"Yeah. Pris invited me. Have you met with EG yet?", he asked with a huge smile on his face.
"Not yet. Which reminds me, how did you come up here? Pris has tighten the security like mad.", I asked and thought for a moment.
"You forgot? You have a standing order that I'm allowed access to you whenever I'm here.", Wilber reminded me. I looked at him in surprise.
"I do?", I asked and frowned. He nodded, still smiling widely.
"I don't remember, but it does not matter. I'm just glad that you're here.", I said with a smile.
"Oh yeah! I've got something for you.", Wilber said and held out a small box.
"For me?", I said excitedly and tookthe box from him.
"Open it.", Wilber urged. I gently opened the box, revealing a pair of Sapphire earrings.
"You shouldn't have Wil.", I said softly.
"I missed your birthday so here's your birthday present.", Wil explained. I looked at him and arched a brow.
"But you were here for my birthday.", I rebutted. Wilber only laughed.
"Do you like them?", he asked gently.
"They're lovely. Thank you Wil.", I said as I closed the box.
"It's nothing.", he said with a laugh. I looked up at him and frowned.
"Wil, are you up to something?", I asked teasingly.
"Maybe, maybe not.", he said with a shrug and took two steps back.
"You're not going anywhere until you tell me what you're up to.", I said and grabbed his hand. Wilber only smiled and said nothing.
"Fine. I won't ask.", I said and let go, but Wil held on. I looked at him.
"What's wrong?", I asked him.
"About the Duke, is it true?", he asked, concern in his voice. I sighed.
"Which part? Every paper has a different version.", I said and went to sit on my bed. Wilber followed and sat down beside me.
"That you two are dating. That he likes you. That you were pregnant with his child.", Wilber said softly. I laughed.
"Will oh Will. Don't believe everything you read.", I said, still laughing. Will frowned.
"I'm not joking Qiuru. It's everywhere. The news is every where.", Will urged. I looked up at him.
"I-- We--", I began slowly. Will nodded.
"We were dating, or I thought we were. I'm not sure what my relationship is with him. Gareth does like me, or rather, he says he loves me. As for the pregnancy, it's over.", I said softly.
"Qiuru, I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish I was here earlier.", Will said and hugged me.
"Will, I'm ok. Really, maybe it was a good thing that Chloe is no longer around. I wouldn't know what to do when Gareth finds out about her. I--", I explained, and Will hugged me tighter.
"Will, I'm really ok now.", I said and gently stroked his arm. He released me, his hands on my shoulders and looked at me.
"Qiuru, I-- ", Wilber began. I tilted my head a little.
"You know how I feel about you. I don't think I'll ever have a chance with you, but I don't want to see you hurt by anything or anyone.", Wilber said slowly.
"Wil, I--", I began. He only shook his head.
"I'm not asking you of anything, only that you look after yourself. Promise me that. Hmm?", Wilber said with a gentle smile. I only nodded.
"That's my girl.", Wilber said with a smile and gently stroked my cheek.
A knock on my door. Both Wilber and I turned to look. It was Pris, looking at us, arms crossed and a brow arched.
"Pris!", Wilber let go of me and went up to greet her with a hug.
"What are you doing up here Wil? Wait, how did you get up here?", she asked. I raised my hand.
"I think it was my idea. I don't really remember, but I think I had a standing order that Wil is allowed access to me whenever he visits the Manor.", I said slowly, my voice getting softer and softer.
"Qiu.. You know you can't do that! Especially now with all that is going on.", Pris chided me. I pouted and looked down and nodded.
"Come on Pris, you can't just lock everything in. I understand that you're trying to keep everyone here in the Manor safe, but locking either your friends out or yourselves in is not the way to go.", Wilber said and sat down beside me.
"You don't know how crazy it can get here.", Pris said. Wilber only shrugged his shoulders and put his arm around my shoulders.
Pris humphed. I looked at her and apologised, citing that I will let Mag know that there isno longer this standing order.
"Fine fine, Wil can have his standing order since he does not visit that oftern anyways. But!!! It's just between us only. No one else is allowed access anywhere else, do you two hear me?", Pris said, her arms across her chest.
"Yes Pris mummy.", I said and smiled at her. Pris returned me a smile.
"Anyways, I'm looking for you. There's going to be the annual New Year's party back in London and I will need to head back there. Understand that you've been invited to the St Claire's party?", Pris said as she sat down on my bed. I nodded.
"Monique invited me, but I'm not sure if I should go. I mean, the Ridge's party is after all family. Although I'd rather-- Nevermind. I guess I'll turn down Monique invitation, since this year will be my first New Year with the Ridges.", I said with a small smile.
"Qiuru, would you rather go to Australia?", Wilber asked suddenly.
"Wil, I-- I'll be going there for Chinese New Year.", I said softly.
"Qiu, I didn't.. I forgot..", Pris stammered.
"Forget it lah. I'll be going over during CNY.", I said and waved it off.
~~~
Gareth overheard their conversation from outside Autumn's room. He leaned against the wall beside the door to her room. Gareth sighed. He had also almost forgotten about her real family in Australia. The door clicked open and Pris stpped out. She gasped in surprise. Gareth grinned.
"Sorry, I was about to knock when I heard you talking. Deicded to wait it out first.", Gareth explained. Pris said nothing.
"She's with someone now?", Gareth added.
"Her penpal and really good friend.", Pris said with a sigh.
"What happened?", Gareth asked, noticing her sigh.
"Autumn. We been so caught up with everything, that I had totally forgotten about her family in Australia. After all that she has beent through, I really shoudl have thought of sending her to Australia instead of going back to London for a New Year party.", Pris sighed.
Gareth gently pat her shoulder.
"I forgot about them too. We've all been too caught up with her and trying to keepthe media away from her that we forgot that she really needs her family right now. Not just us, but her real family in Australia.", Gareth said gently. Pris nodded.
"She mentioned that she will be going over for the New Year?", Gareth added.
"No, the Chinese New Year. That's the Lunar New Year. We celebrate the beginning of Spring according to the Lunar calender.", Pri explained to Gareth.
"I see. Sounds like fun.", he said.
"It is fun. We get red packets from the elders. It's always filled with money.", Pris laughed.
Just then, Autumn's door clicked open and Wilber stepped out. Pris and Gareth turned to look at him. Wilber looked between Pris and Gareth and smiled.
"You must be the Duke. I'm Wilber.", Wilber said and held his hand out to shake Gareth's.
"Pleasure to meet you.", Gareth said in return as he shook Wilber's hand.
"How is she?", Pris asked him.
"She will be fine. She's got alot on her plate now and she needs abit more time. But otherwise, she's doing ok.", Wilber explained. Pris and Gareth nodded.
"Go on in.", Wilber urged Gareth.
Gareth said his thanks and went into her room.
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