Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 623 Love Requires Compromise (Part One)

"I miss you," Molly said with little emotion.

She stared at the multitude of stars that lit the night sky.

The truth is she didn't really miss Eric. Yet when he asked, Molly realized there was a place in her heart for this man. It had nothing to do with romantic love. But, there was something about him that stirred her soul.

Eric grinned at Molly's reply. He, too, was looking up at the star-filled sky. With all the meetings of the National Congress and scheming against anti-royalists, he was mostly preoccupied and usually slept just three or four hours a day. He sighed at the reality of his life. It was a responsibility, and he had no choice. Whenever he was free, however, Eric would also think about Molly, and remember the first time they met five years ago, and when they met again five years later. "Mol," Eric's voice sounded distant. "Thank you for missing me." It meant a lot to hear her say that.

She didn't answer but only held the phone to her ear while gaping at the sky. They were under the same dome even while they were thousands of miles apart.

"It's very late. Go get some rest," Eric gently urged. "Tomorrow is another day," he added.

A smile gradually formed in Molly's lips as she hung up after saying goodbye. Eric was right, she thought. Tomorrow was a brand new day. After today, she could start working again. Molly believed she should be independent, both financially and psychologically. She felt hope.

Slowly, Eric put down the phone and sat lost in thought. The image that formed in his mind was Molly's subdued and exhausted appearance.

"Things must be pretty rough for her these days," he muttered to himself.

Sorrow was etched on his face as he remembered how desperate Molly was that day. Eric stood too close to her not to notice.

He bowed his head and smiled bitterly. Brian had always pointed out that Eric was far behind him where Molly was concerned since the start five years ago, and even five years later. Five years ago, Eric was not good enough for Molly; five years later he came too late because she was already a mother to Brian's child. But his brother was also wrong in some way. It was true that he lost Molly to Brian from the start. Eric wasn't too late for Molly, because she only loved Brian ever since the beginning. It didn't matter if he came five years ago or five years later.

A look of misery gradually replaced his smile. Eric's eyes were full of regret and gleamed with tears. That was fate. He had no intention of ending up like his father. He had tried to take revenge against Brian. But here he was, still wallowing in painful love. There was no one to blame, though. Eric had made his choice.

Tilting his head slightly, he gnashed his teeth in remorse. Had Eric not insisted on going up against Brian, would he not have fallen behind at the start? Digging deep down inside his heart, Eric had no answer. There were no "ifs" in his life.

*

While staring at the stars, Molly zoned out. She was trying to sort things out, but her mind was all a clutter. Helpless, she sighed. All of a sudden, she felt something in her gut that was different, and her surroundings became heavy and serious. Turning around her eyes clashed with dark, brooding ones that appeared like an endless abyss.

Of course, it was Brian. Molly bit her lips as she stared at the man. Brian, too, was staring at Molly. It was after a very long while when he drew away piercing eyes and stepped into the villa. "Steven will be arriving in A City in an hour," he said coldly.

His words caused Molly's body to stiffen. She turned to Brian and asked, "What do you mean?"

He didn't turn to look at her. Brian continued to stand with his back to Molly, hands in his pockets, and hair dancing in the breeze. The man appeared unruffled and dangerous.

"It means you have ten minutes to get ready. I'll be waiting for you in the car," he said in a clipped tone. Throwing her a glance, he headed towards the car.

His sudden announcement threw Molly into a frenzy. She quickly changed clothes then ran to the car. Breathless, she glanced at Brian after settling beside him and heard him order Tony, "Drive."

The driver started the car and drove out of the villa. The moment the car left, Lucy came out from behind a large tree, a drawing in hand. Her eyes followed the speeding vehicle, and when it was out of sight, she leaned against the tree to continue painting. Tony's destination was the international airport. Inside the car, Molly and Brian were both looking out the window with no one saying a word. The atmosphere was quiet and chilly.

Looking through the rear-view mirror, Tony checked on the couple, then focused on his driving. Shortly after arriving at the underground parking lot, they heard the announcement about the flight's arrival.

Brian walked ahead to the exit, with Molly following closely behind. Tony trailed behind to ensure their safety. Not a word was exchanged by the two as they waited for Steven.

Grasping the fence for balance, Molly craned her neck while focusing her eyes on the exit. She was excited to see her father.

Just as excited was Steven, as he stepped out of the plane. The scene was familiar to him. Finally, he was back. Maybe not back home yet, but at least back to his homeland.

He had been away for four years. Steven must have dreamed of his homecoming more than a million times. At last, the dream had come true.

"Dad!" he heard someone call out. Recognizing Molly's voice, Steven stiffened.

Slowly, he turned around and looked at Molly. He was transfixed as he stood there staring at his daughter unaware that his eyes were red with tears. He never dreamed of seeing his daughter again, but she was standing before him now.

Unable to contain her excitement, Molly's lips quivered at the sight of her father, fluttering her eyes to keep the tears from falling. She didn't move, for fear the tears would not stop running down her cheeks once she took a step forward. "Dad!" she choked, controlling herself from crying out.

On hearing his daughter's voice, Steven dropped his bag and rushed towards her. He wanted to touch her face to be sure it was Molly, but his hand failed him. Left with no other choice, Steven examined Molly at close range. In the end, he was sure the girl standing in front of him was his daughter.

Voice trembling, Steven murmured, "Molly!" Unable to restrain herself, Molly cried out, "Dad!" She jumped into his arms and hugged Steven tightly. The moment his arms came around her, she started wailing, with a strong desire to cry out all her grievances and nostalgic moments.

Meanwhile, her father's eyes were brimming with tears. Still, he managed a forced smile for her benefit. Hugging Molly tightly, Steven eventually patted her back in comfort like he used to do when she was a little girl.

Nearby, Brian stood while watching the father-and-daughter reunion with an impassive face. To anyone looking, it would seem the happy reunion didn't affect him at all.

"Sir," Tony walked over. "There's something odd here. I can sense it," the driver told his boss. Without moving from his position, Brian's eyes scanned the area.

"Edgar is really well-informed," he commented, his eyes still fixed on Molly. "He still wants Molly very badly," he snorted.

Tony made no comment, but eventually asked, "Should we remind Mrs. Long?" Brian wasn't supposed to bring Molly with him to pick up Steven at the airport. The situation these days was too complicated and precarious. But it was her wish to see her father, so Brian yielded in spite of the inherent dangers and amid warnings.

"Let's play this by ear," Brian told Tony. "In the meantime, let Molly be," he added.

Nodding his head, Tony stepped back.

It was a very long time before Steven and Molly broke out of their embrace, and soon the passage was cleared. It was when they had finally settled that Steven noted Brian's presence.

"Mr. Brian... Mr. Brian Long," Steven stuttered. The name evoked fear as soon as it passed his lips. While living abroad these past several years, Steven felt freedom, regardless of the limitations. He was watched and guarded by Brian's men all the time. Daniel's rehabilitation process also showed him how ruthless Brian could be.

In response to Steven's greeting, Brian gave him a glance, his eyes cold as ice, before turning to Molly. Nodding slightly, he walked away. Tony walked over and calmly said, "Mrs. Long, we're ready to leave."

Steven stared at Molly with a perplexed look. "Mrs. Long?" Since when did Molly become Brian's wife? Still puzzled, he looked first at Tony, and then Molly, but neither said a word.