"Candy Candy" manga is written by Kyoko Mizuki, Yumiko Igarashi.

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Avatar is drawn by ELSA. Drawn with water color. Thank you Elsa.

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Rating: Mostly T. But there are three chapters that are M.

WARNING: This story is UNLIKE my other stories. Here, I experiment with M scenes (because I never wrote one!). Many don't like it because the scenes are simply too explicit. Check the critic reviews first before you read… or perhaps just don't read it.

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CHAPTER 1: The Routine

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The story starts just after the manga ends…

In New York

Terry was pushing Suzanna in her wheelchair from their apartment to a nearby park for their routine evening outing. At the lakeside, he stopped. Gently, he carried her from the wheelchair onto a nearby bench and sat next to her.

"Love you, Terry," said Suzanna, resting her head on Terry's shoulder.

She didn't hear any response. She turned to look at his man. His gaze was far at the horizon, his mind seemed even farther away.

"Terry…," called Suzanna softly. "Terry…" Suzanna repeated.

Terry finally heard her and immediately turned his head to meet her gaze. He felt guilty that his mind wandered to Candy. To cover it up, he quickly pulled the flask they took from home and set it down on the arm of the wheelchair.

"W-Want something to drink?" Terry stammered.

She held his hand, gently shook her head and smiled. "I said I love you," said Suzanna.

"Love you, too, dear," replied Terry, trying to sound bubbling.

Suzanna squeezed his hand. She knew he's thinking about Candy.

He looked into the gentle face of the woman with straight hair who openly worshiped him. As always, immediately he's imagining the curly blonde with freckles. His throat choked with guilt.

It takes time, Terry sighed silently. I will fulfill my words like a gentleman. If love does conquer all like it's said than this woman's love shall do just that.

In Pony's home

Albert is my prince of the hill?, thought Candy. In shocked, she stood frozen staring at Albert.

Then, as fast as her feet could carry, Candy slammed into Albert and let his arms engulfed her.

"You are my prince of the hill?" Candy cried, overcome by emotions.

"Yes, Candy. That pendant is mine. I dropped it when we first met here."

Trembling, she was overcome by male heat which she became more and more conscious when they hugged.

Why he suddenly tells me this?, Candy wondered.

Candy felt Albert slowly push her. She looked up and her eyes met his brilliant clear blue eyes. She wanted this man so much. She felt a strong spark rushed though her at the touch of his gentle warm fingers as they softly wiped tears from her face.

I love you, Albert…

Suddenly a happy thought came across her mind. Maybe he plans to propose to me? Nothing could be more romantic than to have Albert propose at the very spot when they first met when she was six!

Her gaze stopped at his lips. Beautiful lips in that perfect face. It's so close now that his head bent downward looking at her.

Oh Albert, Candy thought, thrilled. Will you kiss me now?, she felt warm everywhere with excitement.

"Candy," Albert murmured.

His hands released her and reaching out to the button of her dress.

Oh Albert…, thought Candy excitedly. The feeling of his hands on her chest sent her hormone bubbling. Holding her breath, her mind ran wild imagining what his hands would do to her buttons. Totally surrendered, she would have let him do anything he wanted to. She had longed for him to do something, oh she's begging for him to unbutton that button.

Unbutton it, Albert. Lie together with me on this soft fluffy patch of grass.

His fingers moved... slowly... Slowly, he's buttoning up her dress to her chin.

"Candy, it's kind of chilly should button your dress," said Albert fatherly or perhaps brotherly, it didn't matter as both equally sucked.

Unpleasant protest rushed through her brain, if only she had the courage to articulate them in words. If only she dared to grab his hands and pull them to her breasts.

Almost coincidentally, she heard someone clear his throat. Out of nowhere, George suddenly appeared.

"Sir William, we need to leave. Aunt Elroy would like an audience with you before you catch the ship," said George coolly before he disappeared as quickly as he came.

Candy had always known that Albert would travel again and had prepared herself for it. But now it's happening, she didn't feel ready to let him go

Don't go Albert... Not tonight. She screamed beseechingly in her mind. I want to be with you tonight. Please… don't go tonight! All emotion exploded from her heart in a scream that she hoped he could hear. He looked down at her, paused. His gaze looked very kind initially before slowly shifted to thoughtful and a he sighed.

"I really have to go," said Albert much to her dismay. "Get to work..." He smiled.

Her heart imploded. The disappointment was complete.

"Do you have to?" asked Candy, giving one last effort to make him stay.

He nodded determinedly. "When I come back, I'll visit you, okay?"

He softly kissed her temple like usual.

"W-when?" asked Candy trying to sound herself.

"In a few months," quipped Albert.

That long?, thought Candy flabbergasted.

She struggled for not seeing him in a day. She's barely alive when he disappeared for weeks. And he's telling her that he'd be gone for months? What if he met someone else?

Albert, I'll die if you're with another woman.

She saw him walk away. Never in her life she wanted so much to call someone back, to run and kneel down begging him to stay.

I should call him back. I must tell him that I love him. I am not a coward! I'll tell him. NOW.

"Albert… wait!" Candy shrieked. She could hear her voice tremble so much, it's unrecognizable.

"Yes, Candy?"

She tried to hold her gaze, but she couldn't. His sharp blue eyes shot her defense system down, sent it crumbling to pieces. I can't. Damn it. Worried cold sweat oozed everywhere. What if he said no? I'd lose face. I can't take the humiliation… ARGH! She dug her nails in her finger to vent off her frustration.

"What about Pouppe?" asked Candy reluctantly instead. Darn! I'm a coward…

"I won't take him," he smiled, that irresistible smile which mauled her heard to bleed. "I've asked someone to care for him." He waved and started to walk again.

Candy watched her prince walk father and farther away. She felt her head hot, dizzy in anger to let that happen and did absolutely nothing about it.

"We'll write letters," said Albert shortly. He waved and opened the car door.

"Have a safe trip," swallowed Candy through the deep pain in her chest

He nodded, entered to his car, and... gone.

What a big anti-climax for her lifelong search for her prince.

Candy sobbed in agony. Frustrated, she ran as fast as her feet could carry around the hill until her lung was out or air and she collapsed on the grass. Panting, she lay still on the grass regaining her breath

This is not the end yet, thought Candy, stayed positive. My prince is a busy businessman. He'll come back!

She went to a nearby creek to wipe her face. Her heart felt so heavy missing Albert. She felt so lonely and cried.

I will keep myself busy. I go back to school, Candy decided, wiping her eyes.

Then, putting a calm face, she walked back to Pony's home to meet Annie, Archie, Patty, and others.

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The following day, in the ship...

Albert took his best staff members to accompany him in the business trip. He planned to research new lines of business to merge to the existing Ardlays business lines to modernize its business practice.

As Albert, he used to carry just a backpack, wear casual outfit and use the economy class. This time, Albert traveled as Sir William. He dressed in a complete formal suit with tie and carrying only a business bag. His many luggage were all taken care of by his staffs. Albert went directly to the upper most deck greeted formally by the head of cabin crew himself. He personally took Albert to the most luxurious cabin which only a handful of people in the world could afford.

"Have a pleasant and relaxing trip, Sir William." He nudged his hat before withdrawing.

"Thanks," responded Albert.

Albert, however, planned to do just the opposite. Ignoring all the relaxation facilities, sauna, massage center, and all that, Albert walked straight to his private VIP business compartment which he would be using to conduct day-to-day business activities while in the ship.

He sank to the big leather chair behind his desk, where he saw an envelope at the center of the desk. It's from Aunt Elroy.

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"Good luck on your first real business trip. Don't forget to get married quickly, though!

Love, Aunt Elroy."

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Albert groaned, remembering what aunt Elroy had told him repeatedly. "You have to be married soon, William! You're already thirty! Your father was married when he was only…"

Albert tossed the note on the paper bin and leaned to his chair, reflecting.

I'm Sir William!

To know such was something he shouldn't take for granted. He shuddered thinking about the amnesia which almost robbed his true identity from his life. The fact that he could still be here and be known as Sir William was like given a second chance to live which he owed in entirely to… Candy. The image of Candy in her beautiful smile crossed his mind.

He sighed.

Abruptly, he stopped reflecting. Determined.

The time had arrived when he must work seriously and he refused to think more about other things but work. Nothing should stand on his way and distract him from accomplishing his goals, even if the woman was… Candy.

Time to work!

Albert rang a bell, a servant entered.

"Call George," said Albert.

Albert picked up one business report among the pile of folders, papers, and books and started reading.

In a few minutes someone came knocking at the half-open door.

"Come in," said Albert routinely. Expecting it's George, he didn't lift his eyes from his book.

The clicking sound of high heels thumped on the hardwood floor soon echoed throughout the room, so unlike the usual quiet footsteps of George...

Eh?, thought Albert at the anomaly.

He lifted up his head. It's not George, it's a young woman instead. She dressed sharply in a dark blazer with matching pencil skirt. Her dark long hair was hanging loose over her shoulders. Her gaze was sharp, showing confidence and intelligence. She walked surely with the determination, like a person who wouldn't recognize timid or limit in her vocabulary.

"Sir William," she greeted. "I am LeAnn. LeAnn Cenna." Her gaze was steady, her voice was sharp and professional. "Mr. George fell ill in the last minute. He tried to get a hold on you, but couldn't." She handed Albert an envelope. "He wrote you a note, Sire."

Of course he couldn't contact me, thought Albert, annoyed. Aunt Elroy was grilling him about marriage! She ordered specifically to all servants and staff not to interrupt her in the process.

Albert opened the envelope and read George's note. George fell ill in the last minute and arranged LeAnn to substitute him for the trip instead.

"…I'm sorry I can only give this letter as explanation, Sir William. LeAnn is a rising star in our company. She's the most qualified person to cover my position at this point…"

While waiting, LeAnn secretly examining her new boss. Much younger than she thought, breathtakingly handsome, perfect blond hair…

"…Her education background includes Oxford and Harvard University with full scholarship. She had worked in another company before joining us. Her performance there was sheer brilliant. It's fortunate that we could make her come to join us…" George wrote.

Impressive enough, thought Albert. He put the letter aside.

Rising to his feet, Albert straightened to his full height and offered LeAnn a handshake.

Five inches taller?, examined LeAnn quickly, comparing Albert's height with herself. Dazzling blue eyes.

"Sir William, I'm pleased to be here," LeAnn replied ceremoniously with the same impassive face she used when entering the door. All trace about her admiration in her boss' blond hair and ocean color blue eyes were concealed nicely to herself.

"Likewise, Ms. Cenna. Please, have a seat," said Albert.

-To be continued-

Thanks for reading.