Love's Labors Lost Ch. 8 (Part 1)
By Ring-chan

A week later
Interpole headquarters
"Inspector Xiang."

Chun Li looked up from her desk when she heard her name.

Her assistant, Sui Lin, poked her head through the door. "It's another call for you from Mr. Chang."

Chun Li grimaced. "Ummm... tell him I'm at a meeting."

"That's what I told him last time, Miss Xiang," Sui Lin replied.

"Suspect interrogation, then," Chun Li said.

Sui Lin cocked her head to one side, "Miss Xiang, is something wrong?"

"Huh? What makes you think that?"

"Well," Sui Lin pondered, "you've been avoiding all of Mr. Chang's calls for the past week... you two are usually so close..."

"I'm very busy," Chun Li replied. "I just don't want any interruptions, that's all."

Sui Lin nodded, wisely interpreting the hostility in her superior's voice as a warning.

"I'll keep that in mind Miss Xiang," Sui Lin backed towards the door, "And I'll give Mr. Chang your message..."

"What message would that be?"

Chun Li felt all her senses jump in surprise as she heard Jeff's voice. Jeff strolled into the room, brushing past Sui Lin and walking towards Chun Li's desk, with his cellular phone in one hand and a single red rose in the other.

He smiled before he handed her the rose. "Hey, Chunny honey, you're just really hard to pin down this week, I finally decided I had to come find you myself."

Chun Li accepted his gift and smiled uneasily. "Well, it's been pretty busy this week. Speaking of which," she turned to address her assistant, "Sui Lin, can you keep working on that transcript for me?"

"Of course," Sui Lin nodded and exited the room quickly.

"Chun Li," Jeff started. "We really need to talk about..."

"I know," Chun Li replied curtly. She reached down into the briefcase by her desk and pulled out the ring case. "I have been thinking about your proposal Jeff." Chun Li looked down at her lap. "I had come to a decision, but... I just wasn't completely ready to tell you yet."

Jeff fell silent for a moment, then slowly spoke. "I don't suppose there's a way to change your mind?"

"It depends if you want to," Chun Li replied as she gave him a small smile, "because my answer is yes."

For a few seconds, Jeff's mouth just fell open and he stood gaping. Then regaining his senses he erupted with pure joy. "That's great!" He ecstatically kissed Chun Li, "Why didn't you tell me sooner, honey?"

"I just didn't feel quite ready," Chun Li smiled and answered. She handed the ring case to him. "Would you do the honors?"

"It would be my utmost pleasure." Jeff removed the ring from the box and kneeled down on one knee again as he had done previously. He took Chun Li's right hand then looked up and asked, "Chun Li, my love, will you marry me?"

"I will," Chun Li answered simply.

Jeff slipped the ring onto her finger. "I love you Chun Li... my fiancee." He gave her another affectionate kiss on the lips. "We should celebrate tonight, what do you think of dinner at Le Grand Jardin?"

"Jeff, I would like to, but I have some things to finish up tonight."

"Okay, I'll have to catch some other time then Miss Xiang. Speaking of time," he checked his watch, "I have to get back to the firm. See you later Gorgeous."

Chun Li gave him a wave as he dashed out the door.

Then she looked at the ring on her hand, took a deep breath and attempted to resume her work.
~~~~~~