Offer To The CEO

Sunday, continued ...

"Yes, that plane is mine. We flew down to maximise the time with you as we have no choice but to be in Melbourne tomorrow. Despite being slightly short, my pilot determined we could land and take, however given the interest if he feels that people are at risk, he will return to Melbourne and we will drive back."

The discussion finally sunk it to everyone, and the only person who could say something was Wayne, "My sister-in-law married a billionaire. Oh my God. S**t."

"The last thing that I need is for Anna to be worried about your safety. So what I am going to arrange in the next few days, is improved security for all of you. I also will have a security team in the area that can protect you if there are threats or you are concerned. But maintaining your safety will rely on you not disclosing your connection to me."

"If you do that, it will place your lives at risk, and the only way that I can do to protect you is relocate you, secure you behind high walls, and having you accompanied by guards everywhere. The choices Anna and I make, are reflective of the inbuilt security in my job. However the last thing that any of you will want is to have choices taken away from you, your jobs would be forced to change, as would your lives, which none of you signed on for."

Hou Yi noticed that the waitresses were coming to remove their main course plates, so he fell into silence. He asked spoke to one of the waitresses and asked "Could you please hold our desserts for 10 minutes. We need some privacy to finish this conversation."

The waitress left, and Hou Yi turned to the table. He and Anna reached for each other's hand at the same time, and Hou Yi lifted it to his mouth giving it a kiss. Anna decided that she was ready to speak "Mum, Dad, now that you have heard everything, is there anything you, or anyone else want to say. Before you comment, all I am going to tell you is that I have made the decision that makes me happier than I have ever been. I know I have a huge transition that I am making, but I need you all not to hate me for following my heart."

As soon as Anna stopped speaking James, immediately jumped in "Sis, you know that you always will have my love and support for whatever decision you make. Go and be happy but remember to come back and visit me regularly."

Wayne and Susan looked at each other and nodded, before Susan said "James is right. You have our love and support. Go be happy and come back to visit."

Ben, Adam and Rosemary all answered together "Same for us." Rosemary then continued "You know we love you and coming to visit you. Maybe we will even just send the kids during school holidays, so they can harass their Aunty Anna and Uncle Yi and give us a break." With that Ben and Adam bust out laughing. They knew their children would have Anna and Hou Yi pulling their hair out within two days of arriving.

Anna looked at her parents, who had not responded. "Mum, Dad, what do you say."

"Why did you not tell us what was happening, we would have helped you," said Stan in a defeated voice, realising that he had failed to protect his little girl.

"I could not admit what Lu Jinhu did. Yi has only made it possible for me to fully admit what had happened, as I know I have his love and unconditional support."

Stan pondered for a few seconds "Anna, if you are certain on your decision, all I can do is support your choices regardless of what I think, and simply be there to deal with any fall out. Mr Hou, you better make sure you treat my daughter well. If I find out you have not, those bodyguards and your wealth will not save you as I will kill you. She has been hurt too much now, and she needs no more."

"Mr Jones, you have my word. I will treat her like the queen she is."

Anna, looked at Meredith "Mum?"