LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT - SEASON 2 CHAPTER 29
It had been two days now since Zach left, and Keira was monitoring him through her father despite her busy schedule and exhausting days; running every now and then at different places for her reporting.
She took a little time out during her work and called her father to inquire about Zach’s well being. But before she could even ask anything, she was startled when her father congratulated her with her marriage.
“Good thing my son-in-law knows how to pay respect to his elders. He apologized to me for getting married to you in a rush that day before he went back. You brat, I have been waiting since then to see if you would open the topic to us. But it’s been two days already! Were you even planning to tell us that you have got married?” complained Field Marshal Chan from the other end of the line.
It was a good thing that Zach was really a great son-in-law. He told the Field Marshal everything that happened and apologized several times for getting married to Keira without them knowing. However, Zach had promised him that as soon as their mission was completed, he would immediately arrange everything for a grand wedding.
Keira laughed and said, “Of course, I would have told you and Mom. It’s just that I was too occupied with work lately. It simply slipped out of my mind. I will visit you and mom tonight, so please don’t get mad. Let me eat dinner there instead and besides, it’s your fault dad… had you not given that task to Zach then we wouldn’t have rushed our marriage like this. Geeez, you had better train more men because this will be the last time that Zach would get into these kinds of missions and I would not allow him to go for any such dangerous missions ever again. I don’t think you would want to make me a widow so early in my life dad…”
Field Marshal Chan raised an eyebrow hearing how his daughter turned the table and scolded him instead. “Alright go to work now and I’ll hang up. Bye,” said Field Marshal Chan before he ended the call .
He wanted to meet Zach’s family but Zach would not be available for a few more weeks. ‘Shall we go and visit them first?’ Field Marshal thought and suddenly felt excited about meeting Keira’s in-laws. He thought to consult with his wife and Keira about the meeting and plan it up with them. But he paused in his thoughts as he remembered that they were the daughter’s parents, reminded of this he murmured, “Shouldn’t it be the other way round? Mustn’t Zach’s family visit us first?”
‘Ah but Zach is not around… They should probably visit his family first since Zach had gone because of him in the first place?’ The Field Marshal kept hanging between what he should do and what not and finally decided to talk to his wife and Keira regarding the matter.
Keira smiled after the call ended. She had intentionally not told her parents about the marriage because she knew them well. She was sure they would insist upon meeting Zach’s parents and at the moment Zach was too busy to indulge in the formal rituals such as meeting between the families.
As soon as she put back her mobile phone in her pocket the assistant director called her.
“Hurry back inside, Director Holmes has something to say to you,” she said, and Keira followed quickly.
“Alright… We will cover this event live. Thea will be a part of this event as her presence is requested by the organizers as a special guest on the program,” said Director Holmes as he briefed everyone for the upcoming televised charity event which will be held on the well-known island in their country. The funds would be utilized for both humanitarian and environmental aid.
Then Director Holmes looked at Keira and said, “You prepare to go. You will travel along with Thea. You will be the main reporter on our channel to cover the event for two days.”
“Me!” Keira burst as if she did not hear it carefully. Well it looks like she heard it right, just that the thought of Thea and her together for two days was giving her a creepy feeling. But being the professional that she was, she would cope with it. Besides, it’s a big event where she could show off her talent to all.
“Yes, you, Keira Chan. Why? Is there a problem?” asked Director Holmes with a creased forehead and for some reason, Keira and Thea exchanged glances, both with raised eyebrows.
Keira shifted her gaze back at director Holmes and answered, “No problem Sir, I will cover the event and do my best.”
“Okay, good. Make sure you do your job properly. And this applies to all of you… We all have our problems, but we must know to follow professional ethics once at work, understood?” Director Holmes said with a serious tone as he stared directly at Thea.
Thea, on the other hand, was fuming in complete despair upon finding out and confirming that Zach had married Keira already. It gravely affected her work quality so much that she could not focus while reading a report or often coughed for no reason. The fact that Zach was already married made her completely lose her sane mind. She knew that Director Holmes was being patient with her, and thank goodness, Gavin would back her up very quickly whenever she lost her concentration.
She looked at Keira. Her intent gaze was like daggers, $h00ting at the latter.
She was so irritated and hurt that she was intensely thinking about how she could make Keira disappear. She wanted to throw Keira out from between her and Zach. Suddenly, an idea popped up in her mind, she remembered the man, Jeru Liu. She could tell by the look in his eyes that he looked at Keira in a different way. She must get that man investigated and find out if he could be of any use in getting rid of this witch.
The upcoming event could be the opportunity she was waiting for….
‘It’s not finished yet, Keira! Do you really think I will let Zach free that easily? NO! I did not wait all these years and bore all those sufferings for nothing! Zach is mine!’ she hissed inwardly.
____
“Torin stop clicking your tongue,” said Zach while reviewing the plan in their hideout place.
“Hmm sorry Bro but I simply can’t believe it, you got married just like that. I mean, wow, are you really the Zach that I knew? The one who did everything by the book? The hell, how can you, The Zach Lim, do that?” Torin asked in a row.
“Torin once you will fall in love you’ll soon find out how people do things beyond themselves in the name of love.” said Zach nonchalantly that almost made Torin faint on the spot.
“Oh my… My Bro… What’s going on? Is it really you?” he commented in horror. He couldn’t believe that Zach could even use such words ever.. But then he suddenly thought of Lyra and paused…
After that kiss, he and Lyra did not get any chance to talk to each other and they haven’t met since then even once. Torin looked askance at Zach who was now discussing some important points with Ryu. He couldn’t come clean in front of Zach. He tried several times to tell Zach that he loves his sister, but his fear of losing Zach’s friendship kept him from confessing his feelings to Zach.
That was also the main reason he did not bother to entertain his feelings towards Lyra and tried his best to suppress the voice of his heart . Also because he was afraid that if his relationship with Lyra did not work out, there was a possibility of losing a friend and a brother, and he simply couldn’t risk it.
He must clear everything with Lyra first before he should talk with Zach about it. He must find out first if Lyra had the same feelings for him as he had for Lyra. Then, he would be willing to take that risk… for Lyra if she reciprocates his feelings.
“Hey you Falcon come here and stop thinking too much!” shouted Zach with a grin as he gave pointers to his team.
Then he looked at Ryu and commented, “We need to look fierce and intimidating when we meet Mr. Big. Make sure that you are confident in answering and throwing words at him. You can mock him too since you are a Big Boss now. Show him that you are not someone small and new in the business, but someone big and resourceful in the underworld.”
“Yeah, you two must give him a strong impact as Wolf and Hawk soon to be the underworld King and can anytime replace him. Don’t worry you can do it! We will always be on standby in case something happens,” interrupted Torin aka Falcon with a gesture of cheering arm.
Then he added, “Did you know why Mr. Big is his alias? I heard it’s because he has a small size in here.” Ryu and Zach gulped when Torin pointed towards his below and gestured a slash on his neck, emphasizing that Mr’s Big’s birdie was cut off.
“If that’s true then it’s too funny! It’s like he’s castrated. This part of the body is the essence of a man and I can’t imagine myself without it. Darn I pity that Mr. Big if that is true! He won’t be able to spread his genes… that’s just too sad.” said Snake laughing.
“Well, evil men deserve their punishments!” said Ryu with gritted teeth.
Falcon and Snake shrugged at each other, because Ryu Ken was too serious whenever he talked…
……
Senior Liu was looking intently at the documents that Wu had submitted. So his hunch was right that was why the photo looked exactly the same. He massaged his temple as he let out a distressed sigh and looked at one of their family photos hanging on the wall of his library.
Wu was silently observing his Boss and after a few more minutes, he could no longer contain the silence as he asked, “Shall we inform Old Madam Liu about this?”
Senior Liu blankly stared at his personal assistant and secretary as he said, “I don’t know Wu… She hid herself for a long time and I think she doesn’t want to be connected with our family anymore. They are leading a good and happy life now. And that peaceful life will turn into chaos if mother finds out the truth. I will think more about this matter and balance things out.”
The two were interrupted when Jeru knocked and opened the door as he entered, “Dad, do you have a minute?”
Senior Liu gestured Secretary Wu who immediately got all the documents at Senior Liu’s table and took them away with him as he left the room.
“Yes son, what is it?”
“I want to talk about the upcoming charity event. I have come to ask for your permission to let me represent the company.” asked Jeru.
Senior Liu looked at his son, full of sympathy. Jeru looked exhausted lately and soulless. After quitting the military, he had buried himself in work most of his time, trying his best to please his mother, Jeru’s grandmother.
“Son, why don’t you take a break. You should go on dates or vacations and enjoy life a little, and don’t mind your grandmother. Follow your own heart, decide your own path son. I will always support you,” he suggested smiling.
He had seen so many changes in Jeru after he had been closed with Keira. He was more relaxed and unlike before, he seemed to be humbling himself…
He heard Jeru chuckle as he said, “So far no one has caught my interest except for Keira but she is happy with her life now and for some reason, I’m contented in just seeing her like that…”
Senior Liu was surprised because it was the first time Jeru opened his heart and shared something personal like that with him.
“Son, always remember that love is only worth fighting for if both persons have mutual feelings for each other. A retreat is always the best way for the unreciprocated feelings.” said Senior Liu., He did not want his son to end up like him… Because of his greed… Because of his selfishness… The people close to him had suffered a lot.. including himself…
_______
The charity event gala would have a lot of special performances and entertainment. Many well known personalities were invited and Thea was one of them, since she was very well known and an achiever in the news broadcasting world who came from a very humble background. She rose to fame and succeeded in this career defying the odds.
‘Just like my husband. But she got some back-up from her sugar daddy.’ Keira mused since she knew Thea’s secret that was not known to others. What Thea had right now was all sponsored by her sugar daddy.
But of course, Keira could not deny the fact that Thea was actually a talented person. She was really good in her chosen domain and was an inspiration to a lot of people. She made the country proud by succeeding in her international endeavours and becoming popular on the international stage as well.
Keira shook away the distracting thoughts and pursed her lips as she made a draft of her introductory report for the event.
“See how impressive I am?” Thea who was seated beside her commented arrogantly when her eyes spotted that Keira was drafting a report on her. The two of them were seated in the aircraft headed to Nami Island where the charity event organized by the Government was to be held.
Keira arched an eyebrow on Thea’s smug look, and ignoring that look, she continued with what she was doing while waiting for their flight to reach its destination. She heard Thea speak, “Ignoring me huh? Just because you are already married to Zach doesn’t mean he totally belongs to you. Because I will still snatch him back from you no matter what…”
Keira sighed and without looking at Thea answered, “Stop wasting your energy. If you want to do something then just do it. I h@?? blabbermouths… and I h@?? wasting my energy in answering nonsensical questions… All I can say is you can try but you’ll end up crying.”
With that said,Keira got her ipod headset and put it in her ears as she hummed with the music and continued with her work. She could sense Thea’s burning eyes on her but she simply didn’t care. Instead her wickedness mode was activated, as she played a particular song in her ipod and started humming with it:
It must have been love
But it’s over now
It must have been good
But I lost it somehow
It must have been love
But it’s over now
From the moment we touched
Till the time had run out
Thea was feeling excessively irritated that she wished she could strangle Keira right at that moment. With reddened face she stood up to go to the restroom and release her anger in there.
Keira smiled smugly as she shook her head while looking at Thea’s back and whispered, “You’re the one who started picking on me.” Then she continued to hum with the soundtrack song of the one of the all time favorite movies of her and her mom ‘Pretty Woman’.
This time she changed the lyrics as she grinned wickedly:
It must have been love
But it’s over now
It must have been good
But Thea lost it somehow
Jeru was also travelling in the same flight and was seated behind them and they were both oblivious to his presence.
‘I guess you won’t need back-up while Zach is gone.’ he mused as he shook his head. He occupied the seat behind Keira and Thea in the business class so he heard the conversation between the two. He would represent the Liu Group in the said event instead of his father Senior Thom Liu, who received the invitation.
He planned to attend the event because he knew Keira was being bullied by Zach’s ex-girlfriend and he got worried because Thea Jones, was someone influential now, not like Keira’s family of course but she had a reach among the media and the people since she was a well known personality. Jeru felt she had something evil planned up for Keira because he had heard Thea that time at the fire exit, talking to someone, implying that the woman was planning something to get rid of Keira.
Jeru sighed, he couldn’t believe that he would end up like this. Loving and protecting a woman in the shadow… He did try his best to get Keira’s attention before but Keira’s eyes were fixed on one person, it’s only Zach she could see even if Zach was not around those times.
That’s when he realized that love is not about forcing the pieces to fit in, it’s about falling into something that fits naturally. You cannot make someone love you. You cannot force love, cannot shape it, control it and definitely cannot try to force someone into loving you back…
‘Let me at least protect you in the simplest ways I can while Zach is not around.’ Jeru said inwardly as he stared at Keira’s seat in front of him who was still humming her triumphant song against Thea. Then Jeru chuckled, admiring Keira’s positive and fighting spirit.
His gaze was interrupted seeing Thea coming out of the restroom, she walked back to her seat but paused when she noticed him. Their eyes met… Though Thea was expressionless, Jeru could see the sorrow and discontent underlying in her deep-set eyes.
.
.
I’m very sorry for the delay, I traveled since morning. That was why I skipped your breakfast.