Chapter 3

AFTER THE CONFERENCE

The conference was a long and prosperous one. It took every inch of energy I had since the morning of to the end of the conference. I felt exhausted and burnt out, even though, it was just a two hours. Usually, I would still have the energy to socialize with my colleagues. But this conference wiped me out. The only thing I wanted was a drink. I took my brief case and walked out of the auditorium room. I went outside where the air was crispy cold and I suddenly shivered like never before. I searched for a known bar, but the ones I passed by as I hurried my feet, were either too loud or too crowded. Finally, I went into one and sat down at the bar.

"What's your order sir?" The bartender asked.

"Whatever she's having." I said as I saw a glass of scotch.

"Good choice." A female responded. I looked up and automatically recognized the lady. I looked back at the bartender as I asked.

"Where's the kid?" Without a second pause, she answered.

"She's with a friend of mine's. What are you doing here?" I sighed heavily.

"Long day... not up to talk about it." I replied as my scotch was served. I took a sip and felt the nice warm alcohol buzz. I thought the lady would have asked me another question. But she didn't. She also drank her drink in silence. I think I was kind of creepy because I kept glancing her way, thinking that she might start another conversation, however, as our drinks diminished, the time was limited. I glanced back at her one last time before she moved from her seat to exit the bar. As she stood up, she brushed her shoulder near my arm. A sudden current flow connected our eyes together. It felt like a sign to say something, at that very moment, but my mind was blank. I didn't know what to ask or say. Instead, the lady diverted her eyes as she muttered: "Sorry". I quickly grabbed her arm as I remembered what I wanted to ask:

"What's your name?" The lady was surprised. I repeated my question.

"Umm... Anastasia." the lady answered.

"Are you sure we've haven't met before, like before Grace?" Anastasia shook her head. I let her go, being a bit bummed about her response and also she kind of looked like she was in a hurry. She walked out of the bar just when I finished my drink. I ran to catch up to her.

(Time skipped)

A week later, I returned to New York City, my dream home. I gave a big hug to my fiancée as I know it was not easy to be separated for a long time. She looked fine as always, but she did have a hit of worry. When we got home, she asked:
"So how was the girl?"

"What girl?"

"The girl and her child? You told me about it during the week." Then Kagura muttered. "Since you were a bit drunk when you were on the phone..."

"Nothing happened. I'm just glad I'm back home."

"Are you sure you have nothing to tell me?" Kagura said in an alerting tone.

"Nope." I said.

"Are you sure you don't want to know what I have to say?" I suddenly looked at her as she's got my full attention.

"What are you talking about?"

"You know I'm part of the law enforcements... It's just so happens that I caught a case of the daughter of the girl..."

"What?"

"Apparently, after a tragic event, her great grand-father reached out to her. But she never responded. Instead, she traveled to LA and changed her identity to Anastasia. Her great grand-father had no choice but to filed a missing-persons report on her great grand-daughter." Kagura stopped and looked at me. I was still attentively listening to her.

"Do you want me to continue?"

"Yes please! What happened after that? The big question is who is the father of Grace?" I asked impatiently.

"It's really not a mystery Kyo, this Ana-Tohru woman was 23 when she was pregnant with Grace. Do you want to guess who's the father?"

"Just tell me Kagura!" I was so close to yell at her.

"Guess!"

"Ughhh... Kagura, please! Can we stop playing games?"

"Guess!"

"I don't know... I'm hoping for some random dude..."

"Are you sure you don't want to take another guess?"

"Just Tell me Kagura!"

"YOU!"

... ... ...

WHAT?

Author's Note IV: Hi! It's been a while huh? Anyways, this chapter really was spurned from my original plan... but half way through, I just feel my energy drained, so I focused on providing more dialogue to illustrate the characters' personalities. I also try to keep it short because I can't deal with long stories anymore... because I have to READ! And educational life has me reading 24/7 that my brain will explode if I read another word. I hope you enjoy this chapter anyhow. There are still two more chapters till the end... Stay Tune!