''Who is this man?''

''Huh?'' Niania lifted her eyes and looked at the picture in his hand.

​​

''Oh, that is brother Henry''

''Brother Henry again?'' he clearly remembered he heard the name that night when she received the call from her parents.

''He is called brother Henry'' Niania said innocently. She had no idea that the man standing in front of her loathed the way she mentioned another man's name in his presence.

''Brother Henry, is he your brother?'' Thomas asked impatiently.

''We grew up together''

''I asked if he is your brother? Did your mother give birth to him? I thought you were the only child of your parents?''

''No, he… we grew up in the same neighbourhood. He used to take care of me a lot when I was in high school. He is older than me so I call him brother Henry''

''Do you call every man that is older than you brother?''

''No''

''Then, why do you call him brother when you don't share the same parents? He is simply a neighbourhood boy''

''We grew up together and he is older than me…'' Niania stopped talking when she saw the stern gaze directed at her.

''Then, why do you call me Mr. Sun? Am I not older than you? Am I not a man?''

''But… you are very old and…''

''Very old? Do you see me as an elder then?''

''No, even though you are old, you still look young. In fact, you are still very young…'' Niania sighed and gave up saying, ''my ancestor, what do you want me to say? Anything I say right now will make you angry. I really don't know what to say right now''

''This man… do you like him?''

''Yes, I like him. He is like family to me''

''That is not what I mean. I mean, do you like him as a man?''

''What? No. That will be so gross. He and I are just close friends. We grew up together and he has helped me a lot but I don't like him like that. I have a lot of baggage and don't have the luxury to fall in love with anyone right now''

''This man, has he ever confessed to you?''

''Mr. Sun, why are you asking me this?''

''Answer me''

''No. He has not confessed to me and I doubt he will even do that. He sees me as his sister''

''Did he say to that you or are you the one assuming it?''

Niania became quiet. She turned and poured the broccoli into a bowl.

''Be careful with him. He likes you''

''Huh?'' Niania turned to look at him.

''This man likes you and… also, don't call me Mr. Sun when we are together alone. Call me Thomas''

Niania's heart started beating faster. She placed the napkin in her hand on the table and said to him, ''I am going to the washroom first''

Thomas turned to look at her as she hurried into the bathroom.

Niania leaned against the door after closing it. She touched her beating heart and murmured.

''What was that all about? What is wrong with him? He keeps confusing me with his actions''

Niania washed her face and cleaned herself. She took a few deep breaths before opening the door to leave.

Niania saw Thomas back at the hall watching TV and she relaxed. She hurried to the kitchen and started cooking. She wanted to hurry up so that Thomas will eat and leave. Having him around her was making her wild thoughts.

He just wanted a few meals from her and nothing else. Niania didn't want to give herself hopes. They were different.

Too different and she was definitely not his type.

After serving the food, Niania called Thomas over and he sat across her. She served him and they both started eating.

None spoke to the other. They ate silently. Thomas ate a lot more than she did. It made her happy that he appreciated what she did.

''I will take my leave now. It's late, you should rest'' Thomas said as he changed into his shoes.

''Mm, you too, Mr. Sun. drive him safely''

Thomas looked at her and smiled for the first time. ''The food was good. Thank you''

Niania smiled, feeling a lot better and relaxed. First she was a little tensed up because of the silence. But now that he was smiling at her, she couldn't help but smile back.

''You are welcome. When you are ready for the next meal, you can call me''

''When do you have a leave?''

''Next week Tuesday, that's four days away from now. I don't usually work on Tuesdays''

''Then, I will see you on Tuesday. Gu Nian, don't put what I said to heart. I didn't mean to snap on you''

Niania was surprised to hear him apologise for his actions but it warmed her heart. She had thought that he was the type that was difficult to deal with and would always want to have his way but hearing him apologise just made her happy.

''Don't worry, I won't put it to heart. I will also be careful with Brother… no, I mean Henry'' Niania corrected herself in time.

Thomas smiled and nodded his head before going out. Niania followed him out and waited by her veranda until he drove away before she went back inside.

Niania locked the door and turned to look at her apartment. It still had the smell of Thomas Sun in it. Niania smiled and went to wash the dishes.

….

Alice ran out of the bathroom to the ringing phone. She answered it immediately.

''Zeya, what's up?''

''Alice, I am going to meet Sebastian's parents tonight. What do I do? I am so nervous''

''Why are you nervous?'' Alice chuckled. She picked the hair blower and connected it and sat in front of the mirror. She heard the door opened and she turned and saw Josh entering.

''Relax Zeya. You are going to meet the chairman and his wife. It's not like you are going to meet your future mother and father in law'' Alice said and laughed. Josh took the dryer from her hand and started drying her hair as she made the call.

''Stop messing with me, Alice. Lord knows how nervous I am right now. Sebastian will come to pick me anytime soon. I don't even know what to wear''

''Zeya, you are on top of your game when it comes to dressing up. But, I advise that you shouldn't wear anything short and don't wear a trouser either. Who knows they might just turn out to be your mother and father in law in the future. You need to dress well so that they will accept you if not, your romance with Sebastian is going to meet a lot of roadblocks''

''Hey! I told you to stop messing with me. I don't have time to listen to you, I'm hanging up''

''Wait! Don't hung up yet. Did you buy a gift?''

''My ancestor, they are rich. What would they possibly need?''

''That is where you are wrong. Listen to me, when Sebastian comes to pick you let him send you to the company first. Go to my waiting room and check in one of the shelves. You will find a special wine there. Take that to them. let me tell you, it wasn't easy for me to get my hands on this wine. My boyfriend specially got it for me and I am giving it to you. You don't have to thank me, send the money to my account later on''

''Cheapskate. I will do that. Alice, thank you''

''Oh, say hi to your future mother and father in law for me''

''I take back my words, bye'' Zeya hung up and Alice laughed. She turned to look at Josh.

''Zeya is so adorable. I can't get enough of teasing her''

''Naughty girl. Let's get you ready for bed''

''I still have to study my script. Will you help me?''

''Sure, anything for you''

Alice smiled, ''thanks a lot Josh. For coming into my life''

''Thanks Alice, for waiting for me to come into your life''

''That sounded so cheesy, right?''

''Right''

They both laughed.

….

Zeya looked at the two dresses laying on the bed and made up her mind.

''I'm going wine tonight'' she said and picked the wine belted shoulder dress and went in to change. She had already gotten her makeup and hair done.

She soon emerged out of the room to hall in the wine dress and paired it with strapless heels and a special AGATHA Necklace she bought earlier on. Since she was going to be their brand ambassador, she didn't want to disappoint them.

Zeya picked her porched bag and heard the doorbell ringing. She calmed herself and went to open the door.

Sebastian's eyes flickered when he saw her. he had to admit, she looked really beautiful in the dress.

''Hi''

''Ready?'' Sebastian asked as he looked away.

''Mm''

''Let's go then. My parents are on their way to the restaurant''

''Mm, Sebastian. I want us to pass somewhere, I have a gift to give to your parents''

''Alright'' Sebastian waited for her to lock the door before they went to the car together. He opened the door for her to get in before he went over to the driver's seat.