Looking at Bob's flushed face and furrowed brows and thinking back on Sam's dog, which was the reason why Bob got himself so drunk, Zoe became rather frustrated. Sam had better avoid her the next time he saw her if he knew what was good for himself.Otherwise, she would not hesitate to make him down gallons of alcohol!"Drink…" Bob squirmed in discomfort."Do you need water?" Zoe leaned in closer to him."Drink water…" Bob repeated himself."Hang on," Zoe did not expect Bob to still be thirsty, which was why she did not prepare more tea for him.She immediately left the bedroom.When she walked out, she saw that the living room was empty and that Jay was not around.Had he left? Zoe looked around her but did not pay any further attention upon remembering that Bob needed water.She swiftly made another cup of tea and helped Bob up on the bed as he sipped on it.Bob looked blearily at Zoe before finally recognizing her after a while. "Zoe, I'm sorry…"He knew that he had a
Jay thought that his voice was so soft that it was almost indiscernible.Yet, Zoe heard it.She looked at him. "What's the matter?""Things look very good between you and Bob," Jay said with a smile."Aren't you very glad about that?" Zoe said as she looked straight at him."No…""It's all thanks to you," Zoe said forthrightly, "If it weren't for your rejection, I wouldn't have known how good Bob is. I didn't even know I could like someone so much."Jay swallowed hard.He dared not reveal his inner emotions, for he was afraid that he might lose control over himself."You're probably very surprised that Bob and I even got together in the first place, I suppose?" Zoe looked at Jay as she went on, "Bob has been carrying a torch for me for many years, but because he knew that I liked you, he kept his feelings to himself, for fear that he might lose the friendship should he confess. It was only until I faced difficulties and he helped me overcome them without question that he final
The door was unlocked and it opened the moment Jay pulled on the handle.He saw Bob lying on top of Zoe on the floor in the room.Their posture was…very suggestive.Jay turned around in his shock.He had thought…In fact, he had no idea what he thought had happened. He simply thought that something bad might have occurred, which was why he rushed in without further thought.He really did not think that he might stumble upon such a scene."Jay!" Zoe suddenly called out.She called out to him when he was about to stride off in a hurry.Jay stopped in his tracks. "I wasn't trying to interrupt both of you…""Please come and help me out. Bob needs the washroom." Zoe panted.She was helping Bob to the washroom and just when she helped him up, he stumbled in his stupor and fell on her.She was completely unable to withstand his weight and both of them collapsed on the floor.She could almost see her life flash past her when he fell on her. She could not even get up with Bob lyi
Zoe handed Jay a glass of water. "Have a drink."Jay looked up at Zoe and took it over. "Thanks."Whenever the both of them were alone with each other, things always felt somewhat unnatural."It's getting late. Go back earlier. I'll take care of Bob. Thank you for tonight," Zoe said with sincerity.She was truly thankful that Jay sent Bob back and helped him to the washroom, wiped him clean, and got him changed."Don't mention it. Bob is my friend too.""Anyway, it's really getting late." Zoe did not want to exchange any more pleasantries with Jay.She was clearly chasing him away. Jay walked out of Zoe's bedroom toward the living room, and Zoe walked alongside him to the door out of courtesy.When Jay stepped out of the door, he turned around, wanting to tell her to rest early and show some concern.But before he could utter a word, the door shut in his face.She really did not want to see him anymore.Jay simply stared at the door before finally snapping back to reality.
"I don't care what you say. I've already agreed with Mrs. Levine on your engagement.""You're making a huge mistake.""So what if I am? You don't even have a girlfriend at this age…""But I do!" Bob declared aloud."What?" Yulia was shocked to hear that."I'll tell you the truth. I spent the night at my girlfriend's house." "Who is she?""Things aren't stable between us yet. I'll bring her back home to see you once things are more settled," Bob knew clearly that now was not a good time.If his mom were to find out that he rejected Cora because of Zoe, she would probably burst out in anger."Don't you dare pull my leg on this.""I can handle my personal affairs. Leave me alone," Bob said with a tinge of frustration in his voice. "You can handle your own affairs? Ever since you were young…""What's more, Cora isn't interested in me either. Feel free to call Mrs. Levine to verify if you don't believe me." Bob did not want to say any further. "I'm hanging up."With that, he
The two of them stared at each other for a while.Yulia was the first to open her mouth. "It's you, Zoe York."She surveyed Zoe from head to toe.It felt as if she noticed a difference from when she last saw her."Are you looking for me?" Zoe remained calm and asked her."Who else, if not you? Or should I be looking for Bob?" Yulia said sarcastically.The fact that Yulia appeared here meant that she knew about her relationship with Bob."Come in," Zoe said, inviting Yulia in. "No need to take off your shoes. I don't have extra slippers."Yulia entered her apartment and looked around. It was neither huge nor luxurious, but it was very warm and inviting.She sat on the couch as Zoe poured her a glass of water.She did not expect Zoe to be in an even better shape after what happened to her family.Was it because of Bob?!Yulia said imperturbably, "Did Bob buy this apartment?"She was glad that Bob was the one who bought it. Otherwise, she would not have known that he had a gi
She knew very clearly how obsessed people of high society were about appropriate marriages. "If the incident didn't happen to you, I would have been glad to approve of you and Bob together. I used to like you from the bottom of my heart, not just because of your family background back then, but because of your personality which I really appreciated. I'll be honest with you—Nancy Levine has been trying to matchmake Cora with my son. I've seen Cora before and truly, she's no match for you in every sense of the word."Zoe's eyes flickered.She was shocked to know that Nancy would bother matchmaking Cora and Bob.In fact, Bob was not too bad himself.He might seem like he usually played around too much, but his family background was impressive.Nancy probably thought that since Cora had just come, it would be better for Cora to have someone else aside from her own mother watching over and protecting her.Nancy was indeed thoughtful and considerate in all things for Cora's sake.Zo
Zoe looked at Yulia.She had heard from Nancy that Yulia was a strong-headed woman. Yulia looked gentle and magnanimous, but when she was forced to a corner, she was the kind that would hack people into pieces in retaliation."Zoe, I don't know how receptive you are to the many things I've said, but I hope you can think about it. Is it worth it for Bob to lose everything, even at my expense, for the sake of your so-called love?" "Why, why must you force my hand like this?" Zoe's eyes turned red. She looked at Yulia and questioned her, "Have you ever loved anyone in your life?""I have, but so what?" Yulia smiled, but tears glimmered in her eyes as she said, "He could always betray me and be with another woman. Tell me, how long can a romance stay fresh and exciting? When I first started dating Charles back then, he could stay up for three days and three nights straight just to prepare a surprise for me. Even such fervent love was unable to withstand the test of time. Of course,
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