Melissa was a name of the past, Eleanor is her current name. She changed her identity and wasn't the same as before. She's been through a lot along with Cameron. Unfortunately, she hid the truth from him. It's not that she doesn't want to tell him, she does but what will that do if she did tell him? Wouldn't that make him hate her more? Not to mention, Irene, Cameron's mother was also threatening her during that tough time. She didn't want to experience that once more. She rather carry the burden than share it with other people. One thing hasn't changed...Eleanor did miss Cameron a lot.
During the past eight years, she was studying abroad and eventually she followed her dream to become a marine biologist researcher. It's all thanks to her high school senior, Lan Tian, for helping her out during that difficult time. One thing hasn't changed, it's her love for Cameron. Each year on his birthday, she will go back to the river bank and pay there a visit.
It wasn't the same since then. Cameron moved to Shanghai with his family after the death of his father. Eleanor regretted not visiting him sooner. Let bygones by bygones. Eleanor thought about him everyday wondering how he was coping after hearing her "fake death" which was supposedly a murder case. She saw the news article about her but only she knew the truth. No one knew she was Melissa, her appearance changed even without plastic surgery. She was a different person than she used to be.
Back in the research center in Shanghai, Eleanor collected data sample and recorded on the computer. She is still a junior researcher but will be advancing to senior position next year. Along with her colleagues, they will be participating in a special project during Christmas in Bali, Indonesia.
After finishing up her daily report, she headed back to her apartment with her roommate. Even though she was really tired, she still managed to cook some food for dinner. Her roommate, Luna, was already back. She was sitting on the couch watching TV.
"Welcome back, Eleanor. I thought you were staying at your office overnight." Eleanor nodded but answered, "I finished my reports early and I need to catch up on some Zzz."
Eleanor went back to her bedroom and laid on her bed, it's been two days since the last time she was in her bedroom. She thought about a lot of things whether it's current stuff or things from the past. Lan Tian moved to United States to continue his Ph. D in marine biology. It's been a while since they last contacted each other.
Eleanor decided to surf online for the latest entertainment news since she couldn't fall asleep. She saw a photo of Cameron and she immediately got up. She haven't seen him for eight years but she was glad he was doing well. Eleanor didn't have the courage to face Cameron but she still loved him and should've visited him once in a while. She's the type who didn't like to burden others.
Few weeks later, Menghai CEO, Cameron made an appearance in the evening show. Eleanor saw him on TV, he looked very dashing and handsome on-screen. As Eleanor watched closely, she noticed his eyes were very dull as if he didn't sleep. Maybe she was thinking too much, Eleanor was about to turn off the TV when the reporter asked him a personal question:
"Our viewers are curious, do you have a girlfriend?" The lady asked Cameron. He smiled slightly and replied, "I'm waiting for her." The lady reporter looked kind of perplexed for a second then slightly laughed, "So, I guess you do. Am I right?" Cameron nodded, "You can say that." The lady looked happy and congratulated him, "I'm happy for you. Hope you two will be happy together." Cameron shook her hand and bowed. Eleanor sighed and turned off the TV.
"I'm not surprised, Cameron should have a girlfriend by now." Eleanor expected that to happen but why does it hurt so much? It was her fault for not telling Cameron the truth but she couldn't get the words out. She feared Cameron would hate her. But the thing is... Cameron believed that Melissa was still alive and is waiting for her to make the move.
In the next few days, Eleanor and her research buddies will be doing a practice run of scuba diving but this time it will be something a bit different from their usual training of collecting specimen and data under the ocean or seawater. This time, they will focus on advanced rescue scuba diving. Thus, a special instructor was assigned to the team, they mentioned sometimes when you're on the ocean sailing, weather can change in a flash and what would you do if a colleague of yours was still down there when a storm is headed towards you? The practice will let the team member to do a practice run and wave simulator will also be added to make it more challenging.
Eleanor and her group were the first to do the practice run on the following day, as expected things were pretty challenging and different scenarios were added as well. After a long day of practicing, they were all tired to death. Luna couldn't handle it anymore and slept on Eleanor's shoulder while waiting for the bus. It was a long day indeed. She looked around in boredom and her eyes landed on a picture of Cameron Li, the CEO of Menghai.
"Why am I seeing him again?" She tried to look away but sometimes one might have to believe in fate.
Back in Menghai Company, Cameron had a tough day dealing with all sort of things. He didn't want to go back home, the place he called hell on earth. He sat down on the sofa and his breathing became abnormal. The rain outside made him remember the past, all the flash of images made his head hurt.
"Ah, it's raining again." Mai Ke looked at Cameron to make sure he was alright. Every time it rains, Cameron doesn't act like himself. When Cameron became the CEO, he told Mai Ke to hide his condition from everyone in the company including the media.
"If only Melissa was here..." Mai Ke quietly whispered and stayed with Cameron until he feels better.