A Week Later...

colin had just finished up with one of his latest proposal to one of the important businessmen in China, Mr. Yeow. He was the important figure to allow Colin's company to expand into bigger markets like China. Colin looked through his proposal and smiled to himself. though he had a terrible week thinking about Shayna and feeling both upset and angry about it, this proposal was the best thing that happened.

"dad. it's done!" Colin said, passing his father the proposal happily.
"that's great, son. i'm sure this would push our company a million miles further," Mr. tan said, scanning through the proposal.
"i hope so. you would be meeting Mr. Yeow soon right?"
"yes. in fact he's flying in here in about two days' time. would you want to show him this yourself?"
"nope. you can help me hand it to him. besides, i'm just your vice president," colin said, leaning back onto his chair.
"no. you're not just a VP. you're my son. the heir to this company. everyone knows that. when i die..."
"... stop saying you'll die. you'll live to a rip old age," colin interrupted.
his father laughed. "alright son. you win. take the rest of the day to rest. you look tired."
"of course! i spent the last three nights working on this. i need the sleep."
"come home for dinner again someday. your mother misses you again," his father commented.
"i'll try dad. oh by the way could you take colby to the doctor's instead tomorrow?" colin asked.
"i could. are you busy?"
"yeah. i have an appointment," colin said, trying to sound business-like.
"alright. but colby would be upset that his brother wouldn't be seeing him for the week."

in actual fact, colin and lila have been conversing on the phone for about four days and he was to meet her tonight. lila had the courage to finally call him to talk a few days ago and she was surprised when he actually did want to talk to her and they have enjoyed each other's company on the phone every evening. colin almost forgot about shayna when he was talking with lila. she was funny, bubbly, fun and very interesting person to talk to. lila sounded optimistic and chirpy about every single subject that they talk about. though they didn't go into the details about the relationship of colin and shayna, lila knew the rough idea of their odd relationship.

colin's phone started to beep to alert him of a message. it was from lila.
"hey stud. so today's drink date still on? you can pick me up at the hospital at six. that's when i finish." colin smiled.
"of course. will see you at six then." he replied.

***

"shayna? could i speak to you for a moment?" miss soong asked. shayna stood up from her desk and went up to her supervisor.
"shayna, for the past few months, you have shown such interest and dedication to the job even though you don't have the needed qualifications but you still showed me such amazing results."
"thank you miss soong. it's also because of your advice and what you have taught me," shayna replied with a smile.
"well, why i called you over is because i wanted to tell you that we have a scholarship for you to take up in one of London's famous paediatric psychology courses. it would be for about a year and a half to get something decent to show but you would have a bond with us for another two years," miss soong explained.

shayna was shocked! she was getting a chance to further her studies in paediatric psychology and for a very low cost! he would be alone in London by herself, away from all her problems and pursuing something that she always wanted to do.
"i'm not sure if my parents would want me to go for it," shayna said.
"i have spoken to your father. you should see the glee on his face," miss soong replied.
"really? is he proud?"
"of course. he said he would support you in every decision you make."
"i'll surely consider this. thank you miss soong."
"no problem. you earned it anyway," miss soong replied.

as shayna scanned through the form, timothy came by with her lunch.
"your delivery boy is here," he called, placing the sandwich in front of her and with a bottle of his special fruit juice.
"thanks timmy," shayna said without even looking up at him as she was engrossed in reading the brochure.
"wow. thinking of migrating over?" timothy asked as he peered to see what she was reading.
"well, not really. miss soong just told me that there is a scholarship in paediatric psychology that she wanted me to take up in London."
"that's great shay! you should definitely take it up. it would help you in your work," timothy said.
"but i'll be alone there and..."
"... don't worry. remember my family's there? besides, i think i can fly over with you too. i'm due for my masters anyway," timothy thought.
"stay with YOUR family? i don't really think that's a good idea," shayna replied.
"please shay. i am practically living with your family too now! i'm just a floor below. besides, you know my parents and my sister, Tammy."
"yes but..."
"... no buts. i'll leave with you," timothy said.

suddenly the scholarship didn't sound like a very good idea.

***
colin arrived exactly at six and waited at the parking lot for lila. he didn't want to go up because he didn't want to meet colby or his father or even shayna upstairs. he wondered if lila had said anything to shayna about their meeting...

meanwhile lila was getting ready to go.
"going somewhere great tonight lila?" katy asked, noticing lila's high spirits.
"maybe..." lila said, she wanted to make them ask more.
"really? with who? where?" katy and the other nurses asked.
"well... i'm going drinking with colin tan," lila said.
"colin tan? shayna and colin.. THAT colin tan?" katy asked.

"yes but shayna and colin aren't an item. i checked. they are just friends," lila replied.
"but still..."
"no buts. i'm going to enjoy myself tonight," lila said, as she waved goodbye to the other nurses and entering the lift.
"what's the commotion about?" shayna asked, realising that the nurses were busy gossiping again.

"nothing nothing," katy said, urging the other nurses to get back to work.
"come on, you can all tell me," shayna said, folding her arms across her chest and shaking her head.
"well, the thing is... oh you all tell her. i don't have the heart to," katy said, nudging another nurse.
"lila's gone out with a guy," another nurse said.. trying to be discreet.
"that is a good thing isn't it?" shayna asked.
"i guess but she's going out with colin tan," katy finally said. shayna processed that for awhile. colin moving on? what was going on? it was weird enough that for a whole week they didn't even sent each other a message or called each other.
"are you alright?" katy asked.
"yeah... yeah.. i'm fine," shayna said, walking off towards her table.
"she didn't take that well," katy told the others. they all agreed.

shayna sat down and tried to regain her breathing. ok, at least she was breathing ok. what was wrong with colin these few days anyway? why would he move on without telling me?
maybe he doesn't want to try anymore. he's tired of us... she thought to herself. what could be more worse?
she picked up her phone and wanted to send a message to colin but she hesitated. he should be enjoying his time with lila. why should she go and bother them? she placed her phone back down on the table. all she wanted to do was cry.

as she packed up to head home she didn't even acknowledge the nurses as she left. she just had her head full of thoughts. she still couldn't believe what colin just did. he just spoilt a perfectly potential relationship. but she shouldn't go into conculsions until she talked it out with colin.

"shay? shay!" timothy called from behind her. shayna turned and saw him running towards her.
"hey timmy," shayna said, dejectedly.
"what's up? you sound terrible. ill?" timothy asked as he touched her forehead gently.
"no. i'm just... tired," shayna replied, pushing his hand away.
"let me send you home," timothy said, pressing the lift button and its doors opened. both of them stood in the lift quiet. no one said anything. timothy thought that maybe for once he should let shayna be on her own to think about stuff. besides, she had a rough day.

the ride home was as quiet. shayna just looked out of the car window and dazed on her own. timothy stole glances at her to check if she was alright. she wasn't. she was just full of worry.
"want me to take you somewhere to vent your problems?" timothy asked.
"where?" shayna asked, without even looking at him.
"you'll see."