Abby was still fast asleep in her bed. Diana gave her a gentle kiss goodbye and then left for the company.

On the way, she called Chaney. She knew Abby would be fine with him, but it felt reassuring to check.

"Hi, Chaney, please take good care of Abby."

"Okay, my p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e."

Diana smiled and hung up the phone.

With a deep breath, Diana entered the company building. She was immediately struck by how much everything had changed: the decoration, the layout, and the people.

Diana walked into the drugstore, feeling nervous.

"Diana!" Jason called out to her in surprise.

Diana turned around and found he was already standing right behind her.

"Wow, Diana, you have changed a lot."

"Really?" Diana was a little shy.

"Of course," Jason said with certainty. "You used to be kind of naïve and innocent looking, but now you have a worldly charm about you."

"You mean I used to look like an idiot?"

"Of course not." Jason wished he hadn't said anything.

After a brief silence, Diana explained, "I'm back to discuss our contract with the William Group, it's due to expire soon."

"Diana, it was you who offered me a job when I graduated. Wherever you go and whatever you ask me to do, I will obey."

Diana felt proud to see him so determined. She would go back to France after the current problem was dealt with and felt lucky. Jason was here taking care of the shop.

When she finished chatting with Jason, Diana called her mother and asked her to make an appointment with Simon William so that they could discuss the contract.

On her way out of the drugstore, Diana ran into Brian, the one person she hadn't wanted to meet.

When she saw him, she had a complex feeling. He was thinner and looked more sullen than he used to.

Diana shook her head vigorously. She wanted to throw away all the thoughts and memories in her mind, but it was so hard.

"Mr. William, we're going to hold the meeting now," The assistant walking by his side reminded him.

"Okay, let's go," Brian answered and set off for the meeting room.

Finally, he and Diana passed each other without stopping.

When Diana got home, Chaney had already fed Abby, and they were watching cartoons together on the couch.

"I'm back!" Diana said.

"Mummy!" Abby cheered up and ran to her mother. Diana lifted her up gently and walked towards the sofa.

"How was everything today?" asked Chaney as he handed Diana a cup of tea.

Diana took it and had a sip.

"Everything was good. Still, a few old faces there that remember me."

"Of course they do. You are very special." Chaney said the words naturally, like he truly meant what he said.

Diana turned away to hide her embarrassment. Though Chaney always said sweet things to her, she was still not used to it.

After a while, Diana received a call from Mrs. Anderson. She told Diana that they had a meeting arranged with Simon for the day after tomorrow.

Since Diana was already back to take care of Abby, Chaney said goodbye and left.

After Diana coaxed Abby off to sleep, she had a sudden d.e.s.i.r.e to go back to see her family house.

She put the sleeping Abby in her car seat, then set off.

There had been no one living in the house for two years; it looked desolate. Diana got out of the car and stood by the front gate.

As she was standing there, a man suddenly appeared from the shadows next to the house.

Diana got a clear look at him under the streetlamp and found it was Brian!

This is too much, Diana thought. She had to get out of there.

Brian noticed that Diana was backing away, so he put out his cigarette and rushed towards her.

"Have we met before?" Brian asked.

He was confused. He badly wanted to get some answers from this woman.

Diana stopped, but she didn't know what she could say. Where to start? It was partly cowardice, partly genuine fear, but Diana fled to her car and sped off.

She didn't relax until finally she and Abby were back in their rented apartment, with the door closed behind. She gasped and laughed at herself. Why was she running away from Brian?

***

Diana went to the appointed place to meet Simon, arriving well in advance of the scheduled meet time.

Yet again, she was shocked to see that there was already someone waiting for her instead of Simon; it was Brian!

Subconsciously, she wanted to leave. But Brian had already spotted her, so she had no choice but to greet him.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Brian, the president of the William Group."

Diana shook hands with him in a professional manner.

When Brian touched Diana's soft hands, he got momentarily lost in the feeling. He remembered this feeling. He felt like he had touched her skin thousands of times before.

It was an intense moment between them, which only ended after Diana literally pulled her hand from Brian's grasp.

Speaking as naturally as she could, Diana returned to business.

"Mr. William, I'm here to discuss the Anderson's contract with the William Group."

"In my opinion, we should continue our cooperation," Brian began. "As you know, we have both earned a lot these past two years. Surely it makes sense to renew the contract?"

Brian was well-spoken and persuasive when doing business. He knew exactly how to carry himself and always knew the right things to say to whomever he was speaking with. Diana stared at him as he spoke, impressed by his abilities.

Brian could feel his words were having some effect. So he asked, "What do you think of my proposal, Miss Anderson? Do you want to renew the contract?"

Diana was not so easily persuaded; however, hence she refused without hesitation.

Brian was confused. Both the William Group and the Anderson's earned a lot thanks to their cooperation. They should renew the contract instead of canceling it. Why would they make such a decision? Still, he was not ready to give up convincing her.