James: The light in my darkness

CHAPTER:3

Are you here to nitpick about my inconsistency? No, of course not, what kind of person brings flowers to nitpick?

Then has our marriage ever been so lovely that you’d bring flowers on our anniversary?

To be honest, I can't say yes to that. But we could always make it lovely, can't we?

Happy…wedding anniversary, he smiled and left. Bring me a vase, says Mabel to her personal assistant.

How are things? Did they fight or anything like that? Asked Rose the house maid. No, they didn't. Rather…

-”Rather”?

-They’ve gotten closer.

-”closer”?

Yes. He takes great care of her, says Esther, the other maid. It's very unlike him Rose interfered.

There are too many cons in the contract. We need to provide the store's renovation fee,says James to his colleagues in a meeting.

I don't think it's that big of a loss on our part, given the popularity of the brand, say's Mr Peter, James' father in-law. Correct but they're not required to stay for a certain amount of time. Let's say we spent five billion won to bring them in, we have no right to stop them if they want to leave after a year.

We're also required to pay a penalty if they find out people are selling counterfeit products.

Mabel start's coughing so hard that James leaves what he is doing and runs to her; Are you okay? Asked James.

Hold on. I'm okay…

-Don’t talk, let me…

Please call the ambulance

-sorry, says James.

I'm fine, Are you really okay asked James again. I just choked on some water; really? Yes, Mabel replied.

Everyone was surprised. So, can we resume? Requested her dad. Yes sir.

There's no need for the ambulance, says James.

What has gotten into him; Mr Peter asked Abel, Mabel's younger brother. He's just trying to survive. Had it been he stayed still,she would've been furious that he didn't do anything, I really feel bad for him, replied Abel.

It's cold, you should just wait inside, you're freezing. What if you catch a cold? Jeez, your hands are so cold. He asked her personal assistant who is standing next to her if the driver will be coming soon. Yes sir answered the lady.

Will you be okay? Mabel stares at him without uttering a word.

Here comes the driver, James and Mabel get into the car and drive off. Gosh. They should just argue instead, what's gotten into him says Juliana, Mabel's personal assistant.

Didn't I tell you?

Don't be dramatic,said Mabel.

Mabel, I don't know how to be dramatic.

This is being dramatic, says Mabel.

James has no option but to apologize to her.

Their family members all gathered in the dining area for dinner. I prepared different meals for each of you based on last week's blood test results, say's the chef. As for the voice chairman, I prepared a low-FODMAP diet. Thank you, says Mr Peter, the voice chairman.

Where's grandfather? Asked Mabel. He needs to fast for his medical checkup tomorrow. I bet he’ll live up to 120 years of age, says Mrs Peter.

-Mine doesn't have meat, says Abel. It's because of your cholesterol, replied his wife Anne.

Mabel, Mrs Peter called. Yes?

You’ll receive a certification for contents tomorrow. I'm going to file a suit for how you built your department store over my land in New York. We already talked about this when the construction began, replied Mabel. Listen, all wars began because one party stepped over another party's land.

-You gave me your permission. I did, but Attorney Mike was against it.

Rumors might spread about how I gave you special treatment, and I might have to pay a gift tax. So you're going to file a suit now that the building has already been built? You haven't opened yet, says Mrs Peter.

I see. Then should I just demolish it? Mabel she doesn't want to prolong the case. Her dad interfered, she wanted to negotiate.

James, yes sir. Look over it with her and come up with an appropriate measure Mr Peter said to his in-law. “An appropriate measure”. What does that mean? Should I be afraid and back off? Is this what you meant when you said bring it on? You’re threatening me with that lawsuit.

What I'm saying is…

I think…

James, did you just cut me off? Asked Mrs Peter, I apologize, James replied. But since you’ve already filed a complaint, we'll look over it and give you our reply. However, the press will learn about this in the process. And that could cause a fall in the stock price and more. I’ll have to inform her grandfather, says James to his mother in-law. I’ll tell him to reply to Mrs Peter. Yes, ma'am. Then that'll be all. She's feeling a bit unwell, please excuse us and they left the dining room.

You wanted to keep it a secret from your family.

-But?

But wouldn't they suspect that something's up,if you're all tense and your fists are trembling? Right, I know I was acting out of character. But what about you?

You interrupted my mom and sided with me. You also looked me in the eye lovingly. You were the most suspicious.

Just act like you always have. When did you ever peel shrimp for me? Asked Mabel. It just won't work for us, replies James, and Mabel walks out on him.

James drinking with his friend Ezekiel. It's impossible,how can we change after years of living as strangers? But wasn't that the case. Three years ago? What was it? Weren't you in love.

That was …

You were both head over heels. She visited you on a helicopter and disobeyed her parents. You too, You weren't sane back then either. You were crazy in love. So wasn't that love?

That was years ago. Yes, you're right. But let me give you an example, says Ezekiel. We learn how to survive in water as kids.