Banquet III

Nudging him with her elbow, Huiling blushed and stepped away. It was too dangerous to stand near him because she didn't trust herself. What if she gets carried away and ends up kissing him in front if everyone?

She hadn't disclosed their relationship to Qiang and Becca yet and she knew that they would get super mad if they ended up finding it out that way.

When Liang saw Huang grinned from ear to ear, he raised his brows and hooked his arms around his neck. "You look damn happy today man, what is the real reason behind that creepy grin of yours, please enlighten us."

"Ah it's nothing, I am just very happy for my friends." And of course for himself. Huiling was his girlfriend now and that is the best thing that had ever happened to him. Ah how badly he wanted to officially hold hands with her or marry her but he knew that there were many things that needed to be sorted before that happened and the first thing would be impressing her dad who wasn't really fond of him.

The thought of Songpa always made Huang nervous. What was there not to be nervous about him? He was dangerous and everyone knew how possessive he was of his Huiling. He needed to figure out a very nice way to impress his would-be father-in-law.

"Hey guys, this is Jennifer." Turning towards Zixin and Mian, Yushen added, "Jen, you already know him and she is sister Mian."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you so much and it's lovely meeting you. No wonder our little Yushen looks like love struck fool, you are very beautiful."

Yushen vigorously coughed while Jennifer couldn't stop blushing.

Patting her brother's back, Yumi sighed, "There there little lover, we know that your girlfriend is beautiful but don't get choked in excitement."

"She isn't my girlfriend yet." Yushen said without disappointment slammed all over his face. How wonderful it would be if she was officially his girlfriend?

"Ahh why not? You both look so good together." Qiang excitedly said.

"She is my youngest sister Qiang."

"It's lovely meeting you."

Giving Jennifer a hug, Qiang added, "You better accept his proposal otherwise Yishen will start crying and then run to mommy complaining how you ditched him."

"Qiang, stop it." Yushen shouted.

Sticking her tongue out, Qiang rushed towards Zian. "Brother Zian, Yushen is shouting again."

"Yushen."

"Ahh you always take her side." Yushen complained before puffing his cheeks.

There there my little brother, I'll take your side." Yumi said before hooking her arms around his.

"Ooo baby Yushen needs his big sister to protect him? How cute." Becca teased.

"Do you want your big sister to change your diapers too?" Zixin asked.

Smacking Zixin's arms, Yumi said, "Stop making fun of Yushen. What will Jennifer think of him?"

"Ahh I am taking her away before you people completely destroy my image in front of her."

"Leave her here with us." Qiang said.

"No way, I am gonna go find mom and dad." Yushen said before taking Jennifer away.

….

"Clara, I gotta go now. Matt is really mad over something and—"

"Its alright, you can leave. I'll be okay."

"You can also leave early if you don't like it okay? I'll go now." Without waiting for her reply, Philip rushed out of the hall.

Swirling the wine, Clara sighed and was about to take another sip when someone say down beside her.

"That is your third glass for the night, a sip more and you'll be all tipsy." Ben said before taking the glass from her hand.

Without retorting, she gave him the glass and sighed.

"What is it?"

"Hmm."

"Something is bothering you."

Lowering her head, Clara shook her head, "It's nothing."

"Hmm, you know why I don't get a married woman vibe from you?" Without waiting for her reply, Ben added, "No ring, no husband beside you when you are looking so mesmerizing and of course because my heart refuses to accept that you are."

Clara chuckled and said, "Only you can come up with things like this."

"There is the smile I was looking for. Too bad your husband isnt here to see it. By the way, where is my enemy?" He asked.

"He had something important to do so he left."

He frowned and asked, "Leaving you alone?"

"It was important, I guess."

"So he just leaves you here in this crowded party where you barely know anyone?"

"Its alright, I'll be leaving soon too."

"Alone?"

"I'll book a cab."

"You see, just saying but I would've never done that." Pausing for a while, he added, "I would've never left you alone."

When she did not say anything, Ben stretched his hands towards her, "Dance with me."

He knew she wouldn't agree but he still asked because he wanted to. May be for closure, yes, he wanted to dance with her for closure.

Ben was about to started convincing her and urge her to dance with him when Clara placed her hand on his.

Wrapping his hand around hers, Ben took a deep breath. It still felt so good when he held her hand.

Tightening his grip around her hand, he led her towards the dance floor.

….

Dance floor.

With his arms wrapped around her waist, Ben said, "I never thought you would agree."

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, he added, "You cried today."

Clara who had been holding her tears for a really long time couldn't take it anymore.

When a tear rolled down from the corner of her eyes, Ben wiped it off with his thumb. "I am here to get a closure from you so this might be the last time you see and this might be the last time you get to touch me."

Swirling her around, he pulled her closer and added, "I always knew that you are hiding something from me Clara and I tried very hard to find it out but found nothing. I know you more than you do and I know you are not happy with whatever that is happening in your life."

…...