A single male silhouette could be seen slowly approaching a well-kept grave in the middle of a long aisle of resting places. Dressed in a black trench coat, his face was partially covered by a pair of dark sunglasses. In his hands was a large bouquet of white lilies.
Those were her favorite flowers.
Setting the bouquet in front of the moderate-sized granite stone, his fingers affectionately stroked the gravestone before standing up and gazing longingly at the name etched into the stone many years ago.
The name of his mother.
Unconsciously, his thoughts drifted back to a night almost a year ago. He had just arrived home minutes after the stroke of midnight. It had been days since he began sending bouquets of lilies to Charlene, asking her to meet him at XXX Park but only disappointment greeted him each time. Absentmindedly, he walked through the hallway, heading for his bedroom, but low murmurs expelled from his adopted father's den caught his attention. His curiosity rose even more when his mother's name was mentioned.
Upon listening further to the conversation between his adopted father and another man, his eyes widened with shock when he heard his adopted father furiously blamed the Chungs for his mother's death, swearing revenge. Overcome with shock, it took a few seconds before his senses returned. Unable to suppress his emotions, he burst through the wooden door and demanded an explanation, startling the two men with his sudden presence.
Hesitant at first, his adopted father was finally succumbed by his persistence. Nicholas listened intently, tightening his fist with each infuriating detail.
The Chungs were responsible for his mother's death.
Now, he understood why his adopted father had sent someone to cause havoc at the news conference that the Chungs' held to announce Edison Chen's alliance with their company, digging up dirty deeds from Tony Chung's past and revealing Chung Enterprises' financial crisis. He had thought it was merely a way of eliminating competition but the real reason was to destroy the Chungs, to avenge his mother.
The recent news they spread had caused Chung Enterprises' stock price to drop but Edison Chen had been able to reassure investors at the last news conference. It didn't matter though; it was only a matter of time before Chung Enterprises failed.
No one would be able to save them.
He had already set the wheels in motion.
"I promise you, Mother. No matter what price, I will make the Chungs pay for what they have done to us," his lips twisted into a smirk, "they will finally experience the feeling of losing a loved one..."
*
Only an empty dining room greeted her when Charlene came down the long spiral stairs, prepared to have breakfast. The absence of her husband caused the pit of her stomach to tighten into knots. Her in-laws were away on business but where was her husband? He wouldn't have left for the office without bidding her goodbye.
Concern brought her to the door of his den. Her hand curved into a fist as it made contact with the door but received no response in return. After a few seconds, she reached for the knob and turned. To her surprise, her husband was sitting behind his desk, his eyes were distant and his expression was unreadable.
Why hadn't he answer her?
"Kenny?"she called, making her way to where he was but stopped abruptly when her eyes landed on the open newspaper lying on the desk.
'Heir to Chung Enterprises's Wife in the Arms of Another Man.'
Fear crept into her guilty heart as she stared at the huge photo of Nicholas and her kissing in the rain several days ago.
Stunned, she could not understand how their picture could have been taken.
How could she have not noticed there were reporters?
How could she have been so careless?
Her own reputation, she could care less but her husband was a man of importance and worse yet, she had succumbed to temptation, bringing pain to the man that loved her above all else.
How could she have betrayed him?
How could she be so useless?
Nicholas had urged her to confide the truth of their love to Kenny immediately but she had insisted on waiting, intending to talk to him after the issues at work had been resolved, not wanting to distract him but now...
"Kenny?" she called again, her eyes not leaving his expressionless face.
Moments passed before her husband finally lifted his eyes to meet hers and forced a weak smile, her heart twisted with grief and remorse from the pain that had become so evidently written on his handsome face. Involuntarily, tears began streaming down her face while her gaze diverted to the floor, no longer able to meet her husband's eyes.
While her heart bled, a warm hand lifted her chin and gentle fingers wiped away her tears.
"Kenny..."
Words could not express the bitter regret she endured from hurting the man that guided her through the darkest hours; that had given her warmth during the loneliest time.
"Shh," he lifted his index finger to her lips, preventing her from speaking further. "I've already called the lawyer. He's going to draw up the divorce papers as well as the ownership papers for the boutique and the apartment by the beach. Pack some things, I'll drive you there later."
The tiredness and defeat in his voice torn her heart.
"I don't deserve all that," she protested, shaking her head from side to side while her tears continued to flow freely.
Why was it even now he was still so wonderful to her?
The gentle smile on his lips made her heart ache even more.
"As long as you are happy, I will be happy."
If only she had met him first.
*
"...to be betrayed"
*
A swarm of emotions washed over her the instant her former fiance's broad frame filled the doorway of her office. It felt familiar yet foreign to be in his presence again, almost surreal that their paths should cross once more after so much had happened.
There had been a time when he had been the love of her life.
There had been a time when their hearts and souls were joined in one.
But she had chosen to sacrifice his love for her family, for Chung Enterprises.
She had broken his heart.
His charming smile was just the same as she remembered but her heart no longer ached with longing when she looked into his twinkling eyes instead it rejoiced inwardly knowing that he was doing well, knowing his career had further advanced. But on the surface, she remained composed and professional, even cold to an extend, keeping her emotions hidden. Knowing only too well that their meeting today was to discuss a collaboration between Tse International and Chung Enterprises; not a reunion. Most importantly, she did not want old flames to reignite and more pain to ensue. After all, for better or for worse, she was already married.
"Mr. Wu," she welcomed him into her office.
Her former fiance chuckled. "Please Gillian, don't be so formal. We may not be a couple anymore but we are still friends."
The statement caught her by surprise, so much so that she missed the flash of bitterness in his eyes. Clouded by memories of his past generosity and kindness, her thoughts drifted only to the bitter note they had ended on, the regrets she had harbored knowing the friendship she once cherished with all her heart was gone, but his words had brought a sense of relief to her remorseful heart.
Perhaps, he had moved on?
Perhaps, he had believed the materialistic excuse she had given him and found it in his generous heart to forgive her?
Yet, she knew they must keep a distance, for their sake as well as everyone else's. Her gratitude could only be buried within, hidden from observant eyes.
Her bewildering emotions had caused her to make one fatal mistake, forgetting the darkness that resided in every broken heart.
"Daniel," she said, savoring the familiar way his name rolled off her tongue, "this way please."
Cautious to remain reasonably distant, she gestured to the seat in front of her desk while she made her way back to her leather chair, once again missing the way his withdrawn eyes studied her every move.
*
"...to lose everything"
*
The weather was beautiful, warm and breezy. Tony happily strolled down the path to the lake where he knew she would be waiting for him. From a distance he was able to make out her slender figure. Increasing his speed, he was behind her in no time, wrapping both arms around her petite waist.
The sweet smile he received in response made his heart soar with happiness.
Margie.
Moments after studying her bright eyes and luscious lips, his self-control ceased as he leaned over to kiss her. Satisfied, he lifted his head, wanting to look into her beautiful eyes again but the woman before him had become someone else.
Carina.
He jerked awake just as the plane experienced another wind turbulence, beads of sweat on his forehead, running down the side of his face. His eyes landed on the leather-covered seat in front while a gentle hand rested on his arm.
It had all been a dream.
Just a dream.
Bitterness flashed through his eyes as he painfully wished to snuggle against his first love once more.
"Are you alright?" He turned to meet his wife's worried face.
He nodded without answering, suppressing the suddenly resentment that grew for his wife.
After taking a few minutes to relax, his eyes averted to the laptop on top of his tray. Wanting to preoccupy himself, he lifted the screen and began studying the information that was displayed.
Chung Enterprises' stock had risen but an unsettling feeling continued to grow in his heart.
Something was wrong.
*
"...I promise."
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