Chapter 1...

2 years later…
Quin: You’re sending me back to Hong Kong? Dr.Cole, I…

Dr. Cole: Now, Dr.Mo, don’t you refuse me now. It is a marvelous position. How could you possibly turn it down?

Quin: It’s just that…well…I don’t exactly relish the idea of going back there…

Dr.Cole: Dr.Mo, you’re an excellent professional physcologist. To tell you the truth, if I keep you here, I’m only stopping you from furthering your career. It’s an excellent chance. You know that Hong Kong Hospital has the most excellent physcology faculty. And they are offering you the post of the assistant dean. Are you willing to let such a golden chance slipped by?

Quin: (bows her head) All right, I will go back to Hong Kong. Oh God, don’t let me see him again…

Quin entered her apartment and threw her things on the couch. She sank down in a comfortable chair and stared at the ceiling. Back to Hong Kong. She could hardly remember how it was like. It had been two years since she left, and she had never gone back. She wrote to Chi San but she never enclosed a return address. She didn’t want him to contact her. Fei…Angrily, Quin pounded her fist into a cushion. She had achieved everything she wanted to achieve. She got her PhD in physcology; she was a successful career woman. But she hadn’t been able to forget Tsui Fei. Why? Why can’t I forget him? He will never be mine. We will never be together. So why do I love him still? Quin wondered. Quin did try to forget Fei. She met men; she dated, some for a while. But she hadn’t gotten into any serious relationships. They never last. She knew why. And now…she had to head back to Hong Kong…to him.

Fei: You want to what?

Ching Ching: I want to dance again. Oh please, Fei, don’t deprive me of this.

Fei: But…your leg…I mean…

Ching Ching: Please let me, Fei. If I cannot do it, I will not force myself.

Fei: Well, if you really want to…

Ching Ching: Oh, thank you, Fei!
(She kissed him passionately. Kwan, he thought. He abruptly detangle himself from her embrace.)

Fei: Sorry, have to go back to the station. Are you all right here all by yourself?

Ching Ching: I will be at the dance studio. Take care, Fei. I love you.
(She waited for him to say “I love you” back. Fei smiled weakly. He cannot bring himself to return her endearment. Not when he had just thought of her…)

Fei: Have a nice day.

Bang! The door slammed shut. Ching Ching stared at the door. She was, at least to say, confused. Fei hadn’t been himself at all. In these 2 years, it seems like their relationship was going down the tubes. They don’t even talk that much anymore. What is wrong with our relationship? Ching Ching thought. Slowly, she walked into her room to retrieve her dancing gear. Her mood lifted slightly when she saw her leotard. I am going to dance again, she thought joyfully. Nothing ever meant that much to her. Not even Fei? A little voice inside her said. Ching Ching stopped short. Where did that come from? Ching Ching shook her head a little, as if to clear her thoughts. Hoisting up her dancing gear, Ching Ching stepped out of the apartment lightly.

Fei drove around town aimlessly. He didn’t go back to the station. There was no need to. It was his day off. Suddenly, he knew just the remedy to cure his mood. Doing an abrupt u-turn, Fei sped off towards his destination. He reached there in less than 10 minutes. He shut the door and locked his car. Then, he opened a door to an apartment that had been his secret hideaway for 2 years. He tossed his keys on the dining table and settle down comfortably on the couch. He pulled out a huge photo album. And began flipping through the pages, looking at the smiling faces in the photographs, going back to time, to the time he had spent with the woman that he so desperately loves, but cannot be together with. Fei touched the photo of a beautiful, smiling woman. Kwan, he thought. Closing his eyes, Fei felt his tears coming.

Oh God. Hong Kong. Quin looked around the bustling airport. A feeling of joy burst over her as she hoisted her luggage from the baggage claim department. She was home.

Kit: Big sister!

Quin: (Looked up to see Kit running towards her) Kit! I missed you, you rascal!
(Kit laughed as his sister tackled and tickled him.)

Kit: I got your room all made-up and tidy for you. (Quin started to speak, but Kit interrupted her) And I don’t want to hear a word about you imposing. Yuk doesn’t mind. After all, you’re her sister-in-law.

Quin: (Slinging an arm around Kit’s shoulders) If you say so…

(Brother and sister exited the airport, chatting animatedly about anything and everything. After Quin settled in, she immediately set out to her new workplace.)

Dr.Lam: Ah, Dr.Mo. I was looking forward to your coming.

Quin: Hello, Dr.Lam. I hope I wasn’t late. I got here on the first flight out of Canada.

Dr.Lam: (chuckling) Of course not. Have a seat. I want to discuss with you about you working with us. Well, you see, Hong Kong Police recently e-mailed us and asked about sending an expert physcologist over to help them. I immediately thought of you. After all, you had worked with the Hong Kong Police Force before. Now, don’t you fret, Dr.Mo. You’ll still be wearing the title of the assistant dean in Hong Kong Hospital. By sending someone experienced, only will Hong Kong Police sensed our sincerity.

Quin: What? Hong Kong Police?

Dr.Lam: Why, yes, Dr.Mo. Is there a problem?

Quin: (Dr.Cole’s words replayed in her mind. “You’re a professional, professional…) No, no problem. Just…where will I be stationed?

Dr.Lam: Now where was that file…ah yes…here is it. (He adjusted his glasses) You’ll be stationed at…(Quin prayed, please, no, anywhere but…) the Central Police Station.

Quin: (Felt all the air knocked out of her) Central Police Station?

Dr.Lam: I gave you the best position! Now, happy working, Dr.Mo. I expect you to be in your office and fully functional by…tomorrow. I am a demanding person, Dr.Mo. I only expect the very best from you.

Quin: (Slowly got up) I won’t disappoint you, Dr.Lam.

Quin drove home slowly. She reached her apartment and went out to balcony. She yelled out towards the heavens. “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT FROM ME, GOD?!?!?” She was confused and upset. She sank down on the balcony chair. Central Police Station. Despite all her misgivings, despite all her resolutions, she was going to see him again. No, she thought determinedly. If I can, I never want to see him. It’s too risky. Quin immediately reached for her cell phone and tapped in a number. Seconds later, someone answered. “It’s me. Quin. I’m in Hong Kong.” The person on the other end said something. “Can you meet me at Coffee Cup in 15 minutes? I need to talk to you.”

Who did Quin called? And why does she want to see this person as soon as she can? Meanwhile, how will Man make her way back to Chi San’s life?

Chapter 2...

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