It took them a few hours before everyone agreed that they were tired and that they could not wait for the fireworks to start. They decided to visit another spot in Hong where they could just sit down and enjoy each other’s company.
They chose to ride a traditional Chinese junk boat through the Victoria Harbour as they watched the Symphony of lights that would transform Hong Kong’s cityscape into musical canvass.
“This truly shows the ‘East meets West’ concept of Hong Kong.” Qin Yuanfeng uttered next to Lily. While he had been staying in Hong Kong for a few months now, he never really had the chance to go outside and explore the place.
This was mainly because he was not interested in leaving his house and office.
“It does.” Lily smiled as she leaned her head towards Zhou Jingren’s shoulder. They had rented the whole boat to themselves. Meaning, they could have all the lounge chairs with blanket’s all to themselves.
Wrapped in a blanket, Lily snuggled closer to her husband. Burying her head at the crook of his neck. In response, Zhou Jingren wrapped his arms around her.
“This music really shows the culture of Hong Kong,” Levi noted as he sat next to Qin Yuanfeng. Everyone watched as the cityscape of Hong Kong lit up, accompanied by the vibrant music in the background.
The ride took another hour before it went back to the Harbour. The group then decided to go back to The Peak so that Lily could rest while Levi, Eliza and Qin Yuanfeng enjoyed some time by the pool with some drinks.
When they arrived, Levi and Qin Yuanfeng immediately prepared some refreshments for Lily and wine for everyone else. And since Bei Tian was already in the country, he also came to The Peak just to join in on the fun with Yang Mi and Secretary Go so they can mingle with the twins again.
After all, they had already met them on Skopelos and even spent Christmas morning together.
“What’s this?” Lily raised her eyebrow when Eliza gave her a black envelope.
“Open it,” She gave an nonchalant smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She then watched on Lily’s king size bed, watching Lily open the envelope next to her.
“An—” Lily widened her eyes. “An invitation to an— your engagement party?” Surprise flashed in her eyes. “You—” Lily didn’t even know she was already engaged.
“Yes, apparently. I am.” Eliza shrugged. “I know you don’t really like to fly considering you are pregnant but… this will happen when you are already eight or nine months? Isn’t it convenient that you will also be in Switzerland to give birth? I mean… Switzerland is considerably closer to Luxembourg.”
“Harringfort?” Lily tilted her head. “Like the oil company, Harringfort?” Seeing Eliza nod, Lily continued. “The one from Belgium?” Again, Eliza nodded.
“I’m actually surprised that you know him.” Eliza gave a mirthless smile. “I guess their influence in the business world is that big?”
“No.” Shaking her head, Lily put the invitation back in the envelope. “They are quite secretive. Always keeping to themselves despite the fact that they own one of the biggest oil companies and mines in Africa.” The only reason why Lily knew this is because of Qin Yuanfeng and her research about oil companies.
“Oh.” Eliza nodded before letting herself fall into Lily’s cozy bed. A sigh left her lips. “I’m twenty three.” She added. “Too young.”
Lily pursed her lips in response, unaware of what words to say. After all, she never really had any close female or a sister by her side. And to be honest, Lily would not be ashamed to admit that she really sucked when it came to emotional conversations like this.
Maybe it was because she was so used in manipulating people or maybe it was because she found it hard to trust someone else aside from Zhou Jingren. She didn’t know.
“If you want to marry someone… you marry them.” Lily said.
“And if I don’t?” Eliza turned towards her.
Lily pursed her lips in response as she fought the urge to tell her to scheme instead. That would make her sound like an evil cousin, right? Moreover, Lily would not want to become such a bad influence to these people.
“What?” Eliza asked again, sensing the distress in Lily’s face, she smiled. “You’re not going to tell me to kill him, right?”
“God! No.”
“Then?” Eliza lifted an eyebrow.
“Say No?” Lily said. A small giggle escaped Eliza’s lips. “I’m sorry, I am not really good at advising someone.” Lily smiled. This was a fact. Maybe if Eliza was her enemy it would be easier for her to say something. But this sweet woman was nothing like that. So far, Eliza had treated her with respect.
“I wish it was that easy.” Eliza nodded, understanding flashed in her eyes. “I wish saying no was as easy as the spelling out the word.”
Lily’s lips thinned. As much as she wanted to say something against this set up, she knew that it was futile. She would not want to create some misunderstandings between the Duke and Eliza. “Is your family important to you?” Lily asked.
“Of course.” Eliza met her eyes. “Family is everything.”
“Would you sacrifice your life for them?”
“Without even blinking.”
“Then… there’s your answer.” Lily uttered. She could not just force her belief on someone just because she thought it was right. “At the end of the day, what matters is what you feel inside.But… this is coming from someone who never grew up in a caring family. This is coming from someone who had a difficult childhood.” Lily smiled. “This is coming from a selfish woman who would always choose herself above everyone else.”
For a few seconds, Eliza turned silent at Lily’s words. She then turned her head towards the ceiling. Lily’s words only made her ask herself the question that she had been trying to avoid for a few years now.
Should she think about herself? Or her family?
…
Proofreader: Dragon777
