Chapter 108 - Regrets

Gabriel and Alfred were arguing when Andrea arrived. Stationed outside the hospital suite were four men of Gao Rou and six men of from the Davies'.

"Good afternoon Ms. Davies. It has been a while." Andrea looked up to find Harry Cross, her foster father's long and trusted wingman.

She responded with a smile and greeted back, "long time no see, Uncle Harry. I go by my real name now. It's Andrea Li."

Seeing the sorry expression on Harry's face, she turned to the door wanting to avoid any further conversation about the past. She had already turned the knob when she heard voices inside the room.

"Dad, were you aware of mom's doing?"

"I had a feeling, but I never looked into it further… I was afraid, but I know now I was wrong." Alfred's voice became frail as he said this, then added, "Son, am I wrong? Am I wrong to love your mother this much?"

A heated argument regarding Gabriel's actions was what she had expected but instead, the father and son had a strange emotional conversation about Nancy Davies.

"Dad, I think it is high time you choose… between the woman you love, who I believed only loved your money or the family that truly cares for you. You need to choose between my mother and your children!"

Andrea could not help but wonder what was going on. She was about to eavesdrop some more when Harry coughed and asked if there was something that bothered her.

"Nothing, uncle. I just did not want to butt in their conversation, but since I am already here, might as well."

She knocked at the door before completely entering. What caught her by surprise was her father's swollen eyes.

"Dad, what did Gabe do to you?"

Alfred tried to fake a smile and ignored the question, instead gave her reassuring words, "I will take Gabriel home tomorrow night. You do not have to worry about him coming back. Please extend my apologies to Lu Fang and his family."

He stood from the leather seat, moving towards her and gave a warm hug. It was the way he did it that melted her heart, slow and firm with heavy breathes.

The truth was her foster father felt accountable after learning that Nancy had her kidnapped in the past. He had an idea that his wife was capable of mischief, but he did not expect it was to this degree, especially towards a child that they both raised.

When Andrea left, he felt Nancy's disapproval towards her but he was blinded, afraid of losing the woman he had ever loved. He was afraid of what he might find out if he had investigated his own wife. Instead, he compensated by transferring some of the Davies properties to Andrea including 10% shares of the Davies Group of Companies.

He recalled how furious his wife became learning about the transfer of properties and shares. He could not forget Nancy's words. "One day, I will take back what your ungrateful daughter took that you will regret even giving her a cent! Only I…I am deserving of the Davies fortune."

To think she was only married to a Davies, yet she was too hungry for the power and wealth of the family.

They sat to talk about Gabriel's misconduct and how he will take responsibility for his actions. At least one thing Andrea could be assured of, the fact that Gabriel highly respected their father and he would not dare to defy him.

They had also taken the opportunity to talk business allowing both Andrea and Gabriel to have a decent conversation. Though as they were discussing, she could see the remorse in his eyes.

As they were wrapping up, Andrea recalled her future mother-in-law's request and asked her father if he had free time. "Dad, Lu Fang's parents wanted to meet you. Do you think you can you meet them before you leave for Europe?"

His face turned white after hearing the request.

"I'm sorry, dad. Is there a conflict to your schedule? You are returning tomorrow right? I was just hoping maybe you could meet them this afternoon."

Alfred felt he could not breathe for a split second and when he realized the strange stare of his daughter he cleared his throat. "Andy, have you told them about me?"

"Yes, dad. Lu Fang brought up your visit during my birthday and In fact, I have shown Mrs. Lu… hmmm… she now prefers that I call her mom… I showed mom your photo once."

"Did… did she say anything else?"

"No, dad. Just that they wanted to meet you."

He let out a sigh and nodded. "Very well then. Is dinner good for them?"

Alfred knew this time would come but it came sooner than expected. He wanted to be prepared and maybe buy Christina a gift that he decided to leave the hospital for the rest of the afternoon.

With the two of them alone in the room, Andrea wanted to have a sincere talk with Gabriel. He had been silent for a while and it started when she brought up Lu Fang's parents.

"Gabe, what had gotten into you?"

He did not answer. Instead, he got out of the bed and went to the closet to take a small wooden box then handed it to her. It was a box with all her wonderful memories while being a Davies.

Gabriel was standing in front of Andrea while she was sitting on the sofa when all this was happening.

"I kept it. I was holding on to the memories we had when we were together. "

She could not understand what he was saying. 'Why in the world would he keep my things and holding on to the times when we were together?'

"I made a mistake, Andy. Within a week after you left, I felt devastated."

All of a sudden, he was down on the floor and crying out loud. He then placed both his hands on her knees and rested his head above them. His sobs were loud enough to fill the entire room.

"I wanted to get mother's approval that… that I did not realize the trap she had set-up for both of us. I had sacrificed our relationship, blinded by her convincing…"

She was no longer comfortable where this was going that she tried to push his hands away so she could get up, but he would not budge.

Then and there, he looked her straight in the eye and said, "Andy, would you believe me if I told you, I regretted everything that happened back then?"