Offer To The CEO

Wednesday, continued …

All James' words did was make Anna cry even harder. Rather than stopping her, he simply sat there hugging her, and letting her cry out what was worrying her. A few minutes later, she stopped crying, so he slightly moved her back in her arms "Tell me what is bothering you sister. I cannot hep you if you do not tell me."

"James, Yi was being stupid today. I am worried that he got himself hurt."

"Anna, calm down. Let me call your husband, I think before anything you need to talk to him."

"Use my phone, he has had to temporarily change numbers."

"Anna, I will call and talk to him, if you can keep going with your exercises please."

Jamrs took Anna's phone and called Hou Yi, and while he watched his sister, had a quiet discussion with his brother-in-law, finding out a short version of what happened. As he ended the call, Anna finished the exercises. "Well what did he say."

"Anna, he said in helping the police he got a little bruised, but there is nothing to worry about. according to him, everything will be OK. Yi asked me to pass on a couple of messages as well. The bodyguards apparently will be told where you are going, but said to take one of the black cards to pay for everything tonight. He also said that he was sorry but he will be caught up at the office tonight and is unlikely to be back before you all go so he will see you when you get back."

James paused, and looked at his sister who seemed calmer. "Now come on, stop feeling sorry for yourself. I wil help you get into the bathroom, but leave you to shower in peace waiting for you to call me to come and help you get out."

James escorted her into the bathroom, and helped Anna securely covering her cast, and sitting her in the chair in the shower, before leaving with the reminder "When you finish your shower, do not move. Call me and I will come and help you out."

Fifteen minutes later, Anna called out and James come in and helped his sister out of the shower, and into a dressing gown and out into the room. Once he knew that she was safe, he said "I will step out of the room to let you change, but call out if you need my help."

"I have it James."

Anna looked at the time on the clock, and realised that it was just before 6pm. She checked her mobile, and there was a message from Amanda, saying that they would be there at about 6:15pm. Anna was grateful, that at least the designed dress she opted for tonight, was calf length, easy to slip on, and easily matched with a accessories so she could be ready in fifteen minutes, including putting light make-up on.

As she moved to the door, with a over shoulder bag, that had her purse and phone in it James opened the door, and realised that Anna was heading out to wait for everyone.

As she arrived in the foyer, the door was just opening and in walked Amanda Mei along with a teenager, who clearly had to be Alecia Yao. She looked happy that she was be treated like an adult rather than the little child her father always treated her like. Anna hobbled over and gave Amanda a kiss on the cheek, before saying "Hi I am Anna, Hou Yi's wife. You must be Alecia. Did Amanda …"

"You mean Mum, she is more a mother to me than my birth mother ever was or wants to be. She only sees me and my brothers as people who owe her money."

"Did your mum ask you for me, would you like to be one of my bridesmaids?"

"You do not know me? Bridesmaids are meant to be women close to the bride."

"Alecia, that is not an issue. It is my wedding, and your Mum and Dad are good friends of mine, and I think you see my husband like an uncle, as I understand when you were younger he occasionally babysat you, so why should you not be a bridesmaid. As to getting to know me, we have time to do that."

"Really?"

"Yes, I would really like you to be a bridesmaid. The only thing is that the wedding is in Australia."

"Mum did not tell me that. Yes, Yes, Yes" came the even louder and louder reply from Alecia.