Ice and Fire

Chapter 943 Violet's Happiness (Part One)

After hearing her friend's confession, Alice bit her tongue and tried to hold the tears that threatened to

leave her eyes. She sighed and taught about how gratified she felt for her friend. She saw the look of

undeniable resilience and confidence in Violet's eyes.

"I understand how ambitious and how exceptional you, Lawrence, Greg, Natalie, and Austin are in all

your ventures. I know all the sacrifices and the initiatives you all took to reach the top of where you are

now. Yes, your families aided you with financial supports. But that wouldn't have mattered without your

desire and persistence to become better versions of yourselves. I am aware that it may seem like we

have more open doors of opportunities because of who are families are. They may have provided an

extensive stage for us to present and express what we can do, but it will always be up to us whether

we will be able to perform and flourish on that stage. That is why no matter how supportive people

around us are, we know how important it is to be able to improve and surpass all expectations. We all

seek to make our families proud," Violet continued to voice out.

As much as she tried to hold it, Alice's eyes swelled and a pair of tears slowly raced down her cheeks.

She looked at Violet with such warmth and nodded continuously. With such a heartfelt sob, she replied,

"I am so happy for you, Violet. You carry yourself very differently now. You have become such a strong

person."

"After all the heartache and trauma that I have endured, I honestly did not expect to get my master's

degree within two years. The memory of it all would harrow me from time to time. I would find myself

tearing up and the thought of giving up would cross my mind sporadically, but I fought and soldiered on.

I opted to divert all my energy in studying, and I welcomed the pressure that came with it. I was in class

for most parts of the day and I would go to several tutorials at night. I absorbed all that I can, and I was

determined to become competent. I would sometimes struggle and tumble. Mom hated to see me in

distress, she would often persuade me to stop. But I was adamant because I knew how important it

was for me to do and be better," Violet contemplatively looked back on.

Her words impacted Alice with such pride.

"I also got myself thinking. I thought about Greg every so often. The time I spent away in Hong Kong

made me realize how I wronged him. I discerned at how unfair I was to him. And I also got to

appreciate how patient, compassionate, and forgiving he was to me despite all of my shortcomings. In

spite of all my flaws, he never failed to show how much he loved and cared for me. I worked hard to get

better not just for me and my family, but for him as well. I want us to live a happy life together. I want to

show him how fortunate I am to have him," Violet beamed as she continued to express her thoughts.

"You have nothing to worry about, Violet. I am positive that you and Greg belong together. You will live

a merry and contented life together," Alice said, still misty-eyed over her friend's determination.

Violet looked up and met her friend's earnest gaze. She felt Alice's sincere delight in all that she had

uttered. Convinced with the belief of Alice, Violet nodded and firmly claimed, "Yes, Alice. I am sure we

will be happy together."

...

The night had started to roll in the city. Under the star sprinkled sky, Cherry was sitting on the balcony

along with her son.

Cherry closed her eyes and tilted her head skyward where the black canvas of the night somehow

illuminated her thoughts. "Lawrence," she thoughtfully called.

"Yes, Mom?" Lawrence fondly responded as he glanced at his mother.

Cherry opened her eyes and leveled her gaze at her son. "Do you think Violet and Greg will be happy

together? Will they be able to live contentedly with each other?" she asked, somewhat anxiously.

Cherry wanted the best of everything that life had to offer for her daughter. One of her biggest concerns

would always be the happiness and overall well-being of her children, Violet and Lawrence.

Lawrence smiled at his mother. "I truly believe that they will. I'm sure they will be able to work it out well Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

together," he reassured Cherry. 'They love each other, and they need to be able to know and

understand each other. I know how willful Violet could be sometimes. I'm aware of her temper, but so is

Greg. I believe in him, he knows how to handle Violet. He's good for her. After they survived everything

they've been through, no storm could weather them down as long as they're together, ' he pondered on

his own.

"Greg is a good man. He's sensitive to Violet's needs. And your sister has grown to be such a mature

person now. They have learned a lot from what happened. I just hope all that is enough for them to stay

together," Cherry convinced herself.

"Mom, you don't have to worry. They will be fine for they've become stronger. Even I can handle Violet's

mood swings. Greg knows how to, as well. And I'm sure that he's willing to do anything for Violet,"

Lawrence took his mother's hand as he assured her.

"I know how you always arrive at a compromise with Violet. It will be a big sigh of relief for me if Greg is

anything like you," Cherry returned, her brow furrowed towards her son.

"He is, Mom. Dad is talking to him now. I am sure that Dad must be asking him to take good care of

Violet. Everything will be okay," Lawrence soothed his mother's worries. He stroked his mother's hand

as he eased away her concerns. 'Dad loves her so much. So does Violet and I. We will always be there

for her. I hope she knows that we all want her to be comfortable and live a stress-free life, ' he thought

as he looked at the troubled look on his mother's face.

"I guess you do have a point," Cherry sighed and looked up again.

With his mother's hand in his, Lawrence cast his look towards the night sky as well. Emotions flooded

him, and he had always found the night comforting. 'I feel so glad that I am together with my Mom and

my family once more, ' he mused. 'I have no idea what to do about Aria, though.'

Cherry noticed the sudden change in her son's face. She felt how preoccupied he was. 'What's

troubling him?' She wondered.

"Is something wrong, Lawrence? You look so deep in thought. What's the matter?" Cherry tilted her

head and looked at her son questioningly.

Lawrence closed his eyes and felt the night's gentle breeze on his face. After a while, he opened his

eyes and looked directly at his mother. "Mom, What kind of girl do you wish for me to marry?" he asked

abruptly.

"Why? Is there something in your mind?" Cherry was surprised at the sudden change of direction in

their conversation. She was still staring at her son, waiting him to look at her. 'Hmm. I wonder if he's

seeing someone, ' she curiously thought.

"Nope, nothing's on my mind," Lawrence replied. He focused on the shimmering sparkles of the stars

above to avoid meeting his mother's eyes. 'Mom knows me well. I know that the moment I look at her,

she'd know what I'm thinking about. But, god I miss Aria, ' he mulled over.

Cherry knew Lawrence was dodging both her question and her eyes. She decided not to nag him

further as she thought that he would tell her when he was ready. She opted to answer his question, "Of

course I'd love for you to find a decent lady of a wealthy family and she is good for you. This way, you

two will have much in common and get on very well."