Driving Miss Yin

Chapter 8

It is Saturday morning at last. Xiao Qiao and I are going to the seaside town for a day tour. How did this road trip happen you ask? Well, it was over one of our dinners. We were talking about things we love and miss doing when we were younger and she mentioned about going to the sea. Then we agreed to come to this seaside town on our free time. And that happens to be today.
My mother was elated of course. And her elation has only heightened when she found out that I had made a reservation for an engagement ring.
On my way to pick up the ring, I was quite in a happy mood until I entered the jewelry shop and lo and behold! My mother was there! This is not good. I wanted to step out but she has already seen me and is waving at me with a huge smile on her face.
I greeted her as soon as I was beside her.
"Mei Zuo, my son, the ring you've chosen is a good one. Xiao Qiao will love it." My mother gushed.
"What are you doing here Mom?" I asked.
"Well, I was just passing by and inquired if you, my son, has made any reservations. Sure enough you did."
I rolled my eyes.
"I heard from Xedi that you and Xiao Qiao are going out of town this weekend." Is there nothing I can't keep from these nosy mothers we have?
"You're not planning to propose there, are you?" She winked at me.
I opted not to answer her.
My mother lingered and inspected the ring again holding me up. If I didn't remind her that I am going back to work she would come along with me all day. Worse, come along this weekend which she suggested. Of course, she did not.
When I picked up Xiao Qiao her mother was waiting outside too - with a huge grin on her face. I don't need to guess that my mother told her about the ring.
We drove for three hours. We talked about the new benefit concert Lei has suggested. The first one we organized was such a success that we've decided to do another one.
It was lunch time when arrived so we ate a meal at a local diner. We went around town all afternoon, talking with the locals and bought some souvenirs too. We were so tired from walking around that I drove us to the bay walk to rest as well as enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Xiao Qiao smiled as she looked around. "It's really refreshing here."
"I'm glad you liked it here."
She nodded. "It reminds me so much of my childhood memories when my family would visit my grandparents. They lived in a coastal town too."
"Then let's come often here," I suggested.
"Okay."
We were both admiring the orange skies before us. Glancing at her I realized it would be the perfect opportunity to make a love confession at the same time pop the question but something was still bothering me. That boy she left behind.
"So does the little boy you had a crush on lived there?"
The question took her by surprise a little bit. "No," she replied.
"What about him do you like then?"
She stepped forward, folded her arms. "He was the most beautiful boy I've seen."
"Beautiful and blind," I scoffed.
She laughed. "He was. I've had a crush on him for a year. But before I could profess my feelings I had to be sent to America for studies."
"Did you miss him a lot?"
"I did. I missed him very much." When she said that I felt a little jealous. "Since I couldn't contact him I would imagine that he was my cello. Playing the cello was like talking to him." So that's why she told Lei that cello was her most favorite instrument. My jealousy was aroused.
"Did you look for him on your return? Did you meet him? Aren't you worried he would be jealous of me?"
She shook her head. "I really liked him and he was the friend I never had. When I was alone in America he helped me with my homesickness and loneliness. I've never forgotten about him even now. To see him again and tell him I liked him when I was young would be pointless. Besides, he never knew I existed so there's no need to be jealous of you."
"Should I be jealous of him?" I asked.
She raised one of her eyebrows as she looked at me. "Why should you be jealous? You're not my boyfriend. I'm not your girlfriend."
Her remark made me mad. "It's getting dark. Let's go."
I was in a bad mood after that. So much so that when I returned home that night and after my own mother pestered me if I proposed already, I threw the ring on my bedroom floor. Seconds later I regretted it and had a hard time picking it up since it slid under my huge mahogany bed. At least the diamond wasn't scratched. I'd be in even more trouble if it did.

Author's Note: It's been two years since I've last updated this spin-off. Thanks to a certain reader in Wattpad I'm reminded to resume writing this. I can't promise anything good as to be honest I'm really uninspired at the moment. I've reread this and the main story Deal just to familiarize myself again with the characters and storyline especially about the time line of these two stories. The original plan is to write ten chapters plus a prologue and an epilogue. So, all in all there's twelve chapters in this spin-off. --- Franzz P. (June 5, 2021)