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

Note: I can't thank you enough for the reviews. Some of you were upset or disturbed after reading my previous chapter. In fact, writing these chapters is emotionally draining, but it's a rewarding experience because of your feedback! Therefore, I'll try my best to keep updating. Although this chapter is short, I hope it has answered some of your questions or clarified things.

Last but not the least, I truly appreciate my beta reader for her help. Thank you, my friend!

-Ms Puddleglum

Chapter 28: Abduction

Albert had only knocked on the door once before it was flung open. A lady with golden curls flew out of the door, eagerly beckoning him to enter. "Albert, you're early! I was washing my dishes, but I heard your heavy footsteps."

"Yes..." he responded with a sigh, attempting a weak smile at her when she closed the door behind him.

She frowned and asked, "What's the matter? Headache again?"

He nodded, rubbing his temples. "It's quite serious this time, so I'm afraid I won't stay long."

"It's alright," she said. Then she promptly led him to the sofa and motioned for him to lie down and rest his head in her lap. Since Neil's attack two nights ago, Albert's headache kept coming back, and the discomfort was sometimes mild but sometimes quite severe. However, last night, Candy had been able to alleviate the pain by massaging his head in a rhythmic fashion. Therefore, he was more than willing to comply.

He closed his eyes while her fingers applied pressures onto his temples. Some long moments later, he felt a lot better. Then he opened his eyes and regarded her with affection. With an amused smile breaking across her face, she pretended to ignore him and continued to focus on her task.

He couldn't portray how much he adored her. She was truly special to him. Few more minutes had elapsed before he remarked, "I'm a lucky man... I wish I could relish this moment forever... your fingers can do magic."

With a feign scowl she put a finger on his mouth to hush him. "Albert, just relax and be quiet, ok?"

He kissed that finger on his mouth, a contented smile creeping onto his face. While moving her fingertips in a soothing, circular motion towards the crown of his head, she admonished him mildly, "Close your eyes, please."

He cast her a wink as his acknowledgement. Just when he was about to heed her advice, he saw her slump. Slightly alarmed, he asked with his brows creased, "Something wrong, Candy?"

She stopped her movement for she was a bit taken aback, obviously not expecting him to have noticed it. While she was struggling for words, he slowly pulled himself up into a sitting position and grasped her hand. "Come on, tell me. What's bothering you?"

She hesitated a little before she spoke up, "That Neil... I can't shake off the feeling that he is still stalking us... or he will come back for revenge..."

He reached out to brush her cheek and inquired softly, "But what can we do other than being extra careful?"

She gazed into his blue eyes for a moment. "How about we leave Chicago for good?"

"Seriously?" he questioned with doubts, and she affirmed with a nod. "Shouldn't you consult with your adoptive father first?"

Then Candy told him that George would be visiting soon, and she would bring this up. After having some more discussions, they would quit their jobs and return to Pony's Home for a while until at least one of them found a job. Therefore, they would inform Dr. Martin first thing tomorrow.

Albert suggested after stifling a yawn, "I'll pick you up in the morning so that we can go to Happy Clinic together."

She smilingly agreed. "Good idea! Breakfast for two then."

He just admired her smile, and he never got tired of it. Yet he raised an eyebrow and asked her jestingly, "Are you certain that you will be able to get up early enough to cook for two people?"

"Of course I am!" She attempted to look insulted, but she couldn't quite pull it off because they both knew what a sleepyhead she had been when they used to live together. Then they burst out laughing.

Soon after that, he planted a light kiss on her forehead and remarked sincerely, "It's my honor to be your guest, so I'll head straight here tomorrow morning then."

Her smile went up to her eyes. She then combed his unruly hair using her fingers, her expression enamoured, "For you, I'm willing to lose some sleep. Besides, I should-"

She abruptly brought her hands to her mouth like she didn't mean to speak her thoughts aloud. Within seconds, she looked away in a chaste manner. Obviously curious, he cupped her face to gently make her meet his eyes. "Yes, Candy?"

Her smile turned sheepish, and she answered evasively, "Albert, I see that you've been yawning, so you must be exhausted. Maybe you should go home and rest."

"Yes indeed, my lovely nurse," he bantered, stretching his long arms above his head. "It's been a long day, and I've been sleep deprived recently."

She passed him a sympathetic look. He had told her yesterday how uncomfortable it had been to lie down with sore body parts, so he hadn't got much quality sleep. Yet, instead of leaving, he remained sitting beside her on the sofa, his blue eyes bored into hers.

So she asked a moment later, a bashful smile adorning her lips, "What are you waiting for?"

He replied with a shrug, "I'm still waiting for you to finish your sentence."

She blushed profusely, but she acceded after about ten more seconds of hesitance, "Ok ok!"

Thus, she resumed with her long eyelashes cast downward, stammering, "I meant to say... I should practice more... you know... eventually... God willing... there will be more than just the two of us..."

Her voice trailed off while she lowered her head further and fiddled with her dress. What she had implied completely took him off guard. After all, they had just got engaged to be married. However, a family portrait soon appeared in his mind, in which they were parents of three kids, one standing, another sitting on his lap and the baby cradled in Candy's arms. He was still lost in his vision when she breathed out a soft sigh. As he jolted himself out of his reverie, she glanced up furtively to make sure she had his full attention. Then she added in a voice barely over a whisper, "I've always wanted my own family, Albert."

As someone who had grown up with other kids in an orphanage, her wish was understandable. Being quite independent most of her life, she had never known what it was like to be in a family. Meanwhile, she no longer dodged his eyes, and with an amorous smile, she clasped his hand, her sparkling eyes never leaving his. Her body language was essentially telling him that he was the one who could fulfill her dream, and he was touched beyond description.

Therefore, he cleared his throat and said with his eyes unwavering, "Candy, me too. I love children, and I know you do as well."

She nodded emphatically, her features brightened up even more. Then he used his free hand to gently move her curly locks over her shoulder. He could feel her stiffen as though this was the first time they had ever got this close with each other. Due to the fact that he had serious bruises all over his body, she had avoided having physical contact with him. Nevertheless, her nervousness only lasted momentarily. When he gave her a reassuring grin, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, she relaxed and snuggled against him. Yet she was still concerned. "Does it hurt?"

"It's worth it," he replied in earnest. Next, he slipped his arms around her slender form, burying his face on the crook of her neck and inhaling her scent. Then he remarked in his muffled voice, "Because I miss you."

"So do I," came her keen reply. She sounded moved.

They hadn't stopped seeing each other, but he had yearned to hug her and lavish her with his kisses because the ones they had been sharing since the assault had been very brief. In addition, because they had been talking about children, he felt a surge of desire pulse through him, but he was aware of their boundaries. As a gentleman, he would wait till their wedding night to make her his wife. But right now, he wanted to indulge himself in kissing her.

Hence, he started planting soft kisses along her neck up to her jawline. In response, she tilted her head to the side until his mouth reached hers. With her arms coiled around his neck and her fingers tangled in his hair, she kissed him back ardently, like she had wanted it badly too. He could sense her petite frame melting against him, so he tightened his arms around her and parted her lips with his tongue, deepening their kiss. As he savored the sweetness of her mouth, the lights suddenly flickered. The next thing he knew he was holding nothing as though she had just dissolved into thin air.

"This is absurd," he murmured as he turned his head from side to side. "Candy?"

Then he stood up, calling her name while looking for her inside the apartment, but she was nowhere to be seen.

"Candy?" he hollered. His eyes shot open next, his heart pounding and his body covered in sweat as his eyes scanned his surroundings. For a moment, he felt groggy and extremely disoriented, like he was coming out of a coma or had been sleeping for a very long time. Where am I? Where is this place?

Then he hazily recalled what had transpired just before his collapse in the kitchen. Swiveling his head cautiously from one side to the other, he found that his headache was gone. He swung his legs around the edge of the couch and sat up. Yes... I am a chef... this is the staff room of the restaurant I work at... Within seconds, a tidal wave of memories came flooding back. After all, he had flashbacks in his dreams that had taken him to various beautiful and heartbreaking moments in his past.

Unknowingly, he touched his own lips, thinking of how disturbingly vivid his last dream was. He actually felt like someone had just kissed him. In fact, whatever had taken place in the dream, including the conversations between Candy and him, were real. Before he had left her place last night, they had indeed lost themselves in passionate kisses until his headache had returned. He had gone home soon after that, only to find the reporter waiting for him near his apartment building.

But why did Candy vanish in my dream?

Then a sudden panic took hold of him. What will happen if she finds out who I am? Oh God!

Without delay, he raised himself from the couch and scampered to the door, believing that Candy and George were having their dinners in the restaurant. His hand reached for the doorknob and pulled the door open, but he almost collided with Dr. Martin. George was standing next to the doctor, holding a glass. They were both startled, staring at Albert as though they had seen a ghost.

"Hi, Dr. Martin, thank you for coming, but I think I'm fine now," said Albert, putting up a polite smile to hide his dismay that Candy wasn't with them.

"Are you sure, young man?" asked the doctor, his eyes narrowed in doubt.

"Absolutely," replied the young man as he took a step backward to let them come in, running his hand through his blond hair trying to mask his impatience. As George walked by him, he tapped on his shoulder, asking anxiously, "George, why isn't Candy with you?"

George noted the informal tone Albert had used and locked eyes with him for a moment. Right then, George perceived that Sir William had finally recognized him. At the same time, his thick dark brows scrunched into a confused frown when he answered, "Miss Candice was here in the room with you just now. She actually asked me to get her something to eat, so I left the room to place an order for her."

Dr. Martin put his bag on the table in the room and casually remarked, "Perhaps she's in the ladies room?"

Albert swallowed hard, preparing himself to go find her if she didn't show up a few minutes later. George then passed him the glass of water that he was holding in his hand, saying, "Dr. Martin said you might need this."

Albert nodded thankfully and drank deeply from the water. At this point, something shiny caught Dr. Martin's eyes as he sat down by the table. He pointed to it and asked, "Albert, does this look familiar to you?"

Albert moved closer and recognized the emerald ring laid out on the table. Instantly, the color drained from his face. With his features twisting in agony, he whirled sharply to his assistant, "Did you tell her?"

The black haired man turned pale too as he comprehended the situation. It was true that Miss Candice had been terribly upset, but he had not anticipated this. While Dr. Martin had troubles understanding the cryptic question, George obviously grasped the hidden meaning and nodded at his young master ruefully.

Albert stood frozen like a statue after that, his face contorted with afflicting emotions when he sadly mulled over why Candy could have given up their relationship this easily. At this moment, George muttered, "Miss Candice-"

But before he could finish, Albert sprinted out the room without warning. He reckoned that Candy shouldn't have gone far. He determined to track her down regardless of her reasons for leaving him. He desperately wanted to tell her face to face that he would not relinquish his love for her even now. He rushed through the back door and into the dim alley behind the restaurant. His long legs carried him out to the street, and the violent downpour of rain didn't discourage him at all.

Just then, the neighing of a horse in a distance caught his attention. The driver had just flicked the reins, and when the carriage lurched forward, Albert yelled, "Wait!"

The driver didn't stop as though he didn't hear anything, so Albert dashed towards the carriage, but the horses had begun to trot. Before long, he was thoroughly drenched, and as much as he wanted to keep up, his damp clothes weighed him down. As the distance between him and the carriage increased, he couldn't help slowing down, his chest heaving so hard that he felt dizzy and out of breath.

"Candy-!" he tried calling her one more time, but the carriage did not halt.

At this moment, he heard a honk behind him. He spun around and saw a car with his family insignia. George turned off the engine and got off the car. Then he swiftly came to his side and urged, "Sir William, please let me assist you."

It didn't take them long to catch up the carriage. Unfortunately, the passengers were an old couple, not Candy.

=o=o=o=

Candy scurried along the street towards home with a single goal-she had to leave Chicago as soon as possible. Lots of nagging doubts thundered in her mind, but she tried her best blotting out all thoughts of Albert, the man she loved from the bottom of her heart. She reminded herself over and over that he was supposedly her guardian, and her dream with him was over. Though she could feel her heart breaking into pieces, she bit her bottom lip and swallowed her tears.

However, when she was near her apartment building, her empty stomach began to churn, which triggered a debilitating cramp. She ceased her steps and bent forward, clutching her abdomen in pain. At that precise instant, she no longer felt rain pouring on her, and then a pair of men's shoes came into her vision. Someone must have carried an umbrella over her head.

She slowly glanced up. As soon as she recognized the man, she gasped and turned to run, but he caught her arm to stop her. "Not so fast, my dear cousin."

He studied her face for a moment before he remarked in a jeering tone, "Oh my... you're crying, aren't you?"

She looked away with determined defiance and refused to answer him. A wide grin sprawled across his face as he sneered, "So, where is your man when you need him, huh?"

"Leave me alone, Neil!" she snapped, trying to break free from his grip but to no avail.

He let out a guffaw. Then he clucked his tongue and said with a smirk, "I figure the poor chef is still working at this time, and guess what? My car is waiting for you just around the corner. I will bring you back here when we are done."

"Done what?" she demanded angrily, concealing her relief that Neil didn't seem to know that she had been with George earlier.

He replied with a smug smile, "My parents and Eliza are anxious to meet the girl I want to marry. Don't worry about getting changed, dear. I have bought you a brand new gown, and Eliza's maid will make you look like a princess."

Candy couldn't believe her ears. Was Neil serious about marrying her? However, he never really proposed to her, and even if he had, she wouldn't say yes. While she was lost in her thought, Neil clasped her arm tighter and jerked her forward without getting her consent. Despite her loud protests, he kept dragging her toward his car. Nobody else was around them. The heavy rain kept everyone indoor.

"Where are we going?" she bellowed. She didn't want to go to the Ardlay's mansion. The last person she wanted to see now was Great Aunt Elroy.

With a wry smile, he replied, "To the villa... remember you were there once?"

Of course she remembered that place. Neil had sent someone to trick her into thinking that Terry had been waiting for her. All she knew at this instant was not to get on the car with him; she had to escape, but how?

"Neil, let go of me!" she demanded. "Don't you know I hate you?"

Unfortunately, the more she resisted, the more he persisted, neglecting her plea. More than one lady of marriageable age often approached him or Eliza, begging for his attention. Yet, he was bent on getting this pretty blond girl with round, glistening eyes. Due to her obstinacy, he vowed to tame her to satisfy his own vanity. He strongly believed in time she would overcome her aversion to him and even come to appreciate him.

When they reached the car, Neil stopped in his tracks and released Candy before he could close his umbrella with both hands. She knew it was her last chance, so she kicked him in the shin with all the force she could muster. He screamed in pain as she scrambled away, but her recently recovered ankle was hurting again. Neil let go of his umbrella, grabbed her by the arm and hauled her toward him.

There was a loud slapping sound next. She drew in a sharp breath and covered her sore cheek with her hand but didn't cry. A thought slithered into her mind, is this my punishment of leaving Albert while he was still unconscious?

"When will you ever understand that you're extremely lucky that I have desired you?" The angry snarl belonged to Neil.

He gripped her jaw hard with his other hand, forcing her to look at him. He glowered at her in fury, and she could feel his breath on her face. She was afraid that he would kiss her again, so she exerted all her effort to push him away but he held her faster. Then he continued his low growl, "Don't ever forget your place, Candy. You're possibly an illegitimate child, which explains why your own parents didn't want you."

His words just rubbed salt into her wound. Her foster mothers had always taught the kids in Pony's Home not to put too much thought into why they had been abandoned, but she couldn't deny this was exactly one of the reasons why she felt compelled to give up Albert. Being adopted was one thing, but being his lifelong partner was a totally different matter. Even if she could ignore the stark contrast between their social positions, his commitment with her might cost him his honorable reputation and place in society. She could foresee how people might suspect his real motives of adopting her as his daughter, or they might misconstrue their relationship by regarding his amnesia as fabricated. On top of all that, judging from what George had told her earlier, that distant relative seemed unrelenting; it was plausible that the stubborn old man couldn't take the insult and would subsequently respond with threats of lawsuits against breach of contract. In short, there was a real chance that she would destroy Albert or entail shame and scandal to his family, and the last thing she wanted was to hurt her beloved.

She was so lost in her trance that she was oblivious to the change in Neil's mood for the time being. Noting her forlorn expression, the feeling of pity hit him again, and his heart softened. He looked her up and down, drinking in the sight of her. With her wavy tendrils of wet hair cascaded around her delicate shoulders, she looked incredibly enchanting to him. Next, he let his eyes feast on her chest without reserve. The way her soaked dress clung tightly to her skin, molding to the contours of her virgin breasts, made his lust for her soar. The caterpillar, the poor girl who had once worked as a servant in his house, had morphed into a charming butterfly. She had become so alluring that he wished he could crush his lips against her rosy ones and fondle her feminine curves right now to show her how ravenous he was.

In fact, ever since he had tasted her lips a few nights ago, although she had vehemently bit him after that, her twinkling eyes had haunted him even in his waking hours. He had lost count of how many times he had fantasized about burying himself in her or watching her squirm and writhe in pleasure beneath him. Consumed by his burning desire to conquer her, he had been planning to come back for her, willing to take any risk. He had reckoned that Saturday evening was his best chance because it was known to be the busiest time of the week in most restaurants, and that scamp should be bogged down by his job until much later. Therefore, Neil had actually rejoiced when the rain storm had hit in the afternoon as though the weather had been on his side. Since dusk, he had been lurking near the House of Magnolia waiting for Candy to return from work. Just when he had wondered why she had not shown up yet, he had seen her running back, alone.

He had turned a blind eye to why she had been crying however. All he wanted now was to take her to the villa as soon as possible. Nothing was going to spoil his scheme this time. His family might be more than shocked to discover that the orphan had been his choice, but he believed he could find a way to convince his family that he had longed to wed Candy. With enough persuasion, they would give in and bless them. The toughest part was to make Candy cooperate, but he was ready to take extreme measures, such as threatening to harm that boyfriend of hers or simply locking her up. The villa was remote enough for this purpose.

Hence, without wasting another moment, he swiftly snaked his arm around her waist and clamped a hand over her mouth so that she couldn't scream. Then he said to her in a husky voice, "Come on, sweetheart. I'll make you happy."

Then he forced her to move towards his car. The more she floundered, the harder he tugged her. Just when Neil was about to reach the door handle, a man's loud voice rang behind them, "What are you up to, Mr. Leagan?"

Neil jumped because he hadn't forgotten that particular voice. As he glanced over his shoulder, the reporter's sharp penetrating gaze was all that it took to make Neil shiver. He could scarcely believe that they would run into each other again.

Candy sensed that Neil was daunted by Herbert's presence, and she thanked God in her heart that someone had come to her rescue. She took this chance and could finally pull herself out of Neil's grip. As she hid behind Herbert's back, Herbert uttered coldly, "Mr. Leagan, it looks like you are abducting Miss Ardlay, or am I mistaken?"

Neil stared at him, nonplussed, as he had no excuse after being caught in the act. He figured it was best for him to flee, so without a word he instantaneously got in his car and drove away. The reporter shook his head in disapproval. "What a brat!"

Then he turned around to regard the lady, "Are you alright, Candy? Where's Albe-"

While his words still hung in the air, her eyes rolled up in her head, and she fainted.

=o=o=o=

Albert and George had been driving around the neighborhood for some time but still couldn't locate Candy. Then George suggested that they go to her apartment to check. By the time they arrived at the building, Albert asked George to wait in the car by the entrance in case Candy might spot the family car and hide again. George concurred without a question but apologized one more time, "I'm sorry, Sir William-"

Albert raised his hand to stop him. George had relayed to Albert what he had told Candy in that staff room. "George, there's no need to blame yourself again. She will learn the truth eventually, and above all she has the right to know her fiancé's true identity and background, but..."

With tears burning the back of his eyes, his voice faded as the lump in his throat made him impossible to speak. On one hand, his heart was crushed not knowing exactly why the woman he loved the most had vanished, but on the other hand, he was grateful to have George in this difficult time. Without him to share the burden, I probably would have gone insane by now.

As always, George had been more than a great assistant to his master. George had paid the restaurant owner for his loss due to Albert's collapse in the kitchen. Moreover, while Albert had left frantically looking for Candy, George had arranged Daniel to take Dr. Martin back to his clinic. George had also wanted to reward them for their service, but they had both declined. Although the kind doctor had been clueless why Candy had removed her ring and gone without a word, he had offered to accompany her home if by any chance she would show up in his clinic.

A while later, Albert gulped down the lump in his throat and expressed his gratitude, "George, no words can convey how relieved and glad I am to see you again. Not only you always look out for me, but you've been my confidant for years, the only person I can count on. I can imagine what kind of pressure and hassles you've been through since I cut all ties with you in Africa last summer."

They made a long eye contact but didn't speak. George was known for being reserved, and he was hardly emotional, but right now, there was a glint in his dark eyes, and his jaw was clenched. To George's astonishment, Albert took the initiative to give him a bear hug and said, "I'm the one who should apologize."

George was rendered speechless. Something had changed about Sir William, but he couldn't quite pinpoint it. Then before Albert left the car, he uttered, "I'll come back down whether I find Candy home or not."

When Albert unlocked the door to the apartment, it was dark and noiseless inside. He turned on the lights and searched her place. As in his dream, there was no trace of her. Anxiety filled his stomach as he passed by the empty bedroom. Where are you, Candy? Have you eaten yet? It's nearly your bedtime...

The only solace he had was that her belongings were still around and her bed was left messy, which indicated that she hadn't come home or packed her personal things. When he made his way back to the dining table, he saw her unfinished dinner and the wire puzzles, the departing gift from Dr. Martin just this morning.

Who could have predicted such an outcome after what we have been going through? Candy, why did you run away? Don't you trust me?

Hit by waves of melancholy and disappointment, he plopped down on the only sofa in the apartment. His wet clothes didn't seem to bother him as his mind was preoccupied. He rested his head against the top of the sofa, tipping his head up with his eyes shut while he relived the precious moments with Candy these two days.

She had expressed more than once that she had been so looking forward to her future with him. Last night she had even talked about starting a family with him, and they had ended up kissing each other hungrily on this same sofa.

He had woken up soon after dawn this morning because he couldn't wait to see her smiling face. As planned, he had come to her place right away with the intention to help her make the breakfast. However, as he had entered through her front door, the whole apartment had been surprisingly quiet. He had later found out that she had been sound asleep in her bed still, so he had begun cooking for both. When he had crouched down by her bedside afterwards, admiring her angelic face, out of the blue, she had mumbled his name in her sleep, her pink lips curling up into a sweet smile. Brimming with immense feelings of bliss, he had been unable to stop himself from kissing her awake, and they had nearly tumbled in bed together.

After the short trip to the countryside in the afternoon, he hadn't expected to see her in the restaurant. So when she had shown up around dusk later today to give him an umbrella, he had requested a short break from the kitchen so that he could take her aside and steal a kiss from her, which she couldn't help responding.

As he reflected on the turn of events, he leaned forward and dejectedly covered his head with his hands as his elbows rested on his knees. He recalled the very instant he had discovered that she had deliberately left her ring behind. They had been so in love, so he couldn't take the blow. He had felt a sharp pain in his chest back then as if someone had just stabbed his heart with a knife. Since that moment, his heart had not stopped bleeding, not to mention the many questions that had been plaguing him. Why didn't she talk to me first? What made her leave in such a haste? Was she mad at me? Was she scared of the new me? Was she intimidated by our prominent social gap? Or worse, did she think that I would definitely annul our engagement after my recovery?

He scratched his head trying to figure out the ultimate reason why she could walk out of their relationship just like that, and he had lost track of the actual passage of time until he heard someone's voice outside the front door. The neighbors might be chatting when they passed by each other in the hallway. At this point, he remembered the ring that George had given back to him, so he took it out from his pocket. The realization that something irrevocable had occurred in their relationship was excruciatingly painful to him. Not only that, he felt a sense of despondency growing in him, and it was only then that he began to shed silent tears. However, he urged himself not to lose heart. Other than Rosemary and George, Candy was the only one who was thoroughly concerned with his happiness. He prayed wholeheartedly that he could find her so that they would have the opportunity to talk.

Albert knew that he shouldn't keep George waiting downstairs for long. The search had been gruelling, and neither of them had eaten. Thus, he forced himself to get up and find some paper. After making several crumpled paper balls, he was finally satisfied with what he had written.

'My dearest Candy,

Although we might appear to be victims of fate, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will never regret loving you. Deep in my heart I know that you genuinely love my person, not the benefits package that comes with me, such as my wealth or my social status.

Honestly, money and prestige don't mean much to me. I will only marry for love, and my proposal to you is still sound, so I implore you to reconsider. In fact, I will hold you to the promise you once made, that we will fight for our love regardless of the cost, together. Also, do you remember your own words to me just this afternoon after our visit to Mrs. Jenkins? True love never fails, Candy, so please don't give up.

Believe it or not, you have become part of me. In other words, I'll not be whole without you by my side.

With all my heart,

Albert

p.s. I will come again tomorrow morning.'

He put the engagement ring and the letter right beside the wire puzzles on the table, hoping that she would see them when she came home sooner or later.

=o=o=o=

Author's note:

Thank you for reading! I would like to hear from you. Feel free to write in a language of your choice. Your feedback is much appreciated and will certainly motivate me. Thank you!