THE CEO's LOVE 130 Selfish

Xueyan could only show her white teeth. She had totally forgotten about the jacket. She had promised to return it once she got home.

"The texture is so smooth... Did you buy it?" Yuxi asked.

Xueyan wished she could close Yuxi's mouth as her parents were heading their way. "Mom, dad." She said not wanting to reply to Yuxi.

"Xiaoxue, you are back so late." Mr Bai complained.

"I'm sorry," Xueyan apologized, her mouth pouted. She could feel the gaze on her by Qingran.

"It's okay," Mrs Bai said. "But you shouldn't go out in such tiny clothes ever!" She warned.

Xueyan nodded.

"Come have dinner,"

"Oh no, I'm not hungry." She quickly said.

"Okay," Mrs Bai smiled at her. "Go wash up and go to bed."

Xueyan left to do just as she was told.

As they entered their room, Yuxi started complaining. "You really are something else. You seriously went to his office dressed like that?"

Xueyan opened her eyes wide and tilted her head, for Yuxi to be quiet. Yuxi understood as she dropped on the bed. "Oh... Today was stressful. Tomorrow would be worst."

"Why?" Xueyan asked. And tucked Qingran in for a sleep.

"Ah. Qiangshen had performed at a wedding today, I thought I wouldn't be able to get home today. And tomorrow, he will be performing at a birthday party. My body aches, so badly."

Xueyan laughed. "You only help him choose clothes, what could be stressing you out?"

"I don't even know. Guess I'm just being lazy."

Xueyan laughed loud this time. "Next week, we all will be at the shooting area, you need your energy reactivated."

"Sure," Yuxi smirked. "You saw your flowers, today?"

"You knew about it?"

"Yes," Yuxi answered truthfully. "You were their topic everytime it arrived. They were mostly gossiping about you out of jealousy."

Thoughts of him flashed through her mind. He must be home now, with his family... Happy and living with Bliss.

She mocked herself for ever dreaming of him. He was still unattainable. His background differs from hers.

"They don't need to be, it's not as they think."

Yuxi pressed her lips together and scratched her head. "Xueyan," she called with a whisper. "You still won't accept him?"

Xueyan with a sad smile tucked at her face she shook her head. "No,"

"Why?"

"What do you mean why? He's a married man."

Yuxi seemed to think. "I got a whiff of Qiangshen's discussion. It was an arranged marriage,"

The information coming from Yuxi made Xueyan's mouth part. "What are you saying?"

"Yes," Yuxi scratched her head again. "The Xiaos needed connection, Mr Xiao Haixin is contesting for the upcoming election and since s.h.i.+ya was head over heels for Zhaolin, it was arranged. I mean their marriage was arranged.

Zhaolin has a son too, he's same age as Qingran. Also Zhaolin wasn't in the country for two years, but before he left, he adopted the little boy."

Xueyan's mouth further dropped. "His son is adopted? Where did you get this information from?"

"Hahaha," Yuxi laughed. "When I heard it, I did my own research. What do you think I'm a hacker for?" Yuxi felt proud of herself. "Just because I'm working as a secretary doesn't mean I've forgotten what my worth."

Xueyan's mouth was still open wide. "Really? Tell me more. Xiao s.h.i.+ya father is contesting? But Zhaolin and s.h.i.+ya have been married for a long time now."

"Yes, when he contested in the past, n.o.body took a second look at him. But now, with the Xings as his in-laws, he has people fawning over him now. And he has been into this game of politics, a long time ago." Yuxi stated.

"Okay?"

Yuxi raised her hands in defeat. "That's all I know for now... Wait, your friend Jiuwen, do you know much about her?"

"Not really,"

"Her parents? You know nothing about them?"

"All I know is that they died in an accident."

Yuxi nodded her head twice. "There's more to this, than it is to the human eyes."

"What is?" Xueyan had never been this eager to know something, but Yuxi dashed her hopes.

"I need to confirm first,"

"Ah! Come on." Xueyan growled and Yuxi started laughing.

"Look at your eyes, standing erect to find out. You're a gossiper." She pushed Xueyan to the bathroom. "Go shower, you smell of a man's perfume."

Xueyan tongue fell out. "What‽ That much‽" She was almost screaming.

Yuxi couldn't control her laughter. "You were with him..."

Xueyan nose wrinkled, "I'm so dumb. Didn't think about that."

"It's okay, I bet mom and dad wouldn't think much about it."

While Xueyan was showering, everything Yuxi had said kept echoing in her ear. "Is that why he said he wasn't married? But even if it's an arrangement, they are still legally married." She sighed. Why can't she just get him off her mind? Why?

From their argument in the office... Wait, did they argue? To their sudden closeness and then to the— She touched her lips. The first he kissed her, she had lost consciousness and then awakened the next day in a hotel room. Thankfully nothing had happened, he had respected her, he didn't touch her unwillingly and he was still able to put his emotions in check today.

That means he was qualified of the t.i.tle "gentleman". He respected women!

Zhaolin. Zhaolin.. Zhaolin... What is it about me, that you still claim to love me? And what is it about you, that I can't get you off my mind?

*****

"Zhaolin, please." s.h.i.+ya pleaded following him into his room. "Father has been trying to reach you all day. He said the call wasn't connecting."

He is so happy today, that he didn't want his mood ruined by her. "I didn't receive the call and I can't go with you to the party."

"Zhao... Zhaolin," s.h.i.+ya hiccupped, choked by her unwillingness to release her tears. Even if she cried, it didn't mean Zhaolin would change his mind. "Just this once, please. You won't need to go again."

"I need to shower and rest early," 

s.h.i.+ya wasn't appalled by his total rejection, just that today, he was acting way too cold. "We will just stay there for five minutes then leave. Okay, just two minutes." She took two fingers out of her balled fists. She had noticed he wasn't wearing his outer coat, he hadn't even hung it downstairs at the cloth stand. "Did you forget your suit jacket at the office? We could go grab it on our way back."

He looked down at his s.h.i.+rt, a faint smile appeared on his face, but it quickly disappeared. Did I just see him, smile? Why would he suddenly smile? Or am I having an illusion? That smile, which he had never sent her way. It was either, his sweet mother, father, grandparents and then his lovely son...

She must be so ugly, that he didn't see the reason to smile at her. "Zhaolin?"

"Leave. I need to change." It was a murmur, but carried as much weight as a commanders voice.

She slowly retreated put of the, she shut the door close and slid down it. She felt like she had failed a thousand times. She wanted to cry, but there was no energy for that. Slowly, she got up and went to her bedroom. As her door closed, Zhihao door opened ajar. His eyes squinted and his lips twitched.

Anytime she paced around, he was always their at his door, observing. He didn't know why, but his father didn't like s.h.i.+ya and neither did he. All s.h.i.+ya ever wanted was to get everything working in her favour. She always wanted things done her way... She was selfish. That was the best word he could find to describe her. He went back to his room, and climbed into his bed.

He dreamt about going to Hawaii, the school examination had started. By next week, they would be done and he will go for his vacation.

*

Inside s.h.i.+ya's room, as she held onto the ringing phone, tear dropped from her eyes... Her father would be so disappointed. Her mother had been calling and still was calling. The phone stopped ringing, and went off. It soon came on, with a vibration and a message. When she saw who had sent it, she sent the phone flying to the wall.

However, she still went to pick the phone up, with teary eyes she read the content. u003cWhy are you not here, yet? Did he refuse to come with you?u003e "f.u.c.king b.a.s.t.a.r.d!" She swore. "It's none of your business if he refuses to come with me!" She screamed into the phone. The house was sound proof so apparently no one could hear her scream her lungs out. She hated being weak, to be seen as a weakling, but when it came to Zhaolin's matters, she couldn't help but break down.

Every of his rejection, felt like a knife accompanied by sword and dagger piercing into her heart.

As she was wallowing in sadness, her parents were too.

"Mr Xiao, seems like your inlaw inlaw couldn't make it."

Mr Xiao Haixin knew best not to answer. He couldn't even find the energy to reply. He looked towards his wife, using their eyes for communication, he asked if the call has connected, but she shook her head. No.