Love Began with the First Meeting

"Richie will give up soon and go look for her himself," Brian said, confident that his father would take care of things.

Eric grinned and went on to ask,"What about Little Molly?"

Brian halted in front of the door and glanced over his shoulder at Eric. His dark eyes rippled and he maintained a casual voice,"She has you, doesn't she?"

"Are you entrusting her to me?" Eric asked as he left the bar counter. "Aren't you afraid that she might really become my wife one day?"

"Please ask me this question again when she agrees to become yours." Brian left with a smug smile on his face.

He thought to himself, 'Molly, don't you want to leave me?

Let's wait and see if you will really be able to leave me even if you have Shirley's help.'

**

Molly and Shirley stayed at the cafe for quite a long while. It was past dinner time and their table was in quite a mess. They had ordered too many different ice creams and they had melted before they could start eating them. The table was now a colorful mess of melted ice creams.

The entrance door to the cafe was pushed open suddenly and Antonio rushed in.

Shirley wasn't surprised at Antonio's arrival, but as she expectantly looked behind Antonio, a dash of disappointment flashed through her eyes because she couldn't see the man whom she was expecting.

Wing has invited you for dinner,"

Shirley was aggrieved that Richie hadn't come to get her himself. She was surely acting a little bit wayward this time, but why did he

"Little

Shirley waved at the waiter and paid the bill. Then she took Molly's hand and left

do was watch them get into a taxi and leave. With a sigh, he shook his head and left the

She heard Shirley tell the driver to drive around the streets. Molly's gloominess had been long chased away by Shirley's words at the cafe. She was much happier now, but still, she was worried that Brian would get even

do anything to punish you today," Shirley held Molly's hand

firm look in her eyes. She realized that it was pointless to worry about the unpredictable things that might or might not occur in life. She wanted to cherish every happy moment and live every minute to

the decisive look in Molly's eyes, Shirley quickly came up with a great idea. She smiled wickedly and asked,"I've

haven't you ever been to a casino before?" asked Molly. She was

closer to Molly and whispered,"Let's go

Molly was baffled. She hesitated for a moment and said,"Aunt Shirley, I don't think

fun. It's okay." With her carefree attitude, Shirley turned to the driver and said,"Please drive us to

She hated gambling. She got involved in Brian's life because her father owed gambling loan to the usurers.

the casinos, even

about that, Molly suddenly remembered that she had been absent from work at the casino for several days after she had been back to work there for only one day. She felt horrible about it. It would be embarrassing to go back to the Grand Night Casino because her workmates would think that it was strange. They would

so Molly covered up her complex emotions and said,"Okay, Aunt

some games," Shirley said. Then she grinned mischievously and asked in a whisper,"Little Molly, how about we win