Chapter 89 - 89: Don’t Misinterpret

(Michelle POV)

My mama frowned. "Morris, our daughter is not like that. It was them who invited her first and besides, you should be happy for her as she's now gaining more friends. Right Michelle?"

"Yes. Ma, Pa, you know me. I don't judge people that way… it was Lara who introduced me to Kate. It just so happened that we jived. Also, I'm not being bullied or am trying hard to impress them. Kate and Lara are both good to me and we treat each other like sisters." I explained. 

With that, my papa just nodded his head convinced by my explanation. 

--

After dinner, I'm finally able to head to my room. I checked my phone to see if anyone sent me a text. The screen showed me that there were 2 unread text messages.

My heart and imagination suddenly went overdrive! Did Anthony text me!? 

I unlocked my cellphone. Ok, so I guess, Anthony did not. Still, I was happy to see Kate and Andy sent me a text each. I opened the one from Kate first.

[Just got back home. Don't forget to drink the tablet I gave you. Anyhow, I'm so tired, so I will check with my mom's secretary within the week regarding the gala, I will send the invitation through Lara.] 

The message was received at 6:15 pm. I looked at the time, it was already 7:30pm. I typed my reply, 'Sorry for the late reply! Just finished dinner with my parents. Thank you for the reminder. I also already told them about the gala, and they agreed for me to attend. Hehe. If I'm there I will give you a massage to ease tiredness. Haha! Rest well!'

Then I opened the one from Andy.

[Have you arrived home? Sorry I had to leave early and did not get to say goodbye to you. My mom would grill me if I didn't get home on time.] 

It was received at 6:02 pm. Oh well, maybe Andy sends this to all his friends. I replied. 'Sorry, late reply. Yes, I got back a while back but only saw your text now. Had dinner with my parents. Please, no need to worry about it, I understand completely. Also, Jeff told us about why you needed to leave early. I hope you enjoy your birthday dinner. So, did you get home on time?' then press sent.

In a minute, I received a reply. I thought it should be from Kate, but it was from Andy instead.

[Yes, thankfully. Hmm… since you're hoping me to enjoy my birthday dinner, how about you accompany me?]

Ehh??? What is he talking about? Was Andy drunk texting? Then I received another text.

[Just kidding. I'm just so bored with this dinner already.]

I shook my head and smiled. Andy's such a joker. '^_^ If you're bored, I can accompany you through texting some other time, but right now, you should show some appreciation for your family's effort for your birthday. Stop texting!'

After a minute, I received a text, this time it came from Kate. [Haha! Massage is tempting. Maybe next time. Thanks, and see you soon.]

I replied '^_^ Okies. See you soon.'

Then, another came from Andy. [Okay, I will listen to you. If they ask why I suddenly become attentive, I will mention that it's because of you giving me good advice. One day, it they want to meet you, you must give me face.]

Aish, Andy's texts are so ambiguous and easy to misinterpret as him flirting. Thank goodness I know better and that they were only friendly messages. Anyhow, I just replied, 'of course. Now don't reply anymore.' 

[ok haha!] he still replied.

I smiled but did not reply anymore. 

--

(Third POV)

Andy smiled as he read through the text message exchange between him and Michelle. She's really different from the other girls. 

"What are you smiling about?" his mother asked as she saw him happily fiddling with his phone. Her son must be texting with his endless list of girlfriends again. Ah, he's really giving her a headache. Why can't be just date nicer girls?

Andy pocketed his phone. Then he looked at his mother. "I'm just happy about this birthday dinner you prepared for me. Thank you, Ma." he replied.

"Ah, Andy's finally learning to be more appreciative. He's really a big boy now." One of his aunties said.

By the way, before Andy's generation, the Peng family, was pretty huge. Each generation would produce more offspring than the one before, so the one child policy of their generation was akin to a nightmare to them. They were a family that can afford and want to raise more but can't.

Then, his grandmother from the father side said, "Andy ah, you should continue being like this in the future."

"Of course, grandma, also, thank you for coming to my birthday. It means a lot to me that you're here today." Andy replied.

His grandmother's eyes mooned, and she clapped her hands three times in happiness.

Andy's parents looked at him like he grew another head. Then, they looked at each other. 

Finally, his mother couldn't help herself anymore. "Alright Andy, you can bring this girl home and introduce her to us. Mama and Papa will treat her well. You can marry and have babies early too if you want. I know you only turned 19, but mama and papa can support them. The government allows for 2 now. We are still young and…"

Andy chuckeld. "Ma, she's not my girlfriend yet."

"You're the son of Peng corporation, tell her you will inherit this billion-dollar corporation and…" Andy's father proclaimed.

"As I thought! You being an actor only attracts bad girls, can't get a good girl to be your girlfriend!" His mother complained. Then, everyone sitting around the two long tables, started expressing their opinions. 

Andy winced. Ah, if Michelle really comes to meet his family, he wonders how she will fare with all 48 of them interrogating her. His immediate family was just the three of them, his mom, dad, and him. However, Peng family as a whole was closely knitted that all of them even live in the same compound. 

Ok, that's thinking too much ahead. Still, he smiled. She did agree to meet his family one day.

--

TBC