I Still… – Chapter 28

After meeting with Raymond again, Xiao You managed to get a good sleep at night.

At least, for once, she didn’t feel as troubled as she felt she gets to de-stress a little thru Raymond.

Chatting, reconnecting and laughing with Raymond makes her feel better.

She has been crying, or at least, shed some tears every single night for the past 10 weeks since she had separated from Xi Men before she gets to fall asleep.

So, it is a good thing to be able to break from the routine.

Butler Pan realized that Xiao You’s mood today is slightly better than any other days in the past 10 weeks, so he is glad she didn’t look as moody.

And the other good thing is, Xi Men brought Emily out for dinner last night, and when he sends her home, Xiao You was showering so she didn’t get to see him.

Since she didn’t see him last night, her good mood isn’t affected.

If she saw him last night, there is a likelihood what she is feeling now or last night will be replaced by sadness; the emotion that she had been familiar with for the last 10 weeks.

“Good morning mommy,”

Xiao You turned her head to look at Emily heading towards her and then sits down in front of her at the dining table. “Good morning sweetie,” she smiled.

Cough.

Xiao You’s smile fades, “Sweetie, why are you coughing?”

“Nothing, mommy,” Emily immediately said.

Xiao You looked at her, “Are you sure?”

Li (the maid) puts down a glass of orange juice in front of Emily.

“Yes, mommy, I am okay,” Emily smiled, reaching for her orange juice. “I just needed some water,”

Xiao You smiled back, “Okay,”

Emily then pressed her lips together.

If Xiao You knew what happened, she (Emily) will get scolded…

**********

Xiao You looked at the document in hand with her eyes slightly widened.

Katie, who is sitting on the chair in front of Xiao You, looked at her. “Is there a problem, Xiao You?”

Xiao You then smiled. “No, I am just a little surprised with the number of students signing up for this class,”

Katie smiled, because it is a good number.

“But that’s good,” Xiao You smiled.

“Yeah,” Katie said. “You know, you look good today,”

Xiao You looked at Katie. “Hmmm?”

“Yeah, you look… happier… or maybe I should say, not moody today,” Katie said.

“Oh,” Xiao You said, smiling briefly.

“So… it is a break that you needed yesterday,” Katie smiled.

“It is a good break. I went to Taipei 101, wanting to see some things since I am not in a good mood… and then I stumbled onto a friend. We studied together in the University,” Xiao You smiled. “Talking to him helps me feel better,”

“Ah, it is a ‘he’,” Katie said. “Must be a nice guy,”

“Yes, he is,” Xiao You smiled. “It is a nice catch up and we talked a lot. I have not had such a great conversation for a while now,”

“That’s nice,”

“Yes, at least, I don’t feel so depressed. I needed it. I really needed it to break away from my routine,”

Routine of moodiness and sadness?

Katie smiled. “I am glad you get that, Xiao You,”

“If only it is permanent,” Xiao You then sighed.

“You know you can make it permanent,” Katie winked at her.

Seeing the wink and grin on Katie’s face, Xiao You understood, and then, she laughed. “Don’t you even think about it. He is just a friend and we are impossible,”

“Oh, come on…”

“And just so you want to know, I am still married to Xi Men,” Xiao You said.

“Ah,” Katie then scratched her head. “You are right. And nobody knows about ‘it’ yet,”

“Even if everyone knows about Xi Men and me, Raymond is just a friend,”

“Ah, his name is Raymond,” Katie smiled.

“Yes, and yes, you need to know his name. Because if he comes over to my studio, you know he is my friend,” Xiao You said.

“You mean he will come to the studio?” Katie asked, in surprised.

“I am saying if. He has my business card and you know the directions on how to come to the studio is written at the back of the card,” Xiao You said. “I told him he can come and look for me if he wants to,”

“Ooh!”

“Hey,”

Katie laughed. “Just teasing you,”

“I know,” she said, smiling. “It is great to meet and reconnect with an old friend,”

“I like to see you smile like this,” Katie smiled.

Xiao You just remained smiling.

Katie’s smile fades slightly, and then she looked at Xiao You, after some thoughts came into her mind.

Today… Xiao You is smiling the most, of all days since her separation.

And… at the mentioning of her separation from Xi Men… she does not look affected at all.

Usually, she might look moody or sad, but… she looked pretty casual about it today.

As though it had entirely dwelled in her.

Maybe… it has something to do with Raymond’s appearance?

“That Raymond guy is definitely an awesome guy,” Katie suddenly said.

“Hmmm? Why do you say that all of a sudden?” Xiao You asked.

“To make you so happy,” Katie smiled.

“Katie, it is not like that. He is just a long lost friend, and I am happy to meet him again,” Xiao You said. “And he is here for work. He will leave when his work has finished,”

“Well, then…”

“Before I forget, I want to ask you something,” Xiao You immediately interrupts.

“Hmmm?”

“Do you want to watch Phantom of The Opera?” Xiao You asked.

“I want to. But cheaper tickets within the first 2 weeks are sold out,” Katie sighed. “Maybe I’ll wait to watch it later, until I know when I am free to do that,”

“Raymond can get you tickets, you just need to tell me which show you want to go. He’ll get it for you. But don’t you ask for too many tickets,”

Katie’s eyes brightened up as she looked at Xiao You. “WHAT?!”

Xiao You looked at Katie. “Hmm?”

“Raymond can get us tickets to the musical, and just any show?” Katie asked in surprised.

“Yes. They are expensive seats. You just need to tell in advance,”

“Oh,” her surprise dies down immediately.

Xiao You frowned. “I thought you wanna go?”

“I wasn’t expecting expensive seats. I thought he could get me cheaper ones. I don’t intend to splurge so much for tickets,” Katie said.

“He will get it for you for free,”

“FREE?!” Katie’s eyes widened up again.

“Yes,”

“Just any number of tickets?”

“No, just small number. Less than 10,” Xiao You pointed at Katie. “And I am expecting the most you are going to ask from me is just two,”

“Wow… does he work with the sponsors of the musical…?” Katie asked.

Xiao You just smirked. “You are asking way too many things that are not important. Since when you are so busybody, hah?”

“Oops,” Katie said, covering her mouth with her palm.

Xiao You smiled. “Let me know when or which show you wanna go. I’ll tell Raymond and get it for you,”

“Thank you! That’s so nice of him, and he is so nice for you!” Katie said.

Xiao You just smirked, and then she chuckled. “I might be going for the opening show,”

“Opening show? Really? You mean you can get tickets for that?”

“Yes, that is what Raymond said,” Xiao You said.

“But opening show’s tickets has been sold out on the first day of sale!”

“I am not really sure if he can get it, but I guess he will try. That is why I said I ‘might’ go,” Xiao You said. “Anyhow, if I am going, I will be going alone. You can go with me if you want to… or, you want to go with your boyfriend on other days?” she winked at Katie.

Katie laughed. “Let’s see, alright,”

Xiao You smiled. “Alright,” she then looked at the document again.

‘After splitting with Mr. Xi Men who is the perfect man; she met with Raymond, who seems like an awesome guy,’ Katie thought to herself. ‘Xiao You is really lucky. I am very glad she met with Raymond in this tough time to ease her stress and depression… and yes, of all times, it had to happen now,’

“I think this is all fate,” Katie blurted out suddenly and inadvertently nods briefly.

“What fate?” Xiao You asked.

“Oh. Nothing,” Katie smiled.

Xiao You just frowned at her, and then brushed it aside with a small smile on her face and returned her gaze to the document.

*****

RING!

Missed call.

RING!

Missed call.

***

*Bzz.

*Bzz.

Xi Men’s eyes strayed as he felt his phone is vibrating in his pants, interrupting his focus.

He is currently in the staff meeting, listening to the status of projects presented by different managers.

With no plans to pick the call up, which can be from any clients, he returned his gaze to the presenter and let the phone continue to ring in silence.

Missed call.

*****

RING!

*Phone picked up.

“Hello, Yang Ballet Studio, may I…”

“Hello, may I speak with ma’am, please? I mean… Mrs. Xi Men?”

Katie frowned at how the caller at the other line interrupts her before she even finishes her statement. “Umm, she is in a class now. Her class will end in…” she lifted her head up and looked at the clock, “Umm… 5 minutes…”

“Ummm… alright. Can you please inform her that this is Butler Pan, and her driver is on his way to pick her up from office now?”

Katie blinked. “Oh, you are Butler Pan?”

Since working for Xiao You for so long, she had received countless calls from Butler Pan, that she knew who he is – the caretaker of Xiao You’s penthouse; and he knew she is the receptionist of Yang Ballet Studio.

“Yes… are you Miss Katie?”

“Yes, I am,” Katie said, “So, you want me to inform her that her driver is coming, right?”

“Yes, yes,”

“Alright, sure. I will tell her once the class is over…” Katie turned her head to the corridor and saw a ballet room’s door opened.

“Thank you,”

*Hung up.

Teens emerged from the ballet room, which the door had opened.

“Bye Miss Yang!” some teens said at the door and then waved to Xiao You who is still in the room.

Seeing the students had left the room, Katie heads to the ballet room.

She then saw Xiao You talking to one student still in the room.

“Xiao You,” Katie interrupted and flagged for Xiao You at the door.

Xiao You frowned, as it is very rare for Katie to interrupt her when she is talking to students, “What is it, Katie?”

“Please come over,” Katie said.

Finding it weird that Katie is not saying it out like she usually would but asked Xiao You to go to the door, Xiao You then turned her head to look at the student, “Give me a moment, Anna,”

“Okay, Miss Yang,” the student smiled.

Xiao You heads to Katie who is standing at the door. “What is it, Katie?”

“Butler Pan called and said your driver is coming to get you now,” Katie said.

Xiao You immediately frowns at Katie, “Now?”

“That is what Butler Pan said,” Katie said.

“It is weird that Butler Pan will call and Jin will come to get me now before I asked him to come,”

“He actually sounded anxious in the call…” Katie said.

“Anxious?”

Katie nodded.

Xiao You pressed her lips together and then her eyes strayed, before she then turned to look at Anna, “I am sorry, Anna, I have something urgent to attend to,”

“Oh, alright, Miss Yang. It is okay,” Anna said, quickly sitting down on the floor and changed out of her ballet shoes.

“I will talk to you at the next class, okay?” Xiao You smiled at Anna.

“Sure, Miss Yang,” Anna said.

**

As soon as Xiao You enters her room, she heard her phone rang in the drawer.

Xiao You quickly heads to her seat, sits down and then grabbed her smartphone from the drawer.

She noticed there is a missed call icon on her screen, but anyway she picks up the ringing phone.

Xiao You: Hello, Jin?

Jin: Ma’am, I have arrived. Are you ready to leave now?

With her right hand holding onto the phone, Xiao You’s left hand quickly presses the button on the laptop to shut down.

Xiao You: I have just finished my class. Can you give me a few minutes to pack?

Jin: Sure, ma’am.

Xiao You: But Jin, why the rush?

Jin: Butler Pan didn’t tell you, ma’am?

Xiao You: No, I was in the class. I didn’t talk to him. He drops a message to Katie instead.

Jin: Oh.

Xiao You: So, what is it?

Xiao You closes the laptop lid.

And then her eyes widened up as she heard what Jin said over the phone. “WHAT?!”

***

RING!

Jing looked at the screen of her ringing phone. She cheerfully picks up the call, “Hello, Xiao You?”

Within a split second, her smile fades.

***

“AHHHH…” Xi Men said as he sits down on his CEO chair in his room after the staff meeting is over.

He took his phone out from his pants and puts it on the table.

Without noticing the blinking notification on the phone, he turned his head to look at his laptop. He unlocked the laptop and starts typing away.

*Bzz.

Xi Men’s eyes strayed to his vibrating phone on the table.

He looked at the screen.

Since the screen is lighted up with the name of the caller, he could see the missed call icon on the phone as well, leading him to immediately remember he had a missed call when he was in the meeting.

*Bzz.

This time he focused on the name of the caller that is displayed on the screen, and he frowned.

He scoops the phone up and picks up the call. “Butler Pan?” he called.

He listens to Butler Pan, and in just 3 seconds into the call, his eyes widened.

“WHAT?! Which hospital?!” he yelled as he stood up. “Okay, I am going over now,”

He grabbed his suit from his chair and dashes out of the room.

**********

Xiao You pushed the door opened, with Jin following right behind her, and looked at the doctor who had just attended to the patient.

“Dr. Wu, is Emily alright?” Xiao You asked worriedly.

“Mommy…”

Xiao You hurriedly heads to Emily and she touches Emily’s face. “My sweetie…”

“Mrs. Xi Men,” Dr. Wu, who is Emily’s pediatrician, gives a small bow to Xiao You, “Emily has throat irritation and infection, which results to her fever now,”

“Fever? She didn’t have any fever this morning…” Xiao You said.

Cough. Cough.

Xiao You, Dr. Wu and Jin turned their heads to look at Emily who is lying on the bed.

“Now I remember… she coughed this morning too, but… it is softer…” Xiao You said. “I asked her about it, and she told me she is okay and she just needed water…”

“The throat infection has already begun this morning, but fever starts in preschool,” Dr. Wu said.

Xiao You looked at Emily, and sighed worriedly.

“Mrs. Xi Men, don’t worry. Emily is alright, but she might have to stay in the hospital for one night so that we can monitor her fever temperature,”

Xiao You turned her head to look at Dr. Wu. “Are you sure that is all? I was told she fainted at school! Are you sure nothing serious had happened?”

“I did not faint, mommy…” Emily said.

Xiao You looked at Emily, “You did not?”

“I am sorry for that information, Mrs. Xi Men,”

Xiao You turned her head and realized Emily’s preschool’s headmistress is also there. “Ah, Miss Zhou…”

“Emily fell asleep on her table. When the teacher called out for her, Emily didn’t respond to the calling, and after realizing the high temperature on her forehead, the teacher panicked, thinking Emily has fainted. So that is what she has been telling everyone, causing panic around us. And when I have prepared the car to send her to the hospital, just when we carry her up, she awakes,” Miss Zhou said.

“Oh…” Xiao You is partially relieved. “So, she really didn’t faint…”

“No mommy… I didn’t. I just felt uncomfortable, so I… sleep…” Emily pouts worriedly.

“Uncomfortable due to the fever, huh?” Xiao You said.

Emily nodded, though still pouting.

Dr. Wu smiled, “She just looked a little drowsy and tired when she is admitted,”

“I see…” Xiao You said.

“I have given her medicine. I will come back later to get her body temperature,”

“Sure… thank you, Dr. Wu,” Xiao You smiled.

“You are welcome, Mrs. Xi Men,” Dr. Wu said, and then he left.

“Mrs. Xi Men, I am sorry about this,” Miss Zhou said.

“Don’t worry about it. Thank you for sending her to the hospital,” Xiao You said. “Are you busy? If you need to go back to the preschool, go ahead, Miss Zhou,”

Miss Zhou smiled briefly, “Yes, I need to leave, Mrs. Xi Men. Thank you,”

Xiao You smiled politely at Miss Zhou and the latter leaves the room.

“Xiao You! Is Emily…!”

Xiao You and Jin turned their heads and looked at Jing, Lei, Mei Zhuo, Xiao Qiao, Ah Si and San Chai barging into the room before the door (that Miss Zhou leaves) is about to close.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hua Ze, Mr. and Mrs. Ling, Mr. and Mrs. Dao Ming,” Jin called.

“Hi Jin,” Lei said, looking at Jin giving them a bow and then leaves the room for the room is getting crowded.

Jing breathes a sigh of relieve to look at Emily smiling faintly at Jing.

“Hi all uncles and aunties…” Emily called.

“I am so glad you are alright… your mommy told me you fainted in school!” Jing said.

“The teacher in the preschool mistook her falling asleep as fainted,” Xiao You said. “So, she did not faint. They contacted Butler Pan after they failed to contact me. I was in my class,”

“Oh,” all of them said together.

“I am sorry. I called Mei Zhuo and Jing called San Chai to inform them of this news,” Lei said.

“I am sorry for the hassle, everyone…” Xiao You said.

“It is okay, Xiao You,” Xiao Qiao smiled.

Xiao You turned her head and looked at Emily, and then she sits down by the bed, “Sweetie, why didn’t you tell about the cough this morning? Why say it is okay when it is not?”

“Sorry mommy…” Emily said, as Xiao You pressing her hand on Emily’s forehead, feeling the hot temperature. “I didn’t want you to scold me…”

“Scold you about?”

Emily pouted. “Getting sick…”

“It happens, sweetie. But you’ve made me very worried,”

“I am sorry, mommy,” Emily said.

Xiao You smiled. “It is okay, sweetie. So, when did you start feeling unwell?”

“My throat feels funny last night after the dinner…”

Dinner last night.

And after thinking for a while, she recalled Xi Men went for dinner with Emily last night.

“What did you eat with daddy last night?” Xiao You asked.

“Daddy brought me to eat fish & chips,” Emily said.

Cough! Cough!

“Fish & chips? So, did you have a fried one, or a grilled one?” Xiao You asked.

Emily looked at Xiao You guiltily, “Fried,”

“Maybe that is why,” Xiao You said. “The fried food might have triggered the throat irritation and infection, and now it leads to fever,”

Emily pouted.

“No fried food for few days now, okay?” Xiao You said.

Emily nodded.

*BARGE IN.

Everyone in the room turned to look at the door.

“Daddy…” Emily called.

Xi Men looked at Emily, panting as he had ran towards the room from the car park after he had parked his car. “Emily, how are you? Are you alright?” he took two steps towards her.

Seeing it is Xi Men, Xiao You turned her head, returning her gaze to Emily.

“She has fever,” Lei said.

“Yes, daddy, I am…”

Xi Men turned his gaze to look at Xiao You angrily, “HOW COULD YOU LET THAT HAPPENED?!!”

Hearing the statement like that and uttered with anger, Xiao You turned her head to look at Xi Men and she is surprised to see his fierce gaze at her. His statement is really directed to her.

“How could you let that happened?!” he asked again. “How could you let her go to school when she is sick and let her faint there?!” Xi Men scolded.

Everyone in the room stares at Xi Men in shock as to how he had just lambasted at Xiao You.

Xiao You is surprised as well. “Xi Men, it is not…”

“And knowing she is sick, the last thing you should have done is going to work! Your priority is her! Not yourself! Not your f*cking job! I don’t give you that studio to neglect Emily!” he yelled at her.

Xiao You looked at him, her tears started forming in her eyes.

“I asked her to stay with you because she needed you. Look at her! She is sick now! She faints and now she is in the hospital because of fever! Are you happy now?!”

Xiao You gritted her teeth underneath her closed lips, and as she closed her eyes, her tears fell.

Emily didn’t know what to react.

Lei, Mei Zhuo and Ah Si exchanged their glances.

San Chai grew mad.

Jing and Xiao Qiao is displease with what they heard.

“As a mother, HOW DO YOU TAKE CARE OF HER?!”

This is it.

THIS IS IT.

Xiao You gritted her teeth one last time and she opened her eyes fiercely. She rose to her feet. “SHUT UP!” she screamed at his face.

Xi Men is taken aback.

Everyone else is taken aback too.

Nobody has ever known Xiao You could scream up to this extent.

“I am not going to sit here and let you put all the blame on me! Do not question my ability as a mother when you do not live up to the expectation as a father! Talk only when you can prove to me you are a better parent than I am! Have you forgotten your epic fail time when you brought her to the mansion? Huh? And she is laying here right now because of you! She is sick today because of you! I should be the one asking you, ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?!”

Xi Men looked at her, stunned. “What?”

“I don’t want to see you in this room. GET THE F*CK OUT OF HERE!” she yelled at him and pointed at the door. “GET OUT!!!!!”

---

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