chapter 165: be patient

["Ka Yan" Company]

A few days had passed since Rose (Kenix Kwok) left Hong Kong. Much to the disappointment of Joey (Bernice Liu), they didn't get together right away after he broke up with Rose. She tried to comfort him, but it seemed like Ah Nin (Frankie Lam) built a wall around himself. It was like he was afraid of being hurt again. He didn't want to let anyone else in.

"He can't forget Rose," Joey sighs to herself, glancing a peek at him through her small mirror.

[Daydream]

Joey sat in a field of golden yellow flowers. Her clone hopped towards her, wearing a sunflower-patterned spring dress. She held a bouquet of flowers.

"You're full of tricks, aren't you?" Joey shakes her head and laughs.

"Like I say, I try to spice it up to keep things interesting," Clone Joey smiles. She sits down next to Joey and starts weaving the flowers together.

"What are you doing?"

"It's a surprise." Clone Joey frowns. "You look down again. What's wrong with you now?"

"I don't know. I thought I'd be happier, but I-"

"But you're still not with Chris again yet." Clone Joey rolls her eyes.

"I don't get it. I thought that once Chris found out that Rose was so horrible and evil...he'd-"

"He'd end up right back into your arms and you two would live happily ever after." Clone Joey rolls her eyes again.

"Geez, aren't you sarcastic and mean? Sometimes I wonder whether or not you are Rose in disguise."

"Truth hurts, my dear. It doesn't sound as soothing to the ear as lies."

"You told me to work hard and expose Rose." Joey frowns. "I did that..."

"I know and I'm very proud of you for doing that. You came so close to blowing it. Thank god Rose wanted to kill you... otherwise you'd still be sobbing up to me about how you can't see Chris ever again. Boo-hoo." Clone Joey makes an annoyed face. "Joey, Chris is a person. He has feelings."

"I know that."

"If he just went into your arms after he found out Rose was an evil little bitch, what kind of man does this make him? Would you want to be with someone who goes from woman to woman like that? Like it or not, Chris loved, and I don't doubt that he still does, Rose. He is a man of deep feelings. You know that."

Joey nods her head, listening intently. "That's true..."

"You have to give him time. His wounds have to heal. He can't just accept another woman into his life like that. So what if Rose is gone? So what if you 'waited for him forever'? So what if you two are 'destined'? You can't push these things."

"I waited so long..." Joey moans. "He deserves real love. He's been hurt and manipulated far too much."

"I know." Clone Joey finishes weaving the flowers. She plants the wreath made of flowers onto Joey's head. "Just be patient, my dear. Stick it through with him in these rough times."

[End of Daydream]

Ah Nin stood before Joey, waving his hands back and forth. "Hello... is anyone home?"

Joey blinks and stares at him in surprise. His face stood but a very short distance from hers.

He smiles. "What are you so deep in thought about?"

Joey coughs. "I... was thinking about inspiration for a new design."

"Oh, really?" Ah Nin folds his arms and looks unconvinced.

"Yes! I was!" Joey blushes as she tries to defend herself.

He laughs. "You get worked up so easily."

"I don't want to be wrongly accused! I am a hard worker!"

He playfully hits Joey on the head. "Yeah, yeah. Mr. Wong just called us into his office. Let's go, Ms. Hard-Worker-Who-Daydreams."

Joey smiles happily.

[Wong Sheung's Office]

"Mr. Wong, you wanted to see us?" Ah Nin asks.

Wong Sheung (Lau Dan) played with his fingers underneath his desk, unsure of how to open his mouth.

"Daddy, is something wrong?" Joey is concerned.

"Um... I know with everything that's been going on lately, this is an awkward request to ask. Chris, I'm terribly sorry your wedding fell through. But uh..."

"It's okay. Mr. Wong, just tell us, what is it?" Ah Nin assures him.

"I just got a new business offer..." Wong Sheung's voice trails.

"That's great. Why do you sound so upset, daddy?" Joey questions.

"It's 'F&B'," Wong Sheung blurts out.

Joey is stunned to hear the name of Rose's company. She bites her bottom lip and steals a glance at Ah Nin, who looked calm.

"I know it's awkward. I know it's wrong of me to ask, but the offer is too good to pass up on..."

"Can't Michelle or Miss Man be in charge of the offer instead?" Joey frantically asks.

Wong Sheung shakes his head. "No. 'F&B' made it clear that they only wanted Chris and you to be in charge-"

"It's okay, Mr. Wong!" Ah Nin interrupts and smiles widely. "Business is business. I don't mind."

"Chris, don't push yourself," Joey urges.

Ah Nin smiles at her. "I'm fine! Don't worry about it, Mr. Wong. Joey and I will fly up to Shanghai and bring back good news. Excuse me." Ah Nin leaves the office.

Joey continues to sit in her chair, looking after Ah Nin walking away. "Chris puts on a brave face, but inside, I know he's feeling awkward about it."

"Maybe I should turn down the offer..." Wong Sheung offers.

"Don't. More than anything, Chris hates to have his pride hurt. If he says he can do it, we mustn't do anything to doubt him."

"You're brave too, daughter."

"Huh?"

"Rose is your love rival after all."

Joey shrugs. "Like Chris says, it's just business. So what if we have a history with Rose?"

"I really cannot believe Rose is really so scary." Wong Sheung frowns. "I'd never have suspected that of her from my encounters with her. She seemed like such a sweet, innocent girl."

"She had everyone fooled. She's very convincing. She should win 'Best Actress' at the TVB Anniversary."

Wong Sheung laughs.