I look at the breath-taking scenery outside the window. Around me is a sight that I will never forget. My cozy arm chair sat at a small corner of my living room, and my cat is resting on it. My father sat on the sofa, reading newspaper. A fragrant aroma floats into my nostrils. I take a deep breath, enjoying the smell.

“Honey, Ying Jie, dinner’s ready!” my mother shouted. I took a last look at the scenery and walked towards the kitchen.

“After you finish eating, i want you to go straight to bed, alright?” my mother told me. I nodded my head and started eating. I could feel my parents gaze on me as I ate my food.

“Is there something on my face?” I asked. They shake their head and started to talk in whispers. I can catch some words like “do not let her know about it”, “contains great power” and “emerald ring is in her drawer”. I pushed away the thought of being curious by asking them what they were talking about as I know they wouldn’t tell me. I finished eating and went to my bedroom. I open my drawer and I saw a tiny red pouch. I was curious, so I took it up and open it. I saw something green reflecting light when my parents opened my door and snatched it away from me. I looked at them in astonishment as they walked away, leaving me clueless.

I was sitting in front of my computer when I suddenly heard gunshots outside. Terrified, yet curious, I stood up and opened my door. I saw a few people in black coats pointing their guns at my parents. My parents had their hands up in a surrender position.

“Gui Gui! Wake up Gui Gui!”

“NO!! NO!! DADDY! NO!”

“Gui! You’re having a bad dream! Wake up!”

“NO! DON’T KILL DADDY!” I woke up and push the person in front of me.

“Ouch! Eh Gui are you alright?” Arron asked. “You were screaming and shouting in your dream!”

I sit up, looks at Arron and then around me. I finally realized that I’m in my room. I touch my face and found out that it was drenched with tears. Arron sits in front of me with a bewildered look.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you so hard. I… I was just…” dammit why can’t I tell him that I had a bad dream? That dream, no it wasn’t a dream. It was a memory. A memory I had when I was young. A memory about an emerald ring. Hold on, an emerald ring?

“Arron! You’ve got to let me see the ring again!” I shouted and he jumped at my sudden action. He reaches forward and touches my forehead.

“Are you sick?” he asked with concern. I shake my head and stood up. I walk towards his room and starts searching frantically for the small red pouch. “Hey! What are you doing?” he asked, surprised.

“I’m sorry. I really need to look at the ring once again. I think I might know what it is.” I said, while searching for the ring. He reaches into his pocket and took it out, hands it to me. I open it and stare at the emerald ring. It is the exact same one my parents hid in my drawer. Were Arron’s parents those people in black? Were they responsible for my father’s death?

“OMG! It’s this ring! God! Arron! Where did you get it?” I screamed. He looks at me, not knowing how to reply. “Answer me!” I got angry and grab Arron by his collar.

“As I have told you, it was given to me by my mother before she died.” He replied in a gentle voice. I loose my grip on him and stare at him.

“Do you know where she got it?” I cool down and asked. He shakes his head and looks at the ring. “Then do you know what it can do?” I asked again. He shrugs his shoulder and looks down. “Why are you so quiet?”

“You frightened me. Why are you doing this? I’ve never seen you like this.” He replied. Then the situation hit me. I vented my anger on Arron, who is an innocent party. He looks as if he was on the verge of tears. I hug him and I can feel him relax in my embrace.

“I’m sorry”

“Apology accepted. Now can I know what’s wrong?” he asked. I told him about my dream and he looks at me in disbelief. “My parents will never do this kind of thing! It’s impossible! Rainie! She might know the truth! We need to find her! We need to get the truth from her! Let’s go now!” he exclaimed and pulls me out with him. I wanted to stop him but I know the anxiety he is feeling now so I go along with him. However, the sight of him looking everywhere hurts me so much.

“Stop it! You can’t find her like that! Please, you have to go home with me. We will think of something alright? There will be a way to find her.” I hug him from behind when he starts to ransack a rubbish bin in an alley. A teardrop landed on my hand. I turn him around and look at his face. He is crying. I hug him and said,” it’s alright, I believe you. I trust that you know your parents will never do this kind of thing. So stop crying alright?”

“Will you hate me?”

“No I will never hate you.”

“I don’t want you to pity me”

“I do not pity you”

“Liar”

“I’m telling the truth.”

Before I know it, his lips close in on mine. I open my eyes in shock, digesting what is happening at that instant. I tried to push him away but he hugs me even tighter. I can’t close my eyes and continue to stare at him. After awhile, he pulls away. “Didn’t anyone tell you that it’s rude to stare at people when they are kissing you?” he looks at me with the pair of stunning brown eyes. “Now, you do it properly this time” he closes his eyes and lean in once again. I felt his lips touch mine and I close my eyes to enjoy this lovely kiss. As soon as he feels me responding to his kiss, he pushes me against the wall. He shares with me a kiss so intense that I couldn’t breathe. That is when I feel something wet running down my cheeks. I push Arron away and realize that he is crying again.

“Arron…?”

“Sorry, it’s just that I’ve loved you for my whole life. What’s happening now is something that I only dared dream about. I’m just so… so happy Ying Jie.” He said, wiping away the tears he left on my face. “I love you, I really do.”

I do too. But I can’t admit it.