“Mai. It won’t surprise me if you found Andrew attractive. I mean you say you love me, but I am old, and he is a younger version of me. Why would you choose me when you could have Andrew or someone else young like him? I wouldn’t mind if you leave me for a younger man. I will understand.”
That is when Mai turned to look directly at John. She was about to speak but paused for a moment and opened her mouth again.
“Mr. Thompson. I am so sorry…”
John gave her a weary smile. I believed he knew what was coming.
“I…”
When John tried to speak Mai stopped him.
“Please. Let me finish. I am sorry Mr. Thompson… that I made you doubt my devotion to you. My feeling for you hasn’t changed and never will. I love you, and I never want to leave you.”
“…but”
“Please. Today I’ve learned how hard you worked when you were Andrew’s age. I wish I was there when you struggled to make ends meet and provide a better future for your family. It is so silly, but my heart breaks that I wasn’t there and take care of you… So no. I wasn’t blushing for Andrew, I was blushing because I imagined I was meeting you in your 30s. Yes I saw younger you from him, but Andrew can never be you. He didn’t sacrifice his youth to provide for people he love. He didn’t grow his business from the ground up. I love your old age, because the years you lived made you who you are. I love you Mr. Thompson. It can’t be anyone else.”
John pulled her into his arms and squeezed her tight. Mai was still his, and she will be his no matter what. He lifted up her face to kiss her tear stained face.
–
Andrew, Alana and George waited for the missing couple who went to the washroom. After waiting more than an hour, they called a waiter to ask if they happened to see the missing couple anywhere. The waiter informed the table that the couple left few minutes ago and paid for the whole table on their way out.
Next time Andrew met the couple, it was their wedding day. Mai was a beautiful bride with a face crimson with excitement. Mai shook with excitement as she vowed to love and cherish John until their death. Looking at Mai, John no longer questioned her love for him. John knew she was going to keep that vow until they die.