"None for now, except you want to create one now that you are finally back," Kathleen teased.

"My heart is too precious to waste in the hands of any Casanova."

They both burst into laughter, and their banter continued as they made their way out of the airport, teasing each other.

The airport, once a sea of strangers, became a backdrop for the rekindling of a friendship that time could not diminish.

Lauren gave Kathleen a playful wink as they

stopped beside a Mercedes Maybach.

"Well, aren’t you living "the" glamorous life?" Lauren appraised the car and stared at Kathleen in surprise who had a helpless expression on her face.

After knowing about the accident, Jason had told her someone will be delivering a car to the house that morning since the previous one was written off in the accident.

It wasn’t up to an hour when the Mercedes-Maybach exelero was delivered to her amazement.

Although it was too flashy for her kind of person, she didn’t want her brother to be offended so she had no choice but to accept it.

"Hurry up and tell me, what’s up with you and Shawn? I can see you two have rekindled your old flame." Lauren took her seat in the passenger seat in front and strapped on her seat belt.

Kathleen gave a wry laugh, started the ignition and pulled out of the airport car park.

As they headed out of the airport, she filled Lauren in on the ups and downs in her life, the challenges she’s been facing and lastly, the recent events with Shawn.

Lauren listened attentively, occasionally offering words of comfort and understanding.

She cast Kathleen an appreciative look then said,

"I’ve always known you to be a strong woman, Kathleen. And I will never cease to admire the courage you always show wherever you are in a tough situation. I know you will also scale through this one."

"Now that I’m here, we will navigate through everything together."

"Thanks my dear friend. I know I can always count on you."

"What are friends for? Don’t make it look as if I’m doing something out of the ordinary," Lauren dismissed.

"Where are we even headed?" She asked after they had driven some distance from the airport.

"Where do you want to go first?" Kathleen replied with another question.

Lauren tilted her head to the side as she contemplated on where she actually wanted to go.

"I need somewhere I can rest my head for at least a day or two before I see my parents."

She hadn’t told them she was coming. If she had told them beforehand, she would not be surprised to meet a husband already waiting for her when she got home.

"I’m not in the mood to hear their scolding yet. I don’t think I’m ready yet for the wonderful drama they will likely put up once they see me."

"You still haven’t changed your bad habit of making them worry over you. How do you think they will feel when they find out you’ve been in town and refused to see them?"

"It’s not me they will be worried about. They will only be worried about their grandchildren whom I have refused to let them hold by not getting married up till now."

"What is even keeping you from getting married? You have all it takes to make a good wife," Kathleen blurted out.

She also wished her best friend would settle down as soon as possible.

"I know, right? But I’ve not come across a man who has all it takes to be a good husband yet. Or have you seen any yet?"

"You know I can’t choose a husband for you, Lauren."

"I’m not asking you to do that. As I told you before, I don’t have time for relationships. Look what happened to you after all the love and time you invested in yours."

"You can’t use my own experience to give a general judgment, dear friend. There are far better examples to use as a reference point."

The last thing she wanted was her friend to be held back by the failure of her own marriage.

Lauren’s nose turned up in a snort. "Give me at least one that you know, Ms Counselor."

"What’s the use when you’ve made up your mind to die a disgruntled spinster," mocked Kathleen.

"Watch your tongue, woman. I have great plans for the future but I’ve not seen anyone who can challenge me enough to take action."

"Really? Then take my parents as an example. They’ve been together in love and harmony for so many years and it seems as they grow older, their love keeps waxing stronger."

Kathleen’s tone was filled with affection as she spoke about her parents. She had always envied the love and understanding between them and on many occasions had wished to have such a beautiful love in her old age.

"You may not have seen my parents, so you might not fully understand what I’m talking about. Let’s look at one that is directly under your nose- your own parents. Are they not good enough for you to decide to settle down?"

Lauren’s tone was not as rigid as it was initially when she replied.

"OK, I get you. I will settle down when I meet the right person, but for now, I need a place where I can have a moment of peace. Can I at least get that?"

After skillfully overtaking a car, Kathleen turned her head to glance at her obstinate friend. "You can rest at my place then go back to see them in the evening. Is that OK with you?" Kathleen asked.

"I guess I have to follow your arrangement then," Lauren agreed reluctantly.

Kathleen chuckled, "You don’t have a choice anyway, but before we go home, let me take you somewhere first."

"I hope I am not being kidnapped?" joked Lauren, relaxing her back into the comfortable seat of the luxurious car. Her appearance was far from someone who was afraid of being kidnapped.

"It’s quite unfortunate that no one will be willing to pay a reasonable amount for your ransom, if you were to be truly kidnapped." Kathleen put up a sad countenance as if she was actually regretting it.

Lauren faked a furious glare as she poked Kathlleens sides, "What do you mean? Don’t think that now that you are a rich heiress you can look down on me."

"Hey!" Kathleen shouted exaggeratedly, I’m yet to recover from the accident I had yesterday, do you want us to have another one?"

"Tsk," spat Lauren. "Who wants to die with you? Let me tell you, I am also a well accomplished woman with millions of dollars to my name. I am worth more than any meager ransom you have in mind."

Kathleen looked pitiful as she said, "Is that so? Please, my good friend, I need someone to lend me some money for the mega project I am working on."

"Dream on. Now I know you are a wicked miser. You dare to set your eyes on my money when everything about you is yelling "I am stinkingly rich."

Kathleen looked surprised. "How come I didn’t know I was that rich until you mentioned it?"