Learning to Love Again

Stephanie nods and returns her attention to the T.V. After a while, she goes to the kitchen to make breakfast for Yichen to eat when he wakes up.

She watches him while Su Lian goes to work. She had been very lonely ever since her ex husband and daughters left for China. Being able to see her granddaughter and great grandson everyday is quite refreshing for her.

"Grandma, where's mommy?" an adorable voice calls from the side.

Stephanie looks over and sees a cute toddler dressed in a one piece pajama suit walking towards the kitchen.

"At work, but she'll be back soon." she says while rubbing his head.

His little, sleepy face turns sad upon hearing her reply.

'Mommy is always at work, ' he thought to himself.

"Micheal, are you hungry, I made you your favourite?" Su Yichen hesitates for a brief moment before nodding his head and sitting down to eat.

•••

Su Lian has had a long morning so far. As the Manging Director at Chris' company, she always has her hands full. The company is very successful, Chris had put in a lot of time and dedication into building it. Instead of saying company, it's more like an empire. They were giants in almost every industry.

During her break, Su Lian goes to a nearby cafe where she meets up with her friends on work days.

"Can I get a medium coffee please."

A television hangs on the wall to keep the customers waiting in line occupied. It is always on the same news channel with the volume muted.

Su Lian was a regular here. She glances at the T.V screen expecting to see the brunette news reporter saying inaudible words, but what she sees instead leaves her rooted to the ground.

Dazed, she stares at the screen.

Wearing a tight fitting suit that outlines his broad shoulders.

Black wavy hair that falls perfectly around his face.

Deep pooled eyes that seem as if they can see your soul.

A face that looks like it was carved by the world greatest sculptor.

Looking smply breathtaking.

A picture of the man she once loved... the man she still loves.

"Excuse me ma'm, would you like milk or cream with that?" The waiter's impatient voice drags her back to reality.

"Oh, I'm sorry, milk please." She pays for the coffee and walks away, unconciously sending him an apologetic smile.

Being smiled at by a beauty leaves the waiter's cheeks blushing red, but Su Lian is not in the mood to take notice of him.

Absentmindedly, she walks to an empty table by the window, takes a seat and stares at the T.V again, but he isn't on it anymore.

Why?

Why was he on t.v?

Is he a politician now?

Was he involved in a scandal?

So many questions flood Su Lian's brain, but she shakes her head forcing them out. He was her past now, whatever happens to him is none of her business.

Resisting the urge to google him, Su Lian pulls out a private school brochure she had picked up earlier that day.

Su Yichen was three and would start kindergarten next fall once he turned four. He could have started school earlier since he was already very mature for his age, but she decided not to enroll him.

Su Lian still taught him how to read and write. He understood and could identitfy a few English and Chinese words and he could even spell his name. His comprehension left her feeling very proud.

Her son was exceptionally smart. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was a genius. It shouldn't come as a surprise though, she was very smart and so was his father.

"Lian!" A high pitched voice blares from the side.

Su Lian glances over and sees a short haired blonde woman walking towards her. She has a large bag hanging from her shoulder and in her full hands, she's carrying documents, a giant bowl of salad and a large coffee.

"I absolutely hate my job." She dumps her baggage on the table and runs her fingers through her messy hair in an attempt to fix herself.

"Working as a teacher can't be that bad, Alice." Su Lian closes the school brochure and takes a look at her exhausted friend.

"I know it isn't, but I'm a substitute teacher." Alice angrily stabs a fork in her salad and takes a large bite before continuing on with her mouth full.

"I have to run around like a slave and fill in for teachers who can't make it to class."

"Do you know how hard it is to learn a new bunch of students' names everyday? If i had known that I would have to wait this long before becoming a full-time teacher, I would have never gone to teacher's college."

"You only have six months left and then you'll be done. How many people can say that they had become full fleged teachers at twenty-four."

Alice nods her head in agreement to her awesomeness, but then stops as her eyes widen.

"What about you, you're only twenty-three, you manage a whole company and even have a kid."

She throws her head back and drains nearly half her coffee in a single gulp. Filled with renewed energy, Alice wants to continue her rant, but is stopped by the timely appearance of a pretty woman with curly red hair and light brown eyes.

"Sorry I'm late ladies." She says, but her words can't conceal the excitement on her face.

"What's making you so jittery?" Alice asks unhappily as she attacks her salad.

The red head pulls out a chair and sits down. Taking deep breaths, she places her left hand on the table. On her third finger, sparkling in the light is a beautiful diamond ring.

Alice and Su Lian both stare wide eyed and look from her to her ring finger.

"Brian proposed..."

" I- I said yes."