LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT - SEASON 2 CHAPTER 99
“Good morning,” May greeted when she entered the kitchen and saw Riley preparing their breakfast.
He insisted that he would cook meals for them whenever they were home because he knew that she was already tired from working hard by the time she was back.
“Hmm, it smells good. What are you cooking, Boss?” asked May with her bright smile.
Riley blushed, seeing that smile, so he turned around to hide his face from her and replied, “It’s chicken soup, with vegetables and herbs. It’s good for you… You should eat a lot of vegetables and herbs since you often stay late at night.”
May’s heart throbbed at Riley’s thoughtfulness. He was almost perfect except for the fact that he was too dense and slow when it came to her. She wondered how Riley would react if she would make further advances to him…
Yes, she liked Riley a lot, and that was the truth. Getting to know him with each passing day got her even more interested in him. He was very innocent and caring, and she did not want to lose him.
However, she was afraid of rushing things because Riley might get scared and run away from her, and she did not dare face that risk.
“Boss, can I take a few days off?” Riley suddenly asked as he served the food on the kitchen table at which May, who was observing his every move, was seated.
“Hmm… On which days? And what for, if you don’t mind me asking?” May probed in a casual manner as she started to dig into the food.
Riley took a seat in front of her and replied, “It’s been a long time since I last visited my hometown. I would like to visit my master’s grave. He took care of me well, and he passed away when I was held captive by Leon’s men.”
May nodded in agreement and said, “Alright, no problem at all. Just tell me when, and I will clear my schedule. I’m exhausted and would like to take a break. Might as well accompany you… I think some fresh air in the countryside will help rejuvenate me.”
“Huh? You’ll come with me?” asked Riley in disbelief.
“Yes, why? You don’t want me to? If you prefer to go alone, then I’ll let you…” May muttered in disappointment, with her face totally crumpled. Riley scratched his head. If he said he wanted to go by himself, May would obviously not like it.
“Fine, you just go alone… I’ll just hang out with my friends. Maybe go on a little blind date…” May scoffed.
Riley actually did not mind to bring May along with him, but he was worried she would not like the place. His hometown is a bit far away and still a little bit primitive. There was no proper plumbing system, so they were still reliant on wells and mountain springs for their water supply. Electricity was probably worse. Riley knew May was not accustomed to that kind of lifestyle.
But he heard May exhale loudly, so Riley immediately conceded, “Alright, Boss. You can come with me. The air in my hometown is definitely fresh and unpolluted, so it would be good for you. But please understand that when it comes to convenience and comfort, there is none like that. Also, I plan to stay there for at least three days.”
May’s face immediately brightened. A smile formed from her beautiful lips. “Yay! Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I love adventures like that. Wow, I’m excited. I will bring all the things we would need. Wait, pick the dates already, so I can inform my work about it.”
Riley gave her an awkward smile. ‘How come she looks even more excited than me?’ But he could not help but grin at the sight of May getting all happy and excited, just because she was coming with him to his hometown.
Riley’s heart was actually glowing with happiness. He initially planned to ask Cobra to accompany him because he thought Cobra would need a break from the strict training he had been getting at the military.
‘Maybe it’s better not to disturb his training. I’ll just ask him to go out for a meal,’ Riley compromised.
His thoughts were disrupted when he heard May scream. “Ouch!”
Riley was quick to run to her side. Her face crumpled while she was holding a chair for support.
“What happened?” Riley asked, full of concern.
“Nothing, just a leg cramp, I think,” May whispered as she tried to move her leg and walk but ended up cringing in pain.
“Urgh!”
“Tsk… Don’t move,” said Riley in a stern voice, and before May could guess what he would do, Riley quickly carried her to the couch in the living room. She automatically enclosed his neck with her arms for support.
As Riley gently put her down, May could not help but stare at his soft and cute face, and his full lips…
Without her even knowing, she was moving forward, trying to get closer to Riley’s lips.
Because of that, Riley almost stopped breathing… No, he was still breathing, but his heart was racing so fast… Fast and loud! He could hear his own heart thumping as he looked at May, whose eyes were now closed.
Her lips were puckered and moving slowly toward his…
‘What is she doing?’ He thought nervously. He was afraid that his lips would end up joining those puckered lips.
He abruptly released May, who fell onto the soft couch. Riley’s face was as red as a lobster, as he stammered, “I need to go… to my room…”
Before May could say anything, Riley ran upstairs as fast as he could.
May huffed and frowned. “Such a dense man!” She murmured irritably.
She looked at her puckered lips and patted it gently. She whispered as though consoling her own lips, “Maybe you’re meant for food… Hmmph! I’ll kiss my cup of coffee instead!”
She got up and yelped from her cramped leg. She walked back to the kitchen, limping as she complained, “How dare he run away like that? I’m not faking the leg cramp… It’s really ouchy…”
* * * * * * * * * * * *
“Why do I often see him here?” Rizie asked exaggeratedly with an arched brow seeing Senior Liu in their garden. He was having coffee and chatting with her mother. She and Grandma Terry were furtively peeking at the two from their veranda on the second floor.
“It’s only his second visit… Is that considered often?” Grandma Terry responded.
“She obviously likes Mom. Look at how he smiles at her. Ugh, it creeps me out. Everyone is in love… Ughhh…” Rizie complained. Even Josh had a girlfriend, whom he would introduce to the family this coming weekend. It looked like she was the only one who was enjoying the single life.
“Well… We don’t know anything yet. Besides, your mother said they were good friends. Maybe they were just catching up with each other. After all, it’s been so many years… Let your mom have a social life, at least… She’s been inside the house for a long time, just taking care of all of you,” scolded Grandma Terry.
Rizie pouted her lips and did not say any more words. She was doubtful, but her mother knew what she was doing, and she would always support her.
Besides, Senior Liu seemed to be a nice man, after all…
….
Sheila was actually taken by surprise by Thom’s unexpected visit. But she had told him that she hoped they could go back as good friends like before, and he could always seek her out if he were up for a pleasant chat.
“Sorry for the sudden visit. I had a meeting not far from here, so I thought I should drop by and say hello to you as well,” said Senior Liu, smiling.
“Ohh… How are you? Are you now working hard to have a close relationship with your son?” Sheila asked with a smile. Last time, Thom had opened up to her about him becoming a neglectful father because of the past.
No wonder she had noticed something in Jeru’s eyes when she hugged him that time. It was the eyes of someone who was longing for familial love… The poor child surely had a tough time growing up with a lack of affection. She could not imagine how miserable it must have been, knowing how hard-hearted Old Madam Liu was.
Jeru might have everything when it came to material things, but those kinds of things would only bring you a fleeting happiness, unlike the warmth and love of a family that was forever.
“Yes, I am… And thank you for the reminder. My mother is also changing for the better now because of Zach. I can feel that she is already reflecting on her wrongdoings, although she is still a work in progress…” Thom explained, to which Sheila responded with laughter.
“Well, that’s good news… It will take time. She doesn’t need to change who she is, but she has to be more open-minded. Make sure everything is balanced. Jeru and Zach must get an equal treatment, both from you and your mother. I know you, Thom… Because you feel sorry, you will tend to look after Zach more. Don’t you ever dare do that. Unlike your son, my son never lacked anything when it comes to affection…” emphasized Sheila, making sure Thom understood her loud and clear.
Thom scratched his head and nodded at Sheila. She was still the same Sheila, who would nag him every now and then… Thom sighed, he was very thankful that this point in his life came… His heart was no longer heavy… Finally…
…..
“Grandma, how long do you plan to peep at them? Let’s just go there and join their conversation. We can’t hear anything from here. Reading their lips is hard too…” exclaimed Rizie as she grabbed her grandma’s arm.
“Shh… Don’t you dare disturb them. It’s okay. Looking at their facial expressions and gestures is enough. Why would we join their conversation? You brat. I always told your mother to relax, go out and meet new friends. But she always refused. Now, it’s an old friend… She looks more at ease and carefree. Can’t you see?” murmured Grandma Terry with a smile.
Then she added, “Grandpa Shen and I are already old. You and Josh will eventually leave too. I want your mother to have a companion in life. Don’t you know that it’s quite sad being alone?”
Rizie frowned and said, “I will not leave mom! Maybe Josh, but absolutely not me. I will bring her with me in case I leave. And what old, Grandma? You’re even healthier than our mules, horses, and hogs!”
Grandma Terry hit Rizie’s back.
“Ouch!” Rizie cried.
“How dare you compare me with animals…? I know your mother. She will refuse to live with any of you after all of you get married. Well, unless one of you would stay here in this villa. But, still, having a companion is better. You see, I’m lucky that I still have your grandpa Shen with me…” explained Grandma Terry.
Rizie sighed. She would never understand that because she loved herself too much. Her priority was herself, and she did not mind living by herself without a partner. She did not need a companion to be happy. She had a perfect family, and that was more than enough. Or so she thought…
“Alright, let’s go…” Her grandma suddenly murmured.
As they walked inside the house, Grandma Terry suddenly cringed from pain.
“Grandma, what’s wrong?” asked Rizie. But before Grandma Terry could give her an answer, she passed out. Fortunately, Rizie was quick to catch her.
“Grandma! Grandma!” she shouted in panic.
From the garden, Sheila and Thom could hear Rizie’s frantic screams.
Thom immediately got up and ran inside the house.
Grandma Terry was rushed to the nearest hospital, and she needed immediate surgery. Unfortunately, the facilities at the provincial hospital is too lacking to accommodate an emergency operation. So Thom had her brought to the Yang Hospital, the best hospital in their country.