“I admitted that it was inappropriate for me to be driven home by your boyfriend. I am sorry. But I must also emphasize that I am not the kind of person to be bullied easily.” Icy Wilkinson was always reasonable; that meant she refused to be mistreated or screwed for no good reason.

“It is good that you know you have committed a blunder this time. I will accept your apology if you withdraw and quit that exhibition. Stay out of my way!” Shirley professed; Both Shirley and Icy Wilkinson were designers and high school classmates, she knew that Icy was indeed gifted and talented and highly likely that Icy would become an obstacle of her career path.

Since Shirley joined her brother’s company, she always worked hard and dreamed of herself becoming an eminent designer; she wished her crush , Paxon Chevy would see her being successful and would feel proud of his girlfriend and future wife.

Paxon Chevy’s family businesses included different sectors; they were the general agent of many international luxury brands; they were the major investors and shareholders of some big technology companies and real estate developer enterprises; they also owed a national fast fashion chain store and a trading company of garment, which had their own design team.

Shirley always hoped that one day she would become a prestigious designer and then would join Chevy’s company; he must be happy to see her working with him. “Impossible, this is the chance I received, and I am not giving it up easily; what made you think you can stop me?” Icy was very determined and steadfast about this exhibition, which was a good chance for her to come famous. Once she won an award, her life and David’s future would be secured.

“You want to become famous; if that is the case, you should just stop acting. Now Hosea Lindley wasn’t here, She could insult, tease and mock Icy at will, without any consequences, and there wasn’t much poor Icy could do. “WIll you please get out? I really need to work now,” Shirley Lindley was stubborn and could not be reasoned with; it was pointless to apologize or rationalize with her; Wilkinson already tried her best to calm herself down, not to lose control and temper confronting Ms. Lindley.

“Get out? You really think this is your place and you can do whatever you want here? My brother is out; no one can protect you now.” “Shirley, what did you just say? I hope you are not serious.” Suddenly SHirley was stunned by the silhouette standing at the door. Turning slowly, she was surprised to see Hosea Lindley gazing at her.

“Oh, Brother! Why are you here? When did you come back?” SHirley shivered and trembled. He was gone. Why was he still here? “If I didn’t return, you will continue to harrass Icy? Am I right?” Hosea said calmly. Actually he already left the building, but he suddenly remembered that he forgot to tell Icy some information, that’s why he came back and heard the whole conversation of the the ladies.

“No, brother, it’s not what you think it is. I can explain,” Icy dared not to be presumptuous in front of Hosea; she thought she had made sure he was gone before she came bullying her ex-schoolmate. After all, Hosea was her elder brother and her boss.

“Shirley, didn’t I tell you not to get involved in my company management issues?” Hosea looked grim and gruesome; he always knew that they were schoolmates and there was some disagreement between them, but he couldn’t imagine that things were that bad.

“Brother, I know I am wrong, I am sorry.” SHirley was a mistress of intrigue, who was an expert of apology and showing weakness. “Go back to your own office and don’t come to Icy’s office in the next few days.” His voice was cold and his face was expressionless; no one saw him acting like this before, as he was always a kind gentleman.

“Brother, I am very sorry and feel regretful now. You can punish me but please do not fire me. You promise mother to look after me.” Shirley almost sobbed out. She was getting anxious because it wasn’t easy for even her to become a designer here; she had implored and their mother had adjured so that she could be working here.

Hosea Lindley was a nice and charming gentleman, but he was very strict at work, if it wasn’t their parents who told him to find a position for Shirley; she had no chance to work here. “How can I fire you? You are my little sister. But you must behave yourself and make sure that it won’t happen again, or we will follow the company’s regulation to handle this matter.” Vicious competition, malice and conspiracy must not exist, no matter plotted by who.

“Okay, brother, I go back to my office now. One more thing, I really don’t like Icy.” Shirley galloped out of Icy’s room and back to her. “I can’t believe my sister had done that to you. I should have taught her what she can and can’t do. What can I say except I am very sorry about that.” Hosea Lindley walked to Icy slowly and reached out his hand, which seemed to be touching her hair; No, he hesitated and gave her a tap on her shoulder instead.

“It’s okay now.” Icy replied; she knew Shirley since high school and understood what kind of person she really was. That meant Shirley couldn’t trick and trap her easily again. “You just need to do your work and worry nothing. I will handle other issues.” Hosea had been scrutinizing Icy’s works; she had her own ideas which he liked very much; she had the potential to become a great designer if she was given enough time and proper guidance.

“I was trying to forget everything that had happened here.” Icy held up open hands; It seemed Hosea was the one who couldn’t forget. He gnawed his lips. Shirley had treated her terribly and she still acted normally now, as if nothing was important and relevant to her. What was the major concern in her heart?

Icy was indeed a strange person. Sometimes she was right beside you, but you could feel that she was untouchable and was very far away from you. “Could you tell me what you really care?” Suddenly Hosea asked Icy a question without thinking about the answer. “What do you mean? I don’t get it," Icy was confused by his question; what was in his mind and what did she say or do to make him ask this question?

“Nevermind, I hope we have enough troubles today and we can start working now. You please don’t work too hard; I have a meeting to attend and must go now.” Hosea uttered and left her alone. Icy wasn’t troubled by this incident. She was only an ordinary employee here and Hosea wasn’t her boyfriend. Her only concern here was her career as a designer..

These brother and sister were so bizarre; one came look for troubles, and the other couldn’t even finish telling what he wanted to say. Icy must clear her mind of bewilderment and double her effort for the design project which had a deadline approaching.

That day after dinner at Icy’s home, Paxon Chevy had been feeling weird and puzzled. He remembered the time when he spent with Icy and David; He felt that they were real family. For two consecutive nights, he had dreams in which three of them visiting a fairground as a family. Unfortunately, according to Shirley Lindley, Icy wasn’t the woman whom he had met five years ago and David couldn’t be his son. Paxon squinted his eyes and immersed himself in contemplation.

“What are you bullshitting about family of three? Don’t you have nothing better to do?” Paxon’s only friend, Hoffman, after listening to his best friend’s mumbling about his love stories and dreams, chuckled.

“So many things had happened recently,” Paxon squeezed his own temple and exhaled,

“I have just disembarked this morning. And now I see you being stressed out. Can’t you act normal and cool as you always did? Old pal,” Hoffman replied humorously.

“Shut up!” Paxon gave his pal a blank glance; Hoffman had lived in a foreign country for five years and now he really talked like a foreigner who knew how to joke on people.

“Old friend, you told me your crazy love story five years ago and you have been retelling it over and over again. You should forget about it, consider it an accident or a dream. You don’t believe in love at first sight, do you? Or should I say affair at first sight?” Hoffman was a rich guy who had nothing to do and had nothing to worry about in his life.

“She… always appeared in my dreams.”