45 An unexpected meeting (2/2)

Du Lu's voice was placid, without surprise. He looked at An Ning as if she was some kind of stranger he suddenly remembered he knew after all.

”That's okay. I'll be at Moira's. It's going to be a long day for Richard.”

”Suit yourself,” Du Lu shrugged then went inside.

An Ning's eyes drifted to the glass again. The man was no longer there but that frightening smile remained with her. She knew who it was. It seemed Richard was not going to give up until he got his body back and his soul walks this earth again. Then what? What is he planning to do? Kill Han? Kill her? An Ning left, her mind in a whirl.

Meanwhile, Han finds himself in a bind. Valerie was crying like the world was ending and she finds herself alone. He didn't know how to talk to her. Didn't he pay her enough money so she would leave Richard alone? So, why is she still here?

”You never told me she was pregnant,” Valerie's voice had the bite of acid. ”When you gave me that money you were already back with her, weren't you?”

”Yes,” Han didn't lie. What was the point anyway? Valerie had already seen what there was to see.

”I thought you loved me,” Valerie threw the words out like truth bombs. ”You said you loved me.”

”Didn't it become clearer I was not serious when you received the money? Why are you rehashing all of these? We're done. There's nothing else to say, is there?”

Valerie gazed at Richard, deeply wounded. It was made clear to her after she received the money that she loved him. The money had nothing to do with her feelings. She took it because she was owed but she always knew it was separate from what she truly felt.

Richard had loved her. There was no escaping from the truth of that in his eyes, his touch. Then something must have happened to change his mind. A man who truly loves a woman doesn't impregnate another woman even if she was his wife just because. Richard loves her, Valerie, and not An Ning so something or someone must have changed his mind about her.

”What happened to you?” she asked. ”Are you staying with An Ning just because you have to? Is that it? You accidentally got her pregnant so you're staying with her for the sake of the child? I don't care about that, Richard. You can share the baby with her if you need to but you belong to me. Can't you understand that?”

Han was surprised by her attitude. He dug into Richard's memories of this woman and found in there the rush of lust he felt when he first saw her. He could feel it now, the unbidden attraction Richard's body had for this woman, the anti-thesis of An Ning whom Richard had only vague feelings for while they were growing up.

Valerie had been that woman who led Richard from familiarity to intense desire. That is, until he stood in front of a suddenly unrecognizable An Ning who calmly and almost blithely asked him for a divorce. Han who shared Richard's memories could feel his utter shock and confusion over what An Ning said.

An Ning looked coldly indifferent. Not even a glimmer of regret when she demanded the separation. It was as if the years between them happened to another couple.Richard's infidelity had nothing to do with her. She was only the An Ning who married a guy named Richard who cheated on her.

Han could feel Richard's confusion, his anger. He saw him the last time before his consciousness faded away. But of course Valerie would never understand. At the end of his life, Richard yearned for An Ning to wake up so she could see him. He wanted to see her so he could tell her that he loved her.There was no Valerie in Richard's eye sight then. No Valerie in his fading consciousness. Only An Ning.

”An Ning and I are together now,” he said. ”I don't need to defend any change of mind I might have had about our relationship. I'm only here to tell you that I love An Ning and we're together.”

”You love me!” Valerie screamed in frustration. ”Have you forgotten what you told me before?You're leaving her and you're marrying me! You said she was just a friend you love as a sister but it's different with me. I'm your woman, Richard. Those were your words.”

Han was about to offer a rebut when the door opened. Du Lu's eyes were stern when he glanced at them.

”You're voices are too loud. Everyone can hear. Come outside and eat something before the food gets cold.”

Valerie stared at the both of them then she burst into uncontrollable sobs, running past Du Lu as she shot past the door and out into the building. Han touched a spot on his left chest. It felt like something heavy was pressing against it.

”I thought you already had her paid off,” Du Lu said almost accusingly. ”Are you really this incompetent in getting rid of your women?”

”She's just upset. What can you expect?”

Du Lu looked at him for a moment.

”I suggest you stop wearing that besotted look in front of An Ning next time you mention Valerie's name. She will leave you in a snap, pregnant or not.”

”I'm not wearing a besotted look,” Han said, outraged. ”I just feel sorry for the woman, that's all. You will never understand even if I tell you.”

”Hmnn….” Du Lu said then closed the door behind him.

Han shook his head and laughed reluctantly. He picked up his phone and called An Ning's number.