Chapter 13 - The feeling of oneness.

After breakfast, Bao walked to both of them who were chirping in the garden and said, "Why don't you both go to Zhuhai for a change? Take it as a gift from an elder brother."

He sat down and added, "I have asked the Manager at our resort to book a room for you both. It would be nice to spend some time in the solace of nature. I also have arranged for the chauffeur to drive you both there. You will reach there by evening."

Liqin turned around and asked, "What about business matters back in the office?"

Bao picked up the newspaper, looked through its news articles, and replied, "Take three days off and join back on Thursday. I can manage it on my own. If I need any help, I can approach you on call anytime."

Jia was excited and held her hand high at the idea, and said, "Wow! Now, this looks exciting."

She looked at Liqin, placed her hand on his face, and said, "Please say yes."

Bewitched by her smile, and the approach he blurted out, "Okay." without thinking.

Overjoyed, Jia gave Liqin a huge hug which left him dumbfounded.

Bao smiled at his achievement and watched as Jia went upstairs to pack for leaving, while Liqin kept staring at her.

Bao looked at Liqin, and said, "This is your chance, grab it before you lose her."

Liqin turned around, gave a surprised look, and asked, "What do you mean?"

Bao stood up, put his hand around his shoulder, and said, "Sometimes the person whom we love, and yearn for, are so close to us already, that we fail to realize our own feelings for them."

Liqin smiled with a twinkle in his eye, and said, "I don't get it, bro."

Bao placed both his hands on his shoulders, looked into his eyes, and said, "If you can't live without her, find a way to ensure that you keep her in your embrace forever."

"Do you think, I wouldn't have other plans, than these to get out of this proposal, or that I could have not put my foot down, and refused the proposal? Do you think, I do not have the ability to convince my parents out of this proposal, without this plan of action? I did this, only to make you realize your love for her."

Liqin was flustered at the conversation, and let out a dimpled smile, with a twinkle in his naughty eyes, and said, "Well, I had been breaking my head, over this feeling the whole night. Thanks for the support."

Bao turned around with a pointed finger and commanded, "I give you two weeks, to announce your engagement to me."

Liqin stood up and looked at him dumbstruck, "Don't you think, that would be too soon?"

Bao shook his head and said with a pointed finger, "Keep this statement in mind when you return. If you do not come requesting support to get engaged soon, I will doubt my observations in the future."

Liqin held out his arms and said, "Hey, that's not fair."

Bao tilted his head, gave him a salute, and said, "All is fair in love and war."

Jia had just walked in, and interrupted, and said, "What is fair in love and war?"

Shocked at the interruption, both wished, that she had not overheard the conversation.

Bao immediately turned around and added, to divert the topic, and said, "I will ask the chauffeur to drive you both. This way you can be rest assured, about what you plan throughout the day without any worries or stress."

Bao called the chauffeur and gave him clear instructions. He specifically arranged for an additional chauffeur cum bodyguard to take care of them.

He went aside, called up the manager, and gave some specific instructions, to ensure a smooth transition of the friendship into love.

Bao looked at Liqin and Jia, opened his arms, and said, "Now will you please go, and pack your bags to leave?"

They both shook their head and said, "Yes," and left to pack in unison.

After a few minutes, the chauffeur drove the car to the entrance of the mansion.

Liqin and Jia hopped onto the car, while Bao smiled as he watched them leave the mansion together saying, "I hope, that my efforts would pay off."