《Siren Song》 1 prologue A window was open behind him, and the long curtains billowed in the breeze, the only sound besides his controlled puffs. His long tapered fingers held the cigarette to his lips, the glow from the cherry highlighting his intoxicating features in intervals. He had a fierce, hawkish browline with long well- groomed eyebrows. His high cheek bones highlighted his strong jawline that had a shadow of stubble growing from the last couple of sleepless nights. His full well formed lips, were pressed into a hardline around the cigarette. His dark eyes pored over a document before him that contained a picture of a woman taken from a far, candid shot, clipped to the front. She was laughing as she held the arm of another man, as they were crossing a street. Her face, or what could be seen of it, was lit up as she was looking at the man who''s arm she was holding. His left hand lightly traced her features. A couple small piles of ash fell onto the document as he stared; which he quickly brushed away. 2 Dumbstruck She had spent extra time primping and painting herself into a flawless appearance for her first day. She spent so long that she had over shot her time zone. Her long, thick, dark brown hair, which hung almost to her hips, was pulled into a ponytail with loose curls at the end. She bit her shapely red lips, and her deep blue eyes reddened at the thought of messing up her golden opportunity. ''No I can''t be late, Justin worked too hard to get me this! The pay is good too, plus it''s close too home. This is too good to mess up! ''I''m so screwed she thought!'' as she gritted her teeth, pumping her arms and legs, willing her body to go that much faster. Sweat soon started running down her face, and her hair flew wildly, ruining all her morning''s efforts. The blazing heat of the L.A. afternoon was wearying her though and at the next block she started to slow to catch her breath. As she hustle- walked down the street one hand pressed to the stitch in her side, a car started to pull up slowly beside her. Instantly she was wary at this action. It usually meant no good in this part of town, especially as there was not a lot of other people in the area. She prepared to start sprinting again just in case, or beat someone with a Nokia, when a man hurriedly stepped out of the drivers seat. When she saw who it was she felt almost as if the sky had exploded. ''What was he doing here? How did he find me? Why?'' Her breathing which had been coming jaggedly stopped completely as she stared at the man who stood the beside the open car door. The sun gleaming down on his bronze hair, illuminating his dark eyes that stared at her, and his beautiful kissable lips. Those lips she missed so much but also despised. 3 System Reboo ''My love, i have searched so long, at last.'' He resolutely closed the door on his rental Benz, and started stalking predatorily towards the frozen woman. She still stood in the same position as when he spotted her running and pulled up beside her. He had been prepared to stay in this lovation for quite some time until he found her, now that he had received a clue as to her general location. He never even thought in his wildest dreams that on the first day in town on his way to a business meeting he would see her running so desperately. It had been a year...a long year. As he strode around the car, he never took his gaze off of her. he fished out a cigarette from his breast pocket and lit it in one fluid motion. "My dear this must be fate.." he began. However before he could even complete his sentence the woman screamed out in a horrified voice "Nnnnnooooo!" Sge then turned on her heel and sprinted back the way she came, hit the nearest alley and disappeared down it. Quick as a flash she was gone. Liang Jian Amal stood there absolutely shocked for half a second, the vehemence in her voice, and the speed with which she diappeared rocked him. ''Why would she react this way..?'' the next second he gritted his teeth and threw himself in his Mercedes-Benz Maybach S650. Thankfully there were not many people at the moment as he whipped the car around, tires squeeling in prtest as he went after where she went. ''I wobt let you go so easily after just finding you. I need to know why? Why did you run? Why are you still running? Just why woman?'' He gritted his teeth and gripped the steering wheel. He swore that when he found her, he would lock her in the bedroom and maje her answer him. He had ways to extract the truth out of her body. He grinned wickedly at the thought. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 FML - - - - Chang had to have picked one of the worst dumpsters to throw herself into. It seemed to be an Asian restaurant''s dumpster, and while luckily it was half full so she didn''t hurt herself in her haste. While also being remorsefully half full of rotting food and other refuse. Chang''s nose wrinkled at the overpowering smell and clamped one hand over her mouth to keep hold of her stomach. She planned to hide there for a few minutes, just to be safe, but the various smells and sensations were too much for her stomach too handle. Just as she reached the top of the pile she heard someones heavy footsteps racing down the alleyway then "Chang!" She stiffened immediately at the sound of the man''s voice. She tried to stifle any noises she might make as the sound of his approach, the plastic was not helping her at all though. ''FML'' she thought, putting a palm to her forehead. ''Guess its not time to get out yet.'' She hunkered back down on her little garbage throne, prepared to wait more, her nerves overpowering her queasy stomach. All of a sudden though the lid lifted and she was assailed with a fresh bag of garbage, splitting and dripping with who knows what. She mustered in her a determination she never knew she had to not immediately spring out of her hiding place. After a few minutes, or what felt like an eternity. She heard someone knock on the side of the dumpster. "Hey girlie you can come out now, that guy is long gone now." At the sound of an older mans voice, Chang slowly peeked her head out of her hiding place, like a groundhog in spring. She turned her head and saw the older man looking to be in his fifties, leaning against the alley wall as he smoked a cigarette next to a metal screen door. He wore a small smirk at her state of appearance as she climbed to the top and jumped to the ground. Little bits of food matter hit the ground as she did, with an "oomph." He snickered a little as he said "Hey girlie, why were you hiding from that man. He was pretty handsome." He took a long drag then continued. What would make you want stay hidden after i dropped all that garbage on you." "You-!"Her cheeks puffed out and her face reddened. ''I cant believe that guy threw that garbage on top of me on purpose! Why would someone do that? What an a**!!'' "Hey wanna clean yourself up a bit in our kitchen, in repayment for today''s entertainment?" 5 Nothing a few drinks cant fix Her wallet though had been bought for her by Justin on their first shopping excursion together after she moved in with him. She had been at a period of extreme lowness at the time and his friendship was one of the reasons why she got through it. She almost cried at the thought again, but shook her head quickly dispersing them. She would come back later and try to find it, it only carried a couple dollars and her id, so she wasn''t too worried about those being missing. Soon she reached the restaurants front. The dark windows prevented anyone from seeing in, a sign stating the establishments name hung over a heavy door, the only indication that it was the right place. At night it would be lit up a hot pink, when the nighttime traffic lit up. It read ''La Vie En Rose'', she had loved it just from the name, it being a song she favored by French artist Edith Piaf. SHe straightened her spine, adjusted the collar on her hopelessly stained white shirt and entered. Inside it was dimly lit, circular booths, large enough for parties of ten or more to sit comfortably, lined the edges of a dance floor where a small disco ball hung with multicolored lights. A small bar sat to the right of the dance floor, a handsome young man wearing just a bow tie stood behind the bar polishing glasses, the glasses refracting some of the light. She immediately felt overdressed seeing him in her white collared long sleeve and her black slacks, Justin hadnt told her what the dress-code was. There was no one seated in any of the booths as it would not open for another hour. At four the doors would open, and this place would bustle until 2 when it closed, Justin had told her. She started looking for him immediately when he came flying out from a door she hadn''t seen in her inspection. Like he had a homing beacon attached to him he flew right up to her. Justin Che had slightly spiked short black hair that accentuated his handsome features. He had twinkling black eyes, a long straight nose, and lips girls would die to kiss. He wore a mesh shirt which showed off his well toned body and 6- pack abs. Her worries about dress code were further amplified at the sight of his attire. "What happened to you?! Girl are you OK. Tell me what happened," he encircled an arm around her shoulders and directed her to the nearest booth. with his free left hand snapped his fingers at the guy behind the bar. 6 Nothing a few drinks cant fix II Andre came over with a short glass of rum and coke, with a small straw in it, as well as a glass of water. He looked over at Chang and gave her a wink and a smile as he placed the glasses on the table. He had thick black hair that was slicked back showing off his twinkling black eyes. He had a long lean muscular build as if he ran fairly often. His tight black jeans stopped right at his hips showing off the top of the "v" below his abs. At the sight of the half naked hunk of man-meat in front of her she blushed and shyly turned her face away. Even though he wasn''t even half as handsome, or as muscled, or had even half the charm as Him, she still felt nervous from the amount of exposed flesh and her appearance. She knew she looked a mess and was horrified about her appearance, showing up like this. If she could have dug a hole in the floor and buried herself, she would do so immediately! Justin grabbed a napkin off of the table and dipped part of it in the glass of water, he straightened Chang up and started to clean her face. "So, what''s got you looking like you just came out of a horror film?" He looked at her with just the corner of his eyes as he paused his ministering, "Hmm?" Chang immediately pulled the glass towards her and took a long chug through the straw as he paused. "He showed up on my way here.." She looked down at the table as she said this. Justin was shocked by her words. "You mean that guy you talk about sometimes, the one you always get all cryptic with me about. What was it you told me ''the guy you want the most, but want to never find you the most.'' ''Your dream man''That one?" She blushed at him recounting what she had haltingly told him about Jian while drunk. She never spoke of him otherwise, which had led to an increasing curiosity in Justin, as her roommate and best friend. When they would get drunk at their little apartment he would "casually" bring up the topic fairly often. AT this point and time he knew pretty much everything about the guy except his name and what Jian and Chang''s relationship is. He frowned looking at how nasty the cloth was and turned it over wetting it, and proceeded to clean the rest of her face, he beckoned for her to continue. "Sooo what happened? Your dream man shows up and you come out looking like a garbage pail kid? Details girl! Details!" She took a deep breath and continued, " I ran when I saw him, and when he came after me i hid in a dumpster bin." " OK, drink that up girl, go in the bathroom, fix your hair. Your face looks good, you had enough eyeliner to sink a ship, so you got a nice smoky eye look now! Ill see about finding some clothes for you, those definitely will not work! Let''s move past this funk and get you ready to meet the boss-man! Don''t you worry girl, you be yourself, he''ll love you! Just be with him like you are with me, that little spunky trouble maker that you are!" 7 Nothing a few drinks cant fix III ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Justin had borrowed the shorts from the only other girl that worked there, she was a very petite little blonde with big green eyes. When she had heard that there would be another girl working with her she had become super excited grabbed a spare pair of clothes from her locker and ran into the bathroom to meet Chang immediately. Immediately upon entering the bathroom she was astonished by the tall, curvy asian beauty in front of her tying her wet hair into a ponytail in front of the mirror. "Wow, like, oh my god, you are stunning! Hi, I''m Brandy Johnson, I''ve been working here for a few months as the only girl. Like I really hope you join, its been such a drag with just guys. I mean they''re nice but, it would be so nice to have a girl, you know what i mean? I hope we can be friends!" After finishing speeding through her introduction she gave a beaming smile to Chang. Chang was startled for a moment by the petite young blond who burst in. The girl emitted all smiles and friendliness and Chang couldn''t help finding herself reciprocating a little. She smiled back and introduced her self as Chang Dumont. She noticed the pieces of black fabric in Brandy''s hands, she pointed and asked, " did you bring clothes for me?" "Oh, yeah! Here you go, I don''t know if they''ll fit, but they''ll definitely be better than what you got on!." She immediately put the clothes on the sink counter. Chang didn''t stand on ceremony and immediately started unbuttoning her white long sleeved blouse, that was ruined from the grease and sauce stains. As she pulled off her shirt she noticed Brandy was staring at her chest, Chang crossed and arm in front of herself. Brandy immediately shook her head and looked away in embarrassment a deep blush rising on her fair cheeks. "Sorry i was just a little surprised, they''re just like really nice and huge, uh, well, imma let you change in peace.. Nice to meet you!" She waved as she left the bathroom. The sparkling black top and shorts drew attention to her curves and accentuated them. Especially the scoop of the top which peeped just a bit of cleavage and the shorts which tightened at her waist and clung through her hips and thighs.. Her ponytail seemed to only add to the allure, showing off the curve of her neck and collarbones. Her eyes were large and mysterious with the makeup, her cherry red lipstick had managed to survive everything. She looked dangerous and wicked. She kind of liked it, it was so different from her usual look. She looked in the mirror and nodded, she had this! ---- The first few hours working had flown by, and while Justin had been right that there was a kitchen, and food was indeed served there. She found herself going back and forth to the bar area more than the kitchen. She was all winks and smiles and sass through out the night. Most of the patrons were very good natured drunks and would jokingly make advances on the pretty new waitress, while their buddies would laugh when she turned them down. At first she was very shy the first time she received a proposal at a table from a very drunk man, but had loosened up as the evening wore on. A couple of times though a hand had reached out and tried to feel her up and Justin would appear to take over the table. By 11:30 Chang was absolutely exhausted and her face hurt from all the smiling, there were still a few more hours to go through the night though. After she cleaned up a booth a group had just left she slipped into the bathroom to pat cold water on her cheeks. 8 Nothing a few drinks cant fix IV Chang was touched but shook her head and declined. She would rather keep busy, it kept her mind off the thoughts which inevitably kept swirling back to him. "We got one night, let''s go!" Without further word Justin took Chang''s arm and led her away from the neon pink glow of La Vie En Rose''s sign. She sighed and acquiesced, curious as to where he would be taking her. Luckily it was still warm in late August, so Chang wasn''t chilly in the slightest in even in the tiny spaghetti strap top and shorts. Even with the earlier events buoying down on her heart she was thrilled to have made a wonderful first impression on her new boss, without a word. She loved the energy, and high paced action, she had been a waitress before, but this was more like cocktail hostessing, something she''d never done before. She loved her new coworkers, even Brandy, who was a little overly clingy. She was so glad to have got the job, the extra money would help her mother immensely. The tips alone she had stuffed into the front pockets would be enough to party tonight and be groceries for the week. Things were looking up in her life. When she had first arrived in L.A., she''d only had the clothes on her back and a backpack with a change of clothes and a few thousand dollars cash. She didn''t know where else to go, and she certainly didn''t want to turn to her mother with all her burdens. She had met Justin in a bar a few hours after she had left the airplane terminal, looking for a stiff drink after her previous 36 hours. After chatting with him for around 20 minutes, she had felt a liking to him. He like her was 23, and was new to the area. He had also come looking for a fresh start, though a couple months prior. It had already come up that he was gay so when he brought up that he had a couple of rooms that he needed to rent out. she immediaty inquired as to how much the rent would be. It would be a a third of the money she had, but without hesitation she drew the amount from the backpack and put it on the counter in front of him. "Roomies?" she inquired with a smile. "Well, damn! Didn''t expect that! Let''s get out of here, get some champagne or something to celebrate, and take you to your new place!" She had once worked as a traveling magazine writer. She would write different expos¨¦s, usually regarding business and technology, she had never known though that her trip to Shanghai last year was her last. During that trip her life changed unexpectedly and dramatically. It had never been unusual for her to be unable to see her mother for long periods of time due to her job, so she called and talked to her frequently. She hadn''t known at the time how to tell her mother what had happened in Shangai. Now she couldn''t tell her and couldn''t go home.So she lied constantly to her on the phone and supported her, far from home and anyone that she had known. After several blocks they walked in front of a giant building which looked like a converted warehouse. The sign had a bright orange bird and read Canary Sue''s. She was surprised he took them there. She came here she was thinking about him to the point in clogged her brain up. She would come here alone to rent a personal karaoke room, after a couple hours and a good cry she''d be ready to face the world again. She had told Justin before about this place, but he didnt really like karaoke, and she felt uncomfortable singing in front of others, so it had become her solo thing. 9 Nothing a few drinks cant fix V Chang would always rent a small room for two hours and would sing and drink her heart out solo. She would usually come once a week to every two weeks, on some weeks, twice a week, as such sue recognized her when she entered. "Ah Miss Dumont! welcome back! Unfortunately I''m booked full on rooms right now, care to take the stage?" Chang paused for a moment and ended up saying, "uh, i think were just gonna hit the bar first and watch." "Well I''m here if you change your mind. I always look forward to when you come and always secretly listen at the door when you come." Chang was embarrassed hearing that and scurried into the bar room with Justin. He ordered them a few shots of rum to start with then a couple of mai tais2 for them to sip while watching. He clinked his glass against her "cheers, hun!" Within a few minutes she felt her cheeks warming and herself loosening up. As soon as she finished her first mai tai, Justin brought another another. He clinked his glass against her stating. '' So how was your first day besides the whole drama before you got there" "Mm I like it," Chang elaborated more on the various aspects including the coworkers, but frowned to herself a little when Brandy came up. "Uh she''s really friendly, really friendly" He laughed at her response, " careful with her, I think she might be in love with you, those jeans just about sealed the deal." "The last thing I need is someone else chasing after me..." Chang grumbled to herself, but Justin still heard. "Hey, hey, hey! Tonight''s a good night, were gonna have fun. What happened earlier is nothing a few drinks can''t fix!" He finally gets her to cheers, and they enjoyed the entertainment. Chang sipped on her mai tai, watching others, including Justin perform, she hadn''t performed in front of others since that day. Since then she tied singing in front of others to him, and felt like somehow it might make him appear again like last time. As she continued to sip her drink her nervousness gradually started to wear away as she continued to sit and drink, her friend keeping her drinks like an everreplenishing spring, the alcohol fully worked into her system until she felt free and uninhibited. She returned to her seat beside Justin immersed in the emotions of the song until it was her turn. Even with all the alcohol she still felt a little jittery, and took a few sips, but when the giant screen displayed her name and she stood on stage before the microphone she felt herself fall into her element. Since they had entered both Justin and Chang had been unaware of a man who had been discretely eyeing them since they had came in. He leaned against the side wall hurriedly messaging his boss of his success. As soon as Chang stepped onto the stage the man wiped out his video recording in his phone and started recording it to send to him. Chang''s eyes were closed as the intro came in with a long violin note, then the tinkling of a piano and a bass drum. She opened her eyes as she sang the first words. ''I wanna be with you gotta be with you, need to be with you I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you Ooh (oh, oh, oh, oh) ooh Chemistry was crazy from the get-go Neither one of us knew why...'' 10 Oh it feels so good ''Hmm who is this woman that has our boss pursuing her so.'' He had wondered. Mr Liang had then ordered him to inquire around the area with the Miss Dumont''s ID card and that as soon as he found a lead he was to follow up for further instructions. After an hour he had come upon Canary Sue''s and was then instructed to stay there until she arrived, and that he was to go there every night of necessary until she showed up. He was also instructed to keep all the individual karaoke rooms rented out so that she couldn''t seclude herself in there privately, when she came. Mr. Liang stated his assurance of her arrival there being a "when" not an "if." The assistant felt most aggrieved and almost wanted to cry at his boss''s inhumane orders, especially as the hours passed of him sitting there. He desperately wished the clock would strike two so he could return to the hotel to sleep, but dreaded the next day of doing it again and again until she came, if she came.. After several hours on the first day though she had arrived. Far more ravishing than the ID picture could even begin to capture, she looked like a queen of the night there to capture men''s hearts. When she walked in, many of the men in the giant room had stared openly including himself for a few moments before he caught himself. ''No wonder his boss went to such lengths to find this woman.'' He was dazed several times by her but tried to keep his eyes firmly averted from her exposed flesh in fear of punishment his master would dole out if he knew. The sight of her on the stage and her song was riveting. She had completely captured the souls of everyone in the room, when Chang reached closer to the end of the song a repeated the bridge ''Ladies let him know he''s got your love Look him right in his eyes and tell him We''ve been Too strong for too long (and I can''t be without you baby)- And I''ll be waiting up until you get home (cuz I can''t sleep without you baby)! Anybody who''s ever loved, ya know just what I feel Too hard to fake it, nothing can replace it! Call the radio if you just can''t be without your baby~ Heeeey! ooooohhh As she sang the low note of the ohs after the release in the heys, she felt a few tears trickle out unbidden. She continued on repeating the first few phrases a few more times before she stopped with the music. After a second of stunned silence everyone in the crowd stood to applaud her. Chang came to and left the stage to return to where Justin stood beside their table viewing her with a whole new appreciation. People congratulated her and gave her their compliments on her way back to her friend but she hardly heard anything after her release. She smiled and sat next to him without a word, wiping the two small tears that still stubbornly tried to roll down her cheeks. She grabbed her drink and downed the last of it. He stared at her for a moment more before realizing that this was his moment, he passed her the last of his glass. This was her fifth or sixth, so she definitely shouldn''t have anymore after this, he just wanted a little more liquid truth serum in her to be ensure that the mystery was unveiled tonight. 11 Oh it feels so good II /Clouded coffee Meanwhile at the table, Justin patiently waited a few minutes before he asked," What''s his name?" "Liang Jian Amal" "That''s an unusual name, what''s with that?" "His father''s Chinese, mother comes from a different country, Amal was her input into his name." "What happened between you two? What made you come to LA? Your mom lives in Sf right, why wouldn''t you go back to where you''re from?" "I was just a game to him. I was foolish, had too much to drink at an outing for my last job, and agreed to a stupid proposal from him.. Maybe i was just charmed by the idea of being with a man so perfect.." She started to trail off and mumble. So he cut her off with another question. "What was his proposal?" She bit her lips a moment before blurting out, " we got married." Justin was shocked, he''d considered several possibilities, but not that they were married. " So you''re a runaway wife?" She gave him a wry look pursing her lips. "I''m gonna go powder my face, be back in a sec, will you refresh that while I''m gone?" She pointed a wobbly finger to the drink before tottering away. Justin regretted his bluntness momentarily and got up to get them both a couple more drinks while racking his brain for more questions to ask. Her answer had momentarily blown his mind. Chang sat in a stall for a moment trying to collect herself and the world around her that seemed to refuse to stop moving around. She knew she was dangerously drunk, and was tearing open the wound in her heart, but for the first time she found herself wanting to share Jian and her''s story. She shook her hands dry as she stepped back out to the floor, because of her blurry vision it took her a second to re-find her table and friend. While she was scanning the room it almost looked like she saw Jian against the wall talking to another man. She shook her head at her overactive imagination and plopped herself back down in the seat. She took a big slug of the drink before plunking it down to the table with a sound Pah! 12 Oh it feels so good III "You''re not real, i don''t wannna to see you right now." She turned her face away her beautiful full lips pouting sullenly as she slurred. ''Not real'', an eyebrow arched as he restrained his temper with this impossible woman. He had flown across the world, after searching what felt like a life time for, and she says ''I''m not real''. He felt a vein pulsing in his head especially when he thought of earlier. He had exhausted countless resources, hiring private detectives and following leads trying to find her for almost a year. A few weeks ago his patience was finally rewarded with a picture of her in America from one of his look- outs. In it she was happily gallivanting around with another man, seemingly unfazed by the fact it would have been their anniversary. Not just that he found out she lived with that man, when her Id was found earlier, and had for almost a year now. Even now he had come upon her out with the same man wearing practically next to nothing getting wasted. He ground his teeth in frustration at being unable to grind this Justin Che to dust instantly! At her words though and attitude his restraint snapped and he pulled her up into his arms, preparing to leave with her. He nodded at the assistant to take care of the tab. She was weak and uncoordinated from the excessive alcohol consumption and was only able to ineffectively struggle in his arms. Causing his hands to almost lose their grip a couple of times and he had to readjust as they slipped onto indecent areas. She cried out a couple of times in protest, " hey wait, put me down, stop, dont, ahhh, mm oh it feels so good. Mmm don''t touch me there!" She couldn''t help but moan as one of his hands slipped, he felt his ears burn and a part of him rise unbidden. He noticed other men were staring at her lecherously fanning the flames of jealous, he quickly stormed out of there with her in his arms until he reached his car. He then put her on her wobbly feet and pressed her against the side of the car. With one hand behind her neck, he locked her head in place and took her juicy red lips. With all the pent up desire in him he crushed himself against her. He sucked her tongue in and intertwined it with his. He let out a few ragged breaths and opened his burning eyes to look into her watery unfocused ones. Her sensual delicate fragrance kept drifting into his nose with their close proximity. Eventually he spat out. "Who am I?" "Hmhm an angel. My fantasy come to life." She slurred out tilting her head back arching her back. Her breasts looking like they would spill out in front of his eyes. 13 The Best Friend Defense Squad All of a sudden she rocked forward closer into his embrace, nuzzling his neck. " I know who you are.." she whispered into his neck. Chang clutched him closer, and he soon felt wetness at he crook of his neck as she started to cry softly. "Jian, why are you here, why didn''t you just let me go. I don''t want to be just a toy." "Who said you were just a toy, I am here for you now does that not prove otherwise?" he purred smoothly into her left ear, tickling it a little. At the sound of her small startled cry he dared to go a little further, he gently ran the tip of his tongue along the outside of her ear, the took a small nibble of her delicate unpierced earlobe. He had remembered how sensitive her ears were. She pressed herself up against him, trying to escape, but was held in place by his muscular arms. one across her hips, effectively holding her lower body against his, his hand gripping her cheek, the other across her back, with his other hand holding her head still so that he could ravish her a little. Chang gasped at his actions, and felt herself growing warm, burning where his mouth and hand touched. it almost felt like she was melting in his arms. "Liar! Ah, pervert! Stop, hengh." His mouth trailed down from her ears to her neck, giving light kisses as he went that left traces of fire across her skin. With the hand on her butt, he ground her lower body more firmly against his. His hand on her head was tangling in her hair, eventually working her hairband out, so that her hair fell thickly down her back. With the fire burning in her Chang felt herself letting go under Jian''s ardent mouth. she closed her eyes and felt herself becoming more pliable in his embrace, almost pressing herself to his mouth. Just then she heard Justin roar, "Let go of my girl, you pervert!!" He had come outside to find her after calling a cab, and trying to settle their tab, which had somehow been mysteriously settled. He had also peeked in the ladies room to see if she was in there, but she wasn''t there either. As he had tried to head outside a Chinese man standing at the door tried to have him wait inside for a minute more without explaining why. Justin pushed past him without a second thought and came across the sight of Chang pressed up against a car by a man. Jian was thrown off by the sudden heavy surprise attack and his arms loosened as he groaned. Justin took the opportunity to sock Jian in the back of his kidneys to stun him further, and quickly pulled Chang steady on her feet. The taxi pulled up right then and Justin immediately pulled her into it while Jian was stunned from the rapid successive attacks. Justin cried at the driver "Step on it!" The driver floored it and quickly whipped around a corner, tires screeching, as if they were afraid of being persued. Liang Jian Amal''s assistant came running up at this point, "CEO Liang, shall we pursue?" 14 A Case of Mistaken Identity '' ''mm too high can''t come down, it''s in the air and it''s all around, ooh do you feel it now but with a taste of your lips I''m on the run with your toxic tongue slipping under oh with a taste of your poison paradise ooh I''m addicted to you but don''t you know that you''re toxic. mm intoxicate me now, with your lovin now ooh I think I''m ready now..'' She continued to ramble on, slurring and changing the words as she pleased, then went on to another song. Justin had been super worried about how traumatized she would be by the molester. He had been stroking the side of her shoulder, telling her it would be alright, trying to ask what happened?, where did he touch you?, but he could barely get a coherent answer out of her. So he stuck to being the silent support and keeping a lookout in case that creep tried to follow them home. After a while though he heard her softly singing what sounded like a Britney Spears song. He turned to see her lost happily in her own little world. Justin smiled at the sight of the silly, happy girl singing to herself beside him, she seemed to be no worse for wear and gradually he could feel his still ruffled feathers starting to lay flat. She continued to sing to herself in the back until they pulled up in front of their apartment complex building. As Justin pulled his friend that was quickly turning into a noodle out of the backseat, he didn''t notice the black Mercedes parked a block away, or the two men inside that watched. Thankfully there was an elevator inside the lobby that could be used as Justin had to half- drag Chang in as he wasn''t strong enough to carry her almost dead weight. They were about the same height and weight, and so it took all that he had just to get them up to the door on the third floor. By the time they reached there, Justin was panting and red-faced. He vowed then and there to never take her out to get so plastered again. He himself was fairly drunk so it took him a minute of fumbling keys to get the door open. As soon as he did, Chang; who had been slumped against the wall next to the door starting to pass out, sprang up and ran to the bathroom. She reached there in light speed and soon he heard the sound of her violently vomiting in there. Justin shuffled into the bathroom after closing the front door, he grabbed a glass from the kitchen and filled it with water. He started bringing it into the bathroom as he heard the sounds of vomiting all of a sudden stopped. In there when he arrived inside he saw Chang slumped on top of the toilet passed out after vomiting, holding onto the sides as if for dear life. Justin sighed and help straighten her up, to clean her up for the second time that day. He grabbed a washcloth from their linen cabinet and cleaned her face after flushing the toilet. "What am I going to do with you girl, you''re such a mess! well after everything you''ve been through I guess I''m not so surprised." He brushed a hair from her face and started to lay her down, he couldn''t carry her dead weight out of the bathroom, but he could at least make her comfy. Besides he figured after all she drank she''s probably gonna be sick a few more times. "Married huh, I wouldn''t have guessed you got married so young, you''re so innocent to boot. There must be more to your story.... I''ll wait till you''re up little lightweight xiao Chang, night night." 15 Alls Well That Ends Well ''Ugh alcohol is evil, never again...'' she thought to herself as she tried to get a grip on her nausea. Her throat burned so when she saw a cup of water near her head, she gratefully grabbed it to take a sip . She took the tiniest of sips, but it hit her stomach like a bazooka, causing her to grab onto the toilet again. She moaned as she held. Just then Justin came in with a bottle of hangover medication liquid. "Well good morning gorgeous!" He called out brightly upon entering. Chang turned her head a little to give him a death stare, ''how can someone be so chipper after having drank like a fish the night before, it''s just not fair....'' Justin picked up the still almost full glass of water and tried to hand it to Chang, she refused it with a light shake of her head. "No I don''t wanna throw up no more" she sputtered out. "Just rinse your mouth and drink this, it''ll help, but you gotta rinse your mouth out first." Justin peeled the plastic off the top of the little bottle, before popping it open for her. He waited until she swished the water around un her mouth for a minute and spat before he handed it to her. It smelled fruity and when she took a small hesitant sip she found it was amazing, she was about to chug it before Justin put his fingers on the bottom stopping her. "Woah slow down there cowgirl, you''ll make yourself sick again if you chug it." She nodded obediantly and continued to lightly sip it. "Too bad you passed out last night, I would have given you one then it would have helped you a lot sooner. Do you remember what happened last night at the karaoke joint?" Chang thought about it, slowly fuzzy images started to piece themselves together in her brain. She remembered drinking a lot of alcohol with Justin, then... "Oh God I got up and sang!" "Far more than that honey." He replied dryly, "what else do you remember" "I told you about Jian, then I remember starting to feel really sick and you left for a moment, then..." She started to trail off trying to piece together her broken memories. Somewhere in there she must have passed out, because she dreamed of Jian. She felt herself redden at the thought ''I dreamed he was kissing me passionately, it was nice, really hot though, aiie.'' "I must have passed out" She concluded. "Yah, and you turned into a sack of bricks on me!" He cried out in mock anger and indignation! "My most humblest apologies, please forgive this lowly one for her transgressions!" Chang cries out in mocking apology, she knew he wasn''t really angry. She giggled a little then, the medication was already starting to soothe her rampaging stomach. "Thank you for taking care of me last night, I do appreciate it" she said sincerely with a smile. " Hey hey what are best friends for. Drink that up clean yourself and come down and get some toast. You need clothes for work, I think you understand after last night it''s noth the button and slacks kinds of place" Chang rolled her eyes at that. " I gotta go run an errand though in about an hour so I can''t go with you. It''s about ten so you got some time before we have to be at La Vie at 3. So hop in the shower, and get your buns moving." He gave a little hop for emphasis, causing her to giggle more. 16 A Mutually Beneficial Proposal Chang crawled over to the shower and set it to a luke-warm temperature. She then peeled Brandy''s clothes from last night off of her, and got in. Chang still felt a little nauseous, even with the medicine, so she stood hunched in the shower for a minute or two before she started to feel a little more right in the head. As Chang stood in the shower she stared to think about the ''dream Jian'', it felt like he had said something to her but she couldn''t remember. She did remember though the ''dream Jian'' kissing her and kissing her ear and neck ardently. He had also been rubbing his hands all over her body. Chang started to feel hot thinking about her drunken dream, she realized her hands were starting to wander like the ''dream Jian''s'' had. Chang shook her head to rid her brain of the dirty thoughts and seriously washed herself and got out. She wrapped herself in one of the towels she had used for a blanket, and exited the bathroom. Chang dressed herself in one of her favorite button up baby blue blouses, it had three-quarter length sleeves that slightly puffed on the ends. She partnered it with a dark navy knee-length skirt and her favorite black Mary Janes. Chang quickly towel dried her hair to being just damp, and combed it before braiding it neatly. She looked prim and proper, more like herself in this outfit than the seductress last night. Chang opened the door and walked down the small hallway, Justin''s room, past the empty bedroom, that had yet to be be rented out; and came into the dining/living room. They had a small teak kitchen table with a small vase with a couple of fake sunflowers in it, just a little touch of brightness. Justin sat at the table sipping tea and reading a newspaper, wearing his glasses he was never ''caught dead in outside in''. He wore one of his usual black tank tops with the sleeves cut out, and a pair of tight, black jeans. On his feet though he wore his bunny slippers, which looked absolutely ridiculous with his outfit. Justin looked up when she came in and put down his newspaper. He went into the kitchen, grabbed two pieces of toast he left in the toaster oven to stay warm for her, put a little butter and brought them in. Chang was touched by her friend''s caring demeanor, gave him a quick peck on the cheek as thanks, grabbed the toast to munch on the way, her money from last night, and she left. She chose to go down the elevator instead of the stairs for her stomachs sake, even though it was slower. She exited the building and started walking in the direction of a couple of thrift stores that she knew of to find more suitable clothes for her job that fit. Liang Jian Amal strode resolutely to Chang''s apartment building and rode the elevator to third floor. His long legs quickly carried him to the door down the long corridor, his assistant stumbling to keep up. Without waiting for his assistant, Liang Jian Amal knocked on the door. Justin, thinking it was Chang coming back for something, went right up and opened the door without checking the peephole. When Justin opened the door he was astonished to see a tall bronzed Asian sex God standing there. ''Oh my god, did I die and go to heaven?'' Justin didn''t recognize him as the man from last night as he had only got the briefest look at the side of his face and had been a little drunk. He stood there love drunk at the site of Liang Jian Amal. Liang Jian Amal waited a second for Justin to say something, thinking that he had recognized him. Yet when he continued to only stare, he realized that he did not, and he finally spoke. 17 Whatever You Say Handsome Liang Jian Amal cleared his throat to draw Justin''s focus back to reality. Justin came to with a glaze in his eye. "Mmm what''d you say, sorry." ''What an odd fellow.'' "I''m here today Mr. Che to rent the room that you have available for rent on Craigslist. May I come inside?" "Please come in, come in!" Justin opened the door wider to let Jian in, his assistant bumbling in behind him. Justin took a cursory glance at the assistant. ''Hmm this guy seems familiar somehow..'' As soon as they both passed by Justin he quickly shook off his favorite bunny slippers, put his glasses on the key shelf, and smoothed back his close- cropped hair. ''Oh yeah, I''m ready!'' Liang Jian Amal and his assistant passed by the galley kitchen on the right and came to the dining/living room with the little table sitted close to serving station opening to the kitchen. He smiled seeing the small vase of sunflowers, ''without a doubt that was Chang''s touch.'' He thought. He stood waiting for Justin to fall in behind, this would only be a quick matter for now. After a few seconds Justin came in and led him to the empty room, which was closest. Justin pointed at the two closed doors stating one was his, and one would be another roommate''s, a nice young lady by the name of Chang. Inside Jiang was slightly confused, but felt relief, ''so it doesn''t seem that they''re together from the way he just described her. When he charged at me last night for "his girl" I thought I was losing my mind.'' "Mm I will have to stop you there Mr. Che." Justin was opening the door to the empty bedroom to show him inside when he was stopped. "Eh?" He asked in confusion, '' I thought mr Adonis here was here for this room..'' Jiang pointed to Justin''s room next to Chang''s, "I will take this room." "Uh, sorry that room is taken by moi, unless are you saying you''d like to stay in my room with me?" Justin blinked his eyes at Liang Jian Amal "adorably". Jian was disgusted by his cutesy actions and decided to cut this exchange even shorter. He snapped his fingers at his assistant who pulled out a check and handed it to Justin. "What''s going on here, you obviously can afford way better than our crummy apartment, so why? You''re not up to something illegal or something are you?!" Liang Jian Amal''s assistant was outraged to hear someone talking to his boss in such a manner. He shook his finger at Justin. "Mr Che, how dare you accuse Mr. Liang of being a crook-" " What''d you say his name was?"Justin interrupted suddenly again. He paused for a second before recognition shine in his eyes. "Hey wait a minute you''re the weird guy from last night that tried to stop me from leaving, so you must of been the man all over my friend like white on rice!" . Something started to turn in his mind though and delight sparkled in his eyes. He looked down at the check that had stamped on in Liang International, then back at Liang Jian Amal. "What is your name." "Liang Jian Amal." Jian succinctly replied. Justin started bouncing up and down clapping. "Ahaha it''s like Christmas in July!" Jian was puzzled by his actions, "does this mean that we have a deal Mr. Che?" He didn''t know that Justin knew of his and Chang''s history, so he didn''t understand Justin''s reaction. Though since Justin had stopped interjecting, it seemed as if was agreeing. "please, Mr. Che is my father, call me Justin." He pushed out his hand to shake Jian''s. "For now then, I will return to my company until tonight. Tomorrow I will purchase furniture for remodeling my room. For now please keep the information of my staying here to yourself." "Whatever you say handsome!" 18 Warning Heeded Chang especially felt successful when it rang all up at under 20 dollars. ''Succesful bargain hunting! I''m gonna get something nummy to munch on to celebrate before work.'' She looked at the time and saw she had about 3 hours before work, and so sauntered to a little cafe to get a sanwich and a caf¨¦ latte. Chang leisurely took her time, effectively killing almost another hour. She saw that it was still early but with nothing else to do, Chang decided to head to work early and help out with anything if possible. Chang took only about a half hour to reach La Vie En Rose and went to open the door like last time to find it locked. ''No one must be here yet,'' she sighed to herself and resigned to wait. After about a half hour Eric, the boss, came out from the parking garage on the other side of the street. "Well hello there early bird. How can I help you?" Eric was a quiet, polite man, easily approachable with his kind demeanot. He had brown hair and eyes, and a face easily lost in a crowd. "Thank you for last night, I actually came early as thanks for that to see if I could lend an extra hand with set-up." Chang liked him and decided to use her situation to butter him up just a little more. "How thoughtful, you''re definitely a keeper! I''m sure there''s something I could have you help me with! Actually I''ve been working on a few new specialty cocktails for our bar, would you care to try them?" At the mention of alcohol though, Chang felt almost queasy, this morning was punishment enough! She didn''t want to turn him down, but definitely couldn''t stomach more liquor. Her eyes grew wide as she debated internally. Eric saw her look of horror and consternation and chuckled a little, it was nice to work with someone so animated. "You know what I actually remembered the walk-in1 needs a good deep-clean. think you can handle that?" "Yes, sir" ''Easy-peasy'' she thought, grateful for the switch. When she straightened up, struggling to lift a giant tub of cheese, she noticed Brandy standing there, having been watching as she was bent over. Chang swayed holding the tub and almost lost hold of it, Brandy rushed forward though and helped her put it back on the shelf. "Never fear the calvary is here!" Brandy cried out fearlessly helping Chang put everything back on the shelves, now that they were clean. They chatted a little, Brandy more so, as they sorted it back in place as soon as they did Eric poked his head in and whistled. "Looks great in here, thanks a million! Are you gonna change before work, we''re getting ready to open the front house.." Eric was almost hesitant to mention the attire, they had an open dress code, sans showing up nude, he wardrobe would stick out like a sore thumb later on. "Oh I didn''t realize it was so late already, I have a change of clothes in the bag I brought with me!" "Ok then, well I''ll see you ladies out there." Eric left to continue on after checking the walk-in. Chang then thought of the clothes Brandy lent her yesterday, and turned to Brandy. "Thank you for lending me those clothes yesterday, I need to wash them still, I will return them to you tomorrow!" Brandy laughed and waved her hand dismissively. "No worries, keep em if you want they looked much better on you, much.." She added the last but after a pause in a darker voice. Her eyes slid oily up Chang for a second as she said that. "I''ll see you out there." With a wink and a snap of her finger, she walked out leaving Chang feeling a little uncomfortable and worried, especially after Justin''s warning to her last night. She slapped her cheeks, and put on her game face, ''It''s showtime!'' 19 Touch Her Again If You Dare The time that she had been gone, the international conglomerate he managed had boomed and started building based of operation all over the world. Jiang International had exploded over the last year taking the medicinal R+D world by a storm. While they also ran several other small business and worked in the science and technology industry, medicine had been their background roots from which the company was built up. As soon as the meetings were over, Liang Jian Amal''s assistant came up to him. While his boss had been in the meetings with the heads of the different sectors, he had taken a nap in the break room, as such had pep back in his step again. "Mr. Liang business has concluded for the day , would you like me to take you back to your new apartment, or the estate you purchased a few months ago, or perhaps somewhere else?" With his right hand pinching the bridge of his nose, trying to push back a rising headache, he lifted his left hand to stop his assistant from droning on. A spark lit up in his eye though at the thought of the apartment, or more specifically Chang, so he told his assistant to take him to La Vie En Rose. Liang Jian Amal arrived at La Vie En Rose at around 8:30 due to the heavy traffic through the city. He entered the nightclub and immediately the pounding music made his head start to pound even harder. In the year that Dong Cheng had been assisting Liang Jian Amal, he had seen the man run himself ragged regularly, but he had never looked as haggard as he did today. He dared not voice that though. Liang Jian Amal motioned for his assistant to order for them, reclining back against the plush booth trying to manage the pain drilling into his temples. Pretty soon a short pretty Caucasian girl with pixie cut blonde hair came up, she wore a dazzling smile on her made-up face. "How can I help you gentlemen tonight?" Dong Cheng proceeded to give her a food order, and when she prompted for drinks he peeked over at his boss who wore a pained expression, "water please, oh would you happen to have anything for pain relief?" She immediately fished into her apron and fished out a couple of sealed liquid capsules. "There you go boys, I''ll be back with the rest momentarily," she gave them a wink and sauntered off. As soon as she came back with water, Liang Jian Amal popped the pills, hoping to ease the headache which he felt was making his temper harder to control. Though again he watched the petite blonde waitress rub against Chang on several occasions, or letting her hands linger on Chang''s body too long in indecent places; he saw that Chang seemed to be uncomfortable with this. He ground his teeth in frustration at this. When the waitress came back he immediately grabbed her arm, seething. He hissed through his teeth, "Touch her again if you dare." His tone and body language warned him absolutely not to be crossed. Brandy immediately paled under the big man''s threatening aura. Tears immediately appeared in her big green eyes, she had no idea who he meant, but nodded her head eagerly. She was just desperate to get his painful grip off her arm. 20 A Meaty Hand A male customer assaulted her and she had to go to the emergency room to check if her wrist was broken." "Oh my God, did the police catch the guy or anything?" "I guess he left right after dropping a bunch of money. Just be careful tonight, that''s some weird shit, we occasionally get the overly handsy drunk, but we''ve never had one of our own assaulted before. " Justin sighed at the craziness of it all and moved on. They all had to help pick up the slack, and divided Brandy''s booths to go on without her. Chang was a little alarmed at but as the night continued the same as it had before and yesterday her worries fell away. Before she knew it the crowd had started to fade away on the dance floor and only about a half a dozen booths were filled. Chang casually asked Andre what time it was as she waited for him to make a couple of cocktails for one of her booths. "It''s now.. 1:15" He said as he checked the little clock he had under his counter. "About time for last call, those will be the last drinks of the evening for that table, no more after this." Chang thanked them and served them. The small party of bachelorettes were already lit, Chang saw the state they were in and and they were going to be closing soon, she asked one of the ladies if she''d like her to call them an Uber or Lyft1. "Ah, what a sweetheart!" "Thank you as soon as we finish these last few drinks, yes please!" " You''re so thoughtful!" A couple of the still semi-coherent girls started bombarding her with their gratitude. "No worries, no big deal. Would do the same for anyone." Chang shook it off and continued on. After the ladies left though she noticed they left her a 100 dollar bill, with the words "Thank you" written on them. It made Chang feel warm inside, she had just done as she would for any person, as her parents taught her, still their steep gratuity touched her heart. She wiped the booth, which was the last one needing to be cleaned and when she looked up to see what to do next, that they were pretty much done. Andre had taken care of the bar, and was heading to help Eric, who was cleaning up the kitchen. Justin was wiping the floor with the giant squeegee mop. Chang went up to Justin to ask if there was anything else she could do to help. "Looks like we''re all good here, you can clock out and go home. I''m going to go to my boyfriend''s tonight, been feeling extra "hungry" today, if you catch my drift." He gave her two nudges and two winks in reference to an old comedic skit they had watched together. As Chang was walking home, she was so lost in her thoughts that she didn''t notice a couple of men starting to tail her from a distance. As they noticed she was alone and there was no one near, as soon as she came near an alleyway they rushed up on her. 21 In the Darkness Chang pushed the second man away to run past him, but her hair was grabbed as she ran. It was savagely ripped upon, pulling her to the ground with a scream. The first man stood over her, holding a fistful of her hair. Chang regretted her long hair, ever so much right then. Her eyes were watering badly from the pain, but she saw the silhouette of the man drop her hair and moved around to between her legs. As soon as it seem it came close enough she launched a kick at his gut. Unfortunately it wasn''t as a effective as she had hoped it would be. The man only rolled back a little, but came back like a bull more enraged than ever from her strikes. He grabbed her hair once more near her scalp and gave her a couple successive slaps to her face, stunning her. Her hands struggling against the pull on her scalp fell loosely after a couple more seats. Her nose was bloodied, and her lip cut, her eyes streamed now. It felt like she was completely powerless over what was about to happen. He pressed her down onto the ground and proceeded to rip her new tank top in half, exposing her black lace camisole underneath. Her skort''s skirt part had been flipped up in the struggle showing off the entirety of her long, smooth shapely legs. The second rolled up just the and grabbed her still struggling legs. He gripped them painfully, digging his fingers painfully into her flesh. He pried her knees apart so that they could access her. At first the two had just thought to mug her, but after she hit them so savagely, they both now wanted to make her squirm. Chang still continued to buck and rock with all her strength. The first man kneeling over her pulled out a switchblade and held it to her neck. "Now don''t struggle sweetie, itll be better if you''re warm." He tapped the blade a few times against the side of her knack to emphasize his point. He watched her reaction to see what she would do as she still he sneered evilly, "good girl." Chang tensed her jaw and looked away, there was nothing she could do. She wanted to fight to live, but it was only for naught they would have her way with her. A few futile tears slipped out of eyes as she bit her bleeding bottom lip. As she tried to make her mind go blank, one of her last thoughts was on Liang Jian Amal, she wished he was here.. ---- ---- ---- ---- As the time ticked by though, his patience drew thin. When he saw that it was almost two when her work closed, he grabbed his jacket and decided to walk to meet her there. Liang Jian Amal walked briskly, eager to meet her again, especially after last night. He could still taste her lips on his when he closed his eyes. About a block before he reached Chang''s workplace, he heard the sounds of sharp grunting in the alleyway. He curled his lips in disgust at the lewd sounds coming from the darkness when he heard the sound of a muffled female voice, then the sound of fabric tearing. He heard a woman gasp, the voice ticked in his brain, 22 Arrival ''Tch, I only came for Chang. I don''t have the time to get involved but I can''t just leave now though seeing this'' He whipped out his phone to call the police. As he was pulling it out though, the man on top of the woman, grabbed one of her arms. The woman cried out and her face turned to where he could see it, he stiffened at the sight. Chang was crying, blood and dirt smearing her beautiful, tender face. One arm fighting to cover her exposed chest. While one man was holding her legs spread, reaching for her skirt to tear it off her. The first man slapped her quickly while he growled "Stop fighting." Like electricity the cracking sound sprang Liang Jian Amal into action from where he had been shocked still by the horrible sight. He roared as he sprinted forward, he caught the man by her legs in the face with his knee. The man''s nose broke with a crunch and he fell back fluidly. The other man was shocked by the sudden appearance of the stranger and stared dumbly for a second holding Chang''s arm before he threw it down. He turned to try to fight but he was instantly met with a solid kick to his gut that sent him flying to wall. He hit it with a "oomph," his head cracking back against the wall. The man started to slide down from the sudden impact but Liang Jian Amal grabbed him by the collar and with a savage expression on his face smashed his fist into the other man''s face. He then grabbed his twisted it behind his back popping his elbow and shoulder. The man screamed and fell unconscious, Liang Jian Amal dropped him without further harm and rushed to Chang who had started to curl onto her side holding herself. Liang Jian Amal pulled off his jacket and draped it over her body before sweeping her into his arms. He needed to get her somewhere he could assess her injuries. Chang started to struggle a little at the feel of a man''s arms around her again, but as if sensing the help she she shuddered and passed out. Liang Jian Amal burned, he wished to destroy the two men, but Chang was his highest priority at the moment. Liang Jian Amal carried Chang in his arms into the bathroom, setting her on his lap as he sat on the toilet after turning on the light to assess her injuries. He was shocked at the vivid sight of her bloodied face. Her cheeks that usually carried just a hint of blush were pale with lurid bruises across her delicate cheekbones. Her shapely lips had a couple of slits in them that while no longer oozed showed traces of fresh blood, dying her lips. Liang Jian Amal had to restrain the urge to rush back to where those two scumbags were and wipe them off the face of the planet after tearing them limb from limb. He sat there burning for a second before reaching to turn on the water for the tub, to bring it to a comfortable warm temperature. Liang Jian Amal delicately unwrapped her from his jacket that she was wrapped in. He saw a few faint, bloody lines on her graceful neck, further deepening his furrowed brow. Controlling the rising lump in his throat and his fury he removed the tattered remains of her clothes and placed her in the water. As he layed her in the water Chang came to, rocking forward tightly gripping his arms. Tears were in her eyes as she stared with terror and confusion. This absolutely broke his heart, he leaned forward catching her head to his shoulder. "It''s ok. Don''t worry. You''re safe now." He stroked her head, repeating the words slowly and steadily. 23 How ---- ---- Chang sobbed against his shoulder, letting up all the darkness bottled inside her chest. If he hadn''t been there... she hated to think what would have happened if Jian hadn''t arrived when he did. ''Wait, how was he there..?'' Chang looked up at Jian with her tear filled eyes, she wanted to ask him, but her voice wouldn''t seem to work. She then looked at his shirt, she had just made a bloody, dirty mess out of. She was slightly embarrassed, realizing too that she was naked in front of him. Chang started to pull back out of his embrace, to try to cover herself. The man held her tightly in his arms though, refusing to let her wiggle away. One of his hands firmly held the back of her head. The other hand slipped down her back, causing her to shiver at its touch, to dip into the water briefly. He sighed into her ear, ruffling the fine hairs there as he leaned forward.. Chang felt her face flush, ''ah, what''s he doing?!'' A second later she had her answer though. He pulled the drain plug, and started to run fresh water into the tub, draining the water that was already dark.. Jian grabbed one of the small towels from the cabinet, and ran it under the tap. He then rocked back on his heels, so that he could see her face. Chang felt a little terrified at the enraged expression on his face, and flinched. His expression softened slightly seeing that he had scared her unintentionally. Jian drew the wet cloth to her face, wiping as gently as he could, Chang couldn''t help drawing away from his hand. Where it had touched her skin there was searing pain, like fire burning. ---- ---- ---- ----- Liang Jian Amal saw the pain in Chang''s eyes after trying to wipe her bloodied cheek. His hand trembled with the influx of emotions that threatened to take over him. He whispered hoarsely after a minute, "just stay still, i have to check your injuries." He could see that she wanted to reject him immediately,but after a minute of internal warring, she closed her eyes with her arms folded protectively across her chest. It hurt him to see her so on the defensive, but there was nothing he could do about that at the moment. As soft as a baby breath he wiped the cloth across her face multiple times, revealing the tender bruised skin under all the blood and street grit. After her face he wanted to continue with her body, but as she was already so shy, he couldn''t. At least right now. Liang Jian Amal sighed, they had a lot of progress to recover together. He set down the cloth and stood. " I have to make a phone call, finish your bath and ill clean up your injuries as soon as you''re out." As soon as he stepped out, he whipped out his phone and punched his assistant''s number in. After a few rings,he answered, sounding like he just rolled out of bed. "yes Boss." "Get to the alley between xx street and xx, near Chang''s work. There''s two men unconscious in the alley way, I want them apprehended immediately! Also call lawyer Zhen, bury those two men. They are never to see the light of day again!" Liang Jian Amal snarled into the phone and immediately hung up. He smoked a cigarette on the balcony, lost in his thoughts until he heard a voice from behind him all of a sudden. "When did you start smoking?" 24 Be Hones He knelt in front of Chang and rifled through it until he found ointment for cuts and bruises, as well as band-aids. He unscrewed the cap for the ointment and out a small drop on his fingertip to put on the wounds on her face, but her hands reached out and stopped his right before it reached her face. Her eyes searching his for answers. His eyes found her hands though. Her hands looked so small and delicate on his, she seemed so fragile.. He narrowed his eyes at a large scrape on the back of her left hand''s knuckles. Then a dark lurid bruise forming on her porcelain skin on her forearm in the shape of a man''s hands. He shook slightly, but continued his silent inspection, from the bruises, to the small cuts and scratches as she had been pressed to the ground, fighting; to the three small cuts along the left side of her neck. Eventually his gaze full of emotion came back to her face, and finally her wet eyes. ---- ---- ---- ---- Chang had a million questions she wanted to ask the man who came before her appearing tender and dedicated. The one most important that stood in her mind was why though. ''Why did you come for me?'' ''Why are you here?'' ''Just why...'' When she saw him kneel before her and try to treat her injuries, she stopped him. She had to ask, she tried to swallow the rising lump in her throat, but it threatened to choke her and her tears threatened to spill seeing the care in his gaze. As his gaze finally met hers she finally found the courage to ask. "Why are you here..?" she whispered, unable to make her voice any louder. "For you, obviously." "But...why?" She no longer had the courage to look him in the eye and so fixed her blurring vision on her knees. She whispered the last bit "I''m no longer your wife..." "Oh, and who said that?" he said dryly, she could hear tones of his anger laced in. "Didn''t you read the letter that I left, and the divorce papers I signed?" "Mmm, I did." He pulled the worn, creased letter out of his back pocket with his free hand and threw it on the ground beside her right foot. " As for the useless garbage, I burned it..Care to explain any of this bull$#it?!" Chang was startled to hear him curse, while he didn''t yell his tone became incredibly imposing. She felt her grip tighten around his hand subconsciously as she tried to breathe steady. ---- ---- ---- ---- Since then he had been anxious, desperate to see her face one more time. Her face had haunted his dreams every night, when he had been able to sleep. He would chase her to find only when he caught her there was nothing. He was so angry at first, but over time had felt it dissipate. Her words dug up the anger he had buried and with a fiery charge it erupted. Liang Jian Amal felt her hands tighten around the hand that was still poised to help her. 25 Be Honest II Could she believe his words, did it really not matter, the fact they came from completely different worlds, that she had a completely different social standing from his. ''Even if it is true he has responsibilities to his family. How I wish I could just be happy with you as an ordinary man and woman, Jian, our worlds are just too far apart though. ..No...I can''t drag you down....'' Chang started to release his hands shakily still keeping her eyes away from his trying to hide er tears which had started to roll silently down remembering their differences. She hadn''t understood until someone literally spelled it out for her. It broke her heart then, to find the man she had given her heart to was only using her as a plaything. That she would never be anything more with his status.. Chang had wrote the letter to Jian to cut their ties then and had signed the divorce papers. As promised for cutting ties, she received a private flight to LA that Jian couldn''t track, as well as a few thousand dollars as a "severance and silence deal." She''d already gone so far she couldn''t go back now. He would move on and find someone suitable. It was for the best. As one of her hands started to pull away, Jian snatched and put it to his mouth. She shivered at the feeling of his warm mouth on the side of her hand. Chang froze up as electricity raced up her hand to her arm where his mouth was. Jian started leaving a light trail of kisses up to her bruised knuckles, to her fingertips, her face reddened as he continued. His lips were soft but were leaving tingles of numbness and electricity where they touched. ''Ah!! what is he doing!'' Jian continued to her palm and to her wrist, until she gained her sense back, she tried to snatch her hand back but he held it steady. Chang saw that he was trying to get closer to her face, and panicked covering her face with her free hand. ''Damn you, you playboy! What are you trying to pull here!'' He released her other hand, which immediately went to her face, as soon as it did though, Jian stood up. he bent over and lifted her up slightly and with one quick motion, stripped the towel off of her. "Ah! Hey!!" Chang screamed mortified, ''what just happened to the gentleman a minute ago.'' She pulled her hands of her beet red face and tried to snatch the towel back. As soon as she leaned forward he captured her in his embrace. His hands wandered one high, one low. When he gripped the low one a little moan escaped Changs''s lips to her dismay. She bit her lips cringing. ''Ah what a devil! How did it become like this? I don''t want punishment! What did I do to deserve this!'' Chang cried out in her heart. Seeing as she remained silent, he turned his head and gave her a kiss on her earlobe, snaking his tongue lightly along edge, before biting along the top. Chang slapped a hand over an ear, looked at him with a mortified and embarrassed expression. Her eyes were watery still but the tears had dried up. Jian''s eyes were tender as he cupped the one hand that had been reaching low over her hand clamped on her ear. He lowered his head, and pressed his lips to her forehead between her brows. A warm fuzzy feeling sprouted in Chang''s already flustered heart. A feeling of being melted slowly in a warm summer sun. She felt her eyes close, her eyelashes slightly flickering. He then moved to beside her eyes, a long her cheek bones, as he continued headed towards her lips the fire he started inside her made her go limp and lean against him. Just as she thought he would kiss her lips he stopped. Breathing slightly raggedly she slowly opened her eyes to see him smirking at her. 26 Fell Into the Trap He knew her words were untrue now, watching her expression as she had cried and reluctantly let go of his hand. So he had decided to test her, to see if she was really unwilling. Truth be told he also felt himself getting carried away. Especially now seeing her voluptuous form in front of him with her skin tinged pink from his actions. He was so hungry, it was hard not to pounce on her right there and take her and claim her as his. "Can you really pretend anymore Chang? I know you care and want me? Please tell me the real reason why you think we can''t be together?" -- Chang furrowed her brows, she had completely fallen into his trap. His beautiful deep eyes searched her soul earnestly; stripping away the barricades she had tried to make. Falling into his eyes the words fell from her mouth. "I''m not right for you, you have responsibilities to your family to marry a girl of equal standing. I''m nobody. I don''t want to drag you down Jian." "Who said you would drag me down? That you''re not equal to me?" Chang''s eyes flicked down. ''I can''t tell him that.'' Jian tugged on her chin drawing her eyes to him. "You do not have to be afraid. I will protect you from anything or anyone. Tell me." He commanded her. "I can''t tell you that." "Why not?" He already had his suspicions but wanted to confirm who drove her away. There was no way she could have disappeared on her own like she did, and stay hidden. His networking system was worldwide and had grown exponentially. Someone had deliberately helped hide her tracks. Seeing as she would not answer with her words, he decided to go back to using underhanded methods to make her communicate. Jian immediately released Chang from his embrace, giving her a slight push as he did. Chang stumbled and fell back upon the bed, her arms spread trying to help cushion her fall. "Ah.. Jian!" "Mm yes," he breathed against the crook of her neck, further fanning the flames burning her. It felt like something was pooling at the base of her stomach, making her want to squirm. She desperately wanted him to stop, but a part of her told herself to surrender and enjoy the sensation. Chang bit her lip trying to stifle her moan. His fiery lips started to nip gently where they had been kissing gently moments before. Lightly raking his teeth along her collarbone the hand that had still been continuously teasing her stiffened nipple slowly to the softness between her legs. Her eyes opened wide feeling his hand slipping to her most secret part. ''No not there too, at this rate he''s going to eat me clean!'' "No, no more please!" She began to beg in a ragged voice. His lips had clamped onto her other nipple while his hand between her thighs slowly destroyed her rationality. He refused to relent though and continued on as if he hadn''t heard her. Jian slowly released his grasp on her wrists as his kisses started to trail down tickling her belly. A hand went to his hair, she wanted to pull his head away with those soft lips that were breaking her down bit by bit, she could do little more than lightly grasp his short hair. Her other clawed into the mattress as she felt something rising up in her taking over her senses in a wave. It felt like her vision was going dark and she was losing control of her body. "Ah..Jian... please" she mumbled out. "Jian please what?" He breathed out against her hip bone. "Noooo.." "No?" He rapidly pulled his finger out of her that had been slowly stoking and coaxing her, causing her to cry out. Jian waited until she looked at him then slowly licked the finger in front of her to her shock. Her face turned an even deeper shade of red seeing his shameless actions and she squeezed her eyes shut as if to shut out what happened. 27 Such A Tease Chang''s body bucked at his sudden actions and she whimpered a little, music to his ears. Jian blew lightly on her, teasing her further, hearing her reaction he moved closer. Not quite touching her but close enough for him to feel her radiating heat, he breathed lightly on her causing her to breathily cry out no again shuddering. He rubbed his nose lightly against her probing further reactions, but she remained silent. Jian paused for a second listening for a response, slowly he dipped a finger, but still didn''t hear anything. Quizzically he raised his head to look at Chang''s face. The woman on the bed had her hair strewn across her face so he couldn''t see her expression, her chest no longer heaved though, her hands curled up layed by her head Jian leaned forward and brushed her hair off her face. Chang''s tender skin was still flushed pink, her lips pursed together in a pout. Her eyes no longer screwed tight had relaxed but a few trace tears were stuck to her long lashes. She had passed out while he had been torturing her. ''Huuuh, what a tease this woman is.'' Jian sighed to himself, looking down. His trousers were pulling uncomfortably around his stiff member. He still couldn''t help smiling to himself seeing her tender form before him. Jian gave her lips a peck before continuing what he had been trying to do earlier, dressing her injuries. After applying salves for bruising and healing, he tucked her in a threw himself in a cold shower. Slowly the cold water started to quench the burning fire in him. After a while he turned off the water, dried himself off lightly, and returned to Chang''s bedroom. She lay curled up on her side facing towards him, a sweet smile just gracing her lips, causing them to form a small blossom. Jian''s heart softened seeing her sleeping expression, he stared for a moment or two before climbing into the bed, on her other side. After settling in he pulled her into his arms, nestling her head beneath his chin. He pressed his lips to her fair cheek. "Goodnight, my little liar.." For the first time in almost a year Liang Jian Amal slept well for an entire night, and even had sweet dreams. Chang frowned, I must not be awake yet still, the snake is still here! She closed her eyes and counted to ten, trying to wake herself from the neverending dream. Noticing that the presence still hadn''t diminished, Chang opened her eyes and surveyed her surroundings. She saw that she was laying in bed with mid-morning sun filtering in under her curtains. ''I''m in my bedroom, in my bed. This seems like reality, but the snake is still here! Oh! This must be one of those lucid dreams, I''ve heard about.'' "Ok I gotta stimulate myself to wake up!" she muttered to herself. Chang reached a hand down to her thigh and started to pinch herself. After ten seconds she could no longer endure the pain, but saw the situation hadn''t changed. Just then she felt the "snake" moving along her waist to cup her breast. "Wah!" Chang jumped up feeling the feeling of warmth on her bare flesh. ''Wait, why am I naked?!'' Chang immediately rolled over and was stunned to see a beautiful face sleeping beside hers. She feasted her eyes, the thick dark lashes over his high cheekbones. The long aquiline nose over the well formed lips that complimented his strong brow and jawline. His bronze skin practically glowed under the morning light. She found herself compelled to touch him, to see if the spell would break. ''Is this real?'' 28 Beas ''Wait he even confessed to me last night and then...'' he face started to burn as she thought of all he did to her last night. ''oh my God did we do it last night?! Well I don''t feel sore, but I don''t remember.'' Her eyes started to roll in her head as she thought hard about it. Seeing her flustered reaction Jian couldn''t help chuckling and ruffled her hair. Her adorable reactions had diffused some of the lingering anger he''d felt with her last night "Stop worrying about it, get dressed." He then threw off the covers and rolled out of the bed. Chang slapped her hands over her eyes seeing that he was naked. He stood and unhurriedly stretched beside the bed. ''Shameless!'' Still she couldn''t help peeking between her fingers, she''d never had a chance to see him fully naked in broad daylight before. Chang wrapped her large blanket around herself and waddled to her closet and pulled out a light blue collared short sleeved button up dress and underwear. She hurried into the bathroom under his watchful eye, aware the whole time of the naked man watching her. Once in the bathroom Chang dropped what she was clutching and shrieked at he sight of herself in the mirror. Jian instantly tried to barge in "Chang are you alright?" The mortified girl instantly threw herself against the door preventing him from entering. "You beast!!" Red marks covered the front of her torso of varying size. He chuckled realizing what she was reacting to. "What, who me? What did I do?" Chang gritted her teeth hearing his innocent reply. He knew exactly what she meant, and knew she couldn''t say that out loud. Her face turned red seeing the love bites that marred her white skin. She didn''t start to calm down until she''d buttoned the collar of her dress, and hidden the last bit with concealer. Buying herself a little more time she fussed with her hair smoothing it before pinning it into a simple 3/4 part leaving it loose flowing down her back. Reluctantly she opened the door peeking around for the shameless devil, not seeing him in sight she came out the bathroom. Returning to the bedroom, she spotted Jian sitting on her bed in a fresh silver grey suit and crisp white button up. The man appeared surprised at her appearance, and viewed her with slight smile. His gaze captured her eyes, stealing her breath. As if afraid to scare her he stood and he approached slowly, measuring her reaction before leaning down to capture her lips. He instantly crushed her against his chest as if afraid she would disappear if he loosened his grip even a little. He layed his head on top of her head inhaling her scent, causing her poor heart to pound even harder against her ribs. ''I hope he can''t feel that.'' she thought nervously. "Chang can you promise me something?" He spoke into her hair startling her. "Hmm, what?" "Promise you''ll never leave me like that again, talk to me." Hot tears stabbed her eyes hearing the helplessness in his voice, and her racing heart was squeezed with an icy grip, she nodded wordlessly in agreement against his chest. He sighed and kissed the top of her head. The couple stood there for a few moments more basking in the warm glow of the moment before JIan parted them. "Come let''s go get breakfast." As he said that as if to remind her, Chang''s belly let out an audible gurgle. 29 An Unexpected Phone Call "Where was Justin last night, why were you walking home alone dressed like that?" Chang felt a little chagrined under his admonishment, "I was the first to get off, I promise not to do that again." She looked up at him with pleading eyes begging to be let off the hook. He grunted in response. '' Dam straight.'' That was the last time he would be letting her be in that position. Not only would he not have her return from work alone on her own, she wouldn''t be returning to La Vie En Rose, where she could be ogled so freely. If he had his way, he would lock her up where no one could see or hurt her, have her be exclusively his. Jian walked her to his sleek silver Maybach, opening the passenger door, and secured her in before walking to the driver''s side. It started up with a low growl and they rolled out of the garage, he punched into the GPS a restaurant name and followed the directions to for twenty minutes. The both of them were silent on the trip, he was focused on the road, while Chang studied his side profile. His jaw line had seemed to harden over the last year, other than that he looked pretty much unchanged. She smiled to herself at the dreamlike situation she found herself in. Giggling to herself she thought ''how many people get to live a fairytale twice, hehe I must have saved the world in a past life or something. Not only did he sweep me off my feet once, he came for me when I no longer had hope.'' Jian noticed her small giggle and felt himself soften, things were finally back to how they should be. he pulled the car up to the curb about a block and helped Chang out of the car. The sun shone on her hair showing a blue sheen which complimented her beautiful deep blue eyes. The dress and hairstyle made her seem so young and fresh, like a bud just starting to open. She took his breath away with the smile lighting up her face looking up at him. " I was lucky enough to find you once in this lifetime, I won''t ever let you leave my side so easily. I will be sure to never let anyone steal you from me again." Jian held her hand as they walked to the French caf¨¦. While she had been in the bathroom he had had his assistant drop him a change of clothes as well as information on places in the area that would be suitable to take Chang for a breakfast date. After looking over a couple he decided on a small caf¨¦, simply named the caf¨¦, that had amazing reviews. As they were sitting there, his personal cell phone in his breast pocket began to vibrate, disturbing him. He ignored it until it stopped, but then it started right up again. The number of people who had his personal cell phone were few and far between, anything work related went through his assistant. Wrinkling his eyebrows and pulled out the phone, noticing the 1-415 area code, he immediately took the call to Chang''s surprise. Chang watched the joyful expression quickly fall into a worried one, and he spoke in a quiet, terse tone. Her heart couldn''t help feeling a twinge of worry hearing it. "No. I understand, we will be there as soon as possible. Thank you." He succinctly hung up and stood up straightening his jacket. "I''m sorry Chang but we will need to postpone this something urgent just came up." "That''s OK, maybe next time we can go out together, take care of whatever you need to" she smiled at him from her seat. "You don''t understand we both need to go." She was truly puzzled now and looked at him head cocked slightly to the side. " Both of us really, where to, why?" I promise to explain of the way, he took both her hands and breathed deep before replying. 30 Wait Wha ''My mom... what?'' Chang stared dumbly at him. "What did you say?" "I know you have a lot to process, but you can do that on the flight over." Jian calmly told her as he lifted her out of her seat, where she sat numbly. He pulled a large bill out of his pocket and left it on the table. Without waiting for change Jian grabbed Chang''s hand and started hustling to his car, he was stopped short by the weight attached to his hand. Chang stood there with a stricken look on her face. "Jian that can''t be right. There''s no way, my mom... No this must be a mistake." Jian kept his face calm, masking the sadness he carried. He bent down and scooped Chang up and continued heading to the car. After securing her in the passenger seat, he started calling his assistant to have him book them the next available flight to Sf. He looked sideways at Chang who sat in her seat deep in thought. After making sure all necessary arrangements were taken care of he hopped in the driver seat. He reached over with one hand and comfortingly squeezed Chang''s hands that lay neatly together on her lap. "Everything is fine, do not overly worry yourself, it''s not good for your health." Chang gave him a weak smile in exchange for his comfort. How could she not worry though? The guilt from all the time she hadn''t seen her mother began to pile on her. If this was the last time.... ''No, I can''t think like that, mama is fine.'' "I should let Justin and my boss know what''s going on." "Already taken care of. You don''t have to worry about anything" He succinctly replied. Chang tried to think of another topic but couldn''t, so she reached forward to turn on the radio. Every song though made her mood worse and worse until she finally turned it off. Chang turned her head out the window drying to lose her thoughts in the dizzying blur on the way to the airport. -- Fairly soon they arrived, since they didn''t have luggage, they only needed boarding passes and identification. Chang remembered then about her lost wallet and phone. "Jian, I lost my ID the other day, I can''t board the plane." "You mean this?" He reached inside an inside breast pocket and pulled out and old faded tan leather wallet. Out from which he pulled her ID. Astonished Chang reaches out and grabbed the wallet. "Oh thank you thank you, I was so heartbroken over having lost this. Wait how did you come to have it?" "What, me, in a dumpster? Hahaha, no way, I would never do that." ''I will never admit to that!'' "I must have dropped it somewhere and it got thrown out accidentally!" Jian gave her a grunt in reply, a slight smile tugged at his lips at her denial. Within a half hour they were boarded and the plane started to take off. Chang looked out the window as LA, became further away and eventually disappeared from sight. It had become special to her over the last year, a safe harbor. ''Goodbye, I wonder if I will ever return again.'' 31 Belated Reunion A private car waited for them right outside to pick them up and take them to the hospital where Chang''s mother was admitted. The grey fog of the evening clinging to the building made the hospital look somber and imposing. She tightened her grip around Jian''s hand and let him lead her inside and to the receptionist nurse''s desk. A kindly looking, plump middle aged woman sat behind the desk. When she saw Chang''s ashen face and huge wet eyes, her eyes softened. "How can I help you?" "We are here to see Mrs. Dumont, a one Li Hua. " The nurse shuffled through her paperwork before finding the correct file. "Are you her immediate family? With the patient''s condition, we are only permitting immediate family members to visit at the moment." "What''s wrong with my mom?" Chang''s voice broke, the more time went on, the more serious this seemed. The nurse looked at her incredulously. "The patients ongoing condition just flared up. For patient confidentiality, I cannot reveal more, you will have to talk to her yourself in room c-42. It will be on the fourth floor second door on your right past the elevator." She gave Chang a pitying look as Jian and her headed to the elevator. Chang wanted to rush to her mother''s room after receiving the room information, but she had to be slow and cautious in the busy hospital. Every step seemed a mile, but the corridor to the elevator seemed to stretch on to eternity. Eventually they came to c-42, a private room with the door shut. Chang reached out a nervous shaking hand to the door knob, her pulse pounding in her ears. She tried to swallow the dryness in her mouth but it stayed chalky. What was on the other side of the door? What kind of condition would her mother be in? Do I have the courage to see this? "I am here." Jian said, even though the words were simple they touched and reassured her. ''I need to be here for my mom, like she always was.'' Chang gave him a smile, turned the knob and pushed open the door, ''I will face whatever awaits with Jian.'' Tears of relief instantly sprang to Chang''s life to see her mother whole. When she had first heard her mother was in the hospital, Chang had feared the worst. Chang smiled through her tears, ''mom''s alright, everything is ok, Jian was right.'' By her side, seeing her smile of relief Liang Jian Amal couldn''t help feeling his heart twist a little. He pulled them both a couple of chairs from the corner of the room to Li Hua''s bedside, to wait for her to wake up. "This might be awhile before she awakens, you haven''t eaten today, what would you like?" "Mm I don''t feel hungry right now." Jian pursed his lips at her answer and whipped out his phone. Chang''s attention was on her mother waiting for her to wake up, she was so nervous but so excited. From the rollercoaster of emotions she had just been through, Chang felt exhausted and layed her head down nestled in her arms, on her mother''s bedside. 32 Belated Reunion II "Of course mother." "You are a good man, I''m relieved to know my little Xiao Xie will be taken care of well." Li Hua''s hand paused for a moment in its motions. "Have you told her yet?" "I have not yet. I only just managed to catch her the other day." "Where was she all this time?" "LA." "Hah, she didn''t go very far from home. My silly girl, so close yet so far away." One of the tears rolled down her cheeks, and Li Hua swiftly brushed it away with one of her long, slender fingers. "I am glad that I got to see her, before...Thank you Jian. Now that you''ve fulfilled one of this old lady''s heartfelt wishes, now how about the other?" Jian chuckled hearing Li Hua''s request. "You should be talking to your daughter about that. Are you ready to take me up on my offer now, mother?" "Mm, yes. There''s things I still need to see and do, like play with some grandbabies!" ---- In a beautiful dream world Chang sat on a grassy knoll, beside a small crystal clear stream as it burbles happily along. The sunshine warmed her back brightening her spirits. She was around 7 years old again, wearing what had been her favorite white sundress, making flower jewelry. The breeze would rustle her hair comfortingly every now and, even though she was alone in the wide field of her dream; she didn''t feel lonely. Soon an enticing smell wafted into her nose, causing her to salivate and her tummy to rumble. She pressed her little hand to her tummy to quiet it. A familiar voice that she had not heard in a long while rang out in her dream. "Chhaaang! Where are you sweetie? time for luuuunch!" She heard her dad''s deep sonorous voice calling for her on the other side of a hill behind her. "Daddy!!" She rushed to the sound and smell desperately. "Daddy!!" The closer she got, the further and further his voice sounded until she couldn''t hear it anymore. Running as fast as her little legs could carry her, she tried to catch the vanishing voice. She tripped and stumbled, as her face hit the soft grass, Chang awoke with a start to her face on the hospital sheets. Slowly she gathered herself, recollecting where she was. The dream had been so vivid it was disorienting. "Good you''re awake, dinner is here." She heard Jian''s voice from beside her, he was setting up a lap tray for Li Hua to eat in bed. The delicious smell was coming from a bag sitting on the chair next to her. "Hi baby." She heard the voice in front of her and looked up to see her mother beaming at her. She looked like nothing so much as like an Angel, her crystal eyes shining and dancing. With she smiled , Chang could see why her father had given up everything to be with her. "Hi Mom, I''m sorry.. I''m sorry I''m late." "You''re here now Xiao Xie, that''s all that matters." Her mother patted her on her hands reassuringly. Chang smiled down at their hands. ''Wait how do I explain Jian?!'' Just as Chang was brooding on how to broach the topic her mother spoke again. "Xiao Xie, how come you never told your mom about your wonderful husband? Such a good man, and so caring, he''s been taking care of me this past year while you were away." Chang was surprised hearing that he had been taking care of her mother this past year. Her heart felt like it was squeezed soft by the thought. "You caught yourself a keeper Xiao Xie, now hurry up and give me some cute babies to play with!" Chang choked on her own spit hearing her mother''s demand and started coughing madly. Jian came over and patted her back until she thankfully gasped in air. "Are you alright?" He whispered in her ear. Chang could feel herself turning bright red at his close proximity, especially right after her mother''s words. "Yes, fine, fine!" She tried to hurriedly wave him away to mask her embarrassment. Li Hua and Liang Jian Amal shared a knowing, conspiratorial look over her head. Liang Jian Amal set up a small folding table for the two of them and started pulling out the dishes. She recognized them all as her favorites from a small restaurant near her Mom''s house. Her family had used to eat there whenever they went out to celebrate something. The last time had been her graduation ceremony, right before her dad had passed. 33 Wicked Ways ''Where did he even get the dishes and food from? And how did he bring it in, I didnt think the hospital would allow that. Should I even still be surprised by the things this man does?'' Chang chewed on the end of her chopsticks pondering this. "Xiao Xie, eat eat, you''ve grown so skinny, how will you fulfill mama''s wish if you''re so thin!" Chang was confused for a second, then it dawned on her what her mother meant, it was the topic from earlier being brought up again! What a spoon! Stirring up trouble was her mother''s forte. "Hmm I concur, you should eat more, I like it when you have more to hold onto." Jian whispered the second half into her ear, causing them to turn red. She put down her chopsticks fuming and stared at the two of them, both nonchalantly eating as if they hadn''t been teasing her a moment ago! She got up and stalked into the private adjoining bathroom and slammed the door shut. Li Hua snorted and laughed seeing her daughter''s flustered reaction. "Such a child still in so many ways." "Mm." Liang Jian Amal replied his eyes twinkled while his lips were curled into a smile. Li Hua brightened seeing his reaction, ''I''m glad she found such a caring man like her father, good job!'' ________ In the bathroom Chang ran cold water to splash on her face and neck. Eventually her face stopped burning and she only had a hint of rosiness on her cheeks. ''Ah good as it gets.'' Chang dried her hands and exited the bathroom swiftly her dress swirling around her knees with her quick motion. She sat down back in her chair to eat more, dammit she was still hungry and would just have to brave through their wicked ways! As she sat down her mother was eating a lo bak go cake and looked at her daughter, Li Hua dropped the food from her chopsticks and stared in wide-eyed shock at what she saw. Chang was confused as to her mom''s reaction but followed the line of sight to her neck, where she''d unbuttoned her collar a couple buttons while she splashed water on her neck. ''Wait, my neck!'' Chang instantly slapped a hand over the area her mother was staring at and glared at Jian. ''this is your fault!'' "Hmm look forward to it." Liang Jian Amal replied smirking at Chang. Looking for a change of topic desperately Chang cleared her throat, "So mom how come you''re here? You didn''t hit your head on a cabinet or anything did you?" Her mother scowled at that, that had happened before but only once. She had stood up too fast while working in the kitchen and knocked herself out. Chang''s father had panicked seeing his wife on the floor after the loud ''Bang'' and rushed her to the emergency room. Her mother was a bit of a klutz at times though and would find herself in the hospital for one reason or another. She was always a worry to her husband, though he always said it was a blessing. "Ah speaking of things to worry about you, I worry about your husband and his ability to defend himself and you!" Chang was confused by the statement and became curious looking at Jian who started to choke a little hearing Li Hua''s words. "Please don''t tell her that mother!" He managed to choke out. Now Chang was super curious, "what happened?" "Hmm I guess I will have mercy for now. Well have plenty of time on the journey. Oh yes when will we be leaving?" Li Hua turned her attention to Jian as she changed the topic. "Journey? Where to?" Chang felt like there was another conversation going on that she was completely unaware of. "I''m going to take you and mother someplace special tomorrow. We will need to prepare some things until then." "Where?" "It will be a surprise." "Mom, where?" Chang immediately turned to her mom as she wasn''t getting a satisfactory answer from Jian. "Like he said sweetie, itll be a surprise." 34 Paradise Chang knew that an apology wouldn''t come any where close enough to making up for all the time she had been away but there wasn''t anything else she knew to say. Her mom had merely patted her back and told her that it was ok. Chang lay in bed thinking about the unusual circumstances surrounding her. ''Ugh I shouldn''t have taken a nap earlier, stupid brain wont turn off now!'' She tried to count sheep in her sleep, the sheep soon became lambs though, then babies and she thought about her mom''s words and Jians devilish ways! ''Ahhhhhh my brain has been infected by them!'' She smashed a pillow over her face trying to block out the thoughts and images flooding her mind. She felt the pillow get removed from her face after a minute and saw Jian looking quizzically at her. Chang scrunched up her eyes trying to avoid his gaze as if he would read her thoughts and act on them. ''Shit I thought he was asleep, just ignore me, please go back to sleep demon beast-man!'' She felt his arms wrap around her waist and pull her into his embrace, with her back to him. "Just go to sleep." his sexy voice said gravelly in her ear, his breathing disturbing the hairs around her neck. ''How can I?!?'' Chang thought incredulously, she could feel his hard body pressed up against her surrounding her in heat. She lay there stiffly in his embrace for the longest time before sleep eventually took her against her will. Chang awoke alone in the bed to muted light shining in through the hotel curtains. She arose and opened the window to see a bright, grey foggy morning, thick with the smell of salt and moisture. She took a deep whiff of the smell of home, it was fresh and it invigorated her. With a bright mood she hustled into the bathroom to shower and change out of the pygamas and into the clothes, all of which Jian had gotten for her. He seemed to have planned everything out thoroughly as he had a bag of toiletries that she used for her as well as clothes. Humming a little tune she strode right into the shower and came face to face with a very surprised Jian who stood on the other side of the doorway. Naked. His bronzed skin glistened with water rivulets and droplets. It looked like he had just gotten out of the shower and was still reaching for the towel. "Are you prepared to take responsibility if you keep staring at me like that." His smouldering voice brought Chang out of her reverie. ''Oh my God, I was staring at him so lecherously. How embarrassing!'' Chang immediately turned around slapping her hands on her eyes. This was only her second time in her life at having seen him naked, she just wasn''t used to such a sight...At all!! Especially so early in the morning. She kept her hands over her eyes, back turned waiting for him to cover himself and leave. She heard him sigh from behind her and the sound of the towel being pulled off of the rack. As Jian walked by her with a small towel wrapped around his hips he bent down and kissed the side of her cheek where her hand didn''t cover and whispered in her ear. "Good morning." Maybe it was the way he whispered it or everything else but those two words sounded exceptionally filthy to her. She lifted her face all flustered and pushed him put of the bathroom and quickly closed the door. Chang''s heart raced as she leaned back against the door. ''That man will be the death of me!'' she complained internally. She hopped in the shower and surreptitiously cleaned herself, trying to avoid looking at the marks fading on her. The shower felt amazing and she would have loved to luxuriate in it for a while longer, but she wanted to find out what the surprise was. She got out after brushing her teeth and cleaning herself and dressed. 35 Paradise II To see a reaction like that he''d buy her a million dresses. "It suits you perfectly." He stood brushing a wisp of hair behind one of her ears. Chang blushed at looked at her bare feet, he was simply too much for her poor heart at times! Gazing down at her with such a beautiful smile and the look in his eyes, it almost fell like her soul got sucked away. All of a sudden there was a knocking at the door, which Jian strode over to answer. "Ah. Chang come see who is here." Curious she strode over, who could it be? A graceful slender beauty who only came up to Chang''s shoulder stood in the doorway. Her fine black hair was tied into a tight bun, she wore a pair of semi-rimless glasses, and a charcoal grey pantsuit. The woman was all business without appearing robotic. It was Hao Jin Ying, Jian''s secretary. It had been so long since she had last seen her and Chang was delighted, she had always really like Jin Ying. "Jin Ying!" she exclaimed before squeezing the woman into a tight hug. The woman laughed and gave Chang a hug back, it had taken her awhile to get used to Chang''s openly friendly nature. "Shouldn''t you be in Shanghai? what are you doing here in San Francisco? Not that I''m complaining, it''s so good to see you again! When did you get here?" Seeing as his poor secretary was bombarded by Chang without being able to get a word in edgewise Liang Jian Amal decided to intervene. Well who was he kidding he couldn''t stand the fact that his wife was clinging to another. Glowering at his secretary he reached forward and grabbed one of Chang''s wrist. Hao Jin Ying felt the intimidating aura radiating off of her boss and unconsciously stepped back. As she stepped back suddenly Chang went off balance, and felt a pull on one of her wrists, the room spun and she found herself with a graceful of Jian''s chest. Jian had changed into a crisp white shirt, and she could smell the starch on it as well, as his musky manly smell mixed with a little bit of his cologne. It was entirely too sudden and too much for her. "Jian you beast, let me go!" Hao Jin Ying blanched hearing her boss called a beast. It might be best if she came back later or waited at the hospital.. She then saw her boss bend down and start kissing her feisty lady boss. ''Ah my eyes, please have mercy!'' Hao Jin Ying turned her head away, she wanted to leave but had been summoned by her boss. "Yes sir, everything is set up for departure." "Mm good." Liang Jian Amal looked down at the woman who looked like she was melting in his arms. "Put your shoes on.. or would you prefer I carry you?" Chang steadied herself and slipped on her flats from yesterday, she quickly went back and grabbed her clothes from yesterday and stuffed them in the bag the pajamas and dress had been in. Once sweeping through the room like a whirlwind she went out in the hall with Hao Jin Ying. Liang Jian Amal chuckled seeing her flustered reaction, she always painted his world brightly with her animation. Everything she did livened up his life. Grabbing his phone and jacket from yesterday he closed the door and headed to the hospital with the two women. As they left the building and headed to the vehicle Hao Jin Ying had driven to there, Hao Jin Ying and Chang chatted. Hao Jin Ying told her that she had been in San Francisco for the last 8 months on specialty business for the boss. She was here to accompany them on the journey, in particular Chang and her mother. ''Bizarre. Why would we need Jian''s secretary to go with us?'' Chang wondered to herself. Chang sat in the backseat with Jian, while Jin Ying drove them to the hospital. Looking out of the corner of her eye at Jian, she wondered about the secretiveness surrounding her, ''how much is he keeping from me, and what about?'' She vowed to be patient for now, she would know it all soon enough. Once arriving at the hospital, Hao Yin Jing went to the discharge receptionist to pay the bill for Li Hua Dumont, while Chang and Jian went to retrieve her. Jian grabbed a wheelchair along the way to her room. Chang knocked on the door and heard a crisp clear "Come in!" from inside. Inside the room her mother sat on the edge of the bed, clear eyed looking eager to leave. Someone had already brought her a change of clothes or she had some, as she was no longer in a hospital gown. Li Hua wore a pale blue, almost white silk cheongsam shirt with a dark navy blue lining and stenciling, with a dark navy blue skirt that reached her ankles. Her hair neatly braided over one shoulder. Li Hua was elegant and poised, looking as if she had been born a noblewoman, instead of a second generation shopkeeper. She stood to leave and saw the wheelchair, "I will not be needing that." She turned her head away proudly. "Mom, please, just for us, you''re just being discharged, don''t wear yourself out." 36 Paradise III Jian helped Li Hua into the front passenger seat beside Hao Jin Ying, Chang rolled the wheelchair back to the entrance quickly while he helped her mother. Chang came back to see Jian standing beside an open back door, waiting for her. She avoided eye contact and hurried into her seat she reached up to grab the seatbelt when she felt him grab it first, then lean over her, brushing her slightly as he buckled her in. After securing her in her cane to the other side and told Hao Jin Ying to take them to the private airstrip. "Where are we going?" Chang generally liked surprises but she was starting to get a little impatient. "Someplace special." Jian answered her. Chang pouted with a mulish expression on her face. ''That''s not an answer..'' She complained inwardly. He couldn''t help but chuckle seeing her adorable childish reaction. "Xiao Jing will you be coming with us?" ''"Xiao Jing?"'' Chang thought to herself when did her mother come to know Jian''s personal secretary? "Indeed I shall be going to accompany you Li Hua." "Oh that will be wonderful!" "How do you two know eachother?" Chang piped up from the back. "Xiao Jing has been staying with me for the last 8 months, she''s been helping me with some stuff. Ah''Jian introduced us." "''Ah''Jian?" oh my god that so doesn''t suit him'' Chang snickered to herself hearing that. "What has she been helping you with, why didnt you tell me you needed help with anything?" "Oh the daughter who''s always gallavanting around never taking the time to come visit her dear old mother, that one?" Chang cringed hearing her mother''s mocking airy tone, yep, she deserved that one. Li Hua turned in her seat to look at her daughter, "she''s been helping me with some of the estate stuff your dad left me, it''s all nonsense to me." "Oh." It seemed like a stretch that Jian would send her mother his personal secretary who was like an omnipotent office goddess to help her mother with just some inheritance papers, but then again. He also was the man who literally chased her down on the street halfway across the world. ''I can''t put anything past him.'' After an hour or two they pulled up to the private airstrip where a giant black jet plane sat. Hao Jin Ying gently pulled the car up beside plane. Liang Jian Amal and the ladies quickly ascended from the vehicle and headed towards the plane''s entry steps where a young man waited. He bowed low to Jian and took the car keys from Hao Jin Ying and left without a word. ''How embarrassing! You have to get it together!'' Chang mentally chastised herself. Jian stepped up behind her as the last to enter the plane. "Careful now." "Mm thank you." Chang turned and said with a small smile once inside. Jian was startled and warmly smiled at her causing her heart to flutter in her chest. ''Dam this man for his sinful good looks, he has to be bad for my heart.'' She had been getting used to his constant presence over the last couple days, but his touch was like electricity. ''Not to mention this morning''s scene'', she started to drool inwardly thinking about it. ''Ah at this rate I''ll be as bad as he is!'' Chang shook her head clearing the "bad" thoughts, turned from him, and she went to sit in one of the plush comfortable chairs near her mom and Jin Ying. Liang Jian Amal walked to the cockpit and spoke to the two flight captains who waited inside to let them know they were about ready to take off. He then chose the empty seat next to Chang and captured one of her tiny hands in his. She looked at him with an embarrassed and shocked expression, under her gaze he kissed the back of her hand. Slowly color bled across her face from her cheeks, he loved to do that. She turned away from him and looked across the aisle at the other two women, who conspicuously looked away, offering no help. A flight attendant came out from a small area separating the cabin from the clock pit and closed the hatch. She checked to make sure that everyone was strapped in before, signaling the pilots and strapping herself in. The plane came alive with a loud whirr and soon had warmed up and took to the sky. Chang was glad Jian was holding her hand through takeoff, she hated the sudden dropping sensation in her stomach. He had held her hand last time through takeoff and landing as well. Chang felt warmed looking at the sight of his hand wrapped around hers, he was always there when she needed. Jian leaned over and whispered in her ear, "what are you thinking about?" "Lots of things, like, where are you taking me?" "You really cant be patient and wait?" "No." 37 Paradise IV "Yes, my grandfather''s country, ''Ard rueat la nazir lahat." Jian continued, continuing the last part smoothly. As he spoke he rubbed his thumb across her the back of her hand. They were almost at cruising altitude and the worst of the plummeting feeling in her stomach was over. Chang had no idea what he had just said but it sounded pretty, his hand was distracting her. "Ard rue-ey ought what?" She coughed, embarrassed,she knew she had butchered it but wanted to know how to pronounce it correctly.. "''Ard rueat la nazir lahat. Lahat for short." Jian pronounced the name out slower for her this time so she could grasp it. He then put his other hand on her chin and gave her a kiss on her cheek before settling back in his seat looking pleased with himself. "What was that for?" Chang cupped her hand to the warm spot on her cheek, trying to control her blush. "Do I need a reason?" He gave a cheeky grin and she lost the battle against herself. He chuckled seeing her look down trying to avoid his gaze. As soon as they reached cruising altitude, Jian released her hand and unbuckled both their belts to pull Chang over onto his lap. "Hey!" she protested lightly, "my mom is right there!" "So?" He mumbled against her forehead while stroking a hand along the side of her shoulder "What do you mean so? let me go!" She kept her voice lower, both her mom and Jin Ying were sitting just on the other side of the aisle. "Shhhhh just stay still, let me hold you and sleep for awhile." "Didn''t you sleep last night?" "No, I was too busy watching you." *cough*'' god what does one say to that?!'' "We''ve got a long way to go. There is a private bedroom in the back, we could go there if here isn''t fine." He inflected the end of the sentence as if it was a question he was leaving up to her. "Here is fine." Chang replied quickly and lay her head against his shoulder obediently. ''Truth be told this feels really nice, embarrassing.'' The warm feeling bubbled up in her chest again and rubbed her head a little against his shoulder. ''Here is more than fine.'' Li Hua watches the interactions between the two with a smile on her face. A couple of times she had to look away as Jian she was coming to find was very passionate about her daughter. As they were ascending, she felt splitting pain resonate through her skull as if someone had stabbed her. It instantly brought sweat to her face and she fell back against her seat, spine rigid, as the migraine came on. Li Hua put her right hand over her mouth to cover any noise she made from the pain. Jin Ying instantly reached under her seat and pulled out her bag she''d stored under it. She reached into and pulled out a small medical case she had brought with her. She turned her back to across the aisle helping to block the view and grabbed Li Hua''s left arm. Quickly and efficiently Jin Ying tied a band above the older woman''s elbow and lightly tapped the vein in the inside crook. She grabbed a fresh sterile needle from a package before filling it with a clear liquid in a vile in the kit. Without wasting a movement Jin Ying slowly inserted the needle and slowly presses down on the hammer, gradually releasing the medicine into Li Hua''s system. It took less than a minute for her to do all that, but already Li Hua had become ashen from the pain intensity, it took mere seconds for it to take effect, Li Hua sighed in relief when it did. Jin Ying quickly drew out the needle, placeing it in a sealed bag, and applied a small gauze pad. Holding the pad with her left hand she dexterously untied the band with her right, storing it back into the medical case, which she dropped back into her bag. Jin Ying then placed her right hand over the gauze, acting as if the two women were merely deeply immersed in a conversation. Jin Ying was worried, the attacks were coming much more frequently and were becoming more severe. She leaned closer and whispered to Li Hua, are you sure you want this to be kept hidden from Chang?" Li Hua wearily opened her eyes and adjusted herself to see her daughter cuddling in her husband''s arms, she couldn''t see Chang''s face, but she could see the look of blissful tranquility on Jian''s as he held her. "Yes, she will find out soon enough, for now I just want to see her smile and be happy." She smiled bitterly as tear rolled down her cheek. 38 Paradise V ''There''s definitely going to be more of that'' he thought to himself with a wicked grin, ''and I cant have her running to the hills or into a bathroom every time. You''re mine.'' Chang was lulled into sleep with the warmth and his presence, also knowing her mother was safe with her she truly relaxed and let go of the anxiety she held in her sleep. As she slept Jian kept watch over her, he looked to his right though and saw that something seemed off about the two women sitting on the other side of the aisle. Hao Jin Ying''s posture was rather rigid with her back turned as if she was conversing with Li Hua, if not for her unnatural posture, he would believe it. "What''s wrong?" he whispered. Hao Jin Ying turned to Liang Jian Amal, uncertainty showing in her eyes as she shot a brief glance at Chang curled up in his arms. "She''s asleep. Tell me." "Li Hua had another attack. They''re getting worse and more frequent. I fear she might not have much longer, her eyes dropped after saying this and her voice broke. Hao Jin Ying had been assigned to caretake Li Hua after her boss had learned of her lady boss''s mother''s predicament. Over the months of living with Li Hua and coming to know her Hao Jin Ying had grown attached to the middle aged woman. She had done her best, but feared it wouldn''t be good enough, Li Hua refused to do certain things. Liang Jian Amal''s expression grew troubled hearing this. He had known it was getting worse from the reports he received, and from receiving notice that Li Hua had collapsed after a seizure and was hospitalized. ''How do we tell Chang?'' He worried about this issue, it had been one of the driving forces in finding her, he needed to bring her to her mother''s side. Now that they were heading to his grandfather''s country they would have access to the best private treatment for Li Hua, he would do whatever was in his means for her. Chang still needed her. Liang Jian Amal looked at the woman sleeping peacefully in his arms, unaware of the sadness surrounding her. "How is Li Hua now?" "She is sleeping, I gave her something for the pain, she passed out shortly after." "Hmm, thank you for your service." He motioned to the flight attendant who awaited any commands on the sidelines. " Bring her a pillow and a blanket." Mother and daughter happily chatted away, Chang told her mother all about LA, and living with Justin, her friend she had met down there. "That''s wonderful, Xiao Xie, but what made you move to LA?" Chang coughed, ''so we come to this.'' A pair of ears tuned into the conversation, curious for the truth as well. "Well I came to a wrong conclusion, that Jian and I weren''t meant to be together, and so I left." "Why didn''t you just come home?" ''Could you make this any harder mom?!'' Chang sweated. "I wanted to just try to start afresh somewhere new for awhile." "How did you get to LA with none knowing?" Her mother leaned closer and whispered to her. Chang saw her conspiratorial nature and responded in turn. She leaned closer, "I had help from a friend of Jian''s father." "Who?" "You promise to keep it secret?" "Pinky swear." Her mother extended her finger just like they used to when Chang was very little. "His father''s right hand man made all the arrangements for my travel to LA, and money to survive on after I ment with Jian''s father." "Why would he do that." "Jian''s father doesn''t approve of us." Chang looked down, this pricked her heart a bit to know she had been so thoroughly misled. "He doesn''t think I''m worthy." "Not worthy of my Xiao Xie!?" Her mother''s tone raised incredulous hearing this. "Shh shh" Chang put her finger to her lips and motioned for her mother to lower her voice. She didn''t want Jian to overhear their conversation. "Sorry, but that''s absolute bulls**t!" Li Hua swore startling Chang, her mother almost never swore. She could count on one hand the number of times she had heard her mother use profanities. Chang didn''t have a response and Li Hua eventually settled her ruffled feathers. "Well at least my son-in-law seems to be cut from a different cloth. Please tell me. How did you two meet?" Chang smiled and told her mom. Of course omitting some of the details such as her being drunk as a skunk, her mother didn''t need to know those things, she would never hear the end of it! Chang sweated weaving the details making it so that Jian and her met at a business meeting, and he proposed to her right after and she agreed. 39 Paradise VI /Wicked Ways Part 2! "Are you sure?" Her mother raised an eyebrow at her. Chang had never been great at lying, she always got too nervous and was unable to hold her composure, she was doing her utmost. Trying to keep a saleswoman smile on her face Chang denied it again, but more gracefully this time. She reached forward and grabbed a glass if water that sat in the tray in front of her the stewardess had brought. As she took a sip her mother asked a completely unexpected question. "Soo was it about sex then?" Chang spit up some of the water she was drinking and started choking coughing. ''What kind of a fucking question was that mom!!?'' Hearing her sputtering Jian came over and kneeled beside her chair and patted on her back. Chang finally got her breath after about a minute and gave her mother an embarrassed glare. "No mom!" "What are you ladies discussing?" Jian asked innocently, despite knowing. "I was only asking her about her marriage, ahh, but she''s so bashful just about this topic that I fear I will never see grandchildren!" Li Hua complained to Jian. She then turned back to Chang who sat rigidly digging her nails into her palm. Li Hua decided to have a little mercy on her daughter who she knew was quickly reaching her boiling point. "Jian why don''t you tell me about it, what made you propose to my daughter out of the blue like that?" She already knew the answer to this but she wanted Chang to hear this as she probably had not. "So it was last summer on my 25th birthday, and my father and I had reached what you could call an impasse." Jian''s warm voice reverberated by beside Chang as he reminisced. "I had to marry that night and he had set me up with several various women that he considered suitable. I was to choose from one of those women and sign a marriage contract that night." Chang bristled slightly, he had told her this before, after they had signed, during the month before she left. It still didnt mean that it did not bother her though, especially the word "suitable." "So I was sitting in the establishment with them, trying to make my decision when I heard an angel singing." Lian Jian Amal cast a side glance at Chang to see her blush he as heard his words, her scowl disappearing. " So of course I had to go investigate." "Of course of course, so then what happened, was that my Xiao Xie?" Chang blushed an even deeper shade hearing that, ''how can a dignified grown man say that!'' Hao Jin Ying on the sidelines burned as well, how could her boss be saying such things, she truly had no idea who this person was anymore! "Ah that is so sweet! You hear that!" ''How could I not have, hes right next to me!'' Chang yelled internally. His words were hitting her right in the center of her chest breaking down her reservations. "Ah so then what happened." "Well I waited until she left the group and then I approached her. I rehearsed this while speech in my head, I knew I had to try asking her at least. Little would I have guessed that she would agree so passionately!" ''Ah god is he gonna tell her about that too!'' Chang knew there would be no avoiding this topic her mother was like a dog with a bone in its mouth, she wouldn''t let go until she was satiated knowing everything. "Passionately? Oh tell me more." Li Hua''s eyes shined, this was new news for her. "Oh yes, she agreed, on the spot, no questions asked, I guess I was just too charming for my own good! Because she then turned to the room of her former associates and announced that she was quitting, just like that, then kissed me in front of everyone." Chang put her hand over her face remembering that. She had grabbed him by his lapels, surprising him and planted a kiss on his face, her first, after casually announcing her retirement to the married life. The two of them had joked about it once or twice in private, she never thought he would tell her mother, how mortifying. These two were cut from the same wicked cloth, always bullying her! 40 Paradise VII "So mom how did you meet Jian, I never told you about him." Chang casually probed her mom unaware of the man who narrowed his eyes at her at her words. Liang Jian Amal was irritated hearing her mention this, it had caused him some trouble due to her omission of the truth. "Ahaha glad you brought that up!" Her mother''s eyes became crescents as she laughed. Chang glanced briefly at Jian after her mom laughed. Dark eyes that had been probing her face captured her eyes as she turned to him. His gaze darkened sucking her in. She immediately darted her eyes away before she lost herself. ''No no, dont let him seduce you right now!'' Liang Jian Amal was pleased with her reaction and it slightly improved his mood from being at the mercy of his mother-in-law. It was worth it for her. He continued to kneel down by her side, joining the discussion without leaving Chang''s side. He nonchalantly put one of his hands on Chang''s bare knee where the dress had exposed it, leaning his forearm across her lower thigh. "So it was around Setember of last year when I first met Jian, he came to the house looking for you. He said he was your coworker and was here to deliver some paper work for you. I thought nothing of it and told him that you were away on a business trip and would be back in a few weeks. Well a few weeks went by and he came over again for you. The second time I was definitely more suspicious, why would someone who works in the same company as you be looking for you. Would they not know where one of their own employees is? Jian conducted himself like a nice young man, but I found myself starting to worry that you may have been in trouble of some kind. As well as thinking that he may not be who he said he was. I told him to come back in two days, that I had received word from you. I started to suspect that maybe he had done something bad to you or you were hiding from him, because he was trying to hurt you." Li Hua sighed supporting her chin with her hand. "So I did what any semi-reasonable mama bear would have done." Chang saw that Jian was tightly pursing his lips from the corner of her eye. "So what did you do, mom?" "I set a trap." "A trap? What did you do?" Li Hua''s eyes got more animated as she continued her story. "So the next day, around mid-morning he came again. I planned to make him talk and tell me everything I wanted to know! I welcomed him inside and told him that you would be there in about a half hour to an hour, due to traffic. He asked if it would be alright if he stayed and waited for you. I of course told him yes and served him tea to make him off guard. I tried lightly probing, asking how he knew you, where he worked and stuff, but I didnt get any answers. I started to become even more sure that he was someone trying to find you and hurt you. So I went into the kitchen to prepare "lunch" for when you arrived. I took a glass and threw it on the ground once in the kitchen and armed myself with my trusted wok. I crouched behind the counter and i waited for him to come to the sound." Chang was astonished hearing her mom''s story. "So then what happened?" "Jian why dont you fill in some of the story from your side." 41 Paradise VIII "Heh. Tell me about it." Chang couldn''t help giggling at that and seeing his putoff expression. Li Hua closed her eyes and lifted her chin proudly smiling tightly at the two of them. "Under duress I told her that I was your husband, that I was just looking for you as we were in the middle of a dispute. Your mother didnt believe me at all, eventually I was able to convince her though, thankfully. I brought Hao Jin Ying over to America with me and had her attend your mother, for whatever she might need. As the two are fairly close in age they hit it off quite well and Hao Jin Ying has been more of a companion for her while you have been gone." Hao Jin Ying heard that and wanted to complain, she had been working so hard over the past year, and certain things couldn''t be told to Chang as of yet. Also what did her boss mean by close in age she was almost ten years younger than Li Hua! How rude! Chang averted her eyes, guilty. Jian''s concern overwhelmed her a little, ''wow I cant believe he went through so much for me.'' She gazed into Jian''s eyes with a new light in her eyes. Jian gazed into hers deeply and she found herself drawn to him closing her eyes as she kissed him lightly. Liang Jian Amal was surprised this had been the first time while sober she had initiated a kiss between the two of them. It was only for a brief moment as she felt he was not kissing her back, Chang came to herself, and she pulled away suddenly. She put a hand over her lips remembering the soft warm touch of his to herself. Liang Jian Amal shared a look with Li Hua, the last part of the story had not been entirely true, and he was glad she had bought it. "So as you can see, you may need to learn to help defend your husbabd." Li Hua piped in teasingly. Chang knew for a fact that Jian was highly skilled in martial arts, as well as being an expert marksman. She had never seen him with a weapon but had seen the way he brutalized the two thugs in the alleyway. She in fact could learn a thing or two from him, even with a few years of jujitsu under her belt. "Uh mom, I dont think sneak attacks exactly count, that''s kinda the whole point about them, you''re surprising them with an attack. Plus cast iron versus human flesh is a cheat in and of itself, you''re lucky you didnt really hurt him." Chang chided her mother lightly. "It''s fine, it was just some bruising that faded away soon enough. Though I''m glad that you''re concerned for me. He took her left hand and lightly pressed her knuckles to his lips. Chang felt her heart flutter a bit but was able to keep her composure. She looked at her right hand held by her mother, and her left in Jian''s and felt at peace. After chatting with her mother for a little while longer she reswitched seats with Hao Jin Ying, and sitting beside Jian, watched a movie together to help pass the remaining several hours of the journey. After a couple she found herself falling asleep again with her head leaning on his shoulder and his right arm wrapped around hers. ''I must be becoming a pig..'' Were her last thoughts before she drifted off. 42 Paradise IX She was still curled up in her seat, but the blanket had partially slid off of her as she sat, drowsily rubbing her eyes with a hand. "Go back to sleep love, it has been a long journey." Jian scooped her up into his arms with the blanket, smiling tenderly at her soft form. "No I dont wanna." Chang pouted and mumbled before falling back asleep. Jian chuckled hearing her tiny petulant voice and pressed his lips to her smooth forehead before carrying her out. -- Chang felt warm rays of sunshine tickling her face as she woke up dazed and confused. Instantly she had to put a hand to her face as a strong beam of sunlight blinded her. She adjusted herself and eventually opened them again to take in ther surroundings. She was sitting in a bright room, alone on a large bed that was near a large white walls that had been cut into revealing a detailed design of flowers and lilies, the light shone through the design lighting up an expansive room. Overhead there was a large chandelier in the shape of a globe she presumed was made of crystal, the whole expanse of the ceiling tiled in varying shades of turquoise, dying the white walls with hints of blue. The room was massive but mostly featured empty space beside the bed and a few larger potted plants that looked like lacy palms. Chang got up to explore her surrounding and find a room to relieve herself. She soon found the bathroom to her right, an equally expansive room with another door inside. After relieving herself she opened the door to find a large bathing room with a large spa tub bigger than her bed back home. She was absolutely shocked by the opulence. The room was tiled on all four sides even across the doorway, so that when it closed, it would seems as if you were in a tropical forest. There were very high walls inside the room, close to the ceiling the walls were cut through with geometric patterns that let the light in. The smell of jasmine and orange blossoms hit Chang with the breeze as she stepped out into the warm sunshine. It was a fairly substantial courtyard garden surrounded by walls on all sides. Lining the walls were large trees some of which were blooming large scarlet plumes brightening the dark green border. A myriad of other plants filled in the space between the trees and a tan gravel walking path which surrounded a pool. The only ones she recognized were some roses closest to the edge, blooming in several shades of peach, red, and purple. A long rectangular pool was about ten feet in front of her, placed as a center piece around 20 feet long and 5 feet wide. Here and there water lilies were blooming along the surface in shades of pinks and yellows. In the center a pump pushed the water up into a small fountain shaped like lily pads, created a soft burbling, lapping sound as it cascaded, from pad to pad, and back to the water. Chang had her breath taken by the stunning sight and found herself drawing near to the water. As she leaned closer she realized there were gold fish in the water. She kneeled down and couldn''t resist putting her fingers to the water, which was fairly warm to the touch. Chang giggled as the fish came to nibble on the edge of her fingertips, looking for a snack. As she was sitting by the waters edge she noticed a silhouette on the water''s edge near her that she had not seen before. Chang was shocked and drew back to see a large older man dressed in a white robe and pants with a gold trim on the edges. He had his hands clasped firmly behind his back as he looked down his large hooked nose at her. His expression was firm and his black eyes unreadable. He had a white turban wrapped which cast a shadow on his eyes further hooding them. Chang was shocked momentarily, then remembered her manners and introduced herself respectively as her mother had taught her when she was younger. She stood and straightened her spine before clasping her hands together at her thighs and gave a slight bow as she introduced herself. As she lowered she felt a hand come to her shoulder and straighten her back up. Chang was confused and looked at the older man, who stared back at her. Chang grew very uncomfortable at this, ''What do I do? Who is this guy?'' "Um excuse me, my name is Chang Dumont, do you know where I might find my husband Jian?" Chang was slightly embarrassed saying the word husband but she didnt know what to do, she didnt know this place. 43 Paradise X ''What a strange old guy, I should probably get away from him and go find Jian and my mom myself.'' Chang started to pull away and found her shoulder was tightly gripped my the older man preventing her from leaving as he studied her face carefully. "Um excuse me please let me go, I have to find somebody." Chang reached her hands up to pry the old man''s hand off of hers seeing as he didnt give any response to her words. She was starting to lose her patience a bit. ''Where the hell is Jian when I need him.'' The old man refused to let her go and held onto her tighter as he started to smile mischievously at her. "But you have already found someone, why would you have need of another?" The man spoke in a gravelly heavily accented voice. ''What a weird response. Hey at least he speaks English, I thought he couldn''t understand me at first! "Uh, I''m sorry, but you''re not who I''m looking for, I''m looking for my husband, Liang Jian Amal, do you know him possibly." "I do, indeed." The man removed his hawkish gaze from her face turning as he released her shoulder, reclasping his hands behind his back. Despite his age appearance of around 60 he stood tall and firm, unbent by the years. He began to stride away slowly, leisurely. Chang immediately set off on his heel. " Well do you think you could take me to him, please?" The man stoked his bearded chin, contemplating before turning to face her. "Hmm. No." If he hadn''t irritated her before, he had now. Chang stomped in front of the man stopping him in his tracks. "Well can you tell me where I might find him, I''ll do it myself!" The older man looked at her with an amused expression. "Now why should I do that?" ''First he stops me, touches me and refuses to let me go, now ignores me and blows me off!! What an asshole!'' Chang felt her face sour as she stared at the old man. "Fine, I dont need your help, I''ll find him myself!" She started to storm off when she heard a mocking tone call after her. "Well, let''s see if you can! Good luck then little girl with the big temper!" ''Temper! If he wanted to see temper she would show him!'' Chang turned and made an extremely rude gesture with both her hands, while sticking out her tongue, her eyes squeezed shut. She then turned and ran back from where she came, closing the hidden doorway as she did. She had been in a wonderful mood before he had shown up surrounded by the exotic beauty. Chang went through the doorway she hadn''t gone through before and found herself in a long tiled walkway. Mosaics covered the walls which sloped down to gracefully meet pillars here and there, creating conclaves, which trapped and echoed the sounds of her footsteps. It felt like an ancient sacred space and Chang found herself walking as quietly as possible through the large space to the large doorway on the other side. Carvings in stone of flowers and what looked like antelope surrounded the doorway. She found herself staring at the exquisite stone work, as it almost seemed alive. Eventually she tore herself away and opened the door to a large open air courtyard, that was shaded above. A large circular table sat in the center and to Chang''s relief she saw her mother seated with Jin Ying enjoying breakfast. She didn''t see Jian anywhere, but at least she found half the party she was searching for. Li Hua saw her daughter and beckoned her to come join them. "Good morning little log! Why dont you come join us for some breakfast." Chang hurried and sat beside her mother, a maid came from the side where Chang had not seen her, and placed before her an empty plate and bowl and silverware. Her mother scooped her up a bowl of mixed fruit from the center of the table and placed it before Chang before she could say she wasn''t hungry. Chang knew there was no arguing with her mother at times though and dutifully began to munch under her watchful eye. After she had pleased her mother with a few mouthfuls she dared to speak and ask where Jian was. He actually just left to go find his grandfather to introduce us, I think he went to check to see if you were still sleeping as well.. 44 Foot in Mouth Syndrome "It''s you!!" "Dont point at people, that''s rude." Li Hua calmly pulled Changs finger away from it target. "You dont understand this guy was really weird with me just a minute ago." Jian gave a sharp look at the man next to him and questioned Chang. "What do you mean by he was weird with you?" The man next to Jian began to laugh laudily at this, echoing throughout the small room. "My you have quite the temper young lady, you might even have given my daughter a good run for her money." Chang felt like a deflated balloon hearing him laughing at her actions. "I merely meant to tease you a little, I did not think that you would rush off in a huff so quickly. You''ll forever be at my grandson''s mercy if you''re so easily swayed with your emotions." Chang blushed, hearing his words then it processed, ''grandson.'' "Wait, grandson?" "Mm." Jian nodded and answered her. "Chang this is my grandfather, Hakim Al-hassan. Jid1 this is my lovely wife Chang Dumont." Hakim strode forward removing a hand from his back, took Chang''s hand that had been falling and planted a light ticklish peck on the back of it. "Charmed." He replied in his gravelly accented voice. His eyes twinkled as he gave Chang a wink, his whole demeanor completely different from when she first met him. Chang blushed and looked away embarrased. ''Me and big mouth, I cant believe I fingered at Jian''s grandpa to "shove it." Liang Jian Amal scowled seeing his Jid trying to seduce his woman and took her hand from him. Liang Jian Amal wrapped Chang in his arms protectively and stared hawkishly down at his Jid. He shook his head at the old man warning him not to do that again. Hakim Al-hassan scowled up at his hafid2, there was no reason for him to act so possessivly, they were family! After all his taste would lie more in the graceful beauty seated at the table wearing light lilac qipao. Li Hua commented innocently from the side to Hao Jin Ying. "Oh my is it just me, or is it starting to stink like vinegar in here?" Hao Jin Ying was unable to respond to this, but Chang understood what her mother meant and giggled nestled in Jian''s arms, her face pressed against his chest. The big man sighed and looked down, his pertubance gone instantly. He released her slightly so that he could see her face clearly, ignoring his Jid. "Did you sleep well?" "Yeah, I did, it''s so beautiful here it''s almost unreal, the room I''m in is absolutely magnificent. Oh and the gardens!" Liang Jian Amal found himself grinning at her shining face. "I''m glad you love it so far, this is only the tip though. There''s much more for me to show you. Today I''m going to take you around the palace grounds and into the capital city Muzdahir." "Sweet, I''m ready let''s go! Mom, are you coming with us?" "Hold on a moment wouldn''t you like to clean yourself and change out of what you were wearing yesterday?" Chang was so excited that she did not think about initially, but the idea appealed to her greatly. "Actually yes, but I dont have anything to change into, besides the bag of my other already worn clothes." "Already taken care of, I will show you where. It will be just me and you today, your mother expressed a wish to explore the gardens with my Jid." "Oh, ok." Chang kissed her mom on the cheek and waved goodbye to Hao Jin Ying. As she passes by Hakim she wondered how she should say goodbye, he was technically her grandfather now and a handshake seemed a but too formal, and a wave wasn''t quite appropriate either. Chang eventually came to a decision. She then gave him a kiss on the cheek and addressed him as Jian did. "Bye bye Jid!" Chang rushed off to the direction of the bedroom where she came, from figuring that would be where stuff would be. 45 Amira Liang Jian Amal looked in the room that had once been his mother''s favorite, straight ahead lay the garden she had loved. Closer to the intricate relief than the center of the room was the bed, cut as a niche into the wall; where he had placed Chang early this morning. The covers were still disturbed from her. To the door to the right and saw that it was open, and hesaw that she had already found the restroom. He looked to the other side but found that she had not found the hidden doorway on the opposite wall. There was only a faint shadow showing that it was there though, if you weren''t looking for it, you wouldn''t find it along the expansive smooth white wall with the blush of blue from overhead. He reached out and smoothly pushed open the door to what was once Amira''s sleeping and dressing quarters. Though he had been told by his grandfather that she had generally only used the one that he had laid Chang to rest on, that she had loved to be near to her garden. The first room was a sitting room with a chandelier and several skylights that lit up the room brightly. It was opulently furnished with a large intricate cream colored rug with a massive flower mosaic woven across it in deep burgundy and gold and emerald. The walls were painted a deep gold while the several plush chairs and couches and chaise lounges were a dark crimson, standing out in contrast. A few glass table with ornate delicate metal legs sat here and there near the sitting furniture. Against the walls were several huge mahogany bookshelves filled with books. Chang would have loved to stay to explore more but Jian led her further inside to another doorway on the opposing wall. Inside was Amira''s bedchamber was a large plush bed furthest from the doorway, a large mirrored vanity sat near it and several wardrobes, that presumed would hold the clothing, were lining the long wall to Chang''s right. "My mother." He answered as if reading her thoughts. "She''s beautiful." He gave her a small smile, "was." Chang knew that his mother had died, but realized she had never probed further into the matter. There was much she did not know about Jian, and she wanted to know more. "What happened to her?" Chang searched inside to find a way to broach the topic. "I told you that she passed away long ago, but I guess I never really told you too much about her or where she came from, did I?" "No, can you tell me about her a little?" "I can only tell you what I know of her from what I''ve learned from my Jid, and my two uncles. My father very rarely spoke of her. She was the youngest child of my Jid, his only daughter after 3 boys. She was spoiled to no end by my Jid as a result and was far bolder than any other women, and would even go so far as to beat up her three older brothers. When my father came to visit the Republic of Lahat, to initiate a business deal as reward for a service he did for my Jid, she fell for him. Not that I could see what she ever saw in him. My father completed the business deal establishing Liang International, but was also forced to marry my mother as a condition that was added. 46 Amiras Presence Liang Jian Amal looked down and saw her hurt expression, her eyes brimming with tears. "Don''t cry, please, it''s all right. There''s no need to cry." "I''m not crying, my heart just hurt for you." Chang turned her head away stubbornly refusing to let the tears out. Liang Jian Amal reached out and took her chin between his finger and place a light kiss between her furrowed brows. "Thank you." She tilted her chin up looking at him with her eyes swimming. He couldn''t resist the sight and took her lips with his, his hands cupped her face, his fingers glided over her ears to entangle themselves in her hair. He felt her respond to his kisses and deepened it further, exploring her open mouth with his tongue before meeting hers. Chang felt herself becoming dizzy from the lack of oxygen, but didnt want him to stop. Everytime he kissed and touched her, it felt like something would shift inside her. It made her uncomfortable at first, but the more he did it, she found herself not only accepting it, but she started to crave his touch. Chang lost herself in his kiss and began to reciprocate as passionately. The hand that had been on her chest reached for his, clutching at it desperately, pulling him closer. His hands tangling in her hair and his kiss made her feel as if she would forget everything, but she did not care. She helplessly moaned against his mouth, as she melted in his embrace. She felt herself slipping down though as her knees gave out as she was unable to draw breath. Jian caught her before she fell, chuckling at the sight of her winded expression. He helped hold her up until her legs began to stabilize. Chang slowly felt he face redden as she thought of how easily she let him have his way with her. The old man was right, she would be at this mans mercy, if she let her emotions sway her so easily! "Uh I should go clean myself up", forgetting her original mission to get a change of clothes, Chang raced to the bathroom, away from him. Chang stood in the bathroom flabbergasted at just how large the bathtub was, ''was that really necessary?'' "If you feel it''s too big, we could always get in together." A melodious voice drifted in behind her. Jian stood holding a bundle of clothing in his arms smirking at her. "Absolutely not!" Chang cried out in embarrasment. "Well you may say that now, but if you change your mind..." "No, get out!" She stood with her fists clenched at her side, waiting until he left, closing the door behind him, then started to undress. She quickly bathed herself without fully filling the tub with warm water. She dried herself off with a towel that sat folded in a stack nearby before approaching the clothes. She put on the panties first but couldn''t find a bra, the closest she could find was a white slip that was slightly fitted around the chest. Once she put it on though it was tighter than it looked and hung to her knees. A deep red long shirt with gold embroidery of lilies near the collar and the wide sleeves that came almost to her elbow. A pair of loose dark red pants were with it as well as a long golden sash with a warping in the center, making it unsmooth. Chang looked at the piece of long golden cloth several times trying to figure out how to wear it before tying it around her waist like a belt. She towel dried her hair lazily before coming out, ready to explore Lahat. 47 Lets Do Somethin Fun "You''re not supposed to wrap that around your waist like that, though it does look on you." He reached out and untied the simple knot she made in the front, and removed the sash and set it on the bed. He patted on the bed to have her sit there, which she did obediantly. "First let''s do something about your hair, if it gets any more tangled you may never be able to get it undone, especially with what I have planned for today." He grabbed a wide comb from the bed that he had brought from his mother''s chamber with the clothes. He patiently detangle her long curly hair, then separated into three parts. He dexterously braided her long hair and tied the end with a small leather thong. He took the deep gold hijab1 and placed it on her head tucking one of the ends over the opposite shoulder. "This is how you wear this. We only really need this when traveling through the city. One of the customs of the area, it will help keep unwanted eyes off of you." He explained as he adjusted it on her head. "There, did you get enough to eat earlier?" Chang nodded her head eagerly ready, to explore, her curiosity firing her up. "Then let''s head out." -- Chang looked up at the massive animal with u uncertainty in her eyes. "I dont know if I can do this." "You can, dont be afraid, you''ll love it." Liang JianAmal took her hand and and made her stroke the side of the neck of the cream cream colored Paso Fino1 mare in front of her. The mare knickered lightly and bobbed her head agreeably. He had chosen the most docile and even tempered amongst the horses that would be easier for a first time rider. The saddle too was designed for the comfort of an inexperienced rider. "Now put your left foot in the stirrup", he pointed as he coached her. "Now swing your right leg up and over to the other side of the horse." As she did he kept his hands on her waist, helping to stabilize her. She nervously gripped the pommel of the saddle in front of her, stiff as a board. "Relax, just let your hips roll with the movement, and keep your head straight." "I feel like I''m going to fall this doesn''t feel right, I want down." The stallion stood tall and proud his black tail held high showing off his spirited demeanor. He was familiar with the sire of the stallion he now rode, who had been wild and reckless horse, it seemed the two year-old colt may be even more highspirited. He had even been named ''Zawbiae'' the whirlwind or tornado. Once mounted on his stallion he took the bridle of Changs horse, he looked at her and asked if she was ready. She nodded and he led them out of the paddock and down off the plateau the palace sat on and into Muzdahir, the Capitol city and where the majority of the populace lived. The smells of cooking, food, fish, animals and spices, as well as the sound hit them long before they completed the twenty minute ride down. --- 48 A Myriad of Sensations Most of the men and women she saw in the market wore something on their head, either caps, turbans, or shawls like Chang had, though some did not, it seemed to be at their discretion, but most chose to. Sitting on the horse though almost all eyes were drawn to them, and Chang was glad to have something to help hide her face. It was embarrassing having so many people stare at her. The market stalls continued for quite a ways before they came to a giant open area where people gathered dancing to the music, several musicians played on the side. The women in their bright clothing looked like flowers as their skirts and long tunics would whirl around them as they spun in their dance. Chang would have loved to stop and watch the intricate movements as people wove in and out of a circle that twisted and inverted on itself with the dance, Jian kept leading them on skirting the dancers, so as not to interrupt the festivities. As they passed by a few folks who were closest to them lightly bowed their heads saying a few words as they did. "Selamlar effendi." "Privet gospodin." "Tahiat tayiba." After they passed through the open area they continued down a dirt road lined with houses that grew smaller and more simple as they continued along. "Jian." Jian slowed down his horse to walk side by side with hers as they had passed the most crowded area already. "Yes." "What were those people saying to you?" "They were just greeting us." "But there was so many different ways they said that." "There are three main languages spoke. in the Republic of Lahat, Arabic, Russian, and Turkish as well as several others." "So many, why is that?" Chang was astonished hearing that, she had no idea that the country had such a rich background. "How did your grandfather create Lahat?" "It started with an inheritance of land passed down for generations. My Jid was the youngest of five brothers and as such was given what was considered the least desirable piece of land when his generation came to inherit the land trust. A long swathe of dried badlands and deserted area to the south east of here, that was considered completely inhabitable and worthless to his older brothers. Jid refused to give up like that and was determined to find the value, he refused to believe that his ancestors would pass on something deemed "useless." How right he was. He explored his land everyday, surveying it, learning about it every day, looking for its value. As he walked along the area he literally stumbled into the thing that changed his life, and created Lahat as we know it." -- 49 The Foundations Of Today After what seemed the machine slowly ejected her. Li Hua lay there unmovingly on the table in her long hospital gown, awaiting the retelling the inevitable. Hao Jin Ying grew worried seeing Li Hua laying unmoving and rushed in to the sealed chamber that held the tiny woman laying in the giant machine''s maw. When she saw that Li Hua was breathing evenly she relaxed and helped assist Li Hua in sitting up. It had been several months since the last time Li Hua had been scanned and she herself found herself apprehensively awaiting what the scan said. Hao Jin Ying hoped for maybe some sliver of hope, she knew as she had seen Li Hua''s deteriorating condition over the last 10 months. The two woman clasped their hands together, supporting each other as the doctor discussed a few things with Hakim Al-hassan, who was still in the computer room, before coming into the room bearing a stoic professional face that gave nothing away. The doctor pulled on a monitor that was connected to the MRI, on it was a 3D image of LiHua''s brain. Near the base of her skull underneath her cerebellum was a large warped image with tendrils reaching out menacingly towards the brain, some longer than others. In the center of the warping was a blackish-grey spot about the size of a quater. Hao Jin Ying''s face grew ashen seeing the image, squeezing LiHua''s hands tighter, it was worse than she feared, it was growing rapidly. Li Hua in comparison maintained a straight face as if it was someone else completely unrelated or attached to. "Please speak plainly Doctor." She requested calmly. ---- "What do you mean he stumbled into it?" "Exactly that." Jian replied to her with a smile. "He literally fell into a hole while exploring one day and found a natural gold deposit. Thankfully he was unhurt from the fall as he had been alone. Jid left and came back the next day with the necessary tools to take his fortune from the stones." "He literally created a whole country from just one gold mine?" "That was only the beginning, he bought his next older brother''s share with the gold he had mined in that day and gained the large forested area to the North and Northeast. At the time he did not make use of the land, though later the great river that runs through there was harnessed for hydroelectric power. Jid secretly had a few of his friends help him mine the gold and explore more of his inherited land, mining in search of more gold. Which they did, black gold." "Crude Oil." Jian clarified. "Once they came upon the vein, things changed quickly. He bought the coastline that held the capitol and seaports to transport the oil and sell. After that it was the fertile valley farmlands that continue out further to the west." He pointed out the direction as he described the process, as if it were something cut and dry, and not the founding of a country. "So where are we going today? Are we going somewhere far that we need to be on horseback for?" 50 What Comes After Regre "Ms. Dumont, I regret to inform you that you have a grade IV astrocytoma originating in your spinal cord that has aggressively spread to your brainstem, and is reaching towards your cerebellum. Due to the location and nature of cytoma surgical removal is not possible. we can however perform a fe measures to help delay the growth rate as well as ease with your daily comfort." "How long?" Li Hua asked the man in the white suit calmly explaining her death. "Without treatment a few weeks at most, with twelve weeks or so." ''Such a short amount of time. You never really were the patient type were you H¨¦nri?'' Li Hua reflected hearing that. "We can offer treatment through nutrition, radiation, or through chemotherapy-" "No chemotherapy, when I die, I will die as myself not a pale shade. I dont want to leave that as the last image in my daughter''s eyes" "The chemotherapy treatment would be more for treatment of your symptoms." "Hao Jin Ying has been providing excellent palliative care without the use of such things. I have also been injected with a dendetric cell vaccine to help boost my own body''s defenses against the cancer''s growth. I was originally diagnosed in 2016." "Really?" The doctor turned to look at the woman sitting beside Li Hua with an appraising look. " I should confer with Ms. Hao about the things she has done while as your Personal Care physician for medical purposes." "The only thing that we would be able to provide then would be radiation treatment. In particular IMRD, which would target just the areas of the tumor. It would be noninvasive and will help to slow the progression of the growth as well as alleviate some of the symptoms through targeted degradation of the tumor." Li Hua nodded woodenly holding Hao Jin Ying''s hand as if it were a lifeline keeping her from drowning. "If I were to have sought treatment right after I was diagnosed, would I might have.." Li Hua couldn''t help finding herself asking. The doctor''s look softened hearing her trailed off question. He shook his head slowly, " it would only have prolonged it by a few years or so." "I see. Thank you doctor." Li Hua thanked the doctor with a face devoid of any emotion. "If you would like we could begin the first treatment later today or tomorrow if you would like." "I think I would like to clear my head for the rest of the day, and spend the day tomorrow with my daughter and son-in-law. I have so few left.." Her voice became inaudible to the doctor at the last part, but not to Hao Jin Ying who sat beside her. 51 Warmth After riding for around an hour or so though hilly open country, after leaving the farmland that surrounded the city, they had traveled through a small wooded area. Chang after a while got used to the rocking rolling motion of riding and found herself enjoying the ride through the rolling grasslands filled with wildflowers. As they had ventured further away from the bustling city through the grassy knolls headed north, she started to see wildlife around them, small deer and elk and a myriad of other smaller creatures. It looked like it had come straight out of a picture book, she couldn''t help smiling taking in deep lungfulls of the clean, fresh air. After living in LA for so long she had gotten used to the daily acrid smoggy smell that permeated everything, even the salty freshness of SF which it had from sitting right by the ocean had the tang. This place was completely untouched by any of that, and it had a sweet taste to her. Feeling the bliss bubbling up in her she began to sing lightly. "Oh it''s a beautiful morning- I think I"ll go outside Oh it''s a beautiful morn~ing Oh yeah" She couldn''t remember all the words to the song as it had been a long time since she last heard it, but the feeling still fit with what she felt now. It had been one of her father''s favorite to sing. As they headed north a wooded area started to come into sight. The trees were starting to show just a tint of yellow and red as fall arrived, but still proudly displayed their summer greens. The woods continued and got thicker to their left leading to a mountain range not too far in the distance densley forested in evergreens. They had quickly passed through just a fringe of the woods to come across a secluded beach in a small half moon shape at the bottom of a rise. The sparkling white sands had enticed her, making her eyes sparkle. Chang eagerly anticipated getting in the water, it had been so long since she had last been to a beach. "Ah it''s so warm!" She couldn''t help exclaiming in surprise. She ran back and took off her pants and threw them atop her boots so that she could venture further into the water. Jian started to come down the rise as she ran back into the water splashing. 52 Savoring the Feeling "Thank you so much for taking me here, this place is wonderful." Chang smiled at him dazzlingly, this wonderful man had brought her so much happiness she felt as if it was a dream. The stunning man turned his face and smiled a beaming smile at her causing her heart to jump and start pounding erratically. Liang Jian Amal was warmed by her show of affection. Her face sparkled in the sunlight with the water droplets all over her hair smiling like an angel, seeing the beautiful sight he couldn''t help his reaction. He put a hand behind her neck and pulled her forward for a kiss. Liang Jian Amal lightly pressed his lips to hers, as she submissively closed her eyes with a sigh, he reached with his other arm and pulled on her waist pulling her into his arms. He deepened the kiss holding her tightly in his arms. Chang reached her arms out and held onto his broad shoulders for support feeling the sudden pull on her waist. His soft lips took her breath until she couldn''t think about anything but him. The firmness of his chest, the feeling of his strongarms around her holding her tight. She squeezed him tight clutching onto him as his kiss became more passionate. He broke away suddenly leaving her panting, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him, confused as to why he had stopped. "Chang," Liang Jian Amal stared into her starry eyes and asked with a hoarse voice, "please dont ever leave me like that again." Chang''s eyes grew dewy hearing him ask her so earnestly, and she held herself to him tightly, her arms . She whispered I promise, she buried her face in his shoulder letting a few years drop. She had truly missed him, she enjoyed the feeling of being held in his arms it made her feel whole inside. Liang Jian Amal savored the feeling of her soft form in his arms, her sweet smell intoxicated him and he began to place a trail of light kisses on her neck up to her ear and down to her exposed barely exposed clavicle. He gritted his teeth while rubbing his nose against her soft skin, it was becoming so hard to restrain himself. ''I want to wait until you''re ready, I want you to trust me.'' He sighed against her skin ruffling the fine hairs at the base of Chang''s neck. He rose fluidly in one fluid method with her in his arms and went into the water. "We should probably start heading back fairly soon, we have an hour''s ride ahead of us still." "Ok, here let me just set my dress out to dry real quick in the sun." Chang started to strip her sopping wet red dress revealing the clinging white slip underneath. 53 Can We Have A Momen "What was that for?" She looked up at him innocently blinking her deep dark blue eyes at him. "I dont want you to catch a cold." He lied fluidly avoiding her gaze. "Put on your pants and boots and your hijab, I''ll get the horses ready." Without waiting for her to reply he quickly grabbed his boots and went to where the horses grazed on the rise. Chang was by his flurried actions, as she adjusted the red dress on herself properly, she grumbled to herself. "Its so warm today, I''m hardly likely to catch a cold when its 80¡ãout! If I was wouldn''t it be more likely with wearing more wet clothes!" As she lifted the red she noticed the state of her white slip, clinging to her belly, revealing the tender skin underneath. "Oh my god, how embarrassing!" Her face became almost the exact same color as she thought about how she had practically stripped naked in front of Jian. "Just dont think about it, just dont think about it," she repeated the mantra in her mind, trying to resettle herself as she put on her pants and boots and grabbed what Jian had called a hijab. After she was all dressed again she headed up to the rise when Jian awaited holding the horses by their reins. She tried to act naturally as if that hadn''t happened even though she knew she had a telltale blush on her cheeks giving her away. Liang Jian Amal conspicuously avoided looking at her face as helped her up into her saddle. Chang herself did the same, feeling lingering embarrassment from her earlier actions. They rode in silence all the way back to the capitol, accompanied by the sound of bird song, the clomping of the horse''s hooves against the flattened dirt trail; that led from the farms into towns, and the jingle of the horse''s tack. As they made their way through town the smells of all the different foods wafted into Chang''s nostrils causing her belly to very audibly gurgle. Jian must have heard at least a little bit of that as his head turned sharply to her as she turned hers away. She pressed one of her fists to her belly trying to silence it as it continued to protest very loudly to her dismay. As she turned her head she caught a direct whiff from a food that was being fried right next to her. The delicious smell caused her to almost drool at the mouthwatering scent like french fries drifted all around her. He chuckled to himself watching her actions from the corner of his eye. Today was the most lighthearted he had felt in a very long time. As they came up to the massive entryway that led into the palace grounds he saw a figure standing alone. Once they got closer he recognizes the figure as Hao Jin Ying. He could see that she was attempting to put on a calm front, but her fiddling fingers gave away her nervousness. The light feeling he felt in his chest was immediately smothered by a heavy feeling seeing Hao Jin Ying in that state and knew it had something to do with Li Hua. He immediately waved for a stable hand to come help Chang with their horses as he dismounted and came to stand beside Chang''s mount. He looked up at her as she looked down, the sun shining behind her head making the golden hajib throw a glow around her. "Work stuff, darling, we''ll be just a moment." He tilted his face up and apologetically smiled at her. 54 Private Words After she had disappeared between the buildings he turned his eyes to Hao Jin Ying, who stood there waiting, her anxiousness a lot more apparent now that Chang had left. "What did the report say?" Liang Jian Amal prompted her when she remained silent as if composing her words. "There''s not much time left.. it was a glioblastoma multiforme, at this stage they can only help prolong her life by a few more weeks." His heart was pained hearing this. "How much longer?" He asked after hesitation. "A few months at most, she wont make it to the end of the year." Hao Jin Ying''s began to cry softly, she had been trying to hold her composure in in front of Li Hua and Chang. He sighed and placed a large hand on Hao Jin Ying''s shoulder in comfort as she cried silently for a moment before wiping her eyes and steeling her face again. "Where is she right now, I''m sure she''d love to see her daughter after hearing the news." "She''s been sitting in the water garden for the last few hours after she ate a light brunch. She''s been kind of listless all day, I''m worried that her psychological state will negatively impact her health." "Li Hua is strong, we should give the two of them some private time together. Go rest, you''ve been working very hard." He gave her shoulder a squeeze before releasing it to walk to the stable area. Liang Jian Amal kept a straight face as he walked to where Chang was waiting, hiding the his inner turmoil. ''A few months at most.. I have to tell her.. How do I, this will devastate her, she only has her mother left besides me for family.'' As he walked into the stable area he saw Chang sitting on the ground in an untidy heap next to her mare. She smiled unsteadily when she saw him walking towards her making his heart jump. ''I just got her smile back, I can''t tell her yet. Please forgive my selfishness my dear.'' -- Chang raced her horse away after planting a kiss on Jian, seeing him looking up at her smiling she couldn''t help herself. ''Hopefully my breath didnt have any onion flavor from that potato hashbrown-like thing earlier. I have to thank him for that still, they were so good I totally forgot to!'' As she reached the stable area she found her legs were super stiff from all the time on the horse and felt like they were glued onto her saddle. After struggling she was able to get her right foot out of the stirrup, as she tried to lift herself up and raise her leg, the world tilted at a crazy angle. 55 Thank You Chang tried to pick herself up off the ground, but they wouldn''t work right, like rubber she couldn''t seem to get a firm foot under herself. Like a newborn faun or calf, she shakily tried to get to her feet with the assistance of her hands on the ground. Her legs shook as she tried to put weight on them and she ended back on her hands and knees in the dirt. ''C''mon work legs, pleeease.?'' Chang tried to will them into working but to no avail, her hips and thigh muscles were so sore they kept jumping and shaking. Liang Jian Amal bemusedly watched her struggle like a newborn animal to find her footing. When she fell again she looked up at him briefly with helpless, pitiful eyes, and he pulled her up into his arms from the ground. "This is normal after your first time riding, after some stretching and a hot bath, your legs will be fine again." Chang nodded her head against his shoulder obediantly. She gripped the front of his white shirt and inhaled his musky comforting smell. ''Hmm feels nice.'' Feeling the steady beat of his heart under her hands, and his smell she dozed off for a bit in his arms, exhausted from their day of play. Liang Jian Amal carried Chang to the water gardens which were in between the medical wing and the main palace complex. The water gardens were some of the most extensive grounds in the palace as they encircled the medical building, and it took him almost twenty minutes find LiHua. LiHua sat on a swinging wicker bench that hung from a massive Babylonian Willow which protected a small jade pool. Li Hua had her ankles crossed lightly swaying them forward and background rocking the bench. The willow''s low hanging wide sweeping branches had almost completely hidden her, if not for the movement he might have missed her at first. "Li Hua." Liang Jian Amal called out to the woman sitting alone. As if she didnt hear him, she didnt react and kept swaying the bench to and fro. "Li Hua." He called out in lower tone, as he drew closer, ducking beneath a few of the branches. He came around to the front of the bench and saw the emotionless, vacant expression on her face. "Mother.." Li Hua finally looked up at him recognition pooling in her eyes. She looked down at her daughter breathing shallowly in his arms. She smiled at the two of them, a small halting smile that almost faltered into a frown. "I''m sorry. I''m so sorry. I wish I could stay with the two of you longer, I wish.." Her words cut off as her voice broke and a few bitter tears rolled down. "You gave me the chance to have more time. You brought Hao Jin Ying into my life, who has become a good friend. You brought my daughter back to me again, and smiling. She hasn''t smiled so brightly since her father passed away. So please dont apologize to me, I am so thankful. I am so grateful that when I pass, I know that my Xiao Xie will have someone by her side. I couldn''t bear the thought of leaving her alone in this world." 56 Hers and His Liang Jian Amal set her down on the bench beside her mother, seeing that she had woken. Chang was still slightly incoherent and drowsily turned her head to her mom, gripping into one of his sleeves, she awoke instantly seeing the trail of tears working their way down her mother''s face. Chang instantly released her hold on Jian and turned to her mom. "What''s wrong mom, are you ok?" Chang worriedly questioned her, and put both her hands on another side of her shoulders. "Ah, its fine, I was just thinking about H¨¦nri. Nothing to worry about." Li Hua wiped her tears away with the flick of her finger dismissively. "Do you wanna talk about it?" Chang wanted to be there for her mother, she knew her mother always bottled everything up inside. "Sure, let''s walk and talk, it''s been a long time since we had time just to talk between the two of us." Li Hua gracefully rose off the bench, hand folded into her other hand. Chang hopped off stumbling a little due to her stiffened hips. Jian held an arm out to help keep her from falling. Chang smiled up at him in thanks. "Jian would it be ok if my mom and I just have a talk alone, it''s been just so long and-" "No need to explain anything to me. Spend some time with your mother" He brushed a stray wisp of some hair out of her face after he interrupted her rambling. He smiled at her leaving her dazzled before turning and leaving her as she stood staring after him. "He''s a good man Chang." Chang heard the quiet mellow voice behind her dragging her out of her thoughts. "Mm yeah he is." She turned away from his departing figure to see her mom smiling sadly at her. "I''m glad you found a good man like your dad. He''s a keeper, be sure not to let him go." Chang blushed looking down at her toes and said in her mind as well as aloud, "I wont, i really couldn''t imagine life without him." "Don''t then. Do everything you can to keep him in your life." "Mom you''re talking really weird, are you really ok?" Something about her mom''s words and the way she was talking made her feel uncomfortable. There was something wrong that she couldn''t put her finger on. "I''m sorry, I''ve just been extremely sentimental as of late. I''ve been dreaming about your father a lot." "I still miss him a lot." "I do too sweetie, every day." Li Hua put an arm around her daughter''s figure. ''Every day, but I''m going to see him soon. I can feel it.'' "Do you ever regret anything about meeting dad." Chang asked her mom, knowing the high price her mother had to pay to be with him. Li Hua shook her head smiling. "Maybe letting him leave for work that day, but no nothing other than that, every day I had with your father was a gift, a treasure. You being the biggest and greatest gift amongst them all." "How come you and Dad never had any other kids besides me, I dont think I ever asked you and dad." 57 A Bumbling Fool It was also one of Li Hua''s most treasured memories as well. Her husband, H¨¦nri, large bumbling fool that he was, had destroyed their kitchen somehow just making a simple breakfast. She had awoken to the sounds of alarm and the panicked voices of her husband and daughter. Li Hua had flown down the stairs to find the kitchen stove had started a fire that had caught the corner of the cabinets. Her husband had grabbed the kitchen sink sprayer head and was directing a the counters, ineffectively trying to put it out, cursing M¨¦rde!1 Chang had been about ten at the time, and had grabbed the phone ready to call 911, but H¨¦nri kept saying that he had it handled in between swearing in French. Li Hua immediately went under the kitchen sink and grabbed their home fire extinguisher and turned it on everything that was burning, instantly filling the room with white foam and lingering tendrils of smoke. She had even gotten her husband a bit in her frantic actions. Li Hua stood there for a moment in shock at the sight of the ruined kitchen and looked at her husband incredulously. A mocking little voice the piped up from behind the two of them. "I told you we should have just gone out and gotten take out and said we made it." Chang had folded her little arms across her chest pouting slightly as the surprise breakfast the two of them had been planning for her had been ruined. "Li Hua, my beautiful darling wife, light of my life. H¨¦nri called to her in a pleading tone. Blinking his beautiful dark blue eyes at her as if he was a young girl, puckering his lips slightly as he attempted to suck up to her after creating a disaster. He had just looked so utterly ridiculous though Li Hua couldn''t help cracking laugh even though she had worn her ''I''m really serious right now'' face. She quickly had covered it with a cough a fist to her mouth, trying to compose herself. H¨¦nri had then tried to seduce her with his kisses after seeing her cover her cracking. Her little Xiao Xie had clamped her eyes seeing that and screamed eww and run to her bedroom seeing that. That was what broke her and she began to laugh. H¨¦nri let her laugh knowing it would diffuse her temper before promising to fix it and make it up to her. After that he took a cooking class so as not to repeat the nightmare and was able to succeed the following year. "Xiao Xie will you accompany to my chambers, I have something I would like to give you." "Of course, you''ll need to lead the way, I dont know my way around yet." 58 Precious Items Chang felt tears come to her eyes as she used a hand to cover her mouth and stifle a rising sob. There were too few pictures of her father as he had always been the one to take pictures. H¨¦nri Dumont had always thought it was important to document the best things in life through film, yet there were so few pictures of him. Chang traced her fingers over her mom and dad''s youthful faces before looking at her mom and thanking her in a hoarse whisper. Li Hua embraced her daughter in response. The two chatted for a while longer before Chang excused herself due to exhaustion. Li Hua graciously let her leave masking her own weariness due to the days events and her growing cancer. Chang exited into the bright main hallway that was two storied, all consisting of guest wings. There were two giant doorways, she didnt know where the one to the right led, the one to the left led to an antechamber and then the gardens where she awoke. Chang faltered for a moment before heading back to the garden where she awoke to see if she could find Jian. Her legs and hips were really starting to get stiff and sore after the day''s ride.As she walked, Chang absentmindedly rubbed her palms against the side of her thighs as she wandered back out into the expansive gardens. As she wandered through the sunshine she studied the picture of her mom and dad. Somedays she almost forgot her dad''s face even though she knew it so well, and could see him clearly in her dreams. It was a precious gift to have the physical reminder. As she walked she all of a sudden ran face first into a solid meat wall. She stumbled a few steps back as she had been absentmindedly walking along the tan pebbled path, keeping it within her peripherals. Liang Jian Amal had been keeping an eye on her as she walked with her mother, while still allowing the two of them their privacy. When he saw Chang wandering through the garden alone,lost in thought, he came up to her quickly thinking Li Hua had broken the news to her. Seeing though her dazed expression, and slightly reflective, he realized that she had not as of yet. Liang Jian Amal caught her and steadied her in his arms after she went face first into his chest. She blinked her beautiful deep blue eyes at him bewildered for a moment before showing immense relief. 59 I Cant Help You With Your Pants On She turned her head to look at the man to her right, the late afternoon sunlight casting an orangish hue on his handsome face. Slowly her eyes made her way to his lips and she thought about the kiss they shared on the beach and the way he had looked at her. She shivered thinking about the way his eyes had pulled her in and when he dipped his head low to her collarbone she thought he was going to go further like he did that time in LA and their first night they''d met, or maybe even further.. The first time she had been muddled with alcohol and hadn''t quite remembered everything. Chang had been very sober and conscious in her and Justin''s apartment.. Her face reddened thinking about the way his lips felt on her body or his finger as it had touched her down there. She felt her heart start to quicken and felt a warm tickling feeling between her legs and couldn''t help squeezing her thighs together as she tried to contain her unsteady breathing. Chang reached a trembling finger and lightly traced it over beautiful warm lips. ''His lips feel so nice.'' She mused smiling not noticing his lips had curved into a slight smile. His lips parted slightly and her nervous hand stopped immediately, afraid that she had woken the man resting peacefully beside her up. Chang bit her lower lip trying to quiet her breathing before she continued, she rolled over gently to come to face him. Her hand fell from his face and went down his chest, feeling the firmness of it through the thin fabric. Her shy but curious hand continued to explore the front of him until it came to lower portion of his abs. Chang rubbed her thighs together trying to quell the warm and wet feeling between her legs. It was kind of an uncomfortable feeling but also felt good in a way that her toes were curling. A small hitched noise came out of the back of her throat slightly surprising herself. The man''s eyes fluttered open coming to rest on hers with a wicked glint in them. He seized her trembling hand that lay on his abs with his other hand holding it in place. "Now just what were you trying to do?"Jian said slowly, seductively raising one brow at her in a provocative manner. "N-nothing I just couldn''t sleep right now." Chang managed to stammer out losing herself in Jian''s dangerous eyes. "Mm and why not" he inquired squeezing her captured hand pressing it against his lower abdominals. "Ah" she lightly gasped as the felt the quick tightening and cramping of the seized up muscle. He felt her pull back as pain flooded her eyes. "What''s wrong?" "My legs hurt really bad." She looked up at him with a tear in her eye. He released her hand immediately and rolled up off the large bed. "Wait here." He left the room to head into the main hallway for several minutes before coming back with a small jar. While he was gone Chang rubbed the sore muscles on her thighs trying to ease the pain that kept coming in waves. He looked at her before commanding her, "take off your pants." She looked at him mutely her lips pressed together eyes wide. He arched an eyebrow seeing her unmoving and set the jar on the ground at the foot of the carved wooden bed frame. "I cant help you of you keep your pants on." He grabbed the bottom of her cloth pants and began to pull on them. Chang felt the fabric slipping down her legs and grabbed onto it. She was only wearing the pants and the white cotton slip. She had taken the overshirt off after the two of them had come back to the chamber, she had wanted to take off the chest constricting slip too but felt too embarrassed to take it off in front of Jian earlier. "I can do it myself!" 60 Just Trying To Help He grabbed the small silver jar and poured some of the oil from inside it into a palm, the aroma of mint and lavender emanating from it. Rubbing his hands together he quickly warmed up the oil before place his hands around one of her thighs where he had seen her rubbing herself reflexively. She gasped aloud when his warm hands met her flesh before letting out a small moan as he started to massage her sore muscles. Chang felt herself relax and melt under his touch. His long fingers wrapped around her thigh working and kneading the muscles, working their way up and down. When his hands were massaging the muscles on her upper thighs his hands came close to brushing her panties a few times and she would stifle her breathing to keep from gasping. She couldn''t stop her body from quivering though. Liang Jian Amal was watching her reactions as he kneaded his hands on her soft flesh rubbing the oil into her sore muscles. When his hands went higher closer to her forbidden zone she would would catch her breath and shake a little. With his hands he pushed her legs open a little wider and pulled the woman beneath him closer to the edge. Chang was started by his actions and cried out for half a second before he pulled her closer to himself. Chang dress rode up more due to the sudden unexpected movement. It bunched up on her ribcage right below where it was more fitted and was constricting against her chest. She immediately reached down and tried to pull it down to cover her mostly exposed torso. "Dont worry about that right now. Is this the spot that hurts worse?" Liang Jian Amal pressed a few fingers on her adductor muscles in her inner thigh to hear her moan. He already knew it would be. Leaving one leg on the bed, he put her other one on his shoulder and began to rub in small circles, occasionally brushing his hands against her pubic area. As he had lifted her leg, he saw a small wet spot on her white panties, enticing him to touch. The man''s mouth went dry seeing that, as if he was parched in a desert staring at an oasis. He felt himself burning as he watched her chest rise and fall raggedly with her hitched breathing every time he brushed her sensitive areas. The little spot seemed to be staring at him, challenging him to do more, go further. ''No I am just trying to help her, so she''s not saddle sore tomorrow. No.'' He tried to tell himself that as he switched to her other leg. He kept his hands moving but his eyes were riveted to her, his mind straying with his eyes. He pressed his face against her inhaling her sweet scent deeply. He heard her cry out his name vaguely as he brushed his lips on her over the cloth, rumbling appreciatively in the back of his throat, his mind drowning in lust. 61 Sweetness Liang Jian Amal raised his head to see her quivering, a hand covering her mouth, while the other tightly gripped the rumpled linen sheets. "Move your hand." He growled. Chang shook her head, her eyes screwed shut , she couldn''t bear to see what was happening, she almost couldn''t bear the sensation. It felt like her mind was swirling. Liang Jian Amal released her legs and rose up over her to forcefully remove her hand from her mouth. "Let me hear you." "It''s embarrassing." The woman below him said in a quiet voice her eyelashes fluttering. "No, I like it." He purred. "Give me more. " He hooked a finger into the side of her white bikini briefs and stripped them down to her knees. "Ah!" She opened her eyes in surprise and futilely reached a hand to cover herself before he grabbed it. "Chang" his smouldering voice drew her wandering eyes to his. She looked up at him helplessly, nervousness and passion painting her face red. Liang Jian Amal brought his lips down to hers, starting slowly at first to help ease her tension, before becoming becoming more daring. He released his grip on her wrist and started to lift her slip up trying to reach her breasts but met resistance. He took both hands and started to pull the material up off of Chang who was more pliable now. Liang Jian Amal feasted his eyes on her naked inviting form. Her eyes betrayed her nervousness as she looked up at him biting her lower lip slightly. Her hands gripped into the sheets on either side of her, her legs spread as he had placed himself back between them after removing her top. He lightly traced his fingers across her front, enjoying her soft supple skin. Intently watching Chang''s nervous eyes turn starry her he caressed her breasts, one in each hand. Noticing her tiny pink nipples starting to harden he leaned down to take one in his mouth. Chang cried out weakly as she panted breathily and tried to close her legs but the man was firmly wedged between them. He chuckled mouth against her chest his breath tickling her, making her feel like she was going to lose it. He snaked one of his hands down to lightly touch her and moaned with her when his pads grazed over her hot opening. " Ahh Chang you''re so wet." Liang Jian Amal held his stiff member looking down at the trembling dewy eyed woman. He''d been dreaming of this for so long, and at last he was finally getting to taste her sweetness. 62 Unwanted Company Liang Jian Amal scowled at the unwanted interruption and intended to ignore the persistent knocking, but it became louder, and more insistent. Chang cast a worried look at the door before looking at him crossing her arms across her chest out of shyness. The man sighed before placing a light peck on her lips. He grabbed his pants off the ground pursing his lips as she grabbed the sheets and wrapped herself in them. The man marched to the door pissed at whoever had interrupted his long awaited moment. He cracked the door to prevent whoever was in it from seeing more than his figure and stony face. Hao Jin Ying stood on the other side anxiously holding her satellite phone, when she saw her boss''s asura-like face, she backed away a couple of steps unconsciously. "This had better be worth it." He fixed her with a piercing glare demanding an explanation. Hao Jin Ying held up the phone as a sacrificial tribute to his anger, looking away as she quickly whispered, "Chairman Liang is on the phone for you." ''Well, shit.'' He expected to hear from the old man but not this soon. "Hand the phone to me, you may take your leave." Hao Jin Ying didn''t need to be told twice and she quickly hurried away after handing him the phone. Liang Jian Amal looked at the woman sitting on the bed looking at him with doe-like eyes and he stepped out into the large antechamber closing the door behind him. He pressed the phone to his ear, composing himself for a moment before he spoke. "Hello father." "Dont you ''hello father me, you ungrateful little bastard." The older man screamed through the phone at him. "Where are you, I did not pass my company on to you to lead just to neglect it for over 24 hours, after having spent a year if time and countless resources on a worthless nameless woman!" Liang Jian Amal tightened his grip on his phone hearing his father''s words. "My wife is neither worthless or nameless. Her name is Chang Xie Dumont, you would do well to remember it as she will be the one to mother your granchildren." Liang Jian Amal held the phone tightly fingers curling as his blood boiled hearing his father insult Chang. After a moment his rage subsided and he quietly padded back into the room to sit beside Chang, who was cocooned in the sheets. Only her small face peeked out of the material and a few fingers as she held the material closed below her chin. "Is everything alright?" Chang could see the storm clouds in his eyes despite the calm front he tried to show. Liang Jian Amal studied her face intently committing it to memory. "Just stuff with the company, I have to go back to China for a bit." "For how long?" "Just a few days or so, not long." "Oh." Chang for some reason felt unwilling to let him leave. Her eyes wandered down to her fingers as she internally warred. ''It''s not like hes going to be gone long, only a few days, why do I feel upset. This isn''t like last year at all. He needs to take care of his things, I shouldn''t stand in the way of that, it''s not right. I really dont want you to go.. I cant say that.'' Liang Jian Amal looked at her small face fallen with disappointment. He reached out and secured her chin between his fingers forcing her to look into his eyes. "I will be back in a few days, Chang." Her eyes started to wander away, liquid showing in them. He squeezed her chin tighter and called her name forcefully and her blue eyes came back to his. "Be patient, I will come back for you." He stroked his fingers along the side of her fair smooth cheek. He planted a kiss between her brows, inhaling her scent. 63 I Wish You Could Be Honest With Me -- The first two days that Jian was gone Chang tried to fill her days with activity to help pass the time. Everything seemed to have become rather tasteless and bland without Jian there. Her mother always seemed to tire early when they would explore the massive gardens that surrounded the palace. As her mother and Hao Jin Ying were unable to accompany her most of the time Chang did a lot of exploring by herself; exploring the massive sunlight palace halls filled with beautiful tile mosaics. She practiced her horsemanship too in the palace paddock area, using the beautiful mare that Jian had picked out for her before. After two days of practicing she felt comfortable enough to ride into the town on her own. Chang thought it had been a very interesting place and hoped travelling there might lift up her mood a bit. Remembering Jian''s words she grabbed one Amira''s hijabs to match some new , much better fitting clothes she had received from a maid yesterday before going out. Chang told Hao Jin Ying that she was heading out alone as her morher was ever-unavailable. Chang knew she could be pretty dense sometimes but she knew her mom was keeping something from her. Everyone was and it was beyond frustrating and hurt her a little that no one trusted her with the truth. She wanted her mom to be the one to tell her the truth, and at her own volition, so despite her sadness she waited for honesty. Chang tied the horse leadline to a tree surrounded by a small grassy patch. The palace guard. whom Hakim had ordered to follow her and protect her dismounted as she tied the line, giving the horse room to graze. Chang was startled hearing the mans boots hit the ground, he had been so silent, and she so preoccupied in her thoughts, she forgot that she had company. "Ah if you would please just stay here, I''d like to be alone for awhile." Chang turned to the man and hesitantly asked for her privacy, it felt weird having someone follow her around silently. "Lady Dumont I have my orders, while this area is safe, Effendi Al-Hassan and Effendi Liang would be sorely displeased should anything happen." The man resolutely replied, refusing her request. "But you just said it yourself this area is safe, I will be sorely displeased if I dont have my alone time." "You will not even notice me Lady Hassan, I have my orders to see that no harm comes to you." Chang''s patience had reached its limit and she snapped at the man who she knew was only doing as he was ordered. "Lady Dumont-" Chang saw the man''s wavering mind and snapped a small branch off of the tree and pressed the jagged end against her wrist lightly applying pressure; her eyes narrowed in warning to the man. "I mean it." Chang knew she was being difficult, but she really didnt want someone she didnt know hanging around her like poop on a goldfish. The man held his hands up helplessly unable to fight against her in her position. Seeing that he had surrendered Chang threw her stick on the ground, her threat having accomplished what was needed. 64 Colorful "Selam." the man who had stared bobbed his head greeting her as she passed. Chang took a second a looked at the older men sitting beside her, a kindly look on his tanned weather worn face. Chang returned the greeting, bobbing her head back at the older man who spoke. One of the other men blew a cloud of smoke out as she passed hitting her in the face with the pungent smell, causing her to cough and sputter. The older man with his leather like face smacked the shoulder of his capped companion who had fumigated her with the foul smelling smoke, while berating him in a foreign tongue. He grabbed a flask from behind him and walked to Chang motioning for her to drink with his hands and smiling eyes. Chang took a sip of the liquid to help almost choked again. The jug of liquid was full of very strong red wine! Chang passed the jug of liquid back to the old man, who nodded his head while lifting his brows at her, as if to ask if that was better. Chang felt slightly dizzy after inhaling whatever that smoke was but smiled at the old man in gratitude for his kindness. She had one last piroshki that she had wrapped in a small white handkerchief for later, Chang grabbed it from a little pouch that she wore around her waist next to a pouch with money she was given by the guard. She held the white ball out to the old man urging him to take it in thanks. The older man eventually took the small wrapped bundle and Chang smiled widely at him. After around ten minutes or so she came to the circle where a few women danced near a few musicians. Chang watched them for awhile seeing the movement of the dance before joining in with the ladies. Chang enjoyed the freedom of the movement of the dance, feeling her tunic lift and swirl around when she would twirl. Her spirits lifted as she lost herself in the music and movement as more and more people came to join them. Soon the area became crowded with people and Chang had to stop as she was out of breath, sweating from the vigorous dance. The other ladies she had originally dance came up to her smiling laughing, talking to her in a singsong voice. Chang couldn''t understand them and could only share in the smiles and laughter, unable to directly converse, though the feelings were understood. All of them had had a lot of fun. After standing to the side for awhile, catching her breath, Chang looked up at the sky to see how far the sun had crossed the sky, to help gauge the time. It had crossed a fair distance and she knew she had broken her promise to the guard. 65 Cold Steel The hand tightened on her painfully squeezing her face. A menacing voice growled at her, "stop struggling. Scream and you die." Chang nodded her eyes filled with tears. The hand released her face and she gratefully took in lungfulls of air, trembling. She pressed herself up against the wall trying to avoid the cold sharp metal pressed at her next. As she inhaled she started to be able to focus through the pain in her head to see that she was surrounded by three large men. Chang realized that she was in a really bad spot right now, and that her only option was to do as they said if she wanted to live. She needed to find out what that was first. "What do you want from me?" Chang fearfully asked. "Heheh, we dont want anything from you, we are merely here to deliver a warning." The man who held the knife to her throat on her left chuckled menacingly. "You have become an eyesore to a certain someone. Leave this place before we have to give you ''encouragement.''" "What do you mean." The man in front of her scoffed. "You''ve been warned once already and you still claim to not understand. Woman you are not a match to the family you are attempting to ingratiate yourself into. Leave before you embarrass yourself further." Chang felt prickly hearing the man''s sentence, she understood now this man was here on Jian''s father''s behalf. "My husband has already proven the lie to what I was told before. He cares about me and says it doesn''t matter, and I believe him! I wont leave Jian again!" The man in front of her shoved her and ground her head against the wall. He sneered at her before releasing her to collapse on the ground. The man took a stack of photographs from his robe and threw them down on her. Chang pushed herself into a sitting position and grabbed her knees burrowing her face in them. She let out a few tears, her nerves on edge after that. ''What is with my luck in alleys. From now on I''m going to avoid them like the plague." After she had settled herswirling emotions with a good cry, she thought about the stack of photos the men threw at her and reached over and grabbed the bundled photos. When she saw the first picture it felt like her blood froze and started to flow backwards in her veins. 66 What Is True? What Is Real? Looking at the woman''s beautiful graceful features Chang started comparing the two of them. She was tall, slim, and elegant, like a graceful willow tree, a model body type and face. The woman in the pictures held herself gracefully with perfect posture, her refinement showed through, Chang had fairly good posture from years of dance and doing martial arts with her father, but she wasn''t a noble woman like She obviously was. Not only her demeanor her clothes and jewels showed that she was of a way higher standard than Chang could ever hope to be. Dancing with Jian she was smiling showing a row of perfect white teeth as she smiled up at him, her black crystal like eyes shining. In her champagne colored sleeveless halter necked dress, and Jian in hus well fitting black tuxedo, they looked like a couple, a perfectly matched pair in every way. Seeing the hateful image Chang wanted to tear it up into a million pieces and never see it again, but she couldn''t stop staring. It felt like someone stabbed her with a bunch of knives in her stomach and heart, bitterness seeped into her bones from the wounds. ''What is this?Why are you with all these women? Jian what''s real, do you really care for me?'' Chang''s head pounded and she held in between her hands trying to stifle the pounding pain. ''This cant be real.. Jian.. where are you? I want to see you. I want you to hold me..'' At the thought of holding she saw in her mind him kissing the hand of that woman and holding her in his arms, and doing things like had been doing before he left with that beautiful woman. ''No!!'' she screamed in her mind banishing the image before it could form. "Lady Dumont!" The guard called out to her, distressed at the sight of her curled up on the ground. 67 Mom "Lady Dumont are you hurt?!" The guards anxiousness prompted her to raise her head, she shook it tersely, angrily wiping away her tears. She grabbed the pictures and stuffed them under her belt as she didnt have pockets. She smoothed her hajib and the mess if hair underneath, she checked her fingers, expecting to see blood after the hit she took. There was none, but by all rights she felt like there should have been. After she had wiped her face and tidied herself she faced her guard. The man stood a few paces back standing beside a familiar figure in a long white robe and black vest. It was the older man from earlier who gave her the wine. He smiled at her and gave her a nod before turning to her guard speaking fast gesturing with his hands. The guard responded with a nod, it looked like thanking the man before handing him a sack of money. The old man bowed his head at her before shuffling away in his sandals. "Lady Dumont are you injured in any way? Why were you on the ground Lady Dumont, are you not feeling well?" The man came forward attempting to assist her without touching her without her express permission. Chang wearily held a hand up trying to stop the man and his string of concerns. Her mind was far too bogged down at the moment. "I''m fine, please don''t overly worry yourself." "Were you accosted in some way, Lady Dumont, why were you on the ground? No one will get away with laying a hand on you, you need merely say the word my lady." Chang was getting tired of the "lady" shit, it only seemed to remind her now what a lady she wasn''t, especially when compared to that other woman who eeked poise and class. She snapped back at the man."Let me be, my business is my own. The man shut his mouth silencing himself for the rest of their journey, back to the tethered horses and back up to the palace. Once they reached the stables she smoothly dismounted her horse and ran to main palace grounds and her mom''s room. When she reached her mom''s room she knocked first to hear a pleasant come in and barged in and headed right for her mom, who was seated, burying herself in her arms like she was a small child again. Li Hua was astonished to see her daughter come flying in and throw herself in her arms like she was little again. She enclosed her arms around her as she started to break down sobbing. "Xiao Xie what''s wrong honey? Oh honey" Chang held onto her mom letting out all her hurt, bitterness, and anger, and just so many emotions it was overwhelming. "Mom." Chang cried out on her mom''s lap, barely intelligible due do her sobbing and the snot clogging up her nose. 68 Suspicions ''What has my Xiao Xie crying so heartbreakingly?'' As Li Hua thought about this, she thought of something that could cause her daughter to fall apart like this. Guilt bloomed in Li Hua''s heart at the thought. ''I should have told her sooner.'' "Chang, honey. Talk to me." Li Hua nervously held a hand over her daughter''s head. Now that Chang knew she had no idea where to start. She had practiced a million times how to say what she needed to say, but had still been unable to initiate the topic, especially knowing this was what would be waiting at the end of the conversation. It pained her badly to see her daughter in this miserable state. "Mom I just don''t know what''s real anymore.. I dont think it''s possible with Jian and me.." Li Hua''s hand froze, ''Jian?'' She hadn''t even considered it to be Jian who was troubling her daughter. "What''s going on? Jian hasn''t been here for a few days. Are you just missing him?" Chang was unable to explain all that she felt, so she sat up pulled the pictures from her belt, handing them to her mother. Li Hua slowly examined the photos looking at each one thoroughly. She set them on her lap and looked Chang in the eye seriously. "Who gave you these?" "What does that matter?" "Would you trust the source where these came from?" "It doesn''t matter if I trust them, it can still be true." "Wrong." Li Hua held up a hand stopping her daughter in her train of thoughts. ''"People say believe half of what you see, Son and none to what you hear''" "Did you just quote a song to me as life wisdom?" "No, I did not." "I''m pretty sure that''s a Marvin Gaye song you just referenced, Mom." Chang couldn''t help chuckling a little. Chang blushed hearing her mother use the term one night stand. "We never had a one night stand or anything of the like. Men have their needs I know.. Chang started to mumble not really wanting to explain too much further. Li Hua was shocked hearing that, she hadn''t thought too far about it, as it was her child, but she knew her daughter was a woman, and married at that. "You two never..performed marital relations.? Chang slapped her hands to her face trying to cover her burning shame. "Oh god mom! No we haven''t!" Li Hua was truly rocked. "You definitely need to trust in him, with all that he''s done, hes shown his devotion to you. He would gain nothing to leave now, logically, but who would gain if you two were to split?" Chang mulled over her mother''s word, they seemed to hold some truth to them. "I guess only Jian''s dad I guess, I''m pretty sure those pictures came from him too." 69 Suspicions II After a few rings he picked up and answered in a hurried voice. "What''s happened?" His tone was urgent and worried, he had probably run out of a meeting to answer her, based on the sounds she heard in the background.If she hadn''t seen her boss so disheveled and frantic last year, she wouldn''t have believed them to be by the same person. "Sir, Chang just came in the palace from the city, in tears, something seems to have happened while she was out today." "What happened?" Hearing her brief answer that left more questions than answers, Liang Jian Amal started to fret, gripping the chair in front of him white knuckled. When he heard the satellite phone ring in the middle of the business meeting it caught him completely unawares. He had ended the meeting right then and there, jumping out of his seat to answer the call, ignoring the bewildered expressions of the department heads. He had purchased the phones as an emergency just in case, while Lahat was peaceful and removed from the rest of the world, he couldn''t help but worry. His most precious was hidden away there from his father''s eyes, or anyone else that might seek to do her harm. Hearing that she had been in tears while he was away, disconcerted him and he began to run his free hand through his hair, mussing up the slicked back style. "I will do some further investigation, at the moment, that is unclear." Hao Jin Ying reported back in her clear tone. "Do that, call me back as soon as you have the information." He hung up after saying that. ''I need to get back there.'' He had only planned on being away for 3 days, today was the third day and he planned on leaving this evening, but after the call, his priorities had reshuffled. He pulled out his other cell and started placing a call to his private flight captain, whom he hired in secrecy, to prepare for an emergency takeoff. The man didnt answer when he called though. ''Fine I will try again shortly.'' Liang Jian Amal left the office building and headed home, his chauffeur navigating through the heavily trafficked streets of Shanghai. Bright neon signs flashed across his face, illuminating him with bright garish colors. The bright lights made him think of the way the light had shined upon Chang''s hair as they had been riding together. Her deep blue eyes staring deep into his, he could lose himself in their depths like the ocean. The smile was short lived though, as he walked in he smelled the cloying smell of a woman''s perfume as well as the smells of cooking food. ''Who the hell is in my house?'' His silent question was soon answered as a slim woman came out of the kitchen area wearing a large smile. "Oh, I thought you wouldn''t be home for another hour, I wanted to surprise you. Dinner will be ready in about 45 minutes. Are you hungry now, would you like me to prepare some snacks until then?" Liang Jian Amal punched the bridge of his nose near his eyebrows. This eyesore again.. "Miss Yan, why are you in my house?" He tried to restrain his temper as he asked in a monotone voive. He wished he could just drag her out of his house, but he couldn''t afford offend the Yans at the moment. He was in the middle of a major collaboration with her father. Yet it seemed at every opportunity she had been around him the last few days, at every business meeting, and even a evening gathering he had to attend last night. She was like an annoying fly. Yan Xiao Dan smiled coquettishly at him, irritating him further. "Why your father let me in, he thought it would be a nice surprise for you." "How nice of him." Liang Jian Amal spat through his teeth. He knew what his father was trying to do, but it was never going to happen. "I shall go find him. Please Miss Yan, do not trouble yourself further on my account. Please Mr. Han see Miss Yan back to her family properly and safely." Mr. Han, his driver who had come in behind him bowed low and went to fetch the car. Liang Jian Amal held the door open and smiled at her in a polite dismissal. She tightened her smile and slightly narrowed her eyes. "Let me turn off the stove real quick, I left the burners going." Yan Xiao Dan was unused to men refusing her, she was incredibly beautiful, talented, and came from a good family. She had men falling at her feet every day, but the man she had her eye on couldn''t even give her the time of day. ''For now.'' She refused to believe that she couldn''t win over the man. She bade him a crystal clear goodbye with an enchanting smile to his tight one, leaving with in the chauffeured Rolls Royce. Yan Xiao Dan''s eyes shined seeing the beautiful vehicle, the vehicle the very epitome of luxury, ''You will be mine, sooner or later.. She thought to herself with a smile. After seeing her off Liang Jian Amal resolutely closed the door and stalked up to his study on the second floor, where his father was most likely waiting for him. As he neared the closed door he heard his father talking in low tones. 70 Suspicions III "What are you doing home so early Liang Jian Amal?" He tapped a finger on the desk, slowly methodically. "Have you properly greeted Miss Yan yet?" "Indeed and I have sent her home safely as well." Liang Ju-Long smiled coldly hearing Liang Jian Amal''s matter of fact answer. "You would do well to remember that we cannot offend the Yan family at this time. while we may have more wealth, they are an older family that has powerful connections." "I fully understand the matter Chairman Liang about anything, I have it fully under control. You should just stay at home, rest and enjoy retirement. Count the money that is collected." Liang Jian Amal gave his father a winning smile to his father''s withering one. ''You should just stay in your hole, you old snake.'' "Fine, I guess I shall trust in your judgement for now CEO Liang, please do not prove me wrong. Also you really should see about marrying a suitable woman to help strengthen your position." Liang Ju-Long stood and straightened his black suit. He always wore black, it sharpened the harsh angles in his cold face. "I already have." Liang Ju-long scowled at his son, as he came near to Liang Jian Amal. "I hope you do not mean that American common girl. That would be a disgrace." "She is a Dumont." "That means nothing, she merely carries a name, it holds no weight; especially here. Do not waste your time further on this matter." "Any time I waste would be time not spent with her in my life. Did you not ever feel the same for my mother?" Liang Ju-long turned as he was leaving and sneered at his son. "What a womanly thing to say. This is the business world, what we need are power and connections, not feelings." He turned away and started to walkway but stopped as if he thought of something. "As for your mother, it has been so long, it is hard to say." Liang Ju-Long proceeded to leave without another word. Liang Jian Amal narrowed his eyes at his back. After he left Liang Jian Amal received a call back from the flight captain and confirmed a a time to fly in a couple hours. He showered himself and changed into a pair of casual clothes, and pulled out his laptop to do some business on in the interim before he left. As he worked he kept checking constantly his satellite phone expecting a call back from Hao Jin Ying. After another hour, when he did not receive a call back, he dialed himself, only to hear the dialing tone going on and on. 71 Disgusting ''Disgusting.'' He hated overly strong artificial smells, that so many women wore, it seemed to emphasize their falseness. It was a part of the mask they wore for society, disguising who they really were. Part of what he loved about Chang was her smell, she didnt wear perfumes, just her own natural clean smell. He would have to have Madam Ye, his housekeeper, clean the house before he came home again. ''Next time I come back will be with Chang.'' He smiled thinking of her, she had loved his house. she had thought it was way too big at first, and complained, until she saw the gardens in the back. Then she had filled every room in the house with the flowers from the garden, and complained there weren''t enough rooms for all the flowers. Even though she wasn''t very knowledgeable about flowers, she still enjoyed being among them. He remembered coming home about a week after he had married her, it still seemed like a dream that there was a woman in his place other than the housekeeper. When Liang Jian Amal came in, he called out to her, announcing that he was home. No one had answered as if it was just him, he had slowly started looking around his house for the sweet spunky woman he had married, but couldn''t find her. He had become more frantic and started calling her name in the house. When he didnt find her inside, he started tearing through the back gardens. He hadn''t understood then why it had made him so anxious when she wasn''t there. He had eventually found her weaving a flower crown, with a menagerie of flowers. Sitting on the edge of a wide basined fountain, wearing a white sundress, Chang sang to herself as she worked in the sunshine, exuding innocent charm. The sight had gripped his heart then, and he had known then he would never want another woman as long as he lived. Chang saw him watching after she had completed her crown and jumped up to greet him with a kiss, her cheeks tinted pink. The flowers complemented her sparkling eyes and her free flowing curly hair that came midway down her back. My beloved, I''ll be back by your side soon. -- Hao Jin Ying was unable to find what had happened to Chang when she left the palace grounds, only that she had been found crying in the alleyway by a local citizen; who had then led her guard to her. The whole situation was bizarre and it left more questions than answers, who would dare touch someone under the palace''s protection in this place? Hakim Al-hassan had his suspicions, from what his hafid had told him regarding her initial disappearance, but nothing could be proved as of yet. He sat with Hao Jin Ying in the salon and sipped on some cooking cucumber melon juice. They waited there for awhile until Li Hua came in, sans Chang. Even though he knew the woman was on the eve of her life, he couldn''t help but be attracted to her strong and graceful presence, she was a lot like his late wife. He rose and pulled out a seat for her, and poured her a glass of juice, before a servant could. Li Hua gave him a light smile in thanks and took a sip of the sweet cooling liquid, the man had been graciously kind over the last few days. She put one of the photos she took from Chang on the table, looking into the eyes of the other two seated at the table. Hao Jin Ying reached for it first and saw it was her boss dancing with Yan Xiao Dan at an evening gala. ''Tsk, I''m sure my boss was less than pleased to have Miss Yan as a partner. The woman had badgered his family for a long while, attempting to marry her boss for his looks and money.'' She places the photo back on the table dismissively. She knew her boss would never hold interest in such a woman. Li Hua smiled seeing that and Hao Jin Ying''s sour expression. "That''s what I thought as well, I just wanted to confirm it. Call it a mother''s irrationality." She closed her eyes and took a sip of her drink. "This and more came from Jian''s father." The two seated across from their narrowed their eyes hearing this. Hakim Al-hassan was angered, his daughter had died because of that man, and now he would seek to harm his granddaughter? He pounded a fist on the table surprising the two ladies next to him. He apologized and excused himself,he would need to have stricter security around the area, this was obviously just a warning. 72 Dreams ''Why does it still hurt?'' Chang had never been interested in dating as a teenager, and in fact had avoided the idea like the plague. When it came time for her to go to college, she had been interested, but had felt too awkward and self-conscious around the boys her age. Her friends had dated and fallen in love, but she had fallen in love with her romance novels, and in exploring nature with her dad. ''I wish you were here now Dad.'' Her Dad had always known what to say, and how to brighten things up. She took the small picture that her mother had given her out of the pouch on her waist. Chang knew she probably shouldn''t carry it around with her at all times, as it might be lost, but she wanted to keep them near to her. She had had a bad feeling in her heart since her mother had given it to her. "I wish I was a more patient person like you were Dad. Why do I feel like I''m the only one in the dark about what''s going on!" Chang huffed to herself and talked to the smiling portrait of her father. Chang started to feel silly talking to just a picture and laid back and closed her eyes. She at first dreamed of the last hiking trip she had taken with her Dad, it had been right before her 20th birthday. He had taken her to the coastal redwoods about an hour north of San Francisco. It had been a magical ancient place, filled with trees taller than she could see and wider than she could fit her arms across, with wisps of fog hanging through the trees until the afternoon. The whole place had had a spicy sweet smell to it from all the pine, cedar, and sequoia trees. Her Dad always took her to some of the most beautiful places in nature, one of the things he had believed it was important. He had told her at a young age a quote from a famous artist. "If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere." As they had hiked her father had asked her what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. While she had many dreams she honestly hadn''t known what she wanted to do with the rest of her life, and hadn''t settled on a major in college. Her father had then advised her to pick up whatever interested her, she would never know if she would love something until she tried. Chang had always loved reading, bit had never really tried writing before. After their conversation that day she had studied journalism, and her father had pulled a few of his connections to get her the job she had when she met Jian. Now that Chang looked back, she might not ever have met him if not for her dad''s advice. In her dream she relived the day, one of the last that she had had with him. They had stopped to lunch on a stump, and as she ate her sandwich her dad had peeled and cut an apple. Chang watched her dad as he worked whistling a happy tune, he seemed almost brighter and more vivid than he ever had in life and she took in the details. Trying to etch him into her memories forever, lest she forget. Her Dad turned and looked at her staring at him and spoke. 73 Crystal Visions "Wait, what?" Her Dad looked at her smiling his dimples showing as he showed his straight white teeth. His deep blue eyes, the same as hers sparkled. "I''ve really missed you sweetie." He spread his arms wide and Chang immediately sprang into his arms. He felt warm and real and alive, she could hear his heartbeat and feel him breathing. He smelled like leather from the aftershave he used and home. She buried her face in his wide shoulder, tightly gripping the flannel shirt he wore. "I missed you Daddy." His large warm hand spread on her back holding her close. Feeling his warmth and the special hug he used to give she started to cry, it felt like she was always crying lately. Her Dad chuckled, rumbling deep in his chest. "Now now, dont cry. You should smile." "I wish this was real dad, and not just a dream.." "Everything is only as real as you make it, or believe it to be. If you think it is real, then it must be." That was her dad ever the philosopher. He Dad held her close and gave her a tight squeeze. "I wish this could last forever Chang, but it can''t, I''m gone now Chang and you should be spending your time with the living. You have to take care of those living, like your mom for me. Will you do that for me sweetie." "No dont go yet, just a little longer please." "I can''t, besides I''m not the one you actually want to see right now." Chang was confused by his sentence again and looked up at her Dad''s pale face to instead see Jian''s bronzed skin and heartstopping smile. He leaned down and took her slightly parted lips. Her heart began to react erratically but she pushed on his chest to separate herself. She stood on the pine littered floor still in the redwoods. She crossed her arms and turned her back to him. "I want to see you, but not like this." She felt him come up behind her his breath tickling her ear as he put his hands on her shoulders. "Then you should wake up." Like a cue her eyes snapped open to see the tiled blue ceiling above her head. She slowly tilted her head to the side to see Jian sitting on the edge of the bed, holding one of her long locks of hair between his thumb and forefinger. Seeing that she was awake he pressed a light peck on her lips. "I''m back, I''m sorry for being away for so long." "I''m glad you''re back." Half asleep she answered honestly with a smile. She turned red at that and started to sit up with his assistance. 74 Lets Talk Jian reached over and wiped the spot on her cheek with a cloth. ''Well..that was real.. real embarrassing..'' Chang stopped watching him and instead concentrated on eating her fill. She had so many questions she wanted to ask, she didnt know which one to start with. After they had finished he invited her to take a nighttime stroll with him through the gardens. Except for the few words she had said right after waking up she did not say a word. Liang Jian Amal was confused by her reticence, he thought she would be as bubbly as before, and excitedly tell him everything that had happened while he was away. ''What happened earlier today to make her like this?'' Like a silent shadow she walked beside him through the moonlit gardens. The night sky was like a dark purple velvet above their heads strewn with thousands of diamonds. "Have you had fun exploring over the last few days?" She nodded her head to his question. He watched her expression that she was trying to make a blank canvas, devoid of emotions. "Have you been practicing riding while I''ve been away?" "Nn." At least that time he got a single syllable answer as well as a nod. Liang Jian Amal reached out to one of the blooming fragrant moonflowers and plucked one and tucked it into her hair near her ear. She looked up at him and he thought he saw a trace of sadness swimming in her large beautiful eyes. He couldn''t bear that and pulled her into his arms, inhaling her "I''m sorry I was gone so long. Everyday was torture without you." ''Yeah I highly doubt it was torturous to be surrounded by hot women.'' Chang was shocked by her own venomous thought while in his arms. She wanted to enjoy the fact that he was back, but was still unhappy about the photos she had seen. She pushed herself out of his arms and took a few steps back. "I-I''m kind of tired from earlier still, I did a lot of exploring today. I''m gonna go back to sleep, I''ll see you tomorrow." She awkwardly explained and headed back inside and to Amira''s chambers. Liang Jian Amal stood with empty arms for a moment before striding angrily to his Jid''s wing of the palace on the second story. "Jid, something appears to have happened to my bride while I was away, would you happen to know of this." "Hafid, it appears your father and your uncles are finally making their move. I fear Lahat may not be as peaceful a place anymore, nor a safe haven for much longer." Hakim Al-hassan wore a wearied expression as he said this and appeared to have aged since he had been gone. The younger man reached and grabbed onto the older man''s forearm which lay on the table. "I will not let your dream collapse Jid." Hakim Al-hassan gave Liang Jian Amal a firm nod in confirmation of his oath. "Aiyah! What are you doing trading words with an old man in the middle of the night after just having returned from being away. You should be with your lovely young bride." Liang Jian Amal frowned thinking of how she had avoided him earlier. "At the moment, my beloved seems to want more time away." "That is her fear talking." "Fear? What happened Jid?!" Liang Jian Amal slammed a fist on the table. Who would dare to? "Talk to her yourself, outsiders shouldn''t me overly meddlesome with a young couple. You two need to figure it out between yourselves." Hakim Al-hassan gave his advice with his eyes closed as he sipped the thick liquid. Liang Jian Amal straighted his jacket as he stood. "Then I shall take my leave for the night, Jid." He started to walk away before turning. "Thank you." Liang Jian Amal sincerely thanked him, he knew the risk that was being taken. Hakim Al-hassan stared after his grandson as he left. ''He is becoming a very respectable and reliable man. You would be proud my daughter.'' -- After Chang left, she headed for the bathroom. She hadn''t bathed all day, and could catch distinctive whiffs of horse and sweat on her. As she ran the water she pulled the tunic up and over her head, but winced from the pain in the middle of her spine. Once the cloth was off, she gingerly reached her fingers to her back to feel scabbing on her back. It must have been fairly bruised as well as it hurt just touching upon the landscape of scabbing on her back. 75 Who Dares As she went further into the water she pulled her hair over the front of her shoulder, exposing her back to his eyes. He followed from the lush curve of hers hips up but stopped on the ugly marring on her spine. Seeing the mess of scabs and blue bruising on her tender skin, he started to burn and kicked the door open, startling her. Chang crossed her arms over her chest, one hand clutching the cloth and turned to the loud bang, her eyes wide. She saw Jian seething in the doorway, staring at her exposed back. "Ah! Get out! I''m bathing right now!" She walked to the edge of the tub furthest away from him, her back turned towards him. "Who did that to you?" He spat through his teeth at her. "No one. Me. Get out!" Chang tried to shoo him out. Ignoring her command he walked into the area and came around to face her. "Ah dont you understand the meaning of the words, get out!" "I do, but I dont understand how "no one" could mar you like this, or why you''re avoiding me Chang. What happened?" Chang tucked her chin to her chest, avoiding his gaze, refusing to answer. Seeing her holding her tongue, he started to strip throwing his clothes dismissively in a pile to the right. "Hey what are you doing?" Chang asked him, eyes wide. "What does it look like?" The man hopped into the water beside after he had removed his clothes. "Fine, then, I''ll go." Chang started to make her way around the edge, heading to where she sat a towel for herself on the edge. Two arms appeared on either side of her trapping her. She could feel his heat radiating off him on her back, and stiffened subconsciously. "Why are you avoiding me? It''s so frustrating. Chang, I want you to feel comfortable with me and tell me the truth. I truly care for you." The words melted part of the thorn that was stuck in her heart. "What did you say.?" She breathily asked when his deep gold-flecked eyes turned back up to hers. "I''m sorry I wasn''t there for you today. I promise to never let this happen to you again." Chang was caught off-guard by his apology. "Why should you apologize, this wasn''t your fault." "It is though. I should have been more cautious. I should have protected you better. This won''t happen again." Chang felt tongue tied and was unable to speak, seeing her mute mouth opening and closing, he took the cloth from her hand. He motioned for her to turn around and started to gently clean the area where she was hurt, making sure there was no dirt or anything in it. She gasped a couple times to which he apologized. "Last time, we''re doing this, ok? From now on any marks on you are going to be from me." Chang felt her face start to turn bright tomato red at his words. "How can you say such things with a straight face?" "What did I say something wrong?" "..." Jian reached over and turned off the water spout that was still delivering steaming water into the pool and sat on the long carved sitting nook in the water. "Come just sit with me for a moment." He ran his fingers back through his hair pushing it off his forehead before reaching his hand out to her. Chang took his hand and slowly eased herself into the water next to him which came up to her collarbones when she sat. At first it stung from the scrape on her back, but she got used to it, and enjoyed the heat in her sore muscles. "Ahh." So good. The water felt heavenly and was soothing and she leaned her head back against the edge where Jian''s arm lay. He let her soak for awhile before helping her wash, much to her dismay. Though some small voice in her head told her she loved the attention. After they were out and dry, he applied an ointment on her back and patiently helped her comb her curly mass of wet hair. They then laid in the sunroom, which was quickly becoming Chang''s favorite place, due to the fresh sweet air. She laid on her side head and hand on his chest. He must have been exhausted as he quickly fell asleep within a minute of them laying down. Chang viewed his sleeping face until she fell asleep, lulled by the steady heartbeat under her hand. 76 La Mer "Well I would-" Hao Jin Ying to the right of her mother started to raise her hand but then interrupted in a coughing fit. "Never mind." She coughed out after wiping her face, giving a quick evil glance at her mother. Li Hua smiled brightly at the younger couple. "Well it looks like it will be just you two, you two should enjoy yourselves." Chang felt slightly awkward after yesterday and still wanted to talk to Jian about the pictures but didnt know where to start. Her mind had been more preoccupied with things yesterday, like the sexy naked man in the tub washing her in between stolen kisses. ''Ah get your mind out of the gutter. Geez he must be wearing off on me." After breakfast she changed her clothes, stashing the photos in her undershirt to ask Jian was about when she was alone with him. She put on a knee length sky blue dress and braided her hair into two long braids so that it wouldn''t become a tangled mess. Jian put her side saddle on his large horse and rode her through a small side gate into a wooded area skirting the city and the main thouroughway and rode down the plateau headeding south. Chang loved the beautiful ash, oak, maples, birch, and poplar trees, and the beautiful vibrant colors of the canopy. As Jian had told her the names of things as they traveled satisfying her curiosity and thirst for knowledge. It took about an hour to reach a small docking area jutting into the water with a small shelter and stable area cut into the trees. At the end of the dock sat a fairly good sized sailboat, sail drawn. Jian dismounted and helped her down from the horse before housing it in the stable area. It had been years since Chang had last been sailing, her dad had used to have a boat, before he sank it, thankfully with her not on it. He extended a hand and helped her onto the rocking boat, continuing to display his gentlemanly behavior to her. It took her a second to stabilize herself feeling the rocking motion and grabbed the side rail while standing to help quickly find her sea legs. Jian untied the rope that held them to the dock and hopped into the boat with graceful ease. Chang enjoyed watching him work as his skilled hands quickly worked and set them out to sail. The sea breeze felt fresh against her face as the caught the wind in their sail and raced across the water. After securing their sail he turned slightly to see the giant smile plastered on her face. "I remember you told me your father used to take you sailing." "Yeah he used to have a boat until he sank it." "Haha how''d that happen." "We''re actually not quite sure how he did that, he would tell us a different story every time. He just came home in his life jacket still soaking wet, missing a shoe and said the boat died." Chang animatedly retold the story. "Mom was furious at first, but like always she eventually forgave him. Especially when he promised to buy another boat the following summer and would take her sailing first on it. He even promised to christen it after her and call it the "ocean blossom." "And did he?" Chang looked away into the distant horizon. "No he died the following spring before he could complete his promise." "I''m sorry." "It''s ok, I have a lot of fun memories with him, plus I just got a picture of him from my mom the other day. I''d love to show you when we get back!" "I''d love to see that." He cast one of his award winning smiles at her that caused her heart to go awry. Jian made her heart flutter, and she gripped her dress above her heart subconsciously. 77 Youre The Only One "Yeah?" He stood opposite her the wind whipping his white shirt and hair. He stood tall and proudly, one hand holding onto the lines by his head. "I-" Chang choked off her words. ''Can I bear it if he says that I''m not his only woman. What if He was right, and I am just a fling for now. Jian said he cares, but that''s not the same as love, and I know he has duties to his family..'' "Chang." One of his warm hands covered both of hers squeezing them. "You can tell me anything." Liang Jian Amal saw the doubt, uncertainty, and sadness showing up in her face like yesterday. He wanted to ease that, but he couldn''t until she told him what was eating away at her. He cupped his other hand under her chin drawing her eyes to him and placed a lingering kiss on her soft sweet lips. She looked up at him and reached one of her hands into the top of her scoop necked dress and pulled out some photos, and held them to her chest her eyes closed. "What are those?" Keeping her eyes closed, her lips tight she handed the bundle to him. Liang Jian Amal looked at every picture, his brow drawing tighter, the pictures had been taken at times when Miss Yan had appeared unexpectedly over the past few days. A few he noticed were from the night he had met Chang. His father had arranged the group of affluent women for him to wine and dine with, Miss Yan included. He now knew why that pejorative woman had been there at every turn over the last few days. It had all been orchestrated to Liang Ju-long''s will. ''That old snake..'' "Chang." He hardened his voice to draw her misty wavering eyes up to him. Her nervousness apparent as he held up the photos. He then started to shred them into little bits, scattering the scraps to the wind in front of her astonished eyes. "Those women dont mean anything." "What about that one, you seem to be fairly close. She was really pretty and you two seemed to be a good match.." Chang started to mumble, just because he''d torn up the evidence didnt mean it still wasn''t true. "Are you jealous?" Chang bit her lip looking away. Liang Jian Amal tacked the sail up and dropped the anchor, here was as good a place as any, they were a fair distance out, far from any prying eyes. He came back to stand before her, and kneeled in front of her, clasping her hands. "Other women dont matter, they never have, especially women like Miss Yan that you saw. From the day I met you, you have been the only one in my eyes." Chang looked up hearing those words. "Is that true?" "Meaning?" She could feel her heart coming up in her throat the pressure rising to her ears. Her hands started to tighten around his, anticipating his answer. "I nevet imagined that life could be such a bright and beautiful existence, so enjoyable until I met you. "You have changed my life. "I was drowning in air without even knowing it. "Before I met you I went through the darkness never knowing the difference, but your spark, your passion for life drew me to you, and you lit up the darkness of my life. When you disappeared I realized what I had been missing in my life, and what I needed. "Chang I see only you. You are the light of my life. "I love you." Chang had never imagined how happy those three words could make her. It made her heart swell in her chest suffusing her entire being in a warm glow. A couple tears leaked out of the corner of her eyes unbidden. It felt like he smile would break her cheeks. "I gave this to you a long time ago, but you left it behind. I had it altered just slightly." 78 QinAi Her wedding ring that she had left behind on top of the divorce papers that she had signed. Engraved on the inside were two small chinese characters.Ç×°®, Qin''ai, beloved. He had had them added after she was gone. Taking her left hand, Liang Jian Amal gently slipped the ring onto her third finger. "I have something else for you too when we get back." Chang felt so happy she couldn''t help giggling a little. She leaned forward grabbing his shirt collars in her hands and planted a kiss on his face, before leaning back covering her mouth, containing a few more giggles. She was right to trust, she knew he was a man of his words. Liang Jian Amal smiled seeing her joyful expression. ''Ahh, she''s just so lovely like that. I want to flaunt her in front of the world, but that old snake would destroy this. For now this was the most secure place, I don''t want that beautiful smile destroyed.'' She moved her hand to the side of her face and smiled seductively at him, her tongue slightly sliding out to wet her lips a little. ''Mm I want a taste too.'' He moved her hand to the side of her head and captured her soft lips again. She molded her lips to his following his movements carefully as he probed her mouth with his tongue. "Mnm." As he started to move more passionately against her mouth she let out a soft moan. He broke away and lifted her up off the bench, pushing her dress up with one hand reaching for her hip to help stabilize her. Chang wrapped her legs around his pressing herself back against him. "Ah Chang I''ve been holding myself back for so long. I want you so much." He breathed into her ear, undoing her braids with one hand. "Then take me." He didnt need to be told further, he set her on the edge, above the benches and pulled her dress up and over her head. His eyes trailed over her delicate fair skin covered only by her bralette and panties. He lightly pinched her left nipple in his right hand causing her to gasp before soothing it with his tongue. Her fingers started to work their way into the back of his hair, breathily crying out his name as he suckled on her aroused bud. He looked up to see her head thrown back in pleasure he grunted deep in his throat in satisfaction and turned to the other, equally showering it in love. "Ahh Jian." She sang his name as he continued lower flicking his tongue over her navel. Her every response so sweet, so tempting, he wanted to just bury himself in her immediately. He whipped off his shirt and was pleased to see her eyes lingering lustfuly across his skin. He placed his shirt behind her as a makeshift cushion as he laid her on her back, pulling her panties down to her ankles, before throwing them with the rest of her clothes. Now that all the distractions were removed he could fully enjoy the sight of her beautiful form. Her legs tried to close slightly in reflex but he stood between them preventing that. He lowered his face down inhaling her heavenly smell, causing her to cry out slightly, her hands covering her face in embarrassment. "No need to be embarrassed love, you smell," he took a slow long lick up her slit, and taste divine." He looked up and over her erect peaks and smiled wickedly seeing her ears and what he could see of her face turning an even brighter shade of red. "Don''t say shit like that!" She cried put sharply slightly muffled by her hands. "Why not?" He questioned innocently rubbing his thumbs in circles on her soft inner thighs looking at her wet sex. "Cuz it''s embarrass-hng!" Her words were cut off as he drove his tongue straight into her silencing her words with a shudder. He drove his tongue in again and again tasting her sweet juices as her body began to quiver become more excited. "Mmmm ohhhh Jian" one of her hands reached down towards him and he readily swooped it up lacing his fingers with hers. He dragged his tongue lazily up to her clit moving like a snake writhing and pressing in small intervals, before planting his lips around her womanhood sucking lightly. He released her thigh and dipped his first two fingers into her hot wet cave, gasping when he felt how tight it felt around his fingers. "Oh love, you feel so good." He pressed his mouth back to her, and under his mouth and fingers administrations felt her melt onto his fingers shuddering. He pulled back, releasing her to remove his pants and undershorts unhindering his stiff member. He moved one of his hands to behind her neck, helping to support her as he guided his length gently into her. He sucked in his breath feeling her tight and wet woman hood squeezing down on him, almost forbidding entrance. She winced and started to cry out once he was about halfway in and he stopped, teeth gritting to let her accommodate to the feeling. He saw her hands curled up by her head unsure of where to be, nails slightly cutting in in response to the pain. "Grip my shoulders, dig in if it hurts, let it out on me." He gently whispered to her, restraining himself above her with his right hand on the boat beside her waist. She latched on immediately digging in her nails,pushing him into action. He started slowly at first struggling to restrain himself, but picked up tempo feeling her quivering inside again and released himself after feeling her do so again with a cry. She became limp in his arms and slipped into unconsciousness with her second more powerful release. Liang Jian Amal looked at the woman bathed in sunlight below him. Her body stretched out lithely beside him as he traced his fingers all over her. 79 Sweet Times "Ouch." She complained lightly sticking her lower lip out in a pouting expression. She gave him a reproachful look as she pouted. The man leaned forward and placed a light kiss on her bottom lip that stuck out. "I''m sorry." "Hmph." She gave him a short scoff as if she was upset with him a turned her cheek to him and lightly tapped on it with her index finger. Following her lead he planted another lingering one on her cheek with another soft apology. "Hmm." Closing her eyes she gave a slightly more appeased hum in the back of her throat and tapped on her forehead asking for another there. Liang Jian Amal chuckled, ''Cute'', he took her tiny face between his palms and gave her another where she asked for it. He pulled his lips away but kept his hands in place, watching her from a short distance from her face. She slowly opened up her big blue eyes to look up at him and he rained loudly a bunch of kisses all over her face causing her to squeal and giggle before placing a long one on her lips stealing her breath. When her pulled away,one hand running through her hair as she panted, her chest heaving distractingly. "Forgiven?" He asked her teasingly and she nodded back at him a smile tugging at her lips. "Most definitely." Chang smiled and held onto his forearms feeling a warm glow throughout her whole being. With his help she sat up and dressed'' to avoid burning in the sun with her fair skin. Jian put back on his pants, after she urged him to, but left his shirt off, and set them off again. Chang climbed to the front of the boat and sat cross legged enjoying the wind whipping against her face, further tangling her already horribly messy hair. She urged him to go faster until he brought it up to top speed and had them skipping across the water, making quick turns to keep with the wind. Liang Jian Amal loved her carefree laugh and the bright smile on her face, he was glad he had brought her out here. He directed them towards a small island where they picnicked on a premade lunch that he had had stashed on the boat. Perching on a log she happily munched away, stuffing her cheeks like a little chipmunk to his amusement. While they ate he tried to see if she wanted to swim before they went in, but she declined with a telltale blush illuminating her face and said her legs hurt in a very small voice. He gave her a wolfish grin pleased with his handiwork but didn''t press her. 80 Sweet Times II A stable hand came forward and took care of the animal while he led her back inside. While heading inside Liang Jian Amal asked one of the maids to send food to their room for dinner as Chang was too tired to attend. The older woman took in Chang''s disheveled appearance with a knowing smile while Chang tried to smooth her hopelessly tangled and frizzed out hair and stared at her toes. The woman bowed and replied she would see to it before ending her scrutiny and hurried off to his Jid''s quarters. He smiled and continued to lead her towards their area and the second surprise he had brought back for her. -- Over the last few days Li Hua had received a few of the radiation treatments and was feeling a general sense of lethargy'' even more so than she already had been experiencing. The first one had left her feeling rather nauseous and weak with a slight burning sensation on the back of her neck. The second treatment, the burning sensation intensified but the nausea did not recur. After mentioning the burning to the doctor they adjusted the machine that fed the radiation, and while she did not feel the burning there was the nausea again. The doctor promised her that it would lessen with time as they adjusted it to her need, this would only be for a week or two. She had watched as her daughter tried to busy herself as she was unable to accompany her, Hao Jin Ying was busy taking care of her,and Jian had been away. Li Hua knew she would have to tell her daughter soon, truth wasn''t meant to be hidden, she had always taught Chang that; yet was unable to enact her own teachings. ''I know she must suspect that there is something wrong with me, she''s a smart girl and it''s starting to get more obvious with all these side effects and I cant avoid her forever when I am sick.'' Li Hua thought wryly to herself. ''Thank goodness her husband is back now, he should be able to distract her sufficiently. I''m glad those two made up, he''s a good man, and is good to her. We did good H¨¦nri, I can''t wait to tell you.'' ---- Chang''s hips felt unbelievably sore by the time they returned back to their room. She absentmindedly rubbed a hand on her lower back. ''I need a good stretch and a shower or a hot bath. Before heading in the bathroom she carefully sat herself down on the bed aware of her hurting lady bits. ''Ow if that''s how its gonna be like every time after, I dont want to have sex ever again.'' Her face darkened as she thought of this and glowered at the culprit from the corner of her eye. Jian looked at her sitting and went further into the quarters. Seeing him preoccupied with something else Chang decided to clean herself in peace. She closed both doors behind herself and dropped her dress and underwear as a cloth stop gap in front of the door. Chang gasped from what she could see of herself. Red and purple marks were all over her front especially around her breasts. Chang felt herself turning bright red thinking of the actions that caused the marks. ''''Put that aside for now, just take your bath.'''' Chang shook her head and muttered to herself while turning on the water. While waiting she did a few simple stretches hoping to ease the pain in her hips from earlier. When she stretched her arms up she saw more of the marks and groaned to herself head in hands. ''That is so embarrassing he did that everywhere on me! Even down there!'' Chang sat on the side of the tub letting her sit over the edge and flopped on her side holding her face. Despite her external protests a tiny evil voice kept whispering in the back of her head that she really really liked it and she was gonna want it again. And she really reallly loved what he did with his mouth. Chang groaned hearing the little devil on her left shoulders words, they were kinda right, 81 Surprise "What are you doing?" He couldn''t help himself asking walking inside and crouched near her face. Chang visibly jumped but stayed where she was with her hands over her face. "You broke me.." "What?" He chuckled hearing her nonsensical answer. "What do you mean I broke you?" He looked at the steaming water filling the basin and frowned looking at her slightly pink skin. "You shouldn''t take such a hot bath after all the time in the sun today, it''s not good for your skin." He adjusted the water temperature as he said this. Chang peeked between her fingers and saw him crouched beside her and looking at her with an amused expression on his face. "Ugh go away please let me bath in private." "Did you forget about the surprise? Also privacy would imply that there would be something to hide and we both know there is nothing on you that I haven''t seen.." "You- you- you!" Chang fumed and sputtered flabbergasted by his words. ''You think I dont know this!!'' She cried exasperatedly in her mind. "What about me?" "You know what you did and what you said mister! You just shouldn''t say shit like that!" Chang fumed at him and removed her hands off her burning face and propped herself up to stare him in the eye. Liang Jian Amal snickered to himself seeing her incensed reaction before his eyes darkened, taking in her exposed front bearing the marks of his efforts. His eyes lingered appreciatively on his artwork. "Ah you''re such a pervert." Chang saw him staring at her chest and exclaimed and covered her chest a hand on each breast. "Only when it comes to you, now dont be shy my love, just get in your bath I promise not to harass you." ''You are harassing me just by staying!'' She fumed her little cheeks puffing out as she stared up at the man who refused to compromise or look away. He looked back at her with a doting expression on his face. Chang felt like she might lose her sanity being with a this perverted. Chang climbed into the warm water with her back turned to him her chin turned up. "Look at me, please." Chang responded and looked up at him her expression complicated as she tried to stow her squeamishness. He chuckled seeing her still nervously hiding her chest. "Heh you dont need to be so nervous, I''m not going to do anything to you." Chang didnt really believe him but still turned herself and put an arm over the side as she looked up at him. Jian held a pair of books that looked familiar to her in his hands. She looked at questioningly and reached a hand out. 82 A Turn For The Better Their wedding photos, she wished she had something better, more traditional and not her all plastered after work, but they were still nice.. Chang smiled and touched the photos. On the right was the marriage certificate signed by both of them. Liang Jian Amal written out beautifully and Dumont Chang Xie in a looping messy scrawl. As well as the certificate there was a permission document for marriage from the US embassy in Shanghai. Chang looked at that confused. "You know it wasn''t that simple to marry you, I had to grease more than a few palms to be able to marry you in one night as we are from different countries." Jian explained and held his hands out in a carefree manner shaking his head as he sighed. Chang looked at her ring and the wedding photos under her hand and smiled in reverie. "Thank you." she said in a voice as small as a mosquito. "Hmm, what was that? I couldn''t hear you." He leaned closer and cupped a hand to his ear. Chang leaned forward and grabbed his collar with an iron grip and sealed his irritating distracting mouth with hers. When she released him she whispered in his ear "I said thank you Jian." "He looked at her astonished and grinned at her. "Why Mrs. Liang are you trying to seduce your husband?" "Absolutely not!" She denied fiercely slinking back into the water showing only her head and eyes above the edge. "Why not I wouldn''t be opposed to it." "Yeah, uh huh, I sure you wouldn''t." She muttered. Jian chuckled and gave a peck to the top of her bird nest hair. he grabbed her marriage book so that it wouldn''t get wet and left her to bathe in peace. Chang sat there for a moment and placed both hands on top of her head where he had kissed her. ---- 83 Troubling News Chang had really grown to love horse back riding, and had gotten very good at it. Inspired by the scenery she rode out, with a guard, while Jian was busy dealing with a report with Grandpa Hakim, to go paint the view from the field to the northeast. Chang always took the same mare that Jian had first picked out for her,???,Holma which meant dream or patience. It was a fitting name for the sweet tempered animal she thought as she gave her creamy withers a rub after dismounting, letting her graze freely in the field as she smushed the grass around her in a circle to give her room to sit crosslegged with her small canvas on her lap. She hummed to herself as she worked, it was a hobby that she had used to do with her father that she had picked back up with all her idle time. October painted the deciduous woods that populated the area in bright fiery colors. The rolling fire of color burned up to the mountainside that was dominated by the dark green crown, that started at the top and continued halfway down. It was hard for her to believe that it was fall with a warm sun beaming down on her in the cloudless azure sky, the trees were the only real clue. After satisfied with the image she had painted she stowed her art back into the bag on her back, and she mounted up gripping the pommel in. one hand, holding the fresh canvas in the other. She rode back comfartably in her new favorite forest green tunic set. Jian had had clothes tailored for her in all her favorite colors and that fit far better than Amiira''s which had been adjusted for her. Chang was a good head taller than his late mother had been and was a bit, no a lot thicker than her. While the loose flowy long dresses were ok for a time she had longed for easy to move in clothing. A week after he took her sailing her wish was granted and she had a half dozen sets of the matching tunic and pant sets that she had realized were part of the fashion of the area as well as just being sensible sun and heat protection with its loose light fabric that covered much of her skin.. If this was fall, Chang had no doubt she would be roasting do death in the heat of Lahat''s summers. She held her rode back and gave the picture to her mother who sat in the water gardens with Granpa Hakim. Her mother delighted in it and hung it on the wall of her quarters, with others she had painted over the last month. Chang looked at the walls that were adorned in artwork and her mother''s joyful face. --- Liang Jian Amal read the disturbing report that had just been brought in by a palace guard. Another young woman out in the countryside had disappeared during the day. This was the 15th case in the last month, just three days after the previous one. The time intervals in between the disappearances were shortening and people were growing restless, fearing that human trafficking was tearing through their peaceful life. All of the people who had disappeared had been beautiful women in their late teens and early twenties. They had disappeared day and night, in crowded public areas as well as when they were alone. There was no pattern to when or where, only whom. They were also all of more asiatic descent, as he looked through the photos of all the women''s faces he noted this. ''There''s more to this than meets the eye.'' he contemplated as he looked through all the reports and pictures. If this was human trafficking he would see an end to this immediately, the problem didnt seem so simple though.. 84 Later On The latter three had been at the palace for a long time and lived in the capitol city of Muzdahir near the palace and were long time friends. Halene was the one that always took care of the linens and cleaning in Amira''s chambers where she resided. Chang had approached the tall somber looking black haired woman when she came in to change the bedsheets. Despite her appearance she was a very amicable person and they quickly hit it off and Chang helped her carry the linens out chatting with her brokenly. Halene had then introduced her to Dinara and Miray, who generally worked in the kitchens. Leila was smashing the dough between her two hands her brown sugar-cinnamon colored skin unable to hide her burning blush. Her thick lashes perfectly framed her large crystal black eyes that glared at the fair blue blue-eyed Dinara who had been heckling her. Dinara chuckled in spite of the face her ample rosy cheeks glowing as she wiped tears of mirth from her eyes with the back if her hands. Leila had recently come to the palace a couple weeks ago from the a small town several hours to the west at her parents request, and had instantly become smitten with the stable hand Yusef. Dinara and Miray couldn''t help teasing her for her taste as the man had rather.. distinguishing eyebrows, as well as being almost a head shorter than Leila. Chang couldn''t help giggling a bit to herself as well she couldn''t believe the beautiful young lady across from her was interested in shortie caterpillar brows. To each their own though she thought, there''s only one man who could capture her thoughts. Chang thought about him his bronze skin glowing as he smiled down at her as he caressed her skin. Chang smiled while blushing thinking about the time on the boat, even though she at first hadn''t wanted to do it again, she now felt herself longing for that. Chang sighed to herself thinking about his rough warm palms on her skin. "~Oohoo and what are you thinking about Chang!~" Dinara called at her provocatively and Chang pulled out of her reverie her face warming as she realized what she had bee. fantasising about in front of her friends. "Oh nothing nothing!" Chang turned her attention trying to avoid Dinara and Miray''s attention, the two were like little devils! Miray''s green eyes met Dinara''s blue and the two grinned wickedly at eachother. Chang cursed to herself and tched through her teeth, she was right on the mark but she couldn''t let them know that or it would never be the end of it. As the three were unmarried they wanted details about it, especially insider information about what went on in the bedroom. There were some things she just couldn''t share! The usually quiet Halene even joined on this and fanned herself with one hand." Not that you could blame her, the young lord is quite attractive." "You mean tasty." Dinara gave Halene a toothy smile. Chang felt the heat spreading to her ears hearing Dinara''s choice of words. "Hmm why thank you ladies." A rich voice sounded out from behind them. The man had come upon them silently and heard the latter half of their conversation. His eyes fixed steadily on Changs back as she worked on the dough in front of her. "Would you mind if I borrowed her for a moment." "Oh please take her, take her." Miray chimed in and they made shooing motions for Chang to go. Leila shot her an apologetic look, understanding what it was to be like under their mercy. Chang rinsed her hands in the bucket of water near them and shook them dry before standing and going to the man who leaned in the door frame eyes smouldering. He didnt say anything for a moment as he took in the sight of her, still wearing her riding boots from earlier. "How come you didnt let me know you were back from your ride?" "I''m sorry, I went to my mom first, I made another painting for her, then wanted to help with dinner." "Hmm. I missed you today." He took her hand and brought it to his lips causing the women behind Chang to titter. "You see me every day." She muttered even though she was getting used to his constant touching and affection it was still embarrassing in front of other people. Hearing her friends behind her she pulled him along and away from the gossipmongers. After they were far enough away down the hallway she slowed down to walk side by side with him and chatted telling him what she did that day. Jian looked at the sky that still carried a few hours of sunlight to it. "Would you still want to go for a ride with me?" "No but what about tomorrow after I get back from town with my mom?" "You''re heading to town tomorrow?" "Yeah mom wants to see the bazaar." The man walking beside her was quiet for a moment before looking at her and told her to be careful while she was there. His serious tone surprised her but she agreed to take extra care. "Hmm well since you dont want to go for a ride with me, would you like to ride me?" He continued his serious tone looking at her earnestly. 85 A Sickly Sweet Smell ''Ooh, that looks good.'' Seeing her approach the man started to call out to her. "My lady, come here!" She understood most what the man was telling her from all her practice. "These are very, good, very fresh! Come buy my products!" "How much?" She gestured with her hands asking how much for a couple small bags, her mother loved pistachios too. The man stared at her hands for a half a second before snapping back up to her face light gleaming in his eyes. "Very good only 40 dinars." The man held up 4 fingers as he spoke. "that price seem kind of high 30 would be more better would it not?" Chang rebutted hearing the man''s high quote for the nuts and started to lightly haggle with the man. After a few minutes the two settled on the price of 32 dinars and as she set the coins on the counter he filled two sacks full of nuts for her. The man gave her an appreciative look as he handed her the bags. "My lady is an expert haggler and carries a shrewd eye, your family is blessed to have such a clever young lady. Would you perhaps be interested in marrying my son, he''s a good strong lad and not too bad looking on the eyes." Chang giggled covering her mouth with her fist. "Sorry but I am already happily married." The man openly tsked at the misfortune, "well you remember if he turns out to be no good you come back to me. In fact little lady let me give you a special gift, come with me inside my storehouse, I dont want people to think I''ve gone soft and give stuff away to just anyone!" The man shuffled inside the small squat building that sat right behind his stall. Chang hesitated momentarily and saw that her mother and Jin Ying were were not too far away munching on ?ekerpare1 happily. ''Ooh, that looks good I''ll have to get some of that after this.'' Chang thought to herself as she followed the man into the building. 86 Make A Way They grabbed the first person they could find and had them bring them to Liang Jian Amal. He was with Hakim Al-hassan discussing the best way to go about the disappearances. Liang Jian Amal was in the middle of explaining why they couldn''t just have soldiers patrolling the streets at all times when he saw Li Hua and Hao Jin Ying bust in with a maid. Li Hua ran up to him and grabbed the front of his shirt aggrieved. "We cant find Xiao Xie. She was with us in the market earlier, then she suddenly disappeared, we were looking for awhile but we cant find her." Li Hua''s voice started to crack and her eyes watered as she tried to explain. Lian Jian Amal narrowed his eyes hearing this. "When exactly, where at?" He questioned his voice rising in volume unintentionally. Li Hua was unable to answer as she had started to break down. Hao Jin Ying came and put a comforting arm around the older woman''s shoulders and answered for her. "About an hour ago, we were in the area with a lot of food vendors. We checked around in case she had just gravitated to another food vendor further down the line, but it''s as if she just vanished into thin air." He clenched his fists hearing this "Post guards on all the main roadways and at the main gates out of here. Check any and all suspicious persons or things! Immediately!" He turned and called out to the guard captain who had been in the room with them. The man clapped a fist over his heart and hurried out. Muzdahir was an old city and had once been walled on all sides that were not backed up to the plateau to defend against ancient invaders. The walls had been mostly destroyed after the first world war, three giant gateways still remained as a remnant on the north, south, and west. Most traffic still flowed in and out as they were established paths to the nearest towns. The city still had a lot of open pathways someone could just disappear into the countryside from. ''One hour.'' A lot could happen in an hour. After sending the captain of the guards to inspect the exits, Liang Jian Amal shrugged of Li Hua''s hands and hurried out of the room to grab a horse to join the search himself. 87 Through His Fingers It wasn''t until late evening that he started to approach his home. Some light whimpering started to come from the bottom of his cart, buried under all the sacks. He ignored the faint sounds as he was alone in a remote area and brought his wagon of goods into his storehouse. He unloaded the sacks roughly especially the last two which he threw to the ground. The two sacks cried out faintly through the thick material only to receive a couple of swift kicks. "Quiet or there will be more." He barked out harshly after delivering swift punishment. A very quiet crying sound came from the one on the right which earned more punishment until silence fell. He then left to prepare for his guests. After darkness fell in the shed Chang groggily could hear the quiet voice lightly crying again muffled by something through the darkness. Her head swirled and felt like it weighed ten times more than it usually did, the several hits on her back and ribs hadn''t really done her any favors either. Her tongue thick and dry in her mouth. Chang wanted to say something or comfort them but she was trapped, unable to move. She was stuck in the darkness with the pain until the swirling in her head took all her senses away again. She felt like she was being sucked into a long pit, devoid of anything. ---- After searching through the market area himself with a few guards, Liang Jian Amal came across a disturbing piece of news. As he and the men were going through the stalls questioning people giving Chang''s description, an elderly couple came up to him crying out. Their daughter had gone missing the day before in the market bazaar, she had gone to get some things for the evening meal, and had never returned. The lady held a picture of her daughter up to Liang Jian Amal. "Please effendi find, our T¨¹lay, our daughter please, she is all we have." The woman cried as her green eyes spilt a river of tears down her cheeks. Her husband held her silently pleading with him as well. The girl in the picture was in her mid-twenties or so, fair skinned with black hair and green eyes; and looked faintly like Chang in her chin and nose. '' This is no coincidence, someone has been trying to get her for awhile.'' He clenched the picture tightly and promised to do whatever he could. Along with his men he went through the bazaar talking to shopkeepers and inspecting the interiors of those who had storehouses. Most people were very cooperative seeing the palace was putting forth a lot of effort to find the missing women. They also didnt know that one of them was his wife. As the sun set lower in the sky Liang Jian Amal could feel his apprehension growing. He could almost feel like time was ticking away as the sun crossed the sky lengthening the shadows. He came to an empty stall with a storehouse behind it but no one operating it. There was a fruit stand a few feet away where a bored man sat lazily fanning away flies. "Sir do you know who owns that storehouse there." The man squinted up at him before recognition of who was speaking to him dawned on him. He straightened and spoke clearly. "Eh why that belongs to Old Man Nazr." "Do you know where he might be at this time?" "He probably went home for a few days. He lives several hours away with his son. He was just here earlier today, he seemed to have a good day, lots of sales. He does this when he has a good week, he should be back in three to four days." Liang Jian Amal''s eyes dimmed hearing that the man was no longer there. He did not wish to abuse his power and open the place up without the owners permission. Three to four days would be a long time, and he didnt want to miss anything in his search. He deliberated for a moment considering until he heard his next words. "It sounded like he almost got himself a daughter-in-law today too. A really pretty young lady too dressed in a beautiful red. Too bad though the lady turned him down saying she was happily married." "Can you describe this young lady to me." Liang Jian Amal felt himself snap to hearing the man''s words. She had been wearing crimson today, one of the outfits he had made for her. The man described a fairly tall beautiful young woman who wore her long hair in one one long plait down her back wearing a tunic and trouser set with a hijab. "Where did she go. Where did you last see this woman?" "Eh I guess she left after that, I didnt see where she went after I was fairly busy." 88 Through His Fingers II Liang Jian Amal felt a mild disappointment seeing nothing and turned to leave when something under the door caught his eye. He pushed the door closed and grabbed what looked to be a long piece of soft fabric. He reopened the door and stepped back into the light to see that it was a red hijab with ornate gold stitching along the front edge. There was no doubt whose this was. He put two fingers to his mouth and let out a shrill call to alert the guards that he had brought with him. Clutching the fabric in his left hand he stalked up to the shocked vendor. "Where does this man ''Nazr'' reside?" He growled at the man demanding an answer. The man shook his head rapidly, "I think to the west or south effendi, I am not quite sure. Please forgive me." Liang JianAmal turned his attention from the man as the guards came running to him. "We need to quickly head to the south and west. We are looking for a man named Nazr who lives with a son. He is a vendor and may be the person responsible for my wife''s disappearance. If you find him detain him for further questioning." "Can you give us any details to help identify this man?" Liang Jian Amal turned his attention back to the shopkeeper. The man hastily gave a rough description of a middle aged man of turkish descent around the same height of himself. No facial hair or any other distinguishing feature. He might as well have been any other man that was walking in the streets. With the new information he received he raced to the south gate while two of the guards headed to the west. The guards reported not having seen any suspicious persons or parcels, just some merchants or farmers leaving after having purchased or sold what they needed. He looked down the long dirt road to the south the stars just starting to come out across the sky marking the end of the day. Liang Jian Amal sat there on his horse and clutched Chang''s hijab in his fist staring at the fabric, trying to formulate a plan. "Go to the west gate, tell the men there to head west looking for a man named Nazr, who lives alone with just his son, hes a middle aged merchant. After that gather all the men posted at the gateways and return to the palace and await further instructions." He commanded the two guards who were stationed at the gateway. "Come with me." He turned to the man who had rode beside him and started heading south. He knew it was only a gamble he did not know what else to do though. He tied the fabric on his left wrist so that he would not lose track of it and rode hard, heading for the closest village. After a few moment a pounding of feet came rushing to the door and an older man rushed to the door. "Who are you to come pounding on my door! Do you not know what hour this is! Come back at a decent hour!" The man scolded him vigorously shaking his finger before trying to close the door. Liang JianAmal put a hand to the door stopping him. "I would not be here at this hour if this was not important. I am looking for a man named Nazr who may reside here in your village, he works as a merchant in Muzdahir, and lives with his son. Do you know of this man or where I might find him?" The man looked up at Liang Jian Amal who stood a few heads taller than him and at the palace guard behind him. "Who are you people?" "I am Liang Jian Amal grandson of Hakim Al-hassan. Tell me if I would be able to find this man here." The man paled realizing the importance of the guests at his doorway. 89 The Exchange Soon the silhouette of a couple squat houses appeared on the horizon and he started to rush a little faster letting go of the horses reins as it trotted to keep up with him. The guard, walking his horse as well, struggled to keep up. He came to the first building and began to pound at the door desperately. When no one answered he gave a few more pounds on it before running to the next building to try that door. The door hung slightly ajar, one of the hinges smashed from a forced entry. He went back and quietly motioned to the guard to follow him quietly, as he pulled a long knife from the back his saddle. He stalked into the quiet household keeping his knife at the ready, as he ventured further inside the overpowering smell of blood started to permeate through the air. The guard behind him covered his face with his sleeve trying to stifle the coppery smell. They quietly moved through he house and found the smell to be coming from the single bedroom in one of the beds lay a boy of about 10 or 12. His throat had been cut cleanly, soaking the bed pooling below it. Liang Jian Amal rushed out of the house and burst into the second place which was a large storehouse. Inside a middle aged man who''s throat had also been cut lay on the floor face down in his own blood. He had a sinking suspicion that this might just be the man he had been looking for. He gripped tightly on his knife seeing the gruesome scene. ''Where is she?'' He frantically searched inside finding only a couple of large empty sacks, and a wagon loaded with goods. There was nothing else. Liang JianAmal staggered outside and ran his fingers through his hair holding his head. "Chang! Chang!" He couldn''t help calling into the night. There was nothing but stars and silence that answered him. It was mostly brushland this far south, and further south and to the east led to desert. The horizon showed nothing but an empty expanse, dotted with brush here and there; beyond that a faint shadowing of mountains lay behind far in the distance. West led to mountainainous country, inhospitable, and uneasy to traverse. ''Where are you?'' "Sir come see this!" The guard who had gone behind the house called out to him. On the ground were tire tracks leading away to the south. ''Just what happened here?'' ---- Chang dug her nails into her palms sharpening her focus. She was trapped in a rough material of some kind in the darkness. A loud crack was heard as a boot kicked in the door to the room she was being held in. Light appeared at her feet, as the material that held her was opened, and she was dumped unceremoniously onto the ground. She saw she was in a large mostly empty room except for four men, one she recognized as being the vendor from the morning. The shopkeeper was pleading with a man for payment as he had taken a great risk. She heard an oomph beside her as another young woman was dumped from a large sack by one of the men beside her. The woman lay where she fell. The man who dumped her pulled the woman and looked at her face before looking at a small picture that he held. He threw her to the ground before grabbing Chang and examined her face and compared it with a small picture that he held. "This is the one." The man in front of her said gripping her hair. "Take them both." One of the men at the doorway spoke and both of the women were grabbed and dragged out of the building stumbling. As they passed by the shopkeeper who had kidnapped her spoke up. "My lords, you are pleased, yes? Will I receive my payment now?" "Ah yes, time to clean up loose ends." The man who had instructed them to be taken out jerked his chin at the other man. The larger man strode up and grabbed the shopkeeper and dragged a knife across the other man''s throat, before throwing him to the ground. "He has a son too, take care of him too just in case." The shopkeeper started to convulse on the ground as his life bled out of him in weakening spurts as his limbs jerked and spasmed. Chang was shocked seeing a man being killed so coldly and easily and couldn''t tear her eyes away from the sickening sight as she was dragged away. She and the other woman were thrown into the back of a truck and their hands bound with rope and tied to the side structure of the open aired vehicle. She was still in shock unable to process all that was going on when the last man entered the vehicle and started it up. The man who had done most of the talking grabbed on Chang''s hair causing her to cry out. He ripped her head back forcing her to look into his cold dark eyes. 90 Consequences A dust plume trailed after them like a tail before settling down as they came to a stop lightly squeaking, the men left the engine still running. The red lights of the brakes illuminated the surroundings, showing a small squat building to their right. A light came on from inside the building, responding to the growl of the engine outside. One of the men got out and cut the rope of the young woman bound across from her. She was dragged into the building by the man, who then came out by himself a minute or two later. He hopped back into the truck and they continued on, tires scritching against the ground as they shifted gears and sped up, quickly taking them away from the area. Further into the unknown. Chang slammed into the side of the truck as they started up unexpectedly adding to the layering of bruising she already felt. Chang felt fear in her heart. She wanted to ask but dared not to, these men had already made it very clear that violence was an easy means for their solutions. ''Where are they taking me? where did they take that girl? ''Am I going to die?'' That thought hit her like a ton of bricks. ''No. No. I dont want to die. Mom. Jian. Somebody please help me..'' She curled her shoulders forward and hung her head low concealing a couple of silvery tears. ''Jian where are you? Save me, please.'' ---- Liang JianAmal sent the guard back to the palace, to bring fresh reinforcements. He also sent him with a message to Hao Jin Ying to follow him and to bring "that." Liang JianAmal was riding again following the tracks of the vehicle that led from the house. Even if this didnt lead to Chang, this was already far more than suspicious enough. He sorely hoped that it did though, so much time had already been lost. The tracks led him further south and to the east slightly, into the wilds. ---- After what felt like an eternity the truck rolled to a stop in the middle of what looked liked any other spot they had passed. Dawn was just starting to throw back the curtain of night, the sky just blushing a lighter shade of lilac to her left, behind a row of massive mountains. ''Wait are they going to kill me and dump my body here? No! No!'' Chang started to panic as they stopped in the middle of nowhere. The man who had grabbed them, and taken the other woman into the building; came around and tried to cut her bondage and drag her out of the vehicle. After he cut the ropes restraining her Chang started to freak out and clawed savagely at the man''s face. He stumbled back and she threw herself out of the truck and started sprinting, heading back the way they came. Her breath came out ragged as she ran with all she had terror fueling her steps. She hadn''t made it for than a few hundred feet when she was tackled savagely onto the hard ground. Chang screamed and flailed, clawing at the ground desperately, trying to get away; a firm hand had her ankle in a firm grip though. The back of her collar was seized along with some of her hair, which now hung mostly loose, disheveled, and she was dragged unwillingly back to the truck. The man who she had come to realize was probably the leader sneered at her before backhanding her on her right cheek. Chang tasted blood in her mouth from the hit, and it felt like her cheek instantly swelled up to the size of a baseball. She saw stars swimming before her eyes, and depended on the hand holding her collar to keep her up. The man then grabbed her chin forcing her face up as he inspected where he struck her. "Hmm good, dont want to mess up that pretty face of yours, we wont be able to make as much if we do. Can''t leave marks on you.." The man smiled at her evilly before continuing trying to impress his meaning into her. "At least ones that buyers could see." 91 Rescue ''At last, they finally catch up.'' Liang JianAmal continued on, waiting for them to catch up to him, unwilling to stop and wait. He had to keep moving. He couldn''t stop. A couple of Mahindra''s and Jeep AAVs came roaring up to him first. The calvary was a little further behind carrying the main force of the national guards, which had mobilized on his orders. The vehicles came to a stop before him the men''s faces grim, each armed carried a saber on his left, an AKM, a Marakov Pistol on his right hip, as well as an Ari B''Lailah strapped horizontily to the back of their wide belts. They were fully armed and dressed in tan camoflauge as he had instructed the guard to tell them to be after the gruesome murders. After last night, the disappearances over the last month, as well as the movements within his uncle''s compounds; Liang JianAmal felt that it all pointed to something large-scale being in set into motion. They needed to be ready for whatever lay at the end of this tunnel. ---- Back in the palace Li Hua sat with Hakim Al-Hassan , as the latter tried to comfort the former. She had sat awake all night waiting for Jian to return with her daughter. Initially she had been sitting near the main gateway from the palace to the city, after having stood there until exhaustion, watching, waiting. Hao Jin Ying and Hakim Al-Hassan had persuaded her to come inside, as there was nothing further they could do. She sat on the padded couch in the salon, counting and recounting every tile in the wall and ceiling, trying to distract herself from her trepidation. Late in the night a spent guardsman returned to the palace with a message for Hao Jin Ying, who then rushed off, dragging the half dead man with her by the shoulder pads of his uniform. Li Hua instinctually had wanted to follow and do anything she could to help, and tried to stand to follow, Hakim al-Hassan stopped her though. He placed one large hand over the two of hers that were gripped together as if in prayer. "My hafid will take care of this. Trust in him." "I just feel so useless, my baby is out there somewhere. She''s all that I have.." Li Hua started to weep again as the sun rose illuminating the halls. ---- Liang JianAmal left his horse for one of the calvarymen to take care of as he hopped into the back of one of the trucks, bracing himself against the side framing. He grabbed a pistol and one of the Ari B''Lailah''s, from the full set of equipment that was brought for him as well. He was trained by the national guard of the republic of Lahat growing up and was familiar with all the weaponry, as well as how to handle himself in a fight if needed. He worried about the tracks growing fainter and wearing away and so joined the vanguard, wanting only to continue on as quickly as possible. The tracks continued on taking them into sandier area through hills and scrub brush. As they were continuing on a glint caught the corner of Liang JianAmal''s eye, right before rapid gunfire rang out, ripping through the truck to his left causing it to flip. One of the shots hit the driver of the vehicle he was in and tore through the front of the engine. The vehicle slowly crawled to a stop, as the force that commanded it to go had been snuffed out. 92 Rescue II ''My name is Chang Xie Dumont. I am 23 years old. I was born in San Francisco, California The sole daughter of Li Hua Dumont and H¨¦nri Dumont. H¨¦nri Dumont, my father,who has been deceased since April 25, 2016. Eight days after my 21st birthday. I am married to JianAmal Liang, who is 26 years old. I married him last year when I met him on a business trip in Shanghai. I left him and filed for a divorce and hid myself in shame and regret in the city of Angels, after his father shamed me and tried to drive a wedge between us. He found me, and saved me, and took me and my mother to his mother''s home country. I spent a beautiful month with Jian in the Republic of Lahat. I was kidnapped by the same men who Jian''s father sent to try to drive me away again. They drove me many hours away, I think to the south and east, based on the way the sun and moon was positioned. Thank you dad for all the survival skills you taught me. They put me in a hidden bunker in a desert area. They left, after hearing a call came over the radio about fleas chasing a dog. They told me they left me water near my face before leaving. I am bound and blindfolded. I am alone. .. I am alone.. ---- Hao Jin Ying finally managed to bring life back into the machine, after tinkering around with the engine a bit, and topping up the fluids. The machine had been sitting there unused for years, only in emergencies was it going to be used. As there was usually none, it had sat neglected. Hao wiped her forehead and quickly put on her headset and protective sun glasses. She flipped the switches and she was rewarded with the whirr of the helicopter blades coming into action. The guard seated beside her, looked nervous as he strapped himself in beside her. She pointed at the protective headset, motioning for him to put it on. "Where did you last see him again?" "We were in a village a few hours to the south and slightly west, but we traveled another hour east, to find the house. Effendi Jian Amal is following the tracks that led to the south and slightly east." ---- Liang Jian Amal crouched with the men waiting for the dust to disperse, so that they could clearly see the threat that they were dealing with. The other two vehicles that were still running made a wide sweep back and around in opposite directions, trying to pinpoint where the attack came from. As the dust settled Liang Jian Amal and the other men peeked around the truck. More shots rang out from what liked like a hillside aimed at the truck that was sweeping around to their right. The shots one after another chased after the truck as it manueved and weaved avoiding being hit. "Look, there!" The man beside Liang Jian Amal pointed out to the hillside about a thousand meters to the front and left. There was a squat building that almost blended into the background, a muzzle of a machine gun poked out the window, the end erupting;illuminating their position. ''Shit even with an AKM, which had the longest range out of all their weapons, it could only reach about a third of the distance of what their weapon was capable of. We need to get closer.'' Liang Jian Amal looked at the hilly distance between them and the building and quickly came up with a plan. He pulled the men around him closer in a shared his idea with them. One of the men after hearing the plan immediately put it into action. He repeat fired several shots in an S formation in between them and the building, creating a dust screen again. A few shots fired over in their direction before training back on the truck that was still trying to swerve and work its way in closer. Liang Jian Amal reached into the truck quickly and pulled out the AKM that had been brought for him, he would need the distance. The other truck had already swooped in and around to the other side of the building; and the men had dismounted, slowly closing in the noose. Once the attention was away from them, Liang Jian Amal and the men scattered and ran forward through the dust cloud. They focused on decreasing the distance as much as they could while there was cover, before hiding behind whatever small copse or shrub that was available. By the time the dust cloud had drifted away, the men had hidden themselves from the shooter''s eyes. They had only managed to clear a hundred meters at most though, they would need to repeat the procedure at least a few more times to get within firing range. The men on the other side of the building had managed to get close enough, coming into the blindspot of the enemy as they were distracted by the other two groups. They were unable to hit the man from their position but , they started to fire near the window where the gun muzzle stook out, effectively blinding them. A man kicked open the door from the inside, and started firing at the men that had snuck up in their left on the high ground. He only managed to make a few wild shots up at them before he was gunned down to the ground. He hit the ground hard his gun flying from his hand. ''One down.'' "Almaeiz al''um!"1 A voice shrieked out from the outside and the machine gun started to spray wildly around trying to catch anyone. One bullet skimmed off the ground near Liang Jian Amal''s left shoulder, narrowly missing him. 93 Rescue III He lay there panting for a minute, before rolling over and preparing to go again. One of the other men tried to repeat what he had just done, but didn''t make it for than a few steps before he was gunned down. Liang Jian Amal grimaced at the sight, and decided to wait a minute more as the enemy was taking a "spray and pray" action, making it harder to get any closer. The men on the hillside left one man on the high ground to cover them, and to keep the man operating the machine gun blind. The rest started to work their way down to the doorway that faced them their AKMs held up and at the ready. Liang Jian Amal lay on his belly holding his weapon in two hands watching the men make their way to the doorway, grouping up before rushing in. Strangled cries came out of the room; and the gun that had been going after the remaining truck, and the three men trying to advance by foot, went silent. The men took advantage of the break and started to rush all together to the small building. The three that went inside dragged out a struggling man who shouted curses at them and their mother''s. They shoved him to the ground as he was encircled him. One of the men that had been in the truck with Liang Jian Amal ran up and punched the kneeling man in the jaw, causing him to spit blood on the dirt. "You killed Altan! You fucker!" The young man screamed as he lay another punch on him before being pulled back. "Erol, calm yourself, we need information for now, you can beat him to death later. We need to find our countrywomen and what these dogs have done with them." one of the older men in the group held onto the younger man firmly and tried to talk some sense into him. Fire burned in the young man''s eyes as he looked down at the man wiping his mouth on the ground, before walking to the dead man who had been driving the truck they were in. He layed him gently on the ground, closing his eyes, as he kneeled beside him, performing last rights over his corpse. A chuckle started to come from the man surrounded on the ground, the chuckle started to grow to a laugh before it was cut off into coughing. The older man kicked the man on the ground in the chest, silencing him. "Dog, you just killed several good men one of them being that man''s older brother. You will tell us everything we want to know." "Or else?" the man on the ground scoffed up at the man. " Do your worst, I will not tell you shit." Liang Jian Amal glared down at the man before going inside with a couple of the men. He was eager to find Chang, everything else, as far as he was concerned, could wait until later. Strangled screams started to come from outside as the men tried to pry answers from locked lips. There was a small doorway, the machine gun planted at the window, unmanned, as well as a two-way radio sitting on a small table in the center of the room. Liang Jian Amal turned the radio on, testing it, the sound of static answered him, and he turned his attention to the doorway. Liang Jian Amal walked to the doorway and found that it was locked, he took a step back before landing a heavy kick on it, breaking it open. Several women shrieked and screamed from inside the room as the door swung inwards. Inside the dark room over a dozen women were huddled together on the ground, as far from the door as possible. Some of the women carried obvious marks of abuse on their face and were in various states of dress and undress, a couple clutched rags to their bodies trying to cover themselves. Every one of the women were in a state of disarray and stared at him, terrified, like rabbits caught in a cage staring at the hunter. 94 Rescue IV Liang Jian Amal stepped into the room headed to the girl and the women all cried out a little, visibly shirking away from him. "Don''t be afraid, we are here to help you. Please be reassured." He held his hands up showing his palms to the women. The men who had come inside with him stepped into the room behind him. One of the men ran back outside and came back with another man. One of the women cried out at the sight of the man and he rushed forward to take her into his arms. "Asha, I''m here, you''re safe now, my love." the man comforted her asking her questions as he stroked her hair. The woman sobbed loudly clutching tightly to him. Liang Jian Amal felt a lump rise into his throat seeing the scene. He turned his head back towards the woman. A few more men came in with blankets and an emergency medical kit, for field dressings and they tended to the women. "Miss T¨¹lay, when you were taken were you taken with another woman by chance?" "How did you know my name?" "Your parents asked me to find you, and gave me your picture as well as name. This is really important, please tell me were you taken with another?" "No, I was taken by myself and was put in a sack with something in it that made me feel sick and sleep for a long time." Liang Jian Amal felt as if a stone hit him in the chest hearing that. ''Chang..'' "But when I was taken here there was another woman with me on the truck. I did not get a good look at her but she seemed to be really pretty." "Can you give me any more details about this woman." Liang Jian Amal felt like he was grasping at straws, but he couldn''t help but try. "She had long dark curly hair, she looked young, about marrieageable age.. Oh one of the men called her by her name, I can''t quite remember I''m sorry." It sounded like her but he couldn''t be sure from the scant amount of information. "No wait I remember he said something like you were warned Miss Dumon and now comes the consequences." "Where did they take her! ? Did they do anything to her?!" Liang Jian Amal couldn''t help raising his voice hearing that last bit. The woman cowered a bit under his forceful tone and looked at him with large fearful eyes. Liang Jian Amal looked up at all the shocked eyes that looked at him and stood. He headed back into the first room a grabbed the radio pressing the transmission button and growled into the machine. "Whoever you are, if you hurt one hair on her head, I will make you pay tenfold! I am coming for my wife!" he released the button formulating what else to say to receive a reaction. He hoped that he could maybe receive some information with an exchange. or maybe whoever it was would even be interested in ransoming her. Just something, anything. He stood there running a hand through his hair in agitation holding the radio staring at it. The screen lit up and he received an answer in the firm of a long chilling laugh. "Hahaha! You waste your time boy. How amusing, you won''t find anything, no matter what. But try if you wish, entertain us a little! Hah!" the rough voice gave one last barking laugh and then silenced leaving only static behind. Liang Jian Amal stood, shell shocked, before roaring into the transmitting end and kicked the wooden table to the wall, smashing it. Ignoring the looks he got he walked outside to where Erol and the older man were interrogating the man. The other men were holding him down restraining him. Three of the fingers from his right hand were gone already and the man''s face was pale; and covered in a sheen of sweat. "Why did you take these women? Huh? What were you planning on doing?" Erol screamed in the man''s face. The man sneered and spat a mixture of blood and spittle in his face. Erol roared and punched him before wiping his face disgustedly. Liang Jian Amal strode right to the man and pulled his pistol from the back of his belt. He cocked it and aimed for the man''s kneecaps, destroying them. The man screamed and threw him a hateful glare. "Where did they take the other woman last night? The men on the other side of your radio? Who are they?" He roared at the man, it felt like he was losing his mind. The man chuckled weakly. His head hung low. "I will never tell you anything, the people I work for are much, much, worse.. Hehe he." Blood started to pool out of his mouth and he slumped further before starting to covulse. "Fucker bit his tongue." Erol spat in disgust before kicking him. Liang Jian Amal felt like he had just ran face first into a brick wall. "Damn it all!" He screamed out to the sky and noticed a black dot in the sky quickly approaching them. The black dot soon showed itself to be a large helicopter with Hao Jin Ying piloting it. Liang Jian Amal and the other men shielded their eyes against the dust as she landed, killing the power to the rotors. Hao Jin Ying dismounted feeling triumphant at having found them so quickly after everything. Seeing the look on his face and the dead bodies that lay on the ground she knew something was terribly wrong, her triumph was quickly snuffed. "Sir, did you not find her?" She asked cautiously afraid of the other alternative. "No, but we found the other women, it has come at a great cost though.." He scanned his eyes across the fallen men, the ground around them stained with the remnants of their lives. "Take the women and the men back to the hospital for treatment. Tell the men who are heading as back up to head back and investigate this "Naz''r," we may find something through him. I am going to keep heading on there may still be tracks or some clues left out there." Liang Jian Amal issued his orders before heading to the closest truck. His attention focused on one need. Erol followed after him and hopped into the vehicle beside him. "I''m coming with you sir. I want revenge on whoever these people''s boss is." 95 Do You Remember? ''I should never have watched so many crime shows and the like, I can''t stop thinking of the worst. Please H¨¦nri watch over out daughter.'' Li Hua squeezed her lips and eyes tight feeling sick. ''I hope Jian finds her soon.'' She looked at Hakim al-Hassan and recounted a time long ago. "I lost Chang only once before. It was when she was really little, almost 5, and we went to the hospital to visit my mother. It was the first and last time she ever met my mother. My mother died shortly after of emphysema. "I took her inside, in a pretty little dress, I wanted to show my mother how beautiful she was, and how happy that I was. She and my father had been incredibly disapproving of H¨¦nri, and against us eloping at such a young age. Our marriage severely damaged ties with both our families. Yet it lead to our happiness and a beautiful baby girl in our first year of marriage." Li Hua smiled remembering the joy of holding her tiny fresh little body and wishing she could share that joy with her mother. "One of my elder sisters called me to let me know, only at the last moment, but I''m still grateful for that moment. The look on my mother''s face when she saw my Xiao Xie who came right up to her. My mother was less than enthused to see me, even after all the years. My precious daughter went right up to her bedside holding a bunch of sweet pea flowers she had picked for her, my mother''s favorite. I grew them in our garden as a remembrance always and had told her about that. I don''t think I had ever seen my mother so joyful in her entire life, or laugh like she did that day. When we went to leave my mother who hadn''t said a word after screaming at me to leave spoke to me. She told me, ''You did good Li Hua. She''s beautiful. You should come again next week, I''ll have your father there too. The old fool may never admit it but I''m sure he would be glad to see you two as well.''" Shu Yan also gave her daughter a rare smile before turning her head away towards the window, dismissing her. Her jaw held strong, her side profile illuminated by the light from the window. It was the last memory she had of her mother. She had ruled their home with an iron fist, but only out of love, Li Hua had come to understand. Yan Shu had wanted all her children to have successful bright lives like she had never had the chance to have. "In those few seconds I turned my head back to my mother, Chang took off and when I turned my head back I saw her gone. I rushed to the hallway, checking anywhere a little girl might go, but I couldn''t find her. And so I ran to the first nurse''s station I saw for help desperate. "I ran up on them quickly to see that it was my father, sitting with his hand captured by my daughter as she told him all about meeting her grandma for the first time excitedly. She told him all about her grandma, and what a pretty and nice lady that she was, and how she gave her some yummy jello. I think I saw my father smile for the first time and the last time then thanks to her. "She gave me a pretty good scare then, but that''s the only time. But now this is something on a whole other level, if something happened to her too, I just.." Li Hua she put her head in her hands and leaned her head against Hakim al-Hassan''s shoulder. "She''s the only member of my family left.." Li Hua had run up on them, stricken, in her 25 years it had been the biggest scare of her life. As soon as she saw her daughter she called out to her alerting them both. Her father, Feng Yan, had stood and looked at Li Hua squatting enveloping the little girl in her arms, who nestled in like a little chick. He looked back and forth at the two of them, for a moment it had almost seemed like he might cry but he didn''t. Feng Yan instead gave her only a small nod before walking past her. It had been almost an unbearable level of heartbreak for her facing them again. As soon as they got home, and she put Chang down for a nap she called H¨¦nri. . He came home about an hour after she called him and he swooped her up in his arms, holding her tight giving her a safe haven to let loose her pent up tears. "Nous sommes fammile ma cherie, ne pleure plus."1 He had whispered into her ear. "Heh you know I can''t understand you." She had chuckled a little through her tears her head laying on his wide shoulder as he rocked her gently. 96 Do You Remember? II Everything carried a soft glow, and it was almost blurry, as if seen through wet glass. She was in the middle of a large party after a successful interview. Chang had had far too many beers at the urging of her coworkers as well as a few shots of shochu. Every time there was a "cheers" more alcohol was imbibed. After a while everyone at the table, including herself,was having a merry time, laughing and joking, and back patting. There was an option for karaoke where they were at, and when someone brought up karaoke, she instantly threw her hand in the air. Chang declared she would love to, band would even start it off. The men at the table surrounding her all nodded and encouraged her to go on. She rifled through the expansive catalog of songs, which thankfully held English songs as she was not as familiar with most of the Chinese ones. It was also one she was incredibly familiar with and loved and her dad had as well. Her dad who had passed away only a year and a few scant months ago. Horns came on as the screen displayed "I''m so so so tired of being alone"- al green. Like time had rolled away she let loose and belted it out like she used to in the car with her dad. When the song came to an end she felt like her eyes were sparkling and exhilated. The rest of the party gave her a stunned expression in response to her wide grin. A slow clap had started out from behind her at the entrance, startling her. Chang turned to see probably the most ridiculously handsome man she had ever seen. She even gave herself a little pinch to see if he was really real. Tall, broad shouldered, bronzed skin, a strong nose and jawline, soft kissable lips that smiled at her, and with thick eyebrows over a pair of dark intense eyes that were locked onto hers. It was like a one hit knockout in one look. It took all the will power that she had to not let her jaw hit the floor, or drool! "I don''t mean to interrupt, I was merely entranced by this young ladies voice." Even his voice! It was damn hot butter on bread! Rich and smooth and flowed so good! The man called Mr. Liang declined thanking him. "If I may, I would like to steal this young lady away for a moment of her time. " ''A moment? I''m all yours for as many moments as you want!" "Of course of course! Miss Chang please accompany Mr. Liang for whatever he may need." His eyes also told her, ''and establish a business connection with him for us!'' "Yes, sir." she bowed her head politely to her boss, and handed someone else the microphone, before turning to the man leaning on the door frame sizing her up. She smiled politely at him, "please lead the way Mr. Liang." Mr. Liang led her down the hallway from the private rooms to the open bar. "Would you care for a drink miss?" "I think I''ve already drank enough for ten people, thank you, but I should not have anymore." "Very well. I would like to make a proposition to you, but I would first need to ask you a few questions." The man ordered a scotch on the rocks and held the glass with a few long finger, swirling it. He stared down at the glass in his hand, his long lashes casting shadows on his cheeks. ''Woah how can a guy even have such long nice, lashes.'' "Fire away!" Chang made a motion with her hand prompting him as she winked. The sculpture of a man looked back up at her, stealing her breath. At close quarters she got a good look at his eyes, they were an interesting brown with either flecks of gold or amber in his eyes. They mesmerized her so much she almost forgot to breathe. ''Damn I thought they only made them so good in the magazines and movies! Ow, God spent a little extra time on this one, it''s almost not fair.'' "Has anyone ever told you miss Chang that your eyes are the most enchanting shade of blue?" She was so lost in his features that she almost did not hear him at first. "Huh? Oh a few times yes, thank you." ''Yeah real smooth there girl, get it together!'' Chang chastised herself at getting so tongue tied in front of this man. "Are you currently seeing anyone at the moment?" ''OH shit is he asking me out?! DearBuddha, thank you for finally answering my prayers!'' "No, I am not." ''Good, much smoother that time!'' "Really, a beautiful woman such as yourself, is unclaimed, the men in this world must have gone blind." He gave her a charming smile as he said that. ''I don''t know about the men of the world, but I may just go blind!'' She had never had anyone throw such lines at her and couldn''t help but blush and avert her gaze from his million megawatt smile. " I don''t know about all that, I''ve just been really focused on my work and schooling, so I''ve just never really had the time.." "Heh, cute." Chang heard the man chuckle across from her and looked up at him nervously. "Are you always this expresive?" ''wait, is that a compliment or not?'' "I don''t know, I guess." She pulled one of her curly locks over her shoulder and fiddled with it nervously. Chang had no idea what to say or do in a situation like this. "Well Miss Chang I will cut straight to the chase. I am in need of a marriage partner for my own reasons. It would be a contractual marriage for a set period of time, which we can come upon mutually agreeable set of time. Of course I would provide ample compensation for your time, as any lucrative exchange does. I only have a limited amount of time, if you agree, I will need you to make your decision shortly. " He clasped his hands together and looked at her seriously. 97 Do You Remember III "I assure you that this is not a hoax." as if reading her mind the man spoke. "Fine then. Give me one reason why I should marry you. Convince me." The man looked at her shocked as if he couldn''t believe what he was hearing. He chuckled while giving her an admiring look. "Heh, interesting girl, I''ll give you three." He counted off on three fingers One I''m handsome. " " You''re going to have to do better than that, half the world''s population is men. I''m sure I could fine another handsome man. " Chang closed her eyes and ran a finger along the edge of her glass. "Cheeky. How could you say that to someone as charming as myself, you could even say it''s my second best attribute." "Hmm. What else you got." She looked back at him giving him one of her devilish smiles, this was kind of fun. "How about the fact that I would make it so you never have any other worries for the rest of your life, because I would take care of you." "I''m pretty well able to take care of myself, I only worry for my mother." Chang thought of her mother who now lived alone after the passing of her father. "Naturally I would care for my mother-in-law as well." he closed his eyes and held out a hand as if he was explaining something as natural as breathing. He seemed sincere and honest in his intent.. "But why, why me? You don''t know me." She looked into his eyes, this was just so bizarre. His eyes smouldered into hers causing her to feel a ticklish dropping sensation in her stomach. The alcohol already made her feel warm as if snuggled in a fuzzy blanket, but now she felt inexplicably hot, even down to her toes and up to her ears. "Correction, I don''t know you yet. I don''t have a lot of time. What do you say." Lost in his eyes she barely heard the word yes drop from her lips. He rose from his seat drawing her beside him his hand locked onto hers. Chang stared at it unbelieving that a handsome stranger had just proposed to her out of nowhere, and now he was holding her hand leading her to get her stuff from the private room she had been in. She clutched her black slacks with her other hand trying to quell her nervousness. ''Hopefully my palm isn''t super sweaty.'' The man lead her back into the room under the shocked states of the people that were there. Even the man who had been in the middle of singing trailed off. Her boss approached her, "Miss Chang, is everything all right?" "Resignation?! Miss Chang why are you suddenly resigning?" The man looked pointedly at Mr. Liang as if he was poaching one of his own. "It''s a good thing. You see I''m going to be getting married to this big guy." She smiled and pointed with her thumb over her shoulder. As soon as she reached him she grabbed him by the his deep maroon tie and pulled him forward to kiss him. She released him after a moment and smiled at her boss and at everyone in the room ignoring the looks she got from everyone, including her handsome suitor. "See? Goodbye everyone. Boss please send my last paycheck to my direct deposit account. Thank you and I''m sorry for the sudden notice. Toodles everyone!" She waved before walking out not noticing that the man beside her was walking a little woodenly and kept adjusting his tie. Because she was drunk she walked confidently forward without realizing where she was going at first, after a few steps she realized and prodded the man beside her to lead the way. He led her out to the garage fishing his key out from his pocket and aiming it towards a white Porsche convertible. Chang was fairly used to seeing fancy shiny cars from all the tech money near where she grew up, so she recognized the model. Inside was all dark leather, she couldn''t help but take a whiff, it smelled so damn good. It was a low key kind of sexy and she liked it. ''Huh so it seems this guy is kind of rich too.. No wonder he could afford to say the things he did.'' Sensing her stare he looked at her before starting the vehicle, looking a little unsure now. "Are you really sure about this miss, there''s no going back. Are you sure you don''t want to know any further details first?" ''"If it needs to be said you can tell me on the way, I have made up my mind already." The man started the car which came to live with a low growling purr. "You sure you wouldn''t even like to know my name first or anything?" Chang groaned and held her face in her hands. ''What was I thinking, I''m so stupid. I don''t even know this guy''s name and I agreed to marry him. Ah'' she sucked her breath in as reality hit her. ''I even kissed him to, why did I do that, in front of all those people to. Ugh if ever I wished a hole in the ground would just open me up and swallow me, it would be now. Chang composed herself and quieted her internal screaming. "I guess I should give you my name as well. It''s Chang. Chang Xie Dumont." " Dumont? Are you not Chinese?" The man looked at her rather surprised. "No, I''m from San Francisco, California, I''m only here on a business trip." "Oh." He said rather flatly. "Is that a problem?" "No, just a few more steps I need to take then. I''m just surprised though, your mandarin is is quite excellent." "Why thank you, one of my many talents." Chang brushed her nails against her front shoulder polishing them before looking at them blowing on them while smirking under his admiring gaze. "Heh, I don''t believe I''ve ever met a woman quite like you Miss Dumont. My name is Liang Jian Amal, it is truly my pleasure." He smiled at her knowingly before driving them away from the entertainment center. "As for our marriage we can write out a contract specifying how long for a time limit at a later date. Though I''m not sure that it would be a bad thing to stay married to a woman such as yourself." He smiled while he spoke keeping his eyes on the road. "While we are married I will naturally provide for you and your mother, as we previously agreed upon. If you wish it to we can keep our marriage a secret , I do not mind. I also will not be with a another woman, as long as we are married I will be faithful to you." "That''s a pretty tall order think you can do all that?" Chang was slightly skeptical, he was promising quite a lot. "That and more." He smiled at her as he pulled over. She grabbed his face and drunkenly spouted off at him. This seemed a little too surreal. "Is this the face that spouts such lies and leads on girls like that. This is far too pretty a mouth to be used like that sir!" "You think it''s pretty."he smiled sardonicly at her while removing her hand. ''Err.'' 98 Do You Remember IV "Hey did I notice that when you filled in the birthdate section that it was today''s date?" "You saw right. Today, July 30th, 2017, is my 25th birthday." "Oh! Well happy birthday! We''re only a few years apart, I''m 22, I''m in April, on the 17th." "I saw, I looked over at your form too." He pulled into a gated community lined with large estates with expansive grounds. Each one almost seemed to be more impressive than the last. This is a whole other world.. ''Oh Chang what have you got yourself into..?'' His place was just as overwhelmingly opulent as were every other place. Even though he told her she would become accustomed to it as it was her home now, she highly doubted she ever would. It almost seemed to be too much. They removed their shoes at the doorway and the man gave her a pair of slippers that were way too big for her feet. He told her that he would see to new clothing for her the next day when she giggled at how comically oversized they looked on her. After the long day she''d had and the many drinks she honestly just wanted to go to sleep, plus it felt like her head might explode with all the new information. "Um Mr. Liang Jian Amal, I think I''d like to go to bed now. Um where should I..?" The words in her mouth had trained off as she forgot what she was going to say. The look in his eyes changed after she said that, it was almost predatorial. Chang unconsciously shivered and crossed her arms against her chest. ''Maybe this was a bad idea..'' She felt the wall hit her back and she turned shocked and felt one of his hands brush past her face hitting the wall. His lips whispered in her ear causing her heart to beat erratically, so loudly she wondered if he could hear it. "Why Miss Dumont you are unexpectedly rather bold in a number of ways." He had then took her lips softly, before applying more force, parting her lips with his tongue. The soft pressure of his lips, the invasion of his tongue, and his manly intoxicating smell was making her so dizzy she forgot to breath. The papers in her hand fell to the ground like fallen leaves, forgotten instantly. She started to slump down the wall as soon as she did he picked her up and carryied her into his massive bedroom. ''Wait! Wait! This is all going just a little too fast. I can''t, stop, please, I don''t know what to do!'' She started to panic as her blouse was opened quickly with his deft finger, revealing the silk lace top camisole she had on underneath. From the position she was in on her back, and the v in the material a good amount of her cleavage was showing itself to him. One of his hands reached and cupped one of her breasts over the material causing her to gasp at the sensation. "W-wait, please, slow down.." in between pants she was finally able to squeeze out the words, her brain felt like it had electricity scouring through it making her unable to connect thoughts. "What happened to your boldness from earlier?" He murmured as he nibbled on her collarbones causing her to cry out. "I think we may have had a misunderstanding! I''ve never done anything like this before. I''ve never dated or had a boyfriend or anything. Chang felt embarrassed explaining something like this while under a man, and exposed so much. "Really?" He seemed kind of dubious thinking she was just being coy, and had pulled back a little. "That was my first kiss earlier even.." It felt like her face was glowing like a giant heat lamp. "I don''t even know why I did that, that was so embarrassing." Her eyes darted anywhere around the expansive room than on the man looking down at her. "I want my first time to be with someone I love, you understand?" "Indeed I do. I will make you fall for me first and have you beg me for this." He trailed his fingers meaningfully across her exposed skin light as a feather. "I will never beg." Changscowled up at him, feeling like she was being toyed with. "Heh we''ll see." He rose up off of her and went into his wardrobe and pulled out a white t-shirt and threw it to her. "Here you can wear this as pajamas until I get you more suitable clothes. The bathroom is over there." He pointed with his finger and she rushed right in, closing the door behind her. Chang leaned back against it and sighed. ''Yeah this might have been a big mistake... Heh he was right though, I guess he is kinda charming, in a way.'' She smiled to herself like a loon while clutching the white shirt against her chest. VRRMM! A loud growling noise broke Chang out of her reverie. She realized she was still tied up in the cold dark place. 99 Make Haste They dropped down off the ladder, and opened the door to the side room that she was in. Chang drew herself up to her knees to face them, seeing spots as she pulled herself up. The leader looked at Chang who was kneeling. "Give her some water and untie her for a bit." One of the men cut her bonds and she rubbed them on her legs. Feeling started to come back to them in a painful tingling feeling. Her blindfold was also removed, showing the tiny dimly lit room she was in. Even though it was only a bit of light, it was blinding to her after so long in the dark. "Well Miss Dumont, it looks like our time together has unfortunately come to an end. We have made contact with someone interested in purchasing you, and we will be bringing you to them tomorrow. So please rest and enjoy your last evening with us." After his last pleasant sounding words he closed the door. The light from the lantern he held went with him The sound of men laughing raucously was transmitted, muffled through the door. The sound of their enjoyment felt like it deepened her despair. ''Jian..'' Chang closed her eyes, wishing she could see him again. Just one last time. Through the muffled door she could hear snippets of their conversations, but didn''t think much of it. At least until she heard the topic come to her. She pricked her ears up and scooched closer so that she could hear them more clearly. .. "All I''m saying is that we should get a chance to enjoy her too... It''s not as if she''s a virgin.. We won''t leave marks on her that the client would see.. Who says we should only have a monetary reward.." Chang backed away from the door hands over her mouth. She couldn''t bear to hear another word of what those vile men were saying. Chang looked around for an escape, or even a weapon to save herself with. There was only a bit of light in the room she was in, coming from the light under the door. Shadowy large boxes and bags surrounded her, cluttering the ground. ''There!'' In the back of the room, she saw a small glass pane almost to the ceiling, long and narrow. She couldn''t see through it, so she couldn''t be sure that it was an escape route, but it was better than anything else she saw. Chang pulled her long tunic off herself, wrapping it around her fist and arm. She was only wearing that now, as with her hands died she had been unable to pull on her pants. She shivered at the cold dank air and the thought of what those men wanted to do to her. Chang''s lips lifted in triumph at the smell. She used her covered hand to quietly push the glass out so that it wouldn''t fall in and shatter. Once the majority of it was out of the way, she laid her tunic on the edge a pushed herself through on her belly. 100 Dont Stop She almost wept and kissed the ground and the sweet smell of fresh air and the sight of stars twinkling over her head. The moon was full illuminating the barren area she was in, giant black jagged mountains loomed before her, dark and imposing. She set off in a northish direction, making a wide loop around the bunker where she had been held, putting the mountains behind her right shoulder. She wanted to run but she did not have the energy for that. Instead she set off at an even pace, trying to avoid bramble and thorns with her bare feet. She crossed her arms across herself trying to keep in her warmth, holding her bare arms. The faint clouds of her breath as she walked let her know just how cold it is. ''Just where am I? It wasn''t that cold in Lahat.'' The question plagued her as she continued on forward. Anywhere had to be better than where she came from. After a while, she had to stop, noticing she was leaving bloody footprints from her cold-numbed feet. Chang stopped to tear a couple of strips from the bottom of her long undershirt, and wrapped the strips on her bare feet. Her poor feet screamed in distress as she wrapped them as best she could to help protect them from further damage. She hoped it would be enough as she couldn''t take more from her shirt. The thin material was barely keeping any heat in, or providing any covering stopping just at the end of the swell of her butt. Chang shivered rubbing her arms, as she swayed to her feet. ''I gotta keep moving, no matter what. Stopping equals death or worse..'' Shortly after she made a few steps she heard a few cracking noises behind her, almost deafening through the night. The growling of the engine started to come from behind her, the lights shining over the dunes. A few more of the noises cracked out and she screamed involuntarily, recognizing them as gunshots. Fear truly can be the best motivator. It pushed her on heading to the nearest high swell to hunker down an hide. She was more in the open, trying to walk on the flatter, more easier traverse areas. Lights flashed across her once illuminating her in the darkness before passing on. They quickly came back to her though as her grimy white undershirt gave her away like a beacon. Chang ran desperately feeling tears and snot run down her face. Like a monster chasing after her, the engines growling grew louder and more fierce as it caught up to her. She tripped and stumbled but kept moving, little panicked sounds came from her chest as she ran. 101 You Dare After exerting herself so hard, little black dots and bright floating lights danced in her eyes, making it hard to focus. She turned her face from the blinding light of the truck and looked to the ground. "Where did you think you were going to go Miss Dumont? Were over 800 km from where you came from, and 300km from the nearest building. Though I doubt you would find much help from them, especially in your status." The man''s eyes lingered over Chang''s skin as he said the last part. The leader gave her a look full of malice. "All you have succeeded in doing is marking yourself up and wasting our time. Come with us now." Chang shook her head "no" and took a few cautious steps back. "That was not a request." Chang stumbled backwards hitting the ground hard as the man advanced upon her. He grabbed a handful of her hair and viciously jerked her up. As he pulled her hand that had closed around a good hard rock came up to the side of his face near his eyes. The man gasped, releasing her. Chang staggered away from him, holding her bloody rock, and tried to get away again, to hide herself. The bullets came down around her again and she dropped to her knees, shrieking a little. "What did I say? Stop before you hit her, shes more valuable alive and intact!" The man she''d hit with the rock yelled at one of the men back with the truck. "You''re going to pay for that though, bitch." Chang crouched on the ground her back to them, hopelessness slumping her shoulders. "I''m sorry.. I tried so hard.." Chang whispered to herself, feeling the cold and weakness take over. "I can''t fight or run anymore. I''m sorry.." She closed her eyes and thought of the new friends she just made at the palace, Leila, Dinara, Halene, and Miray; she wished she had more time with them and got to know them better. ''I wish I got to talk to Justin one last time and had a laugh over a drink with him.. Mom I love you, I''m sorry I wasn''t there for you as often as I should have been,especially after dad passed. If I could go back I''d do some things over. Im glad I met you Jian.. No matter what. Even with all the sorrow, anger, and now terror, you are one of the best things that ever happened to me. '' Chang smiled to herself, her head hung low. She felt a hand grab the back of her thin undershirt, gripping it as if prepared to rip it. 102 You Dare II 24 hours after she disappeared he had stumbled upon the bunker, since then there had been nothing. Erol and himself had found a hint of tracks from a truck that led south and to the west, but after a couple hundred kilometers, they faded to nothing. Liang Jian Amal held his head in his hands, dishearted by this. Even though Hao Jin Ying returned with the helicopter later that afternoon and helped them cover lots of ground in the search, it was for nothing. It was as if Chang disappeared. ''People disappear when they''ve died usually.'' A voice whispered in the back of his head taunting him. "Shut up, she''s not dead." He whispered back to himself. After last night the voice had grown stronger plaguing him with doubts and suspicions. He had been only able to sleep for a few hours due to the nightmares that plagued him. Every time he closed his eyes the scenes would haunt him. Scenes all involving Chang and the absolute worst that could happen. "Still can''t sleep?" Erol sat down next to him and leaned against the truck. He lit up a cigarette for himself before holding one up for Liang Jian Amal. Liang Jian Amal gratefully took it and lit it, taking a long drag. "No I keep having those fucking visions. I know she''s not dead, I just know it." Erol gave him a look that said he was losing his mind and hell, he might be right. ''I might be losing it just from the lack of sleep.'' Erol rested a hand on his shoulder offering support. "We''ll find her, don''t worry so much Liang Jian Amal. You should sleep, I''ll keep watch. You''ll be no good in the search if you keep going like you have been." "I know, I just can''t, not yet. Not until I''ve found her can I rest." He sighed as he stared up at the bright full moon. "I-" He was cut off by the sounds of gunshots in the distance. He looked sharply at the man next to him confirming he heard the same thing. "Hao Jin Ying!! Get up immediately we have to go!" Liang Jian Amal sprung to his feet, collecting his weapons as he called at Hao Jin Ying to wake her. She had been sleeping like a rock until he called out frantically. Hao Jin Ying sat up immediately in her sleeping bag she''d brought. Seeing the men quickly grabbing stuff, she realized the situation and went into the helicopter and started to start it up. They took to the air quickly and saw a pair of lights moving quickly in the southwest. Keeping the headlamps off, they advanced to where the lights were. Liang Jian Amal motioned to Hao Jin Ying to take them lower so that they could get a better look at what was going on. It looked like a person in white standing in the light, not just that a woman. The person standing in the light fell backwards when one of the men from the truck approached. As they were pulled from the ground they seem to have struck the man with something as he staggered back holding his head. One of the men in the truck still shot at the person as they tried to run after striking the man. The figure shrank and fell to the ground, and Liang Jian Amal felt his heart squeeze seeing that. "Take us lower." "They will notice us for sure if we go any lower." Hao Jin Ying protested at the thought of being shot down from the sky. His returning glare left no room for argument and she did as she was told. 103 I Am Sorry I Am Late Two men sat in a truck, one of whom held an automatic rifle. Another man stood over a woman with long dark hair in a soiled white dress. ''Can it be?'' Liang Jian Amal looked at the woman at the ground, it looked like her, but after so long and so much he couldn''t believe it. The man holding the rifle fired a few shots at them, deflecting off the side of the metal. Both Liang Jian Amal and Erol returned fire to where they came from and were rewarded with the sound of the man dropping the gun, as well as the sound of the truck engine dying as both were riddled with holes. The weaponless driver hopped out of the ruined vehicle and took off. As Hao Jin landed the helicopter Liang Jian Amal hopped out of the aircraft, headed towards the man standing over the woman. "Not another step or she dies." The man put his hands on the back of her neck, threateningly. The expression on the man''s face was grim, blood running down the left side of his face from a grievous wound near his brow. He could clearly see that it was Chang at this distance and she seemed to be worse for wear but alive. ''She''s alive.'' His blood boiled though looking at the state of her clothes just from her back view. She had been stripped down to just her shift, her bare shoulders and back shivering with either cold or fear. He cocked the gun back aiming it at the man standing over her. "Get away from her now." He growled at the man. "That''s not how this works. You do what I say and she might live. Now throw your weapon down." Liang Jian Amal lowered the pistol to the ground holding a hand up in a peaceful manner. The man gestured for him to throw it to the side. He complied throwing it a good distance to the right. As his hand backswung from the motion he pulled the knife from his back and threw it at the man, hitting the shoulder of the arm that held her neck. The man bellowed and released her only to be taken off his feet by Liang Jian Amal''s flying tackle. He ripped the knife out of the man''s shoulder only to bring it down a few more times in his lower abdomen. Purposefully avoiding vitals. After satisfying himself he knocked him unconscious with a blow to the face. The man could still hold information that was vital and as such he had to restrain himself. After ensuring he was out he turned to his wife still on the ground. Chang was still huddled over holding onto herself, trembling. He put and arm on her shoulder but she violently jerked away and tried to crawl away. As she lay where she fell she felt a hand grabbed her and she jerked away. The will to survive pushed her to get away. "No don''t touch me!" She screamed out as she tried to move away. Liang Jian Amal''s heart broke seeing her terrified blind reaction and he pulled her into his arms holding her tight. "It''s me Chang. It''s me. I''m here now." The pounding against his chest ceases as the words processed. "Jian..?" Came a small pitiful voice. 104 How Can I Be Sure ''Maybe this is just one long really messed up dream. Am I still tied up in that room?'' Chang heard his words, ''if it is a dream it''s a nice one, I''d rather have this than reality.'' "Yeah you were really late, but it''s OK." She buried her face in his shoulder and let the angst out against him. In between sobs she spoke. "It''s OK because you''re here and that''s all that matters. Thank you Jian. Thank you.." As she let it out she relaxed. And let the darkness take her in Jian''s arms. He felt the trembling figure in his arms start to sag in his arms and grow still. Fearing the worst he called her name frantically a few times and pulled her back to see that she was only sleeping. From whatever had happened to her over the last few days her eyes had delicate bruising under them, and her face looked a little guant. His heart broke seeing her looking so tortured. He planted a light kiss on her forehead before carrying her into the helicopter and wrapping her in a blanket. Erol helped him drag the man Liang Jian Amal had thrashed and strapped him up against the side, so that he wouldn''t fall out. Hao Jin Ying gasped in surprise and happiness seeing the unconscious woman wrapped in a blanket. She hastily wiped a few tears of joy from her eyes and fired up the radio which was connected to the palace. "We have found her, I repeat Chang has been found!" She joyfully called over the radio wanting to let Li Hua find out immediately. Chang''s disappearance had taken years off of her life. After dragging the man in Liang Jian Amal sat in one of the few seats holding Chang tightly in his arms. Her bare legs and feet peeked out of the blanket drawing his eyes. Her feet were wrapped in bloody soiled scraps, and little nicks and cuts went up to her mid calf. ''It looks like she was running desperately for a long time. I''m so sorry it took me so long to find you.'' He held her tighter cradling her head to his shoulder as he adjusted the blankets to cover her legs more. He looked up and saw that Erol, on the other side had his eyes wandering all over Chang. "Hey, retrieve your eyes before you lose them." Liang Jian Amal spoke in a low tone boring his eyes into the other man''s. "Hmm what? Sorry, this woman is incredibly beautiful." "She''s also my wife." ''Could you not tell from the way I''ve been towards her?'' Abashed the man turned his gaze away under Liang Jian Amal''s glower and they continued the long flight home. Chang looked to be in need of immediate treatment. Jian carried her out of the helicopter, as she had bare, injured feet and carried her down the stairs. Chang held tightly her arms around his neck as her face was buried in his shoulder. After trying to get her to respond or tell him of her condition he told her he was going to take her to a doctor. She mutely accepted it. 105 This Is Not A Dream Its A Nightmare Once inside they were surrounded by medical professionals who tried to examine her. To do that though they first needed to unwrap her from her blanket cocoon and extricate her from his arms. At the sight of all the hands reaching towards her, Chang shrank and held onto him tighter refusing to let go. "Chang, you have to let go. We need to check your injuries." She gripped the front of his shirt even tighter in response. "I''m not going anywhere, I''ll be with you the whole time. I promise." He lightly stroked a thumb on her cheek looking down at her. Only then did she let go and let herself be put on the hospital bed. As the blanket was pulled away the soiled ruined shift was revealed and he noticed the dried blood stains and tears along her stomach and torso. Liang Jian Amal memorized every wound as the nurses cleaned her up and ran a bunch of tests. Through it all she never took her eyes off of him. At the end she was dressed in a long hospital gown and given a saline IV drip. One of his hands was gripped fiercely by hers as she rested a little fitfully. The doctor cleared his throat turning his attention from her sleeping face and presented him with Chang''s chart. Lacerations, abrasions, bone bruising, dehydration.. His hands shook reading the medical diagnosis while listening to the doctor speak. "Miss Dumont has been through quite a lot over the last few days. "She has sustained several lacerations from her thorassic to abdominal area that had glass embedded in some, possibly from having been dragged through it. She also had a few cuts and lacerations on the sural area but nothing as major as on the torso. "Miss Dumont has also sustained bone bruising to the lumbar area as well as the axillary area due to heavy blunt trauma. With ice and rest it should heal in about a month or two. She might find it difficult to breath deep for a while but be assured she will heal. "She has several abrasions to the carpal area due to chafing from rope or another abrasive. It is only cutaneous damage though. "She has some minor muscular tearing to the cervical area as well, but as well nothing major. "The soles of her feet were severely damaged and she has severe abrasions on the soles of her feet, it would be best if she remained off of them for at least a few days." ''Oh Chang.'' The doctor looked at the young man with his head bowed a pained expression on his face, wondering if he should add in the last bit. "We also found trace amounts of trichloromethane in her blood, like the rest of the women who were brought in." "Was she also.." Liang Jian Amal''s voice broke as he looked at Chang''s pale resting face. "As far as we can tell no, but to know for sure, we would have to ask Miss Dumont herself." "Thank you doctor." He thanked the man before turning his full attention to Chang. The man left silently giving him privacy with her. Liang Jian Amal studied her face closely and brought her hand that was attached to his to his forehead. In the quiet room he allowed himself to shed a few tears in relief and sorrow. Chang awoke after a few hours and looked around her surroundings frantically for a moment before eying their hands that were still connected. "Is this really not a dream?" She asked cautiously keeping her eyes lowered. He was about to answer, surprised to hear her voice, when the door opened. Both of them turned to see Hao Jin Ying and Li Hua enter the room. Li Hua looked at her daughter and gasped terribly. Most of her injuries were covered by the blankets and gown but her face belied the underlying pain. The blood drained from Li Huas face and she hit the ground with a thud before anyone could react. 106 The Shocking Truth He tried to tell her something but it just sounded like white noise. She had just been coming to accept that this was reality, but it actually seemed to be just one long nightmare. She screamed while being held down by Jian as doctors came and picked her mother of the floor very carefully as they took her away. One of the nurses came by and injected a liquid into her IV tube. The last thing she remembered was struggling, then nothing. ---- Liang Jian Amal stood over Chang as she lay in her drug induced slumber. "We knew this day would come." Hao Jin Ying stood beside him, preparing for Chang to wake. "I know, and I ran this scenario through my head thousands of times yet I still have no idea what to say to her." Liang Jian Amal ran his hands through his hair, agitated, he was never at a loss for words when it came to business. Yet with her, always her, he found himself so unsure. "There''s only one thing we can tell her at this point." "What is that?" He looked to Hao Jin Ying hoping she might have further insight. "The truth." She looked back into his eyes seriously. There was no avoiding this or delaying anymore. It was time for the truth to live in the light. Liang Jian Amal waited by Chang''s side for the anasthetic to wear out of her system. Hao Jin Ying was in the adjoining room, where Li Hua was housed and was monitoring her. Chang opened her eyes blearily, trying to rise out of the thick stupor she was mired in. When he saw that she awoke he immediately clasped her hand tighter. "Chang you have to move carefully, you''re very hurt right now." She looked at him blankly before anger colored her features and she ripped her hand from his. "Where is my mom?" "She''s in the next room over, resting right now." "What happened earlier? And don''t give me the everything is just fine bullshit! You all have been hiding something from me and I''m fucking sick of it! Just be honest with me!" Chang vented all her hurt, confusion, and frustration onto the man who sat beside her. Her red rimmed eyes bored holes into his as she stared at him. Liang Jian Amal gave her a pained expression trying to find the words. "Your mother is very sick..." "How sick?" She demanded to know immediately as he started to trail off. "I want to see her now!" Chang demanded after hearing the first part. He saw that she was unwilling to hear anything else and so he had a wheel chair brought in. After situating her as comfortably as could be he wheeled her into the next room. Hao Jin Ying was talking with Li Hua as they rolled in. Both women ceased their terse whispering as Chang came in and looked hard at the both of them. "I want the truth. Now." The two women looked at each other before turning to her and explaining, showing her charts as needed. 107 The Calm Before the Storm After she carefully considered it though she realized she might not have done it any differently in their shoes. Later that night she had held Jian tightly and apologized for taking her anger out on him. He held her gently like she was made of glass and told her he would take it all, no matter what it was. Only for her. Always for her. His words hit her in the soft spot of her chest and she was rendered wordless. Unable to say anything more she buried herself in his arms. Somewhere along the way he had become her bedrock, in the tranquility of his arms she slept peacefully. Seeing her in repose, Liang Jian Amal whispered words into her ears causing a small smile to bloom on her face, in her dreams she must have heard him. He felt his heart lighten seeing her safe in his arms and let himself go as well. To know that she had only about a month more with her mom crushed her a little. Chang was still healing from the pain of the loss from her father and now had to prepare to lose her mother too. It was just too much for her to process some days. She noticed too as she spent more time with her mother, while her own condition was improving her mother''s was worsening; even with the treatments. Li Hua fatigued easily, and had started having trouble controlling her moments at times. She would drop glasses or utensils almost regularly, and even had a hard time holding cards when they would play at night. She walked jerkily and was even given a walker to help assist her a week ago. It killed Chang a little inside when she saw these little things. It drove home it all. Chang had her head laid on her mother''s lap savoring the feeling of her running her fingers through her hair. Every moment she had left with her mother she treasured more than anything else. "Hey mom?" "Yes sweetie?" Li Hua paused for a moment before continuing. The two were on Li Hua''s favorite swinging bench in the water garden, the sunlight streamed down on them between the willow leaves warming them. Over the last month the weather had grown slightly chillier as November heralded its arrival. It would still though be considered mild, even to her San Francisco standards of not more than 80¡ã or less than 50¡ã. "Will you tell me the story of how you and Dad met again?" Li Hua paused for a moment before recounting the tale of her youth. She still remembered it just like yesterday. "A large man was sprawled over a line of suitcases with a bunch of other things from a higher shelf he took down with him. Within just a minute he ruined what took me a while to put up. "I of course berated him as he put everything back up completely red in the face like a tomato. After putting everything back up, he ran like I was a devil hot on his heels." Chang laughed imagining just how embarrassed her dad had probably been then. Liang Jian Amal standing next to Hakim al-Hassan watching over the two women laughing on the bench. The older man looked at the younger, one hand clasped behind his back the other on the latter''s shoulder. "This is what we fight to protect." "Do you really believe that war will come to here?" "Your uncles have made their move. I hope not but we need to be prepared for the worst." 108 The Storm He had been awoken by a faint strangling sound that made his blood run cold. He sat up finding himself alone in the giant bed, his wife no longer beside him. Jari Maan al-Hassan walked through the corridors looking as to where she could be at the ungodly hour. The man soon had his answers. As he walked through the dark corridors he stumbled over a large dark mass near the cooking area. On the ground near his feet lay their only servant. An older widow by the name of Sama, she mostly helped them with their two little girls who were about as wild as their late aunt had been. The older woman''s neck had been broken. Jari Maan al- Hassan recoiled from the ghastly sight and began looking for his wife with renewed vigor. No longer fearing to wake anyone, he started to call for her while turning to head to the girls'' room. "Fajr! Fajr!" .. "Jari..." Her weak voice came from wall, hidden in the shadows not far from where old Sama lay. Her two hands were pressed to her swollen belly, blood seeping between her fingers. "Fajr!" He rushed to her, trying to check her grievous injury. She grabbed onto his hands tightly, a grim light burning in her eyes. "Take the girls and leave here immediately!" "Not without you, now come, let me help you, we will get the girls on time." He tried to help her stand but she refused, pushing him away. "No, it will take too much time! You need to go make sure they are safe first! The ones who did this didn''t ask questions or anything they just struck, please Jari." "Fine, you stay here, hidden. I will return for you after the girls. Wait here." Seeing her nod in acknowledgement he moved quickly and quietly. He grabbed the door to their room only to find light coming from within. Inside sat his older brother, turned to the door as if waiting for him. His two little girls were holding onto each other as a man with a bloody knife stood over them. "Fahir, what is the meaning of this?" "Ah Jari, little brother, at last you join us. Did you find the presents I left for you?" He smirked as he said that, his gold-flecked eyes cold. "You did that to Fajr and old Sama? But why brother?" He held out his hands imploringly. "It''s time you choose a side in this war. You have been sitting on the fence for too long. Our patience has grown thin." "Why does there even need to be war? What you and Mamud are planning to do is wrong!" Jari Maan al- Hassan threw himself at his brother, trying to strangle him with his bare hands. "They were your nieces how could you!" "Easily, just like this." Fahir Sarhan al-Hassan whipped out a small dagger and lodged it firmly into his side. He twisted it in cruelly dropping his younger brother to the floor before walking over him. "Set fire to this place, and be done with it quickly. We need to prepare an appropriate gift for my father." The man who had murdered his daughters took one of the candles lighting the room and threw it on their bed, igniting it. He coldly eyed Jari Maan al-Hassan who kneeled on the ground holding the blade sticking from him. Jari Maan al-Hassan cried out seeing it set aflame and took a few steps forward to see that there was nothing that could be done. The damage had already been done. Staggering from the room, leaving a trail, he went back to where he had left Fajr. She reclined against the wall where he had left her. Her face was now ashen and cold to the touch. The man wept as he looked at ruin his brother''s had brought down onto his household. ''For Fajr. For my little Tali and Yahra. I will see that you be brought to justice for this atrocity.'' 109 The Storm II At first he had refused to say anything of worth, mostly just insults and taunts he refused to fall for. After he realized his goading was useless he began to let little things slip. While it was not information he had originally been looking for, it still got his attention. He even began to boast of a coming "revolution." One that would change the power structure of the Republic of Lahat. Liang Jian Amal that after the man said that night aa held Chang in his arms as she slept, he was feeling restless and unsettled. The man''s boasting, and his Jid''s warnings kept resounding in his head. He would need to look further into his uncles complete withdrawal from contact, as well as their amplified. ''If I can, I would like to keep their words from coming true.'' In the morning grim news arrived at the palace. Jari Maan al-Hassan''s entire household far to the west was brought to ruins, and the town under his prefecture was destroyed as well. No survivors were found. From the few witnesses that saw the destruction and fled with the news, all said that it seemed to be a large army that did the destruction. Liang Jian Amal supported his Jid to a seated position as the older man gripped his heart in pain at the news. "Ah my Jari and alsighar alqalilun1. I pray that they all still live. Ah this news brings great sorrow to an old man''s heart." "Sir at the gate, there''s a man who just rode in covered in blood! He says he brings information regarding the forces that captured the western town." A guard announced at the door. "Quickly take us to to him!" Hakim al- Hassan pulled himself up straight and gestured at the man. "Rest here, I will take care of this Jid." "No, I want to hear it myself, just who murdered my blood and all those innocent people. I will personally see to the justice for my youngest abn2 and my precious alhafidat3." His fierce, sorrowful gaze gave no room for argument as he quickly followed the guard. The guard led him to the medical building, as he told them the man was heavily injured with a blade in his side. Yet he had rode hard all through the night, worsening the injury. He had been almost dead by the time he had reached the palace gates. On a hospital bed, lay a wearied middle-aged, with a short neatly trimmed beard. Liang Jian Amal recognized the man as his youngest uncle, Jari Maan al- Hassan, even with his ghostly pallor and haunted demeanor. "Ya Ab4. Nephew." His tone was clipped and somber as he looked at them. Jari Maan al-Hassan''s eyes grew red at that. "Ya Ab, they were murdered by Farouk last night. "Farouk came into my home last night and butchered Tali and Yahra before my eyes after stabbing Fajr. He intended to silence us all last night. "Him and Mamud are plotting great destruction for this country. They have been monetizing a private army for a while, preparing for this day. 110 The Flames of War "Around a few thousand or so, but most are highly trained." ''Damn there''s only a few hundred men trained to fight within the guards. We also lost a half dozen good men against the traffickers. The majority of the populace isn''t trained for war, they came here for peace. We''ll have to train as many who are able as soon as we can to have a chance.'' "How long would you say we have Uncle?" "I don''t know, a day, a week, a month.. It will more likely be sooner than later with the actions they took last night." "I see. Thank you for this warning, it just may be the difference between success or our deaths. Jid, leave this to me, I will see this settled personally." Liang Jian Amal turned to leave, focused on the preparations that needed to be made. Jari Maan al- Hassan struggled to rise. "I will accompany you." "No you will not. You will rest here and recover." Hakim al-Hassan forbade the man. "Leave this to your nephew, he''s more than capable." "I''ve noticed. He''s an entirely different man from the surly akward teen that I was teaching to spar." "It has been over a decade since that time abn. He is a man now, he even has a beautiful wife now." Hakim al- Hassan spoke proudly of the young man. Jari Maan al-Hassan lowered his head after the last sentence. "We we about to welcome our 3rd child... When they come, I will go with them. For my Fajr." The news was distributed to the populace, giving those who wished to flee a chance to do so, as well as calling for any able bodied man to help join. Shortly after the news a majority of the able bodied men within Muzdahir appeared at the palace gates volunteering to fight for their own peace. Even those who were unable. Liang Jian Amal set up an army camp to the west of Muzdahir, choking off the road way in case. There the guards as well as himself immediately began to train the ones who were able. Together they only totaled around 2,500 strong. He hoped they would be enough. Three days after Jari Maan al-Hassan arrived a carrier falcon came to the palace bearing a simple note. ''I will be coming for what is mine tomorrow.'' - MA The makeshift army all went to their respective homes for the night, instead of staying in their training camp like they had been. They would all be leaving at first light, and wanted to spend their last hours with their loved ones. As they prepared to go to sleep, Chang tried to persuade Liang Jian Amal not to go into battle the next morning. "Chang, I''ve trained with the guards here since I was young. Most of the people fighting do not have even half of that training, but are willing to fight. "I have to help, I am tied to this country. I can''t just sit by and do nothing. I promise that I will be fine and I will return to you." Chang didn''t answer but merely pressed herself up against him, her lips seeking his. Liang Jian Amal flipped her below him, letting his lips leave hers only to adorn her bare skin. After they released, she quickly fell asleep in his arms. He quickly cleaned himself and gently wiped her before falling to sleep holding her. 111 Flames of War II She felt trapped again like when she had be kidnapped and left in that cellar. She screamed for Jian with her eyes trying to pierce through the recurring nightmare. When she opened them, it was the brightly lit room of the funeral parlor they had used for her dad''s ceremony. White chrysanthemums lined the side of the walls and decorated around the open black casket. There was no one else in the room except for her, unlike when it had happened in reality. Wearing the black dress she had worn then her heels made a clicking sound, echoing in the empty room as she made her way to her dad''s casket. Chang made her way down the walkway wondering what she would find inside. After peeking inside she stumbled back and tried to run out. She pounded against the door trying to break it down after it wouldn''t open peacefully. Chang felt like she might vomit after what she saw. Inside, instead of her father lying peacefully in his black tuxedo it had been Jian. Death had taken his warm countenance leaving only a pale imitation of what once was. ''I don''t want to see this. It isn''t real. Wake up wake up wake up.'' She kept repeating it until she finally woke in bed covered in sweat. Dawn was just starting to break through the room, letting in enough light to see that she was alone. Chang shrugged on a long dress quickly before hurrying out wondering if she could catch him before he left. He was long gone though she realized when she reached the front gate breathless. She sank to her knees leaning against the side of the stone. ''Why didn''t you wake me to say goodbye. You better come back safely.. or I''ll never forgive you. Please come back to me safely.'' ---- Liang Jian Amal looked through the scope of the gun down at the army still milling around the town they had ransacked and butchered. Maybe because they had vehicles to quickly bring them to the capitol they were in no rush to move out. Their ragtag group had all ended up meeting early and set out on foot to meet them. They had quickly reached the outskirts of the town and hid themselves within the surrounding hills in groups. "They seem to have a supply warehouse of some kind towards the center you see that?" Erol beside him whispered in a low voice to him lest the wind catch his words. "Yeah I see that, most likely their armory. They would have no need to store food if they''re planning on taking Muzdahir today." Liang Jian Amal looked to where Erol motioned seeing the men surrounding the building. 112 Flames of War III "Oh those will come in handy." Liang Jian Amal eyed them with surprise. "Where did you get them." "From the guard captain, who knew that old man was holding something so good. So here''s the plan." Erol explained the plan the captain had come up with and had been spread to the others. ''Hmm that should work..'' Liang Jian Amal smiled to himself hearing it. Two of the groups waited until the sun rose to right behind them, then rushed the town. They created a great commotion as they swarmed the eastern outskirts of the town drawing attention from the enemy. Liang Jian Amal and Erol waited until a majority of the focus was divided before sneaking closer and into the town. A few guards still waited around the building where they had weapons unconcerned with the skirmish. Liang Jian Amal found a good spot to deliver his "present" safely as Erol split and moved on to go deliver his at the second location. To make sure he didn''t accidentally hit Erol he waited until he saw a truck launched into the air after a large explosion. The booming crashing sounds came one after another signaling Erol''s success. The men around the building looked to it with open mouths, unaware of the small lemon grenade that went sailing by past them into the doorway of the building they stood next to. After chucking the explosive through the window Liang Jian Amal ducked behind the wall, plugging his fingers to his ears protectively. The first blast was quickly followed by more as the grenade set off whatever was in the store room. He felt the rumble through his chest and through the ground as he crouched low, trying to avoid any shrapnel that could come his way. The concussive blasts from the building blew a cloud of dust into the building settling over him with a whoosh. It settled over him in a thick blanket as the air stilled. The rest of the group waited until they had delivered their gifts before joining the two of them roaring as they came through to join the rest of the men already fighting. They were fairly closely numbered but with the surprise, partnered with the desire to protect their homes, they started to overpower them. They took the fallen''s weapons improving their firepower. Even from his protective place the blast had stunned Liang Jian Amal. It took him a few minutes to find his footing and make his way out following the sounds of gunfire. 113 Flames of War IV ''If I am not mistaken that is my eldest uncle Mamud Ilyas.'' Liang Jian Amal vaguely recognized the man having only seen him once when he had been around 9 or 10. ''What is he doing here at the moment?'' He tried to move closer to listen to their words, his movements alerted one of the armed men closest to him. "Who''s there? Show yourself immediately!" The man who noticed the movements called out drawing his weapon as he moved towards Liang Jian Amal. As quietly as he could he pulled his weapon to his hands from where it had hung over his shoulder. Gripping it white-knuckled he tried to listen over the high-pitched ringing to the others approach. Liang Jian Amal waited until he heard and saw the man coming around the corner and rammed the butt of the gun into the man''s face before shooting him and ducking behind the building. Keeping his rifle handy he started to run back to hide himself. Even with the one man he took out 6-1 odds were still not good. He could hear the footsteps pounding behind him as he made quick turns to avoid being seen and hopefully lose them. Liang Jian Amal turned the next corner and narrowly avoided having a gun smash into his face like he had done. One of the armed men had looped through the buildings and managed to cut him off. As they were in close quarters Liang Jian Amal drew the knife he kept at his belt hitting the man in his unprotected femoral artery as he tried to strike high. After decisively slashing the man''s thigh, incapacitating him, he bouldered the man aside with his shoulder to keep moving. The man howled clutching the weeping meat of his thigh trying to clamp down on the blood loss from the savage gash. As he ran past, the man took a couple of wild shots in anger at Liang Jian Amal who disappeared between another set of buildings. Hearing the loud clamor from afar Liang Jian Amal angled himself to the area to reunite with his comrades. Liang Jian Amal tried to keep a steady pace hearing the angry shouts from the men behind him. Against his will though his steady gait quickly began to falter and he began to lose his speed. Looking down he saw that one of the man''s wild shots had actually managed to hit him in his right calf. With his nerves and the tension from the whole scene he hadn''t noticed for a while. ''Well, that isn''t exactly good. I need to patch this up.'' Liang Jian Amal hid himself in an empty building, relying on the shadows of the doorway, to provide quick medical attention to himself. Like hounds he heard the men calling all around the area looking for him, enraged. Once the army containing the majority of all the able bodied men left Muzdahir to confront the western threat ; a small force started to move from the south. 114 Flames of War V After making a makeshift bandage to staunch the blood flow he brought it back to his hands listening to the sounds of the men leaving the area before rising to leave. Liang Jian Amal made his way to the door way and saw a small metal object roll into the room from the window. Instinctively he threw in his body away from the object trying to avoid the blast. Instead of the explosion he expected there was a blinding flash and a booming that sealed everything in silence, except for the ringing. As the world spun and tilted around him Liang Jian Amal mechanically tried to get to his knees, using the flat surface as an anchor. The rapid shifting of his vision made him feel like he needed to vacate his already empty stomach. ''I need to get up. I can''t stay down like this.'' He pictured her in his mind trying to block out the addelment. In his almost soundless bubble he didn''t hear the men line up beside him. One pulled out a long curved knife, intent on taking revenge for his fallen comrades. He stuck the long knife into Liang Jian Amal''s calf where it had already been shot. The piercing pain shot through him like lightening. Reflexively he started to point his weapon to the cause of the pain, only to have it fly out of his hands as the man kicked it away. The larger burlier man grabbed him by the front of his shirt, screaming something to his face as he wielded his bloodied knife. Liang Jian Amal tried to work his fingers to the back of his belt where his ari b''lailah was seeing the knife near his throat. The man holding him turned to something behind him before dropping Liang Jian Amal and walking away from him with a black look on his face. When the man moved away he could see that his eldest uncle stood behind the man looking down on him. Mamud Ilyas al- Hassan looked down at the younger man on his knees in front of him as if he was a disgusting insect. His lips slightly curled with disdain. His lips moved but Liang Jian Amal could only heat the faint echoes of his voice but not the words themselves. "You look just like my late little sister, and you''re just as foolish as her too. You should have kept your nose out of this. You bear the name "Liang" not "al-Hassan." "Though I''m sure you might just have value to me at the moment due to the circumstances being what they are. Take him, I want him alive when I present him to Ya Abi." "No." He gritted his teeth fighting to stay conscious and become coherent. "Find out if we have any vehicles left, we''re leaving now." Mamud Ilyas al- Hassan commanded one of the men not restraining him. 115 A Forced Fracturing "Take this annoyance out immediately we don''t have time to waste on this." After Mamud Ilyas al- Hassan spoke the two men not holding onto Liang Jian Amal started to powderize the rooftops of any of the buildings in sight from where they were. The two men holding onto Liang Jian Amal started to drag him to the right opposite to where the men were shooting. Mamud Ilyas al- Hassan followed a few steps behind them as they made their way to where the vehicles had been. After destroying a number of the buildings around them they caught up to the group footing it. They stayed close to the edges of the buildings as they moved, the men keeping a cautious eye for the rooftop shooter in case he hadn''t died. They made their way quickly and quietly through the streets, meeting no confrontation along the way. ''Did they really kill you Erol?'' As he wondered that sorrowfully Liang Jian Amal felt the man on his left loosen his grip. When the man hit the ground face first he noticed a small throwing knife stuck out of the back of his skull, embedded up to the hilt. Liang Jian Amal used the moment to pull the knife from his belt and using his weight he pulled the man on his right down. With the momentum he brought the knife quickly into the throat of the man. The man stared at him wide-eyed clutching his throat choking, he had still been expecting him to be under the effect of the flashbang. Liang Jian Amal stood and calmly faced his uncle standing in the shadow of two building with the two men behind him; their weapons trained on him. "I can''t let you leave here or succeed with your plans Uncle." "That''s really not up to you. Any of it. A pity I had wanted to take you alive as a present to slaughter in if front of Ya Abi, but I will have to settle with just your corpse. The only child of his favorite offspring. I will enjoy the look on his face just as much." "Kill him." Mamud Ilyas al- Hassan stood back stroking his beard as he waited for them to dispose of him. "Ahhh!" A sudden war cry came from the rooftop as a young man came plunging down onto one of the men, a small knife in his hands. As he took down the one man Liang Jian Amal rushed the other armed man. This man was more aware after the other attacks and managed to land a few strikes in with his own knife before he managed to cut his throat as well. Erol smirked at him, having already finished the other man and held Mamud Ilyas al- Hassan still with his saber to his throat. "Were you waiting for me to just do everything?" ---- Warning reached the palace just before the small force arrived. Chang helped Miray and Dinara seal all the front doors and pile furniture barricades in front of them. The doors and walls were fairly sturdy but they weren''t meant to last through sieges . The once sturdy doorways had been removed from the main gateway which had been a large part of the palace''s old defense system. "Do you think this will be enough?" Chang worriedly looked at the other two as the moved a large cabinet. Miray looked down concentrated on her actions, fear written all over her face. 116 A Forced Fracturing II "I checked from the south tower and it looks like some of them broke through the garden gates and surrounded us. They have the hidden pathway down the plateau blocked off too from the courtyard!" Halene spoke in a rush her pale complexion almost ghostly. "Oh no!" Leila slapped her hands to her face. "They can come in through the kitchen area then." "We blocked it off as best we could, but if they''re in the gardens then they might be able to find their way in." Dinara acknowledged this gravely the open kitchen was their weakest chink. "We have to stop them then, how many people are here besides us, my mom, Hao Jin Ying and grandpa Hakim?" Chang asked the women surrounding her, her mouth held in a firm line. "Well there''s us, Miray who''s with effendi al-Hassan, and a few older maids. Wait do you mean for us to fight?" Dinara started to list them all out on her fingers before stopping. "We can''t fight these men, these are soldiers!" "Well I highly doubt that they mean us any good if they come in here. We have to stop them before they come in!" Chang pressed her case her hands pressed together. "We could hide just in case they do come in, this is a big place." Leila answered in a small voice. "You all may hide if you wish, I understand. I am going to go to the kitchen area and try to prevent them from coming in. If you do hide, please hide my mother with you." Chang requested before taking off, hiking up the skirt of her long maroon dress with her white knuckles. ---- "So are you going to kill me nephew?" "No. I am going to take you back to the palace and you will stand trial before the people for the lives you have destroyed." "There will not be a palace for me to stand trial in by the time we return." Mamud Ilyas al- Hassan smiled a small smile for the first time as if unconcerned by the saber still at his throat. "What do you mean?" "Must I explain it to you?" Liang Jian Amal frowned as the realization dawned on him. "This wasn''t the only army... Erol we have to get back to Muzdahir as soon as possible." "With what? I was very thorough with my task, we''re going to have to go back the same way we came. Plus we should help there''s still a battle going on, the sooner it''s settled the sooner we can return!" "There''s nothing you can do at this point. You may have won a small battle but you have ultimately lost the war." Mamud Ilyas al- Hassan scoffed at Liang Jian Amal as he spoke worriedly with Erol. ---- 117 A Forced Fracturing III The man cried out reaching for the blade that now stuck out of him. Chang grabbed the sturdy metal beside her and bludgeoned the man in the head with it as he bent over. Even with his protective helmet the hit dropped him cold. ''K-Chk'' "Drop your weapons woman." The other man cocked his rifle at her after she announced her presence. ''Shit I wasn''t fast enough, I thought I could take them both out quick enough.'' Chang dropped the pan sending a resound pang through the room. "Turn around and put your hands over your head." ''Dammit this isn''t good.'' Chang further complied not wishing to argue with the man''s loaded gun. As she turned she saw Dinara peeking her fleshy worried face around the corner. ''Well well, it might not be hopeless. I just gotta distract this guy somehow. Hmm.'' Chang stepped on the long hem of her dress falling in an untidy heap. Her hands helping to catch her fall and tuck a knife into her sleeve. "Get up now, you''re coming with me you are going to lead me to a couple people." The man came and stood over her gesturing with the muzzle of his gun. "Rahhhh!" Dinara ran at the man in a full charge launching her body weight into his. The man staggered only slightly letting her hit the ground with an oomph! "Damn you bitches!" The man cursed as he steadied himself. Chang used her leverage to level a serious heel kick to the man''s family jewels before grabbing her wok and knocking him cold like his partner. "Ow! We make a good team! Thank you Dinara, I''m glad you came back!" Chang exclaimed joyfully while helping the fair haired woman off the floor. "I couldn''t just leave you there like those chicken hearts..Let''s not do that again though, we should go to effendi al-Hassan''s chambers with everyone else, it will be the safest place at this point.!" Chang relented and made her way with Dinara to the second floor where Hakim al-Hassan''s chambers were. She took with her the wok, as well as the men''s guns, even if she didn''t know how to work them, it felt better knowing they didn''t have them. LiHua sat in the wheelchair she had become bound to besides Hakim al-Hassan and Hao Jin Ying, rubbing her hands nervously. Miray, Halene and Leila stood in a far corner together, the latter two wearing guilty looks when they saw her enter with Dinara. "I''m fine Mom, don''t worry! Grandpa Hakim is it OK if we make a bit of a mess of your room there''s some bad men outside that might want to come in. Also I took these off a couple of men downstairs, but I don''t know how to use them." Chang handed one of the guns to Hakim al-Hassan. "I can show you if you would be willing to use it." Hakim al- Hassan viewed her with a new light looking at the gun in her hands. "Do you think you could kill someone." Chang looked at her mom and her friends. "I guess if I really really had to." "You just might have to, here I''ll show you." "Thank you, but first we should try to block the door, I would rather prevent them from coming in before shooting." Chang put the other gun she held under her arm and her wok on the ground and walked to the group of girls. 118 A Forced Fracturing IV "There!" Chang wiped the sweat off her brow. "That should be good. Alright will you show me how to work this thing just in case." Chang pointed to the gun at the floor. While she had been working near the door she had heard voices in the palace halls. Chang looked at her mom who sat there with a terrorized look on her face. ''Don''t worry I will protect you and be safe. I can do this.'' --- It took around a half an hour to find the man in the chaos but Liang Jian Amal eventually was able to report to the captain the news of Muzdahir''s attack. Mamud Ilyas al-Hassan, who had been bound and was held by Erol, confirmed it, mocking them further. At the news older man wore a grave expression on his heavily scarred face. "We have to settle this first, we had the element of surprise on our side, but we are quickly losing men. We need every hand for this fight, these men are more than our match. "Muzdahir and the palace will not fall so quickly. While this man claims there to be a force, we have seen no evidence of such a thing. Even if there was, our main threat still exists here. The sooner we end this the sooner we can defend our homes." "Yes captain." Liang Jian Amal saluted the man with a clasped fist to his heavy heart. He tied the bound older man to a pole and headed between the buildings towards the screaming and shooting. Grabbing a loaded weapon off the ground from a fallen soldier, he wandered into the dust filled alleys with Erol, yearning to end their fight as soon as possible. ---- "Shit, I''m out!" Chang emptied the last of her clip into the doorway where a man''s hand ha tried to come in. The door had been partially busted through by the men showing a small gap that peeped into the hallway. "I have a little left, not much though." Hakim al- Hassan pulled the rifle clip out to see how much they had. Chang had been unable to control the automatic firing and wasted quite a few bullets when the first man had started busting through. It seemed like now though with all the commotion outside, their whole force was on the other side of their fragile barricade. "Surender or die!" A man bellowed through the door, avoiding showing himself through the gap which Chang had been shooting through. "Neither!" Chang screamed back. ''I will not die or be captured at your hands! "Go stuff yourselves!" A string of profanities answered her. "Don''t blame us for using force then." "We survive until my hafid and the army arrives." Hakim al- Hassan kept his eyes fixated on the door. 119 A Forced Fracturing V Chang crossed her arms in front of her face, blocking stuff from getting in her eyes, as they were showered in sawdust and larger bits of wood. Little red beams of light shone through the dust dancing all over Hakim and herself. Several voices shouted for them to get on the ground as they coughed on the dust and small perticulates in the air. Chang cocked an eyebrow over a watering eye looking at Hakim al-Hassan. ''Should we?'' She asked him with her eyes. "That would probably be for the best." Keeping an open hand above his head he lightly set the rifle down. Chang followed his example and reluctantly released her weapon as well. She wasn''t quite ready to give up yet, but she knew they had already lost. A bitter taste entered her mouth at the thought. She got on her knees beside Hakim al-Hassan her heart sinking. Over a dozen men filled the room, several stood above the two of them, the rest went further in. Several shrieks were heard as the men dragged out everyone who had been hiding further in, bringing them to their knees beside Chang and Hakim al-Hassan. When she saw the men moving to pull her mother from her chair she called out for them to stop. "Please, don''t do that, she''s really sick, she''s no threat!" "Truly there is no need for further crass treatment, I believe our point has been made gentlemen." A voice in English called to the men and they released LiHua and stepped back.A couple of middle-aged men in suits came into the room. Both men were fairly tall and wore dark well tailored suits but their similarities ended there. One of the men was darker like Hakim al-Hassan''s and had a short well groomed beard and mustache. Although he smiled down at them, his eyes were cold. The second was slimmer and much paler than his companion. His hard brow line was pressed down over his eyes his glare leveled at Chang. Unlike his smiling companion, his thin lips were pressed into a permanent scowl, just as she had last seen him. Though unlike the last time, Chang refused to be cowed and shamed by the sharp tongued man. She returned his cold steely gaze with a sharp narrowed glare of her own. ''You don''t scare me asshole.'' It was Jian''s father, Liang Ju-Long. "My second son, Fahir Sarhan al-Hassan, my son - in- law, Liang Ju-Long. What is the meaning of this? Why have you defiled my home in such a manner?" Hakim al-Hassan''s outraged voice filled the room as he glared at the two men. He tried to rise, but one of the armed men put a hand on his shoulder, kepping him down. "Ya Abi, if you had peacefully given my elder brother what he wished for, there would be no need for any of this." The man had his hands clasped behind his back while he grinned at Hakim al-Hassan. His smile worried Chang and she couldn''t help but speak out. "Dont hurt granpa Hakim or any of them please!" Chang interrupted the bearded man as loomed over the older man. The man gave her a cold look before giving her, a small stinging slap to her cheek. Chang looked down in surprise as he face stung from. "Know your place woman." After striking her the man turned back to Hakim al-Hassan. "Now that you have what you came for, will you be staying?" Even though he looked at the older man his words were directed to Liang Ju-Long. "No, I will be taking my leave now. I will let you settle this between yourselves as promised. Come now." Liang Ju-Long directed the man holding onto her wrists tightly in one hand. Hao Jin Ying walked behind pushing her mother along. A few of the armed men came with them, keeping them under their watchful eyes and unable to resist. 120 A Forced Fracturing VI "Miss Dumont, perhaps I did not make myself clear enough before. I do not want anything from you except your absence of presence within my sole heir''s life. As for Miss Hao and Mrs. Dumont, they are with us of their own accord, I care not." Without looking at her he talked as he led them down the stairs. "What do you intend to do to my daughter?" Li Hua fixed a hard stare from one of the guards arms as he carried her down the stairs. "Well that would truly depend on the answer she gives me. I hope it will be satisfactory." ---- "Do you feel regret now ya abi?" Fahir Sarhan al-Hassan smirked while standing over his father. "Regret? Indeed, I have many of those, to which do you refer to in particular?" Hakim al-Hassan answered readily, his tone relaxed and unconcerned as if over a dozen men did not stand near with guns pointed towards him. Fahir Sarhan al-Hassan''s face grew ugly hearing his words. "I will speak with my father privately, remove yourselves until I summon you." He pointed to the door and directed the soldiers, waiting until they left before he spoke again. "Do not feign ignorance! You know exactly what I am referring to! You have ignored the rights of birth and are planning on passing everything on to an outsider!" "Do you mean my hafid, your nephew when you refer to this "outsider?" "Pah!" The man spat. "Indeed!" "He is the only child of your youngest sister, he is not an outsider He has as much right as my sons if not more so." "How could he be more so, Mamud should have the most right as your eldest!" Fahir Sarhan al-Hassan became incensed by Hakim al-Hassan''s calm demeanor and he grabbed a fistful of the elder man''s kaftan.1 "Why did you ever marry Amira to that foreigner? The disgrace still tastes bitter when I think of how you sent her to die alone in a strange land." Pain came onto the older man''s face at the words. "If I had known that would be her fate, I might not have let her go.." "Yet you did, and now you would give everything to the son of the man who murdered her. Your most favored child. You have gone senile." Fahir Sarhan al-Hassan released the older man and straightened his suit jacket. "No, your brother has always been blinded by greed and you have become so as well.. "Most importantly he has honor, something your brother gave up long ago." "Tch. I thought I would let you live and let Mamud decide what to do with you but I shall end it and spare him the trouble later. "Tell me father do you regret the choices you have made?" "I don''t know brother, why don''t you tell me that." Jari Maan al-Hassan''s voice came from behind him after he spoke. Fahir Sarhan al-Hassan turned in shock to meet a blade in his gut. The younger man held his older brother''s shoulder as he twisted the blade. 121 Regret Is Too Simple A Word "You failed, I survived so that I would see justice for my family." "I see.." He coughed a little his skin quickly growing ashen as he clung to the knife handle still stuck in him. The light blue dress shirt he had worn underneath his jacket was quickly dyed dark by his blood. "Ya Abi..I.." Fahir Sarhan al-Hassan wheezed unable to get out whatever he wanted to say before taking a few last shallow quick breaths. The hands around the blade slightly slackened with the loss of intent, but remained on from the grip he had held onto it with with the last of his life. Hakim al-Hassan knelt by his son as he placed a his hands on his son''s head. "Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji''un. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji''un.1 "I regret that it has come to this abnay..I regret that I did not stop your brother when I first saw the signs. If I had maybe blood would not have spilled blood. "I should have done something fifteen years ago when Mamud first came to me and demanded his inheritance. I could see that he desired the power to rule over others. I rebuked him and drove him away. I hoped that in time he shoukd come to see the truth on his own. "While we may own the land, the people belong to themselves, we are not their masters. Every life belongs to itself. This is ultimately my failing and now my youngest son and hafid are left with mess. Please forgive me." Hakim al-Hassan''s face aged as he spoke, the sadness settling in deep creases, showing his almost 70 years. Jari Maan al-Hassan pressed his hand to his side feeling where some light seepage had come through from his torn stitching. "There is nothing you need forgiveness for, Ya Ab, my brothers have made their choices long ago." "Excuse me sir, can you help our friend, she was taken from here by a man not too long before you arrived." A dark haired maid kneeling on the floor with a few other women spoke up. "Jari, Jian Amal''s wife has been caught into this as well, we have to help her." Hakim al-Hassan shut his deceased son''s eyes and rose. "We are not in the position to do that, I barely managed to make it in here, there are over a dozen armed men, roaming the halls." Jari Maan al-Hassan looked around the room. "Unfortunately we don''t have the necessary force to provide help, we just have to hope she is unharmed." "That is unacceptable." "This is reality." ---- "Wrong this belonged to my deceased wife." "Why are we in here? Chang looked at the men surrounding her and a fearful thought crept into her head as they had come into the bedroom. "What are you going to do to me?" "What will happen will depend on your answer." "Answer to what?" "You will leave my son." "That''s not going to happen." Chang glared at the back of the man''s head. "I left once because of you and I won''t do that again. I promised him that I wouldn''t." 122 A Coded Letter "Fine! I get that you don''t like me or think I''m suitable! You don''t have to! "In fact you don''t ever have to see me again, but I won''t end it with him and leave him. I love Jian." Chang yelled, if she hadn''t been restrained by the guard she might have gotten in the aloof man''s face. As she yelled that she realized she had never told him that "That is of no consequence of mine. It does not matter if you love him, for you are useless. "You will never be able to support him in the way he needs. You will never be able to help him with the status he needs. We live in a different world from you Miss Dumont, this is an irrefutable fact. It is time for him to wake up from this fantasy of his regarding you." "Jian already told me that doesn''t matter. This isn''t a fantasy, we have something real, I may not be able to give him money or status, but I have my heart and I have given him that. I love him and I will be there for him by his side, to love and support him. That is what I can give him, and those things matter, he is a human being, we all need love and support." Though his words were cold and played on a small insecurity she had, Chang stood strong. His words that night in her apartment had given her courage, and the love she carried for him gave her conviction. "Didn''t you ever love Amira, Jian''s mother, didn''t you ever feel that feeling of connection and support? Or are you just a cold unfeeling monster like you appear to be?" The man''s indifferent and cold gaze sharpened. Chang felt herself stiffen and realized that things were probably going to get ugly with the man''s black look. ''I probably shouldn''t have added that last bit..'' "If I remember correctly there should be a water feature just outside these walls. Men please lead Miss Dumont outside to "cool her head" as she seems to be unable to think clearly." "Wait, don''t do this, Jian won''t forgive, please stop now." "I have no need for his forgiveness, I only need for him to follow the path I have designed for him and you are an impediment in that." Liang Ju-Long waved the men out as they kicked the door open dragging a struggling Chang outside. There was a brief shriek before the sound of heavy splashing. "I am aware of your background, including the fact that she carries no relations to her paternal family as well. She carries no value to the Dumonts or to myself." "She matters to me and your son and a lot of other people though." Li Hua spoke softly trying to persuade the man. "She already did what you told her once, even though it was morally reprehensible and left. It should have been the end of it but your son searched the world for her and reunited with her, does his determination not move you at all?" "Indeed it does it, it angers me that my son is so foolish and naive. I will not harm Miss Dumont if she agrees to leave and provides me with insurance as an assurance." "What kind of assurance do you want?" "The kind that will keep him from going after her any longer and continuing this nonsense. I need him to be sensible, and I will drive that sense into him however I have to." Liang Ju-Long''s lips curled into a sneer as he said the last line. "I believe Miss Dumont has had sufficient time to cool her head, bring her back in." Two of the men dragged in a disheveled soaked Chang, holding her by her wrists. Her eyes were red and wide as she looked at Liang Ju-Long with fear. 123 A Coded Letter II The men had submerged her head in a few times each time being a little longer. The torturous feeling of not being able to breath and thinking she would drown every time had been terrifying. As weak as her mother was she probably wouldn''t be able to handle it, and Chang couldn''t bear to see them do that to her as well. ''I''m so sorry Jian, I''m sorry I''m so weak.'' A few tears leaked from her eyes as she gripped the pen. The letter she had to write had to convince Jian to not come for her again after she left. ''I really don''t want to do this.'' "Start writing." Chang cursed the man in her mind not daring to voice aloud her hatred at this point. With a trembling hand, absent mind and heavy heart she began to write. Liang Ju-Long hovered over her shoulder looking down at the words that she wrote, even though she hunched over the paper trying to keep it hidden. "That is not what I have instructed you to do." Liang Ju-Long snatched the paper she was writing on tearing it into shreds. "Start over, if you go against my orders, I will carry out my promise on your mother, and then give you to these men behind me. Do not test my patience again Miss Dumont." Chang looked at the men whose demeanor all changed after the man''s words. Shuddering she turned avoiding the gazes and leaned over the paper trying to think of what to write. An idea came to her after thinking of an exercise she used to do with her dad for fun. ''I hope you''ll understand me..'' When she read it through the code it read "We try, we lost. Please forgive me didn''t want to. Liang Ju-Long came forced me. I love you. It lie" To others when read it stated this. "Our first and last words are the most important. We started out only on a whim, it would make sense that it end on one, no matter how we try. We are something that was no meant to last, from the beginning we had lost. Please don''t come an find me, for that I do not think I could forgive. Me and my mother will be returning home to the comforts you couldn''t provide and didn''t. Want after me all you want, but do not seek me out even if you want to. Liang Ju-Long never liked me and I was never suitable, that''s just the way I came. Forced, is how I feel when I try to put myself in this role by you, it''s a life not meant for me. I will not say back you to you ''I love you.'' It would be a lie. Signed, Chang Xie Dumont. Your ex-wife. On the pages were the words ''Contract for Divorce.'' Her hands shook but she diligently filled out the paper her tears staining the page here and there. ''I really hope you understand, I wish I had told you I loved you in person, please find me so I have the chance, I''m sorry I missed it before. I should have told you so many times, I want to tell you it everyday, I don''t want to do this. ''I don''t even know if you''re safe, but I hope you are. 124 Waiting For the first time in her life, she felt that it wasn''t her home anymore. Her home somehow had changed from a place to a person. ''Just when did that happen?'' She stroked the ring that lay on her chest on a strap, Chang couldn''t bear to have left it with everything else. After filling through the forms Liang Ju-Long gave her two minutes to gather her stuff and to change into western clothes. As she changed into the pink dress Jian had bought her right before they came, Chang looked at the shining ring on her finger. ''I can''t leave this..'' Looking around she spotted one of his shirts that had a section that laced up in the front. ''Perfect.'' Chang stripped the thin strip of leather from the front of one of his shirt and hung the ring on it around her neck. After tying the neck ribbon on the dress, her ring became perfectly camouflaged. After changing she barely managed to grab the picture her mother had given her before they were rushed out of the palace. Hao Jin Ying insisted on accompanying them in the car that sat out front of the palace squishing herself into the open vehicle. The car barely squeezed through the narrow streets of Muzdahir headed west then north. On a small secluded airstrip sat two small planes, both black. LiHua was ushered onto the plane first then Chang, Liang Ju-Long followed behind, herding them in. Hao Jin Ying started walking up the steps when she was stopped by Liang Ju-Long. "You have accompanied us far enough Miss Hao. You are an employee of my son and should remain here." "CEO Liang has instructed me to accompany Mrs. Dumont, my work detail includes assisting her as her personal nurse." Hao Jin Ying pressed her case trying to step inside. "That will no longer be necessary, you may consider yourself relieved of this duty. If you wish to continue you may find yourself relieved of a position within Liang International as well. "If I remember correctly, you have a sister and a nephew as your closest of kin, is that right?" Hao Jin Ying was startled by the sudden change. "Yes that''s correct sir." "It''s very hard for a single mother to make it on her own is it not." Hao Jin Ying answered more cautiously, wondering what the older man was alluding to. "Yes, it can be, I assist her as best as I can though, sir." "Ah, what a kind person you are to care so for her. It would be best if you continued to keep her in your thoughts as you act." "Please, just let us say goodbye, before we go, just one minute please." Chang pleaded with Liang Ju-Long realizing they might never see Jin Ying again. "Make it expeditious." The tall man moved aside and Hao Jin Ying embraced the two of them. "We''ll miss you." "I''m sorry I can''t come with you now, I''ll do what I can so that we can come see you soon." "Please do, and tell Jian the truth for me please." "I will, stay safe you two." "You too Jin Ying." "Thank you Xiao Ying." Li Hua smiled with tears in her eyes as they separated. As they left the ground Chang looked to where Hao Jin Ying stood with the soldiers slowly becoming the size of an ant. In the distance she could barely see the crawling estate of the palace on the plateau that she had come to love. She placed her hand on the window touching the image through the glass as it shrunk. 125 Waiting II ''I''ll have to get Mom something else soon.'' After paying the man she entered inside the cold house carrying only the picture and a small wax of cash. "Brr, it''s so cold in here! Even for November!" Lihua complained from the sofa. "Xiao Xie will you turn the furnace on and up?" Chang nodded wordlessly, first draping a blanket over her that had been lying on the back of the sofa. "Ah thank you sweetie." Li Hua smiled sweetly at her daughter, her heart breaking to see the latter''s drawn and pained face. "I''m sure it will be OK?" "Will it though? I wrote him a coded letter like I used to do with Dad, this little written word games in our notes. The more I think about it though Jian probably wouldn''t understand, I don''t remember if I even told him about that.I don''t quite remember what I wrote, I was so stressed but I think I said something like I don''t love you and some other mean stuff.. Big fat tears started to fall over and over. "Mom I don''t think I ever told him I love you, and I do. I love him very much. I''m still worried about him leaving, what if he never even reads it at all? What if he died already, and I''ll just never know?!" "Come here, hey, calm down. You''re working yourself up." Chang sat down by her mother, who tried to brush away her tears. "First off all, I highly doubt that he died, that boy is far too tenacious to be taken down so easily. "Secondly I think he knows, but you should tell him that in person When you see him. And you will, after everything he''s done and been through, I highly doubt he would just let you walk away, even if he doesn''t understand your letter. "He''s probably going to be pretty angry and hurt, if he doesn''t, and youll have to be prepared for that when you see him. You will see him again so stop worrying, you just need to be patient and wait right now." "Just how long will I have to wait?" "I can''t tell you that sweetie, you''ll just have to be strong." Chang sniffed while holding her mom, "I''ll try mom." ---- Two weeks quickly passed by her even though every day seemed to drag. Every time the doorbell rang or the phone went off she would fly to it waiting for Jian. Still there was no word. Chang became really good at smiling even when she felt like falling apart and crying. Her mother''s strength of kindness inspired her to work harder to be better support for her mother. ''He'' s not coming anymore, I just need to accept that and move on. For now I need to make the most of this time with mom.. '' The predicted date was quickly advancing on them whether they wished it or not. Chang could only watch as her mother slowly lost almost all of her functions and come to need assistance with everything. 126 Cruel Silence Zawbiae threw his head proudly enjoying the freedom after having been cooped up for so long. Every time the horses hooves hit the dirt the healing wound in his calf would throb, but it was a welcome distraction. ''Why would she say that?'' The severely creased and worn letter sat in his pocket, where he kept it, the words were almost etched into his mind at this point, yet he kept reading it, looking for something different than what was there. Yet the words didn''t change nor did they make sense to him. After everything was cleared up he intended to clarify the matter, for now he couldn''t, his Jid needed his help greatly. The last two weeks had been consumed with sorting the mess left behind by his father and uncle''s. Over a thousand men had to be buried from their side, as such most of Muzdahir, including the palace was in a state of mourning. To the south of Muzdahir a large area of woodlands was cleared to make room for the mass graves that had to be dug, leaving a hole in the land as well as town with all the missing lives. After they had won, half the forces stayed to take care of the bodies of the deceased, while the other half had raced to their home to ensure its safety. Liang Jian Amal as well as Erol were among those who rushed home. Even though his leg had long gone numb, Liang JianAmal had felt himself driven on relentlessly, needing to know that his home was safe. The day was drawing to a close by the time the few hundred men had returned to their home. Even though the city looked untouched, it was eerily quiet throughout the entirety. The buildings cast long shadows across the streets as he ran between them, dread building. In his haste he slowly started to leave some of the others behind as some stopped to check on their homes and families as well. As he came up the rise he saw the exquisitely planted courtyard was in shambles, torn through and trampled, and utterly defiled. Fearing the worst Liang Jian Amal had tried to rush in through the front entrance only to meet resistance. He had thrown himself at it repeatedly until Erol and a few of the other men caught up to him. They helped him break down the door as they spilled into the doorway that had been blocked by a bunch of furniture that now slay strewn on the floor. "Chang! Jid!" Silence had reigned through the halls that looked to have been ransacked. Pieces of broken furniture as well as pottery lay strewn on the ground as he hurried through, looking for any sign of life. Right inside the antechamber lay a well-dressed corpse of a man, a pool of blood surrounding him like the petals of a flower. "Jid?" He had called out worriedly venturing further to find the older man and several of the maids surrounding an ashen Jari Maan al-Hassan. Yet there was no sign of Hao Jin Ying, Li Hua or Chang. His Jid seemed to have aged significantly over the course of the day since he had left, worrying him. Erol arrived shortly after him exclaiming he couldn''t find anybody anywhere until he saw the group gathered. With his help they carried the barely alive man to the medical building in the hopes that it was untouched. "Jid where is she?" as they had taken him Liang Ju-Long had questioned him. With a wearied face Hakim al-Hassan only told him bitterly "Liang Ju-Long." They were barely able to rescue Jari Maan al-Hassan, due to the fact he had lost a significant amount of blood due to the torn stitching and already exhausted body. The elder wept grateful he would not be bearing two sons on the same day. Hakim al-Hassan tried to have him stay and get checked out as well mentioning his bloodied face, leg, and dust encrusted figure but he refused, everything else could hardly to him at the moment. He immediately left to head to his chambers to grab his stuff and take off after his father. It was then he noticed the envelope sitting on the bed. After reading he slumped to the ground all his energy instantly gone. ''I don''t love you.. Don''t seek me out.. We are not something that was meant to last.. ''No, I can''t accept that, this has to be because of my father.. 127 Cruel Silence II As time passed it felt like she was stuck in an hourglass watching as the last of the sand was pouring over her head, smothering her. Everyday she went through the motions of living, wearing a mask through the day until she reached the night when she would cry in her pillow quietly until she slept. Though sleep always came in bursts, nightmares featuring Liang Ju-Long and her kidnappers plagued her constantly, but now there was no Jian to comfort her, so she learned to to cope. Li Hua was sitting behind her, in her cushioned electric wheelchair, watching as she decorated their Christmas tree with a sad look in her eyes. It had always been their tradition to style it up together and hang the bright cheery lights as a family, but now there was only Chang to do it, Li Hua could only spectate now, and H¨¦nri was gone. The silence as she worked felt a little stifling, at one time the house had been a place of joy filled with the sounds of laughter and music, now it was cold and silent most of the time. Chang was unaware of this trying to lose herself in the monotonous task and bring a little Christmas joy to their house for her mom''s last one. She pulled out every box that her father had labeled, decorating every inch of the house and especially adorning the tree. "Xiao, Xie, will you put on a song please." Li Hua was unable to bear the silence any more, and asked for some music. She was glad Chang could still understand her words as it had sounded more like "Hao Hie, whill yhew pud ahn sohng puhlee" with her deteriorating speech. "Of course mom, do you want some Christmas music from the radio or one of the records?" Chang got down from the ladder, and turned with a radiant smile on her face. "Will you put on one of the records please, some Al Green, he was always one of your father''s favorites." Chang''s smile faltered for only a moment before it came back in full force. "Of course, give me a moment." Chang rifled through the alphabetical collection of records her father had collected and grabbed the first with the desired name. There were several baskets, as her father had loved music and to dance. Every Friday night Chang from as young as she could remember she could remember them putting on records and dancing together late into the night, holding each other close. When she was a little girl she had dreamed about finding a man like that, who would hold her close and dance through the night with her. As Chang walked back in she vaguely heard the song that came on. "Call me. "Oh. "Call me. "Oh what a beautiful time "Now it''s getting late and we must "Leave each other. "Just remember that time we had.. " Chang stumbled as the words hit her, and fell down to her knees. Li Hua came into the room hearing the commotion to see Chang kneeling there, her eyes wide as her tears fell like large pearls from her eyes. "Even though he was always so busy, and we didn''t really know each other at first, he always made time for me. I told him once about how you and dad used to dance through the night. The next night he set up some music and danced with me, even though I''m not really good. "I stepped on his toes tons of times, but he didn''t care, he still danced with me and held me close. "I''ve been trying to tell myself I don''t miss him but I really do. Everday. I can''t stop." "You don''t have to, this is normal, just don''t lose hope Xiao Xie." "I''m trying mom, I''m trying." Chang wiped the tears away with the back of her hand trying to banish her moment of weakness. She tried to put a smile on her face as she turned back to look at her mom. 128 Until The End Li Hua looked small, she had always been a small, slender woman no more than 5 feet tall, but she looked shrunken on the bed, wasted to almost nothing. A week of feeding tubes and drip liquid had withered away her form. When they had arrived after scanning her mother and hooking her up, the doctor came to her with a look of condolence. "I''m sorry but the cancer in Mrs. Dumont''s brain has been aggressively attacking her brainstem as well as spinal column. I regret to tell you there is nothing we can do except to help ease her passing a little." "Is she going to be like this the whole time? Will she wake up again?" "I''m sorry Miss Dumont, but the possibility of that happening is very remote." Chang started to sob as the doctor answered her questions. A week, maybe two and one of the people she loved most would be gone. She would never see her smile. Never see her open her eyes. Never again would she hear her voice again or hear the special nickname she called her by, Xiao Xie. It had almost been Xiao Xing, her little star, her mom had once told her, but once she held her she had been so happy and thankful. Far more than she ever had been before in her life. Li Hua and H¨¦nri decided then to change it to "Xie." Chang gripped one of her mom''s hands gently afraid to apply to much pressure as she looked so fragile. The doctor had told her that even though she was unable to respond, she could still most likely hear her. So until the end she was going to be there every day, she couldn''t not be. Chang had spent every day talking to her, she couldn''t bear to leave her alone. It was mostly remiscings from her favorite moments growing up. Her life had been filled with such joy and gladness that it was almost hard to recall, there were many moments that were her favorite. Dad almost burning the kitchen, mom breaking her head, the time when her mom pranked her dad by switching the sugar with the salt, who then got caught by her own prank having forgotten. Learning to ride a bike with her dad, taking the bus with her mom as a little girl, learning piano with her mom, singing with her dad, cooking with her mom. Watching her mom and dance slowly to old romantic songs through the night. Even the moments that weren''t her favorite she shared as she tried to fill the silence. "Remember you are not the only one who hurts too." Her dad had whispered it to her before she cried and held her mom begging her forgiveness. She didn''t even remember why they had even fought that day as it had been something trivial. 129 In The End LiHua made a small writing motion with her other hand as her eyes started to focus on Chang. Chang didn''t understand at first, but as her mother continued to do the motion while looking at her she realized what she wanted. Chang went to the wall and grabbed an info sheet with a blank back, a couple of magazines and a pen. She put the blank side of the paper over the magazines, to give her a better writing surface and put it under her hand with the pen. As soon as she had the pen in her hand Lihua started to frantically scrawl across the page, quickly covering it in black ink. After it had been filled Li Hua dropped the pen, letting her hand go limp. After writing whatever it was she wanted to she turned to Chang and gave her a small smile that was bursting with love and pride. As she smiled Chang felt the slight grip in her other hand grow lax. She looked down at it briefly and as she did she heard the long flat tones of the machines her mother was attached to. Chang called out and tried to rouse her, but her eyes were already fixed on nothing. Chang screamed and cried but it did nothing. A few of the doctors pulled her away as they swarmed around her mother. She reached her hand out not wanting to let go yet as she struggled. The sounds of her daughter''s and the doctors shouts seemed to become fainter, the harsh tones of the machines, were just a gentle buzz, even the harsh fluorescent lights seemed softer and more comforting. Chang, the doctors, and the world around her started to become faint, and their shapes indistinct. After having put on there everything she wanted to tell her daughter. Lihua released the pen and let herself sink back. The pain had reached a culmination before disappearing, leaving only a hint of the memory of it. She felt like she was receding into a room far from where she was. Somewhere where there was no pain, no sadness, no loss. Nothing. Lihua let herself fall into the release from the pain and suffering. Her last thoughts still being for her daughter. ''I wonder if you ever read all those letters I sent through the years, or ever viewed the pictures. Jean-Jacques please take care of my daughter. I have no one else now to rely on now. ''Liang Jian Amal please don''t disappoint my expectations either. ''Chang please forgive your mother for not being able to accompany you through your life. I wish I could have been there for you. ''I love you so much and I''m so proud of you. You are so strong, just like your father, you will survive this and much more. We will be looking out for you always. Please forgive us for not being able to live longer to be there for you. 130 Back to a brighter time The sudden change in light was blinding and she lifted her hand across her eyes to see her skin, looking young and as fresh as when she was a teenager. Her hair lay in two braids over her shoulder, she looked down before turning in her parents store to find a reflective piece of metal. She was astonished to see that she was about 18 or 19 years old, right around when she had met H¨¦nri. "Miss Yan." A voice she was oh so achingly familiar to her came from behind. Her heart beating wildly she turned to see the tall figure with the sun shining through his reddish-brown hair. H¨¦nri Alexander Dumont stood there in a formal navy blue suit holding a bouquet of white lilies, her favorite. He stood there looking nervous, his deep blue eyes staring at her intently. LiHua felt her cheeks flush as her heart went crazy, that was how he had appeared when he had proposed to her. After their first awkward meeting he started to frequent their shop more and more often. At first she had thought he was a pest and chased him out more than a few times. Over weeks though she would find her eyes sometimes lingering on his tall broad-shouldered figure, or her thoughts would linger on him late at night before she''d go to bed. Her parents had become angry about the large foreigner who kept coming around the shop and scolded her to keep away from him. When she tried to speak up for the soft-spoken large awkward man she received a slap to the face from her mother for talking back. It wasn''t even close to her first time being struck by them, but it stung like a thorn in her heart. Li Hua had held her face and ran out of the shop in tears ignoring their shouts for her to return immediately. Dodging through the people in the crowded streets she had run aimlessly not knowing where to go. Eventually she made it to a relatively less crowded area, not knowing what to do or where to go she just held her face in her hands and cried alone. People passing by gave her weird looks and scoffs as she stood there alone on the street corner sobbing. As she stood there she thought she heard a voice call her name. LiHua looked up briefly with her tear stained face to see the young man standing across the street from her with a shocked look on his face. Dodging cars, apologizing to the one he made slam on their brakes, he crossed the street against the light to get to her. Growing up she could count on one hand the number of times she had been held, and as such was very unfamiliar with the feeling. He apologized seeing her reaction and had told her it looked like she looked like she needed a shoulder to cry on, and if he needed it he would do that for her. The words and the feeling from being held melted her resistance and she grabbed the sides of his shirt letting it all out. He held her patiently letting her cry as long as she needed which had been a lot more than she ever thought. After they walked down to the pier together and sat there until sunset. On the way he bought a cold pack for her face, as well as some food for the two of them. She finally learned and remembered his name, H¨¦nri Alexander Dumont, he''d told it to her before, but she hadn''t ever really cared before then. He was a 21 year old French man who had recently moved to the area after serving in the armed forces. He''d left his home behind to make a fresh start for himself out from the large shadow of his father. Eventually he asked her more about her home life and the mark on her face. Lihua never spoke about it to another person but when she had looked into his earnest blue eyes, she found herself wanting to share everything with him, both what was beautiful and ugly. H¨¦nri Dumont was saddened when he heard about her home life, she herself had never felt sorrow over the matter but seeing how much he argued on her side it touched her and she felt just a twinge. LiHua was the third of four children, her two older sisters had been beloved, by her parents and had married well. She had a younger brother who was a few years younger than her, who was the apple of her parents eyes. Once he had been born though Li Hua had become less than useless, merely another mouth to feed, the only worth she carried was as a pair of hands to help with the shop. "You are worth far more than that!" H¨¦nri Dumont looked her seriously in her eyes. After they talked for a little while longer, he walked by her side, ensuring he got her back home safely as twilight came over them. Once she was safely home he left to go back to where he lived. Before going inside to face her parents wrath, Li Hua stopped and watched his large figure. Before he made it ten steps he stopped and looked back, surprise written all over his face seing her still standing there. He quickly hurried back to where she stood and bent to steal a quick kiss from her. Shocked she could only stand there staring wide eyed with a hand over her mouth. She couldn''t H¨¦nri Dumont blushed and scratched the back of his head. "Sorry, I had to, I knew I would regret it if I didn''t do it. Have a good night Miss Yan!" As he spoke he awkwardly retreated before he ran away. After that night he started coming to the shop almost everyday with flowers for her. A different kind everytime, until he brought in a beautiful bouquet of scented lilies. She couldn''t help exclaiming then and rushing up to smell them. They were some of the most enchanting pink ones she''d ever seen. As she happily chatted with him, looking up to his face her mother came down to the store from the house. Shu Yan berated him when him trying to explain his intentions to court her. When screaming and yelling didn''t drive him out she took her yard stick and began to hit him. After taking several hits still trying to explain himself he looked to Li Hua and promised he would return before leaving. Her mother trashed the lilies and berated her telling her not to get mixed up in something foolish. She promised her she wouldn''t, but once Shu Yan left, she picked her lilies from him out the trash and gave them a deep whiff, savoring the feeling in her heart. H¨¦nri Alexander Dumont didn''t come back for almost a month. While he was away LiHua felt a little listless and disappointed, she made more than a few mistakes during that time, incurring her parent''s wrath. She had been standing at the counter, her face sunk into her arms when she heard her name in a deep bass voice. There he stood in a nicely cut blue suit, holding a bouquet of white lilies and a small box. He apologized for the time he had been away. The second he had been there she hadn''t cared anymore about that, but she still cried and complained about his sudden and prolonged absence. "Then I promise to never do that again. Li Hua Yan would you do me the honors by marrying me." As he said that he handed her the bouquet and got down on one knee and opened the small box containing a ring. His hands visibly shaking a little he looked her in her eyes. "I am a bit of a fool, and I can''t cook to save my life, unless it''s charcoal. I''m not very eloquent or svelte despite my upbringing, or the most handsome man. I have managed to save a little though so I''m not a complete penniless fool. "I may have many faults, but I also truly and deeply care about you. If you wanted it I would give you the world, starting with mine and my heart. "Will you marry me LiHua?" She had been choked up at the time and had only been able to nod in tears while he put the ring on her finger. Her mother came down hearing the commotion and erupted at the two of them. LiHua spoke back to her mother proclaiming she was going to marry him. "If you leave now and marry him don''t ever bother coming back. Now don''t be unreasonable, come inside now and we will talk with your father about finding you a suitable husband. If you leave now you will regret it." LiHua was heartbroken by her mother''s ultimatum but she still chose to go with him, and left hand and hand with him and found her life''s greatest joy. Looking at his younger 22 year old self standing in the sunshine before her she couldn''t help but break into a beaming grin as a couple of tears leaked from the corner of her eyes. "You''re back. I thought you promised you wouldn''t ever leave without saying anything again." "I''m sorry, I promise you that it won''t ever happen again." "You promise?" His blue eyes shined sincerely as he looked down on her. "Of course. Will you come with me now LiHua? Would you do me the honors of becoming my wife again?" LiHua smiled through her tears and thought of their beautiful but simple wedding in a park by the lake. Decorating their home together that he bought with the last of his savings. Their small honeymoon down to Pismo Beach where she lost both her shoes to the ocean and almost her husband to a sleeper wave. Laying in his arms at night as they stroked her huge pregnant belly and came up with names for their first child. Holding Chang in her arms for the first time after a long and difficult birth, and how he cried more than she did when her tiny fingers curled around one of his. Taking Chang to school together for her first day, each holding onto one of her tiny hands as they swung her into the air. Dancing through the night as he held her in his arms with her head pressed against his chest. 131 Ashes Even though it had broken his Jid''s heart, he sentenced his eldest son Mamud Ilyas al-Hassan to death by a firing squad for the thousands of lives he destroyed, through the attempted coup and the human trafficking ring he managed. While Hakim al-Hassan passed the sentence down, he was unable to view the process himself, and so Liang Jian Amal attended the execution as representation. This had been one of the last things that had needed to be taken care of, now that it was over he could finally attend to his needs. He put out the cigarette against his heel and left to return to the palace and grab a few things before leaving. In the front courtyard there was a bit of commotion surrounding two figures in the gateway. His brow wrinkled as he nudged the horse to go a little faster to see what was going on. Once he was close enough to recognize the figures he was surprised. Liang Jian Amal was completely shocked to see the small woman standing in the gateway, absolutely filthy and covered in cuts and bruises. She had a wild look in her eyes and was completely disheveled, in complete contrast to usual calm collected self. By her feet kneeled an even worse looking man with his arms and hands tied behind his back. "Hao Jin Ying? Why are you here, I thought you left with-" He stopped himself before saying ''my wife,'' his heart dropping and changed it to "Chang. Where have you been for the last 8 weeks? " "Chairman Liang left me in a bit of a difficult position after he took LiHua and Chang. He came here with armed men, and forcibly took her and then tried to silence me." "Tch, it''s time I defanged that old snake, I''ll have to take care of that first.." Liang Jian Amal muttered darkly. "I am glad you are safe, I will see justice for what was done. I was actually about to leave to go to the US, but it looks like there is something I need to settle first in Shanghai. I know you''ve been through a lot, I can see this but will you come with me?" "If you don''t mind, I am in desperate need of a bath. I brought you a present I''m sure he''ll have some interesting things to tell you sir, he and his comrades did for me. Please enjoy my gift while I make myself feel human again." Hao Jin Ying left no room for argument as she headed inside leaving the bound man kneeling in front of Liang Jian Amal. ---- Chang left the crematorium in a cab after listlessly filling out what seemed like endless amounts of paperwork. The nurses gave her several pamphlets for counseling and aid that she left behind, looking at the words only seemed to make the stabbing sensation in her heart feel worse. 132 Thank You Carrying the small urn that carried her mother''s ashes Chang went to her Dad''s alter. She placed the two of them together, now that things were like this it didn''t seem right for the two of them to be apart. At least not anymore. Dead eyed, Chang went to the bag she brought from Lahat and pulled out the family picture her mom gave her. Her last gift. Chang placed the smiling picture in front of the two silver urns, focusing on the living joyous faces instead of the cold metal that contained the remains. "Why did you both leave me alone already.." She couldn''t help but whisper to them, some part of her hoping for an answer, but there never would be one. Looking at them she mustered up the strength withing herself to pull out the page of words her mom wrote. Her last words. The words slanted across the page and were almost unreadable due to the shaking, and her loss of movement control. Chang clutched the paper with trembling hands. "My dearest Xiao Xie I''m so sorry I can''t stay with you. Just know your father and I love you very much and we always will, even if we can''t be by your side well always be looking out for you. "Please don''t give up now that we''re not here with you, be strong my child, and live freely, that was H¨¦nri and I''s greatest wish for you. To live freely and proudly, unfettered by shackles around your heart. We never wanted you to have to live a life weighed down by sadness and pain. "Please don''t give up on Liang Jian Amal, I know things don''t seem right now, but I believe in him. He truly loves you and you love him, in the end that''s all that really matters. If you do move on to someone else, I would still support you, as long as they love you and make you happy. "Xiao Xie don''t stop laughing loudly and freely, don''t stop singing like no one listens, and dance to your hearts content. These are beautiful things and you should enjoy them and all of life''s wonders. "I wish I could be here with you longer but I can''t, your dad was never really good at waiting, and you inherited that from him. I love you and will always be watching over you. Always. "Chang you are the most beautiful and wondrous thing to have ever come into our life, thank you for having been our daughter." Chang crumpled forward and held the small page that was filled with her mother''s words. Chang lay there until the the day became night and started to become light again. Long after she ran out of tears, she continued to lay there on the cold floor. 133 What We Leave Behind Sitting at the kitchen table she cut out the small obituary she wrote, and had printed in the newspaper for her mother to add to the alter beside her Dad''s. As she was cutting she heard the doorbell ring. Setting the pages and the scissors down she slowly made her way to the door, looking through the peephole first, before opening the door. A couple of older Chinese women stood at the doorstep talking amongst themselves. When she opened the door, the two well-dressed women stared at her in shock and a little disgust. Chang had no energy to entertain any salespeople, especially not when they looked at her like that, and so seeing them standing there staring she started to close the door. Chang had already had enough of the stares on the bus and the way home. She had been wearing the same clothes since entering the hospital, she''d washed her face and brushed her teeth perfunctorily, but other than that hadn''t groomed herself. She hadn''t eaten since leaving the hospital and slept a few hours in spurts. As she closed the door one of the women put her hand on the door. "Wait, how rude! How did your mother raise you?" Chang felt a small flash of anger and pain in her deadened heart hearing the woman''s words. "Get your hand off the door, leave me alone, I have no interest in what you''re selling." "We are not selling anything, are you Chang Ying, LiHua''s daughter?" "My name is Chang Xie, how do you know my mother''s name? Wait are you my mother''s two elders sisters.?" It took a minute for Chang to process who they could be. Her mother had mentioned her family very infrequently, and so she was vaguely aware that she had two aunts on her mother''s side, but she had never met them; let alone know what they looked like. "Yes." The woman who spoke before and had stopped her from closing the door. "I am your eldest aunt FenLan Ping and my sister ChenHua Lee. Are you not going to invite us in?" FenLan scowled at her as she saw Chang was still hunched begin the partially closed door, making no move to open it. "No I am not, while under normal circumstances maybe I would have been excited to see you but now isn''t a good time. My mom just passed the other day, I posted the obituary in the paper, you can view it there if you want to. Thank you for coming by goodbye." Chang pushed the door closed in their shocked faces and slumped to the ground ignoring the insistent knocks and rings. At first she ignored it, but it continued insistently until she got up and opened it. Her aunt ChenHua stood the with a colorful reusable bag in her hand, the other outstretched to rap on the door again with her knuckles. "Please don''t, you didn''t show up for over 20 years, so why are you here now?" Chang started to sob in front of the older woman. Setting the bag down the slightly round woman pulled her into a tight hug, her head barely coming to Chang''s shoulder. "Because while I may have failed as an older sister in many ways. I won''t now. I won''t let my youngest sister''s daughter waste away in grief." 134 What We Leave Behind II "Eat." Chang mechanically ate a little of what was put in front of her, before putting down her chopsticks. "You only had two bites, eat more, your mother would be sad to see you starving yourself like this." ChenHua lightly admonished her and had her eat half the ate before her aunt was satisfied. ChenHua came around the table and started to clean stuff up preserving the rest for later meals. After that she dragged a chair to the front of the kitchen sink and rummaged through the house for a towel which she draped it on the back of the chair. After having her eat, ChenHua sat her down and washed her long greasy hair in the sink until it was clean and shining again. Once clean, she towel dried it, and began to gently comb it. Like a little doll Chang sat blankly letting her aunt do as she pleased, moving only when told to. "There, you look much better now. Come now. Which one is your room?" Chang pointed and ChenHua led her inside and folded back the blankets. "Get in." Chang climbed into the bed but sat there, unwilling to lay down and face the nightmares she had been avoiding. "Sleep, I''ll be here when you wake up." ChenHua pushed her down into the bed and tucked her in. Chang looked up at the woman who smiled down on her, who looked a little like her mother, especially around the eyes. "Sleep." She brushed her hand on top of Chang''s head pushing back a few stray hairs. Obediently she closed her eyes, a few stray tears leaked out as she drifted off feeling the warmth on her head. ChenHua waited until Chang fell asleep before rising from the side of her bed. Returning to the kitchen she sat down to read the obituary that Chang had started to cut out. Above the small article, a beautiful picture of LiHua smiling stood. ChenHua wiped her eyes seeing the picture of her baby sister. Li Hua Dumont. Born February 17, 1975, to Feng and Shu Yan, died on Sunday the 9th of December, 2018 after a long battle with brain cancer. A San Francisco native, LiHua was born to second generation of Chinese immigrants, and lived there her whole life until her tragic death at the age of 43. She is survived by a few siblings as well as her only daughter Chang Dumont, born to her and her husband H¨¦nri Dumont, who was previously deceased. She touched the hearts of those who knew her with an definable kindness, and will be greatly mourned and missed. ''I''m glad I got to talk to you a few times after you married. Rest in peace little sister, I''ll take care of Chang for you.'' 135 An Unexpected Change In Power Beside him Hao Jin Ying poured over the letter Chang had written him. At first he had refused to hand her his personal letter but had finally given in to her insistence. "I need a pen." "What?" Opening his eyes he looked at her with a frown. "I need a pen, I need to check and see if my suspicions are correct." As she spoke Hao Jin Ying patted herself down looking for one, or another writing utensil. "Here." Liang Jian Amal handed her a pen from his breast pocket. He kept his head leaning back against the seat with his eyes closed until he heard the sound of the pen scratching against paper. Tilting his head he cracked an eye open to see what she was doing. "What are you doing, stop immediately Hao Jin Ying!" He tried to take it from her but she shifted away from him and continued to make markings on his letter. "Just wait a second." She made all the markings she wanted to under his glower before handing it back to him. She had circled several of the words on the page and at the bottom she had strung together all the circled words. Reading the words she had strung together, he felt a stabbing pain in his heart as he mangled the paper in his grip. We try We lost. Please forgive Me didn''t Want to. Liang Ju-Long came Forced me. I I love you. It lie. "I had to infer a little bit, but I think Chang left this code for you here in the letter. Her words just didn''t quite make sense, even if she was stressed from the pressure of the situation." "Tell me again exactly what happened when Liang Ju-Long came." He''d heard it before from others but he wanted to hear it from her. "Don''t leave any details out." ---- In his office Liang Ju-Long watched as his son and his secretary stepped out of the chauffeured vehicle and headed up the main walkway. Seeing the dark look on Liang Jian Amal''s face he smiled a little and strode to his office phone and placed a call. "It is about time, are you in place?" ---- In her sleep Chang vaguely heard the doorbell ringing, sitting up she looked for her mom. She''d had a wonderful dream that she sat beside her and had stroked her hair until she fell asleep. ''Wait that wasn''t a dream, my mom''s older sister came by and fed me and washed my hair and tucked me into bed.'' Chang started to put reality together as the insistent ringing drew her to reality. ''Wait where did she go..?'' The door demanded her attention and she rose. 136 An Unexpected Change in Power II "Young Master Liang!" The older woman was startled seeing him enter so suddenly without waiting for someone. "Is my father home at the moment?" Seeing him standing there seething with fury the housekeeper readily answered him yes before retreating. Without knocking or anything Liang Jian Amal pushed the door in of Liang Ju-Long''s study. Inside the man stood by his desk on the phone with a less-than-pleased expression. Seeing Liang Jian Amal burst in so rudely Liang Ju-Long finished his call briefly and looked at home with narrowed eyes. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your unexpected visit Jian Amal?" Liang Ju-Long placed the phone at his desk and gave him a tight smile. . "You know why I have come, Chairman Liang, let us not waste time mincing our words. I am here because of what you have done to my grandfather, my secretary, and my wife. "With your assistance to my mother''s brothers, you helped to destroy thousands of lives, and a people''s peace for something petty. "You will stay away from my wife from now on. I have made my choice already and will not undo it. Our family has no need for the help from another family through marriage, I am far more than capable enough to make it without that. "Cease your obsession or you will lose everything." "You still whine like a child, it is rather unbecoming Jian Amal. You are rather na?ve if you truly think we can make it without more power." Liang Ju-Long clasped his hands behind his back as he walked to the back of his chair before sitting and lacing his fingers together in front of him. "We only rose to where we were from the alliance with the al-Hassan''s. Now it is your turn, for the good of our family and it''s future, you must marry someone suitable. "This is a matter of business, as it was for me and my father. As with the recent business in the Republic of Lahat, Mamud al-Hassan made me a very generous offer." "You are truly a despicable man is it all calculations of gain and loss to you? A life has more value than that, I wish you understood that father.." Liang Jian Amal felt a touch of disappointment looking at the cold unmoved man who sat behind the desk. "I am not you, I will do things in my own way. I will not divorce Chang Dumont and you truly have no say on that. Not any longer. "Also never return to the Republic of Lahat, you will never be welcomed there again, if you do you will face your crimes against all those lives. "Goodbye chairman Liang." Liang Jian Amal turned to walk away. "To go to my wife and mother-in-law." "If you take one step out that door to go to her, I will ensure that she will no longer be available for you to do that." Liang Jian Amal narrowed his eyes and walked closer to the desk. "Did you just threaten her?" "I do not make threats, only promises." ''I did not wish for it to go this way but..'' Gritting his teeth Liang Jian Amal pulled the weapon that he had hidden under his waistband and turned off the safety. Liang Ju-Long was first shocked before his face turned red seeing the cold metal muzzle pointed at his forehead. "How dare you! You not only dare to put it to my face but to bring that into China! You have truly lost your mind over this woman! I should have settled the matter with her long ago, no matter as I will belatedly correct my mistake-!" 137 Promise Kep "I believe I have made it very clear what I want. I had hoped you would just accept what I have said. You will leave my wife be. You will leave my employees be. You will no longer interfere with my life or you will find yourself with nothing. "I have called a shareholders meeting for Wednesday. It is time we found a new chairman, one who is more future-minded.." "You can''t do that, you don''t carry the weight to order such a thing." "Oh but you are mistaken not only am I the chief executive officer, I am also now the largest shareholder of Liang International holding 45% of the company''s stocks." Liang Ju-Long looked up at his son with a rare showing of shock upon his face. "I have been making my move since last year, when I realized how truly powerless I was. Thank you for helping give me the drive I needed to accomplish this. I quickly changed my status on my own, without a marriage, while growing and expanding the business exponentially. "I now have enough power to remove the snake that continuously bites at my heel." Liang Ju-Long''s hands shook as he clenched them into fists. "So what are you going to do now?" "Nothing I am here just to deliver a warning--no wait a promise to you. "You have crossed my bottom line far too many times Liang Ju-Long, do not tread any further over that line. Live the rest of your life in peace and quiet with what you have already accumulated and from the stocks you still hold. "Or lose everything, that is the only choice you have now." Liang Jian Amal narrowed his eyes as he looked down at the older man who stared at his fists before uncocking the weapon and storing it away. "Know that just because I did not do it does not mean that I won''t do you understand?" "Yes I understand." "Good thank you for you compliance former chairman." Seeing the ghost white face of the man Liang Jian Amal left satisfied. His father was too used to being able to hold power over another''s life but had never had experienced the same, it had made him callous and cold. Liang Jian Amal hoped that seeing his own life hanging on a previous thread might help bring out some awareness for someone other than himself. ''Hell even if it is awareness just for himself that will work too as long as he doesn''t rise up again.'' Now that his business was accomplished he could finally go to where he wanted. He had to ensure a place to bring her back to. ''I hope she understands..'' ---- Pulling a key from the top drawer and opened the locked drawer at the bottom of his desk. Inside sat a whole drawer of memories and feelings he had long ago locked away so that he could fulfill a promise. Rifling through it he finally found an old worn photograph. As he lifted his head the hidden smile grew. "I hope you forgive my methods but I have accomplished what I promised you I would. The cost was far greater than what I could imagine but the results are far more brilliantly shining. I wish you could have seen our son grow, this might have turned out better if you had been here, but even without you, it has been hard but I have kept my promise." 138 The Dumonts "Who are you?" ChenHua heard a man''s voice from behind her and turned to see a tall man in a business suit behind her. The young man had a rather handsome appearance even with deep bruising under his eyes. She couldn''t help wondering seeing him if she was 20 years younger.. Behind him stood a small woman in glasses dressed in business attire. "I could ask you the same. If you''re hear for business now would not be a good time please come at another time." Looking at the two smartly dressed people in black she mistook them for bill collectors and dismissed them. "You misunderstand madam, this is personal. I am here for my wife. I am Chang''s husband." The man have a small disarming smile. ''Debt collectors are just have no shame anymore.'' ChenHua narrowed her eyes at him and putting a fist on her hip scowling. "Really and how come I never heard about this?" "Are you related to Lihua and Chang ? You look a lot like them, I''d recognize that scowl anywhere." The man said with a slight chuckle. "How do you know my sister and niece?" ChenHua started to doubt that the man was a swindler, and consider that he could be who he said he was. "I told you, I am her husband Liang Jian Amal. I am here for my wife and mother-in-law." ChenHua felt a flash of shock hearing his words, he appeared to be very sincere "Oh dear how do you not know as Chang''s husband. LiHua passed away, almost a week ago now. "I mean, I only found out the news when it was printed in the paper, but I had been estranged from my sister for a long time, barring a couple of phone calls through the years. You are her husband or you say you are, how would you not know this?" ChenHua stared at incredulously. The young man gripped the front of his shirt over his heart with a pained expression. "I was away.." - Beside him Hao Jin Ying began to lightly sob into a hankerchief at the news. Trying to crush the pain in his chest he managed to ask the older older curly haired woman. "Where is Chang..?" "When I left here yesterday she was sleeping. Poor thing has taken it so hard, after giving her a good meal I put her to bed." Putting a hand to her chin she sighed. "I meant to come back later on and stay with her through the night, she looked so horrible. I had to take care of something with my family..." The woman continued on but Liang Jian Amal had stopped hearing after about Chang. "So she should be home.?" After gathering himself for a moment he interrupted the woman. "Well yes, at least I thought so but she''s not answering, I brought her some breakfast too. I know I left the door unlocked yesterday, but it''s locked now, so she should be home." Feeling a sense of dread in his heart he walked jerkily up the steps. "Chang." He knocked on the door loudly and called her name before listening at the door. There was nothing, it was complete silence. Hearing nothing he feared the worst he started to try to bust it down. "Hey someone might call the police or something!" The older woman started to fret seeing his actions and looked around the worriedly. "That is the least of my worries at the moment." His teeth gritted he rammed himself at the door. Finally under his relentless abuse the door gave way and hung at an awkward angle as he pushed past, rapidly checking every room for her. Hao Jin Ying quickly introduced herself to ChenHua as they followed after him. In the main living room a Christmas tree stood, almost all the way done up except for a roll of tinsel that hung from the tree where it had been halfway strung up. A number of boxes filled with more decorations littered the floor, some opened slightly spilling their contents. "Chang!" ''I feel like I''m having d¨¦j¨¤ vu. This is just like last year.'' He had looked for her in every room of his home and outside but was unable to find her. Just like last time he was unable to find her. He stood there in her bedroom for a moment. ''Maybe she just went to the store or something..'' "Sir, come here!" Hao Jin Ying called to him from the kitchen. Hearing her tone, he reluctantly left the room that still faintly smelled of her and went to the kitchen. Hao Jin Ying stood beside ChenHua holding a small piece of paper a regretful look in her eye. His hand shaking just a little he took the paper. On it she wrote that she was going to go live with her father''s family and likely wouldn''t be back for a while, if ever. Most of the words on the paper were addressed to her aunt ChenHua, saying how grateful she was to have met her and asked her to care for her home. At the bottom though were a few words for him. 139 The Dumonts II Inside the chauffeured vehicle, Chang resisted the urge to wipe her sweaty palms on the new beautiful silk dress she wore. It had been bought for her in Lyons after they landed so that she would look presentable. After having receiving the new dress she had also been taken to a day spa, where she was cleaned, polished and scrubbed until she shined. The plush leather seats beside her weren''t exactly a good wiping spot either, but with no better alternatives, Chang wiped her palms on material beside her. ''I''m so nervous, what do I say?'' Even though she had been assured numerous times that she had no need to be nervous she still felt it. She had never met the man before and wanted to make a good impression on her Dad''s dad. At the front the man chauffeuring the vehicle called back to ask if she was good in his heavily accented French. After a second she realized he was speaking to her and answered saying she was fine. ''Except for my nerves..'' The man had been sent by her grandfather to bring her to him and had attended to her all the way through the journey, and was now driving her the last when she had opened the door, she had expected to see her aunt, but instead he had stood there. As soon as she opened the door he had asked for her mother, Mrs. Dumont. Though he spoke in English it was very heavily affected by a foreign accent. When he asked it felt like knives stabbed into her heart again relentlessly. It had taken her a moment to respond to the man and tell him that Mrs Dumont was deceased and that she was her daughter Miss Dumont. "You are mademoiselle Dumont?" The man looked at her up and down to her annoyance before settling his shocked eyes back onto her face. "Yes." She answered the man in a clipped tone, preparing to take a step back on and close the door again. "Pardon me I was just stunned for a moment, I thought you would be different.. Miss Dumont, my name is Mr. Poitier, I am here on behalf of your grandfather regarding the letter Madame Dumont wrote him." Chang was confused momentarily as her mother had told her when she was younger that her grandfather had passed away when she was little. "I''m sorry sir, there must be some kind of mistake my grandfather is already deceased." "Quoi? I assure you mademoiselle Jean-Jacques Dumont is very much alive, and would very much so like to meet you. ''Wait is that my dad''s dad? How come they never really told me about him?'' "You''ll have to ask him that yourself in France. Will you come with me to meet him?" ''What do I have to lose?'' "Give me a minute to get some things together." "We can have everything sent to you at a later date." "I''m not leaving without a few things." Grabbing a small backpack she put her parents ashes as well as the family photo album and put them in. Everything else was superficial. As she left she realized she should leave a note for her aunt Chen Hua before leaving so that she wouldn''t worry. Her aunt had been a really nice lady, she was extremely grateful she had come and shown her care, she might have drowned in her grief if she hadn''t come when she did. At the end of the note, after much consideration she left a note for Jian. ''I don''t know if he''ll ever see this but if he does I want him to know that. ''I wish he had come.'' 140 The Dumonts III + IV The lavender hedge gave way to a brilliant deep green one that enfenced numerous skeletal plants. The drive way ended with a large circular drive that lay at the feet of an extensive white manor. In the center of the circle stood a naked stone woman statue with a cascade of water plummeting around her into the pool below her feet. The white manor only stood two stories tall but it''s wings extended for a ways past the circle on both sides, the front of it lined with windows. Even though the place seemed regal, it was not forbiddingly opulent. Chang sat in the car for a moment even after the car came to a stop. Seeing that she still sat there immobile Mr. Poitier came and opened the door on the side she sat. "We have arrived Mademoiselle." "Mm." She gave a hum in response as she rose out of the vehicle and followed Mr. Poitier to the tall oak doors. As she followed him she clutched the small backpack tightly to her chest her eyes darting everywhere. After knocking to announce their presence he opened the door and led her into the brightly lit interior. Inside the walls were lined with beautiful portraits, mostly of nature. At blank spots a few showtables stood with sculptures and other pieces of art. Even with her nervousness and detachment Chang noted the beauty of the place. Mr. Poitier led her to a room at the end of the hall and ushered her in. The hexagonal room was white, like the rest of the place the only dark spot was a glass and wood writing table that stood near the center. At the desk sat an older white haired man with a pair of glasses, intensely pouring over some papers. As she stepped inside the slight heels of her shoes made a reverberating clicking sound through the mostly empty room. Hearing the noise the man looked up before gaping and removing the thin frames from his face. He came around the desk towards her and beckoned her to come closer. "You must be Chang, come closer my dear, my eyes are not what they once were." Chang cautiously walked towards him still gripping her bag. As she came closer she saw much of her father in the man, though this man was much more aged with worn creases into his face and a head full of stark white hair. Though age had stooped his shoulders a little Jean-Jacques Dumont still stood tall and proud. Once she was close enough he eyed her closely and cupped a cheek with one of his wrinkled hands. Jean-Jacques Dumont wiped a tear that started to leak from a corner of his eye. "Excuse me, but how come I never met you or heard about you before?" Chang hesitantly asked the man, seeing his elated expression, and his kindly demeanor she couldn''t understand why her dad never talked about his own dad. Jean-Jacques Dumont heaved a deep sigh. "That is due to my own fault. My H¨¦nri is- was also even more stubborn than his old man. "When he left to join the armed forces, I let him go, I thought it would be a good experience for him and that it would strengthen him for when he joined Dumont Holdings. After he left though he went traveling around the world. Again I let him be, thinking he would come back. "About a month after he left though he started to phone home about a girl he had met in San Francisco. At first this didn''t concern me until a few months later when he called to say that he wanted to marry her. "My wife advised us to support him, but I did not. I let my anger get the best of me and told him if he married some unknown girl I would disown him. "I thought I could bring him back in line with my threats." ''Huh that sounds kinda familiar.'' Chang scoffed to herself and clenched her fingers tighter into the material. "Not only was he not cowed he retaliated back. We shared several harsh words before he hung up on me. I told him I would cut him out but I never did, H¨¦nri faxed me a document of renouncement and cut our ties himself. "We didn''t hear from him after that until he placed a call to his mother around the middle of June. He took everything he saved from his time in service and bought a house in America and married the girl he had talked about. "My wife was delighted to hear from him and that he was doing well.. I on the other hand acted foolishly again, I was angry that he would be willing to cut our ties so easily.. It was the last time we ever talked to our son." Jean-Jacques Dumont fished a small handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at his eyes recounting the past. "My wife didn''t speak to me nearly a year after that." "If you never talked to my dad after that then how do you know about me?" "LiHua your mother wrote to me several times through the years, she included pictures together with her letters. She had hoped that H¨¦nri and I would repair our relationship, alas he died before we could move past our intractability. It broke my wife''s heart and she passed the following winter after that.. "Your mother was a good woman, I came to understand that through her letters, and I understood why my son married her. After H¨¦nri died I didn''t hear from her until a month ago. "She wrote me telling me that she was passing soon and worried for you and your future without a family to help back you." Chang felt her eyes prickling hearing about her mom. "Were they good to you growing up?" Chang nodded her head wordlessly while biting her lower lip. "Can you tell me, how was my son, was he a good husband and father?" Swallowing the lump in her throat she answered him in a low voice. "The best. Dad only made so much working as a postal worker, but we lived comfortably. He would take outdoors to go on hikes and nature walks, mom didn''t like them. But he would do things mom liked like dancing with her. He was a really caring a protective dad and took good care of Mom and me. The worst thing he ever did was go and die so unexpectedly." Chang shoulders shook as she thought of the phone call they got saying her father had died during work that day. Her mother had collapsed letting the phone hang from the wall next to her as she stared blankly. Chang had then picked up the call to hear the news herself. The unnatural heat of the day had badly affected the man and he passed out in the back of his truck. No one had noticed the man as the truck was enclosed, or gave any notice to the truck that sat for hours. Due to the heat in the enclosed area, the unnaturally high heat of the day, and his own large frame he suffered a heat stroke and finally went into cardiopulmonary arrest. By the time someone had noticed, the hospital had been unable to help H¨¦nri Dumont. Seeing her standing there crying Jean-Jacques put his hand to her shoulder, patting it. "I''m sorry for bringing up more pain, there there. If you wish it dear you can stay with me now, I have more than enough, it would cheer me if you did. 141 Expectations They sat in the first class cabin of the public airplane, waiting as the plane was boarded on the flight to Lyons, France. It was already Monday afternoon, it would take them more than 13 hours just to get to Lyons, France. Then from there to Shanghai another 13 hours. Plus they would be advancing across the international date line and would lose another day. Even if he set the meeting for the late afternoon, and made every connection flawlessly, he would only have an hour or two. The man sat with his eyes closed ignoring her worries. "Why are we even heading to Lyons?" "Because Chang is there." Liang Jian Amal answered with his eyes still closed. "Did you hear what I said earlier? Mr. Liang, do you even know where she is exactly? If not then we should return, if not Chairman Liang will take this opportunity to undermine you." "This is more important." Liang Jian Amal turned his head and looked at her seriously. "I took care of business first last time. I won''t make the same mistake again, I will handle whatever comes after, I''ve been through worse." "Sometimes I feel like the wrong person is our CEO." Hao Jin Ying sighed and resigned she really wanted to see Chang but fretted over the situation in China. "Possibly." He curved his lips slightly in amusement. "I feel like I have the wrong person as my personal assistant. I should have made you the head of security miss ''demon in the trees.''" "Peh! Those men should be ashamed to have called themselves battle hardened soldiers." Hao Jin Ying scoffed with derision at his words and slightly teasing tone. "Sometimes I wonder just what your upbringing was that you would become talented in the way you are." Liang Jian Amal gave her a concerned look. The soldier he had interrogated had been absolutely terrified of Hao Jin Ying. "The best kind of course!" She gave him a beaming sarcastic smile before turning away to continue pursing her lips with her brow wrinkled. "Hao Jin Ying, thank you." "You don''t have to thank me you pay me really well." She gave him a smile while her right hand made a circle with her index finger and thumb. He chuckled at her cheeky response before turning away. "Plus I have my own personal feelings invested in this as well now, I truly liked Lihua. Lihua was a good person and a good friend. I want to see everything come out right now. "I will know that for myself when I see her. I''m going. If you are truly worried then go in my stead." "I can''t do that sir, I''m not a shareholder." As she spoke her boss pulled a folded piece of paper from his inside breast pocket and handed it to her. Hao Jin Ying quickly scanned the contents before her eyes flicked up to his full of caution and alarm. "This is too much." "No it just might be too little, I cannot even begin to show you how grateful I am for all that you have done. Take this as a show of my gratitude." "This is so much sir, are you sure." "Very." "Hehe I bet you wouldn''t give this to the guy you hired to replace me would you? What was his name Luo Jun?" Yes, and no I wouldn''t he''s efficient, but he is no ''Hao Jin Ying'', and thankfully so; one is enough for the world." ''And maybe too much.'' He couldn''t help thinking wryly. "Hehe you flatter me. Thank you Liang Jian Amal." Hao Jin Ying refolded the paper stating that stated his intent to transfer 10% of his stocks to her name. "I''ll officiate it with you as soon as I return. If you so wish you have every right to attend that meeting now. I am going to Chang, I''ve waited far too long already." Hao Jin Ying looked down for only a second in contemplation before standing and grabbed her bag. "If neither thing can wait we should split up, they''re both too important. I''ll attend the meeting and speak on your behalf." "Thank you." He gave her a smile before facing forward. Hao Jin Ying looked at him wondering if she should say anything else but decided against it and went to disembark. Liang Jian Amal sat there, after Hao Jin Ying left he let the mask of calmness slip from his face. 142 Expectations II Although they wore bright smiles and greeted her genuinely, their eyes were cold and calculating. Chang could feel sweat gathering at her lower back standing in the warm room subject to all the cold gazes in her fine dress and heels that cost god-knows-how-much. She knew that Jean-Jacques Dumont meant well, introducing her to the family she never knew she had, but all she wanted was to be alone. To be alone would be better than the cold scrutiny she felt herself subjected to. ''Would it be rude to excuse myself early?'' Chang looked at her grandfather from the corner of her eye. She sighed in her mind as she plastered the fake smile she had worn all night, her face was starting to ache with the charade. ''I wish he was here.. No stop it stop it! You promised yourself you would stop thinking about him, he''s not coming.'' Chang felt another stab to her already mortally wounded heart thinking about him again. ''..If he''s even alive still, which I assume he is, his company is doing fine according to the stock market. If the ceo died I''m pretty sure there would be something. Which only means, he''s alive and chose not to come. ''I waited, but he didn''t come. God if he showed up now I.. ''No! Stop with your hopeless expectations, move on girl.'' Chang felt her composure slip and without caring if it was rude she slipped away before introducing her to another person and slipped outside. She heard a few voices tittering and whispering amongst themselves, but she ignored them as she ran out avoiding running into anyone and embarrassing herself further. The uncomfortable heels made loud clicks through the hall calling attention as she fled outside. The chill air hit her bare shoulders and goosebumps rose up on her skin, her breath clouding the air. The sharp cold hit her lungs and it finally felt like she could take a breath. Wandering further into the gardens she took off her expensive heels and hiked up the long skirt, so as not to dirty it as she meandered aimlessly into a tall hedge labyrinth. As she walked she let the tears she had been suppressing start to roll down her cheeks. She quickened her pace so that she could find somewhere someone wouldn''t find her and see her. In the darkness deeper in she finally couldn''t see the light from her grandfather''s manor and the party. Finally she could let it out without fear. Chang hiked up her skirt and knelt down and wept into hands. She wept openly for her loss, the people she missed but would never see again. ''I wish he had been there when my mom died, I needed him so much. I need him so much.'' Chang crossed her arms across herself her fingers touching the thin straps that held the long silver gown as she shivered. She knew it was stupid to stay in the cold in such a thin clothing, but she couldn''t go back in as she was. 143 Expectations III + IV + V Breathing onto her tingling fingers she tried to warm them up just enough to get some feeling back. Reaching up Chang pulled out the pins that held most of the weight of her hair up in the intricate up-do. Even though it had taken hours for the lady to put up, within a couple minutes it was all undone. Shaking her head, she let her hair tumble down to help cover her bare back and keep her warm. ''I definitely can''t go back in like this now, I''m sure my face is a sight to behold. Justin would probably have a few choice words to say about it. I should talk to Grand-p¨¨re1 Jean-Jacques and see if I could have him visit, he''s always wanted to see Europe.'' Chang smiled a little thinking of her good friend. ''I''ll have to kill time ''till later and sneak back in. I''ll have to remember to apologize to Grand-p¨¨re later too. I hope I didn''t cause him any embarrassment or anything..'' Leaving her shoes and the pins where she sat, Chang dusted her long silver gown before she wandered further out her hands holding onto her opposite arms for warmth. ---- "Monsieur, this is a private manor, we should not be on this road, especially if you have not been invited. The Dumonts are an old family, they hold a lot of power, it is best not to anger such a household." "Wouldn''t be the first time, I have done something I should not have.." Under his breath Liang Jian Amal whispered as he looked out the window of the taxi as they made their way along the lonely road to Jean-Jacques Dumont''s private manor. "What was that monsieur?" The man looked into the rear view mirror at his rather haggard and difficult customer. He had hardly said anything and had looked like he was sleeping the majority of the drive, his arms crossed across his chest. "Do not concern yourself with the matter, I will compensate you if there is any difficulties." As they pulled up to a massive ornate gate ¨¤ voice called out from a speaker box hidden inconspicuously on it. "This is a private estate. Leave now." "I am here for Chang Dumont, I am not leaving without seeing her." "There is a private engagement happening, if you do not have an invitation, leave now. Only if you have been invited by Monsieur Dumont may you enter." Hearing the man''s words Liang Jian Amal gets out of the car after handing the driver a sizeable handful of bills. Liang Jian Amal turned and looked at the brightly lit gate. "I didn''t find out where she is for nothing. I am not leaving without seeing Chang." Scanning the fence he found a lower spot and ran to it and climbed up and over, landing heavily on the ground in a crouch. Seeing the man boldly jump over the fence and enter the premises, security began to move. ---- In the ballroom Jean-Jacques Dumont pacified several of the guests until one of his security personnel came and whispered discreetly into his ear. Hearing the man''s words he straightened his spine and excused himself. ''''Apprehend the man immediately and bring him to my study quietly. Be sure as to not disturb the guests, I will speak to him later. Two of you are to come with me, we must find my grand-fille before this man does." ---- As he made his way across the estate, several highly trained guards came out to stop him, calling out as they tried to grab him. Liang Jian Amal could barely be bothered with them and didn''t pull his hits as he wanted them out of his way to Chang. After taking out a couple of the men, leaving them lying on the ground, one of the men radioed in to his head who was patrolling the party. ''''Sir the intruder is fairly skilled and has taken out a few of our men and is making his way to the estate. May we have approval to use force?" "Be discreet about it." "Yes sir! Stop now, or we will use force!" "I am here for my wife Chang Dumont, I will not leave without seeing her." Cornered by a few of the men Liang Jian Amal yelled back not wanting to mince words and waste his time. Pushing one of the men into his co-worker Liang Jian Amal made an opening and slipped away. "You have been warned sir." The security force grouped up and spread out to corner their intruder. After spreading out they managed to corner him, not wanting to prolong it a few of them threw themselves at him recklessly, stumbling him. As they staggered him another man came up from behind with a stun baton and ground it into his spine. All of a sudden a hot, crackling, popping feeling traveled through his body from the base of his spine, instantly dropping him to the ground. Stunned Liang Jian Amal sat there grinding his teeth wanting to rub his aching joints as the men ziptied his hands behind his back. ''Well damn that fucking hurt.'' Even after it had been removed he could still feel the stinging tickle of the electricity in his fingertips and where it had touched him. "Come with us now, if you resist, we will use this again." "I won''t, I am not here for trouble, I am only here to see my wife, Chang Dumont." Liang Jian Amal let the men pull him up without resistance and walked with them. "We will let Monsieur Dumont know this and he will decide for himself, until then it would be best if you continued on being cooperative until the truth was decided." The man holding the stun baton spoke from behind him. "Thank you." ---- Searching through the garden for his granddaughter, Jean-Jacques came upon Chang Dumont''s shoes and the small pile of hair pins on the ground. "You two spread out, the worst may already have happened, we must find her immediately before harm befalls my grand-fille." Worriedly holding onto the exquisite silver pumps he ordered the two men behind him. They spread out checking the massive grounds, before one of the men came jogging back quickly. "Sir, I just got notice from the others the unwanted guest has just been caught. Mademoiselle was not with him." Hearing that Jean-Jacques Dumont breathed a small sigh of relief. "Ah that is good, still we must find her." After a few minutes more of searching Chang Dumont was located by the other guard. Heading to where she was, Jean-Jacques Dumont saw her standing in the middle of the skeletal lilac garden. Her gown shimmered under the low light from the sliver of moon and the stars barely illuminating her figure. Her gaze was intensely focused on the crystal clear night sky over her head. She stared completely transfixed as if unaware of her lips that had become blue from the cold, and the reddening of her exposed skin. "I wonder if he''s looking at the same sky.." Shivering a little she whispered at the twinkling blanket of black velvet. "Chang!" Breaking her reverie, Jean-Jacques Dumont called out to her. Looking at her solitary figure, he was unable to stand the broken hollow appearance she wore. Taking off his coat he strode up to her and wrapped her bare shoulders with the coat. "It is trop froid! Come back inside with me." Putting an arm to her back he tried to guide her back to the manor. Chang pulled away from him, shaking her downcast head while gripping the front of the jacket. "I can''t, I''m sorry grand-p¨¨re but I can''t." "You do not have to come back into the party my dear. I''m sorry this was too soon for you. I merely mean that we should get you inside and into a hot bath before you catch a chill." Chang''s eyes reddened and she nodded obediently and let him bring her back inside. "I''m sorry.." "You have nothing to apologize for, come now." Jean-Jacques Dumont took her two frozen hands between his and rubbed them to help warm them up. "I''m sorry I dirtied the pretty dress you bought me too." Chang mumbled in a low voice, her head still hung low trying to hide her swollen red eyes. "Do not worry, I''ll buy you a hundred to replace it. Now come with me." "Ok, but I don''t want a hundred dresses." Jean-Jacques chuckled at her response and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. With an arm behind her back, he brought her back inside through another doorway so that they would not encounter others. After sending her up and away to her room, he sent a couple of maids to attend to her for anything she might want. After attending to his granddaughter, Jean-Jacques Dumont returned to the party to the end, playing the good host to the friends, family, and business associates he had gathered to celebrate until its end. Once he had seen the last person out he headed to his study where his intruder waited. Sitting in a chair in his study, a ruffed up young Asian man waited. His cool and calm gaze fell upon the older man as he entered as if unconcerned by all the large men that stood around him and the severity of what he had done. Jean-Jacques Dumont regarded the younger man curiously. The younger man looked to be Chinese but his darker skin tone and sharper features belied that he could be mixed race.He wore what was once a fine grey dress suit, but one of the sleeves had been torn in his scuffle, and had been hopelessly dirtied and worn in spots. ''Could he possibly be who I think he is?'' "Explain yourself, just who are you and why have you broken onto my premises in such a manner?" "I apologize for the manner of my arrival. I am here for my wife.My name is Liang Jian Amal, I am Chang''s husband. ''So it is who I thought.'' 144 Amira Amira al-Hassan saw her older brother Jari Maan Al-Hassan and launched herself at him, seeing that he was lost in thought. Attached to his back she draped her arms casually over his shoulders and smiled excitedly. "Akhi1, you have finally returned. Tell me all about where your journey!" Jari Maan Al-Hassan stumbled from the sudden weight thrown at his back. He turned to scold his little sister, she was 17 already and far too old to act like the monkey she was as a child, yet when he turned her expression made him swallow his words. Her glittering eyes, like the highest quality citrine and dravite brown tourmaline, looked at him starved for any and all information from the outside world. Amira al-Hassan was extremely pampered and sheltered by their father and as such had had seldom few chances to see the world outside the palace grounds. "Ah, at this rate, we will never be able to find you a husband at this rate if you continue to act so unladylike!" Teasingly he gave her cheek a small pinch. Over the few months he had been gone she had matured and become far more beautiful than she had already been. Even with her wild nature, her beauty alone would attract numerous suitors. "That suits me just as well, I doubt there would be a man in this world that I could find to be my equal." Scowling she slipped off of her brother''s back. The two thin gold bangles on her ankles made a soft tinkling as she hit the ground, before slowly sauntering away from him. "Of course you should know that Ya Ab promised me if I never marry he would have you look after me for the rest of my life... Oh wait you probably wouldn''t be able to propose to and marry Fajr would you?" As she walked away she tapped a finger to her lip as if deep in concentration. "Hey how would you know about this, I have not even talked to Ya Ab about this matter!" Embarrassed Jari al-Hassan ran after her as she kept ahead of him by a pace or two. "You know I have my ways to find out whatever I want to especially from my chamber maid! "Also perhaps you should stop writing her name in the dirt and dust, or calling out her name at night so loudly! It''s quite distracting you know..Also Fajr shared this with me.." Amira al-Hassan pulled a small folded piece of paper from her shirt. "Ah you are a devil, not another word, give that to me at once! Amira!" His ears burning Jari Maan al-Hassan reached for the letter, missing as she pulled it away teasingly before taking off leaving. His words echoed through the halls behind her, as she continued to read it as she ran. He tried to catch her several times to makes her stop but she slipped past him and dodged at every turn waving her prize in his face when he missed. "You will have to catch me if you want it back!" Laughing she took off running down the hall before coming to a skidding stop and hid in the shadows of a pillar. "Amira you-!" Catching up to her he snatched the paper from her hands as she stared down to the open courtyard. "Shh, Akhi! Ya Ab has a guest look!" Amira shushed her older brother and let him take the paper from her hands, uninterested in it any longer. Her attention fixed on the tall pale stranger who walked with her father below. "Who is that man with Abi?" Turning she looked to her older brother staying in the shadows of the pillar as she spied on him. "Ah it is the foreigner again, Liang Joo something. Pay him no mind, he will not be here for long." Jari Maan al-Hassan looked down at the man dismissively and walked away. "Come with me if you still want the gifts I brought for you, though after how you just were I''m not sure if I should still give them to you.." "Wait, Jari I didn''t mean it come back!" Taking one last look at the man she ran to catch up to her brother, her long braids bouncing on her back. ---- Later that evening to her great surprise her brothers all sat with her at the dining table, not only her older brother Jari Maan al-Hassan but also her older brothers Mamud Ilyas and Fahir Sarhan al-Hassan. Both of whom she had not seen since her last birthday the Autumn before. At 22, 24, and 26, respectively, her older brothers had moved out and away to start their own lives and families while assisting her father. Only Jari Maan al-Hassan among her brothers remained unmarried, though not for long it seemed, she giggled to herself thinking of his letter earlier. Strangely though, their father was not there by the time that they had all gathered, even though the food was already served. Just as Mamud Ilyas al-Hassan began to ask where he was the man in question entered with the pale foreigner from earlier. Seeing their father bring the man in her, two eldest brothers protested, at the man having been brought to eat with their family. "I will explain later to you for now you will show courtesy to our guest Liang Ju-Long." Hakim al-Hassan gave his sons a stern look silencing them before sitting with Liang Ju-Long to his left beside him. Amira al-Hassan sat on the man''s other side, stiffening when he sat beside her, almost close enough to touch. Throughout the meal she kept silent, unlike her usual self, as she snuck side glances through the curtain of her hair at the man. Even though he was very different looking, she couldn''t help think that he was kind of good-looking in a silent and stone- faced kind of way. As if sensing her gaze the stranger turned his head before she could quickly avert it. Embarrassed at having been caught she kept her eyes to her plate for the rest of the meal. 145 Amira II She was unable to hear the words of her father''s soft response, only the sound of it, but heard her brother Fahir answer in a louder tone. "We have no need of help from outsiders! We can make it on our own without their machinations and empty promises! What would keep this foreigner to his word?" Amira al-Hassan pressed her ear flat against the door trying to hear better what they were talking about. "Honor and integrity. I trust this man to do as he has said he would." "Then you are a fool Abi and you will sell us to dogs." She heard Mamud Ilyas al-Hassan''s cold sneer before a crisp striking sound and her father''s voice. "Watch your tongue. Lahat has need of the services this man can provide, sickness and disease are still rampant as well as the injured from war are numerous. This is for the good of many." "Ya Ab." Jari Maan al-Hassan spoke for the first time clear and calm. "What is to stop this man from taking the money you have given and leaving with his promise unfulfilled, besides his word?" Amira al-Hassan listened but did not hear a response from her father but heard her two eldest brothers begin to yell. Amira al-Hassan hurt hearing that and busted into the salon from where she hid in his bed chambers. "I will do it! I will make sure this man fulfills his promise to walduna1!" Her brothers turned shocked at her sudden entrance. "You should not be here Amira, leave!" Her eldest brother pointed to the door but she ignored him and kneeled by her father''s knees. "Baba, I will do this for you." "You do not know what you are saying my daughter. Though your heart is in a good place as always my loyal sweet girl." Hakim al-Hassan stroked her cheek. "I would do whatever is necessary, to make this a reality for you, I''ve heard enough to know that this man can help make lives better for the people here, is that true?" "It is my daughter." "Then I will do whatever is necessary, not only for you but for them as well." Amira al-Hassan looked up at her father with a resolved look in her eyes. "Then so be it, I will respect your resolve. We will bind our agreement with the foreigner with blood." "Ya Abi don''t tell me you would consider marrying Amira to this man." Mamud Ilyas al-Hassan was the first to speak out before the other two joined in as well. Amira al-Hassan was surprised hearing the term marriage, but tried to keep her shock down, she said she would do whatever was necessary and she would see it through for her Baba. She stood and faced her brothers. "I will do whatever is necessary. I would have to marry someday, why not today and for something for the good of many." Her nails cut into her palm as she spoke trying to hide her nerves and reservations. The room was filled with the sounds of argumenting voices, but after speaking with Liang Ju-Long the following day it was finalized. Because it had been unplanned Hakim al-Hassan prepared the rings as well as all the accommodations for their wedding much to her brother''s disapproval. ---- Even though it was a wedding the wedding was a rather somber affair, even when she sat with Dinah Petrov and Fajr Mahli for her gmorah, the event wasn''t a joyous occasion as it should have been. While painting her hands with the intricate henna designs she felt Dinah Petrov let fall a few tears that hit the back of her hand. Her fair head bowed as she tried to hide them. "Hey don''t cry please, send me off with a smile like you would for your daughter, Dinara. This should be a joyous occasion. " Amira al-Hassan attempted to hold a strong smile and convince them as well as herself. ''I can finally help and I will.'' The ceremony had a little more liveliness due to the food and drink, and to Amira''s delight she saw her friend Fajr Mahli catch the bouquet of flowers. ''Hopefully I will be there to see her and my brother''s blessed union.'' She thought as she sat by her silent husband on the raised dias. 146 Amira III Laying on the cold table Amira looked at the small black to white gradients that warped around the life inside her, outlining it. ''Our first child.. so little..'' After thanking the nurse Amira al-Hassan left the clinic and came out to the waiting area where Liang Ju-Long awaited her. His calm face looked up, a hint of a smile showing as he curled his thin lips and walked her out to their car as she held onto his arm for support. Even though she was around six months along, due to her slender frame she looked like she was a lot further along in her pregnancy than she was. For almost two years the man had refused to touch her, and their marriage had just been a cold facade, devoid of emotions or feelings. Liang Ju-Long had maintained a polite and cordial distance from her for the longest time, no matter how she had tried. Only in the last year had she finally been able to make the man seemingly made of stone start to open up a bit. After he buckled her in and started driving did she turn to look at him. "The doctors gave us good news when I went in there." She waited after speaking to see if he was listening or mulling something through his head. When she didn''t speak for a moment he made a small noise in his throat and gave her a quick side look. Seeing that he was listening she continued on. "The doctors said that the baby is an extremely healthy baby boy. He should be born in August around the same time as my birthday. Wouldn''t that be a wonderful birthday surprise?" She looked at him to see his look as she told him. "Indeed it would." His lips curled only slightly more and his face relaxed a bit. ''Hehe he looks really happy, or as happy as he ever looks.'' She babbled happily about all what the doctor had told her as they made their way back slowly and carefully to their home. "We should give him a good strong name, like yours. A boy should be strong. We don''t want him to end up weak like my brothers. I wonder if he''ll look more like you or me, or maybe he''ll be a perfect mix, I hope he looks handsome like his father, and witty like me." Liang Ju-Long chuckled a couple times as she babbled on, a rare occurance, once inside their home she latched onto his neck. "Are you happy?" "Mm." He nodded briefly looking into her eyes, still wearing his relaxed expression. "''Mm'' is not an answer I want to hear you say it." "I am so very very happy. Happier than I have ever been. So much so I still keep asking myself if this is really happening." Hearing his response she smiled and held his neck tighter "Mm, it is. It really is happening. I''m glad I met you Ju-Long." ---- A couple of months later, when she was much larger, one of Liang Ju-Long''s partner''s wives threw a baby shower for Amira al-Hassan as she had no female relatives to stage one for her. This same group had given her and her husband snide comments and a cold shoulder for so long she was incredibly reluctant to fake being nice with them. Only after being prodded and coaxed by Liang Ju-Long did she agree to attend as it would give him "face." To show off their status, she donned some of her finest jewels she had brought from home in her dowry, as well as a pale maternity gown Liang Ju-Long had bought her. Once she made herself ready, she left with her husband, head held high and proud. It was a rather grand affair as they had rented out the entirety of ballroom inside of a large hotel. While her husband stood talking with a group of men, not far away; Amira al-Hassan sat in a plush chair surrounded by several women who were gushing over her giant belly, or the string string of diamonds and pearls running through her pinned up hair and around her neck, or the gorgeous flowing soft yellow gown she wore. Amira al-Hassan kept a fake smile courteously pasted on her face as the women wished her well and treated her sincerely through masks. She had been treated very poorly by these same women not too long ago, it was only now that her husband was on the rise did they show her any grace now. Due to their nature and how she had been treated by them in the past she hadn''t really deigned to remember their names, or really participate in their conversation. She let them fill the air with their own voices, it was what they really wanted to hear anyways. Amira al-Hassan felt herself tiring quickly trying to keep up the fa?ade and sent a few eye signals to Liang Ju-Long asking for help. One of the women blocked her line of sight and proffered a glass of wine that she held. ''What, why would this woman hand me alcohol?'' Amira al-Hassan leveled a cold questioning stare at the glass in the woman''s hand and back to her face refusing to take it. "Ah, what are you thinking Mo Qinyue?" One of the women appeared shocked and took the glass of wine from the other woman''s hand and replaced it with a cup of juice. "Thank you Meitian Jie, here my apologies, let us toast to your good health, your husband''s prosperity, and your first son." The woman called Mo Qinyue took a glass of wine and raised it to Amira al-Hassan before downing it in one go. The other women quickly followed suit and then looked to Amira al-Hassan still holding her full glass. ''Oh, I think I''m supposed to drink with them.'' Copying their actions she gave the women a polite smile and downed the cup of juice. For some reason the cool liquid burned slightly as it went down. Startled Amira dropped her glass, making a loud -Pnk- as it cracked when it hit, as her hands went to her throat alarmed. Several eyes turned to the sound, including Liang Ju-Long''s "What did you just give me?" Amira al-Hassan stared at the women before her and started to rise in anger when a wave of nausea sent her crashing down hard into the chair. As soon as she was down the burning liquid made its way back up and out of her mouth. Gagging with tears in her eyes she looked at the women who surrounded her with fake concern in their eyes with hatred, before she was racked with another wave of vomiting. When she looked down she saw there was blood in there as well and felt a cold sweat break out everywhere, while she trembled. Looking up she saw Liang Ju-Long hurrying to her. "Ju-Long!" Amira al-Hassan cried out fearfully and grabbed onto him as she doubled over again, her heart beating like a hummingbird''s wings in her chest. "Should we call an ambulance?" "What''s going on? Ignoring the voices around them Liang Ju-Long rushed up to her and saw her terrified look with the blood dripping from his mouth and felt his heart sink like a rock. "Someone help me!" Liang Ju-Long struggled to lift the heavily pregnant woman and one of the men came forward and helped bring her to his car. As soon as she was in the back with a belt to keep her from flying around he slammed on the accelerator. In the back of the speeding car, Amira al-Hassan felt like her tongue and throat were burning and swelling, constricting her air. Panicked she clawed at her throat and called out her husband''s name a few times as he sped them to the nearest hospital. "Just relax yourself as best you can, I''ll get you help Amira, don''t panic." Reaching a hand back from the wheel he caught one of hers that outstretched to his. He tried to give it a reassuring, but her ice cold trembling hands made his voice break as he tried to comfort her. ''I should not have left her side. Why did I trust those people? Hold on Amira.'' Tires squealing in protest he stopped the car suddenly in front of the emergency entrance, and without turning off the car, or removing the keys from the ignition, he jumped out of the car and opened the door where she was. As he struggled lifting her out, her head plastered to his chest, covered in a cold sweat, her honey brown skin usually luminous appeared ashy and sallow. As he grabbed her and brought her inside he called for help until they were surrounded by emergency workers. Carefully they put his wife into a chair and wheeled her into a room as a doctor asked him all sorts of questions he couldn''t begin to process. "I don''t know what happened, please save my wife and child." The man that had never resorted to begging, did so with tears in his eyes. "We will do our best, we will need to bring her into surgery, how far along is she in her pregnancy?" "Around 36 weeks, or so, I don''t know, please doctor." "Stay calm sir, the more we know the better we can assist. Has she eaten or drank anything that you can think of in the last 24 hours or come into contact with any heavy chemicals?" "I don''t know, we were just at a party, but I did not see if she had eaten or drank anything besides water. She has been home for the majority of the pregnancy to take care of the fetus. She has to be alright her and our son." "Alright, if you would sir, please head to the payment counter and take care of the bills while we do what we can." ---- Several hours later Liang Jian Amal stood by himself outside of the NICU looking into the few tiny lives housed in the small glass boxes. Entering it he walked to the one that was marked "Liang." After hours of operating, the doctors had pronounced they were unable to save the mother as her organs were failing, but they managed to save the child through an emergency cesarean. Amira al-Hassan died on the table alone surrounded by unfamiliar faces. When they saw that she was dying they let him in to say a last goodbye but it was too late. Her vibrant shining eyes had closed for the last time already. The lips that always had a smile for him were frozen into a painful expression, blood dying them red. One of the doctors exclaimed his condolences and spoke more words about traces of aconitum and another poisonous plant but it went in one ear and out the other. He reached out to touch her cheek to find it had already lost the warmth of her life and was icy. ''This is my fault. My fault.. My fault.. '' Hollowed out he left stripping off the scrubs as he made his way to his son. Liang Ju-Long looked down at the tiny life resting peacefully in the incubator. Leaning on the glass that separated them, he caught sight of his disheveled appearance, blood still across the front of his white dress shirt. His bloodshot, dead eyes stared back at his own, almost unrecognizable. "Such a weak small little baby, can he truly live in this world..? "I will make it possible. I will give him a good name Amira, one to honor you. I will make him strong as you wished. I will make sure he never has to face a tragedy such as this. "Rest in peace my dear wife. I will fulfill your hope." Liang Ju-Long smiled a little for the last time, looking down on the small life that was all that was left of Amira al-Hassan. 147 A Fresh Star Stepping back she looked at her reflection and reflected inwardly on herself seeing her dramatically changed outward appearance. Over the last 16 months she had lost a fair amount of weight, and her cheek bones were now pronounced. Her smile that had once used to come so easily, like breathing was now a practiced affair. Even with daily practice it was only a small polite curving devoid of the sincerity it once held. Her long curly brown hair was chopped severely into an A-line with the front ends just touching her chin, with one side slightly longer than the others. It had also been straightened with chemicals and dyed a glistening blue- black, illuminating her blue eyes, which while they were familiar it also felt like she stared into another woman''s face at times. Someone far colder, and unattached. Straightening the stiff starched collar on her dark blue button up blouse. She practiced her smile, today was a day she had to practice more than any other. ''Today is just another day, don''t expect anything different. What happened last year is not going to happen twice.. ''You know more now, you''re stronger and wiser than you once were. This year and the ones hereafter will only get easier, just breathe. You can get through this, you''ve gotten through much worse.'' Chang took a deep breath trying to quell the emotions that threatened to rise before meeting her reflection again with a slight smile. ''Happy 25th birthday Chang Xie..'' Once she was in order she slipped on her business jacket and heels and made her way out. Her heels made a loud clicking sound, reverberating through the empty halls of the riverfront condo where she lived alone, before being cut off by the sound of the front door closing. Driving along the Seine, in the small Citro?n C1 she received for her birthday the year before, she made her way to the brick building fa?ade inlaid with the intricate lettering reading Bouleau Argent¨¦. The silver birch, as it read in English was a private financial lending and investment firm, just one of the many subsidiary companies owned by Dumont Holdings. After her grand-p¨¨re had discovered her proficiency with numbers, and that she had a rather shrewd eye in marketing, he had recommended that she join one of the financial institutions owned by Dumont or even join as the CFO within the main branch; much to her extended family''s displeasure. As she approached her office, which was separated from the rest, the petite form of her secretary ran up to her with a slightly disturbed look. Anouk Poitier who usually wore a calm demeanor whenever she wasn''t smiling, had her lips pressed tight and her brow furrowed as she shot glances at Chang''s office. "What is the matter Anouk?" Anouk Poitier, the daughter of Simon Poitier, her grands-p¨¨re''s aide, was one of the few people she trusted within the business as well as family. Seeing the furtive glances she gave to her office, Chang reasoned someone unpleasant was most likely awaiting her inside. "Robert Dumont." Leaning closer Anouk Poitier whispered to Chang who''s brows likewise furrowed. "Ah, I see." ''Indeed someone truly unpleasant is in there.'' Chang mulled to herself slightly perturbed. "I will handle this matter Anouk, if you wish you may make yourself scarce until I handle the situation, I will call you when I have taken care of the matter." 148 Fake Smiles "Ah my cousin, Chang or should I call you Charmaine now as everyone else does? It has been far too long since we last saw each other." The slightly taller man stood to embrace her but she rejected him sharply with a hand to his chest. "Ah, yet I would say it was not long enough of a time. I would rather you not call me at all, I would greatly appreciate it if you did not disturb me during the work hours and harass my employees." Chang Dumont scowled up at the man. Her cousin was nothing but endless trouble, a lesson she had come to learn painfully. To see him now only picked at the old wounds she had thought she had already forgotten. "Heh, you are so cold, we are family, there is no need for this. Plus we have shared some rather interesting experiences together. Or has my cousin forgotten?" The man''s smile widened as he looked at her. Most would have considered him to be a fairly handsome man, especially when he smiled; but with their past shared experience she only thought of him as being a creep, and his smile was oily. "I merely came to wish you well on your birthday." "Why thank you, now that you have accomplished your goal, you may leave, thank you for stopping by." Chang Dumont forced a smile on her face and opened the door, holding it open to invite Robert Dumont out. "But you''ve only just arrived, should we not catch up after so long?" "There''s no need, if you do not mind, I have quarterly reports to total and file from the bond investments we are holding, and I would prefer to finish it today." The man opened his mouth to protest and she cut him off before he could continue. "Good bye Robert." Chang cut him off and motioned for him to leave. Giving her a smirk he left unhurriedly. "Farewell for now cousin.I''ll see you later." ''Ugh now what does he mean by that? Don''t think about it, focus now.'' Chang Dumont quickly lost herself into her work as she did every day, staying busy helped her keep her mind from straying. She worked steadily until she heard a knock on the door and Anouk came in with a light lunch for her with a glass of lemon water. Glancing at the time she was surprised to see that it was already after noon. "Mer?i Anouk." Chang wearily rubbed her eyes and looked to see the petite brunette still standing there. "Is there something else?" "Oui, do you have another name you go by Charmaine?" ''I did once, but I''ve buried that person and the name that went with it..'' "No." Chang took a forkful of her salad while reviewing documents. ''Who would send me flowers, and have them sent with my old name? There''s only a few people who know my original name. Who could this be? '' "Where was this delivered?" Chang stood and motioned for Anouk to lead her to where the present was delivered. On one of the front desks near the door stood a tall crystal vase filled with flowers and bits of greenery for color. It was filled with mostly white roses, not quite at maturity as well as pink camellias with a smattering of little blue forget-me-nots tucked in here and there. 149 Pleasant and Unpleasan The event was already much larger than he had promised it would be. Men and women, some of which she didn''t know, flitted through the ballroom, filling the room with the brightness of color with their dresses. A good number of people were swarmed around Jean-Jacques Dumont attempting to curry favor with him, as they had done with her when she arrived, until she made her escape. Chang in her corner sighed lightly to herself and brushed a few of the stray hairs near her face that had escaped their pins. ''I should have known when grand-p¨¨re said he was throwing me a small celebration that it wouldn''t be small. I don''t think he understands that when I think small I think maybe a few people not about 100. Huuh. I really was hoping for something smaller after earlier today.'' After receiving the flowers she had left work early for the day and took with her the vase with her. Chang told everyone she would deliver them to their intended, not letting it be known she was the intended. Before catching the train and meeting Mr. Poitier she returned to her home with her bouquet and set them on the table in a prominent spot. Staring at the flowers she picked one of the immature rose buds out of the bouquet and brought it to her nose, inhaling it''s light sweet fragrance. Smelling it she couldn''t help but think that maybe he had sent them to her then shook the thought off and left left her home leaving the rose lying on the table. "My you look ravishing tonight cousin."An unpleasant voice she had already had the displeasure to hear already once that day was heard again. Chang''s hand by her side that was not holding her champagne flute curled up until her nails dug into her flesh. Robert Dumont stood before her wearing a black tuxedo with a powder blue undershirt that was partially undone to show part of his chest, as well as her traditional smirk. His eyes wandered all over her front and back up. Chang wore a silk, rich navy blue, body hugging dress that only had one shoulder strap and cut across her chest only to plunge to her hips across her back before coming back to the strap on her right shoulder. Not only were her arms and back exposed as well as her entire one shoulder the way it clung showed off her curves. Seeing the way his eyes were clinging to her skin tighter than her dress irked Chang greatly and she cleared her throat at the man giving him an outraged stare. "Sorry I can''t help it you look good like this, can''t help it plus we''re fairly distantly related there''s no crime." "Keep your eyes and thoughts to yourself swine." Robert Dumont''s expression quickly turned ugly as well. "Who are you calling pig. You mock and disdain me but you weren''t so unwilling to be around me last year. Plus we know more know. Remember what fun we had, we could reenact that night but better what do you say?" He reached his hand out for her only to get smacked away. "I may have been ignorant once but not again. I want nothing to do with you or your sister Tatiana or anyone else around you for that matter. I only wish to forget that ever happened, please leave me alone." Chang closed her eyes and leaned against the wall refusing to trade words with him any longer while trying to avoid making a scene. "But you-" Robert Dumont began to speak before being cut off my a pleasantly familiar voice in English. 150 The Best Gif Behind Robert Dumont stood Justin Che wearing a powder blue suit. He shared a look with her for a moment his eyes twinkling and his lips curled up enough to show the white edge on his perfect teeth before turning back to her cousin. His handsome usually smiling face was set more seriously as he stared hard up at Robert Dumont. "You need to leave my girl be, oar avoir!" Justin waved at the man and came to stand in front of Chang and in between the two. With the two people on either side of him, it almost looked comical how short he was in comparison Without heels he and Chang Dumont were around the same height, now that she wore them she towered over Justin. Robert Dumont was just ridiculously tall in Chang''s eyes at over 198 centimeters. Even he had only been about 188, maybe a little less it was hard to tell from just memories. Robert Dumont stared down at Justin Che before bringing his eyes to Chang''s. "Who is this little man and why does he interrupt us?" "None of your business, here."Chang handed her champagne flute that was mostly emptied to Robert Dumont, before taking one of Justin''s arms and walking away hastily. "Make that your business." Chang dragged Justin out of the crowded ballroom to the garden area, after grabbing a couple of fresh glasses, so they could talk in private. Handing him his glass she took a step back and looked at him with surprise, an earnest smile actually bubbling to the top from her churning heart. "Are you really here Justin? How is it that you''re here now?" "Yes I''m really here, you''re grandpa Jean-Jacques contacted me and had me come for a birthday surprise! Surprise!" H¨¦ smiled a raised his glass to her taking a small sip. "Looks like you''ve been living the high life since you left, without calling a year and a half ago! And here I worried endlessly after you disappeared with your secret husband and left his Lurch-like henchman behind to tell me!" Before he could continue Chang rushed up and gave him a big hug. "I''m sorry shit was kinda sudden, he did come but it was to take me to my mom and get her a special treatment for my mom. I would have called and told you if I could but I couldn''t and it''s just been so crazy, I really missed you." Finally seeing her friend Chang couldn''t help but let down her walls a little and vent. Chang smiled a little and stepped back to model it for him. As she twirled he gave a slow whistle. "Stop girl it''s too much you''re killing me!" Justin clutched at his chest in an exaggerated manner. "Where''s that husband of yours, or did you already slay him when you put it on?" The little smile that she had quickly disappeared as she faced him. "I haven''t seen him in a long time or heard from him. I''ve moved on with my life since him." "So are you seeing the lanky fellow from earlier?" "No that''s one of my cousins Robert Dumont." "Hold up, he''s your cousin with the way he was looking at you..? Girl any longer and you would have gotten pregnant from that gaze!" Coming closer Justin talked to her in a worried tone. Hearing that Chang couldnt help but laugh a little. "No, gross, no! The thought alone gives me nightmares!" Chang felt nauseated just at the idea and remembering the way her skin crawled when he was geezing at her. 151 Friendship "It''s OK everything turned out OK in the end! I got smacked up a little but nothing other than that!" Justin gave a small snort in disagreement but let her continue as she shook her head. "He managed to come and save me in time before anything bad could happen. He then took me to see my mom and then took us to his grandfather''s country which was an incredibly beautiful place to help with my mom''s brain condition." "OK hold up, couple questions." Justin put his hands up and stopped her before she could continue any further. "Who do you mean when you keep saying he? And your mother''s brain condition, since when did that happen?! Details girl, Details!" ".... Jian." After a minute or two if silence Chang finally looked up and answered him and took a good measure of her drink. "How come you won''t say his name what happened between you two this time?" "It''s different this time. It hurts just to think about him, even saying his name is impossible. It hurts so much so that if feels like I''m dying sometimes, like my throat wants to just close up. "When he came for me and we got together it was like heaven, I was raised to the sky only to be sent crashing to the ground. I thought he would always be with me and there for me, no matter what, but when I needed him most he wasn''t there. "My mom was sick for awhile but never said anything, I might not have ever know if he hadn''t come and found me. He''d come into contact with her while looking for me before and found out then. He made sure we got together before she passed away, to which I''ll always be grateful but there''s just too much between us now.. "We got separated during some crazy shit but he never looked for me again even though I wanted for him. I was alone with my mom when she died, and for awhile after. The whole time I''ve been here I haven''t seen him or heard from him either. I really needed him but now.. "Chang looked away feeling her eyes burning. "I dreamed I saw him last year but when I woke he was gone again..and there''s little things that make me think of him like some flowers but I haven''t have seen him in over a year. I don''t know if I even want to see him again after everything." "I''m so sorry to hear about your mom, I''m glad I got the honor of speaking to her a few times. She was an incredibly nice lady and a great mom. I always did want to meet her in person" Justin was pained hearing that and gave her a big hug as she shed a few tears. "It sounds like you''ve had a lotta drama and heartache lately, just tell me everything. I''ll try not to interrupt you anymore." Inside the ballroom Jean-Jacques Dumont looked for his grandfille but was unable to find her or the surprise he had presented for her. Worried he instantly contacted his security that he had posted through a small earbud. "Sir, mademoiselle is in the garden laughing on the bench with a young man, should we go to her." ''She''s laughing, really?'' "What does the man look like?" Jean-Jacques Dumont was incredulous and questioned the man further. "20s or so male of Asian descent, short spiked black hair, wearing a powder blue suit." "No leave them be, I''m glad they have met and she is happy, I brought the young man for her to meet. All is well, thank you gentlemen." Jean-Jacques Dumont smiled to himself, he was glad that her old roommate was close enough to bring a smile to her face again. It had been disheartening to see her as she had been for so long after hearing for so long of her being otherwise. From the letters alone he k ew she wasn''t right, but didn''t know what to do to help her. ''I''ll cover for her as long as she needs, I''m glad that she is happy finally.'' Looking around greeting people, Jean-Jacques Dumont caught sight of an uninvited face and frowned deeply his joy quickly smothered. 152 The Uninvited Gues ''Tch, I thought he agreed to leave her alone after last year, what is he doing here. Its good that she''s outside at the moment, I''ll have to be sure to keep them separated especially since she''s finally smiling again.'' Narrowing his eyes at the man who smiled at Anouk Poitier he took a sip of his drink keeping an eye on him. ''I already told you that I will not allow you to disappoint and hurt my grand-fille again. What do you mean by showing up in this manner? No matter, whatever it is, I will not let you succeed in hurting her further.'' ---- "I don''t see her anywhere do you?" Beside him dressed in a black v-neck dress Chang''s secretary, Anouk Poitier, looked around excitedly for her boss. One of her black lace gloved hands clutched at his arms while the other gripped the deep pleats in her knee-length swing dress. "No, please try not to make it so obvious that we are actively looking for her, otherwise this might not turn out successful. While I am grateful for your help in entering, I would ask that you help me further by remaining calm." Beside her Liang Jian Amal kept a calm look on his face trying to remain as unobtrusive as possible. Leaning over he whispered quietly in French to the woman next to him as he looked for the familiar long-haired figure he longed for. "I''m sorry this is just so exciting, I never knew that my ice-cold boss had a whole secret life and name. This is just so juicy, I of course needed to help you, I want to see how this will all play out!" Unabashed the woman next to him gave him a smile a responded in a similar low tone. "Ice-cold what do you mean?" Liang Jian Amal frowned hearing that his eyes still trained on the crowd. "Well she just mechanical I guess, her life is just all about work, work, and nothing but work, she probably wouldn''t even eat if someone didn''t stop to remind her sometimes Mademoiselle Charmaine Dumont never smiles, I think I saw her do this grimace like curving once, but I don''t think that counts, it''s like she''s got no emotions." Beside him Anouk Poitier tried to detail out what she said, counting off her reasonings with one of her hands. "Well wait, actually that''s not right, she definitely reacted when she saw those flowers earlier. She even seemed a bit nervous, or flustered, she left right after, she never leaves early, it''s always overtime. And this one day in December I think I actually saw her shed a tear while looking out her window spacing out. She must have stayed like that sitting rigidly lost in who knows what thought for a few hours. " As if bidden once locked on the owner of the eyes started making his way swiftly to where they stood. ''''Well this may have failed already. Here comes the very person whose attention I was trying to avoid. " Seeing him making his way across the room Liang Jian Amal leaned down and whispered to his partner. Anouk Poitier''s eyes quickly went to where he was looking and her red mouth fell open in surprise. 153 Well, Sh* "Not really, I left fairly soon after the stairs incident and got my own place in Paris, I knew I couldn''t stay, despite my grandfather''s wishes. He couldn''t protect me from the jealousy and hatred from my extended family within his walls, and there was just too many "accidents." "There were times I wondered if I even should have come, but I was just so eager to be able to meet my family, and I''m still glad I did. I''ve learned a lot while I''ve been here, and my grandfather is a very nice man, though maybe a bit obtuse at times." "Uh, some of that seems almost a bit more than obtuse." Justin reached for his empty glass only find it empty and frowned. "They were fairly subversive with some of their actions, and it was hard to tell who was planning what or who did what. It came to I really couldn''t trust anyone else, especially after I was almost ruined and killed by my cousins, including Robert who you met earlier. "After that is when Grandfather Jean-Jacques helped me find a safe place to live in another city. He also talked to me about working in the small firm that I work in now to stay under the radar and be able to build my own backing just in case. I had my name changed after what happened with my cousins, I don''t go by my old name anymore since then." "Oh shit this sounds bad, I''m going to need another drink before we continue further." Justin stopped her and rose. "Would you like another one as well, wait what is your new name, what do I call you." "Charmaine Eleanora Dumont, and yes please, thank you." Chang looked up and gave him a grateful glance as she remained sitting on the bench. "Wow, that is super long, we gotta get you a suitable nickname, wait, give me a second." Justin looked down deep in concentration before snapping his fingers and looked up. "''Shar''! How bout that?!" "Heh that''s cute, I like it." Chang gave a small giggle while covering her mouth with one hand. "Perfect, cuz ''Charmaine Eleanora Dumont'' is a mouthful, I''ll be back in a sec Shar, don''t you go anywhere!" Justin pointed at her, giving her a mockingly stern look, before he headed back inside to grab them a plate of munchies and some more drinks while they caught up. As he walked away Chang gripped the stone bench and looked up at the star strewn sky and smiled. ''Today is actually turning out to be a fantastic birthday..'' ---- As he walked Justin smiled to himself glad to finally have the worry off his heart that had plagued him since she had left and hadn''t talked to him for over a year. Avoiding running into people with his bountiful plate of goodies Justin slowly and carefully made his way across the ballroom. On the way a mousy woman in black almost crashed into him in an obvious hurry. After making sure the goods were safe he gave a sharp look to the woman''s quickly retreating back before turning to look where she came from. Standing beside his friends grandfather stood her ex-husband Liang Jian Amal, smiling amicably as they talked close together. 154 Do I Tell? ''She really has been through a lot, shit, should I tell her about who I just saw..?'' "Hey! You''re back, hah and it looks like you brought the buffet table with you too!" "Well of course, that''s a feast to die for in there, plus it looks it wouldn''t kill you to have a few more of these cakes here. I mean you look great girl, but you seem to have lost a lot of weight, are you healthy?" Chang''s open smile became more reserved and a little coy as she looked up at him. "Don''t you know you''re not supposed to ask a ladies weight? Yeah, I''m a little on the low side now, but I assure you I''m healthy, the way I was before I could have stood to lose a few pounds. I''m a little under 60 kg, compared to the 78kg I was before." "Uh, translation please for the American." "I was about a 170lbs before, now I''m about 130, see fine." "Girl you''re about 5''8, and stacked like a bad mama jama! That''s way too low, here quickly start eating before you die!" Justin quickly set the plate loaded with all kinds of desserts as well as a bunch of different kind of veggie tarts stacked on each other. "Hahaha I''m not going to die, I lost most of the weight after I had to go to the hospital for awhile, and haven''t been able to really gain it back since then. If it makes you feel better though here, mmnm." Chang picked up one of the small tarts and took a bite and enjoyed it without reaching for another. Justin gave her a dubious look before sighing and refilling their glasses with their pilfered champagne bottle. "Alright so you left off right when you were about to tell me about your cousins doing something that made you want to change your name." "Ah that''s right, so I made the mistake of trusting my cousins for the longest time. Out of everyone they were some of the few people that were kind to me and I trusted them blindly for a while. I didn''t realize it was all a set up for them to utterly ruin me and try to publicly shame me." Chang took a deep breath, steeling herself before continuing looking at her friend who was quickly stuffing a bunch of beautifully colored macrons into his mouth. "Last year on my birthday, my grandfather Jean-Jacques held a similar party, but so soon after my mom''s death I just felt so stifled, my birthday last year was the worst with both my parents gone. So in the middle of the party when my cousins proposed we escape to go somewhere to have fun, I was all for it. it was one of the worst mistakes I could have made. ---- "You should know why I am here, more than anyone else. I am here to see Chang, or should I say Charmaine, my wife." Liang Jian Amal looked down and gently smiled down at the older man, but his eyes flashed with hostile intent. "I''ve held down my end of the bargain, well mostly, not counting last year, do not tell me you plan to continue to stand between us, do you?" 155 A Trap "A few of my cousin Tatiana''s, who is Robert''s younger sister, friends came and met us there bringing.. things with them." Chang trailed off losing herself in the memories of that night. ''I should have realized the warning signs about them long before then, and when they overly pressured me to snort a line of coca?ne. I should have left, and not just left the table for awhile to dance..'' "Hey Shar! Shar! Sha~ar... Hey, earth to Chang, oh sorry I mean Shar." Justin saw her getting a rather lost look and tried to bring her back to the present. He had to call out to her several times, in his worry he accidently slipped and called her by her old name. When he did though she stirred back to reality and looked at him like she wasn''t quite sure where she was. With a soft voice wondering if he was tearing into an old wound and if he should stop Justin hesitantly asked her a few more questions. "What kind of things, was it drugs or something?" ".. Yeah..coke, lsd, and I dont remember what else." Chang''s voice started to become lighter and more distant sounding. "Oh, well did you take some as well? No judgment we''re all human, just asking." Yeah.. but not of my own volition, I was given an overdosage. My cousins wanted to make me a public spectacle and have me embarrass grandfather, by getting me high and sloppy in public. Later they were planning to pass me around through some of their friends se of whom had some sicker tastes and leave me in a public space to further shame me." "Ugh! Seriously are they even human?! Huh, I bet that creepy cousin of yours planned to do a little something too..So wait you said ''planned,'' what happened in the end?" "Well..they partially succeeded.. Chang started twisting a napkin that Justin had brought and stared into the distance. " Hey." Covering one of her restless hands with one of his own. "You dont have to tell me if you dont want to." Seeing the placid but cold mask that had slipped over Shar''s face as she talked, Justin felt a chill go down his body. The woman sitting by him seemed like a stranger now, and not the person he''d grown to love and care for. Chang watched his lips move but didn''t hear him over the sound of the pulsing music from her memories, closing her eyes she held tight to the hand over hers while she drifted. Even after her long hair had become plastered to her back from sweat and her feet ached she kept moving, trying to shake off the heavy feelings she had carried for so long. Chang stayed until Tatiana came and dragged her off the dance floor to their booth. At the table Robert as well as Tatiana''s friends sat and were enjoying different drinks. Chang looked but with all the alcohol muddling her system it was hard to tell if there was that white powder still on the table. "Ah good you caught her! We have to give her a birthday toast before her birthday is officially over!" Raising a glass Robert flashed her a beaming smile. Tatiana smiled as well with her perfect white teeth and handed her a small glass filled with dark liquid. "Sorry about earlier, we just got so excited, plus we got some extra good stuff." "That''s fine, you all may partake and enjoy, but I don''t want any of that." Chang took the glass and looked at each of her cousins individually. "Then we will do just that, you don''t need to! Just more for us in the end! Cheers! Joyeux anniversaire!" Good naturedly Robert raised his glass and kicked off the toast. 156 Overshot The Mark "Whew, well hello 24. Hooh I''m good off liquor I just want to dance some more, you should come join me!" Chang held onto Tatiana''s arm and smiled up at her. Tatiana, like her brother, was an incredibly tall and slender woman with long wavy tresses, the signature Dumont blue eyes, and an ever present smile. At the time Chang had adored her cousin and thought that it would have been wonderful if she had been her big sister. It also had been part of why she hadn''t realized their scheming and the looks from the side. "We''ll come join you in a bit just go have fun. We''re gonna kill the last of the party stuff first and get a couple more shots, OK?" Tatiana Dumont smiled down at the younger naive woman who bounced off happily before meeting her brothers gaze. "Are you ready to call the press to witness our new heiress cousin behaving wild and loosely in public." Tatiana Dumont sat and cupped her chin in one of her hands and smirked at her brother. Her two friends beside her tittered after she shared a knowing look with them. "Ah but there is no need, I''ve already sent a few pictures to a friend of mine who works in the news. I been keeping him updated throughout the, just pull out your phones later a tape the show." Robert Dumont swirled the last of his liquor before swallowing with a satisfied smile. "Hah perfect, well get to truly enjoy the show later. What did you put into her drink earlier, so we know how long it takes." "I''m not really sure exactly what it was, we''ll have to ask Natalie when she returns from the bathroom. Some of the liquid from the dropper there and two tabs in the unmarked bottle. Thought it might be a fun surprise." Robert Dumont answered his sister nonchalantly, unconcerned. Natalie walked in at that and sat down and looked at the contents of the small bottle. "Woah, how much of this did you put into her drink." "I didn''t measure, I just removed the top and poured a little into her drink for fun." "Idiot, this was expensive, its liquid LSD!" Furious, Natalie stuffed the small bottle back into her purse and threw Robert a dirty look. "Hey relax, I was planning on paying for it all anyways, so don''t worry." Robert wrapped his arm around her shoulder and mollified the miffed woman. "So I take it that that was a lot." "Has that girl, your cousin, ever tripped before?" Natalie fixed him with one of her heavily made brown eyes from the side. "No, not as far as I know. She seems too straight laced for that, remember how she reacted when we pulled out the coke?" "Yeah, I put two in her drink, what''s the problem?" With an arm still around Natalie, Robert Dumont snagged his sisters glass right after she filled it and drank it with an unrepentant look on his face. "These were supposed to be for later, after we got her back to my brother''s house. Not just that you only need one, two can cause complications." "What kind of complications..?" "Like the kind that can stop your heart." Natalie gave him a dead serious look to enunciated her point before going on. "You just gave her a giant dose of an upper, hallucinogenic and a paralytic, we should probably get out of here before shit hits the fan in about 20 minutes." She started to pack up her stuff, prepared to leave. "Wait, this can still play to our favor. We''ll just have speed the plan up a little, alright?" Robert Dumont stopped Natalie. "Call your brother and his friends, this can still play out just fine." ''Plus I want to play with her a bit too.'' 157 Malicious Inten Chang struggled through the crowd as the flashing colored lights became a disorienting distraction as she tried to make it to the exit. As she pushed through people, it felt like the heat was smothering her and playing with her heart making it flutter uncontrollably. Clutching her chest she staggered wide eyed, feeling choked. After pushing through the crowd she was finally able to see the neon glow of the exit sign, and made her way to it in a panicked rush. ''I need fresh air now!'' As she made her way out, she didnt notice the pairs of eyes watching her. They had been watching her from when she was on the dance floor to when she made her hasty retreat. After waiting a few minutes to ensure disassociation they exited the bar as well. Once outside the cold helped and she gratefully drew in lungfulls of the air. Chang felt better, but only a moment before she was racked with a revolt from her stomach. Stumbling to around the corner Chang grasped onto the wall trying had not to get her stomachs contents onto her dress or hair. Heaving Chang wiped her sour mouth with the back of her hand and pulled at the uncomfortable long silver dress that was sticking to her sweaty skin. After wiping her mouth with a shaky hand she brushed the sticking stray hairs from her face and jumped. Her fingertips felt like they had electricity coursing through them, and when they brushed past her face it felt like she got a shock. Brushing her face again she still felt the shock and stared at her fingers in surprise before touching herself in different places. Enjoying the feeling of the lingering pleasure she brushed her bare arms, while leaning on the wall with her hip for stability. "What is happening to me? Am I hallucinating from having too much to drink? Is this a symptom of blood alcohol poisoning?" Muttering to herself Chang continued to brush her fingers against her bare skin before stopping and frowning at the last thought said out loud. "I need to go to the hospital and get help." Gritting her teeth Chang held onto the stuccoed wall and tried to get out of the half crouch she seemed to be stuck in. As she looked up the dark long walkway played with her eyes. The long stretching darkness seemed to go on forever and was getting increasingly larger, almost rushing on her. Holding onto the wall with her eyes closed Chang heard the sound of footsteps coming from behind her and turned to look, tears in her eyes. In front of a lamppost behind her stood a man. The man was tall and well built, but other than that she couldn''t see anything as the light from behind cast darkness on his face Even though the man was faceless from the darkness, the light cast from befind him gave him an unwordly appearance, almost celestial like a guardian angel. She wasn''t sure if she imagined it but it seemed like he was smiling and was starting to reach out towards her, ready to pull her away from the darkness to safety. Crying out she leaped towards him and away from the looming darkness and buried her face in his chest. "Jian..Jian.. Jian..." ---- Liang Jian Amal looked at the old man beside him incredulously, drawing his brows down. "You know I wanted to do this with your blessing as one of her last living family members, but if you continue to stand between us I will find a way to go around you. I will not stop until I hear it from her herself that she does not wish to see me anymore." "I will not allow that, you may have power where you are from, but here it is different. Leave my grand-fille alone." 158 Something Is Wrong If it werent for her open eyes and the fact that she had just been talking he might have thought she was comatose. When calling her name didn''t work Justin grabbed onto her arm and gave her a small shake almost recoiling from her frigid skin. Steeling himself he gave her cheek a few light slaps trying to rouse her from whatever state she was in, but it was if her soul had left her body behind. "Girl, with you there never will be an end to my worries. I don''t know if you can hear me, but if you can, I''m going to get some help. I''ll be right back, don''t go anywhere!" Staring out into nothing, a large tear welled up into a shimmering transparent pearl before rolling down her cheek from her open eye. As she stared, her lips began to move as if she was speaking, but Justin couldn''t hear a word she said. "What was that? I couldn''t hear you." Leaning closer to her ears he was barely able to understand what she was saying. It was a name, repeated softly over and over again like a chant. ".. Jian... Jian." "Ahh Chang, you''ve been through so much.. Just give me a minute, I''ll bring him too." Taking off his jacket, Justin draped it over her bare shoulders and gave her frigid hands a squeeze before heading back inside. Pushing through the crowd of elegantly dressed men and women Justin looked for any sign of either her grandfather or her ex?-husband. After exasperating numerous people he finally spotted them together still but staring each other down. Despite the fact that Mr. Liang stood head and shoulders above Mr. Dumont, the old man made up for it in demeanor. When he had spotted them before they had been chatting politely, but now they looked like they might destroy each other. ''Oh lord I do not have time for whatever in the seven hells is going on between these two.'' Making his way to the front Justin came to stand in front of the two men and cleared his throat aggressively catching their attention. He looked at Mr. Liang and gave him a smile while lifting his eyebrows at him before turning to the elder with a more serious face. "Thank you gentlemen! Mr. John Jacques I need your help, something is wrong with Shar!" "Shar?" Came a simultaneous response from both men, one gravelly and heavily accented, the other melodiously deep and soothing. "Charmaine." Justin gave a small cough eager to get them to where she waited. "Wow, this is a huge surprise seeing you after such a long time. So, um, how have you been since I saw you last? " Walking beside Liang Jian Amal Justin made an awkward attempt at small talk that he immediately cringed at and regretted having said. "Mm, it has been awhile Mr. Che. I am glad to see that you are here for Chang." The tall man beside him gave him a slight nod in acknowledgement while walking his eyes practically burning. "Hey I didn''t get a chance to say earlier but she was asking for you calling your name. What happened between you two again? Chang is so different now, almost melancholic. I thought you two were all luvee-duvee again and everything was on an up swing after you took off and left your drone to tell me. 159 Let It Be ''Damn well if she doesn''t want him anymore I''m totally gonna get me some of that!'' When they came to where Justin had left her, he saw that she was still sitting frozen with the jacket draped over her shoulders, staring blankly into space. Since he had left more tears had followed and were still following the first he had seen. "Oh Qin''ai" Liang Jian Amal couldn''t help whispering seeing her thin forlorn shape. Her beautiful thick curly hair had been completely chopped away too further thinning her image and showing off her pronounced collarbones. The tight dress only further enunciated his thoughts, and he tasted something sour thinking of all the people who saw her like that. ''No matter how you have changed you are still the woman I''ve yearned for and worked hard to return to.'' he clenched his hands clenched tight with his throat at the sight and thought. ''I''m sorry. I had already been determined to be by your side no matter what and yet I wasn''t when you needed me most. I failed you by making you wait for so long, and agreed to your grandfather''s terms. I was afraid to make you cry anymore. Yet now you look to have suffered even more undue hardship in my absence. I do not know what the right thing to do anymore is, all I know is I wont leave unless you tell me to go.'' Seeing the mountain of food on the plate beside her he wondered if that was Justin Che''s doing as he seemed to have always been looking out for her before from what she had told him. He gave a slight smile to than to his left grateful. "Oh, not again." Jean-Jacques Dumont rushed to where she sat kneeling before her and pressed on his earbud that was connected to his security. Once connected he ordered one of the men to call their doctor for his grand-fille and told them to tell the doctor that she was having one of her episodes again. Hearing that Liang Jian Amal ground his teeth but remained silent for the moment. "I also need for one of the men to come carry Charmaine to her room discreetly for the doctor to examine." "No need. I will carry my wife." "Why would I let you do that. I still haven''t forgiven you for all the pain you had caused her before when you abandoned her." Ignoring his words Liang Jian Amal and traded the cold jacket on her shoulders for his warm one and buttoned part of the front over her. "You wouldn''t dare." Jean-Jacques Dumont rose glowering. Looking from her pale face Liang Jian Amal gave him a confident stare in return, with a slight smile, a devilish gleam in his eyes. Seeing that things were going south between the two of them quickly Justin intervened and gave a slight tug on Jean-Jacques Dumont''s sleeve to catch his attention. "Hey we should probably let him be. From what I heard from Shar she probably still needs to talk to him and get some closure or something. Before I left to get you guys she was calling out for him." Jean-Jacques was surprised and reflected inwardly with a troubled expression. ''Have I been making things worse?'' "Fine, I will show you the way." Grudgingly Jean-Jacques Dumont showed him the way to her room and watched as the younger man gently lay her in her bed, removing her shoes before tucking her in. After placing her in the bed he stood by her side staring at her with an unfathomable expression tenderly caressing her cheek, tracing the tracks of her tears with a fingertip. ''Am I making the same mistake I did with Henri again?'' Watching the scene before his eyes Jean-Jacques couldn''t help but feel himself be moved. "She fell asleep.'''' From beside her bedside, a low voice came out tinged with sadness. "Alright then, let''s talk in my study and let her sleep for awhile. Mr. Che. will you accompany her until the physician arrives?" "Of course." "Thank you." Jean-Jacques Dumont addressed Justin before tuning back to Liang Jian Amal to meet a cold pair of eyes. 160 The Talk "No, let us make this as expedited as possible I have no desire to linger with you." Liang Jian Amal folded himself into one of the black leather recliners in front of Jean-Jacques Dumont desk, lacing his fingers together in front of him on it. "I had come initially prepared to give you not only the research results you wanted, but also proof that you requested and to attend my wife''s celebration. I also have accommodated with your wishes of time and space. It is true that I had hurt her as you so well pointed out last December. "After the events of last year and tonight, though I highly doubt your claim of her being truly better in you care. If I had not been there last year she would have died and yet you had me forcefully barred from seeing her in the hospital and since then. "In the end that was the only reason I agreed to your, as you put it "heartfelt request" that I give her time and space. You would also help to fund Liang International with an international expansion into Europe if I provided the results from our latest research project. "I treated you with grace and tact, as you are the last of her family and elders and for my feelings for her. You have shown me that you utterly lack either though." In perfect French Liang Jian Amal spoke keeping his face cool and emotionless the whole time, while his eyes bored into Jean-Jacques Dumont''s. "Hmm. Why have you then agreed to talk with me now?" Swirling his glass Jean-Jacques Dumont leisurely made his way over to his desk and sat facing Liang Jian Amal. "I am here now merely to proclaim my intentions of leaving with her as well as to find out about Changs well-being from while I was not by her side." "Hah you are a very brazen man. I actually wanted to talk at length with you today. I fear that I may have done wrong." "Oh and why would you feel that, when just earlier you could not wait to be rid of me." "I have made too many mistakes, from what I''ve seen it seems that I may have made another, I will find out for sure If I have I will do what I can to right that wrong. "Furthermore as for the funding to Liang International, send me the paperwork and I paperwork, but our original agreement will be changed." Liang Jian Amal raised an eyebrow giving him a skeptical look. "I already had lost my interest in the matter anyways." "That is not what I meant. I assure you this is not a form of trickery, I do have honor despite what you think. "Bouleau Argent¨¦." "Yes that is correct." "Hmm." The mans eyes flicked down for a moment, pleased with the suggestion. "So tell me about these recurring episodes she''s been experiencing." "Charmaine has been having these episodes where she becomes catatonic and unresponsive for periods of time since last year after that night. Sometimes it''s a few minutes it''s been up to several hours though. I sent her to a psychiatrist for awhile and in the end they recommended she take anti-depressants to which she refused to take. The worse of them always seem to come around on dates that trigger her." "What kind of dates?" "Well, the anniversary of her mother''s death this last year for one example, she lay in her bed for hours. Over the last year she has made a lot of improvement professionally and has become a perfectly impeccable lady done but I fear overall that her condition has been worsening inside." "I see." Liang Jian Amal straightened his shirt while rising stepping away the desk. "Where are you going?" Perplexed Jean-Jacques Dumont looked at the exiting figure. "To my wife, of course, everything that I wanted to accomplish here has been achieved." As he he opened the door Liang Jian Amal turned and spoke holding eye contact with the older man from across the room. 161 That Smell I + II Weakly she tried to push away the wandering hands as they were making her feel even more uncomfortable. The hot breath on the side of her neck was causing sweat to gather. "Jian help me, its too hot. Help me please." Holding on to him for dear life Chang whimpered. "Oh don''t worry, I''ll help you, just hold on." The man carried her and pushed her back against the wall, almost a little too roughly as it caused her to gasp. Forceful hands started hiking up her long silver skirt lingering on the flesh underneath as they made their way up. "Ooh so soft, that''s nice, even better than I imagined." Through the thick miasma that lingered through her brain muddling thoughts while enhancing her other senses quietly whispered no. The large shadowy form grabbed the thin straps of her silvery dress and pulled it down exposing her chest. As he ogled her chest, one of the burning hands made their way up squeezing one of her breasts tightly to the point of subdued pain. "No!" The small voice in the back of her mind cried out a little louder and more forcefully. "Jian." She cried out loud for him tightly gripping his shirt at his shoulders her head rolled back resting on the wall. The other hand reached up touching her down there probing her and she screamed no! bringing her back to reality with a snap as she opened her eyes covered in sweat. The memories quickly faded away with consciousness, leaving only a fog of confusion in its wake as she lay there. Taking in her environment Chang was increasingly confused to see that she was now laying in a large downy bed covered in a large white goose feather stuffed comforter. Smelling the lavender scented pillow under her head that her grand-p¨¨re had gotten her, Chang realized she was in her room at his house ''Just how did I get here? Last I remember I was talking with Justin outside. Propping herself up with one arm, Chang realized that she was partially encased in a man''s large black dress jacket. ''Huh? To whom would this belong to? Hmm it''s too large to be grands-p¨¨re''s and Justin was a wearing light blue suit. Chang pulled the material closer trying to check and see if she recognized it and who it might belong to. As she pulled at the material covering her she got a slight whiff of a fragrance coming from the material. It was an old memory from when she was in Shanghai with him in their first month together when she lived with him. As he got ready for work, she helped him, straightening his tie properly playing the dutiful wife helping her husband. After she set it straight he pulled her close and put a chaste kiss on her temple. As he had held her Chang couldnt help commenting about how nice he smelled inhaling deep. She wasn''t sure if it was his cologne, or aftershave, or body wash or maybe the combination of it all but it was such a nice crisp fresh smell with just a hint of something else she couldn''t place her finger on but added a rich complexness. "Mm if you like it then I won''t change that for you." ''Jian..'' feeling a faint tugging at the corner of her lips Chang pulled the jacket up closer and took deep inhale of the collar surrounding her face with her eyes closed. "Uh should I give you a moment there with the jacket hmm?" After a discreet cough a teasing voice came from the end of the bed. "Ah!" Chang gave a short cry in surprise sitting up fully to see Justin sitting at the edge of the bed. ''Oh I didn''t see him there.'' "Ahaha justin, I didn''t see you there." Chang awkwardly laughed before trying to brush past what he saw. "What happened, how am I here now?" ''Ask you know you want to.'' "....is this jackets whose I think it is?" "Hmm and whose do you think it is?" Justin retorted back with an eyebrow cocked and slight shit eating grin. Chang scowled slightly blushing at his eyes that started at her as if he already knew all that was going on. "Never mind, please answer the rest of my questions." "Aww that''s no fun, what if i told you that jacket belonged to someone special someone? Maybe someone you haven''t seen in a long time.." "Jian..so he''s here now?" Hesitatingly Chang asked the answer her heart making huge dents on the inside of her ribcage. "Bingo! He carried you in here too after you went dead fish on me." ''Shit it happened again.'' Chang lamented a little putting the palm of one hand againt her eye. "So where is he now?" "He actually just left maybe a minute ago to go talk with your grandfather somwhere else so they wouldn''t disturb you." "Perfect, lets go now!" Hearing that Chang instantly threw the blanket of her legs and scooted to the edge of the bed. "Hold on now, your grandfather called a doctor to come and look at you, you should wait just so we know for sure you are fine. Plus don''t you want to talk to him after he came all this way and all this time?" "Well yeah I guess, but I have no idea what to say to him, and of course the first time he sees me its at my worst! I''m not ready for this right now, I need to go home and regroup myself. I will apologize to my grand-p¨¨re later for calling the doctor for nothing and leaving unexpectedly. C''mon quick, let us go before they return!" Chang quickly went to her closet and grabbed a pair of shoes seeing that she was barefoot, a pair of comfortable black wedges for a quicker getaway. ''What? And here I was looking forward to an emotional reunion, well this is kind of fun too..'' Justin smiled wickedly tapping his lips. "Alright lets go! Are you taking his jacket too?" "Hmm yes, I don''t want to take the time to go get mine from coat check." ''Plus I want to keep it a little while longer.'' "Where is my phone, I need to ask Mr. Poitier to discreetly take us to the train station, and then back to my home, he was my ride here." Searching all over Chang eventually found her purse on the side table with her phone and pulled out the jeweled-cased smartphone. "Where do you live now?" "Paris." "Ugh, I''m just so jealous right now, you have no idea.." "Heh, you think you are jealous now, just wait until you see my home." Chang threw him a small smirk before dialing the phone speaking into it with hushed tones. 162 An Empty Bed ''What do I say, how do I explain all this to her? I wonder if she remembers last year, do I even ask? What if she hates me now?'' He quickly shuffled that thought aside the thought too painful to bear. ''I wonder if she will even listen to me after all this time.'' He sighed deeply and ran his hands through his hair unable to come up with acceptable answers. ''I should have brought Hao Jin Ying with me, she might have been able to help me ease this situation a little more. Ah LiHua look out for your son-in-law, things have become so complicated between the two of us, despite your wishes. I am sorry I failed you and Chang at the end of your time, I will not stop trying with her.'' Taking a deep breath, calming himself Liang Jian Amal pushed open the bedroom door. Opening the door he was surprised to find it completely empty. Not only was Justin gone, but the bed sat emptied, rumpled from its owners obvious hasty escape. "How many times is this woman seriously going to run from me!" He couldn''t help exclaiming seeing the unoccupied room and he sat on the edge of the bed head in his hands. "Great I found where she worked, but I don''t know where she lives though in Paris. Fine I''ll just get a hotel near where she works and try to intercede her either before or after." Letting out a deep sigh from the depths of his soul he raised up before feeling on the bed for his jacket to put on before he left. "She took my jacket with her. Heh, she''s too cute sometimes. Well time to go find her and figure out what I''m going to say to her." Just as he stood up Jean-Jacques Dumont entered with the doctor, shock written all over his face to find it empty, as well he had been. "Where is she." "From the looks of it I''d say she left, as to where, I have yet to find. I will take my leave for the evening, good night Mr. Dumont." "Hold on a moment, I will check to see if she has really left the premises." Holding his hand up he quickly inquired with the security and found that she had left only a few minutes prior. "It appears she did leave a few minutes ago, most likely headed back to her home. I shall give you a small piece of aid, since it has come to this but nothing more than, the rest is up to you." Taking a piece of paper from her desk he wrote a string of numbers and words on it and handed it to Liang Jian Amal. Liang Jian Amal grabbed the paper only to meet resistance and Jean -Jacques Dumont''s fierce stare. "I will not." "Good." Satisfied Jean-Jacques Dumont released the paper and let the younger man leave. ---- Mr Poitier quickly drove the two of them back to Lyons and dropped them at the nearest train station. Chang quickly thanked him before rushing in eager to get home. After queing up in line, Chang purchased the two of them two tickets on the TGV1 back to Paris. Even with the next available ride they would still have to wait about ten minutes. Sitting on the bench beside Justin she grabbed the collar of the jacket and pulled it tighter around her. 163 Coffee and Croissants Finally they arrived in the station nearest her home and the flagged a cab down. It was a fairly quiet ride with her exhaustion and she was barely able to hold a conversation with Justin. Before they got to her house Justin had them pass through a 24 hour fast-food joint as he hadn''t been able to really eat at the party and was now famished. With her eyes most of the way closed, Chang obediently did as Justin commanded and stuffed a burger in her face as well as they rode back to her house. Taking their stuff with them after paying the driver Chang fumbled with her keys for a moment before letting them in, turning the switch for light. Circular lights were strewn about in the ceiling of the entrance leading around the slightly curved entrance way to the breakfast nook area, complete with bar and table seating. Chang put her stuff on the dining table carelessly before quickly pointing out the two empty rooms and the main bathroom. After giving him a brief tour of the essentials she bid him goodnight and made her way to her room. Barely able to stand any more, she threw herself face first down onto the soft bed. She nuzzled it for only half a second before she was gone. The next thing she knew the doorbell was ringing incessantly disturbing the beautiful rest she was finally having. As she cracked open her bloodshot eyes she lay there for a moment hoping it was all a dream. Hearing the pitter patter of feet inside her home, the door opening, and Justin scolding whoever was on the other side, she knew it was time to get up. Smashing a pillow to her face she lamented over being awoken early on a rare day off. It usually didn''t matter but today she actually cared, she wanted to enjoy this day in every way. ''Fine, it''s about the time I''d usually get up anyways.'' Grumbling Chang rose with her birds nest of a head and shimmied out of her dress from last night, throwing it in an untidy heap on the ground. ''I''ll get it dry cleaned later, I shouldnt have slept in it, it is a nice dress.'' After scolding herself Chang set herself to looking through her closet looking for an outfit approprite for her first "date" with justin in a long time. Chang eyed the varying black, blue, and occasional white pieces in her wardrobe looking for something that would really "wow" him. "Ooh, perfect, I haven''t worn this yet either." Searching through her racks of shoes she settled on a pair black round toed suede wedge heels that were adorned with a pair of bows on the outside of her ankles. "Perfect!" Pleased with her selection Chang layed her outfit with adjoining lingerie on her bed before she stepped into her spa shower and slowly steamed herself back to life. Once clean she went about her morning routine before dressing rolling up the sleeves of the dress and buttoning them into a cuff just below her elbow. To complete her look she applied just a bit of neutral makeup, and styled her hair into a 3/4 part. She was just laying on some lip gloss when Justin knocked on the door and asked if she was coming out any time soon. ''Oops I might have gotten a bit carried away.'' Looking into her giant lighted vanity mirror she made a look of distaste. "Sorry, I''m almost ready to take you out across town!" "Alrighty, well hurry up, I''ve slaved away all morning making breakfast for us, you gotta come enjoy while it''s still hot!" ''Breakfast? With what did he make that? As far as I know, I only have water in my fridge, and maybe some bread in my cabinets..'' Curios Chang quickly got herself the rest of the way readied and opened the door, heading to the dining room. " Hey whered you go, im all prettified now!" As she got closer she heard Justin speaking and rounded the corner curious as to what he meant. "Hey who are you talking to?" "Get ready for the scream in 3,2, 1.." 164 Sudden Notice No content 165 Coffee and Croissants II Sitting up he massaged his aching temples, reaching for some clothes to put on to take care of the incessant ringing. Feeling around blindly he remembered that he had left his suitcase at her grandparent''s and didn''t have anything to put on other than the suit he was wearing last night. The bell called for his immediate attention though so he went to go get it in just his under shirt, boxers, and socks. Also donning his rarely seen glasses that he has in his suit pocket. Frustrated he slumped to the door feeling his head pound from the time change as well as their late night. Justin had planned to get up a little earlier and make her breakfast, but his body''s time clock was saying it was still too early. As he made his way to the door Justin clicked his tongue in distaste, her home was incredibly beautiful with an artful layout, but it bleached of any color or life like a sanitarium. Opening the door he prepared to unleash a thorough tongue lashing to whoever was on the other side in vengeance for his lost sleep. "Hey you! Are you paid on commission for every time you ring the damn bell or are you just haunted by the ghost of vengeance against sleep! Whatever you''re selling we''re definitely not interested now so just leave!" Justin instantly let out a barrage against whoever had been obnoxiously ringing the bell before even fully opening it. Once open he stood there in utter shock to see Liang Jian Amal standing there. The man stood there unfazed to Justin''s tirade as if expecting it, holding a coffee tray in one hand and a bag that faintly smelled delicious and buttery. His thick hair had been swept to the side and he wore a thick black woolen pea coat. ''Huh I should have know who it by the ridiculous amount of times that the bell was rung. He did this last time too.'' Leaning against the door frame he stared at him in shock adjusting his glasses on his face. "Wow, are you like a world class stalker or do you have a radio antennae on your head that automatically seeks her out? Do you think you are Sherlock Holmes or Zodiac P. I., always finding her wherever she is in the world?" Justin couldn''t help exclaiming looking at the man standing there stoicly ruefully. "You know we left in a rush last night for a reason, right? Why should I let you in now when she obviously isn''t ready to face you right now?" Although Justin''s tone was light his black eyes held an edge to them as he looked at him. "Indeed I did and she did. Well is there chocolate in that there bag of yours?" "I believe so, I ordered one of everything." "You may enter for now." Justin stood aside and let Liang Jian Amal enter closely watching him as he led him through the brightly naturally lit halls to the dining room. On the table a solitary vase of flowers stood with a single shriveled white bud lying beside it. Pulling out one of the wooden chairs he gestured to the man before heading to the kitchen. Liang Jian Amal stood there for a moment looking around admiring the environment as Justin rummaged through her cupboards and found some plates. As he viewed the mostly pink and white bouquet, with the smattering of blue in it, he picked up the shriveled bud, a smile curling onto his face. ''I am glad you liked them.'' His eyes kept wandering back to the curved hallway that continued, after opening to the dining room, presumably where her room was. Setting the plates on the table, Justin then headed to the continued curved hallway to go knock on her bedroom door, seeing the man''s eyes continually flicker over there. "I''ll go find out if shes coming out anytime soon." The man nodded in acknowledgement, unbuttoning his coat in the warm house while he waited. After making up a lie to get her out quick and listening to her reply, Justin got a sly grin on his face and tiptoed back to Liang Jian Amal. ''He he I bet she''s gonna be super surprised when she sees you. '' Looking at the man sitting calmly on the other side of the table, he straightened his face and told him that she would be out in a moment. Sipping on a coffee Liang Jian Amal gave a low humm in the back of his throat, patiently waiting as held the dessicated rose bud in his other hand, mindlessly spinning it. Justin chatted for a bit with him, trying to get the man to respond before he heard Shar coming out of her room calling for him. "Heh, get ready for the scream in 3..2..1." Justin held up his fingers with an evil grin and turned to look at Liang Jian Amal counting down to her entry. She truly didn''t disappoint him a d arrived right on cue. Her face instantly blanched as she let out an earth shattering scream, slapping her hands to her face before animatedly scurrying back and slamming her bedroom door. "Hahaha ha! That was even better than I could have imagined! You should have seen the look on your face girl!" Howling with laughter Justin held his stomach in as he rocked back in his chair. Liang Jian Amal, in sharp contrast, was concerned and immediately stood. Casting the other man a scowl he went to her room and gently knocked on the door. 166 Invaded ''How is this possible. How does he always find me? Don''t you know being surprised twice in two days like this isn''t good for my poor heart?'' Justin''s howls of laughter coming from the other room grated on her nerves and she realized he had set her up. "I hope you know, Justin Mu Che, that you are a horrible human being!" She yelled back at him unable to tell if he could hear her not, but did not care. The image of the man sitting calmly at her dining table was burned into her brain. Putting her hands over her mouth she sat there trying not to hyperventilate. ''Alright, don''t freak out now. This is just sooner rather than later. You planned to talk to him at some point. Ahh, but I''m not ready, I''m not ready yet! Will I ever be ready though? I don''t want to do this yet but here he is and its not like I can go anywhere. I''m on the seventh floor, its not like I could jump out the window..'' Chang wryly thought while she sat there looking through the open pristine room with the long glass wall opposite her looking out onto the river, realizing there was nowhere she could go. "Chang it''s me. Can I come in?" A few light knocks sounded on her door before a low melodious voice made its way through the wood. "Hell no! Do you think I don''t know how shameless you are! Why would I let you in my room it''s much safer for my chastity with a closed door between us!" Without thinking about it she yelled back immediately at him and cut herself off with a groan. ''That came out so wrong, that was not the first thing I wanted to say to him after so long. Ugh I should just stay in here.'' Hearing her words on the other side of the door the man''s face darkened and he snorted a little. ''I''ve been a perfect gentleman the last two times we met, just what do you mean by that? As for your chastity, that was long ago taken by me.'' Around the corner, her friend''s pointed laughter cut into his pride mercilessly. ''Glad at least someone''s enjoying the show. I''ll have to remember to whoop his ass later.'' Hearing it as well on the other side of the door Chang considered dark thoughts about her friend. "Chang, we shouldn''t talk with a door between us." "I''m sorry, but I really I don''t want to talk right now." On the other side of the door his hand curled tightly into a fist hearing her answer and the man deeply sighed. "Fine. I am willing to wait for when you are ready. May I at least retrieve my jacket for now?" "Yeah one second, I''ll pass it through the door." Standing Chang went and got it from where she left it on the bed, a pang of regret hitting her at the thought of just sending him away. Holding the jacket close to her chest she realized it smelled more like her now and only carried a faint trace of him. Unlocking the door, she slowly sneaked her hand out holding it out while hiding the majority of herself behind her door. Biting her lip she kept her face hidden, and held it out blindly. Chang felt him grab the jacket, as the weight was released from her wrist and she started to pull it back, but was restrained. Grabbing her wrist in a firm but gentle grasp Liang Jian Amal pulled her around from behind the door. Once she was clear of the door he forced it open and himself inside, nudging it closed behind him. ''Ahh my home base has been invaded!'' After having quickly shut the door behind him Liang Jian Amal wordlessly pulled her to him. His fingers running through the back of her super short hair while his nose nuzzled the top of her head. Chang felt like all the air left her lungs and numbly stood feeling his arms around her. 167 Underhanded Tactics and Apologies "Sorry for the underhanded techniques, I had to see you and once I saw you I couldn''t control myself." His breath ruffled through her hair as his lips moved by her ear. Chang''s mind was blank unable to process quite what he was saying. Shell-shocked all her senses tuned into the points of contact at her head, across her front and at her lower back. The feeling of the warmth spreading from his touch and breath, his scent enveloping her. "I have been longing to see you for long, that I couldn''t stop myself. I''m sorry that I couldn''t be there for you when you have needed me, I will explain everything to you, if you want." Liang Jian Amal held her closer as he felt her starting to tremble. "I''m so sorry I wasn''t there when Lihua passed, I should have been there, there''s almost nothing I regret as much as that." Hearing that name after so long, Chang felt her heart constrict and her eyes prick with bitter tears. She hit his chest weakly, silencing him for minute before she cut in with a broken voice. "You''re such an asshole. Please.. just stop talking." Chang put her hands to her eyes, trying not to cry and ruin her makeup for the joyous day she had planned with Justin. "Just leave me alone it''s been so long already, why did you have to bring it up? I''ve been trying to move on and forget." "I''m sorry I''m not trying to cause you more pain, it was important, she was an important part of your life and I wasn''t there for you when she passed. How could you forget that, forget her?" He held her tightly, his hand moved down fron her head to her shoulder, squeezing her. Chang sobbed into her hands unable to stop from breaking down." You''re right you weren''t there and it hurt so much. So please stop, why did you come, just to drag up old wounds?" "No and I''m not even close to finished, I have so much I need to make up for to you. I wasn''t there for you for so much." "No you weren''t, so why don''t you leave me be now. I''ve been trying to heal, and move on with my life. I''m a different person I even go by another name, I''ve been starting over my life again completely different!" "I know, but does that truly make you happy? To be someone other than who you are, who your parents raised you to be?" "Happiness is just a state of mind, if you put your mind to it you can be it." Chang petulantly responded before removing her hands from her eyes and pushing on him a little. He was moved back a little but still held onto her as he looked down at her tear-stained angered face. "For awhile I was worried you got hurt or even died since I didn''t hear from you for so long. I used to go online everyday looking up stuff about your company and you to see if anything changed to signal if something happened to you. "But you carried on with your business like normal, your world kept turning as it was, you''ve even done really well for yourself it seems. "Ive moved on, I''m trying to find my new normal now." Chang brushed her tears from her eyes and pulled her head up to look him in the eye. She tried to keep the look in her face as calm as possible trying to keep her warring fluctuating emotions together. "Do you know how hurt I was by that. Not just my mom dying, which was devastating enough on its own, it was the feeling of being abandoned. I don''t want to be hurt anymore like that, I can''t bear it." Liang Jian Amal sucked air in harshly hearing that her words tearing at him like knives. "I did not mean to hurt you, I was trying to do right for you and ended up doing you a terrible wrong. I was trying to make things safer on my end for you Chang, so that you would never have to live in fear again." "Well I''m safe now, on my own, and I don''t live in fear. You don''t have to worry for me any longer." "Are you truly safer though? I know what happened when you first came to live with him and I regret I was unable to help you with your family circumstances or stop those people from almost taking your life. Last year alone was proof of how far they would go." "Wait, hold on how do you know about all that?" Chang looked at him with a suspicious gleam, '' has he been just watching and keeping tabs on me without ever trying to contact me?'' "Of course, I have been trying to reach you for a while, plus I was there that night. Do you nit remember, not that you need to remember such events." ''Huh, I thought I was under hallucinations at the time how much was real and wasn''t?'' she bit her lip looking away. ''Should I ask..?'' "I kind of remember, but only up to a point, it haunts me in bits and pieces even though I try not to think about that night, that''s one of my darkest moments and part of why I changed my name. There was a scandal after that night that lasted for awhile. Some people published me in public in a lewd position, grand-p¨¨re Jean-Jacques covered it up but the shame followed me for awhile. "It''s a big part of why I moved to Paris out of Lyons, changed my name, changed my look, and started working in a completely different field. "I''m sorry for bringing it up, I hadn''t realized quite how devastating it had been it had been for you after," he only knew bits and snippets of information about what had happened to her after that night. "Mm it''s fine, it was a while ago, almost no one knows about it anymore either." She shook her head her eyes still down cast pulled back from him. 168 Dont Worry I + II While he stood outside his eyes were drawn to the shining building in the distance where Chang was wondering if he would ever have another chance. As he stood he saw a car light up and leave the premises quickly, but even waiting for the gate to automatically open all the way before it sped off. Standing on the side, he almost sucked the cigarette into his throat seeing the very person he had been thinking about passing by. Coughing he got in his car and followed them looking for his opportunity. Sitting across the crowded room his eyes didn''t leave her electrifying figure as she danced freely in the crowd. ''Should I just go out there?'' As he was considering it the tall woman whom she had arrived with pulled her off the floor and back to her group at the table. Not too long after she returned to the floor and he began to make his way to her. Once down in the sea of people though he had a difficult time spotting her, until he saw a flash of a long silver dress and brown hair hurriedly leaving the dance floor up the stairs. ''Missed her again. Judging by the way she ran I''d say she probably went to the restroom.'' Slightly disgruntled he went and waited by the hall near the restrooms, which had a small line extending from it, and he realized he would be waiting for awhile, but he was determined to not miss his chance this time. As he stood there, he saw several faces that he saw standing in line exit but not her, and wondered if she had become sick in there. Worried he strode in ignoring the disgruntled ladies and called out for her inside. Fed up with a male''s sudden intrusion into the facilities a couple other women helped him look throughout and found she wasn''t in there. ''Where could she be?'' He quickly walked past her table to see it empty except for a few women and scanned the dancefloor but didn''t see her. Perplexed he walked outside to see if she went for air. Outside a few people milled in the chill air but he didn''t see her. ''Did she leave already?'' Disheartened he let out a sigh a walked along the building wondering if he would get another chance when he heard his name in a low voice. Pricking his ears he followed her voice to around the corner to see her back up against the wall with her legs wrapped around a tall man''s hips. A few steps away a few other younger men stood watching the passionate couple recording with their phones while they commented in. "Damn that''s hot, hurry up Robert so we can have our turn next!" The tall man removed his face from Chang''s and smirked at the man who spoke. "Just wait your turn and enjoy the show, you''ll get your chance soon enough." Her head lolling, resting against the wall he heard Chang mumble out his name. Feeling a green eyed monster rising up in him Liang Jian Amal strode forward he fists clenched so tight a few knuckles cracked. "No, you won''t." He glowered at the other men sizing them and their potential abilities, finding them pitiably lacking. "Hey man, we should go this guy looks like trouble." After gaping like a fish one of the men, who looked to not be older than his teens, turned to the tall man and spoke worriedly,. Cautiously he took a few steps back from Liang Jian Amal, eager to avoid confrontation. The tall man looked incredulously at the three younger men then back to Liang Jian Amal. "Are you kidding me? There''s four of us, and one of him. This guy is nothing, let''s teach him not to go around spoiling people''s fun so readily." Removing one of his hands from between her legs, he pushed Chang down off of him and she hit the ground hard, laying there as she weakly muttered to herself. "I''m going to break your hands first." Scorching the man with his eyes, Liang Jian Amal pointed at the tall man walking forward slowly. One of the men holding a camera phone on the side rushed up openly, thinking he would tackle him only to take a swift elbow to his nose, crushing it. The man went down instantly holding his ruined face with both hands. His friend beside him stood shocked and turned to run before taking a swift strike to the side of his neck instantly layin him out cold. "Did you see that, let''s get out of here!" The youngest man who had edged himself the furthest away looked at the tall man with a horrified expression. "Not one of you is leaving here without my permission, if I have to track you down it will be even worse for you." The youth paled and sank to his knees, knowing he would be unable to fight back but afraid of it being worse than it already would be. The tall man who had been called Robert looked at Liang Jian Amal appraisingly. "Walk away, you do no know who you are dealing with. I will pay you a great deal to forget this whole matter." "I have already named my price, but it may need to be raised just a little I feel." "What?" Confused Robert looked at him before feeling a sharp pain as his jaw was broken, before he blacked out he felt the sharp popping as the small bones in his hands were broken individually. The youth remained on the ground, rigid, as he watched Liang Jian Amal''s ruthless treatment and dreaded his hit which came just as swift and merciless as before, sprawling him out on the cold ground. He dealt with them as quickly as possible and knelt by Chang who was slumped on one hip her arms helping to support her up while her head hung. Pulling off his jacket, he put it around her shoulders and pulled her up. He leaned her against him and pulled her top up, covering her. As he pulled it up he could feel that despite the chill air she was incredibly sweaty as if she had just run a marathon. She tried to shrug the jacket off he put on her and complained about it being too hot. Even though her eyes met his they were unfocused and glazed. ''Just how much did she drink and what?'' "You should keep it on, it''s cold out here." Ignoring her mumbling protests he buttoned it up to help her from catching a chill. "No it''s hot and it''s so dark Jian we need to go it''s not safe." "You''re safe, I am here."'' Does she have a fever?'' Putting his hand to her forehead and found that despite her body''s heat and sweat, her face was cold and clammy. ''Hmm, she might be really sick. How foolish! She shouldn''t have come out drinking and worn such little clothing if she''s sick. I''ll have to get her some treatment.'' "No, we''re not, I''ve been telling you! The darkness is coming, we need to leave her before it takes us, it''s waiting right there." Her hands gripped the front of his shirt tightly eying the alley that lay further in shadow beyond them with huge fearful eyes. "It''s not going to take us, it''s not alive, don''t worry." Pulling out his phone, he called for a cab to take them to the hospital. After calling them he carried her out and she clung tightly to his neck, her eyes squeezed shut until he brought them into a more well-lit area. 169 I Promised I + II "It''s still too hot, it feels gross," grumbling she tried to take the jacket and her top off again before he stopped her. "Be good now. We''re going to get you help and you won''t feel so bad anymore from your fever. Pacifying her he rubbed her head a little as she frowned and pulled at the jacket front. "Jian I feel really horrible everything keeps moving in weird ways, it''s too hot, and it''s making my heart feel funny." "What do you mean?" "I don''t know, I''ve never felt it before it''s too fast and it feels all fluttery and stuff." Her brow furrowed she held onto the jacket front still trying to fan herself. Knitting his brows he took her wrist and felt her pulse to see her heart was beating rather quickly and irregularly. Holding her wrist been two long fingers he placed his palm around where her heart was confirming it. ''What is wrong with her? Did she take something I did not see?'' "Chang, you''re going to be just fine." He assuringly lied to her worried. "Just lean back and breath evenly and slowly." "Mm put your hand on my chest again, it felt really good." Without waiting for a reply she grabbed his hand pushing it against her chest as she moaned a little. "You can''t get worked up now." Groaning inside he had to forcibly draw his hand back from one of its favorite spots. "Jian touch me again please." Releasing her seat belt she sprang onto his lap rubbing herself against him causing him to grit his teeth in frustration. "Not right now, you''re not yourself right now" "No no I feel much better now, it felt better when you were touching me, see." Grabbing his hand she snaked it up her dress trapping it between her two torturously soft thighs. Liang Jian Amal gave a sharp intake of breath and tried to pull himself back away from her. "Chang stop." "No." While his attention was on his captured tortured hand she unbottoned the jacket, letting it fall off her shoulders and proceeded to pull her straps down. "Why is it so hot in here?" He was momentarily stunned as she sat the and pulled the mass of hair pushing it off her sweaty neck. ''.. You are torturing me right now woman.'' Flicking his eyes away he saw the cab driver was periodically watching them through the mirror. Finally even though she kept wiggling and making it harder brushing herself against him he managed to get the thin straps back on her shoulders and her covered again, feeling a sweat break out on himself with his efforts. "Euh... Jian, it feels really horrible everything keeps spinning and shifting bad. Putting a hand to her face she looked at him with a worried expression seemingly more coherent. "I need help it feels like I''m slowly burning, it''s too much." Pushing away from him she tried to stand in the vehicle before going limp like a puppet whose strings had been cut. She slumped against him, her head bobbing before she stopped moving completely. "Chang?" ''What just happened grabbing onto her upper arms he pulled her limp form upright. Lightly tapping on her cheek she was completely unresponsive in sharp contrast to how she had been less than 30 seconds ago.'' "Drive faster please." The driver acquiesced and as soon as the vehicle came to a stop he threw a wad of cash at the man, not caring for change and carried her limp form through the automatic doors. Seeing the distraught young man carrying in an unconscious woman a few nurses came out and asked him as many questions as they could while they took readings from her. One took the recordings, reading them out to the other nurse who recorded, while a third fitted Chang with a patient ID bracelet. "BP, 100/60." "Does she normally have low blood pressure, that you know of?" The recording nurse turned to Liang Jian Amal who stood beside Chang when she got the reading. "Not that I know of she''s usually very healthy." "Heart rate at 124 BPM." "She unconscious is she not? The nurse recording frowned at the information and questioned both Liang Jian Amal cbd the other nurse. Standing she left her desk and grabbed a small light and opened one of Chang''s eyes to see the pupil was dead set ahead enlarged. "Has she taken any illicit substances that you know of?" "As far as I know she just had alcohol but I don''t know how much or what kind." "We need to bring her into a room immediately. What is your relationship with the patient?" "She''s my wife, is she alright?" "You may follow if you wish, we may be preforming a gastric lavage, she may have overdosed, though I suspect something may have been slipped into her drink. How long had it been since she was last drinking?" "Maybe an hour ago. It was after that she started to be oddly, and became very sweaty as if fevered and complained of the heat even when outside." "Alright just follow the two nurses as we place her." The nurse told him before talking into her pager. The two nurses arranged Chang in the Henry outing up the safety trails before leading them down into the brightly lit halls. As they left he heard her words to a doctor. "We need a gastric lavage, female adult patient is conscious, but unresponsive, with low blood pressure, and a high heart rate, sweating abnormally. Potential overdose or drugging within last few hours." "Room 33 is available, let''s take her there." One of the nurses led them into an empty room, pulling the long drapes closed for privacy. Once closed the nurses, fitted Chang into a hospital gown and helped to wipe her down for comfort before prepping her for the doctor. Like a well-oiled machine the two women worked quickly and efficiently. After attaching an IV to her left hand they rolled her onto her left side, propping her with cushions. Once in place one attached a mask over her mouth that held it open into place and sprayed her throat. The other woman took a long piece of tubing and measured it against Chang''s torso before lubricating it and gently inserting it down her throat. As the tube was inserted a mature woman in a long white coat entered and introduced herself as Doctor Boudine to Liang Jian Amal and sanitized herself before coming to stand in front of Chang with a prepared tray. She grabbed a large syringe from the table and attached it to the end of the tubing checking if it was in the right place before carefully pumping a saline solution down into the tube. Once in she then began drawing out a darker liquid and replaced the pump repeating the process until it came out clearer. Towards the end Chang started to show more coherency and began to whimper. One of the nurses holding her shoulder to keep her steady gave her hand a squeeze and soothing words. "It''s OK honey, we''re almost done, it''s just some charcoal now." Within a few minutes the procedure was done and the nurses removed the tube and the strap freeing her face. Chang whimpered a little tears streaming as she looked at Jian, reaching out her hand. Her call stirred him from the mire he had been stuck in on the side watching and he moved to her taking it in both of his. "Please don''t leave me again." "I will not. I promise." Holding her hand he pressed her knuckles to his lips ashe looked down at her tear stained pale face. Pulling up a chair he sat there holding her hand until she came to a fitful sleep. Brushing her face he released her hand to go outside and smoke disturbed from the nights events and the past few months. After finishing he returned only to find Jean-Jacques Dumont and a few of his men had taken his place. Seeing him the older man bristled and signaled to the men to grab hold of him immediately. "I believe we had already come to an agreement just this past winter Mr. Liang and if you satisfied those conditions not only would I not stand in the way of your union I would bless it. Yet I find you here now and my grand-fille to have been overdosed. Just why have you done this?" "You severely misunderstand this, I took her to the hospital after pulling her from an unsavory situation outside a night club. I would not do that to her, I have explained to you what she means to me which is why I have been working to develop the resources necessary to satisfy your conditions." "Hmm, while I do somewhat believe you, I will search to the validity of that. For now leave us." With a wave of his hand the two men that had a hold of him forcibly removed him from the hospital grounds and barred him from seeing her. Until last night he had been unable to see her. "There''s one thing I do kinda remember though, in the hospital, we''re you there?" "Yes, I took you there." "Did you hold my hand and promise you wouldn''t leave me again?" Her tone held a slightly sad note to hit as she looked down not looking him in the eye. "Yes." ''Yes, I made a promise to you that I need to fulfill I have already failed. I won''t leave you again unless you want me to.'' 170 How "I didn''t want to. I was forced to. I have been looking for a chance for us to meet for a long time." "Then how come I have never seen you after all this time? Who could force you Jian?" Her hurt and confused expression hurt him and he felt his heart twist. ''Do I tell her about Jean-Jacques'' involvement. She seems to care for him and I want her to have family that she can trust and care for. I don''t want her to lose trust in the only other family she has.'' "It is complicated. There have been outside forces at work, keeping me away. It''s not been of my own will that I have been away." Avoiding her eyes he tried to explain while skirting the topic. Grabbing his shirt collar her eyes hardened as she looked into his. "Tell me the truth Jian. I''ve had enough of lies after my mom I can''t stand being lied to especially when it is important. There''s no time in life for that. Since you''re here and you''re forcing us to talk now, I want complete honesty." Holding onto her hands that were gripping his collar tightly he pulled them off and answered her as straight forward as possible. "I made a bargain with your grandfather last year when you first came to stay with him to stay from you until I could prove several conditions to him. He did not approve of me or of several choices I had made regarding our relationship. He did not believe that I would be able to provide a stable environment for you, that my position is too tedious, and I needed a breakthrough to solidify this." "You both made a bargain concerning me but did not even bother to ask me what I wanted?" Liang Jian Amal grimaced hearing her pointed tone but didn''t interrupt as she continued. "You''re a CEO, and you took your company international, how could you not be considered stable? "It had more to do with my father and those who support him within the board of directors. I had already ensured several things though, before I came looking for you, as I did not want my father to come after you as he had done." "What did you do to your dad?" "Maybe some untoward things, mostly I just pushed him into an early retirement. I also did some internal changing to facilitate things and destroy the political drama." "Heh, I am sure he was thrilled about that." She couldn''t help giving a dry chuckle. ''Knowing him he probably did something crazy.'' "Perhaps a little less than enthusiastic at notion, we have not really had a chance to speak since so I am not sure how he is enjoying his retirement days." Even though she was right in front of him her hands still held by his, he could feel her pulling away still and becoming distant. "Chang it doesn''t change the wrong I have done, I should have been there for you when LiHua passed when you needed me. I''m so sorry." Liang Jian Amal tried to pull her closer but she resisted firmly holding her place with her eyes averted from his. "I already told you that I didn''t want to talk about that." "Then what do you want to talk about?" ''So much, but I guess nothing, in the end words can''t change how I feel..'' Watching the words flit across her face as she pursed her lips, he felt a thorn pierce his heart and leaned down and kissed her brow. Knitting her brows she closed her eyes and leaned into where he placed his lips. Moving his hands from her wrists to her forearms he pulled her closer. After the side of her brow he planted one between them on the furrow. "You shouldn''t frown so much, smile, you are so beautiful when you smile." Stroking the side of her cheek with his fingertips he commented sadly his eyes tracing her face. "And I wonder why-" Before she could finish her lips were sealed with his and he pulled her closer caging her in his arms. Feeling the familiar pleasant feeling she started to close her eyes and surrender to it. Bang! Bang! "Hey are you two alright in there? I heard yelling and then it went silent, are you OK Shar? Do I need to beat up a certain someone again?" Through the door Justin''s worried voice came through and he tried turning the locked handle. Irritated with the intrusion when things were going smoothly he pulled away to deal with him. Looking down he saw her still holding his arm looking mystified before she shook the stars out of her eyes. Sending him a complicated look, Chang pulled away. Opening the door automatically unlocking it she rushed out to Justin, pulling him away. "Are you Ok?" "Yeah I''m just fine, just got lost talking about the past let''s go!" "Hold up, I realized we left last night without my suitcase, and I don''t have anything besides my dress suit from yesterday." "I''m sorry that''s my fault. Well fine, I can be your sugar momma now and to start we''ll go buy you some clothes." "Rowr! Okay momma! What about him? Justin pointed at Jian standing behind her with his chin. Chang flushed avoiding looking at him. "Just ignore him, get dressed I''ll be down in the garage warming up my car, I''ll pick you up by the front entrance." "Chang." Ignoring his alluring voice, she opened her coat closet near the front door and grabbed a coat and her keys before closing the door behind her. "Struck out again huh?" As soon as she was gone Justin looked at him with a sympathetic look. "Things were going fairly well until you interrupted actually." The taller man glowered at the other his displeasure clearly shown. "... Sorry my bad, and here I am rooting for you two too. Didn''t mean to mess up your moment." Cringing Justin apologized before heading into his room to quickly ready himself for Chang. Searching all over the house he eventually found a piece of paper and pen and script he''d his numbers on it quickly and passed it to the man standing near the front door about to exit. "Hey, here take this, this is my number, she''s kind of a stubborn person, maybe a bit too much for her own good, but I know from the way you two parted she was really unhappy and has wanted to see you. She''s probably really hurt though too so it''s gonna take some work with this one, and I''m here to help you help her, you feel me?" Justin lifted a brow at him smiling before opening the door. 171 Longing "Seriously, the second he touches you and you''re right back in, what is wrong with you? You told yourself that you wouldn''t care anymore and you would move on. Yet there you are caring, wanting to know reasons and explanations." Chang pressed a few fingers to her lips feeling almost like she could still feel his touch. When he had held her and kissed her, it felt like being slowly warmed in the summer sun, it was a gentle flowing that took over all her senses and all she desired was to linger in the comfort. "Huuh." She sighed to herself while leaning her head. "I guess his grandpa was kinda right. He always does have a way with me, which is why I need to stay away. I can''t give my heart to him twice.. Even if he''s probably the most caring man I''ve ever met. Or attentive, or smart, or as handsome, as cutthroat at cards and fun to play with, or as good in bed. Dammit stop praising him." Chang scolded herself after getting lost in the many reasons why she loved him. "I do owe him my thanks for last year though, from what I remember and from the video I saw, someone was trying to take my integrity when he intervened. I was not able to tell from the video before, as it was done so terribly and they didn''t get a good shot of him, but now I know for sure it Was him. If he didn''t get me to the hospital I could have had serious damage to my organs or heart or even died from the overdose of GHB I was given. The hallucinations alone that lingered from the acid were bad enough. "It''s actually about time to serve Robert his comeuppance for that. Unluckily for him, he reminded me about that yesterday." Thinking of what she had planned for him she smiled wickedly and started her car. Driving out of the underground garage to the front she was surprised to see two figures standing together in front of the building complex. ''Why are they both standing there together?'' Frowning she slowly rolled up. Justin waved at her broadly before placing his leg out show girl style and pulled up his pant leg to show off his ankle. "Oh yoohoo can I get a ride?" He called out to her coqhettishly with a sly grin. ''Noope!'' Chang looked at him before facing straight, and slowly drove past looking as if she had no intention to stop. "Hey wait don''t go!" He called and raced after her as if afraid she would actually leave him. She stopped and gave him an evil grin as he ran up to her white Citro?n panting. Straightening up ne saw the glint in her eye and pouted while opening the passenger door. "Oh, you''re bad." "Actually, I was gonna ask you, he took a cab here and doesn''t have a ride, would it be alright if he rode with us? Chang gave him an unfathomable look troubled by the request and looked at the man who stood further back in her rear view and sighed. "Justin I can''t. I''m sorry." "It''s alright, don''t trip chocolate chip!" Justin leaned up and made an x with his arms at Liang Jian Amal before hopping in the front seat. "Alright, suga momma where are we headed?" "Les halles. That way we will be near a few other places I wanted to take you and we will be able to get you some fresh duds first." "Thank you!" Pulling out his phone he sent a quick text to the number he received earlier. 172 Sorry No content 173 No Need "Only for five days, so after yesterday I have four more. My boss-slash-boyfriend couldn''t stand to have me be away for any longer than that. It was kind of a surprise offer from your grandfather, I almost thought it was a hoax at first since he contacted me over the internet. I''m so gladit wasn''t and I got this chance to see you!" "Me too." After shopping around in the indoor giant mall, she purchased him a few outfits for the next few days, one of which he promptly changed into for comfort. Once he was suitably clothed in a polo and black jeans, they got him a few daily necessities before heading out into the crowded outdoor complex. The crowds were especially high on a Saturday in the outdoor areas and it was slow moving getting anywhere. In more open areas artists performed their arts live adding to the already crowded traffic flow. "Hey, where can we get some food around here?" "I was already planning to take you somewhere, I had a feeling that you would be getting hungry soon. After that I was planning on taking you to the Mus¨¦e d''Orsay." "Ooh I Iove art museums! You''re right I am, do you mean you''re not? It''s almost one. You didn''t even have some of the coffee or croissants he bought you." "Maybe a little but-" As they were walking she felt a light pressure in her purse and narrowed her eyes. She turned quickly, surprising the pickpocket and Justin. She quickly grabbed the man by the hand near his thumb and pinky and twisted his wrist back and up, causing them to instantly drop the small beat-up leather wallet he was holding. The man went into a partial crouch crying out in the pain in his wrist. Her eyes looked down at him coldly as he reached for his tortured wrist. "You should really choose another profession." Twisting his wrist up a little more putting pressure on his shoulder as well before she pushed him away a few steps. The man looked at her ruefully as he rubbed his aching wrist. "Get lost." The failed pickpocket had no need to be told twice and took off,disappearing withing the folds of the crowd. "Wow that was so cool, I didn''t know you could do something like that." His eyes shining while looking at her, Justin then noticed what lay on the ground. "I can''t believe you still have this old thing." Bending down he picked it up and handed it to her. Chang blushed while accepting the wallet, stowing it away back into her purse, rezipping it. "Yes, it''s kinda special to me, couldn''t bear to get rid of it." "Sure, why not, I''ll let you know though if the place is any good." "Sweet, sounds good." Whipping out his phone Justin sent a quick message before browsing slowly making a good show of looking through a list. Hanging back a good distance from them Liang Jian Amal watched everything that happened with a dark look on his face. He had been following them from a distance for most of the day, and when he saw the pickpocket he thought he would have a chance to help her and show himself "coincidentally." Seeing her place the man into a firm hold almost immediately after sensing his presence, Liang Jian Amal realized she had been training herself. She had become stronger and had no need for him to come help her. Slightly disappointed while proud, he felt a buzz in his pocket and he saw that he had received another message from his accomplice. ''Hey were looking for a good place to eat in the area, might be a good time to make a reservation or something..'' ''Hmm.'' Looking on his phone he expeditiously found a restaurant near where they were and called ahead to save them a table. As soon as he secured it, he sent the name of the place back. "How does ''Le Nid Oiseaux'' sound? "Hehe, I was actually planning on taking you to there, it''s a really nice place to eat." "Oh really, it was actually one of the top place that came up for near here, let''s go there!" Justin linked arms with her again and led them with his phone to the location pushing through the crowd as necessary unlike Chang had been doing. The two of them made their way to the restaurant fairly quickly with Justin leading them to the crowd and saw a line figure sitting at a table. Chang stiffened once she saw who sat there and turned to Justin with an apprehensive look. "Let''s maybe go somewhere else -" "Hey look who it is, what a coincidence, hey Jian! As if he didn''t hear her start to speak, Justin rushed up and started to chat with the man and waved at Chang to come over. "Hey he''s already got a table, let''s join him instead of waiting for another table." The place was fairly busy for the lunch rush, but Chang felt awkward about sharing a table with him. "That''s OK, we can get our own." Flashing down the host she found out there were no open table to sit at. "It will be at least a 30min wait madame, if you wish to wait." Hearing that she pursed her lips, while considering her options when she saw Justin staring at her with large puppy dog eyes. "A half hour is so long, please let''s just join him for lunch, I''m starvin Marvin!" "Please let me treat you think of it as an apology for my untoward behavior this morning." Liang Jian Amal stood seeing her still in a state of indecision and pulled out a chair for her. 174 A Few Days Only OK? Ignoring the man seated to her right Chang took a sip of her iced lemon water while perusing the menu and almost choked. As she was sipping, she felt a hand reach out under the table to gently stroke knee. As she coughed a little into a napkin she threw a dirty look to the culprit and gave him a swift kick to his shin. ''You got me to sit down already, do not push me too far now ok?'' The man seemed to take the hint and did not touch her anymore, but his eyes all over her were almost as distracting. Quickly the food they ordered arrived and she fixed her attention on the salad she has ordered, trying not to think about the man beside her. Justin couldn''t help exclaiming saying how beautifully arranged it was and took a few pictures of the food. ''Well, he is happy, I guess it is worth it.'' Sitting beside him she found herself becoming more aware of his looks and flitted her eyes to see him staring straight into hers. Embarrassingly she missed her mouth with her forkful and made a mess on her cheek before dropping it. Liang Jian Amal instantly rubbed her cheek with a napkin, cleaning her up with a loving tender look in his eyes. Meeting his scorching eyes she just about jumped out of her seat and headed to the restroom. As she made her way her hand was clenched tight over her rapidly beating heart. Locking the door she leaned against it and put her head in her hands feeling like tears would attack her again. His words from earlier kept playing over and over in her head, like a broken record. When she closed her eyes all she could see were his unusual eyes haunting her. With her mind at war with her heart it felt like she was being torn apart a little inside. ''Calm down Chang, it is just a simple meal, just treat it like a business thing, you can get through this.'' Standing in there for a moment she did some calming breathing before she returned to the table, unaware of the plotting and scheming that had occurred while she was away. Once she returned she did not have much of an appetite anymore and had the waiter bring her a to-go container and scraped her half-eaten salad ignoring the two pairs of disapproving stares beside her. After securing her food she went to split the bill to find that Liang Jian Amal had already covered it while she was in the restroom. she shot him a surprised accusatory glance that he ignored with a content smile on his face. "It was my pleasure." She gave him a wan smile and turned to leave when she heard Justin smack his forehead and exclaim like he forgot something important. "Ah Chang you won''t believe it, he was telling me when you were in the bathroom, but it appears this guy lost his wallet in the taxi cab earlier! What a blunder! Can you believe it?" Snickering Justin came up to her. "No I really can''t. How did you pay for all that?" Turning from Justin she looked at the tall man still looking down at her with a gentle smile and gave him a confused frown. "I had some cash on me, just in case." The man shrugged his shoulders as if it was of no consequence. "Wait, had? What do you mean by had?" "I used the majority of what I had to treat us to lunch." Shocked at his nonchalance, Chang slapped her palm to her face. "Now, why would you do that, what are you going to do now? How much do you have on you now." "It was worth it. I have around 40 Euros, I will figure it out, I can get the cards replaced in a matter of days." ''What does he mean he will figure it out, is he really going to be ok? 40 euros is nothing, he can maybe stay at a hostel for a night but after that.. I don''t like the idea of him being out in the elements, what if something happened to him? He is here because of me too..'' Despite her words to herself and his words Chang found herself fretting over him. "Hey I know how you feel, but could he stay with us?" Justin whispered to her in a quiet voice speaking as if it would be like bringing home only a harmless puppy instead of the wolf he was. Seeing her wavering as she cast furtive looks at Jian, Justin drove the nail in with a swift hammer strike. "Plus what if something happens to him out here, I know you said he''s pretty strong or capable but if you''re sleeping on a bench you can''t dodge a knife." "Fine for a few days only, but no more than that, just until he gets his stuff replaced." Looking up at Jian she took a deep breath and tried to steady your heart and repeated her words even though he had already heard her. "Since you don''t have anywhere to go or much to help you, you can stay with me, in my other guest bedroom. Don''t think too much into this now, ok, it''s only for a few days until you can get your cards and ID replaced." "Are you sure, you don''t have to offer this." His eyes probed hers, hesitant to accept the offer, unsure if she had really said what she had said. "Just say yes, don''t make me over think it and rescind my offer Jian." "Thank you for your kind offer Miss Dumont, I shall take you up on it." Taking her hand he kissed it with a devilish grin while looking her dead in the eye. 172 No Need "Only for five days, so after yesterday I have four more. My boss-slash-boyfriend couldn''t stand to have me be away for any longer than that. It was kind of a surprise offer from your grandfather, I almost thought it was a hoax at first since he contacted me over the internet. I''m so gladit wasn''t and I got this chance to see you!" "Me too." After shopping around in the indoor giant mall, she purchased him a few outfits for the next few days, one of which he promptly changed into for comfort. Once he was suitably clothed in a polo and black jeans, they got him a few daily necessities before heading out into the crowded outdoor complex. The crowds were especially high on a Saturday in the outdoor areas and it was slow moving getting anywhere. In more open areas artists performed their arts live adding to the already crowded traffic flow. "Hey, where can we get some food around here?" "I was already planning to take you somewhere, I had a feeling that you would be getting hungry soon. After that I was planning on taking you to the Mus¨¦e d''Orsay." "Ooh I Iove art museums! You''re right I am, do you mean you''re not? It''s almost one. You didn''t even have some of the coffee or croissants he bought you." "Maybe a little but-" As they were walking she felt a light pressure in her purse and narrowed her eyes. She turned quickly, surprising the pickpocket and Justin. She quickly grabbed the man by the hand near his thumb and pinky and twisted his wrist back and up, causing them to instantly drop the small beat-up leather wallet he was holding. The man went into a partial crouch crying out in the pain in his wrist. Her eyes looked down at him coldly as he reached for his tortured wrist. "You should really choose another profession." Twisting his wrist up a little more putting pressure on his shoulder as well before she pushed him away a few steps. The man looked at her ruefully as he rubbed his aching wrist. "Get lost." The failed pickpocket had no need to be told twice and took off,disappearing withing the folds of the crowd. "Wow that was so cool, I didn''t know you could do something like that." His eyes shining while looking at her, Justin then noticed what lay on the ground. "I can''t believe you still have this old thing." Bending down he picked it up and handed it to her. Chang blushed while accepting the wallet, stowing it away back into her purse, rezipping it. "Yes, it''s kinda special to me, couldn''t bear to get rid of it." "Sure, why not, I''ll let you know though if the place is any good." "Sweet, sounds good." Whipping out his phone Justin sent a quick message before browsing slowly making a good show of looking through a list. Hanging back a good distance from them Liang Jian Amal watched everything that happened with a dark look on his face. He had been following them from a distance for most of the day, and when he saw the pickpocket he thought he would have a chance to help her and show himself "coincidentally." Seeing her place the man into a firm hold almost immediately after sensing his presence, Liang Jian Amal realized she had been training herself. She had become stronger and had no need for him to come help her. Slightly disappointed while proud, he felt a buzz in his pocket and he saw that he had received another message from his accomplice. ''Hey were looking for a good place to eat in the area, might be a good time to make a reservation or something..'' ''Hmm.'' Looking on his phone he expeditiously found a restaurant near where they were and called ahead to save them a table. As soon as he secured it, he sent the name of the place back. "How does ''Le Nid Oiseaux'' sound? "Hehe, I was actually planning on taking you to there, it''s a really nice place to eat." "Oh really, it was actually one of the top place that came up for near here, let''s go there!" Justin linked arms with her again and led them with his phone to the location pushing through the crowd as necessary unlike Chang had been doing. The two of them made their way to the restaurant fairly quickly with Justin leading them to the crowd and saw a line figure sitting at a table. Chang stiffened once she saw who sat there and turned to Justin with an apprehensive look. "Let''s maybe go somewhere else -" "Hey look who it is, what a coincidence, hey Jian! As if he didn''t hear her start to speak, Justin rushed up and started to chat with the man and waved at Chang to come over. "Hey he''s already got a table, let''s join him instead of waiting for another table." The place was fairly busy for the lunch rush, but Chang felt awkward about sharing a table with him. "That''s OK, we can get our own." Flashing down the host she found out there were no open table to sit at. "It will be at least a 30min wait madame, if you wish to wait." Hearing that she pursed her lips, while considering her options when she saw Justin staring at her with large puppy dog eyes. "A half hour is so long, please let''s just join him for lunch, I''m starvin Marvin!" "Please let me treat you think of it as an apology for my untoward behavior this morning." Liang Jian Amal stood seeing her still in a state of indecision and pulled out a chair for her. 173 A Few Days Only OK? Ignoring the man seated to her right Chang took a sip of her iced lemon water while perusing the menu and almost choked. As she was sipping, she felt a hand reach out under the table to gently stroke knee. As she coughed a little into a napkin she threw a dirty look to the culprit and gave him a swift kick to his shin. ''You got me to sit down already, do not push me too far now ok?'' The man seemed to take the hint and did not touch her anymore, but his eyes all over her were almost as distracting. Quickly the food they ordered arrived and she fixed her attention on the salad she has ordered, trying not to think about the man beside her. Justin couldn''t help exclaiming saying how beautifully arranged it was and took a few pictures of the food. ''Well, he is happy, I guess it is worth it.'' Sitting beside him she found herself becoming more aware of his looks and flitted her eyes to see him staring straight into hers. Embarrassingly she missed her mouth with her forkful and made a mess on her cheek before dropping it. Liang Jian Amal instantly rubbed her cheek with a napkin, cleaning her up with a loving tender look in his eyes. Meeting his scorching eyes she just about jumped out of her seat and headed to the restroom. As she made her way her hand was clenched tight over her rapidly beating heart. Locking the door she leaned against it and put her head in her hands feeling like tears would attack her again. His words from earlier kept playing over and over in her head, like a broken record. When she closed her eyes all she could see were his unusual eyes haunting her. With her mind at war with her heart it felt like she was being torn apart a little inside. ''Calm down Chang, it is just a simple meal, just treat it like a business thing, you can get through this.'' Standing in there for a moment she did some calming breathing before she returned to the table, unaware of the plotting and scheming that had occurred while she was away. Once she returned she did not have much of an appetite anymore and had the waiter bring her a to-go container and scraped her half-eaten salad ignoring the two pairs of disapproving stares beside her. After securing her food she went to split the bill to find that Liang Jian Amal had already covered it while she was in the restroom. she shot him a surprised accusatory glance that he ignored with a content smile on his face. "It was my pleasure." She gave him a wan smile and turned to leave when she heard Justin smack his forehead and exclaim like he forgot something important. "Ah Chang you won''t believe it, he was telling me when you were in the bathroom, but it appears this guy lost his wallet in the taxi cab earlier! What a blunder! Can you believe it?" Snickering Justin came up to her. "No I really can''t. How did you pay for all that?" Turning from Justin she looked at the tall man still looking down at her with a gentle smile and gave him a confused frown. "I had some cash on me, just in case." The man shrugged his shoulders as if it was of no consequence. "Wait, had? What do you mean by had?" "I used the majority of what I had to treat us to lunch." Shocked at his nonchalance, Chang slapped her palm to her face. "Now, why would you do that, what are you going to do now? How much do you have on you now." "It was worth it. I have around 40 Euros, I will figure it out, I can get the cards replaced in a matter of days." ''What does he mean he will figure it out, is he really going to be ok? 40 euros is nothing, he can maybe stay at a hostel for a night but after that.. I don''t like the idea of him being out in the elements, what if something happened to him? He is here because of me too..'' Despite her words to herself and his words Chang found herself fretting over him. "Hey I know how you feel, but could he stay with us?" Justin whispered to her in a quiet voice speaking as if it would be like bringing home only a harmless puppy instead of the wolf he was. Seeing her wavering as she cast furtive looks at Jian, Justin drove the nail in with a swift hammer strike. "Plus what if something happens to him out here, I know you said he''s pretty strong or capable but if you''re sleeping on a bench you can''t dodge a knife." "Fine for a few days only, but no more than that, just until he gets his stuff replaced." Looking up at Jian she took a deep breath and tried to steady your heart and repeated her words even though he had already heard her. "Since you don''t have anywhere to go or much to help you, you can stay with me, in my other guest bedroom. Don''t think too much into this now, ok, it''s only for a few days until you can get your cards and ID replaced." "Are you sure, you don''t have to offer this." His eyes probed hers, hesitant to accept the offer, unsure if she had really said what she had said. "Just say yes, don''t make me over think it and rescind my offer Jian." "Thank you for your kind offer Miss Dumont, I shall take you up on it." Taking her hand he kissed it with a devilish grin while looking her dead in the eye. 174 Squished "Please, allow me." "Thank you." "Hey wanna give me a hand as well?" Carrying five larger bags Justin gave Liang Jian Amal a hopeful smile only to receive a cold snort in response. ''... And here I thought you were actually grateful for my help, I see how it is!'' Once she saw it parked on the street she hit the electronic key to confirm it and unlocked it. Following behind Liang Jian Amal stood in shock for a moment. ''Is this what she is driving? She should have something far better than this modest thing. Something deserving for her position and status, not this small wagon. I wonder if she would accept it if I bought her something else..'' Silently complaining in his heart, he made his way to the short two-doored vehicle. Looking at his tall frame standing beside her car Chang opened the trunk for the bags to be stowed and pulled up the passenger seat. "Jian, I''ll have you ride in the back, Justin you ride beside me." Justin started to voice a protest before he was silenced by her eyes. ''No I don''t want to be right next to him, this is close enough already.'' ''Fine, fine.'' After Liang Jian Amal squeezed himself into the back of the car, Justin righted his seat and looked at the him in the rear view mirror with an empathetic look. Due to his size he had to sit in the middle with his legs extended out to under both seats. Even then his legs were still cramped up some and he had to hunch a little, his head still brushing the top. "Hehe, you comfortable back there?" Justin couldn''t help but tease the comically squished man in the back who only lifted an eyebrow at him. Chang saw that he was rather bunched up in the back and felt a pang of guilt but started the car anyways to take them to their next destination. As they drove a few landmarks stood out to Justin and he couldn''t help exclaiming seeing them. "Oh, look look is that the cathedral of Notre Dame? Wait does that mean we''re near the Louvre and all that?" "We are actually passing by some of that on our way." "Wait what, no no, what are we doing we can''t skip those places, we have to go there!" Seeing his aggravated state she couldn''t help giggling a little and quickly assured him. "Those big popular places have pretty big lines and crowds around them and I want to give you the time to get the full experience." Chang patiently explained herself, keeping her eyes attentively to the busy streets. "Ah you are most sagacious my tour guide, I leave myself in your capable hands." His eyes twinkling it brought a smile to her face before she grimaced as she avoided a near-accident. A driver suddenly cut in front of her before slamming on their brakes, causing her to have to slam and tilt to the side ¨¤ little to avoid marrying the two bumpers still. "Merde! That could have been bad, phew!" Wiping her brow she continued on calmly unfazed. "Wow, what a jerk I can''t believe he just cut you off like that. Thank goodness you avoided that in time or we would have turned into an acordian!" Justin praised her releasing his death grip from her dashboard expecting to see deep claw marks in it. "You''re a very good driver I''m impressed!" Leaning forward Liang Jian Amal looked at her and remarked in a surprised tone. "Heh what can I say, it''s just one of my many talents!" Taking a hand off the steering wheel she puffed on her knuckles and rubbed them against her shoulder. Her actions were an exact mirror to almost three years ago and he couldn''t help but find himself smiling in nostalgia. ''She had changed so much outwardly, but at the heart she is still the same person.'' Throughout the crowds of the museum he used himself as a shield to help protect her from the crowds, enjoying the little moments that caused him to be pushed against her. Every time though those little touches caused her to feel flustered and her heart burst with trepidation. By the time they left Chang feared she was be set afire from her heart. After leaving the museum at closing Justin insisted on sitting in the back before she drove them back to her house. "That was almost bordering on a human rights violation making a big guy like him get in the back of your tiny car, I can fit much easier than he can." Without another word he climbed into the back and pulled the passenger seat onto place securing himself. " Fine. " "Also we need to go to a super market or something, I was horrified to see that you only had mineral water in your fridge. What do you live on, air?" "Actually, usually take out, or lunch that is catered to the office. I usually am working so much I do not have the time or energy to cook at home." "....I am shocked speechless. You just leave tonight''s delicious cuisine up to chef Justin. I will make you a delicious home cooked dinner tonight, you mission if you choose to accept is to get this super chef his ingredients." "Indeed I do that sounds wonderful!" Little did she know, the shopping trip in the supermarch¨¦ near her home was almost as exhausting as the rest of the day. The looks alone she got from everyone walking in with the two handsome men who followed behind her. She quickly went through Justin''s list, hurrying to get them out of there and home where she could pour herself a nice glass of wine. 175 I Never Knew I + II "We can take multiple trips, there''s no need to break your arms." Lightly admonishing her he took the two large, heavy bags and started to make his way up. "That''s a waste of time!" Grabbing the last remaining large grocery bag as well as a couple of the shopping bags from earlier, she teetered behind him. Justin slowly towed along after her, grateful for the fact there was an elevator where she lived, as she was on the sixth floor. Fumbling for her keys with her heavy awkward load, she eventually got the door open and rushed to drop her load on the dining table. "Was that truly necessary?" Lifting an eyebrow at her puffing after setting her stuff down, Liang Jian Amal lightly set the bags down. "Yes, yes it was." Taking off her coat she hung it up before returning to store the groceries away properly, and assist Justin with dinner. Inside the dining room she saw Liang Jian Amal was still standing there, eyeing the bouquet sitting in the vase on it. Seeing her enter he looked up and smiled at her while holding one of the roses that had opened while in it''s bed of water. "Did you like the flowers? I got them for you with a special thought in mind." "They''re pretty, but they caused me some trouble." Biting her bottom lip she rubbed her arm with one hand absently. "Thank you for them though." "I''m sorry they caused you trouble, that was not my intention.Do you want to know what I was thinking when I got them for you?" ''No, well yes, but no, no.'' "I''m going to go help Justin in the kitchen with dinner, you can go watch some TV in the living room or something over there." Dodging the subject she pointed before retreating into the kitchen with Justin and the groceries. ---- "Hey hey now that''s for cooking! Alright get out of here, you heathen" Wielding a giant spoon as his scepter Justin chased her out of the kitchen taking the bottle of wine she had been stealing sips from as he shooed her out. "But I was helping!" She cried out to the closed to door in her face trying to plead her case and have an excuse to stay in there with him. Opening the door, Justin popped out to hand her a stack of plates with cutlery on top. "And now you can help me, by staying out here and setting the table with Jian." ''..traitor..'' Coming from the living room, Liang Jian Amal came when called and took the small stack of plates from her, while she went to the linen closet and laid out napkins. The two worked in sync on either side of the table, the flowers shining in between them, as the light from above reflected off the white petals. "You have a beautiful home Chang." "Thank you." ''This feels so awkward.'' "It''s ok, it''s close to work, so its convenient I guess." Looking up into his eyes, she realized he was asking her more than just the surface of the question. Her deep blue eyes wavered looking into his deep gold-flecked ones wondering feeling like the impenetrable dam she had built had been destroyed. Her lips trembled and she was about to answer when Justin exited the kitchen with a flourish. "I present, my masterpiece, be amazed and wowed!" On the table he set down a large steaming plate of vermicelli pasta artfully decorated with steamed shrimp and herb chicken, tossed in a creamy white whine sauce. Kissing his fingers he splayed them in the air with a flourish after setting it down, accenting his presentation. Returning to the kitchen he brought out the salad Chang had tossed for them as well as the dish of fried zucchini chips, and a loaf of sour french bread. "And voil¨¤, now sit and eat, don''t you dare let my hard work get cold and go to waste!" "No sir, we shall not. This is beautiful Justin, it looks good, thank you!" Swelling with pride he accepted the compliment gracefully while slicing the bread for them. "What did you make Chang?" While serving her food onto her plate, Liang Jian Amal looked up at her. "Well I-" "The salad, just the salad." Before she could answer Justin answered for her. ''Thanks.'' Liang Jian Amal couldn''t help chuckling from the twisted pout on her face as she looked at her friend. "I am sure it will be delicious." "It will be, at least she cant mess that up, she inherited her dad''s cooking ability." "I did not! And that''s not true, I can too cook, I am just a little out of practice, we''ve cooked together before and you know it!" "I remember no such thing!" The two squabbled a little and reminisced while Jian sat mostly silent, but put a question or comment in here and there keeping their conversation rolling. ''This isn''t so bad actually..'' Looking up from her plate Chang was surprised to realize the discomfort had given way to a comforting glow with the warmth and flow at the dinner table. "Ok, so I''ve been wondering this but never got a proper answer from that one. How did you two became separated." Justin pointed his bread piece at Chang. "Crazy shit is not an explanation." "There was a war, an attempted coup in my grandfather''s country that called for me to have to leave her side." Liang Jian Amal was surprised having been asked the question out of the blue and wondered a moment on where to begin before he did. Feeling like she got dipped in cold water, Chang pulled her chair and rose up and excused herself to go get some wine. She couldn''t help remembering waking up that morning to find herself alone with the crushing disappointment, the fear, and the sadness that plagued her for the rest of the day and days after. After grabbing a good white to go with dinner she reached up to her hanging rack to grab a glass when she heard a surprising piece of information from Jian and fumbled. Hearing the crashing pachink of glass breaking and Chang crying out both men jumped out of their seats and immediately headed into the kitchen. On the floor Chang kneeled clutching her face with the remains of what was once a glass beside her. "Are you ok?!" Justin cried out and started to make his way to her but Liang Jian Amal was a bit faster and rushed to in front of her to look at where she clutched at. Under her hand a few small rivulets of blood leaked out and he lifted her hand feeling his heart beating wildly. Across her right brow was a small cut that despite its size bled fairly profusely. "We need to get you to the hospital, I need a wet towel immediately for her face." Commanding Justin he started to pull on her trying to get her up to take her to the doctor. "I don''t need to go to the hospital. I just had a fumble and it''s only a small cut. I have a medicine kit in both bathrooms, underneath the sink, will you go and grab one please Justin?" Clutching her brow again she scowled at Justin before giving Justin a wan smile, her face already becoming pale. "Of course." "How did this happen, you have to be careful, what if it was your eye?" Sitting her on the counter he still kept trying to fuss at her wound and check if their was glass in it. "I just slipped when I heard you say you got shot back then. Did that really happen?" "Yes but that was along time ago already, let me look at your head to see if it does need stitching." "No, it doesn''t, stop, it is small, it''s just on my face so it''s bleeding a lot. You should know this. Tell me more about what happened then, what happened to you then." Grabbing his shirtsleeves at his wrists she didn''t think about the blood on one hand and accidently dirtied it while trying to stop him. Justin entered with the medicine and cabinet and moved to clean her up but had the kit promptly taken from his hand by Liang Jian Amal who stood before her. Disinfecting it first she gave a small hiss in pain and closed her eyes, gripping his shirt front with one hand. "I still want my answers, talk while working." Her eyes closed as he slowly applied butterfly stitches, he recounted what had happened on his end that day after he left. Feeling that he was done and merely tracing his fingers on her face now she opened her eyes to see his sincere gaze causing the iron around her heart to crack painfully. "You are just like your mom, from what you''ve told me, such a klutz you have to be more careful." "What? It was your fault, you shocked me when I was grabbing the glass!" Chang couldn''t help bickering a little hearing his teasing tone and went to reach for another glass before he got it for her. 176 Tortured I + II Usually she didn''t dream because of the pills she took to bring her to sleep, but she had forgotten to take them that night in her exhaustion. Or maybe it was from the satiation of having a warm full belly for the first time she could remember in a long time. As such it hit her hard and left her sweating and panting, her heart pounding as she sat up. It seemed that Jian''s words at the dinner table had been a catalyst as Chang dreamed of her last night in the Republic of Lahat; reliving her last night with him. Chang had been desperately begging Jian not to go, worried for him. The horrible fear that he would be hurt, or worse be killed in the fight and that she would lose him too made her feel selfish. She didn''t want him to leave and lose him too, her dad was already gone, her mother was leaving her soon, he couldn''t too. She knew that he had responsibilities with his ties but when her words and tears didn''t work she tried to use her body to make him stay. Making sure the door was shut she pressed her lips to his placing one hand behind his neck to support herself as she stood on her tiptoes while the other hand worked at several of the buttons on the top of her dress. Once she felt that a good number of them were undone she pulled back from him as his arms started to wrap around her. Staring at Jian who still stood with his arms open from where she had just been she pulled down her dress letting it pool beneath her feet. Seeing his Adam''s apple Bob as he swallowed while staring at her hungrily, she flicked her thumbs under the straps of her white shift underneath and pulled it off. Standing before him she wore nothing except for her panties. Reaching for the edge she pinched them while continuing to stare into his eyes she started to remove them before he grabbed her wrists. His dsrk amber eyes were almost smoldering as he looked at her his voice coming out as a low growl. "Let me." Stealing her lips with a sucking kiss he then began trailing more southward following from the side of her jaw after her lips. As his mouth moved southwards, his hands slowly did as well uncovering her most private part for only a moment before his mouth recovered it. The surprise from his sudden tender assault made her knees feel weak and she had to hold on to the top of his shoulders for support her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. As little gasps and moans escaped from her mouth in response to his every flick and kiss he hummed appreciatively deep in his throat. Chuckling he looked at her with undisguised hunger and pulled it the rest of the way off before his pants. Grinning wolfishly down at her he continued what he started as she gripped the hard muscles in his upper arms as he slowly drove her mad. By the time he entered her she was puddy in his hands all response to his passion and moans. Looking up at him as he stared down at her she couldn''t help feeling tears prick her eyes again. "Jian, please don''t go." Clutching at his upper back, she wrapped her legs around his waist squeezing him tight causing him to gasp and groan. "Everything will be fine, Chang just trust me, look at me." Putting an arms across her back he he held her tightly and tried to pull his head back to see her face. Chang shook her head vehemently where it lay nestled in the crook of his neck her tears dampening the skin there. Sighing Jian grabbed a firm hold on her waist and rolled her over, causing her to release her hold as she tried to stabilize herself with the sudden motion until she found herself on top of him, her chest mashed against his, her eyes caught by his. "I promise you everything will be fine. Have I ever broken a promise to you before?" "Not that I can think of." "So difficult," chuckling he kissed her wrinkled brow. "The answer is no. Set your heart at ease Chang, I''ve promised you and it will be so, sojust enjoy tonight and think about which position you like best. I don''t want to see any more tears from you except for tears of pleasure." "Ugh, you are just the worst-mm!" Lightly pounding a fist on his chest, she had her lips stolen as she gave a great moan as he pushed deeper in claiming her further. In the end as sweat ran down her bare back, he held her firmly with a hand on her hip and the other on one breast squeezing it lightly, as she cried out her toes curling. Her long hair spilled behind her in long curls as she held onto his arms desperately for support and her legs straddled his. "Beautiful.." That last thing she rembered was him murmuring below her, before exhaustion took her and she collapsed on his chest feeling his long steady fingers tuck some hair behind her ear. Even once awake the vivid memories kept playing out in her mind and she could feel herself becoming agitated and uncomfortable. Feeling a bead of sweat trickle between her breasts and her heart pounding wildly, Chang got out of bed. Padding barefoot across the white carpeted floor to her balcony she opened the glass sliding door to her. The sheer lace and silk from her Iight slip was easily penetrated by the wind and quickly took the burning from her skin. Looking from her view overlooking the Seine, Chang gripped the metal rail and let the chill air calm her senses a little before she went inside. Feeling like her mouth was dry Chang unlocked her bedroom door and went to the kitchen to get herself a glass of water. Opening the door to the seemingly empty house her gaze lingered on the closed door of her secondary guest bedroom, he was staying in. Her feet started to shift towards it mindlessly but she stopped herself and finished her original mission downing three full glasses quickly Quietly padding out of the kitchen she returned to the door and stood before it, shifting her bare feet her hand lightly resting on it, as she tried to sort her conflicted emotions and thoughts. 177 Another day in heaven or is it hell As she promised Justin she took them all straight to their planned destinations, after he had made them a delicious breakfast, which she couldn''t help eating all of again. While eating the beautiful fluffy raspberry cr¨ºpes, he made in the morning, she couldn''t help exclaiming while pointing her fork at him. "Instead of being an entertainer, you should be a chef your talent is wasted Justin. What have you been putting in the food to make it so good, crack?" "No just a little love and tenderness." Turning Justin winked and blew a kiss at Jian, seated beside her who was shocked and repulsed visibly. "Hahaha!" Justin laughed out loud seeing his reaction. "Wel, l you don''t need to be so put off, I''ve got a beau anyways." Sipping her coffee, that he had brewed to a perfect robustness she closed her eyes and gave a contented humm. Capturing the moment she stored it away in her heart, feeling like the joyous moments like these would soon be gone and all she would have left would be memories. Like always. The entire morning Justin was absolutely glued to his phone taking pictures wherever he could, the absolute image of an eager tourist,as she played the semi-educated tour guide. He even managed to bully and badger Jian into taking a picture of him and Chang posing in front of the Louvre pyramid for commemoration. For all his excitement for the Louvre and to see the Mona Lisa, he was horribly dissatisfied to see how small she was and almost visibly wilted. She knew he had pictured it way bigger and couldn''t help chuckling seeing his reaction. After fighting through the crowds they left to take a tour of la cath¨¦drale de Notre-Dame which had Justin about jumping for joy and excitement like a little kid again. Looking like a grin would slit his face he took a selfie with one of the stone apostles'' toes in the background before going back to his almost maniacal picture taking. Walking through the halls though even Justin quieted down and walked with a silent reverence through the place. The stained glass roses of Notre-Dame Dame in particular were some of his favorites as well as hers and she was naturally drawn to one. Standing below it the beautiful art faded to the background in her mind. All she could see was last night replaying its way through her head. Twisting through her thoughts and day like his tongue did last night with hers. Chang had only been able to moan helplessly, at his mercy while he aggressively moved on her. She started to slide down feeling herself becoming weak. Only when she did, did he release her to pull her into his arms his nose grinding into her hair as his breath and lips tickled her left ear. "I was afraid you were going to walk away again." Jian let his hands roam freely across her smooth skin partially sheathed with the smooth silk causing shivers up and down her spine. ''I might have.'' "Jian.. will you hold me as we go to sleep?" Her voice had came out a little hesitant and unsure as she looked up at his chiseled familiar face. Immediately he had picked her up and tucked her into bed, before climbing into the other side. Fitting herself into his arms as his little spoon complete with arm pillow, she felt him brush back a few hairs on her head before planting a kiss on it. Snaking his arm around her he tucked his free hand above her heart. ''I wonder if he can feel it pounding. This feels good but like I thought it feels diffetent now. Like there''s something hollow and missing in me, something that seemed to shine out. I don''t know this still feels good though, I should just sleep and think about it more tomorrow.'' Clenching the hand above her heart her breathing evened out and she slept peacefully. Several steps away Liang Jian Amal looked at her as she gazed up at the giant stained glass window, her gaze soft and full of awe. "Instead of hanging back why don''t you go talk to her?" Coming up beside him quietly Justin whispered to the taller man. "Just to look at her at peace is enough for me. I don''t want to disturb that for her." Liang Jian Amal''s tone hushed but gentle as he kept his eyes to her lone figure. "Ugh you''re hopeless but also pretty damn romantic. Just go talk to her, keep things rolling it''s not like I didn''t see her come out of your room this morning all sneaky sneaky." Pushing him forward from his shoulder Justin watched from where Jian had been standing as Jian approached to be covered in the light as she was. Standing beside her and slightly behind he looked up at the vast intricate picture soaring over their heads. The red and blue panes alternating together created a beautiful haunting amethyst that bled onto its surroundings and painted her skin with its shadow making her look ethereal. "Beautiful. " "Isn''t it, you know it took over a hundred years to build!" Even though his eyes were obviously trained on her Chang gushed over the art in front of her missing his obvious meaning. Slapping a hand to his face Justin watched him let her ramble on with no intentions to clarify himself. ''You two will never get anywhere if you did not have anyone to push you..'' "Hey whatcha doing? Oh stand there I have to get a shot of this." He had already got a shot of the two standing there, but coming closer he realized Chang would be a perfect model for another picture. Motioning for her to turn slightly towards him and pose naturally he took the shot and showed it to her proudly. "Wow, you know what I take back what I said this morning, you should be a photographer instead you''re so good!" Chang stared at the phone camera surprised the lilac hues on her skin, hair, and eyes added an indefinable melancholy and beauty to her image. ''Do I really look so sad all the time?" "Only if you paint what I capture." "I''m not where good enough to do your pictures justice." "Oh please, girl, Jian has shown me the work you did at, what was the name of it again, oh yeah, Lahat." Snapping his fingers it took him a minute up recall the name. "Wait. How do you know about the pictures I painted for my mom there? I never told you about that and I left them there." Looking at him with a puzzled look, he could see her connecting dots. 178 Another Day In Heaven Or Is It Hell II "Haha we''ve been actually talking a lot over the past couple of days, haven''t you noticed? Plus I managed to get him to give me his number that first day when he showed up, gotta keep a good stockpile of numbers for my little black book just in case." Hearing that Chang rolled her eyes and snorted him. "So I know about that, even if you didn''t tell me miss tight lips, I wanted to know all about what happened after he spirited you away. I had no idea you were such a talented artist. My favorite was.. This one." Sweating he scrolled through his phone for a second acting like he was searching, before Jian sent over a picture of a painting. ''I hope this is one of her works. If it is though, my god..'' He hadn''t actually seen any of them before but had heard about it briefly from Jian. Seeing the picture brought a lump to his throat. It looked like an oil pastel with a silhouette of two women with their backs to the image. The two women sat on a wooden hanging swing, one with her head on the others shoulder while the other leaned her head on the first beneath what looked like a willow. The colors of the tree were a soft blend with just a hint of pink in spots between the leaves and white to hint at the sunshine. Holding his phone up he tilted it to Shar. Her eyes softened seeing the picture and she tried to swallow the lump in her throat. "That was me and my mom, she really loved that swing beneath the willow tree in the water gardens Lahat." Shedding a light tear while smiling a little she swiftly and gracefully wiped it away with a finger. "Painting was just an old hobby of mine I picked up again while we were down there. It was something I used to do with my dad sometimes. My mom was so happy when I began to paint again, because I think it would remind her of him, so I made quite a few for her while we were there. She was anyways so happy and proud when I''d bring her another. "I''m actually really glad, I got to do that for her and that she had so much beauty around her towards the end of her life." Looking up her eyes met Joan''s filled with words she didn''t even know where to begin with. Seeing them getting lost in their moment Justin found an excuse to leave them and sent a message to his accomplice. "I would ask that you send me more of those as a token of your appreciation sir." Liang JianAmal had seen that Justin had needed assistance earlier and helped him by sending him his actual favorite. "You don''t need to say anything Chang I would do it all a hundred times over for you." "Still I need to thank you, and not just for that. You know, I might not have even known before that she was dying, until she was in the hospital. Until she would have been right on deaths door." Sniffling she tried to hold back the tears from the old hurt her fists clenched at her sides. "I still don''t understand why she hid it from me for so long. It hurt so much to find out so suddenly." Grabbing one of her hands Liang Jian Amal pulled it out of it''s clenched position studying her beautifully manicured and clean hand before meeting her regretful expression. "It may not have been the best choice but shedid not want you to live knowing what she did. Lihua wanted you to live every day to the fullest, happy. Your happiness brought her joy." "I was so angry being lied to for so long and sometimes I''m still angry at both of you for that. The truth would have been best. I get why you did it and I accept it, but every now and then I can''t not be bitter." Unable to stand seeing her in so much pain he pulled her close into his arms. Held in his arms she could only smile bitterly while numbly accepting it. "It''s all in the past its fine." After a while they separated but walked through the rest of the building with their hands held until they met up with Justin again when she slipped her hand out of his. Her head down Chang cried bitter tears in her heart, despite everything. Even when she wanted to feel joy and fully reciprocate his love it felt like there was a dead dry patch inside of her now. A hollow that only stole light and happiness instead of giving it. ''I''ve changed too much... I''m so sorry, as much as you give me joy, I don''t think I can do that for you anymore. Why are you so wonderful when it only makes it hurt worse. What do I do Jian?'' The rest of the day passed by in a blur lit with only brief highlights. When they left she wasn''t sure she only realized she was driving again, when they ate she wasn''t sure what it was as the taste of ash filled her mouth. That night like she had done the previous night she went to his room after everyone had retired. Pushing open the door silently Chang saw Jian laying in bed awake. Through the dim light she could see that he had pulled the covers back for her to slip in. Silently she moved into the spot he left for her and lay with her back to him as he sheltered her in the blankets and his arms. 179 Game Face Instead she awoke to the feeling of her nipples being teased, making her moan a little as she came to awareness. There was a lingering feeling of being teased and toyed with down there. ''Am I having a dirty dream..?'' ''Wait, no that''s his warm mouth, no this is happening, snapping her eyes open she couldn''t help but let another moan.'' His mouth had claimed one of her mounds caressing it with his tongue, while the other pinched and tweaked the other until it had puckered crying out for mercy. Hearing her moan Jian looked up at her, his eyes flashing with a predatorial dangerousness as he released her with an audible pah. "Good you''re awake I didn''t know if I could hold back any longer." Throwing back the rest of the blankets she felt the slightly chiller air make her naked skin shiver. ''Oh my god did he remove my clothes while I slept. What holding back? This doesn''t look like holding back to me?'' Putting her hands to his shoulder Chang was going to have him stop when he destroyed her defenses. "Jian wait I - hng!" His mouth captured the other breast while his hand languidly made its way between her legs that were pressed together and rested it on her mound extending a finger. Like pressing a release button, her legs opened slightly while her thoughts and protests scattered to the wind. Panting she dug her nails in involuntarily crying out while panting. "Jian ah can''t ah no." "Why not? You obviously want it, look how wet you are removing his fingers from down there Jian displayed them before her eyes to her mortification. "Ah you are the worst, stop it you pervert." Glaring at him she felt her face becoming hot like a burning bulb and looked away from his devastatingly handsome grin. "I can''t, do you know how long I''ve been restraining myself for. I''m a starving man with my favorite kind of food in front of me laid out as tempting feast before me. It is almost cruel of you to say.." "I have to go to my work though and pick up some paperwork. I''m the boss, I cannot slack off." "You know what the best part of being your own boss can be?" Perplexed as to where he was going with that, Chang just gave him a quizzical look. "You can come in a bit late and no one can say anything to you." "Stop please," begging with tears in her eyes, Chang looked up at Jian feeling like her body wasn''t her own it was his. His eyes followed her every reaction a small pleased smile tracing his beautiful lips "Not yet." Looking down at her, he sealed her mouth with his own as she cried out sharply muffling it, as she shuddered her stomach dipping and quivering. "Heh it is good to see that your body is still honest at least with me. Your mouth says one thing but your body tells a different story. "You''re the worst Jian." "You love it though." His tone came back as nonchalant as ever as she heard him suck on his fingers. "Ugh." Putting an arm over her eyes she avoided looking at him feeling embarrassed. "Why are you behaving so shyly, there is not a part of you that I don''t know intimately." "Even if it is true, do you have to say things like that! Grabbing a pillow from beside her head she whacked him with it on his side. "Yes, yes I do and I would like to go further but I am in desperate need of a shower. A shower with-" "You wish pervert!" Flustered she looked for her black silk lingerie in the bed but was unable to find it. Glaring at him as he on the side of the bed looking utterly pleased with himself. Wrapping herself up in the comforter she stood and he did as well. "The bathroom is just next door help yourself, I''m going to get ready I have to go to work and be a responsible boss unlike some people." Without another word, she left the man standing in just his boxers while she clutched the material close to her as she rushed back to the safety of her room. While performing her daily ritual her mind was occupied with thoughts of Jian the whole time. As the the warm water ran down her skin she imagined it was his fingers and shook her head from the fantasy and got out quickly, flustered. ''Game face, girl, game face.'' Dressing in a long black cashmere turtleneck and long black slacks paired with a pair of simple pumps, she ran some styling mousse through her hair preparing herself for the day. Once she exited she saw the two men sitting at the table both looking towards her with knowing glints in their eyes. "I have to go run a few errands do you want to come with me?" Avoiding Joan''s gaze Chang turned to Justin. "Of course!" "Ok then, let''s go, we''ll be back soon, Jian." "I''ll come with you, what if you need a helping hand." ''I don''t think you''re offering your hand to just be of some help.'' 180 Revenge I + II As she turned back she saw him blow a kiss to one of her PR ladies and her eyes fill with hearts. ''Troublemaker.'' Clicking her tongue against her teeth she made a small tsk while waiting for Justin to catch up with her as he made his way through the small building with his collection of hearts. "Please control yourself with my employees, especially with my secretary Anouk Poitier, she is especially weak for a handsome face like yours. I have enough to deal with my cousin harassing her consistently and disturbing our work flow." "Ill try my best momma! I''m only human though." Giving her a cheeky grin Justin responded as she shook her head. "Who is your cousin that keeps bugging you?" "Remember that nauseating shit sack at the party the other night that wouldn''t leave me alone?" "Do you mean that tall gumby guy?" ''Gumby? '' She thought of the animated green clay figure and snorted with a laugh. Shaking her head she opened the solid wooded door only to have her small smile fall immediately into a scowl. Inside, as if talking about the devil would summon him, stood Robert Dumont. The man was leaning over what looked like her secretary Anouk, pressing the smaller woman onto her desk. ''For all the love of..'' Narrowing her eyes as she made a silent growl, Chang took a few steps forward and brought her foot up as hard and quick as she could. "Ahh." The proud tall man instantly started crumpling to his knees, his hands between his legs to comfort himself. Rober Dumont whipped his head around with a vicious look to see who had grievously injured him. "You bitch! Don''t you know I can sue you for assault? How dare you!" After releasing a string of epitaphs in French he began to curse her his blue eyes rimmed in red in anger. "Oh and who will be your witness? No one in this building, and especially in this room would ever vouch for you. You have nothing only heresay, but please try I will enjoy countersuing you for slander and sexual assault on my employee. Now get out of my office Robert and never come back, or I''ll do you worse." Folding her arms she stood and leaned against it waiting for him to leave. Grimacing while gritting his teeth he rose up slowly into a hunch. "You will pay for this bitch and for canceling my contact." Hearing her crass statement his face turned redder in anger. "Bring it cousin, I still owe you anyways, I am not afraid of you and never will be. You have so much more to lose, and you will see what I mean soon enough. This is only the tip of the iceberg." Placing extra sarcasm on his title she gave him an evil smile. "What do you--" Before Robert Dumont could finish his sentence Chang closed the door in his face and locked it. Stunned Anouk Poitier was still on the desk but had propped herself up with both arms. Her high necked cream colored blouse bore an obvious grip mark near the collar while a few buttons at the top were undone. With trembling fingers the younger woman slowly closed up her front. "T-thank you boss." Seeing her still shaking with her nerves, Justin gave the small woman a hand as she slipped off the desk and helped to straighten her up as she was still shaken up. Once she was in order Justin gave her a charming smile to which she blushed and looked away, nervously biting her lip while gripping her skirt. "What is going on Anouk why were the both of you in this position in my office with the door closed?" Folding her arms over her chest again Chang leveled a serious look at Anouk Poitier. "Monsieur Dumont came because of the rejection of the renewalment for Bouleau Argent¨¦''s investment into his realty company." "Oh was he upset about it not being renewed." "More than that, madame. He was incensed and came looking for you but found only me in the office. So he pinned me and started to question me about it and push me to approve it myself. I refused and I told him you not only had plans to no longer fund it, you would also be canceling the proposed funding for his collaboration with Roche holdings and had taken it upon yourself to deal with them instead." With an eyebrow raised inquisitively Chang started to tap her foot. "Now why would you tell him that, it was supposed to be a surprise when the new pharmaceutical research building would be opened without his assistance. I wanted to see the look on his face when we cut the ribbon." "He was very.. forceful about it madame Charmaine, and he got so angry it was terrifying." The younger woman put her hands to her face and sniffed a little. Chang softened the hardened look she was giving the petite girl with tears in her large brown eyes. "I understand, there is nothing he can do about it anyways. I just wanted the satisfaction of seeing him realize the rug had been pulled out from under him a long time ago. "Please pull up any contracts that we have with him or affiliations of his and cut them. If we can reach out to his clients and we will locate another third party to deal with their needs. If they want our funding Robert Dumont must not be in the loop. He will not benefit for a second longer for being in charge of companies that live off us. "When I let that contract with that blackhole of a realty company go through the first time, I was a fool. It ends now, he has nothing over any of us. It is time to take back the chickens from the fox." "But he is apart of your family madame Charmaine, what will Monsieur Dumont think?" "I will explain that myself to my grand-p¨¨re, you don''t need to worry about that. Just clean yourself up and take a breather, Anouk. I will deal with any aftermath if there is any." Sighing to herself she dismissed the younger woman''s worries knowing she was looking at her with a worried expression. "Thank you. Um.." Looking down at her toes that peeped out of her shoes first Anouk brought her eyes back up to Chang''s with a sincere look in them. "I apologize for Friday, I hope I didn''t cause you any inconvenience then." Putting a few fingers to her temple she wondered where to even begin with that. In the end she looked up and dismissed her while stating that it was fine. Collecting her paperwork from her desk, Chang began to leave. "If for any reason you need me you may call me on my personal as I will not be in the office for the rest of the day, nor will I be in tomorrow. Please don''t work too hard everyone." Giving them a smile her employees say in their seat flabbergasted. ''Did she just smile at us?'' ''Did boss just tell us not to work too hard?'' ''Is this really our boss Charmaine Dumont?'' "Oh yes don''t let me forget. If you ever see Robert Dumont enter these premises again, throw him out, I don''t care if you have to involve the authorities, but he is restricted from here from this moment on." Without another word not realizing the dumbstruck look on their faces, Chang started to head out the door while clutching a few manilla folders. "Tata now, take care everybody!" Smiling while waving Justin left with just about everyone of her female and a few male subordinates swooning. 181 Who Is This? "I''m here to make you see reason, cousin. Giving her an oily smile Robert Dumont blew a puff of smoke into her face. "Though you are going to have to please me first and make it up to me after that shit you pulled in there." Waving her hand in front of her face she coughed violently while giving him an evil eye. "Now why would I do that? That was one of our most satisfying interaction ever." Seeing his displeased look she continued a malicious glint coming into her eyes. ''I am going to destroy you piece by piece Robert, I will personally dismantle the little empire you have built and give it away. You may have threatened me once and succeded, but I do not fear you now and never will again." "Are you truly not afraid, that I will re-release the video, and let it leak that you took drugs? Remember how much of a scandal it was before when no one even knew who you really were? You''ve made a name for yourself now, what do you think it will be like if I released it now?" "J''en ai plus rien ¨¤ foutre."1 Keeping her face calm and emotionless she replied calmly to Robert Dumont. "Do you really not?" Sauntering slowly forward to her he narrowed his eyes. "Or is it, did you enjoy the scandal of being a cousin fucker?" Hearing the term again that she had not heard in a long time, Chang remembered all the slander that had followed her for so long. Every grievance, every harsh word, every snide side eye and comment had hurt her so much then, but had become her fuel for revenge. Remembering it all she felt her blood start to boil under the surface but struggled to control herself. The hand that was not holding onto her folders, curled into a tight fist with her nails cutting into her palm. ''No you will not lose control in public, it''s what he really wants. Be calm, send him away, and call grand-pere later. There should be no evidence of that video any longer, and even if there is its old news. It''s very unlikely to garner any attention now after so long.'' While her attention was lost inside herself Chang felt a hand touch her cheek softly and shook her head in digust and took a step back. "Never touch me again." "Oh did you not like that, you didnt complain then, though." His hand reached out to touch her again but was gripped by another that pulled around. Against the pale white of Robert''s wrist Jian''s honey colored skin stood out in sharp contrast. Almost seething with rage enough to create a visible aura of anger Liang Jian Amal tightened his grip on the man''s wrist pulling him away from her. Keeping his eyes on the lanky dark haired man he had pondered on it, determined to wait until he saw her exit, and the man blowing a plume of smoke into her face. Seeing that he got out of her car silently not closing the door, it did not matter anymore who this was. Standing he heard her throw insults at the man. Bristling while she showed off her mettle. Chang stood tall and proud as she spoke of destroying the man in front of her. ''Do I need to let her take care of this one? As much as I would love to jump in and take over, shes a proud person. I need to let her fight her own battles sometimes, as much as I dislike this..'' ".. Did you enjoy the scandal of being a cousin fucker?" Hearing the foul words spoke to her, Liang Jian Amal felt himself become even more incensed, especially when he realized he recognized the man'' s voice. Seeing him reach forward to touch her, he didn''t realize he could be even angrier but he was. Whipping the man around by his wristLiang Jian Amal wished he could crush this man completely and grind him into the dust below his feet. "Qui ¨ºtes-vous?"2 With an affronted look the man looked down at Liang Jian Amal and the vice like grip on his wrist and tried to pull away. "Release me cretin." Ignoring him while crushing the mans wrist Liang Jian Amal turned to look at Chang, feeling a hot fire burning in his chest causing him to take deep heaving breaths. "Who is this man to you?" 182 Bad Blood Flow "Would six feet under the ground be distant enough for you?" Answering her in French so that the man would understand Liang Jian Amal calmly faced Chang and asked her nonchalantly. Hearing the barely concealed threat to his life Robert Dumont became more enraged. "You must be tired of living, how dare you threaten a Dumont. I do not care who you are, you have just made an inexcusable mistake. The worst of you life, now release me!" "Oh, did you think there has been a mistake? I assure you there has been not. I am fully sure that I warned you last year that you were never to touch her again, or have you forgotten?" Liang Jian Amal smiled up at him waiting as the gears turned in his head trying to figure out his words. When he finally placed it his eyes snapped open with shock and anger. "You! You are the one from last year. You crushed both my hands! Do you know how long it took to heal? Months, I even had two fingernails fall off during that time, and had to have surgery a few times. I swore I would have my revenge on whoever did that and here you have conveniently placed yourself conveniently before me. what a fool I will make you regret your actions of then and now." "Oh only two months, and you have not learned your lesson in that time? Hmm.." Looking up to the sky as if he was contemplating deep in thought, Liang Jian Amal brought his eyes back to his with a cold smile. "I shall have to give you more downtime to think about the consequences this time. A sickly cracking crunching sound was heard after his words as Liang Jian Amal grabbed the hand that was captured already with his other hand and bent back the littlest finger until it snapped thoroughly. After snapping his little finger and the long bone it was attached to, he snapped his wrist until it hung awkwardly and limply. "Ahh!" Pale and sweaty Robert Dumont weakly grabbed at his broken, pained wrist only to have his sound hand grabbed as well in an iron fist. "Ahh, no please don''t. I''ll give you whatever you want. Ahh!" Crack! The sharp sound of another bone breaking, was all that answered his pleadings. "how quickly you have changed your tune. Were you not planning to make me pay a minute ago?" Crack, grabbing his thumbs he twisted and dislocated them. "When she begged you, did you listen?" "Jian stop please! It''s broad daylight, if anyone sees this, they will call the authorities. Somebody might already have." Clinging onto his arm as he bent over the collapsed man, trying to stop him from getting a hold of him again and pull him away. In her panic and angst she reverted back to speaking in her native tongue of English. "I am not worried about that." Standing firm even with her pulling he continued to stare at Robert Dumont, his thoughts concealed. "Well I am and he''s not worth it, really. Please let''s go c''mon!" Pulling on him again he finally begrudgingly moved away from him and to her little car. Turning she saw Justin was still not moving as he was shell shocked, she reached back and pulled on his dark green polo shirt. Pulling on Justin she stepped over Robert''s limp body, resisting the urge to step on him. Opening the door she ushered Justin in first, and as Jian got into the car she ran around it starting it up immediately before leaving quickly. Driving out of the area headed home she tightly gripped the wheel, almost white-knuckled. The whole car was silent until she broke it, hitting her wheel in frustration. "You know, for a really smart man, you''re really stupid sometimes. I swear the blood is all diverted to flowing to the wrong head!" Showing a few teeth in a slowly spreading grin, Liang Jian Amal looked at her and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Stopping at a light, she saw him sitting and smiling at her and she glared back scolding him. "Don''t smile, this isn''t funny! Why would you go and dirty your hands dealing with someone like that? He''s not worth you getting deported, or arrested, or sued or whatever. Do you not realize this can come back and bite you in the ass? Why are you still smiling?!" "I would not consider it as dirtying my hands as it was for you." "Um hey, I hate to break up the moment right now, but can someone translate for me back here? What was going on, I couldn''t understand a lick of what any of you were talking about in the office or on the street. How come you went all sick house on that guy Jian?" Leaning forward Justin pushed against the seats and questioned his expression clearly uncomfortable. "My cousin Robert thought he could blackmail me with a video twice when he''s already exposed it. I''ve been setting plans for a while to destroy his realty and construction businesses for awhile now, unfortunately my plans have come to light earlier than I had planned. Robert came to try to force me to do the opposite. I refused and he got nasty with me and that''s when Jian came out and went overboard." "I would not say that it was overboard." "Of course you wouldn''t, you have bad blood flow." "Do I really, you would know the truth of that wouldn''t you?" Raising an eyebrow he gave her a cheeky grin, unperturbed with the seriousness of his actions earlier. "... Thank god I have wine at home still. I''m sorry Justin, but I have to do some paperwork and make some important calls today." 183 Sudden Notice No content 184 Lynch Squad I + II ''I need to call my grand-p¨¨re first and let him know what happened. Then have someone pull the surveillance tapes from the front of the building and edit it. After that I need to get ahold of Mich¨¦le in the Financial Planning Department at Roche Holdings.'' Sighing she rubbed her temple as she walked into her home office, checklisting all that needed to be done. "If you need me, I''ll be in here, I''ll try to finish this all up quickly." Giving the two an apologetic look she stopped at the doorway. Assuring her that it was all fine and for her to take her time Justin smiled and waved before turning to look at the taller man beside him. His jovial look was quickly replaced with a scowl at the thought of all the texts that had gone unanswered. "I might be of aid to her with my experience, I''m going to go in and see if I can." His eyes on the door that had just closed softly, Liang Jian Amal started to take a few steps towards the door but was halted by Justin who stood in front of him, his arms spread wide. "Kitchen. Now." "Only Chang can command me like that. I don''t follow the orders of just anyone." His heavy brow drawing into a matching look, Liang Jian Amal took his eyes off the door and brought them to Justin''s hardened black ones. While startled by the intense look he received, Justin refused to waver. Straightening his spine he continued to glare back at Jian''s golden-brown eyes. "This is for and about her." Walking into the kitchen Justin stood and folded his arms impatiently tapping his foot as he waited. As he predicted since it was about her Jian followed, closing the door behind himself. "Tell me everything, what happened earlier with you? Why did you go all Mike Tyson "beetht" mode on her cousin, I know he''s a creep but that was psycho. You made her so stressed with that, why would you do that?" Uncrossing his arms Justin demonstrated with his hands trying to make his point. His full lips pursing Liang Jian Amal looked up and considered where to start. "I am her best friend, but how can I truly be the best friend that I can be and be supportive for her if I don''t even know what''s going on. What did she mean by blackmail and a video, what was on it?" "Last year on her birthday, Robert Dumont, her cousin drugged her and videotaped the process." "What process?" "He drugged her and attempted to **** her." "I knew it! I could tell you that creepy cousin of hers had perverted thoughts about her! Wait you said attempted, what happened?" "I did." "Heh. I could have been more thorough. I was more concerned with her at the time, as she was behaving oddly, and failed her. I am glad that I brought her immediately to a medical facility as she had been given a rather toxic chemical cocktail. The hallucinogens would not have killed her but the other drug could have stopped her heart." Leaning a hip against a counter, Jian ran his hands through his hair agitatedly. "How can you say that you failed her, you took her to the hospital and saved her life! And you saved her from being brutalized, twice now, poor girl got a shit track record in that department." "I should have either made sure the phones used to record what happened were destroyed or taken them but-" "As you said though you were more concerned with her and thankfully so." Taking a long deep sigh Justin laced his fingers together on top of his head. "Fuck I really need a cigarette after that. I haven''t smoked in years, but after that.. "Heh. When Shar first came to live with me, she pressured me into quitting for my health with her anti-smoking campaign. It took her awhile but she eventually succeeded, haven''t smoked or wanted to since." Smiling at the memories Liang Jian Amal remembered her doing the same thing after they had married. "She did the same with me as well, she would probably be upset to know that I picked it up again. Old habits die hard sometimes." "Tell me about it. I didn''t pick it up again its just now for the first time in a long do I find that I actually crave one." "If you like to have one I do have some." Reaching into his pocket Liang Jian Amal pulled out a small silver case. "Quick, put that away, that woman is almost like a blood hound. You''re practically moving contraband in prohibition . Let''s go take a walk because I most certainly want one." Nervously Justin put his hands over the case to hide it, looking around as he said that, in case she did appear. While Chang was on the phone in her room, Justin popped his head in to motion that they were taking a walk. While listening to whoever was on the other end of the line, she nodded her head and gave an OK signal before responding in French to her phone. "Non je suis ici. Oui." Leaving the building the two walked a few blocks away before they stood at a corner and lit up. His eyes crinkling with happiness Justin blew out a large plume with a long sigh of satisfaction. "Ahh sweet cancer sticks, how I have missed you." Beside him Jian walked silently taking an occasional drag from his own lit cigarette. Stealing an occasional look at the man silently nursing his own thoughts, Justin finally voiced what he had been longing to say. "Alright, so when are we going to go lynch this guy?" "What?" Confused the man raised his head and looked at the shorter man who wore a fierce expression on his face. "When does the best friend defense squad and the husband protection system get together and collaborate on taking out Robert Dumont?" "Ah. We don''t." Realizing what he meant Liang Jian Amal kept his gaze ahead as he replied. "What do you mean we don''t, this guy is in serious need of a good ass whooping and suddenly I feel like earlier wasn''t good enough." "You were right earlier. My actions earlier have troubled her, that''s not what I want. If I come after him from now on, it will be legally." "Ugh. You are seriously no fun." Disgusted with his response Justin petulantly flicked some ash at Jian. "It is of no consequence to me if I am no fun to you.." Giving him a slight scowl he brushed his pants leg trailing off his sentence. "Oh but you would like to be considered fun to someone else?" Raising an eyebrow Justin read into his trailing off as having an ambiguous meaning. "Well that is not what I meant, but yes if you think of it that way." "Oh I do." Wagging his eyebrows at him suggestively Justin received a dirty look from Jian. "Stop that." "I can''t, it''s just me!" Enjoying that he was able to get under his skin so quickly Justin teased the man until he began to walk faster, leaving him behind with his long-legged stride. 185 Let Me I + II At her desk Chang sat with her head laying on her desk. After negotiating with Mich¨¦le at Roche, she ended up having to give them a 10% increase in their invested funds for their new labs. Not just that it would have to be in non-interest accruing funds to cancel their sub contract with Robert Dumonts contracting company. Thinking about it she bit her manicured thumb nail, burning, Mich¨¦le was just too shrewd this time and knew she would pay more for this to happen. She had even lined up a superior company with a better reputation to take over. Even with their sub-par standards Robert Dumont''s company was still a subsidiary of Dumont Holdings and had value just from that. For it to be fully devalued and destroyed she would need her grand-p¨¨res help,and he had particular feelings about family going against family. ''..ugh, why can''t it just be easy..'' Laying her head on the desk, she rolled it around trying to delay the inevitable. Sighing aloud loudly Chang worked up her nerve and memorized what she wanted to say before calling her grand-p¨¨re''s personal cell. It only rang a few times before a busy tone droned out a few times before it ended the call. ''Great, I bet Robert''s called him first, or aunt Anne-Marie, his witchmother. I should have called him first instead of Roche Holdings. Dammit why did I delay.'' Laying her head back on the table lamenting her foolishness, Chang heard a commotion at the front door from the men returning from their walk. Uninterested for the moment she slumped despondently forward, her forehead pressed to the desk, her hair having completely fallen out of it''s mold splayed out around her. As she lay there questioning her intelligence, she heard Justin''s voice piercing through the halls before the sound of flesh hitting flesh. Hard. "Hey momma I''m hoome~ and I brought a tasty gigolo too-! "Ow! What did you hit me for! You''re the one who said you would sell yourself to her if asked!" The sound of a couple more strikes and what sounded like the two struggling sounded out and she sat up. ''Damn these two I have enough of a headache as it is..'' "Oww! That hurts, you brute. I know you''re technically older and wouldn''t be a gigolo but just a common Don Juan. Hey! If you keep hitting me, I''m going to tell my suga momma on you." ''.. Fools..'' "Ow-oow! Stop it, you''re such a bully, that''s it!" Sitting there Chang listened to their exchange mentally picturing it all as the sound of a few more thumps sounded and then loud thumping footsteps quickly approached before a polite knock sounded on her door. "Your Don Juan is such a bully, he just can''t take a joke, he keeps hitting me. Make him stop suga momma, protect your baby." Breathless, rumpled and obviously irritated Jian appeared in the doorway next and looked at Justin crying his crocodile tears wrapped around her neck with disgust. "Get off my wife now. You are truly shameless." Reaching forward with a stony face he grabbed the back of Justin''s collar but he clung tighter to Chang. "Save me please." Holding on Justin pleaded with Chang. "Hey hey now, don''t you dare hurt my little sugar baby! There there now don''t cry, I''m here." Taking advantage of the situation Chang grabbed hold Justin and pulled him onto her lap and patted his back in a consoling manner as she glared at Jian. It was fun to be able to tease him, plus him calling Justin shameless was the burnt pot calling the kettle black. Shocked and appalled Jian looked between her and Justin while still holding onto a fistful of the back of the linen shirt Chang had bought him. Still consoling Justin Chang kept eye contact with Jian. "Now you have to behave yourselves boys, I got a little more to do. I need you to play nice and not kill each other for a couple more hours, Ok?" "Ok." Justin immediately gave her a smile and answered obediantly. Jian on the other hand had an expression on his face that was quickly souring further as he tightened his hold on Justin. "Ok Jian?" "Fine. After two hours though I make you no promises." Through gritted teeth Jian reluctantly let him go his lips pursed tight. Rolling her eyes Chang shooed Justin off her lap and turned back to her desk. "Good enough for me, I already have a big enough headache as it is." Turning her attention her attention back to her desk she pulled out the file containing her trump card. ''Wait good enough for me? Don''t say that.'' Silently pleading with her with his eyes Justin looked at the malevolent glances he saw coming from the side and hoped she really wouldn''t let him have his way with him. "Oh is there anything I can help you with?" Coming forward to stand behind her Jian looked over her shoulder at the stack of neatly organized papers on her desk. "Not really, I was just still troubled over a deal I just had to edit, plus I haven''t been able to get ahold of my grand-p¨¨re yet, I didn''t want my cousin to first, but I think he already has. So I''m going to make a little phone call first then try again." "Would you like me to look over the contract." "If you want to, not going to change anything, it''s already set, and the end result is worth it." "Hmm," acknowledging her words with a low hum in the back of his throat, Jian still picked it up while she opened her case file on Natalie Martin. Standing over her shoulder Liang Jian Amal peered over her contract, seeing her absent-mindedly rubbing one temple with her right hand he took over. Under his fingers she let out a small sigh in satisfaction and relief. Looking over at Justin still standing there silently he gave him a triumphant smirk. ''This is coercion and you know it.'' Giving him a reproving look Justin shook his head at Jian. ''So what, it''s working.'' Giving him a smug smirk with a flash of his eyes Jian retorted silently to Justin. ''There is no justice in this world...'' "I''m going to go rustle up some grub, getting peckish." Fed up Justin gave them a wave before heading out massaging his bruiser shoulder. "Hey Justin don''t cook tonight, I actually wanted to order in some takeout, you''ve been cooking pretty much your whole vacation." "I don''t mind, but what were you thinking?" Raising an eyebrow Justin stopped and looked at her. ".. Chinese" "... I have no words to say to you..." His face falling Justin sighed and shook his head. "Just know that I love you, but I might love you a little less now.." "Well I love you more and more every day." Taking the opportunity from Justin''s words, Liang Jian Amal whispered into her ear loud enough for Justin to hear. "Plus if you want to eat Chinese, you could have said something at any time, I''m right here." Hearing his first part of the sentence, Chang felt warm and fuzzy until he completed it. Once he finished it, she was reminded of what a stinking pervert he was. ''And to think I was this close to giving you a kiss and was almost touched..'' "Don''t touch me pervert, just leave me alone. I have a couple more phone calls to make. Heh at least one will be satisfying." Shaking of Jian''s hands she gave him a dirty look. "Oh and who is that?" Curiosity piqued Justin came closer. "Oh, just an old aquantaince of my cousins who happens holds one of the keys to his undoing. I thought it would be awhile before I played this card, but mmm it just seems like the right time now." "Hehe. What are you gonna do." Feeling something wicked being planned Justin was taken by an evil conspiratorial grin. 186 A Dish Served Cold I + II With this one stone two of her birds that she wanted revenge in would be killed. After a few rings the clear sound of a young woman''s voice came through in french. "Allo, qui est-ce ? Allo?" "C''est moi Natalie. Charmaine. Tu souviens de moi?" Leaning forward with interest Chang took her time answering. Behind her, Justin made an ugly face at the back of her head hearing her speak in French. ''What stay and listen?'' I can''t understand a thing of what she''s saying, unlike the lunk beside me... It just isn''t fair, when I get home I''m immediately going to download a language app on my phone and start working on this!'' Even though he did not understand, Justin still wanted an explanation and stayed to listen anyways. After Shar spoke, he distinctly heard the sound of a clattering like the phone had dropped to the ground before it was hastily picked up. "Oui. Je me souviens." The voice of the woman came through sounding a little more shaken up and quiet. ''Huh. I wonder what she said.'' Intrigued he looked at her and the malicious smile on her face. "Bien. Alors tu te souviens que tu me dois de t''avoir sauv¨¦?" After stating her reasoning for calling Chang waited, taping her fingers impatiently on the desk. When there was no answer to her question, Chang started on a different vein. "Prison must have truly been hard on you in your pregnancy. It was truly lucky that you were bailed out, before your pregnancy had come to full term. You would have lost your only child along with everything else. "Yet what did the father do for you? Did he come to visit you while you were in there? Did he assist you in regaining your freedom?" "No." Almost inaudible Natalie''s voice came through. "That''s right. He didn''t come to visit you or help you even once. He would have let you rot in there and pay for his crimes even and tried to push it all on you. "Even once you were out and came to him, he wanted nothing to do with you anymore. He even rejected his son as his own." "That''s none of your business, shut up!" "Oh but it is. How old is your son now Natalie, 2, 3 months old now? It must be hard caring for a small infant by yourself with a criminal conviction on your record. With no family support, and no father to help you raise a child with special needs." "What do you want from me Charmaine, I don''t have anything." "You do though. I want the phone records from last year between you and Robert Dumont regarding April 17th of 2019 as well as any pertaining to your son''s paternity. I also want the proof of your son''s DNA test." "You and I both truly know the truth. Your only loves are drugs and Robert Dumont.. or should I say were." Lacing her fingers together on the desk she leaned forward. "I suppose your feelings might have changed after being made by him to bear the heavy weight of his crimes against me and then be discarded." "I can''t do what you want. He will hurt me. He will hurt Jean-Luc." "No, if you do as I ask I will protect you and your son. To show proof of my goodwill, if you check you bank account you will find that you have had a deposit made to your account totalling exactly what you needed for your son''s last hospital bill." Silence rained on the other end but Chang waited patiently. Natalie was no doubt checking her account in some way to see the proof of her words. A gasp sounded before Natalie''s voice came out unsure and hesitant. "Why me? Why would you help me after what I did to you last year. Why did you help me free me too?" "Because I have someone I hate even more than I hold a distaste for you. You are just a means to my ends, and to ensure that I am willing to invest, don''t think much more of it. I want the proof sent to my email inbox or in my hands by tomorrow evening, the sooner the better Natalie. Good bye." Uninterested in anything further that could be said Chang promptly hit the end call button and swiveled around in her chair. Smiling at the both of them smugly she crossed her arms and legs and leaned back. Frustrated Justin ground his teeth and glared at her smug look. "Why would you tell me to stay and listen if I was curious, and then speak in a way so I don''t understand a word of what you were saying. "Eh it was kind of fun." Shrugging Chang gave him a dismissive sound. "Wow. OK then, what were you talking about with that woman that got you excited? Who was she, and what did you say to her to make her drop her phone?" "Woah, Woah one question at a time. First her name is Natalie Martin, I called because her and my cousin have a rather interesting history together. She was rather surprised to hear from me for the first time in a long time as we have our own history which is quite interesting as well." "What kind of history, quit beating around the bush already." Tapping his foot Justin motioned at her to just spit it out. "The kind with baby mama drama, prison sentencing, and revenge." "Ooh, well damn, it just got interesting like a soap opera, is your cousin the dead beat daddy in this drama?" "And a gold star for the ''A'' student. Yep you guessed it." Chang fired off a finger at him and gave him a big smile. "Plus, he had her stuck away in prison to pay for drugging me on my birthday last year. It was clearly the both of them colluding, but Robert threw her under the bus completely and managed to get himself acquitted of all charges." "Ugh. How did he get away with that?" Curling his upper lip in disgust Justin shook his head at the injustice. "By being the slimy little creep that he is, and using grand-p¨¨re''s name and her affections for him. That never sat right with me for the whole year, and I''ve been investigating the two of them. After I found out she was pregnant with his child, I bailed Natalie out and helped to greatly reduce her sentencing." "Why would you do that, she did drug you last year didn''t she?" "Yes, but as I told her, I hate Robert even more. Plus she holds the information that can completely destroy Robert''s reputation and help imprison him as he should have been last year. At the time, though she refused to give him up, though I believed her feelings have changed after all this time. Especially as she is raising a child with special needs on her own. "And I was correct. Natalie is now willing to help me move against Robert to help her son." "So wait, you are holding her kid''s future over her head?" "Well that''s a blunt way to put it but yes I guess." Startled Chang reared her head back and met his inscrutable gaze. "Wow." Justin paused and looked away from her eyes before meeting them again, his expression unreadable. "Do you have any wine?" "Of course. I always have wine in my drawer." "''K then.. I''m going to go pour myself a glass. I''ll leave you two be to talk or whatever." His eyes avoiding hers Justin rose and left the room silently. Seeing his reaction Chang felt a twinge in her heart and looked at Jian with confusion. ---- Their conversation translated: Hello who is this? It''s me Natalie. Charmaine. Remember me? Yes I remember. 187 Guilt I + II The whole time Chang had planned to use Natalie as her trump card, she had not felt troubled. When she had sent private detectives to investigate her and found out she had an illegitimate son with Robert; all she had thought was that she finally had an advantage over him. Not just that she could have revenge against the both of them for the hell they had put her through. Seeing Justin''s face fall and his avoidance of her eyes, though, she felt hurt. ''Does he think that I did the wrong thing?.. Did I do the wrong thing?'' Unable to place the source of her discomfort Chang looked down and searched inside herself while holding the firm hand on her shoulder, leaching the comfort from it. "I think I disappointed Justin with my actions. Do you think that I did a wrong thing as well?" "No, I would have done worse in your shoes. I would not have given her the freedom to even have her child and to live in peace. The child would have been her carrot to do as needed to begin with." "Oh my god. That''s seriously heartless. Could you really do that?" Shocked to hear him say something so callously Chang looked up at him in wide-eyed horror. With his gaze fixed forward away from her, Chang couldn''t see what was passing through his eyes; but through the hardening of his jaw she saw he meant it. "Had I known that this Natalie Martin had been involved I would have taken appropriate measures with her as well." "What are you saying? Are you saying you would have gone and beaten her up too?" "No. I am just saying there is a multitude of ways to make a person suffer, and had I known that she had been apart of yours along with your cousin; I would have given her a taste as well." Giving him a disapproving look, Chang snorted. "I''m sure you would have, I''m glad you didn''t though. We still don''t know yet if your vigilantism earlier is going to come back to bite you in the butt." "I am not worried about that, so you should not let it worry you any further." Taking his hand from her shoulder Jian lightly rubbed the furrow of her brow until she relaxed it. "This is just a difference between you and me and that''s fine, you are you and I am me. You are also a boss now Chang and you will have to make what will seem like cruel decisions to others when weighing balances; if you have not already faced such things. "Mm." Humming in agreement Chang studied her interlaced hands on her lap. "It was an adorable place ran by an older couple and their daughter. Unfortunately they did not advertise well enough, and were rather outdated in their menu options but everything they made was delicious. Looking at the small place, I realized if I did what my grand-p¨¨re told me to do it would completely collapse and that family would be ruined." "So did you end up doing it." "Yes. I did as my grand-p¨¨re asked of me. After work that day though, I turned around and privately gave them a private loan with my own money and hired someone with my own money to help them turn the business around. It took everything that I had, and I struggled to keep things up for awhile." "You are too soft my love." Sighing Jian gave her a gentle look as he brushed a hair behind her ear. "Though I am glad you are not hard like me. Sometimes I fear that I can be too hard.. " Trailing off his words, Liang Jian Amal gave her a hint of a smile as he spoke not realizing it was allowing his words to be misinterpreted. Wrinkling her brow and pursing her lips Chang pushed Jian away from her. "Eww, seriously?" "What? What was that for?" Confused to her expression and actions Liang Jian Amal couldn''t begin to figure out what was going through her head. "What ''what''? Don''t act all innocent with me Liang Jian Amal, I know you''re anything but! Did you seriously just bring up your-your thing when we were talking seriously." Flustered Chang pointed at the area on his pants, a hint of a flush coming to her cheeks as she admonished him. "What? No. I was being serious Chang. Though if you would like we could seriously discuss it-" "No thank you!" Cutting him off before he could finish, Chang wished she could have bit off her own tongue before she spoke and started him up. "Or better yet, I could demonstrate for you-" "No!!" Seeing his hands reaching for his belt buckle she reached hers out first to try to stop him only to see his hands had only moved slightly. Looking up she saw his smirk and tensed while feeling herself burn up. ''Ugh, we''ve done far more than this, how does he still make me feel just so-so awkward.'' "Mm, I love when you''re so proactive, but we should save that for later as we were discussing serious things." Taking her frozen hands he put them back on her lap. "I''m afraid I have to stop you or I will be tortured more than I can bear." Unable to say anything in response, Chang tried to pull herself together again while avoiding his wolfish gaze. "Hey just relax it''s not like I am going to eat you, at least right now anyways, and only if you beg for it." Hearing his teasing words she looked up and gave a wordless glare to his toothy smile. "Heh. Just relax and take a deep breath. Let yourself be at peace Chang, you did as you had to while still maintaining your bottom line. That'' s a fine line you are choosing to walk, and I commend you for that. It would be easier than you realize to ruthlesslesly deal with your opposition." "I just can''t do that though." "I know that. You do not need to explain to me. Giving her a soft smile he cupped his hand to her cheek. "Just remember that all is fair in love and war, if you have declared a personal war on your cousin you will have to see it through thick and thin. Your hands will be dirtied." "I am willing to do as I have to now. It''s why I made the call and decided to put my plan into action. It just sucks when I see my friend look at me differently after telling him." "Your friend lives in a different world from you now." "But I''ve never felt that way before. " Instantly Chang protested to his words vehemently. "Really?" Arching an eyebrow Jian asked her again his eyes probing hers. "No wait you''re right.." while she wanted to immediately reject his words, she remembered. When she had first met Jian; and for the longest time after Chang had felt like she lived in a different world from him. "Uh-huh. I see you see what I mean. You have different responsibilities, pressures, and rules around you now." "But how do I make Justin see that?" "He either will or won''t, do your best, but don''t take it too much to heart if he doesn''t. It is just the way things are sometimes " "Hmm." Nodding her head Chang processed his words. "I need to go talk with him then, I''ll try my grand-p¨¨re again in a bit." "Take care of what you need to do, I''ll give you two some time alone." "Thank you Jian." "You do not have to thank me." Smiling gently at her he shook his head lightly. "No, I want you to know how grateful I am. And for so much more than just this." Holding his hand, she gave him a tight smile trying to convey all that she meant and felt with it. "Go talk with your friend." "I will, thank you." Smiling over her shoulder Chang peered around her house for her friend. "Chang." " Hmm?" Hearing his voice from behind Chang turned back. "Were you able to turn around that dying business?" "Yeah actually, they started turning around a few months after I hired the marketing manager to help them. If I get a chance I would love to take you and Justin there. They even renamed it, in honor of what I did. They wanted to call it Charmaine''s, but I asked them to make it something different." "What is the place called now?" 188 Silent Backing Slowly releasing a trail of smoke from his lips Liang Jian Amal gripped the cold steel of the railing with one hand, until his knuckles stood up in a shocking white contrast to the rest of his skin. ''I should have been there for her so long ago. I fucked up.'' Sighing he thought about all he had come to know over the past few days. ''I fucked up so bad, if I had been there she never would have had to face all that she did. She would have never had a need to dirty her hands. She shouldn''t need to do that.'' As he leaned against the rail brooding Liang Jian Amal felt a buzzing from his pocket. Pulling it out he saw an unknown number dialing his. ''Huh? There should not be many people who would know this number.'' Curious he clicked accept on the call and quickly brought it to his ear. "W¨¨i?" "What? Speak in a manner that I can comprehend." An older man''s clear voice rang out in impeccable French, his voice rippling with irritation. ''Ah. Jean-Jacques Dumont. Mystery solved.'' Inwardly clicking his tongue Liang Jian Amal greeted the older man. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this call. I would prefer to make this quick though, as much as I enjoy the surprise, I am busy actively wooing my estranged wife." "By assaulting members of her family in public? You had better stop causing trouble for my grand-fille!" Hearing Liang Jian Amal''s warm response Jean-Jacques Dumont''s tone became even pricklier. "Can that man truly be considered as part of her family? I doubt that you are unaware of all that he and his accomplices have done to her and continue to do. I was merely metering out some belated justice for her as no one else had." The sound of a dismissive snort answered him. "Do not speak of what you do not know. I am aware, and those involved were punished." "Really? I somehow have a hard time believing that. How is it that Robert Dumont is still causing trouble for my wife on a daily if you know what he has done to her? I would say that he was not duly punished." His lips curling in disgust at the name, Liang Jian Amal spat it out with vehemence. "I do not care what you believe Mr Liang. I do care about you creating difficulties for my grand-fille. If you must know, there was no way for me to prove what my brother''s grandson had done. He was punished internally... as well as with your physical brutalizations." "What do you mean?" "Chang has been trying to get ahold of you to let you know. She is picking up a battle against Robert Dumont and wanted to talk to you about it." "Oh." Silence reigned for a moment before Jean-Jacques Dumont cleared his throat and continued. "Tell her this; just so long as she does not drag the Dumont family name through the mud, she can do as she pleases in whatever way. I will support her in whatever way she needs and does through this." "Will you really? Yet why did you not support her last year when she truly needed it?" Gripping his phone tightly Liang Jian Amal questioned him. "Nothing could be proven as it was heresy. If we had pressed it, the Dumont family name would have been disgraced." Sounding slightly trepidatious Jean-Jacques Dumont answered. "So Chang alone had to deal with the disgrace." His anger fully rising Liang Jian Amal''s tone grew louder and more harsh. After his statement silence hung in the air heavy. Cursing him as a coward in his heart Liang Jian Amal took agitated drags from the cigarette between his fingers waiting for the older man to finish. "Regrettably so. That is why if she has found a way to destroy him legally I will back her. No matter what." "Hmph. I will tell her don''t you dare renege on your promise." "I would not on the Dumont family honor." "Is there truly such a thing? After all I''ve seen and heard be done to your precious grand-fille I highly doubt that it truly exists." "Watch your tongue. While certain members of the family may not exemplify this, an outsider has no right to comment. I only called to tell you not to make trouble or I will withdraw the hand of grace I have extended to you." While his tone had for a moment almost been remorseful it quickly reverted to igdignance before the call was ended. Holding the now dead line Liang JianAmal made a sour face at the phone before repocketing it. 189 So Cold I + II "Ooh which one did you get?" Hurrying over to him, Chang grabbed the bottle and gave it a deep whiff before looking at the label. Looking up at Justin she gave him a Cheshire cat grin "Chateau Canon, a Bordeaux, good pick." "I actually just grabbed the first one I saw, it''s pretty tasty. Who knew you would learn to have good taste in wine." Smiling down at his glass he swirled the garnet liquid. "Heh, it was one of the first things I was educated on when I came to live here. Hey Justin will you talk to me please, I don''t want you to leave tomorrow night with a rift between us." "Huh? Honey we don''t and we''re not going to have a rift between us." Confused he reared his head back and narrowed an eye and her slightly downcast face. "Oh, I get you. What do you want me to say? I''m just kind of surprised by with how you''ve changed over time,and just how much harder you''ve become in a short time. Don''t think too much about it, and overthink it. "Huuh. I really wish I wasn''t leaving tomorrow.." Sighing deeply Justin looked up to the ceiling. "I know, me too. Hopefully you can come visit me again soon or me you. No matter what, I promise not to be such a stranger from now on." Extending a pinky out to Justin he took it and circled it with his own. "You''d better not! Did you manage to get ahold of your grandpa?" Giving her a serious look he tightened his little finger''s hold around hers. Shaking her head Chang twisted her lips wryly trying not to worry about it. "Well don''t worry about it for now. Let''s drink together now. Want me to grab you a glass too?" "Are you kidding? Naw watch how a pro does this." Picking up the bottle Chang took a swig right from it. Gasping as soon as she released it Chang wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "Ew drunkie, now you got your germs all over the bottle." Seeing her crude actions Justin made an ugly face and mock complained loudly. "Eh, you know you like ''em!" Unabashed Chang gave him a confident side eye before taking another drink while looking up some music on her phone. "Yeah I''m sure they''re adorable like you." Aww!" Putting a finger to her cheek she grinned at him, twisting her hips a little. "Wait sorry I meant adorkable." "Whatever, cheers bitch!" Clinking the bottle against his glass, she hopped up on the counter with him and drank heavily. Before long the alcohol started working its way into their system and they began to chat loudly until one of the songs Chang had put on in the background hit them. Then the chatting became a loud chorus and dance party in the kitchen. "Oh you know who you are~aww we''re out of wine." Using the bottle as a microphone Chang sang into it, before turning it up to find it was drained. "Next bottle!" Feeling a rosy warmth enshrouding herself Chang hopped, skipped and jumped over to her wine cabinet and pilfered through trying to find their next course. Waiting expectantly for the selection, Justin gave her a drumroll on the counter with his hands. "Ooh what shall we have next, ah parfait ! Guigal La Mouline Cote Rotie 2009! The syrah of syrahs! Or so I''ve been told." Mumbling to herself Chang pulled out one and looked to Justin. "We gonna find out if that''s true!" "All right!" Holding out his glass with a slightly wavering hand, he let her fill it almost to the brim with the rich dark liquid. Sniffing it delicately, Justin pretended to be a wine connoisseur while sampling it. "Hmm rich smell with hints of berry, full-bodied taste with a heady lingering aftertaste. This is great, someone definitely didn''t lie to you." "Hmm you''re right! Hey how drunk are you?" "I dunno, not drunk enough that I could probably still take down another bottle with you." "Perfect. Help me find the grater, vegetable peeler and wok." "Wait are you having me cook? I thought you wanted to order out." Incredulous Justin shook his rosy face at her. "Oh no no, we definitely are, which thank you for reminding me, I will make the call shortly. I wanted to make a small appetizer. I learned how to make it myself, since no place in the area I''ve found makes it good." "What you gonna make?" "You''ll find out! Will you grab me the daikons from the crisper drawer, I think I grabbed some the other day when we loaded up the kitchen." "Boom! Here ya go!" "Thank you!" Working in unison, bumping hips the two grated the radishes into a bowl. As Chang started to fry everything up in a wok, Justin played the dutiful assistant handing her what was needed as needed until it was time to let it sit and steam. Taking a big gulp, Chang let the liquid courage work up in her, so she could ask her friend a pressing question. "Hey how come you seemed really hurt after I called Natalie? I know you said that there''s no rift but I can''t help but worry. Do you think of me differently now?" "Well I don''t know what to think or say. Maybe I''m a little sad, the girl I used to go know wouldn''t have threatened somebody''s kids future or held it over their head as a bargaining chip. She was the girl who picked up baby birds that hit the sidewalk and tried to save them at home, crying and giving them a little funeral when nature took its course. Among many other things so maybe a bit differently but definitely not less than. You''ve just learned how to harden up, which will help you in the long run. No matter what I still love you girl!" Slurring his words and speech Justin tried to explain before pulling her in for a tight hug. ''I''m still that same girl..'' The words say on the tip of her tongue but wouldn''t come out, deep down she knew she wasn''t in a lot of ways and that Justin was right. She had changed. "I changed, but only as I had to to survive." "Oh no no don''t take it the wrong way. It''s not a bad thing that you''ve toughened up a bit and become more cunning. It just seems kind of sad like maybe something precious was lost when you gained other things. Like you were made colder by this world." Fearing she was misunderstanding Justin started to babble quickly while holding her tighter. ''Am I cold?'' Silently pondering inwardly Chang took a deep gulp from the alcohol, over his shoulder letting the warmth spread to cover the gnawing in her chest. "Heh well at the least, I know how to pick out a good wine and no longer wear packaged underwear from big box stores." "That among many other thing makes me so proud you have no idea." Faking like tear was running from his eye Justin wiped at the corner as he held her at shoulder length. Leaning next to the counter the food started to signal its readiness where it sat over the steaming water by flooding the room with its unique aroma. "You know thank god everyone in this house like turnips, ''cause whoo that is quite a smell." Releasing her Justin took a step back from her waving his hand in front of his nose as he looked for his drink. "Hehe it''s so good and good for you too." Grabbing a skewer, Chang tested it to see it was ready and let it rest, before cutting the slab into bars. As soon as she started stacking them on a plate, Justin grabbed one and took a bite wincing and crying the whole time; his mouth held open to try to disperse the steam as he steadfastly chewed. "Hey dummy, be patient, they just came out! I''ll call the delivery place in just a bit. Sorry waited so long, was having too much fun with you!" ''Hmm I wonder if he would like some, I''ll bring some to him. This was so nice of him to give me so good buddy time.'' Putting a few bars on a plate, Chang headed back to her bedroom office where she had last seen Jian. Right before she entered the room a foul pervasive smell hit her. Sniffing the air Chang felt a grimace bloom on her face. 190 Asura Setting the plate down on her desk, Chang used one of her sleeves to cover her nose as her eyes watered. "Ugh, disgusting." "Rahhh Liang Jian Amal, you are so dead when I find you!" Calling out angrily through her sleeve, she quickly paced to the balcony door and opened it swiftly trying to catch him off guard. However she saw no one standing out there, although the smell lingered although a lot fainter due to the open air. Though there was no person, Chang saw the telltale little piles of ash on the railing giving him away. Shaking a fist Chang lowered her head while trying to restrain her temper. ''Has he been just sneaking around and smoking the whole time he''s been here? No worse since we last saw each other?'' "Jian!" Calling out his name angrily she searched through the house for him with renewed vigor. "Haha oooh! Someone''s in some shit!" Coming out from the kitchen stumbling Justin laughed. "What''d he do?" "I''m gonna kill him, he stank up my house!" Headed to the bathroom last Chang heard the sound of running water behind the door and narrowed her eyes into slits. ''Found you.. '' Pushing open the door Chang started to call his name angrily until she saw him standing at the sink almost naked. "Ji-ah! What are you doing now, why are you naked!?" "Ooh ooh, let me in I wanna see! I wanna see! Hearing her words Justin tried to rush in to the bathroom as well only to be stopped by Chang. Flustered her body moved before her mind and she kicked back with one of her feet, making contact with his chest and sending him sprawling out the door. As soon as he was out of the way she quickly slammed it shut and locked it while staring at the crystal knob. "No fair Bruce Lee! You''re being stingy!" From the other side of the door Justin''s voice came through faintly. "Don''t overreact. I am not naked as you can clearly see." Lifting an eyebrow amused at her antics he continued to rinse his shirtin the sink before hanging it on the shower curtain rod." "Ahhw, why not?" Through the door a disappointed voice came only to get scolded by Chang. "Hey you out there! Shut it!" Turning back to face the half naked Jian she tried to keep her eyes to his and not be distracted. "You-You moronic ass do you know how bad that is for you!" "What?" Bemused at her angered awkward expressions Liang Jian Amal could not even guess what had gotten her so fired up. 191 Shameless Man "Oh sorry about that!" Scratching his head Jian actually looked a little sheepish under her menacing glower. "No no no! Sorry doesn''t cut it! Give ''em to me! I will not have you going and dying of lung, or throat cancer, or any of the other number of conditions that come from inhaling carcinogens!" Tapping her foot and holding a hand out Chang waited for him to give her his hidden contraband. His eyes opened slightly wider before a smile started to grow on his face before her eyes. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small silver case. "You know how I feel about this. I thought you quit a while ago!" Taking it from him immediately she wrinkled her nose in disgust and held it at arms length away from herself. "Mm, I did." "Than what is this Jian?" "I slipped." "Well.. then don''t do it again I guess." Looking at his handsome beaming face and his easy admittance Chang felt her anger and indignation quickly draining away. "I won''t, especially with such a strict enforcer." "Uh I well, hey what were you doing when I interrupted you." With the way he was looking at her Chang became a little dazzled and darted her eyes away while changing the subject. "Just washing and refreshing my clothes." Liang Jian Amal chose to omit that he was only cleaning it to get the smell of ash off his shirt that lingered. "Wait what? Oh I''m so sorry I haven''t been thinking at all,I have a small washer and dryer in my unit. I''m sorry I didn''t think to offer this earlier for you, have you been doing this the last several days?" Realizing how negligent she had been Chang apologized profusely feeling her face turning red. "At night, yes." "Ugh I''m such a terrible hostess." Smacking her face Chang cringed. "You do not need to punish yourself over it, it has been a.. unique experience." "Please don''t justify me being terrible, just give me your clothes." "All of my clothes?" Smiling wickedly Jian lifted an eyebrow at her further reddening face. "Yes god don''t draw this out now or I won''t do this." Looking him square in the eye Chang tried to maintain her composure. "Yes ma''am." Dutifully and slowly unbuckling his pants Liang JianAmal took them off and handed them to her outstretched hands as she was faced away. "You know you can look if you want to, I don''t mind." As he stripped off his last piece of clothing he couldn''t help but tease her when she acted so shy. "Well now what should I wear..Hmm. Nothing?" "Uh well.." Seeing him stretch up leisurely she felt heat cover her body as the image was seared into her brain causing her to forget what she was going to say. "You know it''s actually quite comfortable like this you should join me." "You sure?" Stepping closer, Chang felt her mouth going dry and her heart beating in her ears lost in his eyes until sh felt him firmly grab. the bottom of her blouse." "Hey don''t go too far now!" Panicked she dropped his clothes in a heap and grabbed his wrists firmly. "Go further!" From outside the door an unwanted voice came in reminding her they were not completely alone in private. "Ugh I''m surrounded by degenerates." Grabbing his wrists firmly trying to avoid looking at the v that called her eyes repeatedly back to it, Chang stuttered and tried to complete her thought. "Err you know, actually uhh I think I actually have a pair of extra long sweat pants that I roll the cuffs up on they might fit you." "Oh but I am actually contented as I am now, I don''t think I will need them. Hmm how come your face is so red, are you embarrassed right now?" ''Noo, what would ever give you that impression jerk?'' Releasing his wrists she tried to back away but he grabbed hers, restraining her. "What no no no!" "Really? My, you have become bolder." His deep golden eyes burned into hersas he tried to pull her closer as she struggled back awkwardly due to her inebriation and his state. Feeling her hand come into contact with bare flesh Chang cried out while screwing her eyes shut and struggled harder to pull away. 192 Still A Child I + II "Heh. Fine. For now I will concede." Planting a kiss on her forehead he released her while chuckling low in his throat. Unable to say anything Chang slapped a hand to her forehead covering up the burning spot where his soft lips had just touched. Staring up at him with her eyes wide and lips slightly parted found he had to look away and swallow back his rising desire. "You know I have been controlling myself for a long time. You should not look at me like that unless you want me to eat you." Warning her with flaming eyes her wide blue eyes became more concerned as she registered his threat. Quickly swooping the clothes from the floor Chang bolted out of the bathroom as if she had a devil on her heels. As she flew out the door she ran into Justin sitting outside it obviously trying to listen in. Tripping and tumbling with him she fell in an untidy heap tangling with him. "Whoa girl what''s your rush, it sounded like it was just about to good and be time for me to go take a little walk." "You know what, you both suck!" Rolling away from him she grabbed the clothes and headed to the door where she had her stackable appliances hidden behind what seemed a closet door. ''Haha oh man poor Jian. That guy has it rough with this one.'' Leaning on an elbow Justin laughed dryly to himself as he watched her bustling, slightly swaying and stumbling figure. After loading the washer, she went to the kitchen and grabbed a takeout menu from a drawer and threw it at Justin. "Take a look at what you want, I''ll be back in a sec I have to deal with evil one number one in the bathroom still." "''Evil one?'' Hahaha you''re such a child still! Seriously you''re going to have to loosen up a little and be able to take some teasing from your hubby!" "I am not a child!" Coming back from her bedroom, holding a small grey bundle, Chang stuck her tongue out at Justin; still sprawled on the ground looking through the menu. Taking a deep breath she quickly opened the door to throw her bundle in at the man inside before quickly shutting it again, leaning her body against the frame. "Yeah you say that you''re not but then what''s with that? You''re acting like he''s showing you something you''ve never seen before. And I''m pretty sure that you''ve more than seen it by now.." Tilting his head Justin tried to give her a leveling look but it was hard when there were three of her. "Hah, exactly what it meant, I''m rooting for the big guy in there to make you more shameless." Unashamed he camly explained to her shocked face. "You know this is exactly what I mean, by you''re still a child. Enjoy the awkwardness, the attraction, the lust. Give it some time you''ll get used to it, and will even want it, him, like this again when he''s not." "Will not!" "Ah I''m hurt, my love. You don''t want me?" From behind she felt the breath on her ear as she heard the words. Jumping forward in exaggerated surprise, as he had opened the door silently, Chang turned and saw his half bare form. It was almost worse now with pants on, as her eyes wanted to be stuck to the amount of skin that still showed. Even hung low they came up short and slightly tight, they had been several sizes large for her so she had thought they might have fit him better. Stumbling a little after her sudden jump, Jian grabbed her forearm to help steady her with a concerned look. ''It must be too late for me already this man has already been a negative influence on me..'' "Ah don''t sneak up in the like that.. Um Justin I can''t remember but did we get you any shirts that might fit this guy?" "What? Why would you want that? That seems like such a shame to have him cover all that up, take a look again." She did involuntarily at his words only to meet the smirk at the top of her gaze. "Yes please." "Fine, I''ll be right back." Rising slowly and carefully he made his way to his room. "How much have you had to drink Chang?" Helping to hold her steady Jian frowned as he looked down on her. "Not that much, Justin and I were just sampling my wine cabinet." Holding her fingers up in a pinching motion Chang gestured the amount. "I would say more than sampling, I could hear the two of you in there. It sounds like you were having a good time, I''m glad. Just do not overdo it." "Hehe, you''re right, maybe a little more. I''ve been having a good time with Justin, andI actually just made a little something while we were in the kitchen. I was going to bring you some until I smelled what you did, now I''m not so sure you deserve it. Glowering sullenly at him remembering the atrocity Chang stuck her lower lip out as she gave a small hmph. "You cooked, while this drunk?" "Yeah just a little something." "You didn''t hurt yourself did you?" As he questioned her, Jian adjusted his grip to her wrists and started to inspect her. Blushing Chang tried to take her hands back from his tight grip as he exclaimed angrily. "Ah just look at what you did to yourself!" Looking at her wrist Jian pointed out a small angry burn she got from the oil splattering back onto her skin. "Oh. It''s fine I didn''t feel a thing." "Of course you didn''t, you are too drunk and are being irresponsible." Scolding her tersely Jian continued to check if there was any others pushing up her sleeves with his other hand. "Hey now! Fine then. You definitely don''t get any!" Angered at being scolded like a child she tried to pull herself away from him. "Did you at least run it under cold water or put ice on it right after?" "No. I already told you, I didn''t feel a thing, it''s no big deal." Almost tugging at the point Chang was losing her patience. ''It''s fine why doesn''t he just let me go?'' "That does not make it fine, come. Forcefully he dragged her into the bathroom and put her hand under the tap he ran fully on cold. "Ah its so cold!" Gasping in surprise Chang tried even harder to wriggle away from him but he blocked her from behind, trapping her to the sink. "Behave or I will spank you." Eyes on the small burn he kept under the flow of water Liang Jian Amal threatened the drunk struggling woman in his arms. "What? You wouldn''t dare!" Ceasing her struggling she turned around as much as he let her and gave him a serious warning look. "Try me." Smiling amusedly at her angry face, Liang Jian Amal watched as her emotions flickered from one to the next across her face before settling back into shocked embarrassment as she stared back. "Screw you Jian. " "Please. Don''t make me beg. " Turning off the tap he still kept her pinned to the sink letting his words sink in. Right after his words though an unwanted voice, much to his displeasure came from the doorway. "Oh oh if she''s not for it, I volunteer as tribute. I will tribute the shit out of that ass." Waving his arm excitedly Justin stood at the doorway with an exuberant smile showing all his teeth. Two blank stares met him instantly from the bathroom after his words. One though had a powerful withering force behind it while the other was more incredulous and shocked. Meeting them, his drunken enthusiasm wilted immediately and he put his hand down. 193 Comfor Quickly becoming exasperated with the two Liang JianAmal put on the TV to distract the two while he made the call. Leaving the room to help drown out their noise Liang Jian Amal found the small plate of food she had set aside for him. Bemused he eyed the stack of lo bak go, while ordering and brought it with him to the living room room, sitting beside her in the small love seat where she sat curled up. Seeing him sit beside her the food she had cooked Chang couldn''t help getting excited seeing him eating her cooking. With eyes shining she waited until he ate some to ask what he thought of her cooking. ''How does he eat so gracefully, even with his fingers?'' In a glazed state she couldn''t help but stare until she felt his eyes come back to hers. Embarrassed at having been caught staring she cleared her throat and spoke up. Wiping his mouth with the napkin she had set with the plate, Jian leaned forward and planted a small peck on her cheek in gratitude. "It is delicious. Thank you my love." "Eh it was nothing, I''m glad you liked it." Lacing her fingers together around her knees Chang smiled almost glowing with pride. Sitting beside him Chang frequently felt her eyes straying back to the man beside her. Lingering on him appreciatively as they traveled across him. Chang wasn''t sure if it was the effect from the alcohol or more, but she felt herself growing even warmer and her breathing quicken slightly as she silently ogled. As the alcohol created burning pits out of their stomachs, Justin and Chang started to grow more and more impatient as they waited for the delivery man to come with the food. When the bell finally rang the two of them instantly rushed from their respective seats to the front door, stumbling and bumping into the walls and each other, as they made their mad rush sounding like a small herd of elephants. When they ripped open the front door with gusto; the startled delivery man took a few steps back in surprise at the two expectant faces. "Oh thank god it''s the food!" Seeing him Justin almost cried in relief, almost visibly salivating staring at the hot pack the young man with a worried face carried. "Ah I forgot to grab my money, one second." Slapping her hands around her pockets frantically finding nothing; Chang turned to hurry back into the house only to almost collide with Jian. Slowing and stopping her, Jian pulled out his own wallet and took care of the payment. "Me next?" Looking at him with hopeful eyes Justin held his plate out ahead of him. Scoffing at him Liang JianAmal ignored the presented plate and walked past him to join the woman quickly escaping. Muttering to himself, Justin served himself a heaping, steaming plate and joined them. After having starved for too long Chang wolfed down her food like she hadn''t seen food in ages and might not ever again. Before the men had even sat she cleared her plate with a satisfied sigh and set in her dishwashing rack. "Well damn girl, you sure you don''t have a black hole living in your stomach?" Snapping his head back to her twice Justin whistled as he sat. "The theory gains more weight with time." Chuckling at the old joke he used to make when they lived together, Chang acknowledged his joke theory. "And hopefully you!" Rolling her eyes Chang didn''t respond and just relaxed with her head against the rest as the men ate silently. After letting it settle for awhile Chang rolled up out of the seat with a devilish look in her eye. ''What are you up to now?'' Seeing her rise up and rush away with her sparkling eyes, Liang Jian Amal wondered what she was up to next. Coming back with another bottle held between her two hands and a toothy grin; Justin''s eyes widened with horror. "Oh dear God, you animal, no more!" "Oh come on, it''s our last night let''s live it up like we used to!" "We''ve more than done that, do you have a liver made of steel now?" "Don''t be such a ninny Justin!" Struggling with the cork Chang felt a big palm cover one of hers, stopping her. Looking forward in surprise she saw Jian had a serious expression on his face. "No, you two need to hold back for awhile, wait until you have digested your food more. Do not make yourself sick Chang." "Pah that''s part of life." Dismissing his words Chang tried harder to uncork the bottle from under his hand, but he applied firmer pressure, trapping her hand in place. "It does not have to be, be sensible." Trying to bring some sense to her addled mind Liang JianAmal raised an eyebrow to her pouting petulant lips and dissenting stare. "Please, for me." Sighing at her continued resistance he tried nicely one last time, only to see her slightly consider it but still continue to hold onto the bottle. "Or I really will spank you!" Raising his voice slightly in exasperation, Liang Jian Amal finally managed to break through to her. "... OK." In a small voice she acquiesced and meekly released the bottle to his hands. Once relieved of her treasure Jian herded her back to sit with him. Unaware of what was playing on the screen before them Chang just laid her head back and enjoyed the warm tingling glow that filled her to her fingertips. While enjoying the numbness and warmth in her belly, Chang felt the day''s events wearing on her. Slowly her head began to slip to the side until she leaned her head against his shoulder. A moment after she had it laid there he shifted and opened his arm out, bringing her head to his chest. Her first thought was to struggle out but she didn''t. Feeling the warmth and strength around her Chang just rubbed her cheek against his chest and snuggled in closer to a more comfortable position. 194 Stay With Me I + II Soon the sound of soft snoring started to come from her as she slept soundly with her head resting on his front. Chuckling a little to himself at how adorable she had looked trying so hard to fight against the inevitable. Hearing the gentle lull of her snoring; Justin turned in surprise to see her curled up against him. Tucked under his arm, she looked like a baby chick under its mother''s wing. Seeing her snoozing away so contentedly when she was so animated a little bit ago he couldn''t help but scoff and laugh. "Wait, did she seriously just fall out like that?" "Shh, let her sleep." Gently hushing him with a lowered voice Liang JianAmal looked at her with gentle eyes. "Wow, I can''t believe she still wanted to drink more when she was already so toasted. What a lush! I''m not kidding, that girl just about drank me under the table, she used to be such a lightweight too! She''s probably been drinking a lot over the last year to increase her tolerance level so much. " In a quieter voice Justin continued agitatedly, pointing at the woman drunkenly sleeping peacefully. "Mm." Acknowledging his words with a low hum in his throat, Liang JianAmal barely glanced at him. "Well, too bad though too, she over stepped her limit. It looks like you can''t have your way with her now, girl''s dead to the world." "Mm." Smiling wryly he gave another hum, unconcerned with that worry for now. "Well at least she probably won''t remember you wearing her clothes." Shrugging his shoulders while smiling wickedly, Justin tried to get more than a one-grunt answer. "Never let it be mentioned I wore my wife''s clothes." Sharply the man''s head came up, his eyes dangerously sharp. "Well if you didn''t want anyone to know, why did you do it anyways..?" Smiling smugly Justin deliberately drew out his words. "Not sure why I did it for her." Slowly drawing out his words Liang Jian Amal narrowed his eyes, cautioning the younger, smaller man. "Hmm you know I''m kinda tempted to find a way to immortalize this moment.." Rubbing his chin with two fingers Justin ignored the growing look of warning in the darkening amber eyes. "I will end you." Spitting the words from between his teeth in a low growl, Liang Jian Amal tried to impress his severity to him. "No you wouldn''t, you know she''d be heart broken." Scoffing at the threat, Justin didn''t take his words seriously at all and waved him off. ''Seriously Shar, you''re going to continue sleeping, wake up now you pig! Your man is about to kill me!'' Alarmed and wide-eyed Justin looked at Chang with resentment, trying to calm himself before he looked back into the pair of serious eyes boring into his. "Dude that''s cold you wouldn''t really do that." ''Would you?'' Silently he asked himself the last part swallowing hard. Slowly raising an eyebrow, with the faint hint of a smile Jian silently stroked Chang''s hair. In Justin''s eyes at the moment the two looked like an evil boss stroking his loyal equally evil feline. "My lips are zipped." Finally grasping the severity of it all, Justin drew two fingers in a zipping formation while closing his mouth in demonstration. "Good." While the pressure coming from him relaxed Justin still felt like it was time to leave and give the crouching tiger in the room some space. ''Well I will remember, but I''m not gonna tell him that, I still rather like living.'' " Well, I''m gonna go hit the sack and try not to be hung over all day before my flight." As he rose he heard the other man grunt again in acknowledgement. Once at the doorway Justin turned back and saw the tender look in Jian'' s eyes as he silently cupped Chang''s . ''Yeah I''m glad you got a good one girl, even if he is a bit of a tyrant, treasure him. " Smiling to himself Justin closed the door and flopped face first. Sitting there for a moment Liang Jian Amal digested Justin'' s words while looking at her small red face. Just how had she been living for the past almost year and a half.. "Come on, sit up for me a little, there you go good girl." Worrying about her causing tension in her neck from her position, Liang Jian Amal coaxed the bleary Chang up before hoisting her up in his arms. Once up she istinctively curled her arms around his neck and buried her head on his shoulder as he carried her to her bedroom. Holding her in his arms, he was reminded at how frail and delicate she seemed now, even more so than normal. Her shoulder curled into his hand felt small and fragile, as if she was barely more than skin and bones. Gently laying her on the bed, her short inky hair spread on the white pillow behind her, highlighting her face''s redness. Beside her head her hands lay curled up, while her brows remained furrowed, as if she was having an unpleasant dream. Once laid down, he unbuttoned her slacks and pulled them off before working on her blouse to help her breathe and cool down. Walking into her bathroom he found a small cloth to wet and wipe her down with it. After rinsing it he folded and placed it on her forehead to cool her down. He had already seen and noticed it but it still shocked him at how thin and pale she had become. Almost a shade of who she once was. The black lace of her camisole and panties only further enunciated it. Gently dusting his fingers across her pronounced clavicles he sighed. ''What am I going to do with you...'' Whispering at her he removed a stray hair that clung to her cheek before rising up. As long as they were alive there was still time for mending the gap between them. Time for her heart to heal. As his hand reached the door he heard her call out faintly to him. "Hey... wait. Where are you going?" Propping herself unsteadily on one arm as she dazedly grabbed at the wet cloth falling from her forehead. "What is it?" Turning slightly to face her he kept his hand on the door knob. "Will you stay with me, please?" In a small voice Chang spoke honestly while looking up at his tall lean figure. "Yes, just give me a moment love to take care of something." Pleasantly surprised by her words it took Liang Jian Amal a second to answer. Though even if she had not said anything he had planned on returning. "Really?" As if a different answer would be given Chang looked at him a little bit with a mix of surprise and maybe more on her face. Maybe a little hurt already from a past scar, or saddened already at the thought of failed expectation. Either way it pained Liang Jian Amal to see her looking at him like that. "I will be back, to stay with you. For as long as you want me to." "You promise?" 195 Whispered Words Stumbling in the dark in her mad dash Chang felt her toes on one foot collide against the jam with great force. Immediately the shock ran up her leg like a thunderbolt drawing a string of curses from her mouth while holding on to them, trying to stifle the eye-watering pain. "Merde ooh, it hurts so bad." Puffing out her cheeks, Chang tried to breathe through the pain, trying to tell herself it didn''t hurt that bad. Limping carefully with the one foot''s toes in the air, Chang took care of the need that caused her injury. Once finally relieved, Chang grumbled to herself about drinking too much wine before bed, before turning on a small light to inspect the damage. Already she could feel a warm wetness growing over a few of her toes on the right foot. Once able to see, Chang gasped at the bloody sight that had started to already stain her white floors with little splatters coming from the doorway. Searching under the sink for her medical kit, Chang turned on the water in the tub to clean up her foot to see exactly how bad it was. Wincing she gingerly eased her throbbing toes into the lukewarm water, whimpering a little at the painful stinging situation. Sitting on the wide lipped edge, Chang looked down and wondered if she had removed her own clothes drunkenly. "What happened?" From behind her came Jian''s voice causing her to jump a little before turning to look at him slightly. ''Mystery solved I guess..'' "Let me see, where are you hurt?" Seeing the blood splatters on the floor and her crouched on the edge with tears in her eyes Liang JianAmal rushed over quickly. He had awoken hearing her curse, but hadn''t thought too much of it at first until he heard her more and saw her turn on the light. Concerned that she may have seriously hurt herself as the alcohol would still be in her system, he arose only to find his concerns justified. "What did you do to yourself Chang?" Lifting her foot from the water with tears threatening to spill from her eyes she put it on the edge and looked at almost naked man rushing over to her quickly. "I stubbed my toes." Sniffling a little Chang closely inspected the damage she did to a few of the nails on her right foot now that it was clean. "Ah, its not so bad, here let me help." Audibly sighing aloud with relief Jian sat on the edge next to her took her foot and put her foot on his leg right below where his undershorts came to. "No you don''t have to do that, you''ll get blood on you." "Hush. Just be good and don''t fight me. " "Sorry." "It''s ok, thank you Jian." Smiling at him, Chang tucked some of her messy hair behind her ear grateful he was there to help. He was always there when she needed him. Even now he held her foot in his lap personally treating her own self- inflicted injury in the middle of the night. Looking at him diligently and carefully wrapping her toes which were already trying to bleed again. Smiling down she felt a painful swelling in her hearts. Always. 196 Whispered Words II "Yeah.." Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand Chang answered him vaguely. "Sorry I will try to be more gentle." Pressing his lips tightly Liang Jian Amal tried to be even more delicate with his actions afraid of hurting her further. "You already are Jian, this is just more.." Demonstrating out with her hand, Chang didn''t know where to begin. "More of what?" Seeing her just bite her full bottom lip and remain silent Liang Jian Amal pressed her. "Chang I won''t understand if you don''t tell me." "I guess I just I wish you had been there for me, like now, when I really needed you; like when my mom died... Ow!" "Sorry." Hearing her words Liang Jian Amal accidently squeezed her foot painfully right in reaction to her words. Relaxing his hand he motioned for her to continue, silently clenching his jaw. "I know you explained and apologized, but it still doesn''t change what was, that still hurts me. When your father came and forced me and my mother away I waited for you. I waited for you so long and it crushed me every day, there was no word or nothing from you. It cut me deep, you cut me. Bringing her downcast eyes up to his, Liang JianAmal felt the heavy weight of her gaze sinking on his heart like a rock. Silently he rubbed her already treated foot trying to ease his growing apprehension. "I faced it alone and the days after, except for a relative who I had never met before. I needed you. I didn''t know what to do without you but I learned. It was really painful but I did. "I''ve been just trying to move forward in my life because I know there''s no going back, there''s no changing what has happened. Seeing you here again after all this time, is bringing back these old pains and making them fresh again." Bringing a fist to her heart trying to quell the pain Chang''s eyes wavered from his steadfast ones. "Do I only cause you pain. I do not wish this, if that is all there is, I will leave now." Releasing her foot Liang JianAmal spoke in a colder tone, resenting her words but unable to refute them. Startled by his sudden distance and tone Chang instantly looked up into a panic and tried to clarify herself quickly. "No, no, no, I have really missed you too. I dream about you often and have always wondered what could have been with us. I wondered what happened to you. I cried so much sometimes waking in the morning to find myself alone without you. I dreamt of having some closure or something, our separation was just too sudden." Brightened by her words Liang JianAmal smiled slightly, pleased at her confession. "I wish I had been wiser then and could have protected you from that pain. You don''t have to bear that burden alone though, you have me Chang." "I told you. I have solved things, that won''t happen anymore. As long as you want I will be here." Keeping his tone level Liang JianAmal captured one of her hands, trying to regain her focus. "How can you promise that?" Giving him a wry half smile Chang tried to conceal her endless doubts that plagued the back of her mind. "Because I am who I am. Liang Jian Amal. Your husband, I failed you before when trying to do right. I won''t fail again." Keeping his tone level Liang JianAmal squeezed her hands tight drawing her eyes to his, searching their depths. Like the ocean though her eyes were deep and concealed many layers, only some of which could be seen. 197 Whispered Words III + IV "I wouldn''t say excessively. .. maybe just a little too much sometimes." Scratching the side of her head Chang looked away. "It kind of helps to numb away certain feelings at times, it also helps to take the edge off at dinner parties and such, people can put me a little on edge sometimes." Chuckling a little she tried to make a weak attempt at a joke but failed and sighed. "Things here are just so much more cutthroat and convoluted then I could have ever imagined. Everyone hides behind a fake face and smile, myself included, I just upped it to a name as well." "Do you regret coming here?" Stroking the back of her hand with a thumb, Chang was distracted by the actions until he asked the question again. Shaking her head trying not to get lost in reverie she grunted in dismissal before clarifying verbally. "No, I made the decision, I don''t want to regret my life or the decisions I''ve made, I just live with them." Pressing her lips together tightly after speaking Chang silently me this gaze for awhile squeezing back on the hand holding hers. "Hey Jian will you help me back to my bed, I don''t think I can quite make it myself." Seeing him look at the mess around them, Chang put a hand on his forearm. "I''ll have a housekeeper come clean up tomorrow, I wanted to take you and Justin to the eiffel tower tomorrow, for Justin''s last day. If I remember right his flight isn''t until the afternoon." Bitter at how quickly the time had flown by her mouth twisted a little. "If you want to spend your last day with your friend alone I would be fine. You have not seen each other for a long time." "Are you sure? I didn''t want to leave you out, plus you would be jealous wouldn''t you?" Thinking of his previous attitude toward Justin Chang gave him a toothy grin while speaking in a playful tone. "Undoubtedly, but I am in the midst of practicing something called tolerance." Picking up her tone he raised both his eyebrows at her and answered seriously while rising up. "Wow, well I have to say that that is commendable indeed sir, I may even have to reward you for such admirable self-control." Putting a hand to her mouth Chang continued to play enjoying their banter. She had really missed it. "Hmm, I would have to say that I would be agreeable to such an exchange." Smiling back at her he wagged his eyebrows at her. Seeing his expression Chang was unable to help herself from laughing out loud but quickly quieted herself due to the late hour. With his help she hobbled to bed, at first Jian tried to lift her but Chang refused, insisting on walking with assistance. Even after laying down they had talked for awhile, mostly her as he asked her question. Eventually his questions petered out and the two fell into a comfortable silence. Even though she had poured out so much Chang still felt restless. Looking down at the pair of tanned knuckles, folded across her chest around her own, she decided to speak up. "Hey Jian are you asleep?" "Not if you keep talking to me, I won''t be." In a low voice behind her ear Jian answered her. "Sorry, I''ll just let you sleep now, I''ll ask you tomorrow." Chagrined Chang looked at her clock to see it was already creeping on 3 in the morning. "Just tell me." Chuckling at her quick change, Liang Jian Amal squeezed her small hand in his. "Why did you come for me both times, wouldn''t it have been easier just to walk away? Just to move on with your life and find someone less troublesome." "Undoubtedly in some aspects, especially with such a liar. Yet also impossible in others." Still laying behind her his hot breath stirred the hair by her ear as he spoke. "What a liar, me?" Incredulous Chang rolled over and stared at him as if wronged. "Yes you, on several accounts. Would you like me to name them all?" "Hmph. No need. Well then if I''m such a liar and it would have been ''undoubtedly easier'' to have someone else why did you stick with just me?" "Such low self-esteem you have surprisingly. Can you not see why I might have?" Hearing him her question with a question Chang felt her brow furrow. "No, not really I don''t see what makes me so special that you would literally hunt around the globe for me, twice at that. Why you would do so much for me and my mother while she was alive." "Half the people in this planet are women, I''m sure you could find someone way more attractive in every way. Someone who could also make your family proud." "Chang, you are my family now. You and my Jid. If you mean my father by my family then you should know that I don''t consider him as such anymore. Our relationship had already been strained and distant even before he crossed the line. "As for a woman more attractive maybe, but I doubt it. When I heard you that first night I was intrigued by the woman who sang so passionately and freely. Just your voice alone drew me at first, but when I saw you a part of me knew I was lost. "There you were stunning and shining, the brightest light I had ever seen. Your smile, the way you carried yourself so confidently, the way your eyes sparkled as you spoke, the innocent way, yet somehow so knowing way you spoke. No one has ever moved me like you have Chang, it is why the night we met, I asked you to marry me, I knew I would never regret it. "As I got to know you, I fell for your bright and cheerful attitude, your carefree happiness, the smile that lit up your face so easily. You brightened my world and made it feel for the first time that it was a place worth living in. There became somewhere, someone, I wanted to wake up every day and see. When you were gone the first time I realized exactly how much I had lost. I had to find you and clarify our feelings. "When I returned to the palace last fall to find you and Lihua and Hao Jin Ying I feared the worst at first. I died many times inside at the thought at what had been done or what was being done to you. "My father and uncles had invited so much chaos into Lahat and my jid needed me. I had to make a terrible choice to help one family member or another. Seeing the letter left I felt that you would be safe for a time for me to set things in order, so instead of going right to you I confronted my father. "I was so eager to solidify things so that we could finally enjoy peace together. "Only I missed our chance then. I cannot even begin to explain how much I have regretted that in the days since I last saw you. I am sorry for all that you suffered on your own I want you to know that it was never my intention. I am sorry I failed you Chang." Shuddering a little hearing his words a few tears slipped down her cheeks only to get slowly brushed away by his thumb. Pulling her closer in his arms Liang JianAmal pressed his cheek to the top of her head, feeling her arms come up to embrace him back. "I have truly missed you. Seeing you again, feeling you here in my arms, feels like I have my other half again with me. 198 Serious Thoughts "Hey, why are you crying?" Feeling the wetness against his chest and her shoulders shaking Liang JianAmal could not help but sigh helplessly. ''Why is she crying I thought saying that would make her happy.'' "I can''t help it, I just am." Sniffling a little Chang wiped her tears against him. "You''ve only told me that like twice." "Has it only been twice? No matter, I do prefer to tell you with my touch." As he spoke Liang JianAmal ran his fingers up her spine lightly, starting from the base of her tailbone. "Oh my god." Shocked by his sudden action Chang stiffened in his arms feeling the lingering tingle. "You''re such an animal, you just can''t be serious can you?" "You know that you love it though." Unable to deny his words but not wanting to encourage his beastly behavior, Chang stayed silent with her head tucked to his chest. "Fine you do not have to say it yet, your body has always been more honest than your mouth anyways I know that you love what I do to you." As he spoke came to rest on her lower back where her lace camisole had rode up, exposing the skin beneath. Feeling her face burning Chang ground her head into him willing him to stop talking. "Which brings me to a a serious thought that I have had in my mind and wanted to talk to you about." "What is it Jian?" "You have lost too much weight over the time since I last saw you. I have already told you that I prefer when you have more to touch and hold on to." "God be serious you animal!" Hitting his chest lightly with one fist Chang demonstrated her embarrassment. "Now I''m going to tell you like I told Justin, I''m healthy you don''t need to worry. I am just fashionably slim." "I am being serious actually. It worries me how thin you have become, I can feel all your bones prominently on the surface, especially around your ribs. This is not healthy my love." As he spoke Liang Jian Amal pressed his hands against her ribs to demonstrate. "I may have been a little on the under side but I assure you I am healthy." "No, do not be stubborn either and listen to the truth in my words. Chang if your mother saw how you looked now there is no doubt in my mind that it would break her heart. You have been neglecting yourself and it is apparent." "Though I am glad to see that over the past few days, you have gotten a bit of a glow back to your cheeks, which pleases me. To hell with what you called fashionably thin, I would rather see you healthy and happy, bursting with your natural beauty." Unable to say anything in response to his words, Chang merely swallowed the lump in her throat. "I promise Jian." A little overwhelmed Chang answered in a small voice feeling her red rimmed eyes start to heat up again. "Good girl." Pleased with her obediant answer he gave her a reward peck between her brows. "You know sometimes Jian, I think that I really don''t deserve you." Smiling to herself Chang traced small circles in his chest feeling the defined muscles. "Maybe, if you feel that way then you should work harder to appease me." "How so?" Curious Chang tilted her head to look at him. In the darkness she could barely make out his features but he appeared to be smirking at her. Realizing what he meant Chang curled her hand into a fist against him and refused to answer his statement. "Just go to sleep you animal!" "Heh I will, but you should know I am being serious." "Oh I realize that." Rolling her eyes in her head Chang spoke sarcastically. "Well as long as you do." "Good night Jian." Snorting to herself Chang just shook her head and got comfortable next to him before speaking again. 199 I Give Up "Hey, Justin is all your stuff at my grand-p¨¨re''s?" "Yep, we''ve covered this. We left it right where we abandoned it running from the man you''re happily sitting next to." "Ahem. Including your passport?" Choking a little on her small sip of coffee, Chang quickly cleared her throat before continuing on as if nothing happened. "Yep, all my shit, except for the clothes on my back and my all but useless cell phone." "Well you''re gonna need that, you leave in the afternoon or evening right?" "Yeah somewhere in there, I can''t remember the exact time anymore." As if it did not concern him Justin shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. Pinching her brow Chang tried to think of how to plan the day out while trying to quell her rising irritation at his devil-may-care attitude. "Hmm what to do. Fine, we need to get that for you. Unfortunately though I am probably not going to be able to take you to see the Eiffel Tower. I remember that you said you''re flying out of Paris. Lyons is a few hours away, even by train, considering the round trip time. I don''t want you to miss your flight." "Aw what... No fair." Making an exaggerated face like a neglected puppy, Justin sighed while resting his chin on the table; if he had had ears and a tail they would have been completely drooped. "Maybe I could just stay a little longer, who needs a boyfriend anyways. The Eiffel tower is a once in a lifetime thing." Rolling her eyes at his dramatization, Chang spoke again, trying to rectify the situation as it was mostly her fault. "Well if it''s fine with Eric, it would be fine with me. I''ve really missed you and I am more than able to help you get another flight." "Nah I really miss my poopsie, I do have to go back home." Raising his head Justin cupped a hand to his cheek sighing again. "I give up, there''s just no making sense of this capricious guy!! "That''s it problem solved, I''ll just have to come again soon for the Eiffel tower!" "Just the Eiffel tower?" Lifting an eyebrow at him Chang waited for him to respond as he tapped on his chin. "Well I guess maybe you too, though not if I''ll turn into a third wheel. Or if I get threatened by your boyfriend." As he spoke Justin gave a pointed look at Jian. "Husband." From the side Liang JianAmal corrected Justin, without acknowledging the rest, enjoying his coffee that his wife had made him. "What? No! That''s never gonna happen!" Looking between the two confused, Chang assured her friend. Thankfully someone politely knocked on the door immediately drawing Chang''s attention. "Who''s knocking on my door now? I swear my door has been more popular this past week than it has been the past year." Muttering herself Chang rose up to go greet whoever it was. As soon as she left Liang JianAmal looked up from his cup to Justin and mouthed a few words of warning to Justin. Immediately Justin regretted being relieved to see her leave and only wished Shar would hurry up and return. "Grand-p¨¨re! This is a surprise!" Seeing who was on the other side Chang immediately opened the door wider with a smile and greeted him in French. Hearing her greeting at the table the two men''s faces grew more sour for opposite reasons. ''Great, now everyone is back to speaking in a way I can''t understand.'' 200 Silent Backing Speaks Up "How come you''re here, not to say that I do not appreciate the surprise." Smiling widely Chang followed him as he headed further into her home. "Can I not come just to visit my beautiful grande-fille? Where would be those troublesome men in your life be? Ah, question answered." Entering the dining area Jean-Jacques Dumont saw Liang Jian Amal first, seated at the table, as his eyes were on him already. Across from him, Justin Che sat with a very confused look on his face, as if he could not understand what he was saying. Smiling slightly at the two of them, his eyes went back to Liang Jian Amal''s cold ones that were trained on him. "Hello again, Monsieur Che and you Monsieur Liang." "Come, sit grand-p¨¨re, would you like a cup of coffee or perhaps some tea?" Coming from behind Chang pulled out the chair next to Justin for her grandfather. Seeing her glowing smiling face which he had only seen in pictures, Jean-Jacques Dumont felt an easier smile come to his own. ''This is how it should be.'' "No need for you to trouble yourself my dear with that. I am only going to be here for a moment. I brought with me some things that I believe that Mr. Che may have mistakenly left at my estate on Friday. I also wanted to ensure that Mr. Liang has not been causing you any further trouble." Even though his words were directed to Chang, his eyes stayed on Liang JianAmal, wondering why the man was exuding so much contained hostility. "Oh, grand-p¨¨re, thank you so much! We were actually just talking about that, and what to do about it. And with Jian you really dont need to worry, if anything, it is I who causes more trouble around this house." Jian who had been silent the whole time, snorted out a short laugh to her after she spoke while taking a sip from his coffee. "Now what would you be finding hilarious, Mr Liang?" Thinking that he was mocking his grand-fille, Jean-Jacques Dumont spoke with derision to the younger man. Seeing the undisguised coldness her grand-p¨¨re had towards Jian, and the silent hostile looks Jian returned, Chang gave a long deep sigh. Looking at her Jean-Jacques Dumont smiled at her reassuringly and patted on her hand on the table. "You should not sigh so deeply, my dear." Patting her hand on the table gently. "If you are too stressed, you just tell grand-p¨¨re." ''Yet if this was truly the case, why would she have had to deal with what she has had to.'' Clenching his fist under the table Liang JianAmal continued to restrain his temper and tongue. "Indeed I did, his items are in the vehicle I came in with Mr. Poitier. I just wanted to come up to visit with you for a while, and make sure that everything was right with you dear." "Yes everything these past few days has actually been wonderful, besides a few uninvited appearances from Robert." Rolling her eyes to the side, Chang pursed her lips saying his hateful name with venom." "Ah this matter.I also came today to speak with you about this. I told Mr. Liang my stance in this, but I do not know if he had told you of what I said. In this fight, I will support you. He has gone too far, for too long, and it is time as a family that we addressed this. I would prefer to keep this clean and our family out of gossip columns as well during this time. " "Yes grand-p¨¨re, Jian did tell me. Thank you, I appreciate that, with your help this should be cleaned up shortly. I have been building upon things myself in the business world, to cut off his financial support. Personally I have been building a couple of civil cases against him as well yet I feel like I may still need support in the civil aspect. I''ve been studying and researching but I know I''m no lawyer, and wouldn''t know who to go to have represent my interests." "Did you hang up my coat my dear?" Searching his hands along his front, Jean-Jacques Dumont was obviously unable to find what he was searching for. "Yes, right after you entered." "Check the inner breast pocket on the left side, I believe I put it there. Inside my coat is a card for a private legal branch. I have already informed them some of the details, and paid some of their fees up front so they will represent you. Contact them, present what you have for them, and they will take care of the rest. You have enough on your plate already." Turning Jean-Jacques Dumont pointed towards the entrance and where his coat was. Hearing his words, Chang immediately went and found the small black card with gold lettering embossed on it. Holding onto it like a lifeline, Chang felt like her heart would burst as she stared in wordless appreciation. "There is no need to thank me, think nothing of it my dear. It truly is among the least I can do for you." As she opened her mouth to thank him Jean-Jacques Dumont held up a hand stopping her before she could begin. As he would not allow her to say it Chang rushed forward and gave him a tight hug. Chuckling a little with pleasant surprise he patted her back. "I''ll be on my way now so that you may enjoy your day. Come with me gentlemen, if you would." After collecting his coat from Chang, Jean-Jacques Dumont motioned for the two men to follow him as it was clear Justin Che did not understand. "I will return these two to you in just a moment, but I will be taking my leave now. I shall contact you in a few days to check on you. Let me know if you run into any issues in this matter with Robert." 201 Gratitude I + II ''Senior? How tactless.'' Clicking his tongue against his teeth in irritation, Jean-Jacques Dumont almost reconsidered saying what he had wanted to say. ''Such a petty man, I wonder what my grand-fille sees in him." "I thought that Mr. Che would need a hand with his items, Mr Poitier and myself are indeed advancing quickly in our years, as you so rightly pointed out." "Is that all, I think he should be perfectly fine to handle this matter on his own." Raising an eyebrow Liang JianAmal, stopped and looked at Justin before returning his gaze to Jean-Jacques Dumont. Seeing the looks directed at him, Justin looked between the two in confusion, wondering what was going on. "As I am not needed, I will be returning to my wife now." Liang JianAmal immediately turned on his heel and started to walk away. "Hey, where are you going Jian, what''s going on?" "Wait a moment Mr Liang... Please." After a few moments, Jean-Jacques Dumont, entreated him with a lower voice. ''Please?'' Stopping Liang JianAmal turned and looked at him with puzzlement knitting his eyebrows together. ''What would bring such a proud man to say that, especially me?'' "What is it?" "I did not call you merely to help Mr. Che. I actually wanted to convey my gratitude to the two of you "In particular I do believe that I may also owe you these words." "Mr. Liang." coughing into a fist Jean-Jacques Dumont momentarily closed his piercing deep-blue eyes as if rearranging his thoughts before opening them. As he closed them the creases in his face deepened as he frowned, sighing deeply. "H¨§n b¨¤o qi¨¤n."1 Giving him a small bow, displaying his receding head of white hair, the old man apologized sincerely to him in Chinese. "I did some research, as I wanted to give you a more meaningful apology." Stunned Liang Jian Amal found himself rarely out of words. Never in a million years could he have begun to guess that this was what Jean-Jacques Dumont had called him down to say. "Hey what are you two talking about, I uh, I can''t understand what you both are saying at all." Nudging Jian with his elbow Justin tried to get someone to make some sense for him. Turning Jian gave him a sort of weird look, as if in utter disbelief of what was going on around him. "Justin, am I sane?" Holding a hand to his forehead, Liang JianAmal turned to Justin by him. Seeing the shock on his face quickly being replaced with irritation Justin held up a hand in warning and warding ''Damn this guy and his attitude! You shouldn''t have asked if you didn''t want an honest answer!'' "Well but-but if you''re meaning about right now and whatever he told you, I guess. But I don''t understand what he said to you but Shar''s grandpa bowed to you for some reason." "Pardonnez-moi. I have been negligent of the fact that you are unable to speak anything other than English. I am able to speak it, but please excuse me as it is not the best anymore. I am a bit out of practice as I do not find a need to use it usually." With a penitent expression Jean-Jacques Dumont cleared his throat and spoke in a heavily accented English. "I wanted to take a moment of both of your time to thank the two of you. You both have done more than I was ever able to. If ever you find that you are in need of assistance do feel free to call on me. I owe the both of you a debt of gratitude beyond measure. " "Wait what, hold on. Now why do you think you owe us? You sought me out, bought me a ticket, and made it so I could see one of my best friends again. You have only given to me, I don''t know about Mr. moody next to me, but I feel lile you definitely don''t owe me." "When I contacted you Mr Che, I will admit that I had ulterior motive. I was not just being kind to you. I did what I did in the hopes that it would bring Charmaine happiness. She has been unwell for too long. I was unable to bring her joy with what I would do. The best I was able was to do was help her find this place so that she would at least have some peace. No matter what I wished, or did, I was unable to give her a peaceful home. "I have been worried for her for so long, my only son''s only child. She means more to me than I could begin to say. And not for just being of my blood, I care for Charmaine for who she is; she is strong, smart, and a good child. As her grand-p¨¨re I want to give her the best of this world, only the best." "She is more than that." Reflecting inwardly Liang JianAmal spoke up, gaging the man before him. "Yes, she is. Which is why I am so grateful to the two of you. To see her smile so bright, to see her face glow, it sets my old heart at ease, at long last." "If you had not made yourself an impediment, it would not have been such a long period of pain for Chang. If you had not done as you have, you would not have carried such a burden either." Hearing Jean-Jacques Dumont feeling eased, Liang JianAmal could not help but sneer, spitting the words out coldly. Shocked the older man''s eyes lowered from shame. "It is as you say. I have not been as good as I should have been, this is part of my own doing. I had become stuck in ways that I thought I had long broke from. I see only now, that although time has aged me, it did not bring me the wisdom I thought I had already gained. I had failed Charmaine." "I have too, in many ways." After Jean-Jacques Dumont spoke silence reigned heavily for a few minutes before Liang JianAmal spoke again. "Then would you say that we would be allied now, for my Charmaine?" Holding out a hand for Liang JianAmal to shake in agreement Jean-Jacques Dumont looked at him expectantly. "I would not say allied as it would imply a friendliness between us two. I would say affiliated, as we both wish her happiness." "Then?" Raising his head Jean-Jacques Dumont looked at him expectantly. "Yes, if you are true to what you say." Holding out his own hand, he clasped the older man''s, shaking it firmly. "Just do not expect me to forgive you." "I understand, I do not expect this from you, only understanding, and perhaps aid." 202 We Will Meet Again Tearing through her closet ruthlessly Chang looked for a good outfit for Justin''s last day. She wanted to wear something that would really ''wow'' him. Yet when she looked, for once she was unhappy with her lack of color options. She''d even gone out of her way to put on her sexiest lacy panties and matching strapless push-up bra. After searching she had finally settled on a lacy tank that buttoned up to her throat but couldn''t decide on a bottom. Sitting on the floor in her room, Chang looked glumly at her strewn articles. Sitting there lost in her thoughts, holding the top to herself, Chang only heard the two men returning right when one opened her bedroom door. Gasping Chang turned, clutching the thin material to her exposed chest. To her horror she saw that both of the had come in at once. Jian reacted even faster than she could have, grabbing Justin''s face and immediately pushing him out of the room with himself. With their sudden arrival and departure Chang was so flustered she did not know what to do. Chang knelt there, turned to stone, still holding the black lace top to herself when Jian suddenly re-entered. Seeing him sizing her up and down Chang felt herself turning ¨¤ little red. With wide eyes she looked up at him as he swallowed wondering what he was going to do, as he stared at her with intense eyes. "What were you doing?" "Changing, isn''t it obvious? Now what are you doing? Get out, let me finish in peace!" "Oh are you, to me it looked like you were in the midst of deconstructing your closet." Arching an eyebrow at her Jian planted himself where he stood. Realizing it would be useless to argue with him Chang readily opened up. "I don''t know what to wear.." "How about nothing." Snorting at his answer Chang retorted quickly. "That would only work for you. It''s Justin''s last day, I want to wear something pretty." "You always look beautiful no matter what you wear." Speechless Chang smiled and looked away. "You''re wearing that top?" "Yeah, I was thinking about it, but I don''t know what I want to pair it with." Hearing him mention it Chang held up the semi-sheer sleeveless lace top. Looking up she saw him looking at the material with a complicated yet somehow disapproving look. "What?" Seeing his look Chang could not help but to ask. "Nothing." Pressing his lips together Liang JianAmal did not voice his thoughts aloud and seriously thought about her dilemma. "This." ''That should look good!'' "Good eye Jian, thank you!" "You are welcome, now get dressed." Chang failed at pushing him out of the room, and so had to dress under his watchful gaze. Trying not to look at him a think about it, she quickly buttoned the small black pearl buttons up the back of her neck, and tightened the zipper on her skirt up to her waist where it ended. Once dressed she saw that he had a hand held out to help her with her shoes. ''He''s so considerate, how can I be so lucky.'' Stepping outside Justin immediately wolf whistled and did not say anything about her consistently monochromatic wardrome. Complimenting her endlessly he almost riled Jian up again. As promised once ready, Chang took them to the Eiffel tower. As they rode she had Justin''s bags stored in the back of her car. After sightseeing they would not have time for much before she would have to say goodbye. Standing at the top with him Chang captured the memory of the two men standing in front of her looking out onto the city. Just in case when she said goodbye, and it was the last time, she would always have a picture of the beautiful times in her mind. Chang hated saying goodbye. The thought of it soured her mood though she kept a smile on her face even up to the terminal. At the gate Justin turned and gave her a big hug after scolding her and lecturing her to take better care of herself. Fighting tears Chang promised him, nodding her head on autopilot. Seeing her wooden behavior Justin squeezed her tighter. As he held her he gave her shoulder a shake and whispered to her. "We will meet again, especially if you call me and don''t be a stranger." "Heh I already promised I would, I''ll keep that promise." "You better." "I''ve really missed you in so glad you could come over. This was one of the best birthday surprises ever." Squeezing her eyes shut to trying hard to keep the tears back. Giving a tight squeezing hug the two couldn''t bear to part. Holding him Chang felt the hot picks of tears hitting her eyelids, but shoved them back, trying to save her smile for him. She wanted the last image he would see of her to be her smiling. After giving her a big hug he turned to Jian and stole a big one from him. After a few seconds Jian had to forcefully peel him off of himself causing Chang to giggle. Waving good bye he walked away and entered the line. Headed back home to America. Watching him go Chang felt a small pang of home sickness for the first time in a long time. 203 I Should Really Punish You I + II Riding up in the elevator next to him Chang looked at his face from the side and saw that he wore the hint of a smile. His brows and face were completely relaxed too, no tension at all. He usually only looked like that when he was in deep sleep. Or when they had been in Lahat. Chang daydreamed about it for only a moment before shaking her head trying to stay grounded in the present. "How come you are in such a good mood, is it because Justin is gone now." Thinking about it Chang gave him an unhappy face as she opened the door. "I would be lying if I do not say that it is partially attributing to my good mood. I can be a bit selfish when it comes to you and I finally have you to myself. Mainly I have been relieved as I was delivered news from your grandfather, that I had been awaiting for a long while." "Don''t I know it. What did my grandpa say to you? What other kinds of good news did he bring?" "Oh yes. Speaking of Justin, why is it that you are wearing such lingerie. Was it that you wore it for him?" Seeing his look of displeasure suddenly rolling around Chang was confused. ''One, he knows Justin is gay, and two wasn''t he all happy a second ago, what happened?'' "Well yeah, why? Wait why are you looking at me like that?" Chang answered him honestly trying to bring him back to his amicable self but it seemed to have backfired as his eyes held a dangerous glint. Seeing them directed at her Chang instinctively backed away from him slowly. ''Didn''t my grand-p¨¨re just bring him good news, this does not seem like the face of someone who just got good news. "I am feeling like I should really punish you." ''How dare you wear such things for another man. Not just that revealing yourself like that for all the men to see today. You have been trying me to no end woman.'' "What, why?" Alarmed hearing him say that Chang took a few quick steps back trying to put distance between the two of them. "Come here." Seeing her hasty retreat Jian'' s brow furrowed further and he held out a hand to her. "Uh-uh, no way. You just said you feel like punishing me." Shaking her head vehemently Chang crossed her arms defensively across her chest, trying to protect herself from his predatory eyes. "If you run away from me now, I promise you it will be worse." As he spoke he took a few steps forward, shrinking the distance she had created. "What are you doing and why?" "I should ask you the same. Where you not aware of all the stares when on you were out." As he spoke he eyed the lacy material that did nothing to conceal her figure beneath. "Huh?" ''Why does he keep changing topics, I just can''t follow anymore.'' While keeping her pinned against the wall with his one hand, gently but firmly holding her wrists, Jian ran his free hand back through his hair while staring at her incredulously. "You were not even aware. If you were on your own, it would have been dangerous." "I''m pretty sure I''m in danger now." "Oh no, you have not even seen danger yet." His eyes hardened a little, causing her to flinch as he grabbed the flimsy material in the front and tore it with his free hand. The lace quickly fell away in his hand, without protest, leaving only a few shredded remains. "Now you will not be able to wear it and have to worry about the danger." "What you jerk! You''re such a beast Jian! I really liked that shirt, why did you do that!?" Fuming Chang stomped one of her feet while held in place, unable to vent her anger any other way. "I will buy you a hundred more that are not as revealing. I had to struggle all day not to pluck the eyes from every man and occasional woman who lingered on what you left exposed. I have been the epitome of self-control but if you want, I will show you a beast." Hooking two fingers in the front of her bra between her cleavage he yanked it down. Freed from their coverage, her breasts sprang up only to find themselves at the mercy of his hand. Unable to control it, Chang felt a helpless moan slip out as he sealed it with his own. While his tongue invaded her mouth, his other hand tweaked one of her nipples causing her to cry out into his mouth. Feeling like her brains and legs were being turned into puddy, she leaned back against the wall; wishing her hands were free so she could at least hold on to him. "You see how easy it was to bring you to this state. That shirt was less than useless at being protection." Shaking his head in admonishment, tsking Liang JianAmal looked down at Chang with her eyes still closed and lips parted. "Not everyone is a pervert like you and goes around ripping a girl''s shirt off." Indignant from being left hanging and his treatment Chang frowned and turned her head away from him. "Not just any girl''s shirt, only your shirt. My love I am only looking out for you." Snorting she refused to look at him, her cheeks lightly tinged in embarrassment. "Yeah right, you call this looking out?" "Yes. Absolutely." Jian nodded his head resolutely completely confident in his answer. "You''re shameless." "Only when it comes to you. You are fairly shameless yourself my love when you are with me." Smiling wickedly at her Jian released her hands only to sneak the other up her skirt, using his now free hand to hike the front part up. "See you''re already wet." As if pleased with what he discovered his lips brushed against her left cheek delivering the words intimately to her ear. "Why oh why just-." Unable to formulate a sentence or a thought, Chang just brought her hands up to her face trying to hide herself. "Just what? This is a good thing. There should be no reservations between a husband and wife." As he spoke he started to sink lower pressing her skirt up. "No no what are you doing? Wait, don''t do that." Blushing furiously Chang realized what he was doing and tried to put her hands to his shoulders to stop him. "We''ve been walking around all day, and there might be sweat or something. Wait no-no please, oh.." "Hush. I like these, but I am not pleased knowing you dressed in these for another man." Just by breathing on her it elicited a moan from her, causing his throat to tighten a little. Fitting a few fingers into the thin lace band around her hips Liang JianAmal lightly traced the delicate porcelain skin beneath. "Please don''t rip them too. I really like them." "Only if you promise only to wear them for your husband from now on." When she did not answer him within a timely fashion Liang JianAmal dipped his fingers in lower coaxing the answer from her in a low whisper. "O-ok." "Much better." With hus hooked fingers, he stripped her thin panties to her ankles and dropped her skirt. "Now, I want you to hold up your skirt yourself. Show me how much you want it." Rocking back on his heels he motioned for her to draw up her skirt herself, waiting with a smile at her bashful expression. After a few seconds she gripped the front of her skirt and lifted it with two trembling hands. "Higher. Make it so that I have a clear view. This is part of your punishment." Shaking his head at her minimal lifting of her skirt, Liang JianAmal motioned further, waiting for her. Chang felt like there was a fire burning, especially in her face hearing his words. ''I would be showing him everything then. He is just the worst, but..'' Squinting her eyes shut Chang lifted her skirt up higher until she felt the cooler air and heard him chuckle in approval. 204 Tortured "What holding back, that guy was clearly saving up for last night. How many times did he want to do it, I can''t remember.. '' Ruefully she stared at the man lightly snoring beside her, his handsome sleeping face leaning towards her with his arm casually over one of her hips. ''He looks so peaceful now, but he was a smiling devil last night. I can''t believe he managed to coerce me into everything he wanted last night.'' After torturing her to mindlessness with his tongue and fingers, he had made her beg for him. When he first told her she shook her head, and tried to close her jellied legs, pulling away from him. "Uh-uh. You are not going anywhere. Tell me you want it." Grabbing her bare legs Jian had prevented her from escaping. In the middle of torturing her he had stripped her skirt off as well; leaving her hands free to tangle in his hair, and grip his shirt at the shoulder. "Do you not want me? Do not lie, if you are honest, I will not only stop punishing you, but I will reward you." Chang had been coaxed by his earnest burning gaze. How could she have said no when he looked at her like he did, and when he touched her like he did. Tenderly pulling away her senses with each stroke. "Yes." She had barely whispered out an answer, one hand clenched in a fist to her mouth. "What was that I could not quite hear you." "Yes, I want you, I want you bad. Please stop just teasing me, Jian I can''t take anymore." Thumping her fist on his shoulder Chang almost screamed feeling her stomach do continuous little jumps. "Good girl, here is your reward." Smiling wickedly, pleased with her answer Jian had picked her up by her waist and took her to her bedroom. Throwing her brusquely onto the bed, she had watched with wide eyes as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt standing at the end. ''That''s not fair that a desk jockey like him keeps his shape so easily. Just an hour for him everyday and he''s fine, life is so unfair..'' "If you want to you can touch, you do not have to just stare." Throwing his shirt aside, he had instantly started on his pants. Before her eyes he almost instantly became naked, his fingers had worked swiftly beyond belief with his eagerness. "Who said I wanted to touch?" Embarrassed but unable to look away, Chang had tried to meet his eyes defiantly but had known her expression and complexion were failing her. Climbing onto the bed he had towered over her, shadowing her. "Oh, but I want you to." "Come now. Grab it my love." Mortified realizing what he meant, she had stared at him and involuntarily had looked down at his already erect self. Feeling like her brain was being entirely corrupted and her hand was on fire, Jian had forced her to stroke it continously. Once ensuring she had known what to do he had released her hand and grabbed the back of her neck. Leaning closer Chang had thought he was going to kiss her and had closed her eyes on reflex but instead he had whispered against her cheek. "You need not be so gentle, hold onto me a little tighter." Hearing his words she had immediately released him and cringed away." "Come now, I will not break." "Yeah, but I might." After she had retorted he had laughed at her before kissing her deeply, leaving her breathless. "Fine, my delicate little woman. You should get used to this though. After all, this is yours for your happiness." "Oh my god, just stop talking please!" "Fine , but I want to hear you scream instead." And she had. In the end she had begged him for mercy while clutching him, in tears from the overload on her sensations. ''God how embarrassing, he''s just too much sometimes.'' Burning from her memories Chang wiped a hand across her face and suppressed a groan. Shaking her head she looked at the sleeping man beside her and decided to take the moment to clean up From having fallen asleep covered in sweat, Chang felt slightly icky feel and craved to be clean again. 205 It Was Meant To Be "Hey let me up." Whispering and rocking his arm, Chang tried to free herself. "Go back to sleep." Without opening his eyes Jian rumbled out in a low voice. "I can''t. Aren''t you the one who''s usually up first? If I remember right, when I lived with you in Shanghai, you would always be up by 6:30 or 7 at the latest. I''m the one who used to laze about in bed for awhile. What happened to you?" "I have become wiser and realized what a beautiful thing it is to lay in bed holding you close in my arms." "Hmph sweet talker." Unable to come up with a reasonable retort she turned away and crossed her arms. ''I want a shower so bad.'' "Oh and here I had thought that my honeyed tongue pleased you, especially last night." "Ugh, you''re the worst. You know when I talk to you sometimes, I feel like I become dumber and never know what to say. You make me feel like I was never actually the captain of the debate team in school." Slapping a hand to her face Chang groaned and cursed him inwardly as well. "Hmm when was that, I find that rather hard to believe." "What, you don''t believe me? It was back in high school. I even led the debate team as the captain for two years! Then in my last year, I was in journalism." Pouting a little Chang, turned back towards him to see that his eyes were partially open, his thick lashes shadowing over his eyes. "What made you change your mind and switch your focus?" "Well I don''t really like getting in front of people and arguing why I''m right and they''re wrong. I had always liked reading growing up, and so writing came more easily for me, it was also more enjoyable. "Hah!" In response to her words Jian gave a short laugh before giving her a curious look. "So why did you even participate in debate, let alone decide to be the captain?" "Because it was something I was never good at. I wanted to become better. I wanted to grow so I could do more with my life. Heh, but you know all those little things are actually brought me to you though. I continued the journalism in college as my major, with a few minors as well. Then my dad helped hooked me up with the job, that I met you with. So I guess it was all meant to be." Smiling crookedly at him, Chang spoke of what she had realized back in Lahat while being held from him. How path in her life had led her to him. "Then I would have to say I''m glad that you changed focuses." Smiling back at her warmly Jian lightly stroked her cheek with his fingertips. Giving him one back she then rolled over and tried to leave the bed, only to have her wrist held. "Why, do you not want to lay here with me?" Despite her struggling Liang JianAmal pulled Chang closer and onto the bed, enjoying the vision she was showing as she struggled. "No, I really need a shower." "Hmm that does sound nice actually." Rising up Jian quickly rose from the bed. "Not for you, me" "But I think I shall join you my love." Smirking Jian pulled her closer in his arms pressing his bare flesh on hers. "Uh I don''t think it''s big enough for both of us really." Quickly Chang tried to convince him otherwise wishing for just a quick shower in peace. She knew if he joined her that was not going to happen. "Nonsense, it seemed fine to me from what I saw before. Come now did you not say that you needed to wash. Unless, would you rather bathe with your husband?" 206 Come With Me After having had his way with her and leaving her foggy headed, Jian had held her steady as they rinsed clean. With his arms wrapped around her, and hers around his waist, Jian had just stood and held her in his arms as she lay her head against his upper chest. The serenity of the moment and his steady heartbeat under her cheek lulled her into a calmness, and she let herself just enjoy the moment with him. Thinking of that she cupped her cheek in her hand and contentedly sighed. ''If only he could just be gentle and calm like that more often, instead of being horny and perverted. Just how does he have so much energy all the time?'' "What are you sighing for and why are you still undressed? Are you waiting for me to satisfy you again?" Coming from the bathroom, Jian was straightening and buttoning the cuffs on his shirt as he spoke. With him all clean and his hair combed back, Jian looked handsomely refreshed. As he straightened himself, Chang could not help but to stare at his chiseled features for a minute before he looked up and prompted her with a small grunt. "What, huh, no! No more, you''ll kill me! I just got lost in thought is all." Shaking her head of her thoughts, Chang out her hands up in defense. "Get dressed before you catch a cold." Snorting back a laugh at her exaggerated reaction, Liang JianAmal went back to the bathroom. Retrieving a small towel for her still wet hair, dripping in small curls around her chin, he put it on her head and started to help dry her. "Tsk. Do you not know that you are more likely to catch a cold if you sit there with cold wet hair? What am I going to do with you?" Gently fluffing her hair, Liang JianAmal chided her. "You nag just like my mother did. I think she even said the exact same thing once." Putting a hand on his forearm, Chang could not help but to chuckle. "You mean we are wise, and would try to impart wisdom on you. The same wisdom that you would subsequently ignore." "I wouldn''t say ignore." "Yet here you sit with wet hair, despite having been told." Pursing her lips Chang looked away feeling slightly bullied. Looking up Chang noticed that despite his efforts to straighten his shirt and pull out the slack by tucking it in, Jian''s shirt was completely rumpled and wrinkled. ''He usually looks so put together too, except for the last week.'' "Hehe rich boy, don''t you mind that your shirt is all wrinkled." "If you were raised to care about your appearance so much, how come you are not more fussy about your clothes?" "Because of my Jid. Whenever I was with my Jid in his country, though, I did not have to. Growing up, he taught me how to be more at ease, to learn to live, without the rigidity that my father imparted." 207 Come With Me II "Then you taught me." Piping up Chang held up a finger as she spoke cheerfully, it was one of her fonder memories. "So I did." Acknowledging her with a crooked smile and a nod, he brushed one of her hairs by her ear. "I would love to do that with you again. I would love to see you smiling in the sunshine with the wildflowers and just enjoy the day with you. I just want to see you truly happy again, it hurts to see those shadows in your eyes haunting you." Feeling a lump she smiled weakly at him with a film of tears in her eyes. "That would be nice. I don''t know though if I''ll ever be able to smile like I used to again. Things are different now. I''m different now." "I know that circumstances may be different now, but I believe it is possible with time. You will able to." Not wanting to argue with the man about the matter, but unbelieving, Chang clutched her towel tighter and got up to find a suitable outfit from her closet. Opening the door wide, she held out a dark navy blouse, scrunching her mouth and contemplating. She wanted to dress in something pretty, but after last night and the morning, anything too provacative was definitely off the acceptable list. As she deliberated, Chang both felt and saw his hand reach over her to grab the fabric in her hand. Clicking his tongue in distaste, Jian started to flip through the different outfits hanging up. "Are all your clothes in these dark hues or white." Dissatisfied with her wardrobe Liang JianAmal looked down at her. "Yes. Why?" Still deciding on her top, she looked up at the tall man standing beside her with a displeased expression on his face. "Tch." Not knowing what to say about her taste anymore, Liang JianAmal''s mouth twisted after clicking his tongue. "Haha, are you seriously nitpicking my clothing. You know my best friend, who used to be a bit of a stickler about fashion, didn''t say anything negative about my wardrobe." Unable to resist laughing at the irony of it Chang dropped the top and poked at his chest. "These do not suit you, only a rare few, such as the black dress I saw you in the other day. You are more suited to brighter colors, they showcase your spirit better. These are far too somber and plain for you." "Well they hadn''t as of late, what you call plain and somber was what only seemed fitting. Everytime I have tried on something with color, it has felt garish and overdone. Only the darker hues, or my simple whites have been pleasing." Shrugging her shoulders Chang spoke matter-of-factly. "Do you still feel the same?" "I think I need to update my wardrobe, I feel differently about it now, like I might need some more color." "Huh?" Unable to follow his trail of thought Chang looked at him, totally confused as to what he meant. "I mean about what you said about the things in your life have happened as they were meant to." Seeing that she understood Liang JianAmal was able to continue. "I think that maybe not all of it was truly necessary and as how it should have been." "What do you mean?" "I mean the things that have pulled you from me and kept us apart. This prolonged period of darkness and sadness you''ve wallowed in alone, the evils that you were forced to face from within your own kin, this cold front you have been forced to learn to put up. I do not believe it was necessary. " "You might be right, but I don''t know. I mean I''m glad I met my grand-p¨¨re, but I wish that I had met him under better circumstances. I wish I had come here with a more sound mind, not as broken as I was unprepared for what faced me. You''re right I had to face a lot of really fucked up shit from my family, especially Robert but grand-p¨¨re has always been good to me. And I feel like I''ve risen above, and I''ve gotten stronger; mentally and physically. I''ve learned and grown in a professional aspect too. "But because I''ve been forced to face events that felt like they would crush me, I feel like l hardened with time. I have hardened and become colder because I had to, I have had to become more aloof and uncaring or I would not been able to thrive. When I look in the mirror I see I''ve been becoming, no I became someone I don''t recognize anymore really." Looking down Chang admitted something she only admitted to herself in front of the mirror in the mornings as she did her makeup. Right after she spoke, Chang only briefly saw his shadow before he had taken her into his arms, her face stuffed against his shirt. From atop her head his voice came out low and pained. 208 Tell Me Why After he spoke Chang just stared in shock at his white shirt, the words repeating in her head. Not hearing a reply Liang JianAmal repeated himself patiently while releasing her head a little, so that he could see her reaction. Cupping her face by her ears he forced her to look into his eyes. "Leave this place with me. Come back to Shanghai with me as my wife again." Hearing of Shanghai Chang immediately thought of the beautiful estate he had there with the beautiful garden. Smiling a little her second thought flashed to a pair of sharp cold black eyes. Eyes that everytime she met stared at her like an insect that was about to be crushed underfoot or with blatant disdain. Thinking of the owner of the eyes being in Shanghai as well, Chang immediately shook her head in rejection. Seeing her shake her head, Liang JianAmal felt a surge of anger and dissapointment well up in his chest. "What do you mean no? Do you not want to leave with me to return home?" "Well yes and no?" Seeing his increasingly angry expression in response to her words Chang looked to her peripherals; towards one of his hands and away from his stare. "Look at me. What do you mean, explain Chang." Sliding his hands down from her face he gripped her upper arms, willing her to be forthright with him. "You''re hurting my arm, Jian let go!" Gasping at the sudden pain Chang tried to pull herself out of his grasp. "Sorry. Just explain to me, why not? I do not understand." Releasing his grip on her, Liang JianAmal gritted his teeth wondering where her sudden reluctance was coming from. "I do but I can''t leave yet. There''s things I have to do here. I need to settle my case against Robert for one." "What else do you need to do? What else is barring you from leaving with me?" "I have responsibilities now Jian I can''t just disappear all of a sudden anymore, and leave with you. I''m a boss now, I have to be responsible for all the people who work in the firm under me and find a suitable replacement for myself." "Insource from one of your employees and promote them. Problem solved. They already work there for you so they know what to do. Plus you already should know of their capabilities, so it will be easier." "It is not that simple. This involves my grands-p¨¨re''s reputation and that of the whole Dumont family, I cant be so casual about it. I have to hire the right person." "Fine then, we take the time for you to find an appropriate successor so that you have peace of mind and have fulfilled your duties. Would you then leave with me?" "Why are you insistent on having me leave here?" Crossing her arms across her chest, Chang tried to put up a defensive wall between them, not wanting to admit her fear. "You said yourself you have been forced to face things that felt like they would crush you here. If you leave with me you would not have to face such things any longer. And if this is you wanting to work, that is not an issue either you can continue to do so once we have returned home together. "You can see in the mirror the effects your time here has had on you. You won''t admit it yourself but you are dangerously thin my love. This image you have cultivated for yourself here has damaged you." As he spoke the last bit hoarsely Liang JianAmal lightly traced her pronounced clavicles with his fingertips. "Oh are you dissatisfied with how I look now, now that I am no longer fleshy." "When have I ever said such a thing?" Raising an eyebrow at her, Liang JianAmal could not understand why she was so sour. "Then what do you mean when you keep bringing up my weight." "Exactly what I have said, I am concerned for your health. I want you to be healthy and comfortable with yourself as you are as you used to be. You seem to have developed a negative image about how you used to look, when you are a curvaceous woman. You should have curves. "But I want you to know that I love you, all of you. No matter what, I still all of you, I live for the feel of you in my arms. Have I not shown you that?" As Liang JianAmal spoke he continued to trace his fingers across her exposed bone structure over the towel finally halting on her face. 209 I Am Afraid Looking up Chang saw what seemed to be the faintest traces of pain in his eyes as he looked down at her and felt herself crumble down. Speaking quietly she confessed her thoughts. "I am afraid that I''ll be walking back into what I did last time if I leave with you to Shanghai." "What do you mean?" "That if I go back with you, your father will try to do something again to us. That he''ll hurt me again. Or maybe he will do something worse this time, since his previous attempts have not worked." "You do not have to fear for that, he is an old toothless snake now. He would not dare to lay a hand on you with me around." Brushing her cheek as if to brush away her fear Liang JianAmal reassured her. "That''s the thing the second you''re gone is when he has acted." Brushing his hand away Chang tried to impart just how seriously she felt, as he did not seem to consider his father a serious threat still. "You can''t be around me 24/7, I feel like the second that I am away from you, he is going to try something. Especially because I would be near at hand too. I don''t want to live in that kind of fear and environment. At least here I know I am safe from that, although I have other troubles." "I can promise you that you would not have to worry about that." Pressing his lips remembering all his father had done to her, he knew her fear was warranted, but was no longer necessary as he had taken extra precautions long before to ensure her safety. It burned him though that she did not readily believe in him. "I know that as long as you are around I would be, but only so long as you are around." "No, even if I''m not right by you you will be safe, it is different now. He would not dare as he values his own life far too much." Muttering the last bit Liang JianAmal thought of their last meeting. "Huh?" "It does not matter. What matters is that you trust and believe in me. I will not let you down again." Taking a deep breath while closing her eyes Chang remet his eyes with a resolute gaze with just a tinge of fear still hiding in them conveyed in her furrowed, tense brows. "Please give me some time to think about it. I want to go with you, but I''m scared. Plus I don''t want to go with you, just to be ripped away again. It is too much for me to bear with to go through again." Clutching a hand over her chest Chang tried to strengthen and encourage her heart. "You do not have to worry about this, but if time will help set you at ease, then I will find a way to give it to you." Pinching his brow with one hand Jian held up a hand to her in admission. "If you need to go back, I understand, you have a lot of responsibilities yourself." "You are my main one though. Now get dressed, but not in something as revealing as yesterday." "Oh I already was planning on it." Chang rolled her eyes at his obvious statement. "Good. This would be seemly." As he spoke Jian reached over and grabbed the blouse she had just been looking at. A silvery blue halter neck sleeveless blouse. "I do not believe that I destroyed your skirt from yesterday but that would be a good match. Nothing else in here seems to be as fitting. Thinking of the shirt he destroyed yesterday Chang pouted slightly but moved past knowing it was an argument she would never win. Plus what was done was done and the shirt already lay in shreds. Knowing that he was rewearing his own clothes Chang decided not to make an issue of her only once-worn skirt. "OK I will wear that." ''Heh I wonder if he read my mind about the shirt.'' "What did you even want to do today?" Turning her back to him Chang dropped her towel and quickly slipped on her underwear and bra. "I wanted to make plans to leave with you and possibly even leave with you today. But as that will not be happening, I would like for you to show me some of your favorite places here. I would like to know about your life here." "Hmm well we''ve already been to quite a few actually. There''s a bridge near here, but only at sunset and a little after is it truly spectacular. Before that, I don''t know maybe just go to a park with you. There''s no good beaches near otherwise I would say that. Is there anywhere you want to go or see?" "I have told you where I wish to go with you. That is not possible, so you choose wherever you would prefer. As I said I would like to know more of your life since we will be here." Raising an eyebrow Liang JianAmal leaned back against the wall as he watched her dress with her back turned. "Thank you Jian for your patience." ''I don''t deserve you.'' Zipping up the last piece Chang looked at the tall man leaning against the wall, gazing at her feeling complicated from just how endlessly wonderful he was. 210 The Pi The more time Chang had to think about it she only became more cemented in really did not want to leave with him to Shanghai. She feared that he did not take his own father seriously enough as a threat. Seeing his own adamance about the subject though, Chang could only swallow her words and hold onto the pit in her stomach. The pit only seemed to harden and solidify with each passing second becoming a deep ache inside. Guilt started to accumulate as well, gnawing at her from the inside, seeing how much extra he had to do for her. All the phone calls he kept having to make or answer, trying to keep things together from afar. The time spent in front of a computer or borrowing her fax to ferry paperwork. When she asked Jian about his work and if he was having difficulties, he would merely smile and tell her that it was nothing. Jian told her that he said he would make time for her and that was what he was doing. On the second night after he brought up leaving, as she made them a simple noodle meal, she heard him speaking in a terse voice. Leaning against the back of the door to the kitchen she could hear him agitatedly speaking under his breath, trying to conceal his troubles. As she listened with her hand tightened around her spatula, feeling her stomach shrink. ''This is my fault.'' Clutching onto the feeling Chang went back to making food for the two of them. They ended up being slightly overcooked due to her overweighed mind but he never seemed to mind like always. ''You know if you''re upset you can tell me, I''m sure it''s not always fine..'' At night as she lay in his arms, Chang lay awake counting down the seconds in the darkness. She knew she would have to make a choice soon. On one hand she could close her eyes, make the jump, and leave with him. But the fear of Shanghai with his father waiting in it, and the fear of being torn away forcefully were something she could not bear to go through. On the other though there was a looming possibility that she would have to say goodbye, as he had to return and she could not leave with him to go there. Especially if she would just be torn from him in the end, it would be better to leave peacefully intact. At the thought of that though, her heart bled grievously. Either choice ate away at her from the inside though and she cried a few silent, bitter tears in the night when Jian could not see. He was insistent on leaving, saying that it would be safe. Chang knew living on opposite ends of the world separately would be no good for either of them. If he left and she did not go with him, it would be over. ''I need to tell him I can''t go with him. He''s leaving and I can''t go with him. I''m only tying him down and hindering him. I can''t do this anymore, I can''t keep wasting his time. I know how important he is. If I truly love him I should set him free, and not make him sit in this place of wavering like I have. "Plus I''m sure he''ll find someone else even better than me in every way. One without all the emotional baggage. Though as for me.." Thinking about it Chang felt hot tears slip out over her lower lids unbidden. Sensing her stop, Jian turned and looked at her with a quizzical expression. As he stood a few paces Chang memorized every detail of the man she loved dearly. With the sun shining through his hair, it picked up on the hints of gold and red here and there in his dark hair setting off his eyes. His beautiful deep amber eyes with those beautiful golden flecks she could have stared at every day. "I should have." The beautiful tanned skin that seemed to glow with his inner warmth and fire. His strong square jaw with his long straight nose, his thick expressive brows. His full lips, almost always curved into a pleasant curve. "I love kissing those lips. I love when he kisses me with those beautiful lips, he makes me feel so good." His tall broad-shouldered figure packed with muscles from years of being active. His strong yet gentle hands, that she had seen destroy someone with and yet could gently caress her. ''I love him so much. How can I leave him. If I didn''t die before when I lost my mom right after my dad, I know I would now. My heart can''t take much more. I''m weak so much weaker than I thought. 211 Let Her Go ''I should have more extensive pathways built into the gardens at home so that we can take walk togethers as this is very pleasant. I will have them built as a surprise for her when we return. I should have a willow tree facing a pond added to the garden as well. Hmm, with a hanging swing too, she should like that." Walking beside each other, he mused until he no longer heard the sound of her feet crunching on the small stones beneath their feet. Liang JianAmal turned to see what she was doing. Smiling as he turned, Liang JianAmal chuckled thinking she would probably be stopping to smell a flower, or to admire one of the pollinating insects. ''She thinks she has changed so much, yet some things never do. She may not run off to chase them and smell as she used to, but the caution may be better for her.'' When he turned instead of seeing her joyfully smelling a blossom, Chang stood in the center of the pathway, her shoulders hunched with her head hung low. Her expression was bitter as tears fell from her eyes. Both her fists hung at her side clenched tight. Seeing her looking so forlorn Liang JianAmal quickly made short work of the few steps between them. Crouching before her, he tried to look into her eyes in case something had maybe blown in with the breeze. "What happened did something get into your eyes." Searching his pockets, he remembered that he did not have anything fresh for her to wipe her eyes with. Shaking her head Chang pushed his hands away from her face. Feeling a sense of foreboding Liang JianAmal''s forehead knitted up as he looked at the woman before him. "Jian.." "What is it?" "Jian.." "What is it?" Wordlessly she just looked up into his eyes the tears, having left dark tracks and smudges below her eyes from her tears. Her eyes searched his looking for something soundlessly, as her mouth twitched and twisted. ''What is she doing? Why is she looking at me like that and what has caused her to cry so much as to ruin her makeup. She is rather fastidious about her appearance in certain ways unlike before. And she does love to use the makeup she does not need." Snorting at her so called morning ritual Liang JianAmal could only she his head in his mind "I can''t go with you." After having stared into his eyes for several heartbeats, her deep blue eyes traveled away from his down, still searching. Once her eyes had left his though her words came. "What do you mean?" "I can''t go with you back to Shanghai." Feeling like her throat was dry and the ground was swaying beneath her feet Chang let the words fall from her lips, forcing them out from the inside where they ate at her relentlessly. "I still remember the helpless feeling from being bound in that cellar, awaiting to be sold. Or when he took me and my mother away at gunpoint after torturing me. He is ruthless and will stop at nothing. 212 Let Her Go II "No, believe me Jian, your father is worse than you can imagine. I can''t go with you there." Pushing his hand away Chang pushed away at his hand. Staring up at him, she wished her words would get through to him so that he would understand. Making a displeased grunt in the back of his throat, Jian pressed his lips tight while pinching the bridge of his nose. Closing his eyes for a moment, the man took a deep calming breath before running a hand back through his hair agitatedly. "Fine then I will just continue to visit you here." Snorting in displeasure Jian held out a hand in emphasis as he spoke. "Jian, we both know that it wouldn''t work that easily." Shaking her head Chang spoke softly hating the words coming from her mouth. "You do not know of what you are speaking, it is a modern world now." "It still would take a half a day to fly, even at the fastest, a whole day for a round trip. And then what, are you planning to always be running yourself ragged trying to allocate the time to try to squeeze in a few days to come see me? "You have goals that you wanted to meet. You told me that you wanted to truly make the company you inherited touch every corner in the world, and have a purpose behind it. If you are always chasing after me, tearing yourself in half to reach two corners of the world, you will never achieve that." Hating her words Liang JianAmal was unable to say anything for a moment, unable to believe what he was hearing. As if she took it for his consent Chang continued speaking, making small hammer falls on his insides. "You have to let me go and walk away. Plus I''m sure you would find a more beautiful woman, with even better curves that you like. Someone smarter, who''s braver and better than me. Plus she would probably be someone your father would approve of, as long as she is not me at this point. "Jian-" "Chang stop talking." Cutting her off before she could continue, Liang JianAmal tried to sort out his thoughts and words, sifting through to find the right thing to say. Chang immediately silenced, her lips pressing tight as she looked at him dead on. She thought sharing her thoughts would make her feel better, but if anything the weight only burrowed deeper inside her guts. ''Let her go? Find another woman? She is talking nonsense from her fear, I should have not been so easy on my father.'' Snorting Liang JianAmal shook his head. "No I do-" "Stop. Just come with me now. Truly think about what you are saying and what I have said. Your fears are not as relevant as they once were. Chang I do not care to find another woman, even less so one that my father would approve of. I am here for you. "So for now just come with me. Let us take you somewhere you can clean up your face or just go back to your home. You can sleep on this further. You will see that I am right, if nothing else you just need to trust in me. I promise it will be fine." Grabbing her wrist Liang JianAmal opened one of her fists and interlaced it with one of his hands. Squeezing it tight he brought it up to his lips "Where do you want to go for now?" ".. Let''s just go back to my house." Sniffling a little Chang wiped her tears away briskly with her fingertips. Crying would not help her, right now she had to be stronger. 213 How Long Is Now Tilting her head up enjoying the feeling the steaming rainfall across her face, it almost felt as if hot tears were still streaming out. Chang scoffed to herself at the thought. It was highly unlikely she could still cry. By the time she got back home she had felt dried up and hollowed out from having cried so much. Placing a hand against the glass Chang grimaced as she shook her head. ''Why can''t he understand why I''m afraid. No, this is more than just fear, I''m terrified. And it''s not just paranoia from past experiences like he thinks. I know that something bad will happen, because of past experiences. Why doesn''t he understand that.'' "Why don''t you understand that Jian?" Whispering to herself, Chang despaired. ''I want to trust in you so bad Jian. I want to believe that it would all be fine, but I know it won''t. I wish it could be, it is not fair that it just can''t be. ''I wish we had more than just now, I don''t even know how we have for now.. I wish we could have a future together. I wanted to be able to wake-up and have your face be the first I see every morning. And you would be awake like usual, and you tell me good morning in that sexy voice of yours then kiss me. I even thought about how nice it would be if we had a baby one day, and how wonderful it would be if he or she had your pretty eyes.'' To her surprise a sob choked up her throat crushing her chest as she tried to stifle it. The injustices just kept piling up when she thought about it. ''First my dad dying because no one cared. Then I met Jian only to be torn away from him twice. Then my mom dying from cancer not that long after being torn away from Jian the second time. It''s just not fair. ''Why does this keep happening to me? Why do I have to say goodbye now again. Why can''t I just be with my family and be happy? Why do they all keep being taken from me one way or another?'' Pressing her weight against her palm on the glass Chang sunk to her knees and allowed herself to weep openly now that she was alone. Blinking up occasionally she let the hot water wash away her tears as soon as they formed, hoping it would take the feelings with them. They only grew throughout her, suffocating her. Chang did not know how long she had been in there for when Jian pulled open the shower door, backing up when the cloud of steam assailed him. Instantly Liang Jian Amal felt sweat all over his brow and his lower back from the extreme heat and moisture in the room. "You had been in here so long I was starting to worry for you. What are you doing down there?" As he spoke Liang JianAmal held a hand out to her to help her up off the floor. "Jian.. "Her face crumpling Chang quickly jumped up into his arms latching her arms tight around his neck. Burying her face there, she sobbed uncontrollably. "Hey, why do you keep crying like this, you are going to make yourself ill. There is no need for this, I already told you it will be fine." "No, it won''t." Barely intelligible due to her sobbing Liang Jian Amal almost chuckled as he held her soaking wet back. He refrained seeing her continued miserable state. Reaching over Liang JianAmal shut off the scalding water that continued running and put arms around his shoulders. 214 No Need To Be Told Twice Sighing Liang JianAmal could only hold her tighter and let her cry it out. It left him feeling so helpless when she only cried and would not answer him. Feeling her lithe wet form pressed up against him Liang JianAmal had to suppress a groan as a part of himself swelled unbidden. ''This is not the time, go back down.'' Mentally controlling himself Liang JianAmal breathed deeply and held her by her shoulders. On any other day this would be a wonderful golden opportunity, but not now with her so distressed in tears. "Chang." "Jian, it''s not fair." Hearing Jian''s low voice call her name so gently, as he did, Chang spoke softly between her tears. "What is?" "Everything." "Now if that is not well and truly vague. You know when you speak like that I no idea what you''re talking about." "I don''t want to leave you now after everything we''ve been through." Burying her face completely into the side of his neck, Chang''s words were partially muffled. "You know that you do not have to." "I do though." "No you do not, you only think that you do. It is not how things are now Chang. Just trust me." "I do Jian, but I trust that your dad will ensure that we would never be able to enjoy a peaceful life together. There would always be that threat looming over the background waiting." "No we will have a peaceful life togther, I will make sure of it." His tone lowering further, Jian spoke every word with conviction. "You can''t be stuck to me 24/7 or have me tp you, he will find a moment." "Why not? I could assign you to the position of my personal assisstant, that way you would not be home alone when I leave for work." "Heh, that''s not a bad idea." "No it really is not. I am already rather fond of the idea, I would just keep you in my personal resting room too." "Then what exactly would I even be assisting you with?" Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. "Hmm. Morale. Motivational support." "That does not sound like I would be really there to help." Giving a short dry laugh hang shook her head. "Oh no, you would be. Plus if it would set your mind at ease then it would be worth it." Smiling to himself at, Liang JianAmal thought about his little personal assistant. "You''re too good to me Jian." "Oh. Then dont hold yourself back." Feeling what he meant, against her belly Chang turned a little red and mumbled in his ear. "Well then, wait what did you say?" Not expecting her answer, looked at her in surprise. Embarrassed and unable to repeat herself, Chang chose to demonstrate with action. Grabbing his collar with both fists, she stood on her tiptoes and planted an akward kiss on his lips. "Ah, this is not a good time at the moment, you should calm down first and eat something." Pulling back his head slightly Jian tried to hold her back by her shoulders. "No, I want you now." The man did not need to be told twice. Gripping her short hair in a fist, he ravaged her mouth claiming it with his tongue until she was gasping for air in between small moans. As tight as his hand was in her hair, it almost hurt, but Chang did not care. As he pulled and led them into her bedroom Chang took the initiative to push him onto the bed with all her strength. Looking up at her Jian had a pleasantly surprised expression, as if seeing her for the first time. ''I may never get the chance again, I should take it while I can.'' Straddling herself on his lap, Chang busied herself with the buttons on his shirt. "I like how proactive you are being, I think I will have to reward you." Smiling evily Jian let his hands wander up and down her back. "Then shut up and kiss me." "Where?" "Everywhere." 215 Desolate Shivering Chang looked into his eye, as he gently bit the inside of each of her thighs before planting a gentle kiss. After kissing her thighs he stopped and gazed hungrily at her most private part but did not act. Embarrassed seeing him lingering just staring, Chang started to curl her legs inward and tried to block his gaze with a hand. Swatting her hand away he raised an eyebrow at her. "What are you doing Jian, it''s embarrassing." "I was thinking that I want to hear you beg." "What?" "I want to hear you beg for me to pleasure you." "I can''t do that, that''s way too much." Burning Chang denied him, shaking her head vehemently. "Then just say ''please Jian'' nice and sweetly, and I will continue." Purring Jian''s words sounded enticing. ''I should be kind to Jian while I can. Even though he is a damn pervert!'' Covering her eyes with her hands Chang blurted out what he asked for. "Please Jian!" "Oh so easy, but you did not let me finish. Say ''please Jian I want you to pleasure me and take me.''" "What, you''re a total liar, you did so finish you''re just trying to take more now. No." "No? Really?" Dragging his lips in small circles on her inner thighs, it tickled so bad she reflexively tried to shut them. With an iron grip he easily held her legs open. "Nuh-uh, I want to hear you to say it." "Ah Jian." Shuddering, Chang felt her belly dip and jump as her body fell out of her control. "Yes." "I want you to kiss me down there and then make love to me." "Good girl, close enough." Flicking his tongue out, Chang gripped the sheets below her, twisting them as she surrendered her body completely to the man she loved. Gripping his waist tightly with her legs, the last thing she remembered was his chest, as he held her head to it. With her head pressed Chang listened to the sound of his deep heavy breathing, his own gasps and small groans, and was lulled by the comforting sound of his voice. Holding tightly to him from his shoulders Chang had felt herself slip away as she was racked with wave after wave of toe curling pleasure. Very faintly before she was completely gone she heard Jian whispering words of love to her. In the night for the first time in a long while, Chang was visited with a vivid dream as she used to. From all the sleeping pills she figured she had taken over the past year, her nights had become dreamless landscapes of darkness. Since Jian had been staying with her though she had not taken another dosage. Even though it was brightly lit, with nothing but the sound of the howling wind and the swaying of grasses surrounding her, Chang could not help but feel that the landscape seemed desolate. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. Spinning around Chang looked for another soul, wondering why she dreamed of being alone somewhere she had never been. As she spun Chang could barely see the faint figures of what seemed to be a couple people on the next rise over. 216 Push It was her mom and dad standing side by side. The two wore sad apologetic faces as they looked out towards her. Her father had one of his arms wrapped down around her mother, as her hand came up to grasp his forearm for comfort. Seeing them after so long Chang burst out in tears and ran towards them harder, her feet driving into the softs tufts with her desperation. No matter how she ran they grew no closer or further from her, looking as if they stood only twenty feet away. "Mom! Dad" As she was unable to advance to them Chang cried out and held a hand to them hoping she could touch them. Looking up at them, the wind started to blow harder making the white dress she wore give crisp snaps. As the gale forces increased Changs short black hair whipped around her face trying to blot out the sight of her parents. ".." "What?" Standing not too far from them Chang could clearly see their mouths moving, yet the wind snatched their words away immediately. "I can''t hear you! Mom! Dad!" Cupping her hands to her mouth Chang tried to amplify her voice to reach them. If they could hear her maybe she could hear them. The two called out to her with sad, desparate looks but howling wind drowned out whatever they were trying to say. As they called out to her with silent mouths they held their hands out to her beckoning her to come to them. "I can''t, I''m sorry." Knowing she was unable to Chang sank to her knees in defeat. Looking at them, feeling alone Chang heard the thudding of feet behind her. Turning she barely saw the flash of legs before they had moved past her, running towards her mother and father. From the back she could see it was a girl with long flowing dark brown hair, wearing a dress like she was. The girl had one hand on the hemline pulling it up slightly so that it would not impede her knees in her dash. Once at the end of the hill they were on, the girl made a sudden leap. Sailing through the empty air, the girl in the white dress landed before her mother and father who accepted her with broad smiles and hugs. After holding them the girl turned towards her wearing a cocky self-assured smile. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. Digging her nails into her palm, Chang felt like hot coals were raked against her heart as her old self broke off eye contact and turned away. She could see a trace of pity for her, as if she were another soul. ''I am. I see that. I''m sorry that I''ve moved on from who I was, but I had to. I couldn''t survive as who I was.'' "Mom, Dad!" Jealous that her old self could reach them but she could not Chang stood. Lifting her dress as she had done, Chang started running to the end trying to jump as she had. As she leapt, she saw the distance between them was far greater than it had appeared, with a black chasm stretching below. She sailed aways over it but not close enough to be with herself and her parents. Clawing at the air Chang fell short watching as they grew taller above her. As she fell, she saw the three of them lean over the edge with concerned looks. Her father, mother, and herself watched her fall, as if helpless themselves. Yelling out Chang dug her nails into her palm falling further into the blackness. Awakening abruptly Chang sat right up to find that Jian had an arm already around her. "It is alright, you just had a nightmare. You are fine Chang." Stroking her head he lulled her back to sleep beside him. Laying beside him she was unable to fall back asleep, but listened as his breathing became more even and shallow in sleep. Feeling the heavy rock of guilt and sadness sitting on her chest Chang could barely breathe. Laying awake she knew she had to make the decision today and the push. It could not be delayed any longer. 217 Where Paths Divide ''He must have been really tired, he even stayed awake with me for so long trying to get me back to sleep. Such a kind man deserves so much more.'' Gently kissing him on his cheekbone, being careful not to wake him, Chang rose to clean herself quickly. Padding out silently, wrapped in a towel she saw that he still slept peacefully. Pausing for a moment she just watched him, hating that this would be the final time she would see this beautiful picture. Sighing she continued, trying not to drown in her bitterness. Dressing quickly she donned a simple knee-length black dress, knee-length black boots, and a long black scarf. Black for mourning. After Chang went to the vanity and pulled out one of her most prized possessions. A small simple gold band with a few diamonds inbedded in it with a leather tie wrapped around it lay there, preserved. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. Grabbing it by the tie she lifted and placed it in the palm of her other hand. When she lifted the small gold band felt heavier than it was, or ever had before. Fingering it Chang stared at the small characters engraved into the inside, before closing it into her fist, forcefully sealing it away from her eyes. ''You know the consequences if you waver, this will hurt, but less than it would the other way.'' Slipping it into her clutch that she was going to use, Chang turned her attention to the sleeping man. Walking to the bedside Chang sat beside Jian and lightly stroked his face until he began to wake. Smiling, Chang waited until had opened his eyes fully before greeting him warmly and giving him a light good morning kiss. "Hmm, I must have pleased my wife last night greatly for her to have woken so pleased with me." Eyes slightly widened with surprise Jian gave her a crooked grin. "No, I just wanted to give you a proper good morning." "Come here, why are you dressed already?" Pulling her closer Jian eyed her outfit up and down. "There''s some places that I want to go to with you. I wanted to show you them." "Fine, give me a moment and I will ready myself for you." Releasing his grip on Chang, Jian began to arise giving a big yawn as he did. Once ready the two left shortly after. Chang tried to keep up a pleasant attitude but the thought that this was their last day plagued her. Jian tried to cheer her up several times, but when he tried it only made her feel worse. Parking after reaching their destination the two still had to walk a distance before reaching the bridge. Walking hand-in-hand the two walked up to the center as Chang led them to the edge, to look over the water. Releasing his hand Chang went up to the edge, gripping it. Looking around Liang JianAmal viewed the graffiti panels of art with a raised brow. ''Why here?'' Silently the man waited for her to speak, feeling a strange foreboding building. As Chang looked out the wind blew through refreshingly pushing back her hair back along with her long black scarf. As she inhaled Chang tried to steel herself to the path she had committed herself on. "This is called the Pont Des Arts. It used to be called the love-lock bridge too though. Couples would come and they would set a lock on the bridge to "lock in their love together forever." "Not anymore, though the city banned it as the weight from all the locks actually damaged the bridge, so they put up the art. When I was younger I had heard about this place and had thought that it was very romantic. I thought how nice it would be to do that with someone. "After I first came to Paris I would come to the bridge and I would think about you. I would think how nice it would be, that maybe if we did that, it would be like a ward and maybe we would have been able to stay together." Starting to ramble Chang confessed some of the thoughts she had kept hidden. Heh, if you want to we can do such a thing when we go back home. Somewhere where it will not damage property." Chuckling a little Jian put a hand in his pocket and walked towards her. "No. We can''t." "What do you mean?" 218 What I Want To Do And What I Canno "Why ever not?" "You know why, I''ve told you. You don''t seem to understand just how much of a threat your father really is." "No I do, which is why I snuffed out the threat before he could burn us further. You do not need to be afraid of him any longer." Grabbing her upper arms Jian stared at her intensely, incensed. "Not if I don''t go with you. If I do, I will always have to have that fear. I will always be looking over my shoulder. I will always have to fear leaving your shadow, that''s not living Jian. I''ve come to realize that, you know I want to live with you, but not like that." "Then what do you want?" ''I want to live with you. I want to go back with you and make a home. I want to dance with you until late at night. I want to wake up and have your face be the first thing I see. Then at the end of the day have it be the last..'' "Chang." Tightening his fingers around her arm almost painfully, Chang came back to the painful reality where he waited for her answer. "What I can''t have." "You can. I know you have been given may reasons to fear, but have you not also been given just as many to trust me? Do you not believe in me stronger than you fear my father?" Narrowing his eyes at her, Chang felt like her heart was stabbed by his sharp look. "Chang do you not believe in me?" The second time he asked Jian''s voice had a rougher edge to it, almost worn. "I do.." Unable to bear the him sounding like that, Chang answered him while nodding lightly. "I do not believe you do, otherwise why would you speak about us just parting ways so easily?Especially after all that we have surmounted." Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. "This is not easy, I have been thinking about this long and hard for several days now." Clasping her hands Chang picked at her fingers nervously with the other hand. As she did Jian, one of Jian''s hands released her arm and covered her hands, squeezing it tight. "There is an easier way." Speaking gently, she could feel him trying to coax her heart. The more he pulled the further it tore open. "This is the easist way Jian. I wish there was another way for us, but there isn''t. This is where we need to part ways, we are on divergent paths now leading us to different places." "This is a choice, you are choosing to walk another path." "Which is why you need to leave me behind." "So you will leave me, right here, right now." The man before her spoke flatly, barely containing the anger she could see growing behind his eyes with pain. "I have to. The longer I spend with you the harder it becomes." "How heartless. Maybe it is harder because you realize somewhere deep down that this is wrong, that this is not what you should do." ''I know it is wrong but I dont have a better option available.'' Pursing her lips Chang looked down and away in regret. "Look at me, quit looking away from me all the time and avoiding me." Shocking her, causing her to jump slightly, Jian raised his voice in anger at her. "Look me in the eye and tell me honestly what you want." "Looking up at him Chang gave him an apologetic smile, she tried to smile brightly for him once more, but it was a broken wavering thing. Refusing to avoid his gaze, she looked up and tried her hardest not to break in front of him. "Jian, I want you to fulfill your goals in life. I want you to be happy and live a good life. I want you to marry again, but only if you want, and have a good life with whomever you choose. I want you to take care of your health too. Don''t smoke too much too much, it''s not good for you, maybe avoid getting shot in the future too, that''s not good for you either." Chang tried to chuckle but it was broken and hollow like she was becoming. "I don''t want you to always have to cater to me and my fears, and not be able to live freely. You should strive for your future. I am apart of the past you need to leave behind, I''m only holding you back. It is time for us to move from here. It is time for you to leave me." "Chang is that what you really want?" His voice hoarse, Jian''s eyes searched her questioningly. "It''s what I need. Jian, thank you. Farewell." Continuing to look at him Chang stepped back and pulled herself from his grasp. As she pulled he released her hesitantly, his hands still held out in the air. Crushed by the image, Chang took a few deep breaths and turned away. Walking away Chang held her head low as she let her tears flow. Along with the sharp clicks from her heels, she could hear the last bit of her heart crackling and crumbling down; bleeding out with her tears. As if in protest to her actions, her scarf tossed and whipped in the wind behind her, fluttering towards the man she left standing behind her. ''It''s a clean break this is healthy. I don''t know how much time I will need, but I will heal from this too. Instead of waiting for me, and catering to my fears always he should do right for himself and his future. ''I just wish I could be part of that future. 219 Running in Circles I + II Holding onto her clutch tightly, Chang felt a small lump sitting in it. Stopping, Chang realized what it was. ''Wait, I forgot to give him the ring back. How do I do that now, I can''t turn around though.'' Holding the small lump in her hand Chang felt herself more and more tempted to keep it and all that it represented. ''You know you can''t though, you''ll have to mail it to him or find another way to get it back. To turn back just to give him this would be even crueler.'' As she mulled over the heavy weights she carried, Chang felt a force hold onto her from behind, pulling her back to a warm embrace. "You know, your words aren''t that convincing when you make a face like you were, and when you walk away so dejectedly." Even after she was so cold, he could still be so warm to her. Turning Chang buried her face into his chest and sobbed, clutching onto him. How was she supposed to move on and let him go? It was too cruel. But reality, she had come to find out, was crueler and colder than belief. "Chang. Take the time, truly think about the decision you are making." "I have thought about it. I can''t go with you, so you have to move on." Speaking against his shoulder, Chang refused to leave the safety of his arms. "Give me another night to try to change your mind." "The longer we drag this out, the harder it is going to be.. but I still will give you another night." ''I would give you all my nights and days if I could.'' Feeling him stiffen up Chang could only relent to him, and her heart. Pulling out her keys Chang leaned against Jian for support as they walked to her car. After a quick decision Chang pulled up to a nearby hotel instead of going back home. ''If I keep making memories there, going back will only be more painful. It will be hard enough to go back to it alone.'' Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. Checking them into a suite, Chang led the man up to the room. Walking beside her holding onto her upper arms, Liang Jian Amal racked his brain to find a way to change what was happening. ''How do I hold on to you, when you are purposefully trying to slip away from me?'' Walking around the corner he watched as she dropped her last piece of clothing and walked into the shower, leaving the curtain open. Seeing him standing there, Chang silently held a hand out to him in invitation. With her eyes puffy and reddened from her tears and her slight frame, Chang looked to be beyond fragile. She looked as if she would break and crumble down at the slightest provacative aggravation. Dropping her clothes Liang JianAmal took her hand and pulled her against him. "Chang, please stop crying." As he held her, Liang JianAmal could feel her shoulders shaking along with the tremors from uneven breathing. Squeezing her tight, he wished he could destroy the insecurities and fears that plagued her. ''I had thought I had ensured a success when I failed her last year, but now it seems as if it was for nothing. I should have just come straight for her. I should not have waited. How do I fix this now? ''How do I tie you to me so that you cannot and will not leave?'' Tilting her head up Chang placed a few light kisses on the edge of his jawline, giving him an idea. Holding her in one arm he began peeling off his soaked clothing with the other. As soon as his shirt was off, Chang''s hands snaked up between the muscles on his upper back, holding herself to him desperately. ''Even though she''s right here she feels so distant right now. I won''t allow for you to run from me forever. Raising her face, Liang JianAmal tenderly kissed her lips until she reciprocated fiercely, opening her mouth to meet his tongue with hers. With her hands clawing into his back, Chang hooked a leg around his hips, causing him to let out a groan. ''You make restraining myself so hard.'' Pushing her up against the wall Liang JianAmal lifted her slippery form up until both her legs were wrapped around his waist. Planting slow kisses down her chest, Liang JianAmal felt her start to twist and knot her fingers into his hair. Catching her by surprise, Chang gave a huge gasp when he entered her suddenly, but she clutched at him tighter, pulling him further in. Tightening and crossing her ankles Chang rode with his motions, crying out occasionally. Resting his face against her soft chest, Liang JianAmal caught his breath as she pulled him into a release with her. Even after though Chang continued to hold onto him, showing no signs of wanting to stop or let go. Turning off the water Liang JianAmal looked at her face to see holding broken pleading expression as water dripped from it. Sighing Liang JianAmal carried her to the single bed and continued until she gave up in exhaustion and from overwhelming ecstasy. Covered in sweat Liang JianAmal pulled her into his arms and planted a kiss on her brow. "If you truly want me to leave I will, just know that I would not be able to fulfill the promise of living well. I will not be able to remarry happily and love another the same. If it is not you by my side, I will not be able to. I do not know why, but from the day I met you it has been you, only you. "If my moving on without you brings you peace though that is enough for me. "I love you Chang Xie Dumont." Holding her in his arms Liang Jian Amal lay awake until dawn when he felt her stirring. As light was just starting to peek into the room Chang awoke with her face snuggled into Jian''s chest with their legs intertwined under the cover. Painfully Chang peeled herself from his side and began to quietly dress herself, except for her shoes, holding them in her hand. Looking at his naked handsome form laying solo in the twisted covers, Chang felt a solitary tear carve down her cheek and burned the scene into her memory with the pain. Putting the boots down Chang crawled across the bed and lightly placed a kiss on his beautiful lips. "I love you Liang Jian Amal, so, so much it hurts. I''m so sorry I never told you that sooner either. "Thank you so much, you brought me so much joy, more than I thought possible. I have experienced places and events I would never have thought of or imagined myself going through. From having you in it, my life has become richer and more colorful. "Thank you for everything you did for my mom too, not just anyone could or would do as you did for her. You are a rare and wonderful person. "Thank you for letting me go too, I know this is not easy. I hope you find a woman who loves you more than I ever could and is able to lavish you with it. You deserve so much love Jian. I wish I was able to give you what you deserve. "I wish I could rise over my fear and fly with you. I will never love another like you, I don''t think I''d be able to. No matter how far apart we are, you will always be holding my heart. Only you, always you." Pulling the ring out from her clutch Chang placed a kiss on it before setting it onto the pillow beside his head. Crawling to the edge, Chang looked back at him; wishing she could just crawl back into his arms and just forget everything. Unfortunately it was not possible. Planting a kiss to her fingertips, feeling a tear wet them, Chang lightly touched his warm cheek in parting and silently padded out of the room. 220 I Did Not Even Think About Tha ''I wonder if he has woken up by now to find me gone.'' Guilt instantly panged and she tried hard to not picture it. ''Maybe he is preparing now to go home, or maybe he is already on his way home. So far from here. Far from me. I hope he has an easy, steady flight. Good bye my love.'' ''No, no, stop crying in public. Just keep it together for now!'' Brushing away the tears that naturally sprang up when she thought of him. Leaning against the window of her first class seat, Chang tried to busy her mind staring at the shrunken scenery. Once landed she grabbed the first taxi that came by the airport, and directed them to her grands-p¨¨re''s. Staring out the window at the lavender and cypress lined road Chang let her mind wander back to him. Sooner than she thought the two pulled up at the ornate gates. At first they were denied entry, but Chang pressed on the speaker box, refusing to be denied so easily. "This is Charmaine Elaenora Dumont, I am here to see my grand-p¨¨re. You will let me in." After she spoke there was silence on the other end before the gates opened smoothly. Paying the driver, Chang stepped into the sunlit courtyard, shielding her eyes from the bright wash of light. As she stepped up to the door, it swung open inwardly. Chang nodded her head at the maid who held the door and made her way to Jean-Jacques Dumont''s study, where he almost always was. Like she thought, she found him there, standing facing a window with his hands clasped behind his back. His desk was littered with all kinds of documents looking unusually messy. Hearing her enter he turned to her slowly, anticipating her arrival. "What are you doing here my dear? Charmaine, what is with your appearance, where is Monsieur Liang?" At his question her carefully constructed dam of glass shattered and all her tears rushed out. Covering her face with her hands she stood there rooted. "What happened? Did he do something to you?" Hurrying to her side Jean-Jacques Dumont''s tone grew more stern in warning. "No, it''s what I did to him!" Hearing her grand-p¨¨re try to blame Jian she cried even harder. Sitting her down her grand-p¨¨re had one of the maids bring her some tea as well as some breakfast while she explained what happened. "I am sorry my dear to hear that your reunion has only ended in sorrow for you." "It is what it is. If it''s alright may I take an extended leave from Bouleau Argent¨¦?" Sniffling, Chang nibbled on the edge of some hard bread with brie and vegetables. "Is there someone already covering for your position while you are away. "No to be honest I completely forgot that it was Monday and that I was supposed to be back today with all that was in my mind." "That is fine, I understand. Is there someone suitable from within the office that would be able to cover for your position temporarily?" ''It''s funny I had been thinking if the same thing since HE had brought it up.'' Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. "I would have to say that Andreu Ferrier would be an effective replacement. He is cool, calm, and keeps and pleasant disposition even with difficult customers. He has only dealt with contracts with less monetary value, but I believe that he will do well with this opportunity." "Then I shall call to let them know. Take all the time you need, I will be waiting for when you return." ''This may actually be a blessing in disguise a tabloid had tried to restir up the gossip about her. I will not tell her as I have already put a stop to it.'' 221 If At First I Dont Succeed Throwing it in to the top drawer Liang JianAmal violently slammed the drawer shut before locking it away. Rifling through the desk he found a case of cigarettes and immediately lit one up. ''I want you to take care of your health..'' Thinking of her words, the burning stub between his fingers lost its enjoyment and he put it out forcefully. Unsatisfied Liang JianAmal leaned back into his chair running his hands through his hair. Catching sight of her picture on the corner of his desk, his fury ignited. It was the picture of her with Justin in LA, smiling happily with him. Taking one of his arms he swept everything off his desk in a brutal sweep. Papers scattered and flew apart as glass crashed. Yelling, the man grabbed what was easily at hand and smashed it, trying to vent his fury. In the end Liang JianAmal kneeled among the ruins of his office alone and silent. All his rage spent. All his energy spent. ---- In the busy streets across the world, filled with throngs of people Chang tried to lose herself. Or at least the memories that plagued her. No matter how she tried to she could not though. Every night before she went to sleep her last thoughts were of him. Every morning when she woke, she would search for him to be beside her in confusion. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. ''I got used to being alone for over a year, why can''t I just get used to it again.'' At the end of a wasted day trying to forget him, Chang would cry tears of frustration as she drank herself to sleep. On her third week as she walked through the bustling streets of Rome, Chang saw him walking through the crowd. His distinctive hair color have him away at first, but as she stared she realized that it was his familiar tall figure. Pushing through the crowd desperately Chang received more than a few curses and shoves back. Relentlessly she forced her way through to him and grabbed his shoulder. The younger man turned in surprise at the young teary-eyed woman who held onto his shoulder. Embarrassed Chang had instantly released the stranger and fled back to her hotel. ''You already know that you cannot be with him, so why would you chase him down even if it was him?'' Walking on the beautiful white sand beaches of Morocco Chang was inadvertently reminded of the beautiful time they had spent together in Lahat. Looking at the sparkling blue water crashing to the shore, zChang could almost see the two of them playing in the water as the image was so similar. One tear carved a path only to be followed with another. Without caring for her image, Chang wept openly in public kneeling to the groumd before slumping to one hip. After crying until she felt hollow again Chang stared at the open blinding sea until the sun dyed everything crimson. As darkness started to creep and the stars emerged Chang began to whisper the lines of a song she had once known well. When she thought about it now, it carried a new meaning to her. .... "Oh its hard, letting go "I''m finally at peace, but it feels wrong "Slow, I''m getting up "But my hand and feet are weaker than before "And you are folded on the bed, where I rest my head "There''s nothing I can see "When you are haunting me "But I''m already there "I''m already there "Wherever there is you, I will be there too.. "There''s nothing that I take back "Oh, but it''s hard to say there''s nothing I regret." Scoffing to herself Chang rose up and dusted herself off. 222 Ruins Entering Liang Ju-Long clicked his tongue in distaste at the horrific mess inside his son''s villa. Almost every picture had been knocked off the wall, forcefully it seemed by the scattered glass and the smashed frames. Tables had been kicked over, and the carpets had been sullied by countless footprints and the glass. Carefully scanning the villa with his driver, Chen Bohai, Liang Ju-Long headed upstairs wondering where his son was in all the wreckage. ''What has brought him to bring his house to such a state. As far as I know he has never caused such destruction before.'' Turning on lights as he went, Liang Ju-Long brightened up the dark house with all it''s curtains shut. Seeing Liang JianAmal''s office door open Liang Ju-Long headed there. With effort he pushed the door open as it was hindered. Reaching to turn on the light, he heard a hoarse "no" before he flipped the switch. Inside the once black study room, Liang JianAmal sat at his desk. In one hand he held a cigarette that was almost burned out while the other shielded his eyes. He looked to have not shaved or changed in days by the darkness across his jawline and the state of his rumpled clothing. "How unseemly." "I did not realize that I would be entertaining unwelcome guests." Lowering his hand from its protective stance, Liang JianAmal glowered at the two with bloodshot eyes. "Che, and you so happen to be one of those I wished to see leat of all. As you can see, I am in no state to host. As such please leave my home." Spitting from between his teeth, the younger man remained seated and gestured to the door they had just came in from. "Why? So that you may continue to languish in your filth." Raising an eyebrow Liang Ju-Long looked pointedly at his son''s appearance. "Yes, so if you do not mind, I will go back to my languishing." "You have a job that needs to be done. The company needs you, the shareholders are worried with such an absentee CEO." "Oh yet I never hear anything as they continue to collect their shares." Sneering Liang Jian Amal shook his head in disgust. "I know my responsibilities. I do not need you to tell me." "It was that girl. That useless woman that you continue to chase after has brought you to this state." As if having been struck by an idea Liang Ju-Long looked at the chaos surrounding them in a new light. Tightening his hand around the glass Liang JianAmal refused to answer his goad. "She truly was no good." "I will not sit here and listen to you speak ill of my ex-wife. Especially as what has happened between us falls on your shoulders." Seeing as the man was not leaving Liang JianAmal took another large gulp of scotch, enjoying the burn. "It was finalized as of a few days ago." "So what do you plan to do now." "Nothing. I could not care less whether I marry again. It is not a concern to me." "No. This is advantageous, you should take this opportunity to marry a bride from a suitable household, as you should have done before. It is better late than never though." Snorting Liang Jian Amal shook his head at his father''s one-track mind. "As I have said I do not care, I have no interest in this matter." Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. "This would be advantageous for your future, and the future of this house." Circling the glass in his hand Liang JianAmal mused on a past conversation before answering. ".. Fine. I will do it. I have no interest in going through all the proceedings though, I will only show when it is demanded of me." "As long as you do what you must. Clean yourself up. You reek. Hire a maid to clean up this mess. Go back to the company." Grunting in answer Liang Jian Amal stood to light another cigarette by his open window, looking out into the sunlit gardens. As he faced away he heard the sound of the two pairs of footsteps leaving finally. ''Hm. I suppose this would count as marrying well..'' --- 223 Good Advice From A Friend With a bit of force Chang managed to pull open the rusted gate and unlock the front door to her home. After not having been opened for who knew how long the place had a permeating dusty musty smell. Opening the windows up Chang let the light and fresh air into the stale environment. ''It looks like Aunt ChenHua never came here after I left.'' Everything was just as it had been left last, preserved. The Christmas tree still stood, most of the way decorated. Inside the house, time had come to a stop, still stuck on the day she had last gone to the hospital with her mother. "Mom. Dad.. I''m home.."Chuckling to herself, Chang announced her presence to no one. Removing her shoes Chang walked through the halls to her own bedroom. Extremely jetlagged she slept until she felt right again, only knowing that it was light out again or still. Waking Chang went to fulfill her urge for coming, leaving her bed she made her way to her parent''s bedroom. Brushing her hands against the familiar walls she made her way through the empty house. Opening the closed door the smell hit her as well as the last faintest traces of the smell of her mom. Sitting on the bed she clung to every faintest trace of it in the air. ''How did you two make it through it all? I know that you both didn''t have it easy either.'' Chang wished she could actually talk to them still, they would probably understand. As they were not she could only sit in their space thinking about what they might have said. The two did not have much in their room, just furnishings, clothes, and pictures marking her age progression from infancy. "What am I doing here? Whatever guidance I came looking for isn''t here, the two people that I want to ask for guidance from are no longer around any more at all." Shaking her head Chang began talking to herself to fill the silence. "But I know what they would say, Mom would probably say to have more trust in Jian. While Dad would just tell me to do what feels right. "I feel so wrong inside though, all the time, and it''s not getting any easier. It''s only getting worse, What do I do? "Why does his face haunt me, especially that look on his face on the bridge." Clutching her chest Chang felt the pain again, thinking of Jian. "I wish I could talk to someone about this.. I feel so alone.." Whispering to herself Chang hugged her arms in the empty room and layed back onto her side. Closing her eyes she played the beautiful memories back trying to sustain herself on just them. ''Wait. Duh! I must have gone dumb! There is someone I can talk to.'' Sitting up, Chang pulled out her cell phone and dialed the number she had saved in it not so long ago. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. "Please pick up, please pick up, ah!" Listening to the dialing tone, Chang crossed her fingers hoping that the other party would answer. Chanting fervently she was answered with his cheery hello before she could say the third. "Justin!" "Do my ears deceive me, or is that Shar? And here I thought you would be in renewed marital bliss and would not be contacting me for a hot minute! So how are things between you two lovebirds? How''s Mr. Possessive doing?" Chang''s face fell but her tears remained reserved. She had let so many tears fall already that a hollow feeling is what remained in her well. Sitting for a moment Chang was unsure of how to answer her friend''s playful tone. "What cat got your tongue? Or are you just too embarrassed to say!" "No it''s not like that.. Jian and I actually split up, for good this time." Clearing her throat Chang confessed quickly. "Wait, hold on, back up. You guys did what?" Chang had to hold the phone away from her ear as Justin bellowed into it in shock. "I split up with Jian. He wanted to go back to Shanghai, to his home together, but I couldn''t." Speaking slowly Chang tore at herself with her words. "Why couldn''t you do that shouldn''t it have been a dream come true?" "Because of his father." Thinking of the cold pair of eyes, Chang''s tone dropped as well. "You make it sound like he''s the boogeyman or something. He''s an asshole, yes, but still a human." "No he''s worse, he''s actually real, and ruthlessly relentless." "Okay, explain in detail, I''m obviously missing something." Chang had omitted some of the worse details involving his father before. Justin knew a lot before, but now he knew everything. By the time she got to being taken forcibly from Jian''s side in Lahat at gunpoint, Justin was fuming. After she told him all that she had withheld, Chang began to tell him of the last few days between her and Jian. She told him about her travels, and the pain she felt daily. "Ugh, this is so fucked up! Hold on a second, I need to step outside and cool my head now." On the other end Chang heard the sound of the door closing and the distinctive sound of a lighter being flicked. After hearing him take a long exhale he spoke again. "So your fear of the father-in-law from hell caused you to separate from Jian?" 224 Good Advice From A Friend II "I just keep thinking about when I tried to leave him on the bridge. Jian just looked so hurt, like I''ve never seen before. It hurts more the longer it goes on. I wish I could see him just one more time. Just to see him and know that he''s doing well." "Then why don''t you?" "Because I turned my back on him. I told him to go and to marry another woman. To go lead a good life with someone else. Thinking about him getting with another woman kills me. I feel so torn, I told him to do that but if he actually did it would kill me. "Every day feels like it kills me a little more anyways. Like I''m being hollowed out slowly the longer I''m away from Jian." "Then don''t let him find another woman and just go to him." "Excuse me? But what about his father, what about Ju-Long?" "What about him? If you''re going through a living death already every day, then what is holding you back, what are you afraid of? Aren''t you more afraid of having to live every day for the rest of your life like this? "Or how about this. Do you really want to see him marry another, and have children with them too? Do you really want to go on the rest of your life not knowing if you two really had a chance, and that you may have blown it?" "... " Picturing the thought Chang''s eyes went open wide in horror and she could not answer. "Maybe like Jian told you, you should have a little more faith in him. Take the leap of faith. Worry about his father when you get to that. "Because if you really want him girl, then you should go after him. He want after you three times, it''s your turn now. You should be more proactive in this since things have come to where they are." "But what about the hurtful things I did?" "I don''t know what you need to say for everything, but maybe start with apologizing. And tell him you love him because you obviously do. But you should tell him that to his face." "You''re right, I do love him I know I''m right, so get off your ass girl, leave America, and go get your man!" "Thank you Justin." "Any time! You''d better get off your butt though and quit wasting time." "I will... I''m still a little scared though." "That''s because you haven''t faced what is to come, the unknown of the darkness is always scarier. Just be brave and know that there''s people who have you back." Hearing Justin take a long drag off his cigarette, Chang sighed and shook her head. "Hey Justin, you should probably quit smoking, my own advice as a friend to you. I would like to be friends with you for a long time but that won''t be possible if you die of lung or throat cancer early. You''re my best friend Justin, I don''t want to see that happen to you." Shocked Justin inhaled his cigarette before coughing it out violently into his open palm. Sputtering he massaged his raw throat wondering wryly how she heard as he thought he had been stealthy. ''How did she know dam ears of a fox!'' "Hehe try not to choke now!" Hearing him sputter Chang giggled, imagining the scene she heard. "I wont, you go get your man now, tell me all about it later, and invite me to your wedding, ''kay! Love ya, talk to you later!" After speaking Justin quickly hung up on her. Sitting on the edge of the bed Chang threw her phone beside her before flopping back. ''I should ready myself first.. 225 Did You Think I Would Let You Not knowing what else to do, Chang stood outside and waited for him to go in or out. For days she had been through this, but she had not seen him. Chang had however seen Liang Ju-Long. He had been a frequent visitor over the last few days I his chauffeured vehicle. It had made her burn to see him bringing a woman along to Jian''s house, she could guess as to why he would. Whenever she saw him she would hide herself behind the nearest tree or her rental car, only furthering the security guard''s suspicions against her. Chang had tried to explain but the man seemed to have cotton between his ears instead of brains. Standing under the hot sun Chang leaned against her rental car, hoping that today would be the day. Leaning there from the corner of her eye she saw a familiar vehicle, but not the one she was hoping for. ''Of course it would be his father.'' Skirting around the car, Chang hid herself and watched as the black Mercedes approached the gate. From her vantage point she watched as the guard gestured at her car in an agitated voice. ''Time to go!'' Seeing the driver door of Liang Ju-Long vehicle open up, Chang quickly climbed into her car and started it up. Driving it away only a short distance before parking, she could feel her heart still racing. ''Too close. Dammit!'' Pounding a fist against her wheel, Chang rued how hard it was for them to meet now. ''I won''t give up. Jian, I''m sorry I made you wait so long, but I''m here now. I''m trying to reach you. Just come out. If you do you will see I am waiting.'' Afraid to run into Liang Ju-Long Chang continued to wait at her new spot at the first intersecting cross street. Like her previous days this one became fruitless as well. Despondent Chang drove back to her hotel when darkness took over the light of the day. Sitting on the edge of her bed she rubbed her stiff joints from sitting in a car for hours at a time for several days. Laying down Chang hugged her pillow to sleep, dreaming that it was Jian instead. For nearly a week she continued her vigil before she was rewarded. The hot stickiness of June had already begun to set in even though it was only the beginning. Sitting in her car with her air-conditioner blasting, Chang spotted a white Porsche leaving from the direction of his villa. ''Could it be?'' Before her mind had even fully processed the question, Chang whipped out from her waiting place. Spotting the car racing ahead, she quickly caught up and began to tail it closely. Seeing it pull up to a valet in front of a restaurant Chang situated herself behind the other. Watching him ascend gracefully from the car Chang felt her thoughts scatter and her palms grow wet in nervousness. "Jian." Whispering to herself Chang watched as he handed his keys to the young valet, before walking inside. The whole time he had not glanced her way once, although she stared intensely. Rousing herself Chang got out of her car woodenly, her eyes fixated on the pair of double doors he had disappeared through. Taking a few steps forward she was stopped by vice grips on her upper arms. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. Shocked Chang looked to either side to see two men in black holding her firmly with unpleasant expressions. "Let me go this instance. How dare you manhandle a lady in such a fashion." Raising her chin up Chang glared at the two. Without a verbal answer the two began to drag her unwillingly to a black car that had silently pulled up behind her own. Trembling Chang''s eyes widened at the sight of the car. Seeing it lying in wait like a dark predator, Chang tried to dig her wedge heels into the ground for purchase, but the men easily pulled her along. ''No I was just so close to Jian! I should have known Ju-Long would find out, I should have been more careful..'' Opening the door in the back, one of them shoved her in before sitting beside her blocking her in. Trying to straighten herself in the right space Chang noticed a pair of inky black eyes trained on her across from her. More wrinkles surrounded them than before, as well as additional lines had been set around his mouth, deepening his permanent scowl. Other than that Liang Ju-Long was exactly as she last remembered. 226 .. Im Here I + II "You know this is truly tiresome. You have made an annoyance of yourself to me Miss Dumont." "Do you expect me to apologize? You have made yourself far more than an annoyance to me and Jian." Raising an eyebrow Chang was incredulous. "Hmph." Folding his arms Liang Ju-Long regarded her silently as if deciding how to take care of a tedious task. Feeling a line of sweat roll down her lower back, Chang tried to match his expression and sized him up. ''Jian is so close, how do I get past him in one piece? I need to be smart about this, if I act rashly this will end badly. I need to get to Jian while I have this opportunity.'' ''So what is it that you so desperately wish of me, Mr. Liang, that you would have me brought to you in such a brusque fashion? Crossing one leg over another Chang engaged the older man. "Although your speech and appearance have improved, it appears however that your intelligence has not. Raising an eyebrow Chang refused to rise to the insult. "What I want from you is what I have always wanted. For you to stay away from my son. I have no need for you." "Therein lies the issue Mr. Liang. I have no care for your needs, it is your son''s that I care for." Every time Chang said his name she put a heavier inflection as if it were an insult. "As his father, my demands need to be observed." "Yet from what I have on served, I would not say that you have that right. In what way have you truly been a sincere father to Jian when he needed it." "Hold your tongue, you have no right to speak on how I govern and educate my heir." Snorting Chang shook her head and leaned back, in her anger at the injustice this man had done to Jian she had started to rise forward. ''Just how thick is this guy''s head and how cold is his heart?'' "What is this going to take this time Miss Dumont?" Settling in, the leather underneath Liang Ju-Long creaked in protest as he moved. "For what? For me to leave here and Jian?" "That is correct." "Not going to happen." Turning her head ¨¤ little Chang have him a tight smile while slightly narrowing her eyes. "This is not a question but merely a statement." "Oh, I understood you. I am also making a statement. I will not be leaving without talking to Jian. And if all is well what you have stated is not going to happen." "Now that will not be happening." His beurre losing in displeasure Liang Ju-Long shook his head. "Woman, do not test my limit, it would be nothing to have you disappear from here at this moment." Shaken Chang''s eyes widened but she quickly tried to bring her face back to impassive. ''Don''t let him know that he''s shaken you. Remember who you are, he would not dare to kill you. So breathe, think. How do I get past him to Jian?'' "Hah, already you are trembling. Why do you insist on continuing to play a game that you do not hold a hand to." Sneering Liang Ju-Long gave a short derisive laugh in mockery of her. Hearing his words Chang felt her blood boil, unconsciously her spine became stiffer and her hands curled. "One, I doubt that you would dare to harm a hair on the head of a Dumont. Do you honestly believe that I came here with no one having prior knowledge as to where I went and what I could come across? "I will tell you now Liang Ju-Long, if you attempt to bring any harm to me, you will be buried where you will never see the light again." Seeing the glimmer of recognition within his eyes Chang moved on to what truly irked her. "Two this is not a game. This is Jian''s life and my own. How dare you debase our lives and say they are something as trivial as a game. This is why I will continue on, I love Jian, I love having Jian in my life, and so I will fight to have this. I will fight to have him. " "Hm." Leaning back with his arms folded the leather creaked in protest beneath him as he moved. Looking away in contemplation the only sound that could be heard was their breathing. Chang could feel her anxiety growing by the second in the silence. As the older man said or did nothing more Chang felt it might be a good opportunity to leave. "Hopefully you understand now as I shall be taking my leave. Good day, may we never meet again." Nodding her head at the older man still lost in deep reflection, Chang tried to slide past one of the two men seated beside herself. "You are not going anywhere Miss Dumont." Looking at the men Liang Ju-Long gave a signal. The man she was currently trying to slide past gripped her by her wrist brutally and shoved her back into her seat. "Ooph! Why are you still detaining me?" Rubbing her sore wrist Chang eyed the man guardedly. "For my own reasons. You shall only be released when I decide so." "This is completely unreasonable, release me at once!" Facing his unreasonableness Chang gave up on decorum and yelled at him causing her voice to reverberate through the small enclosed space. If anything her anger and frustration seemed to please him. ".. No." A slight oily smile began to grow on his face after he waited a minute or two to speak. Fuming Chang stared at the man in front of her who smiled, satisfied with himself, almost completely ignoring the two men beside her. "You know you may actually be owed gratitude." "What?" Confused Chang still kept her guard up, wondering what he was coming to. "You seem to have changed my son''s mind about a marriage of convenience. Whatever has transpired between the two of you has led him to be more willing to do what is necessary. I believe that this would have to be your doing if I am not wrong." "We are actually here today to celebrate his engagement with the Yan''s distinguished young lady. Look you can see that is her there with her family arriving now." Nodding his head out the window Chang saw a beautiful young woman emerging from a car with a well dressed older couple. The young woman''s long silken black hair hung in wide curls, cascading down her back and covering the tight pink dress that she wore. Looking at her face, it took Chang only a second to recognize that it was the girl from the photos way back then. She had hardly changed at all over the last few years. As if awaiting her arrival Jian stepped outside and greeted her. Offering her his arm, the beautiful woman smiled shyly up at him before taking it. Her mouth dropping open, Chang could only watch as the beautiful girl stepped inside holding onto the man who held her heart. As the two greeted each other and Jian greeted the girl''s parents Liang Ju-Long whispered poisonous words to the back of her ear attempting to taint her mind. "See do they not make a beautiful couple together. Truly matched in every way as it should be. You could never provide this. Observe closely though and take note from Miss Yan as to how a woman should be." Seeing him holding another woman Chang did not care that she was separated by a window. Seeing him Chang yelled with all her lungs before she was silenced by a meaty hand. "JIAMmph-!!" "Silence! How dare you attempt to ruin things." As if he heard her voice Jian stopped as he was walking up the steps with the small well-dressed woman. He looked only a couple times before shaking his head and continuing. With her mouth covered Chang could only glare hatefully at Liang Ju-Long with red eyes. "Now I actually need to be in there as well, you will stay put here until I return. I shall decide then what exactly I will do with you." Smiling at her the older man gracefully exited and straightened himself before walking in behind them. ''Sorry but I''m not giving up that easy..'' Glaring at his retreating figure Chang racked her brain. ''Got it.'' Bracing herself for whatever would come after, Chang got a sizable chunk of the hand that was over her mouth and bit down until she tasted blood. At the sudden pain man yelled in shock and released her. Spitting, Chang got the filth out of her mouth so that she could concentrate. Taking advantage of his surprise Chang quickly hit the same man as hard as she could in quick succession to the side and front of his throat. Gasping the man''s eyes bulged as he clutched at his throat, no longer concerned with her at all. His partner was far more alert afterand tried to grab her angrily. Rolling to the side and onto the floorboards. Chang managed to avoid his hands and found herself in a spot with good leverage. As the man reached down to grab her Chang smashed her bare heel into his face before moving down to his gut and groin. With the two men incapacitated Chang rolled over and made her escape. Throwing herself at the door Chang grabbed the handle as she pushed, stumbling in her haste as she only wore one shoe. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. Scraping her hands on the ground, Chang quickly scrambled up and started hobbling to the building Jian had gone inside. Her ankle that had rolled earlier, and it throbbed with her beating heart, but she refused to give up. Shaking off the one shoe as it was only an encumberment now Chang hastened to the restaurant. Getting to the door and reaching Jian was all that mattered. 227 No Im Not Ready Seeing the wild-eyed disheveled woman and the two men not far behind her quickly gaining on her the valet moved out of the way. Whatever trouble she was involved in was hers alone, he wanted no part in it. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. Seeing that the young man had no intentions to help or hinder her, Chang quickly hopped up the stairs without giving him a second look. Pushing open the door Chang felt the first man grab ahold of her shoulder, causing her to shriek in surprise. "Let me go! With an iron grip Chang held onto the door handle, refusing to let go as he pulled. Seeing the man with the bloody nose holding his crotch coming closer from the corner of her eye, Chang became more frantic. She knew that she would be at a loss if they both were on her. Shaking her shoulder Chang manged to lose the man''s hold over her, and opened the door, pushing herself inside. The hostess in the front, dressed in an ornate embroidered dark green qipao, already had her eyes on the commotion at the door and seemed to be phoning for assistance. The young beautiful woman gave her a wary look and backed away slightly. Seeing that the young woman was judging her wrongly, Chang quickly began to plead her case with the young woman; "Miss please help me! These men are trying to follow me and hurt me for no reason. I need to get a hold of my husband, he just came in!" Moving closer to her, the girl backed away shaking her head causing the jeweled pin in her hair to sway. "This is a respectable establishment, please take your trouble and leave." The hostess looked to the men behind Chang, trying to avoid eye contact. Seeing the woman''s attitude, Chang felt despair clogging her chest making it hard to breathe. Aware that the men had entered together and were coming behind her, Chang clasped her hands together, and began to plead harder. "Please his name is Liang JianAmal, he''s really tall, very handsome, late twenties. He''s got brown hair and unusual He was wearing all black and... he came in with another woman." Swallowing Chang forced herself to finish her sentence. "I know that he is in here, you don''t even have to get him or phone him yourself. Please just tell me where he is and I will go to him myself." "I cannot do that for the privacy of our guests." "No let me go. Don''t touch me! Jian!! Jian!! Stop! No! Jian!" Struggling wildly Chang started to scream out loud, not caring for her image. Bucking, Chang fought like a wild animal, even clawing one of the men in his face across the eye and cheek. Unwillingly, Chang was dragged to the door by the two men despite having made them fight for every millimeter. With all the sound she made people had started to gather, but the face she had called for wasn''t among them. Prying her fingers off the door one by one the men grunted with the effort as she tried to will herself into concrete. Getting her to the edge of the small flight of wide stairs, the two men pushed her at the end causing her to lose her balance. Surprised Chang tried to catch herself and landed on her hands and knees hard, skidding the last few steps before landing on her side. Groaning Chang slowly caught up looking at her bloody knees and bloody trembling hands. Looking down she saw the white pencil skirt and blouse had become ripped in places and incredibly dirtied. Shaken Chang felt one of the men grab her and roughly pull her to her feet. "Now behave until the boss says what he wants done with you." The ''or else'' was left unstated but Chang easily understood. ---- In the private dining room, there were four extremely displeased faces and one who sat indifferently. Over the gentle music in the background, and the soundproofing a woman''s screaming had been coming through. It was now becoming increasingly louder and accompanied with several loud bangs. As it became louder the calm face began to become unpleasant as well. His face almost black Yan DeShi, Yan Xiao Dan''s father set his cup of tea down with an audible pak. "How disgraceful, they should clear that woman out of here already." "I will check to see what is going on out there. I will return shortly, wait here." Ignoring the look of disapproval from Liang Ju-Long, beside him Liang JianAmal wiped his mouth and arose. 228 I Will Find Ou From what people were saying on the side, what the manager was yelling about, and what he had heard while in the room, Liang Jian Amal inferred that a crazy woman had entered and created the ruckus. How dare you let someone in and create such a disturbance to our customer''s, leave I have no use for an employee like you. "Please sir, I did not, she came in herself and refused to leave. I did not do this sir, please I need my job. This was not my fault. The woman was especially demanding to see Mr. Liang. She refused to leave even when two men were dragging her out." The manager continued to berate the young woman but Liang Jian Amal was no longer paying attention to his words and began slipping through the crowd to them. "What did you just say. Please repeat yourself madam." Coming up to the two of them Liang JianAmal stopped the manager''s tirade as he wished to speak to the woman. "I apologize sir for our incompetence there is nothing to worry about and there will be no further disturbances. Please enjoy the rest of your meal in peace. Of course we shall compensate you properly." Clasping his hands the man bowed in apology, raising a hand Liang JianAmal cut the man off not wanting to hear what he had to say. "That will not necessary. Actually your employee has spoken of something that interested me as it may involve me as my name is Liang. I believe the woman there said someone came here looking for someone of that name." "Yes, yes, the woman was here looking for someone named Liang Jianan I think but she said the name weird." Piping up the young woman tried to redeem herself. "What did this woman look like? Where did she go after?" Ignoring the second half of her sentence Liang JianAmal sought to confirm his suspicions. "She was actually being chased by two men, they dragged her away from here. She had short black hair, was wearing really messy clothes, oh and she had no shoes." As she spoke the girl demonstrated the length of the hair with her hands. "I think she had blue eyes I could not quite tell and was kind of pretty." ''What? Why would she be in that state?'' "Where did the two men take this woman?" "I don''t know, they came in right behind her.. She said they were trying to hurt her and needed to contact her husband." Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click for visiting. "Did you see where the woman who was just here went?" "Y-yeah, she left with two men that came out of a black vehicle. They left just after they put her into the car. She hardly seemed human the way she fought against them, it was rather vulgar sight. The woman even left this car here near the front rather inconveniently." Pointing to a small gold coupe, the man complained. "You saw a woman being taken by two men forcibly but you did not try to help?" Tightening his grip on the man''s jacket, Liang JianAmal growled. "N-no, I mean yes sir, I did not.." Stammering the young man shook his head and held onto his jacket. "Coward, which way did they go?" Shaking, the man pointed futher down the road. Releasing him in disgust Liang Jian Amal opened the door of her car and looked inside. Sitting right on the side seat was rental paperwork with the name Charmaine Eloise Dumont printed neatly on it. ''I knew it. But why is she here? Why would she come looking for me after telling me to leave, and even address me as her husband? Hmm, this paperwork is over a week old, so she has been here for that long. Why did she not reach me through my home? Was she unable to?'' Pondering it all Liang JianAmal mussed up his combed back hair with a hand. ''Dammit. This makes no sense..'' 229 That Is Not How This Goes I + II ''What am I even trying to do? Drive after every black car that looks like my father''s blindy unti I find the one. What could I even do if I found them? I don''t have anything besides or anyone to help me if needed. She would most likely be hurt if I tried take her forcibly like that by myself.'' Shaking his head, he had to discard the idea of doing what he wanted to most. ''No I can''t just leave right now. If I embarrass him in front of the Yans by leaving now, it will only guarantee that he would do her harm.'' Grunting in anger Liang JianAmal slammed the car door shut, taking the paperwork away with him. ''I have to be careful as he has the upper hand right now. That snake will always strikes if he can.'' ''Nothing is ever easy with these two'' . Getting a few more details from the nervous valet, Liang JianAmal made a quick call before putting on a calm front and re-entering the restaurant. As he opened the door the young man behind called to him hesitantly. "Um sir, what should I do about the lady''s car." "Take care of it as you see fit, it does not matter." ''I have no more time to waste with you.'' "Um." The young man tried to speak up but Liang JianAmal ignored him as he headed back to the room. Re-entering the room he apologized graciously to the Yans and played the part of the dutiful future son-in-law. He was especially considerant of Yan Xiao Dan, pleasing the elders at the table. Liang JianAmal saw his father give him a few suspicious looks with his change in attitude. Smiling at him Liang JianAmal refused to acknowledge those looks, unperturbed. After personally seeing Yan Xiao Dan into the back of her vehicle after her parents, Liang JianAmal stood with his father outside as he awaited Chen Bohai. Standing there he noted that Chang''s rental vehicle was gone, whether it had been towed or not he was unsure. "What are you up to JianAmal?" Seeing his son wearing an easy expression Liang Ju-Long felt his suspicions grow. "Nothing I am merely working to ease things for the future. Since you believe that we have need for the Yans, which I am not convinced of, would it not be better to have friendly relations with them? As I have said before, I will do things my own way differently from you." Smiling tightly, Liang JianAmal raised an eyebrow at his father. "Fine then. Do as you will. I will be heading back to my home, what will you be doing now?" Straightening his jacket Liang Ju-Long looked away from Liang JianAmal''s challenging stare. "It is about time you realized that." Seeing Chen Bohai pull up, Liang Ju-Long stepped up and entered the car. "Then I shall not hinder you any longer.. You have done well today." Rolling fown the window the older spoke his last words, slightly surprising the younger man. Humming in the back of his throat in agreement, Liang Jian Amal watched his father leave first before entering his own car the valet had brought forward for him. Sitting in his car, his personal phone started to ring. Pleased Liang Jian Amal answered immediately knowing it was the confirmation he was waiting for. "Sir it appears as if they took a woman back to your father''s estate in Pudong. I am not sure if this is the one you are looking for though. "Ah is that so, good work Luo Jun. I will be coming to the company shortly, after paying my father''s house a short visit." Hanging up he placed the phone back in his pocket. ''Heh Chen Bohai is a rather slow driver too, this is rather easy, not even a challenge after everything else.'' Smirking Liang JianAmal quickly got into his car and sped off. Vaguely he thought he saw his father''s car as he wove through traffic, but he was moving too fast to tell for sure. Pulling up into his father''s front courtyard Liang JianAmal alighted from his car quickly and let himself right in. Hearing someone enter, his father''s housekeeper, who had been with him for many years came up surprised. Seeing that it was him instead instead of his father the old lady gasped in surprise before approaching. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "Ah it is you young master, it has been so long." Liang JianAmal held back a dry laugh seeing her nervous demeanor and reluctance to approach. It seems that she still remembers what happened between my father and myself the last time I was here. "You must have been so busy with taking over the company. You should stay for awhile until your father returns, and have dinner together, it has been too long. It would be good if you two could do that together, it has been many years" ''Dinner? I think not, lunch was already hardly bearable.'' Knowing she only meant well, he kept his thoughts to himself. "Indeed I have been very busy. I actually have more to attend to and am in a rush. My father told me that he had a woman brought here not too long ago." "Oh yes, the poor thing it looks like she has been through a lot." ''Poor thing? What does she mean?'' "Please take me to her, I am supposed to collect her and I do have to be on my way soon." Looking at his watch Liang JianAmal kept track of the time, he needed to be gone before Liang Ju-Long returned. "Oh really, well you will have to return again soon. That woman is in the far parlor room." Wringing her hands the older woman followed him as Liang JianAmal pushed the door open and saw the prone figure laying on the couch. Seeing her condition felt anger arise. "Why did no one call a doctor for her?" "I was waiting to ask the master what to do with her." "No matter, I will take care of this myself since I am here now." Gently Liang JianAmal scooped the pale thin woman and started to leave with her. "Are you sure you should not wait and check with your father first?" "Most assuredly." Smiling to himself slightly he began to leave her behind. "Have a good day Ms. Zhou, if my father asks be sure to tell him that I came and collected Miss Dumont from him. Also, please thank him for me." "Oh alright, goodbye sir." Seeing him to the door, the older lady was perplexed and watched as he sped off as quickly as he came. Going back to the show that she was watching before, Zhou Huiling only sat for a few minutes when she heard the sound of the gate opening and the master of the house returning. "Welcome home sir." Opening the door for Liang Ju-Long she bowed her head as the man entered. Taking his coat from him she went to go hang it up when he questioned her. "Where is the woman that was brought here?" "Excuse me sir? The young master just came and took her, he said that it was by your will. In fact you just missed him, he told me to give you his thanks." "What?" Instantly red in the face Liang Ju-Long was shaking and livid. ''When did he realize that she was here. This is not how things are supposed to go!'' Seeing the anger rising in him, Ms. Zhou took a few steps back in trepidation. "Should I call the young master up and have him return sir?" 230 Are You Really Here "What have you been doing that you now look like this. For you to be this desperate, would it not have been better if you left with me then?" After speaking he sighed, tearing at her. The man brushed a few loose hairs on her forehead before the sound of his footsteps echoed as he moved away. ''Wait. Don''t leave. Please don''t leave Jian. I''m sorry.'' She wanted to speak and call out to him but her lips remained sealed. Her eyes too refused to open. Laying there crushing blackness pushed in again, smothering her, leaving her to remember only darkness. After some time it finally started to recede again, realizing the pressure in her head was receding, Chang fought through the pitch to clarity. ''Jian!'' Regaining consciousness Chang had to force her eyelids apart as they felt leaden and thick. With extreme effort she was able to snap them open and saw a white ceiling with a fluorescent bar unlit overhead. ''Where am I?'' Realizing she was laying in a comfortable bed, Chang shot up immediately alarmed. The sudden movement caused her heavy head to ache and pound. Groaning Chang held her head in her hands and tried to gather her thoughts and self. The last thing she remembered was after being taken from the restaurant front she had been shoved back into Liang Ju-Long''s car. When the men had started the engine up and started driving away, Chang had started to panic fearing the worst. True to his words the man had not withheld himself when she began resisting again and had put a big flinstoney fist in her face. The last thing she had felt was the cracking pain before the unwelcome darkness had stolen her away. Gingerly touching her cheek Chang could feel that it had already become swollen and was incredibly tender. ''Tch. Thankfully not broken. Just you wait Mr bloody nose.. First though, where am I? I don''t recognize this place, I need to leave and get to Jian.'' The room around her was sparsely furnished, with only the bed, a cabinet and the light overhead. There were a couple of doors facing her, but both were shut, concealing what lay beyond. Everything in the room was in black or white, making it seem even more bare. ''Who would design such a room? Oh no am I being imprisoned here?'' Terrified at the thought, Chang threw back the black covers and slid slowly out of the bed. The first couple steps were unsteady but she quickly gained her footing by the time she reached the door. Pulling open the door all the way, Chang was surprised to see that it was an office. Designed fairly sparsely like the adjoining room, the office appeared to be fairly high up as well by the expanse of sky behind the desk and chair. Thankfully it was an empty with no sign of Liang Ju-Long or his men. Sneaking out of the empty office carefully Chang was almost at the door when a man started walking in. Surprised, Chang edged herself to the side and stared at him warily. The man, who was carrying a stack of papers in his hand looked extremely surprised to see her. "Oh miss it is surprising to see you up already. You should take a seat and wait for the boss to return, he should be back soon." "I can''t do that, I need to leave now." Narrowing her eyes Chang tried to see past the man and stepped closer cautiously. "But miss.." Planting himself in the way the man held onto his awkward stack. "Look. You''re in my way, I don''t want to hurt you since you seem like a decent person, but I will. I have had more than enough abuse from your boss and I refuse to go through any more. Now I have somewhere important to be, so what''s your answer." "He abused you?" Hearing her words the man seemed shocked and confused. As if he could not believe that his boss would do that. Wide eyed Chang gave the man a look like he was stupid and pointed at the giant scrapes on her legs as well as her hands and face. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "That makes no sense though, he was just calling a medical professional. He was so careful about finding and having you brought here too." "Does this look careful to you? Wait, what, why would Ju-Long patch me up after having his men hurt me?" Pointing at herself it too Chang a second to register the man''s words. Stumped she cocked her head at him a little. "What? Do you mean Liang Ju-Long miss?" "Yes, who else?" "I will take things from here Luo Jun." From behind the man Chang heard Jian''s voice. Nodding in affirmation the man set the stack on the desk and left the room. Staring in shock and wonder her eyes climbed slowly up until they hit his face. Dumbfounded just stood Chang stared at him, hardly able to believe he was there, just like that, after fighting for so long. Feeling her breathing become lighter and quicker she watched as he looked at her but did not meet her eyes. "Come here, sit down." Grabbing her arm Jian led her to the small couch he had sitting against the wall. Sitting her down, he opened the small kit in his hand she had not noticed before. Taking out a cotton ball, he soaked it in antiseptic before cleaning her abraised knees. "Ow." Wincing a little involuntarily, Chang slightly pulled away from the man kneeling in front of her. "Sorry. Be patient, I will be done soon. I have a doctor coming soon to check on your head as you were unconscious for awhile" Even though he spoke as gently as he always did, his voice was devoid of his usual expression. He was more hardened now. "Jian. Are you really here? Is this really happening?" Hesitantly Chang reached out a hand to touch the side of his face. 231 Wait Here "I am here for you Jian." Breathing deep Chang felt her eyes begin to redden as she stared at his face. His face seemed to have sharpened, making the angle of his jaw more defined. Slight bruising lined his lower lids, aging his handsome face. Chang ached to just kiss his handsome face and lift the burdens visually lining it. Or even touch him but with the way he looked at her, Chang felt like she did not have that right anymore. ''What has he been going through lately? It doesn''t look like he has been sleeping well, it looks like he has lost a little weight too. Has he not been eating well either? Oh Jian I am so sorry, I should have been here with you when you needed me. Please forgive me for being so weak.'' "Why?" His tone cold and hard Jian''s eyes searched hers as if trying trying to uncover a lie. "What do you mean, why?" Clenching her hands Chang looked at him, pained. ''Can''t he see why? Can''t he see that I would only go through all this for him?'' "Exactly what I said. Why are you here now Chang. You told me to leave you and I did. You said you could not come with me and chose a different path. Why, after trampling on what we had, what I had fought for, are you here?" Rocking back Jian appeared so different, so distant from her even though he was right there. Hanging her head in shame Chang let her tears fall to her hands as she whispered. "I didn''t mean to do that to you. It wasn''t like that at all. I never meant to make you feel like this." "I cannot hear you." He raised his voice only slightly but it caused Chang to flinch in reproach. Raising her head Chang let her tears flow, wiping them intermittently with the back of her hands and tried to speak as clear as she could. "I didn''t mean to do that to you. I was, am, scared. I feared dying coming here or the torture your father could put me through, but it wasn''t any better. I wanted you to understand that, your father haunted me. But I couldn''t live without you. It''s why I''m here. "The life without you had no meaning to it. Every day I woke and lived just to live, trying to get through another day mindlessly. I tried so hard to do as I said, and see through my word but it was impossible. "Everyday I would wake up and I would look for you, only to remember what I had done. I couldn''t get your face out of my mind. That expression you made on the Pont des Arts as I tried to walk away. It''s been haunting me. You''ve been there, in everything I see or do. "So I had to come. I had to see you. I had to tell you I love you and I need you. And I''m so sorry that I didn''t trust in you and leave with you then, I''ve regretted it every day. Look I even faced my worst fear that held me back before." Holding up her hands in demonstration Chang showed off the markings from her fight. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "And I''m still afraid still afraid of your father, and I hope I never have to confront him again. But I would, and I would have, as many times as it took, until I reached you. Because I had to see you again in person, I wanted to sit in front of you like this now, and tell you this." Having spoken so much in a rush while crying, her breathing was uneven. After having spoken everything she could think of Chang waited for his response. The man before her continued to look away with his jaw clenched. As the seconds and his silence dragged Chang felt her heart start to beat harder, thundering in her ears. Waiting in trepidation Jian''s eyes finally came upto hers, deceptively impassive with his rolling jaw. "What if I said that I chose not to forgive you. What if I told you that I am already acting on your words and that I am preparing to marry another woman." Chang had heard it from Ju-Long that he was preparing to marry another. Hearing it from his own lips was a whole other matter. Opening and closing her mouth Chang tried to speak but no words would come out. After he spoke it felt like her breath and heart fell; leaving only silence and little bits of broken shards in her chest. The oppressive silence was only broken by a series of polite knocks on the door. "What is it, I am in the middle of something, this had better be important." Turning his head to the side Jian spoke impatiently with whoever was at the entrance. The man from before poked his head in the open doorway wearing a sheepish look under his boss''s glower. "Sir the shareholders are still waiting for you. They are beginning to become impatient." "Fine I will be there momentarily. I will be back, wait here." Throwing away the cotton ball in his hand Jian rose and walked to the doorway. Finding her voice Chang answered him in a small voice as he stood in the doorway looking at her. 232 Silent Looks I + II "No, but I want to see if she will actually wait and be there when I return." Without slowing or looking back Liang JianAmal responded in a dispassionate voice. "Sir? Then would it not be better to return. Are you not worried that your father or someone loyal to him would come and take her while you are away?" ''He is not that bold. If he tries anything it will be something more furtive, he will not attack openly.'' Snorting Liang JianAmal shook his head. "Sir?" "No. Is Hao Jin Ying still here?" "Yes, she is actually waiting at the meeting." "Fine then I shall be seeing her shortly, I shall tell her myself." Looking back one last time in uncertainty Luo Jun could faintly hear the sounds of sniffling coming from the open door and looked at his boss. He looked to be completely unaffectd until he saw the man miss a step as a slightly louder sob came from his office. ---- After she was certain Jian had left, Chang curled onto her side and drew her knees up as far as they would go. Burying her face Chang felt her shoulders shake with the weight of the hurt inside. The possibility that he would respond like he did had been in her mind, but it did not ease the pain from him actually respoding as he did. His every word and look had been a sharp hot blade cutting into her already soft and weak self. All the confidence and fire she had built up in coming to him. Laying on her side Chang tried to expel the crushing pain. Several times she heard the sound of clicking heels or shoes as people came to look at who was making all the sound in their CEO''s office, but Chang did not care. Holding her knees like she was, it caused her hands and knees to throb, but it was a better feeling than the deep ache inside. Shivering Chang laid there after crying all she could, numbly waiting for him to return and say whatever he was going to say. A part of her wanted to get up and run away, afraid of any more pain, but she stayed. ''I haven''t been able to stand by my word any other time, I should at least stay and wait to here what he is going to say. I owe him that.'' Sighing Chang mindlessly examined the fabric weave beneath her cheek. "Chang? It is you I did not believe him at first and had to check, I am glad I did. Why are you here, crying like this?" From the doorway the clear sound of a woman''s voice came through. "I''m not crying." Without raising her head Chang responded in a low mumble. "What do you mean, you are not crying when everyone is talking about it outside, and I can already hear it in your voice. You should not lie, especially when it is so obvious." Lightly chastising her, the clear voice moved closer to her. "JinYing, is it really you?" Recognizing who it was Chang tilted her head up slowly in surprise. In her usual style Jin Ying had her fine black hair pulled back into a high tight bun and wore her half-rimmed metal glasses. Wearing a navy dress long sleeved dress and jewelry, she till had her no-nonsense look but was no longer as business-like as she once was. A few silver streaks graced Jin Ying''s hair now showing the marks of time. "It is indeed. It has been a long time." Sitting by her head Hao JinYing smiled and put a hand on the younger woman''s head. "You look pretty with your hair in that color, with your hair dark like that it makes you look more like your mother." Looking up at her Changs lip trembled hearing her mention her mom. "Are you going to continue to cry, you know it would break Lihua''s heart." Smiling gently Jin Ying shook her head at her. "No... I just miss her so much." Pausing Chang had to reclear her throat to speak. "I do too. I miss Lihua greatly. I am sorry I could not be there with you two until the end." "It was not your fault Jin Ying. I''m glad to see you here now, I was worried that Liang Ju-Long had something bad planned for you too after everything else that day." "Oh he did." Smiling mysteriously Jin Ying looked away and did not speak further on it. "What happened?" Sitting up straight, Chang put her hand on Jin Ying''s. "Nothing that I could not handle." Smirking slightly Jin Ying refused to elaborate. "What has happened to you though? Who hurt you?" Pulling at Chang''s hand that had covered her own, Jin Ying looked at the scabs forming in worry. "Jian''s father, of course. He was very adamant about me not being able to see Jian. You know how he is with me." Withdrawing a little Chang lamented on how it was. "I don''t understand why he hates me so much." Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "I am unsure as well, it goes beyond logical reasoning. Come sit up straighter, let me look at your injuries. I am surprised that JianAmal did not treat them already, he is generally not as careless with you." "He started to look at my knees but he stopped right before he left to go to the meeting. It''s ok Jin Ying, don''t worry about them, they''ll heal on their own eventually." Pulling her hand away Chang declined. "He stopped? "Yeah." Speaking in a small voice Chang looked at her hands curled together. "Do not think too much into it, he has been overworking himself since he returned from the Republic of Lahat. Although he did take a vacation over a month ago, he has not been back since then, so I am sure more has built up for him." "That''s because he came for me. A little over a month ago he came and spent a week with me and tried to convince me to return with him." "Why did you not come back then? Would that not have been what you wanted? We both read the letter you left in your home, but I figured you had only spoke out of extreme hurt." "I would say more than hurt, I was so disappointed with Jian then, I understand now though. And I did, more than anything, but I didn''t because I am afraid of Ju-Long." Steeling herself Chang asked a dark dear that had started to come up in the back of her mind since he walked out." Do you know Jin Ying, does Jian hate me now?" "No I think" --halfway through her sentence the ringing of a cellphone interrupted her. Chang knew it was not hers as when she had awoken it was no longer on her person and had most likely been taken by Ju-Long or his men. Seeing the indignant look on Jin Ying''s face from having been cut off by her own cell, Chang would have laughed if she had not been so miserable. Without even looking at her phone Hao Jin Ying hung up on the call and resumed. "No I do not think that he hates you, you would not be here if he did. Neither would he have taken the time to even partially treat you as he did. He also would not have gone to get you from Liang Ju-Long''s either. These facts alone could show you logically." Holding up her fingers Hao Jin Ying used them to mark her points. "You''re right, but I-" twisting her fingers together Chang was interrupted this time by the cell phone''s chiming. Startled she looked at Jin Ying. "Sorry I will take care of this." Pulling her phone out of her clutch, Hao Jin Ying hung up on the call only for it to start ringing immediately again. Annoyed she looked at the unknown number continuously pestering her. "You should answer what if it is someone important." Smiling Chang softly urged her, rubbing the side of her arm as she nursed her own thoughts. Answering her phone with a slightly perturbed expression Jin Ying went silent. Halfway through she gave a worried side look at Chang before giving a few affirmations to whoever was on the other end and hanging up. "Who was that, that did not sound too good." 233 Promises I + II "Let me take a good guess, that was Liang Ju-Long on the other end of the line wasn''t it?" Smiling wryly at Jin Ying, Chang grieved momentarily over the matter. "That is correct." Taking a deep breath Jin Ying gave Chang an apologetic look. "Then let me guess again, he wants me gone immediately doesn''t he?" "Yes, Mr. Liang wants what he has always wanted when it comes to you, gone..." "Well then I am almost sorry to say that I will continuously have to be a thorn in his side. I already promised Jian I would be here when he returned. Why does this involve you though, what did Ju-Long say to you?" "Chang, he threatened my family. He told me to see you out of the building myself or he would have his word carried out." "What scum, do you believe the threat is credible to them, that he could get his hands on them?" Cursing him worse in her head Chang, looked at her worried, she remembered how it had felt when he had threatened her mom. "You know more than I, that it is not something that can be put past him at this point." "You''re right, I''m sorry Jin Ying that it has come to this. I can''t leave but I won''t let him hurt your family either." Narrowing her eyes Chang stared steadily at Jin Ying. "Mr. Liang told me to be sure that you were downstairs in the next hour. That you would be sent away on the next available flight to Paris. Only then would he release my family." "Did he say if he would be coming himself?" Racking her brains for a solution Chang nervously chewed her lower lip. "He actually said that he would not, he did not want to see you face any longer. I am sure that he will want some confirmation of some kind, so he will most likely send Chen Bohai." "Hmm, Chen Bohai has seen me in person before but it has been a while, he may have briefly seen me earlier, but I doubt he knows exactly what I look like.." "What are you planning?" Curious as to where the younger woman''s mind was going, Hao Jin Ying raised an eyebrow at her. "Just follow me, I believe a solution may have walked by here not too long ago. I''ll need your help and another''s to make this work but I feel like I made a good plan, this will probably work." Seeing her worried look with all the uncertainties in her words, Chang grasped Jin Ying''s hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. ---- "Where is she?" After having sat through two patience-trying hours, Liang Jian Amal''s gaze fell on the woman who sat alone on the sofa in his office. Irritated, Liang Jian Amal looked around, checking his resting area, but did not see another in his office besides Hao Jin Ying. "You should send me away, I may no longer be your assistant, but I am still a weakness for you." "Hao Jin Ying, where is Chang? Explain to me what has happened in my absence. Why is she not here?" Putting his hands in his pocket, he stared at her while waiting for his answer. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "Sir, your father threatened my family''s safety again.." Looking to the side Hao Jin Ying answered, not wanting to see his reaction. "What has that--ah I see, I understand. She is gone now." "Yes, your father had Chen Bohai come and bring her to the airport personally." "You granted my father''s subordinate access to my office?" His jaw hardening at the thought of the intrusion, Liang Jian Amal''s tone became tender as well. "No, he waited outside the building. I walked her out myself, to ensure her safety. Your father merely wanted her sent home." "Ah. That is fine, I did not truly believe that she would stay anyways." Calmly returning to his desk Liang JianAmal lit up a cigarette. "Sir, she was planning on staying. When I came in she was laying here, crying her eyes out thinking that you hated her. Even thinking that you hated her, she said she would wait because she promised you. The only reason she left was so that my family would be safe, you did not see how much that hurt her." "I do not hate her." Watching the smoke lazily coil from his fingers Liang Jian Amal spoke in a hoarse, low tone. "I know that, you know that, and I told her, but I do not fully believe that she does. She left in such misery. I am sorry that I was the driving wedge between you two this time." Crying lightly, Hao Jin Ying pulled a cloth from her purse for her eyes. "Do not apologize, it is not your burden to bear. I will see to it that your family is better protected from now on, so that Liang Ju-Long cannot use them against you. I would prefer to be alone at the moment while I work on these papers, if I have need for either of you I will call." Spinning away in his chair Liang Jian Amal looked at the clouded expanse overlooking the bustle of the city. Seeing the look on Liang JianAmal''s face both Luo Jun and Hao Jin Ying exited together, closing the door behind them to leave him with some privacy. ''I should not left her as a test, I have only set myself up for continuous disappointment, as well as her.'' Shadowing his eyes with his free hand, Liang Jian Amal tried to curb his rising regret and resentment. ---- Liang Jian Amal holed himself away in his office for the rest of the afternoon until the sound of polite knocking sounded on his door. "Enter." Without looking up from the papers he was signing Liang Jian Amal called out to whoever was there. "Sir, it is seven''o clock, most everyone has left by now. Are you planning on retiring soon for the evening?" Hearing the hopeful tone in Luo Jun''s voice, Liang JianAmal briefly looked up at him. "I suppose. it is not like the paperwork will be going anywhere." Setting aside his pen, Liang Jian Amal closed the folder and leaned back into his chair. Closing his eyes for a moment he tried to banish the headache that had plagued him all day. "Sir, you look.. Would you like me to drive you home?" Quickly Luo Jun changed what he was saying to something else. "Were you going to say terrible?" Cracking an eye open Liang JianAmal gave Luo Jun a blank stare. "No, No sir I was-" Flustered the man tried to come up with an excuse before Liang Jian Amal cut him off with a dismissive wave of his hand. "It is fine, I am sure it is the truth anyways. Thank you, yes. It has been a long trying day." "I know." With the traffic it took well over an hour to return to his home. Even with all time it took it seemed to have come almost instantaneously for Liang Jian Amal. Sighing as he exited the vehicle the sound of thudding and booming came from the trunk. "Open the trunk." Giving the trunk a sharp look Liang JianAmal ordered Luo Jun. Laying in his trunk was an extremely sweaty and red-faced Chang. Panting she looked at the two of them in satisfaction first then turned red in embarrassment. The clothes she was wearing looked to have already been too small and due to her positioning they had ridden up, exposing a great expanse of her skin. While she straightened herself Luo Jun tactfully looked away, but Liang JianAmal was unable to stop staring at the woman before his eyes. After having straightened herself, Chang climbed out and sat on the edge, wiping her face with the back of her hand. "Phew I thought I was almost going to die, it was so hot in there! That was not as good an idea as I thought in retrospect." "How did you get in there?" Finding his voice he offered her a hand to help her out. 234 I Though "Hey be careful that hurt a little you know." Complaining Chang tilted her head up only to have it restrained by one of his large palms, his long fingers cupped around her ear. His shoulders shaking, Jian squeezed her tighter in response to her words. "I thought you were gone already." Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "Hey, how could I leave after everything Jian? I came for you after all." Laying his head on hers, Chang felt a large drop of moisture hit her cheek. "Are you crying?" whispering Chang felt her heart constrict as another fell. Reaching up Chang grabbed onto him just as tightly, feeling her own tears gather at his response. Rubbing her face against him, Chang buried it against him. Feeling awkward witnessing the scene before him, Luo Jun looked away as he started to back away. "Seeing as you are home and you no longer have need of me, I will be taking my leave now, have a good night sir." Turning Luo Jun quickly escaped, not wishing to see any more than he already had. Chang held onto Jian for the longest time, unwilling to be the first to break their moment, but she realized that she probably would have to. The man holding her seemed to have no intentions of releasing her or saying anything soon. "Hey, Jian?" Unable to tilt her head up due to his restraining hand, her words came out muffled against him. "Yes?" "There''s something really important I still need to tell you, we probably don''t have much time left either. I was in your trunk, hiding and waiting for kind of a while.." Biting her bottom lip Chang hoped that she was still on time. ''I hope it is not already too late.'' "Is it about Hao Jin Ying''s family?" "Yeah, did she tell you already? "Yes and I have already acted. I did not want Hao Jin Ying to have to suffer from my father''s threats any longer. Though she did not tell me that you were still here." Hearing his words Chang''s heart lightened with the relief. Squeezing him tighter, she tried to comfort the bitter edge to his tone. "Oh thank God, I was worried the whole time that Ju-Long would realize right away or too soon that it was not actually me who left. I was so worried this would happen while I was waiting useless, and he would retaliate and do even worse to Jin Ying. "I''m sorry Jian. Were you disappointed when I was not there when you returned?" Wordlessly he only tightened his arms. Flicking her eyes down Chang felt guilt continuously prick her heart. "I''m sorry, please forgive me. Um, Jian, would it be alright if we went inside your house now, I really need a bath, I feel really gross, I smell a little too and it''s uncomfortable." ''With you holding me so tight, I''m sure you can smell it, I''m surprised you have not said anything, this is offensive enough to just me.'' Releasing her to an arms length, Jian searched her eyes with a serious look before tucking her hair behind her ear. Smiling up at him Chang was thrilled to see him reacting more like normal versus his cold behavior in his office. "You smell fine to me, but come let us get you inside." ''Liar.'' Rolling her eyes, Chang smiled slightly. As he walked her to the door, Chang''s belly gave an audible gurgle. Looking away in embarrassment Chang tried not to notice his amused look. "We will also get you some food too." "Thank you Jian." Ducking her head, she thanked him in a small voice. "When did Luo Jun leave? I did not notice." 235 Then Why Would You Not I + II ''I didn''t think that I would return here after everything.'' Stepping further in, headed for the staircase Jian closed the door behind them as she reminisced. "The master bathroom is upstairs, second door to the left. "I remember." Giving him a tight smile Chang had already started to walk up, running her hand along the railing slowly as she ascended. "Sorry of course you do." Chortling the man began to walk away, loosening his tie as he did. "Is it alright that I just go up? Is it ok?" Stopping Chang felt embarrassed about how she acted. Leaning over the railing Chang called out to actually ask him. "Yes of course it is." Halting Jian turned and gave her a reassuring smile. Leaning against the railing Chang couldn''t help but stare at Jian. If only she could come home or be home to see him like that every day with his tie undone but still around his neck, and a few buttons on the top unbuttoned. Staring at him, looking so enticing, Chang forgot what she was starting to say for a moment. "I mean more than just being here, using your facilities and stuff. I mean between us. Are we going to be ok?" "I hope so. We will have to find out. Go wash yourself for now, I will see about getting you some food." Jian smiled slightly but it was not his usual warm and clear response. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "Mm. Thank you Jian." Slightly disappointed Chang continued up leaving the man to look at her figure with a complicated expression on his face. Closing the door behind her Chang leaned against it as she sighed deeply. Running the bath with hot water Chang looked around, but was unable to find any of the things that she had used before, hoping to make it a bubble bath after the long day. ''Geez. Why would anything you had used still be here its been a long time, almost three years. You have to be kidding yourself.'' Chiding herself for her foolishness, Chang started to strip off her too tight, sticky clothes. The girl had been fairly close in body shape, but in size she had been smaller by a couple sizes or so, making her traded clothes feel like a second layer of skin. Still at what had only been a half second glance while crying, Chang felt like she had spotted a fairly close look-alike. ''I doubt Ju-Long would have just expected me to find a girl and trade clothes with her real quick either.'' Snorting a laugh from her nose Chang eased herself in, rubbing her cramped sore joints. Running down the halls with Jin Ying, Chang had found the girl who had looked similar enough to her talking in the hall with another woman. When Chang had approached the young woman desperate, the girl had recoiled in disgust, her cute nose wrinkling. Thank goodness Jin Ying had been with her to help her persuade, and eventually bribe the girl to trade clothes with her and exit with Chen Bohai as Chang had been failing due to her appearance. As the girl did not have her passport on her and would be unable to take the pre-booked flight they gave her enough funds for another, just so long as she left Shanghai in her disguise. After complaining extensively about the condition of the clothes she had to wear the girl left with Jin Ying as Chang waited in the bathroom lobby. After seeing the decoy away Jin Ying had fetched her and taken her to the company parking lot on the pretext of leaving for the day. After quickly checking that no one was around to see, Jin Ying quickly hunched over the trunk before pooping it open without setting off the alarm. Shaking her head in wonderment Chang could not help but be impressed by Jin Ying again. One day you have to tell me how you know all these skills. "Sorry I can only tell all my secrets to one person and I already chose them." Closing her eyes Jin Ying had held her hands out helplessly. "Who is it, do I know them?" Curious Chang cocked her head. "Your mother." "Fine, keep your secrets, can you at least tell me how you just did that though?" "I took JianAmal''s keys earlier as a reward to myself for babysitting for him earlier." Pulling out of her clutch a few keys, Jin Ying dangled them causing a joyful tinkling sound. Speechless Chang could not find anything to retort with and crawled into the small trunk folding her frame to fit inside. "Good luck. Are you sure you do not want me to tell him?.." "Thank you Jin Ying, yes, just in case. I do not know where Ju-Long has his eyes and ears, even this has me nervous, I don''t want to jeapordize your family''s safety. I''ll tell him myself after we are at the safety of his home. Everything will be fine till then, just hold on we have to out up a front for now." "Alright then, I dare not linger any longer." "I understand, go now Jin ying, everything will be fine." Smiling as she shut the lid, Chang put a fist to her mouth once the lid was fully closed, trying to quell the fear that came up being in a dark enclosed space. Closing her eyes Chang had pictured her goal letting the minutes slip past as she had dreamed of Jian. Even now she still thought of him. ''I''ll have to try harder if I want him to react warmer to me again. That was super nice by the car though.'' A slight curve came to her lips as she thought about the way he had held her. Sighing Chang sank deeper in trying to soak away the day''s anxiety, wondering where the two of them would go from where they were at. Or what would even happen when she left her bath. All of a sudden, the sound of the door being opened caused her eyes to snap open. Holding a towel in his hand Jian looked at her with a fathomless look as he put the towel on the rack for her. "Hey don''t barge in, I''m naked in here!" Seeing that he was completely unrepentant and was even coming closer Chang covered her chest. "So what? It is not as if there is anything that I have not seen before." Raising an eyebrow at her Jian stood across from tub and leaned against the wall, folding his arms. ''Still...'' Seeing that he did not do anything further other than stare Chang felt her heart start to accelerate. ''Oh go he isn''t going to tell me to leave after this is he..'' "What''s up?" Smiling Chang tried not to think about the dark thoughts until she found out from the man himself. "I just can''t stop looking at you, it seems a dream almost, but I know it is real. I am glad to see you here. I cannot help but to wonder when you will be gone again though." "Never Jian, not unless you want me to." Holding onto the edge tightly Chang gave him an earnest look. "No, even if I may come to regret my decision, I would still have you here." "You won''t. Jian, If I had actually left with your father earlier, would you have gone after me?" "No." After pausing in silence Jian looked at her steadily crushing her heart with his words before it flared up in anger. "Why not? Seriously, after everything that I went through to get to you now. After how hard you have had to fight for this. Why would you back down now? Don''t you remember how hard we''ve had to fight to be together?" "Of course I remember that is exactly why I say this." Unfolding his arms Jian moved closer until to her until shadowed over her. "Chang.. I am so tired. I am so tired of always having to guard myself against my father, of having to look over my shoulder wondering how and where he will strike next. "If you had left, I would have let you go. I do not wish you to have to live like this either." Seeing his saddened look that he tried to conceal Chang felt her anger deplete completely. Rising up Chang wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a tight squeeze as she whispered into his ear. "You are not on your own Jian in this fight, I am here for you, to stand with you. We will figure out your father together, so don''t talk like this" Feeling his arms come up around her in reciprocation Chang felt a wide smile break out on her face and she buried her face into his shoulder. 236 This Is What It Should Be "I cooked dinner for us. It is stir fry, can you not tell?" Jian gave her a small smile as if he was explaining something simple that did not need to be. Looking at the limp strips and chunks of unrecognizable blackened vegetables, Chang could only put a hand to her forehead and take a deep breath. "Get out." "Out of my own kitchen? I can assist you though." "Nope, you have done enough. I am no chef but at least I can cook something edible." Pointing at the plate, Chang then pointed at the door before placing a hand on her hip. "I am sure it is edible." Taking a pair of chopstips, Jian got hold of a clump of his questionable strips, and put it in his mouth under Changs scrutiny. "See, perfectly edible." Coughing with a fist over his mouth Jian avoided her gaze as he finished his mouthful. "Yeah ok, you can eat that if you want, but I''m going to make something maybe a little more palatable. Go, go now, you''ll only distract me." "Now that is something I can definitely do that, would you like me to?" Rolling her eyes Chang shooed him out with her before busting out giggling. He was just too ridiculous sometimes. Rolling up the sleeves on Jian''s too big t-shirt that she was wearing, so that they would not get mussed, Chang hunted for ingredients to cook with, humming to herself happily. Luckily Chang found a giant assortment of ingredients within his fridge and pantry, all completely untouched. Seeing the pan Jian had already used had been blackened as well sitting in the sink she could not help but shake her head. ''Just what has he been doing for food lately.. I''ll have to make him something good.'' Finding what she wanted she quickly got to work singing all the while. As she cooked while singing, Liang JianAmal stood on the other side of the door with his arms folded, a contented smile on his face as he listened to her. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. Before too long Chang came out with two steaming plates for the table as well as a small pot of rice but was unable to find the man anywhere in sight. "Jian? Where did you go?" As she set the pot of rice down, Chang called out for him, looking as to where he had gone. Walking from the table she was met by Jian wearing a matching white t-shirt to hers, as well as a a more comfortable pair of pants. "Coming. I decided to freshen up and change as well, while I was busy being out of your way." Under her sarcasm and smile, Jian could only shake his head at her as he came closer. "But that''s not all, I also made some garlic ginger shrimp, you like that right?" Seeing him nod his head with a smile, Chang breathed a sigh of relief at having remembered correctly. "Oh wait, I almost forgot." Holding up a figer Chang raced back into the kitchen to pull out the finishing feature, setting it on the table with a flourish. "Tadah! Now dinner is complete with tea!" Quickly hurrying around the table, Chang had her wrist captured and was pulled slowly to Jian. "Slow down, there is no need to rush. You did forget one thing though. ." Smiling patiently at her, Liang JianAmal left his words ambiguous so that she would try to guess. "What is it? What did I forget?" Seeing her confused and slightly worried look Liang JianAmal chuckled, and gave her a kiss on her cheek before breathing into her ear. 237 Gained More Than Was Los "It was nothing Jian, I hope you enjoy." Stretching onto her toes, Chang gave him a small peck back in reciprocation. "I will. Yet not as much as dessert I am sure." Looking down at her with a wicked grin, Chang was momentarily confused as to just what he meant. When his grin only grew at her confusion, Chang immediately got what he meant. Looking down Chang rested her forehead against his chest. "What am I supposed to say to that Jian?" Without truly expecting an answer Chang whispered. "Hmm. That you will be ready to serve yourself up as dessert after dinner." Rubbing his lower lip with his thumb, as if in contemplation, Jian paused before whispering to her already red exposed ear. "Ah, the food is getting cold, quick let''s eat." Not expecting his answer and definitely unable to respond to his proposition Chang tried to divert his attention away. Pushing herself away from his chest, Chang tried to hide her face, which showed how much he flustered her. Chuckling Liang Jian Amal released her and let her have her way this time. He had no need to rush things now. Sitting across from him Chang watched him with her chin cupped in her palm happily, until he looked up. Sensing his eyes on her, Chang hastily started to put food in her mouth, pretending to have not been staring the entire time. "Ow, hot!" Even though the food had been sitting and cooling, it was still piping hot inside scalding her tongue instantly. Puffing her cheeks out she tried cool it in her mouth with her breath. From beside her Jian''s hand appeared holding a glass of water. "Here, drink it slowly. You should be more careful when trying to be covert, also know that you do not need to be. If you wish to stare at me that is fine." ''Busted.'' Coughing into a fist Chang looked with wide eyes at the table, before meeting his again somewhat sheepishly. "I''m sorry, it just feels so surreal still being here with you. It feels so good being here with you, just having dinner with you." "There is no need for apologies. If you would like we can have dinner together at home every night." "That sounds really nice, but wouldn''t you want to go out sometimes though, maybe just to get out of the house?" ''Wouldn''t you get sick of me and my cooking all the time?'' "If you wished, if I am where you are I will be satisfied." Still standing next to her, Jian smiled crookedly and gave a slight shake of his heat. When he kissed her so tenderly like that, holding the back of her head, Chang felt like she could taste honey and felt it move through her heart. Breaking away, Jian gave her a gentle smile as he gently caressed her cheek. "I am going to move closer to you now, for the sake of safety." "That sounds nice, I wanna sit next to you like we did at my house." Giving him what was probably a goofy grin Chang watched him as he moved himself right next to her, instead of being across the table. "That''s nicer, and much easier with just the two of us. Actually I''ve been wondering as there hasn''t been anyone else here, at least the whole time I''ve been here. Do you not have anyone helping in your house anymore?" "No, they had a penchant for letting my father in to invade my personal space. I''ve only had someone come clean here a handful of times, since I have returned to living here." As he spoke Jian''s peaceful expression hardened slightly. Find authorized novels in Webnovel£¬faster updates, better experience£¬Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting. "Then what do you do for food everyday? How come you have so much fresh food in your house?" Pressing his lips together Jian seemed to be searching for a suitable answer for her. As curious as she was Chang only wanted to see him smile at the moment. Putting her hand over his in the table, Chang smiled and changed to subject. "It''s ok Jian don''t worry about it. It doesn''t matter why, or who brought. Since you have it ready here for me to do it, I''ll cook it for you. I like it when you eat my cooking, you make me feel like a better cook than I am. Plus it''s always better cooking for another than just for yourself." Humming deep in his throat, Jian turned his hand over and took hers. Rubbing her hand with his rough thumb, Jian looked at it with a loving gaze. "You are a good cook, whatever you cook I am pleased with, as you made it for me." "Hehe, since I''m hidden here from your dad, I''m like your personal secret chef. To keep it secret though, it probably wouldn''t be safe to have anyone come over, I can keep it clean here too. So I''d be your own private maid too. Isn''t it kinda thrilling?" At the thought of getting away with so much, Chang felt a crooked grin grow as she looked at the man sitting next to her. Seeing her sparkling eyes Liang JianAmal could not help but to chuckle and tease her. "Hmm, you are right, it is a little thrilling. Especially knowing that I can have my way with my new maid. I may have to even get you a cute little outfit to celebrate as well." Almost instantly her lips went from a wide grin to a tight little pout. "Pervert, you always think about sex!" Blushing profusely Chang clenched her chopsticks tighter, resisting the urge to swat him in the arm for his perpetual gutter mind. "Not always... But I am now for sure." "He heh, you''re impossible sometimes." Seeing his exaggerated expression, Chang could only give up and laugh. It was hard to stay angry when he was so playful. It was just hard to stay mad at him period she found "Only sometimes? What about the majority of the time?" Cocking his head at her Jian probed her playfully. "I think you can answer that yourself." "Oh, but maybe I do not know the answer and need you to say it." Despite his easy smile, Jian''s eyes searched her seriously, expecting a decisive answer. Taking a deep breath, Chang felt her cheeks warm as she spoke. 238 Gained More "Eat more, it suits you having gained more weight, your face has a true healthy glow to it again." "Regaining your confidence and your raison d''¨ºtre will do that to you." "I see." Looking over at her face, an easy smile came to his face. For the rest of the meal the two ate in contented silence next to each other. Throwing small glaces at each other they occasionally meet the others gaze, speaking volumes with them. After dinner, Jian had her leave the dishes to just come upstairs with him. Following the pull on her hand from his, Chang felt her mouth become a little dry at the thought at what was to come. As she came in behind him, Chang shut the door with her heel. As she took a deep breath, Chang started pulling her shirt off from the bottom. Turning around Jian took a sharp breath before pulling the shirt back down on her. "What are you doing Jian? I''m getting undressed for you." Confused Chang still held the edge awkwardly. "Not right now, let us just get ready for bed. It is late already and it has been a long day." Releasing his hold Jian walked to the bathroom, leaving her standing rather awkwardly. "Oh.. ok." ''Does he not want me anymore? ... How come?'' Chang tried not to think of such things but inevitably an ugly voice in the back of her mind whispered why he would. It would not be so implausible the more she thought of it. After they had readied themselves, Chang lay beside him in bed, staring at the ceiling. "Hey Jian..." "Yes?" Blowing a few strands of her hair with his breath, Jian''s lazy voice came from beside her. "Am I not sexy to you anymore?" "What nonsense are you saying?" Frowning, the man gave her a strange look. "I thought you might want to, you know.. do it with me, I thought that''s what you were saying earlier. Are you still angry or disappointed with me? Did I make you wait too long? Am I too skinny-" "Chang. Listen to me." Cutting her off with a finger to her lips, Jian spoke slowly and calmly. "That we are not having sex is not due to any dissatisfaction, negative feelings, or thoughts that I bear towards you. I simply wish to go to sleep holding you in my arms until the morning. It is a simple pleasure that I have been denied for long. Do not think too much of it." "Ok sorry for over thinking it." Lowering her head, Chang felt slightly ashamed. "Ok." "Good girl." "Hey Jian?" "Yes?" Chuckling a little, Jian answered her in an indulgent tone. "I love you. Thank you for giving me the chance to correct my mistakes. I don''t want to make you regret being with me anymore. Do you think that would ever happen in the future after everything?" Hesitantly Chang asked about some of the darker thoughts that refused to stop haunting her. "What happened to the miss who so boldly declared she had regained her self-confidence and would not leave? That she would be there with me to fight with me?" "I guess she is still afraid of losing you somewhere deep down." "You will not lose me. I will not let go or let you be torn from me again." Overwhelmed to the point of being unable to speak Chang buried her face into his chest. In response he squeezed her tighter as well, surrounding her in a secure, comforting warmth. Putting a hand over his heart she lay there at peace until she heard Jian fall asleep shortly after. 239 Hello Lovely Readers! ---- If you are here wondering where volume 2 went, never fear, a revamping and renovation is here! Volume 2 will be found under Interludes and Lures now, a completely separate book. I had changed my original draft for volume 2 to have a different path towards the end, especailly in the beginning and later parts. while I do agree that it was in many ways a grand improvement it also lost something as well, something undefinable. Over the weeks( holy bejeezus months actually) of being forced to take a break from my writing due to life issue, I had time to figure out how to reconcile the two complletely different paths my book had in my head to truly bring back what had been lost without sacrificing the happier path it had taken with the advice of another. It will also feature some of Jian''s backstory, leading as to why he became the man we see him as today. Unfortunately I am still super swamped as I am still employed during the corona virus due to a governmental contract with my place of business, as well as dealing with personal family matters. I do finally find myself for the first time in a long time a moment to sit in peace and bring you what has been plaguing my mind with joy. During so much of the trials and struggles of 2019, you my readers, inspired me and brought me to tears many times with your kind words and support. And many times I would squeal and jump for joy to see how many enjoyed my story. So thank you, this second book is dedicated to you who have been with me through all the struggles to see the rise and conclusion. Thank you, stay safe, be healthy and may you live and love freely!