Grandma Co squeezed Jenny's hand then said, "Now, Jenny darling, I'm glad you are almost back to your old self."
"Almost." Jenny tried to faintly smile yet her eyes looked inconsolable. She looked at Lucas standing at the far end of the room and her whole demeanor changed, "And you don't have to constantly worry about me too. Lucas is here to stay and keep me company after graduation."
Jenny's declaration earned different stares from her audience.
"Omo, what do you mean after graduation?" Auntie Lala almost knocked over the teacup on the table. "Sweetie, you're all set for Harvard. Don't tell me you're backing out now?"
As much as Grandma Co liked the idea, she could only nod in agreement with the imperious Yiu Lala. Grandma Co stole a glance at her grandson but the quiet and shy boy blended amongst the Huang ancestors' portraits.
Auntie Lala evilly eyed her archenemy. Who else would brainwash her daughter but this poor young fellow? She left them alone that one time to have dinner and then this bombshell was dropped out of nowhere.
Lucas sensed the animosity from the two madams that all of a sudden the details on the carpet stole his attention.
Jenny saw how uncomfortable he was that she abruptly stood up from her seat and bowed to give Grandma Co a goodbye kiss, "I'm sorry Grandma but Lucas and I have to leave."
Jenny then moved next to her outraged mother, "I am staying because I am looking for the person who saved me from that ferry."
Her tone was soft but her message was clear.
This was the first time that her sweetie talked about the incident. Auntie Lala squeezed her eyes shut. She trembled with anger but held her poisonous tongue to let her sweetie have her way, 'Not today, Yiu Lala. Not today.'
Jenny strode towards Lucas's direction and entwined their fingers together. She plucked her wallflower away from his camouflage and dragged him out of the tea room... and out of the Huang Household Mansion.
Lucas opened the pickup truck's passenger door, his hand at the small of her back, "After you."
Jenny tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek. His gummy smile shone brighter than the sun, his eyes disappeared along with all the 'apprehension' from Auntie Lala.
They drove down the hill of Capitol Commons and hit the road for today's appointment.
When the traffic light turned red, Jenny saw her opportunity to tease her wallflower. She lunged beside Lucas, her arm resting on the center console of the pickup truck and whispered, "I want to do it the car."
"What?"
"I want to lose my virginity in the car."
Lucas looked to his left then to his right to check if someone heard the outburst of profanities from his crazy koala's mouth. "What the heck are you talking about? Why would we do such a thing in the car?" To say that he was flabbergasted was an understatement.
"Hey, eyes on the road. It's a green," she pointed her finger to the traffic light, a cheeky smile escaped her now sunny face then she continued, "Did I say that I would do it with you?"
Lucas's eyes turned dark, 'Ok, I'm up to play your little game.' This crazy koala was definitely looking for trouble. "Then don't. Your call," Lucas said in his signature monotone voice. Jenny kicked on her seat, aggravated at his reply.
"Lucas Co! That's not fair! Who did you bang this time?!" Jenny's nostrils flared as she threw charges on Lucas's way — her ladylike bearing left at the last traffic light. Lucas let out a hearty laugh at his crazy koala whose face was flushed in red with anger.
"You started it. See? Now you are mad. That's a dangerous game, Jenny Huang. Next time make sure you won't lose to me." Lucas stretched his fingers — he wanted to hold her hand but his stick-shift truck hindered him to do so.
Jenny eyed the subtle movement and her heart was instantly at ease.
"But I love dangerous," her fingers traced his heavenly defined jawline that ultimately reached his supple lips, "I love you... dangerous man."
Lucas bit Jenny's finger and the two shared a burst of a hearty laugh.
...
Capital Security Systems Solutions
The duo arrived at Lucas's office. It was located on the outskirts of the capital where rent is currently cheap yet were expected to boom in a few years.
"Why are we here again? I thought we're going to your place to meet Zoey and Grant?" Jenny asked as she hopped out of the truck while Lucas held the door for her. She was not happy. She was mentally and emotionally unprepared to do what she thought would happen. And she was right.
"We are here to meet with the artist, remember? I was swamped with work these past few days and today is the only day that I can squeeze him in my schedule." Lucas tilted his head and scratched his temple — clearly taken aback by Jenny's reaction that he started to ramble on an explanation.
"Oh." She started to get cold feet — afraid that the sketch would turn out as one of the cold and lifeless bodies on the list. Lucas held her hand and assured her, "We can back out if you're not yet ready. Mmm?"
She looked at Lucas's innocent eyes and thought 'You should have informed me at least,' but chose to keep that thought to herself. She gently pulled away from his hand and said, "I'm ready. Really."
Jenny turned her back right away and walked towards the door. Of all the people who turned their backs on him, hers would always be the most painful.
Lucas's face turned blank like a plain canvass the moment his crazy koala left. He knew he did something wrong but he could not figure it out. He let out a sigh and followed her around inside as if she owned the place.
Edited by Swaning