Catch Me If You Can

To everyone's surprise, when the Young Master was born, he was named a Co and not a Wan. Everyone had a hunch, but not one soul dared to speak a word.

Nevertheless, Admiral Wan warmly welcomed the tiny baby in his arms. He showered the little boy with paternal love and taught him life lessons whenever he had the chance.

Four years after the birth of Lucas, Madam Wan received news of her lover's death on the battlefield which pushed her to depression. Admiral Wan became the source of strength for the grieving "widow."

Eventually, Madam Wan softened up to her husband, and later on, the gentle Giant was born.

But a person's heart is never trustworthy. No matter how much time has passed and whatever you do in the name of love, the heart cannot forget and still yearns for the same person. Sometimes, a person could only fall in love once and even in 'death do us part', the heart is simply incapable of letting another one inside.

Admiral and Madam Wan both came from prominent families on the western side of the country. The Wan Family has a long lineage of men serving in the military. Meanwhile, the Co Family were known initially as tea merchants who then turned into real estate moguls. The arranged marriage between families was to strengthen both family's footholds in the economy. 

The truth is, Admiral Wan secretly harbored feelings for his beautiful wife way before their arranged union, but he knew that her heart already belonged to someone else.

This is the reason why Madam Wan respected her husband. She knew about his feelings for her, and she did try her best to reciprocate his feelings, yet it was hard for her to let go of the past. The best she could give him was to serve him, meet his needs and raise their boys well.

The two boys grew up in a home filled with warmth and sunshine, yet both turned out to be polar opposites.

The Young Master was a quiet and shy boy who looked like he always walked on tippy-toes - afraid to make the slightest disturbance; he was akin to a wallflower. 

The Second Young Master, on the other hand, was the total opposite of his brother. He was loud and full of confidence; he was the life of the party.

Back to the present, Admiral Wan sat on his designated chair at the end of the long table. To his left sat his beautiful wife, and to his right sat the Co Matriarch.

Lucas was sandwiched between his mother and Grant.

The head of the household was in good spirits. He beamed with pride and joy at the sight of his sons. "Dig in," he commanded. And one by one, the family ate in comfortable silence. They nodded their heads with each bite for Madam Wan's cooking deserves a Michelin star.

When dinner was over, Grant assisted Matriarch Co to the pocket garden right outside the dining area. A set of tea was served as they watched the school of koi swim in the pond. 

"Please grant this old lady's wish and come back to the company as soon as you are finished with your military academy stunt," Matriarch Co said as she shakily put the teacup down on the saucer.

Lucas eyed his parents before he replied yes to his grandma. Matriarch Co nodded her head; this grandson of hers would never disappoint her. How she wished the younger brother would grow up just like him too.

Once their grandma left, Admiral Wan called Lucas to the study room. It took a while before the father and son finished their private discussion.

Grant stuck his ears on the door, trying to hear a piece of what his father and brother were talking about, but he could only hear the sound of muffled voices inside the room. 

He squinted his eyes and planted his hands on the door when all of a sudden, Admiral Wan pulled the door open that left Grant tumbling on the floor.

Across the hallway, Madam Wan held a tray that had four tall glasses of warm milk and when she saw her youngest son sprawled across the floor, she said, "Darling, stop snooping around, okay? Now get up, the floor is dirty." Everyone started laughing.

Madam Wan's heartstrings were strummed to the music of the father and sons' laughter. A tiny droplet of happiness pooled in the corner of her eyes. 

The family of four then went inside the master bedroom, where the brothers gulped down their milk and jumped on the bed to snuggle with their mother.

Madam Wan caressed the ears of her boys, their breathing now synchronized. The bathroom door opened and revealed the gentle side of their father; free from his uniform, free from the weight of his duties.

"Ok, boys. Time to hit the sack. Off you go."

"Sir, yes. Sir!" the brothers said in unison. Lucas stood on the floor while Grant decided to stand on the bed as both gave their father a salute.

Admiral Wan playfully whipped Grant's bottom with his white washcloth and the latter hopped off the bed in an instant and wiggled his butt to his dad. 

"Catch-me-if-you-can, Admiral Wan!" he taunted his father, which only earned him another whip, this time, stronger and painful.

The brothers filed out of the master bedroom, but before the door closed, Grant popped his head back and said, "Goodnight, mom! Goodnight, dad!"

"Goodnight, Grant."

Edited by Swaning