Love Began with the First Meeting

Yesterday, Shirley had taken Mark to the hotel for dinner. That was the first time he had seen Richie. He had almost thought it was Brian who was standing in front of him. He could hardly tell the two people apart except for the age difference. He had wondered who that was, but he didn't ask Shirley. Then after Shirley had told him Richie's name, he connected all the dots. He also recalled how Shirley had introduced herself when they first met so Mark figured out who Richie was from there.

Shirley was very happy that Mark finally knew who she was. She had been thinking about how to introduce herself and Richie to Mark these days. Unexpectedly, her smart grandson had worked out the puzzle by himself.

It should have been a happy family reunion, but too many things had happened that day.

***

In QY Island, Brian was having a meeting while Molly was reading a magazine in the lounge. But not one single page had been turned after a long while. She raised her head every now and then, looking towards another room through the glass window.

The meeting had been ongoing for more than three hours now. They had even skipped the meal. The secretary had brought her takeout food instead but she barely touched it. Her brows were furrowed in worry.

All over the news was the bombing at the amusement park - things were definitely serious. She put the magazine down and walked to the glass window. The expression on Brian's face was cold as usual. He listened and wrote every once in a while.

Molly lowered her eyes, turned around, and sat back on the sofa. She watched Brian. Her heart tightened. Somehow, she found it difficult to breathe. She pressed her lips together and called Eric.

"Hello, hello, look who's missing me," Eric joked.

Molly frowned and scolded, "How can you be in the mood to joke right now?"

Eric raised his brows and asked, "Little Molly, are you worried about me?"

"..." Molly was silent.

"Don't be embarrassed. Just tell me. If this thing led you to call and worry about me, then it was worth it even if I lost the Empire," Eric continued teasingly.

"Eric Long!" Molly roared.

better,"

wordless. She rolled her eyes and

on QY Island. I am not worried. And things here are in control too. I won't let things get worse. Don't trust the media. What they

Now she felt much relieved, "Eric, is everything going to be

I promise," Eric answered earnestly. "Don't you believe in

mean. I'm just..." Molly looked down and then

is take good care of yourself so we won't have to worry about you. Brian and I will take care of the

They talked for a few more

looked again towards the meeting room. The

starting to set. When the night fell, QY Island was lit by various kinds

again this time, don't bother going back to Dragon Island. That goes for all of

the room looked

Tony reported when Brian walked out of the meeting room. "He's trained

"Take him to Aaron and tell Aaron

Tony left right away.

the other was for Molly. Once they controlled them, they controlled Brian. He remembered how worried he had been when he

his way to the lake, he kept thinking about what his enemy

only a distraction from the

was reflected on the rear-view mirror from the sunshine and the glass in the building. As the head of the XK

of the car calmly and walked into the building, holding Molly's hand. Instead of walking straight, he had walked in a zigzag line, which would make it difficult for the

He opened the door of the lounge and stopped at the doorway

sofa, leaning against the cushion, with the magazine still in her hand. His heart ached. He walked over and sat down on

Molly moaned with a frown. Her forehead was

was startled. She opened her eyes and looked at Brian. After a while, she came to her senses and sat