27 Ring

Extra Characters:

(1) Trinette Dubios Li - grandmother of LJ

(2) Francine Tan - chosen wife by Grandma Li

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July 12, 20xx

Kotor, Montenegro

The sound of alarm from the digital clock woke her up. She reached the bedside table, carelessly shoving down a pile of papers with design doodles on it.Her desire was to shut it off buta hand was faster than hers.

Squinting her eyes, a figure of a man appeared in front of her.He was radiantly handsome with a clean-shaven face. It was no longer surprising to find him ready to go because he always wakes up early regardless of the lateness he slept.

"Wake up." he said with a voice soft with affection.

Stretching lazily her arms above her while fighting of the yawn that was about to be shown, she gave out the sense of being sleepy and not wanting to get up.

She leaned on her sides and pulled the blanket over her head, closing her eyes on the process but they opened in surpriseas she sat up when she felt something cold on her skin.

It was a sleek band of white gold and another pavéband of gorgeous diamonds in one interwoven design and on its claw prongs was a small round diamond. The ring was dazzling and beautiful.

Her questioning eyes darted up to him and he answered with a convincing tone "You need to wear the ring, if not, Father will doubt."

Only then, she was reminded that they have to play the charade of being madly in love.

A sigh escaped her lips and reluctantly accepted it. The reason for her unwillingness stems out from her fears.

The corners of his mouth quirked up as he watched her gulped down theglass of juice he made. The bitterness of spinach and fleshy, mild taste of ginger never hinteda yuck factor in her which he did.It made him ponder why she likes it.He noticed her preference of smoothie or juice first thing in the morning since in Croatia. From then on, he always prepped it for her.

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A smell of fresh pines wafted her nose and the sound of music from a local radio station filled in the quietness between the two inside the car on their way to the villa, where his grandparents were staying.

The air from an open window was rushing over her skin as the car traversed the tree-lined sidewalks where a few people were on their morning run.

She kept a tight hold of her purse, letting the softness of the leather touch her skin.

In Yan Shi's head, although the old man appeared to be amenable, she worried about the rest. The inquisitive way his father eyed her last night birthed an uncomfortable feeling in her.

'Stop it Yan Shi! You're becoming a worrywart. Being skittish is so unlike you. '

He vaguely sense her nervousness so he extended one hand to touch hers.

Li Jie stopped before the single traffic lane with faded pavement markingsto let some young children in school uniform pass by.

As he was tapping his finger on the steering wheel, Li Jie smiled tenderly as he watched three of the group, skipping for fun as they crossed.

The man in the driver seat asked her "Wife, how many children do you want?"

She was quiet of his question and didn't know how to respond to it.

'Does she want children?' It was answered with an immediate yes. Growing up alone made her wish having more in the family. Yet, wanting it seemed impractical for her as there are many things to consider and uncertainty in life.

"I want 6." Li Jie confessed. "What about you?"

Instead of answering, she faced him and asked "Do you want your wife to become a pig?"

"Of course not. I want my wife to stay sexy." he admitted.

She crossed her arms in response afterretracting her hand.

'As all men are. '

"Then think about it carefully. Being pregnant is not easy. A woman's body changes. She gains weight and her breast gets largerto prepare for lactation and mind you, that is actually very painful. Mood swings, morning sicknesses plus restricted movements for the next nine months, do the math. And when the baby is born, it's not easy to shed fats, deal with post partum depression and boat loads of juggling between motherhood and being a wife. If I am your wife, I will never agree to 6. I don't want to suffer that much."

Instead of getting unhappy with her answer, his thin lipsbrought out a crooked grin.

Li Jie watched his wife preached and he liked the way her lush lips twitch when she talks. Her point is even intensified by the expression her seemingly greenish eyes and the little black mole on the right side of her upper lip evoke.

"Have you forgotten, you are my wife. Of course I will suffer with you."

This answer made Yan Shi's heart produce an emotion that wet the corners of her eyes but held it back.

To hear a man, make such promise, she was touched but a part of her felt sad.

'I wish' she murmured to herself.

He thought he was spacing out again because of his statement so the next second, he spoke with glint of mischief on those deep set eyes.

"Wife, don't worry. I will help you during pregnancy. Even buy you size F bras if your boobs gets bigger."

Her nose crinkled in annoyance.Yan Shi extended her hand and smacked him. But he quickly raised his two hands to protect himself as his crisp laugh rang in the car.

When it comes to her, he is unable to restrict himself from teasing her. Plus, the expression on her face really looks pretty and cute and it's nice to look at the rise and fall of her chest.

When Yan Shi saw where his gaze were, she stretched her foot and stepped on his foot with force.

"I said do not look at them!"

Her roar reverberated inside the car as he clutch his stomach in laughter and in pain.

The foot hurts as if it's been ran over by car. The 3-inch heel she was wearing squashed his toes.

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Yan Shi and Li Jie took the spacious entryway with high ceilings and marble floors which opens up to a large living room.

Yan Shi sighted set of plush settees, glass center table, elaborate chandelier in the middle of the room and a few embellishments that makes the place scream luxury and grandiose.But what really attracted her was the impressionist painting on the walls. The screaming red color in the art draws the attention immediately, not only for its color but also the shadow of aseemingly sad woman in a fetal position. This reminded of her mother's works.

The voices and laughter in the living room stopped when two attractive figures appeared their eyes.

Li Jieled his wife with asmile. In the past, he dreaded seeing his grandmother but now, the the proud feeling was there. Finally, there's a wife for him to introduce without worrying of the old woman's matchmaking tactics.

By the sight ofa womanof his age standing under the archway, he instantly recognized who she was.If he came alone, he would have been forced to date Francine Tan for the whole duration of this family trip. He winced inside at that thought.

What he disliked the most was being forced to do something he hated.

*

Like her son, Trinette Dubois Li wanted his grandson to marry. But her reasons are entirely different to her son, Li Hong.

She just wanted her favorite grandchild to find happiness after the pain he's gone through.

The Li matriarch eyed the female with caramel-brown hair walking with her grandson.Her critical eyes never left the woman while she watched her sauntered with an unhurried and proper posture.The woman satand placed her hands on her lap then,moved her feet to the side.

The graceful movement alone tells her she's been taught well of proper etiquette.

'Interesting.' she reflected.

Since the moment she heard from her husband that the lady who saved her nephew,is Nicholas' wife, she had her checked immediately.

Just this morning, her assistant gave her a very little information on her. From what she gathered, she is an orphan. Her mother died when she was 5 and had lived with the Yan Family for awhile before breaking off her relation with them.

Yan Shi can perceive the woman's scrutiny on her but she held her stance.

With a wide smile plastered on her face, she whispered 'Bring it on.' and equally meet the amber eyes staring at her.

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A glimpse from future chapters ....

The perfect arrangement on the tablecaused his mouth to curved up.

Inside the bedroom, Yan Shi was asleep. Her pencils and sketchbook had fallen to the floor.

Sighing, he picked them and placed on the table. He can't help worry because she'd been drawing non-stop to finish the first task given to her.

"Wife" he softly called out.

But the woman never stirred.

He repeated with a subtle press on her shoulder but it appeared she just wants to sleep.

She has not eaten a proper meal today hence, he needs to wake her up.Plus he has a surprise for her.

A minute later, suddenly, there was a scream inside the bedroom.

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