Today is the final test of rescue diving, Eleanor and her colleagues got their equipment ready and they cheered for each other. Even though rescue diving is different from their usual scuba diving but sometimes you will need it.
Eleanor watched each group doing their best, she was proud to be working with them. During her first year, she had many challenges but as time goes on, she improved her skills and was more confident in her work. Everyone told her she will become an amazing marine biologist researcher one day. Eleanor didn't even know how to swim when she first arrived in scuba diving class. Everyone else was ahead of her. She knew what she had to do in order to improve herself. Right now, she looked back and never regretted. She became one of best scuba diver in her workplace.
After an hour, it was finally Eleanor's group's turn. They all got ready and one of their team mate will jump into the deep-end without equipment and grab the toy rings from the bottom. The wave simulator started as well from small waves to big waves. Eleanor will be the one doing the rescue, after seeing her team mate struggling in the deep-end, she threw a floatation device first to her teammate but he was unable to get the floatation device, then she jumped feet first with her floatation device and swam to her teammate from behind. She calmed him down and naturally she was able to rescue her teammate from the waves.
After they were done with the test, all of them were quite happy with their result. Eleanor and her group of friends went to a nearby restaurant to celebrate their hard-work. Eleanor had to buy some stuff so she asked her friends to go in first. Eleanor was looking through her phone so she didn't notice who was in front of her...to her surprise, it was her friend, Lan Tian who came back from the USA to pay her a visit.
"Lan Tian, you're back?! I thought you needed to complete your thesis but I didn't expect you to come so early." Lan Tian looked disappointed, "Hm.. so you didn't want me to come back and see your beautiful face again?" Eleanor shook her head, "I'm happy! Very, very, very happy. Oh, actually I'm meeting my friends at this restaurant, do you want to join us?" Lan Tian agreed.
Eleanor's colleagues all stared at her and Lan Tian, they couldn't believe their eyes. Luna's eyes widened in shock, "Eleanor... you... you... you're dating him?!" Eleanor was confused, "No, he's my friend. A very good friend." Luna looked at Eleanor with her puppy eyes, "You're so lucky, he's our idol in our research facility. He will be our professor from now on. He will also be guiding us throughout our research process. Didn't you hear Professor Min will be retiring soon? Dr. Lan Tian used to be one of his best student." Others nodded as well. Eleanor was the one who's left in the dark right now. She was in disbelief, "How did you guys know?" Luna laughed, "You're not into gossip, are you?" Eleanor nodded and smiled after listening to their story. She looked back at Lan Tian who was looking at her. Eleanor awkwardly asked Lan Tian if he wanted something to drink, he looked at Eleanor with amusement, "You've grown a lot and became more prettier." Eleanor shyly looked away and sipped on her hot cappuccino.
Luna and the others were discussing other things with Lan Tian, Eleanor looked out of the window and thought about Cameron. Ever since seeing Cameron on TV, she was happy for him that he finally liked another girl beside her but one thing was on her mind, she really need to gather the courage to tell him about the truth. She didn't die, she's living well. In her heart, she regretted her decision but ever since he moved away to Shanghai, she didn't even know his address nor his phone number. Right now, she already knew his phone number and his office address. She thought about whether to call him or not. But, she decided not to since it was already quite late.
The next day, Dr. Lan Tian introduced himself to everyone. He will be supervising with Professor Xu. Everyone clapped and cheered for him. Eleanor smiled at him and gave him a thumbs up.
Later in the day, they discussed about the special presentation that will be happening in just two weeks. They were required to do special research on the topic they were assigned. Eleanor and her group will be leaving for Bali first then the rest will follow.
Lan Tian asked Eleanor to stay behind after her colleagues left, she told Luna to go back first and she'll be back soon. Eleanor helped Lan Tian by clearing up the meeting room and they went into his office. Lan Tian asked Eleanor to sit on the sofa while he poured some warm water for her. Eleanor thanked him and they talked about many things such as herself and his studies in the USA. Lan Tian sat beside Eleanor and looked at her, "I always wanted to ask you, why did you change your name to Eleanor?" Eleanor looked away, "I... wanted to forget that name, it reminded me about the painful times back in our hometown, Hangzhou. " Lan Tian nodded and asked her another question, "Is it because of that guy you used to see?" Eleanor shook her head, "It wasn't his fault. It was all my fault. I should've told him about the truth that I didn't die. It's just... I didn't have the courage especially when his mother threatened me not once but many times. But, the truth is... I really wanted to tell him. I was holding back because he had a lot of issues to deal with, I didn't want to burden him with my news. Throughout the years, I never knew how he was doing until recently. I'm so foolish...I should've followed his news from long time ago." Eleanor laughed a bit, "But I'm happy that he's doing well." Lan Tian sat a bit closer to Eleanor and whispered to her, "Eleanor, I... can make you happy. That's why I came back just for you. I... like you. It doesn't matter if you're Eleanor or Melissa, I just hope you don't have to carry these burden all by yourself. If you need someone to lean on, you have me. I can help." Eleanor looked at Lan Tian while trying not to cry but her throat was in pain and her eyes became teary, "Lan Tian, I---" Lan Tian gently kissed her lips, "I'll be gentle." Eleanor wanted to resist but Lan Tian wouldn't let her.
After a while, Lan Tian gently laid down Eleanor on the sofa, "Eleanor, I love just the way you are. You don't have to change for me. It's okay for you to cry." Lan Tian gently kissed her on the forehead.
The kiss was filled with pain and heartache, her tears were streaking down while they kissed. Lan Tian embraced her and gently kissed her neck, "Eleanor... be my girlfriend. I know you still like him but can you give me a chance? I will break up with you when you made up your mind later on. For now... be my girlfriend." Eleanor knew her own heart and what she wanted.
"Lan Tian, I can be your girlfriend but my heart belongs to Cameron. Will that be okay?" Lan Tian nodded, "That doesn't matter..."
The feeling of love wasn't there. It was sadness, grief and heartache. Lan Tian and Eleanor's breathing became faster than before. They both embraced each other and kissed.