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.