Brian smiled at her and explained, "If you don't trust me, you can call the landlord."

Diana looked at him with doubt. But still, she took out her phone and made the call.

The owner of the apartment was a senior lady. She was a nice, kind woman. "Diana, my dear, is there any problem?" she answered gently.

"I want to know why there is a man here saying he is going to move into my apartment?!" Diana tried to keep calm.

Hearing that, the landlord explained, "Ah yes, I forgot to tell you. The man came to me in quite a state, looking for a room to rent. He was rather pitiful, so I said he could rent the spare room."

Diana didn't know how to reply. She had chosen the apartment because she thought the owner was kind and easy-going. She had never asked Diana to pay for the extra room. Now, she didn't know what she should do in such a situation.

"But…" Diana tried to say something, but the landlord interrupted her.

"Diana, he has promised me that he won't be any trouble for you. Also, he paid your rent too."

"What?" Diana was confused.

"Diana, I am busy now. I will call you later. Bye." Saying that the owner ended the call in a hurry.

Diana was extremely displeased.

"What did you say to her?" she shouted at Brian.

Brian thought her angry face was so cute. But he couldn't let her know that. He shrugged his shoulders. In fact, he had made great efforts to be able to move in. He even said his father died when he was a little boy to make the owner feel guilty. He recalled in his mind how the conversation had gone…

"Madam, I have been lonely ever since my father died when I was young. I would really love to have a roommate. Can you give me a chance?"

The owner was kind. She covered her face and smiled at Brian, "You are a good boy. You can rent the room."

"Thank you. Here is my rent and my roommate's. Please tell her about it." Brian pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket.

The owner was moved by his consideration and generosity.

"You are a good man. I'm sure Diana will agree to it." The owner assumed Diana would be OK with her new roommate.

Thinking of his conversation with the owner, Brian couldn't help laughing.

"Why are you laughing?" Diana asked angrily.

"Nothing." Brian waved his hands.

"You stay in your room. I won't disturb you; I hope you will do the same in return. And leave Abby alone!" Diana barked. Then she closed her bedroom door.

"Mummy, who is he?" Abby inquired.

"He is just an annoying man," Diana said as she put Abby to bed.

"But I don't think he is annoying." Abby was quite fond of Brian.

"Really?" Diana touched Abby's face gently.

Abby nodded her head. "I like him!"

Diana wanted to know what Abby thought.

"Whom do you prefer, Uncle Chaney or the new guy?"

Abby thought for a while and answered, "I like both of them."

Diana was shocked. Abby had just met Brian, yet she compared him with Chaney, who had cared for her since she was born. Could she sense that she shared a bond with Brian?

"Now, go to sleep." Diana lowered her head and kissed Abby.

Everyone in the house slept well that night.

Abby was still dreaming the next morning when Diana got up and wandered out into the hall. From the kitchen, she could hear noises and the smell of food.

She walked in and saw Brian was busy in the kitchen.

"What are you doing?"

"I am cooking," Brian answered quickly. He came out holding a big plate of toast and jam.

Diana was surprised. She didn't know that Brian could cook. She guessed he must have learned it from someone he had met in the past few years. He really looked happy as he prepared the rest of the breakfast.

"Come and have a taste," he called out to Diana.

Seeing the array of dishes on the table, Diana was very tempted. She was quite curious about what Brian had learned in the time they had been apart.

Diana sat down and took a bite of Brian's 'Eggs Benedict.' It was amazing! And then she tried a piece of the homemade bread covered with raspberry jam.

"Did I cook for you like this before?" Brian asked.

Diana was stunned. "Why do you ask that?" she answered awkwardly.

"I just can't remember what happened between us before," Brian replied, clearly vexed by the fact.

Diana lowered her head and fell into silence.

"Will you give me a chance?" Brian asked carefully.

Diana couldn't help looking up. When she saw Brian's eyes, she felt as if a light was shining in her heart.

"Let's start over. We can forget what happened before." Brian spoke slowly and seriously as he looked deep into Diana's eyes.

Diana felt her heart beating crazily. And then she heard Abby cry from her room, "Mummy?!"

Diana rushed to the bedroom to check on her daughter.

Once she had Abby calm again, Diana dressed her and took her out of the room.

"Hey, little princess! Do you want some breakfast?" Brian asked gently.

"Great!" Abby clapped her hands.

Brian bent down and helped Abby up to the table.

Looking at all the dishes, Abby asked Brian to give her some of the ones she liked, which Brian was happy to do.

Diana gazed at them and felt a strong sense of sadness. Abby had asked her more than once why the other kids had a father, but she didn't. Diana never knew how to reply. In the past two years, though Chaney had been an excellent companion for Abby, he wasn't her father. Abby was longing for a father.

Looking at them together, Diana didn't want to disturb the beautiful scene. She stood beside them silently.