Dilemma
SHER HUANG
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CONTENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR………………………4 SYNOPSIS……………………………………5 ONE………………………………………...…6 TWO………………………………………….14 THREE…………………………………….…23 FOUR…………………………………….…..30 FIVE…………………………………….……38 SIX…………………………………………...40 SEVEN……………………………………….46
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About the author Sher Huang grew up Kaohsiung, Taiwan. At age 16, she studied at Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages. She majored in English and took French as a second language. She loves to travel and her dream is to be a brand manager. This is her first piece of novel and she hopes that it will bring joy to the readers.
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Synopsis 21st century. Vera, an outstanding girl who is also a well-behaved girl, meets her Mr. Right in life in an exotic country. Yet her mom prohibited the lovers’ promise of marriage by forcing her to go back to her hometown. What can Vera do? Would Vera give up? Would she marry without her mother’s permission? Would she leave her mom alone in her hometown?
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Chapter one 21st century is a globalized period where many people have the opportunity to study abroad to gain further professional knowledge, Vera is not an exception.
It was years ago when Vera was still in high school that Vera and her mom were sitting on the beach in Kenting. Mrs. Teng brought her daughter there because she assumed the splendid color of the ocean was the best place to heal her broken soul.
Since they spent most of their time indoors, they
were instantly tanned after a few hours under the scorching sun.
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“So? Are you feeling any better?” asked Mrs. Teng. “Wow mom, I’ve never thought Kenting could be this beautiful and this relaxing. I really thank you for bringing me here this weekend!” replied Vera with a big content smile on her face. “No problem, this is my pleasure darling. I would do anything that will make you happy.” While adjusting her sunglasses she turned toward Vera and said “You mean the world to me Vera.”
Vera did not reply because she knew that since her father divorced her mom, she had become the essence of her mom. For
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her, this is in a way a heavy burden with great pressure, yet she never complained and tried her best to be close with her mom and keep up to her standards. By standards, this meant getting high grades, participating in extra-curricular activities, winning contests and performing piano and flute on stage. * Mrs. Teng is a typical mom who would do anything to protect her daughter from harm. Just one year ago Vera had convinced her mom that she was old enough to date. Mrs. Teng loved her daughter so much and trusted her. Therefore, she permitted her daughter to
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go out with Sean, an honor student, who shockingly turned out to be a betrayer.
Just about five months after they have dated, Sean became part of the basketball team, the school’s hottest team. At first, Vera and Sean were so happy; they even celebrated his making to the team. Just few weeks after he joined the team, his schoolwork began to fall apart because of the intense training and the parties their teammates invited him to. As a result of Sean’s tight schedule, they could only see each other a few times a week. The worst part of it was that he was usually worn out. They talked less but were still working
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hard to maintain their relationship.
Things were still in control until Sean gave up on schoolwork and began to value basketball most. Vera thought all this would pass once summer vacation arrives. To Vera’s surprise, things were not that simple. Sean partied harder and harder. He goes home late every weekend and they barely went out anymore.
Vera thought that they could not continue in this situation. She went to Sean’s house one day and wanted to talk things out. She waited for hours even passed midnight. Mosquitoes were everywhere and she was
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bitten in many spots. Sean did not return until 3:20 in the morning. Moreover, when he saw Vera standing outside his place, he walked passed her without a word.
“Sean, why are you doing this?” Vera spoke in despair. “Have you forgotten all our memories?”
Sean turned toward Vera facing downward as if he was going to say something. Nothing came out of his mouth and without looking into Vera’s eyes, he turned toward the door and left Vera there with tears.
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That day Vera cried for the whole day. She could not accept the fact that Sean had changed. He had turned into an indecent man who is irresponsible for their relationship.
She did not want to love someone who behaved like Sean because the person she was in love with was a decent guy who was excellent in every way. When they encountered problems, they discussed them together. She decided to leave him. * “Having lemon juice on the beach is awesome mom, want some?� Vera turned her straw over facing her mom.
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“Hmm, oh, sure,” squinted her eyes after swallowing the sourness. “Now Vera I saw your grades have boosted up to A+’s and I’m very proud of you. I am glad that you are still working hard on schoolwork despite Sean’s matters. I..uh..I will let you go to France once you graduate to study fashion design.”
“REALLY?!” cried Vera, so surprised and shocked that her mom would give her permission. Immediately she hugged her mom tight as if she had not seen her mom for years.
“Oh my god, that means I’d be able to get
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together with Desire!� Desire is Vera’s best friend since junior high. They have many things in common, personalities, their way of thinking and their interests. Desire graduated one year ahead of Vera so she is already in Paris studying interior design.
Chapter two One year later Vera had successfully arrived Paris for design studies. She was more than excited to be in Paris. French was not a problem for Vera since she had learned French for years back when she was in Taiwan. It took her a full week to shop for her
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furniture; a bed, a bed set, two working tables, a few chairs, a set of comfortable sofa, few mugs and some cooking supplies. Her apartment is finally settled and looked somewhat like a dwelling, though a few things were still missing.
Yet there weren’t enough time, because her fundamental of designing workshop was beginning tomorrow. The college established workshops for freshmen for different departments to give them a head start on their semester. Vera was fully ready to start her designing life.
The first day was only an overview of the
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six-week-workshop. Monsieur Dupont, her professor, started slowly by introducing the elements of designing and demonstrating them. It was very practical Vera thought and she’s never had art classes like such and she really enjoyed it. The rest of the workshop went along fine, except for the loads of work that they were assigned. Vera was getting at least two assignments each week and they were doing exercises in classes non-stop. She had to stay up each night so that she could meet the deadline. Because of this, Vera did not have much time to get to know people in class or other classes. She wished she could but there was never time
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for it.
At first, Monsieur Dupont gave Vera comments “I can see talent in you but sometimes your drawings are restricted, too conservative in a way. You ought to let all your feelings show in your drawings.” After many field trips in which students collect inspiration, Vera’s work had changed. It was very complex with many emotions yet it was inconspicuous. Often Monsieur Dupont would praise Vera’s work saying “You are perceiving more and more. C’est très bien, je l’aime. (It’s very good, I like it.) ”
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Eventually the end of the workshop arrived, Vera had been very grateful to have been taught by such a kind teacher. Now she only had one more week left before school start and she wanted to meet Desire who was in the 12th district. She phoned her and arranged a day to meet up with Desire. * “Hey girl!!!!” Desire cried, huggingVera so tight. “I miss you so much! How have you been?” Vera could not wait to ask. The last time they chatted on the phone was the first day Vera got to Paris. “Well, I haven’t told you hmm..I got to know this guy, Victor, from a party three weeks
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ago.” Desire was giggling when she said it. Vera was so surprised and excited for her friend and she asked “Oh my, so are you seeing him yet?” The girls were laughing and they could not stop talking because it was such a nice time. * In school Vera was as usual performing a nice job and maintaining high grades due to her hard work. When the first semester finished, Vera decided to stay over at Desire’s place for Winter break. After packing some clothes, she left on the day school was off. She could not wait to celebrate the coming of Christmas.
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Desire and Vera went out almost everyday, but sometimes they just stayed at home and watched DVDs. Sometimes they invite Victor over since Desire’d been seeing him for a few months now.
At one of the parties taking place in a pub with Desire and Victor’s friends, Vera chatted with many people, but there’s one guy that seemed really interested in her. Walking up to Vera was a guy holding two drinks. “Hey, wanna take a sip of this cocktail? It’s the best I’ve had tonight.”
Desire talking on the side took notice of the guy and turned toward them, “Hey
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trying to hook up with my friend here?” Both the guy and Desire laughed and they gave each other a kiss on the cheek and a hug, the French way of saying hi. Vera then laughed and Desire introduced Felix Blanc to Vera and turned back to the conversation she was in.
“Nice dress you have, good taste,” Felix said starting off with a compliment. “Thanks, you have a nice top too.” “Haha, it’s a present from a friend of mine from school.” “Oh yeah? Which school to you go to?” “ L’école Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts (National School of Fine Arts).”
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“Are you kidding? ” “Well what makes you think I’m kidding? Oh this can’t be, you go there too?” “Uh..well..Yeah I major in designing. “No wonder you have such good taste in clothing. I’m studying photography. I’m curious, how come we’d never seen each other before?” “Well, I wouldn’t know the exact reason for that but since I just got to Paris this summer, I’ve been quite busy with the workshop and school started soon after that.” “Wait, is that the workshop for freshmen?” “Yup”
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“Hold on, I attended that workshop too! Ok just to make sure we don’t miss out on each other in school, gimme your MSN.”
Chapter 3 Vera is not really the active type of girl who will make moves first, especially in a relationship. When winter break was over Felix and Vera were still in touch and they sometimes went out. It was obvious to Vera that Felix was into her. She see Felix as a friend, a very kind person but nothing more than that.
One day, Felix asked Vera out for a dinner and a movie. That night when they were
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having their desserts Felix told Vera “I’ve had a crush on you since the first time I saw you in Desire’s house. Now that we’ve known each other for a few months, I feel that my feelings for you have built up everyday. I don’t know if you’ve felt it but I really hope you could be my girlfriend.” Felix confessed to Vera nervously. With blessing, Vera nodded in agreement to Felix. Vera did not know why she agreed but she thought Felix was not a bad guy and being with him she felt happy.
Vera had not had a boyfriend since she was hurt from her first boyfriend. She did
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not inform her mom about this news when they talked on the phone. She was afraid that her mom would be worried. She thought she would tell her mom after she’s more settled with Felix. * That summer Desire graduated from university. She decided to go on a trip with Victor, and she also invited Vera and Felix. The two couples gathered on L’ile de Citée and hung out for a whole week together.
One day the girls decided to go shopping on their own. During their afternoon tea, they celebrated Desire’s graduation.
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“Last week, I sent out three curriculum vitae to interior designing firms. One of which I got my internship from. But just to have a back up I sent two more,” Desire informed Vera. “Girl, I can’t believe you graduated and what’s even more surprising is that I’ll be graduating next year. Time flies when you’re having fun, huh?” Vera murmured. “That’s life, we oughtta face it. Come on today is suppose to be cheerful. ‘Cheers’,” Desire said holding her glass of red wine up. “You know, I’ve always wondered whether Felix and I will get married...”Vera couldn’t help saying what is really on her mind. “Victor and I have
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talked about all the possibilities of the future already, even talking about babies!” “Babies! Wow, what was his reaction?” “He said he loved babies and we’ve both agreed on the number of three. We think having three kids is perfect!” “That’s awesome. I thought men were afraid to talk about babies?” “Well, I really think it’s the phase the couple’s are in. Guys are only afraid when they are not ready or perhaps they don’t want to take the responsibility.” “Oh that might be true. So does that mean you are getting married soon?” “Well, we both think it’d be better if we get married three years from now. Since I
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just got out of college, I want my career to settle in before anything new comes up. This way if we have babies after we are married, we’d at least have some money to help us along.” “It’s also so nice to have a future plan, especially when you are planning it with your other half.” “It is the loveliest thing ever.” “Felix is 4 years younger than Victor, and we’ve only been going out for a year and a half. I often think about marriage, though I don’t think it’s time yet. I’ve never mentioned it to him.” “Don’t worry my dear, when time comes, you’ll talk about it and it will be so natural
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that you won’t notice you’re talking about such a big matter.” “I hope so.” Vera thought, finishing the wine in her glass and pour some more. They smiled and enjoyed the comfortable night breeze. * The rest of the summer, Desire was idle since she was still waiting to hear about her job notification. Vera and Felix were free all July. They were busy during August for their internships. Good thing is they often have dinner together when they get off work. Many times they stay at each other’s place, so they decided to move in to a bigger apartment and share the rent.
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They were getting closer and closer and they seem to be on the same path heading for the future.
Chapter 4 Last year of school started busily. It is the toughest year in university but this did not interfere with Vera and Felix’s relationship. At school, they often had lunch together along with many other friends. Usually they studied together in the school library, though most of the time Vera was sketching.
Between them, they always spoke French. There was this day when Felix heard Vera
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speaking Mandarin on the phone with her mom. Once she hung up, he spoke to her in Mandarin saying “You are very close to your mom eh?” Vera was so surprised that she was not sure if she had heard exactly what he had said; she looked so confused. Felix grinned with shyness and spoke again “Ni-gen-ni-ma-de-guan-chi-henhao?” Vera for sure did hear him clearly this time. She was so shocked, yet she thought this was way too creepy. Because all this time when they were hanging out he never said anything in Mandarin and all of a sudden, he’s speaking Mandarin. “You speak Mandarin?” Vera asked in doubts.
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“Uh just a bit. I’m not really good I have to say.” “Well how come you never told me before?” “Well, I feel bad that I’m not good at it. I actually stayed in Taiwan one full year to study Mandarin.” “What? Are you serious? You’ve been to Taiwan? I just don’t understand. How come you never said anything?”
There was silence. Felix had a feeling that this was going to happen. He knew it is better to confessed it at first, but he was really ashamed by the fact that he’s not perfect.
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“Mon cher, come here,” Vera hugged Felix knowing that she was a bit over reacting. “So really? It’s because you think you’re bad at it that makes you want to cover it up?” Vera asked just to make sure. Lightly, Felix nodded his head beside Vera’s head. “I’m sorry baby, I didn’t mean to cast doubts upon you but I was just..” Vera wanted to comfort Felix but Felix knew this would happen sooner or later so he said “It’s okay I totally understand I just don’t want to pretend forever.” Vera was so glad that Felix was such a smooth guy. He never fought with her. Vera knew Felix was someone she
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could hold on to because he was responsible, loyal and understandable.
When the most exciting time around the year comes, Felix asked Vera if she wants to visit his home town Provence. Vera was more than excited to see Felix’s parents, because she had heard about them so much but had not seen them in person yet.
During winter break they stayed in Provence for about two weeks. The first day they arrived at the Blanc’s, the weather was nice. The Blanc family welcomed Felix and Vera with enthusiasm.
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“Bonjour!! Comment allez-vous?” Mrs. and Mr. Blanc exclaimed greeting Vera together smiling and giving her kisses on the cheeks.” “Hi, I’m doing well. I’ve heard a lot about you Mr. and Mrs. Blanc.” “Just call me Julie and Mr. Blanc Hugo. We’ve heard a lot about you too. Well, come on in and have a cup of coffee. I’m planning to do some Christmas shopping in the afternoon. Do you want to come along?” asked Mrs. Blanc. She was very excited to see Vera and she loved her at first sight. “Oh, I’d love to.” Vera was very delighted that Mrs. Blanc was so kind.
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On the other side of the house, Felix was carrying the suitcases into his bedroom. Felix asked “Dad, are you going shopping with mom later or..” without finishing, Mrs. Blanc interrupted “You gotta come help me with the Christmas tree in the afternoon!” “You betcha” Felix agreed.
Once they had moved in all the suitcases, they sat in the living room chit-chatting. To Vera’s surprise, Mr. and Mrs. Blanc were very easy going. They had a wonderful time together for Christmas and New Year. It was the most remarkable
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holiday for Vera indeed because back in Taiwan, people celebrated it in a different way.
One night Felix and Vera discussed marriage and they had a very close talk on their thoughts about marriage. Felix expressed there is no doubt that he will marry Vera and said that’d be his pleasure. That night they promised each other that no matter what obstacles come before them they will work through them together and never give up.
On the day they returned to Paris, Mrs. Blanc reminds Felix to take good care of
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Vera. She said Vera’s a very outstanding girl and he ought to hold onto her.
Chapter 5 When they were back to Paris, Vera informed her mom about how she has been dating Felix, a French guy, ever since Freshmen year. Moreover, she even told her
mom that they were thinking about getting married once they both got a job after graduation. Her mom vehemently disagreed. She couldn’t believe Vera at first because she thought everything’s happening too fast. She said that she will never agree to her daughter marrying a French guy after graduation. She ordered Vera return back
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to Taiwan once she graduated and hung up the phone.
Mrs. Teng was mad. All this time she had been in close contact with her daughter, she thought Vera would tell her everything. It turned out she was wrong; her trust for her daughter was broken because Vera had concealed her relationship for two years. Moreover, she just could not accept that Vera wants to get married so soon. It was all too much for Mrs. Teng to accept.
Vera told Felix about it but they said they would work it out together. Vera get busier in the last semester of school and phoned
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home once she got time to try to explain to her mom that she did not mean to lie to her. She just wanted to wait until things were more settled. She explained over and over again hoping that one day her mom would let her stay in France to work and get married.
Summer was approaching soon and Vera had sent out quite a few resumes believing that her mom would understand and let her stay in France.
Chapter 6 Summer arrived and Vera was hired by the same company where she did her
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internship. She was so excited she phoned her mom and told her about it hoping that her mom would let her stay in France for the job.
“Vera, it really isn’t the problem of where you are working! It’s the fact that you lied to me when I trust you so deeply,” Mrs. Teng clarified her point of view.
“Mom, I know it’s my fault that I didn’t tell you at first, but I did tell you eventually. I was afraid that you’d get too worried so I wanted to wait for the right time to tell you the great news. Why can’t you understand?”
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This is what their conversation is like for the past few months. Vera decided to accept the work offer first and then see what would happen with her mother.
Her job would begin in August. She was very lucky to have received a job offer so soon after graduation even Felix is still waiting for a response.
When work began, Vera was not at her best. Every week she would have a long talk on the phone with her mom debating about whether to stay in France or to go back to Taiwan.
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Vera knew that she was the most important thing on earth that mattered to her mom. Yet Felix was also very important. She wanted to marry Felix and be with him for the rest of her life. Moreover, Felix had promised her too. Vera did not want to give up. Yet her mom insisted on her coming home. She always says “You can get a job in Taiwan too you know that. The only reason you want to stay in Paris is for that guy. Vera, I don’t want you to get hurt. You must come back to Taiwan.”
One month had passed and they were still
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talking about the same matter. Vera was tired arguing over the same topic over and over again.
Vera knew deep inside that she should go back to Taiwan because she did not want to marry Felix without her mom’s approval. But it would be so hard to leave Felix.
One day Felix said “Cherie, I know you are suffering. It is very sad to see you like this. I don’t want to make you suffer. I know how much you love me and how you hope to be with me here in France. Your mom used to mean the world to you
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and always will.” Vera started to cry because she had the feeling that Felix was advising her to go back to Taiwan. “Hey, don’t cry Vera,” he hugged Vera tight. “I know what you are thinking. We both know what we should do best and that’s just do it that way but we have got to keep believing. Do you still remember the promise?” Vera nodded and Felix continued “Yes we must believe we will still be together someday. Someday your mom will come to the understanding and let us be together. Come on, we need to have faith because without it we’ll be ruined. Okay?” Felix looked into Vera’s eyes. For a while, Vera could not stop
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crying. Once she was more calm, she replied “Yes Felix, thanks for being so understanding. I will have faith in us and keep the faith going. I believe that one day we will be together. Yes I believe so.” Vera started crying once more on Felix’s chest.
Chapter 7 Two years after Vera was a talented and hard-working designer. She was very successful in designing and developed her own line of clothes within a year.
The connection between Vera and Felix
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was frequent. They did not talk on the phone often, because they were both business persons. Emails were the basic way to keep them connected.
Vera and Mrs. Teng were still close but they never talked about relationships. Vera was deeply broken-hearted and she prayed for miracle to happen everyday. She was not truly happy. There was a misery hollowness deep side pounding on her everyday.
Secretly, Desire had been contacting Mrs. Teng, trying to help her understand the situation. Desire asked Mrs. Teng to
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observe if Vera was really happy in Taiwan. Also, Desire asked Mrs. Teng to pretend as if she were Vera and think about how much Vera had to overcome.
Desire told Mrs. Teng about what Vera was truly feeling. Desire encouraged Mrs. Teng to at least get to know Felix first. Desire put Felix on the phone with Mrs. Teng one day. Felix spoke to Mrs. teng in poor Mandarin but Mrs. Teng was impressed that Felix at least tried to speak Mandarin. This was a bonus for Felix and they talked about how he learned Mandarin and that he had once studied at National Sun Yat-Sen University in
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Kaohsiung. Mrs. Teng noticed that Felix was an easy person to get along with. Felix ended the conversation by asking Mrs. Teng to considered about Vera and his marriage.
Mrs. Teng was still shocked by the fact that Vera will be getting married soon. She did not want to let go of Vera and selfishly she wanted to hold on to Vera. But she knew that this was wrong. She had kept Vera for so long. Everyone has the right to make choices in his life and if the choice is a mistake then he will have to learn from it. Thinking about this theory, Mrs. Teng thought it was time to let her
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daughter be independent. Mrs. Teng decided that Vera was old enough to decide on her
own happiness.
Once she understood this idea, she asked Vera to sit down and have a talk with her. Vera was surprised and wondered what her mom was going to talk about. “Do you still love Felix?” her mom asked. Vera was shy to confess about her love but she wanted to be honest “Yes.” “If there were a chance to marry him, would you still want to marry him?” “Of course, we promised each other long ago and my love for him hasn’t diminished a bit.”
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Mrs. Teng paused for a minute, sighed and continued saying “I’m sorry honey I have held you back from your love and caused you so much misery. But I was very afraid that you’d leave me. I’m very sorry..” Vera was very confused, so she asked “Hmm..mom are you okay?” “I have been on the phone with Felix and he will be here tomorrow morning.” “What? Mom I don’t understand.” “I’m sorry Vera for making you suffer by forcing you to come back to Taiwan and leaving your love. But now you should make your decisions for your happiness. Felix will be arriving Taiwan tomorrow morning.”
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There were tears coming out of Vera’s eyes. She was very touched and she hugged her mom so tight. Two years of isolating herself from others and working so hard and now finally she has gotten her mom’s approval to marryFelix. She knew it, she knew God would lead her to the right path. She knew her promise to Felix would come true one day.
Vera was thankful that her best friend had helped her with this. Most of all, she did not loss her relationship with her mom and has been blessed in her marriage with Felix. Vera believed that she was the
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happiest person in the world.
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21st century. Vera, an outstanding girl who is also a well-behaved girl, meets her Mr. Right in life in an exotic country. Yet her mom prohibited the lovers’ promise of marriage by forcing her to go back to her hometown. What can Vera do? Would Vera give up? Would she marry without her mother’s permission? Would she leave her mom alone in her hometown?
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