A Billion Dollar Exchange

He paused a few seconds before he continued;

''I was with a woman before I met her, and before I knew what love is and when I did, I ended everything with that other woman; but I didn't know that she had not ended everything with me. She constructed a perfect plan because she knew that I really loved her;

She made me believe that Sweet loved someone else, and to make it more believable she produced pictures which made it look real, everything seemed so real; I couldn't come to terms with the fact that the only woman I ever loved never loved me; I couldn't believe that she could look me in the eyes and lie that she loved me; although I was hurt, I put my pride aside and asked her a question about her whereabouts on that day, although she lied innocently, it had corroborated the evidence, thus making me believe the more that she was indeed having an affair. ''

He paused for a while, Xin Yong squeezed his hand a little, as though letting him know that she was still there;

''I loved her so much that it hurt me to know that she wanted someone else, but then I couldn't make her stay with me when she loved someone else, so I let her go. To me, I thought she didn't want to go because she felt it would hurt me, so I treated her harshly, so she wouldn't have any reason to feel as though she had hurt me.

 I wanted her to be happy not knowing that I had hurt her deeply in the process.

After I sent her away, I couldn't sleep; I spent nights in my office, working myself to lethargy. The only thing that stopped me from going back home and begging her not to leave was the fact that she loved someone else. I couldn't do that; I couldn't make her stay with me when she wanted to be with someone else.

Days later, the other woman came to tell me that she had masterminded the plan and everything was a lie. I couldn't breathe, everything came rushing back, the harsh words I said to her, how I urged her to leave before I returned, I couldn't take it,

The last thing I remembered before everything went blank was her tearful face as she watched me leave the house that day. ''

Xin Yong hadn't heard this part of the story, so she was as attentive as her parents, listening to every detail;

When I woke up and came to search for her, she had already left. I was shattered. I sent her best friend over because I knew you wouldn't want to see me, when she told me that you refused to tell of her whereabouts, it felt like the end of the world for me.

I wasn't able to live well when I thought that she was in the arms of another man, what of when I knew she loved me and I had chased her away?

It was heart rending. I felt like killing myself sometimes, but what kept me going was the fact that she was still living with the fact that I never loved her. I couldn't die knowing that she thought that of me, I had resolved with myself that even though she never wanted to be with me again, she would at least know the reason why I acted the way I did.

When I finally met her, she didn't want to have anything to do with me anymore, and after I made her know the truth, she still didn't want to have anything to do with me.

I was able to go on when I held onto the fact that she did not know the truth, but now she knew the truth and she still didn't want me anymore, what would I do with myself?

I thought of committing suicide but her best friend gave me an idea of faking my suicide. That was my last straw, if she didn't want me after that; I swore to the heavens that I was really going to kill myself.

And luckily for me, she came back to me.

Father, Mother, I'm not sure of anything in this world as I'm sure of the fact that I love your daughter so much that it takes my breath away. She's my life, and I don't know what I would be able to do without her in my life.

You asked me why you should give your daughter to me, the only answer I can give is that, this woman right here is my world and without her I'm nothing. ''

He concluded, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Xin Yong's lips were stretched out with a contented smile, her heart was bubbling so much that she didn't know when she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his lips ignoring her parents;

''I love you too, baby. ''

She said, staring into his eyes; a twinkle in hers.

''Mm mm…''

Her father coughed bringing their attention to the fact that they were still there in front of them.  It was obvious at this point that he didn't have a choice but to give his blessings.

''Sit down…''

He said, although he tried to hide it, Xin Yong could spot the slight smile on his face.

 Jin Yue and Xin Yong sat down opposite them, Xin Yong still holding onto him, like he was going to disappear any second.

''Your parents, are they alive? ''

He asked, and before Jin Yue could reply, Xin Yong had replied for him;

''His father is late; his mom is alive and very pretty!''

Her father's eyes darted towards her again, this time she could not hold in her giggle;

''Go and set the table …''

''Dad!... ''

''Now! ''

She pouted her lips angrily as she stood up from the seat and reluctantly left his hands;

Dragging her feet, she stomped off to the kitchen to dish the meal.