"I was hurt when I saw you holding her. I initially thought you deceived me. But my trust in you prevailed."
"Thank you, Jia. You promised to be with me through all of the challenges, did you? "
"But I'm not brave, Jim. And I am afraid I can't handle conflicts and rejections."
"Whatever conflicts we would meet sooner or later, as long as there is trust, nothing could destroy us."
Jia nodded as she clasped her hand with his.
As soon as Jian heard the sound of the car, he immediately ran towards Jim and hopped on to his arms.
"Daddy! "
This was the sweetest word he would hear from Jian everyday.
And to see him running eagerly to meet him everytime he went home was his daily dose of a happy pill.
Jia happened to meet Auntie Elsa, somebody from the neighborhood, to take care of Jian everytime she would be away. She was around fifty years old who spent most of her time in her small garden to overcome boredom! It was when she was in her garden that Jia happened to talk to her.
"Jia, please feel free to call me if you wish to go out and leave Jian with me. I love kids and they are worth of my time rather than getting bored around doing nothing."
"Reallly, Auntie? I really need somebody to see Jian while I will be dropping and picking up his dad in his workplace. That will be until Ate Nita, Jian's nanny will come over. "
"How's Auntie Elsa, baby? "Jim would like to know how well she was taken care of.
"It's fun to be with her, dad, because she plays with me! "Jim sighed in relief.
As Jia headed directly to the kitchen, he also went directly to the bathroom.
Jia quickly put the broiler on. She placed four layers of sandwhiches, spread olive oil in it before placing the fried chicken ham and cheese. After the cheese melted, she removed it and placed it on a tray. She then fried up some eggs and mushrooms with sprinkled pepper and salt and placed it on top of the sandwiches. After setting a side dish of mixed vegetable salad, a warm milk for Jian and a hot tea for both of them, Jim and Jian came over.
While enjoying their breakfast, a call from Miss Maxine went through.
"Dr. Wayne, please tell Miss Jia to come over with you anytime this afternoon for dress fitting. The seamstress need to start right away since the placement of intricate beadings and embroidery would take much longer."
"Hi, Miss Max, I'll do just that." He smiled while his eyes were on Jia.
"Miss Max, Jia here.. " She took over the conversation.
"Miss Jia, bring along with you your undergarments that you will wear on your wedding especially your bra. Because a change of it may affect the fit of your bridal gown and wedding reception dress. I will also help you both in the choice of your shoes today. "
After few exchanges, Miss Max hang up. Jia looked into Jim with worried looks. "Jim, this is not healthy for you. You will be deprived of rest and sleep. "
"Stop that unnecessary worries." He pinched her chin and planted a kiss on her nose as he replied.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a silent investigation went through...
"Phyllis Wayne, one of the owners of Catherine Fields Medical Center group of hospitals and Catherine Fields Medical University is Dr. Jim Wayne's father." An old man was telling her wife.
"Then that's a good news! " His wife replied as her eyes lit up.
"But he is married according to our daughter." Mr. Felix Ybañez replied.
"We should look into that. If only he is not, Mr. Phyllis Wayne would be so happy to collaborate with us in the announcement of our research."
"Catherine Fields will gain skyrocketing fame as well in that idea. Supposedly yet hopefully, in exchange of our children's marriage."
"Old man, we need to know the status of his marriage. Or, we need to arrange a private talk with Mr. Phyllis Wayne. "
Few days after, an invitation was sent to Mr. Phyllis Wayne.
His eyes narrowed while he flipped on the paper. The owner of Gracienne Diagnostics and Gracienne Medical Supplies and Equipments would want to see him in regards of a research announcement?
He knew about these companies since most of their hospital supplies and equipments came from them. Gracienne Diagnostics was also the most famous diagnostic center throughout the country and abroad other countries where it had expanded. Yet, about its expansion to a medical research company, he had no idea.
The invitation would take place three days after and it stated that Mr. and Mrs. Felix Ybañez would be flying to Georgia to meet him. He was literally based in Georgia, but he was in constant travels due to business meetings. He knew very well that his son was training in their own hospital nearby, but he was too tired and busy to even call him.
While Dr. Grace was preparing a report, her phone rang.
"Gracie, dear. See you in three days.
Mom and dad will pay you a visit. And we hope to see your man." An elegant woman's voice in her fifties waved through the line.
"Forget about it, mom. It is becoming more and more impossible."
"Is there anything that my daughter can't have if she wants it? " Her mom reminded her.
Her stubborn and spoiled attitude was exactly due to her mom's inappropriate way of pampering her eversince she was a child. After all, she was their only daughter.
Luckily, she was born competitive that she excelled in her studies and got the admiration of many. If she chose otherwise and spent her life as a squandering, spoiled brat, she could still live like a queen all her life.
Yet, the only failure in her life was the fact that Dr. Jim Wayne had never learned to set his eyes on her.