Chapter 344 - No More Breaking Up

Gao Rou and Deana arrived early in the morning at the resort. They went straight to their villa, which was close to the accommodation Andrea and Lu Fang occupied. 

Soon after getting settled, they went straight to the family villa to have breakfast. They arrived at Male International Airport last night and stayed in a hotel within the airport island. It was only at six in the morning that they took a seaplane to the resort. 

"Good Morning!" Gao Rou greeting everyone as they entered the dining area. Hanxi, Andrea, Lu Fang and the twins with their caregivers were seated in a long table, facing the private pool of the villa.

"Wow! The view here is just stunning," exclaimed Gao Rou. 

"Good morning! Nice to finally join you here, " Deana came from behind Gao Rou, waving her hand. 

Everyone responded to their greeting, but Lu Fang did so rather weakly. 

Gao Rou took the seat next to Lu Fang asking, "Anything wrong, bro?"

"It's nothing. He had a drink with the Hanxi and the security team last night. He got really drunk," explained Andrea. 

Looking at the food, Gao Rou was taken aback with the feast. He said, "The resort serves roasted calf in the morning?"

"It's leftover from last night, but the rest are newly whipped up," Hanxi said. "We celebrated Andrea getting pregnant."

"Wow! Finally! That is good news! I will let my brother know," Deana exclaimed. 

When Isabella and Matteo arrived, Hanxi introduced her to Deana, and they all enjoyed a pleasant breakfast together like a family. 

While eating, Gao Rou updated them about Landon. "He had already awakened and just the other day, he was breathing on his own."

"He no longer asked where his heart came from... It was like he knew all along," Deana added with concern on her face.

"Anyhow, Landon said he wishes to meet with you after he recovers  - he - he wanted to know if instead of a collaboration, maybe Intramed Wise can buy most shares of under Michael in a very discounted rate," Gao Rou said, purposely raising his brows as his eyes widened towards the end of his statement. 

"Why would he do that?" Andrea asked. 

"He said something about a woman, he needed help with. He wanted for Intramed Wise to take in a woman into the company. He asked if you are the person to talk to  about it."

Turning to Deana, Andrea said, "I know very little about bringing in people in the company, so it really is best to talk to Darwin instead."

"Got it. I'll tell Fernando that  - hey you know what, you used to work under me now you are bossing me around," Gao Rou blurted out all of a sudden, referring to Andrea. 

Hanxi and Andrea burst into laughter, hearing his complaint while Lu Fang merely squinted at his brother. To enlighten Isabella and Deana, Hanxi had to explain how Andrea and Lu Fang met before becoming lovers. 

Soon their conversation changed into relationship-related that Gao Rou became the spotlight. 

"So, you and Deana are back together?" Lu Fang asked.

"Pfft! Babe, that's a given!" Andrea exclaimed after giving her husband a light punch on the shoulder. 

Deana blushed and avoided Gao Rou's gaze. They never really talked about it, everything was just assumed. 

"Obviously, bro. We would not come here for a vacation and stay in our own villa if we were just friends," Gao Rou said with sarcasm before taking a sip of his drink. 

"Well, you better make sure there is no breaking up this time, Gao Rou. Hate to have to talk to Darwin about it again," said Lu Fang. 

There was a moment of silence after the man let out his worry. Even Deana became nervous as to how Gao Rou would react. However, they all heard him answer, "No more. No more breaking up."

Deana could not help becoming emotional. Tears welled up in her eyes. She excused herself saying she needed to go to the bathroom. After Andrea pointed out where the restroom was, she rushed to the direction, trying to hide her tears. 

"You should go after her. It looked like she was about to cry, Gao Rou," said Andrea. 

He pursed his lips and gestured to get up. "Excuse me."

When Deana got out of the bathroom, Gao Rou was already next to the door. He caught her hand and asked, "What's wrong, Deana?"

She turned to him and smiled saying, "Nothing. Nothing's wrong. I'm sorry. Was I that obvious?"

While Gao Rou pulled her closer to him, she added while looking down at the floor, "I just hope that you meant it - us not breaking up again that is."

He let out a heavy sigh, realizing how much Deana must have been previously affected. He wrapped her in his embrace and said, " I'm sorry, Deana. I promise I won't hurt you again."

Gao Rou's words made her cry. Her sniffing and breathing became apparent that he hugged her even tighter. 

"I want us to talk about it, Gao Rou... Can we please? It just - it just keeps bothering me - what is often on your mind. If you really meant what you said, you'd tell me everything… everything that I need to know... Please, Gao Rou. Talk to me."

Deana was still in his arms when he heard her stammering as she pleaded. He held her even tighter before gasping. He said, "Yes. I promise. We can talk about it in the afternoon."

Pulling away, he wiped the wetness on her face and kissed both her cheeks before giving her lips a peck. He looked her straight in the eye and said, "I won't make the same mistake again... I promise."

After their morning gathering, Lu Fang and Andrea, together with the kids prepared to leave the island. They had cut their trip short so they can have Andrea's pregnancy checked as soon as possible. 

Hanxi and Isabella with Matteo as well as Gao Rou and Deana watched the family ride the speedboat until they boarded the seaplane from the floating dock not too far from the island. 

Hanxi and Isabella were scheduled to leave after two days while Gao Rou and Deana will be staying for a week-long vacation at the resort. 

It was only after sending off Andrea and Lu Fang when Gao Rou had the chance to speak with Deana.

Gao Ro had booked a private sunset cruise only for them. They rode in a dhoni boat towards the sea while indulging in a bottle of wine. 

The boat had a second deck where a sun lounge was set up for them to relax while waiting for the sun to set. 

After sitting comfortably, Gao Rou put an arm around Deana and said, "Deana, whatever I tell you now. I hope you won't tell Andrea or Lu Fang just yet. I am still getting to the bottom of this."

Deana frowned, seeing how serious he was. Still, she said, "Okay. If that is what you want."

"I have been receiving calls, tipping me about my father's death. Apparently the traffic accident resulting in his death was planned," he said while studying closely her reaction. "The first time I heard about it was before I broke up with you - I just wanted to dig into it. My head was only filled with anger and  - I wanted to find out."

He took a deep breath before resting his chin in Deana's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Deana. It just bothered me so much that I  - I lost interest in going to the US. At that time I figured it was best that we break up."

"But didn't you tell me that your father died when you were young?" Deana asked. 

"Yes, that is right."

"But why now? Why warm you after all these years? What is this person's purpose?" Deana probed, utterly trying to make sense of it all. 

"I don't know yet, but I have a new hacker under my wing. He will help me find this person."

Deana pondered for a moment about Gao Rou's matter. After giving it much thought she said, "I think you should tell Lu Fang about it. He and his family, they are your family already, Gao Rou. You told me that many times."

"It - it just smells like trouble to me. Lu Fang of all people, I think he deserves to know."