He spent many nights juggling workload between the two companies but his primary concern was Chung Enterprises, for unlike Chen Corporation, the other company was standing on thin ice.
From what he understood upon reviewing the company's records, the company had been exceptionally strong until it reached the hands of his father-in-law's father, whom was an extremely gullible character with poor judgment.
Despite his father-in-law's best efforts after inheriting the company, there no clean solution to the company's problems without a significant financial sum, which was impossible to acquire without exposing the failing situation. Through inappropriate routes of underground transactions, his father-in-law had been able to keep the company afloat, an amazing feat, but that was far from bringing the company back into the black.
While his brother-in-law was also a brilliant man, Kenny was not ruthless enough, too sentimental, too unwilling to cut off dead weight.
Edison however held no apprehension to do so; if Chung Enterprises was going to survive corporate restructuring was inevitable. Anyone and everyone that was not contributing to the company must go.
Perhaps people would say his tactics were too vicious but he had promised Gillian to save Chung Enterprises.
For her, he intended to keep his word despite any sacrifices.
But it seem as if, the problems were only snow balling into bigger ones if not stopped immediately. The mere thought made him his temples pulse. He needed to bring cash flow back into the company as soon as possible. The sum he invested in the company would be enough to finance a new project that would generate significant returns if all went well. Hopefully that would prevent the company's financial crisis from worsening.
For the last month, he had been putting at least fifteen hours a day in the office, even on weekends to overlook this project, when he arrived home at night his beautiful wife was already asleep.
Just as well since her bright eyes never failed to tug his heart with yearning and desire.
Her beauty. Her confidence. Her every poised gesture only made him yearn for her more.
Why hadn't he realized this before?
He had unsuspectedly fallen in love with her with each hatred-filled thought, since the moment he vowed for revenge.
Opening the top drawer on his side, he retrieved a sparkling diamond ring, the ring that she had been holding in her hand on their wedding night before she passed out.
It was the ring her former fiance had given her.
He knew while she was physically by his side, her heart was elsewhere.
Loving her could only bring pain. Thus, he tried to keep a distance between them, tried to stop loving her.
Gently, the ring was place back into storage, forever locked away from its rightful owner when a sudden knock came from the door.
Rather unexpectedly, Nick Cheung, his mother's younger brother peeked through the door.
"Working hard, kiddo?" The vibrant voice of his uncle echoed through the once quiet room. "What did Uncle teach you? All work and no play equal one boring life."
He couldn't help but chuckle at his uncle's humor, always the happy-go-lucky guy.
"Anyway, I only stopped by to tell you what I found out about that reporter."
"What did you find out? Who is he?"
"The only thing I was able to find out is that he had disappeared since that day after the news conference. I still can't confirm which newspaper sent him. Something is definitely fishy," he said crinkling his nose playfully. "Anyway, gotta go now, kiddo. Meeting my new girlfriend at the country club."
With a wink, his uncle turned and left. Much like a spring breeze, his uncle always came and went as he pleased, never shedding much thought on unnecessary responsibilities.
Why couldn't his life be like that?
*
Enormous guilt lurked in Charlene's heart as she stared across the table into her husband's earnest eyes.
The very best was already in front of her, why would she long for anyone else?
She hadn't gone to meet Nicholas that day but that didn't mean he had vanquished from her thoughts or her heart.
Each day, for the last month she received a bouquet of lilies with the same message. Regardless of how hard she tried to ignore his efforts, he was slowly wearing her resistance down.
The mere thought disturbed her to no end.
In front of her was the man that stood by her through the most agonizing time.
How could she betray him?
He had been the only one that cared while all the others merely glanced at her before walking away when she stood frozen at the seaport, waiting for Nicholas.
For her, he stood up to all his friends and relatives when they indulged in jokes about her family background.
She would remain loyal to him, if not for love than for friendship.
Just then the waiter replaced the empty space where her meal once occupied with a plate containing a slice of her favorite dessert, tiramisu.
She knew from the smile on her husband's face that he was behind the luscious deed. Her heart swelled with warmth and gratitude.
She was very lucky to have met him.
"I was thinking," she began, "we've been married over a year now. It's time we should try for a baby. What do you think?"
Her husband had always wanted to start a family but she had been the one postponing the plan, not wanting to be tied down so early but somehow it seemed like the only way to repay his love.
"You sure? I thought you wanted to spend a few more carefree years first?"
Even now, he only thought of what she wanted.
"We can still be carefree with a child. If it's a boy, you can teach him to play sports. If it's a girl, I can dress her up and teach her all about makeup and fashion. What do you think?" She tried to sound enthusiastic, desperately wanting to bring happiness to her husband, to love him the same way he loved her.
If only love was a matter of will.
If only...
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