IN LOVE WITH A SOLDIER, VOLUME 2 - Season 11 Episode 10

A month later.

Greg got off work and headed straight home. While he drove, he fitted his wireless headset onto his ear and dialed a number.

“Hi, Violet, you ready?” Greg asked gently.

“Yeah. I’m all ready. Just waiting for you to pick me up,” Violet replied cheerfully.
“Great. Be there in ten minutes,” Greg responded as he hung up the phone. Greg dialed up Lawrence next. It wasn’t five seconds later that he got an answer.
“Hello, Greg,” Austin answered gaily. Greg was puzzled when he recongized Austin’s voice. As he checked the screen, he made sure that he had dialed Lawrence’s number.

“Where’s Lawrence?” Greg asked with a frown.

“Dunno. But he’s not in his office,” Austin replied in a childlike voice.

“Why do you have Lawrence’s phone?” Greg was genuinely curious.

“I walked into his office to discuss something, but I didn’t see him. Then you called, and I answered. So we’re talking to each other,” Austin explained, like he was talking to a child.

Greg could imagine the silly look on Austin’s face now.

“Never mind.” Greg intended to wrap up the conversation.

“Are you calling to ask him when he’ll be at Uncle Jackson’s place?” Austin asked. He’d already guessed why Greg called.

‘The Chu family’s having a party tonight. Anyone who’s anyone will be there. The Lus, the Xiaos, the Yus and I, the representative of the Yuwen family. I’ll be there too. No one would turn down a gala like this, ‘ he mused.

“Yeah. So when’s he supposed to get back? Violet and I will be there soon,” Greg asked.

“No clue. But if he’s not here in ten minutes, I’m heading there myself,” Austin replied. Judging by his tone he wasn’t joking. “See you later, Greg. Remember to ask Violet to dress up for this. I’m looking forward to seeing her tonight,” he added.

“You think I’m going to let my girl dress up for another man?” Greg’s blood froze, and his tone matched how he felt.

“But looks like Violet will be the only hottie there. Alice isn’t here, and Amanda has a thing for Mike. So Violet’s my only hope.” Austin ignored the displeasure in Greg’s voice.

“How about I ask my mother-in-law to arrange blind dates for you, Austin?” Greg suggested threateningly.

“Naw. I’d rather die than go on a blind date,” Austin answered. ‘I’m charming and brilliant. Blind dates are for losers. I’ll never be one of those, ‘ he resolved.

“Then stay away from Violet. If you want to meet more hot girls, you should go to more parties. With luck, maybe you can meet the love of your life.”

“Okay, you’re the boss. Gotta go. Bye, Greg.”

Greg hung up the phone first.

When he got home, he entered the living room to find Violet leaning against the couch.

“Why are you so late, honey?” Violet asked, as she sat straight up.

“Traffic was a nightmare.” Holding Violet’s hand, he asked, “Everything ready?”

“Yup. I have presents for Dad and Mom.” Pursing her lips, she said teasingly, “It’s so strange. I’m not hungry yet. Did I lose my appetite?”

“Late lunch, maybe?” ‘Even if she just wanted to get my attention, I believe her, ‘ he thought.

“No, don’t think so,” Violet replied. “That’s okay. Just eat less at the party,” Greg said tenderly.

“Umm,” Violet replied.

At the Chu family villa, Cherry and Amy helped Lily with dinner and fruits. And meanwhile, Jackson, Derek and Soren sat in the living room, talking and laughing.

In the yard, Lawrence, Mike and Amanda stood together, holding hands.

“How’s Aria?” Mike asked.

“She’s been busy,” Lawrence replied in an annoyed tone. “Every time I call, she said she has her hands full and hangs up immediately, and then calls back really late.”

“You know she has a full schedule,” Mike said, “When we were out of the country, we were busy trying to fit in.” Mike’s words made sense, but Lawrence still felt a little hurt. “But Aunt Selina lives with her, and she can take care of her. Besides, it’s been two months. How long can it take?” he argued, feeling miffed.

Mike didn’t reply. Taking a look at Amanda, he smiled. “You really need to learn to be independent. Soon enough you’ll be together and happy.”

“Mike is right. Aria must be feeling pretty lonely. Give her some time. You should be more understanding. She’s doing this for you,” Amanda said, as if she was giving advice to her good friend. ‘Now that I’m Mike’s wife, I should treat Lawrence like my friend, ‘ she thought.

“Umm,” Lawrence replied. Looking at the sky, he wondered whether Aria knew how much he missed her.

A red Porsche screamed into the yard and stopped in the driveway on a dime. The three immediately recognized the owner of the car. Austin got out and walked over to them.

“Wow, Mr. Lawrence, you’re already here. I waited in your office so long the flowers wilted,” Austin exclaimed. His face was wide-eyed, and he gesticulated wildly.

“Chill, dude,” Mike said.

With a slight smile, Amanda nodded at Austin.

“Hi, Amanda, you look gorgeous,” Austin said, flattering her. Turning to Mike, he replied, “I had business to discuss with Mr. Lawrence, but I couldn’t find him in his office. I waited way too long.”

“We’ll talk about that later,” Lawrence finally opened his mouth. He knew why Austin had come for him.

“Got it,” Austin replied with a helpless expression. He glanced around and asked, “Is Violet on her way?”

The minute he raised his question, he heard the sound of the car behind from the gate. Greg veered into the yard.

Violet leapt from the car and cried happily, “Brother! Mike! Amanda!”

“Hello, Violet,” Amanda greeted politely, as she came forward and hugged Violet. “I haven’t seen you much lately. How’s it going?”

“Helping my friend with her business, I had no free time. Sorry!” Violet answered with a naughty smile.

“That’s okay. But you should take care of yourself. Don’t push yourself too hard,” Amanda urged in a sisterly tone.

“I will.” Walking over to Lawrence, she took his arm and rested her head on his shoulder intimately.

“Hey, Violet, I’m over here. What am I? Chopped liver?” Austin complained.

“Yes. Yes you are,” Violet snapped sharply as she gave Austin a momentary glance. She then looked back up at Lawrence and asked, “I haven’t been to Mom and Dad’s in awhile. Did Dad bitch at you?”

“Don’t worry about that. I covered for you. You can focus on your own stuff,” Lawrence cooed as he lowered his head to look at his sister lovingly. ‘She’s like a little girl who will never grow up, ‘ he thought.

Even though Greg watched them, he didn’t get jealous. He knew they were on good terms. ‘Violet means as much to me as she does to Lawrence. He loves Violet like I do, ‘ he thought.

“Thanks, brother!” Violet said sweetly, as she threw her arms around her brother’s neck and gave a him a tight hug.

“Well, Violet, we’re looking out for you,” Austin cleared his throat as he chimed in. ‘It’s not fair. Lawrence is her brother, but I’m her cousin. Why didn’t she give me a hug?” he thought with jealousy.

“Who cares? Anyway, my husband’s okay with this.” Violet looked at him, with no intention of letting her brother go. “Ah you’ve hurt my heart,” Austin cried with a forlorn look.

Greg and Mike burst into laughter without making any remarks. Austin always overreacted and they were accustomed to it.

Looking at Austin’s hurtful expression, Violet withdrew her arms from Lawrence. She stepped forward and halted in front of her cousin. “Come on, Austin. Give me a hug,” she said to Austin.

“That’s what I’ve been looking for,” Austin gushed as he hugged Violet tightly. After a moment, he let her go.

“We going inside?” Greg asked. ‘Now that we’re all here, why are we just standing in the yard?’ he thought.

“We were waiting for you,” Austin explained. He took Violet by the arm and inquired, “Shall we, cousin?”

“Oh, let’s go,” Violet replied and they headed towards the front door.

“Here they are,” Soren said with a laugh, as he caught sight of the young people.

“Hi, Uncle Soren, Uncle Derek,” Violet said courteously. She then walked over to her father, took a seat beside him and nestled in his arms like a meek bunny. “Looks like Violet likes her father most,” Soren remarked with a loud laugh.

Upon hearing this, Jackson gave a happy smile. ‘She’s always so clingy. But that’s why I adore her so much, ‘ he thought.

“Of course. I love Dad most of all, and then my husband and brother,” Violet responded.

“So I come in third?” Lawrence asked as he seated himself on the couch.

“Of course. Expecting anything else?” Violet snapped in a bossy manner.

“I should come in second at least,” Lawrence argued.

“That should be me,” Greg broke in. ‘Now that Violet loves her father most, I should be second in her heart. I can’t let Lawrence steal my place, ‘ he decided.

“To you, maybe. Dad always comes first,” Violet declared.

For her, Greg was as important as Lawrence. They both pampered her and treated her very well.

“Honey, you’re always the one I cherish most,” Jackson said with a hearty smile.
“I thought that was Mom,” Violet responded.

“Both of you are the most important people in my life,” Jackson replied with a hearty grin. He was too happy to utter another word.

“Who’s trash-talking me?” Cherry asked deliberately. She heard them talking. She and Amy emerged into the living room with a plate of fruits each.

“It’s Violet, Auntie,” Austin replied immediately.

“I didn’t,” Violet hurried to explain. Casting a pitiful glance at Cherry, she said, “Please believe me, Mom.”

“I’m kidding. You’ve always been a Daddy’s girl. So I’ll sit next to my son,” Cherry returned, as she put the plate on the table and sat down beside Lawrence.

“Okay. You can have him,” Violet pouted.

Cherry sat between her son and son-in-law. In fact, she already thought of Greg as her son. She felt so content as she looked at Lawrence and then at Violet’s husband.