When a Man Loves

"Let go of me!" An annoyed Talia demanded.

"Fine, fine; but slapping the daughter of the host because you don't like that she's dating the guy you like is really stupid. Don't you think? Why did you come if you knew they would be here together? You're only hurting yourself. Not smart." Carson reprimanded her.

"What's it to you? What I do is my business. And I came because it was invited. If you don't already know, let me remind you that I am now the third highest paid actress in Una City." Talia replied proudly.

"Ha-ha, you must have forgotten that you work for the Bai family. You're seriously signing your death certificate going up against two of the most prominent families in Una City. How stupid can you be?"

"So what? She took Alex from me! I've liked him since we were younger. His grandparents are fond of me. Why should I have to give up my happiness because of someone like her, who didn't work as hard as I did to be by his side? You know nothing Carson."

So what if they are fond of you and what if you've loved him since you were children? If Alex is contented, the person standing beside him does not matter. They're too old to worry about you being the one next to him. All they care about is that he married someone he loves. Don't you see how happy they are." Carson pointed to where the Madam Zi, Old Mr. Zi, Sasha Zi and her husband, Wan Bai and Zunnie stood chatting cheerfully; then continued;

"Love cannot be tamed. When two people love each other, you're an outsider, no matter who you are or even if you met and loved that person first. Don't try to go in and disrupt their relationship. You should move on and cheer for them."

Talia's eyes became teary as she watched the group Carson had pointed to. They truly did look like a perfect group. She lowered her head to hide her sad eyes then replied;

"Is that what you're doing? I'm sure you could make her just as happy. Why don't you try to steal her away, then Alex an I can be together? Urgh, she makes me so mad!"

Even though what Carson said did make sense, Talia wanted to cherish Alex and how he had made her feel special when everyone rejected her. Seeing him with someone other than her was a tough pill to swallow. She couldn't help wondering if she would be able to swallow that pill and watch him move on with Zunnie Bai.

Carson chuckled, "I don't think you really understand love, Talia. You're just obsessed with Alex because he's the only person who made you feel like you weren't invisible. You want that attention he gave you back then and it makes you furious that you can't go back to that time when it was just you and him playing in his backyard. When you see the person you love smile they way Zunnie does when she's with Alex, and when you see the way he looks down at her, you'll realize that nothing you do can pull them apart. Grow up and stop obsessing over someone you can't have. I'll love Zunnie always, and if one day fate opens a door for me, I'll give her my life."

A solemn Carson patted Talia on the shoulder then vanished into the crowd. Deep down he hoped she would understand that the bond which Zunnie and Alex shared, was unbreakable.

As he walked toward the exit, he regretted coming to the ball. If he had known that this was all Alex's idea to show the world the woman he had fallen in love with during high school, he would have gone to a bar and drink instead.

"Ha-ha, love is such a funny emotion. Makes you do crazy things but it also pushes you to do the right thing." Carson mumbled as he stepped outside and gazed up at the starry sky.

He walked back to his car, got in and drove back to the condo, he was renting at Lake-view Condos.

On the drive home he couldnt help thinking;

'If I ever meet her in another life, maybe I'll tell her how I really feel about her. I guess in this life, she wasn't mine to have. But I'll treasure my feelings for her somewhere deep in my heart. Some say it's painful to wait for someone. Other's say it's painful to forget someone. However, the worst paint comes when you don't know whether it's better to forget or wait.'