Her parents went to their room to relax a bit. Aunt Mary and Lena finished the light meal and set it up on the dining table. By then, they had already come back down.
As usually, Shen Mao at the front. Shen Milli and Lena sat by each of his sides. Lena was extra happy today, seeing her parents back home. She dished much food to her parents.
"So is grandpa alright?" Lena asked.
"He is just getting old." Shen Mao replied. "He said that now you are not with the young master Yang, we should--" He stopped because Shen Milli nudged him to. He looked at her and knew that his lovely wife does not want to tell Lena yet.
"What?"
"Uh...your mother will tell you." Shen Mao pa.s.sed the question to his wife and smiled.
Shen Milli sighed. Useless husband. He only knows how to spoil people. "It"s not a good time to talk about it now. We will tell you next time."
That response made Lena even more curious about what it was. She knew that her parents will tell her when the times come through. In the past, Lena"s bragging did her nothing good. Patience Lena… patience.
"Alright then." She was fine with it. After all, she was hiding many things from them too.
They finished their meal and Lena brought out the desserts she made. She had them in boxes to keep them from getting dry or stale. "Have a taste. I had help from a friend."
Shen Mao was the first to dig in. "Mhmmmmmm. It"s perfect. Definitely better than your mother"s."
With that comment, Shen Milli went in for a taste. She nodded her head in agreement and took another of the cookies. The cookies are gentle to the mouth and soft. They have a fresh smell. It was not something too sweet and perfect for older people or children.
Lena made a few batches of them. She packaged them in nice boxes and will give them out tomorrow. After a few more chatters, Lena let her parents off to go rest. Traveling can be very tiring. She headed back to her room.
She tied her hair up and sat on her desk chair. She moved aside the small box she placed on there before. She took out her tablet and worked on a few designs. If she was going to be visiting Gary tomorrow, she needed to make sure her work was completed.
Tye had texted her that he can pick her up at the apartment. Lena realized that she told James that she was staying at the mansion. She replied back to Tye and told him that he can pick up James first, then get her at the mansion. Lena will just tell her parents that Tye was a new worker under her so they would ask no questions.
She worked for a few hours. Lena looked out the window and saw that it was finally dark. She smiled. She shut her laptop and moved the box back to the center of her desk. When she opened it, a simple small red velvet cupcake greeted her. There was a small loop of frosting on top with a cherry.
Lena went into her shopping bags and pulled of a pack of candles and a lighter. She removed the cherry and replaced it with one candle. She sat on the chair as she lit the candle. She placed the lighter inside her drawer and looked at the night sky and her flickering candle.
Lena clasped her hands together. "Happy birthday, Shen Qian." Today marked Shen Qian"s birthday. Lena"s birthday was a few more months away still. Lena did not know if she would continue to celebrate both of her birthdays, but she felt that she needed it this year.
She closed her eyes. "I am greedy to have two wishes every year, but with everything I have survived, I think I deserve two." Lena took a deep breath. "But I only have one wish...please let Gary wake up. Give him a second chance."
Lena opened her eyes and blew out the candle. She removed the candle, placed it on the window and ate the cupcake.
It was slightly raining the next morning. Lena woke up and packed a small bag for her day trip. She wore a nice off the shoulder maxi romper and black lace-up sandals. She heard her dad went out to work this morning, but it seems like her mom was still home.
Lena hoped that she was still in bed. She grabbed her large bag and left. Tye texted that he and James were already outside. Lena went into the kitchen and grabbed one box of cookies she baked. Then she headed out to the entrance.
James opened the door for her and she sat down. Tye was driving and James sat in the pa.s.senger seat.
"You look pretty today, Miss. Shen." Tye complemented.
"Thank you." Lena replied. Tye starts driving out of the gated area. "Is it fine if we made a quick stop before we go?"
"Sure. Where to?"
"To Zhao Corporation please."
Tye smiled. "Why does she want to go there?" He continued to drive anyways. He was the driver today. It did not take them long to reach the corporation building. Tye looked up the tall building. He never liked this place. It always gave him the chills.
"I"ll be quick so you don"t have to go with me, James."
Lena opened the door and hop out, taking the box of cookies with her. She walked up to the big rotating doors and the front doorman greeted her. Lena speed walked her way to the elevators, no one stopping her this time. The workers all just glance at her pretty steps. Just as she was going to hit the elevator b.u.t.ton, she remembered that Zhao Lin has returned to work now so Ming was no longer the temp-CEO. She walked back to the front desk.
"By any chance, Ming Zhao came to work today?" Lena asked.
"He did, Miss. Shen."
"Where is his office now?"
"He is on the 80th floor."
"Thanks."
Lena turned backed but the lady called for her. "Miss. Shen. You can use the VIP elevator. Mr. Ming Zhao already registered your access to it." She informed Lena. She saw that before Lena just went to the normal elevators.
"Ok, thanks again."
The front desk lady smiled. There were not many people who say thank you to them anymore. They were treated as just information people.
Lena walked up to the VIP elevator and pressed the b.u.t.ton. It glowed green and opened after a few seconds. She happily walked in. VIP elevator are the bests!
Secretary Tim was preparing his morning paperwork for the meeting. When he saw the VIP elevator lit up, he was concerned that CEO Zhao Lin was coming down to see their progress. However, to his surprise, it was Lena who arrived. She smiled sweetly at him.
"Miss. Shen!"
"h.e.l.lo, Tim."
Tim cleared his throat. When did they get so close? "Ah.. are you here to see Ming Zhao?"
"Yes. I just need a few minutes if that is fine."
"No problem you can go right in."
Lena walked to the door and knocked. She heard Ming Zhao"s soft voice replied with a "Come in." She peeked her head in first and spoke in a cheerful voice. "h.e.l.lO!"
Ming Zhao glanced up to see Lena"s head from the door. After their eyes met, Lena opened the door entirely and walked in. "Hope, I am not disturbing you."
"Not at all." Ming Zhao stopped texting on his phone. "What brings you here today?"
"Congratulating you on your demotion!" Lena placed the box of cookies onto the table. Lena could tell that Ming was not very happy to hear the word "demotion."