As always, he never liked skirting around the subject.
"Yes. I've just sent him into the drug control center," Eric replied candidly. He didn't intend to hide that
from Brian. "I originally planned to take him to Molly first but then after that conversation with you, I kind
of forgot..."
His voice trailed off, he was still partially scared of Brian. After a short pause, Brian said, "That's okay.
When we go back to QY Island, I'll take Mol to see him."
"You're taking Molly to QY Island?" Eric cried, rather shocked.
"Why? Any objections to that?" Brian asked.
"No, no. Not in the least," Eric instantly realized he had slipped and smiled sheepishly.
"I'm taking Mol and Mark now for dinner. You want to come with us?" Brian noticed his tension so he let
the subject go and invited him gently.
Eric started to ease up. He rolled his eyes casually, "Brother, you don't want me to be the third wheel
again, do you? It's better if you and your family just spend some time together alone," Eric said. There
was a trace of sadness in his voice.
"Well, no one gives up until it actually hurts," Brian commented, "Eric, listen, at least think about it,
okay?" His voice was soft and tender. Brian didn't wait for Eric to respond before hanging up the phone.
Lenny continued to drive in silence. Every now and then, Lenny would look over to Eric quickly, who
hadn't said a word since he got off the phone. Lenny sighed, she couldn't help but feel pity for Eric.
'Young Master, you must be very sad. It's difficult to fall in love with the same girl as your cousin has.
Even though you try to pretend that you're okay, I understand the pain you feel.
It's not your fault that you fell in love with her. Love knows no right or wrong - not even on you or Brain.
It's understandable with all the issues that you've carried over from your history. But who really knows
how much you're hurting right now?'
"Lenny, have people always been this greedy? They just want more and more," he suddenly said, his
gaze fixed straight ahead. His words sounded so distinct and strange to hear.
Lenny didn't answer. She just quickly glanced at him as a response and returned her gaze to the road.
She didn't need to answer him, anyway. She knew him well enough to know that he was just talking to
himself. Eric appreciated that about Lenny - for him, she was the best listener he knew. He could say
anything to her and that would be enough. And right now he knew what his heart wanted and he knew
that he couldn't get it, no matter how he tried.
*
A-magic: a French restaurant.
The atmosphere was warm and elegant. The soothing music of the piano wafted slowly in the air, with
the soft lighting spread cozily on the people, everything seemed to flow harmoniously. At one of the
tables, seated Brian, Molly and Mark. It was a pleasant scene, a beautiful family, looked as ordinary
and happy as any other families that were dining in this restaurant. And like any typical, caring father,
Brian helped Mark with his napkin around his neck.
Molly watched Brian for some time. All these years, she had never really understood him. As much as
she loved him, he was still a mystery to her; he made her fear and wonder at the same time. He was
like a beautiful pool in the middle of the forest, sometimes dark and hollow, glowing in the night sky,
dark luster under the gloom of the moonlight, sometimes clean and plainly, endowing all the animals
refreshments and new lives. And at the moment, he was as clean and bright as the pool, filled with care
and tenderness towards Mark, splitting his food into small pieces, lest they were too big for him to
swallow.
"Are Mommy's eyes really okay?" Mark suddenly asked in his inchoate, childish voice as he watched
Brian prepare his food.
There was a small, subtle smile that appeared on Brian's face. "If you don't believe me, then that
means you don't trust me," he said in a sort of grimace as he placed his food in front of him, "Try it," he
said softly.
"Thank you, Papa Brian," Mark replied politely and picked up his spoon and fork. His eyes lit up with
delight in an instant as soon as he tasted the food. "It's so yummy," he cried in excitement. After taking
his time to enjoy the food, Mark stopped and lowered his head, "It's not like I didn't trust dad. I was just
worried about mommy," he explained.
"Mommy's all right. It's just a common infection," Molly assured him.
"I see," he replied, in a tone of uncertainty. Then he turned to Brian and asked in curiosity, "Papa Brian,
do you know why Mommy's eyes are infected? Is it because she could not see me before?"
Both of them were taken aback in astonishment, not knowing how they should respond. They sat still
for a moment. The only difference was Molly revealed her tension on her face but Brian concealed it.
"Yes," Brian collected himself and replied candidly. He continued without considering if Mark would
understand him or not, "Your mom and I had a misunderstanding before and your mom left me while
she was pregnant with you. I had no idea until I saw your mom again at Vienna. At first, your mom
wasn't sure if she wanted to be with me again so I told her that I wanted to be with you and your mom
and I couldn't stand being away from you. Will you forgive daddy for doing that?"
Molly turned to look at him firmly. She didn't expect that Brian would say all of those things to Mark.
Mark was still a kid, after all. She was impressed at how Brian was so calm, though. He was completely
unapologetic, and he was just asking Mark for forgiveness. Mark looked at him with his large eyes, his
mouth agape in hesitation and confusion.
He lowered his head and took a mouthful of the food. His little head had been mulling over the words
as he chewed. After a while, he suddenly asked, "How about Daddy? Mommy returns back to Papa
Brian, and Mark also returns back to Papa Brian, then how about Daddy?"
His voice was small and hesitant. Molly didn't answer. She suddenly felt tense at the mention of Spark -
she didn't know how to explain everything to Brian without hurting him.
Brian answered for Molly, "He's not your real dad, son. Like I told you, your mom and I just had a
misunderstanding. She was quite upset with me so she left me and that's when she met Spark. She
told you to call him daddy because she just didn't want you to blame her if you started asking questions
about where your father is." Brian kept his eyes on Mark as he spoke, his face hardened devoid of any
emotion. Molly was pale as a sheet and her lips were quivering - she was hurt at his words. To her, it
seemed like Brian was just trying to humiliate her and Spark. It was absolutely surprising that Brian
would answer Mark's questions and what's more, in such an easy and calm manner as if everything
had gone smoothly like he was making it out to be. Mark's eyes were brimming with curiosity - like he
had so many questions to ask. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as if he just realized something.
Mark widened his eyes and cried, "No wonder mommy and daddy never slept together!"
"Mark!" Molly said sternly. But it was too late - the words had already been said. Molly instinctively
turned towards Brian as Mark stared at her, flummoxed.
At that time, Brian had averted his gaze from Mark to Molly - their eyes met at that exact moment. A
knowing smile formed on Brian's lips that made Molly turn away - her face had just turned a deep red
color. She couldn't make herself look at him anymore. The color was now spreading to her neck - the
embarrassment had run throughout her body. "Eat your food, son. It's getting cold," Brian reminded
Mark.
Molly never removed her gaze from her food as they went on with their dinner. Her mind was racing -
she was still embarrassed and feeling a bit uneasy about the fact that Brian knew. Meanwhile, Mark
was absolutely elated - he was eating delicious food, he had a fantastic first day at school, his mom
and dad was with him protecting him and caring for him. "This would be even more perfect if daddy and
Manny were here," he said in a muffled voice.
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