Alicia had prepared a few gifts for Ryu,but she had not expected that Ru would ask her to open them here in front of everyone.With a smile she tried to distract everyone and said,"let's cut the cake first or the icing is going to melt..."

Not to be distracted,Ru jumped down and came back carrying a large box that was wrapped simply and pa.s.sed it to Ryu."Mother got this...Father open it fast...I want to see..."

Seeing her troubled expression,Ryu was hesitant to open it when she finally relented.Taking the box,she carefully opened the packaging and taking out a small box pa.s.sed it to him...Opening the box,Ryu almost felt a sense of disappointment.With her personality and character,he had unknowingly been excited to receive her gift,but this was unexpectedly generic.No wonder she did not want to open the gift in front of everyone.Giving her a strained smile,he said a politely "Thank You.They are very beautiful."And they were indeed beautiful.It was a pair of beautifully hand crafted cuff links with his name monogrammed.They were delicate,finely made and suited his usual taste...so he did not understand the disappointment.Even Ru lost his excitement for a moment.

As Ah Hai saw his brother's expression,he regretted not coming sooner.When Matt had told him about a woman that suited his brother,he had hoped for a miracle.He had hoped his brother would be able to share his burden.But looking at Big Bro's disappointed face,all he felt was anger.He had seen his brother suffer with that woman and now this woman was treating him so casually...Ah Hai had been threatening Alicia a few moments back but that was all for show.The fact was that she was his sister in law now and he wanted them to have a good relations.h.i.+p...But now...

However,before anyone could comment on this lacking gift,Alicia handed Ryu another cylindrical box.Staring at her outstretched hand curiously,Ryu took the box.Opening it,he took out a scroll of paper which was rolled into it.This gift however brought out a burst of surprised laughter from Ryu. This sound shocked not just Ah Hai but everyone present in the room.

Now everyone wanted to know what was written the scroll to entice such laughter.With a big grin,Ryu turned the scroll and when Ah Hai(who was last to see the scroll)saw it,he forgot all about opposing and scolding his sister in law and wished to accept her whole heartedly.

On the scroll were no words but a drawing...to be more accurate a caricature...Ryu who looked dressed like a joker was juggling b.a.l.l.s.But they were no normal b.a.l.l.s...all the b.a.l.l.s had funny faces which eerily resembled his brothes,his son and a girl ball which resembled her...His face had an expression which no one had seen in reality!

A funny family portrait was what she gifted.Ru happily grabbed the scroll but then whined,"I am the smallest ball...Mother,why did you make me a small ball!"

This time with a genuine smile Ryu thanked Alicia.

Ah Hai and Matt then clinked gla.s.sed and everyone gathered to cut the cake.