Love Will Lead You Back

After her long flight, she finally arrived at London Heathrow, Ji An felt weak and tired, her eyes were aching and she has a massive headache due to excessive crying. She put on her sunglasses to cover her puffed and red eyes before walking towards the immigration section, had her passport stamped and made her way to the exit.

Alice was waiting for her just outside the arrival area and Ji An spotted her quickly so she walked to her direction. After greeting her, Alice took Ji An's luggage and they walked to the parking lot, she noticed that Ji An was being quiet and that was very unusual. 'Something definitely happened in Beijing.' Alice thought to herself.

Once both of them settled in Alice's car, she drove off. Inside the car, Alice told Ji An that they will be heading off to their family home in Chelsea because her parents wanted to see and talk to her regarding an important matter. She also told her that they will head to Oxfordshire in the morning to attend their afternoon class.

Ji An looked at her with unperturbed emotions and replied, "Can you pull over somewhere before we get to your house? I don't want to face your parents like this. I have to get myself together."

Alice sighed, she cannot hold it any longer, "I really want to ask what happened, but I will give you time. When you're ready to talk about it, you know I'm always here for you." she was just worried about her, this is the first time she had seen her like this.

About 20 minutes away from their family house in Chelsea, Alice parked her car in one of the cafés. "Let's have some hot chocolate? Hmm?" she glanced at Ji An waiting for her confirmation.

Ji An agreed and followed her. They sat in a quiet spot in L'ETO and the waitress attended to them. Alice ordered hot chocolate and strawberry and banana pancakes for both of them. After the waitress left, Alice couldn't hold it any longer, though she said she would wait for her to tell her but right now she was just itching to know the story behind her behaviour, "What happened? Have you been crying all day?" her index finger pointed to her sunglasses, "With that ridiculous sunglasses of yours, it's bothering me... A LOT!!!!"

Ji An started crying again after Alice reminded her of her crying session, "I don't know where to start. My mother is now... Cheng Ze's stepmother!" Her voice cracked and low but enough for Alice to hear.

Alice shook her head, "Wait! What?!? she frowned, "What are you talking about? I'm a bit lost here. Fill me in!"

Ji An took the tissue from the table to wipe her tears, "My mother is Cheng Ze's stepmother!" Ji An repeated herself but talking a bit louder for Alice to hear.

"I get that! Are you crying because of that?" Alice wondered and smirked in confusion.

"No!" she had her head down looking at the marble floor of the café.

"Then what?" Alice was eager to know the full story! Her friend seemed to have cried a lot, "How long have you been crying? It's not good for our little fella here." She was very concerned and worried but her voice was comforting.

"It's...." Struggling to find the courage to tell her friend, she just wanted to dodge the question, "Can we talk about it some other time?" She doesn't know how to tell her what Cheng Ze did to her. 'She might think I'm stupid for letting it happened and she might think I am that kind of person,' she thought not looking at Alice.

"I can't help you, Ji, if you are not going to open up. I'm your best friend." her hand was on her c.h.e.s.t, "Why do I feel like I have to remind you that?! Mum is waiting, we should go." Alice got a little bit upset as she felt that Ji An doesn't trust her enough to open up.

*Lewis family home*

Mrs Grace and Mr Arthur Lewis welcomed their daughter Alice and her friend Ji An. "How are you, sweetheart?" Mrs Watts asked as she hugged and kissed her daughter and Ji An.

Alice didn't reply and just stood there waiting for her parents to start the conversation about Eric and Ji An. She looked at Ji An and nod at her like she was telling her "It's okay. Everything will be okay."

"I'm okay Mrs Lewis." Ji An forced a smile, "Thank you for asking. Alice told me there was something you want to talk to me about?" her fake smile never left her face as she talked to them.

Mr Lewis coughed to get their attention, "Let's head to the study and we will talk there." he seemed strict but he was actually a nice man and a good father to his children. He loves his family so much, he will do anything to support them.

Alice smiled excitedly at Ji An. She cheekily whispered in her ear, "I solved the problem of your pregnancy, sister in law!" she giggled slightly then suddenly hugged her and walked with her to the study where Eric had been waiting.

"What do you mean?" Ji An confusedly asked and gave Alice that questioning looks with furrowed eyebrows.

Eric had been waiting for them in the study, he is Alice's eldest brother. He always looked stunning no matter what he wears, he always gave his clothes justice. His handsome face was always a sell-out wherever he goes and girls were chasing him since he was born. Aside from his dashing looks, he has a good character and people get along with him quite well. At his age, he was one of the youngest CEO in England. After starting his business with his father's support, he became successful and well known in the business world. Eric usually gets what he wants, except Ji An. She is his only weakness as he fell for her deeply.

Before they enter the study, Mrs Lewis gave her a heads up, "Ji An, I want to ask for your forgiveness for what my son did to you. I cannot let him run away from his responsibilities to you and your baby. He admitted it already and he wanted to take responsibility to you and to your baby, our grandchild." she explained.

Ji An was confused and she couldn't figure out what on earth Mrs Lewis was talking about... "What are you talking about Mrs Lewis? What do you mean by him admitting what he did to me?"

Eric heard their conversation because Alice opened the door as Ji An and her mother was talking. Before his mother can answer Ji An, he spoke, "I saw you being led by a guy in the lift at Park Plaza... I told him that you were with me." He stroked his hair before continuing, "You seemed drunk and the guy was probably trying to take advantage of you... so... I..." he licked his lips as it was getting dry probably because he was nervous, "I told him that and I brought you to my room and as we got in the room, I... I didn't control myself enough." He gulped his saliva before confessing further, "And I went to kiss you, and when you kissed me back... I totally lost it." Again, he stroked his hair and tugged it a little, "I.. It was me who did it!" He walked to Ji An and held her hand gently, "I got scared that... you will think of me in a bad way, so I hide thinking you will look for me and have me arrested for taking advantage of you. But when Alice told me that you were pregnant and doesn't know who the father was, I felt so bad. I admitted it to my parents straight away and then told Alice. Ji An... I'm sorry, please forgive me." Eric has beads of sweat as he confessed to Ji An.