章 57: The calm before the storm (III)

That night Derek claimed the raincheck he was owed due to days Jade was busy at work, he did not suffer from any nightmare that night. He even woke up with a smile on his face but Jade woke up sore all over. "You are such a beast" she complained. "I didn't hear anyone complain anything last night, instead I heard..."she clamped his mouth with her hands to stop him from speaking. "Mmmgsgsguebbpeugauhs" He mumbled against her hand. Suddenly, she withdrew her hand because he licked her hand and it was ticklish, "Hahahaha" Derek's laughter filled the room. "As I was saying, last night somebody was saying faster.. ah... yes... deeper.." Jade gave Derek a fierce kiss to stop him from spouting nonsensical truth. Derek was only happy to comply to her kiss. Jade pulled away "You are not allowed to speak another word about last night or you can sleep on the couch tonight." She waved her index finger in front of his face. "My wifey so fierce. I like " He gave her the thumbs up sign.

Winter had arrived, 3 days prior to Christmas and it was the day of fundraising.

Madam Lu had made a lot of preparation, she did not include April in any of the planning because she knew April was still into that nobody and would not be listening to her. April did not know that she would be scheme by her own mother. Adam informed April that he will be coming and maybe after the fundraising event, he will introduce himself to her parents. April was so anxious that she did not pay any attention to Madam Lu.

Chris was nervous because this is his first project and he wanted everything to go well. Jade let her guard down because she didn't think her parents would plot against the event since the family would benefit from the success of the event plus it is a boost Chris credibility. Jade was more excited to know if her paintings would fetch a high price and if there is market for it. Aileen was very nervous because she'll be a step closer to being Madam Lu then all her worries will disappear and she would get her happily ever after.

The Lu siblings were gathered in a private room of a high class restaurant belonging to their family on the morning of the event. It was Chris idea, he wanted them to meet hoping he could mend the relationship between Jade and April. April and Chris arrived earlier and were already seated. They were chatting casually when Jade entered. April was the first to notice, she became quiet and her first reaction was to look down in shame and guilt.

Jade acted as if she did not notice April's action, she sat down, and opened the menu. "Have you two ordered?" "Not yet, we were waiting for you." "Then why don't we order first, I am famished to death. Let's decide what to order before we call the waiter." "I want Lo Mai Gai (It contains glutinous rice filled with chicken, mushroom, chinese sausage, scallions and sometimes dried shrimp or salted egg. The ball of rice is then wrapped in a dried lotus leaf and steamed) Chris said. "April, anything in particular you want?" Jade asked in a neutral tone. "Em, I want steamed prawn rice rolls, bamboo fungus and scallops dumpling in soup, deep fried yam with pork and shrimp fillings, chee cheong fun, creamy egg yolk buns, and chicken siew mai." April requested and her eyes shining brightly in anticipation of the food arrival. "I'll add on stewed chicken feet, century egg siew mai, and fish congee. Chinese tea everyone?" "Ok" Chris and April nod in unison.

"Where is brother in law, sis?" "He wants to do some carpentry work. He is building me some bookshelves. He watched too many HGTV programmes and now he thinks he can be the next property brothers and he wants to venture into real estate and property business." April just kept quiet and listen with genuine interest. "Jade.. eh, I mean sis, how did you know brother in law was the one?" April asked curiously. "My hand fits nicely into his. He likes me for me and he is not afraid that I'll give birth to another me, he doesn't see anyone else if I'm around and my happiness means more to him than his own happiness." Jade answered honestly, her face was lacking emotions but her eyes were brimming with joy and happiness. "That is why he is my world and I want to reciprocate his feelings and give my everything to make him happy too, to put him before me. When you love someone, you will put their interest first before yours. Mama and Derek taught me that."Jade continued.

"Sis, I want to apologize, I did not know you have a condition called Asperger's and after I knew, I did some reading up and now I understand. I was jealous of you all my life because I always felt that I was in your shadow. Now I realised that, it is not you that I am jealous but it is me that is lack of confidence and ability. I don't even put any effort in anything but I expect to be great at everything. I am really sorry." April apologize sincerely. "I have not been a good sister either and I have never made any efforts to improve our relationship, I am at fault as well. I don't understand why you need to be jealous of a defect, a loner and a socially awkward person like me. Sometimes even I don't like my own self, I wonder how is it to be born normal, to be loved by mother and father? I am thankful for the two person in my life, Mama and Derek. If it wasn't for them living the way I live has no meaning." Chris and April were shocked with Jade's revelation. She had a sorrowful lonely appearance.

April suddenly laughed bitterly, "You didn't lose out much with regards to our parents. Their love don't fit the description of love you mentioned earlier, putting the other person's interest before oneself. I just found out I am just a pawn to them." "Let's not dwell of the past, why don't we discuss the future?" Chris suggested.

As if on cue, the food arrived, the three dived right into eating forgetting all the despair and sadness.