GATHERING

20:28, 24 December 2019

ZHAN POV

"Set up a meeting with the rest of the team, this campaign has to be perfect when we present it to the board." I said to Biyu who nodded and typed on her laptop.

"Alright, anything else?" she asked and Iquickly checked my diary,

"No, that's all." I said and she stoodup.

"When are you flying out?" she asked as she closed her computer

"The day after tomorrow." I said with alittle excitement.

Bin and Gio set a date for their wedding, which will be held at his hometown in Hong Kong. I was supposed to meet him in an hour; Ai, Zed and myself were goingto help him pick out his Wedfing Tux.

I checked my watch debating weather to send Jeffrey to pick up the kids or do it myself before I go.

"You're going to be there right?" I askedBiyu and she nodded.

"I wouldn't miss seeing Bin in white foranything." She chuckled walking away and I smiled.

10 minutes later a knock came on the door and I looked up to see Yibo enter with a grin on his handsome face.

Thrilled I stood up to hug him

"Its suddenly a very good day." I murmuredthen he chuckled kissing me.

I couldn't help the butterflies that went crazy in my stomach whenever he kissed me senseless, which was all the time.

"Glad to be of service." He said,

"Though next time I'll know not to just barge in and demand to see the headof Marketing."

I laughed

"Oh God, how long did it take them to recognize you?" I asked

"6 seconds" he said chuckling.

"Welcome to my world." I said,

"I 'am a bit jealous though, I could've used your skills at G-Industries." He added.

I loved working on my company and myboss was a jewel, sometimes. But working for Yibo wasn't going to work out for me, for either of us. We both weren't strong enough to draw the line between employer and employee from husband and wife madly in love.

I thought back to the day we christened his office, when we made passionate love on his desk with the view of Beijingbeneath us. I slightly shivered then I leaned against my desk for support, raising my eyebrow at him

"You already have me for a wife, you want me as your employee too? How much more of me do you want?" I asked playfully.

"All of you." He said with a dark lazysmirk

"Nice try hotshot, I'm not going anywhere." I said then he paused cocking his head to the side

"...and no you can't buy me off either." I added knowing very well what he wasthinking.

"I call it negotiating." He said,

"Besides I have other means of persuasion." He said thickly, getting closer to me, I held up my hand.

"No, stay right where you are mister." Isaid, knowing very well that his 'other means' were very effective, and that this was not the place to implement them.

He laughed

"Coward" he teased and I rolled my eyes at him

"You left work early just to come seduce me into quitting my job?" I asked and he smiled.

"No actually, I came to deliver these." Hesaid revealing a bunch of red tulips from behind his back; I smiled, I didn't even realize he was hiding his left hand all thistime.

"Aw, you did it personally this time." I saidsmelling them, he watched me intently as I grabbed the vase, carefully placing the flowers inside.

I looked at them rubbing my thumb against the soft petals, I felt Yibo hug me from behind and I smiled.

"What's the deal with these flowers? What do they mean?" I asked

"They symbolize undying love." He said, his lips brushing against my nape.

"Whenever you look at them, remembermy love. Remember that it will never waver, that it will keep you safe and happy." He whispered.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, I knewthat they had a special meaning but I never thought it to be so literal and raw.

For some time I thought his love was lost to me forever, unable to see the little signs that it was with me the whole time. That he was with me the whole time.

I bit back my tears

"How's your best man speech coming along" I asked, hoping to distract him from my emotional response.

We've had enough drama in our lives to last us a whole lifetime, there was no need for more. He paused then hegently turned me around, his gaze unyielding on my face. He stroked my cheek

"What's wrong?" he asked softly

I chuckled without humor

"That's the thing, nothing is wrong. Everything is exactly how it should be, howI want it to be." I said,

"I never want that to change." I whispered.

He smiled in understanding

"We are meant to be together, I'm pretty sure even in the next couple of lifetimes."

He said wiping a tear that escaped me. I smiled and chuckled shakily at his theory

He sobered up

"Life is without guarantees my dear, but I don't see why we can't make this last forever."

He said, tracing the contours of my smile. Meaning our happiness, and our love. I grinned wrapping my arms around him,

"I love you." I said fervently and hesqueezed me to him.

I leaned back a little

"I'm sure your speech will be fantastic, youhave a way with words." I said and he chuckled letting me go.

I checked my time

"I have a negotiation of my own." I grabbed my bag

"I have to meet Bin and your cousins in30 minutes. And your kids need to be picked up." I said.

"So you do that and I'll go have fun with my girlfriends." I added holding out my hand; he playfully frowned.

"No fair." He said and I chuckled

"Well you couldn't keep your hands off me so I obliged you with children." I teased and he laughed reaching into his pocket.

He placed the keys to his Ferrari in my hand and I gave him ones to the Maybach. I stood on his left side and kissed him on the cheek, I grabbed my jacket and he followed me out.

"I like that one" Bin said pointing at thedress in the far corner of the boutique. I nodded, he tried on a couple of tux, and they were all beautiful just not for him.

"Yeah, try it out?" Ai suggested.

Bin went to the dressing rooms and Zedcame to me carrying a beautiful peach and white colored Tux . That was the theme color for his wedding.

Both him and Gio decided not to have anybridesmaids or groomsmen. I held the tux looking at it in awe, the bow tie was diamante embellished.

"Bin hand picked this one for you." Zedadded and I smiled

"I love it." I said, Bin walked back outand my mouth dropped.

His WeddingTux was designed with a bit of dramatic outline ; he smiled and curtseyed.

"Wow, my friend you look perfect." I said and the girls nodded in agreement.

"Its awesome, I'm taking it." He saidtwirling, then he looked at me

"What do you think about your yours?" he asked.

I chuckled

"Do you even have to ask?" I saidwalking to the dressing rooms. I came back out to find Bin trying out shoes. He looked up at me and smiled shaking his head

"Maybe I should reconsider sharing the aisle with you Zhan, you look amazing." He said.

I snorted

"You're not technically sharing it with me, besides I look pale next to that." I said waving my hand at his attire. He looked amazing; he chuckled

"And this is for little Fan Xing." Ai saidcarrying the cutest little Tux I've ever seen

"I wanted Fan Xing to be my ring bearer, you don't mind do you?" Bin asked and Ilaughed.

"I don't have a say, he'd be mad at me for days if I denied him this." I said they all joined me.

Bin and I went to a nearby café aftersaying goodbye to the girls

"I love seeing you this way." He said

"happy." He added; I smiled sheepishly.

"I can't complain." I said and he chuckledthen I looked passed his shoulder absently,

"Though I can't help but think something bad I bound to happen..."

"But nothing, that's just your usual paranoia talking." He said and I looked at him nodded raising my hands in defeat. He's right.

"When are you leaving?" I asked

"Tonight, you?" he asked

"Tomorrow, that's if Yibo didn't forget tobook our tickets." I said smiling inwardly; I doubt he still remembers you need tickets to fly.

"Speaking of, I have to go get ready." Hesaid standing up

"I'll see you there."

"Alright Bin." I said hugging him.I got home to find Yibo and the kids playing twister and Zela was instructing them. I smiled, as I walked in watching them try to keep their balance.

"Zha , right foot to B1, left hand to C3."

Zela said and I shook my head chuckling

"Oh no, I'm not getting in there." I said

"Come on Mom." Zhen Xin said

"Yes love, don't be a spoilsport." Yibo added and I rolled my eyes at them, sitting on the couch.

Fan Xing lost his balance and fell down, taking the rest of them down withhim.

"Aww A-Xing!" Zhen Xin whined, I laughed watching Fan Xing stick his tongue at him and run to me.

I caught him, sitting him on my lap; I stroked his hair, which was identical tomine.

Yibo sat down next to me then Fan Xing reached out for his face and Yibo playfully bit his small fingers. He withdrew hishand giggling.

"Did you book our tickets?" I asked him and he looked at me.

"Sure. Our flight leaves at noon." He saidand his mouth curved into a ghost of a smile as if enjoying a private joke. I eyed him speculatively,

"What are you up to?" I asked and he held up his hands "Nothing love." He said, standing up. He started walkingaway and Zhen Xin followed him