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The president room is the largest office of Millennium Cooperation. In this luxurious office, Howard is sitting behind his large desk going through his company paperwork. His eyes felt a bit dry and weary form reading those tiny fine prints for the entire day. Blinking his eyes, Howard tries to focus in more, but it didn't help much. His aged eyes have failed him.
Stretching his arms out, Howard decides to give the day a rest. With a pleasant smile, Howard walked out of his office heading to his son office. His employee greeted him when he walked by, he return theirs greeting with a nod. Howard calm step ended in front of Gallen office. A brighter smile shows up when he saw his son being so serious about his job.
Seeing Gallen didn't notice that he arrived, Howard knocked on the door to get attention. "I see you are quite busy with the Chan's project."
"Dad, you are ready to leave already?" Gallen asked while starting to put his work away.
"Yes, are you joining me?" Howard questioned with a fatherly arm around Gallen, patting his back. Gallen nodded.
When they were in the elevator heading down to the main floor, Sunny joined them midway. "Uncle Howard," he greeted with respect.
With a nod, Howard asked, "Sunny has you selected who to do our commercial yet? We need to get it going."
"Yes, I did," replied Sunny, while he pulled out a portfolio to show his uncle. "She is Charmaine Kwan. She is unique from other and her spirited personality is exactly what the Chan's needed."
A smile appear on Howard expression when he saw Charmaine picture, he know that Annie is going to be very happy when she know about this. "Good. Give her a letter and have her come in next week to start on some shooting. Gallen how is the contract with the Chan's? Have they signs it yet?"
"They wanted to see the outcome of the commercial before signing it," informed the son.
The experienced president facial hardens a bit. "Hmm...that is not right, it'll take too long. We need to be sure that they agree with our request. Give this file of Charmaine to them and convince them to sign the contract. I want a legal document sign before any further work put on their project," Howard instructed. He slyly smiled, "Make that clear to them. There is no need to play buddy with them, cause there is no reason for them to turn down our offer."
Nodded, Gallen assured, "I will, don't worry I should get them sign it by the end of this week."
Patted his son and nephew, Howard encouraged, "You two keep up the good work with this project. I want both of you to show the rest of the shareholders that you two can handle large project successfully." Both Gallen and Sunny nodded with confident. Howard smiled proudly at them and added, "I am planning to retire early." The two younger men paused with a bit of shock to hear it. Howard chuckled at them, "What? Don't you two want me to enjoy life? I think I deserve it!" He ended his laughter with a sigh before continuing, "The world is changing so fast and I no longer could keep up with it. Even my eyes protested to show me that I needed to retire. I do need to step back so the next generation can step up, right?"
"But uncle Howard, you are still very wise and clever with business issue. There is lots more for us to learn," Sunny honestly said.
"Yeah dad, why do you want to get out of it so soon? Won't you miss it?" Gallen has think of his father retiring one day, but in his heart that day never seem this close.
With a chuckle, Howard stepped out of the elevator, "Come on boys. I had been working my entire life. It's about time for me to sits back and relaxes with your mother, right? I did promise to tour around the world with her." Howard felt warm when he could see that both his son and nephew didn't want him to retire. He assured them, "Don't worry, I believes that you two can handle the company with no problem. But remember don't ever break the brotherly bond between you two, that is what make you two strong and undefeatable." Howard patted them again. "Make this old man proud, okay!"
Confidently, Gallen wrapped his arm around Sunny shoulder, "Don't worry dad, we are inseparable." Sunny laughed, they have been more than cousin; they are basically each other best friends. "And we will make you proud for sure," Gallen promised.
"Uncle Howard, we will make the Chan's project the best ever," Sunny said.
With fatherly nod, Howard proudly said, "Great! Finally I can sit back and just watch. If only Raymond would help too." He sighed and dropped the matter. "Lets go home. Sunny do you want to join us for dinner? I bet Annie would love to hear who you choose to do the commercial."
"Sure, but why would Annie be interested?" Sunny curiously ask with a smirk.
"She is the one who begged me to give Charmaine a chance," inputted Gallen.
A surprised expression shadow over Sunny, "You know Charmaine Kwan?" he asked Gallen.
"She is my aunt Esther niece and Annie best friend."
"Oh, good thing I pick her, or Annie will sure bug me," joked Sunny with laughter. "Sure I'll join you uncle Howard, I'll be happy to try Maggie food and to make Annie happy."
"What about Julian and Michelle?" Gallen offered.
The mentioning of his sibling made Sunny sighed, "Julian has to work today. As for Michelle, like usual she is never home."
The uncle looked at him with concern, "You need to look closely at Michelle, don't let her get herself in trouble. Talk to her more."
Sunny nodded with his long face, "I try to talk to her and teach her, but it hard to get her to understand. She has been spending so much money on clothes and nonsense. I try to limit her credit, but dad sent money over for her making me kept taking the bad guy role. She thinks I'm against her on everything."
Shake his head with disappointment, Howard murmured, "That Frank never know how to teach his daughter. Maybe I should call him and have a talk." He looks at Sunny, "Don't worry too much, I know Michelle is not that bad deep inside. She just doesn't understand the concept of life yet. One day she will understand how much you care for her and she will change. Lets go before Annie whine again." He got into the car with Dave keeping the door open. Gallen and Sunny followed after.
"I hasn't see Annie for a long while, is she doing well?"
"She has a new teacher now, and learning how to read Braille," Gallen answered.
"Really? I remember that she wouldn't learn when Bowie taught her. This must be a very special teacher," Sunny said.
Gallen nodded, "Actually, he is Charmaine younger brother."
A bit surprised, Sunny commented, "Oh, his family must be very unique. Charmaine is really different. She speaks what in her mind, very spirited, and energetic. You don't see girl like her very often, if you know what I mean."
Looked at him suspiciously, Gallen teased, "Finally, someone that caught your eyes? Hmm...you do look good with her. She also has an older sister, Ada. She is a very smart and pretty girl. Maybe you'll like her more, if you get to meet her."
"Gallen is your marriage life that boring? You know that I don't think much about relationship. Career is what comes first."
"My marriage life is perfect to let you know. And I am going to be a father," Gallen proudly reminded as his grin widen to the thought. His sharp eyes glanced toward Sunny, "And is not that career are first for you, is just that you never know how to speak up and ask a girl out! I never see you ask anyone out after the Tiramisu incident." Gallen joked, "Either you can't get over that girl or you has decided to turn gay?"
"No! I just need to wait for the right one to come," defended Sunny.
Howard laughed at them, "Enough you two. I just say I trust you guy with my business, please don't make me regret it."
----------
Meanwhile at the Lam's mansion, Maggie stepped out of the kitchen with her new dish. Lisa walked over to help her. "Maggie you are pregnant now, why don't you sit down and let the servants do the rest? I know you love to cook, but not during these couple months okay? I'll let you cook all you want after the baby is born," requested the caring mother-in-law.
At the dinning table, sitting by her sibling, Flora chuckled, "Mom, Maggie is in perfect condition. She is pregnant not a prisoner," Flora pointed out with laughter along with Annie, who is trying to locate her glass of milk. "She will be fine as long as she be careful," Flora added to ease her mom worries.
Obediently, Maggie settles down on her spot. "I'll be more careful mom. I'll try not to cook too much," promised Maggie.
With a genuine smile, Lisa nodded pleasingly, "That's my good daughter-in-law, unlike the daughter I has."
"Mami ah, do you mean me too?" Annie childishly pouted.
"You don't have to ask, you always disobey mom anyway," teased her sister.
Narrowed her eyes toward Flora direction, Annie protested, "No, I don't! I stayed home today." She grinned proudly.
Raymond smirked, "Cause no one is willing to take you out."
Sharply, Annie head swing over to her brother direction with the tip of her tongue stick out at him. "Like you are such a good boy. This is the first time in weeks that you are actually home for dinner," Annie quibbled back.
The mother deep eyes settled at her son sharply with curiosity, "Annie is right, what are you up to for the last couple weeks?"
"Someone is in trouble," murmured Annie like an eight years old.
Raymond pushed Annie head playfully while answering to his mother, "I just needed more time to run the bike shop. I'll try to be home more."
"Raymond don't push Annie head. You will hurt her," the elder sibling warned.
Laughed, Raymond teased, "Annie you heard that? You are made out of ceramic, very very fragile."
The youngest gave her brother a stern expression while her flatten voice informed, "At least everyone love me, unlike you." She suddenly got distracted and turned her head toward the doorbell. "Yay, time for dinner!"
Both Lisa and Maggie walked to the door to greet their husband, while the three siblings continues theirs little playful argument. The three businessmen stepped in when the maid open the door. Lisa smiled welcomingly at her husband nephew, "Sunny, you are here. I hadn't seen you for a long time. Where are Michelle and Julian?"
"They are busy tonight, so it's just me here to bother you," answered Sunny.
Lisa let out a laugh, "That's okay, we love to have you join us for dinner. Actually, you are quite lucky cause Maggie made a new dish today."
They headed in toward the dinning room. Sunny smiled at Maggie, "Congratulation! You made Gallen very excited and energetic for the pass few days."
Giggle shyly, Maggie hugged her husband from the side with her sweet smile and eyes gazed at him, "Really?" Her husband gave her a soft brush on the lip. Maggie returned her attention to Sunny, "So Sunny finds any date lately?"
"Wow, you and your husband ask the exact same question on the same day. I know you two are compatible but you don't have to show me. Beside are you two really that interested with my love life?" questioned Sunny with a half serious look.
Pulling Maggie chair out for her, Gallen answered Sunny, "Of course, you has been sticking around for so long. Not to mention that you are kind of getting in the way. We wanted someone to get you away from us."
Maggie laughed cheerfully. She does miss those good old days of working together as a team at Millennium Cooperation. "Honey, be nice to poor Sunny!" warned Maggie. She chuckled, "Come on Sunny sit down and eat."
Hearing her eldest cousin voice, Annie became cheerful, "Sunny! I hadn't heard from you for a long time." She pouted, "Why didn't you come and eat dinner more often? Talking about dinner, Julian hasn't come much either. And he did promise to come when we chat on the phone."
Feeling like he returned home, Sunny chuckled at Annie and sits down next to her. He loves how kind and down-to-earth Annie is to everyone. "I am sorry, but I had been really busy. Uncle Howard could back me up. And Julian is on call tonight." Sunny smiled, "But I has something to make it up to you." Grinned, Annie held out her hands thinking that it was a present. "Better than present, we have chosen Charmaine Kwan to do...."
Before Sunny can finish, Annie jumped up in excitement and hit Sunny forehead. "Ouch...sorry," she sheepishly apologize while rubbing her own forehead. With excitement overruled her head, Annie begin to talk in an unbelievable fast speed, "Really Sunny? Yes! Daddy, I told you Charmaine would be a great candidate. Aren't you glad that I mention her name? Ah, I got to tell her now!" Howard just chuckled as he watches Annie excitement.
Located Sunny, Annie wrapped her arms around her cousin giving him a tight squeeze and a peck on the cheek. "Thanks You, I know Charmaine will get it! Yes, I need to phone her now!" Like a speeding bullet, Annie moving her way toward the living room with Eileen running after her to make sure she won't trip.
"Wow, she is more excited than getting it herself," laughed Sunny. "She is still sweet like she always is," Sunny remarked, he wishes that Michelle personality could of be more down-to-earth like Annie.
In the living room, Annie impatiently tries to press the right numbers to dial Bobby's flat, but she kept on getting the wrong number. She finally gives up and handed it over to Eileen to help her. Eileen gave the phone back to Annie when she got it dialed. Annie could recognize the voice being Benny. "Benny!!!" she basically screamed with joy. "Can you get Charmaine on the phone is very important!"
"What is it?" Benny curiously asked.
"Just get her for me, please!" begged Annie.
Pulling himself a bit away from the phone, Benny replied back, "Okay, you don't have to yell! Wait a minute."
Hearing Benny voice in the background and Charmaine footstep getting closer, Annie jumped with excitement. She can't wait to hear Charmaine reaction. "Annie?" answered Charmaine.
"Charmaine you got the part! Charmaine did you heard me? You got the part!!" screamed Annie joyfully, like winning a lottery.
Couldn't believe what she is hearing, Charmaine gulped with uncertainty. She asked in a shaky and nervous voice, to make sure, "Do you mean the commercial?" Benny and the rest of the family are standing still and listening.
"Yes, Yes!! You got it!" Annie coughed with her horsed dry throat.
A swept of surprise hit Charmaine right on. She felt her knees weaken, but her face is full of joy with her dilated eyes. She had been waiting for this chance for so long. "Oh my! You are serious!" She started to jump too and turn to tell everyone at home, "I got the commercial!!" Everyone cheered for her and hugged her. "Annie thanks so much!" Charmaine manage to speak with her overly hyper tone. "So when will I get to start?"
"Wait," Annie told her, she turned toward the dinning room and yelled, "Sunny, when can she go shoot the commercial?"
"She will get a letter this week and the shooting start next week, the letter will describe it in detail," replied Sunny from the dinning room.
Cheerfully, Annie returns to her phone, "He said you will get a letter this week with more detail and the shooting is sometime next week. Charmaine congratulation!"
"Thanks Annie! I love you! You are my lifesaver!!" yelled Charmaine excited voice.
----------
A month of shadowing has passed by so unknowingly to Bowie, it's like how cloud sneakily drifted away on the sky. As the date drifted closer, Bowie heart longingly wanted to stay and has things as usual. Sadly, life is not always fair cause tomorrow is his last day with Annie. He still hasn't step forward to break the news to her cause he doesn't know how she will react to it.
Seeing how Annie cooperates and slowly gains trust with Benny within the last month has made Bowie recalls the nine long years of his bond with her. It's made him proud to see his success in Annie. Annie had transformed form being a dependent spoiled thirteen-years-old to an independent young lady that is capable of taking care of her daily living. He knows he will never get use to not being around to sees Annie's daily progress.
Sitting on the sofa across from Annie and Benny, Bowie silently observe Annie with his eyes becoming more dreaded. At the opposite end of the coffee table, Benny was teaching Annie how to do algebra for the pass hours. He is getting more frustrated since Annie can never get the concept of algebra.
With a soft growl to himself, Benny places his hand over Annie's thin brail worksheet, blocking her from punching in her guessing answer. "No, Annie! They are all wrong!" he frustratingly scolded while Annie growled softly. "For the last time you can't add x and y together, they are totally two different things!" He grab hold of Annie hand and press her finger onto the Braille worksheet of the problem. "See, the x are only able to add with x."
Sighed with boredom, Annie pulled his hand away from him. She is starting to get impatient with these math problems and especially with Benny nagging her for hours already. "I don't get why Algebra is that important. Benny could we go back to learning more about science?" she whined wanting to learn more on her strong subject. "Come on Benny, anything but math. How about I listen to you talk about world history?" Annie suggested. Hearing no response, Annie started to nudged Benny arm, "Come on Benny, please. I will listen and work on math next time, I promise!"
Benny sighed as she whine and plead, this is not the first time, in fact she whines every time when math is the main subject of the day. Seeing Annie acted so childishly when it comes to schoolwork, made Bowie smiled with a slight chuckle. He will definitely miss her laughter and even her whining and pleading.
Being jerked by Annie, Benny laughed at her. He firmly shakes his head, "No Annie, I can't let you get your way all the time. You need to learn math and beside you promise me last time that you will use your heart to learn it. Don't tell me you forget."
Annie pouted cause she knows she is not going to get away from it this time. "Just anything but math, Benny. That's not too much to ask for, right?" she sweetly asked with a wishful smile.
Laughed at her expression and behavior, Benny gave in, "How about this, I'll leave you with the math homework to do tonight? But you have to promise to give it a chance!"
"Great!" Annie vigorously nodded, "Yeah, I'll do it tonight. Lets move on to the next subject!"
Chuckling, Benny pulled out a physic Braille worksheet from his backpack. He knows that Annie is not going to like it either. "Glad you are excited, lets go to physic," he announced.
With narrowed eyes directed at her new mentor direction, Annie grumpily questioned him, "Why are you doing this to me? No! I don't want to know physic, it just like math! What's so important about them?!"
"Annie, all the doctor needed to take at least a course in physic, so it is very important," explained Benny with laughter. He is really getting use to having Annie as his student, and teaching has become very enjoyable to him.
"I don't understand why they need too. It's not like they needed to calculate the force the patients will fall off the bed and hurt themselves," Annie frustratingly mumbled. She suddenly smiled sweetly at Benny, "What if I save both of them for homework?"
"Annie!" Benny disappointedly protested to how Annie is manipulating him.
Seeing her plan failing, Annie progressed to her backup plan, which is getting Bowie help. She walked over to sit next to Bowie on the sofa. "Bowie, tell him I don't need to learn math nor physic today. Come on, I know you will be on my side," she grinned.
Looked into Annie deep wishful eyes that seem to sparkle, Bowie let out a sigh. 'It's time,' his mind told him. With serious eyes, Bowie instructed, "Benny, why don't you leave the rest of today for me?"
Sensing Bowie serious tone, Benny knows exactly what he wanted to do. Quietly, Benny nodded while his eyes are on Annie anxiously wondering if she will like the idea of him being her permanent mentor.
On the other hand, Annie cheerfully leaned over toward Bowie to give him a grateful hug. "I knew you would help me, unlike that heartless guy over there!" she joked and added with a bright smile, "It's okay, tomorrow is Benny last day anyway. I'll listen to him tomorrow! Bowie you are the best!" Both Benny and Bowie looked at Annie happy and cheerful expression in concern, they really hate to ruin her day.
With another sigh, Bowie serious deepen voice requested, "Benny, could you leave us alone for a couple minutes?" Annie sadden, cause she could feel something is wrong in Bowie serious and heavy voice and the way he hold her hand. Benny nodded and stepped out of the mansion.
Hearing Benny footstep walked out of the mansion, Annie turned her attention to Bowie. She worriedly asked, "What is wrong Bowie? You don't sound happy." Annie silenced to listen carefully for Bowie answer.
"Annie, do you like to learn form Benny?" Bowie calmly said what he needed to.
With a bright smile, Annie nodded, "Yeah, he is not too bad. He is so gullible too." Annie laughed along with Bowie soft chuckle to her remark. "Don't worry Bowie, I'll give him a good evaluation so he could get a good student to teach himself."
Smile weakly, Bowie sadly nodded. To him, Annie is always so simple minded and naive. He cleared his throat, "He found himself a very good student already." He saw Annie listening curiously, "His new student will be you."
Chuckled with joy, Annie said, "So I am going to have two teachers? Oh no, that mean I need to learn math and physic with him? That's not good!" With the thought of Benny going to be there to nag and scold her for years made Annie jump up from her sitting position. "Bowie that is definitely not good!" Annie exclaim with uncertainty to this being good or bad news.
Frowned, Bowie holds her hand to pull her down, signaling her to sit next to him again. She sat down next to him and gave him her full attention to him again. "Annie, you only going to get one teacher...."
Confused with shock, but Annie could figure out what Bowie mean. She immediately interrupted, "What do you mean?"
Bowie looked at her and saw the frustration in her eyes. He knows that she knows exactly what he meant. Meanwhile, Benny was just outside the front door listening. Sighed, Bowie continue, "I am sorry Annie, the Academy wanted me to teach another blind little girl....."
"What about me?!" Annie shouted with anger and sadness striking her eyes.
Seeing the pain and tears started to from in her eyes, made Bowie felt sorry for both of them. He murmured, "That's why they have Benny to stay and be your full time teacher...."
Annie tries to blink her tears away. She firmly stated, "I don't want him! It's because of him that you have to leave? I really don't need him. I want you to be my teacher. I thought he is only going to be here for this month. Why did you lies to me?! How can you just leave like this? You had been my teacher for nine years!" Annie sniffed and started to cry, she murmured, "I don't want Benny..."
Standing outside, Benny was heartbroken hearing her words and felt sorry for her too. He turns his head a little to peek in and saw Annie stands up facing Bowie with anger and tears flowed out of her reddened eyes. It saddens him to see her sad and crying. At the moment, he felt like he is an intruder.
Bowie stood up, patting Annie shoulder to hush her down, but instead Annie cried louder and hugged him tightly. Forced out a weak chuckle, Bowie assured her, "Annie don't be silly, I will come back to visit you. It's not that I am leaving forever." Patiently with a caring heart, Bowie continues to sooth Annie back and let her release her emotion. "And it's not Benny fault, so don't blame it on him. The academy's though that you learned all that I could teach you. They are right, you did learn all I could offer," he smile at her proudly, "and you made me very proud."
"Well, they are wrong," Annie bitterly said, "You still can teach me more than that Benny will ever know. What's so good about him? All he know is to follow the book."
"Annie, I told you it's not Benny fault," he gently releases her hug and wipes the tears from her. "I will miss you too, but don't do this to me, you making it harder for me to leave. We are still friend. You're always welcome to come over to my flat for dinner."
Sniffed her tears back, Annie nodded sadly, "When do you need to leave?"
"Tomorrow is my last day," Bowie informed.
"TOMORROW?! Why is it that fast?" Annie asked in the verge of tears.
Frowned, Bowie shoulder slightly slumped, "Actually, I know about three weeks ago, but I don't know how to break it to you." He paused to look into her eyes, "Are you mad at me?"
Swallowed her tears, Annie is trying her best to hold it in. She dropped her head to reply with a hint of disappointment mixed with anger, "Yes!" She hugged Bowie and start crying again. Benny saw the entire situation and felt responsible somehow. "Can't you ask them if you can stay?" Annie mumbled.
Move her back, Bowie wipes her tears again, "You promise not to cries. Come on stop being silly, okay? I'm not dying." Bowie forced a chuckle trying to cheer her up again. Within tears, Annie released a chuckle too. "They really needed me to teach a thirteen-years-old girl." He smiled at Annie warmly, "Do you remember you were thirteen when I came to teach you?" Annie nods silently. Bowie continues, "You wouldn't be happy if I didn't came than right? So I need to be there for that girl too. Do you understand?" Annie nods. "Good!" said Bowie. He gave her a big hugs and pecked her forehead.
Bowie turned toward the front door, "Benny, you can come in now." Benny came in and looked at Annie sadly. Annie didn't look up, she felt sad and hurt that Bowie is leaving her. It had been a great nine years with Bowie around to teach her and help her like a big brother. How are things going to be without Bowie around? She kept thinking that Bowie would never have to leave if Benny never came. "Annie, Benny is going to be your teacher now, so respect him and listen to him like how you did for me, okay?" Bowie urged.
Annie didn't response to Bowie. All she is doing is facing the carpet angrily. "Annie?" Benny called out in a very soft voice.
Lifted her head, Annie face straight at Benny direction with hateful eyes. She bitterly blamed him, "It's all your fault. I don't need you here. Get out of my house NOW!" Angered at him and herself, Annie pushed Benny away and run toward the staircase. She tripped but she got back up quickly and head to her room.
Lisa just came in from the front yards and saw Annie ran upstairs. "What just happen?" Lisa confusedly asked with concern for her beloved daughter.
"Mrs. Lam, I just told her that tomorrow is my last day," explained Bowie.
Sighed, Lisa finally understands why her daughter is so stressed out. "No wonder. Bowie, you had been such a good teacher to her. I don't blame her for overreacting." Lisa smiled at Bowie warmly. "Bowie, we are all going to miss you," her genuine voice said.
"Mrs. Lam, could you help me check on her? Tell her that I will still be back to visit her often."
Smile warmly, Lisa nodded, "I will, I hope you good luck with your new student. Don't worry about Annie. You should know that she would get over it within a couple days. Okay, I better go back up and see how she is doing. I bet she is crying her heart out now." Lisa left for her daughter room.
Bowie encouraged the long face Benny, "Don't worry she will be fine and normal again in a couple days. Just give her time to cope with the news."
"Did you hear her? She say she don't want me," mumbled Benny soft tone.
With a slight chuckle, Bowie told him, "That's what she say to me nine years ago, believe it or not. Now she felt inseparable with me." Bowie patted Benny shoulder, "Come on, don't take it seriously, it's not your first day meeting her childish out burst, right?. Trust me, she will accept you one day. Do you want a ride home?" Benny nods silently.
----------
Skipping through the door of Bobby's flat, Charmaine waved her letter in the air. A bright dreamy smile hung on her face with sparkling eyes. She basically can't contain her joys as she jumped up and down showing everyone her letter. "Daaaaiii jiiiieee! Look, look, look! I received the LETTER! It tells me to try shooting next Tuesday! Isn't it great?!!" Charmaine cheerfully asked.
Laughing, Ada nodded and gave her sis a hug, "I'm so happy for you! And I am so proud of you, Charm!! Wow, I might have a movie star sister, this is so cool!"
Looked around for her brother wanting to share her news, Charmaine asked, "Where is Benny? He is not home yet?"
Bring food to the dinning table, Esther replied, "He is in his room, but he don't look happy. Something might be wrong. He probably has a pretty rough day."
"Yeah, lets not bother him and let him quietly rest awhile," Ada suggested, knowing that Charmaine will ignore her suggestion.
Charmaine stared at her brother room curiously, "We can't just let him mold. Let me go help him!"
Charmaine headed toward Benny's room, Ada yelled after her, "Don't do anything rash and push his buttons, he might explode on you."
Laughed, Charmaine nodded, "Don't worry, I have a life jacket!" She knocked on the door, but Benny didn't answer, so she slowly turns the doorknobs and peeked in. She saw Benny on his bed looked dully on the wall. Charmaine expression became serious and caring, she softly called out, "Benny?" Benny didn't turn around or pay any attention to Charmaine, so she slowly approach him and sat on his bed. "What's wrong? Do you want to talk about it?" she gently urged, but not pushing it.
Sighed, Benny slightly shake his head, "Nothing really."
A smile appears on Charmaine, "Don't worry, I can keep a secret."
Dragging his sigh, Benny exclaim, "It's no secret, everyone know that Annie hate me."
Benny never sounded this sad to Charmaine before, other than the time when their parents pass away. "Did you get in a fight with Annie?" she caringly asked.
Finally, Benny allows his eyes to glance at his sister, "No, Bowie told her that he is not teaching her anymore. She kind of blames it on me and told me to leave her forever."
Charmaine nodded, "It must be very hard on her. Bowie had been a very wonderful teacher of her. She respected him a lot too. Poor Annie." Seeing Benny long face, Charmaine remember that she is here to support him. She smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry Benny, she didn't mean what she say to you, trust me. She always said bad things when she is frustrated. She'll probably be okay by tomorrow. I know her well enough."
Smiled weakly, Benny said, "Thanks Charm, and congratulation. I heard what you say outside. I know you can make it too." Charmaine leans over and give Benny a hug.
----------
Meanwhile, up at the foothill of the mountain cabin, Robbi was holding one slit of the blinds down to peek whose has just knocked on the door. Outside the old cabin was Louis holding three bags of lunch boxes. "It's me Robbi, open up," Louis empty calm tone said.
Robbi looked around to make sure no one has followed Louis before he signal Roy to open up the door. At this moments Eddy and Marco has just walked out of the room of this single room cabin. Louis walked in and set the lunch boxes on the table. "Dinner is here, come and get it," he told everyone.
Everyone was at the cabin except for Evergreen; he is out spying on their target. Louis grabs two of the lunch boxes and walked toward Marco and Eddy. "Brother Eddy, brother Marco here is your favorite," he smiled at them with respect and eyes that show loyalty.
Patted his back, Eddy said, "Thanks. Go get one for yourself."
"Don't worry about me, I could take care of myself," Louis said and walked back to the table.
Taking a bite into his dinner, Marco was talking to Eddy, "Brother Eddy, we got all the fire arm ready, so we can take action at anytime now." Louis was curious on what he was saying cause Evergreen never mention anything about the kidnaps to him yet.
Smiled with hope, Eddy replied, "Just hold on for a while longer until Evergreen give us a good and thorough report of her routine and route. Don't worry it shouldn't be long when we can get out of this mess."
"Brother Eddy, what are you guys talking about?" Louis asked with his vivid dark eyes on him.
"Didn't Evergreen told you about our plan?" Marco asked. Louis shakes his head. Marco and Evergreen are not on friendly term when brother Eddy is not around. Marco will use anything to get his position higher than Evergreen. And so will Evergreen to Marco.
Disappointed, Eddy growled, "That Evergreen, starting to not put me in his eyes!" He sighed, "He is always so rash and never think! One day he is going to get us or himself in trouble." He saw Louis confuse look, he smiled and shared, "We are planning a kidnap to ransoms some money to pay Cheapskate Joe. Maybe enough extra for us to use freely too!" One side of his mouth smiled at that thought.
Surprised, Louis wanted to know more, "But we never kidnap before. And who are we kidnapping?"
"Don't worry Louis boy, this will all work out perfectly and easily!" Marco assured. They heard a knock on the door. Everyone silenced with theirs attention turned to the door. Robbi signal Roy to open for Evergreen to walked in.
Evergreen pulled out a stack of photos that he has took during his spying. "Tomorrow is the best time to kidnaps her!" he excitedly announced.
Everyone surrounded the table to listen. Louis tries to take a glimpse of the photos, he saw it but most of them are the back of the girl or of her in a car, which is dark. And most of them show only a tiny figure of their target. He wonders why Evergreen even bothers to take photos that are useless.
"I've been following her and found out that she always take this route when she go out with her driver," Evergreen explained as he pointed the road on the map that is about ten minute from their target mansion. "This road is usually very quiet and not much traffic at all, so it would be the perfect spot to take action."
"Why tomorrow?" Marco wondered.
An evil grin sneak up Evergreen face, "She goes out every Friday to a cafe name Bobby's Mini Pastry Cafe, so it meant she must take the same route again tomorrow!"
Eddy was silently pondering about weather to do it tomorrow or later. He finally came to a decision, "It's a bit too earlier than plan, but lets do it and get it over with. We can't waste this chance." Everyone cheered except Louis who still trying to figure out whose they want to kidnaps. Eddy saw his puzzled face, "Louis, you will be our driver tomorrow. Don't worry it will be easy." Louis forced a smile and everyone cheered again.
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