Power of Love

Jim was so ecstatic that he could not almost contain his joy. His smile was so wide that its ends reached out to both his ears.

Jia was also overjoyed to see him like that. Just a few hours ago, he was depressed. And now, his happiness was contagious.

"What will I do next? He laughed.

"Sir Wayne, make a silent wish and blow the candle," one of the singers said, emphasizing the word "silent."

"Okay, okay. May this pretty woman by my side will soon fall in love with me," he announced loudly, making the audience burst into laughter.

They were both thrilled and confused. Soon in love with him? Weren't they pecking like lovebirds just now? Didn't that pretty woman just confess her love and gratitude?

Jia was flattered but apprehended. What was Jim saying? Was he just pretending to please the crowd? She suddenly did not know whether to laugh or smile in front of the crowd. She had always admired him for his display of elegance even in speaking. But he's acting like a  stupid clown right now!

"Hahaha! Miss Wayne is blushing, Mr. Wayne," the speaker commented, amused at her reaction.

Jia blushed even more. She looked down and silently cursed this man in front of him for embarrassing her. 

Jim suddenly laughed and gathered her in his arms. "Let her be. She gets prettier when she blushes!"

The crowd screeched to thrilling laughter as they chorused in unison, "Ayeeee! "

Jia composed herself, took a deep breath, and gathered her wits. She might as well ride the tide!

She grabbed the microphone from the singer and said, "I have always loved this handsome man secretly. Poor thing he doesn't know it."

Jia smiled calmly after speaking as if she was telling the truth, but the crowd giggled loudly. She squinted her eyes, wondering why. Little did she know that Jim's surprised reaction triggered the amused outburst from the audience.

She said, "handsome" because he also said "pretty" a while ago. Then she turned to him and hugged him tightly. After a while, she held his hand and dragged him out of the stage. She could not contain those teasing eyes anymore!

Back in their seat, the speaker closed the event with a short speech, but he suddenly complained!

"Mr. Singer, you said, 'five songs,' but it's only four. And it is so unfair. You did not even allow me to watch admirer as she sang!"

"Miss Wayne?" The singer looked at her, asking for her response.

"I'll sing for him in the bedroom later," Jia answered to dismiss them.

She's already uncomfortable with their "Miss Wayne!" She was sure she wrote her name "Jia" on the booking sheet.

"No! The sixth and so forth will be in the bedroom, but the fifth will be now."

The audience laughed again. "Go, Miss Wayne!"

She knew it would be pointless to argue, so she stood up and went to the stage.

"What song would you want me to sing, Mr. Wayne? "

Before Jim could think of a song, somebody from the audience yelled,

"Power Of Love!" And soon, the crowd joined in unison, "Power of Love, Miss Wayne!"

She felt she could die instantly. The song had several high notes in it! But the music began to play, sending chills in the air and piercing through the thrilled hearts of the crowd. So, she could no longer do something else than start the first line, "Whispers in the morning... "

The crowd broke into hysteria and another wave of excitement. But Jia got lost in the rhythm, and soon their cheers became part of the accompaniment.

"'Cause I'm your lady! And you are my man..."

She looked into his eyes as they met hers. And it entwined long enough to make his heart flutter before she closed her eyes. Then, when she stretched out an arm gracefully to emphasize a line, he was almost tempted to run and grab her into his arm. She just sang so beautifully!

The crowd fell silent until the last echo of the music ended. When they realized that she had already stopped when she made a bow, they all shouted, "More! "

"Thank you for making me so happy, Miss Wayne! " Jim said as he hugged her once more as soon as Jia returned to her seat. "But let's get out of here soon, or else somebody might bring over here a contract proposal!"

"Silly!"

"You really sing so beautifully that my eyes dried out from resisting to make a blink! You surprised me, Jia!"

"You flattered me, Mr. Wayne. Thank you." 

Jim held her hand as he led her back to their room. He was too afraid she might stumble in the dim-lighted paths. His smile still did not end; too overwhelmed by the surprise Jia gave a while ago.

"Jia, may I ask something. I'm really happy about it, but did you mean it?"

"What do you mean?"

"When you said you loved me... " He cut it right there and looked into her eyes.

"Jim, you were just acting, right?" she asked, afraid to embarrass herself.

"I'm not. I am really not. Jia, can't you see me? Can't you feel me?"

He paused and stood in front of her, wanting to see her reaction fully.

"I have loved you long ago already! Not just tonight."

She got teary-eyed. How could she ever deserve the affection of this man? She was heavy with a baby from another man. She came from almost nothing. And they stood separated with the distance of heaven and earth!

"I do not deserve you, Jim. Another man sullies me, and our distance is so wide. I am just a servant that you have clothed with dignity. "

Perhaps because pregnant women tend to be emotional, she could not gather the strength to hold back herself from crying her heart out!

"Don't ever say that word again! I have never slapped a woman yet, and if you ever bring it back again, I might as well slap you to death!"  His voice was hard, but his eyes were full of pity for her.

She sobbed even louder. She could not believe yet that things had turned out well for her. And now this man confessed his love for her?

"Stop that. It's not good for the baby."

Jia's phone rang and was brought back to reality. It was Jim.

"Jim?" Jia's voice cracked, and she realized she might sound obvious, so she tried concealing it by laughing.

"How are you? You're crying?"

"Yes."

"Why? Is there a problem? I will go home in a few minutes!"

"No, I'm fine. I had just recalled that night when you told me that....that you love me. "

Jim was flattered, and he smiled. "Then, do you really have to cry? Silly girl!"

"I missed you!" 

"Don't make me try to escape from our ongoing surgery!"