Love Began with the First Meeting

Molly borrowed Hogan's cellphone and went to the rest room during the break. She hesitated for a long time. Finally she took out
the note she had kept in her pocket and dialed the number written.
"Hello?" A bewitching voice greeted her from the other side.
Molly was really hesitant to introduce herself. She waited until the person at the other end of the line was threatening to hang up
if she didn't talk. "I'm the person you took clothes shopping this morning!"
There was silence at the other end for a while. Molly licked her lips while waiting. It was obvious that she felt uneasy.
"It's you!" Eric answered quietly. He took a sip of wine and asked," You have something to say?"
Even though he asked, Eric knew the answer for sure.
"Yeah!" Molly answered slowly. She was not sure if it was appropriate to make this call because they had only met once. What's
more, it hadn't been a particularly pleasant experience.
Eric glanced at Brian, who was sipping on his wine leisurely and asked with a smile," What's up?"
Molly didn't answer immediately. She bit her lip and held the piece of paper in her hand with more strength as she was getting
nervous. After a while she asked quietly," Can... can I... talk to you later? I mean face-to-face?
I won't take much of your time!" she hurriedly added, as if afraid she would be rejected.
Eric's smile widened into an even more wicked one. "Dream Coffee, 00:30."
Molly wasn't expecting to receive an address and time. She paused and then agreed quickly," OK! Thank you..."
"Thank me after I have helped you, if I can!" Eric said and then hung up.
During the entire length of the conversation, Brian hadn't shown any emotion or looked at his brother.
"Why are you here today?" Eric asked him blandly.
Brian owned several casinos, but he rarely visited any of them, especially when he didn't have any business to do, like today in
this one at such late hours. So there must have been a reason.

Brian looked at the wine which was reflecting captivating shades and shapes of light and began talking slowly," Becky has left
and I'm depressed. Isn't that what you've always wanted?"
With a calm expression, he raised his eyebrows and looked at Eric, who was smiling slyly.
"Is that what you think?" Eric asked. He lay down on the sofa and propped his feet on the desk in leisure. Then he continued in a
composed voice," I didn't influence Becky's decision, nor did I want to. Perhaps... it was because I was afraid to lose to you. I
thought her leaving might have been for the best."
"Did you?" Brian glared suspiciously at Eric.
However, Eric still looked as wicked as before. He twiddled the glass slightly and answered slowly," I'm afraid that few people will
dislike a girl like Becky."
He didn't answer Brian directly, but there was a complex emotion flashing across his eyes. Looking up, he said to his brother
instead," You seem to pay a lot of attention to QY Island."
"I like fun games!" That single sentence showed how ambitious and fearless Brian was. He put down his glass and, getting up,
slowly told Eric," I'll stay in the city for a while. Since Becky has left, you can go back to Dragon Island. I don't want uncle asking
me about you!''
Soon as he had finished his last sentence, he took the coat Tony had handed him and began striding towards the door.
Eric did not move. He watched Brian's receding footsteps and wondered," Why would you stay here even after Becky is gone?"
"Wing will hold a charity concert here next month!" Brian left the office as soon as he had finished speaking, and the office was
left silent in Eric's presence.
He merely smiled and sipped his wine. The fragrance and the sweet taste spread over his entire mouth. His eyes were fixed on
the big screen and occasionally, he caught sight of Molly circulating among the gamblers. Eric couldn't help watching her
carefully.
*
After Molly had exchanged the chips she had received as tips from the gamblers, she hurriedly went to change her clothes and
then ran towards the Dream Coffee café just opposite the Grand Night Casino.

"Welcome!" a waitress greeted her sweetly. "Are you alone, miss?"
"No..." she answered as her eyes fluttered around. The entire café was filled with people. Even though it was late, this was a
busy part of the city. Molly's eyes stopped at a corner. She couldn't help but feel joyful. "I have a friend here!"
She walked directly towards Eric and smiled at him. She sat opposite to him and ordered a cup of coffee. She was biting her lips,
trying to find the right way to say it. Eric made it easy for her.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" he asked, noticing her embarrassed look.
"Well..." Molly paused for a moment. Then she simply looked at Eric and said," Can you lend me two hundred grand? I need it
urgently. I swear I will pay you back in a month. I promise!"
She was so nervous that her heart was almost jumping out of her chest. She was keeping her lips tightly closed and staring at
Eric who had been wearing an elegant but evil smile since the beginning of their encounter.
He did not say a word. He was just looking at her carefully, as if surveying her. Molly began to breath heavily. Then Eric
remembered her image on the monitor screen, and Brian's attitude came to his mind. He said peacefully," Even though it isn't
that much... you'll have to give me a reason anyway."