Personal Stories: Webnovel After Love

Summary:

“I hate to get involved in this so-called marriage business. I expect the same from you. Unfortunately, i am not in the situation to cancel it. So, Ms. Li, you should be the one who cancel this nonsense.”

Theo Chen, CEO from New Star Group, a large company group from the most prominent businessman of Chen family, was giving his cold eyes and expressionless face which made Amy trembling involuntarily.

Amy Li had been through so many painful memories since she was young. Then five years ago, she almost lost her life after her boyfriend's betrayal, her best friend's lie, and bad reputation which changed her being different person.

However, her misery life has not been stopped after her father had announced marriage business plan to eldest son of Chen family. She cannot escape from her destiny even after tried many ways to prevent the marriage.

Mistrust, not being loved, and pessimist are the best words to describe Amy while coldness, expressionless, and arrogance have been trademarked of Theo Chen. Do the opposite personalities would heal the pains each other and find the love that they need?

With love,

Aileen P.

  

Part 1 Marriage for Business

            Amy stared blankly through papers in front her. She listened attentively when her father Li Jie spoke with high spirit. He even did not give any chance for Amy to interrupt his speech. Ami feels suffocated and chose to clench fist tightly until her veins seem exploding. She lowered her head, dropping her gaze to the floor.

            Li Jie stopped talking, let out a long sigh then looking her silent daughter. Amy behavior makes him becoming upset.

            “Amy, did you listen me?” His sharp voice snapped Amy from her blank thought.

            Amy took a glance, but soon she moved her eyes to the papers.

            “Dad, are you sure about this? I think I am not the best choice after all. How about Kate?” Amy tried to persuade her father. She even forced a sweet smile.

            Li Jie frowned. Kate, his younger daughter just came back from abroad and chose spending her days with shopping and hanging out with her friends. He always thinks she is too young to get married although she is 22 years old. Meanwhile, Amy is two years older and has 3 years experiences in marketing department.

            “Li Ai Mi.”

            Amy startled when Li Jie called her. Her father rarely mentioned that name. Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat.

            “I don’t want to tell this over again. Next week, you have a blind date with him. He is very busy, so his father and I barely made this appointment.”

            His final word made Amy feel hopeless. Li Jie then reached his phone and called his secretary. Amy throw her sad eyes when her father left without turning back. She took the papers and read it briefly.

            Theo Chen, a son of prominent businessman Chen Li Qiang from New Star Group, 28 years old and obtained education with majors of international business and business administration. He is the most wanted future husband in S city since he took a position as CEO in the largest branch of his father’s enterprise. He managed stores and hospitality company for 5 years after finished studying abroad.

            Amy pouted in silence. The more she read about Theo Chen, the more she felt annoyed. How can the perfect male exist in this earth? Her father did not give any photos, so she could not picture his face.

            Suddenly, her phone rings. Amy saw the name “Crazy Girl” on the screen. She breathed long.

            “Amy, come soon to shopping mall S. Pick me up. My car has a problem.” A crispy voice sounded very demanding.

            Amy felt irritated. “Kate, you can take a cab.” She replied with low voice, oppressed her annoyance.

            “No way. I don’t like a dirty and cheap car. Come now.”

            After shouted in bossy manner, Kate hung up the phone. Amy was speechless. She could not believe Kate has never changed her tone when she spoke to her elder sister. Since a child, Kate always acted like a spoiled princess and this even has getting worse after she come back from abroad. Their relationship is not good term from 5 years ago.

            “I can’t believe, you embarrassed me. How am I supposed to do when my friends found out this terrible fact.”

            Amy kept silence in a head down position. She bit her lip hardly to control emotion. Her tears almost fell into her cheek. Her father even sat without batting an eye. Her mother, Maggie Wang throw an accusation through her jade eyes. Since then, Amy stopped to defend herself. Every time her sister or her mother blamed her for something that displeased them, Amy simply let them do everything they want to. She has struggled as time goes by to survive when people around are always gossiping her.

            Amy never imagined that in the future she will get big troubles, marrying Theo Chen who is stranger to her. She really wants to escape from her cruel destiny.

            Meanwhile, in a clothing store, after ended her talking with her sister, Kate approached her friends.

            “Kate, is that woman will come soon?” a tall and long wavy hair girl spoke with her dissatisfied look.

            Kate smiles broadly. “Don’t worry, Julia. As soon she is coming, we will go to the club.”

            “I can’t believe your car got trouble, Kate.” Said another girl who has oval face and a sexy lip as distinctive feature.

            “Sorry, Gillian. As an apology, I will treat a dinner and drinks, okay?!”

            Both girls screamed happily. They hugged Kate with a dramatic way.

            “Let’s go buying clothes again.” Kate spoke enthusiastically. Soon, they forgot their anger.

            A half hour later, Amy arrived in shopping mall S. She tried many times to call Kate, but her sister did not answer it. This made her more stressful. She hates weekend since she cannot use working as an excuse to refuse Kate.

            She pressed number again, losing her concentration to her surround.  Not a far way, from the opposite way, there are few people walking. One of them is talking to a tall and handsome figure who seems walk too fast with cold and uninterested expression. Behind his back, a shorter man is busy writing something on the notebook. They really try so hard to keep up with that tall man. He strode with elegance and domineering look.

            Then, without any hint, Amy bumped this man when she was busy typing texts. His strong body seems like the wall, so Amy lost her balance and ended up falling on the floor. People followed this handsome man were shocked. However, the man had a stoic expression on his face.

            “Stop walking if you are texting something.” The man talked in a stern voice.

            Amy felt a sudden anger in her head. Her buttock is painful. She soon stood up and tidied up herself. When she wanted to release her complains, her words were swallowed quickly. Meeting the black jet-eyes with a perfectly sculptured face, Amy gasped in surprise.

            The man gave a quick glance, then commanded his secretary, “Mr. Lei, I want to back to office. Take report from them about the sales performance this month and plan for the next month.”

            After finished his words, he passed through Amy without second look. Amy was left speechless. She really pissed off. How rude that man, leaving without apologizing. She could not believe her bad day. A sudden calling from Kate broke her fury. Her sister thunder tone made her more frustrated.

Personal Stories: Webnovel After Love

After Love

Part 2 Who is that Girl?

            In the office, the top floor of building.

            Theo entered his room, followed by David, his secretary. The room size is huge as twice as the conference room. Near the windows, the mahogany desk and chair are situated with large shelf in back, showing books and documents. In the left, there is a door to another room. Centered, four sofas are formed a square with a glass table in the middle. Next to sofas, there are also oval flatted table and swivel chairs in the other side, large screen for projector and small fridge. Black, grey, and white dominate all things in the room.

            Theo sat on his chair. David stood up in front of table and put down all documents which were held by him.

            “CEO, these are reports from our shopping mall this month.”

            Theo glanced him briefly. “I will read it later. What’s about something I requested you yesterday?”

            David took papers from his suitcase and place those on the table. Theo reached it, reading each page expressionless.

            “According to our private investigator, your soon-bride-to-be is 25 years old girl. She graduated from reputable university with marketing as her major and has worked as a staff of marketing department in the food company for two and half years in abroad. Ms. Amy Li has a younger sister and her name is....”

            “Cut the crap. I don’t care about her life. I want to know something unusual about her.” Replied Theo impatiently.

            David swallowed his saliva. He really wanted to hide the rumor about his boss’s future wife. A sweat drenched his forehead.

            Realizing something different, Theo threw his sharp eyes. His face darkened. David trembled involuntarily.

            “Speak.”

            David took a breath before opened his mouth. “Hmmm, CEO. There are many bad rumor about your future wife. I confirmed it, but some of those are still mystery.”

            David stopped talking for a moment before continued soon when Theo looked annoyed. “Hmmm, there is rumor that Ms. Li got pregnant with her boyfriend 5 years ago when they were in the college but lost her unborn child because of miscarriage. Then she tried to commit suicide after broke up with her boyfriend. Fortunately, doctor could save her life. She got therapy for a year before continued her study in Australia. We tried to find anything about these. It seems that Mr. Li Jie removed all evidence about pregnancy, suicide, and psychological records of her daughter.”

            Theo furrowed his eyebrows. He stopped reading. He felt disgusted and irritated more. How come his parents insisted to force him into business marriage? They got terrible future daughter-in laws. They even told him that the first meeting with that woman will come in the next week.

            Considering relationship between Chen family and Li family for many years, he tried his best to accept this marriage. However, after listening the investigation, Theo felt angry. How dare Li family hide the past and play a trick to his family?

            “Hmmmm CEO?” David began shivering when he saw Theo’s face looked darker from time to time and his expression turned icy. No wonder he felt being frozen.

            “You can go home now.” Commanded Theo without further explanation.

            David bowed his head, then strode out of the room.

            Theo threw papers angrily. He walked to the windows. He must convince his parents to terminate the marriage agreement with Li family. Otherwise, this will destroy his family’s reputation. His mind recalled the conversation with his father three days ago.

            Chen Li Qiang glared his son after receiving rejection from him nonchalantly. He minimizes his tone and struggled to keep his calm manner. Joanna, his wife soothed in soft voice. She also gave a warning look to her son and gestured him to stop triggering his father’s temper.

            “How dare you talking back to me?” Li Qiang tried his best to face his cold son.

            Theo stared back his father coldly.

            “I am sorry, father. I can do everything you want me to, except for choosing my partner in life.”

            “You ….” Li Qiang pointed Theo and almost lost his temper.

            “Dear, please. Talk calmly.” Joanna stepped in to prevent her husband throwing a fit to their son.

            Theo still sat gracefully, not moving.

            “Honey, did you listen to his speech? He is capable to turn everything down. I bet, he has intentionally destroyed my friendship with Li Jie.”

            Li Qiang’s chest is ups and down with constant rhythm. His gaze met Joana eyes. Joanna smiled sweetly. This made Wang Yu’s anger melted. Joanna rubbed his arm passionately, then look at her son.

            “Theo, we understand your point of view, sweetheart. This is not only about our business’s benefit, but more importantly this is as a respect for our long friendship. You know that your father and I have a best relationship with Uncle Li since childhood, right?”

            Theo took a deep sigh. He could resist his mother’s sweetness. “Who is that girl? We barely know each other. How could I marry her at the first place?”

            Joanna smiled brightly. Her son always be considerate when spoke to her. He could behave coldly and rudely, but soon his icy face melted in front of her. She knows his son’s warmth.

            Li Qiang was speechless looking indifference in which his son showed to him.

            “She is Amy Li. She just came back from abroad. You will like her since she is sweet, cheerful, and polite. I used to meet her when she was child, but we were only on the phone from 5 years ago.”

            Joanna breathed heavily. Honestly, she really missed this little girl since she only has two sons. No three sons, she corrected. Her husband did not allow her being pregnant after witnessed her life-and-death experience giving birth their second children. Only Amy gave her warm and exciting feeling having a daughter.

            “Don’t bother him again, Anna. He has no option. This marriage had been decided.” Wang Yu broke Joanna’s flashback.

            Finishing his final remark, Li Qiang stood up and walked out. Theo clasped his hand. Obviously, he has been defeated without fighting back.

            Theo came back to the present. Probably he could convince his father with the evidence in this hand.

            His phone rang. Theo answered it immediately when he saw the familiar name on screen.

            “Brother, did you forget your promise?” A childish tone sounded complaining.

            Theo smiled heartily. “I am sorry, Toby. I will arrive there soon, buddy.”

            Without wasting time, he grabbed his suit and suitcase. Holding his car key, Theo walked hurriedly.

            Toby, a twelve years old boy, was waiting anxiously. His throat felt dry. He was wandering around shopping mall S. Mr. Huang, his driver came back home after he assured that his brother would pick him up.

            Feeling a bit depressed, Toby entered a giant supermarket in the ground floor. Soon his face brightened when was seeing many products displayed in the high shelves. He walked directly to small long rectangular fridge. He spotted an ice cream wrapped in a cone.

             When, he tried to reach it, a hand took it faster. He stunned a second, trying to search the same brand of ice cream. However, he found nothing.

            Disappointed, he followed someone who took his excitement.

            “Hey, that is my ice cream.” Protested Toby.

            Hearing a loud voice, a girl turned back. She was amazed when saw a pouted mouth and accusation look.

            “Really? Then is your name written on it?” Replied that girl calmly.

            Toby was speechless. He thought harder to find appropriate words to respond, but his mind was blank.

            Amy, the girl lifts a small smile in the corner of her lip. The boy looked very cute when he concentrated in his thinking.

            “Little boy, you know the rule of queue?”

            Toby shot glimpse her, feel irritated. His eyes seemed saying, “do you think I am that stupid not know about it”.

            Amy smiled victoriously. With the teasing tone, she added, “First come, first serve. I am really sorry, little boy but I can’t give this to you since I took it firstly.”

            “I am not a little boy.” He replied dissatisfied.

            Amy chuckled. “Okay, I am really sorry a grown-up man. Now, I have to go now.”

            Her smile looked warmly, but Toby could not appreciate it. He felt so angry and annoyed even more when that girl waved her hand cheerfully. He grunted when Amy slowly disappeared.

            Fifteen minutes later, inside a car, Toby sat in passenger seat with sullen face, reminiscing about her. Theo sighed long breath.

            “I am sorry for coming late, buddy. This will not happen next time.” Said Theo with caring look.

            Toby shook his head. “I am not angry to you, big bro. I just pissed off. A girl stole my favorite ice cream. Only one left, but she took it and did not care about me at all.”

            Theo knitted his eyebrow. “Who is that girl?”

            Toby shrugged off his shoulders, signaling his confusion. Theo kept silent, starting the engine. Riding a Mercedes-Maybach always attracted many spectacles, but he ignored admiring look surrounding him.