn't have called her name, but there is no way he admitting he is wrong.

Esther sighed with shaking heads and sleepy eyes, "You two just have too many misunderstanding, why don't both of you calm down and talk about it. Benny apologize it your fault for calling her name."

"Me?!" Benny still eyes on his aunt with disbelief, "She accused me of stealing too!"

Henry tugged Benny shirt, "Benny you say sorry to Annie now! You made her cry." Benny looked over to Annie seeing her turned her head away trying to hide her tears. At that moment, Benny just remember Henry told him about his blind cousin name Annie, he felt so guilty for telling her to use her eyes to walk. And called her blind just a few minutes ago. He just kept silent cause there is no way he is apologizing cause she has her wrong too.

After Esther finish dusting the glasses off the floor so that Annie don't step on another one, she has told both Benny and Annie to let the matter rest for the night cause it really late now and they should catch some sleep. So she ordered Benny to sleep in the living room sofa so Annie could sleep on his bed. Benny didn't object, cause deep down he do have a kind and sympathy heart after knowing that Annie is blind. Everyone return to theirs room to sleep.

Lying in bed not being able to goes back to sleep now, Annie pondered about what Benny said to her. She is starting to believe that he must have not stolen the wallet since he was very angry about being accused. But still that don't give him the right to call her name. Suddenly she felt like she needs to go to the bathroom. She got up and limped slowly to the bathroom, she is getting very good at limping now since she have multiple injury to her leg and foot lately.

Benny saw her walked out slowly and felt terribly sorry as he watches her enter the bathroom and back out to the bedroom again. He sighed and murmured to himself, "Benny, you are really a jerk, picking on a blind girl, just because the first girl insulted you." He shut the light off and turned to make himself comfy. "But still she shouldn't accuse me of stealing. Those rich people always thinks their money is all that." He shakes his head and tries to fall asleep on the sofa.
******

[jeh]

Ay yi yi, that was a big fight I'm glad Benny finally know that Annie is blind The party was so much fun. Update soon

[Yak]

Early in the next morning, both Charmaine and Annie are chatting and going through Charmaine old treasure. Annie digs into a big box pulling out a flat notebook. "Charm, what is this?" she asked curiously as she flipped it slowly just for fun even though she can't see it.

Charmaine giggled at what Annie was holding, "A story I wrote a while back. That must be ages now."

"Can you read it to me?" ask her interested friend.

"No, not that one, it was silly and makes no sense anyway."

Putting it back into the box, Annie manipulated her hands to search for other stuff, "Wow you have lots of things in here? What are they?"

"You know how much I love to enter the acting business since I was eight. Only if I can have a chance," Charmaine sighed, "This big box contains all my review of series and movie that I ever watch, I note down the good actor and actress. I also have many stories that I make up, the one that you were holding earlier was one of my earliest story." She pulled out a photo album, "And this is my favorite album of movie stars, you can pretty much find anyone who ever acted in here." She dragged a printout and a medal from the box, "And this is my first script from my drama class in high school. And this is my first award for my theater class." She hand it to Annie. "Those are magazine of movie series and review done by professional."

Her voice sadden when she picked up a stack of letter bounded together with a rubber band, "And these are my rejection letters that I receive on every application I sent in to get an acting job. I should of throw them away, but I thought maybe I could learn from it and to have it make me work harder to reach my goal." Bravely Charmaine smiles cheerfully, "I know I will make it one day, Annie! And I will show all of those who rejected me." She giggles as she daydream.

"I know you will, just keep it up, that a great attitude. I'll always support your dream!" said Annie.
----------

Meanwhile Benny just got up yawing in the living room. He could hear voices of his aunt and eldest sister in the kitchen. Ada walked out setting a pot of soymilk on the table. "Benny go wash up, Charmaine is not in the bathroom," Ada smile as she nudge her brother to get up.

Looking at his closed bedroom door, Benny yawned with laziness, "What the use? Even if I wash up, I still couldn't change yet."

"What do you mean?"

"Look someone is still sleeping, I bet she is not going to be up soon," he complained.

"How do you know Annie is still sleeping?" Ada asked with a chuckle at her brother childish behavior. Annie heard his voice and her name so she limping toward the doorway of Charmaine and Ada room to listen.

Benny voice was deep cause he is still not fully awake, "It's only nine, you know those rich people, they have nothing better to do but sleep till noon and get up to sit around and back to bed again."

Limped slowly out of the room and clear her throats, Annie ignore Benny as she walked to the dinning table with Charmaine. "Good morning Ada, how is today weather? It must be bright and warm cause I just hear a black crow yapping once it woke up, you know how crow are they just never know how to shut their mouth," Annie purposely said to tick Benny as she settle down for breakfast.

Benny spread his hand and slapped on his face, he know he done something stupid again. Ada and Charmaine giggled at him and Annie small bickering. Benny leaned over to his oldest sister and whispered, "Jie ah, why didn't you tell me she is up? Who's in my room?"

"You should be responsible for your own words," Ada smirked at him, "Remember to always check if that person you are badmouthing is around. And uncle Bobby is in your room trying to sleep in a bit more."

"Some sister you are, seeing me stepping into a trap and you would just lead me there faster," whined Benny as he headed toward the bathroom.

Ada walk to the table to join Annie and Charmaine for breakfast, Esther took the plate of sticky rice and place it in the center of the table. "Annie sorry about Benny, he didn't mean it. Trust me, he is not like this," Ada assured as she pour some soymilk for Annie.

"Annie is always the forget and forgive type, I don't think she will get mad, right Annie?" Esther asked as she sits down to eat.

Annie sweetly replied, "I'm not mad, how can I be mad at a five years old?" Benny just got out of the bathroom and joins them for breakfast. Annie just simply ignores him, since this is his home.

Esther poured out the two pills that Annie must take four times a day. "Annie hun, here's your medication. Take it with your soymilk," she caringly said to her niece and place it into Annie hand.

"Thanks aunty Esther," said Annie with a bright smile. She always listen when she is at someone else home, cause she know her manner. Obediently Annie finishes her sticky rice and took the two pills with her bowl of soymilk, while Benny stare at her curiously. She senses someone staring at her and knows it was him thinking that she is strange to take so much medication. So she couldn't stop herself from teasing him, "What? Haven't the crow brain seen anyone drink pills before?"

Benny quickly move his vision away from her, he was amaze how she know he is staring at her. "Who is looking at you? You're not even pretty," he plainly mumbled. He turn to Charmaine and whispered, "Are you sure she is blind?"

"Of course silly, but Annie is really good at sensing things so don't you try to mess with her," warned Charmaine. She slipped out a mischievous smile, thinking that it's still possible to hook them up.
-----------

Like usual morning hours for Bobby cafe are slow and quiet with little to no costumer. Annie is in the kitchen chatting with Steven while she waits for Dave her driver to pick her up and take her home. She always like to keep Steven company when he is making pastries cause she get to sample them too. Plus she didn't want to be outside where Benny is.

Seeing no one to serve, Benny plopped down on the chair with boredom. He glanced toward the hall that head into the kitchen with curiosity. Benny is wondering why everyone like Annie so much around here, especially how Steven takes care of her and cares for her. He saw him pecked Annie forehead when the met this morning. Benny curiously asked his sister while suppressing his tone to act casual, "Is Steven her boyfriend?"

Joyce heard the question and is interest about the answer too. No one has mention why Annie and Steven relationship is so close before.

Grinned at her brother, Charmaine teased, "Who's her?"

Benny rolled his eyes, "Never mind."

"Why are you so curious about the spoiled brat anyway?" Charmaine continue to tease.

"I said never mind. I don't really want to know. It just so boring this morning, so I just bring anything up to keep the time moving," mumbled Benny as he get up ready to walk away.

His sister pulled him back to sit down and grinned at him, "So Annie is interesting to you right?"

Benny ignored her, "Oh Ada was the party fun last night?" He changed the subject, there is just no point to talk to Charmaine since she will never get the point once she start teasing.

The eldest sibling chuckled as she remembers the game, "Yeah, Charmaine has to kiss Julian."

"What!" blurted Benny, "Dong it and I missed it! Did anyone record the whole process?"

Charmaine gave Ada an evil stare and a pout, "Why did you mention it to him? Now the entire community will know!"

"I don't think Benny know too many people around here now," assured Ada with giggling.

" Jie, what exactly happened?" asked the nosy brother.

Seeing Charmaine eyes still on her, Ada chuckled, "I think you better ask Charmaine yourself."

"Come on Charm, tell me!"

"It just a game, I lost and need to kiss Julian, that's all," Charmaine flatly answered.

"Did I mention, it's a French kiss?!" Ada bursts out laughing at the thought, Benny is now laughing too and Charmaine was red from anger and embarrassment. She cleared her throat loudly to warn them to stop laughing at her.

The bells ring and in walk Dave. "Dave, good morning! Let me go get Annie," offered Ada.

She went to the kitchen to get Annie, while Benny eyes Dave curiously and whisper to Charmaine, "So is he the boyfriend?"

Charmaine stare at Benny suspiciously, "So you are a bit interested in Annie huh?"

"No way!" Benny declares with a bit of awkwardness cause he is blushing a bit.

Smile at him wickedly, Charmaine dragged her response, "In case you want to know, Annie is single..." At that moment Annie, Steven, and Ada walked out and they exchange bye, before Annie walk out with Dave, Steven give her a kiss on the forehead again. Then Annie left with Dave.

"Steven is the boyfriend!" concluded Benny.

Steven laughed, "No! If you want to go for her, she is still single, but I don't think she is fond of you."

"Who say I like her? I'm not fond of her too. But seeing you kiss her like that make me wonder if you are so blind to love such a spoil brat. I was feeling sorry for you," stated Benny.

"Hey, knock if off, I mean it," Steven seriously warned Benny. He then smile again, "Once you get to know her, you will find her very sweet and a great friend."

"Sweet? I don't think I'll ever find that side of her."

"That's for sure, if you keep calling her a brat, she will be sure to stay far away from you," exclaim Charmaine.

"Great! That's the way I wanted it."

Shaking her head, Ada giggled, "Stop being so childish Benny, Annie is great, try to be nice to her."

"She is childish and rude too." Benny curiously added, "Why did she have to take all those medicine this morning? And her eyes seem to be very normal to me, how did she get blinded?"

Steven smiles faded right away and his face show a heavy sadness as he slumped his shoulder and walked back into the kitchen. Everyone notice his expression changed, Ada and Charmaine sighed.

"What wrong with him?" Benny asked. Joyce was interested in the topic so she slides into one of the chair to listen.

Charmaine voice becomes dreadful, "Because he is part of what cause Annie sight."

Benny is really curious and so is Joyce. "How did it happen?" he ask.

Knowing that Charmaine wouldn't want to tell the story, Ada patted her sister back and begin, "When Annie was six, Steven and Raymond. Raymond is her brother and Steven best friend. Anyway they wanted to go down this cliff that Steven found, but Raymond was suppose to walk Annie home right after school. But both Raymond and Steven couldn't wait so they decided to take Annie along with them. They climbed down this fifty feet high cliff to the bottom..."

"It not that high," Benny interrupted.

Quickly, Charmaine snapped at her brother, "Benny, think of a six years old."

"Well, they got down okay and has fun," Ada continued, "Until a big rainstorm begin to pour on them and daylight quickly disappear. Raymond was worry that their parent will get mad cause it was getting late, so they decided to climb up with the rain splattering against them. They got up about thirty feet, a thunder hit and startled Annie, her hand slipped off of Steven, so Raymond try hard to hold her tight but the rain make it so slippery, finally Annie's hand slipped out and she fall all the way back down. The bad thing is that her head hit the hard rock first and the impact of the force damaged the back of her head, she was losing blood excessively. Raymond cuddled Annie bleeding head while Steven go get help. But Steven didn't come back with help soon enough. Raymond himself fainted when the rescuer came cause he was covering Annie with his body so no rain hit her...."

Bobby just walked out and join them, he sighed, "No wonder Steven is all depresses all of a sudden. Why did you guy bring this up?"

"Benny wanted to know," replied Charmaine.

Look at everyone gloomy, but curious face, Bobby nodded, "Might as will finish it so you guy don't bring it up in front of Steven again."

"Poor Steven, no wonder he care and protect her so much..." Benny said in a glum. Joyce was happy to learn that Steven care about Annie cause of guilt instead of love, but she also felt sorry that all this happen to them.

"Uncle Bobby why don't you continue, since you are the one who are there at that time," Ada suggested.

Patted Ada back, Bobby continues, "I remember my sister called me that night at ten, she and her entire family are at the hospital for about an hour already. Esther and I rushed to the hospital to see what's going on. When we got there everyone face was as gloomy as the weather outside. Annie been in the emergency room for hours already and the doctors are trying their best to help her, but she lost too many blood and her blood type was rear only Lisa and I have the blood type. So we transfused many blood to her, but it too late, even though her heart kept beating, but her brain has been drain of blood for too long so she was in a coma."

"That serious?" Benny expression was plain now.

His uncle nodded and continues, "The doctors didn't give us any hope cause they too think that Annie won't make it long. As for Raymond he fainted cause of hypothermia and was sent to another patient room while Annie is in ICU. Everyone was at Annie room worrying. When Raymond woke up he found us in Annie ICU room, and his face was so pale seeing his kid sister lying in the room with bandages all over her head and tubes was all over her. Annie has to be on a ventilator cause her lung has clasped cause of pneumonia she caught during the pouring rain. Raymond body trembled as he saw her still lying on the bed deadly."

Bobby break to take a sigh, "Howard, their father, was furious and scolded Raymond for dragging Annie down the cliff. From then on their relationship hasn't been that great. Anyway Annie was in the coma for over a month. Meanwhile both Raymond and Steven try to cope with the fact and go on with live. It was very hard for them and they became very withdrawn from other classmates and friends. They no longer organize their clubhouse or club meeting. Instead, they go to the hospital right after school everyday to see Annie and read her stories. The doctor suggested talking to Annie more cause it might help wake her. Annie parents and siblings go in and out everyday to see her."

"It must be very hard for everyone..." Joyce saddens tone stated.

"Yes it is, but that is not the worst part yet," Bobby slightly shake his head, "After thirty-six days of sleep, Annie finally awakens. When she's a wake, there was only Steven and Raymond in the room reading her story. They were really happy and thrill that Annie finally responded. But the happiness quietly faded as they saw Annie struggling, she was in so much pain she keep crying and kicking with her foot. She was off the ventilator at that time. As she screamed, her hand grabs on to her head banging it on the pillow trying to stop the pain. Raymond and Steven were shock and try to calm her down but she was not able to control herself. Steven ran to the doctor for help right away, while Raymond tries to hold his sister still. The doctor has no idea what causing Annie pain, they thought her wound has healed pretty well, all they could do to calm her down was giving her tranquilizer with some anesthetic so she can go back to sleep. Raymond was in tears and kept blaming himself as he sat there staring at his sister."

"Poor Annie..." Benny whispered.

Wiping of a tiny trace of his tears, Bobby continue as he recall so many memories of the time he went to visit Annie, "Anyway, Howard and my sister went to talk to the doctor. But the doctor couldn't give them any satisfactory answer, since the concept of the brain is not fully understood back then. The doctors don't want to do anything rash until they figure out what's wrong with her. At that time they still didn't know that Annie was blinded. Jie went into Annie room and sat next to her in tears, she hasn't seen Annie up yet, but from Raymond expression she know that it must not be good. The whole family was there that night cause they were excited that Annie woken up they thought it was the end of their misery, little did they know that it was just the beginning."

"Annie woke up again and like the first time she was crying and banging her head. Lisa and Howard try to calm her down while her siblings stand beside in tears. Then Annie withdraw herself from them and weakly say her first sentence while trying to stop the pain. Her first words were, why is the light off daddy? I don't like to be in the dark! She screamed. Howard and Lisa face was drained from blood when they heard her words cause the room was very well lighted. Lisa hold on to Annie tightly and kept repeating is okay honey just calm down, while Howard run for the doctors for answer. The doctors checked Annie eyes but no sign of damage so they were too confuse. Annie was screaming in fear and in pain, so once again the doctor has to put her back to sleep."

"The doctor tried so many different things on her and still nothing helps. She was basically put back to sleep every time she want to wake up. As the months passed they starting to feel hopeless and don't know what else to do. So they decide to let Annie have a day without putting her to sleep to see if the pain eventually goes away or at least dull out. That was the worse day of all, I remember visiting her, she was in pain, fear, and very grumpy. She demanded the light to be turn on cause she was afraid of the dark. Lisa just held her tight and swallows her tears, trying to be strong for her daughter. But Annie pushed Lisa away cause the pain came back to haunt her again. She hit her head with her fist and throws stuff that she can grab on to throw it around the room in frustration."

"Who can blame her? She was only six and has to face all the pain and sorrow of not being able to see again. Everyone was heartbroken seeing her like this. Then suddenly she calm down as Raymond and Steven sing hers favorite children song in tears, she silent down and turn her head slightly so she can hear it better, than a weak but bright smile show up on her face for the first time in months. Everyone was amaze and happy that she could calm down a bit, so Raymond and Steven continue singing to her, but the pain came back and she moaned as tears cascaded down her cheek. Lisa quickly grabs hold of her tight, in fear that she will hit herself again. Howard hates the fact that he can't do anything to help, even with all his wealth and power."

"The doctor try to limits the amount of drug that put her to sleep gradually so she can get use to the pain. Raymond and Steven have to come visit very often to tell her story and keep her mind of the pain. Then one special day finally come, they has find the drugs for her that can reduce her pain to the minimal. That is when she started to depend on this medicine for the rest of her life. Without the pain she became cheerful again but frustrated at not being able to see, but gradually she get use of it too," Bobby ended.

"Did the doctor find out what cause her sight and pain?" asked Benny in sympathy.

"Yes, when she was eight the doctors figure out that the back of her brain has such a big impact that blood were clotted up and interfere with the visual section of the brain. And the blood clots pushed into her brain, which give her headache and dizziness problem. That is why she has to constantly drink those pills to control it," Bobby explains.

Joyce questioned, "Did they think of giving her a surgery to take it out?"

"Annie has two brain surgeries already. One was when she was nine, the doctors think they could take the clots out, but they failed cause it too close to the main arteries of the brain, and Howard is definitely not letting them risk his daughter life. He rather her blind and depend on the pills then to just die. The second surgery was when she was thirteen the doctors once again thought that they could do the surgery cause they has find a way to go around the arteries. But like the first time they stopped in the middle, they has taken the clots that is on the surface of the brain but the main clots that cause all the problem was hidden deep down in the brain, which will definitely be risky to take out, so they ended the surgery there. The clots that they took out didn't help Annie in anyway, she still blind and depend on the medicine. So that is the last time Annie goes to the surgery with hope but came back heartbroken every time cause it failed."

Bobby sighed, "It bring her more pain to recovery from the surgery every time. That is the last time Howard is willing to let Annie go through, knowing the chance of losing her every time she enter the surgery room was devastating. Well Annie is use to everything now and she lives a pretty cheerful life. Okay that the story of Annie, and please try not to mention it again in front of Steven." Bobby let out a weak chuckle, "And Benny try not to be so hard on Annie, get to know her, I think you two have lot in commons."

They smile weakly and continue with their usual workday. Benny felt really sorry that Annie has to go through so much in her childhood years, when it suppose to be just pure fun. He sighed and goes on to help Bobby's with the cafe.
----------

The next day, Nicola is holding a bouquet of white lily on one hand as she looked at the address on the slip of paper on the other hand. She is having problem finding the place to deliver the flower to Miss Ng. She was walking around Queen Pier area looking for the right building to enter. She stares at the confirmation slip with the address, but suddenly a hard ocean wind blows the slip of paper from her hand. Chasing after it, she notice that it blowing closer to the ocean, making her heart pounded as she run toward it.

If the slip falls into the water, she is definitely not going to be able to deliver the bouquet. But lucky enough the slip of paper landed just on the edge of the dock. Her heart is calmed down when she saw the paper is safely landed on the edge, she let out a sigh. But the slip has landed on the other side of the iron railing that keeps the people safely away from falling into the ocean.

Nicola kneed down and tries to reach for it but it is just an inch too far. She sighed and looks around for something to help her grab the slip of paper. She spots a tree branch near by; she quickly went to get it. With it she try to reach for the slip again but it pushed it farther and almost drop into the ocean. Sighed with concern, Nicola mumbled to herself, "This is not going to work. I just have to climb over and get it." She look at the minimal space that can be stand on the other side of the iron rail. Sighed, Nicola took in a brave breath of air and climbs over slowly. She is trying not to look down at the ocean and move slowly toward her confirmation slip. When she finally reaches the confirmation slip, a cherry smile glow on her. Carefully, she bed down to pick it up. She was proud and relief that the slip of paper is now in her hand.

Meanwhile Raymond just walked out from one of the ferryboat that just arrive and saw Nicola on the other side of the iron rail. He is a bit shocked cause from his point of view it looked like Nicola is ready to jump. Running toward Nicola, he yelled loudly as he wave to get attention, "Miss! Don't be silly, there is nothing that can't be solve! DON'T JUMP!"

Turn around to the loud scream, Nicola saw a dark screaming guy running toward her, she was surprise and confuse on what he was saying, she wasn't sure that he was talking to her. At that moment Raymond just run faster and try to catch her before she jump, but he didn't spot an empty beer bottle on the floor, so he step on it and slipped forward and collided into Nicola. Both of them were screaming when they collided with each other and ended up both falling into the ocean with a loud splashing sound audible within 100 feet.

Horrified, Nicola yells for help cause she couldn't swims. She had a hard time keeping her head up above the water. Seeing her drowning, Raymond quickly swims to her and dives down to pull her head above the water and swim her to the stair by the dock to pulled her up to safety. Nicola was fainted from drowning and fear. Raymond stares at her and wonder why she wanted a suicide while he panic on trying to save her. They were both soaking wet and cold when the ocean wind blow toward them.

Raymond started to slap her face gently, "Miss are you okay? Wake up miss? Can you hear me?" There was no response so he places his ear close to her mouth and nose to hear if she is still breathing. He couldn't hear anything so he wanted to do a rescue breathing on her. He pushed her stomach with his two hands and water came out of Nicola mouth. So he quickly tilt her head back and listen to the airway again, but there was nothing. Hesitated a bit, Raymond decide to give her some air himself. He leans down toward her lips with his mouth open ready to blow air into her month.

Coughing out more water, Nicola just opened her eyes and saw this pair of lips coming closure to her, she immediately slaps the guy face really hard. "Get off me. You pervert," her gentle voice warned in a bit of fear. Raymond shakes his head cause the slaps cause his ears to ring. And he slowly backed away from her. She got her self-upright and backed away from him with still eyes stare into his eyes.

Smiling at her friendlily, Raymond explained, "You misunderstand, I try to save you, you weren't breathing. Why do you want to kill yourself? There must be a way to solve your problem."

Confused, Nicola gotten a bit nervous thinking Raymond is some kind of a lunatic. "What are you talking about? I wasn't trying to kill myself," she told him. Raymond stood up, Nicola backed further away, "Stay where you are!"

Raymond raises his hands in the air and stepped further away from her. He thought that she is denying it to make him leave so she can get her second attempt. "No really, what is your problem? Tell me maybe I can help you solve it," he urged.

"You are my problem," Nicola weakly mumbled as she gulped. She then remembers her slip of paper, but it not in her hand anymore. She looked everywhere and still can't find it. Urgently she searched everywhere with her disappointed eyes starting to water. "Where is that confirmation slip? Oh no did I drop it again? I was holding it very tightly, where could it be. Where could it be?" she mumbled over and over to herself as she searches and started to head up the cement stair with water droplet dripping on to the dry cement as she walked up.

Curiously, Raymond followed behind her, "What confirmation slip? Weren't you committing a suicide?"

Paused, Nicola looked straight into Raymond eyes with her lost one, "No, why would I want to kill myself?" She continue to keep an open eyes for the slip of paper.

Feeling a bit stupid, Raymond sheepishly asked, "You weren't committing suicide?" Nicola slightly pouted at him and sighed with her head shaking. Raymond asked curiously, "Why were you standing on the other side of the rail? Do you know how dangerous it is to be on the edge like that?"

Turned away from him Nicola mumbled in a soft grumpy tone, "It was pretty safe until you come along and pushed me over. I was just .." she spot her slip of paper under Raymond wet shoe. Quickly Nicola lifted his leg up and he was about to fall but he grab on to the rail. Nicola pulled the soaking wet slip of paper that is all mushy sticking to his shoe. The paper is about to fall apart and the writing is all smeared from the water. Immediate tears seem to build up in her slightly angry eyes, "I was looking for this! Look what you did to it," she sighed with soft but obviously displease eyes on the stranger, "I climbed over so carefully and slowly and finally got a hold of it and yo...you have to come and push me over. Now how am I going to deliver the flower?"

Notice what he has just done, Raymond guiltily apologized, "I'm so sorry, how can I make it up to you? How much is the bouquet of flower, I could pay you back...."

Stare at his eyes stilly Nicola shook her head with a frown still on her face, "Is not the money. It's our promise to satisfy the costumer, now that the confirmation slip is gone, how am I going to know who order it's and to deliver to where?" She sighed in distress, "I should of stay home today." When she looked at Raymond she mumbled so softly that only she could hear, "Maybe is him. The zodiac did say that I would meet my bad luck star today. He is so dark; it's got to be him. The wisest thing to do is to stay away from him. Yes, yes stay away."

"Huh?" asked Raymond with narrowed eyes on her, cause he couldn't hear what she is mumbling. "Hey!" he shouted after Nicola when she begins to turn away and running away from him. "Strange girl," Raymond murmured to himself. Guiltily, he yells after her, "I'M REALLY SORRY MISS!" Nicola didn't response and just kept walking really fast away from him. Raymond sighed as he knows he made an idiot out of himself today.
----------

It was an early Monday morning at six o'clock, but Benny got up already. He was excited cause today is the day that he gets to shadow a real professional and learn how to teach a real blind student. He just finish his brushing and shaving, so now he is heading toward his room to change. Looking professional with his suit pant and dress shirt, he is struggling to straighten his tie. He grinned with satisfy before he headed out to the kitchen to make himself breakfast, since Esther is not up yet.

While he is working on frying his sunny side eggs and bacons, Ada stepped out of her room with a big yawn. She peeked toward the kitchen with her fuzzy eyes seeing the back of her brother. "Why are you so early today? What are you up to?" Ada asked, then she saw Charmaine walking out and heading toward the bathroom, so she quickly dash into the bathroom before Charmaine can get there. "I'm first!" she told her younger sister.

"How rude!" Charmaine whined with a pout, she was still sleepy when she head toward the bathroom slowly but was alerted when Ada rush into the bathroom just right in front of her.

Brushing as she speak, Ada mumbled, "Come on Charm, you take forever, I'll be out very fast, go talk to Benny okay?"

Yawning again, Charmaine drag herself over to Benny slowly, "Why are you so early?" She yawned and places her folded arm on the kitchen counter, putting her head down on her folded arms.

Energetic, Benny reply with a hint of excitement, "I need to be on time, and you know yourself, you hog the bathroom for hours and you will make me late for sure. So I need to wake up early to beat you to the bathroom. I can't wait to meet my student."

Tilted her head to the side, Charmaine peeked at Benny with one eye from under her arm, "Oh, you are going to have a student to teach today huh? I almost forgot, who is it?"

"I don't know all I know is that I need to go to the Hong Kong Academy of the Blind to meet a professional and he will take me to his student."

Not really interested, Charmaine turned her head back into her folded arm, "Do you at least know the student you going to teach a girl or a boy?"

Shrugged, Benny is sliding his bacon off the frying pan and into his plate of two sunny sides up eggs forming a smiley face. "No, all I know is that the professional name is Bowie Cheung."

Immediately, Charmaine head popped up with alertness as she stare at Benny and started to chuckle, "Bowie Cheung?!"

"Yeah, you know him?" asked Benny weak voice, he has a feeling that this is not good new.

Charmaine laughed harder as she pounded the counter with her hand, "Oh boy, Benny I wish you luck!" She stopped her episode of strange reaction to give Benny a wicked smile.

"Why is he hard?" Benny questioned with uncertain eyes, he no longer as excited as he was earlier.

His goofy sister is trying to keep herself from giggling as she reply, "No he is a great teacher, you can learn a lot from him. Is just that..." Charmaine break up into laughter again.

"What so funny Charmaine?" Ada asked when she return to the kitchen.

Charmaine face was reddens cause of the giggling as she image Benny meeting his student. "Benny tells Ada who's you are shadowing," Charmaine said.

Confuse and worried, Benny weakly said, "Bowie Cheung."

"No way! Are you serious? This mean...." Ada was about to finish, but Charmaine stopped her.

"Faith huh?" Charmaine said to Ada while Benny don't get the joke.

"What's the problem?" asked their irritated brother.

Ada shakes her head, "You will find out and it certainly is faith." Benny looked at them suspiciously and began to worries about his assignment. But he can't see what could be so bad about Bowie Cheung.
******

[jeh]

Don't tell me Benny's student is going to be Annie. Man, it is fate!!! PLease update soon.

[Yak]

As usual Howard, Lisa, Gallen, Maggie, Flora, and Annie are having breakfast at nine in the morning. Raymond was out jogging with Steven. Annie was eating her scramble egg with sausage, while Gallen and Howard were talking about their company project. Howard put down his coffee and looked at Gallen, "Gallen how is the Chan project coming?"

Swallowed his breakfast that he was chewing, Gallen answered, "Sunny and I have pretty much make a good deal with the Chan and they agreed to work with us. But they request that we have someone fresh in their advertisement, so Sunny is looking into model agency trying to look for a fresh and new girl to do the commercial. I need to contact Jerry to write up a contract for the Chan's."

Annie brightens up when she heard Gallen looking for a model. "Gor, I know a new and pretty model you can use for the commercial!" she claims with excitement.

"Annie stay out of this, it business, I'm sure Sunny can find someone to fit great for the job. As for you, just focus on your home schooling," her father warned.

Pouted, Annie whined, "But daddy, she will be perfect, I just want to help."

"Annie leaves the business to your father and Gallen. Why don't you finish up your breakfast, Bowie will be here any minute," Lisa ordered.

"Fine," Annie replied with confident, "If you guy don't want my help that's fine, but you will regret it."

"She is really that good huh?" teased Gallen, "How did you know she is pretty? Who is she anyway?"

Wanting to help her friend, Annie is excited that Gallen show interest, "Trust me gor! She love to act, it will be a great chance for her. She is Charmaine, aunt Esther niece."

"Oh your best friend. But how do you know she is right for us?" her brother asked.

"She is really serious about showbiz, it will really help her. I bet she will do her best. Plus I don't think she would look bad. Come on gor just give her a chance," Annie is giving Gallen a puppy face, it had worked every time before.

Gallen chuckled with his head shaking, he could never resist his sister childish and adorable behavior, so he give in since it shouldn't do any harm anyway. "Okay, next Wednesday Sunny is hosting an interview, why don't you ask her to go try it out," Gallen told Annie and place a card in his sister hand, "Tell her to show the people this card and say I tell her to come. Are you happy now princess?" He smiles at Annie.

Nodded with excitement, Annie cheerfully said, "I know she will be great, I'll go call her now!"

"Annie finish your breakfast first, the interview is next week, you will have plenty of time to tell her," Howard said. Annie obeys and happily eats her scramble egg.

The large door open and in come Bowie with Benny. Benny was amaze by the huge mansion, but he still didn't know that Annie is the student he is going to help teach. As he walked with Bowie toward the dinning table, he saw Annie and was shocked pale. "This can't be happening! Is her, she will not like this, I can picture it now," his mind kept thinking. He heard Bowie greeting them, so he quickly snapped out of his thought.

"Bowie, you are here!" Annie cheerfully chirped, "Great let go now, I'm ready. We are going to your house today right?"

"Yes we are, but I want you to meet your new teacher, he is going to help me teach you for a month," announced Bowie as he turn around to look at Benny, who is gulping.

Confused, Annie asked, "You are not going to teach me anymore?"

"No," Bowie said in reassuring tone, "He is here to shadow me for a month, then he get his own student." Meanwhile Benny couldn't bare to see how she will react, he wish so much Bowie don't mention his name as he stands there tensely looking at Annie. "He is Benny Kwan," introduced Bowie, immediately Annie choked on her sausage and coughing for air, Flora patted her back to calm down the coughing.

"WHAT!? The crow brain is my new teacher?!!" she yelled as she continue to cough.

Benny has an urge to call her a brat, but he kept away cause he know that this is definitely not his place to yell at her. Instead he softly murmured, "Hi..." to Annie with awkwardness cause everyone is staring at him.

Quickly stand up, Annie yelling at his direction, "Leave! I don't want you here, this is my house, I don't need a crow brain to teach me."

"Annie! How could you call him name? He is your teacher, you need to respect him. What's wrong with you today? Calm down now," warned her father with disappointed eyes darted at Annie.

Lisa got up and touched Annie shoulder to signal her to sit down, but Annie is too angry with the fact. Annie is trying to explain and have her dad be on her side, "Daddy, he is the one who bumped into me and called me name two Saturday ago! He calls me a snobby worthless brat!" She pouted childishly with hard eyes toward Benny direction, "I don't even know him, when he called me that. And he is the one who bump into me! He might be the one who stole my wallet too..." her voice was weak on that, cause she has a feeling it's not his fault.

"Annie I think is a mistake, Eileen found your wallet at the bench you were sitting, she gave it to me but I forgot about it, it probably somewhere around the house. Honey shows some manner, you're not supposes to yell at him like this no matter what," her mother explained.

Frustrated, Annie growled a bit, "I don't care, he has no right screaming at me too!" She turned back to face Benny direction, "Leave now!! I don't want you to be around. This is my house, and I'm not going to put up with you like Saturday at uncle Bobby!"

"You know uncle Bobby?" Gallen asked with curiosity. Everyone looked at Benny curiously for an answer.

Smiling weakly, Benny answered with unease, "Yeah he is my uncle too, I'm his wife nephew."

"Oh, you are Charmaine and Ada brother, the one from England?" Flora asks with a welcoming smile.

"Yeah..." Benny politely answered with an awkward smile. He looks at Annie who was flumed.

Lisa smiled welcomingly too, "How nice, Benny right? You can call me aunt Lisa, like how your sisters call me. You just return to Hong Kong?"

"Yeah..." the poor nervous boy replied.

Saw him looking at Annie worriedly, Lisa slightly laughed, "Don't worry she is always like this, she kind of got spoiled here. You could call her the princess of the house."

"Mommy!" Annie loudly said in anger that Lisa is on his side. "He is not a kinds person, I don't want to be around him! Please get him out!" she unreasonably demanded with her spoiled power of always getting things her way.

Furious at Annie childish behavior, Howard warned again in a steady stern voice, "Annie stops it now! He is going to be your teacher no matter what. So do show some respect."

"No!" Annie snapped with a trace of tears that everyone seems to be on his side. She stubbornly stated, "I'm not going to learn from him! And no one can make me!" She stomped her foot and ran up stair to her room, Eileen quickly follow her to make sure she don't trip and get hurt.

With a sigh, Howard shake his head, "I'm sorry Benny, why don't you and Bowie sit down for breakfast and let her calm down a bit. I'll go have a word with her."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause this much trouble Mr. and Mrs. Lam," Benny apologized. He knew that Annie doesn't like him by the way she ignored him on Saturday.

Smiled warmly, Lisa assured, "Don't worry, she is a bit spoil and use to get her way that is all, she'll be fine after a while. I told you before to call me aunt Lisa." Lisa turns toward her husband, "Howard let me talk to her, it almost time for you to go to work, don't worry I'll get her to listen." Elegantly, Lisa stands up and head toward Annie's room with Flora and Maggie followed behind.

Annie has lock herself in her room and Eileen is knocking on her door trying to convince her to open up. "Miss Annie, please open the door...Miss Annie?" her maid cries out.

"No and leave me alone, just tell me when that crow brain is gone," stated Annie in a pouting tone.

Lisa just got up to the second floor and hears her daughter words. She was disappointed, "Annie stop being so childish now. Open up now....I'm warning you, your father is getting very angry at your behavior..." Annie slowly open the door, she didn't want her dad to get mad. Lisa walked in with Flora and Maggie behind. She motherly grabs hold of Annie hand and guided her to sit down on the sofa that is facing the TV. "Now tell me what happen between you and Benny," Lisa urged.

Annie told them what happen between her and Benny. Also what happened on the sleepover night. Flora giggled and sarcastically stated, "It sound like you two getting along pretty well to me."

Her younger sister pouted, "It's not funny, he have no right to call me a brat and to tell me to use my eyes, how did he get his degree in teaching the blind anyway? Maybe he just buys his degree."

Maggie laughed, "Annie is just a misunderstanding, I'm pretty sure he didn't mean it. You shouldn't call him name too."

"He started it."

"You're not a five years old Annie, you don't have to call him names back. Annie I'm sure Benny didn't mean what he say, and beside you accuse him of stealing your wallet, so it should be even," Lisa explains.

"Actually, I think you need to apologize to him for throwing all the stuff in his room at him and breaking everything," Flora said.

"Are you guys my family or his?" Annie asked with soften eyes.

Lisa chuckled at her cause she could tell that Annie is joking, "Annie grows up, I'm going down now and I'll expect you to be down in a few minutes to go with them to Bowie house."

"NO WAY!"

"In that case you can stay in your room for the rest of your life and hide from him," her mother slyly said.

"I am not hiding from him, he's the one who should be hiding! Fine I'll be down in a minute," Annie agreed. Lisa walked out smiling cause she know what she say will get Annie to go with Benny to Bowie house.

An evil grin started to shadow over Annie charming face as she think of how to get rid of the pest downstairs. Flora looked at Annie weird smile knowingly, "Annie what are you up to?"

Grinned Annie reply, "If he want to be around, that's fine, let see how long he could stand it."

"Uh oh, he shouldn't have mess with this spoiled princess," remarked Maggie.

"Hey! Are you on my side or his?"

"Of course yours, I don't want to end up like him," Maggie chuckled, "I need to go down and see Gallen before he go to work so I'll see you later." She walked out.

"Annie, don't over do it okay? He is Charmaine and Ada brother," reminded her sister.

Mischievously, Annie replied, "I don't think they mind. Lets go down jie."

They walked back to the dinning table. Annie smiles brightly and ignored the fact that Benny is here. "I'm back, Bowie lets go now we are late," said Annie.

Surprise by her mood changing so quickly, Bowie nodded with uncertainty, "Okay, come on Benny." Benny followed and eyes Annie, he has a bad feeling that Annie is up to something.

Lisa knows her daughter behavior too well too, so she warned, "Annie be nice!" She smiled at Benny, "Benny I'll see you around."

They walked out to Bowie car. Annie sited in the front and talk to Bowie the entire way, ignoring Benny present. Benny thinks to himself quietly in the back seat. Benny knows that this is going to be a long day, in fact a horrible month. But he needs to teach her to get credit for shadowing and be able to teach other student himself later. But how is this going to work out? He has to somehow solve his problem with Annie.

Deep inside he really wanted to teach Annie, after hearing her story at the cafe he felt like he wanted to know her more and help her cope with being blind. He couldn't imagine how is like to be blind and kept in the dark at all time. He want a chance to describe everything he see to Annie and let her see the beautiful world in her heart. But how are all of these going to work if Annie hated him so much? He know that if he say sorry, Annie would listen to him again, but he hate to admit he's wrong especially with Annie kept calling him name too and acting like she deserve to get everything her way.
----------

Bowie guided Annie into his apartment, while Benny quietly follows behind. When they step into the apartment Nicola ran up to Annie and hug her. "How are you doing Annie? I haven't seen you for a long time. Tell me everything that happens to you lately. I have something to tell you too. You won't believe what this strange guy did to me."

"Did to you? What happen? My last two weeks hasn't been good either. I also has problem with a guy too," complained Annie while Benny rolled his eyes. Bowie could I chat with Nicola for a sec before we start?"

Bowie nodded, "Of course, Benny and I will be in the kitchen preparing the stuff you need for your cooking lesson. Come on Benny."

He turn to head to the kitchen, Nicola notice Benny and curiously asked in her usual soft shy voice, "Who is he Bowie?"

Annie pulled Nicola T-shirt a bit, signaling her not to ask. "He is nobody of important, just don't mind him. I'll tell you later when we get to him," Annie plainly said.

Nicola is really interested now, seeing Annie disliking him like that, Annie has never hated anyone before. Benny is mad and hurt as he stares into Annie eyes. Bowie turned back and patted Benny on the shoulder. "Annie, be nicer to poor Benny, will you? Nicola, this is Benny. Benny this is my sister Nicola, as you can see, she is Annie good friend," introduced Bowie.

Smiled Benny greeted, "Hi, nice to meet you..." he held out his hand to offer a shake.

Smiled back, Nicola shake his hand, "Hi." Annie pulls on her shirt again. Nicola turn back to Annie and Bowie signal Benny to follow him. They went to the kitchen leaving Annie and Nicola in the living room. "He didn't seem to be that bad, so what up with you and him? I don't think it'll be as horrible as my bad luck star."

"Bad luck star?" Annie curiously asked.

Nicola frowned with a nod, "Yesterday, when I was working this guy came along and shoved me into the ocean. Well, he said he was saving me. He is just horrible, I almost got drowned to death cause of him. The zodiac prediction is so correct, it stated that I'll meet my bad luck star yesterday, and there he was. I better remember to stay away from him if I ever see him again. He is very dark, like a brownies, I don't think I'll ever forget his feature."

Annie laughed, "You believe in those things too much. But sound like you had a rough day yesterday."

"You could say that again," Nicola peeked toward the kitchen, "So tell me your story. Why are you treating this guy so mean?"

"I'll get there. Let start with two Saturday ago..." Annie told Nicola everything and how she met Benny and how rude he is to her. Of course she is going to make Benny sound really mean and rude. "See what I mean? He is a jerk. Just pretend he is not here."

"It sounds like it your destiny to meet him, like in most of the movie. You guy will argue and hated each other and fall in love at the end," Nicola warned. "Maybe I should check your Zodiac report, maybe it'll say that you'll meet your love one."

Flatly Annie defended, "Not in a millions years. Why do you and Flora think it so funny? It's not funny at all. He is definitely not going to be around long."

Nicola is eyeing Annie carefully, "Annie, you are starting to scare me. You never act this way before. Are you going to kill him?" She laughed.

"If it legal I would..." Annie smiles evilly, "but too bad that's not a choice. Oh well, I just have to make him willing to leave himself."

"Annie what exactly do you have in mind?"

"Nothing, just ignoring him and pretend he is invisible. And maybe some little trick here and there. Nothing too harmful," Annie smiled.

Laugh at Annie expression, Nicola reminded her, "He is your teacher now, I don't think you can ignore him much...and playing trick on him? I bet he'll wish he had never chosen this career. He doesn't seem that bad Annie. At least he is light toned."

Bowie sticks his head out the kitchen door, "Annie are you ready to learn how to cook yet?"

Smiled sweetly, Annie replied, "Yeah, I'm coming." Nicola guides her to the kitchen and went back out, leaving Annie to learn her lesson. Benny was standing by the stove and handing her the frying pan. Annie could feel the handle of the frying pan tap her hand but she ignore it cause it was from Benny. Bowie sighed at Annie childish behavior and grabs the pan from Benny and hand it to Annie. Annie smiles brightly and took it, "Lets start Bowie," she charmingly said.

Standing on Annie right side while Benny on her left, Bowie begin his instruction, "Okay place it down on the stove." He grabs her hand and guide it to one of the four stove. "Now turn on the gas," he slides her hand down to the knobs and turns it with her. "Okay all ready, now to add oil to your pan." He hand her the bottle of oil, "Do you think you can do it yourself, the pan is at your six o'clock."

Cheerfully, Annie nodded, "Yeah, I could do it." She grabs the oil and pours some into the pan, listening carefully to the oil hitting the pan to know how much has gone in. "Bowie can you grab me the vegetable?" Annie slyly requested with mischievous mind. She know that when oil meet water it will splatter cause Maggie has taught her some cooking skill at home. Since Benny is just next to her, she could get the oil to splatter him. Smiling sweetly to Benny, she requested, "Benny can you stir for me, so I can pour the vegetable in?" She step aside so Benny can stand in front of the pan with the hot boiling oil, right where she wanted him to be.

Benny was shock that she actually called his name for the first time, he was happy inside and didn't know what she is up to. "Sure," he happily said and step in front of the pan while Annie stepped back. Annie felt a cup near by and a wicked smile show up as she slides one of her finger into the cup to make sure it's liquid. She quickly withdraws her finger as she heard Bowie return with the basket of vegetable. Bowie hand it to her and she smile sweetly again and say thank you.

"Benny can you teach Annie how to cook the vegetables, I'll go cut up the meat for the next dish," Bowie said.

With confident, Benny thought this is a great start, he could finally teach. "Yeah, we should be fine. Annie the pan is getting hot lets put the vegetables in," Benny told her. Bowie turns and head toward the sink to wash the meat.

"Sure," replied Annie in a sweet tone, hiding her giggle. One of her hand was holding the vegetable while her other hand hold the cup of tea. She stepped a bit behind Benny and sneaked her arm to pours a tiny amount of tea into the hot boiling oil in the pan. Little droplets of oil splatter everywhere and Benny got the most of it. Benny was jumping up and down trying to get away from the pan and Annie stepped away laughing at his screaming. Bowie quickly turns around and covers the pan with a lid and turn off the stove.

Very angry, Benny scolds Annie who is still laughing, "Why did you do that for?! I know you don't like the fact that I'm your teacher, but nothing will change that fact! I'm going to teach you no matter what! Maybe your first lesson should be on manner.

Stopped her laughing, Annie coldly stared ahead toward the sound of yelling, "You can't make me learn when I don't want to."

"Annie, did you do that on purpose?" asked her disappointed mentor Bowie.

Sheepishly, Annie weakly replied, "No..."

"Oh, come on you don't add tea into your dish!" protested Benny.

"What do you know? This is how Maggie cooks at home."

"Annie?" Bowie tone tell Annie that he don't believe her and wanted her to tell the truth.

Sighed, Annie dropped her head a bit, "Yes, I did it on purpose, I just want him to leave me alone and stay out of my life. Is that too much to ask for?"

Calmed himself down, Benny stated once more, "I'm telling you one more time, you are my student now and I have my responsibility to teach you and get you to act more mature. I'll never leave no matter what you do, so you could stop your silly trick. Could easily cause a fire for doing that childish act. How do you know that it was tea instead of alcohol?"

"You are not that more mature yourself!" mumbled Annie.

Benny begin to pick up stuff from the floor, "I'm not going to argue with you again, go out to the living room so we can clean up here."

"Make me!" Annie rebelliously said.

Bowie rolled his eyes, "Annie behaves and gives Benny a break, Nicola can you come in here!"

Ran into the kitchen, Nicola was shock seeing the mess cause the vegetable, spice, and utensil is all over the floor. Benny knocks them over when he tries to get away from the splattering oil. "What just happen? I thought you guy are cooking a decent meal."

"Can you walk Annie out of the kitchen?" her brother ordered.

Looked at Annie who is pouting, Nicola nodded, "Okay..." She walks to Annie and hold her hand, "Come on Annie let get out of this mess. You can tell me what happen."

After Annie and Nicola walked out, Bowie and Benny quickly clean up the mess and wiping the oil off of everything. Benny was really mad so he worked very fast and scrubs everything really hard to release his anger. Bowie saw his angry and frustrated expression. "So what exactly happened between you and Annie? She never acts like this before to anyone. She is very sweet and kind to everyone she know or don't know," Bowie said.

Sighed, Benny explained, "Is a big mistake that I did when I first met her. I don't understand why she can't just get over it! She is so spoil and childish!"

"Yeah, she is spoiled from her family and friends, but she is really caring though, what was the mistake that you made?"

Sighed again, Benny sheepishly confessed, "I kind of called her a snobby worthless brat and told her to use her eyes to walk, cause she bump into me. I was really frustrated then cause a snobby rich girl bumped into me and insulted me the same morning. I really didn't know that she is blind or else I would never told her to use her eyes."

"No wonder she is so mad, how could you put all your anger on her cause of your frustration of the other girl?"

"I know, I was sorry and guilty too," Benny said in a blue tone.

Bowie sighed, "Even though Annie try not to show it, she is very sensitive to people calling her blind and think that she is worthless." He chuckled, "And to call her a brat? You really hit all of her button at one shot huh? Why don't you just say sorry to her? She will forgive you. She don't usually stay mad for long."

"No, she has her fault too for accusing me of stealing, beside it about time to let her know that not everyone will bend her way," Benny stated.
----------

Even though it was Flora scheduled day off, Flora still need to come in to do a critical surgery. Since she is the most experience neural surgeon of this hospital, she is constantly being called in when an emergency brain surgery needed to be performs. This time is a gang shooting, a fifteen years old boy been shot on the frontal lobe of the brain. The surgery was long and dreadful cause it lasted the entire eleven hours, which is from 3:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Flora finally finished the surgery and walked out with a cheerful and warm smile as she head to the worried parent of the boy. She gently patted their back and giving them a warm reassuring smile, "Don't worry Mr. and Mrs. Cheung your son has been very strong throughout the surgery. He is now stable and in perfect condition. But he won't wake up today, it probably take at least eight hours for the anesthetic to wear off. Why don't you two go get some food and rest?"

"Thank you Dr. Lam we are so grateful for your help," stated the father as he shakes Flora hand.

"Don't mention it, it's my job. Okay I won't keep you two from visiting him now, bye," Flora turns and walked to her office to take off her white doctor coat and grab her purse. She yawned and stretched her arms as she headed to the elevator and went down to the main floor.

Once she got off she head straight to the east side door, but something caught her attention. By the emergency unit, which is just next to the east side door, was a couple standing by the doorway arguing. The female was pregnant, probably five months already. Both of them are injured. Flora just freeze her position as she watches them and listen to their argument, somehow everything surround her seem to disappear as she stare straight at the couple, but she don't seem to really pay attention to them cause her face was blank.

The rough guy pushed the pregnant woman away from him, "I can't take this anymore Emma! I want my life back! Let go of me!" he demanded.

In tears the pregnant woman pleaded, "What about our baby? You promise to love me forever... I give up everything to be with you! How could you do this?"

"I thought I could love you, but it too much, you better off with your family, I can't afford to feed you and give you the same things you always have! Don't you understand we are from two different worlds?"

"I never asked anything more to just have you by my side. I never expect you to give me anything. I am willing to be with you no matter what..." state the female while leaning in to hug her boyfriend tightly.

"I can't! It too much pressure!" said the stressed guy as he pushed the female away, "I want to have what I always have, which are my own life and time! Ever since you move in, it always have to be you and the baby first or you and me. I really couldn't stand it anymore, maybe I'm not meant to be tie up with a family. I don't love you anymore, it has change into a responsibility that is choking me from getting air!"

"What about our baby!!" asked the tears chocking female, "It can't be born without a father! And I moved out, I can't return to my family like this!"

Stare at her belly, the guy bitterly suggested, "Abort it, listen Emma, even if it is born it won't be happy, cause this is not going to work out."

Emma grab his arm, "How could you say this? It's our baby!"

The guy forcefully pushed her away hard and she is falling but Flora snapped out and caught her in time. "I say I didn't want it!" the bitter man stated, "You can do what ever you want, just don't bother me anymore!"

Somehow those word has stabbed into Flora heart, she slapped the guy face hard with anger as the rest of the surrounding people turn their attention to her. "Don't you ever touch her again!" she warned with burning flam. The guy looked at Emma and turn around to leave, Emma releases herself from Flora and ran after him. There was too much going on in Flora head, she just walk out the door and head to her car without looking at anyone.

Once she got back home she went straight to her bedroom. In her room she pulled out a box under her bed and open it. She slowly takes out a pink baby dress and tears rolled down her cheek uncontrollably. As the long kept away memories of Marco and her returned.

She remembered how she met Marco at a bar that her friend drags her to when she was twenty-two and it was her first years in medical school. The bar was noisy and crowded with young adult partying. This bar also consists of gangster and drug dealer. One of the gangster grab hold of Flora and try to harass her, and no one dare to stand up for her except for Marco. Marco punched the guy in the face and grab Flora hand as he run toward the exits of the bar. Flora was touch by his bravery and slowly fallen in love with him. He is a gangster himself, which make their love more complicated.

Howard and Lisa try to stop Flora from seeing him, but they always find a way around it. They were both deeply in love with each other and swear to not ever leave one another. Everything was happy and lovely between them until Flora find out that she was pregnant with Marco baby. She was naive enough to think that this is the solution to their problem. She happily told Marco, Marco happy expression change quickly as he heard the news. He explain to Flora, that it won't work out with the baby cause Howard is definitely not going to let her marry him.

Flora saddens as she think of her father and on that same night she decide to tell her father everything and just hope for the best. If her father wouldn't accept Marco, she is willing to give up everything for Marco and her new baby. Howard was furious after hearing her news, he wanted her to abort the child and stay away from Marco. To Flora that is certainly not a choice, so she left her family and went to live with Marco in his small flat.

Marco was happy that she decide to live with him at first, but having Flora with him mean more financial need and he don't get pay a lot with his job, so Flora stopped her medical school training and worked at a market to help the income. As time pass, Marco is starting to feel pressure and tied down by Flora and the unborn child. He wanted his own life, the carefree life of just having fun and enjoys life. He couldn't stand the responsibility and not being single. He begins to resent Flora for having the baby and theirs relationship begin to crumble as more and more problem came up.

Finally, one day Marco couldn't stand it anymore and decided to go back to his usual self, which is parties and flirting with girls. Flora was too naive and thought everything was fine, she work hard and try to keep the dream of being with Marco and having her own family alive. Little do she know that Marco beginning to regret being with her.

Flora gazed into the baby dress and the eight years flashback of her most painful day came back, like it was just yesterday. She was five months pregnant back than. Flora just walked out of the supermarket that she worked as a casher. On her way home, she stopped in front of a fashionable store that sell baby clothes, she stopped everyday after work to look at the pink baby dress that is in the show case, she wanted so badly to buy the dress for her unborn daughter, but with the minimum wage that she earn it took her the entire month of salary to afford it. She finally saves up enough to buy it today, so excitedly she walk in as the sell lady looked her up and down thinking that she must be one of those that would only browse.

Flora head straight to the pink dress and go pay for it. She was happy and joyful as she count her moneys to the sales lady, but the sales lady was disgusted cause the money was all wrinkle and lot of little bills. Flora didn't care to take note of the sales lady expression cause she is so delighted with the dress. She headed home cheerfully holding the pink baby dress that she finally saves enough to buy.

Flora walked up eight floors to Marco flat. The building was very old and there is no elevator, the stairway was dimly lighted, but Flora never whined about living here, in fact the period that she live here was her most happy and precious moment cause she can be with the person she love. She walked into the old flat with four bedrooms. Marco rented one of the bedrooms, while the other three bedrooms belong to other tenants.

Flora looked around for Marco, "Marco, are you home?" Marco was nowhere in sight so she walked into the bedroom thinking that he might be taking a nap. But no one was there, her excitement faded, she slowly walked toward the window and looked outside hoping to see Marco right away when he came home, to her surprise she saw Marco downstairs talking to someone, she couldn't tell who is it cause the person was out of the view, all she could see is a hand moving around as Marco talk.

Her excitement came back again cause she really wanted Marco to see the baby dress. "Why didn't I see him when I walk up? Maybe I was too busy looking at this adorable dress. I bet he'll love it too," she cheerfully thinks as she headed back down the eight floors of stair happily. When she has just stepped down onto the last step of the stair she heard Marco talking to a girl. Flora hides herself behind the stairway to listen, cause their conversation sound intimate.

"I'll go over your place tonight to have some fun? What you think of that babe?" Marco flirted.

"What about your wife?" the girl ask with arms around Marco neck.

"What wife? Oh that pregnant girl, she is not my wife, she is just my sister," joked Marco.

Flora is shocked and confuse when she hear those words of his, she rushed up to him with eyes darted at the girl, "Marco, who is she?"

A bit startled by Flora present, Marco demanded, "Go back up stair Flora! It none of your business!" He pushed Flora toward the stair and turn back to put his arm around the girl waist, "Lets go to the bar."

Quickly returned, Flora grab hold of his arm, "Marco! Explain to me!!"

"Can't you see Flora? What else do you want me to explain?!" his frustrated voice shouted at Flora.

Tears immediately drowned Flora eyes as she look straight into his, "Why? What happen? We were happy and everything was just fine."

Marco shake Flora hand off of his arm, "Flora, I can't stand it anymore, you are the only one happy with this situation!"

Confused, Flora begins to panic, "What do you mean? You were happy about our new baby girl and me moving in. She will be born in a few more months. Look I just brought her a dress!"

Grabbing both of Flora shoulders with his hands, Marco shakes her hard, "Flora wake up! You must sense that our relationship has fallen apart ever since you had the baby! Yes, I was happy at first, but it begins to tie me down too much and I can't do anything I want anymore! It always have to be the baby first or yours feeling. I am really tired. Please understand, this is not going to work."

Marco let go of her and stares into her eyes coldly, Flora was shock and can't put the words Marco just told her together. She just stood there as tears flowed from her eyes. Softly Flora asked, she is afraid that Marco would not care, "What about our baby? She can't be born without a father! You love her, I know you do!"

Sighed, Marco softly whispered, "I use to, but not anymore, it became such a big deal and the thought of never having my freedom again......." he stopped and look straight into Flora eyes again. Flora can see his empty eyes that once filled with love for her. "I just don't want to be tie down cause of her. Why don't you think of an abortion? It'll be much easier for both of us."

The answer she afraid to hear has just stricken deep into her heart. She was furious and lost, "WHAT!? HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT? You promise to love her and me! She is OUR!!" Flora hugged Marco tightly in tears, "Please Marco give the baby and me a chance...."

Marco snapped at her bitterly, "See it exactly what I mean! It's always because of the baby. Flora our love has change into a responsibility of taking care of the baby. I don't want to stay with you because of the baby. I don't care about the baby anymore, do what ever you like with her, just don't bother me anymore! Your father is right we are from two different worlds! I need to live on mine and you need to be on yours. I can't support you the way your father does!" He pushed her away causing her to fall on to the hard cement floor.

Flora felt pain on her abdominal, but she's too caught up with what going on to care. She got off the ground slowly and walked toward Marco again. Holding on to her belly as the little sharp pain persisted, Flora shouted at him with disbelieve, "I never expected you to give me anything! I was happy just to be with you, I don't need anything else!"

Yanked the baby dress from Flora hand, Marco angrily stated, "Flora look at this dress, it took you a month of salary to buy, while your dad can let you buy hundreds of these in one-day. Face it Flora, you want to live like you use to!"

Flora don't understand why Marco kept thinking she need all the money and wealth her dad once provide her. "It was just for the baby..." she softly murmured and ran toward him to hug him tightly again with tears, "I won't do it again, I promise, just don't leave me...I really need you. Our daughter needs you."

"I really can't take this any longer Flora!" the cold and heartless husband shouted. "I'm sorry, nothing will ever happen between us again. You heard me?" He pushed her away again but this time it was much harder, Flora fallen once again onto the cement ground as she stared at Marco with tears. He walked away quickly with the girl. Flora was heartbroken, how did her perfect dream just scattered like this?

She was confused and shock as Marco walked away with the girl. She was too concentrated on Marco and her problem that she didn't notice that she was bleeding excessively. Flora finally snapped out when a sharp pain hit her, she looks down and saw a puddle of blood. Panicked, Flora yelled for help. The flashback ended leaving Flora with regretful tears.

Sitting on her bed, Flora cling tightly to the baby dress in tears, "Why was I so stupid?! If I would of just leave him, you wouldn't die." Tears rolled down her eyes as she softly murmured, "You would be about eight now...I'm sorry...how could I ever loved him?"

A knock on her door made Flora quickly wipes off her tears and tugged the baby dress under the pillow behind her. She answered it after she clears her throat, "Come in."

"I thought you were home, how was the surgery?" her cheerful mother asked with warmth. Lisa saw Flora head turn away from her as she silently sited there still. Lisa knows that there must be something wrong with her. "Flora, honey are you okay?" ask the worried mother. Flora just nods, Lisa sighed and sat down next to her, "You know you can talk to me."

Lisa lifted Flora face up, and Flora quickly hugged her tightly as the tears she try so hard to hide streamed down her face. Lisa was confused, but she spots the little pink fabric of the baby dress sticks out from under the pillow. She sighed and speaks up with a soft and warm voice, "Flora is it because of him again?"

Released her mom, Flora silently wipes her tears away, "I'm fine, I just want to cry, it been a long day."

Lisa didn't want to force her daughter, she know that nothing can take away Flora sorrow. She smiled at Flora weakly, "I won't make you tell me, but if you want to talk, I'll always be around okay? Honey lets the past go, everything can be started over again. He is not worth it anyway." The caring mother sighed, "I'll let you rest."

Flora nodded and lies down in her bed and try to sleep, but the memory of Marco just won't leave her alone. Lisa quietly exit Flora room with the door closed behind. Meanwhile Flora sobbed until she is tired and fallen asleep.

During dinner time Lisa didn't go get Flora for dinner, cause she know that Flora wanted to be alone, and that Flora will come out when she felt better. So Lisa just saved some food for her. She told everyone that Flora is too tired from the surgery and told them not to go disturb her tonight.
******

[Yak]

For the past few days of teaching Annie how to cook, Benny still has no success in making Annie cooperate with his teaching. She just simply ignores anything he suggests or tries to teach. Seeing her childish treating him invisible create frustration for Benny. He doesn't know what he should do to get the credit he needed in order for him to pass his rotational training.

Feeling a bit unwelcome, Benny let out a silent sigh of dread before he sadly walked out of the kitchen. Once he is out of the kitchen Annie started to grin proudly with a spark in her sightless eyes. Seeing her like this made her mentor shake his head with disappointment. "Annie, give Benny a chance, he is your mentor for this month. Your progress with him is still a flat line. Do you want me to hint the problem to your parents?" Bowie warned.

"You wouldn't?!" Annie sharply said. She could feel the silent serious mood Bowie is putting on her, making her know that he is serious. Pouting, Annie whined, "How could you take his side? You just met him for two days and I known you since I was thirteen. I don't get all of you, what so great about him? Oooh...Bowie, just a little bit more fun okay? I'll stop after I had enough, I promise!"

Knowingly, Bowie stated matter of factually, "You'll never get enough. I am really serious Annie, you have to listen to him for this month or else I'll tell Mr. Lam your problem with Benny. And you know your dad is not going to be happy with that."

"Fine, I'll do what he wants! But if he makes unreasonable demand I'll show him," grumbled Annie.

Chuckled at her, Bowie helped her scoop the pork chop out of the pan. "Other than you, there is no one else with unreasonable demand. Why don't you go outside and ask him what he has plan for you to learn? I'll bring the food out for lunch," suggested Bowie.

Surprised by Bowie demand, Annie squealed, "ME? ASK HIM? Bowie...do I have to? I can wait till he tells me right?"

"No, you ask, since you has been ignoring him, I don't think he will tell you to do anything anymore."

Grinned proudly, Annie whispered, "Then that his problem, not mine."

"Annie, you are doing it again," reminded Bowie with a sigh, "Just go out and talk to him. Is better to have a friend than an enemy right?"

Hesitatingly, Annie finally nodded, "Okay I'll go, but I warn you, you need to be out soon before I accidentally killed him." She walked out and Bowie chuckled at her comment with shaking head.

Annie walked out to the living room slowly as she moves her hand around to feel for obstacle in her way. Seeing her needing help, Benny quickly retrieve her walking stick and gently place it in her hand. He no longer tries to communicate with her since he is tired to know the same result. Therefore Benny chose to silently return to his position at the sofa.

Sensing him walking away, Annie mumbled with a hint of diplomacy, "Stop....I..." She paused cause she doesn't like to be the one who step forward. After another sigh, Annie calmly stated, "Bowie ask me to talk to you about your assignment for me." Annie walked toward him at the sofa.

With an uncertain smile of happiness, Benny quickly got up wanting to help guide her to the sofa. Annie shrugged his grip away, "I know how to walk." She sat down at the sofa and Benny sat next to her. "So speak up, what do you want me to do? I don't have all day you know."

Even though Annie is a bit bitter with her words, Benny still felt happy cause he could finally get to know her and talk to her without yelling. "I want to know what you know so far, so I can tell what I need to teach you. What math level are you at?"

A bit confused, Annie asked back, "You mean adding, subtracting, multiplication, and divide? I know all of those."

Benny was thinking more of higher level, but he doesn't want to discourage Annie from talking to him by offending her. So he must chose his usage of words carefully, "Yeah those, that's good. How about geometry, algebra, and calculus?" He could see Annie blank expression showing lost, so he cleared his throat a bit, "I guess you haven't learns those yet. What about science, physic, art, history, and writing?"

Annie was cupping her face with her hand and don't really understand what Benny was saying so her mind kind of wander off as Benny non-stop rambling of subject. Benny saw her not paying attention so he stopped. "Annie are you listening to me?" he asked.

"Oh yeah..." she answered after snapped out of her thought.

"So do you know any of those?" he asks again. From Annie expression he could tell that she doesn't, which concerned him a bit. He sighed, "Never mind, do you at least know how to read?"

Rolled her eyes, Annie murmured, "How do I read? I'm blind remembers?"

A bit surprised by her answer, Benny eyes were a bit enlarged as he asked with suspicious tone, "I mean Braille, Annie. Don't tell me you never hear of it."

Hearing his tone, Annie is a bit offended, "Look, I don't need to learn all of these, I don't ever use them anyway."

"You really don't know how to read Braille?" his tone turns into a disbelieve yelling as he persisted, "How could you not have learn Braille, so you don't read anything by yourself?!"

"Hey stop yelling, you have no right to scold me! So what if I don't know how to read Braille? My brother always read to me," Annie replied with defensive tone.

"So you decide to depend on him forever?" Benny questioned with displease, "He is not going to be with you forever you know. You need to be independent and take care of yourself so he can have his own life."

Those words really burn deep into Annie's heart, cause lately she has been worrying about Raymond leaving her behind to be independent. What Benny just said hit right into her point of weakness. A trace of tears reddens her pair of eyes slightly, she warned him, "Stop it Benny Kwan."

Benny saw her tears and knows that he done it again. He is wondering why Annie cries so easily. His only conclusion was that her family spoils her too much to lead her into this childish weak girl. Which must be change if she ever wanted to be independent. Seeing her with vulnerable soft eyes made Benny felt a bit guilty. He pulled out a napkin and reaching his hand over toward Annie to help her wipe her tears. "I didn't mean to make you cry."

With a soft sniff, Annie moved away from his touch and murmured, "I'm not crying." She walked away to head toward the kitchen not wanting to talk any further with Benny.

Few minutes later Bowie walked out to ask Benny what happen. "I don't know what's wrong with her, she cry so easily. I just ask her if she know how to read Braille and she say no cause her brother always read to her. Than I just say he is not going to be there for her forever and she start to yell at me and cry. How do I know what's wrong?"

Understanding now, Bowie gave Benny an encouraging pat on the back, "Benny try to stay away from the topic of her dependency on her family, especially her second brother. She really enjoys listening to her brother reading her stories cause of the time they get to spend together. With you telling her not to depend on her brother and read herself, it make it really hard for her to listen to you. She never has to learn Braille cause she so many servant to help her."

"But still, it would be nice to be able to read herself and enjoy so many stuff that is written. I am thinking the way her family spoil her will cause more problem for her and she depend so much on them. What if all of them can't take care of her anymore, what do she do then?" reasoned Benny.

"I know your idea are good but try to convince her in other way, like for example tell her that she can learn Braille so she could read to her brother instead of him reading to her. It will make it sound special and more caring than to just say that her brother will not be with her forever, right?" Bowie chuckled.

Benny slightly chuckled at his mistake too, "I got your idea. Thanks. I think I now how to get her to have interest in Braille. Let eat before she eat it all by herself. Is it good anyway, she's the one who cook it huh?"
----------

After dropping Annie off back to her mansion, Benny took the bus to the downtown area in search of Braille material. But out of luck, he couldn't find what he is looking for. Instead he ended up going to a hardware store to buy 26 metal plates that is two by three inches in size. With an excited idea in mind, Benny catches the next bus to return home.

Once he was home, he quickly ate dinner and went to his room. Everyone was curious on what he is up to, so they went to his door and peeked in. They saw him hammering something. Giggle, Charmaine whispered to her sister as she pierces her eye through the small open crack of the door, "Do you think Annie made him go nuts now? What the heck is he doing?"

Her sister shrugged while nudging her over more so she can get a better view. "I don't know? But it seem like he is happy, lets not bother him," suggested Ada.

Nosily, Henry sticks his head in between Ada and Charmaine trying to peek in too. "Maybe he is making some kind of new toy, lets go in and see!" The eight years old pushed the door open while everyone try to stop him, but it was too late. Benny stopped his hammering and stares at his entire family, who are staring at him weirdly. "Benny are you making toys?" Henry innocently asked as he walks to Benny. Henry squatted down to pick up one of the metal plate, he asked with wrinkle forehead, "What is this? How do you play with it?"

Smiled sheepishly, Benny tries to hide those metal plates. Somehow he didn't want anyone to know that he is making it for Annie. Being stubborn to bend, he don't want to admit that he wanted to help her. "Nothing, I just do it for fun, you want to try?" he offered Henry the hammer.

"What so fun about hammering? Benny you are getting so weird lately, are you okay?" asked the boy.

Walked into Benny room, Charmaine teased, "Yeah, he is okay. He just wanted to make something for his new student that is becoming more loveable as he get to see her day after day."

"What are you talking about?" asked Benny with a hint of defensive mood, "Yes, I am making this for Annie so she can learn Braille, but is just so I can teach her something and get credit for it, that is all. Don't you think of anything else."

"What did I say? Didn't I just say you made it for your student? So what do you think that I was thinking?" slyly questioned Charmaine as she kept her grin on him.

Their uncle, who just walked by chuckled, "It's great to see you getting along with Annie."

"We did not really get along yet," Benny confessed with a soft frown, "I kind of blew it again..."

Laughed, Charmaine pointed out, "It's just you. I don't know, you always seem to find a way to make her hate you. Why can't you be more sensitive?

"Hey, I am your brother here, stop helping her! It's because of you guy kept on spoiling her that made her always thought that she could get things her way. I'm not here to be her servant and take her order. I'm here to teach her."

"Benny, yes she is spoil, but she doesn't demand things her way a lot," Bobby explained.

"Not to you guy, but she been behaving like a five years old in front of me. She is really starting to get on my nerve. I know she still hated me for calling her a brat. Why can't she just get over it! How could she be so stubborn?" Benny stressfully grumbled.

"Benny, you are as stubborn as her, you should off just apologize to her. Then she will listen to you and learn whatever you wanted," suggested Ada.

Dropped his shoulder, Benny pointed out, "That's the problem. I don't want to let her have this habit of everything evolving around her. She should learn that this world is not always just her."

"Benny, I don't think you should continue with the Braille, trust me if you don't apologize, she will not listen to you, so what's the point? She is not going to use them," Charmaine explained with an amused smile, she thinks it fate that they argue and will later get to pair up.

Grinned, Benny confidently said, "Don't worried, I know exactly how to make her want to learn."
----------

The next morning, Benny arrived at the Lam's mansion early with his determined mind to teach Annie Braille. Walked along side with Bowie, Benny put on a smile as he saw Annie sitting on the sofa. Annie notices two pairs of footsteps heading toward her, so she smiles sweetly to greet them.

"Hi, Annie..." Benny greeted softly cause he know that his voice will trigger her childish behavior to over spill.

Like Benny prediction, the smile on Annie fades quickly when she recognizes his voice. But Annie manage to squeeze out her soft and empty, "Hi...what do you want now?"

"Annie, did you forget he is your teacher too?" warned Bowie.

"I wish I could forget," she honestly answered, "Okay make it quick, what do you want?"

Benny took out the 26 metal flashcards and places them into Annie hand, "I want you to learn the 26 alphabets."

Annie simply let go of her grip to allow those metal flashcards to drop onto the floor. "I told you before, there is no need for me to learn Braille," she said in a stern voice while her facial expression is as stern too.

"Why?" Benny slyly asked, "Are you afraid that you won't be able to learn it and I get to laugh at you?"

Furious with his words, Annie protested, "Who say I am afraid of you? I can learn anything I want if I wanted to. But I don't want to learn Braille cause you ask me to!"

A grin slipped from Benny, cause she is starting to fall into his trap, "Yeah, right! Face it Annie, you are just scare of failing in front of me."

"I certainly don't!"

"Than show me that you are not afraid," Benny manipulated while he squatted down to pick up all the metal plates, "Oh wait, I bet you're afraid to admit that you are afraid too. Poor Annie doesn't know how to admit she couldn't handle my request."

"Benny Kwan! I'll show you that I'm ten times more smarter than you could ever be!" exclaimed Annie.

"I can't wait to see that day!" Benny sarcastically stated and handed the stack of home made Braille over to Annie again.

Snatched away from him, Annie firmly told him, "Fine I'll learn the Braille, not because I'm listening to you. It's because I wanted to now. And I'll show you that I could learn it with in two day!"

Grinning with victory dancing over his face, Benny nodded and sat down to teach her which is which. Annie didn't listen to him, cause she is too irritated by him to learn from him. Instead she has ordered Eileen to help her take note from Benny so she can learn from Eileen instead.
----------

After Benny and Bowie left, Annie has her dinner and head to her room to learn the Braille, she is determined to have it all figure out and show Benny that she can do anything she put her mind to. While she is mumbling over and over as she feel each metal flashcard, a knock from the door interrupted her study. "Come in!" she called with attention turned toward the door direction.

The door opened and in walked Raymond, "What's up?" he curiously asked.

Frowned a bit from boredom, Annie explained, "Learning Braille, that mushroom head think that I am stupid and can't even learn the alphabet!"

"What mushroom head?" Raymond asked in laughter.

His sister just shakes her head with a pout, "Lets not talk about him, he's giving me a headache. What did you come in here for anyway?"

"Steven and I decide to go ride our bike around the park, do you want to come along?" Raymond offered.

"Yeah!" Annie excitedly cheered, "But I don't know how to ride a bike."

Dragging her off her bed, Raymond assured, "We can teach you, or you can ride with me. Come on it's great outside, lets go!"

Annie is really excited cause she wanted to learn how to ride a bicycle for ages already, but since she is blind, her mom has kept her off of bike whenever she wanted to learn. Annie could understand her mother worry, cause she too wonder how she can ride a bicycle without being able to see the road ahead.

Raymond's car pulled up into the parking lot of the park by Steven flat. "Annie, Raymond, over here!" shouted Steven from a distance. Raymond help guided his sister over. "Hi Annie, I'm glad you decide to join us. Ready to ride around the park?" Steven asked with a happy grin.

"Okay, but how? I can't even see?" Annie wondered.

"Don't worry," her brother assured again and instructed, "Here climb over and sit on the bike first." Raymond help Annie get on the bike, "Good, now the first lesson would be balancing. Just remember to have an upright position and just keep straight ahead. Why don't you try to pedal?"

"Raymond, I can't see if anyone is in front of me," Annie reminded her brother, "I don't want to run over them."

Steven chuckled at her, "Annie, there is no one ahead, so just pedal. I'll be in the back pushing okay?"

Took in a deep breath, Annie smile joyfully, "Okay, you promise not to make me fall!"

"Yes, yes, we will keep an eye on you, just pedal!" urged her brother. Annie took off and pedal but she was wobbling around and can't keep the bike straight at all. Both Raymond and Steven are holding the bike straight like a set of training wheels. "This is not going to work Steven, lets let go and let her try her self," Raymond signal Steven to let go and Steven did as he say, Annie was shock that they let go of her bike.

She immediately panicked for balance, and screaming in fright, "Ahhh! Help! You guys promise not to let me fall!" Annie scolded while the bike wobbled to the right and she fall off landing on the grass. "STEVEN MA AND RAYMOND LAM! You two are going to get it now!" quickly Annie pushed herself up and run after their laughter trying to catch them. Raymond laugh so hard as Annie slowed down and breathing hard as she hold on to her side. "Owww...my side hurt... Raymond Lam you come over now..." she demanded in a weak voice.

"Yeah right!" laughed Raymond with disbelieves, "You think I'm an idiots falling for that trick again?"

Looked at Annie with uncertain concern cause she is holding to her side really hard and started to bend down, Steven heart weakened and his laughter die, "Raymond, she look serious." Steven run toward Annie and Raymond followed.

Meanwhile, Annie hides her head down under her folded arm and pretend to be in pain. She smiles slightly as she heard them approaching her. Steven squatted down and try to lift her up to see what's wrong. Annie quickly got up and tickled him nonstop. "Hey, stop! Annie! Stop it! Raymond help!" screamed Steven.

Instead of helping, Raymond just laughed with amusement, "I told you not to trust her. You deserve it for falling for her trick every single time!"

Annie stopped and whispers into Steven ears, "Lets get him. You catch him and bring him over to me, I'll show him not to mess with us okay?" Steven and her turn their attention to Raymond and smiled wickedly. Raymond saw it and started to get on his bike and pedals away fast while Steven goes after him. Annie is too tired so she sat down on the grass and just wait till they came back.

Meanwhile Benny and Henry were walking to the park to play some soccer. Henry saw Annie and ran to her. "Annie!" he greeted in surprise to see her here, "What are you doing here?"

Recognizing it was Henry voice, Annie smiled sparklingly, she didn't know that Benny is here too. "Hi Henry. How are you?" she asked her cousin, "I was here with Raymond and Steven but they are chasing each other somewhere now." She giggled as she imagine their chase. Benny gaze at her, for the first time he notice that she is very cute and innocents.

"Annie, you are bleeding," Henry pointed out as his eyes glue on Annie knee. Benny snapped out of his gaze and saw her leg got scraped, so he squatted down by her.

"Am I really? It didn't hurt, might be cause of the bike fall," Annie explained.

Henry eyes enlarged with amazement, "You were riding on a bike?!"

Benny lifted her leg up to examine it, Annie was startle cause she didn't know that someone else is there. "Who are you?" she asked.

"It's me. I just want to look at your cut," Benny explains.

Immediately, Annie tries to withdraw her leg, "Let go of me. I don't need your help."

Benny didn't listen to her, he just wiped and cleaned her cut with his shirt. Raymond saw her holding Annie leg and Annie yelled at him, so he rushes over. He grab Benny shirt and lifted him up and away from his sister. "Get off my sister you pervert!" he scolded in misunderstanding.

Stunned, Benny face became blank while Steven ran up to them, "Raymond, he is Benny, you can let go of him. He is Annie new teacher."

Slowly, Raymond let Benny go, but his cold stare is still on him, "What were you doing making her scream like that?"

Benny mumbled, "When does your sister not yell at me? I was just helping her wash her cut." He pointed to Annie knee. Raymond followed his gesture and know that he has made a mistake. "I'll leave now since you guy are here to take care of her," Benny said.

"Hey hold on," Raymond called after him, "Sorry I didn't mean to grab you like that. What is your name again?"

Annie became alert when she starting to think that Raymond like him also. "He is the crow brain mushroom head!" she blurted, "Raymond just let him leave, the guy wanted to leave."

Chuckled at Annie immaturity, Raymond apologized, "Sorry, she is always like this, don't mind her. You want to stay and bike around with us? What is your name? I don't think you want me to call you mushroom head right?" Raymond joked. "My name is Raymond by the way!" he offers Benny his hand. Annie pouted with displease that Benny won her brother heart too.

Benny laughed, he likes the fact that Raymond is more reasonable. In fact everyone is reasonable except Annie anyway. "I'm Benny," Benny said as he shake Raymond hand, "I would like to bike around, but I promise Henry to play soccer with him, so maybe next time."

"Is okay, we can play soccer. Raymond and I love soccer too!" Steven informed.

"Yeah, two against two?" suggested Raymond.

Really excited, Henry became jumpy, "Great!! Lets start!"

"Okay..." Benny weakly reply cause he saw Annie getting mad that they forgot about her. "Annie, you want to play?" he asked.

"No!!" Annie snapped and angry at him for taking away her brother and Steven too.

"Annie, Benny is trying to be nice, why don't you be nice too," Raymond helped her up, "Here I'll walk you to a bench so you can sit and wait for me, I'll be back in a while okay?"

Annie wanted to leave but don't want to spoil Raymond having fun so she weakly agreed, "Okay, but I want to sit by where you guy play." She smiles again.

They started their game and it was Benny and Henry against Raymond and Steven, Annie sat on the side cheering for her brother to beat Benny in the game. Annie started to have fun as she heard Raymond and Steven cheer after they hit the goals. Benny and Henry are having problem against them and without support. But Benny was happy that Annie is not mad anymore and participated by cheering.
----------

The next morning, Benny arrived at the mansion at ten, he saw Lisa in the front yard gardening. With a smile, he head toward Lisa to greet her, "Good morning aunt Lisa."

Turned around to his voice, Lisa smile warmly, "Hi Benny, it just you today? Where is Bowie?"

"His son is sick, so he can't make it today. I see you love to garden, the flowerbed look beautiful," commented Benny.

"Thanks. Yeah, I try to learn some trick from John (the gardener). Well, Annie is in her room, why don't you go to her room to get her yourself, I am kind of in the middle of a mess right now," Lisa welcomingly urged Benny. Benny nodded. "Her room is the second one on the right, on second floor."

"I'll see you later than aunt Lisa," Benny politely said before he walked into the large house and head up the spiral staircase.

When he reaches the second door on the right, he opens it. His eyes widened with amaze by it size. It about five times his room size and the design of the room are very fashionable and high-tech. He glances everything slowly and tries to see everything in detail. He saw Annie large bed cover with precious comforter like a bed of a princess. Next to the bed was a classy bed stand with a dazzling crystal figurine of a cupid. By the high-tech stereo system was a fashionable Italian sofa and loveseat. In front of that is one of those flat huge screens TV that was hanging on the wall. He rolled his eyes up and saw the breath taking sky roof that is opened.

He looked everywhere for Annie, but he didn't see her anywhere, so he walk around and stick his head into her closet and his mouth drops as he saw the closet being the size of his room with all fashionably expensive clothes, hats, purse, and shoes. He couldn't believe this all belong to just Annie. No wonder she demand her way all the time, look at all these stuff, Benny mind thought.

He walked back out and saw many sunglasses of different style and shade sitting on the make up table with jewelry and accessories. He can't believe how rich Annie's dad is to afford all of this. With interest, Benny eyes everything and turns his head toward the bathroom. He was more curious of Annie luxurious room than looking for Annie. So he walked slowly toward the bathroom and peeked in. His eyes bulged as he walked around the bathroom. The tub was like a spa and everything is made of marble or crystal.

At that moment, Eileen just walked into the room and head toward the balcony where Annie is. "Miss Annie here is your glass of juice. Do you want to go inside? It's kind of windy today, you might catch a cold," Eileen concernedly warned.

Smiled sweetly, Annie shakes her head, "I'm fine Eileen, I want to stay out for a while longer. Is Bowie here yet?"

After hearing Annie voice, Benny quickly got out of the large bathroom and walked toward the sound of conversation. He smiles as he saw Annie out on the balcony sitting on her swing with his homemade metal Braille flashcards.

"Don't seem like he is here yet Miss Annie. Do you want me to go inside and get you a blanket?" Eileen offered.

Stood up, Annie grab Eileen arm and pulled her to sit down next to her on the swing.
"Eileen, I am fine, really, just sit here with me and help me practice the alphabet again okay?" she requested.

"Okay, do you want me to quiz you like last night?" the maid asked. Annie turn toward Eileen and Benny could see her face now, she was so sweet and cheerful as she study the card with Eileen. Benny just stands by the glass-sliding door and looked at her quietly, he enjoy the sight of Annie being so serious and eager to learn those alphabet Braille.

Annie leans back to the swing. Wanting to have a better view of her, Benny bend his body out a bit more and couldn't balance himself so he end up fallen down lying in-between Annie room and the balcony. Annie and Eileen startled by the banging sound of Benny falling down so they both turned their attention to that direction. Eileen was confuses when she saw Benny on the floor. She quickly walked over to help him up, "Mr. Kwan? Are you okay? What happen?"

"Oh... I am fine, I just tripped..." he sheepishly explain while blushed in embarrassment as he look at Annie laughing.

"How long have you been here? Where is Bowie anyway?" Annie curiously asked.

"I just got here, Bowie's son is sick so he is not coming," informed Benny.

"Toby is sick? Poor boy," Annie worriedly stated, "Maybe we should visit them."

"Bowie is not home now, he is taking Toby to the doctor, so you won't be able to find them at home. Beside, Toby probably should get some good rest instead of..." Benny explained.

"Stop! Fine, I got your point," Annie said in annoyance. "Lets go!" she quickly heading out of her room.

"Go where?" Benny asked in confusion.

"Today is Friday, didn't Bowie told you that I go to uncle Bobby's cafe on Friday?" she give him an are you stupid look.

"Oh that, I was going to take you there, but I didn't know you are in such a rush."

Pulled on his shirt, Annie drag Benny behind her as she head downstairs, "Come on enough with the yapping, lets go. I have a surprise for Charmaine! And the lunch Steven is preparing is going to get cold."

Benny was amaze that she is not acting too badly to him today. "Okay just slow down before you trip." Annie dragged him out the house, Benny spot Lisa again, "Bye aunt Lisa!"

Lisa turns around and was shock to see her daughter dragging Benny like that. "Annie, what are you doing? Let go of the poor man shirt! He know how to walk, you behave you heard me?!" Lisa warned.

"Mommy, I wasn't doing anything, I just want him to walk faster," Annie said in a hurry..

"Annie, you slow down and listen to Benny. Benny help me take good care of her," Lisa said with her head shaking at her daughter behavior toward Benny.

"I will don't worry," Benny politely assured.

Smiling brightly, Annie assured too, "Mommy, I will listen to Benny and beside I can take care of myself, don't kept worrying about me, go back to your gardening, I'll be back very soon. Don't worry, be happy!" A big smiles light up her face and she grabs hold of Benny shirt again and pulled him along. Both of them got out of the front gate and head toward the bus stop.

Benny pushed Annie hand away from his shirt, "Annie I can walk by myself."

"Yeah, like a turtle," murmured Annie.

"Will you stop with the name-calling?" Benny irritatingly requested. "You were pretty nice in front of your mom and promise to listen to me."

Purposely, Annie sighed, "Cause I need to get out of the house. Forget it okay? I don't feel like arguing today, I just want to get to Charmiane."

The bus came so he guided Annie up and paid the fare for both of them. He is finding a spot and sits down with Annie. "Lets quiz you on your Braille," Benny suggested. Annie agreed, cause she wanted to show Benny that she could learn anything she put her mind to. Benny was satisfied by her ability to learn so quickly and he has fate in teaching her how to read Braille very soon. As the bus drove them to their destination, they continue to quiz on Braille.

The bus finally stopped at the block ahead of Bobby's cafe. They got off and Annie took out her walking stick to guide her in the busy street of downtown Hong Kong. Benny walked close to her and guided her toward Bobby's cafe. Of course Annie is stubborn and keep pushing him away so she can walk herself. She finally couldn't stand him keep trying to help her, "Benny knock it off. I've been walking this road every Friday, I know exactly where the cafe is!"

Backed off a bit, Benny give her room, "Okay, since you got all your alphabet right, I'll bring you some book so you can read next time okay?"

"No. I told you already, I don't want to read. I just learn those alphabets, so you can get off my back and don't think I'm stupid!" Annie stubbornly told him.

Frustrated, Benny asked in his harsh tone, "Why?!" He don't understand why she don't want to read, she is very smart and learned the entire Braille alphabets in two day, why don't she want to read.

"Why what?!" Annie yelled back cause the street was really noisy.

Wanting to stop her from walking, Benny holds her in front of him by grabbing her shoulders. "Why you have to be so stubborn, and not want to read? I know you wanted Raymond to read and spend time with you, but that is very selfish of you. Raymond had to feel sorry for you and take care of you, have you ever think of his feeling?!" Benny scolded.

"It's none of your business how Raymond and my relationship are. And I never would want to hold him back just to be with me! I don't want to learn Braille cause I don't want to be around you. Don't you ever call me selfish because I don't need to learn from you! Get out of my way!!" Annie demanded.

Benny has had enough of her attitude, he finally explode, "I don't get you! How could you be such a baby?! I know you hate me cause I called you a brat! But can't you just grow up and get over with it?!"

Annie eyes hardened, "Why should I? You're the one who is wrong and won't apologize!"

"Don't tell me that I am the only one wrong, what about you?! You accuse me of stealing, throw stuff at me, break my things, and try to kill me with the boiling oil! And all of those CHILDISH attitudes!!! I had enough with you! You need to say sorry too!" Benny scolded.

Furiously, Annie screamed back at him, "If you would off apologize the first time you bump into me instead of insulting me in public, I wouldn't do all those things to you. Did you know that no one, and I means NO ONE, have ever yelled at me like you did on that day?! And I didn't even do anything to you. How could you be such a jerk?! And I'm not the only one that is stubborn, you don't even try to apologize even when you know you are wrong. What wrong with you man?! Is a sorry, that hard to say?! It's just a sorry!! Agrr...just let go of me! I don't want to be near you!"

Annie pushed him away from her and furiously stormed away, she was really angry and didn't pay much attention to the busy street. Benny saw her running toward the streets full of speeding cars, so he quickly run to her and forcefully grabs her arm and jerked her back out of the busy street as the car speeding by honked.

The force that Benny use to pull onto Annie arm was so great that Annie jerked back and rolled into his arms. Benny hugged her tightly as the cars rush by continue to honk and scold profanity. Benny heart was pounding so fast when he saw Annie walking into the street. "DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN!" he loudly yelled which causes Annie to pushed him away and wanted to walk away again, but this time Benny held on to her hand tightly and wouldn't let go.

"Okay!! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!" he repeated several time loud and clear, anything to make her stop being so provoking. Once Annie hears his apologies, Annie didn't try to force him away anymore. A smile quickly shows up on her face. Benny looked at her smile and the heaviness of his heart has suddenly lightens up as he too smile back at her.

Annie was really happy that he finally admit he is sorry, but she try to hide it as she press her lip together, then she softly asked in teasing tone, "What do you mean you are sorry?"

Benny hates to admit that he is wrong, "You know what I mean."

"No I don't Benny Kwan," Annie told him, she wants him to admit his wrong, "Why can't you just admitted it?"

Saw her sweet smile fade, Benny took in a deep breath, "Okay fine you win! I am sorry to call you a brat when I first met you, it's not even you fault."

"No you called me a snobby worthless brat," reminded Annie with giggle.

"Yes, I'm sorry I call you that too, and I'm sorry to tell you to use your eyes to walk, honestly I didn't know that you are blind or else I wouldn't have use those words on you. Are you happy now?!" Benny pierced his pair of deep eyes to study her. He could see the biggest smile appear on Annie, which made him chuckled.

"What about being sorry for not apologizing?" asked Annie.

Benny sighed, "You are really spoil huh? Okay I'm sorry for not apologizing too."

"And for just calling me spoil in your last sentence?"

He laughed and teased, "But you are spoil, okay might as will say sorry for that too since I get blame for everything anyway. Now are you happy?"

"YUP!" Annie cheerfully told him with a triumphal smile, "See it's not that hard to say sorry isn't it?"

"You are right, it's not hard to say sorry at all, what about you? Aren't you going to apologize to me?" Benny suggested.

"For what?" Annie acted innocent with lost eyes, "I never done anything bad to you." Benny was still holding her hand, so she pulled him along as she started to walk again, "Come on lets go to the cafe, I really wanted to see Charmaine!"

Benny is smiling happily as Annie hold on to his hand. "So you are not mad at me anymore?" he asked.

Annie shakes her head, "Nope. I always wanted you to just say sorry. But you are a turtle, take you so long to just admit you are wrong. Gosh, I bet you don't even have a girlfriend yet, cause who would want to be with a stubborn cow like you?"

"Hey enough with the name-calling! If you want to know, I have many girlfriends before, thank you!"

Giggled, Annie teased, "Like you say it's BEFORE!" She yanked his hands harder, "Come on turtle!"

"Okay, okay, I'm coming! Let me guide you," he walked ahead and holds Annie hand to guide her toward their uncle cafe.
******

[jeh]

YaYy, finally!!! Annie and Benny are finally friends Feel sorry for Flora, her baby die That Marco People change...Update soon.

[Someone5]

ehheee, benny is funny, have to say so many sorries. hope u updates soon!!

[Yak]

Thanks for your comment jeh and Someone5

I have to ask for opinion. Do you guy think the chapter is too long? Please help and reply, cause if it's too long to read, I will shorten the length. Thanks!

[Yak]

At Bobby's cafe, Steven pushed the kitchen screen door open to walk out into the back alley. This white fenced alley has become a storage place for Bobby's cafe. Bobby has uses it to grow his own fresh supply of herbs, chilly, and tomatoes. The alley has also become a resting lounge for the waitress and waiter. Sometime Annie would hang out in the back alley to talk with Steven or visit the huge sunflower at the right corner of the alley. Annie has become the owner of this sunflower, since she loves to water it every Friday when she came to visit.

Paced back and forth in the alley alone, Steven is mumbling to himself while his eyes are glued to the small pot of forget-me-not in his hands. He brings the small pot of flower in today hoping to have the courage to finally give it to the one he loves for so many years. His crush for her has started since the first few days they met, but still he is too shy and nervous to hand the plant over. Steven have has this pot of "forget-me-not" for almost one year already, but sadly he didn't dare to speak up.

Somehow he manages to talk himself into confessing his love today, but now that he is going to face her, he is starting to get second thought about it. "Should I go up to her today?" Steven questioned himself in a soft mumble. "No..." he shake his head with his confident draining, "She is going to be so shock. But she has to know sooner or later...Oh Steven come on, you could do it!"

With a tit bit of confident flowing back to his heart, Steven smiles and lifted his head up to confirm himself, "Yes, I could do it. I can't just keep on hiding like this. But what if she rejects me? That would make it so awkward to see her everyday... Gosh why does it have to be so hard? No, come on don't think too much. Just do it!"

With a deep breath, he walked toward the entrance with the pot, but stopped again, "Wait, what if she has a boyfriend already? I don't want to risk our friendship. But what if she don't?" Steven had been debating with himself the entire morning with no conclusion.

Meanwhile outside at the cafe the glass door pushed open quickly. Benny rushed in with Annie. Ada and Charmaine looked up from their work and the first thing they saw was Benny holding Annie hand. Charmaine smile and walked toward them without lifting her sight from their interlocked hands. "So I guess you guy getting along pretty well now, in fact a bit too well huh?" she stated with playful mind.

Noticing his sister strange eyes on him, Benny finally realize that he is holding Annie hand the entire time, his reflex quickly directed him to released Annie hand. A bit sheepish, he looked away with his cheek showing a slight hint of crimson. Annie, the naive one, thought Charmaine meant that she is no longer arguing with Benny, so she obliviously nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we solve our problem," Annie simply informed.

With excited mind, Annie reaches her arm out to locate Charmaine. She was overly joy when she know she grab Charmaine arm, "Charm, I have really good news for you!!"

"Wait!" Charmaine interrupted with playful imagination, "You don't need to tell me, I have my own eyes." She exams Annie and Benny up and down with a wicked smile, "Aww...You want to tell me that you are dating Benny now right?!"

Too predicable, Benny rolled his eyes, he knew that Charmaine will get there to embarrass him. "Charm, shut up!" he warned in annoyance.

Grinned evilly on her brother, Charmaine continue to amuse herself by scanning Benny expression. "Hmm getting mad already? Come on admit it," she urged and nudged him, "It's nothing to be ashamed of."

Shocked, Annie is a bit lost, "What? How did you get that idea?" Benny just covers his face with his hand while Annie continues, "Of course not, he is my mentor! Lets get back to the exciting news!"

"Trying to change the subject huh?" Charmaine pushed.

"Charmaine!" whined Annie in irritated tone because she really don't know Charmaine point in accusing her of dating. "Stop interrupting would you?! I just want to tell you that my daddy company needed a fresh model or actress to do a commercial and I told gor to give you a chance!!"

Shocked to a state of blank, Charmaine slowly starts bouncing up and down and ran to hug Annie tightly. "Oh my gosh!! Thank you Annie," she cupped Annie face with both of her hands and kissed Annie on the forehead. "Yes! Yes! YES!"

Trying to calm Charmaine down a bit, Annie tries to hold her from jumping, "Wait! Don't be too happy yet! Gor say you need to do an interview with my cousin Sunny. The interview is next Wednesday, Sunny is seeing lots of other model and actress too. So don't be too excited yet...."

"I don't care! At least I get a chance to try out!!! Oh Annie, you didn't know how many rejections I've been getting. No one even give me a chance to just interview me. Oh thank you, thank you Annie!" Charmaine excitedly exclaim.

Annie laughed at her best friend, she is so happy for Charmaine too. "Great, I want to go with you too! Why don't we meet at the company and I go with you to be your support okay? I'll meet you on the 35th floors receptionist desk of my daddy company on Wednesday at ten in the morning, since the interview start at 10:30. You shouldn't be late no matter what, cause my cousin is a really serious guy who won't bend for any excuse. He hated when someone are late to the appointment."

"Okay, I am so glad you are willing to go with me and support me!! Oh I love you Annie," claim Charmaine as she pecked Annie forehead again, "I need to go buy clothes now!"

"Hold it right there missy, you are still working remember? It only Friday, you still have four days to shop," reminded Ada. But very quickly she turn her serious look to an excited and cheerful smile, "I want to go shop with you! Maybe tomorrow okay? I'm so happy for you." Ada gave her sister and Annie a group hug while Benny stand there looking at the three schoolgirls jumping up and down giggling.

Remembering Steven new dish for Annie, Ada released their hug, "Hey Annie, Steven made a new dish today for you to try. Let me go in to get him and tell him Charmaine news too." Ada headed to the kitchen, but Steven was not there, then she heard his voice in the alley, so she happily ran out to the alley. She couldn't exactly understand what he was saying cause he was more like mumbling to himself.

Too caught up in his own thought, Steven continue to talk to himself not knowing that Ada is right behind him. "What should I do? Gosh I hate this, yes I need to walk up to her right now and just say I Love You! Yes, I could do it," Steven murmured to himself. He gave himself a satisfy smile and turn around with his forget-me-not in his hand. Steven walked to the entrance without looking up, so he bumped right into Ada. He looked up and his heart started to skip while he just stares at Ada with knotted tongue.

Waving her hand in front of Steven, Ada curiously called, "Hello? Steven are you okay? Steven? Steven!!"

Snapped out, Steven begin to tremble and clumsily trying to speak up, "Oh, um...umm...hi." That was all he could squeeze out, while he scolded himself in his mind, "Come on she is in front of you, just speak up! Steven said the three words! No, this is not a good time."

While he is debating in his mind, Ada chuckled at his odd behavior. Steven cleared his throat and his cheek blushed while he tries to make proper communication, "Umm...I ...well ...I .."

Nodded at him slightly, Ada just looked at him weirdly and started to giggle, which make Steven even more nervous. "Steven you are really weird today, do you need a day off? I can help you ask uncle Bobby," Ada kindly offered. A bright little smile appear on Ada when she saw the beautiful blue flower blooming in the lovely dark green supporting leaves surrounding it. She smiled sweetly, "That's a pretty pot of flower you have there, who is it for?"

A giant grin shadowed Steven, "Great!! She like it, just said it for her, Steven!! Just say it for her!" he silently shouted in his mind. Blushed, Steven slightly cleared his throat again while he tries to reconstruct his sentence of love, "Um...yeah, it's pretty...well...umm..." his eyes glanced at Ada and he gulped, "It's for Annie..." he suddenly blurted. Disappointed in himself, Steven sighed. "Stupid coward," he mumbled so softly.

Smiled sweetly, Ada is happy to know how sweet and thoughtful Steven is treating Annie. "Great! She is outside, why don't you give it to her now? I bet she'll love it! Oh don't forget your food. I am going out now, so see you in a minute." Ada walked out, but stopped to turn back, "One more thing, Charmaine get a chance to try out for a commercial that Annie father's company is doing. Isn't it great?!"

"Really? She must be thrill!" Steven said and he is back to his old self now, since the thought of giving Ada the flower is not going to happen today.

Laughed with joy, Ada nodded, "Yeah, you can say that again cause I think she is still jumping up and down outside. Come out soon and don't forget the flower okay? I'll tell Annie, she have a surprise from you, it'll make her curious."

"Umm...Ada...don't tell Annie yet, cause I wanted to wait and give it to her on her birthday, okay?" Steven requested, since it was never met for Annie.

"Oh, how sweet, okay I won't tell her," she winked at Steven, "I bet she will like it a lot, cause I would."

"Really?" Steven asks with a smile from his heart.

"Of course, you know I love those little pot of flowers. Anyway, I'm going back out now," Ada said and left.

Steven smiled at his potted plant with a hopeful grin. He sighed regretfully, "My gosh, I can't believe I'm such an idiot, she love the flower! Agrr..why can't I just give it to her?" Than he saw a pair of man shoes in front of him, he looked up and saw Bobby laughing, Steven face burned up a bit as a cherish tint show up on his cheek. "Si fu," he murmured.

Try to calm down his laughter, Bobby just laughed louder, "So you like Ada huh?"

"What do you mean? I don't know what you're talking about. No I don't like her, I was talking about someone else, not Ada," lied Steven while he didn't dare to make eye contact with Bobby.

"I saw everything Steven, don't forget I am a cook too, so I am always around the kitchen," Bobby move his eyebrow up and down, to mean hint hint, "It's okay Steven, Ada is a wonderful girl, I am proud to say that myself! Keep it up okay? Do you want my help?"

"NO! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell, but pleaseeeeeeeee stay out of this," pleaded the discipline.

"Alright, I won't do anything rash. I'll give you sometime, but if you still have problem expressing your emotion," Bobby grinned teasingly, "I'll step in to help then."

"Si fu...." whined Steven, "Si fu come on stay out of it please....you are making me more nervous."

"Okay, I'll stay out, but you are a man, act like one just go up and demand for a date!" instructed Bobby.
----------

It's a beautiful and warm Saturday morning. The Lam's have decided to have their breakfast outside in the backyard by the huge swimming pool. The servants had setup the long table with tablecloths. The cook pushed his stove outside too, waiting for the Lam's to settle down and tell him what they want. Lisa and Howard walked around the garden enjoying the flowerbeds that Lisa help gardened, as they wait for their children to come out and join them for breakfast.

Walked slowly by his wife side, Howard look at the flowerbed with a hint of warmth, "Lisa, they look gorgeous, I bet you spend lot of time on them."

Holding her husband hand, Lisa smile genuinely, "I'm glad you like them, but John is the one who spend most of the time on them. Come over here, I planted a tangerine bush next to the gate. It'll look wonderful next Chinese News Year, when all the blooming flowers turn into precious golden tangerine."

Walked with his wife to the bush, Howard smile at her warmly, "It will look lovely, I know it cause you planted it like the way you planted our loving family."

Slightly laughing, Lisa gave Howard hand a loving squeeze, "Thanks." Lisa stilly looked into her husband aging eyes with seriousness, "Howard, will you forgive me if I did something really wrong?"

A bit worry and confuse, Howard put his hand on her shoulder and gently move her in front of him. "Lisa, what do you mean?" he asked, worrying that she is hiding some kind of illness from him.

Lisa gave him a reassuring smile, "I just say if, see one little trick and I can tell that you would not forgive me if I ever make a mistake."

Relieved that his wife is joking, Howard hugged her on his side again as they walked, "Lisa, you know that I care about you and our family a lot. You have given me such a wonderful family, why would I not forgive you? I promise that I'll forgive you no matter what mistake you made. And if there is anything that trouble you, you must be honest with me." Howard looked at his wife waiting for a response. Lisa nodded, he smiled, "Lets walk back to the table, I think they are about ready by now."

Lisa just followed him silently and listens to his words. She is so glad that he is willing to forgive her no matter what mistake she made. But still, she knows that it would never be the same if he knows about it. A bit saddened, Lisa just hopes so much that the day she need Howard to forgive will never come.

They walked back and saw Gallen and Maggie on the table already, while Raymond has dived into the pool for a quick morning swim. Both Howard and Lisa headed toward the table to join in for breakfast. Lisa signals one of her servant, "Will you go get a body towel ready for Raymond?" she ordered. The maid nods and walked quickly inside to grab a big towel. "Raymond enough swimming, come back up for breakfast!" called the mother.

"I'll be out in two more laps!" Raymond answered while stroking himself ahead.

"Gallen what would you like for breakfast?" Maggie leans her head toward her husband and asked with a sweet smile.

Smile back, Gallen pecked Maggie cheek, "Honey, I'll let you decide for me," he smile and return to his morning newspaper while sipping on the dark coffee.

The family cook, Robert walked up to Maggie. "Robert would you please get us two bowl of soup and toast? Remember not to add too many salts."

"I understand Mrs. Maggie, I'll be right back."

"Robert, I need a cup of coffee," informed Howard.

"Yes, coming right away Mr. Lam," reply the cook.

Seeing Eileen walked out without Annie, Lisa asked curiously, "Eileen where is Annie?"

"Miss Annie on her way down with Miss Flora, Mrs. Lam," Eileen politely answered.

"Oh, thank you," Lisa return her attention to her husband, "Howard this is your second cup of coffee. You know Dr. Lau warn you not to drink too much coffee, especially in an empty stomach. Robert gets Mr. Lam a bowl of bird nest porridge instead. I wanted one too."

"I'll bring them right away."

Both Flora and Annie are walking out toward them as they chat. "Jie do I really needed to go to a check up?" whined Annie, "I am fine. I don't see why I need to go every month. What a waste of a prefect Saturday? Please jie, can I just skip this one?"

Shaking her head Flora chuckled, "Annie, you whine every time. Don't you ever get tired? You know you need a check up every month to make sure you are okay. Beside this is the third months, which mean you need to do a MRI scan today."

Pouted childishly, Annie continue to whine, "Jie....please? I don't want to sit there for hours and wait for the test and stuff. Benny is coming today to bring me Braille book, I wanted to ask him to take me out and have fun. Please jie, just this one time. If you let me skip this one time, I'll listen to you from now on. Good deal?"

They walked by the pool, right when Raymond was at the edge by them. Which give him the perfect opportunity to splashed water on Annie. "Agrrr... Raymond! Why you do that for?" Annie fussed.

Getting out of the pool Raymond slide himself into his robe that a maid offer. The maid also gives him a towel to dry his hair. He rubbed the towel on his head to dry them as he walked toward Annie and Flora. Chuckling at Annie, Raymond teased, "I thought it would stop you from whining, and it seem to worked great, huh jie?"

Annie scrunched up her nose and forehead at Raymond direction. Flora chuckled at her younger siblings, "You two just never grow up. Annie, no matter how much you whine you still need to go do your check up or do you want Dr. Lau to do it for you? I could tell you that he take longer."

"Jie ahh... Please just one time, Benny is coming, it a great chance for me to get out during the Saturday. Jie...." Annie begged not willing to quit.

"Annie that enough," warned her father, "You know you are not getting away from it, so give Flora a break. What's wrong with staying at home on a Saturday? Are there ants biting you at home? Come on sit down and have your breakfast so you can go with Flora soon and return soon. "

Obediently, Annie stopped her whining and obey her father, so she sit down and asked Robert to make her a bowl of cereals since she don't feel like eating anything heavy. Flora always has her healthy oatmeal with fresh fruits.

Looked at Annie dulled eyes, Lisa offered, "I think I have some spare time, I'll go with you to keep you company okay?"

Annie don't exactly like the idea of having her mother by her side to a check up, cause it make her felt like a five years old. She quickly reject to that idea, "No mommy, I could go with Flora myself, I don't want to waste your Saturday with daddy," she sweetly sugar coated her excuse. Raymond laughed at her answer. Annie turned to face the sound of laughter with her stern expression, "What so funny?"

"Come on Annie, everyone know you just didn't want to have mom go with you to embarrass you. You don't have to drip honey over your words," Raymond bursts her bubble.

Annie always hates how Raymond sees through her plan so easily. She starts to throw her cereals at him. Raymond block himself from her by ducking behind Flora, "I am over here Annie!"

Annoyed by her younger sister and brother childish behavior, Flora sighed, "Annie, you are throwing it at me, he hided behind me. Raymond sits back in your chair."

"Sorry jie, it all Raymond fault, blame it on him!" suggested Annie.

"Annie, Raymond how old are you two? You two add up to almost fifty years old so behave and act more humanly," warned their mother.

"Mom what's the use, it will never happen. Even if they add up to a hundred years old they still act like this," Gallen joked.

"Honey be nice, Annie and Raymond are matured a lot already," Maggie giggled.

Sat back at his seat, Raymond calmed down, "Annie when did you befriended Benny? I thought you hated to be around him? Why would you volunteer to spend this Saturday with him?"

Nosily, Gallen questioned too, "Yeah, what happen?"

Smiling proudly, Annie explains with a victory grin, "He apologized to me, so I forgive him. He's not all that bad." Her family laughed at her.

"Like I say before, no one can mess with her, she is such a spoiled princess that always made all the prince charming kneel down to her before she allow them to rescue her," Flora teased. Everyone laughed, except Annie who pouted.
----------

Annie is with Flora in one of the clinic room of Hong Kong Charity hospital. Flora is checking Annie carefully to make sure she is okay and her problem is under control. Flora is pressing her fingers around Annie's head slowly as she check, Annie begin her whining again, "Jie, we could of done this at home."

Rolled her eyes, Flora smiled at her stubborn and never gives up sister, "Did you forget? You need a MRI scan. Does it hurt when I press it down here?" she was pressing on Annie's sixteen years old wound.

"No," Annie simply replied as she continues to wonder if Benny drops off her book yet.

Flora tilted Annie head up to exam her eyes. She could tell that Annie is pondering about something. "What's in your mind?" Flora curiously asked.

"Nothing, I was just wondering if Benny would drop by late afternoon rather than in the morning. I hope he came by in the afternoon, than I still have a chance to go out and have some fun," explained Annie with wishful smile.

Her sister chuckled at her. "Annie let take a good look at your health before you worry about having fun okay? Now hold still and keep your head straight ahead, so I can examine your eyes," ordered Flora. Annie did as she was told while Flora shines a bright light into her eyes. "Great, everything looked normal. Annie has you have any..."

Knowingly, Annie interrupted before Flora can ramble on and on with all of her usual questions, "No, I didn't have any headache lately. No, I didn't skip my medicine. No, I didn't felt dizzy at any time. And no, I didn't bump my head anywhere. Jie...it always the same question, lets get on with the scan so I can go home." Annie nudged her sister arm as she pleaded.

Shaking her head, Flora reminded her very impatient sister, "Annie you did skip your medicine and fainted two weeks ago remember?"

"Oh yea, I almost forgot," Annie sheepishly murmured, "But you know the answer anyway! Come on jie let finish up."

Peeled Annie hands away from her arm, Flora chuckled, "You are harder to deal with than my five years old patient. Okay lay down on the bed and I'll have someone push you to the MRI room. I'll get the equipment ready, so I'll see you over there okay?" After seeing Annie nod, Flora headed to get Annie's old film to compare.

In the MRI room, Annie lies on the steel table with boredom dominating her mind. Finally she could hear footstep other than the nurse Suki. "Jie are we ready?" she asked knowing that it was Flora.

"You are so impatient Annie," Suki said as help Annie adjust the headband to keep Annie still. "I need you to hold still Annie."

"See even Suki complain about you," said Flora. "Annie hold still I'll roll you slowly." Annie kept still and obeys her sister. The bed slowly rolled into the huge machine with the opening, than it stopped. Flora press the start button and the light beam slowly moved from Annie's right to left side and back again in order to image every angle of Annie brain.

The image of Annie brain quickly appears at the computer screen. Flora press print on the one that reveal the most on Annie's blood clot condition. Then she slowly rolled the round ball on the mouse of the computer making the beams move and hit the position she wanted to see and printed those images too. A warm smile appears on Flora cause she could tell that it's look fine.

Flora headed toward Annie, while the x-ray film is still printing. "See not that bad and long right? Now I need to wait for the image to print and take a look at them, Suki can you draw some of Annie blood and send it down to the lab?" Flora ordered her nurse, who is helping Annie with the headband.

"Needle?" Annie gulped, "Jie, do I really have to?"

Flora laughed at her childish fear, "Stop being such a baby Annie, don't worry Suki is really good at this, it will be just like a mosquitoes bite."

"Yeah Annie, do you not trust me?" questioned the friendly nurse.

"Well, I rather not do it," mumbled Annie.

"Suki takes her to clinic 4 and draws her blood. Gives her a cup of orange juice and a cookie afterward," teased Flora. "Will you please help me take her to my office when she is done?" Suki nodded while she chuckled at Annie. "Annie when you are finish stay in my office and wait for me. I need to look at your x-ray and also check on my other patients, before I can take you home. Okay?"

Jumped off of the steal table, Annie exclaim, "See that's the longest part of the check up. Okay I'll wait for you afterward. Flora smile and return to grabs the printed image of Annie brain and clipped them next to her old one to compare.

Suki walked Annie to another room and drawled her blood than walked her to Flora office. Annie sat on the leather sofa of her sister while she enjoys munching on her cookie and orange juice. After finishing her snack and knowing that Flora will probably take half more hour, Annie walked out of the office. "Amy, could you tell Flora that I will be down by the Emergency unit? I want to go down and listen to the television," Annie told her sister secretary.

"Sure Annie, do you want me to walk you down?" Amy getting up to offers help.

With a reassuring smile, Annie shakes her head, "No, I can get down myself. Don't worry I know exactly where everything is in this hospital. I've been here too many times."

"Okay, I trust you, but be careful or Dr. Lam going to get really mad at me," Amy caring voice stated.

Giggling, Annie nodded, "I will, don't worry." Annie walk down the long hallway and head toward the elevator. She has been coming to this hospital for her check up with Flora every single months ever since Flora worked here, so every single staff know her very well and they are very nice to her, especially Suki and Amy.

The elevator door opened allowing Annie to step in. She cautiously felt the buttons to locate and press the third buttons from the bottom of the right column, which is the main floor. The short ride stopped, Annie got off to head toward the east side. A smile shown on her face cause she begin to hear the sound of the television set, it was airing a cartoon show.

One of the nurses walked up to her, "Hi Annie, in for a check up with Dr. Lam, again?" the warm voice of an old nurse asked. She holds on to Annie arm gently to guide her to a chair near the television.

"Yeah, I wish I was home instead," replied Annie.

"Now are you trying to cause problem for Dr. Lam?" joked the nurse, "Here sit down, the chair is behind you." Annie sat down and turned her ear toward the sound of the television show. "Would you like me to turn it up?" asked the kind nurse.

Nodded, Annie cheerfully said, "Yeah! And I've been a pretty good patient for Dr. Lam today, I even let Suki draw my blood."

The nurse turns the volume up a notch and return to Annie, "Well, I am proud of you than. Okay I need to return to my patient. Do you need anything else before I leave?"

"No, I'll be fine, thank you Susan." Susan left her alone and return to her work. Annie kept her attention on the cartoon show.

At that moment two paramedics rush in pushing a late thirty years old man in, on the cart bed. His follower rushed behind. The doctor was about to follow him to the emergency room to exam him, but one of his follower run up to the doctor and grabs his shirt. In a very angry tone, the man threatened the doctor, "You better save brother Eddy, or you will end up dead with your family!"

A dark toned guy stepped up to him to pull him off of the doctor. "Evergreen stop it! Let go of the doctor or brother Eddy will die for sure," he warned with sharp eyes blazing at the rounded man. Evergreen let go of the doctor, and pushed the dark tone guy away, the doctor quickly went into the emergency unit to save the bleeding Eddy.]

Warningly, Evergreen glared at the younger guy, "Don't you ever command me to do anything! You hear me, Louis?!" Louis backed off and didn't reply; he no there is no need to argue with unreasonable guy like Evergreen. Evergreen silent cold eyes stare into Louis eyes as a warning. He finally sits down on the orange waiting chair with the other five followers of Eddy Cheung.

With annoyance, Louis stares at him emptily as he sat down two roll behind Evergreen. Annie was on the other side listening to the cartoon and giggling. Hearing the giggle, Louis glanced over to see where the lovely sound of joy and innocent came from. He was surprise to see it was Annie, he still remember her, since she is the first one that he ever see with innocent and pure happiness. Unlike what he and his sister has been through their entire live. He gazed at her joyfully as she giggled and laughed to the cartoon show.

Louis face was kept stern the entire time as he stare at Annie without moving his eyes. Somehow her pure happiness always captures his attention. "Why is she in the hospital? Is she sick?" Louis silently wondered in his mind. A smile came from his heart when he hears Annie laughed at the silly show. Even though, his heart was smiling, his facial expression is kept as cold and empty as Pluto's. Louis continues staring at Annie in silent at every smile and giggle of Annie.

Just walked out of the elevator, Flora scans around the floor for Annie. She spotted the dark man staring across the room unmoved, so she followed his stare across the room and spotted Annie. Flora is both curious and worried, when she saw this stranger keeping his cold stare at her sister. She quickly walked to Annie. "Annie," she called. Flora turn back to check on this stranger noticing that he is still watching Annie. But Louis is to captivate on looking at Annie that he didn't notice Flora concernedly eyeing him. "Annie let go," Flora urged as she helped Annie up and guiding her out.

Still giggling, Annie asked curiously, "Jie? You ready already? Can we stay and finish the cartoon?"

Flora shakes her head, cause she didn't feel comfortable with this stranger gaze. She wanted to get Annie away as soon as possible. "No Annie, come on let go..."

Confused, Annie can felt the uneasy feeling Flora is having, "What's wrong jie?"

Looked at Louis again, Flora could see him keep staring at Annie, which is very odd to her. She didn't answer Annie cause she didn't want to scare Annie. "Come on Annie lets go. Maybe Benny is coming right now and you can go out and have fun with him." Flora guided Annie out the eastside door. Flora keep looking back and this stranger is still following Annie with his cold and empty dark eyes, she is hoping so much that he will not follow along. Once she walked out to the outside, she turns around and look again to make sure he didn't follow.

"Jie, what's wrong?" Annie asked again, cause it strange to her that Flora is in a rush and silent the entire time.

"Nothing," Flora replied with a smile, "Lets go shall we?" They left.

Louis is still staring at the empty doorway where Annie has just went out. "When will I see her again?" he pondered with his heart smile again, "She is just waiting for someone."
******

[Yak]

On the same Saturday afternoon, the Kwan sisters are waiting for Julian at the mall food court. Glancing back and forth from her watch and the main entrance of the mall, Charmaine is getting very impatient at her best friend. She has this strong carving to rush in store by store in search of her perfect dress that will put a spot light on her for the special interview. A grumpy little sigh came from Charmaine as she watches so many people busily shopping around, while Julian is nowhere in sight to shop with her.

Seeing her sister impatient look, Ada tries to chat in order to distract Charmaine from the passing time. "Charm, what do you think of Benny and Annie?" Ada casually asked.

"Huh?" was the replied she got back, since Charmaine wasn't listening. Charmaine eyes were glue to the outside hoping so badly that Julian can come soon. "Sorry, what did you just say?" Charmaine asked when she finally gives her sister her full attention.

"I say what do you think of Annie and Benny?" repeated Ada.

A wick smile appears on Charmaine mischievous expression, "I think they needed a little help to start the spark in their relationship. I think Benny is interested in Annie, either that or he learned how to be extremely shy in England. Did you catch how he blushed, yesterday?" Charmaine laughed while Ada chuckled too as she nod. "As for Annie, she is pretty much clueless. Hmm...maybe a set up date, what do you think? We could have asks Benny to go meet us in a fancy and romantic restaurant and we bring Annie in and make an excuse to leave."

"That is just so lame, beside I have a feeling that Annie don't like Benny as a boyfriend type, cause I think she have a boyfriend already," said Ada with a smile as she recall Steven forget-me-not.

Charmaine jaw dropped a bit, "Since when?! How could she not tell me?"

"Charm, I didn't know for sure!"

The younger sister looked at her older sister with puzzling eyes, "Than why did you bring it up? Is someone having a crush on Annie or did she tell you?"

Ada shakes her head, "Well, I think Steven has a crush on Annie, cause I saw him yesterday in the back alley of our cafe pacing around nervously and he was holding a pot of flower. I ask him who it for, and he told me is for Annie. I have a feeling that he didn't have the courage to give it to her cause I saw that pot of flower in the alley a couple times already." She giggled as she recalls Steven goofy nervousness, "I bet he is too nervous and shy to give it to Annie."

Picturing Annie and Steven being together, Charmaine shakes her head with a definite, "No, something is not right! I mean Steven always treated Annie so nice and caring anyway. For crying out loud, he kisses her every time he see her. I think he is just taking care of her like a sister. There is no way he love Annie, I don't see anything between them at all. But as for Benny that a different story, I could see his eye glue to Annie at all time, but Annie don't feel it at all. I think we should help Benny out! I do want Annie to really become my sister."

Stare at Charmaine rambling with narrowed brows, Ada laughed, "Whooo Charmaine you are rolling your boat too fast here. How could you get all the way to Annie marrying Benny?" Ada saw Julian and waved madly to get his attention. Julian ran toward them. Charmaine face blackens as she tapped on her watch.

Running out of breath, Julian greeted, "Hi....sor..."

"Why don't you come when the commercial is over with?" snapped Charmaine, who has been waiting for him for the pass hour.

Pulled a chair to settle down, Julian gulped down Charmaine drink before he talks, "Don't have a cow. I was apologizing. I did call to say I was a bit late."

"Yeah, an hour ago! I can't understand why I still consider you as my friend," Charmaine complained as she pushed her half sandwich that she has save for him. She continues to complain, "Why am I so stupid to trust you for so many years?" Overly starving, Julian dig right into the sandwich and just nodded to Charmaine displeased remark about their friendship.

"Can you two not argue when you guy see each other every time? It's giving me another headache," Ada told them.

"Tell the unreasonable one over there to think of other having very important job to take care of, unlike her," mumbled Julian with a mouthful of food.

"Tell that ridiculous guy that no one needed him here in the first place," Charmaine bickered back.

Rolled her eyes, Ada grumbled, "Oh shut it. I have enough with both of you, continue to argue I won't stop you two. Bye, I'm going to shop myself." Ada grinned and walked to one of the store in the mall. Charmaine sticks her tongue out at Julian and ran after Ada. Julian quickly tries to swallow his sandwich before he catch up with them.

Hooked her arm into her sister, Charmaine walked side by side with Ada, while Julian catching up to them. "Jie ah, you are here to help me today remember? It's not even my fault, next time I'm not going to ask him out."

"I did want to say sorry, already," reminded Julian who feeling a bit sick from stuffing himself so fast. "You know my job, I need to be on call at all time, and something happened today that I must take care of."

Rolled her eyes, Charmaine murmured, but she understand Julian deep down, it just her nature to squabble with him, "Sure make all the lame excuse you want." Ada gave her a warning look. "Okay, okay, I am not arguing I am just reasoning with him, right Jule?"

Somehow seeing Charmaine smile, Julian automatically smiled too, "Yeah, we were just reasoning. Don't worry Ada jie."

"Don't ever call me that, I'm not that much older than you," warned Ada. Both Julian and Charmaine chuckled.

"So Charmaine what exactly are you looking for? And why do you needs me? Ada is here to help already," asked Julian.

"Cause I need a guy points of view and a girl points of view. Beside the guy who is interviewing me is your brother, so you got to know what he looking for in the commercial," explained Charmaine.

Shaking his head, Julian make it clear to her, "I don't even know that he is the guy interviewing you until now. I never ask him about his work. Sorry, I don't think I can help, beside just be yourself and everything should be fine."

"That's easy for you to say! You didn't receive all of those rejection letters. I really need to get this part and show them that I am actress material!" Charmaine exclaim with determination.

Julian gagged purposely, "Lucky I haven't had much of a lunch, or else I'll lose it for sure."

"Shut!" Charmaine pouted.

Her sister laughed, "Charm, I think Julian is right. You should calm down and just pick a decent dress. Don't make yourself like a disco chick with thick make up and sparkling dress showing cleavage."

Laughed at Ada, Charmaine assured, "I'm not that desperate! I do have my own dignity, lets go to the store across it have more classy and stylish dress!" She hooks her left arm into Ada while the other one into Julian and drags them over to the fashion designer store.

During the next few hours Charmaine has tried out so many dresses and outfit but none of them make both Ada and Julian agreed together that it's perfect. She is now wearing a plain white dress that go down to the knee and the collar are wide and waffle like hanging loosely around her collarbone. Charmaine walked out of the dressing room smiling at her two judges as she wait for her score.

Standing up, Julian circled around Charmaine a couple times to exam her, "Finally something that made our ugly ducking change into a swan. And I thought that story was a lie."

Charmaine hits his head playfully with her purse that matches the dress, "Idiot, I am a swan already! I'm just changing into a swan princess."

Rolled his eyes, Julian mumbled, "Yeah sure. Than the entire world of women are all princesses."

"Stop it!" Ada warned them. She held Charmaine hands turning her slightly to see the back of the dress. "Charmaine, I really like this dress. It's not too casual and it not too shows off either. This will be perfect!" concluded the elder sister.

"So both of you like it?" asked Charmaine with anxious excited eyes, they nodded. "Great! Cause I love it too, this will be the special dress that make my dream come true!" She ran toward the fitting room, but Julian stopped her with his opened and spreads arms in her way. He looked her up and down. "What?" Charmaine softly asked with a hint of annoyance, cause she could feel that he is going to complain about her.

"The dress is perfectly what you needed, but the way you walk will not make you look elegant enough for the dress," honestly criticized Julian. He beamed at her up and down, and saw Charmaine a bit offended eyes waiting for his advice. "I mean you need to show some class and manner in your walk, like what actress suppose to walk like. In fact you are walking like a man."

"I want to act! Not to hit on rich man!" snapped Charmaine defensively. "Beside what do you know about walking, look at you..." She gave him a disgusted look just to pay back.

Julian checked himself out from the mirror. He is in his khaki short, white T-shirt with another short sleeve plaid shirt on top that is unbutton, and his causal sandal. He don't see anything wrong with his outfit, "What? I looked causal and comfortable, just the way I like it."

"No, I don't mean your outfit. Did anyone tell you, you stand like a snake?" Charmaine giggled.

"HEY! That's not true! You don't have to make up lies, when I'm just trying to help you." Julian turn to look at Ada, "Ada you be the judge."

Pressing her lips together to hold her chuckled, Ada honestly told him, "Actually, Julian you do kind of stand and act like a snake. You always leans on things or sit, you never really stand up straight with your backbone."

"I do stand straight, what are you two talking about?" Julian defensively stated. But he is still standing with one of his arm on the rack of clothes as he kind of leans on it, but he didn't notice himself.

Walked in front of him, Charmaine positioned herself just like him. "Do this posture remind you of anyone you know, huh?" she teased. Charmaine grins as she raised her eyes brows at him.

Quickly straighten himself, Julian sheepishly made an excuse, "It just that I am in casual clothes, if I wear tux or suit I will definitely not leans. Anyway we are talking about you, not me. I am serious, you need to walk like a lady."

Whacking his head, Charmaine pouted, "I do walk like a lady. Just that I don't walk like a bait waiting to catch some big fish, doesn't mean I don't walk in manner!"

Grinned at Julian with a sweet smile, Ada suggested, "Julian why don't you walk like an actress for us so Charmaine can learn from you?"

Charmaine smile widened as she imagine Julian in heels, "Yeah!! Come on show me, my wise one!"

"Fine, I'll enlighten you," Julian walked a couple step back and stand up straight with one hand in his short pocket ready to walk, but he suddenly stopped and took off his outer shirt off. He hang his plaid shirt behind his back with one of his left finger and place the right hand back into his short pocket, then he take a deep breath and hold it in to make his chest higher as he looked straight above toward the ceiling and walked in a cat walk style. Both Ada and Charmaine bursts out laughing and in tears.

Wiping her cheerful tears away, Ada asked, "Julian, you didn't want Charmaine to walk like this right?"

Still laughing, Charmaine added, "I scare that I will run into the wall and didn't notice if I listen to you." Giggling, Charmaine questioned, "Where did you learn that anyway? You look so gay."

Return to his old leaning self again, Julian cleared his throat, "Of course you're not suppose to walk like me, that is how an actor walk not an actress. An actress needs to move her body and hold a stern but sweet face as she walks." He thought of Michelle, "Oh, my sister walk like that, I should take you to her!"

"That brat that keep picking on Annie? No way! I am not going to walk like her, I don't want to feel so stuck up!" claimed Charmaine. Ada nudge Charmaine to stop cause Michelle is Julian sister, she don't want Julian to felt uncomfortable. Charmaine felt guilty for bad mouthing Michelle in front of her best friend, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't off..."

Smiled weakly to reassure them, Julian shrugged, "It's okay, I understand, but you have to admit she know how to walk lady like. I didn't ask you to learn her attitude, just the way she walk."

Charmaine walked over with a caring smile and hooked her arm around his arm, "Why don't you show me how? I promise I won't make you wear heels!" She don't felt bad to make Julian sadden a bit. Julian chuckled and nodded in agreement.
----------

It was around ten at night, Benny is rolling and tossing in his bed, as he wonders why Annie didn't call him. This morning, while Annie was having her checkup, Benny has dropped off several Braille fairytale books for Annie. He has told Eileen to make sure Annie begins reading them tonight and to have her call him if she has any problem with the read.

The entire night, Benny has waited for Annie phone, because he has expected Annie to have many questions about her reading, since she doesn't know how to read. But oddly enough, she hasn't made a single call to him. Benny has also made sure that no one is using the phone for long, in case Annie need a word with him. But after waiting for the entire night without a single call, Benny is starting to think that Annie isn't following his instruction. Or could it be because she didn't want to read again, or is it too hard and she decided to give up? Or maybe her maid forgot to give it to her?

Many reason passed Benny mind causing him to become sleepless. He finally has enough and decides to make the call himself. He reaches for his phone, but paused when he saw the time. "Maybe tomorrow, I bet she sleep pretty early," he mumbled to himself and put the phone back down. Quickly, he hopped back into bed attempting to fall asleep again.
----------

The next morning, the Lam's mansion was pretty much empty cause everyone has theirs own Sunday plan. Maggie went out to pick up a gift that she ordered a month ago, while her husband Gallen told her that he has plan and needed to be out for the afternoon. Howard and Lisa went out with some of Howard closest friend for tea and just to chat about the old time. Raymond is out also, he went to his Bike shop and see what needed to be done. Flora had to go check on her patients, so it left only Annie home alone with the servants.

Even though it was eleven thirty close to noon, Annie is still sleeping in her room cause she spends so much time last night trying to read the fairytale book Benny gave her. Since she never learns how to pronounce or read a single word, it takes her an extra long time to figure out how to read a simple word. She would need to feel the Braille and tell Eileen each letter, so Eileen can help her look it up in a dictionary to find the meaning of the words. It was especially slow since Eileen doesn't know much English herself.

Annie thought of calling Benny, but she doesn't want him to think that she is so useless. Also because she felt guilty for not starting earlier, cause she was having fun spending her day out with Raymond and Steven learning how to ride a bike again. And when she returns home, she wanted Raymond to read her bedtime story too, so she pushed her Braille reading till the end, which is midnight. She doesn't felt right to call Benny for help so late in the night.

Instead, Annie had spends hours to go through word by word with Eileen until four in the morning, when she finally couldn't stand it anymore and went to sleep. Right now she is still sleeping like a baby, but her phone rings so many time and Eileen didn't heard it since the maid is not in her room.

Yawning, Annie rubbed her eyes lazily. She annoyingly yanked her pillow to cover over her ears to ignore the ring, but that person wouldn't hang up. It finally annoyed her too much making her grumpily kicks her blanket off and slide into her slipper while yelling for aid, "Eileen, where are you? Why didn't you pick up the phone? Eileen!"

Eileen didn't answer cause she was in the kitchen preparing Annie medicine and pouring her a glass of milk. Annie sighed and yawns again as she walk toward the annoying ring. She picked up her phone on the make up table and pushes the talk buttons. Grumpily she answered, "Hello!"

"Annie?" said the happy tone of her mentor of the month, "Good afternoon. Did you..."

"Benny?" Annie sleepily interrupted him, "I'm sleepy lets talk when I wait up, okay?"

"Sleepy?" Benny asked in disbelieve tone as he gaze at the clock stating it's noon, "Annie, you haven't wake up yet, do you know it's noon?!"

Grumpily, Annie defensively shouted back, "SO?! Don't bother me!" She hangs up the phone on Benny and dragged herself back to bed.

Within minutes, Eileen came in with her medicine, "Miss Annie, you need to wake up and take your pills, you are already two hours late, now come on Miss Annie." She set the tray down and pulled Annie up, Annie rolled back down and covers herself under the blanket.

Annie exhaustingly mumble from under the blanket, "I don't care, can you people just let me sleep?! I'll do everything when I get enough sleep..." she trailed off with soft relaxing breathing.

But Eileen know that Howard and Lisa won't be too happy to know that Annie is sleeping in this much, when they return at noon. So she tries to pull the blanket off of Annie to make her wake up, but Annie pulled tight to have a little tug a war with Eileen. "Please Miss Annie, wake up. Mrs. Lam will be back soon and she will be very mad at me for not getting you up and take the pills. Miss Annie pleases!" yelled the maid loudly to alert Annie.

Slowly uncover herself, Annie yawned as she stretch her body. She hates to get Eileen in trouble and since with all the interruption she can't fall back to sleep anyway, so might as well get up and give Eileen a break. "I'm up, I'm up. Eileen aren't you tired?" Annie asked with amaze that Eileen could sound so awake, when Eileen slept the same time she does.

Smiled, Eileen shake her head, she is relief that Annie listen to her. "I am a servant is my job to wake up early and make sure everything is done and taken care of," she explained.

Annie frowned with a guilty conscience, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't off kept you up so late to help me read. Why don't you go take a nap now? I will be fine by myself for today." Annie rubs her face to get the sleepiness out.

The maid always felt happy and warm that her mistress is always so considered of her and didn't treat her just as a servant. "Thanks Miss Annie, but I'm not sleepy now. When I get up and start working nothing can put me back to sleep. Beside I am honor to be able to help you read."

Got up, Annie went to the bathroom, "Thanks, you are the best. I'm still so tired, that Benny giving me so much to read, we spend four hours and only read one fourth of the book! I'm going to take a shower to wake myself up, you can go ahead and do your own things, I'll be fine."

"Okay, but remember to take the medicine."

"I will. Eileen, I am starving can you have Robert fix me something for lunch?" requested Annie.

"Of course, I will go right a way," Eileen left and head downstairs to the kitchen, Annie went and to take a shower.

The large front door open, Lisa and Howard walked in as the servant greets them. "Eileen, is Annie up yet?" asked Lisa when she saw Eileen stepped out of the kitchen.

"Yes, Mrs. Lam. She is taking a shower right now," mannerly answered Eileen.

"Great," Lisa turn to her husband, "Howard I want to take Annie with me to my friend grave, so can you find something to do yourself?"

Nodded with a warm grin, Howard assured, "Of course, I can call my old buddy out to play a game of golf. Which friend are you visiting at the grave all these years?"

The mentioning of the person bring a sadden dullness to Lisa eyes, "Just one of my best friend since childhood, you haven't met her before, she die before you have a chance to."

"She must be a very special friend of yours," Howard gently squeezed a slight hug on Lisa to show his support cause he could see the way she missed this friend. "Don't feel sad, you still have all of us and other friends. Want me to go with you?"

"No, I don't want to bore you. Annie has always goes with me anyway," Lisa said with a weak smile, "Don't worry about me, I just missed her that's all, I'll be fine." Annie walked down the stair and Eileen quickly went up to help her. Lisa smiled when she see Annie, "Annie, do you mind going to visit my friend grave with me?"

"Of course I'll go with you mommy, since I want to go out and take in some fresh air anyway. Are we going to visit aunty Vivian grave?" Annie sweetly asked.

Delighted with her daughter for remembering the person she always brings her to visit, "Yes dear, can you go now?"

"Not yet mommy, I'm very hungry!" Annie whined as she walked to the dinning table and had her lunch.
----------

Dave drove Lisa and Annie to the cemetery and waited for them down at the parking lot, while Eileen guided Annie to walk up the long cement steps along Lisa side. Annie snuggled her arm into Lisa, hooking it as she walk. "Mommy, how come aunty Vivian family never came to visit her?" she curiously ask. Since Annie was a child, Lisa has brings her along to visit Vivian Leung grave, but never once did they encounter her family.

"Her closest family came to visit her very often, you just never know," Lisa simply answered and tries to avoid the subject.

"Really? I thought she don't have any family left, since we never ran into any of them," Annie stated. They turned left on the 28 rows and are now heading toward grave number 35. Annie stopped when she counted exactly 105 steps. "We are here," she proudly announced making Lisa chuckled at her silly joyfulness.

"Eileen put the flower in," ordered Lisa. Eileen nodded and did as she said. Lisa looked at the picture of a twenty-six years old female with long straight hair and a beautiful smile. Her pair of big eyes seem like there is spark and soul. Lisa squatted down to wipe the picture with her handkerchief while Annie was bowing respectfully like every time she came to visit.

"Mrs. Lam," Eileen offered to help Lisa wipe the black and white picture that is twenty-two years old and slightly fading. Lisa allowed her maid to take over, while she smiled at the picture warmly. "Mrs. Lam, do you want to burn some incenses today?"

Lisa slightly shakes her head, "No, flower will be fine." Lisa glanced at Annie and smiled when she saw Annie is mumbling her prayer with a silly smile. "Eileen, you could wait down in the car with Dave, we will be down in a few minutes."

The maid nodded and headed down. Lisa stood back up to stand next to her daughter. "Mommy, how did aunty Vivian die? You never answer my question before." Lisa paused to look at Annie, she sighed. Annie could sense that her mom has always felt sad when Vivian is mention. "What's the matter mommy?"

"She choose the wrong way out," Lisa said as she bowed to Vivian.

Scrunched her brows together Annie stepped a step ahead, "What do you mean, mommy? Are you suggesting she commit suicide?"

"Yes, if I would of known better, I would never leave her alone that day," Lisa sighed. "Annie, promise me that you will never do such a thing no matter what happen."

Chuckled, Annie smiled brightly, "Of course I won't! Mommy, I would miss you too much to leave you forever." She located her mom shoulder and sweetly leaned on it.

Lisa nodded to Annie and gently patted her daughter cheek, "You are always great at sweet talking in front of me." Lisa bowed to Vivian again, "Vivian thanks for guiding Annie back to us when she was lost weeks ago."

"Mommy, why can't you give me the credit?" whined Annie, her mom laughed.

Ignoring her daughter remark, Lisa continues to say what she needed to say in her heart. After she is done she turned to Annie, "Ready to leave?"

Nodded, Annie walked by her mom side, hooking her mom arm cozily. "Mommy, why did aunty Vivian choose to kill herself?" Annie nosily asked.

"It has been so long Annie, it's better if we don't bring it back."
----------

That same afternoon, Maggie was sitting inside an office of a famous designer jewelry store, while the manager just walked in holding her ordered gift. The manager walked to her and hand her the pretty silver box. She happily looked at the box that she ordered a month ago and a smile lightly shows up on her face. "Thanks you Mr. Lee, it prefect!" she excitedly exclaim.

"Oh yes it is, I bet Mr. Lam will be happy to see it. Thanks you for choosing us to help you design this gift. I hope you and Mr. Lam will have a great day!" the manager stood up. Maggie stand up and head toward the door with him, he holds the door open. Maggie said her thanks again before walking out toward her car.

Her phone rang, when her eyes were captivated by the gift in the small box. She quickly took her phone out, when she saw the ID stating that it was her husband, an excited grin appear on her. She sweetly answered the phone, "Hello honey, when will you be home tonight?"

"Maggie, I have a problem. You have to come get me," Gallen urgently said, "I locked my key in the car with my wallet too, so I'm stranded here in never land. Could you get here now with the spare key?"

A bit worried, Maggie nodded repeatedly to the phone, "Don't worry honey, I'll come get you. Where are you at now? I'll come right a way."

Grinning, Gallen felt warm to hear how Maggie worries about him. "I am at the East Bay, I'll wait for you at the beach in back of Bayside Cafe okay?" he slyly told his wife.

"Okay, I'll come right away!" assured Maggie. She hurried into her car to drive to East Bay, which is a three hours drive. While she was driving, she was wondering why Gallen drove all the way up there for. But she didn't care, all she wanted is to go get him and bring him home.

After Gallen hangs up the phone he smile excitedly since his wife believed him and coming as he planned. The manager of the Bayside Cafe walked toward him, "Mr. Lam the table is all set up by the beach, what else would you need?"

Glanced over toward the small round table by the rolling shores, Gallen smiled cheerfully. "It looks great, but could you have someone pin lavender and white balloons on the sand around the table making a heart shape?" requested Gallen with a sharp smile, "And change the tablecloth to a lavender color too." He smiled sweetly, "Lavender is my wife favorite color."

The well suited manager nodded, "I understand, today is a very special day of yours and Mrs. Lam, I will go get that done right a way." He turns to leave but stopped as Gallen have more requests.

"Is the flower delivered yet?" questioned Gallen, with his calm handsome smile.

Politely, the manager turn to face Gallen before he reply, "Yes, it did, we place it in the fridge to kept it fresh until Mrs. Lam arrive."

"Perfect, have the cook start preparing the food by six and I want no one to be around our area," instructed Gallen.

"Yes, I know, we are not having other costumers be sited on the beach today," informed the manager.

"Thank you."

The manager smiles sincerely, "It's our pleasure to serve you Mr. Lam. I'll go now and get everything ready by five." He walked back to the cafe and ask the waiters to do what Gallen has just request.

Sat by the beach, Gallen remembered exactly how he met Maggie and fallen in love with her. He does love her a lot, and wanted the best for her. Then the thought of Kenix saddened his mood, cause he felt guilty for having two loves. With a sigh, he quickly pushes that thought away cause today should be a happy day between him and Maggie. He smiles again and waited patiently for his wife to arrive as he admired the beautiful glistering ocean.

Maggie arrived at five fifty, just about the time Gallen has calculated and planned. She was searching for her husband everywhere, but he is nowhere in sight, than she walked toward the beach behind Bayside cafe. When her vision focused on the distance table and the sound of the ocean wave, her eyes suddenly glistered with tears. A beautiful and touched smile shows up on Maggie when she saw her husband wearing a white tuxedo holding a beautiful bouquet of white rose.

Slowly, Maggie headed down toward him as she was dazzle with the romantic candle light table that is surrounded by lavender and white balloons forming a heart. Next to that was the big tree where Gallen carved his and Maggie name on with a heart around it eight years ago, when he proposed to her. Maggie felt joyful tears forming in her eyes as she walked toward her husband, who is holding a wide and lovely smile.

Seeing her walking near, Gallen kneel down on one knee right in front of her and offer the bouquet. Seeing that sweet sight, Maggie tears rolled down as her smile widen, she took the bouquet and Gallen hold her hand. Softly and tenderly, Gallen hold his wife hand as if it was the first time they dated. "Maggie I love you," he whispered romantically, "Happy anniversary. If I could live to a hundreds years old, I would hope you could be by my side for all those years." He slowly got up and leans close to his wife to kiss her cheek. He stepped back looking into her beautiful eyes as he wipe off her tears with his hands. Maggie hugged him.

She was touched and surprised that he remembered without her reminding. All of this felt so magical and dreamy to her, cause everything resemble the day he propose to her. "Thank you, I love you too," she whispered back, "I would never want to leave you. Happy anniversary." Maggie lied her head at her husband left shoulder as she touchingly said, "You still remembered, I thought you are busy today and forgot all about it, I..."

"Shhh...." Gallen softly hushed, "I would never forget even in a hundred years. Maggie did you remember how I propose to you right here on this beach eight years ago?"

Moved her head back, Maggie gazed into her husband dreamy eyes, "How could I forget when you just show me exactly the same situation? Gallen you should of told me so I can wear a prettier dress to match you."

He let out a soft chuckle and smiles sweetly as he looked into his wife sparkling eyes, "Then it wouldn't be like the day I propose to you, you looked just like you were back than, the angel of my heart, fallen from heaven." Gallen waved his hand and slowly a violinist appears from behind the tree playing their wedding song. "Would my sweet angel dance with me tonight?" he asked with gentlemen manner.

Pressing her lip together with happiness, Maggie felt like she is falling in love with her husband all over again. She gave her bouquet to one of the waitress who has walked to her. Then she put her arm around Gallen neck and her head on his chest. They slow danced to the romantic music of the violin as the sun slowly set down the horizon, and the twinkling light of the tree became visible. They danced till six thirty when the chef brings out the main course of their dinner. Gallen slowly release her and interlocked their hands to guide her to the sit on the round candle light table. He smiles sincerely and pulled the chair out for his wife.

Maggie smile and say nothing, it seem like theirs heart know exactly what each other want and feeling. She sat down next to the surrounding balloons with little stick of candle lighted at the bottom, where the balloons string are tied and the candle half buried down into the sand to keep the balloon from flying away. The waitress has just lit it since the dark is arriving shortly. Maggie looked above and saw the tree full of little twinkling lights that looked like the stars of a peaceful night. Her bright and charming smile didn't fade the entire time cause she is very captivated by the detail of everything being exactly the same as the day Gallen proposed.

Gallen slowly slides his hand across the velvet lavender tablecloths and touched his wife hand. He looked straight into her dreamy eyes again, in his gentle charming voice he told her his plan, "Maggie I have booked a room for the night, so we can enjoy everything slowly." He smiles sweetly, "We can walk along the shores when we finish are meal okay?"

"Anything you say, Gallen thanks you. I love everything!" Maggie felt like she is the happiest woman in this world.

Patted her hand gentle, Gallen added, "Anything to make you happy. Lets enjoy our dinner shall we?"

They ate slowly as the faint light from the sun disappeared and the welcoming moon appears to glow warm and peaceful light on them while the candles flickering at the bottom of the balloons forming a heart. With the balloons sheltering them from the outside, it was just like they are the only two people in this world as they enjoy their meals with violins played softly and gently in the background.

After the romantic meal, Gallen walked slowly with Maggie by the shores bare footed as the gentle and cool water hits them to say hello. Maggie has coiled her right arm on his left arm with head leaned on his left shoulder as she walked by his side. The moon was a beautiful crescent and glowing dim and soft light onto the ocean water making them glistering. And stars were shinning brightly since there is no cloud to block their magnificent twinkle.

Stopped suddenly, Maggie walked in front of Gallen and holds his two hands with her two hands. Somehow she never gets tired of looking at her husband handsome face. To her, he is the best husband in the entire world, cause he has always loved and cared for her so thoughtfully. Maggie looked into his eyes with a smile, "Gallen, I have a gift for you too." Gallen just looked at her and smile as she pulled the little silver box out of her pocket and handed to him.

Opened the box, Gallen saw a beautiful platinum baby carriage with a diamond in it, but diamond is not what interest him. It was the carving on the side of the carriage that made him the happiest man in the whole wide world. The beautiful cursive imprint read, Baby Joel. They had decided to name their baby 'Joel' no matter if it a girl or a boy cause they loved the name so much. Shocked to the hint, his wife just gave him, Gallen was excited and not really sure if this is reality. He holds Maggie shoulder with excitement, "Are you pregnant?" Maggie smiles and pressed her lips as she nods. "Yes!!" shouted Gallen so loudly as he hold on to Maggie waist and swing her in circle.

Maggie was giggling at her hyperactive husband. He finally put her down and hugged her tightly in joy, than he backed off afraid that he is harming the baby. "How long did you know? Why didn't you tell me? How many months is it now? Oh Maggie I love you so much!"

Laughing at her husband excitement, Maggie is very happy to see her husband happy, "I know a month ago and thought that it would be the best anniversary present for you so I kept it a secret from everyone else." She smile and place Gallen hand on her belly, "And Joel is a three months fetus by the sixth of this month."

"Three months?!" Gallen eyes widened fully, "Wow, I am going to be a dad in seven more months? Maggie thanks you! This is the best new!" Gallen cupped her face and kissed her forehead. "Have you seen a doctor? You should have tells me earlier so someone can cook you nutrients foods for both you and the baby."

"Calm down I am fine, I've been seeing Dr. Lau and drinking vitamin so everything is normal and in good health," Maggie informed. Gallen was too happy and jumpy, he wrap his arm around his wife waist again and swing her in the air. Both of them enjoy and surprised for the night, this is definitely one of the anniversaries they both will remember and cherish forever.
******

[Yak]

A soft breeze from the balcony filtered through the baby blue and white silk curtain causing it to gently wave obediently allowing night air to cool Annie's room down. If its' not for the glowing moonlight, the room would be pitch dark. The room felt hollow and soundless, with only peaceful rhythmical breathing in the background.

A whispering voice of Raymond is audible and increased in volume along with more solid sound of his footstep heading toward the dim light from under the closed door of Annie's bedroom. His footstep stopped in front of the door and immediately two solid knock is emitted to disturb the silent of Annie's room. Receiving no response, Raymond opened the door and peeked in. He chuckled at the sight of his kid sister fallen asleep hugging her Braille storybook while sitting upright with dangling head over the storybook.

"No wonder she didn't answer your call, she is asleep, Benny," Raymond informed through the phone. Benny has called him to check on Annie, since Annie has purposely turned off her phone to stop Benny from annoying her about her reading progress.

With a thoughtful smile, Raymond stepped closer to the bed to kneeled one of his knee on the bed so he could lean over in order to pull Annie's blanket higher and keep her warm. That gesture of his causes Annie body to slightly jerk and she suddenly mumbled in stress, "P, I, G....is big...no it's not. It's pig...yes pig."

Laughed loudly, Raymond quickly suppressed his laughter so he won't wake his sister up. Playfully, he leaned closer toward his sister to listen while he questioned Benny, "Benny what did you do to her? I think she is having a nightmare about pig. Here you listen to this." Raymond places the phone under Annie mouth.

"P, I, G....is pit...no that is wrong....it's pig...who care Benny....wolf is R...no is W...yes W...O...what...F...no L first then F..." murmured Annie in her sleep with a sweet satisfy smile that she spell wolf right. She continues to speak her dream with brow starting to scrunch, "Wolf...but who care if the wolf got those stupid pigs anyway.... Benny you are as stupid as those B, I, G....no I mean P, I , G...."

Raymond finally couldn't stand it any longer, so he let go of his chuckling. He pulled the phone back and asked Benny, "What were you thinking to ask her to read the Three Little Pigs? She is twenty-two already, for crying out loud. I think you are driving her nuts."

Frowned Benny could tell that this is not working for Annie. He sadly asked, "How was her reading going? It didn't sound all that good."

Seeing the breezy wind blowing in, Raymond headed toward the balcony to close the glass sliding door and settle down the curtain. While he told Benny the detail of Annie progress in whispering tone, "She rushed to her room right away after dinner to continue to read. She say you wanted her to read all of the books, is that right? Aren't you a bit too hard on her? That's is quite a huge stack of books. Anyway, I think she only got done with Three Little Pigs. Can't you find anything more interesting so she don't fall asleep?"

"I really did try, but I can't find any novel in Braille, all I found are these kiddy one. I thought, at least she can learn vocab from it. It sounds like she's having a hard time huh? I better teach her how to pronounce tomorrow, it will help her."

Looking at Annie condition, Raymond chuckled, "I don't think so, didn't you heard what she said? She said who care if the wolf got those stupid pigs. I think that's hint that she's having a hard time cause those are really boring kiddy story."

"Benny!!! HELP!" Annie suddenly screamed causing Raymond to startle by her sudden out burst. "Get those pigs away from me! Help!! Stupid pigs leave me alone! Go to your market! Benny, I hate you... Get them away...get them away..." Annie was kicking and tossing around too as she cried for help.

"Did you heard that?!" hysterically laughed Raymond. "I think you shouldn't make her read anymore of those fairytale or else she will probably dream of prince chasing after her tomorrow night."

Chuckling too, Benny can't believe that Annie is actually having nightmare of the Three Little Pigs. "I think so too. But what could I do to help her read? Oh, I have an idea, Charm wrote many romantic stories that Annie will probably enjoy. Okay I need to go ask Charmaine and I need to turn it into Braille too, so bye, I'll see you around. Soccer next week?"

"Sure, just contact me. Okay bye," Raymond said and hangs up. He shakes his head at Annie silly nightmare as he help her replace her Braille 'Three Little Pigs' with her cuddly teddy."

"I need to finish. Benny will be testing me tomorrow," mumbled Annie in her sleep with frowning stress.

"Shhhh...he won't. Silly girl is just a story. Just go back to sleep now," whispered her brother caring voice as he pull her down to lies comfortably on the bed instead of sitting. After hearing her brother voice, a smiled appear on Annie, she has calmed down and sleeping quietly now. Raymond pecked her on the forehead like always and whispered, "Goodnight Annie." In his mind, Annie is always the six years old sister that tattles along with him.
----------

The next morning, both Bowie and Benny arrived on time. When they enter the Lam's mansion, they saw Annie walking down slowly using the shiny silver rail of the staircase to guide her down. Sleepy and not fully awake, Annie yawned. Seeing her roar, Benny slightly chuckled as he recall what he heard last night. A smiled unknowingly shadowed his cheek when he saw Annie in her cute Hello Kitty nightgown and slipper. Her hair is somewhat messy and he could see bags under her eyes.

Curious to the coincident, Bowie stared at Annie eyes bag and then at Benny, who also carry eyes bag this morning. "What happen to you two? Did the panda adduct both of you?" joked Bowie.

"Bowie? You are here already?" Annie is clueless to the time, "I must be very late. How come Eileen didn't wake me up?"

"I told her to let you sleep longer. You were really exhausted yesterday, and slept pretty late last night. I don't want you to get sick, so I told Eileen to let you rest more," explained Lisa, who is heading toward them with a welcome smile on Bowie and Benny. Lisa turned her attention to Annie with a bit of concern seeing her looking so over worked and weary, "Are you feeling alright?" Annie nodded with a sweet smile to assure her over protective mother.

Lisa finally notices that Annie is still in her nightgown, she shakes her head with disprove, knowing that her husband won't be please by this. "Annie go up to change before your father see you like this in front of our visitors," warned Lisa in a soft tone. "Eileen, could you come and help Annie?" called Lisa.

"I'm coming!" answered Eileen as she head toward them.

"Annie, you don't look to well. You haven't sleep well lately?" Bowie asked in concern.

Yawned again, Annie shrugged, "I don't know. I think I slept early last night but I kept feeling uncomfortable. Maybe I had a nightmare. But I don't remember anything though."

Feeling a bit guilty, Benny announced, "Annie, you don't have to read those fairytales anymore."

Alerted immediately, Annie was surprise that Benny is actually telling her, she don't have to read those boring stories. "Yes!" she cheerfully cheered, "You didn't know how hard it was for me to just finish one! Thank you Benny, thank you, thank you," repeated Annie with relief.

"Trust me, I know," chuckled Benny, "But don't be too happy" He place the stack of metal plate that is bounded together like a book into her arm. Benny has spent the entire night up hammering this little bumps of Braille onto metal plates for her. He has translated the entire story of "When the Sun is Up Again" into Braille, it was written by Charmaine six years ago. "I want you to try reading this one, it should be much more interesting for you than Three Little Pigs," chuckled Benny.

Annie slightly frowned cause she thought she could get off the hook with reading. But she quickly smiled since it was kind of interesting to read Braille, "Sure, I'll try my best. Can you two wait for me? I need to change. I'll hurry up and return within minutes!" Annie rushed up with Eileen. Lisa gave the two male a slight nod before she excuse herself to attend her garden.

Bowie and Benny headed to the living room to settle down on the comfy sofa. Bowie glanced up the staircase to make sure Annie is not there before he gave Benny a concern look and begin to inform him, "Benny there is something I need to tell you."

"What?" Benny asked with a hint of worry cause he could sense something is wrong.

"It not that big of a deal, but I know Annie is not going to like it at all," Bowie checked the staircase again before he continue, "The Hong Kong Academy for the Blind called me this morning and told me that they'll probably send me to follow a new case..."

"What about Annie?" interrupted Benny, with serious concerned expression, cause he know that Annie will be devastated to know about this news.

"After your month of shadowing, they wanted me to follow another little girl instead, they believe that I taught Annie enough and she could do without me, and that you could continue teaching her educational stuff such as Braille," Bowie sadly said, he know he will miss Annie a lot.

"You are saying that Annie will be my student from now on?" Benny weakly asked while Bowie nodded to confirm. A lingering of happiness sneaked into Benny heart to know that Annie will be his student. But his facial expression is still full of worry and concern, cause he know Annie will miss Bowie very much. "I don't think Annie will like this arrangement at all," mumbled Benny.

Bowie nodded understandingly, "I know, so don't tell her yet, I'll find a good time to talk to her."

"Annie is going to hate me and blame me for your leaves," murmured Benny with worry.

Caringly, Bowie give Benny a reassuring smile and patted his shoulder, "She won't, it not even your fault. I'll explain to her. I know she will enjoy having you teach her."

"How long have you taught her?" Benny asked weakly, he wanted to know how strong their bond are, it will certainly determine on how Annie will react to the news.

With a soft sigh of missing her, Bowie answered, "I start teaching her when I was about your age, she was only thirteen back then. I'm her first teacher while she was my very first student." Bowie smiled, "I remember her not liking the idea of having a teacher controlling her and teaching her how to do everything. She was really annoyed by me and played little prank on me, but eventually she accepted me and respected me." Bowie paused for a sec before his deep voice continues, "She is more than a student to me now. I treat her like she's my own sister. I had fun teaching her, and to slowly see her learn how to take care of herself make me felt really rewarding. I understand her really well and she know lots about me that maybe even more than my sister Nicola does. I know I'll miss her a great deal."

"I'm sorry..."

Bowie weakly chuckled, "Why? It's not even your fault. Time does go by fast huh? I've been teaching Annie for nine whole years, I think she get bore of me now."

"She wouldn't Bowie, I could see how she listen to you and respect you. This is going to hurt her a lot. Can't you talk to the Academy and see if you can change anything?" suggest Benny.

"No the other girl need me too," Bowie smiled, "She is also thirteen. Don't worry Annie will eventually understand and move on with you. Beside it's not like I'm out of her life, I'll still be around and take care of her. But lets not tell her yet cause I want to choose the best time for it."

"Of course, I won't say a word," promised Benny.
----------

At HK Charity Hospital, Flora is heading toward the children ward to check on her little patient before she calls it a day. Smiled to the greeting of the group of kids, Flora headed toward a young five years old boy. "Hi Tyler, how are you feeling today? Does your head still hurt?" her caring voice asked as she pulled Tyler chart out to put her marking.

"No, but you promise me a present if I behave and drink my medicine, which I did, so where is my toys?" cheerfully asked the boy.

Laughed, Flora teased, "You seem like you are in great condition, at least you remember what I say to you before the surgery huh?" She winked at him, "Don't worry I'll go shop for a very special present just for you, okay? But you have to keep up with your medicine, deal?" She put her pinky out toward the child.

Excited, Tyler nodded repeatedly as he hooked his pinky with Flora. "Okay I will, but what are you buying me?" he asked with wishful eyes.

"You will find out tomorrow," informed Flora. She has always love kids, and it made her sad to see them suffer at such a young age. "Okay, I need to go now, so behave and listen to the nurse okay?"

"I will Dr. Lam!" promised the boy.

Flora gave him one more smile and head out toward her office. She smiles joyfully as she approach Amy. "Hey Amy, how is everything, nothing else I hope," Flora ask her secretary.

"Nothing else, but you have a visitor. He has been waiting for two hours already," informed Amy as she point to Flora office.

Looked in, Flora could see a shadow of a man behind her closed blind. "Is it one of my patient?" she curiously asked.

"No, I've never seen him before."

"Thanks, I'll go in and check it out," Flora head toward her closed office door and slowly turned her doorknob. She looked in at the figure standing in front of her, she was shock and confuse on his present. It has been eight painful years and now he is just in front of her. Anger and hatred started to creeps up Flora facial expression as she stares into this heartless man eyes speechlessly. "Out," she coldly muttered.

Looked into her deep eyes, her ex-lover gently speaks up, "Hi, how have you been for all these years?" Feeling her heart stiffened with revisiting pain, Flora could no longer speak up, all she could do is stand there stiffly and stare at him with cold hatred eyes. "I'm sorry," he whispered his apologize with his usual calm feature.

Hearing that sorry just made Flora eyes water up, cause that simple words has cause her so much. Feeling the pain all over again, Flora angrily slapped his face so hard that she felt her hand numbed. "GET OUT!!" she demanded so loudly that it seem like it's shook the entire hospital. Flora face was reddens with anger while she stands really stiff pointing her finger to the doorway. How could he dare to come back after all these years? Flora mind kept angrily questioned.

Right outside, Amy heard her shout, so she ran in right away to see what's wrong. Amy saw Flora and the man in a very tense situation; so she didn't dare to speak. Marco rubbed his cheek where Flora has slaps him and he slowly fix his stare at Amy. Gulped, Amy looked at Flora who is still holding her position, so she quietly steps back out and let them have some privacy.

Stepped a step forward, Marco gently move his hand closer to Flora wanting to hold her hand. But Flora walked away with her still eyes kept on him without a blink. "Come on Flora, I said I'm sorry already. Can we at least be friend and talk? Where is our daughter?" he asked. Even though, he has never think about taking responsibility as a father, deep down he does has an urge to see the child.

What Marco asked made Flora swallowed her sorrow and regret, she raise her hand to slap him again for daring to ask that question. Tears immediately dwelled from her as she turned away and scolded, "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT ASKING ABOUT HER! Get out now, I does not want to see you nor talk to you."

Rub his cheek again, Marco is getting angry but he kept it down cause he needed Flora help this time. "She is my daughter too," he muttered, "And I am sorry for leaving both of you, I want to make it up."

Flora blinked her eyes trying to get rid of her tears cause she really don't want to show this man how much she was hurts by him. "It too late to make up for anything," she bitterly told him. Her voice weaken to a barely audible volume, "She die on the day you left us." Flora eyes slightly rolled up to glare at him, "LEAVE! Don't let me ever see you again!"

A bit shocked, Marco didn't budge an inch. Seeing him still standing there and have no inclination to leave her alone, Flora hastily took off her doctor coat and grab her purse before she rushed out of her office. Amy was astonished and don't know what happen, but she saw Flora reddened eyes and know exactly, that it must be horrible cause she never saw Flora cry before.

Snapped out of his thought, Marco chased after Flora. With aching heart, Flora kept running none stop trying to get out of the hospital. The vision ahead of her became blurry cause of her tears is building up and she still stubborn to let them go freely. She got to the elevator and turn to run down the staircase instead cause she knows the elevator will not come in time. Marco chases after her and finally caught up with her just at the east side door, he holds on to her wrist tightly. "Let go of me!" shouted Flora with cold eyes glared on him.

Feeling guilty, Marco slowly let go of her, but he stepped in front of her so she couldn't leave freely. "I am sorry about our daughter, but can we at least talk calmly?" his soften voice asked, Flora could sense his sadden tone.

Stare into his eyes, all Flora could see is how he has deceived her and scarred her heart. She wishes so much to kill him right at the moment. "I have nothing to talk to you about," she bitterly worded.

Suddenly his pair of strong grip pulled her in for a tight hug. "I love you, can you give me a second chance?" requested Marco, "I really do, trust me! Flora, I need your help..." he slowly let her go and looked into her eyes. "My friend and I owe someone a lot of money, can you help us? You are the only one I could turn to."

Letting out a soft chuckle, Flora couldn't belief what she just heard. Is this man thick skinned enough to think that she is that stupid to fall for him again? She managed to slap him again and pushed him away, "You think I am an idiots? Don't you ever come close to me again!" she warned.

"I do love you, Flora! I regret what happened to our relationship. We can start over again. But you have to help me get out of this situation first," Marco said.

Flora is shaking her head in disbelief that she once loved this man. "I am not going to help you, even if you kill me. And I'm warning you to not bother me, I am happily married already," lied Flora in a cold tone.

A slight evil smile curved up Marco confident feature, "No, you are not. I checked you and you been single ever since I left. I know you still love me or else you would move on."

With enlarged eyes, Flora stare at him with shock, "How dare you come back and check on me?" She spotted Bowie who is approaching them with Toby. Quickly felt relief, Flora ran up to them and carried Toby in her arm. She forced herself to give Bowie a bright smile while her eyes signaling Bowie for help, "Hi honey, how is work today?" Bowie looked at her in confusion but he saw the guy with his angry stare at them and understand to play along. "Toby, have you been listening to daddy like mommy told you to?" asked Flora.

Bowie gently swing his arm around Flora shoulder to give her a friendly pat, "My day has been perfect. We thought you would be out a bit late today. But this is even better, now we can go out and eat. Toby tells mommy what a good boy you are today." Marco continues to observe them with suspicion as they slowly walked away from him acting like a perfect family.

Toby was tired cause he has been sick lately. Now he is more confuse than ever. The five years old boy with round eyes stares at his dad and Flora back and forth, he is totally out of it. Marco stare at them coldly as he saw them walking further away. Finally arrived at his car, Bowie knows it far enough to ask question now, "What's wrong? Who is he?"

Flora just slightly shake her head, "Nothing really, but can you drive me home?"

"Sure," smiled Bowie, he never like to force people to talk. With one last look at Marco, Bowie opens the door for Flora to enter.

"Why are you two here anyway? Have I changed your plan of visiting someone?" Flora asked hoping that she didn't cause too much trouble for them.

Giving her a reassuring smile, Bowie explained, "Actually Toby has a doctor appointment today at the hospital. He has been sick for the pass week, but he is doing much better now. Right jai jai (son)?" Toby nodded as he looked at Flora curiously.

"I'm sorry, he should see the doctor..."

"Don't worry about it, you are a doctor right?" Bowie winked with his chuckle and buckled Toby down to his car seat.

"I guess I could take a look at him in repay. Toby how are you feeling?" asked Flora.

Still confuse about the mommy thing, Toby innocently asked, "Daddy is she really my mommy?"

The two adults chuckled. Flora blushed a bit, "Sorry Bowie, I didn't mean to drag you and Toby into this."

"Don't be silly, that is what friend are for right? We are friend right?" Bowie grinned while Flora nod. He then turn to his son, "No Toby, we are just playing a game to help Flora. Now answer Flora question so she can see how you are doing." Flora asked Toby question and he answered, while Bowie started his car and drove away from the hospital.

Standing still like a statue, Marco gazed at the car with hatred and anger in his cold heartless face. "You will be sorry you didn't help Flora. Don't said, I didn't give you a chance. I hope you won't regret the result."
----------

Meanwhile, Bowie is driving Flora back to the Lam's Mansion but Flora requested for him to drop her off at a toyshop, which he did and ended up going toy shopping with her, since Toby begged to go once he saw the store.

Holding a huge remote control toys car, Flora smiled happily, "Perfect, Tyler will be thrill to see this." Bowie chuckled at her being over joy about toys like children. Flora noticing Toby is frowning, so she squatted down beside him to level her eyes with his, "Toby since you have been such a good boy today with helping me by being my son, do you want anything from here?"

Excited, Toby jumped in joy but his dad tapped his shoulder. He immediately frowned with flatten lips knowing that his daddy wouldn't let him get one. Bowie warned, "You know you couldn't ask for toys..." Toby dropped his head and sadly nodded with his pout.

Flora couldn't help but giggle at the child expression. She smiled at Bowie, "Come on Bowie, let me spoil him just one, since he did helped me."

Giving in, Bowie rubbed his son short hair, "Okay, but Toby just one toy."

Jumped up in joy again, Toby hugged his dad and Flora, "Thank you!" He started to drag Flora over to the huge set of Lego, "Yee Yee (aunty), I wanted that building block set!" Flora nodded repeatedly as she chuckled at Toby excitement. Seeing Toby happy and cheerful has helped her forget her problem with Marco.
----------

That night at dinner, Flora ate quietly and headed to her room right afterward. She sat in her massage chair with closed eyes as she think of the whole situation of Marco. Tears slowly rolled down the corner of her eyes as she let it all go for the first time. She was too sad and heartbroken to notice that someone has entered her room.

Seeing her silently crying, Maggie softly patted her shoulder, which startled Flora making her immediately open her teary eyes. She was relief that it was her sister-in-law instead of her mom or Annie. She always kept her sadness away from her mom, so her mom won't worry about her. And she never wanted Annie to felt the pain inside her, cause she always think that Annie have enough problem to take care of her self. Also because Annie did had a strong trusting bond with Marco in the pass. Flora just doesn't want to make Annie sad too.

The only person that knows all her sorrow and pain was Maggie and sometime Gallen. Maggie kneels down next to her and she hugged Maggie tightly as she let out all her emotion and pain. Maggie just kept quiet and patted her gently on her back.

After a long sobbing, Flora finally had enough with the crying and release Maggie. "Thanks Maggie, I felt better now," whispered Flora while she sniffed.

Smiled warmly at Flora, Maggie stated, "That's what friend is for, especially family. Do you want to talk about it? I'm always here to lean you my ears."

Sighed sadly, Flora head toward her bed with Maggie. "I saw him again, actually he came to my office," Flora said.

Confused, Maggie asked, "What did he want?" Maggie knows that Flora must mean Marco, but why did he show up after eight years.

Looked down, Flora mumbled, "He wanted me to help him with money problem." She let out a chuckle bitterly, "He said he loved me and wanted to be back with me if I help him. So pathetic."

"Oh my...how could he? I'm sorry...."

Smiling weakly, Flora assured her best friend, "It's okay, I'm fine. But after today I really know that I don't love him anymore, he hurts me too much. All I felt today when I see him was anger and hatred." She looked in Maggie eyes, "Maggie this is going to be the last time I'll ever cry because of him, I promise."

Maggie nodded, "That's good. I'm glad you can think this through. I know you are strong and know exactly how to take care of yourself." She leans close to Flora and hugged her, "I am so proud of you."

Embraced Maggie, Flora warmly said, "Thank you so much for being here."

"I have one news that you don't know yet," Maggie excitedly said. Flora looked at her curiously. "I am pregnant!" she announced with a bright smile.

Jumped up, Flora looked at her in surprise, "Really?! Did Gallen know yet?"

Chuckling, Maggie pulled her down to sit, "Yeah, I told him yesterday. We just told everyone downstairs but you weren't there that's why I came up to tell you personally."

"This is the best new! Congratulation!!" Flora cheerfully said as she gave Maggie another hug. They were both happy and chatted about the baby and Maggie anniversary with Gallen yesterday. Flora sorrow and pain is swept away with Maggie happy news.
******

[Yak]

Wednesday morning arrived along with crispy cool air filling Annie's room. Even though it's near ten in the morning, Annie is still sleeping drowsily with one leg dropped off the edge of her bed while her head is lie on top of her folded left arm with a tiny trace of drool. She has totally forgotten that she promise to meet up with Charmaine at her daddy company today at ten.

Eileen stepped into Annie's room again to tries her second attempts of waking her mistress up. Her first attempt has failed with Annie grumpily telling her to leave her alone and don't bother to interrupt her important sleep. Walked up to Annie bed, Eileen nudged, "Miss Annie, it's going to be ten very soon."

Annie just rolled away from the annoying buzzing sound of her maid voice. "I'm not done sleeping Eileen. Could you stop waking me up every thirty minutes? Just don't wake me up no matter what, I don't care if the sky is falling," mumbled Annie as she digs her head under her pillow and continues to snooze.

Her maid sighed hopelessly and no longer dare to wake her up. Right at the moment Annie's phone rang, so she went to pick it up. Eileen stepped out into the balcony before she answer the phone in a whisper. "Hello? This is Eileen, Miss Annie is sleeping can I take the message?" Eileen mannerly asked.

"What?!!" Charmaine screamed to the phone with her over reaction. "What do you mean she is sleeping? She told me she would go and support me!" After noticing that she is screaming at this poor maid, Charmaine guiltily apologized, "I am sorry Eileen, I don't mean to yell at you. Can you please help me get Annie on the phone?"

Hesitated, Eileen exclaims, "But Miss Annie said not to wake her up no matter what. I don't know if I should..."

"Listen Eileen, don't worry, once Annie heard my voice she will get up right away and wishes you would of wake her up earlier. So please get her on the phone."

Eileen sighed, "Okay, I'll go get her right now.: She walked back into Annie room and head toward her. Tapping on Annie shoulder gently, Eileen softly said, "Miss Annie wake up please, you have a phone call from Miss Kwan, Miss Annie?"

Automatically like a reflex, Annie pushed Eileen hand away, "Eileen don't bother me, I'm sleeping, I don't know any Kwan..." She went back to her deep sleep again, since she only has six hours of sleep.

"I am sorry but Miss Annie want her sleep, she won't wake up to take the call. Why don't you call back later? Or could I take message?" Eileen asked Charmaine.

Frustrated with Annie, Charmaine growled softly, "Call back?! I don't have time to call back! Put the phone to her ear, I'll get her up!"

The maid has to pull the phone away a bit cause Charmaine was yelling really loud. "Okay just wait a minute." Eileen did as she say and place the phone next to Annie ear.

Charmaine screaming from the top of her lung, "ANNIE LAM YOU WAKE UP RIGHT NOW! Don't forget your promise!"

Annie was immediately startled awake and shakes her head. She pulled herself to sit up while her head kept shaking to get rid of the ringing in her ear. "Eileen why did you yell at me?!" Annie angrily questioned her maid.

"Miss Annie it wasn't me," Eileen quickly defended, "I would never yell at you. It was Miss Kwan in the phone, who's yelled at you."

Confused, Annie expression softened, "What phone? Which Miss Kwan?"

Sighed at her mistress forgetfulness, Eileen places the phone in Annie hand, "Here is the phone. It's Miss Charmaine Kwan."

Suddenly, Annie memories are cure and she remembered that today is Wednesday. The day that she asks Bowie and Benny to not come over cause she promised to support Charmaine interview. Her eyes widen, "Oh no, what time is it Eileen?"

Hearing what Annie asked, Charmaine answered with disbelief that Annie would oversleep, "Annie Lam it is nine forty already!!"

"I am so sorry Charmaine, I'll come right away now! Why don't you go in and wait first so you won't be late, I'll come join you as soon as possible, okay? I am very sorry!"

"Okay, but you better come Annie. Which floor was it?" asked Charmaine in a nervous tone.

"I will come, I promise!" assured Annie, she wouldn't miss supporting her best friend.

"It's on the thirty-fifth floor. Okay bye bye, I'll meet you there." She hangs up and rushed quickly to the bathroom. "Eileen why didn't you get me up? Please help me pick a casual dress!" Annie requested in a hurry.

Shaking her head at Annie, Eileen knows that Annie would forget and blame her for failing to wake her up. "I will go get it now. Miss Annie would you want me to come with you?"

"No, I'll be fine by myself. I'm just going to daddy's company anyway. Go get Dave to get the car ready," Annie mumbled as she brush.
----------

Meanwhile Annie is hurrying on her way over, Charmaine just arrived at Millennium Cooperation, which is the tallest building of Hong Kong with the best building material and design. Nervously, Charmaine walked into the huge spinning glass door and made her first step on the marble floor heading to the elevator. She looked at her watch and it was ten fifteen. A happy but anxious smile shows up as the elevator arrived in front of her. She walked in and press number thirty-five. She felt small when she stands there feeling like an outcast. Not daring to make a scene, Charmaine just stood there stiffly with her stylish plain white dress that she just brought, while she wait for the rest of the people to enter.

Many well suited employee stepped in and almost all the buttons been push, so it took a while to reach up to the thirty-fifth floor. As the door opened every floor Charmaine felt her heart got heavier and more nervous. Finally the thirty-fifth floor is right in front of her, but she felt like she didn't want to step out, luckily she pushed herself fast enough to walk out before the elevator door close again. She took a deep breath and headed straight to the receptionist desk.

The receptionist was on the phone and just took a quick glimpse at her. Seeing that Charmaine looked like she needed direction, the receptionist put the line on hold to help the unfamiliar face in front of her. With unfriendly expressionless face, the receptionist looked like she has been working over night or something. "What can I do for you?" she plainly asked, lacking politeness or professional attitude.

Took in a deep breath, Charmaine smile at her sweetly, but the receptionist facial expression stayed unchanged. "Um...I am looking for Mr. Lam," informed Charmaine.

Sighed at Charmaine broad answer, the female receptionist asked, "Which Mr. Lam? We have lots of Mr. Lam in this company."

Hear the harsh tone in the receptionist, Charmaine quickly loss her charming smile. "Actually, I don't remember his name..." The receptionist impatiently eyes her with cold stare. A hint of displease shown in Charmaine pair of eyes that hardened a bit, "I am here for an interview for a commercial position."

Coldly, the receptionist emptily said, "Oh for that, just walk straight and turn to your left and then down four doors and turn to your right and straight ahead until you reach room 355 and turn in and walk till you reach second door and turn right." She sat back down behind her desk and turns the line back on to continue her conversation.

Charmaine wasn't sure with the direction and wanted to ask, but she could tell that the receptionist is in no mood to help. So she decided to try and explore to see if she could at least get to room 355. Walked slowly with curious eyes, Charmaine looked into each room. She felt lost and confuse by the twist and turn of rooms after rooms. She just kept walking and hope she found it or someone nice enough to help.

Meanwhile Sunny is in the coffee room preparing his coffee himself, cause he only like it the way he did it, he just fixed his coffee and going to head out toward the meeting room to start the interview. Sipping on his coffee, Sunny is also holding a newspaper on the other hand reading it as he walked out. At that moment Charmaine was just outside of the coffee room and he bumped into Charmaine and the cup of coffee he just made spilled all over him and Charmaine white dress.

Charmaine was frustrated with having to deal with the cold receptionist and now with the hot coffee. She has a bad feeling that the interview will not go well from seeing how everything is not going well. Sunny looked up at her and felt sorry cause he knows that it was his fault to not look when he walked out. Charmaine pulled the layers of her loose collar out a bit to get the sticky hot coffee from burning her. She frowned with frustration to see her brand new dress stained with coffee from chest down and it's still dripping coffee.

Sunny wanted to apologize, but Charmaine stressfully muttered, "How could you not look when you walk? You are coming out of a room, I am walking in the hall, so you should look before you step out! Look what you did to my dress. Agrr... Can this day get any worst?"

A bit taken back by her scolding him, Sunny has never seen a girl stand up in front of him and yelled at him in anger before, except for his sister that is. He thinks that she is at least honest and said what in her mind. "I am sorry, I should of looked, are you alright?" Sunny asked with a friendly smile.

"What do you think?!" Charmaine stares at the coffee that is still dripping off of her loose collar. Sunny saw the coffee still dripping, so he quickly pulled his handkerchief out and help wipe the coffee to stop it from dripping, but what he didn't notice that, that was just about Charmaine chest. Charmaine was inflamed and pushed him away, "Get away from me you pervert!"

Felt embarrass, Sunny eyes enlarged a bit to realize where he was touching. He really didn't think of that, he just wanted to help. "I am so so sorry, it a misunderstanding, I just wanted to help clean up the coffee on you, please understand Miss, I really am sorry. How can I make it up for you?"

Calmed down a bit, Charmaine know he didn't mean it, "I am fine just don't come near me." She stormed off and continues to look for room 355. Charmaine sighed with eyes on her dress, this is it for her first impression for the interviewer. But this is definitely not a chance that she is willing to give up, so she decide to interview anyway, might as will try.

Seeing her stormed away with frustration, Sunny let out a slight chuckle, he never met anyone quite like Charmaine. He looked at himself and shakes his head to see his suit with coffee stain.
----------

Dave just got Annie to the front of the company and he turned into the driveway to drop Annie off. Annie felt something is just not right today, she felt like someone is following her the entire time since she step out of the mansion. Feeling uneasy like someone is watching her, Annie uncertainly asked her driver, "Dave did you notice anyone following us while you were driving?"

Looked around, Dave thought everything looked normal, "No, Miss Annie what's the matter?"

Something is definitely not right, Annie gut feeling tell her. She had a very strong feeling of being watched. Weakly, Annie brushed the thought away, "I guess I am okay, it might be because I didn't have enough sleep, I am fine." She opens her walking stick to get ready while Dave step out to open the door for her.

"Miss Annie, will you need me to go with you?" offered Dave.

Annie shake her head, "I will be fine by myself. This is just daddy's company. I know my way around and most of the people know me anyway."

Dave nodded, "Alright than Miss Annie, I'll wait here for you."

Manipulated her walking stick to guide the way, Annie heads to the glass-rotating door. She walked in and keep walking straight counting the step she took, she know that it took a hundred and fifty three steps to reach the elevator. She got there with no problem. Patiently, Annie felt the two buttons on the wall and pressed the top one to go up. Waited for a ding sound to inform her that the elevator has arrive, Annie felt proud of herself for being able to make her own way to meet Charmaine. When she heard the elevator door slide open, Annie walked in slowly and didn't notice that there was a guy standing in there. Very slow and patient, Annie tries to felt the buttons and find number 35.

The guy in the elevator eyes her behavior and notice that she is blind. Thinking that she probably needed help, he offered with a friendly smile, "What floor do you need? I can help you get it."

Startled by him, Annie turned around toward his voice smiling sweetly in his voice direction. She didn't wanted help, she know she can do it herself, all she needed to do is count 18 button above the button with an arrow engraved to indicate it being an open button. "No, I should be able to do it myself. Could you please spare me a bit of time?" Annie requested with her bright charming smile toward the young gentleman.

Liking her independent attitude, the male nodded. He just realizes that she couldn't see his body language so he speak up, "Sure, just take your time, I'm not in a hurry." He watches Annie manipulating her fingers to feel for the open arrow.

At the moment, Michelle stepped into the elevator. Seeing her cousin Annie, just bring Michelle a hint of disgust. She is never fond of Annie, cause deep down she is jealous of Annie being so cared for and loved by everyone around her. Michelle purposely clearing her throats to signal Annie to move out of her way. The guy saw her attitude and wonders whose she is to act like this. "Move away!" Michelle finally speaks her mind, since Annie didn't get her hint.

Slowly backed off, Annie recognizes it was her cousin Michelle voice. She gave Michelle a friendly smile, "Hi, Michelle are you here to see Sunny?" The guy was curious that this blind girl know his friend Sunny. Ignoring Annie, Michelle just pressed number 35. Annie sighed and knows that Michelle never listens to her anyway. "Michelle did you press number 35 already?" Annie asked with gentle voice, cause she still respect Michelle as her older cousin.

The handsome guy still eyes are on Michelle, he disapprove of her rudeness for not answering to this sweet blinds girl question. Meanwhile Annie saddens a bit and went to the set of buttons to try finding number 35 again.

Seeing that Michelle has already press the button, Frankie kindly informed Annie, "Miss number 35 is press already." He kept a friendly smile on Annie.

Smiled in relieve, Annie said, "Thanks you so much!" She stands silently as the elevator move up. Seeing Annie uniqueness, the guy can't take his eyes off of this sweet and innocent girl, he kept wondering who she is and is she related to that rude girl that is obviously ignoring her. Michelle just rolled her eyes at the sight of Annie. When the elevator door open Annie knows that it was her floor cause she been counting the beep of each floor the elevator passed.

Annie carefully moved her walking stick to guide her out, but Michelle rudely bump into her to walk out first. Annie was about to fall but the gentleman caught her in time. Annie got herself up again and away from his arm. The guy quickly pressed the open button to keep the door open for Annie. "Thank you again," Annie said to him before she step out.

"No need. I'm Frankie Chu (Frankie Lam), what's your name?" his kind voice asked, than he curiously asked, "Who is that girl that you were talking to? She is very rude to you."

Smiled weakly, Annie replied, "She is my older cousin. And my name is Annie, nice meeting you. I better get going. Someone is waiting for me. Bye," Annie turn around and headed out of the elevator, Frankie watch her as the elevator door close and continue to move up to the floor he is going.

With her walking stick, Annie walked straight and heard Michelle talking to the receptionist so she stand behind waiting patiently for her turn.

The receptionist that helped Charmaine earlier is now smiling widely when she saw Michelle. In a cheerful voice willing to help no matter what, she greeted Michelle, "Miss Lam, how may I help you?"

With usual cold and emotionless voice, Michelle asked, "Is Sunny in today?"

Keeping her smile, the receptionist nodded like a wagging dog, "He is, Miss Lam. But he is interviewing at this moment! Would you want to go into his office and wait for him?"

"No, just give this to him," Michelle handed her a letter and walked toward the elevator again giving Annie a disgusted look.

"I will don't worry, have a nice day Miss Lam," said the receptionist. Then she saw Annie standing there and notice that she was blind. Because Annie don't go down to Sunny floor much so this receptionist didn't know who she is. So she quickly put away her cheerful expression when she saw this blind girl in front of her. She used the same voice she use with Charmaine to talk to Annie, "How can I help you?"

Cheerfully, Annie told her, "I am looking for Sunny, but since he is busy can you show me where they interview for the commercial?" The receptionist looked at Annie in disbelief, she thought that Annie is here for the interview too. At this moment Kenix is walking toward them and she was happy to see Annie.

With a rude chuckle, the receptionist replied to Annie question, "Don't tell me you are here for the interview too? And that is Mr. Lam for you, not Sunny. The room is at..."

After hearing her tone, Annie felt hurt and sadden but also angry at this lady. Kenix heard the entire thing the receptionist was saying and she snapped at her immediately, "How dare you talk to her like this?!"

Smile weakly, the receptionist tries to cover up, "Miss Kwok, I was..."

"Do you have any idea who she is?!" Kenix scolded, "She can have you fired just at this second!" The receptionist looked at Annie in confusion. "If you haven't been blinded by your rude manner, you should of recognize her as the youngest daughter of Mr. Howard Lam, our boss!! Apologize to her now!"

Shocked, the receptionist shakily walked out of her desk and went toward Annie holding to her hands, "I'm sorry, I didn't know, I am very sorry..."

Withdraw her hand from the rude female, Annie muttered, "Don't touch me. Just go back to your things. I don't want to hear from you! And how I call my cousin is none of your business."

"I am sorry, I'll go do my thing now, sorry," the receptionist shakily walked back to her desk.

"Don't you treat anyone that rude again, you hear me?" warned Kenix.

"I know, I won't Ms Kwok."

Kenix gave the receptionist a cold glare before she let the matter rest. She walked Annie to the sofa, "Annie, are you on the wrong floor? Your daddy and Gallen office are not at this floor, this floor is Sunny."

Smiled sweetly again, Annie is so happy that Kenix is here and stands up for her. She uses to go shopping with Kenix, Flora, and Maggie a lot. She does missed those happy days, "Kenix I am so glad you are here! I missed you, we should of go out shopping more. Or you should come over for dinner more often. Anyway I am not here to see daddy nor Gallen."

"So you are here to see Sunny than?" Kenix asked with puzzle to why.

Stand back up, Annie shake her head, "No, actually I am here to support my friend, she came here to try out for the commercial position. I am sorry I need to get to her, cause I am really late already, I bet she is mad at me. Do you know where the interview is held?"

"Of course," Kenix got up to guide Annie, "I help with the project too. Why don't I walk you over? What's your friend name?"

"Charmaine Kwan, she is really interested in this job, do you think you could help? Are you busy though?" Annie considerately asked.

Grinned, Kenix joked, "That's why I wanted to walk you, so I can be a bit lazy for a while! As for helping your friend, I don't think I could do much. You know Sunny, he is strict about work. Come on lets get you to your friend." Annie giggled with her knowing nod. Kenix walked her to the waiting room for the interview. Charmaine saw Annie and happily jumped up and walked to her. Kenix giggled as she saw Charmaine with the coffee stain. "So you must be Charmaine, Annie told me you are here for the interview," Kenix looked at Charmaine condition, "What happen? Are you okay?"

"It's a long story. Yes, I am Charmaine Kwan and you are?" with bright smile, Charmaine place her hand out for a shake.

Accepted her shake, Kenix smile warmly to welcome her, "I am Kenix Kwok, the management assistant of this project. Don't worry about your dress, Sunny is a very nice person, he will understand." She winked at Charmaine making Charmaine smile in relief.

Annie was confused on what they were talking about, "What's wrong with your dress Charmaine?"

"Okay, I need to go back up to my office and work on the project, so you two have fun. Charmaine good luck! Annie I'll see you around okay?"

"Okay, bye," Annie replied before she turn to her best friend, "Charmaine what happen?" Charmaine explain everything to Annie about the cold and harsh receptionist and the clumsy guy who got her dress all stained. "I am so sorry Charmaine, are you okay though?"

"Yeah, hopefully that's the end of my bad luck. It's seem like it the end cause I was late, but the interviewer was also late, so that is good!" chuckled Charmaine.

Annie is a bit surprised cause Sunny is never late, "What? Sunny was late? Hmm...what is wrong, he never late. Oh well, must be something important. Charmaine just calm down and I know you could do it!" Annie hugged her friend tightly and let go, Charmaine giggled at the imprint of coffee stain on Annie's Baby blue John Bartlett silk and cotton dress. "What so funny?" Annie asked cluelessly.

"I'm sorry, I got coffee stain on you too, but it imprinted very prettily like some kind of flower design. Annie thank you for being here, I am getting nervous, I don't know why but I felt very antsy! I just hope this can be over with soon." Then she turn her stare at Annie for answer, "Why did you overslept today?!" Charmaine sounding a bit mad, but in a playful way.

Yawned, Annie thinks of her nice and comfy bed that she could still sleep in at this moment. "It's all your brother fault. I stayed up really late to read his story last night, I don't even know what time it was when I slept. But I think I am getting a hang on the reading."

Remember Benny waking her up on Sunday night to get one of her story, Charmaine nodded, "Oh, so Benny borrowed the story to translate it to you, no wonder I keep hearing the pounding sound the entire night that waked me a couple times."

"You wrote the story?" Annie asked with amazement.

"Yup! Six years ago," Charmaine proudly answered.

"Wow... I love the story Charmaine! You should go into writing instead of acting. I should off know that Benny is not that creative, he is a turtle, how could he think fast and creatively?" joked Annie with chuckling sound.

Chuckling, Charmaine felt a bit more relaxed, "Yeah, I think of writing as my second career. But right now acting is what my dream is." Charmaine looked at Annie mischievously, "Don't you think Benny is thoughtful and sensitive to you, it only to you, he pretty mean and joke with other." Charmaine looked toward the interview room, "I hope it's my turn soon." She saw a supermodel sitting a few chair away, "Oh looks it's Kara Ling the supermodel, and she is here for the interview too. Oh no I am not going to stand a chance at all! Annie what am I going to do? Ah can she go elsewhere and let the new people have a chance!"

Laughed at Charmaine over reacting, Annie said, "Calm down Charm. It's okay, Gallen told me they are looking for new and fresh people for the commercial, so don't worry." Annie located and pulled on Charmaine hand, "Come on have some fate in yourself! If you can write that good, you can do anything!"

The door to the meeting room open and one of the new model walked out smiling happily while Sunny's secretary stand up and read the next name to enter the room. Charmaine eyes her impatiently. "Charmaine Kwan?" called the secretary. Charmaine stands up immediately with anxiety growing. The secretary saw her with the stained dress, but she kept her friendly smile on, "Please come this way Miss Kwan."

Turn to hug Annie again for courage, Charmaine nervously said, "Annie keep your finger cross, cause I could be a star any minute now! You wait here for me okay?" She let go of Annie and followed the secretary into the meeting room. Annie was happy and excited for Charmaine as she sat there waiting for her, she really crossed her finger the entire time.

Walked into the huge room, Charmaine was amaze by the design and luxurious sofa and table. Than a man behind the desk facing the outside view of the city turn around as the secretary walked out and close the door. Charmaine was speechless cause it was the same guy that bumped into her earlier, the one that she yelled at. She felt her knee weaken as the man look at her with a grin and a slight chuckle. "Please have a sit, Miss Kwan right?" he told her.

Charmaine took the sit in front of him slowly as she try to force her leg to walk toward the chair, after she manage to sit down she just stared at him in disbelief. "Umm...a...ye..s..yes, I am Charmaine Kwan," she nervously mumbled.

Smile sincerely, Sunny tries to ease her fear, "No need to be so nervous, I just need to ask you a couple simple questions. By the way, sorry about this morning, I ruin your dress huh? I could pay you back, since it is my fault."

Felt relief to know that he is so understanding and nice, Charmaine smiled sweetly, "It's okay, it's partly my fault too. Sorry for being so rude." Her cheek blushed in embarrassment, Sunny see the light red tint on her face and it was cute and beautiful. Charmaine observe Sunny feature and friendly attitude, there is no way she could make a connection between Sunny and her goofy best friend Julian as brother.

Sunny laughed, "Lets just say we meet each other very oddly. I am not mad, it's my fault, but you must understand I was just trying to help, I really didn't think about what I was doing, sorry. Maybe we should just leave that subject alone."

Showed him a sparkling smile, Charmaine offer her hand, "Let me introduce myself again. Hi, I am Charmaine Kwan! Nice to meet you Mr. Lam."

Smiling, Sunny think that she is very interesting unlike most other women, he took her hand and shakes firmly, "You can just call me Sunny. It's too formal to call me Mr. Lam, plus it could get confusing in this company." He chuckled. "Now that I meet the prettier side of you let start the interview."

Laughed, Charmaine nodded, "Sure, bring it on!"

Sunny asked the simple questions he asked everyone and ended his interview with Charmaine in fifteen minutes. Standing up, he walked Charmaine to the door, "Great meeting you Miss Kwan. We will decide and send you a letter when we have chosen. Hope you have a nice day."

Charmaine smile and walked out to Annie, Annie nudged Charmaine to spill everything on the interview out. Charmaine told Annie that Sunny is the guy that bumped into her this morning. Annie grinned dreamily, "Charmaine it fate! I can see it now, you will get the part and slowly fall in love with Sunny and than marry him." She giggled as she imagines Charmaine and Sunny wedding, but like always Annie couldn't see feature of faces.

Charmaine wrapped her arm around Annie and walked her out to find an elevator, "Annie did the result of your exam show up? Showing your brain problem getting worse, that must be it or else you wouldn't get all these crazy idea! Anyway lets go out and eat, it my treat!" They are at the elevator now and Charmaine push the buttons to go down.

Smile and excited, Annie wanted to go too, "Charm, can we visit my daddy and gor first, since we are here anyway?"

"Of course, lets go! Maybe we can talk your brother into treating us out," joked Charmaine as she press the up button now.

The receptionist saw Annie and walked toward her. "Miss Annie, have a nice day!" greeted the lady. Annie ignores her and got on the elevator with Charmaine and heading to her dad and Gallen office.

The elevator arrived and they walked out, the receptionist of that floor greeted Annie and Charmaine warmly and show them to Howard office. Charmaine and Annie enter the office and Howard was surprise to see them. "Annie, are you here to cause trouble?" the father looked at her suspiciously.

Wrapped her arms around her dad right arm, Annie shake her head proudly, "Nope! I've been a good girl today, I just came to support Charmaine and we are about to go. But I thought it would be nice to drop by and say hi." She pouted childishly toward Howard, "But noooo... Daddy has to think that I came to cause problem or want something!" Charmaine giggled at Annie childish behavior around her dad. The sight of them, made her wishes that her father is still alive.

Howard patted Annie head, which is leaning on his shoulder, "How sweet of my daughter. Your mom is right, you are getting good with sweet talking. Okay, it's my fault to jump into conclusion, will my little princess smile now?"

Annie felt embarrassed for her dad calling her princess in front of Charmaine. "Daddy, I'm 22 already...I'll be 23 soon too," whined Annie.

Laughed happily, Howard stated, "So?! You still act like the same five years old that use to come to me and hugged my leg every time I come home."

"DADDY!" warned Annie with her pouted.

Nodded his head, Howard surrender, "Okay okay, I won't embarrass you in front of Charmaine." He turns his attention to Charmaine dress, "What happen to you two?"

Laughed, Annie explained, "Sunny spill coffee all over her and she got it on me when I hug her. Daddy do Charmaine and Sunny match up perfectly?" Annie curiously asked for opinion, since she can't visualize them.

Charmaine blushed a bit, she can't belief that Annie is actually asking her dad this. "Annie!" she warned.

Smiled warmly, Howard teased, "Umm...they do look great together huh?" He tries to play along with his daughter, but he could see Charmaine blushed like a tomatoes. "I think that's enough teasing Annie. I told you that you came for trouble." Howard turn to Charmaine with a fatherly smile, "So how is the interview Charmaine?"

Smile kindly, Charmaine shrugged, "I think it went okay, I won't know yet until Sunny mail me a letter."

"I bet she will get it daddy! Anyway we are going to lunch, do you want to join us?" asked Annie.

Howard looked into his daughter cherish able face, "No honey, I have a meeting in fifteen minute, so you two go have fun and be careful. Is Dave downstairs to take care of you two?"

"Yeah," Annie curiously asked, "Where is Gor?"

"He is busy with the Chan's project, I think he went to the construction area." Howard smiled, "Charmaine help me take care of this silly child."

Smiled cheerfully, Charmaine chuckle, "I will, don't worry Uncle Howard! Come on Annie let go I am starving. How sushi sounds?" Howard smiles as the two got out of his office and headed out.

Frankie just stepped out of Kenix office and saw Annie again, he was somehow very interested in Annie identities and her personality. He heard the people calling her Miss Lam, and that make him even more confuse. He asked his friend Kenix, "Who is she?"

Surprise that he asked, Kenix kept her friendly smile, "She is Annie, Gallen youngest sister. You haven't met her?" Frankie shake his head while his eyes followed Annie. Kenix smile at him with suspicion, "Why is my friend so curious? Do you want me to introduce you to her? She is very cute and sweet too."

Staring at Annie disappearing into the elevator, Frankie answered Kenix without noticing, "I know she is."

Chuckled at his answer Kenix questioned back, "You do, do you? If you want to meet her, it's very easy. Gallen is a good friend of yours and so is your family with the Lam's family."

Frankie laughed, "Kenix, where are you heading? And if I do court her, I shouldn't have to use family relationship. Anyway see you around I'm going back to my company, bye."

Howard walked toward Kenix cause he saw how Frankie looked at Annie. Curiously, Howard asked, "Kenix what did Frankie ask you about?"

Smiled, Kenix know what Howard has in mind, "He just wondering who Annie is."

"Did he?" Howard said pleasingly, "Hmm...do you think he has interest in Annie?"

Didn't know how to answer the question, Kenix chuckled instead, "I am not sure, but it seem like he have a very good impression of Annie."

"Good, it will be great if he like Annie. He is a very good and honest boy, he would know how to take care of Annie too," Howard stated with a hopeful smile and walked to the meeting room. Kenix smile and think that Frankie is prefect for Annie too.

Meanwhile Annie and Charmaine just got down to the main floor and walked out to Dave car. Annie felt the uncomfortable feeling again, just like this morning. She wrap her arm tightly around Charmaine and turned her ears as she thought she hear clicking noise. Worriedly, Annie asked feeling a bit uncomfortable, "Charmaine did you see anyone following us, walked by?"

Looked around, Charmaine sarcastically answered, "Yeah, they are everywhere!" she giggled, "Annie this is the street and around business center, of course there is many people walking in and out, stop being silly." Annie sighed and Charmaine guided her into the car and Dave drove them to a sushi bar. Somehow Annie kept on having this weird feeling of being watch, so she told Charmaine she wanted to go home right after the lunch.
******

[Paradise]

Yak, you been doing a very good job. I am very impress by the quick updates and the content of the story. Keep it up, I am waiting for your update now.

[Yak]

Paradise: Thanks for leaving me a message to let me know you are reading. And if you have any suggestion, please feel free to tell me! I really want to make my story better

[Yak]

Addicted to reading the Braille translation of "When the Sun Rise Again", Annie still hasn't takes a wink of sleep. She has been reading since eleven at night, and it's now almost five in the morning. But Annie has lost the sense of time because all she wanted is to get the story finish so her heart can settle with an ending.

Fearing that her family will notice that she still hasn't sleep, Annie is extra sneaky trying to not make any sound to bring attention. She lies on her belly with her blanket covering over her head, while her legs are stick out resting on her pillows by the headboard. Hided inside her blanket to muffle out her voice, Annie cupped her cheek with her left hand while she read the story softly with her right fingers running through the bumps.

Annie read with a sad frown of depression, "With wagered heart, Jake slowly carry Liz up the mountain following the endless trail that seem like eternality. He felt her being weaker as his step became stiffen with fear. Jake gazed down on his fiancée pale cheek seeing a trace of tears rolling off. He didn't dare to comfort cause there is nothing he could promise. All he could do now is to keep walking and help her finish her last wish. His heart heavy with regrets that he has dragged on marrying her, now he has lost his chance to keep his promise."

Sighed, Annie continued reading in her soft gloomy voice, "Jake finally reaches the top of the mountain where he could see the calm valley beneath. He sat himself down while cuddled Liz tightly in his arm. Liz opens her eyes weakly and smiles at him lovingly with eyes that tell him to not cry for her. They are both speechless as they waited for the sun to rise again. Tears that were kept in Jake eyes can no longer hold back as it drops onto Liz face. Liz felt the pain in his and her own heart, she try to reach her hand up to wipe the tears away from Jake eyes, but her hand dropped back down when it was half way. Her eyes closed and that was the last time she will ever see Jake again."

Sniffed, Annie slightly pouted with sadness while she continues to read, "Jake was heartbroken to see his dream and love shattered in front of him. When the beautiful large orange sun come up with it warm radiant ray, he looked at it and weakly smile. His voice was deepen by tear as he gazed down at Liz and said, "Liz the sun is up to take you away to a much more beautiful place to wait for me. You must remember to wait for me. I will join you when my time come. As for now to then, I will always love you as if you are here next to me. So please remember to wait for me. When the sun warmly hit me I'll know that it was you who comforting me with your warmth. He bends down to kiss her forehead and tears rolled onto Liz eyes. The end."

After knowing the touching but sad ending, Annie no longer want to sleep. She was hoping for a happy ending, like how she has believes the world around her are. From the story description of that meaningful mountain of Liz and Jake, Annie has an urge to hike up a mountain and feel the sunrise like in the story. Excited at the thought, the first person Annie thinks of is Benny, who should be nice enough to take her there. She smiled happily and quickly lies in bed trying to fall asleep so she can ask Benny for the favor in the morning.

Annie toss and turn as she wish that tomorrow can come faster so she can get the question off her chest. Finally she couldn't take it any longer, so she decides to call Benny now. Got up to pick up her phone on the nightstand, Annie used the voice-activating program to dial Benny cellular phone. Waited impatiently, Annie excitedly waits for Benny to pick up the phone and end her agony.

Drowsily asleep, Benny was startle by the ringing phone, but he was too sleepy to pick it up so he cover his head with the blanket as the ring keep ringing cause Annie is not going to give up that easily. Benny had enough, so he rolled out of bed to pick it up, he would yell at the person if he finds out that it's a wrong number. "Hello!" he crankily answered with eyes that are closed.

Benny voice brings joy to Annie smile. She anxiously said, "Sorry Benny, but I have to ask you a question before I can sleep."

Surprised that it was Annie, Benny expression show confusion too. He asked in concern, "Annie did you know that is about five in the morning? Why did you wake up so early?"

"What! It's five?" Annie questioned back with shock, "I haven't slept yet. But anyway I want to...."

"What!" interrupted Benny with disbelieve. He begin to scold, "You haven't slept yet?! Are you crazy? Go back to sleep now so I can sleep too, don't your parents make you sleep?"

Chuckled at him, Annie stated, "How can they, if they don't even know that I am a wake? Anyway can I ask my question now so I can sleep?"

"What so important that kept you up and wake me up?"

Smile cheerfully, Annie hope Benny is willing to take her, "Benny can you take me up the mountain to see a sunrise?"

"Why?" asked Benny as he yawned and rubbed his tired face, "And how can you see?"

A bit offended Annie flatly muttered, "I mean you describe to me. Why would I want you to go if I could see? I told you, you are a turtle, come on get with the program here!"

"But why you want me to describe the sunrise to you on a mountain? I could describe it now. We don't need to go. It'll save us time and energy," Benny sleepily said.

Frowned, Annie murmured, "But it won't be the same. I want to experience a sunrise. You know, I want to feel it!"

Heard Annie voice really wanted to go, Benny heart softened. He sighed at himself for being so weak, "Okay I'll take you, but how are you going to go? Don't you need to be home at a certain time?"

"Great!" shouted Annie over the phone, she is delighted to know that Benny is taking her. "Don't worry today is Friday I can ask my parent to let me sleep over at uncle Bobby, they usually agree. Than instead of going to uncle Bobby, you will take me to the mountaintop!"

Eyes widened, Benny finally understand her intension fully, "You mean, we are spending the entire night up there to see the stupid sunrise!"

Pouted at Benny hasty tone, Annie mumbled, "What so big of a deal? Benny Kwan, you promise to take me... If we don't spend the night up there how am I suppose to go? I can't sleep at uncle Bobby and left, they will tell my parent. It's better if my parent thought I am with uncle Bobby and uncle Bobby thought I am home. Are you getting that?" Annie soften her voice to a plead, "Come on Benny, we are friend right? Friend supposes to help each other right? I'll help you if you need me, so why can't you just take me to see the sunrise? It's not too much to ask for right?"

Sighed with shacking shoulder, Benny nodded, "Alright, I'll go buy some flashlights and pack something to bring along. Now can I sleep?!"

Satisfy and joyful, Annie chuckle happily, "Thank you Benny, I love you so much!! Okay goodnight, I'm so sleepy too! But do come early in the morning okay, cause I want to get the day started."

Annie hung up, leaving Benny over shocked on the 'I love you so much' part. He is now alert and happy with a wide smile showing up on his face. Now it was his turn having trouble sleeping. He kept tossing and turning with his mind kept replaying Annie's 'I love you'. Benny knows that she meant it in a friendly way, but somehow it still made him happy and cheerful.
----------

Everything went the way they planned. After Annie spend the time at Bobby's cafe, Benny told them that he will take Annie home so she can practice with taking a bus. Both Annie and Benny told Bowie that they can do it themselves, so Bowie can go home early. Bowie agreed thinking that it's a great chance for them to get along, since he will have to leave Annie to Benny in two more weeks.

Benny and Annie happily continue with their plan, but since it still pretty early they decide to eat dinner and go to a movie before walking up the mountain, since they will have the whole night of time to hike up anyway. They are now at the movie theater watching a comedy. Of course Annie could only listen to the movie as Benny describe what happening in the movie to her.
Benny continue to describe every single detail and it start to annoy all the audience around them, cause they just want to enjoy the movie without this two little pests kept talking and laughing to each other. Finally the movie theater's manager appears in front of them with a flashlight on them. Benny looked up and saw the people staring at him and Annie angrily, he felt guilty and embarrass. He hold Annie arm to signal her to stand up and walk out.

"What's wrong Benny? The movie is not done yet," Annie said, she is oblivious to the situation.

Walking out with Annie, Benny tries to not look at anyone eyes cause he felt bad. "Come on Annie, I think we need to go, I'll explain later," he told her. Annie listen and followed him out, she could heard that something is wrong in his voice. The manager shows them the way out and gave Benny a cold stare.

After the manager left them alone, Benny chuckled, "I think we annoyed everyone when we talk. Oh well, lets start heading up the mountain, it about ten anyway."

"Okay lets go!" Annie excitedly dragged on his arm like a child. She waves her hand for a taxi like how she was taught. Benny smiles sweetly at her sweet nature and helped her get a taxi. They got on and ride up to the foothill of the mountain where they going to hike up. Benny got out of the taxi and put his backpack on than he help Annie out. He guided Annie to the trail.

Annie was excited and happy, she never get to go out this late at night before. The entire day with Benny has been a treat for her, and she is growing fond of Benny being her friend. Hiking up, they chatted about the movie and the story Annie finished reading.

At about half way both of them are starting to wear out and tired. Annie stopped and sat down on a rock to rest. She smile evilly and held her hand out like how she signal Raymond to piggy back her.

Saw her cute smile and her arm held out, Benny know what she wanted. He laughed hysterically, "No way, Annie. I'm not your brother! I am so tired myself. Beside you are the one who wanted to hike, so hike."

Pouted purposely, Annie started on her manipulating plan, "But aren't you my best friend?" She kept her arm out in hope.

Laughed, Benny shakes his head at her, "That is not going to work this time. I'm no fool. Beside, you are not a child anymore. Don't you think it silly to have someone piggyback you?"

Shaking her head, Annie give him a puppy face, "Please...please... I am tired and sleepy. I read too late last night. Come on you are older than me, you suppose to take care of me. Please! I know you are a great friend." She childishly flattened her lip. "I'll piggyback you next time when you are tired too," offered Annie with a sweet smile.

Shinning his flashlight on Annie face, Benny sighed with his eyes rolled up. How could he not say yes to her? "Alright, just this time, and you promise to piggyback me later!" Benny reminded.

Jumped up, Annie held her arms out toward Benny direction. "I love you, Benny! I know you are a great reliable friend! Come on lets get going! Benny is the sun going to rise soon?" Annie babbled.

A sweet smile shadowed Benny cheek when he heard that phase from her again. He will never get tired of Annie saying, 'I love you' even if it just a friend base meaning. He chuckled at her impatient, "Not for another six hours. Hold on you need to carry the backpack and hold onto the flashlight for me." He places the flashlight into Annie hand and took his backpack off to put it on Annie back.

The backpack was kind of heavy so Annie jerked back a little but Benny hold her still and laughed at her for being so weightless. "What you have in it? It weight like a ton!" complained Annie.

"It's not the backpack fault, it's just that you are so weak," teased Benny. "I packed a blanket, water, food, and some other things in case we get injured or lost."

"Are we going to a picnic?" giggle Annie, "Why would we need food, and blanket?"

Guided her to sit down, Benny bend down in front of her and grabs her arms to wrap around his neck before he hold both her legs tightly and pushed himself up piggybacking Annie. "You will know why later. Gosh, you are heavy!" whined Benny.

"No I am not, it your back pack!" defended Annie with a gentle whack of his head with the flashlight.

"Ouch...you want me to drop you?" Benny threatened.

"You wouldn't dare!" Annie knowingly stated with her laughter.

"Try hitting me again to find out!" Benny said.

Giggling, Annie playfully answered, "Okay." She whacked him again.

"You!"

Laughing, Annie ordered, "Come on, lets go horses!"

Sighed, Benny knows it's pointless to argue with her. "Hold the flashlight ahead so I can see the way," he instructed. Annie did as he said.

Benny piggybacked her as they talk about anything that comes to mind. Annie yawned and the flashlight moved to the right. Benny shrugged to the left trying to get Annie attention, "Annie straight ahead, and don't you fall asleep on me!" he warned.

Yawning, Annie digs her head on Benny shoulder comfortably, "I am so sleepy, why don't you sing a song or something to keep me awake..."

Laughing in disbelieve, Benny complained, "Are you asking a bit too much here princess?! First you want me to take you up here and then you want me to piggyback you and now you want me to sing? What's next? Rock you to sleep?"

Sleepily with her shuts eyes, Annie chuckled softly, "That sound good." She snuggled on him, "Come on last request...I will stay awake if you would sing...." She begins to dose off and the flashlight is shinning on the side instead of ahead.

Turned to his right, Benny tries to get a glimpse of Annie from the corner of his eye, "Keep the flashlight ahead Annie. Wake up or I'll drop you!" Benny threatened. Annie didn't response, instead she grinned knowing that he wouldn't be that mean. Benny sighed at himself, "Okay I will sing, what do you want me to sing?"

Lifted her head up, Annie kept the flashlight ahead while she try to think of what Benny should sing. "What about 'Paint My Love'?" requested Annie.

Benny refused with shaking head, "No, that is a love song."

Pouted with disappointment, Annie rested her head on the back of his head. "So? Most of the songs are love song anyway, and I like this one, come on...I'll sing with you!" suggested Annie.

Shaking his head, Benny hesitatingly agreed, "I can't believe I am agreeing to do this, you better sing with me."

Smiling warmly, Annie closes her eyes. She softly promised, "I will..."

Cleared his throat to sing, Benny paused, "How does it go again?"

Hummed a little, Annie started to sing, "From my youngest years... till this moment here..." Annie paused to question Benny, "Benny are you going to sing are not?"

Benny was silent cause he wanted to listen to her. "You sing pretty good, okay I will start, but you come in okay?" he told her.

"Yeah, yeah..." murmured Annie, she wasn't listening all she wanted is to sleep.

Cleared his throats again, Benny begin, "From my youngest years, till this moment here... I've never seen such a lovely queen... From the skies above to the deepest love... I've never felt crazy like this before..."

Annie smiled sweetly as she listen to Benny sing her favorite song. With the sweet voice of Benny, Annie slowly closed her eyes and fallen asleep. She manages to keep the flashlight on top of Benny head, so it will shin ahead.

"Annie are you asleep?" Benny asked after hearing no sound for so long. He could hear Annie soft breathing sound, so he knows that she slept already. The flashlight is shinning a bit off, but he still manages to see the way. He continues hiking up and started singing the song over and over to keep himself company.

"From my youngest years, till this moment here
I've never seen such a lovely queen
From the skies above to the deepest love
I've never felt crazy like this before

Paint my love you should paint my love
It's the picture of a thousand sunsets
It's the freedom of a thousand doves
Baby you should paint my love

Been around the world, then I met you girl
It's like coming home to a place I've known

Paint my love you should paint my love
It's the picture of a thousand sunsets
It's the freedom of a thousand doves
Baby you should paint my love

Since you came into my life
The days before all fade to black and white
Since you came into my life
Everything has changed..."
(Michael Learns To Rock)

Benny smiled sweetly at the last two line and happily move on. Finally reached the top of the mountain, he shrugged to nudge Annie. "Annie we are here, wake up," he moved and jumped a bit to shake Annie up.

Yawned, Annie opens her eyes. "Why did you stop singing?" she asked foggy mindedly.

Bended down, Benny let her down while he said, "We are here so get off me, so I can stretch." Annie got off and stretch herself beside Benny. "It's only two fifteen so we still have at least three more hours." He hold Annie arm and guide her to sit down on the large flat rock facing the city light. Annie was still sleepy so she sat down and rests her chin on her two palms. "The city lights are beautiful from up here," stated Benny after a deep breath of fresh mountain air.

"Can you describe it to me?" Annie sleepily requested.

Benny settles down beside her and turns off the flashlight. "The surrounding is very dark, but there are many stars twinkling above and colorful light shining from the city. I could actually see the street full of light and tall building glow with reams of light," described Benny. Annie fallen asleep and jerked up as her head rolled off her hands. Benny continue, "And you can see...."

Yawned and stretching her neck, Annie suddenly interrupted, "Benny can I borrow your shoulder? I'm sleepy..."

Stopped his description, Benny looked at her with a friendly nod, "Sure." Annie lays her head on Benny shoulder to sleep. Benny smiles as he looked at the city light and wait for the sun to rise. "It's such a beautiful night, too bad you couldn't see it," he looked over at Annie sadly. But a smile unknowingly glows on him warmly from his heart when he saw Annie sleeping on his shoulder peacefully with a charming smile. Slowly, Benny turn his head to his left where Annie head lies, he leaned in to give her a gentle kissed on the forehead. His heart beaten wildly with his smile widen in joy, at that moment he know that he has developed more than a mentor to student relationship with Annie.

Seeing Annie slightly shivering, Benny pulled the blanket from his backpack and cover both of them up to keep them both warm and cozy. He lean his head on her and smile sweetly as he dozed off too. Both of them slept peacefully and quietly throughout the night. They didn't even notice when the sun come up already.

The warm sunray shinning on Annie face has slowly woken her up. She yawned as she rubs her eyes. With her sleepy mind, she thought that she is at home, so she moved thinking of getting off her bed. But instead she slides off of the rock and fallen on the ground. "Ow..." she slightly murmured with confusion. Hearing her voice, Benny wake up quickly. Annie finally remembered where she was, she quickly stand herself up alertly, "Benny is the sun up yet?!"

Seeing the big round sun shinning on them from above, Benny felt sorry that they missed it and decide to lie to Annie, "No, but it's coming. I saw the faint light shining from the horizon."

Annie could feel the hot sun on her already, so she knows that Benny is lying, but she plan to play along, "Really? Why don't you describe everything to me?"

Giving an awkward smile, Benny felt bad for lying, but he doesn't want to disappoint her. "Okay, the sun is slowly moving up the horizon making the dark blue colors of night slowly turn into beautiful color of red, blue, orange, and purple." Annie giggled, while Benny continues imagining things, "The sun is coming up and it huge and enormous just like a big orange beach ball. Can you feel it Annie?"

Laughed, Annie nodded happily, "Yeah, on top of my head!" Benny looked down. Annie swings her arm around his shoulder, "Thanks anyway! I have fun! Lets go back down now. I could treat you out for breakfast if you want? Or is it lunch?" She stands up waiting for Benny to guide her.

Stretched, Benny yawned, "I am so tired, Annie you did say you will piggy back me right? How about now?"

Laughed with a 'yeah right' expression, Annie begin to run ahead where Benny guide her. "In your dream!" she shouted playfully. Benny chased her while she tries to run as fast as she could, but she tripped on a rock and fall. Benny squatted down to examine her. Her knee was slightly scraped with a trace of blood. Annie grinned at Benny cheerfully, "I guess you need to piggyback me down too!"

Benny is happy that she is okay. He sighed and screamed out toward the open sky, "WHY ME?! Hey Annie this is fun, why don't you try screaming. It's quite relaxing."

Got up, Annie screamed out loud, "BENNY IS A TURTLE!!" Benny looked at her with his eyes on her stilly. Annie could sense his stare, she giggled, "I don't know what to yell, and that came to mind." Annie reaches her hand out to locate his arm and nudged him, "Come on don't get mad. I'll treat you to lunch?" she smiles at him cheerfully making Benny smile back. Annie held both her arms out again, expecting a ride down.

Walked to the blanket, Benny stuff it backs into the backpack and pulled the bag of cookie out to munch. "You want some cookie?" he offered. Annie nod, so he put one in her hand. And put the backpack on her so he could piggyback her back down the mountain, while Annie munch on the bag of cookie. "Can you at least sing a song to me in repay?" Benny requested.

"You sing pretty good, why don't you continue?" suggested Annie.

Benny stopped, "I won't walk if you won't sing."

"Okay what do you want me to sing? I don't know a lot though."

Smiled, Benny start walking again, "How about 'I'll Be There For You'?"

"Sure I know that one," Annie hummed the melody and start.

"If I close my eyes forever
I know you'll be always there
Baby we will stay together
And this branded love we'll share
Even though you're not around me
Babe I know you're not apart

From a distance I am calling
And I'm sending you my heart
Baby all I gotta do now
Is to pray so please hold on

I'm saving all my love for you
Till you'll be coming home
I'll be there for you
To brighten up your eyes

To make you realize
When I look into the future
Baby all I see is you
I'll be there for you
That's all I wanna do

Yes we've been through good and bad times
And we know we had it all
There were storms we had to weather
We've been down this road before

As the world just keeps on turning
As the birds that fly so high
As the fire keep on burning
Our love will never die"
******

[Paradise]

It's been awhile since you update your story. I have been waiting for a while so I decide to write to you. I really miss reading your story so I hope you can update it soon.


-Paradise

[Yak]

Paradise: I'm sorry , I'll need more time to update the next chapter. My schedule is so tight this week, with two jobs to attend to including weekend work. It will only be this week, cause I'm covering for someone, who left for vacation. So probably by next Monday, I'll be able to update again. Thanks for your support and patient with my delay

[Yak]

A loud hissing sound of a bus alerted birds of this empty mountain to fled for live. Followed by the hissing sound was the yellow door of the minibus swing open letting its' passengers out. Only one passenger approached the exit with one hand holding a porn magazine. He has a round and rough looking body figure. Within his dull feature, only his pair of eye shows his expression of sharp coldness. He glanced a distance ahead before he walked off the bus. Hearing the bus driving away, the guy continues to walk toward his destination, which is deep into the forestry of the mountain.

"Brother Evergreen! I was searching for you for hours. Brother Eddy and brother Marco are waiting for us! Where did you go? Brother Eddy is not too happy about it," informed Roy, who is at the mouth of the trail. He is with Eddy's gang, same as Evergreen.

Ignoring Roy question, Evergreen increased his speed to catch up to Roy. He handed Roy the magazine in order to free his hand to pull out his pack of cigarette. Loosely holding a cigarette in between his lip, Evergreen murmured not wanting to drop his smoke, "What's the meeting for? Does brother Eddy has a plan against Cheapskate Joe? I want to get out of this crap as soon as possible!"

"No. But we have a new job brewing, come on hurry up!" Roy urged. They headed back to their old cabin that is located deep in Sky Swan Mountain.

Eddy and his gang have been hiding in this mountain for the past few days. They had tries to escape the notice of Cheapskate Joe's gang, since they didn't have the money to pay him back what they have borrowed. A month ago, Eddy has borrowed a large sum of money from Cheapskate Joe in order to purchase a large sum of drug, which will bring him ten times the profit. But sadly, during his drug dealing the police arrived to capture them.

Wise enough to escape the charge; Eddy had instructed Marco to dump all of the drugs into the ocean during the chase. Even though, Eddy doesn't need to face the police, since they don't have enough evident to charge him, but he still has to face the lost of the huge sum of money that must be repay on time with interest. He knows that Cheapskate Joe has sends out his followers to hunt them down for the money. Eddy also knows that Cheapskate Joe is definitely not a person to mess with, cause he is the most respected person of the underground society.

Eddy and his gang has try to reason with Cheapskate Joe to spare them couple more days and wanted to borrow another sum of money to try dealing drug again. But the old illegal-banker is not willing to risk his money on them again, and had demanded them to give him his money back in three days. That deadline was last Saturday. Since Eddy didn't had the money to pay back, he and his gang decided to fight back and try to kill Cheapskate Joe. That is the only way Eddy could think of to get Cheapskate Joe off their back, but the plan didn't end up the way he wanted. Instead of Cheapskate Joe, Eddy was the one who ends up in the emergency with half of his followers die that day. Angered by the police who causes him the problem today, Eddy Cheung had sworn that he will pay back the police for what they had cause him.


Running up to the faded wood of the cabin door, Evergreen knocked it three times firmly with a pause follow by two softer knocks. When the door open, he and Roy stepped in with interest to the gathering of their gang members, whose are around the old wooden table discussing something important.

With sharp disappointed eyes on Evergreen, Eddy muttered, "What had I said about showing yourself in public during this time period? Is my word no longer of importance?" Still wrapped with white dressing across his chest, Eddy stood up to yank the magazine from Roy and throw it out of the window. He glared at Evergreen warningly, "I'm not god. I can't save you from Joe and his gang every time! If you want your life, you better listen to my words and stay put." His voice was so solid and firm that it seem like it has the power to stop everyone from breathing.

Dropped his head slightly, Evergreen quietly murmured, "Sorry." Like every members of the gang, Evergreen highly respects Eddy. Cause Eddy had saved his life several times. "I was very..." he tries to explain.

"Enough," warned Eddy, who is more interested in Marco plan than Evergreen excuses. "Go on Marco," he insisted. Evergreen along with four more of Eddy followers waited for Marco to speaks.

Pulled a stack of photos out, Marco throws it onto their splintering old table. With alerted sharp eyes, Evergreen scans through the photos with curiosity. Seeing the young girl in all of the photos with creamy white skin and a beautiful innocent smile, made his heart stirred with desire. A slight grin show up on the corner of Evergreen mouth, he could kind of guess what Marco intention is since from the photos he could tell that the girl is from a rich background.

"Brother Eddy, she is the conclusion to our problem," Marco steady firm voice echoed into the silent cabin. Marco glanced at the table of pictures of the girl, who once called him hers big brother and had loved hanging out with him whenever his ex-girlfriend bring her along. With a bit of guilt lingering deep in his heart, Marco continues to plot out his plan to the rest, "She is the only one that could help get us out of our misery." Marco paused for a while. His expression shows no relief or excitement, cause he do care about her. But if he has to choose between her and his gang, he has no choice but to pick her as their target.

Evergreen stepped forward to pick up a photo with the close up of the girl. He grinned with satisfy that she will be their target. Knowing Evergreen too well, Marco took the photo from Evergreen and hand it to Eddy, while he continue, "She is Howard Lam's youngest daughter. Even though she is not mention much by magazines, she is definitely the precious gem of Howard Lam. I know that he love her the most and she is everything to hers entire family. She will be the perfect solution. If we can kidnap her, our problem will be solved."

Eyeing the photo with calculating eyes, Eddy is gaining interest, "Howard Lam as in the main shareholder of the Millennium Cooperation?"

With a smile, Marco nodded, "Yes, he is the one. Hong Kong's richest businessman."

"But wouldn't it be hard to kidnap her? Those rich folks must have bodyguard. And they will pay back if they find out who did it," one of the member concernedly inputted.

Slyly Marco shakes his head, "Actually, she is the perfect target cause she is blind. She won't even know who kidnaps her. All we need to do is follow her for couple more days and get to know hers daily route and routine. Than it would be a piece of cake for us to kidnaps her. Brother Eddy, after we kidnaps her we can ask for more than we need, cause I know that her father will definitely give anything for her life."

Eddy looked at Marco definite eyes with a bit of suspicion, "How are you so sure of this? Many rich folks are willing to risk the hostage life and call the police."

"Not him, he will not risk his daughter's life. Trust me, I know him too well. He loved his family a lot, especially this girl. Trust me brother Eddy, she is our perfect target."

Trusting Marco, Eddy nodded with a grin, "Alright, she will be what we want! But I don't want any mistake in the process and we can't afford to mess up again. Evergreen, why don't you follows her a couple more days to take note of her routine and daily route. We need to make sure that we pick the best spot to take action, where no mistake can occur. Marco, you help me contact the China trade and see if we can get some weapons. We will need to be arm, in case it involves the police, and I want the police to know that we are not good to be messing with! Robbi and Roy go steal some car and take off any license and identity tag. We will probably need three cars for the plan." Eddy looked around the room, "Where is Louis?"

"He went out to buy us lunch," answered Robbi.

Turn his attention to Evergreen, Eddy instructed, "Evergreen, I want you to tell Louis the entire plan, he will be our driver that day."

"I don't know, brother Eddy. I don't trust him much. I think he is the one that tell the cop on us," Evergreen suspected, since Louis is their newest member.

Irritated by Evergreen comment, Eddy slammed his fist on the table, "Nonsense! He's the one who save me that day. Evergreen, we are in a bad situation already; I don't want any war between us brothers at this moment. We need to trust and unit before we can get rid of those pesky cops! I trust Louis, he is very loyal and hard working. And I had enough of you kept causing trouble for him. I want you to tell him the plan, you hear me?"

Angered, Evergreen nodded, he never dare to disobey brother Eddy, "I will..."

With a satisfy grin, Eddy walked toward Evergreen and patted his shoulder, "Good! Everyone know theirs job?" They all cheer cause they think this will be the perfect plan that will pull them out of the mess with Cheapskate Joe and also have extra to spare.
----------

With drowsy eyes and paled lips, a skinny man walked out a dark alley. He kept sniffing as he walked with expression of drained energy. But when he saw the shadow of Julian at the end of the street, his eyes dilated a bit and he quickly turned to run away. Julian quickly leaped ahead with his arm throw around the drug addict neck, jerking him back a bit and shoved him toward the moldy cement wall of the old building.

Sheepishly, the drug addict nervously greeted, "Lam Sir." Julian serious eyes darted at him unmoved, waiting for him to give the info he was looking for. Gulped slightly, the frail man speak up again, "Lam Sir, I really don't know where they are now. I hasn't see them lately."

With the lateral side of his arm still on the drug addict neck, Julian stern tone said, "How dare you say you don't know? You are one of his gang too! Now where are Eddy Cheung and his gang hiding?"

Taking a deep sniff the guy shakes his head, "Lam sir, I really don't know, if I do I would definitely tell you. Ever since the fighting on last Saturday they seem to disappear into thin air. I promise I will report to you if I know any news about them." He shivered cause he is in need of drug to calm his carving down.

Slowly, Julian releases his arm from the man. "If you let me know that you lie, I will put you in jail myself for using drug," Julian warned. Seeing the drug addict kept sniffing as he nod, Julian sighed and pulled some money out to offer him. "Now remember to help me check on them, and don't take too much drug."

"Thanks you, I know what to do Lam sir," the cheerful guy bowed a couple times to thanks Julian for the money before he quickly left to get rid of his carving.

Julian deep eyes followed the fading back of the guy as he worriedly wondered, "Where could he be? He should contact me by now, could something happened to him?"

Julian was in deep though about his problem when he walked out of the alley and into the busy street crowded with people cause it was time for people to get off of work. He waved for a taxi and got on but there was a girl who got on at the same time on the other side of the door. "Miss I was here first," Julian reasoned, but he wasn't really sure that he was first.

With a bit of confusion the female looked at him with her head shaking. "No, I was first," she argued. She was sure that she was first so she is not going to get off. She pulled her carryon luggage in.

"No Miss, I was the one who was in here and closed the door first," Julian firmly stated, "Look at your door it's not even close yet, which proof you came behind me."

A bit weary from her flight and to deal with Julian reasoning, the girl let out a disbelieve chuckle, "Is this what you call reasoning? Can't you see that I was pulling my luggage in? I was in first, so be a gentleman and get back out of my taxi!"

Not willing to leave, Julian pressed the lock down, and grinned at her sarcastically, "You are not much of a lady yourself, why should I get out? You are the one whose blind and couldn't see that someone is in here already. I don't care I'm not going to get out."

Stare at him with her narrowed eyes, the petite looking girl growled softly, "I can't believe that there is such an unreasonable guy like you in this world, how thick is your face skin anyway? I am not going to get out and let you have it your way!"

Shrugged carelessly, Julian added, "Fine lets see who has more time to spare."

Sighed with no amusement, the taxi driver pushed his for-hire flag down. He turned to face his two childish passengers on the back, "Both of you out of my taxi now! Don't waste my time, I has a family to feed!"

Both Julian and the female were speechless as they looked at the screaming taxi driver. Feeling embarrassed and a bit childish, they sheepishly got off of the taxi. The driver quickly pulled away.

Holding her luggage by her side, the girl glared at Julian with her sharp daggering eyes, "Has you ever heard of lady first?"

"If you were a lady and ask me to let you go first, I would," defended Julian.

"Why do I need to ask? I am the first one in there!"

"I was the one in there first, go check your eyes!" he pointed to his eyes dragging it down on the corner. Julian didn't know why he argued with a stranger, but this girl just gets on his nerve.

The girl throws her plane ticket packet at him as she shouted, "Immature! I don't even know why I'm wasting my time to argue with you." She turns around and stormed away angrily.

Looked at her back, Julian yelled after her, "You are not that mature yourself!" He looked at the plane ticket information, "Athena Chu, no wonder you act like a pig, your last name sound like a pig."
----------

Steven is in his apartment watering the pot of Forget-me-not and sighing to himself. "Steven, why are you such a chicken? Ada is not going to bite," he grumpily told himself. His arm raise to bring the flower pot closer, "When can I finally give you away?" Steven glanced at the clock, seeing that it was six. "Maybe I can go over to just see her, umm...I need an excuse though." He look around his empty house for an excuse and when an idea hit, his face brightens up. "I could say I ran out of sugar...yeah, sound reasonable..."

Immediately, Steven head out of his flat and ring the doorbell on the flat across from his. Charmaine opened the door and unlocking the sliding gate, "Hi Steven, have you eat dinner yet?" Steven stepped into Bobby's flat once Charmaine allow him to enter. "What are you over for anyway?"

With his usual friendly smile, Steven sheepishly lied, "I ran out of sugar, do you guy have any to give me some?" Causally, Steven tries to scan the flat for Ada, but he has no luck.

"Of course, wait a minute, lets me go in and get you some. Have a sit," Charmaine offered before she walked into the kitchen.

Meanwhile Benny just got out of his room and saw Steven. "Hey how are you doing? Did you need something?" questioned Benny.

"I came over for sugar, Charmaine is getting me some. Where is everyone anyway? Seem so quiet here."

Looked around the flat Benny asked, "You mean uncle Bobby and aunt Ester? They went out for a little date of dinner and movie. Yeah a bit quiet tonight."

Steven nodded, he wanted to ask about Ada but he also didn't want to be too obvious. Charmaine walked out with the sugar. "It just you two home today?" he beats around the brushes.

"Oh, you want to know where Henry is. He is in his room doing his homework," Benny obliviously stated the fact.

Charmaine examine Steven closely and notice his dissatisfaction with Benny answer and he doesn't seem to be here just for sugar. Charmaine immediately smiled at Steven playfully, "No Benny! Annie is right you are becoming a turtle lately. Steven is wondering if our daai jie is home tonight."

Blushed uncontrollably, Steven shake his head nervously, "Noooo, I was just here for sugar." He grab the sugar from Charmaine hand. "Thanks," Steven said before he turn to go back to his house. Benny and Charmaine pulled him back.

"Not so fast! So do you like my sister?" pestered Benny.

Shyly, Steven tries to keep his eyes away from Benny and Charmaine as he replied, "No, what are you talking about? I'm really out of sugar."

Rolled her eyes, Charmaine laughed, "Oh come on you are as red as a tomatoes! Be a man and admit it, you will be a great brother-in-law!" She swings her arm around his shoulder.

Pitching in the tease Benny suggested, "You seriously need help. What are you going to give me to help you get my sister attention?" He raises his eyebrows up and down.

Picking Charmaine arm away from his shoulder, Steven denied, "Nothing, I don't need Ada attention at all. You two must be too bore to mistaken my intension. I better go in, my cake is going to burn and it need sugar." He rushed into his flat.

Chuckling, Benny yelled after him, "If you are wondering where she is, she needs to go to night school tonight! Come back for sugar in two hours!" He laughed along with Charmaine. Steven just pretends he didn't hear a thing as he shut his door up. Benny turns to head in with Charmaine. He chuckled, "Steven like Ada? Isn't he younger than you?"

Whacked her brother head, Charmaine stated, "You are so lame Benny. What century is this? Younger guy can date older woman as long as they are happy. But he does need major help, if he ever wanted to get Ada to notice him." Charmaine break into giggle again, "Did you see how nervous he is when we mention Ada! How can we help him?"

"We can send flower to jie using his name," suggested Benny.

Hits her brother head again, Charmaine complained, "That trick is so old. Can't you think of other newer one?"

"At least I had an idea, better than you just have your mouth open. And what wrong with you women, keep on whacking my head? You are just like Annie," Benny exclaimed.

"I won't even share idea that I know it won't work, unlike you. And you kept getting whack on the head cause you are an idiot," bickered the elder sibling as she headed toward the living room again with her brother tattling behind her.

"Charmaine, I really worry about you, since you are so barbaric and mean. I really think that no one will marry you. I mean who would be so mean and abusive to themselves to stand dating you?" Benny snickered. Seeing his sister suddenly stopped walking and gazed at him with her burning eyes, Benny immediately ran for his room. Charmaine chased after him like when they were kids. Finally, Benny got to his room and slams the door lock behind him.

"Ha! At least I don't run away like a fraidy-cat," yelled Charmaine, "Beside many men fall all over for me." She proudly folded her arms.

"Yeah, cause you tripped them all," Benny replied.

"You are not doing so well yourself. Don't know who kept on staring at Annie and didn't dare to open up to her," Charmaine pointed out.

Blushed slightly, Benny was wondering why Charmaine know. He pretends to laugh, "Why do I need to open up to her for?"

His sister rolled her eyes and teased, "Benny, you are just like Steven, do you need me to send Annie flower under your name?"

"Do what you want, cause it's none of my business. She is my student, I'm her mentor, the end," Benny stated.

Charmaine just smiled slyly, "Oh come on, you wake me up in the middle of the night to get one of my story and then translate the entire story into Braille the same night. Don't tell me you are bore that night and can't sleep."

Growled softly, Benny just hate that Charmaine is right about him. "She is my student, it's my responsibility to teach her. How am I going to teach her if she didn't have any material to learn from?"

"I don't see Bowie spending the entire night up to make Braille book for Annie. Come on Benny, if you like her, just tell her before it too late," Charmaine suggested. She does love the idea of Benny and Annie dating.

"I'm saying this one last time! Annie is only my student, I don't love her!" Benny shouted through the door.
----------

Distracted from her reading, Annie turned toward the doorway toward the sound of knock. It was Lisa, who is now walking toward her daughter with a tray of health soup. "Annie put the Braille book away for awhile, I wanted you to finish up this bowl of soup for me," ordered the loving mother.

Pushed her fairytale book away, Annie sits herself upright with a bright smile. "Mommy, we just had dinner," Annie pointed out with chuckling tone. But she is willing to drink it up if it eases her mother heart.

"It's not that big of a bowl," informed Lisa. Annie scooted over to let her mom settle by her side. "Eileen told me that you has been coughing a bit."

Hooked her mom arm, Annie grinned, "Mommy, do I look sick?" She chuckled while Lisa slightly shakes her head at her daughter innocent charm. "Don't worry about me mommy, I felt great! But I'm thirsty, so I'll drink it up," Annie said with a big smile.

Lisa chuckled at her and placed the bowl into Annie hands. "It's a bit hot, so be careful." Annie nodded while she begins to blow on the soup and drink it up. Lisa watches her with a warm smile inside.

"Don't I get a bowl too?" asked Flora with a teasing tone.

Annie finished her soup and hand the bowl back to her mom. "Jie," she greeted, "Wow I'm popular tonight."

"Flora, I save you a bowl down in the kitchen," Lisa stated, "I'll go heat it up for you now." She stood up to walk out.

"Thanks mom, I'll be down in a sec," Flora told her mom. While Lisa walked out, Flora settled her tired body on her sister bed. Annie lies down next to her sister waiting for her to talk cause she could sense that Flora has something to tell her. Yawned, Flora informed, "I got your scan result back. Everything is normal and stable. So keep up with your medication."

Annie nodded and rolled to lies on her tummy, "Jie ah, do you have to be so serious all the time? Can't you just let go to relax and enjoy life?" Annie chuckled, "I always picture you as a police officer that only go after me."

Flora laughed and sits upright, "That was my second career choice." She seriously looked at Annie, "I'll relax once I get your brain cure and help you see again."

The thought of being able to see this colorful world again made Annie sadden. She has kept her hope high but it starting to look likes it impossible to see again. Her last two surgeries had been a failure, so she has tries to avoid having future surgery. "Jie, I don't want you to be unhappy about me, I know you go into neural surgeon because of me, you could of chose other career that you enjoy more. I'm sorry..." Annie sad tone apologized, while she pulled herself to sit upright next to Flora.

Chuckled, Flora gave Annie a hug, "You are such a silly girl! I love my career now, and I do need to thanks you for keeping me going in the path. I admit I chose being a neural surgeon because of you, but I wouldn't love any other career more. Don't keep on thinking yourself as other burden. Like you say enjoy life okay?

Smiled cheerfully, Annie nodded, "I will!" She silently coiled Flora arm with hers and lies her head on her sister shoulder. "Jie ah, have you think of going out on a date? I know you didn't want to talk about it, but I think you should let go and find someone that is right for you," Annie caringly suggested.

"Don't you worry about me, I will have my own plan," Flora assured. Flora study Annie expression closely, "How about you? Do you have anyone in mind yet?"

Sighed, Annie honestly answered, "No, not yet, but I don't want to be anybody burden. I think I'll be happy by myself with you guys. You'll take care of me, even when I turn into a granny right?" She grinned.

Flora laughed at her remark, "Of course. And don't you worry about being anybody burden. Annie, when the special someone came, he won't mind that you are blind. Trust me, you are sweet enough to have boys fighting over you." Flora gave Annie a peck on the forehead, "Enough talk about boys, you need your sleep. Goodnight."

"Goodnight jie," Annie replied.

Flora turned Annie light out and walked out. Within a few minutes Raymond stepped in and turned the light back on. "Sleeping already?" he asked.

Sitting herself upright again, Annie replied, "No, how can I sleep without your story?" She chuckled, "And my room seem like a market tonight."

Raymond got into bed next to her and picked up her Braille book, "How are you doing with Braille? Did you have anymore nightmare about the story?"

"What?" Annie confusedly asked.

"You didn't remember your dream?" Raymond asked with his crooked grin.

"What dream?" Annie cluelessly asked back.

Chuckling, Raymond explained, "Last Sunday, you were talking in your dream and it was about the three little pigs chasing after you and you yelled for help. It was pretty funny and Benny heard it too, cause he called me to ask how you were doing with the Braille reading."

Annie felt a bit embarrassed that Benny heard her talking in the dream. "Why did you let him listen to me?" she pouted at her brother.

"He asked me how you are doing. So what is better than to let him hear for himself? He said he would translate a story for you did he?"

Smiled sweetly, Annie nodded, "Yeah, he did. It a very nice story, do you want me to read to you?"

"That is a fresh idea, it finally my turn to lay back and enjoy you reading. Maybe it should be like this from now on," joked Raymond.

Excitedly, Annie pulled the book out of her nightstand draws, "But I want to heard Patricia Cornwell story from you."

"Lets make a deal. I read one day to you and you read one day to me. Fair?"

"Sound fair, let pinky swear!" she held out her pinky and Raymond hook his pinky with his sister while smiling at her childish behavior. Then he lies back and listens to Annie read to him. Annie was happy that she has a chance to read to Raymond. She continues her reading until Raymond fallen asleep and started to snore a bit. She giggled and pushed him to wake him up but he was sleeping too deeply. So she sighed and shares half her bed with her brother. But his snoring bugged her from falling asleep, so she grab her pillow and teddy to head toward the balcony to sleep on her swing instead.
******

[jeh]

Hi Kay,

Sorry for not commenting in such a long time My computer went berserk so I couldn't read. Then, it took me awhile to read all those chapters. About your earlier question, I think the chapters are a bit too long. Anyway, Louis appear again, yay!!!! I have a feeling that Louis is an undercover cop, don't tell me if I'm right or not, though Annie is cute as always and so is Charmaine. Wonder when will Steven have the courage to declare his love for Ada. Update soon!!