Take Me Away

Fiona stood at the entrance of the graveyard of the western suburb of M City. She was dressed in black and was holding a bunch of chrysanthemums. She slowly trod towards her parents' graves. Their tombs were right next to each other on a hillside from where one could see the entire M City.

After walking for more than ten minutes, Fiona spotted the tombstones. The last time she came here was at the end of February. The school had a lock-down of 100 days because of the college entrance examination so the students couldn't go out.

"Dad, Mom." Fiona gently laid two bunches of chrysanthemums in front of their tombstones. Lowering her eyes, she plucked the weeds out of the cracks of the stones and said, "My exam results are out. I have ranked second in M City and have applied for D University. The offer hasn't come yet, but I'm certain that I'll get admitted. Is your daughter awesome?"

Grandpa Wayne has been in poor health recently, so I have moved to M City. When I was in middle school, I wanted to go back to M City and live in our former house. But our house was pulled down. I was so angry at the time. Grandpa Wayne has bought me a house near the college. So I can visit you more often from now on.

Dad, Mom, you had arranged my betrothal. Why didn't I know that? You should have told me earlier! When Grandpa Wayne suddenly told me about it, I freaked out! Spencer is such an asshole, and he looks so old too! He is nine years older than me. I don't want to marry him. Why did you do this?"

Fiona stopped and smiled before continuing, "Don't worry, I am just complaining. I won't refuse to marry him."

A long time passed before Fiona realized how long she had been sitting there. She had so much to say to them. After saying goodbye to her parents, she walked in another direction of the cemetery with the remaining bunch of chrysanthemums.

Not far away lay the tombstone of Spencer's mother.

Walking over to the tombstone, Fiona gently put the flowers down. Looking at the beautiful young woman in the photo, she sighed, "Aunt Sandra, I'm so sorry. Please don't blame my mother for what happened at that time. She would be very guilty if she had known about the consequences of her actions back then.

I don't blame Spencer at all because I know how painful it is to lose one's parents. Grandpa Wayne told me that Spencer became antagonistic since his father married Aunt Anna.

It's all right if he blames my mother, but Aunt Sandra, please forgive my mother."

A gust of wind made her eyes water. Thinking of Cheng family always reminded her of her dead parents. For so many years, she had been trying to run away from the Cheng family. She thought she would not need Wayne's help anymore when she reached adulthood. But she still couldn't escape.

When Fiona left the cemetery, Victor was still waiting outside.

"Hey, Victor! Thank you so much." She strode over to him quickly.

"It's my pleasure. I just follow Mr. Cheng's orders," Victor answered politely. "Please get in the car."

"Okay,"

she replied, sitting in the car. "Victor, will you always go everywhere with me? You are Grandpa Wayne's assistant and I feel uneasy knowing that you will follow me all the time. Besides, this car is just too luxurious."

"Don't worry," Victor smiled. "Mr. Cheng told me that you have recently come to M City and are unfamiliar with the place. He has asked me to be your driver for a few days. Once you become familiar with the place, my job will be done."

Fiona breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, all right. Thank you, Victor."

She then asked him to take her to the hospital. Wayne seemed better today.

"Grandpa Wayne!" she greeted excitedly as soon as she entered the ward.

"Fiona, you are here!" Wayne smiled and beckoned her over. "Come over here!"

Fiona sat on the edge of the bed and took out a blue meal box. "Grandpa Wayne, I made you some lunch. Would you like to taste it? It may not be very delicious."

The smile on the old man's face widened. "Of course! I believe my granddaughter-in-law is a good cook," he remarked.

Hearing this, the nurse quickly set up a small table on the bed and took the food container from her hands.

Fiona's face turned a little red, as she felt awkward when she heard Wayne call her "granddaughter-in-law." "Fiona, just call me Grandpa as Spencer does," Wayne said.

"Umm... okay." Fiona nodded. The doctor had said that Wayne tended to get irritated easily so she had to obey him.

There was a click of the door knob.

Then, the door was pushed open to reveal Ethan, Anna and Spencer.

Spencer was still in his uniform, looking extremely handsome.

"Oh, Fiona, you have come so early today!" Ethan said with a warm smile.

"Uncle Ethan! Aunt Anna!" Fiona got up from her seat without looking at Spencer.

He in turn shot a cold glare at her, pretending as if nothing had happened yesterday. He walked over to the bed and called, "Grandpa!"

"Spencer!" Gesturing to the dishes on the small table before him, the old man said to everyone, "Come here, and have a look. My granddaughter-in-law has brought me lunch. Three dishes and one soup. They are so delicious. Spencer, what a good girl Fiona is! You are so lucky to have her!"

Fiona merely smiled at Wayne's words. She was feeling a bit disgruntled inside because Spencer was here.

"Exactly. Fiona is both pretty and capable," Ethan nodded graciously.

"Compared to the masterful dishes cooked by Fiona, I'm too embarrassed to show you all my cooking skills," Anna chimed in with a smile.

"Aunt Anna, I'm the one who's embarrassed," Fiona replied politely. "I always cook by myself. I'm not a good cook, and the food I made could only be described as edible. I'm afraid that Grandpa won't like it." Hearing this, Wayne's face suddenly darkened. He remembered what Fiona had suffered, so he held her hand and said lovingly, "If you want to eat anything, just tell me. If you don't want to cook by yourself, I will send a chef to cook for you. I will help you with everything from now on. You just name it."

He had been protecting her this way for the past ten years.

Fiona nodded, "You are so nice to me. Thank you, Grandpa."

"No need to thank me," he replied.

"Come on, Grandpa. Try it."

He ate it and immediately praised her.

"By the way, Spencer," Ethan began, "have you decided when you and Fiona will get married?"

"Yes. October 8th." Spencer spat out the words coldly.

"Oh no! Why so late?" Wayne frowned, apparently displeased.

"It's the earliest day we can manage," Spencer said. "Fiona's birthday is on October 8th."

"That will be amazing!" Anna said with a smile. "October 8th is a good day. I believe the wedding will cheer you up, Dad."

"Spencer," said Wayne, "you need to apply for the marriage certificate as soon as possible. Ethan, you'll arrange the wedding ceremony."

"Yes, Dad, of course."

"Yes, Grandpa, I will."

"Fiona, there is still some time before the new semester begins. What are you planning to do?" Anna inquired.

"I..." Fiona was about to say that she wanted to find a part-time job. But she changed her mind as she knew that Wayne wouldn't agree to that. So she said, "I'm going to hang about in M City. I'll do sketches while I get familiar with the city."

"Do sketches?" Anna asked intrigued. "Are you learning art?"

"Yes, I have always been practicing," Fiona replied with a modest smile. "I majored in Jewelry Design."

'Jewelry Design?'

"Spencer, one day I will be the most famous designer in the world!"

"Then I'll take your first piece of work!"

"Okay! It will be yours!"

Fragmented memories suddenly echoed in Spencer's mind. He felt as if his heart was being tugged lightly by feathers, making him return to the present.

"Fiona, you and Spencer are going to get married. So you both should get to know each other better. What do you young people call that?" Wayne was confused as he tried to recollect. "Oh, yes, you should date each other!"

"You do know a lot about young people, Dad," Ethan commented.

"I have too many things to deal with right now. I don't have the time," Spencer refused.

"There aren't more important tasks than this. Leave them to your men!" Wayne spat. "As your grandpa, I command you to date Fiona! No arguments."

"Yes!" Spencer immediately stood up and saluted. "Grandpa!"

Fiona was stunned at this reaction.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐