Love is the Sunshine

'What is she doing over there?' Terence wondered. Carla was acting a little weird, so Terence went straight up to her and found a gift box hidden in
the grass. Confused, he decided to ask her, "Why did you hide it?" "Carla, is this what you've got for Sean's birthday? Why don't you give it to him
then? Sean would be sad if he received this as a belated present."
Terrence ripped the wrapping paper carelessly as he spoke.
'What did she get for Sean? Why was she hiding it?' Terence's curiosity was piqued.
But when he saw what was inside, he was a bit surprised. Well, it turned out to be another drone. That was typical of her.
Terence was amused, "Correct me if I am wrong, Carla. You little fool. You thought that I've already given Sean a drone in front of everyone, a better
drone, in fact, so you decided that you couldn't show him this one. Is that right?" Terence asked as he opened the packaging. A faint smile could be
seen from his lips as he was handling the drone like a curious boy.
Carla rolled her eyes at him and snatched the drone out of his hands. After she shoved the gift back to where it belonged, she turned to him and
started to play dumb after pausing for a moment, "You fool. But you know what? I am not gonna give this to him. I'm gonna return it and get a refund!
I'm not made of money. A penny saved is a penny earned!"
Carla kept blabbering on and on and on, but she stopped all of a sudden, blushing because Terence had grasped her delicate hand with his sturdy
one.
But the pink aura around her vanished quicker than expected because that dumb Terence reached out his arm and put his hands on the drone again.
"Carla, how about giving it to me?" Terence focused on the drone and asked, "You don't have to return it. You can just give it to me."
Carla opened her mouth, but she was at a loss for words. Looking right at him, she thought, "Are you really an idiot? You could afford a much better
and much more expensive drone. Why would you ask for this cheap one I bought at a discount?"
"So what do you think? If you don't say anything, I'll take it as a yes. You know, you've never bought me any gift yet," he tried putting on a pitiful look,
"so I won't decline this silly little gift of yours." Terence tried to act as if he didn't value this children's toy that much, but he could barely fake a careless
attitude, because he even started to wipe the dust off the packaging with his sleeves.
Carla was relieved, watching him put away his new toy. As a matter of fact, she didn't really know what to do with this big drone anyway.
It would be bad to just put it away and let it go unused, but she couldn't return it either. The store had emphasized to her that discounted drones were
non-refundable when she bought it.
Carla just didn't want to lose face in front of Terence, so she tricked him.

On their way back home, little Sean was over the moon! He kept telling Carla and Terence that this was the coolest and the most memorable birthday
he had ever had!
When they got back together, Sean dashed into his room and threw himself onto the bed. Tomorrow was Monday, and a good schoolboy like him had
classes to attend to.

Carla also wanted to go back to her room to get some rest, but Terence stood right in front of her, not intending to move an inch.
"It's only 10 o'clock. How about you and I go out and have a date?" Terence blocked her way back to the room, smiling as if he was teasing a small
cat.
Carla yawned, "I don't want to go out with you now. I still have work tomorrow, and besides, I'm tired."
She didn't lie about being tired, but she got a bit annoyed because he stood in her way, so she just answered him in a flat and unemotional tone.
But Terence didn't give up so easily, "Carla, don't be boring. Come on. Now that Sean had his dream birthday, it's time for you to take care of
yourself." Terence refused to take no for an answer, suddenly hugging her around her waist without giving her any chance to say no. The couple went
out the front door.
They didn't go anywhere fancy or romantic, or any place that would serve a candlelight dinner.
Instead, Terence and Carla went up to the rooftop.
On that moonlit night, they both sat on the roof. Raising her head, Carla gazed upon the beautiful night sky in silence. There were hundreds, possibly
thousands, of bright stars there. She enjoyed the cool breeze. It felt so natural and refreshing.
"Carla, what do you think of my proposal?" Terence sat next to her, but he wasn't looking at the beautiful night sky. He was looking at her
affectionately.
Carla was sitting with arms wrapped around her knees. Knowing he had something to tell her, she asked before he could say anything she didn't want
to hear, "Terence An, why would you want to bring me home?"
Without answering right away, Terence opened a can of beer and drank some. This time he avoided any eye contact and looked right into the sky,
though the smile on his face didn't fade. "You asked me why. Well, when a man wants to bring a woman home. What do you think this man is up to?"
asked Terence.
It was clear that Terence was talking about himself. If he said he was only grateful to the woman, and the only thing he wanted to do was take good
care of her, Carla would tell him that he was a hypocrite.

"But... I'm at a point in my life right now where I'm happy and very content. This is my way of life. I know this place, and I know the people here. And
my friends, I'm not willing to leave them and elope with you."
Carla also picked up a can of ice cold beer they brought. The taste of it made her frown.
She wouldn't drink beer, not alone nor with friends. But now, she felt like she could use a drink.
Carla continued, "And there is more. Have you ever thought that I might always be an outsider in your world, and I might never become close with
your friends?" And there is your family to consider. Will they be able to accept me? I doubt it."
Terence turned to look at her. With the light in his eyes extinguished, he said with an unwavering tone, "Carla, please stop worrying about all these
trivial things. The only thing that matters is, you should ask yourself, do you really like me?"
he paused, "Carla, answer my question. If you do like me, please stop torturing yourself. Everything you said just now, consider it done. I'll take care
of it for you."
Terence paused again, "Please say yes. I swear, I, Terence An, will cherish you for the rest of my life!"

Listening in silence, motionless, she somehow felt disturbed, so she drank some more out of that can. 'Do I like him?' she questioned herself.
Of course, she did! She couldn't lie about her true feelings, but...
"Carla, are you still listening? I know you've planned to get married someday in your life. But getting married means you'll have to adapt to a new
environment. I know you're scared. It must be hard for you, but you have to face it. And I'll always be here to fight your battles for you. Do you
understand?"
Terence said in a deep voice, knowing her struggles, and believing she had to step out of her comfort zone and grow up.
But Carla didn't think so. She even felt unsettled, so she started to chug her can of beer. After finishing it, Carla wiped off the foam on the corners of
her mouth with the back of her hand and inhaled deeply. This time, she was ready to reveal her innermost thoughts.
"Yes, I'll marry someone someday. But that someone is not necessarily you."
She had felt a little offended when he subconsciously thought that he was her only option. "Terence An, I have to admit that after all the days we
spent together, I do have feelings for you. But just so you know, I'm a very realistic person. You and me, we are from two different worlds. I don't think
we make a good match. Maybe we're just wasting our time."
She looked at him, "I've made up my mind, and I wanna break up with you."

Taking a deep breath, Carla rose up. She patted down the dust on her back and headed back home.
She said it. She has finally said it. It was such a relief! But Terence was enraged by her irresponsible remarks. He held her hand in a firm grip and
pulled her back. Even though he tried his best not to hurt her, she still swayed and almost fell.
"Don't even think about it. Carla, I know you. You're not chickening out again, are you? If you won't marry me, then who? Can you find a better guy
who is richer and more powerful than me? If you can't, why do you keep shutting me out like this? Do you really want me out of your life?"
Furious and anxious at the same time, Terence grabbed both of her delicate hands. His eyes were pleading her to keep quiet and just listen.
But she refused to do so, "Rich and powerful? You can't even protect yourself! Don't forget your life is still under threat, or else, why would you hide in
my lowly and humble home?" Carla sneered back at him, desperately wanting to wound his pride just like he did to her.
"If I say if I choose to go with you, I'll risk living in constant fear, so tell me why on earth would I choose such dangerous a life?"
Terence frowned and looked straight in her eyes. Carla thought he would say something much worse, but he didn't lose control. Instead, she heard
his gentle voice, "Is that what you're worried about? You shouldn't worry about it. Just leave it to me. You are my girl and I'll protect you. Carla, I won't
let you get hurt."
She was still fuming with anger, "You can't promise that. You can't even protect yourself. And you know what? I'm safe as long as you stay away from
me!" Carla knew she didn't mean it, but she said that on purpose.
"I know, but can you please trust me? I won't let it happen again. Won't you trust me? Please trust me." Terence was almost begging and pleading.
But Carla wouldn't budge on this. "Mr. An, I've already broken up with you. I think you'd better take care of yourself for now,"
she paused, "I'm not saying that it's impossible between us. But either way, it takes time, so how about we separate for now and let time do its job.
Maybe, just maybe, one day I'd find myself still in love with you and start chasing you around. Isn't that what you want?"
Terence gazed at her, "So, you won't stick your neck out for us? And you're not going to go back with me, right?"
Carla didn't respond, but her reaction told him it was a relief for her.
Terence knew that all he needed was a little more patience, so he replied by reaching out his hand and caressing her cheek. Her delicate face was
even more charming under the moonlight.
"Carla, darling. Just remember, no matter what, you belong to me..."