Characters:Alissa Jiang - chosen wife for Li Jie / ex- gf of Gavin
Gavin Li - Li Jie"s brother
Li Hong - LJ and Gavin"s father
Shen Qiao - LJ and Gavin"s mother / Ist wife of Li Hong
w.a.n.g Yiren - second wife of Li Hong
LJ"s Cousins:
Li Xiao Qi
Vivian Li
Karlie Chen
====================
July 6, 20xx
Venice, Italy
"Wow Alissa, you keep on outdoing yourself." the woman in red halter dress exclaimed. Some guest wondered what made her brazen enough to wear a similar looking dress with the bride-to-be.
"Not really. You are giving me too much credit." Alissa"s sweet voice drifted in the air.
"No, I"m not. You are super talented. I can"t wait for you to become a part of our family."
From where she was standing, Karlie listened to Alissa and her cousin, Li Xiao Qi"s conversation and wanted to scream at both.
Seconds ago, she was close to approaching the black haired woman in white dress and splash her face but halted the next second Vivian"s words resonated in her ears.
"No troubles tonight Karlie. No troubles."
The stern words and warning were said to her before the dinner started.
Because she has no desire of raining on the bride-to-be"s parade, she knocked the urge off.
"You will never be a part of the Li Family. Even if I have to drag myself to h.e.l.l, I will do it to stop you." Karlie swore in contempt.
On the balcony, just above the garden where the party was being held, a woman in a midnight blue lace dress was observing the event that was unfolding below. The dress accentuated her lovely figure that didn"t show evidence of having three children.
Her step-son and future daughter-in-law held the party in this villa for those who were unable to join the pre-wedding banquet in France. Majority of guest are the couples" friends and the Tang"s. Except for the bride- to-be, there were only three from the Li Family who were in attendance.
Her ex-husband, Li Hong was somewhere in the middle. He seemed to be in deep conversation to a woman younger than him.
There was a smug smile on Madam Tang"s face upon seeing w.a.n.g Yiren marched to his direction and slapped the younger woman while shouting words like "b.i.t.c.h" "wh.o.r.e."
Vivian gasped in horror on the sight of her friend being hit. She dashed to their direction and pulled the pitiful woman.
"Mrs Li -the second- Please refrain from making a scene." she dropped the words with the emphasis on the word "the second". As she expected, the woman"s face reddened in anger.
The whole family knows how she hated being addressed as the second wife.
"Well, you deserve it. Enjoy what you"ve bagged from me." the woman in the balcony murmured.
Her eyes caught a glimpse of red hair, away from the crowd. Karlie was talking to girls similar to her age.
A smile rose her lips remembering how Vivian gave the model a warning earlier. Karlie"s name is akin to the word trouble. Her uncontrollable temper and impulsiveness are a stark contrast to her parents. She doesn"t think before she acts. Most of the time, she ends up hurting herself or angering people and her parents have no choice but to clean up her mess.
But when her sight landed on Alissa, the smile on her face disappeared. The pleasant mood vanished instantly and there was the urge to confront her. Because of this woman, her once carefree son has become a recluse. He imprisoned himself in an island somewhere in the Pacific and never allowed anyone to step closer to him except his brother.
Seeing her most hateful person being introduced by Li Hong as daughter-in-law confirmed the rumors circulating around the upper cla.s.s that Alissa will soon be the wife of her son Li Jie.
That idea didn"t bid well on her as the next moment, the sourness in her expression got worse.
Immediately, she picked her phone and dialed.
After three rings, it was answered with a pleasant greeting.
Without responding to his, she asked straight away.
"Just answer yes or no. Are you going to marry Alissa Jiang?"
Li Jie was not surprised by his mother"s questions as the rumor reached his ears as well.
"No"
He heard his mother sigh in relief.
"Good. Don"t ever entertain your father"s idea. You can marry anyone except her."
When there was no word on the other line, she questioned her son.
"Are you bringing anyone to the cruise? If you like, I can introduce you to fine ladies in my circle."
"There"s no need. Mom, I will introduce you to someone."
"Not a dancer, right? Or any of those short flings you had?"
"Nope. You"ll like Blythe mom. A beauty with brains. "
She can sense his happiness with the mention of the woman"s name. Different with his usual response when asked in the past who"s he dating.
As a mother, she is happy to hear him, finding a person he will genuinely care for.
"Is it serious?"
"I married her mom."
"Oh, wow! You signed a prenuptial agreement, didn"t you?"
"Mom!"
"That is for your own protection Nick. You know how things can get ugly once you fall out of love."
"I don"t have plans of divorcing her today, tomorrow and even in the future."
Madam Tang sighed with his words. She is glad her son never took his father"s womanizing habits.
"Well, the decision is yours. But I am happy for you. Bring her to the family cruise."
"Take care of yourself. We"ll join you in Montenegro mom. Prepare your red packet."
****
July 6, 20xx
Paris, France
Yan s.h.i.+ fell asleep before she could even complete a paragraph from what she was reading. The man who came out of the bathroom glanced at her sleeping position. One hand was on top of her head and one was on the book she was holding, while her legs where rested on the side, one on top of the other. Her pajama top was slightly raised exposing her stomach. There was an urge on him to pull it higher but he pulled the rubber band on his wrist and felt the slap making him stop the impulse. He didn"t want his wife to hate him for this strange behaviour of his. After calming himself, he placed the book on the bedside table and covered her with the blanket before giving her a kiss on the forehead.
He took the s.p.a.ce next to hers and closed his eyes putting those unwanted thoughts away.
***
July 7, 20xx
The rays of the sun were already seeping through the curtains covering the floor to ceiling window but the two on the bed seemed have no plans of moving.
She only stirred when she felt something was on her chest and it was tingling her, awakening her senses. It was warm and now, it was pinching the side, as if testing its softness.
In drowsy state, she asked: What"s happening?
She suddenly opened her eyes and they widened when the realization struck her.
She screamed "Pervert!"
She pulled away from his embrace and moved to the other end of the bed.
"What are you doing?" she asked angrily.
He nestled his head on his palm and answered non-chalantly "Measuring it."
Her face turned red in embarra.s.sment and threw a pillow to him which he avoided and it fell on the floor.
His answer was making her feel ashamed.
"Do not touch my breast." she said with stern eye.
"I didn"t touch them. I was just measuring it. I was wondering if that pink bra can hold it. It seemed to me------No."
He paused, then taunted "You need D cup wife."
His teasing even made her face redder. She took the pillow and hit him.
"It"s C, you idiot!" she dropped before leaving him there.
Although he got smacked, the amus.e.m.e.nt on his face never disappeared.