Chapter 99 - 26 Years Ago (1/2)

Her presence attracted many attention as she strode into the glamorous restaurant. She was putting on a short white gown that revealed her long straight legs with feet covered with a black boot. She wore a pink beret, her long black hair flowed beneath it to her shoulders.

”I said I'm not going” She complained loudly into the phone and slumped into a chair. She looked around her to see people staring at her. Some stared because she was really pretty. Some, because she was noisy. She bowed politely to them and spoke softly.

”Mother. This is not fair. You always push me to do everything I don't want to do.”

”Do you know what you want to do?” Her mother scolded her. ”You should be grateful we are making good choices for you.” Her mother spoke angrily from the other side of the phone.

”I see how good your choices have been. You are all dictators. I won't go!” She screamed even louder this time and hung up as she stomped her feet on the ground. The heel of her shoes producing loud clanks as it made contact with the floor.

”Be gentle.” She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see a pretty middle aged woman wearing a chef's apron and instantly recognized her. The woman dropped a can of apple juice in front of her and sat opposite her.

”Mrs Wang. Sorry for the disturbance. I'm just a little over the edge” She apologized.

”Problem with home again?” Mrs Wang asked softly.

She nodded ”I think they intend to drive me crazy. They keep wanting to send me to blind dates. I'm still young. I'm just 19. Even when I turn 60, they'll still be men queuing up to marry me. Why the rush?” She stopped to catch her breath then continued ”You have a 19 years old daughter right? Can you force her to get married now?” She whined.

Mrs Wang chuckled. ”You are not getting any younger. But I would not advise my daughter to get married now. She won't even agree. She's a total bookworm and is currently in medical school.”

She pouted. ”Can't they just allow me mourn my Ex-finace in peace before raising another issue of marriage?”

”I thought you mentioned he died three years ago?” Mrs Wang looked at her, confused.

”It's still fresh in my memory. Even though I never really wished to marry him, he was still my good friend. Dying at 18 was not something anyone expected” She bowed her head sadly as she sipped the apple juice from a straw.

Mrs Wang could not help feeling bad for her. At 16, she was betrothed. Now that her fiance was dead, they were pushing her to someone else.

”What do your parents do anyway?” Mrs Wang asked.

”They're into small business” She stopped there and took another sip before she changed the topic.

Mrs Wang knew she didn't like saying much about her family, so she just let it slide. She only assumed she was from an average family who wished to marry off their daughter to a wealthy one.

”Any special menu today?” She asked excitedly.

Mrs Wang laughed. ”It's a good thing you like eating. I wish my daughter was anything like you.”

”I wish I was her. At least she knows what she wants and you let her do it” Her mood turned melancholic.

”It's okay. Stop brooding already.” Mrs Wang advised.

”Where is Mr Wang? He didn't come today?”

”He is with Jianjun in the kitchen” She answered.