Albert had proved to be a worthy descendant of the Ardlay. He worked very hard to bring the enterprise to the new height. Albert was trying to expand the business to technology sectors in the NY office.

Neal happened to study in New York University (NYU) where he worked and studied at the same time. After graduation, he worked full time in the Ardlay enterprise in that NY office. At that time, the office was just a small office branch that just started. He entered the company at a modest entry level position as an intern but as the office grew, his position rose steadily and rapidly too over time. After a while, seeing how attractive Manhattan was, Albert planned to transfer most of other Chicago operations to east coast too, headquartered in the NY office. Recently, accepting the proposal of the board of directors, Albert promoted Neal as the head of the NY office. Albert was very happy with his performance. One day, Albert visited the NY headquarter and welcomed by its chief executive officer, his nephew, Neal.

"Welcome, Sir William," Neal said politely, offering a handshake.

"Hi, Neal," said Albert cordially returning his handshake. Because of their friction in the past, Neal remained calling him Sir or Uncle William instead of Albert. But other than that, Albert remained objective in reviewing his job performance. Neal took Albert around to show the NY office. Seeing how he conducted the business operations made Albert very impressed by his nephew.

He changed a lot, thought Albert (1).

Albert asked him to go to Chicago office to handle some transferring procedure which Neal acknowledged. He also invited him to come to his engagement party with Melinda. Neal was shocked.

Neal thought, Melinda? Candy was the first name that appeared on his mind, to his surprise Albert mentioned Melinda.

Neal graciously offered him a congratulation and silently wondered how Candy was. Since his relationship with Albert was not that closed and limited to only business relations, he hesitated to ask Albert. Albert understood his silence, but didn't elaborate, thinking he'd soon find out when visiting Chicago next month.

Neal took him to the train station to see him off when he offered Sir William another polite handshake. Albert disregarded it, instead he hugged him warmly like he did to Archie and told him to call him Albert instead. Neal understood the gesture. The past remained in the past, Albert forgave him. They hugged and said goodbye with friendly smiles.

While in NY, Albert also took the opportunity to visit Terry.

"I'd like to invite you to my engagement party," said Albert with a big smile.

"Congratulations, my friend," said Terry. "With whom?" he asked expecting Albert to mention Candy so he was surprised when it was not. Naturally, his next question was, "How's Candy?"

Albert understood what he meant. He answered, "As you know she saved my life. We lived together for a long time but at that time things were very hectic. Being just announced as Sir William, I needed to go to business trip so often. We didn't spend much time together. We got drifted apart. But now I think about it, I think I really never thought about her more than a sister or a daughter. She's still my daughter as of now."

Albert smiled and added, "She's still available, you know."

Terry reflected the past. Candy was his first love and always remained special for him.

Then Terry told Albert his story. "After she left, I went back to Susanna and married her. But, then we got separated. I dated others, she did too. But we still cared to one another deeply and ever since we decided to have an open relationship. I don't know, I think our lifestyle won't suit her, Albert," said Terry.

Terry also mentioned that he and Susanna would move to California since he started going to Hollywood. Before Albert left, Terry promised to go to his engagement party.

- TO be continued -

Note:

1. In the manga, Neal was a spoiled boy. He did nothing good and caused so much trouble to Candy so Albert didn't like him.