As Ryu and Alicia went towards home,there was silence in the car.But this silence was not the usual that was peaceful between the couple.Alicia was preoccupied with her revenge but even she could see that Ryu was uncomfortable about something.She wanted to ask him but his aura was too suppressing and she was unable to speak a word.Once they were crossing the super market,she timidly asked Ryu to pull over for a few minutes and that she needed to do something.Once inside,she wrote a note to Alex and handed it to the teenage boy from yesterday,instructing him to give it to Alex Xu,if and only if he was leaving town.

She knew that Alex had always wanted to wander around the world but his love for family had tied him here.Hopefully after tonight he would be able to break free of that hold and move on.Once she was done,she felt as if a heavy weight had lifted off her heart.Her debt to Alex Xu had been two fold and tonight it had been paid in full.His betrayal had caused her humiliation and that had been returned to him...but his friends.h.i.+p was what had kept her sane during those few years and with this note she had given him what hope she could and released him from his burden..

Her heart was now full of relief.She went back to the car but immediately that relief was gone.Just what was wrong with Ryu?He had been alright until this evening.They had even went to visit her parents and planned a nice meal together for tonight.As he concentrated on driving she decided to hold his hand but before she could touch him,he pulled back and placed it on the steering wheel as if he needed two hands to navigate the car!She was confused and hurt with his cold behavior and not knowing what to do,she turned her head to look out of the window at the pa.s.sing scenery.

Soon they reached home and Alicia immediately opened the door to exit the car.But her hand was held by Ryu.She looked at him questioningly and he said,"Al,I am sorry for just now.I am just....Just give me some time to sort my thoughts and I'll be fine..Go and freshen up.I will prepare dinner.Hmm?"

Staring at him,she nodded and went inside.She could see that something was eating at him but unless he wished to share,she would have to wait...

Ryu sat still in the car as he watched her enter the house.He needed to get a hold on his emotions and not scare and hurt her.Taking a deep breath,he leaned back against the car seat and closed his eyes.But the moment he closed them,he saw the other man confess to his wife,making his blood boil.Alicia had not told him the contents of the video,only that it would humiliate Alex Xu.Ryu had been blindsided by the confession when the video had played.Though he had not shown any outward reaction,he had actually wanted to punch the b****** in the face for daring to express his love to Alicia.Topped with the fact that Alicia had a soft corner in her heart for him,he was unable to see straight.This was the first time his heart experienced such turmoil.

Composing himself,he got out of the car and went inside.Alicia had shopped all the groceries yesterday and the kitchen was fully stocked.Going into the small kitchen,Ryu opened the refrigerator and got out the vegetables.Turning towards the wash basin he started his ch.o.r.e of was.h.i.+ng them.Just then,a pair of thin fair arms wound around his waist and he felt her head in the middle of his back.His body stiffened.Not rejecting but also not accepting her touch.His thoughts still black and muddled,Ryu decided not to say anything for fear of snapping at her and continued was.h.i.+ng.He knew he was feeling jealous and that was not her fault.He needed to handle this on his own.

Feeling him stiffen,Alicia felt her heart squeeze.She didn't understand what happened.Holding him tighter she asked,,"What has you in a snit?"

"Nothing..just some work matters.."

Harrumphing she said,"Ryu don't insult me by lying please..You have never brought work between us..."

Wanting to soothe him she turned her head and placed a kiss between his shoulder blades.That little bit of affection broke his restraint and he turned around to look at Alicia.

His large hands went to her waist and held her tightly.The tight hold on her waist made Alicia almost wince.Seeing her reaction,Ryu was further angered and pulled her into an angry kiss.He kissed her with aggression hoping to scare her into backing off and letting him sulk but she turned the tables and aggressively kissed him back.

After a few minutes he pulled back and touched his forehead to hers."Why did you not leave me alone when I told you to.My anger at times is too much...What if I had hurt you?"

Alicia cupped his cheeks and said lovingly,"I did leave you alone for 10 minutes...But your anger was making you suffer as well and I could not watch that anymore.As for you hurting me,ha I don't think you can even think of doing that.Now tell me what's wrong.?"

"I want to punch that b******.You have no idea how difficult to control that urge was when I saw that video.And then you even sent him a note forgiving him..How do you expect me to accept that?"

Alicia felt her heart soar at his words.Unknown to herself,she had been worried that her desire to revenge and her methods would disappoint him but he was feeling jealous.There was no condemnation in his words over revenge!

She let out a big smile and said,"I did not forgive him!I have forgotten him hubby...And confession?The only confession I have ever heard was yours!