"Now you are saying it yourself. Tsk-tsk! How can you be so brutal to a delicate little girl?" Edward curved his lips in a playful smile. He knew Rain had a thing for Annie but Rain refused to admit it, always trying to appear nonchalant. When Annie started to blow him off, it was Rain's turn to get nervous. He even got the nerve to force Annie. That was ballsy! Rain hadn't taken the opportunity when Annie had been obsessed with him and followed him around. Now that Annie snapped out of it, everything seemed wrong to Rain. He just felt she shouldn't treat him this way, he should be the center of her world.
"Well, thanks to you, now I can act like a woman scorned, " Rain said, taking on an accusatory tone. Of course Edward was the one to blame. If it hadn't been for Edward's urgent order, he wouldn't go to the dinner and those people wouldn't have given him so much wine.
"Um! Great analogy. Now you seem nothing less than a scorned woman. But I have nothing to do with that. I remember I asked you to go after Lin Group, not Annie." Edward knew what Rain meant. To win those people over, Rain needed to use all his tact, diplomacy and rhetoric, and drinking was unavoidable. He could imagine what a drunk man would do to the woman he loved.
"Edward, are you burning bridges after you cross the river? Seriously, why don't we start to buy up shares of the Lin Group? We've come this far, why stop now?" Rain kept wondering why Edward pulled out at this moment. It was the perfect opportunity to acquire the Lin Group. It was unlike Edward to let his enemies walk away.
"Oh, no, that's not necessary. The little pressure I brought to them has put their president in the hospital already. If I had bought his company, I doubt he would ever be able to go home alive. You don't think I'm an evil man, do you? Let's say it's for old time's sake. Jessica has been by my side for years. The past is real and can't be wiped out. I don't care about Jessica but I can't ignore her completely either, "
Edward said. It wouldn't be on his list to attack the Lin Group if Jessica hadn't crossed the line. He wasn't a monster without feelings. He couldn't deny the past, but he didn't feel the way Jessica did to him. Jessica's love was a tragedy for all of them.
"I got it. Edward. I heard that your parents are in town. Is that true?" Rain understood Edward's decision. For many years, Jessica had stayed with Edward and lost her heart to him. Though Edward didn't love her back, it was hard to throw all that away. But if Jessica wouldn't let go, there was no luck for her next time.
"Yeah. They arrived yesterday." Apparently Edward didn't have much interest in this subject. But based on what happened yesterday, his parents had taken a liking to Justin already. That smart boy really knew how to take full advantage of his cute appearance. Edward doubted anyone could say no to that cute little face. Even his father had smiled at Justin, which took Edward by surprise since he'd never seen his father smile to anyone except his mother. Wining his grandparents' hearts took Justin only one night. Edward had to admit he was outshone by his son.
"Don't tell me they still look unbelievably young. If so, I will go crazy, " said Rain. He knew Edward's parents and because of how young they looked, Rain made himself a laughingstock when they first met. He had thought they were Edward's big brother and sister-in-law, and called them that until Edward called the man father. Rain was struck dumb and forgot all his words. Even now, so many years later, the memory still embarrassed him.
"Then go crazy. They don't seem a day older." Edward vividly remembered Rain and his parents' first meeting. He might have laughed out loud if it hadn't been for his father's dark face. Edward had almost never seen that look on his dad's face.
"Don't frighten me. Uncle is really intimidating. After so many years my knees still go weak, " Rain said. The thought of Jonathan's icy manner sent a shiver running up his spine. Jonathan always ruled with the regal detachment of a king, and no one dared meet his gaze. Rain thought that Edward hadn't fully inherited Jonathan's cold and intimidating character.
Edward frowned a little. He and his father hadn't spent much time together. Every time they met, they were like oil and water, competing for his mother's attention. But Edward had gradually given up his desire for his mother's warmth, knowing no matter how much he wanted it or how hard he tried, it just didn't work. His father was the most important person to his mother. He had learned to let it go.
"You still don't get along with uncle?" Rain caught Edward's thoughtful face and frowned. As the saying goes, everyone has their troubles. Based on the things that had happened to him and Edward, that was not a lie.
"It doesn't matter much when you get used to it. Why don't you make an effort to win your girl back? Please don't pry into my private life, " Edward said and a mischievous smile crossed his face. Sometimes teasing Rain was great fun.
Argh! That's hurt. I have to go. Lets go get a drink at Sexy World tonight. Rain said, rising from the sofa. Alcohol wad a good stuff to dispel troubles, he needed some wine to release bitter frustration built up in his heart.
Good, you read my mind. Let's get drunk tonight. Edward accepted Rain's invitation with alacrity. His condition was no better than Rain's. He could use some relaxation. In the past he had lived a life rotten to the core. Now drinking was a rare pastime.
Okay, now I need to continue slaving away for the capitalist. Wor all day, work all night! Rain said, and hurried oit of the office, knowing his words would annoy Edward. Rain closed the door just in time to avoid the folder Edward threw at him. Rain heard the dull thud from back, satisfied how fast he was. Edward couldn't expect his trick to work every time.