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," Antonio announced.

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 have to be so serious with her? Why hadn't he come

say something, but was stopped by Shirley's words. "Little Molly and I have something to do.

that, Shirley waved at the waiter and paid the bill. Then she took Molly's hand and left the cafe. Molly stayed silent

didn't stop them. All he could do was watch them get into a taxi and leave. With a

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

punish you today," Shirley held Molly's hand and reassured her. She seemed to have read Molly's

was pointless to worry about the unpredictable things that might or might not occur

eyes, Shirley quickly came up with a great idea. She smiled wickedly and asked,"I've heard that the Grand Night Casino is an interesting

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

whispered,"Let's go to Brian's casino and win

hesitated for a moment and said,"Aunt Shirley, I don't

will just go and have a little fun. It's okay." With her carefree attitude, Shirley turned to the driver and said,"Please drive us to the Grand Night

hesitant. She hated gambling. She got involved in Brian's life because her father owed gambling loan to the usurers. She had been put into such a miserable situation

aware of the secret rules of the casinos, even

thought 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

herself. But she did not want to upset Aunt Shirley, so Molly covered up her complex emotions and said,"Okay, Aunt Shirley. If that's what you want, then let's go have some fun. But only very

to play some games," Shirley said. Then she grinned mischievously and asked in a whisper,"Little Molly, how about we win the casino over and get