IN LOVE WITH A SOLDIER, VOLUME 2 - Season 9 Episode 91

Lawrence obediently nodded his head in agreement. It had been so long since he spent some alone time with his father.

“My only request is that you take care of yourself, son. Your mom and I find comfort knowing that you’re safe even if you’re away from us,” Jackson said to his son. He could see his young self in Lawrence. He patted his son’s head just like when Lawrence was a young boy.

“I will, Dad,” Lawrence replied. He felt the sadness in his father’s voice that very moment.

The father and son spent the hours in silence. It was as if time had slowed down that moment. Lawrence only wished that time would stop just for a moment so he could spend more time with his father, but night came, and they had to go home. “I guess it’s time we go home now, son. Your mother might get worried if we don’t get there by dinner,” Jackson said.

“Okay, Dad,” Lawrence replied. They went to the car together. Jackson fastened his seatbelt and started the engine. They drove off to their home away from the setting sun.

As they were driving along the busy streets of this foreign city, Lawrence could only remember the city he grew up in back home. It was almost the same city lights, tall buildings, and the crowd- except the signages and designs were in a foreign language in which Lawrence wasn’t versed with. It brought back memories, happy ones.

The city view was slowly changing into trees, private villas, and flower gardens. Lawrence knew that they were almost home. As they arrived in the villa, they were welcomed by their villa security team. The gate was opened before them and as they passed the security personnel, Jackson saluted to the man and drove off.

At the front of the main door, a house staff was waiting. Jackson and Lawrence stepped out of the car. The house staff approached Jackson and the latter handed the car key to him. Finally, the father and son were home. They found Cherry in the kitchen, wearing an apron, busy preparing the dinner for the family.

Jackson sidled up to his wife and threw his arms around her waist. Cherry was surprised but immediately recognized her husband’s arms and scent and smiled. Jackson rested his head on her shoulder dotingly. Catching a glimpse of the ingredients on the table, he exclaimed with a smile, “Looks like we’ll have a bountiful meal!”

“Yes, and that’s because my son is here,” Cherry excitedly replied. She had always loved to cook for her family. It was her special way of showing her love for her husband and children.

“How come you don’t prepare a feast like that for me? I’m always here,” Jackson sighed pretending to be jealous. “I always knew that you love your children more than you love me,” Jackson continued to tease his wife.

“Come on, honey. Stop whining. I need your help. The dinner will be ready soon,” Cherry replied, playfully dismissing her husband’s jealous remarks. Turning to her son who was resting in the living room, Cherry asked her son, “Lawrence, dear, can you go upstairs and tell your sister that dinner will be ready soon?”

“Sure, Mom,” Lawrence replied. There was joy in his voice that his mother could hear. He had always enjoyed running errands like this for his mother.

Memories flashed in his mind when he was a young boy and their family lived together like this. Lawrence was suddenly overwhelmed with sadness. He wanted to stay longer, but there was something he needed to do.

As Lawrence arrived on the second floor, he found Violet’s door opened. He walked close to the room, enough for Violet to see him from inside her room and stopped. He waited until his sister noticed he was outside.

“Lawrence, is that you? Come in, you silly!” Violet happily invited. As she saw Lawrence coming in, she buried herself again in a management book she had been reading.

“Hey, I thought I’d let you know that Dad and I are back,” Lawrence teased her sister, knowing how busy she had been. He thought that Violet didn’t realize that they were back. He then continued, “You work too hard, sis. Maybe you should take a break.” But Violet wasn’t really paying attention. She was so engrossed with the book that she didn’t notice her brother now standing beside her. Lawrence grabbed the book from his sister and glanced at it.

Before he could even hide the book behind his back, Violet was able to get it back. She held it close to her breast like cradling a child and stared at her brother adamantly. “Come on, Lawrence! I’ve already spent so much time resting at home and the boredom almost killed me. I needed to catch up on my studies. My tutor will help me with my studies next week so an advanced reading can help.”
“Speaking of which, how were your studies?” Lawrence asked with a concerned look as he sat on the bedside. Being home tutored before, Lawrence knew how hard and tiring it was. One needed to go through a lot of courses and assignments. And it was a great deal of work compared to regular schooling.

“It’s okay, I guess. At first, I found it hard, but now I’m used to it,” Violet replied. She got out of bed and walked to the window with an overlooking view of the city. The night view was breathtaking. “Look, brother. This city develops so fast, so I can’t afford to be left behind,” she added.

Lawrence moved closer to the window and his eyes feasted on the beauty of the scenery. He understood what Violet meant, but as a brother, Lawrence wanted Violet to also enjoy her life. “Just don’t push yourself too hard. I don’t want to see you like this. Find your balance,” he said tenderly.

Violet had always been Lawrence’s favorite sister and he loved her dearly. He would always protect and support Violet no matter what.

Violet turned to look at Lawrence’s side profile as he was feasting his eyes on the city view. She couldn’t help but be reminded of her husband every time she looked at Lawrence. As the thought of her husband crossed her mind, she felt happy and sad at the same time.

“You know that people see me as a loser for choosing to live a quiet life,” Violet broke the silence. “But now I’ve changed. I have a dream now and I will work hard to fulfill it.”

“All I hope is that you find your happiness back. Mom and Dad do, too,” Lawrence said gently as he turned his gaze to his sister.

Violet met his brother’s gaze. She stared at it for a moment but gazed away immediately. She couldn’t stare at his eyes longer because she was reminded of her husband, Greg. She missed him so much that she felt her heart aching. She couldn’t let go of the past until now.

“My surgery was successful,” Violet said, trying to change the subject of their conversation. “Give it time and I can wear dresses again. I won’t feel inferior anymore and I can now live a life I dreamed of. I will be the master of my own destiny.”

Upon hearing this, Lawrence seemed to have fully understood Violet’s thoughts. She hated losing since they were kids. She was more stubborn than Alice. And now that she got rid of those ugly scars, nothing could hold her back anymore.

Violet was like reborn and there was no way she would give up this new beginning. Lawrence remained silent.

“Lawrence,” Violet said abruptly in a husky voice.

“Yeah?” Lawrence responded, his eyes locked on the overlooking city view.

Violet took a deep breath and looked for the courage to finally ask, “How’s Greg holding up?” Her voice started to crack as if she was about to cry. She tried to hold up and appear to be strong.

“Why don’t you call him and ask him yourself?” Lawrence asked. He knew that Violet loved Greg so much and she cared about him deeply.

Violet remained silent. She was in her deep thoughts, trying to picture her husband in her mind.

“Tell him that you miss him. Greg arranged this operation for you because he wanted you to find yourself back,” Lawrence continued. “And he needs you now more than ever. After what had happened to his family, Greg needs his wife by his side.”

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*NOTE: THIS IS VOLUME 2 OF THIS STORY, TO READ PREVIOUS VOLUME SEASON 1 CLICK ON BELOW ARROW IMAGE.

TO CONTINUE WITH THIS VOLUME CLICK ON RED ARROW AT THE END OF THIS PAGE.