Finally, Albert engagement party with Melinda arrived. It was a big gathering. Top business people and politicians throughout the country came to the party. It was the grandest engagement party Candy ever saw. Although inside her heart she felt uncomfortable, she's a strong woman. She non stopped giving a big smile and behaved as though she's enjoying the party with the rest of the crowd.
Candy also met Terry who came again with another date. She's been following his life in the tabloid and felt lucky she didn't marry him.
I don't think I can catch up with his lifestyle, she thought.
At the start of dancing, Albert and Melinda started the dancing followed by other couples. Annie and Archie, Tom and Patty, Terry and his date,... Having no one to dance with, Candy stayed sitting. How much she hoped the floor would open for her to hide. She felt so miserable. While sitting alone, her thought started to wander.
I have so many close male friends but no one really wanted to make commitment with me. Terry ran away from me, also Albert, Thomas, Dr. Kay and more. I wonder what I did wrong… I can't believe even Albert is gone now.
In the middle of her misery someone came and approached her.
"Candy, how do you do?" she heard a man voice calling behind her. Candy felt very lucky finally someone initiated a talk to her, quickly she turned around to see who's coming. Looking at him, she couldn't recognize him.
"You don't remember me, do you?" asked him with a big grin on his face.
Candy felt so embarrassed but she really couldn't recognize the person. She tried hard to think quickly but she just couldn't remember.
"I am so sorry... Did we meet?" Candy asked panicked and blushed with embarrassment.
"Guess who I am," he said and took off his glasses. But, she still couldn't guess.
"I am Neal. I wear glasses now, but do I look that different?" the tall young man started to laugh heartily.
"Neal?" uttered Candy. Was that Neal Regan, she thought to herself, but it couldn't be how come he looked so different. She stared at him for awhile to examine and brought back the memory. After a while Neal laughed again which startled Candy, blushed, she stopped looking at him.
"I am Neal Regan. Ms. Candy, how do you do?" he said and bent to kiss her hand.
"Oh... I mean... Haha... I couldn't recognize you at all. It's been so long, my gosh, you look so very different now. How are you doing?" she said while examining the tall young man in front of her from head to toe.
"It has been a long time! It has! May I join you?" he said gallantly.
"Oh of course, please sit down," she said and talked to herself, My Goodness he looks so different.
"It's been what? Seven years?" Neal started the conversation.
"Seven to eight years, yes," said Candy. "Where have you been?"
Candy was a mature woman with a positive attitude. Although in the past she's so allergic to him, but time smoothed away the rough edges. It was such a surprise to meet an old face in a depressing party. So, forgetting how much she hated him in the past, it's still fun to meet an old acquaintance. She decided to talk to him rather than to send him away.
"I went to join the army for one year," said Neal with a meaningful look (1) which Candy understood but didn't feel like discussing it. "Then, I went to business graduate school in NYU. After that, I worked. I never came home for summer vacation since I always did summer internship in NY. This time I come home to attend Albert's party and to finish up some job in Chicago. I come home every year for thanksgiving holiday but not always come to the one hosted by Albert. So I guess that's why we never met. What about you?"
"I went back to school and work in Anthony Brown hospital in Chicago. I always stay here in Chicago, but again for Christmas and Thanksgiving I don't always go to the one Albert invited because sometimes I went to friends dinner party, Pony's home or other places. So I guess we always missed one another."
After chatting for a while, Candy started to enjoy her conversation with Neal. Candy started to be excited to meet an "old friend" that she had forgotten totally. In these seven years, she couldn't recall a single time when she thought about him. They kept chatting for a while until Eliza came to pick him up. She came with a young man. Candy too didn't recognize Eliza. After being introduced by Neal both of them hugged as though they're old friends. Eliza continued studying fashion designer in Paris and had been in California doing her fashion designer business. Her clients include Hollywood actresses. Their conversation was cut short since they needed to toast the new couple, took photos, and other social things. Aunt Elroy was beaming with joy throughout the party. Candy never saw her that happy before.
Before Neal went home, he said good bye and asked for Candy's phone number to keep in touch. He'd be in Chicago for a few months due to Ardlay work commitment. He asked Candy if he could come to visit her once in a while.
"Oh certainly," said Candy casually didn't really think that he's serious. So many people asked for my phone numbers but never called, she thought. It's just a routine. Besides she was really excited to see Neal. Without him, being in Albert's engagement party would be such a misery. But now she felt very happy and excited.
At home, Candy was still in shocked and continued thinking about Neal. How much he had changed, she thought. He definitely grew much taller than in the past. His face also became more like a mature man not a teenager anymore. The way he talked also changed. Although he joked a lot, he had a serious air with him. His hair became more brownish than in the past. His eyes were brown as she remembered it. She laughed and shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't believe she would have a good time chatting with him. She remembered the past time when Neal and Eliza gave her hard times. Then, he even tried to marry her, something that, thanked to Albert's interference, got canceled. Who would have thought that I'd meet him again. It's been seven plus years. Things do change. She laughed to herself.
Little did Candy know that Neal was also thrilled to meet Candy again. During the party, he had been following Candy with his eyes to find the right moment to talk to her. Because of his bad history in the past, he was very anxious that she would refuse to talk to him. To his relieved, Candy didn't send him away and chatted with him until the party was over.
In the car, Eliza teased him saying, "Are you gonna start to hit on her again, bro?"
Neil only responded with a grin.
On Monday, things went on as usual. Candy went back to work and did the same routine, also the following day and on. Candy already didn't think much of Neal, if at all. On Thursday when Candy was in the office, the phone rang. She answered as usual and found out it was Neal! He does call me as he said, she thought. Things really went much smoother with old childhood acquaintance. So, Candy answered the phone and talked freely as though they had been "good" friends for years. They made an agreement to meet on Friday night after work outside the hospital.
So on Friday night, Candy waited outside the hospital. She heard the sound of a car horn "beep beep" and heard Neal called her name from his car just like in the old days. Candy laughed to herself remembering the event that happened years ago. At that time, Candy was so mad at him and refused to go inside the car (2). Today, she entered his car and went with him to have a dinner. Feeling closed like old friends, they talked about anything: daily routine, favorite food, going shopping, cooking, politics, works, etc. The talk kept going and going and going for hours until way past midnight. What just started as a Friday dinner appointment became a weekly routine that also included Saturday. It's like that for weeks. Sometimes, they did casual things like took a walk in the park, went shopping, did errand, or what not. After a while, Candy started to like her new routine. When he left on Saturday, usually Candy felt very sad and started to count down the days until Thursday when he called again. It started to be fun to go out with Neal.
The more Candy thought about Neal, the more she realized that the current Neal was very different from the past. Sure he wore glasses now, but overall his attitude changed too. He's not a spoiled teenager like in the past, he's more mature. Probably because he joint the military for one year which helped to build his character, Candy thought giggled to herself. In addition, to the opposite of young Neal, the current Neal was such a courteous gentleman. Candy started to laugh at herself when she thought that his face was actually handsome. Oh... it's in the blood, she thought. Almost all the Ardlay related men were good looking, she chuckled at the thought. Maybe that's why I haven't been too interested to date other man? My history of dates included handsome Hollywood actor and gorgeous Ardlay men, Candy laughed very hard at the thought by herself. He's much taller too, not as tall as Albert but still considered tall. He told her stories about his education and work. But the one Candy liked the most was the story when he joint the military.
"It was very tough," he said. "The first few weeks, I felt hurt everywhere that I couldn't walk nor sleep at night."
The way he told the story was very funny. They both laughed until tears rolled down from Candy's cheeks. She thought Neal was very funny. She never knew this side of him because in the past they didn't really interact in a friendly way. But, although he liked to joke, he could be serious too. She noticed when he gave instructions to his staff who sometimes interrupted their conversation. They all respected him a lot and he indeed had a boss-air in him. But to Candy, he behaved like any other old friends: fun. Good that he's here, Candy sighed, otherwise my weekend would go pretty boring.
This Friday they again went out for dinner. But, realizing that she had not visited Pony's home for a while, Candy felt rather guilty and she decided to go there this weekend.
"Should we go out again tomorrow?," he asked at dinner.
"I have things to do," said Candy.
She felt bad to reject his offer. She really wanted to go out with him but she felt she had an obligation to go home. He looked at her as though to inquire what it was, but Candy didn't say anything so he didn't ask.
"Oh okay," that's all he said politely.
She couldn't believe how courteous he was and started to laugh and said, "I need to go to Pony's home. Since you came here, I haven't visited my mothers, you know."
"Ah... You never told me about this. It's the orphanage where you came from, isn't it?" he asked.
Candy just realized that she never told him anything about it. She remembered how Albert and Terry both knew the place pretty well. But to Neal she never mentioned about it. Probably because in the past he used to mock her to death whenever Pony's home topic was brought up.
"Yes, I never told you, didn't I? My mothers are the ones who adopted me when I was found as a baby. Ms. Pony and Sr Lane," explained Candy.
"What will you do there?" he asked with a serious tone.
Candy was amazed that he didn't ridicule her. What a change in attitude! Candy explained that almost every week she went home to visit them since they were like parents to her. In the past she helped her to work, but not anymore since Albert through the Ardlay foundation helped to finance their causes. With the funding they could hire additional helpers among other things. But she still went home regardless to visit them and to see how they're doing.
"Could I go?" he asked cordially.
Candy almost fell from her chair startled with the request and the respectful manner that's so un-Neal-of-the-past. In addition it hit her that actually only the ones closest to her ever came to Pony's home with her: Dr. Kay, Albert, and Terry. How things had changed, now Neal would go!
"Sure, absolutely, but it's pretty far, you know. A few hours of driving," said Candy.
"Well... That's not much. Besides, starting next week, I won't be here."
"You won't? Where will you go?" asked Candy straightforwardly forgetting maybe she shouldn't ask due to privacy. As soon as she thought about it, she stopped and regretted asking but it's too late. Deep inside she felt panicked. Weekend without Neal? Oh No…. Since he came here, weekend was the one Candy looked forward the most.
"I need to go back to New York."
"Will you come back here again?" she asked. Neal looked at her but she couldn't detect what he had in mind.
"Well, all depends on the boss, you see, uncle William, or the one you use to call Albert," he said with a big smile.
"Okay then let's go tomorrow," said Candy.
So they went to Pony's home the following day. She took him to see her mothers, visiting the Pony's hill and more. His respectful manner to Ms. Pony and Sr. Lane amazed her so much that many times she secretly laughed by herself. Ms. Pony and Sr. Lane secretly were happy that Candy came with someone again. And this one was much more handsome than the last man she brought home, they talked about that behind Candy's back. When they went to Pony's hill, Candy couldn't help thinking about his prince of the hill briefly but realized that it belonged to the past. In contrast to the past, this visit with Neal made Pony hill dominated by sound of laughter not tears. Candy decided to tell Neal about the prince of the hill. Unlike to Terry, Dr. Kay, or others, somehow Candy didn't feel shy to tell Neal about the prince.
"You are kidding me," said Neal in astonishment after hearing her story regarding uncle William.
"No, I am not. Do you remember in the past you made me cry by taking my pendant and tossed it away (3)? That was his, I found it here. He dropped it when he played his bagpipe."
Neal was impressed on what seemed to be a fairy tale story and apologized again for what he did.
"I was very mean when teasing you," he said regretting the past. "But maybe because I was trying to get your attention," continued Neal.
Candy tried to understand what he meant exactly. She looked at him, only to see an unreadable face and since he didn't elaborate, she didn't ask either.
Then, Candy told him the story in great detailed starting from the prince of the hill, Anthony who looked like the prince, to the end: the revelation of the prince of the hill. It was a long story so they forgot about the time. By the time they realized they needed to go home, the day was already very dark. So they decided to sleep there and went back home to Chicago the following day. Arrived in Chicago, Neal right away said good bye since he needed to go back to NY as soon as possible. They shook hands like good friends promising to keep in touch and off he went. That weekend Candy was at home alone thinking about Neal. The past few weeks, it used to be fun with full of laughter. In the middle of her thought Annie came for visit.
Candy told her that she and Neal had been going out every weekend for months. But now he's back in NY. Annie listened to Candy's story in disbelief.
"Neal? Are you serious?" she grasped.
"Yes, Neal. Do you know that he's very different these days?" asked Candy.
"I didn't talk much to him, Archie did. But yes, from the appearance he looks very different. He wears glasses," said Annie with a grin. "Does he have a girlfriend?" asked Annie.
"I don't know," said Candy. "I never asked, he never talked about it either. But we had fun, so I just agreed to meet him." Both of them looked at one another and chuckled. They kept giggling and laughing for sometimes remembering the past.
"I can ask Archie," said Annie.
"I don't care," said Candy. "The fun part to have friends is at the friendship level. When you started to think about all this dating stuff then it gets ruined and becomes too complicated."
"True true," agreed Annie. "He might not tell Archie the truth either. And he might be suspicious that you ask him to ask."
"I won't think too much about it," said Candy casually. "It was fun, that all matters." If not because of him, I would be devastated at Albert's engagement party, thought Candy silently.
Annie curious and asked if he liked her. Candy said, "I couldn't read the expression in his face at all, I don't know."
All these business people, they really can't have their mind being read. It was like that with Albert, too, Candy thought. Either that or maybe because they truly didn't think much about me, shrugged Candy talking to herself. But Candy had to admit, now that she knew Neal, the memory of Albert's face and arms started to fade away, fast.
The following week, Candy went home again. Ms. Pony and Sr. Lane couldn't stop talking about Neal. Candy was beaming with joy hearing their high opinions about him. They kept saying how handsome he was.
"He was also very polite and down to earth," Ms. Pony and Sr. Lane said.
Remembering the past, Candy couldn't stop laughing to herself. What a description of Neal, she thought. When Candy asked hypothetically who they liked the best among the four men, both agreed to be Neal.
"You try to make me happy because the other three are gone, don't you," said Candy referring to the last three men she took there.
Ms. Pony and Sr. Lane shook their heads. Ms Pony added with a serious tone, "With Neal you looked genuinely happy, Dear. Likewise to him."
Sr. Lane added, "Both of you did things spontaneously, nothing was checked in your head or heart and seemed to be genuinely free, problem-less and happy."
"It's like two old friends being together, friendship worth millions, Dear," added Ms. Pony.
Candy was very excited to hear their opinions but she refused to think too much of Neal. Past experience always let her down. She didn't want this one to ever let her down. She hoped her friendship with Neal lasted forever. Terry left after she loved him so much, Albert and Dr. Kay too. She really didn't want to get hurt anymore. It's better to stay friends forever thought Candy. Candy was very happy and anticipated Neal's next visit. They became the best of friend.
Neal himself was busy in NY. His routine included work, work, and work. To transfer the Ardlay headquarter to NY wasn't an easy thing to do. He had countless of meetings and field study to prepare. He's a very important person in the enterprise now. Something one wouldn't believe to be years ago.
Throughout these years, he never stopped thinking of Candy. But he thought she's taken. He had a string of dates which included classmates, daughters from rich family that his parents introduced, business acquaintances, and models, but he never could stop unconsciously comparing them with Candy. It was a surprise for him to see Candy sitting alone at that engagement party. To his even more surprise, she seemed to be still available. Whatever happened to Terry and Albert, he thought. But he didn't bring up the topic to her. After weeks of having fun with her, the old feeling came again. Being a more mature man, this time, he really didn't show that to Candy openly. He's afraid it'd drive her apart considering the bad history he had with her in the past. He was thinking to invite her to NY for the thanksgiving holiday. The holiday was too short for him to go back to Chicago since he had lots of commitment to fulfill. He didn't really want to wait until Christmas to see her.
So he sent his invitation to Candy to come to NY. To his delight, Candy accepted the invitation. Candy in fact was very happy to be invited. On that holiday, she came using the earliest train. She's picked up by Neal's driver and went to Neal's office directly. She found that her friend's position was much bigger than she had expected. During their conversation in Chicago, he did talk about his work but being a modest person (which was a strange description for the "old" Neal), he didn't really talk about how important his position was. He lead the NY operation just directly under Albert, so everyone in there respected him very much. She saw how he hosted his business activities seamlessly. He looked very cool as someone who had an authority. It made her so proud of him.
Neal took her around to see NY. They took a walk around NY and visited many places. He showed her the future headquarter of the Ardlay foundation building in NY and the Ardlay funded hospitals. When Candy needed to go home, they parted and promised to meet again in Chicago for Christmas. Candy had the happiest of time but still couldn't read from his expression what he thought of her. He's been extremely courteous throughout the stay and he never talked or touched the subjects regarding the personal matter. Candy went home and couldn't count down the time for them to meet again.
Although Neal didn't show how he felt for Candy throughout the visit, deep inside he was so much in love with her. He just almost couldn't pretend being a friend anymore. He definitely wanted to be more than just a friend or a good cousin. He wanted to be her lover. He really wanted to love her. How many times he had to suppress the urge to kiss her when they were alone together. He almost couldn't control it anymore. In the last visit to Chicago, he already took care of most work needed to be done. As what Albert also just confirmed, his presence in Chicago wouldn't be needed for a time being. It's a blow for his plan to spend more time together with Candy. While she's in NY, he already showed her all Ardlay foundation properties and briefly mentioned that all Ardlay operation would move to NY next year.
"Albert would more likely move to NY too," he hinted to her.
He meant to tell her that more likely her job would move to NY so they didn't have to live far apart, but he's not sure if she got the hint.
All these uncertainties really drove him crazy. He just couldn't wait any longer. He decided to propose to her this Christmas no matter how stupid the idea might sound. It's silly considering they had been together for only a few months. But, technically we had known each other since childhood, he reasoned.
- TO be continued -
Note:
1. This is from manga, Neal threatened everyone that he'd join the army if Candy didn't marry him. Candy didn't believe the threat since she thought he's too coward to really do it.
2. Taken from manga. Candy really hated Neal back then and didn't want to follow him into his car.
3. This scene actually happened from manga. Neal saw the pendant and made fun of Candy by throwing it around like a ball. Candy was very mad at him.