303 Not in this Lifetime

Jia Li's eyes had teared up on their own while talking to Sam. Her gaze automatically sought the yellow stick-ons which were now stuck to her fridge with a magnet, since the glue in them had finished long ago. Re-reading his handwriting and his words, she wiped a few errant drops of water which had trickled down her cheeks despite her best efforts.

New York

"You know that we are going to be late. There is zero sense of responsibility and discipline amongst you women. What would Ethan's family think of us?" Mr. Xie was grumbling, pacing the patio.

Tang looked at his father with understanding eyes. He was also fretting from the inside. Unfortunately, he couldn't voice it out like his father. Dressed in a white formal shirt and grey corduroys, he was bracing himself for the pitying look which Ethan's family will bestow upon him tonight.

Patricia stood next to him, looking stunning in a Gucci gown, which the Xie family had gifted her along with another expensive dress for the wedding the next day. To everyone's surprise, it had been Tang who had insisted upon Patricia's presence during the wedding functions. He didn't want anyone from the family worry about his health or well-being. So he had asked her to accompany him. She had agreed with a show of reluctance.

Though Pat was perpetually hard on Tang, but during the past few weeks, she had become quite fond of this prickly surly bear. Without being told why, she had accurately guessed the reason for his request. And she intended to make sure that he survived the functions with his self-esteem intact. Of course, she wasn't going to tell him all this!!

"You shouldn't get any wrong ideas about me once you see me all dressed up in a conventional woman's avatar. I can't guarantee Joanna's reaction if she ever got to know that you have the hots for me," she had teased him.

Tang had rolled his eyes dramatically and typed out, "NOT IN THIS LIFETIME."

Tonight was the celebratory dinner for just the families and close friends before the wedding. The wedding was to be held the next morning followed by a reception in the evening, being thrown by the Hunt family to welcome Chu into their fold.

"Finally! Are you both of you that much in need of repair that it takes three hours to get ready? You do know that this is your daughter's wedding and not your own, right? And today is just the dinner. I shudder to think how much time would you need tomorrow? At this rate, you should start getting ready for the wedding the minute you come back home tonight," Mr. Xie chided his wife.

"And you, weren't you the tomboy who abhorred any sort of artifice? What happened today?" he didn't even spare Chu.

Tang's screen gave a ping as it showed up a message which he had typed to grab everyone's attention, "Maa, you look lovely, almost ethereal. Chu, you are the most radiant bride-to be ever. I love you both."

Both women who were fuming a second ago, took turns to hug Tang.

"This is what a perfect gentleman is, not that you would know," Mrs. Xie threw a hurtful look towards her husband and walked out on a huff.

Tang winked at his father and pushed his automated wheelchair ahead.

"It seems that you have been ostracised by your wife and children for the rest of the evening, Mr. Xie," Patricia whispered in his ear gleefully.

Upon reaching the place, they were greeted warmly by the Hunt family. Ethan was standing next to the window on a call.

"I can't believe that you are stuck to the phone even today," Chu grumbled as the families gathered around.

"Sorry, I was just trying to reach my cousin. He is coming here with few of his closest friends. So was just wanting to get an idea of his arrival time. He didn't pick up though," Ethan said by means of explanation.

Apart from Ethan's parents, his uncle's family had also joined in. The senior Hunt brothers were a close knit family and it was evident in their interaction tonight. It was Ethan's first cousin who was expected to join in. He and Ethan had been really close during their growing up years but now due to different work choices, they couldn't make time for one another.

Tang had asked Patricia to help him get out of the wheelchair and sit at the table with everyone else. Thankfully there were no prying eyes who seemed to judge him or show him extra polite treatment. The family seemed warm and Tang felt at ease with the knowledge that his sister was going to a nice family. They had booked the entire place so the minute the double doors were pushed open, everyone's gaze went there.