Chapter Seven: If This is LoveAndy stared at the empty seat behind him. It's been two days, and Genie have not been in school. He's getting worried with her, for he knows she doesn't miss a day in school. He opened his book, and stared at the love letter that's inserted between two pages. He wanted to give it to her, but she's not around. “What happened to her?” he thought. He missed her so much. It seems that something's amiss in his day whenever he didn't have a glimpse of her sweet, innocent face. Just then, the school bell rang. All the students immediately went outside the room, and he was left alone with the teacher. “Teacher...” he called as he stood up from his seat. The teacher looked back at him, and smiled. “Yes, Andy?” she asked. “What happened to Genie Zhou? Is she sick, or something?” he asked. The teacher smiled at him, and shook her head. “She transferred schools already. She's now studying in Lillian School for Girls.” the teacher said.
Andy was surprised at what he said. “T-transferred?” he asked again. The teacher nodded her head. “Her step dad thinks that it's best for her to go such an elite school, so they transferred her there.” she explained. Andy felt his world collapsed before him at what he heard. Genie's gone, and he will never see her everyday, ever again. If only he and his friends weren't mean to her, maybe he have not pushed the girl he loves away. But it was too late to regret everything. He looked up at his teacher, and thanked her. As soon as his teacher left, he sat on the empty seat, and sighed sadly. “She's gone...” he thought as he clutched the letter in his hand. “Maybe Genie will never know how I really feel for hey, now that she's gone...” He placed the letter in his book bag, and then left the room.
--
“So, I will get to meet the lucky bastard?” Charlene said to Ella that afternoon. They were at the cafe, waiting for Calvin and his friend. They will need to talk about the details about their wedding, and since Charlene will be her maid of honor, she tagged her along. Calvin told her that he will bringing with him his best man. “Of course. You'll get to meet the lucky bastard.” she answered. Charlene smiled at her, as she leaned on the table. “Aren't you happy that you're going to be married to a guy you love?” she asked. “How can I be happy if I'm forced to do something I don't want to do? And besides, I don't love him...” she said. Charlene rolled her eyes at her. “Oh please, don't give me that shit. Who ran away to her secret place after having a night of affair with this guy? Who was crying her heart out just because she fell in love with a stranger?” Charlene asked. Ella sighed, and looked away from her. She could hear her friend laughing hard at her. “Cut it out, will you?” Ella said in an irritated tone.
Ella looked outside the cafe, and saw Calvin and his friend walking towards their direction. “There's the bastard...” she said. Charlene looked outside, and saw Mike. She was surprised to see him. The last person she wanted to see in her entire life is this arrogant guy. Then, she looked at Ella. 'Is he the one?” she asked, pointing at Mike. Ella looked back, and thought that she was pointing at Calvin, so she nodded her head. “Yeah, he's the one...” she said. Charlene held her hand, and looked into her eyes. “Ella, you know how much I love you as a friend, but if you'll be marrying this jerk, then I'm sorry but I have to cut out our friendship.” she said. Ella gave her a confused look. “What are you saying?” she asked. Just then, Calvin approached them. “Hey, Ella...” he said as he walked up to her. Ella's face instantly lighted up upon hearing his voice. “Sorry we're late...” he said. “It's OK, we didn't wait that long.” she said. Charlene sighed with relief upon realizing that Ella's fiancee is not the arrogant guy. “They look good together, though...” she thought to herself. “By the way, Calvin... this is my best friend Charlene. She's going to be the maid of honor. Char, this is Calvin, my fiancee.” she said. Charlene smiled at Calvin. “Nice meeting you.” she said as she shook his hand. “By the way, this is Mike, my best bud. He'll be my best man. Mike, this is Ella, my wife-to-be, and Charlene, her best friend.” Calvin said. Mike smiled at Ella, and shook her head. “Nice meeting you.” he said. Then, he turned to Charlene. “It's not nice to meet you.” he said. Charlene smirked at him. “The pleasure is not mine.” she snapped back at him.
Ella and Calvin could only look at each other with confusion as the two starts to bicker. “Can we start?” Ella said. Calvin sat beside Ella, while Mike was left with no choice but to sit beside Charlene. “OK... first things first. Venue of the wedding. I'm thinking of the old church down south...” Ella said. Calvin smiled and nodded his head. “I've been to that church before. It's a nice place. I'll go with it.” he said. Ella looked at Calvin with irritation. She was expecting that he won't agree with him. She flipped the page of a magazine she was holding. “I changed my mind. Xia Tian Hotel, there's a large garden there that's perfect for weddings...” she said. Mike looked at Calvin, and smiled. “Garden wedding? Exactly your type of wedding, right, Cal?” Mike said. Calvin laughed and nodded his head. “Yeah... a garden wedding would be great.” he said, eying Ella. Ella sighed, and then forced a smile on her face. “Then, garden wedding it is...” she said. “El, I was thinking of pink and white for the motif. What do you think?” Charlene suggested. Mike looked at her with a disgust expression on his face. “Pink? Please, it's too girly. And besides, Calvin doesn't like pink. He likes blue.” Mike said. Charlene rolled her eyes at him. “Wei, it's Ella and Calvin's wedding. Not your own wedding. We're just helping them to decided, OK?” she snapped at him. “Well, if Ella wants those colors for the motif, then I'll go with it.” Calvin said. Ella let out another irritated sigh, and flipped through the magazine. “Bridal car. I'm thinking of something vintage. How about a 1950's Cadillac?” Ella asked. Calvin smiled and nodded his head. “I'll go with it.” he said to her.
Ella threw the magazine on the table, and leaned on her chair. “Do you have to agree with everything I say?” she told him. Calvin game her a confused look. “Why? I think your idea's great... what's wrong?” he asked. Ella glared at him, and then stood up from her chair. She stormed outside the cafe to calm herself. She might burst out on Calvin if she stayed inside. “What did I do wrong?” Calvin asked Charlene. Charlene just shrugged her shoulder. “Maybe it's one of those days...” Mike said. “Please. What do you know about it?” Charlene told him. Then, Charlene turned to Calvin, and smiled. “Maybe Ella wanted to know your inputs on the wedding, and not just agree with everything she says. I know her, and trust me, she would be thankful if you argue with her once in a while.” she said. Calvin smiled sadly at him. Although Ella already agreed to marry him, he knows that she is just being forced to marry him. He thought he was helping Ella by agreeing to all her decisions, but he was wrong. “I think I'll go and talk to her.” he said as he stood up from his seat. He excused himself to the two, and then followed Ella outside the cafe.
Ella threw her cigarette on the ground, and stepped on it. “Smoking is bad for your health, don't you know that?” she heard Calvin said. She looked back at him, and then turned away from his gaze. “Why do you care?” she asked. “Because I will be your husband, that's why I care.” he said. “Do you really have to put in my face?” she asked. Calvin just laughed at her. Then, there was silence between them. “You know...” he began. “If you don't really want to do this, I understand. Don't worry, I'll find a way to tell your dad...” Ella let out a smirk as she looked down. “Well, I already said yes, so there's no turning back now. It's not like me to back out on something...” she said. “Then, why do I get a feeling that you're not interested with the preparations? I mean, all the girls I know seems to get excited with it. And, you're the only girl I have met who's not too enthusiastic with this thing? Is it because you don't like me?” Calvin asked. Ella looked up at him, and stared at him. Then, she brushed her hair back. “It's not that...” she said softly. “I know you don't like me. You said it before. You said I have nothing to do with your life, and that you don't want to be friends with me. But I was hoping you could give me a chance to get to know you... to be your friend. I know you don't have any feelings for me, and since we're kinda stuck with this situation, I was hoping we could be friends even though we can't be lovers.” he said. Calvin looked at her, and then he held Ella's hand. “Will you give me that chance, Ella? Will you give me the chance to be part of your life?” he asked. Ella looked at his hand, and then he looked up at him and smiled. “Well, trying to have a fight with you is quite tiring. I guess... I guess you're right. We're going to be married soon... so I guess we can be friends.” she said.
Calvin's face lightened up upon hearing her answer. “Thank you, Ella...” he said, smiling at him. “You never know how much this means to me.” Ella just laughed at him. “Fine! Whatever. Let's go back inside before Charlene kills your friend.” she said. She turned to go back inside the cafe. Then, Calvin called her again. “Ella...” he said. Ella paused, and looked at him. He walked towards her. “About the motif, do you think we could change it? I don't like pink...” he said. Then, Ella let out another laugh. “And I thought you'll go with it as long as I agree?” she asked. “So, pink will be our motif?” he asked. Ella shook her head. “I don't like pink as well. Good thing you disagreed with me for once.” she said before entering the cafe.
--
“Are you sure you want to get married to the Ella Chen?” Mike asked as Calvin was driving. “Why, what's wrong with her?” he asked. He made a turn at the next intersection, and then looked up at Mike. “Well, by now you should know who she is. Ella Chen. Party girl. Playgirl. I think she slept with half of Taipei's male population.” Mike said. Calvin smirked at him, and shook his head. “I don't care about her past...” he said. “You don't care? Man... she had an affair with a married man before. She slept with a rockstar. She even got herself exposed in a sex tape. Why don't you care?” Mike asked again. “Because it's all in the past. We're going to build our future together. Don't you think that's all that should matter?”
“Yes, I know. But, I'm just concerned about you. I don't want to see my friends being judged by other people because his wife's a slut.”
“I can change her, don't worry. Once she marries me, she'll turn into a good girl.”
“Yeah, if pigs could fly.”
Calvin kept his silence, and continued to drive. Meanwhile, Mike just stared at his friend. He was having this crazy thought about him. “Tell me, Cal...” he asked. Calvin looked at him and waited for him to continue. “Why are you so eager to marry her. I mean, I know you. I know how much you love Selina. You couldn't even date before... so why agree to this marriage? Was it because of the merging of your dad's company, and her dad's company?” Mike asked. Calvin looked away from him, and turned his eyes on the road. “This has nothing to do with that.” he said firmly. “It's the only logical thing I could think of. And believe me, if I tell you my other suspicion, you'll say it's a crazy one.” Mike said. Calvin smirked at him again. “Try me.” he said. Mike shrugged his shoulder, and then sighed. “i think Ella replaced Selina in your heart.” he said. Calvin stepped on the brakes. He looked up, and saw the traffic lights turn red. Mike laughed at his reaction. “I knew it...” he said. “What do you mean?” Calvin asked. “Are you in love with Ella Chen?” Mike asked. Calvin did not dare to look up at Mike. He doesn't want to see the smirk in his face if he found out he's right. In a short period of time, he have learned to love Ella, despite her past.
“You're having a crazy thought.” he told him. Mike laughed at his friend. “I knew you'd say that.” Mike said. “Fine, if you want to know, it's your first hunch, OK?” Calvin said. Mike laughed again, and shook his head. “I don't believe you...” Mike said in sing-song tone. “Why can't you believe me?” he asked. “Wei, Calvin Chen! I've been friends with you for so long. I know when you're lying and when you're telling the truth. I know you're telling the truth when you told me you're not marrying Ella because of the merger. So, I chose to believe that you are marrying her because you love her.” he said. “So, what if I do?” Calvin said. Mike looked away from him, and smiled. “I knew it. Was it because of that night?”
“I don't know...”
“You searched for her...”
“I want to apologize for what happened between us...”
“You know that you don't have to apologize to her, she seduced you!”
“I don't care.”
“You know what?” Mike said. Calvin gave him a confused look. “Sometimes, I don't understand you, Calvin.”
--
Chun put up the paper in his hand, and showed it to Ella. It's his design for her wedding gown. “Too flowery. You know I hate that.” Ella said. Chun sighed as he put the paper down. He took another sketch, and showed it to Ella. It's a sketch of a backless wedding gown. “Too sexy. I don't want to seduce him.” Ella said. Chun sighed, and stood up from his seat. “Ella, dear... I have designed over fifty wedding gowns for you, and you didn't like even one of them! You're making my work more difficult...” Chun said. Ella could only roll her eyes at her friend. “I don't think you really designed it for me. I've seen your sketches before. And besides, you know those designs aren't my type...” she said. “Well then, if you don't like hiss designs, then why don't you sketch your own design?” Charlene asked. “Or better yet, why don't you wear that?” Chun asked, pointing at the wedding gown that's displayed outside. It was Ella who designed that gown, and made it by her own hand. She promised herself that she will only wear that gown if she gets to marry the man she loves. “Not that one!” Ella shouted at Chun. Chun looked back at her, giving her confused look. “Why? You love Calvin, don't you?” Charlene asked. Chun nodded her head in agreement. “Look... love is out of the question in this wedding,. And besides, I don't think he loves me too.” Ella said. Chun took a chair, and sat in front of Ella. “Look, dearie... we have one solution for you to find out if he loves you or not. Why don't you ask him?” Chun said. Ella smirked and shook her head. “No way!” she said as she looked away from Chun. Chun reached for her, and made her face him. “Ella, dear, it's easy. All you have to do is give him puppy eyes like this...” he demonstrated what she was supposed to do. He put her chin on his palms, and blinked his eyes several times. “And then ask, 'Calvin, do you love me?'” he said. Ella and Charlene could only laugh at him. Their friend can be crazy at times.
Then, they heard the door open. They all looked at the door, and saw Calvin and Mike enter the shop. “Oh my, the arrogant guy is here again.” Charlene said as she rolled her eyes at Mike. Then, she looked at Ella. “Ella, if you need anything, I'll be inside Chun's office. You know my stand on your best man.” she said. Charlene stood up from her seat, and then went inside the office. Chun stood up from his seat, and welcomed the two guys. “I'm glad to see you again, Calvin! And I see you brought a cute guy with you...” he said as he approached the two. Calvin looked at Mike, and laughed at him as he was irritated by Chun. “Have you heard that I hurt gays who flirts with me?” Mike said in an annoyed tone. Chun immediately retreated back, and turned to Calvin. “So, what brings the prince in my humble shop?” Chun asked. “Mike and I were in the area, and I figured Ella would be here for the gowns, so we decided to stop by and check on her.” Calvin said. He eyed on Ella, and smiled at her. “If you must know, I haven't decided on my wedding gown's design...” Ella told him Chun nodded in agreement. “I showed your wife-to-be all m designs, but she turned them all down...” Chun said with a pout. He held Mike's arms, and leaned on his shoulder. Mike gave him dagger looks, and then cleared his throat. “Oopps, sorry...” Chun said as he let go of him. “Actually, Ella already decided on a design, but she's deciding against it. She wants that one.” Chun said as he pointed on the wedding gown that's displayed outside.
Calvin looked at it, and when he turned to Ella, he gave her a confused look. “Why don't you try it out?” he asked. Ella opened her mouth to explain, but before she could, Chun interrupted her. “Actually, she designed that gown, and she said before that -” Before Chun could finish his sentence, Ella stood up and covered his mouth. “Don't tell him, or else...” she hissed at him. Calvin and Mike laughed at the two. “Why don't you want to wear your own design?” Calvin asked. “I'm not comfortable wearing the dress I designed.” she said as she released Chun from her grasp. Calvin gave her a warm smile, so warm that she felt like melting. “I never thought you design dresses...” he said. Ella smiled at him, and put her hands on her waist. “There are a lot of things you don't know about me.” she said. “Thats why I want to get to know you more.” Calvin said. Ella gaze into his eyes, and the two of them stared at each other for a long time.
“Ehem...” both Chun and Mike said. Ella and Calvin seem to snap out of each other. They felt embarrassed for spacing out like that. “So, about the wedding gown...” Calvin said. “Yeah, what about it?” Ella asked. “Can you try it out for me? I want to see if it looks good on you.” he said. Ella gave him a bewildered look. “Are you kidding me? I told you I don't wear my own designs!” she exclaimed. Calvin laughed, and nodded his head. “I know. But I want to see how you'll look on it. Can you do this for me?” he asked. “If you insist, then I'll get the gown now!” Ella heard Chun say. Before she could react violently, her friends is already out of sight.
As soon as Chun took the gown from the display, he dragged her inside the fitting room. Calvin and Mike waited patiently for her. After a while, Chun came out of the fitting room. “Presenting our beautiful bride!” Chun said. Chun pulled the curtain, and revealed Ella in the gown. Calvin looked up at her, and in an instant, he was mesmerized. He watched her closely as she twirled around. “What do you think?” Ella asked. “I think it's perfect on you, dearie!” Chun said. Mike nodded in agreement. “Looks good on you.” Mike said. Calvin just stared at her, then he broke into a smile. “You're... beautiful...” he said. When he saw the wedding gown before, he imagined how beautiful it would look on Selina. Now that he have seen Ella wear it, his opinion changed. Ella looked more beautiful on that wedding gown. Ella felt herself blush at what he said. “Thanks...” she said, not meeting his gaze. Calvin stood up from his seat, and walked up to him. “Ella...” he called. Ella looked up at him, and saw him smiling at her. “Will you wear this? Please?” he asked. Ella couldn't help but give in to his request. “Fine. I'll bend my rules just this once.” she said, smiling at him.
--
The following day...
Ella entered the mansion, and then slumped on to the couch. Calvin followed behind her, and sat beside her. “I'm getting tired with all of these...” she said. Calvin looked at her and smiled. “I told you we can hire a wedding planner if you're already getting tired. But you insist on doing this on your own.” he said. “Of course. I don't want anyone to interfere with my ideas for my own wedding.” she said proudly. Calvin leaned on the couch and nodded his head. “Well, if you insist. So far, I can see you're doing a pretty good job.” he said. Ella leaned on him. She looked up at him, and smiled. “Thanks.” she said. Calvin wrapped his arm around her. Having Ella in his arm somehow made him feel good. Ella felt the same way. She felt secure whenever he have his arm around her.
“Hey, why don't we go out for dinner tonight? Just you and me...” he suggested. Ella looked up at him, and gave him a skeptical look. “What is this, an attempt to have my by your self and get to know me more?” she asked. Calvin shrugged his shoulder and let out a nervous laugh. “A lame attempt to have you by myself...” he said. Ella just laughed at him. “So... you'll go out with me for dinner tonight?” he asked. Ella shook her head. “I don't want to.” she said. Calvin leaned back on the couch, and let out a disappointed sigh. “Why are you insisting to get to know me better? What you see is what you get.” she said. Calvin smiled at her, and shook his head. “I don't think so...”
“This is the real me!”
“No. I think it's your facade.
Ella folded her arms, and leaned back on the couch. “You're going to be my wife. Is it too much to ask to get to know and befriend my wife-to-be before we get married?” he said. Ella sighed, and looked at him. An idea hit her head. Sooner or later, she knows Calvin will find out her past, so why not show him everything about her now? “Calvin, are you really that desperate to know everything about me?” she asked. He nodded his head. “Do you have other plans tonight?” she asked. This time, he shook his head. “That's why I'm asking you out for dinner.” he said. “Do you trust me?” she asked. Calvin gave her a confused look, but he still nodded his head. “Of course, I do. Why do you have to ask that?” he said. She stood up, and then as she faced him, she pulled Calvin up. “Come with me.” she said as she pulled him towards the door. Calvin was getting more confused with her. “Where are we going? Where are you taking me?” he asked. Ella looked back at him, and laughed. “Hey, relax! It's not like I'm going to kidnap you or something. And besides, I thought you trust me?” she said. “I trust you. I just want to know where we're going.” he said. Ella let out a playful smile on her lips. “Well, we're going to a place where you can get to know me much better.” she said. Then, she turned her back, and pulled Calvin outside the mansion.
----
Chapter Eight: Her Bitter PastA/N:
Young Robin Chen = George Hu
Young Diana Tian-Chen = Rainie Yang
--
Ella stopped the engine of her car in front of the summer house. She immediately got out of the car, and Calvin followed her. Calvin gazed at the house. It was not like any mansion he have seen before, and not as big as Ella's mansion. It was covered in glass, and the front was filled with different kinds of flowers. “Welcome to my humble abode.” Ella said as she looked at Calvin. She could tell by the way he looked at her that he was confused. “This is the summer house where I spent much of my childhood.” she explained. Calvin smiled, finally understanding what Ella meant. He followed Ella outside, and once they got inside the house, he was surprised to see how big it is. Ella took off her boots, and then wore her slippers. She looked back and Calvin and smiled at him. You can take your shoes off. There's an extra slipper there. I just cleaned up this place last week, and I don't want the floor to be messy.” she said. Calvin was surprised at what he said. He followed what Ella told him, and went inside the house. From outside the glass window, he could see the backyard, still filled with a lot of flowers.
“Do you always come here?” he asked. Ella smiled at him nodded his head. “Every week, I go here to spend some time alone.” she said. She went to the kitchen, and opened the fridge. She browsed inside, thinking what meal she should prepare today. Then, she looked at Calvin, and saw him gazing around the place. “Hey, what do you want to eat for dinner?” she asked. Calvin looked back at her, still giving her that confused look. “Are you gonna cook?” he asked. Ella folded her arms, and let out a laugh. “Of course, I will. And don't worry, I know how to cook.” she said. Calvin was simply amazed by her. “Wow, so you know how to clean the house, and you actually know how to cook. That's something.” he said. “Why? Just because I'm a brat doesn't mean I don't know house chores.” she said. Calvin sat in front of the counter top, and Ella leaned over it, facing him. “I was young when mom got sick. So, I help with the house chores most of the time.” she explained. “Don't you have maids or something?” Calvin asked. Ella nodded her head. “Of course we do. We have one, Po Po. But she was too old, so I help her most of the time.” she answered. Calvin nodded his head. “Let me guess, you also know how to do the laundry and iron clothes?” he asked. To his surprise, Ella nodded her head. He find himself being more amazed with this woman. “Wow...” he muttered. Ella raised an eyebrow at him before facing the stove. “So, is beef steak OK with you?” she asked. Calvin nodded his head. “Anything as long as it's edible.” he said.
Calvin settled at the couch in the living room. The couch is facing the glass window, and he could clearly see the garden outside. Seeing the flowers around the place made him miss Selina even more. He remembered the times when they would stroll at the Ren's garden, when Selina and him would play tag. He remembered her cheery face as she runs away from him, telling him he was so slow. He remembered having picnic by the grassy ground, his head on Selina's lap while she brushes his hair with her fingers He remembered the feeling of being able to reach for her and having her in her arms. It felt good. And he missed that feeling. He suddenly missed Selina.
“Hey, have some sandwich first.” he heard Ella said. Ella placed the tray on top of the table, and sat beside him. Like him, she stared outside the garden. “Penny for your thoughts?” she asked. Calvin smiled and shook his head. “Nothing...” he said. “Nothing means something. Speak up.” she said. Calvin turned to her. “Did you plant all of those flowers in the garden?” he asked. Ella folded her arms, and looked outside. He could see her smile sadly to herself. “I did. But the garden, it was cared for by my mom before...” she said. Then, she looked up at him. “Every year, after the flowers blooms and wither, I replace it with a new one. That way, my mom's memory will live on in this place.” she said. “You must have really loved your mom...” he said softly. Ella nodded her head. “She's the only one who loved me unconditionally...” she answered. “How about your dad?” he asked. Ella paused, and looked away from him. She became silent as she remembered her painful past. Calvin saw the sudden change in her expression. Maybe it was wrong to ask about her relationship. He could see how much she despises her father, but he wanted to understand why. “Ella?” he called. Ella looked at him, and forced a smile. “I'll go check on the food.” she said. She stood up from the couch, and headed to the kitchen. Calvin could only watch her as she headed to the kitchen.
--
That night, it rained hard. After dinner, Calvin stood by the window, and watched as the rain falls down. “With this kind of rain, I don't think we can go home tonight.” Ella said as she approached him. Calvin looked at her, and gave her a playful smile. “So, you want to spend the night here with me?” he asked huskily. Ella shrugged her shoulder. “Well, we have no other choice but sleep here tonight.” she said. Calvin looked at her in a seductive way. He walked up to her, but Ella stepped back. Then, he cornered her by the wall. He put his hand on the wall so that she won't escape from him. Ella could only let out a sexy smile at him. “What is this, you want to play a game with me?” she whispered. Calvin smiled at her, and stared at her. His face moved closer to hers, and before their lips could meet, Ella turned her head away from him. She heard him laugh, then she turned to face him, glaring at him. “What?” she asked in an irritated tone. Calvin stared at her. His free hand caressed her cheek. “Have I told you that you're beautiful, Ella?” he asked in a low voice. With his every touch, Ella finds herself getting even more weak. He is her waterloo, her Achilles' heels. Getting close to him this way makes her even more vulnerable to him.
“Stop it.” she said to him. Calvin only moved closer to her. “Why?” he whispered to her. “W-why do you need an explanation for everything?” she asked. “Because there are a lot of thing about you that I can't understand... and I want to understand everything about you...” he whispered to her. His hand that was caressing her cheek trailed down to her neck, and then down to her sides. She couldn't help but shiver as his hand roamed to her sides. Ella closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. “Stop it, Calvin.” she said firmly. “Then tell me why you want me to stop?” he asked. Ella opened her eyes, and stared at him. She put her hand on his nape, and pulled him to her. She gave him a long and passionate kiss. As they kissed, Calvin wrapped his arm around her body. He responded to her kiss hungrily. He doesn't know why, but he wanted to experience that feeling again when they first made love. He wanted to own her. He wanted her body and soul. He wanted to love her all throughout the night.
But he couldn't do it.
Calvin pulled away from their kiss, and stared at her for a long time. He sighed as he turn his back on her. Ella felt that he was rejecting her, that he doesn't want her. She felt a tinge in her heart at that thought. She loved Calvin so much, and his rejection only breaks her heart. “Don't play games with me.” she said angrily to him. Calvin looked at Ella, and saw her in tears. He felt guilty for making her cry. He doesn't know what came into him, that he seduced her, and when she responded to him, he stopped. Ella is a woman, she is going to be his wife, and he respects that she could never love him. She's already forced herself to marry him, and forcing her to love him is too much. “Ella... I'm sorry...” he said. He reached for her, but she slapped his hand away. She looked at furiously, and walked away from him. Calvin followed her.
“Ella!” he called. He reached for her hand, and Ella stopped walking. He walked towards her, and wrapped his arm around her neck. Ella could only close her eyes, and let the tear fall from her eyes again. “Have you realized that you're hurting me?” she told him. “I'm sorry...” he whispered to her. “I... I don't know what got into me...” He hugged her tight, not letting her go. He was afraid that once he let her go, she would run away from him again. He almost ruined everything between them before, and now that they're getting close and that she's slowly opening up her heart to him, he doesn't want her to disappear from his life again. He could hear her muffled cries. He know he have hurt her with his action, and he was sorry for it. He closed his eyes, and kissed her gently on her head. “I'm sorry, Ella...” he whispered to her. “I'm so sorry...”
--
There was an awkward silence between them. Calvin looked at Ella, who was staring outside the window. With each second that she's not speaking to him, he's growing more and more frustrated. He's getting more and more uncomfortable with this silence. Ella have finished crying a while ago, but she still did not utter a word at him. He wanted her to shout at her and tell her off. He wanted to tell it to his face how much of a user he is. He wanted her to say anything, and not just give him the silent treatment.
“I hated him...” Ella finally said. Calvin looked at her, and saw the loneliness in her eyes. At that moment, he felt that Ella is slowly revealing her whole heart to him. “I hated my father...” she repeated. Calvin reached for her as tears began to fall from her eyes again. “Ella...” he called. “I hate him, and I could never forgive him... for hurting me... for hurting my mom. He... he is the reason why mom died. He is the reason why I turned this way.” she said bitterly. He put his arm around her, and let her head rest on his chest. “I hate him...” she said as she cried. He held her close to her and let her breakdown as she told him her story.
[Flashback]
Fifteen years ago...
“Daddy!” Ella shouted as she entered the summer house. As she got nearer to her parents' room, she could clearly hear her own mother crying. She stood outside their room. She listened to her mom's soft cries, until finally, his dad got out of the room, holding a bag in his hand. He looked at the little girl before him without any emotions, and then walked out of the house. Diana got out of the room, and saw her standing. Her daughter was giving her a confused look. “Mom, is dad going out on another business trip?” she asked innocently. Diana wiped the the tear from her face, and forced a smile at her. She couldn't let her daughter know that there's a fall out between her and her father. “Yes, he is.” she lied. Ella turn into a smile. She reached for her mother's face, and wiped her tears away. “Mommy, don't cry anymore. I know you're going to miss him, but daddy will be back soon.” she said. Diana smiled at her, and then hugged her daughter tight. She have to make Ella believe with her lies, so as not to hurt her. She's scared that if Ella finds out that his husband left them for good, she will hate her.
God knows she did her best to be a good wife for Robin. She did everything for him. She attended to all of his needs. Although she knows that Robin was forced to marry her because she is carrying his child, there was still a hope in her heart that he would love her as his wife. During the first few years that they were together, she could see that Robin was trying his best to be a faithful husband to him and a good father to Ella. He did his best to learn to love her and to build a happy family with her, but then the fact still remains that his heart belongs to someone else, and not her.
That night, Diana watched Ella as she sleeps peacefully. Her heart was aching, not for her, but for her daughter. Each night, she prayed to God that if Robin could not love her, he could give all of his love to his daughter. She was hoping he could stay for the sake of his daughter, but now that the woman he truly loves is back in Taipei, that wouldn't happen anymore. He already made his choice, and his choice is to follow his heart. That day, Robin told her that he will divorce her so that he could be happy in the arms of his mistress. She pleaded him not to go, but he did not listened to her. Even her daughter's confused look did not stop him from leaving his own family. Robin is gone, and she have to stay strong for her and for her daughter.
~~~
“Mommy, aren't you coming with me?” Eleven-year-old Ella asked as she watched her mother pack her things. It has been a year since their divorce, and neither of them have told their daughter about their separation. Diana knows that Ella's getting even more confused with whats going on with their family. There are months that she would send Ella to her father, and each time she would ask why she's not going to see her dad, she have no other choice but to lie. She doesn't want to hurt her daughter just because of the mistake they made in the past. She doesn't want her to feel the same pain she's feeling right now. Diana looked at her daughter, and gave her a warm smile. “Mommy have to do some things. As soon as I'm done, I'll go see you and daddy, OK?” she said, Ella smiled and nodded her head. “I bet daddy misses you! I bet daddy misses your cooking as well.” she said cheerfully. Diana could only force a smile at her. She sat beside her, and stroked her hair. “Do you think daddy really misses me?” she asked. Ella smiled and nodded her head. “Then, can you do me a favor and kiss daddy for mommy? So that he would know that I love him?” she asked. “Of course, mommy. I will kiss daddy for you.” she said. She leaned towards her, and kissed Ella on her forehead.
~~~
Ella entered his father's mansion, and found it empty. “Dad?” she called. There was no response from him. Ella walked up to the staircase to check on his dad's office. “Daddy! I'm here!” she called again. She looked around the empty hallway, hoping find any sign of him. She walked to his office, but as she opened the door, she found it empty. She then decided to go to his dad's bed room. She reached for the doorknob, but as she found it, she was surprised to see what's inside. She saw her dad lying naked on the bed. And on top of him is a naked woman, kissing him. She let go of the door, and leaned back on the wall. She was hurt by what she have seen. She maybe young, but she could already understand everything. It's clear to her that her dad does not love her and her mother anymore. She fought the tears that's forming at the corner of her eyes. There was nothing else left to do but go back home, to her mom.
--
Diana stared outside the window as she cries again that night. Having the house by herself made her feel lonely. A few years into their marriage, this house was filled with happiness, especially when Ella came into their lives. She could still remember how Robin cared for her when she was pregnant with Ella. She could still remember the happiness in his smile the moment he glimpsed at their daughter. Their house used to be filled with laughters and smiles. He used to love Ella so much, but now, he couldn't even find time for his own daughter.
She wiped the tear in her eyes. She couldn't help but be in tears as she reminisced those happy memories. Now, Robin have abandoned her and their child. Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening. She looked back and saw Ella drenched in the rain. Her head was hanging low as she approached her mother. “Ella...” she called. She rushed up to her daughter, and hugged her tight. Ella held on to her mother, and began to cry. “Mommy... daddy doesn't love us anymore...” she said. Upon hearing what she said, Diana's tears fell from her eyes again. She released her daughter, and stared into her eyes. She wiped the tear from Ella's face, and smiled at her. “That's not true. Daddy loves you very much.” she said. Ella shook her head. “I know mommy. I know that daddy have another wife. And I know that he doesn't want anything to do with me as well...” she said. “Don't say that Ella. Have I told you that when you came into this world, daddy was very very happy?” Diana said. Ella simply lowered her head. “But he hurt you... and it hurts me too, mommy...” she said in a low voice. Diana stared into her daughter's sad face, and cried. The moment she feared most have finally arrived. She pulled her daughter towards her, and hugged her tight. She only got her now, and she will give all her love to her daughter.
~~~
“Dad!” Twelve-year-old Ella shouted as she ran towards her father. Robin looked back at her, only giving his daughter a blank expression. “Ella. What do you want?” he asked monotonously. “Dad... please... please see mommy. She's really sick, and she's been calling your name.” the young girl pleaded. Robin look away from her daughter, not wanting to meet her eyes. “I have a meeting...” he answered. Ella held her father's hand, and tugged it. “Daddy... please...” she cried. “Mommy needs you now! Please daddy... I know you love her... please see her before it's too late...” she pleaded again. “I can't go and see your mother.” he said firmly. “Daddy, please...” she said, tugging his hand. Robin looked at her furiously, and took his hand away from her, making Ella fall on the floor.
Robin realized that he have hurt his daughter. He knelt down to help her up, but she put his hand away. “Ella...” he said softly. Ella looked up at him, and he could see the tears forming at the corner of her eyes. She could see her hatred towards him, and it breaks his heart to see his only daughter looking at him that way. “I hate you!” she shouted at him. She quickly stood up, and glared at her father. “I don't need you. Mom doesn't need you. If only my mom's not dying, I wouldn't have come to ask you to see her. I hate you, dad. I will hate you for the rest of my life!” she shouted at him. With that, Ella turned her back on her father and ran away from him. While Robin, he can only stood and watch her heartbroken daughter leave him.
~~~
Ella placed a white rose on her mother's hand, and sat beside her. She brushed her mother's long hair, as she looked at her. The doctors told her that there is nothing much left to do to make her mother better. Then, she saw her mother's eyes slowly opened her eyes. “Ella...” she called. Ella smiled at her. “Mom...” she said. Diana smiled weakly at her. “Where have you been?” she asked. Ella only shook her head. “Do you know that you're growing prettier and prettier each day?” Diana asked. Ella smiled and nodded her head. “Of course, I'm as pretty as my mommy...” she said. She could see the tears welling up in her mother's eyes. “It's too bad that I can't see you grow up to be a fine lady. Mommy have to go to heaven to be with grandma and grandpa...” she said softly. Ella nodded her head. The tears, which she was trying to fight back, began to fall on her cheeks. “Mommy... don't leave me...” she whispered. Diana slowly shook her head. “I wish I could stay with you forever, Ella...”
She took her daughter's hand, and placed a heart-shaped pendant on her palm. “One day, you will meet a man whom you will love, and who will love you. Promise me that when you found that man, you will wear this on your wedding day...” Diana said. Ella took the pendant, and nodded her head. “I'm sorry if you suffered because of me, Ella... I'm sorry if you got hurt because of me and your dad. I hope one day... you will... understand why... why all these things are happening...” Diana said. She reached for her daughter's face, and caressed it. She smiled sadly at her. “Ella, I know you hate your dad for leaving us... please find it in your heart to forgive him. He is a good man, and I was the one who caused him to be that way... “ she said softly. Ella shook her head. “It's not your fault mommy. Mommy... mommy I'm scared...” she said as she cried. Diana wiped the tear from her cheeks and smiled at her. “You don't have to be scared Ella, I will always be with you...” she said. Ella stood up from her seat, and hugged her dying mother. “Mommy... mommy I love you...” she cried. “I love you too, Ella...” Diana whispered as she cried. “I love you too...” With that, she took her last breath, and slumbered peacefully forever.
[End of Flashback]
“Mom died...” Ella said sadly. “And I can never forgive dad for abandoning us... especially during those times we need him the most...” she continued. Calvin looked at her, and he could see the tears falling from her eyes. He could see the hatred for her father for letting her down at a very young age. “When mom died, he came back to my life, assuming back his position as my father. But everything have already changed. The way I perceive him have changed. From a loving dad, he became a heartless monster in my eyes...” Ella said. Calvin went near to her, and held her hand. “Ella...” he whispered. He wished he could do anything to take away all the pain she's feeling right now. He wished he could easily erase those bad memories she had.
He put his arm around her, and let her head rest on his shoulder. “I'm sorry...” he whispered to her. “I didn't know that you've been through a lot...” Ella wiped the tear from her eyes, and looked up at him. “That's why I'm like this. I rebelled against him. I want to hurt him. I want him to feel the same pain I felt before. But in the end, I realized that I'm only hurting myself. He doesn't give a damn about me. Calvin... since my mom died, I've been alone. I learned to depend on myself, and not to rely on anyone else, especially my own father. All my life, I've been battling with him. I thought one day, I'm going to win over him, but I was wrong. The more I fought with him, the more that he's hurting me. Dad used to be my hero... he is my first love... but he let me down... he hurt me and my mom... he caused my mom's depression, her thousand tears... he caused me to be this way... he left me, and now I'm all alone” she said softly.
Calvin looked down at her, and wiped the tear on her face. Finally, he understood why she hated her father so much. He finally saw the other side of her that no one have ever seen before. He have always thought Ella is a strong girl, a carefree one, the brave one. But she had a bitter past that was haunting her, and it was her weakness. He planted a kiss on her forehead, hoping that it would wash away all the sadness she's feeling right now. “You won't be alone anymore, Ella...” he whispered to her. “I will always be here for you...” Then, he lifted up her chin, and kissed her lips.
--
Calvin opened the door of her room, and walked towards the bed. He laid Ella on the bed, and tucked her in. He sat on her bed, and stared at her while she brushed away her hair. “Sleep tight...” he said. As he was about to stand up, Ella held his hand to stop him from leaving. “Can you stay?” she asked. Calvin looked back at her, and nodded his head. “I'll stay with you...” he whispered. He smiled at her, and then planted a kiss on her forehead. He lay beside her, and took her into her arms. As he embraced her, he looked at Ella, and saw her sleeping soundly beside him. He smiled to himself, and then planted another kiss on her pink lips, before drifting off to sleep.
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Labels: Always and Forever, fan fic
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