Disclaimer: Candy Candy and all characters belong to Kyoko Mizuki, images to Yumiko Igarashi and anime to Toei Animation.

Note: I am grateful to the readers who have written reviews or sent me your feedback. I'd also like to thank those who have added this story to their favorites. Your support is very encouraging and much appreciated. I hope you will enjoy reading this chapter. Thank you!

-Ms Puddleglum

Chapter 26: Blunder

Madam Elroy was both astounded and intrigued by how the reporter could have arrived at such conclusion. For a fraction of a second, she struggled whether she should inquire on what basis he had deduced that. However, by asking him that essentially admitted that the family head was indeed missing; if this news was leaked to the press, the Ardlay's business would be doomed. Striving to hide her dismay and astonishment, she appeared indignant and chided, "What nonsense are you talking about, Mr. Walter?"

Yet the old lady wasn't aware that her actions had betrayed her. Not only she had avoided his penetrating gaze, but the way she fumbled with her ruby pendant conveyed her perturbed state of mind. Nonetheless, the reporter wasn't planning to disclose young Sir Ardlay's whereabouts to Madam Elroy regardless of her response. Thus, he made use of her denial and apologized, "Please pardon me for my impertinence, Madam Elroy."

She left a condescending remark, "Your time is up, Mr. Walter."

"Yes, I know," he acknowledged as he lowered his head in reverence. "Have a good day, Madam Elroy."

She merely uttered, "You too."

Then she unhurriedly left his side lest he could see through her nervousness if she stayed longer. The first thought that appeared in his mind was that he had to find Albert, remembering their encounter last night.

(flashback begins)

When Albert came home after his evening shift, he was taken aback when he saw Herbert by the entrance of his apartment building. For courtesy's sake, he invited the reporter to go up to his place in spite of his headache, which was the reason why he hadn't stayed at Candy's place for long.

As soon as Herbert stepped through the door threshold, he crouched down to greet the skunk and asked, "What's your name again?"

The furry creature seemingly recognized the visitor, and Albert chuckled. "Pouppe is her name."

"Nice name," he uttered as he glanced around the tiny but neat bachelor suite. When an amazing pencil drawing hung on the wall caught his attention, he went near that picture and admired, "Someone drew Candy kissing you, right, Albert?"

Albert replied while pouring water into a kettle. "Yes, our friend is an artist. Herbert, do you want some tea?"

"Yes please, if you don't mind," he replied, but his eyes hadn't left the drawing still. "Your friend has done an excellent job I must say!"

"You think so too? I will tell her then."

After Albert had put the kettle on the stove, he beckoned his guest to sit down on the only chair in the room. Then the reporter asked in a casual tone, "How and where did you meet Candy in the first place?"

This question caught Albert by surprise; not only it was a bit personal, but he also pondered the reporter's motive. On the other hand, Herbert believed his answer was crucial to his investigation, and he had determined to discover the truth.

Leaning against the kitchen counter, Albert inquired with a dubious expression on his face. "Why do you want to know?"

Apparently, Albert wasn't going to cooperate easily, but Herbert was well prepared for this. Hence, he spread out his hands in a half shrug and replied, "I don't mean to be inquisitive, Albert, but I am indeed curious why a young nurse was willing to risk her own reputation by taking a male patient under her wings. Presumably, she must have known you before your accident."

Without a word, Albert's eyes narrowed in skepticism. Then the reporter appended, "I went to St. Joanna a while ago and asked to see Miss Ardlay... I didn't know they had fired her. Anyway, the nurse at the reception desk gave me a contemptuous look as if she was judging me. Then the other nurses next to her began telling me things."

As expected, what he said got on Albert's nerves, and the young man demanded, "What things?"

The reporter cleared his throat distinctively, barely hiding his smug smile; he gathered that he might dig something out of Albert after all. "No, I don't think you want to-"

Albert interrupted his sentence with a serious face. "I have the right to know! They were about Candy and me."

The reporter had a feeling that these rumors and gossips must have been preying on his mind for a long while, so he cocked an eyebrow as if he was surprised. "You never know what they have been talking about behind your back?"

Shaking his head, the young man huffed in frustration. "I could only guess... Candy doesn't want to let me know."

At this moment, the reporter pretended to swallow hard and played the submissive role. All he needed to do now was to tell the young man the truth, and that should be enough to provoke him, so the reporter began, "The rumours have been obviously out of control... something about the nurse, smitten by the patient's handsome outlook, had taken advantage of his memory loss..."

While Albert was listening to the reporter describing what those nurses had said about Candy, Albert clenched his jaw tighter and tighter, his countenance getting worse each passing moment. When he heard the dirty words about the nurse not getting enough in room 0 that she had conspired to live together with the male patient, his anger welled up in his chest, and he blurted out, "That's garbage! She just wanted to pay back my kindness to her!"

The reporter drew a sharp breath and stood up from the chair immediately. Concealing his shock as best he could, he prompted, "Your kindness to her?"

For a while, the only sounds were the water boiling in the kettle and the ticking noise from the clock on the wall. After taking some measured breaths to compose himself, Albert looked at Herbert with a plea in his eyes, "Believe me, Candy is still innocent."

"I trust that you're a gentleman," answered Herbert in a firm but sympathetic tone, nodding emphatically while giving pats on the young man's shoulder. By now, they were standing right next to each other. Then Herbert began telling what he had observed that late evening inside Happy Clinic.

"I suppose you were not fully conscious then, so you probably didn't know. Your eyes closed in grimace when Dr. Martin examined the bruised skin of your sides. Then he tried to feel your internal organs with his fingertips, and when he proceeded to unbutton your pants, Candy literally fled the scene." [1]

"Did she really?" asked Albert after a knowing chuckle escaped his throat. So that was why she abruptly left the clinic!

Just then, the kettle whistled, and Albert made the tea. After passing the cup to the reporter, Albert relayed to him succinctly what had happened years ago near the waterfall at Lakewood. "Bear in mind that I don't remember any of these, but Candy told me Pouppe had always been my pet. She also insisted that I had been like a dear big brother to her, giving her the support she had needed even though I had come and gone a few times in her life."

When the reporter learned that Albert had been in London and later gone to Africa, the reporter strongly suspected that he himself was talking to no other than the man he had been wanting to meet. The reporter just needed to collect more evidence to convince the young man. Therefore, the reporter resolved to go to St. Joanna again by directly talking to the director, Dr. Leonard.

(flashback ends)

Driving back to the news office from the hospital, Herbert contemplated the most appropriate action to tackle the current problem. He couldn't make up his mind whether he should pretend he knew nothing and simply let fate take its own course or if he should warn the young couple, who were so in love with each other. He really didn't have the heart to break the news to them. Chances were they wouldn't be unaffected even though they might not believe him at all.

At any rate, Herbert wasn't going to let Madam Elroy know about the young lovers, at least not yet. On one hand, he sympathized with the old lady, who must have been worried tremendously about her nephew for many months. On the other hand, he could visualize how she might react once she discovered the true identity of Candy's love. For sure she wouldn't sit back and do nothing, especially she seemed to care so much about family reputation. Otherwise, why had she made Dr. Leonard fire the hard-working nurse? Later, she had even offered to pay the male patient generously to leave the nurse for good.

When the reporter got back to his desk in the office, he suddenly remembered Neil Leagan, and he couldn't stop himself from laughing his head off. If only that brat knew what he had done...

Then someone tapped him on his shoulder. "What's so funny, Herbert?"

The reporter turned around and found the editor-in-chief smiling at him. The editor said, "I know you have been busy working on the Ardlay's case, but since Sir Ardlay is in Europe, I want you to focus more on other urgent tasks."

Herbert had no choice but complied, but he planned to pay Albert a visit tonight after work.

=o=o=o=

On their way back to Chicago from the countryside, Candy and Albert were in comfortable silence with each other. The sky had grown darker again, the clouds more ominous. It looked like another storm might be hitting soon. Thus, Albert had to concentrate in driving because his headache had come back, just like the past few days. He hid this from Candy however; he just wanted to take her home in time, knowing that Archie and the others were coming to see her this afternoon.

Candy was peering out of the car window at the scenery, but at the same time she had been reflecting upon Archie's words when he had come to her place yesterday evening around dinner time, informing her of Stear's arrival. They hadn't known his conditions yet, but soon they would be allowed to visit him.

"Candy, I'm sorry... Great Aunt Elroy has specifically warned me not to take you to the hospital with us," Archie had said in a regretful tone with his brows knitting together.

"No worries, Archie," she had replied. "Honestly, I have expected this."

Her response had made Archie even more irritated at his aunt's palpable prejudice against Candy, but he had felt helpless. The only thing he could do was to promise Candy that he would come again with Annie and Patty after visiting Stear the next day.

As a matter of fact, Candy didn't feel like stepping into that hospital herself again, and she was very much aware that Great Aunt Elroy had always felt ashamed of her and abhored the fact that Candy called herself an Ardlay in Chicago.

Then Albert's voice, probing yet gentle, pulled her away from her thoughts, "What's on your mind, Candy?"

Upon hearing his question, she realized that they had arrived at the House of Magnolia. As he turned off the engine and pulled the handbrake, she put on a funny expression and replied, "Nothing new really... except the wish that we have started our new lives somewhere outside Chicago already."

He evaluated her answer in silence, as though wondering whether to believe her. A short while later, he took a deep breath and lovingly grasped her hand, saying in a tender tone, "Same here. Ever since that morning when I woke up with you in my arms, I have been dreaming about what it is like when we are married."

Instantly, her face was flushed, and her pink lips parted as if she wanted to speak. His voice was mellow, and his words stirred her because she had thought likewise of him. In fact, the scenes right after she had found herself sleeping with him in his bed had often returned to her mind, and now it did again. She had missed his body warmth and the way his arms had wrapped her close in his sleep.

Meanwhile, he was gazing at her in a way that stirred her even more, and her heart thumped like a drum in her chest, but all she could do at this moment was to mouth the words to him, "I love you."

He then responded by speaking in a subdued voice, "I love you too."

Her neighbors could show up any instant, so they couldn't express their feelings more than that. Then Albert opened her passenger door and remarked, "I will drop by tonight after work."

"See you soon!" she uttered with a radiant smile, waving her hand at him when he walked back to the driver's side.

No sooner had she unlocked her front door than her foot stepped on a note on the floor. She bent down and picked it up, unfolding it to read.

George is coming tonight!

It seemed that the moment she had been waiting for would finally occur, and mixed feelings settled in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't quite predict how George would respond when she later introduced Albert to him, so she felt a bit uneasy. Nevertheless, she was more in an exuberant mood because she could hardly wait for this meeting to take place, having high hopes that George would accept Albert. She even considered asking George to be her ally to help convince Uncle William later. Hence, she would definitely ask him to stay until Albert showed up tonight.

As she passed by the bathroom, from her reflection in the mirror, she found that she looked like a mess. After all, she was being soaked in the rain earlier. Knowing that her friends would arrive any time, she decided she could use a good shower and some clean clothes.

When brushing her damp hair afterwards, Candy heard loud knocks. She trotted to open the door, and she saw her friends standing there. Their grave countenance made her heart sink, and when she was about to open her mouth, Patty threw her arms around the blond girl and cried, "Candy!"

Within seconds, Candy felt her neck wet where Patty was sobbing against it. Needless to say, something unpleasant must have happened.

=o=o=o=

"Albert, I heard that you have quit your job, is that true?" asked Daniel, his voice dripping of concern.

The taller man glanced over his shoulder and spotted Daniel. He then remarked, "Candy and I will leave Chicago, and I will find a job in a different city."

"Why?" questioned Daniel, his eyes searching his friend's face.

"It's a long story, and this is not a good time, Daniel," Albert explained with a soft sigh. He didn't want to tell Daniel too much until after he could talk with George and gauge his reaction first. Just then, he produced the car key from his pocket and passed it to Daniel. "By the way, I don't need the car anymore, but thank you very much for letting me have it for a while. It's been very handy to us."

Albert didn't dare to drive after work because his headache might return later; when it occurred in the evening, it usually hit him hard, just like the past few nights. Thus, he might as well return the key now.

Daniel frowned. "Are you sure about it?"

Albert gave him a nod and said, "Absolutely sure. Anyway, I ought to head to the kitchen now before the main chef sends someone to fetch me."

"Wait a minute!" urged Daniel, handing Albert the envelope in his hand. "This is the wedding invitation from Charlotte, for you and Candy. Charlotte was quite upset that I kept forgetting to pass it to you. Anyway, she wishes to see you both on her big day."

"I see, please send my regards to her, Daniel," responded Albert, a polite smile adorning his lips.

"Certainly!" stated Daniel. Then, giving Albert a friendly push on his back, he urged, "Now, go ahead, the kitchen needs you."

Albert had a hunch that Candy might not want to attend the wedding because she didn't know Charlotte well, but most of all, it was highly likely that the hospital staff at St. Joanna had been invited too. After all, Charlotte's fiancé now worked in that hospital.

=o=o=o=

"Stear wanted to split up with you?" Candy was more than astonished. It took her a few seconds to register the bad news, remembering Stear's love letter to Patty a while ago.

Patty gave a few quick, audible gasps before she managed to answer in between her sobs, "He claimed... he has changed... not love me... anymore..."

"This can't be true!" Candy exclaimed, apparently vexed.

Archie then cut in, "Yes, Candy. Both Annie and I heard Patty's agitated voice, and as we swung open the door, we saw Patty collapse into tears while Stear were speaking to her."

Annie then wrapped her arms around both of her friends and nodded her head. So Candy asked in a shaky voice, holding Patty tighter in her arms, "What did he say exactly, Archie?"

"Stear said he was no longer the same after what he had been through," answered Archie in a gloomy voice, his expression completely saddened. Then he raked his hair using his fingers and loosened his collar roughly as though it chafed against his neck. Another minute of silence elapsed before he added with a sigh, "My brother also claimed that he had witnessed too many deaths, too many barbarities. In a sense, he was glad that he was blind now for he was spared to see any more of those."

Totally aghast, Candy inquired incredulously, "Blind? Stear is blind?"

At her question, Patty sobbed even louder, and Archie slapped a hand to his forehead and squeezed his eyes shut. "Right... you don't know yet."

He sounded so tired, and only then Candy realized that they had been standing by the door all this time. She gestured them to sit down on the sofa with her while Archie pulled a chair from the dining table. Then he patiently explained Stear's conditions to Candy. Later, he concluded, "His doctor warned Stear that the surgery might involve risks that were far graver than blindness, but Stear chose to proceed. My parents and Great Aunt Elroy were grieved beyond words, but they respected his decision. Therefore, the doctor will make arrangements and give Stear a thorough physical assessment before the surgery."

"What's the doctor's name?" asked Candy.

"He's called Dr. Jacob Morrison," said Archie. "Why? Do you know him?"

Candy had never heard of this doctor when she had worked in the hospital, so she slowly shook at head, but she replied, "I find his name very familiar though."

So Annie joined in, "I was told that his fiancée is from Mary Jane-"

Before she could finish, Candy interrupted her, "Oh now I remember who he is!"

Then Candy informed them that Albert actually knew his fiancée, who had been the maid of honor when he had been the best man for his good friend who also worked at Parkview Restaurant. However, Candy was cautious of not revealing too much at this point. Originally, she was going to apprise her friends of her engagement with Albert and their relocation plan, but she changed her mind because Patty was clearly devastated. Candy surmised that Stear still loved Patty but pushed her away for her own good. In any case, she believed she had better wait till probably after Stear's surgery. She prayed that the surgery would be successful and Patty could be strong enough to cope with the new adjustments.

=o=o=o=

Lucas had been worried that Susanna wouldn't eat properly at regular times, but when he arrived at her place after work, Mrs. Marlowe had made sure her daughter had eaten her dinner. Her nurse, Bonnie, was just about to take her out for a stroll in the neighborhood. Therefore, Lucas offered to do that for Susanna, to which she gladly accepted.

"Where is Miss Gibson?" asked Susanna in a bantering tone when they paused at an intersection, getting ready to cross the road. Her home was only few blocks away. They were already heading back because her mother had specifically told him not to take her out for too long.

"Oh, Anna's very busy these days. Still in the office working, but I'll pick her up later for dinner."

"I see," she said. "Please arrange for us to meet again when she's less busy, will you please?"

"Definitely!" Lucas promised. Then he crouched down to make sure his eyes were leveled with hers. "By the way, I handed your scripts to him just before I left the office today, and I'm sure he'll be just as impressed as I am."

The ex-actress blushed within a second. "Do you mean Mr. Hathaway?"

Lucas laughed. "Who else? Of course I meant Director Robert Hathaway."

While pushing her down the sidewalk, they continued chatting merrily with each other. A couple of minutes later, a sarcastic male voice grumbled behind them, and they were both startled. "Lucas Cameron. I just knew it."

Susanna would never forget that voice, so she whirled her head around at once, but she was shocked that he looked cross even though he had put up a wry smile. Then she heard Lucas say, "There you are, Terry Graham! You're back-"

But Terry cut him off, jeering, "But it looks like I'm not welcome anymore!"

Then Terry suddenly raised his fist at Lucas. Instinctively, Lucas ducked to avoid the blow. Terry was going to strike again even after hearing Susanna's shrieking voice. For the time being, he wasn't entirely sure why he was so mad. Perhaps he had longed to vent his pent-up emotions that had been brewing all these months, and fighting might help him release the tension that ate at his soul.

Before long, a crowd had gathered to watch. Lucas clearly had the upper hand, being taller and much stronger. Little did Terry know that his health had suffered from his prolonged drinking bouts and smoking. He had become so weak that he had troubles keeping up. Within minutes, he was out of breath, and he slowed down significantly. Lucas could have defeated him now, but he only kept his guard instead because Terry was obviously in a bad shape.

Only then Susanna saw Terry's suitcase nearby, the one she had packed for him a while ago, which meant that he had gone home earlier.

"Terry," she attempted to explain. She knew that her mother must have been very mean to him. Initially, Mrs. Marlowe had made Terry stay with Susanna after that tragic accident on the stage, but as months had passed, Terry's career had declined to such an extent that Mrs. Marlowe had despised him more and more each day and later even rejected him, thinking that her daughter deserved someone much better. Now that Susanna was willing to let him go, Mrs. Marlowe couldn't wait to kick him out of the house.

Surprisingly, Terry held up his hands to stop her. Although he wanted to say something to her, he found that he could not get the word out of his throat, his chest still heaving painfully. By now, Lucas had also noticed his suitcase, so he asked, "I guess you know that your engagement to Sus-"

Terry's dark glare from beneath his beetling brows made Lucas pause. "Yes, her mother... has told me... everything..."

Then to their surprise, Terry added, pointing his finger at the taller guy, "I sense that... you have... always wanted her."

Immediately, Lucas countered, "Terry, you have misunderstood us totally-"

Terry let out a bitter chortle, cutting him off. Now that these two men were very close, the taller guy's nose instantly wrinkled in disgust when he could smell the wine and tobacco from Terry's breath. Even his eyes were red. Lucas bellowed, "No wonder... you're drunk!"

Terry denied, "No! Just tipsy, but far from drunk!"

Yet Lucas felt the need to explain to him. "Admit it! Don't you know that Susanna and I are just best friends?"

Terry laughed with bitter tears in his eyes. "Who knows what has happened... between you two... when I was away? But I don't really care... I have lost everything anyway, including my love."

Susanna began to shed tears, understanding that Terry didn't mean her. He meant Candy, the sweet and cheery nurse in Chicago. Then Lucas uttered in response to Terry's statement, "Yes... but look at you now! No one in the right mind will want you at all!"

Terry was at a loss. What Lucas said might be true. Meanwhile, since they had ceased fighting, the crowd dispersed gradually. Then Terry finally responded, "She's not like that. I'm going to track her down!"

Without giving it a thought, Lucas spoke up, "Save yourself some troubles. She's moved on with... oh blunder!"

Lucas had almost let it slip, but he had caught himself just in time. Lucas then reprimanded himself in a murmur, "Damn! Me and my big mouth again..."

Terry's eyes widened in shock, grabbing his shirt collar. "What? How do you know? Have you met her? Is she in New York?"

Lucas gulped at his questions and shook his head ruefully, but no words came forth because he still debated inwardly whether to reveal or not.

Even Susanna wanted to know. She pleaded, "Lucas, please, don't keep it from us."

While Lucas kept his mouth shut, Terry could hardly stand the suspense; his impatience seemed to give him a surge of strength. He hollered, "Lucas Cameron, spit it out!"

Before Lucas knew it, his jaw was punched, which completely took him off guard. As a result, he lost his balance, accidentally giving the wheelchair beside him a mighty push. The wheelchair lurched and swayed slightly, and Susanna felt her wheelchair began to roll forwards.

"Terry!" she screamed frantically for help, her hands trying to stop the wheels from spinning, but it was too late. The wheelchair had picked up its speed, rolling down the street. People around them were stunned; they froze in their tracks as though they couldn't quite register what was happening.

All of a sudden, Terry sobered up and realized the seriousness of the situation. He then scurried to catch her wheelchair. Lucas scrambled to his feet and sprinted towards them as well. At this instant, the wheelchair fell over the curb, and Susanna was thrown off her wheelchair. Terry bolted, faster than he had ever done in his life, and he managed to catch her fall. She came crashing down onto him, and they ended up stumbling onto the stone hard ground together, with her lying on top of him.

Terry yelped at a piercing pain near his shoulder, "Ouch!"

He believed he just broke his shoulder due to the impact of the fall. Just then, Lucas shouted at the top of his lungs, "Get up you both!"

A vehicle was coming in their direction. The driver panicked and kept honking at them while pushing on the brake pedal with all his might. But the strangest thing occurred at this point. Neither Terry nor Susanna was scared. In fact, she was actually contented that she could die in his arms. Like Terry, she had lost her will to live.

On the brink of death, it no longer mattered to Terry that Candy had moved on with another man already, knowing that he might have lost her for good this time. At any rate, he wished her all the best, but there was one thing he wanted to do before he breathed his last.

Terry raised his hand to Susanna's face and implored with a coarse voice, "Please forgive me. I have failed you."

To his utter astonishment, when the squealing sound from the car brakes filled the air, he felt hot lips crush onto his own.

=o=o=o=

Candy bid her friends goodbye as they left her apartment. Patty was a bit lightheaded, and they all believed she needed rest. Therefore, they were going to take her home. After closing her front door, Candy stretched her arms up high and walked to the window. Meanwhile, the sky was darkened, and the rain fell in torrents. She figured Albert might have returned the car to Daniel already, and she believed he didn't have an umbrella with him.

Therefore, she hastily made a simple dinner for herself such that she could bring an umbrella to Albert before George would show up. Unfortunately, she didn't have much appetite. After some struggles, she pushed the food aside and headed out.

Candy had just stepped out of the apartment building, but she recognized the car that parked nearby. The Ardlay family insignia was conspicuous. With a pounding heart, she held the umbrella handle tighter and advanced towards the car. As expected, the one who was sitting inside the car saw her too. He swiftly opened the driver's side door and greeted, "Good evening, Miss Candice."

"George!" she exclaimed with glee. "You came early!"

He chuckled. "I have finished all the tasks on my to-do list, and I have nowhere to go, Miss Candice."

"I'm actually on my way to bring this to Albert," she replied, showing another umbrella in her hand. "Would you like to come with me or do you want to wait till he gets off from work?"

He hid his growing anxiety and remarked cordially, "Of course I would like to meet him as soon as possible. He must be a remarkable young man."

Candy shyly nodded in acknowledgement. Then he opened the door for her to get on the car. She happily thought, I take that as a positive sign.

On their way there, she informed George that Albert had proposed and she had accepted. She also told him about their plan to relocate and all that. George kept nodding without giving her any comment in return. He was unable to shake off his apprehension, but to Candy, he just looked cool and composed as always.

When they had arrived at the restaurant, Candy urged George to wait in the car. Albert might be very busy in the kitchen at this time, so Candy would ask him to come out for about five minutes to meet George. He would drop by her place after his shift anyway. But George disagreed, "Miss Candice, please let me come with you."

She rolled her eyes, thinking for a few seconds. Then she asked, "Have you eaten yet, George?"

As he shook his head, she suggested, "How about you get a table for us in the restaurant?"

George conceded with a smile, watching Candy go into the restaurant. After getting a table, he asked the server where the men's room was because he wanted to wash his face in an attempt to calm his racing pulse. The server showed him the way. As George paced along the dim corridor, he happened to see two people huddling together at a corner near the kitchen. He knew he should just walk away, but his legs didn't seem to cooperate because the man's silhouette was alarmingly familiar.

Once his eyes adjusted to the low light conditions, he realized that they were kissing, and he recognized the lady's dress. He thought, the man must be Albert then!

The kiss didn't last much longer after that as the couple sensed that someone was watching. When the blond haired man spun around, George locked eyes with him, and George's jaws dropped unconsciously. He could only stare at the young man in chef's apron as though he was entranced. He certainly looks different than before... his hair much shorter and no more disguise... but it is him... no doubt.

Albert's face broke into a beaming smile when he heard Candy's eager voice, "This is George."

So Albert smilingly approached him, stretching his hand out, and enthusiastically said, "It's my pleasure to meet you, Mr. George."

His voice confirmed his identity. George was unable to respond or utter a word. He still couldn't decide how to address the young man. One thing was clear in his mind-what he had feared had become a reality.

Oh my God... what am I supposed to do?

=o=o=o=

Author's note:

Thank you for reading! If you like this chapter, please let me know by dropping a few words. Likewise, if you find anything confusing or unclear, please feel free to write to me. I'd like to hear from you in any case. Thank you in advance!

Also, I forgot to mention that New York is one hour faster than Chicago.

Some readers might know that I had named Susanna's nurse 'Daisy', but after publishing that chapter, I found out that one of Eliza's friends in the manga had been given this name. Therefore, I have changed it to Bonnie instead. Thank you for your attention.

To answer some of the readers' questions:

Guest: Regarding your question about George, like you, I used to think that his last name was 'Johnson' until another reader pointed out to me that Mizuki sensei had used a French name in her CCFS. Please refer to the footnote in Chapter 18 Quandary for details.

Angie: Thank you for asking me about the rest of my story. Rest assured that I'm still writing this story as of today, one chapter at a time. I'm a bit slow, but I will try my best to update as often as possible. But I appreciate your eagerness. Thank you.

Footnote:

[1] One Albert fan gave me this idea after reading that particular chapter. Thank you.

=o=o=o=

Revised: April 18, 2013