THE CEO's LOVE 115 An Adver

He checked on the extra twenty-five images. Going to Hawaii would be great. 

The 25 Best Things To Do in Hawaii. It read as the opening. 

"Snorkel with Sharks? Seems fun to me. But wait? I'm still underaged." He continued reading on, "Oahu. Doors-Off Helicopter Tour • Kauai. Manta Ray Night Dive and Snorkel Ecoadventure • Big Island. Sunrise Lava Tour • Big Island. Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail • Kauai. Molokini Express, Adventure Snorkeling • Maui. Mountain Tubing through Ca.n.a.ls and Tunnels... Scary!" He flipped around the bed.

And then powered the iPad off and sprinted to the bathroom to go shower.

He came out of the bathroom, and stood at his window, looking up into the night sky with his hands in his pyjamas pockets..

Praying it wouldn't rain.

The door opened with a light squeak and he turned around to have a look. Expecting his father as a smile hung on his face, it disappeared the instant he knew who it was.

"Are you hungry?"

"No," his answer direct and short.

"I prepared mix pudding," it made Zhihao turn back to the window.

"Not eating!" After saying that, he climbed his bed, closed his eyes and pretended to be sleeping.

s.h.i.+ya stood there with her hands clutched in front of her, there is nothing she could do. She went close, pulled the duvet to his neck. She saw him frown and worried. She didn't dare touch him. He hated it. "Zhihao, why don't we go horse riding this weekend?"

He flipped to the other side. "Not going,"

"Really? What about picnic at the park? Or movies?"

He sprang up from the bed. "I'm trying to sleep. Leave,"

She used that opportunity to hold his tiny hands. "Please Zhihao, just this once."

"Just some months ago, you said that and forced me to go to the market with you. Just once. But you're asking again," he was being rude but she didn't mind.

"Please,"

He came closer, those big eyes looking straight into her eyes. "No!" He shrugged of her hand and lay back down. "Turn off the light when you go out,"

"Ah'Zhi? Please!"

He didn't say anything in response. Then she stood up, patted the duvet, she went to turn off the light and strode out closing the door behind her.

The instant she was out of the door, Zhihao sprang up once more only to sigh. He then moved to the door, pulled it open to peep around. She was going into his father's room.

"She's really persistent! It's late, she should be sleeping." He then looked at the table clock. Just twenty-two past eight.

Oh he was surprised.

*

s.h.i.+ya entered the bedroom but didn't see him. She looked round the room, in his changing corner, his bathroom, he was no where in sight.

Cold enveloped her when she saw he coming in from the gla.s.s door leading to the open verandah filled with flower pots. 

He had already showered and in his pyjamas.

"Do you have time? I wanted to ask for a favour."

His eyes darted in between her and the door.

"Ahan, I came in because the door was slightly open and the light was still turned on."

"What do you need? A new car? Some cash? Or..."

"No," she was annoyed, he always thought she wanted car, money and jewelries. "I want the three of us to have fun at the park this weekend. Or horse riding. A movie at the cinema won't be bad, either."

He went to sit on his table. "Ask Zhihao, if he wants to go then take him along."

No no. "What about you?"

"Busy with work." He started sorting the files on his table. 

But it's the weekend. She wanted to retort.

Suddenly he looked up, his eyes not as calm as it was. "Who told you about Bai Xueyan?"

The saliva she swallowed tasted bitter. She took a step back even if there were far apart.

"I asked a question,"

"My friends," she answered not hesitating a minute more.

He looked back down at the files. "Go horse riding with them. To the movies too. A picnic in the park. And remember to tag him along. You can leave."

He didn't look up at her, but she could feel her heart beating so fast, as if it would jump out of her mouth anytime soon.

Tears clouded her eyes. He had found out. Then he knew all along. He knew Xueyan had returned... But why isn't he making any move?

Her eyes widened. Tag him along. He was watching her every minute. She opened her mouth to say something, but no word formed.

She turned and left.

He picked up his phone and sent a message to Riuwen. u003cGo investigate more about Xueyan. Find out what she had been up to after highschool. Everything little thing matters!u003e

He needed to know more instead of waiting on for her, she wasn't going to tell him anytime soon.

*****

At the shooting location, Xueyan had her neck falling off the chair she was sitting on.

She was so sleepy but they still had a shoot tonight. It involved her escape plan. She tried to stay awake by was.h.i.+ng her face, it didn't make much impact as she still felt sleepy.

"Want to rest for the night?" A voice trailed behind her. A smile on his face when he stood beside her. "We can continue tomorrow night," Xiujun a.s.sured her.

"No, it's okay. I can manage."

He gently stroke her head. "You can always say the word. I'll be here to grant it." 

She pulled her head back. She had the sudden urge to refuse that hand. "It's okay. You're the one that needs rest," she smiled.

A chuckle from him, had white fog coming out. It was very cold tonight. "I demand rest even when we are shooting. Do you want to go home to her? It's been two days you left."

She wanted to laugh at him, she had only left on Monday. Even if she sincerely missed her little Xue, she still had things to do.

She shook her head. "It's okay."

He sighed. "Your wish is my command, my Lady." His tone amusing. She smiled. He loved that smile. It was always sincere, and beautiful to the eyes. "Let's talk, tell me about your self and I'll do the same."

She hesitated. "Ah, where do I start from?"

"Where you're from." He calmly folded his hands in front of his chest, waiting for her to begin, his ears stood erect. 

"Shanghai, I was also born here. Lived in Shanghai and moved to Beijing when I was seventeen with my whole family."

He nodded. "Not bad. Your highschool?"

"Tianqing High."

"Wow! I'm amazed. You went to same school as Mingfe?" He pretended to be surprised.

"Yes,"

"Fangxi, Yue, Anhao, Qin Lun and Gong Xi."

She laughed at the mention of Gong Xi. "Yes, Gong Xi was one of the funny students then."

"Haha," he let out a dry laugh. "Was he? I was never in the country so I would have been among all of you."

Xueyan head bobbed. "It's okay, you had a great time wherever you were,"

"Not really. Jingtang was always around me. A pain in the b.u.t.t."

Xueyan laughed. "I know that much. You're my number one actor,"

He smiled. What she just said boosted his ego. "And..." He trailed off. "Your girl..."

Xueyan understood what he was saying. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Oh that's okay. There's an AD for you, it will be shot next week. Hope you don't mind?"

"For me?" A surprised Xueyan asked.

"Yes, you're a model, too. It's a car advertis.e.m.e.nt and you receive your pay once it's done." He spread his hand to how large the pay was. "You receive this much," he grinned. "Fifty thousand yuan. Just for an advert. No newcomer have received such offer,"

"Fifty thousand yuan? I don't even know how to drive." Xueyan pouted.

The sudden burst of laughter from Xiujun drew attention to them. He calmed down and turned to give them a look of mind your business. "You're not really driving. Just a little bit move of the camera, another car heading towards you... And that's it. You're done." He was still smiling. She looked so good when she pouted, she didn't know that. He guessed.

"I can't explain well, Jingtang will do that when he's through with the director and producer. Hold on," he took out his phone and dialled Jingtang's number. "Come over to Xueyan's resting area once you're done." Without waiting for Jingtang's reply, he hung up. "There's already a comic AD for it. He will show it to you too," Xiujun continued. 

Xueyan wanted to ask which brand but held herself. 

They heard a loud yawn behind them, and a shadow stretching. They turned, it was Mei Han.

When Mei Han saw it was Xiujun, she immediately stopped. "Ay, good evening. I'm sorry I slept off. I already arranged your costume for tomorrow. Tonight's costume is set too." Mei Han quickly briefed Xueyan on what to do.

Xueyan head bobbed twice, she understood. 

It didn't take long and Jingtang came treading their way. He had a worried face. "Xiujun, you need to rest. Your scene starts the day after tomorrow. You don't need no eye bags."

If only eyes could kill. Jingtang would have died a thousand times. Xiujun always listened to him, but after Xueyan appearance, his master...oh first master did as he pleased. Xueyan was the new master Xiujun spoke of. He regretted informing the management after she collided into him. Maybe now he wouldn't have to go around looking for deals.

Xiujun now hates his correction. Would always give him a dangerous look then turn to smile at Xueyan.

What is he? A devil? Jingtang pondered on something. If he gets Xueyan to like him, then she'd help convince Xiujun sometimes... Now what an amazing brain he has.

He suddenly grinned. 

"You're better off with the expressionless face," Mei Han mumbled under her breath. Jingtang heard it and scowled. He wasn't in the mood to entertain her nonsense.

"Miss Bai," he called softly and only got a stare boring hole into his brain from Xiujun.

He turned just in time to confirm it. 

"Miss Bai, there's an AD Xiujun landed for you. It's a car AD. You receive your pay after the AD... It's next week, I already paved way for you from the shoot. You'll be made their amba.s.sador, a monthly pay to your account even if you have to sit at home and do nothing. The company pays you twenty thousand yuan monthly for a year and pays your secretary," he pointed at Mei Han. "Ten thousand yuan monthly too. So you see, you don't have to divide your salary. Tell me, do you like it?"

Mei Han screeched. "Yes!"

"I didn't ask you," Jingtang muttered.