Ice and Fire

Derek arrived earlier than the others and had now been enjoying his cup of tea with Mond. Mond wouldn't sit still and kept pacing back and forth since Derek arrived.

"Cherry said she was coming here, to my home, right?" Mond asked Derek. Before Derek could answer, he continued, "Why isn't she here yet?"

"She's the boss, you know that. She'll arrive when she wants to. No one can make her hurry up!" Derek reminded Mond, in case he forgot who they're talking about.

"And Wilson and Selina are late, as well," Mond noticed. He couldn't wait to see his friends and wanted them to be there already.

"They're quite busy lately, too. Take it easy, Mond, sit down. Just prepare for your guest of honor today," Derek reminded Mond and beckoned him to the chair, which he took.

"Of course, I've already prepared everything for Miss Cherry, my favorite sister-in-law!" Mond said, with pride in his voice.

The doorbell rang at that moment and Mond jumped up. He ran towards the door to check the monitor. His face fell when he saw Wilson and Selina by the door. He opened the door to let them inside.

"Who rang? Is it Cherry?" Derek, who stayed in the living room, asked.

Mond chuckled, "Nope, you guessed wrong!"

Wilson and Selina followed Mond into the living room.

"Mond, why didn't you have the door open waiting for us? You're the one who invited us here. You even had us ring the doorbell!" Selina complained, her arm linked with Wilson's.

"Didn't I open the door for you as soon as you rang the doorbell?" Mond quickly replied.

Wilson simply smiled but didn't say a word. He knew his wife's straightforward character and doesn't think much of it anymore. But Mond still hadn't gotten used to it.

Selina discovered that Derek was the only other person in the room. With her eyebrows scrunched up, she asked Mond, "Where are Jackson and Cherry? They're not yet here?"

"They're probably on the way and should be here any minute," Derek answered while he stood up to shake Wilson's hand. Selina plopped herself down on the sofa followed by the three men, while they wait for Jackson and Cherry.

"I don't understand why Cherry hasn't been able to visit me since they got back. She's seen all of you already. Is she mad at me or something?" Mond whined to his three friends.

"They just happened to visit us first. I was the first one. Selina was the second. And you're third," Derek provided as a way of explanation.

"Derek's right, Mond. Jackson and Cherry are paying you a special visit. And since you asked us to come, we'll make it a party!" Selina added, a huge smile on her face.

"It's because you're all in couples. And I'm not. I'm the only one who's alone!" Mond pretended to pout. "But listen, before they get here, I want to announce something."

"What is it?" Wilson asked, who became more curious when he saw Mond's serious look.

"I'm planning to leave for a period," Mond announced with a determined look on his face.

long will you be gone? When will you come back?" Derek asked. He was surprised about Mond's announcement but he didn't mind. Mond needed to take time off to relax, after all.

the truth. He didn't want to commit to a return date because he wasn't sure what could happen.

ZM Group?" Selina asked, a worried look on her face.

immediately. "My only precious daughter does not wish to

friends gasped and glanced

minds think alike. Because they all

are you all looking at me like that?" Mond was confused at his three friends' unusual

JS Group

I was going to give H King Group to my nephew, Lawrence," Wilson

before all four of them laughed out loud.

all four of the

over so many assets without paying a

he's going to be so stressed out,"

the stress and

is going to be stressed

them were worried about the same thing. Cherry loved Lawrence and she would never want

doorbell rang again.

rushed to the door and saw Jackson and Cherry on the other side.

she stepped inside. She had a big smile on her face and

Jackson first before

give each other a hug?" Mond turned to Jackson as

eyes and trudged to the living room without saying

enveloped Cherry in a tight hug, eager to see

living room and it

and energetic, full of vigor. Now, they had definitely matured in their middle age, now that they had experienced lots of success in their careers. They had definitely developed a stronger will together and their friendship had deepened over time. And they were very happy that their sons and daughters had become good friends with each other and they were happy to

been together since we got back, right? Cherry

like this in a long time. It makes me nostalgic about the past. We

asked Amy to come, too. Then we'd definitely be complete," Cherry added. Amy was the only

schedule this morning, anyway. That's why she's not with me,"

already have money, we're set for life. Can't you ask

And she's happy. It's hard not to support

"Amy really is dedicated.

to Derek, a naughty smile on her face, "If Amy didn't teach Lawrence piano lessons, how could you have

made Derek smile at the

had the same shine now that they had when they first got married. Their love for each other still ran deep. And they had never fought a single fight since the start. When they had a disagreement, Derek always made it a point to understand her and spoil her. He just wanted

a smile with