IN LOVE WITH A SOLDIER, VOLUME 2 - Season 10 Episode 90

“That’s all I really wanted to say, Auntie. I just wish a happy life for him. When she shows up, please tell her this piece of advice, when Lawrence gets upset, just let him be and stay with him. He doesn’t need to be told what to do. He just needs to be left alone but he also needs to know that she’ll be there for him. That’s how he is,” Aria shared. That was all she could give but it was the most important one.

That was all she could do for Lawrence before they had finally parted ways. She could end their relationship with helpful advice for his new wife, her final gift for him. The least she could do was make sure Lawrence was happy. She didn’t want anything as long as he was happy.
Cherry nodded her head as a smile appeared on her lips. She liked Aria. The girl was smart and she knew the right things to do, she thought.

“Aria,” she said and Aria paid all her attention to Cherry. “What if I gave you another chance? Would you like to take it?” Cherry asked.

Aria was stunned speechless. She stared at Cherry, waiting for a catch.

“What are you saying, Aunt?” Aria stuttered, her eyes wide as a deer’s. Aria could not believe what she just heard. Was Cherry really offering her a chance to be with Lawrence, instead of driving them apart?

Cherry already knew Aria would react the way she did. And if Lawrence was there, too, he’d have the same reaction.

“I sincerely believe that you love Lawrence. I love my son very much. And I would rather that you two be together than deny him the right to live with the love he wants,” Cherry explained.

A smile formed on Aria’s face. She was still surprised but she was so happy and excited. She didn’t even know what to say in reply.

“But,” Cherry continued. “You will need to follow my arrangement in order for it to happen.”

The smile changed to confusion. Aria asked, “Excuse me? What kind of arrangement?”

Cherry stared into Aria’s confused eyes and explained, “I’m okay with Lawrence’s decision to be with you and I will not stand in your way. But it doesn’t mean that I want you to get married to Lawrence and into this family. Not until you’ve improved yourself and achieved our standard.” Cherry paused before she continued, “I will send you abroad to improve your education and yourself. I want my son’s wife to love him and be capable, at the same time. This is an opportunity and a challenge for you. If you accept it, I will make it happen for you so you can marry into this family.

Once you have lived up to our expectations and the entire family and our friends recognize your ability and accept you, then you can marry Lawrence and into this family.”

It was tough but Cherry wanted to make the stakes of marrying into the Chu family clear to Aria. Cherry’s demands made Aria think hard. It was clear that Cherry liked her or she wouldn’t be offering this opportunity. And now it was up to her to decide whether to take it or not. If she took it, it would be her only chance to fight for Lawrence. And if she didn’t, then they would have to part ways forever.

Cherry watched Aria lovingly while waiting her to make the choice regarding this life-changing decision. She was very fond of her and she would treat her well because she was Emily’s niece. But she could never tell her children that she knew Kate because it was going to make their relationship more complicated. And she didn’t want to destroy their pure love for each other.

“Aria,” Cherry interrupted Aria’s thoughts. Aria looked up at Cherry, who continued, “I’m not trying to make life difficult for you. But if you are determined to stand by Lawrence’s side for the rest of your life, then you need to know that there a lot of capable women who are also trying to win his affection.

How will you make them stop and leave Lawrence alone? Lawrence’s love alone will not be enough. You need to improve your worth, become a better person so you can survive the upper class. There are many gossips and brutal members in this circle, especially the women. They are snobs and filled with so much envy. And they will not hesitate to treat you with ruthless hostility if they think you don’t deserve. Do you want that to happen to you? Do you want these women to tell people you will never be good enough for Lawrence?”

Aria shook her head. She knew Cherry had to have a reason for her offer.

“You need to improve your worth as a woman and as Lawrence’s future wife. Don’t let them get the chance to find fault with you. That is the only way you can make them stop talking about you. Once you are strong, capable, and worthy, no one will ever have the chance to look down at you,” Cherry advised. “Don’t you agree?” Cherry asked.

Aria nodded her head up and down. A determined look showed on Aria’s face.

“You are right, Aunt. I have many shortcomings and I cannot fight them yet. I need to improve myself so I can stand on my own and be with Lawrence for the rest of my life.”

Aria continued, “You know, I really did want to pursue further studies, especially when I was about to finish college. I would be so jealous of my classmates, who talked about where they were going to go study abroad. I wanted to be like them but I couldn’t. My mother worked so hard to provide for me, and I didn’t have the heart to tell her this dream. So I found a job and I worked hard instead, so I can provide a good life for her,” Aria’s voice broke as she told her mother’s story. “Life was tough but I was happy because my Mom was happy and I was able to take care of her finally.” Aria stopped and a twinkle in her eyes appeared. “Then I met Lawrence. And he changed my life. I worked even harder because I didn’t want to be a burden to him.” Aria turned to Cherry. “But I didn’t realize how far I had to go just to be with him.