Author's Note: Nothing different except thank you for the reviews. And yes, this is my first time writing MG fics so...Thank you!!
Summary : Preview in Chapter 1
Rating : PG-13
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Chapter 3
More Than Friends: For How Long
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"Ma! I'm home!" called Mei Zhou as he entered his house. Dropping his bag near the door, he glanced around: no one. Sprinting up the stairs, Mei Zhou decided to check in his mother's room. Maybe she would be resting; she was always tired.
Knocking gently on the door, he called out softly, "Ma? Are you in there?"
He waited.
No reply.
Frowning slightly, he knocked again but this time he carefully pressed his ear against the door, listening for any motion or breathing. He heard none. Pulling back, he continued frowning as he stared at the door before him.
'Weird...where could she be?'
Just when he was about to turn around, a voice suddenly replied, "Young Master."
Jumping slightly as he quickly spun around to face the intruder, Mei Zhou gave a quiet surprise shout, his hand over his pounding chest as his other hand leaned on the door.
"Young Master, I'm sorry!" apologized the man before him.
Seeing him, Mei Zhou just gave a small sigh of relief before gently scolding the man.
"* Goan Jia!" scolded Mei Zhou as he pushed himself away from the door. "Don't scare me like that!"
The housekeeper bowed slightly in apology. "I'm sorry, Young Master."
Mei Zhou only sighed and shook his head. Waving his hand, he replied, "It's all right. Don't do it next time."
The man bowed again. "Of course, Young Master"
Rising from his bowing position, the housekeeper continued politely, "Young Master, are you looking for the Lady?"
Mei Zhou averted his eyes toward his housekeeper and frowned slightly, "You know where she is?"
The housekeeper nodded and lifted his hand to point somewhere. "She left this afternoon."
"Left?" questioned Mei Zhou, confused. He stepped forward and asked, "To where?"
"America," replied the housekeeper as he lowered his hand and reached into his pocket. Extending his arm, he gave the paper to Mei Zhou.
Taking it from the housekeeper, Mei Zhou quickly opened the folded paper to read a letter written by his mother.
'Beloved Mei Zhou,
I'm sorry to let you in like this but by time you return home from school, I would be gone. I need to go on this business trip to America because it is extremely important to our company. I know you will understand even though I have only been home for three days.
I know that ever since your father passed away 12 years ago, we rarely get to see each other. It must have been a hard 10 years for you but I know you will understand that we need to keep the business running. Your father would have wanted that if he were still here.
I'm unsure as to how long I'll be gone this time. Probably longer than the other trips...maybe three months at least or more.
Don't be sad, and remember, I love you, my son.
Love,
Mother'
"She's going to miss my birthday," whispered Mei Zhou softly as he finished the letter. Slowly he lifted his eyes to face his housekeeper. "She always misses my birthday..."
Unconsciously, the letter slipped through his limped fingers as he leaned his back against the wall behind, head bowed.
"Young Master," called the housekeeper worriedly. Hesitantly, he reached over and held Mei Zhou's shoulder tightly as in reassurance. "I'm sorry."
Mei Zhou only shook his head as he lifted his face up; his eyes blinking rapidly to avoid having tears fall. Turning his head slightly to the man by his side, he smiled, "It's not your fault. I should be used to this by now."
Smiling wider, he pushed himself away from the wall and bent down to pick up the letter. Staring down at the letter, he suddenly handed it back to his housekeeper.
"Burn it," he ordered.
"Wha-?"stammered the housekeeper.
"Burn. It." repeated Mei Zhou slowly. Taking the housekeeper's hand, he forced the piece of paper into it. "And don't let anyone of my friends know about this. I don't want their sympathy, understand?" demanded Mei Zhou.
The man nodded quickly, "Yes, Young Master."
Mei Zhou pulled back and grinned. "Good. I'll be going to my room now. If you need me, you'll find me there."
Spinning around, Mei Zhou quickly hopped down the stairway and turned left down a hallway towards his room.
'She doesn't understand,' thought Mei Zhou as he strolled down the long hallway. 'She doesn't...why now when I'm what I am?'
'Because you didn't tell her,' his subconscious replied. 'You didn't tell her about how sick you are. You didn't tell anyone… not even your friends.'
Reaching his room, he opened the door and quickly slipped in, making sure that he locked door as well. Sighing, he walked towards his bed and flopped across. Closing his eyes shortly, Mei Zhou let out a huge sigh as he felt the entire day's stress overwhelm him in a huge wave. Normally, he would not have felt so tired but because of his sickness, he was unable to handle as much as he usually do.
Slowly he reopened his eyes tiredly to stare at the white ceiling before him.
'How long can I keep this up?'
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TBC
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END NOTES: Sorry that this is so short, but I didn't feel like writing anymore so you will all have to wait till next time. Sorry^^.
* Goan Jia - housekeeper in chinese.
