301 Cherry Tomato

Wei was at a loss of words at her reaction. He didn't know how to handle this new version of hers.

She couldn't hold it in any longer and said with a wink, "there is something about London's air. Gave me a sense of liberation. But more than that, in this case, it is my poor heart which is making me behave in this manner. You see, I was miserable thinking about you being heartbroken and kept conjuring up the worst scenarios in my head. But this afternoon I discovered that someone had found the antidote to the pain really early on. And I can't tell you how happy that makes me, really really happy."

Sam looked at the woman sitting next to her in wonder. And then she looked at Wei. There seemed to exist an unspoken kind of comfort between them which was tangibly visible. To her relief, it has no romantic undertones to it else she may not have been able to digest it.

Wei covered Jia Li's hand with his own and gave it a squeeze. Just with that, there was no reason for them to talk about that topic anymore.

"So, Samantha, it is time for you to brace up. You may have slept with Wei or not. That doesn't mean that you automatically get my approval as his girlfriend. I will be conducting an interview right now. Depending upon your performance, it would be decided whether you would be going to his house or your own, tonight," Jia Li added a wink at the end of the sentence.

Wei groaned and put his face in his hands.

"I can't believe that I thought of asking you out for dinner tonight. Jia Li, you have an early morning flight to catch tomorrow morning. Should we not hurry up with the dinner and go back early?" he said to her with clenched teeth.

Giving him an innocent look, she asked, "feeling nervous on behalf of her already? Don't worry, I won't be too strict."

The evening passed by, in the banter led by Jia Li. The two other beings at the table resembled a cherry tomato, all through the course of meal.

Earthly Matters Ltd, London

"Why are you here? I thought you would have gone to the airport to fetch her," Eric met Ying Hui as he was entering the office.

"And why would I do that? Actually, don't answer that question. Knowing you, you would come up with some nonsensical logic which would sound so convincing that I would start questioning my own logic," Hui replied with a poker face.

"Ha… did you just crack a joke? You must be in a really good mood to take the effort," Eric said, tongue in-cheek.

Shaking his head at his friend's unabashed attitude, he walked towards his cabin with Eric trailing him.

"Ok, so what is the plan? When do you leave and when would you want me to mark my presence there?" Hui asked him, referring to his upcoming wedding banquet.

Eric clapped his shoulder and replied, "that's probably the smartest question you have asked me in the past few weeks."

Ignoring Hui's raised eyebrow, he continued, "I am going after two days and I think you both should come with me. Jia Li has never been to America. So take this opportunity and take her to Las Vegas and Niagara Falls before joining in for the festivities."

Hui was shaking his head even before Eric finished speaking.

"She is not my girlfriend and to the best of my understanding, it is improper to suggest that to her as a colleague. Topic closed," he said firmly.

Eric looked at him in dismay, "if you are not going to try, she would never be your woman. What kind of a man are you? Who gives up after being rejected the first time? Haven't you heard that saying – try and try again until you succeed. In such case, you need to keep the ego aside and employ as many underhand techniques as you can. Shame and guilt have no place in the heart of a man who is pursuing his lady love, you understand my meaning?"

Ying Hui stared at his friend in disbelief, "at the risk of repeating myself, let me say this again. you are really something. You should seriously quit counting numbers and open a consultancy – New Age Love Guru. You must be OUT OF YOUR MIND if you think I am going to do any of what you suggested. Just let me know the date of the reception and I shall be there."

Eric groaned at his stubbornness.

"Ok, I give up, Don't take her to all these places but you can atleast bring her to New York early?" he suggested as a last ditch attempt.