The lights of the casino were bright and blinding. I blinked a few times, waiting until my eyes adjusted. It was so noisy here. The sounds from the betting machines, the people exclaiming happily when they won and their disappointed wailing when losing pierced through my eardrums.
Oh my God, why did I agree with Yan Si's plan? It was such idiocy. I was supposed to find Bei He and charm him. He was forty years old unmarried man and had a liking for younger women. Thank you, Facebook, Instagram and Weibo, for giving me this information. Next, when he was head over heels for me, which I thought was totally impossible, I had to take him out of the casino where a rented yacht will take us away to a more secluded place. Then, Yan Si and I will let Xi An and her military training took care of Bei He.
It looked like a piece of cake. However, many variables could screw us. I walked around the many slot machines which the people played, stopping for a second or two because I was curious. This was my second time coming to this casino. In my previous life, when I still had feelings for Leonardo, I came to Italy to search for him. I didn't know his home address, but I knew where the casino was. Thinking about these memories, I felt ashamed of myself. How stupid was I? How could I travel all the way from Scotland only because he became cold to me? I just had to accept the reality back then. Were my feelings really that strong? Somehow, after I received a second chance, I didn't feel a speck of that love. Maybe that was because I felt kind of animosity towards him. I couldn't say that I hated him, but I thought I would want to gouge his eyeballs if I saw him right now.
Without realising it, I was near the staircases on the second floor. On it, there were card tables and roulettes. When I climbed the stairs, the atmosphere became quieter. It wasn't like the first floor, lively where people's emotions showed without restrictions. There, most of the players, especially the ones immersed in poker or any other card game, were focused and incomprehensible. Only at the end of the floor where the roulettes were, it was louder.
Hmm, I wondered where Bei He would be. Earlier I hacked some of the CCTV cameras and saw him entering the casino. It was a three-storey building – first floor for the slots machines, the second for card and roulettes and the third for Leonardo's office staff. I didn't think there is a risk of a chance encounter between us because he was in Scotland during that time in my other life.
So, if Bei He worked in this casino previously, he would be on the third floor. Should I have pretended to be dumb and go there, hoping he would be mesmerized by Euro-Asian appearance? There was a high possibility he would find me ugly. I didn't exactly fit the East Asian criteria of beauty. That's why I thought this plan was total crap. But Xi An wouldn't be able to pull it through any better than me. Her body was muscular, and most Chinese men would find her unattractive. That was really stupid. If I had her perseverance, I would like to be like her. Her body looks so healthy, agile and flexible. Her elegance when she moved reminded me of a cat. Alas, that was something not everyone could appreciate when they had their own vision of what beauty is and refused to change it.
I decided to see if Bei He was playing tonight. If I didn't see him on one of the tables or roulettes, I would check the third floor. Finally, I had some luck. I approached him, looking at the roulette wheel. There were four more people. They were placing their bets. I just watched with anticipation. Bei He won a large sum. He sneered, and the others complimented him with false sincerity. I wondered what to do to be acknowledged.
''Excuse me, I want to bet.'' I smiled amiably at the croupier, and he nodded in response.
''Sure, did you play roulette before.''
''Yes, I did.'' I noticed that the eyes of Bei He watched me curiously. It was good. I took Yan Si's credit card, and now I could play to my heart content. Not a second passed, and my phone rang.
''Luo MacCarner, don't you dare to make me broke. I'm watching the CCTV camera and judging by your face you plan to spend all my money.''
''That's not true.'' It really wasn't. I would let him some money to buy rice.
''Liar.'' He closed the phone, and I smirked.
''Was this your boyfriend?'' I heard Bei He' Mandarin near my ear. I shivered unpleasantly but tried to hide my disgust.
''No, just my cousin. He is like a brother who constantly checks me. By the way, I'm single.''
''Oh, is that so?''
''Yes. You see, I am into older men, and that doesn't look very good in China. So, my previous boyfriend was European. However, one day, I would love to be with a Chinese man.'' I hoped I looked cute, naïve and a little bit stupid while babbling, confessing all these things to a man who I didn't know. And I was praying that my internal wish to vomit wasn't as obvious as I feared it was. He smiled like the perverted uncle he was and circled my waist.
''Really? Then I think we are a match made in heaven? Hmm, do you want to come to my room? It's on the third floor.''
''Can't we go somewhere else?'' I assumed something in this plan could go wrong, but I didn't want it to be that crucial. It was better if I could make him come to my territory, not the other way around.
''Unfortunately, no. I'm still working. But I will make up to you in the future.'' Please, no, I didn't want to see you ever again.
''Are you a big shot here?'' I exclaimed in a fake surprise, and he patted my head.
''Yes, a manager.''
''Oh my God, that's so cool.'' He leaned over me, and I tried to hold my breath because it looked like he doesn't know what toothpaste meant at all.
''Are you in for some fun?''
''Sure, I am.'' I followed him to the third floor. When he received a phone call, he briefly explained where his room was and left me alone. I was happy I could call Yan Si. After telling him that Bei He wanted me in his room, he said he would send Xi An to take me away together with Bei He. I wondered how this would work, but my cousin assured me that she had her ways. After hanging up, I entered the room. I didn't even have the opportunity to look around before a loud bang scared me out of my skin. I screamed, terrified and my fear transferred into pure terror after seeing the figure which barged in.
''Leonardo…''
''Are you f*cking stupid?'' He roared, making my body trembling. ''How can you flirt with a man twice your age and follow him to his room?''
''It's not your business…'' I wanted to fight back, but he didn't let me a chance.
''Of course, it isn't. When I am not around, and you are in Scotland, your father is his business to watch his stupid daughter. However…'' He made big strides to me, lifting my chin with his finger. I watched his angry turquoise eyes changing colour to a darker shade of blue. ''When you are in my territory, it's my f*cking business what you do.'' I was so shocked and confused. He never cared about me. In my previous timeline, we were closer than we are now, but he only gave an impression that I was important to him. But, the truth was the only important person for him was Bianca. So, what was the real meaning behind these abrupt actions? Why was he so emotional? I decided to contemplate that later. I pushed his hand away and looked at him angrily.
''Is that so, Mr D'Arcangelo? I am in your territory, and you can shout at me like some barbarian and call me stupid? Who do you think you are? I suggest you watch your tone; otherwise, you will regret it.'' His loud mocking laugher followed my threat.
''Miss McCarner, if you are going to threaten someone, at least make sure you can fulfil what you say.'' He inched towards me, looming his body over mine. He was 1.90cm, and for a moment, I felt scared. He leaned over with his nose, almost touching mine. I shrank back involuntary, and he gave a deriding smile.
''Go home, Miss McCarner and keep yourself away from problems. If you want to play in my casino, do it to your heart content, but stay away from the men here. I don't want your father to blame me if he finds out something happened with you while you were in one of my casinos.'' There was the reason for his 'concern'.
''You aren't supposed to take care of me. I am no one to you.'' He didn't answer and was ready to head out. I stopped him. ''Wait, the reason why I flirt with your manager is that he stole money from Kang Xianliang. I'm sure you know something about this case.'' His body froze. Slowly, he turned around, his eyes cold as Siberian winter. I shivered uncontrollably because the wrath in his eyes was more intense than anything I have seen in my two lifetimes.
''Where do you know him from?''
I was ready to open my mouth and explain. I didn’t see a reason to keep my cousin’s problem a secret. I preferred honesty when possible. And considering this case, I thought that I would win more if I told the truth. Besides, I was a bad liar. However, before I can realise it, Leonardo strode towards me, wrapping his fingers around my throat. My eyes bulged from surprise, and I wanted to remove his hand. But, the next second, his grip became stronger, and I choked due to the lack of oxygen. Panic surged in my veins, and I desperately tried to fight with him. He was unmovable like a rock.‘’What is your relationship with him?’’ His voice was as dreadful as the death incarnate. It was devoid of any emotions. I could feel the eerie feeling of impending doom upon me, which made my adrenaline rush. I strug
The next day Yan Si received a call from his father. The problem with Kang Xianliang had been settled. Uncle had anonymously received information for Bei He’s location, and he sent it to Kang Enterprises, leaving CEO Kang to deal with the stealer as he saw fit. My cousin almost hit his head on the ceiling when he jumped from happiness. Xi An and I had a sigh of relief.Now, when that burden had been lifted, and we had no more worries, we could enjoy our stay in Venice. We did all the things a typical tourist would do. We sailed on a gondola, we visited some of the landmarks like Doge’s palace, and we enjoyed an opera night in La Fenice. Also, we visited Gallerie dell’Accademia because one of Xi An’s most favourite periods was the Renaissance. Alas, all good had its end.After a week, we returned to China from our abrupt but funny vacation. The preparation for the wedding was in full motion, so both the fiancé and fiancé
After we left my mother at the family mansion, I received a message from her. As I guessed, she felt the situation between Kang Xianliang and I was fishy. She demanded an explanation after I went home.‘’What is it?’’ His cold voice sounded from my left. I turned my head meeting his side profile. His eyes were closed, and if it weren’t for his question, I would think he was sleeping.‘’Nothing. What business do you have with me?’’ I didn’t hide the animosity I felt toward him. After all, he threatened Yan Si’s life and scared me at the engagement night. My opinion of him wasn’t positive at all. I wanted to be as far away as possible from someone like him.‘’Didn’t you hear that the curiosity killed the cat?’’ His low chuckle caught me off guard. He turned his head, and his dark
I spent the whole night in the car with that crazy man. Luckily, he didn’t wake up until morning. I had enough time to reminiscence about the events yesterday. Everything was so surreal. If the backseat wasn’t filled with broken glasses and I didn’t have cuts on my body I would think I dreamt. By the way, that made me sit on the passenger seat. I didn’t want to sit in a pool of glasses. When I relaxed my body on the seat I gave Kang Xianliang curious look. He stopped time. It was for five seconds but the slow-motion was the same as the one in the movies. Which made me realise a few things.Firstly, the woman he mistook me with. It should be her. The one who reversed time back for me to change my fate. I wasn’t delirious that time. Part of me always doubted that everything was a dream. After all, this was out of common logic. That made me ask myself why. Why did she do it? What was her history with CEO Kang? Did she give him the ability to slow do
I thought Kang Xianliang would drop me at home. However, he continued driving to Kang Enterprises. The sun was up, and the traffic was high. Everyone could see the broken mirror behind the backseat. I felt really uncomfortable and tried to hide somehow. I knew it was a pointless feat, but the stares I got every time we stopped in front of a traffic light made me feel like a museum exposition.‘’Shouldn’t you change the car?’’ My voice was low and timid. I was too overwhelmed with the stares I received from the people on the walkway. One woman stopped with a widely opened mouth. If it wasn’t her husband who nudged her, I thought she would stare at us for a whole day.‘’No, why? I don’t see a problem with this one.’’ I gave him a disturbing glance. My mind couldn’t quite comprehend how it was possible to exist such a thick-skinned person. Let&rsqu
After we were done with lunch, my phone vibrated. I furrowed my brows. I forgot I put it on silent mode. I had twenty missed calls from my mother. Seeing this, I remembered some traumatic cases when the same thing happened, and after I went back home, she yelled at me for hours. Bracing myself for the incoming nagging, I called her back.‘’Luo McCarner, which hellish hole did you throw your phone in?!’’ I took the phone away from my ear, making an unpleasant expression. Uh, my hearing would be bad for some time.‘’Mom, calm down…’’‘’Don’t tell me to calm down! When did you go after that wild man took away? You don’t have a relationship with him, do you?!’’‘’Mom, it’s not what you think it is…’’‘’I swear if I find out you have something with this Kang Xianliang, I will pinch your ear and take you back in Scot
While I tried to recover from my shock of being in a relationship I knew nothing about, Han Wei noticed my presence.‘’So, the unfilial daughter decided to come home.’’ Her deriding tone made the blood in my veins boil.‘’Can you not jump to conclusions until you hear her opinion of the matter?’’ My mom said through gritted teeth. ‘’Maybe she has a reasonable explanation. Right, Luo?’’‘’I don’t have any relationship with that man.’’ My tone was firm and collected. I wasn’t sure what game Kang Xianliang tried to pull, but I didn’t want to participate.‘’If you don’t have a relationship with him, why were you photographed in one of the high-class restaurants in the city? Even the dress you wear now is the same.’’ Yan Si’
It was cold. My body was in tremendous agony. I was soaked in a pool of blood. I tried to move, but piercing pain circled through my veins. My heartbeat was wild. I inhaled deeply, trying to get some air, and at this moment, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. Weakly I lifted my head and saw a bleeding hole below my heart.My first reaction was confusion. Wasn’t I saved? Why was I dying again in this warehouse? Was it all a dream? The woman who saved me, my travelling to China, Venice and Kang Xianliang? Were they created from my dying imagination? No. No, it couldn’t be. Impossible. What kind of hallucination was this? Everything was so real. But the pain of my broken bones and cut skin was real too. I felt despair filling my whole being. I started hiccupping and cried like a new-born baby. The air I breathed wasn’t enough, and soon I felt nausea.‘’I see you have woken up.’’