Love Began with the First Meeting

Allen continued staring at the screen which showed the news about the twins' engagement, completely disregarding George. His eyes turned indifferent and he was filled with a thirst for blood. He turned to George, who was walking towards him. "George, do you think I can win her back?"

Bam! George's reply to Allen was a heavy punch to his face. It was such a powerful blow that Allen fell to the ground from the impact. George said solemnly, "Wake up, Allen. You will never be able to compete with the Long Family, and neither can I." He didn't mean to disdain him. He only wanted Allen to see and accept the truth. The Long Family played an influential role both in business and politics. It would be impossible for Allen to fight them. They were on a completely different level.

Allen struggled to get up, wiped off the blood on his lips. He gazed at the blood on his hand. Then he just walked away without bothering to look at George.

George was pissed off by Allen's dispirited face. He could do nothing but watch him disappear into the crowd. George got into his car and drove away with a grim face.

'If he is determined to go to hell, nobody can stop him.

As Allen's friend and schoolmate, I have tried everything in my power to stop him. What else can I do if he has already made up his mind?'

George sighed in defeat. He stepped on the accelerator and sped down the highway.

*

After the engagement ceremony, the guests were showed to 'The Garden In The Air' on the top-most floor for dinner. But Charlie and the other three were surrounded by a bunch of journalists, with continuously flashing cameras. Elsa was starting to get nervous and didn't know how to react or respond to the journalists. She hid inside Charlie's arms and watched them barrage the twins with questions.

Charlie sensed how uncomfortable Elsa was. He turned to the journalists at once and said, "There will be a press conference after dinner. You can ask questions then." With a smile, he added, "Please do enjoy the buffet we've prepared for you. The conference will be held in two hours."

The journalists were surprised and excited about the announcement. They kept their eyes on the two couples even as they were led to the restaurant for dinner, expecting their scoops.

"Charlie, are you serious? Have you arranged a press conference?" Ezra asked, taken by surprise by his sudden plans.

Charlie nodded and replied, "Yeah." He paused, then added with an evil grin, "But I never said that we will be there." He took Elsa's hand and said, "We're leaving. Evelyn-" he turned back to Ezra, "-tell them that Elsa and I went on a vacation." "Huh?"

Elsa, Evelyn and Ezra asked in astonishment at the same time. They exchanged glances, but none of them knew what was on Charlie's mind.

"But Charlie..." Evelyn was completely confused. "You should go to the National Congress the day after tomorrow."

Charlie started walking away from them with Elsa's hand in his. "Don't worry. I will be there on time." He was already out the door when he finished his words, then quickly vanished out of Evelyn's sight.

Evelyn pouted and complained to Ezra, "Why should I go up there and explain the situation when they are clearly running away? Hmph! I'm not that jobless." She pulled at her dress regardless of her image in public and added, "Why don't we get out of here too? Let's go to the West Street!" She pursed her lips and winked playfully.

Ezra replied with a grin and then held out his hand. Evelyn couldn't handle his romantic gestures and rolled her eyes, but nevertheless, she placed her hand on Ezra's. When Ezra squeezed her hand tightly, she couldn't suppress the comfortable smile that appeared involuntarily on her face.

The two couples ran away one after the other, leaving the people and the security on the top floor gaping at one another. They immediately reported the sudden turn of events to the manager of the hotel through intercom.

The manager searched everywhere for the couples, his dignity on the line if he didn't find them before the press conference. He saw Addison and ran to him. Panting, he whispered in his ear, "Addison, Charlie and Evelyn are both gone." Addison didn't seem surprised at all. He just nodded with a grin and said, "Okay, got it."

'That's it? You got it?' the manager wondered. He looked at Addison in confusion and then looked around at the crowd that was waiting for the couples.

"It would be strange if they didn't leave, right?" Addison asked the manager with a smile. Leaving the baffled manager behind, Addison walked towards Brian and Eric. The two couples' family were all standing together, smiling and chatting with each other, celebrating their children's happiness. When he reached the happy circle, he said, "Charlie and Elsa-" he checked his phone"-are headed to Pier 7, and Evelyn and Ezra have gone to the West Street." Elsa's parents were puzzled. Ezra's mother, on the other hand, said helplessly, "I knew it. Ezra must have taken Evelyn to West Street.."

"I think that it was most probably Evelyn who had abducted Ezra." Addison put away his cellphone and said to Elsa's parents, "Uncle, Auntie, Charlie is a bit wayward. I think he was just worried that Elsa was being pressurized by the journalists too much. She is not yet used to this environment. So, please don't worry. He'll take care of her."

Evelyn's parents smiled and nodded. They couldn't help but wonder, 'What had our silly daughter done to deserve such a thoughtful husband?'

It was pretty noisy inside the conference room of the hotel. The journalists hadn't realized the trick behind Charlie's words until the press conference had started. Just as he had promised, the journalists could ask any questions, but the people who answered were the delegates from the Public Relations Department of the Dragon Empire Group, who gave them the most skillful answers.

Not to mention, the media people were disappointed. On the other hand, Elsa was in a very good mood. She stared at the small blue yacht blended into the background of the sea. She was so excited that she couldn't help screaming out.

"Charlie, Charlie! Are we going to Dragon Island on this?" Elsa asked, pointing to the yacht.

Charlie laughed, nodding. He held out his hand to Elsa as they boarded the yacht and said, "The scenery in this sea between T City and Dragon Island is amazing. Besides, it's very quiet since it's privately owned by our family." He led Elsa to the cockpit. "If you're lucky, you might get to see dolphins," he said.

"Really?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement. When Charlie nodded, she gasped joyfully and jumped up and down before wrapping her arms around his neck. She got so carried away that she even had the guts to kiss him on his cheek.

Charlie's eyes darkened at the touch of her lips on his skin. As a man in his early twenties with raging hormones, Charlie had a hard time controlling himself when he was being held so tightly by his girl. Last time, when he had taken Elsa to the Moonlight Island, he had slept in a separate room on purpose and had cold showers at night to ease his pain. At the time, he was afraid that he would lose control and have sex with her. He didn't want to put her in a situation like that when they were still in an uncertain relationship. But the circumstances were different now. They were engaged. He and Elsa would definitely get married soon. She belonged to him, even though they didn't hold a wedding ceremony yet. At this point, there was no way he could control his urges. He wanted her.