John could barely exert much strength with his right hand, and he was so busy he almost forgot that he was half a patient.His doctor did insist that he rest frequently and attend rehabilitation sessions regularly.-The next day, Cordy was working in her office at Starstream Group when Robin entered. "We just received a tip, Ms. Sachs…""What is it?""The CEO of SYX Corp is going to have dinner with Gareth Bryant tonight. He's the board chairman of Future Tech.""So?' Cordy asked, frowning—she was unusually irritated whenever John was mentioned."Well, Future Tech had been trying to gain a foothold here in North City with a physical outlet. They had one in a rather remote location, but performance has not been ideal for them. Recently, rumor has it that Gareth was trying to get a lease in KPW Shopping Center, but that went south too… Therefore, it's reasonable to speculate that he is having dinner with SYX's CEO to discuss a lease…"Cordy scowled, naturally understanding what
"Of course," Gareth quickly said, and he and Cordy promptly went into an endless discussion, leaving John neglected.And after dinner, both Cordy and Gareth were a little drunk, while John was perfectly sober.In fact, Gareth was starting to feel sick and left immediately with his assistant.Once he was gone, Cordy wanted to leave as well, only for Robin to whisper into her ear, "I'm sorry, Ms. Sachs, but our car broke down and was sent for repairs. Just wait for a moment—I'm calling for another car.""If you don't mind, Ms. Sachs, I can give you a ride," John said then."No." Cordy refused right away.But with that, John did not press the issue and turned to leave with Randy.Along the way, Randy could not resist speaking up again. "You could have insisted on giving Ms. Sachs a ride, Mr. Levine. It's an opportunity to earn her favor.""You wouldn't get it," John told him, grinning.Randy was of the opinion that John was the one who did not.-Meanwhile, Cordy was left with
Her heart pounding, she looked at the man before her and saw that he was not looking composed either.In fact, his face was pale, as if he was more scared than she was.Their eyes met for a couple seconds, but just as Cordy was about to struggle out of John's arms, he scooped her up in his arms."What do you think you're doing?!""Carrying you back to your room.""I don't need that. I can walk fine on my own.""Keep moving, and we'd both fall."Cordy gritted her teeth, but she had no choice but to take it since she could not move, even though she suffered considerably from it.Still, John quickly strode up the stairs with her in his arms and took her to her room.He put her in bed and left immediately after, as if she would sully his modesty if he lingered even for a second.Cordy pursed her lips.John was already gone, but she did not get to vent her grief at all!-"You're back already, Daddy?" Richard exclaimed in surprise as he watched John come downstairs."What sill
"Thank you," John told Cordy politely.However, Cordy said nothing and left with Richard.On the way home, however, Richard suddenly asked, "Mommy, don't you think Daddy looked good?"Cordy's fingers clenched over the steering wheel, but she said nonchalantly, "I wasn't paying attention.""Really?" Richard murmured before adding, "He's going on a blind date today."Cordy blinked and glanced at the boy."Are you upset, Mommy?" Richard quickly asked, sensing Cordy's stare right then."No. Just a little surprised," Cordy said nonchalantly. "Well, Grandaunt Nancy arranged the meeting for him," Richard said. "He didn't want to go, but she insisted.""He wouldn't dress up for the occasion if he was really reluctant." Cordy scoffed."I thought you weren't paying attention, Mommy?" Richard smiled in amusement.Cordy pursed her lips. She could not afford letting her guard down around Richard these days now that he was all grown up."Grandaunt Nancy prepared the suit and everything,
John's blind date laughed. "Well, I've never failed thus far.""By the way, are you really not going to settle down?" her friend asked, her tone turning slightly serious. "It's just been one blind date after another—are you really just going to play around like that?""Settle down? I'm only twenty-four! That'd be a waste of my youth. And you know that I won't ever get my parents to shut up unless I attend these blind dates. And what's the harm when I might find some top-quality stud while I do?""Older men are not that playful, y'know," her friend warned. "He might want you to take responsibility.""Don't worry—I'm a veteran," John's blind dates said nonchalantly. "That said, I don't mind hanging around to play a bit more with this one. You have no idea, but he's the best-looking one I've had yet. He'd even give movie stars a run for their money.""Really?""I'll send a photo over later.""In bed, I hope." Her friend laughed."I'll do my best." John's blind date did not reject
John's blind date stared at him, unable to say a word for a long while.Eventually, she began, "I think we should just end it here. We're not right for each other—""I disagree," John said, cutting her short.The woman did a double take but quickly shook her head, remembering all the nonsense she had spouted in the washroom while Cordy was right beside her. "No, I must assure you that we're not…""You just want a good time, and the same goes for me," John said bluntly.The woman was left gaping at him.How could he tell? And here she thought her maidenly act was impeccable! Even if Cordy was going to tell him, she could not have done it so quickly!"You're still fooling around? At your age?!" she exclaimed in disbelief.John simply stared at her, speechless."Wait, I don't mean you can't," the woman quickly said. "I mean, shouldn't you be settling down by now?""I should.""And you're still coming on to me?""More like coming to you for help.""What?" The woman was left
Cordy was actually confident.Having built a partnership with Gareth Bryant, he naturally had to defer to her. As such, he was basically going through the motions when he showed up here.Moreover, she had looked into the competition as well, but the only side that might compete was Gareth, and no one else had any chance of winning.That was why her confidence showed during her presentation.Two hours later, after everyone presented their proposals, the results were announced on the spot.To no surprise, Cordy retained the best spot in KPW Shopping Center, extending the contract for ten years this time.That basically meant she did not have to worry about her flagship outlet in the immediate future.Still, John politely offered a handshake after agreeing to the partnership. "Congratulations, Ms. Sachs. Here's to a fruitful partnership."Cordy merely stared at his hand hesitantly and did not take it.John did not seem to feel embarrassed by that and simply lowered his hand.Nod
Cordy brought Richard along as she headed to Zoe and Jay's apartment right after she left work.Zoe was excited to see her. "Welcome, Cordy! Come in, Dicky—Yelena's waiting to play with you."Richard had not actually met Yelena on that many occasions, but it was clear that the little girl liked him.And in spite of Richard's haughty nature, he was surprisingly patient with Yelena.Blood relations were a funny thing, no?In fact, just as Cordy and Richard entered, Yelena already came and pulled Richard away."Isn't Quinn coming?" Cordy asked, since it was always the three of them whenever they gather."She's going to be gone for two weeks. She has a lawsuit to deal with," Zoe said regrettably.Cordy nodded, feeling the same way.The three of them had been too busy to gather lately."Where's Jay?" Cordy asked just then, since she only saw Clara working in the kitchen and greeted her."He'll probably be back soon," Zoe replied. As she spoke, the door opened.Cordy turned to
Soon, another nurse emerged from the delivery room with a small bundle. "Is the mother's family here?""Yes!" John exclaimed loudly."The delivery was successful," the nurse said. "The baby weighs eight pounds—""How is she?" John asked in agitation, not caring about the child."She's fine. The doctor is just helping her clean up and she'll be out soon," the nurse replied.As John breathed a sigh of relief, the nurse reminded him, "Aren't you the father? Here's your child."John took the baby off her arms, staring at her for a moment as the others flocked around him. "Oh, she's so fair!" Zoe could not help exclaiming. "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""Are you saying that your son's ugly?" Bob teased."To be honest, yeah," Zoe replied without thinking.Jay cleared his throat—even if it was a subjective opinion, it still hurt to have his own baby called ugly."Let me carry her," Zoe volunteered just then, and John did not hesitate to hand her his baby.As Zoe
"What?!" Zoe exclaimed in shock.Beside them, John's face fell despite being usually stoic.Still, even before anyone could react, he scooped Cordy up in his arms and left.Zoe did not hesitate to follow, but Jay reminded her, "We're the hosts, Zoe.""Don't care." Zoe was completely unconcerned. "Ask my mom and your sister to handle the guests. I'm going with Cordy!"Jay hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow since there was no reasoning with Zoe.Sam and Quinn also realized that something was out of place.As they pulled away reluctantly, Bob shouted from below, "If you're done kissing, we're going to the hospital! Cordy's going into labor!"Quinn hurried after them as soon as she hurt, but Sam caught her. "Slow down. We can catch up."In fact, most of the guests were leaving as well—it was as if the banquet for Zoe's son was actually intended for everyone else.The poor boy was certainly unlucky to have such unreliable parents!-As everyone rushed to the hospit
"I'm swelling from my pregnancy," Quinn explained. "It's not your fault."Sam was left staring at her for a while before asking, "So, what should I do?""I'll put it on when I slim down.""Oh." Sam was a little disappointed, since he had always dreamed of having her put on the ring he had custom made.But this was fine—they had all the time they needed, and the most important thing for him is that Quinn was marrying him!He rose to his feet just then, and everyone was cheering as soon as he did. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"Quinn blushed right then, and Sam could see that she was embarrassed.He did not want to make things awkward for her, even if he was quite eager at the moment.Heaven knows how much he missed that night's drunken fumble they had. In fact, during the times he remembered it in dreams, he had to wash his pants when he woke up.Still, just as he took Quinn's hand and started to leave, he felt a softness on his lips—Quinn was kissing him! Sam's heart pounded thunderous
Everyone waited patiently for the final outcome.Quinn's eyes were welling up with tears, threatening to gush if she so much as blinked.She did her best to hold back her tears—to be strong!Sam pursed his lips in turn, his Adam's apple bobbing.A long while passed, and it felt like a century for Quinn when she finally heard him say, "Yes."Quinn's tears started falling in happiness as Sam declared loudly, "I'll marry you, Quinn—it's what I've always wanted to do! I won't let you go even if you regret it eventually! You only get to be with me, and I'll never let any other man claim you! I'll become very overbearing… eventually!""I won't regret it," Quinn said, determined.She certainly would not regret marrying him!Zoe walked up to them with perfect timing just then, and Sam did a double take.He finally remembered that Zoe was the host of this luncheon and was going to leave with Quinn when Zoe whipped out a small red velvet box."You know what's in here, don't you?" Zoe a
However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be with her, she would never stay with Ryan.She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.Was she that unimportant to him?Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he loved her for years…Sam's heart ached even as he looked into Quinn's tearful eyes.He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it—would he not burden her?Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him…But she already had Ryan's child…Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn's.But would she not mind?"I will marry you, Sam," Quinn said slowly and clearly then. "Not because you're a good man, not because you prepared so much for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I
Everyone in the hall was staring at Sam and Quinn, while Quinn took center stage, staring fixedly at Sam.He stood in the middle of the crowd, watching her silently.She in turn felt fear that he would turn and leave, just as she did not know if she had the courage to stand before him again and to declare her feelings for him in front of so many others.Nonetheless, amid the deafening silence, Sam suddenly walked toward the stage.His pace was slow as if his feet were made of lead, but he was also unusually determined.Quinn's heart raced uncontrollably right then!Everyone else was watching them nervously, especially Cordy and Zoe, with the latter being especially concerned that the cowardly Sam would bail.Fortunately, he was a man who showed responsibility. He would not leave Quinn alone and embarrassed.Hence, as everyone looked on, Sam stood before Quinn, his gaze flickering as their eyes met.He gulped ever so slightly, his emotions clearly ruffled even as he did his bes
The guests were encouraging, loudly asking, "Why?!""Because of a woman," Sam's recording replied."Who is it?""Quinn Summer," the Sam on the screen said slowly and clearly, leaving the Sam who was in the hall stunned.What the hell?! That was the proposal video he prepared before! Why did it show up here? Did Zoe make a mistake?!He knew it—leave anything to Zoe, and she would mess it up!He started striding toward the stage, intent on stopping the recording, when John and Bob intercepted him with a look of utter guilt while the recording continued. "Quinn is my wife, and we've been married for years, but I've never really loved her—not because I don't, but because I'm afraid to. I feel too insignificant in comparison to the one she loves, so I'd always hurt her… painfully and childishly. I regret that so much now, Quinn. How could I have abandoned you for so long because of my own jealousy? I'd rather hold you in my sleep every night, but my damned pride denied me that for y
At the banquet hall, Jay and Zoe were thanking their guests with their children in their arms.Then, Zoe announced excitedly, "Please give my best friend, who is also my son's godmother, a warm applause as she comes on stage!"Sam stood at a corner of the hall, watching as Quinn walked up the stage, only realizing just then that her belly was clearly swelling despite her baggy clothes.Time flies—he had not left that long ago, but she and Ryan already had a child.She was not worried about giving him a stroke, was she?He watched as Quinn took the mic and looked around below searching, seemingly searching.After a while, he thought she was looking at him, but by the time he looked up, she had already turned away.Maybe she was looking for Ryan before remembering that Ryan was not there?Nonetheless, Quinn spoke into the mic, saying, "I'm honored to be chosen as the godmother to Zoe's son, and she's been saying he'd be engaged to my child if it's a girl. I already love my godson
As their eyes met, Sam turned frantic and averted his. "Of course.""Really?" Quinn asked."Would I lie to you?" Sam asked a little grumpily."And you didn't bring her back?" Quinn asked."I'm on a schedule, and it'd be taxing for her if I bought her along," Sam said, making things up as he went along. "I'll bring her along when things are less busy.""Is she pretty?" Quinn pressed."What, have I ever picked an ugly one?" Sam snorted smugly. "You know I prefer curvaceous types, and there are plenty of those abroad.""Do you have a photo?"Sam was silent for a while and eventually said, "Yeah.""Can I see it?""What, does she have to pass your assessment?""Just curious about the girl who can tempt you to settle down," Quinn replied. "You'd be humbled." Sam hastily came up with an excuse."I won't," Quinn said, determined."You'll see her when I bring her home." Sam refused nonetheless."I would like to see a photo now.""No, she's not that photogenic. It'd be slander a