''Ana, Yu junior bastard just said this wasn't the first time. When did the first one happen and how come you didn't tell me about it?'' Jessy seemed more interested in what happened than Ana's words.
''It happened the first time we met. It isn't something to be proud of, why would I tell you?''
''Whoa! Ana, at this rate you are going to have a lot of history with Yu junior bastard than the elder one.''
''I don't want to hear it. Let's go.'' Ana said and heard her name when she turned.
''Miss Lee, wait!'' Lin Shen walked to them with the phone.
''Mr. Yu chased after us for…?'' Jessy asked and Ana pinched her wrist.
Lin Shen chuckled. He found Jessy interesting. ''Here, you dropped your phone at the aquarium.'' Lin Shen stretched his hand to give it to her.
Ana took the phone careful not to touch his hands. She looked at the phone and said, ''thank you!''
''You received a couple of messages, you might want to check them. They seemed important.''
''Did you go through my phone?''
''I don't have that free time. It just came and I happened to see it but I didn't read them!'' Lin Shen said and walked away.
''Check your messages, Ana. He said you received an important message."
Ana opened her messages and saw a bunch of them, ''they are so many. I got messages from Francis, my father, Vivian and the little witch.''
''Check your father's message first.''
''Mm!'' Ana opened her father's message and frowned.
''What does it say?''
Ana turned the phone so Jessy could read. After reading Jessy asked, ''he wants you to come and see him at the office? Right now?'' Jessy looked at her wrist watch.
''Mm. Let me check Francis' message.'' Ana said and clicked on Francis message.
''My stepmother and Shanshan were at the company with two board of directors.''
''Is that what Francis said?''
''Yes.''
''Ana, I think you should go to the company. What if that witch and her children go there to put pressure on your father?''
''I will call my father first.'' Ana said and dialed her father's number.
''Father, I just saw your messages. Okay, I will be there right away.'' Ana said and hung up.
''What did he say?''
''They are having dinner at Rax and he wants me to join them.''
''Who are them?''
''I don't know. I will have to go and see for myself. Can you drive me there and take the car home?''
''Okay, let's go.''
Ana and Jessy hurried to their car and got in. After driving off, Lin Shen walked to his car and looked at them. His phone rang and he answered it.
''Elder brother, what is it? You and mom? Okay, I am on my way.'' Lin Shen hung up and got into his car.
….
Rax Restaurant.
Ana got out of the car and waved at Jessy before going on. She adjusted her bag over her shoulder as she walked inside.
After going in, Lin Shen also arrived and got down from his car. He handed the keys over to the valet and went inside. He didn't change his shirt.
Ana arrived at the said room and took in a few deep breaths. She opened the door and stepped inside.
The private eating area looked lively as the people inside chatted. Ana scanned the area. She could recognize the married couple seated with her father and stepmother. There was also a man seated by the woman. Ana vaguely remembered him. He was also in the entertainment business and had his own agency. His name was Richard Hough.
''Ana is here…'' Mrs. Lee said enthusiastically, making Ana feel goosebumps all over her body.
''Ana, come and join us. We were waiting for you.'' Mr. Guhan said and Ana walked over.
Ana saw an empty seat by Richard and went to sit on it. She placed her bag behind her and bowed respectfully.
''Ana has become so beautiful. Ana, the last time we met, you were still in high school. Look at you, all grown and so beautiful.'' Mrs. Hough said.
''Yes, Ana has really grown. She will be thirty in a few months. This girl has been so focused on her career that she barely gives herself time to play around or meet new people. As her mother, I am quite worried about this.'' Mrs. Lee said.
Ana smirked and looked at her. She wasn't surprised at all at the behavior of Mrs. Lee. This is the kind of person she was. In front of the public, she would act as if she had accepted Ana but in private, they all knew she loathed her.
But Ana was used to it.
''Big sister, do you remember brother Richard? He was your senior at high school.'' Shanshan asked, acting like a loving younger sister in front of Mr. and Mrs. Hough.
''I remember him!'' Ana said and turned to meet Richard's penetrating gaze.
''Hi, Ana. It's been a while.'' Richard said in a gentle tone.
''Hi, Senior!'' Ana replied politely but distantly.
''Let's eat as we chat. The food will get cold'' Mr. Lee said as he looked at Ana.
Ana picked her chopsticks while everyone used cutlery. Richard found this interesting and asked.
''Ana, why are you using chopsticks?''
''Ana doesn't like using cutlery because…''
Mrs. Lee pinched Shanshan when the latter started speaking. Shanshan became quiet and gave an apologetic smile.
''I am more accustomed to using chopsticks. I hope it doesn't bother you?'' Ana asked back.
''No, not at all. You are free to eat with chopsticks. Eating with cutlery is a western culture anyway.'' Richard said.
Ana nodded her head and continued to eat her food silently she suddenly saw someone's hand stretching over to her plate. Ana looked up and saw Mrs. Lee picking broccoli for her.
''Ana, eat more broccoli, it is good for women getting to thirty.'' Gloria said as she stretched her hand towards Ana's plate.
''Aunt, I don't eat broccoli.'' Ana said and the smile on Mrs. Lee's face disappeared and she stiffened.
''You don't eat broccoli? Ana, you shouldn't be picky with food.'' Mrs. Lee said.