IN LOVE WITH A SOLDIER, VOLUME 2 - Season 9 Episode 93

At the international airport, Lawrence checked in with only one suitcase. A black Tumi Alpha luggage bag. Usually he didn’t like travelling with so much luggage.

Standing not far away from the security checkpoint, Cherry held her son’s hand, finding it hard to say goodbye.

Careful not to miss his flight, Lawrence checked time by his wristwatch and turned to his mother. “Mum, I have to go now,” he said. “Take care of yourself,” he added, finding it hard to say goodbye too.

Then Lawrence turned to his sister Violet who had also come along. But while he fumbled on words, feeling too emotional, Violet stepped forward and hugged him.
Tightly holding her brother, Violet was overcome, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. She leaned against his shoulder and said faintly, “Remember to help Greg.”

“Don’t worry,” Lawrence replied, parting her on the back. “By any means possible, I’ll see to it that Greg is safe,” he assured his sister and best friend.

After they finally stopped hugging, Violet sat down on the bench with her mother.
Standing by, Jackson took a look at his adorable daughter then at his wife. The two were already feeling the void that Lawrence would leave in their hearts for the time he was away. However, he offered no encouragement, choosing instead to use the few remaining minutes to talk to Lawrence before departure. Jackson asked, “You look anxious Son! Do you have anything emergency to deal with?”

In response, Lawrence called out seriously, “Dad, of course you know the source of my anxiety.” Then he raised his head to make eye contact with his father, before continuing, “Hasn’t Uncle Derek told you?”

Both the father and son knew why Lawrence was taking this journey.

Beside, Jackson fully understood what was on his son’s mind right now. But he didn’t want to answer abruptly, so he simply let Lawrence continue talking.

“Do you still want to protect her?” Lawrence finally asked.

Careful not jump in again, Jackson took his time to evaluate what would be the best solution for all involved. Briefly, he looked at Cherry and his daughter who had now moved a few meters away and seemed to be talking happily. For the sake of his family’s happiness, Jackson decided he wasn’t going to take a needless gamble. And he didn’t want to keep worrying about other people.

So Jackson finally replied calmly, “You’re free to handle it all by yourself, Lawrence. I’ll have to trust your judgment on this and let you be your own man.

That freedom is priceless both for you and me. It’s the only way I can help you be your own man. And boy, as your dad, that will be my greatest badge of honor.”
By that, Jackson effectively left Lawrence in charge.

Grateful for the gesture, Lawrence thanked his old man and briefly turned his gaze to his mum and sister who still stood a few meters away. “I know you love my mum and sister deeply,” he began with a smile. “But for a long time, you’ve put their lives on the line by protecting Sally. You may have grown up with that murderous woman, but I don’t think she deserves your protection anymore,” he added sternly.

Knowing he had his father into a tight corner, Lawrence knew he’d not get a response to that. So he simply moved on. “We’re all aware how traumatized she was at the tragic deaths of Emily and Jean. Those wounds in the past will only be reopened if Mum gets to learn about the manner of Sharon’s death. For Violet, it’s only fortunate that she isn’t with Greg at the moment. Otherwise, she too would be quite devastated.”

Fully, Jackson understood what his son meant. Raw memories of what happened to Emily and Jean still haunted him.

Besides, he remembered how miserable and shaken Cherry was when she learned about their tragic, untimely deaths. It depressed him to see Cherry so grief-stricken. The only respite he had in the current tragedy was that Violet wasn’t with Greg. But relief over Violet only amplified his worries about Greg and his family who were mourning the painful death of their loved one.

In empathy, Jackson requested, “Lawrence, as you return, please lend a helping hand to Greg and his family through this difficult time. After all, Greg is Violet’s husband, and we’re family. As much as you can, try and be his shoulder to lean on as he goes through the phases of mourning.” This was not an order, but in Lawrence’s heart, it was indeed what he must to do.

“Trust me Dad, I know what I should do in all these,” Lawrence replied.

“Okay, I believe you,” Jackson answered back.

They exchanged a look and tacitly understood what each one had on mind. …

At the exit of the airport, Mike, leaning against the car looked stunning in his casual clothes. He wore caramel chinos, a plain-white long sleeve muscle-fit shirt, a subdued burgundy sweater, a dark blue slim-fit two-button blazer and matching dark blue suede loafers. With a security detail of eight men in black suits, he eagerly waited for Lawrence, whom he expected to have landed by now.

Checking the time by his wristwatch, Mike thought to himself, ‘Did Lawrence board the same flight he indicated as scheduled for landing quarter an hour ago?’ Together with his entourage, Mike had been waiting for close to an hour, and even if the flight was delayed, Lawrence should have arrived now.

Out of anxiety, he sent one of his men, “Kindly go and check whether Mr. Lawrence was on plane.”

“Yes, Sir,” the man replied and was ready to go. But just at that moment, he noticed people checking through the exit. A particular guy among the arrivals seemed to draw quite some attention.

Not that he was a celebrity, nor was he wearing anything fancy. But he was a tall guy with well-toned muscles and carried himself with such confidence and charm that women found irresistible. Even men noticed his chiseled features and charisma with a tinge of envy.

The man that Mike wanted to send noticing a slight stir at the exit the alerted his boss. “Sir,” he began. “It seems Mr. Lawrence is already here.”

The moment Mike looked at the exits, a smile appeared on his face. He was glad to have Lawrence back according to their plans.

Lawrence walked straight to Mike and gave his suitcase to one of their security men, who put it in Mike’s car.

“Dude, I have thought that you won’t be back again,” Mike quipped pleasantly.

But Lawrence still gutted by the cruel murder of Sharon and weighed down with the task at hand simply replied, “Enough chitchat. My time is quite valuable.” Then he directly got in Mike’s car.