"I'm back now, aren't I?" Zoe smiled cheekily."I thought you were never coming back!" Quinn complained.Of course, Zoe would never dare to admit that she had considered that possibility before.She had become a lot more tactful over the years."I just went elsewhere to get a breather. Now that I'm in a better mood, I'm back." Zoe tried to explain herself."Why didn't you reach out to us over the past three years?" Quinn could not get over herself."Can't I just wallow in self-pity for a while? All of you ended up rich and famous, while I'm down and out. Can't you give me some time to be jealous of you guys?" "Zoe! Be serious!""Yes, yes. I was just afraid that if I reached out to you, you would betray me. There are many people in North City I don't want to see, so I had to hide.""Who are they?""Don't you already know?" Zoe tried to skirt the topic."Jay Parker?" Quinn cut straight to the chase."Not just him, really.""Did you know that back then, Jay…""Can we not ta
Despite having not met for three years, the three of them simply picked up from where they left off.Zoe was still as lively as she was.Did she really manage to let everything go over the past three years? Did she really manage to let go of Jay, Bob, and the Levines?!The atmosphere remained excellent throughout their meal.After dinner, they settled the bill and left without lingering for too long.When they left the restaurant, the three of them stopped in their tracks.They saw Nancy.Next to her stood Bob and Cora, walking hand in hand.They were probably just done with their dinner and about to leave.Coincidentally, they bumped into them.More specifically, Zoe bumped into them and the atmosphere was so tense.Nancy was clearly shocked to see Zoe.Ever since she threatened Zoe, Zoe disappeared for three whole years.Just when she had almost forgotten about Zoe's existence, Zoe appeared right before her eyes again. Their meeting this time…Was not as volatile an
The three of them left the restaurant."I'll send you home," Cordy and Quinn said to Zoe at the same time.Three of them exchanged glances and smiled.What chemistry.Zoe shook her head. "I'll head home myself. This place isn't far from my apartment and it's quite convenient to get home.""Why don't you let us send you home?" Quinn's eyes narrowed. "Are you going to refuse to meet us again from tomorrow onward?""How could that be? I've set my mind to taking root here," Zoe said exaggeratedly, "I forgot to tell you guys, I'm participating in this variety show called Actors on Set and I just progressed to the next stage.""So why aren't you letting us send you home?" Quinn was adamant."My house is shoddy and I'm afraid I won't be a good host to you both. After I strike it rich and buy a huge mansion, I'll invite both of you to my house and extend amazing hospitality.""I'm afraid I won't live so long to see that day come." Quinn joked with a roll of her eyes."Hey, how can yo
"Can I not tell you?""It was so painful for me to see you two get together at my expense, and yet you two did not stay together? Shouldn't you feel bad about it?""I'm sorry.""Since you are sorry about it, at least let me know the reason so that I know the reason why I lost you back then." Bob pursued the matter."It's just…sigh, how do I put it? If I told you that I asked Jay to put up an act with me because I felt inferior and not worthy of you, would you believe me?" Zoe started babbling."Do you think I'm a three-year-old?""No, but that's the truth.""Zoe York, you've never been someone with an inferiority complex.""That's all in the past. The moment I left the Levine family, I felt more and more inferior about myself. Each time I was with you, I felt so much pressure. I thought it was better to cut short the pain instead of prolonging the agony, so I asked Jay for help.""Just because of some so-called pressure?""And also because I realized that I truly didn't like
Zoe's eyes shifted.All of a sudden, she saw Jay appear, and he was surrounded by many cameras too.They were probably filming behind-the-scenes of the rehearsal.There was not much footage to offer here, though, given that she was all alone. "Where are Candice Lowe and Wynn Yaden?" the director asked."They aren't free.""You're the only one rehearsing?""I don't have anything else to do anyway," Zoe said with a smile.The director did not say anything further, and he led the camera crew away without a word."Wait," Jay suddenly called out."Mr. Parker, what's the matter?" the director asked politely."Since we're already here, let's have a look at Zoe York's solo performance.""All right." The director agreed before turning to Zoe. "Give your movie excerpt a shot."If Zoe were honest, she would have said that she was not willing to do it.There were many scenes of conflict which made it hard for her to get into the mood all by herself."Zoe York, put your best foot fo
Conversely, Zoe was thankful for the director's sudden change in instructions."Okay, call me up in a while." Wynn made a beeline for the couch in the corner of the room.Zoe began practicing her lines with Candice."No." Candice acted out the scene once through and gave up. "Without everyone in, there's no way I can get into character. I keep feeling like something is missing. Let's take a break and start again when Wynn is awake."Zoe was a lot more tactful now. She came back to the entertainment circle with a sole purpose: to not offend a single person.She nodded in agreement for Candice to lie down for a rest.Zoe crouched down low in another corner and began reading her script and memorizing her lines.Each time she went through her lines, she would record herself.It made it easier for her to decide on what the best way to deliver her lines was.Zoe waited like this all the way till the afternoon when Wynn finally stirred awake. After they were done with lunch deliver
In the midst of screaming, Zoe heard a familiar voice."It's me.""Jay Parker," the voice said in a low tone.'Jay Parker?!'Zoe was stunned for a moment.So that thing was Jay.No, no. Jay wasn't a 'thing'.All right.Regardless of whether it was a 'thing' or not, what was Jay doing here?!Did he need to rehearse his scenes in the middle of the night as well?"I dropped my phone when you pushed me just now. Help me find it, it should be nearby," Jay told her.Zoe furrowed her brows.Could he not look for his own phone?!How could she find it in this darkness?But she agreed at that moment.How could she dare offend Jay?That would immediately cut off all paths in the entertainment industry for her.She tried to walk around in search of his phone.The moment she stepped forward, she heard a suppressed grunt from Jay."I'm so sorry." Zoe immediately apologized.She probably stepped on him.Zoe was flabbergasted at how dark everything was. A power outage had cut off
Zoe was beginning to lose hope.Was she going to stay the night here?!It was probably impossible for her to try to find her phone in such darkness.She might fall to her death before she made it to the rehearsal room.It was eerily silent in the darkness, and neither of them spoke a word.They could only hear the subtle sounds of each other's breathing."Where's your phone?" Jay suddenly spoke up after a long while.Zoe almost thought that Jay had vanished into thin air."It's in my bag in the rehearsal room," Zoe replied to his question."Are you going to take it?""I don't dare to. It's too dark and scary.""You kicked my walking stick away just now.""Oh. It's next to your right arm," Zoe said.Jay crouched down and groped around in the darkness.Zoe heard the sound of the walking stick against the floor and figured that Jay probably found it.She then sensed Jay standing up next to her.Was he planning to help her take her phone?!How kind-hearted of him.No, he
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