XXV

When Gui walked back inside, she looks up to see Reen running over to her. 

SLAP.

Rainie pulls her back and stares at the frozen Gui. No words can replace how heartbroken she was. 

“HOW CAN YOU KEEP THIS AWAY FROM ME? YOU KNEW I CONFESSED TO HIM! YOU KNEW HOW I FELT ABOUT HIM AND TO FIND OUT THAT YOU WERE THE ONE WHO HE IS CONSTANTLY THINKING OF, DO YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL?” 

Reen collapses to the floor as the tears took control of her vision. A dozen emotions ran through her. How will she get over this? How can she? She was ready to commit to him and to find out that her step-sister might be the one to hold hands with him—it irks her. She has always believed that if she tries hard enough, she has a chance of getting what she always wanted. If she has her heart set on it, she will get in. But this… this must be one cruel joke. It’s not funny at all. 

Gui faintly touches her cheeks, she could still feel the tingling sensation as she slowly looks over to Reen who was in tears. She never wanted this, she never expected this outcome, she never wanted Reen to find out this way—and yet, it had to be this way.

Rainie has never been in love so she wouldn’t know how much pain it would be; to be heartbroken. She bends down and hugs her sister close. Reen had speculated that Rainie knew about it—that Gui and Aaron was in a relationship. The fact that Aaron still had feelings for Gui and the fact that they kept it from her hit her so hard it hurts. She just cried, how can she not see it? The hints, the looks he was giving out, how can she not see it all?

“I’m sorry for keeping this away from you Reen… I really am…” 

Gui kept on apologizing but a broken heart can’t be mended right off the bat, it’ll take time. That night, Rainie stayed with Reen until she fell asleep. Her sister has experienced her first confession, rejection and heartbreak at the same time. Although she didn't understand love or relationships, she can’t help but feel sorry for her. In Rainie’s eyes, she could see how hard Reen tried. “Sleep tight, sweet dreams.” She whispers quietly as she slips out of Reen’s room. 

Gui couldn’t fall asleep, knowing what had happened between them. She got out of bed and roamed around the hallways until she bumped into Rainie. 

“Can’t sleep?”

“Yeah… I have too much things on my mind…”

Rainie slowly nods as she looks at Gui. “What do you plan on doing now?”

“I can’t hide my feelings anymore, I love him.”

“You want the estate and Aaron?”

“Yes, I’m going to try to keep them.”

Rainie nods, relieved that she has finally made up her mind and worried as to what will their future look like.

“This is as far as I go to helping you. Forgive me for stopping here; I can’t do anything more.”

“I understand, thank you.”

Rainie smiles as she makes her way to her room. She stares at the clock and watched it slowly move to the next. Everything will be decided tomorrow. At the annual S.H.I Sister Gala that would be held tomorrow evening. Everyone will be there and anything that wasn’t clear; will be crystal clear tomorrow. 

“Tomorrow… what will happen to us?” She whispers as she stares at the calendar. How ironic is it that someone’s birthday just happened to be on the same day as the gala? 

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Dean stares at his father before his lips curve into a smile. This was Gui’s ticket, this will be her chance at freedom. He was the one who brought her out of the estate, only to hear about her coming back. His father has been waiting for this day to come, everyone will be at the party and he will be the one to present the will to Miss. Wu Ying Jie.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes sir!”

Dean followed after his father, closing the door behind him promptly as they make their way to the Wu Estate.

Jiro plops down on the chair and watches his buddies get dressed for the party. Aaron was finishing up his look while Calvin was buttoning his collar shirt. Wu Chun was beside Jiro, he too got ready in a short time.

“You two are back together?”

“Yes, we are.” Hearing Aaron answer the question with confidence, Jiro and Calvin smiles. “Finally! I don’t know how much longer I could take. I had to try my best to restrain myself from knocking you out for being such a idiot.” 

“If Calvin didn’t do it, I would.”

The boys laugh at each other. Their time together is ending soon. They had teased each other that graduation was still months away, not believing that their will come a day when they will have to bite on their own words. Now that grad was just around corner, their end game was coming to an end as well. 

Reen stares at her beautiful red dress that hugged close to her body in the mirror. From the mirror, she glances at Rainie Jie who was dressed in a gorgeous peach dress. Words cannot describe how beautiful the two girls looked. To add to the mix, Gui took a breath as she stares at the timeless white dress she was donning. She never looked like a lady until she found herself prepping for today. Not only was today the annual sister-school gala…

“HAPPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL GHOST!” Dean yells out as everyone gathered in one of the meeting rooms in the estate. Gui smiles as she looks around the room to see everyone there. Dean and his father, her stepmother and sisters were present. 

“Before we head over to the party, let me be the first to congratulate young Miss. Wu Ying Jie in turning 18.”

“Thank you uncle.”

Uncle Fujioka and Gui sat down in front of each other as he took out every document pertaining the estate and Wu Ying Jie’s inheritance. As far as everyone knows, the one who kept it safe and protected was Dean’s father who Wu Ying Jie’s father trusted; not only as a lawyer but as a dear friend. 

“Your parents would’ve loved to see their daughter blossom into a rose.”

“Thank you, I miss them too Uncle.”

He neatly placed a couple of sheets on the table. “The deed to the house, records of any sorts and everything about your inheritance is right here.  You didn't think your parents left you with nothing right? The little girl in my memory was always so bubbly and chatty, your parents had prepared everything before you were born. These and everything you see before you is titled to their daughter, Wu Ying Jie. Should there be any changes you will like to make, I will like you to discuss it with me because I am the family lawyer.”

Gui nods, slowly looking at her stepmom who was silently taking it all in. They have been waiting for this moment for far too long. The plan that her stepmom had prepared did not go through. All the paperwork and statements couldn’t be done with her lawyer simply because he had no jurisdiction to overrule anything pertaining to the original documents. She had calculated how much this would mean to her and the outcome left her devastated. If its anything as to what she is thinking off, she would be penniless.

“Wu Ying Jie, sweetheart, I am deeply apologetic and I regret all the things I did to you. Not only to you but to those close to you.”

Gui couldn’t believe her ears. The one who began all of this is apologizing. Tearing every memory she had with her parents, burning everything that she held close to her heart—that reminded her of her parents, chased her out of the house, and blackmail her back to the estate. This nearly ruined her. Gui didn’t want to cry so she stood up and bowed politely at Dean’s father. 

“Ying Jie?”

“Can you give me some time to think about this? I don’t want to make a decision I will regret.”

Uncle Fujioka nods, withdrawing all the documents on the table back into his folder. “Very well, I will give you time to think about your next move. Meanwhile, may I speak to Ying Jie alone?”

The way he said it wasn’t a question; more like a demand. Dean sighs as he watched everyone leave the room. 

“Yes Uncle?”

“Along with the many things your parents left you. Your father became a shareholder to these companies listed below.” He pulls out a piece of paper. “In doing so, the boards has cherished their friendship with your father so when you graduate, how does opening the doors to the business world sound?”

“Are you suggesting I—No.. this can’t be..” Uncle Fujioka smiles gently, this might be too much for young Ying Jie to take in. “I’m not saying you should but along with the many thoughts going through your mind, think about it. I am not certain that their will be a spot for you but somewhere in the future, you might find yourself opening many doors with this connection your father has given you.”

Uncle Fujioka got up and held his arms out. “Come over here little one.” Gui stood up and wraps her arm around him. “This is last on the to-do list; the most important thing on the list your parents have given me.” Tears streamed down her face. “My parents love.”

“Yes little one, only to you.” He whispers as he goes to wipe the tears off her face. “I will love to talk to you more but tonight is a big night. Your old man would be mad at me if I kept you away any longer.”

“Thank you so much Uncle.”

“Enjoy yourself okay?”

“I will.”

He nods as a wide smile appear on his face. In that moment, Gui could see her father. Even if it was just a fragment from her memory, she couldn’t help but tear up. “Now go.” He opens the door to see Dean leaning against the wall. “I hate waiting.”

“Not if its for a pretty girl.”

Dean laughs as his father excused himself after telling the kids not to go crazy.

“Are you ready to go?” Dean held out his arm to hear her laugh. She linked her arm with his and made her way down. 

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Reen and Rainie rode in the first car while Dean and Gui came in the second car.

"What will you do when you see him?" Reen held onto her sisters hand and smiles. "I'm sorry for worrying you Jie. I'm fine, really." Rainie smiles at her. "I'm on your side, always and forever mei."

"Whatever happens, you will always be my Jie. Thank you for always being there for me." 

The car stops at the entrance and the two sisters got out of the car to see a crowd of people entering. The venue was everything a gala should look like—well a high school one. The students from the Academy and the normal School will be dancing underneath the gorgeous crystal chandelier hanging from a high ceiling. The doors to each balcony was opened, occasionally the wind would whisk in and sweep them across the floor. Only classical music to grace the venue with reminisce from Bach to Brahms. Every student pulled out their best attire for the evening, from gowns to suits.

Rainie caught the guys come over to her. “Where’s Gui?”

“She’ll be here soon.” Rainie answered as she looks around the venue. 

“Hey.” Reen looks at Aaron and she did whatever she could to control every ounce of her to restrain herself from latching out. “I am going to give up on you. It’s time I let go. But I won’t forget you though. You were a lot of my firsts and for that, I can’t forget them.” She took a deep breath in. “No hard feelings?”

“No, not at all and Reen, I’m sorry things didn’t work out between us.” She faces him once more. “Bye Aaron.”

“See you later Reen.”

‘You were brave tonight.’ Rainie couldn’t help but smile at it. Her little sister is letting go. 

When Gui and Dean walked into the venue and she smiles brightly when she caught Aaron standing with his buddies. They make their way over to the group just in time to catch Jiro talking about his dreams after graduating, Calvin was eyeing the food with Wu Chun while Rainie caught Dean’s grin. “And I hoped you left that grin at home.” Dean laughed. “Only you point out the things I want to emphasize.” 

Gui laughs at the two as they throw jokes back and forth at each other. How can they bicker so much and still see no red thread between them?

Sheng Yi and his group of friends made their way over and everyone turn their attention to him. “I heard from my father that our paths will cross again, business-wise that is. I look forward to working with you.”

Gui took his handshake and gave him a big smile. “I still haven’t decided yet, this is all happening too fast.”

“At least you managed to make one decision.” He looked at Oil-stains and smirks. “I will never know why you pick him but if you two break-up, call me.”

“I—”

“She’s mine.”

Aaron took her hand and grins widely—that did not go unnoticed by Sheng Yi. He was amused by his sudden act of affection for her. “You know it’s not over right? There will come a day when we will meet again.”

He turns to look at Gui. “Looks like you’ve made your choice.”

She looks at her hands and back up to see a pair of brown eyes staring at her. “Yes I did.”

Sheng Yi nods as his buddies and him share a few more words before going back to the party. They have more friends to talk to, more treats to eat and lots of socializing to do.

The side of Gui’s lips curl up as she watched him lean over to say, “I have something to show you.” Curious, Aaron and Gui quietly slipped out of the hall to venture out on their own. Past the corridor, past some doors and stops when she saw stairs. She had to lift her dress just a bit because she didn’t want to fall or trip over this beautiful dress she was wearing. Then she continued to follow him. 

Huff Huff…

‘Why is he so fast?’ She stops in the middle of the hallway because she was out of breathe. She slips one of her heel off her feet and prays that she does get his attention. 'Here goes nothing.’ She threw her heel and watched it hit his back.

“Ouch.” He turns around to see her smiling like an idiot. He turns and notices the heel on the floor. “Really?” She nods as he picks the heel off the floor. “I had to get your attention somehow.”

He ran back to her with that killer grin on his face and waited for her to slip her heels back on. “Come on, you are going to like this.” He linked his hands with hers and pulls her along. She couldn't keep her eyes off him, he had this big smile his face like it was telling her that this was going to be worthwhile. 

“Where are you taking me?”

“You’ll see.”

Gui eyes widen when she noticed what got him all excited. Needless to say, she didn’t need to hear him say “here” when she noticed what they came up to see—a clock tower. Gui sat down next to him, he puts his arms around her as they look at the scene before them. They were sitting underneath the starry sky, staring at the clock tower together.

“What are you thinking of?”

“To be honest, nothing.” She chuckles. She vividly recalls his love for clocks and how long he could go on talking about them.

“I love you.” She whispers to him as she rests her head on his shoulder. She closes her eyes and felt him kiss her forehead. "Happy birthday my ghost."

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“There’s 10 minutes before midnight.” Crazy how fast time goes by. 

“What do you want to do?” He asks out of curiosity to see her get up, suddenly full of energy. “Let’s go dance.”

“Really?”

“Before the clock strikes twelve.” She urges him. “Before the clock strikes twelve?”

Before he knew it, he was running with her down the hallways, past some doors but stops at the top of the stairs to lift the hem of her dress. Aaron chuckles as he caught her by surprise when he sweeps her off her feet (literally).

“AARON!!!” She wraps her arm around her neck as she watched him carry her down the stairs. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, she landed on her own two feet as they walk back to the party hand-in-hand. 

“Come here.” He pulls her in, taking her hand in his as they went on to dance throughout the night. Twirling underneath the crystal chandelier to filling empty tummies with sugary delights. After tonight, they will look forward to their graduation date—marking the end of their high school story. Time to say goodbye. tick… tock.

With the clock chiming outside, Aaron’s smiles as he tunes out the music to listen to the bell ringing. Not once did his eyes left hers; Gui took in this moment and kisses him on the lips.

DING DING DING.