Feeling the vibration in her purse, Toby excused herself for a phone call. She walked towards the entrance where the phone connection was better. From afar, Lily could tell something was not going smoothly. 'Could it be the business breach case from before? Hmmm..Maybe another contract issue.'
Ginny took the invitation card from Lily's hand. "Are you sure you want to go? Last time I attended the party with Auntie, your cousin, Meng Meng, was not the greatest host. If you go, then do you want me to go with you?"
"Hmm? I could handle a brat like her. I'm used to ignoring their big talk after all these years. I don't want her to ruin your night, so you don't have to come with me." Lily smiled at her friend's worried expression as she reached for the invitation.
"From what I'm hearing, you don't seem to like your cousin. If that's the case, then don't force yourself to go. Is this a grand party or something?" Lin Que frowned at the sight of his girlfriend's clear unwillingness to show up at the party.
"Nah. It's just a party. Nothing grand or anything. It's really for our family's reputation. If we don't attend, then my aunt and uncle will make a huge ruckus about us being disrespectful. It doesn't hurt to go." Lily poked the corners of Lin Que's lips and stretched it upwards.
She didn't like his slight frown. While Ginny and Lucas were having their own conversation, Lily took the chance to whisper, "A smile suits you better. I'll be fine."
After fifteen minutes had passed, Toby walked back with a frustrated expression. "Lily, Ginny, I need to fly back tonight. Something went wrong on your father's side with the same company. It's a bit tricky. Luckily, I didn't bring much back this time."
Lily got off Lin Que's lap and gave her mom a hug. "Work is more important. Have dad come back with you next time, and we'll eat together. You two should rest sometimes and not focus on business. I'll miss you so much."
Reciprocating the hug, Toby's eyes reddened, "Mmm. It seems like we always come to relax, but leave in a rush. Next time, I'll make sure we have our family time. I'll miss you two too."
Ginny also joined the hug, "Auntie, I'll miss you. Come back soon with uncle."
"I will." Toby said as she released them from her embrace.
Lucas patted Lin Que's shoulder a few times and gave him a push off his chair. "Bro, it's your chance to boost up your points. Drive her to the airport and let them spend more time together. You've trapped your girl too long in the hospital."
"I know." Lin Que said as he approached Lily.
"How about I drive you to the airport tonight? Lily could spend more time with you this way, and I can drive them back tonight. What time is your flight?" He smiled as he offered the ride.
"Ah? Would it be too much of a hassle? My flight is at midnight. If you're too tired, then don't force yourself." Toby cupped her cheek with one hand as she looked at him as if it would be a bother.
"No worries. I get off work around eight tonight. I'll drive Lily over, so you guys could spend some time together."
"Oh..Then thank you. I should get going to pack my stuff. There are some stuffs I want to buy before leaving tonight. Ginny, let's go." Toby looked at the time on her phone screen and frowned slightly.
"Alright then. I'll see you guys later. Bye bye!" Ginny waved as she hooked her arms around Toby's and walked out.
Lily turned to Lin Que and asked, "Are you sure it's no problem?"
"Of course no problem. My girlfriend is my priority. My lunch break is ending soon. I'll walk you back to your room before I go." Holding her hand in his, he started leading her to the staircase.
"Ah, right. Lucas. I haven't checked the messages in my phone, but my guts are telling me that you are behind it. I heard your last body checkup was two years ago. I'll give mom a call later. Heh." Lin Que smirked as he walked away with Lily.
Lucas' hands cupped both his cheeks as he gasped, "Oh noooooooo. He's definitely the devil! The devil I say!! Che, in front of sister-in-law he is the emperor of vinegar and dog food. In front of me, he's the devil of day and night. Scary. Maybe I should end my vacation early and get a late flight."
After walking up a few flights of stairs, Lily covered her mouth as she giggled. Halting his steps, he looked back at his girlfriend laughing until her cheeks turned pink. "What's so funny?"
"Hahahahaha, I thought you only had one trick against me. I never thought your brother would end up having the same unfortunate fate as me. Are you making him stay a week at the hospital?"
Fearing her clumsy nature, he dragged her up the steps until their feet landed on a flat floor surface. Putting his arms around her shoulders in a relaxed posture, he leaned forward until their lips brushed against each other. Her giggles instantly stopped.
"Not laughing anymore, hmm?" He teased as his voice controlled her mind. Her focus was all on his soft lips right now. Since he stopped right before her lips, she parted her lips slowly and looked into his eyes.
"This is more important than my giggles." She bit her lips as she waited for him to kiss her.
"Oh? What is? If you want something, you need to say it." He pretended to not read through her hints.
"Hehe..Then I'll show you." It wasn't sure when, but her hands had reached his collar. She closed her eyes as her arms pulled him close, making their lips touch. Pressing her lips against his over and over again, she could feel the tension from their bodies loosening as they continued until both became breathless.
Though the kisses started with small pecks and weren't as dramatic as the hot, smoky ones in dramas; they enjoyed every second of it. Just regular kisses were enough to satisfy their mini romance in the staircase.
"Let's go?" She forced herself to stop clinging onto him as she knew he was on a time limit.
"Mm.." Holding her hands in his once again, they walked up another flight of stairs and exited through the doors.
After he had separated from Lily, he went back to his office to retrieve his patient's medical charts. While walking, he decided to look at the messages from the family group chat.
'Fifty unread messages...'
Skimming through the messages with a smile on his face, he saved a few pictures with him and Lily together. Selecting the pictures one after another, he made changes to the settings on his phone.
"And set. Hmm, did I miss anything? Contact photo, background photo and screen lock photo. Heh, I'll let Lucas off this time since he took some nice pictures. My Lily looks so cute in these."
Message to Lucas: "I'll let you off this time."
At the same time, Lucas was one step away from ordering a ticket to flee to another country. "Phew. Saving my wallet big time. Hehe, thank goodness I have a sister-in-law to control this beast. Hehe...'