Chapter 1: Benedict Lui (1)

'I have been chasing some dream all this while. I cannot think of any thing anymore. Lucia.. Where are you? Have you really left me? Have you forgotten our promises back then? Lucia...'

Florence Residences

Room 201

3rd Floor

Rocking his chair softly while gazing out in his window, Benedict's eyes are flowing with tears. He tried to wipe it but it was a failed attempt. He placed his hands on his stomach with a book on it. He was a lonely sight to view. A man, with longing in his eyes and heart.

The door opens.

"Master, its time for your therapy."

Benedict's gaze was shifted to the voice from his back and nodded.

With a trace of tears from his eyes, Benjamin wiped it with his handkerchief with a pity within his heart for his master. He looked at him with no expression at all written in his face. Probably, he remembered again.

Benjamin, lifted his master to transfer to his wheelchair.

He pushed the wheelchair out in the room and headed to the elevator.

Benedict just blankly stared as he was serviced by his butler.

A moment's while, they headed to the car waiting for them at the entrance of the building.

Benjamin, signaled the driver. He opened the door and carefully lifted his master to the backseat of the car and buckled his seat-belt up.

"Okay, let's go." Benjamin referring to the driver and headed his seat at the front.

Benedict's eyes are blank as they headed to the hospital for his physical therapy.

It has been 2 years since he got into an accident that robbed his vitality.

Back in the days that they were happy. Back in the days with his love of his life, Lucia.

The man on his mid-thirties pushed his arms up and down as he followed his instructor.

" Okay, then stretch your legs in 1, 2, 3.."

"Ughhh.." a grunt is what he did.

"Okay, Benedict.. Come on.. Cooperate with me." said the man while massaging his legs.

He only looked at him as if he did not hear any thing.

He tried to stretch his legs but all he could feel is pain. He tried once more but not a single muscle moved.

The instructor sighed.

He called Benjamin over.

"What is it about Jeffrey?"

"This is no good. He's been on therapy for a year now but he showed no signs of improvement in his legs. I doubt if he could walk again. The way he is now is far from recuperating. " Jeffrey said.

"Is that so?" asked Benjamin.

"I can't continue this anymore.. The more likely it is, it is hard to say if he could walk again." added Jeffrey.

Benjamin sighed.

"I'm sorry, I can't do this anymore. I can't guarantee if he will ever walk again." said Jeffrey with his right hand in his back and walked to and forth in front of Benjamin.

"It's okay. I will tell Master this." and Benjamin walked out in the office and headed where Benedict is.

After talking to Benjamin about it. "Thank you Jeff, this means alot to me and to master."

"It's my job afterall, its just that it's not a successful." replied Jeff. He's so frustrated that Benedict was unable to walk but he consoled himself by saying he cannot do everything and make everything work.

They headed back to the residence.

They stayed at Florence residences for a while now but it seemed like it had just been yesterday.

Benjamin finished packing Benedict's clothes as his master rolled his wheel towards him.

"Is there anything you need Master?" asked him.

"Flowers. Get me flowers." said the man on the wheelchair on his raspy voice.

"Is there anything else Master?" asked Benjamin.

Benedict just shook his head and rolled away from the bedroom.

"Okay Master." said Benjamin and continued his work.

He know what Benedict meant.

White lily was her favorite flower.

Benjamin ordered a bouquet of it and gave it to him.

Benedict took the flowers and put it in his lap and rolled towards the cemetery as his butler and driver waited outside and watched his lonely back from afar.

He stopped at a certain grave.

"Time passes by and so do we.. In loving memory of Lucia Merez Lui.." was written in the epitaph.

He touched the cold stone and the name on it with sorrow in his eyes.

He missed his wife so much. She was his life and light but who could imagine that it was like a snap of fingers, she was gone.

"It's been so long." uttered he. "I need to get back on my feet and start again but my love for you will always be there. I love you." He shed tears as he was saying this. His voice is firm and resolute. He will be making his life anew and Lucia will be his inspiration.

He laid down the flowers, kissed his fingers and pressed it towards the name in it.

He rolled his wheelchair back at the path and headed to the car waiting outside for him.

Benjamin saw a silhouette of his master heading towards his direction and immediately opened the door. Benjamin lifted him and placed carefully inside.

"Let's go." Benedict said.

The car drove towards the airport. It's time for them to head back and pick up the pace.