It was a winter Family party when first time he met Nini with her family. She was just 12-year-old and in middle school that time. Her elder brother Aaron was in same class with him in high school. He knows Aaron from the same Badminton class so they were close friends. He, Shu Cheng and Aaron were close friends. When he first saw Nini, he felt that she was different from other same aged rich girl. She was not like other egocentric-regressed rich spoiled kid. She was sensible, honest and charming girl. Without his knowing, he gradually felt an attraction towards her. Those days were happy days. The more he knew her the more he felt special feelings for her. His young heart raced when-ever he saw her cute and innocent smile, as if it can melt thousand years iceberg. He thought to propose her once she completed middle school. Everything was going so well but that incident changes his love life forever.
That day he was eagerly waiting at the party. Aaron called him in the morning that he would come to the party at the evening. That day he thought to tell Aaron about his feelings for his sister and asking for his permission before going to her directly. But they didn't appear in the party. Next day in the news, he heard of Aaron and Mrs Jones's accident. From that day, Nini vanished from his life. From then no one in the Vientiane city ever heard of Jones family. He still could not understand why Aaron and his mother went to the extreme south towards the cliff of the road when the party venue was at the central city.
Lee John completely immersed in his past memories. He still remember Nini's smiling face. Apart from remembering her, he was not in a position to find her. Still, his one sided pure innocent feelings towards Nini were too strong that he could not get over from his first love in his whole life. However, with time passes her existence in his life is now just a memory for him, a good time memory that he might this carry for his whole life.
Mrs Lee Luisy saw her son completely unaware of the current world flying up in his thought at the balcony. She just feel a sigh for his son. She is proud of his son for all his achievements but only thing that she wanted him be as normal as other boys of his age. But after Jones family incident her son was not grown like other same age boys. She was aware of his feelings for daughter of Jones family. Then she thought it was just his teenage and very normal to have feelings for a girl. She also liked Nini because of her well manner and she belonged to a City's well-reputed cultured rich family. The accident in Jones family also changed her son. She never thought John's feelings for Nini was so strong.
"John, my son. Are you alright?" Luisy sit one of the empty chair in the balcony. "Young people like you should go out after office for some fresh air my boy. It's just evening and you are at home."
"Hey Mom. I am just little tired today to go out. I actually wanted to talk to you and Dad." John sits beside his Mom.
"About what?"
"I was thinking of to stay alone for some time."
"Stay Alone? Why son? Everything all right? Do you have any problem here?" Luisy seems little worried.
"No Mom, nothing important. I bought a Flat at South block Apartment, so I was thinking to stay for some time."
"Who will take care of you if you stay alone there?"
"Mom, I can take care of myself."
"Son, I am fine with it as soon as you are taking care of yourself. Now, I want you to marry someone and stay there. I know you never like anyone but it is time to get married. Till when you will be alone ha? You never dated anyone. Do you want me to set up some blind dates?" Luisy eagerly waiting for the reply.
"Please mom. Just give me some more time. I promise I will surely give you a positive reply. I am not ready yet for marriage." Every time John replied the same answer but this time, he mean it.
In South-block apartment, Ruby was preparing for dinner. She got a call from Linda to come to her mom's restaurant for dinner. She dressed up and head to downtown. On her way, she took some hard copy printouts and before going to the restaurant, she went to somewhere.
"Hello Auntie. How are you?" Ruby greeted to Linda's mom once she reached at the restaurant.
"Ruby, are you all fine my child?" Linda's Mom greet her as soon as she saw her.
"Yes Auntie, I am all well now."
"No Mom she is not all fine, still weak. See her face mom, how much she lost her weight." Linda replied from the kitchen.
"Yes, Ruby, you lost so much weight. It's not good for your health and not good for your profession. You girls should eat more and be strong. From now onwards, I will deliver you breakfast lunch and dinner." Linda's Mom concerned.
"Thanks Auntie, but please do not worry so much. I'll do one thing. Instead of deliver it to me I will come here and have my meals some time, okay?"
"Yeah, That's my girl. Now let me arrange your dinner. It is late already."
"Sure Auntie." Ruby and Linda sit together at the corner table. It's late hour so almost finished the customer rushed hour.
"Linda, I told you in the morning. Have you heard any news for the fire case?" Ruby lowered her voice asking Linda about the case.
"Yes, I got some new information. 2 Police officers came this morning to our office. Lead already provided all the information. I heard they arrested the Club kitchen Chef. And his identity is fraud."
"What? Identity fraud?" Ruby looks surprised.
"Yeah, too shocking right? Linda too seems shocked.
They are further discussing the matter having their dinner. A young boy entered into the restaurant.
"Welcome guest. What would you like to have for your dinner?" Linda's mom welcomed the boy.
"Good evening. I wanted to meet the owner." The boy replied
"I am the owner. Tell me." Linda's mom replied.
"Good evening ma'am. My name is Den I am last year graduation student. I saw you need a part-time helper in your restaurant. I want to apply for the position."
Ruby and Linda both stop their conversation and looking at the boy in the entrance.
"Yes, I need a part-time helper. Do you have any experience working before in restaurant?" Linda's Mom checking him from head to toe.
"I am sorry ma'am I don't have any experience. I need money for my education. But you don't worry I know all the kitchen work as I help my Auntie at home."
"Who all are in your family?"
"Me and my Auntie. My parents passed away and I don't have any siblings." Den answered.
Linda come forward and asked few more questions to him.
After having a brief discussion between Linda and her mom, they decided to hire him.
Ruby was sitting at the corner table and looking at the boy. She felt a familiarity with that boy. She suddenly remembered her younger brother. She thought he would have been same age if he still alive.
Den agreed to start work from next day.
Seeing him going back with a smiling face, Ruby felt a good feeling. She reminded her younger brother his name was also Den. She does not know where he is. She tried to find him but she could not get any traces. She misses him a lot. If he were still alive then he would be her only family.