Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 766 The Beginning Of The New Trial (Part Three)

His question took them by surprise once more, and it required more wisdom for the answer to match their excuse earlier. Cautious to protect Mark's innocence, both adults spoke in unison. "Full-time."

"Part-time."

They looked at each other in shock. Their differing answers nearly threw their first excuse off the track. Pretending to be surprised, Mark looked up at Molly, and then at Brian. "Which is it exactly?" he asked.

It was like Molly lost her tongue. For she did not dare to speak anymore in fear that she might make things worse. Luckily, Brian managed to clean the mess their inconsistency created. "She's here for a part-time job." Then he glanced up at the dishes on the table. "It's just that my butler is going to be on leave for a few days. So for the meantime, I asked your mom to take over his position until he's back," he explained. Walking to the dining table, he pulled the chair out and said, "Come on then, Mark. Let's eat."

Pouting, Mark considered how to ask his question. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke to Molly, "Mom, I want to wash my hands first."

"Okay, come with me." After stealing a glance at Brian, she took Mark to the bathroom.

She stood by the doorway, her hand firmly clutching the doorknob as Mark washed his hands. Although he could not show it with Mark around, Molly was indignant at the way Brian talked about her role in the cover story. 'Full-time job, par-time job. A housemaid, servant...' thought Molly in a sulky mood. 'Am I someone who's doomed to serve others all life long? I've lived in the villa for at least three times so far, and yet my title always bounced between housemaid or servant. Can't you at least replace a more decent title for me for once? It's just so degrading to be called those words all the time!'

"Mom," said Mark encouragingly, noting her annoyance while still washing his hands, "I'm trying to help you. But it still depends on you to prevail over Papa Brian." His voice sounded so firm and steady that Molly could not help but wonder how these words could come from such a sweet, tender little boy.

"Prevail over Brian? Where the hell can I replace the power to do that?" Molly asked mindlessly, until she realized her mistake in front of her son. While giving him an apologetic look, Molly noted Mark's displeasure. He had his lips pressed together, and did not say anything. To alleviate the tension, Molly tried to change the topic, "Focus on your study. Don't always hang around with Victor. He will try to mess with your head!" she reminded him reproachfully.

"I know," responded Mark reluctantly.

Suddenly remembering something that troubled her earlier, Molly turned to his son and asked him a question in a curious manner. "Why are you calling your Papa Brian your uncle?"

"Because," started Mark, wiping his hands with a towel, "he's forgotten that I'm his son." Jumping down from the small stool, he continued with a smirk on his face, "So I have to forget that he's my dad."

"Yes, he's forgotten you. You know that. But..." Molly ended her sentence halfway. Her son's words gave her something to consider. Right away, she stooped down and stared into his eyes, "You mean..." she trailed off, narrowing her eyes in contemplation while waiting for Mark to confirm her idea.

But Mark, being overly cautious, did not want to display all of his plans yet. "I meant nothing," he said smirking sheepishly at his mother. The boy looked so cute and tender, his long and thick eyelashes over his big, bright eyes. And as he smiled, his face revealed these adorable dimples on either of his cheeks. Despite being astonished with his denial, Molly's heart fluttered with love for her son. "Mom, I'm going to go out there for dinner now. You know. I'm the guest here," he said, and in a flash, he dashed off away from her. With the boy on the way to the dining room, Molly was left still stooped down on her knees while looking into the distance.

In the dining room, Brian and Mark were enjoying the food that Molly slaved over all day. Most of the time, Mark brought up his days with Molly abroad in a conversation, and made sure to avoid bringing up Victor in any of his stories as he did not want to draw Brian's attention on other things. If Brian really wanted to seek the end of Victor, however, Mark knew he was capable of doing that with a snap of his finger.

"Which school are you planning to go to, now that you've decided to live here? Is there any way I can help you?" Brian asked, without really giving his question much thought as he put food into his mouth. In reality, he was still tense and uneasy. It seemed as if he was drifting away from his original plan. Back then, he had freed Molly, and chased her away from him to let her have a new life, to start afresh as a new chapter. He did not, however, expect that she would return back to his side with such strong will and resolution.

Just then, Molly emerged from the kitchen with a bowl of soup in her hands. Glancing up at her, Mark turned to look at Brian again, "No, thank you. Mom has already taken care of it," he said. A small, arrogant smile crossed Mark's face as he looked at Brian frowning in envy while he played with his food.

When Molly reached the table, she laid the soup between them. While doing that, her eyes fell on Brian naturally, and she noticed his tense and bewilderment. A wonderful idea slowly appealed to her.

*

It had been a dim and rainy day in Dragon Island. As the night fell, fewer people stayed outside in the streets.

Everything was flushed and washed clean by the rain. The leaves on the trees glinted in radiant golden color as patches of light penetrated through the windows.

With lights gleaming out of the buildings through several windows, the cars on the street, and the rain hitting the ground in a soothing manner, the city looked busy and in serenity at the same time.

A hand in his pocket, Eric stood in front of the French window of the governor office that was located on the top level of the National Congress building. His eyes were dark and deep, looking steadily at the night scenery of the Dragon Island that soaked thoroughly in the continuous falling of the rain.

As he looked outside, his mind was lost in his own thoughts. It had been two years, and now everything seemed to be finally calming down. Things were returning back to its own designated orbit. What he hadn't been able to understand before, was now beginning to make sense. Nothing in the world was more completely undetectable or uncontrollable than love, the most common yet complicated connection between every living souls on earth.

In the past, he had been confused about his dad's behavior. Now he had the feeling that he could understand him, perhaps even do the same if he was in his father's position. In order to see his loved one living a happy and full life, he was willing to take all the blame and pain.

The marriage between his parents was the fulfillment of the dream which his mom had always longed for. To his mom, it was better to stay at his side, unloved, than moaning and savoring her own eternal loneliness. Even more, she was very much certain that her husband would never abandon her. Because of the sacrifice that his dad made, not only did it make his mom's dream come true, but it also relieved the tension and pressure on Richie and Shirley's relationship. Since they loved each other, it was best to bless them to be together. His reverie was cut short by his phone suddenly ringing.

Walking back to his desk, Eric picked up the phone.

"Mr. Eric Long, Senator Huang has returned from his visit to Europe. He asked if he could get a chance to see you tomorrow," came the secretary's professional voice. "I took the liberty of checking your schedule, sir. You will be vacant from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM tomorrow morning," she informed.

"Noted," Eric replied curtly, and hung up the phone.