IN LOVE WITH A SOLDIER, VOLUME 2 - Season 11 Episode 4

Cherry woke up early but was surprised to find that Jackson had got up even earlier. He was probably doing his morning exercises already in the courtyard. She got up off the bed to join him when the phone rang.

‘Who would be calling this early?’ Cherry asked herself but she went ahead and answered it.

“Hello,” Cherry greeted.

“Hello, who am I speaking to?” Cherry heard an unfamiliar man’s voice on the other side of the line.

“This is Cherry speaking. Who is this?” Cherry said, eager to find out who could be so demanding so early.

The man laughed a familiar laugh. “Are you getting old? You don’t even recognize my voice anymore!”

“Stephen? Is that you?” Cherry called out his name. “Why are you calling this line? You know my cellphone number.”

“I wanted to play a trick on you. There’s no number display on the phone so you won’t know who was calling. And I pretended not to know you,” Stephen laughed. “Looks like you don’t know me either!”

“Don’t you have work and better things to do? I can’t believe you actually took the time so you can play a joke on me!” Cherry made fun of him.

“I called because I needed to tell you my news,” Stephen said.

“What is it?” Cherry was confused and wondered what his news was.

“I have our tickets and we’re leaving tomorrow. We’ll be there by tomorrow afternoon!” Stephen announced.

“What? Are you serious?” Cherry screamed. “You’re really coming back?” “Am I not welcome there anymore?” Stephen pretended to sob.

“Of course, you’re always welcome here! I’m just surprised. I did not expect you’ll be coming home and so soon!” Cherry exclaimed with a bundle of emotions.

“Remember when I left? I told you I’d come back,” Stephen reminded her. “And now I will be back tomorrow!”

“This is so great!” Cherry stopped herself from jumping up and down the whole time. “I’ll book you a hotel now. And Jackson and I will pick you up from the airport!”

“Yeah, you better get us from the airport!” Stephen answered. “But don’t worry about a hotel for us. Francis has already talked to his friend about making arrangements for us.”

“Stephen! Aren’t we supposed to be friends? What? What for? We could have arranged it for you! Jackson and Derek can take care of everything. We’re your friends, aren’t we?” Cherry was a little annoyed that Stephen didn’t call them earlier to arrange his trip. He knew she liked doing it for him but he didn’t give her a chance.

“Of course you are! We’re friends for life. It’s just my son’s friend offered. Actually, you know his friend. And it was hard to say no,” Stephen tried his best to explain to Cherry.

“Of course you are! We’re friends for life. It’s just my son’s friend offered. Actually, you know his friend. And it was hard to say no,” Stephen tried his best to explain to Cherry.

“I know your son’s friend? Who?” Cherry asked while she racked her brain for the identity of this friend.

“You’ll know tomorrow,” Stephen teased her.

“Okay, fine, I’ll just grill you tomorrow when you get here. Send me your flight details and arrival time to my phone and I’ll be there to greet you!” Cherry reminded Stephen.

“I will, see you tomorrow, Cherry!” Stephen replied.

Cherry still had a big smile on her face when she hung up the phone and when she went to the courtyard to share the good news with Jackson.

Jackson was stretching his arms when Cherry found him. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Cherry but raised an eyebrow when he saw Cherry’s big grin.

“Did you receive some good news? Jackson asked.

“Good news, darling! Big!” Cherry ran up to Jackson and hooked her arms behind his neck. “Guess what, honey? Stephen and Kalyn are coming here. They’ll arrive tomorrow!”

“Stephen? Stephen is coming?” Jackson was surprised at the news. “He’s back so early! How come?”

“He didn’t say. He just said they’re arriving tomorrow afternoon,” Cherry shared. “By the way, we’ll be picking them up. I just think it’s fitting since we saw him off and we’ll be the ones to greet them back. What do you think? Is it okay?

Jackson laughed at Cherry’s excited expression. He answered, “It doesn’t even matter if I say no. You’re the queen and you get the final say!”

“That’s true. So it’s settled! You are not going anywhere tomorrow unless you’re with me,” Cherry ordered.

“I’m all yours then,” Jackson agreed and kissed her on the forehead. He took her hand and led her to the house. “Come on, let’s go eat. I’m starving!”

“Let’s go then!” Cherry smiled before she asked, “By the way, honey, when will Lawrence be back?”

“I believe he’s coming back in a few days. It’s already been a month since he left. He should be back soon,” Jackson replied.

…

At the Chairman’s office of the XS Hospital, Greg was catching up on his research while his wife, Violet, occupied his usual chair behind the desk. She was calling someone to make arrangements with her friend.

Greg pulled up a chair across from Violet so he can still use his desk. He tried to listen to Violet’s conversation but can’t keep up with her energy. He returned his attention to his research and medical books.

“Francis! I’ve already had people clean the villa you bought. You’ll be ready to move in any day now. When are you coming back?” Violet informed her friend, Francis, on the other line.

“Oh, it’s not me, I’m not going to be staying there, someone else will be,” Francis said.

“Someone else? Who? Your girl?” Violet asked, confused and bewildered.

Greg lifted his head when he heard Violet’s tone. She was talking to Francis, the man he once fought for Violet. How did he not hear that earlier?

“No,” Francis impatiently answered Violet’s question. “It’s for my parents. They’re arriving tomorrow.”

“What? No. Really?” Violet’s eyes went wide open when she heard who was coming and startled Greg.

“What’s going on?” Greg mouthed to Violet.

Violet mouthed back, “Later,” and went back to her conversation with Francis. She continued, “Do my parents know, too?”

“Of course! They were the first to know. They’re picking up my parents at the airport tomorrow,” Francis confirmed. He just heard the news from his mother an hour ago.

“Oh, good! Your father and my parents are such good friends. And it’s going to be weird if they didn’t know,” Violet reasoned. She put on a big smile and exclaimed to Francis, “Don’t worry about your parents, Francis. They’re going to receive a big welcome! And I’ll make sure to do what you told me. You will be happy!”

“You know how much I trust you, Violet,” Francis told his friend. “And I’m definitely giving you a tight hug the next time we see each other! As thanks for all you’ve done for me.”

Greg couldn’t help but hear Francis’ last sentence.

Before Violet could reply, Greg had already stood up and grabbed the phone from Violet. He shouted into the phone, “Don’t ever try to hug my wife, Francis, she is mine!”

“Greg! I know she’s your wife but she’s my friend, too. Can’t we all be friends who share hugs?” Francis felt Greg’s anxiety and distress over the phone, which started only when he asked that question.

“No,” Greg said defiantly. How could he let his rival give his wife a hug?

Violet grabbed the phone from Greg and talked to Francis before he could say anything else. “Francis, I apologize about that. You know my husband cares very much for me. Anyway, rest assured, everything is set. We will have a party for your parents tomorrow and the villa will be ready for them, too. I’ll talk to you soon, bye!”

Violet hung up before Greg could grab it. She exhaled a deep breath before she turned to Greg, who pretended to read his book but was fuming red.

She stood up from the chair and went to give Greg a tight hug and kiss. “Darling, please don’t be mad, okay?”

Greg closed his eyes, exhaled a few breaths until his face wasn’t so red anymore. Greg hugged his wife back. “Look, I don’t trust him,” he explained. “You have to watch out and don’t let yourself fall for his tricks.”

“I always have you beside me, what should I be worried about?” Violet reassured her husband and cuddled up to him.

Greg felt more relieved at his wife’s last statement. They had been married a long time now and he did trust her. But when another man showed a different kind of interest in her, he got in a rage.

“You’ll always be mine, Violet,” Greg declared to his wife.

“I know that,” Violet smiled at her jealous husband. He might be president of the top hospital in the city, but when it came to her, he could be like a child who was afraid someone would steal his candy. Violet hugged Greg again to assure him she’s his.

The next afternoon, Cherry and Jackson stood at the arrivals hall of the international airport as they waited for Stephen and Kalyn to exit.

Cherry checked the arrivals monitor and pointed to Jackson, “Look, Stephen’s plane just landed.” She hadn’t seen Stephen in years and she missed her friend.

“So it seems. They’ll probably be out soon,” Jackson said. He rubbed Cherry’s back to calm her down.

A few minutes later, Cherry spied Kalyn’s beautiful face exit to the arrivals hall. They met each other in Hong Kong and Cherry could never forget her exquisite face.

“Kalyn!” Cherry shouted to catch her attention. She waved her arm high so she could see them. A man appeared beside her and took her arm. Yes, that was definitely Stephen.

Kalyn turned her face to the direction of her name and saw Cherry. She waved back at her.

Kalyn pointed them to Stephen and they made their way to the Chus. Cherry and Kalyn quickly exchanged hugs upon reaching each other. Cherry remarked, “It’s so good to see you again, it’s been years since we last saw each other!”

“I’ve missed you so much, Cherry!” Kalyn told Cherry in broken Chinese.

“Me too! I’m so happy I’m seeing you right now,” Cherry beamed.

“Yes, Stephen and I have decided to settle down here,” Kalyn announced. Cherry’s eyes went wide and hugged Kalyn again. “That’s amazing!”

It was only then that Cherry noticed Stephen, who had just greeted Jackson. Stephen turned to Cherry with outstretched arms.

“How about a hug, Cherry?” Stephen suggested with a big smile on his face. Knowing he was joking, Cherry gave in and reached out to him for a hug.

Stephen turned to Jackson and said, “It looks like you’re finally allowing other men to get close to your wife.”

“Hey Stephen! You still haven’t changed, huh?” Cherry teased.

Jackson smiled and wagged his finger at Stephen. “I’m giving you an exception. Just this once.”

Stephen laughed at Jackson.

Jackson turned to Kalyn and gave her a hug, “Kalyn, welcome back!”

“Thank you,” Kalyn replied to Jackson. The two couples walked out of the airport and to Jackson’s car, chatting away.

“We’ll have dinner at our house tonight. Derek and Amy will be there, too. Just the six of us,” Cherry told Kalyn as they walked with linked arms.

“Cherry, is Violet coming tonight, too?” Kalyn asked Cherry.

“She did call me this morning, asking what time dinner was going to start. So yes, I suppose she is coming,” Cherry replied. She was surprised why Kalyn mentioned Violet.

“Okay, good!” Kalyn beamed.

“Why? What’s going on? Do you miss my daughter?” Cherry asked, confusion painted on her face.

“Oh, Violet has our house keys. If she doesn’t come tonight, I’m afraid we’ll have nowhere to sleep tonight!” Stephen explained.

Cherry realized Francis’ friend that Stephen referred to was Violet.

“Stephen, why didn’t you tell me?” Cherry pretended to be mad at him.

“I wanted it to be a surprise!” Stephen explained. “Don’t you just find it wonderful that the four of us are friends and our children are friends with each other, too?” Stephen asked.

“Cherry, Chu family and An family will be friends forever,” Kalyn declared. She had a huge smile on her face.

“Yes, friends forever!” Cherry repeated what Kalyn said and saw the sincerity in her eyes.