CHAPTER THIRTY SIX: STARTING AGAIN

" How is she?" Jiang Hao asked after I out my mom to sleep," She is okay..it's going to take her some time to get used to this place but she will soon." I replied as I moved to the kitchen to prepare her some soup," Iam going to cook...do you want to stay for dinner?" I asked as she chucked softly..." like I would say no..." he sat by the kitchen counter.

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I decided to spend time with my mom by taking her to some places that reflected her favourites before she got sick and each time we spent time together, I could tell she was slowly opening up to me..she started to smile more and could even say a word or two to me..all this got me teary eyed and I was so grateful that her condition was getting better.

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" You should watch this..." Alia said to my mom," What exactly is that?" I asked," A popular Korean show amongst moms and grannies and aunties lately." she replied," Your mom will love it too." she added as we both looked back at her..." See she is smiling..." she added," Okay...let's get back to work....the rest are about to get here." I said as we went back into the kitchen, we had invited Jiang Hao Eric and Ai man over for dinner and also to watch the pilot episodes of our variety show which was premiering tonight," I can't believe they actually aired the show..." Alia said as we worked," Neither can I but it's good especially for Jiang hao if it is successful then he will have a smooth come back when the times comes." replied as she agreed.

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Isn't this alot?" Alia asked as we set the table for dinner," I think it's okay..." I replied as I heard the door bell ring...on opening up it was Jiang Hao AI man and Eric..." You have reached just in time..." I said as I invited them in," What is smelling so nice..." Eric said as he found his way to the dining table..." Come in..." I said to Ai man who was still standing at the door..."Okay.." she replied as I led her to the dinning table..." How is mom...?" Jiang Hao asked as the rest teased him for calling her mom..." What's wrong...it's not like she added onto become my mom sooner or later..." He replied as I shyed away.." She is fine...she was tired so I put her to bed." I replied," Okay..can we all start eating..the show premieres at exactly 9." Eric said as we all sat down for dinner.

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" I don't remember the last time I had a proper meal ..with friends or family." Ai man said as we all sat down to watch the show.." Thank you so much for inviting me ." She added as she sipped on her glass of wine" It's starting!!" Eric exclaimed as we all stared at the screen...I looked back at Jiang Hao as we watched and felt relieved to see a smile on his face.

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" Check this out....!!!" Eric said as he stood up from his seat.." The show is trending.." he added as he showed us," It's currently#1" he added as we all took a sneak peek on his phone..." And the comments are good." He added as he read out the comments for us..I actually didn't expect people to love the show..I expected them to hate on it despite how good it was because of the fake marriage stunt..but seeing them warm up to it was satisfying.

Jiang Hao had not said a word but from his facial expression I could tell he was happy," Okay we can all agree that we have got one more reason to celebrate." Eric added," We need beers..." He added as he looked around and picked up his keys.." Iam going to buy some..but I'll need some one to come with me." He added as Ai man stood up," Let me go with you." She said," How can you? I mean it's your first time here and we shouldn't make you work...I'll go with Alia.." he said as I looked back at Alia who was flustered," Come on..." He added as Alia looked back at me," Go on." I said as they both walked out...after our conversation earlier today I hoped they would work things out.

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ERIC'S POV

Getting beers was clearly an excuse to talk to Alia, after she said what she said the other day and even blacked out we had never talked again," What do you want to say to me?" She asked as I looked around nervously," Do you remember what you said to me the other night?" I asked as she sighed," Of course..." She replied," And I meant everything I said..it had nothing to do with being drunk." She replied," Is that all you wanted to talk about?" She asked as I took feel breaths and held her hand as she walked infront of me..." You didn't have to apologize..I had too..as much as I had a reason for not fullfilling our promise, I should have found a way of communicating with you instead of forcing you to overthink...." I said," So Iam sorry for not fulfilling our promise, Iam sorry for not communicating Iam sorry for making you overthink and Iam sorry for saying sorry too late." I added as I anxiously waited for her reply..." Do you want us to try being friends again?" She asked," We could be friends and then close friends and then...." She added as we both chuckled..." deal." I said as we shook hands..." Well there is beer in the refrigerator back at home." She whispered as we both laughed," I had to come up with an excuse to talk to you..." I replied," Well we can't let this trip go to waste...how about some popsicles...?" she asked as I immediately agreed.

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JIANG HAO' POV

Seeing how warmly everyone was towards the variety show made me happy....but as I scrolled through my phone reading some of the posts about it...I got one that made me dumbfond...and it was that after much consideration they had decided to replace me for Director Choi's series....

I mean yes I was on a break but...

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