Wei was at a loss of words at her reaction . He didn't know how to handle this new version of hers .

She couldn't hold it in any longer and said with a wink, "there is something about London's air . Gave me a sense of liberation . But more than that, in this case, it is my poor heart which is making me behave in this manner . You see, I was miserable thinking about you being heartbroken and kept conjuring up the worst scenarios in my head . But this afternoon I discovered that someone had found the antidote to the pain really early on . And I can't tell you how happy that makes me, really really happy . "

Sam looked at the woman sitting next to her in wonder . And then she looked at Wei . There seemed to exist an unspoken kind of comfort between them which was tangibly visible . To her relief, it has no romantic undertones to it else she may not have been able to digest it .

Wei covered Jia Li's hand with his own and gave it a squeeze . Just with that, there was no reason for them to talk about that topic anymore .

"So, Samantha, it is time for you to brace up . You may have slept with Wei or not . That doesn't mean that you automatically get my approval as his girlfriend . I will be conducting an interview right now . Depending upon your performance, it would be decided whether you would be going to his house or your own, tonight," Jia Li added a wink at the end of the sentence .

Wei groaned and put his face in his hands .

"I can't believe that I thought of asking you out for dinner tonight . Jia Li, you have an early morning flight to catch tomorrow morning . Should we not hurry up with the dinner and go back early?" he said to her with clenched teeth .

Giving him an innocent look, she asked, "feeling nervous on behalf of her already? Don't worry, I won't be too strict . "

The evening pa.s.sed by, in the banter led by Jia Li . The two other beings at the table resembled a cherry tomato, all through the course of meal .

Earthly Matters Ltd, London

"Why are you here? I thought you would have gone to the airport to fetch her," Eric met Ying Hui as he was entering the office .

"And why would I do that? Actually, don't answer that question . Knowing you, you would come up with some nonsensical logic which would sound so convincing that I would start questioning my own logic," Hui replied with a poker face .

"Ha… did you just crack a joke? You must be in a really good mood to take the effort," Eric said, tongue in-cheek .

Shaking his head at his friend's unabashed att.i.tude, he walked towards his cabin with Eric trailing him .

"Ok, so what is the plan? When do you leave and when would you want me to mark my presence there?" Hui asked him, referring to his upcoming wedding banquet .

Eric clapped his shoulder and replied, "that's probably the smartest question you have asked me in the past few weeks . "

Ignoring Hui's raised eyebrow, he continued, "I am going after two days and I think you both should come with me . Jia Li has never been to America . So take this opportunity and take her to Las Vegas and Niagara Falls before joining in for the festivities . "

Hui was shaking his head even before Eric finished speaking .

"She is not my girlfriend and to the best of my understanding, it is improper to suggest that to her as a colleague . Topic closed," he said firmly .

Eric looked at him in dismay, "if you are not going to try, she would never be your woman . What kind of a man are you? Who gives up after being rejected the first time? Haven't you heard that saying – try and try again until you succeed . In such case, you need to keep the ego aside and employ as many underhand techniques as you can . Shame and guilt have no place in the heart of a man who is pursuing his lady love, you understand my meaning?"

Ying Hui stared at his friend in disbelief, "at the risk of repeating myself, let me say this again . you are really something . You should seriously quit counting numbers and open a consultancy – New Age Love Guru . You must be OUT OF YOUR MIND if you think I am going to do any of what you suggested . Just let me know the date of the reception and I shall be there . "

Eric groaned at his stubbornness .

"Ok, I give up, Don't take her to all these places but you can atleast bring her to New York early?" he suggested as a last ditch attempt .