Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 637 When You're Downhearted, Nothing Matters (Part One)

Eric stood on the yard of the National Congress building as the breeze stroked his face, relieving the effect of the scorching heat.

The government building was shaped like the alphabet Z, with the Congress at the center of it.

The view enhanced his determination. He was going to become an outstanding ruler of this country and bring about better lives for its people.

The phone was still ringing on the other end as Molly refused to pick it up. Just when he was about to cancel the call, it connected. But there was no response from her end. "Little Molly?" Eric called tentatively.

Molly looked up at the ceiling and blinked her red, tear-filled eyes. The moment she saw Eric's number, her heart instantly ignited with a blaze of emotions. She was eager to hear his voice, and she found out why only after she really heard it. Every time she got stuck in her valley of despair, Eric was always the first one to come to her rescue, whether intentionally or otherwise.

"Little Molly," his caring voice called her name again, "Are you okay? What happened?"

"Nothing happened. I'm fine," Molly said after taking a deep breath, "Why did you call me?"

Sensing her depressed tone, Eric frowned and asked, "What happened?"

"Nothing, I'm alright."

"Tell me the truth, or I'll fly over and check on you right now."

"No..." hastily Molly refused. Brian stood up from the sofa. Just as she craned to see what he was going to do, he walked out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

"Little Molly," Eric's voice seemed worried.

"Eric, seriously, I'm okay," Molly cleared her throat and added, "How're you doing? Did you have your meal yet?"

"Not yet," Eric decided not to question her further because he had a pretty good idea about what might have happened, "I miss the noodles which you used to make for me, with tomatoes and eggs."

That earned a smile from Molly, "Okay, I'll make it for you once you're back here."

"Promise?"

"Yes."

Eric gloated and further said, "Just for me?"

"Yeah, just for you," Molly paused before answering.

"Great!" he exclaimed.

"Young Master, the meeting is about to begin,"

Lenny called him before Eric could utter any more words. He threw a glance at Lenny who looked professional and imposing in her suit, then bid farewell to Molly, "Little Molly, a very tedious meeting is waiting for me. Do you have any parting gift to console me?" He sounded playful and childish, quite different from his usual harsh and cruel image.

"Get lost,"

Molly quipped before Eric laughed and hung up. As he walked away from the lawn, he ordered Lenny who was right behind him, "Get our original plan started. Inform the Chief Commissioner about deposing the executive officer."

His voice echoed in the stairs, cold and ruthless.

Lenny did as he bid. She was aware that the big moment was due in three days.

At A City.

The Summer Breeze.

Manny leaned against the bar and watched Spark as he tried to contact Molly. His call didn't go through, but he kept trying. And finally, he gave up with a bitter smile.

"Spark, what would it take for you to give up on her?" Manny asked, "What does it matter to you whether Molly comes to the troupe or not? She has Brian now, and he is capable of anything."

Spark threw a glance at Manny before explaining worriedly, "Mol hasn't picked up my calls. I'm afraid that something might have gone wrong."

Manny sighed at his persistence and his constant excuses to be in touch with Molly, then switched to another topic, "Did you play the violin yesterday?"

Spark didn't answer. So Manny went on, "So you are able to play it. It's just that you will only do it for Molly. Am I right?"

Spark looked up at Manny, his eyes solemn and painful. Teeth clenched, he responded, "Manny, could we just drop this topic?"

"Okay," Manny agreed quite readily, but then added, "I'll never bring it up again if you take up the violin and return to where you belong to the stage."

Spark felt like he was simply throwing pearls before the swine, so he stopped talking and walked towards the kitchen instead. He looked at the cake, freshly baked that morning, and then at the phone. He frowned and pondered, 'What is going on? Why didn't Mol come to the troupe today and why isn't she picking up my calls?' Molly returned to the bedroom and tossed her phone on the bed. There were three missed calls in it, but she didn't check her call list because she thought it might have been from Eric.

There was a knock on the door. Lisa walked in with some food. "Mrs. Long, it's time for lunch."

Molly gazed at the food, her face pale and numb. She had no appetite. "Lisa, just leave it here. I'll eat later," she said.

Lisa did as she was told. But Molly's ashen face concerned her. She wanted to say something to console her, but swallowed her words and left.

The room sank into silence. Molly cast her glance out of the window and squinted as the bright sunlight shot through the pane. The scenery outside was alive and robust, with sophorae flowers dancing in the breeze.

She just stood there blankly until the sun set. There was another knock at the door.

"Mrs. Long," Lisa noticed the untouched lunch, "Mr. Brian Long has asked you to come down for dinner."

Molly frowned and refused, "I'm not hungry."

"But..." Molly's refusal put her in a difficult situation. It was so rare for Mr. Brian Long to be home for a meal. Despite her not knowing what had happened yesterday, she could tell that Brian loved and cared for Molly very much.

"Lisa, I have no appetite," said Molly. She looked at Lisa and sighed at her helpless face. Then she agreed to go down later whenever she felt hungry.

However, Lisa pleaded, "Mrs. Long, please come down for dinner as a favor to me. You need to eat."

Molly was about to decline, but she saw the expectation in Lisa's eyes and she could not say no.

Molly nodded and said, "I'll get changed."

That relieved Lisa and she left with a smile.

Molly took off her pajamas and put on a yellow dress. As she came down the stairs, she noticed Brian's eyes on her. To summon up her courage, she paused for a few seconds and took a deep breath before sitting across from him. She didn't wait for him and started with her dinner. Brian stared at her and didn't move until Molly stuffed the bowl of rice into her mouth and stood up to leave. "Sit down," he ordered coldly.

Molly stopped, swallowed the rice down, then replied, "I've finished my meal." Then she turned around to go.

"Molly!"

Brian howled furiously, teeth grinding. She stopped in her tracks and turned sideways to look at him, "I'm your wife, not your subordinate or your slave. Mind your tone." Then she slowly turned her back towards him and said, "If you want to boss me around, you should divorce me. After that, you are free to threaten me into obedience."

Bang!

Enraged, Brian banged his hand on the table. His tremendous strength made the plates on the table vibrate and jump out of place. He sprang up to his feet and glared at Molly's slender figure. His lips were in a tight line and his veins were popping out. But that didn't frighten Molly at all. She just turned around to look at him in the eye. She didn't feel a thing, except some sort of inexplainable heartache.

"Brian," her voice was mechanic, "you mean nothing to me. You never meant anything to me in the past, and you will have the same place in the future. You're Mark's biological father. That's all."

Molly swiftly climbed the stairs and shut the bedroom door, escaping from his ruthless and agitated glare. She leaned against the door, then slowly slid to the ground. Aggrieved, she closed her eyes and started weeping silently.

Brian remained downstairs, heartbroken. The food was meticulously prepared by Lisa according to his demand which combined both Molly's preferences and the nutritionists' advice.

"Mr. Brian Long," Lisa tried to comfort him, "Don't take it seriously. Mrs. Long is just not in a good mood."