A Mother's Return

Hours later, Myra found herself in an extremely perplexing situation wedged in between both men as they were seated in the cafe having dessert. Boys would be boys, she thought. What were they after by trying to compete with each other for her attention? She couldn't fathom what they were standing to gain, as none of them had admitted any feelings for her. In her mind, she thought they were just hating on each other, and this had nothing to do with her. Maybe Yu Bing didn't want her to like Yeong So because he felt insecure that Yeong So was young and handsome, she thought. So why had she became the 'prize' that they were battling for?

Yu Bing quickly texted his assistant, "Find out everything you can about Yeong So as soon as you can."

Myra checked the weather forecast for tonight as Yu Bing drove back home. Surely no foul weather tonight, that would lead to another..unexpected encounter between them.

At the Yus' residence, she was bewildered that her extremely busy father was having a casual conversation with the old Mr. Yu. They exchanged looks, and Yu Bing took her hand in his while they sat down on the sofa.

"It looks like he got your father to help with his problem," Yu Bing laughed, and she rolled her eyes.

"So am I still needed here?" she asked wittingly.

"Yes, to finish dinner," he said dryly. She cast him a quick glare, and he poked her in the side. He pinched her on the nose, and she yelled at him that it hurt.

"Ah, the lovebirds are arguing again," Mr. Yu chuckled.

"If only Little Myra was much older, then it would be a good time to get them engaged," Myra's father said. Upon hearing her father's words, she turned to Yu Bing, and frowned. She whispered, "See, your good idea."

"It worked, didn't it?"

"We were supposed to be just a pretend couple, but you appear to be giving hope to them," she remarked. "When we end our relationship, won't they be sad?"

"I'll think of something," he lied, and tightened his grip on her hand. She ignored how he was tightening his grip, and continued to observe the fathers talking.

"She will turn twenty-two soon though?" Mr. Yu asked.

"Yeah, in a few months."

"Why not we see how their relationship is after her birthday? Twenty-two is a good age. There's nothing wrong to get married early, anyway. I know many people whose sons get married really early, and they have happy families. They can always get engaged first, and decide later."

Myra couldn't hear what they had said, as the fathers had cleverly toned down their voices, but after that Auntie Yao emerged and informed Yu Bing's father that dinner was ready. She decided to have a heart-to-heart talk with her father that night, to understand his thoughts about Yu Bing.

"Daddy, what do you think of Yu Bing?" she asked inquisitively in her usual, little-princess tone she used with her father.

"In my mind, he's the best candidate for you, Myra," her father said. "Among the sea of people in Town S, there aren't many whom can compare with our wealth and status."

"Oh, yes, Daddy. But isn't it too early to be thinking about our relationship? We've only dated for two weeks." She had counted two weeks from the Bali trip.

"You never told me how you both started, my girl. You normally tell me everything, is it different now that you're with him?" her father teased.

She blushed and shielded her face with her hands. "Daddy, you're a bit mean! We started during my vacation with my girlfriends. He happened to stay at the same villa."

"But wasn't he upset about some celebrity some time ago?" her father interrogated.

"It was an one-sided crush from high school. She is about to get married now. Anyway, we're only dating, Daddy. It'll be a long time before I get married," she said in a bubbly tone. "How can I get married and leave you all alone?"

"Then it will be time for me to get another wife, once you're married," her father joked.

She pouted, and with duck lips, she said, "I don't want a new mother. Will my mother ever come back for me?"

Her father's expression changed to that of concern. "She abandoned you when you were so little. Why do you even hope that she will change her mind?"

"She's still my mom," Myra stated. "I just hope that someday, when I get married, she will turn up for my wedding."

Her father shrugged. "Nobody knows where she is, now. Isn't it good enough that you have me as both your mother and father?"

She giggled. "I want to hear you say that you love me the most in the world. Wait, I'll record it first."

......................

Yu Bing pondered over the results of the search on Yeong So that his assistant had just brought back to him. "23 years old, only son of wealthy merchant Yeong Mun-hee and wife Sandra Millers. Heir and largest shareholder to many companies including Yeong Communications, Yeong Capital Assets, Yeong Technologies and Yeong Fashion. Has a net worth estimated to be about 5 million."He covered his face in his palm in exasperation. Considering his net worth was estimated to be much lower than that of Yeong So, how could he even win in this competition?

"Young Master Ying, there's a lady here to see you," his secretary suddenly announced. He piped up in excitement, "Is Myra here?"

"No, Young Master. It's an older lady, by the name of Yun Shaoqi. She claims she knows you."

He had long heard of the name Yun Shaoqi, but she was a mysterious woman. He was piqued by the fact that she had gone missing from the corporate world, and now suddenly resurfaced. Did she have a hidden agenda or a secret to her reappearance?

"Set her up in the conference room now."

"Yes, sir."

Yu Bing straightened his suit and tie coolly, and headed to meet this peculiar woman, contemplating all the possible questions in his mind that he would like to query the woman. Little did he know, a revelation was about to happen.