Love Began with the First Meeting

A hint of mockery flashed through Eric's eyes. He thought, 'She's either pretending to be calm or doing it intentionally to catch my attention. It's such a pity, though.' The grin on his face widened.

In contrast to the bustle in the office room, the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful in the garden at the top floor of the Smile Hotel. Under a beach umbrella, two couples chatted away happily. Richie, Shirley, Frank and Smart sat around in a circle, talking to each other merrily.

"Smart, why don't you come see Mark with me?" suggested Shirley, her eyes glittering with excitement.

Every time Smart met Shirley after being away for a while, she found that there was always a brighter light shining in her eyes. It looked like her yearning for the beauty in this world would never diminish despite her growing age. Smart replied while smiling, "Even you are restricted to meet him secretly now. How could I dare come along? I'm afraid that Brian would blame it on us if he failed to capture Molly's heart."

Shirley burst out laughing. Shaking her hand, she looked towards Frank and said without any qualms, "If your son stops messing around between them, my son will surely be able to capture Little Molly's heart."

Frank was dumbfounded by her words. Shedding the usual serious look on his face, he complained to Richie just like he used to do during their younger days, "Richie, is Shirley indirectly saying that my son is better than yours?"

"Hmm..." Richie's gaze deepened as he said slowly, "I won't argue about who is more outstanding between them. However, in this case, only Molly's decision will give us the result, no matter what the boys are capable of."

Shirley and Smart both pondered over Richie's words. A frown appeared on Frank's face, but it quickly turned into a charming smile as he said, "Hey, I was only kidding and you had to go ahead and destroy my joke."

They all burst out laughing, and then Shirley changed the topic.

She asked, "Why don't you stay here for a few more days? You may get the opportunity to see Mark soon."

tomorrow. We were just passing by here today,

through Smart's heart, but she kept her smile, "After all, we haven't seen you in almost three years. And you haven't

but Eric is in A City too. You

boys should solve their own matters themselves. Smart and

right," said

different stories buried in the river of time. Some affections never vanished over time, instead they remained as precious memories that built

*

same as the ones in every seaside city. The sun illuminated the sea surface as it rose from the horizon. Soon, the bright rays

the open balcony of her room. Unlike that of A City, the air here smelled humid and serene, and she liked

went downstairs and prepared breakfast for herself. Brian had left early in

Molly wondered whether Brian would come back in time for lunch. She decided to get the food ready anyway and returned to her room to get changed. She rummaged around in her bag for

took out all the things one by one out of her bag. She rifled through them again, yet there was still no sign of her purse. She tried to think back to when she had last seen it, and her eyes

at the clutter on her bed, she sat down on the corner of the bed.

and glanced at the screen-- Brian. Her eyes lit up in joy and she answered it immediately. Before Brian could say a word, she grumbled, "Bri, I forgot to bring my purse from A city. I

of the call remained silent. After a

face and she asked,

said Brian, "I've booked a restaurant for dinner. I'll pick you up after

strangely delighted, although she couldn't figure out why she was feeling that