Cheng P.O.V
"Hey, you need to wake up." I turned on the other side and placed my arm on my face to cover my eyes. Geez, I finally was able to close my eyes like, an hour ago, and now it's time to get up?
"Cheng... You are going to be late for your exam." I suddenly stood up like a spring and rushed to shower and dress up. Today I will see Chin Mae-
"I made you breakfast. I will wait for you in the living room," Hong Tao informed me as he made his way out of the bedroom. I was shaking, honestly. I was so excited to see him even if I shouldn't. I collected my belongings and rushed toward the kitchen, stuffing my mouth with another plain egg before I slid the glass door and headed outside.
"Where are you going?" Hong Tao pulled me from my jacket before I could reach his precious car parked in front of the house. A few bodyguards moved closer to us, and I looked at them angered as I swallowed the last mouthful of food.
"University? I will feel more comfortable if I check where the exam will take place," I quickly explained removing his hand off me.
"Or you simply want to see that boy, isn't it?" his face was emotionless, but his eyes were exposing how the whole situation infuriated him. I mean, mine was a predictable move, but it was up to me to create a mere opportunity to see Chin Mae or not.
"Believe what you want, but I am going. Now." I hissed a millimetre from him, clenching his clothes to make my point. I didn't care if I would get hurt or disappointed... I just wanted to see him, even from afar. Just one more time-
"Fine." Hong Tao nodded to his sheep that followed him as we made our way to the car. Some bodyguards changed their clothes into casual ones before jumping in the car, and the one on the wheel turned on the engine.
"Why did they change? You are not planning-"
"Yes. They will follow you everywhere you go like it's supposed to." he hissed as he slid next to me. Hong Tao grasped one of my wrists and pulled me against him while he placed his arm around my shoulders.
"Release me," I ordered as I squirmed in my seat. The bodyguard in the passenger seat in the front turned to look at me with a grave expression. But before he could do or say something, Hong Tao stared at him again, and he turned to face the front immediately.
"Be quiet and behave," he whispered in my ear. Hong Tao kissed my cheek as he took out his guns from the side of his torso underneath his jacket and pointed them at the back of the seats in front of us.
It all went too fast.
The car stopped brusquely, and I was about to fly against the driver seat if it wasn't for Hong Tao's body that somehow held me in place. He shot at those men without thinking twice, right before the one on the passenger seat was about to point his gun at us.
"W-what..." I mumbled shaking and horrified at those men's bodies drooling blood from their chests.
My ears were whistling "Tao, what-" I tried to get his attention, but he was still looking at the gun that was in that man's hand. He had it ready to shoot towards me if it wasn't for his quick reaction.
"Tao!" I shouted "A-are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere...?" I asked, confused. Why did he shot at them? Why were they ready to attack us?
Hong Tao turned and hugged me so tightly that I couldn't breathe. From the front mirrors, I spotted some of his other bodyguards running towards our car holding their guns. Startled, I pushed him aside and stole the gun from the bodyguard's hand. I hurriedly opened the car door and headed outside, letting the cold air slap my damp face, waking me up from the bewildered state I was in.
I couldn't hear anything else besides my heart pumping in my ears. I held my breath, and I pointed the gun at one of them, trying to remember some lessons my father ordered me to take. When I was about to shoot, someone grabbed my arms and forced them down, slightly bending me forward.
"It's okay; they are not traitors. Breathe-" Hong Tao commanded me as he leaned next to my ear. I bent further and he caressed apprehensively my back when I threw up on the boulevard's cold white gravel that was supposed to lead us to the gates.
The car we were once in was taken back, and soon enough the bodyguards drove another next to us "Let's go," he encouraged me when I took my time to enter, looking at the two men in the front seats.
"They are my loyal ones, try to recognise their faces next time. He's Ming," he said pointing at the bulked Asian young man driving, "And he's Ru." he concluded pointing at the other guy in his mid-age on the passenger seat "They are father and son. You can count on them in the future." They both nodded but not dared to look at me. I guess I looked horrible and frightened, like an idiot. Hong Tao placed his arm around my shoulders once again and held me close, brushing the tip of his nose on my neck.
"I am sorry you had to see that. But you insisted to go, so I couldn't deal with them before our departure," he explained and kissed my cheek. He took out a gum from his jacket and poked my lips that opened obediently.
"While I had my breakfast?" I asked chewing the minty gum, breathing in as the scene of their body turning lifeless in front of my eyes made my skin crawl.
"Exactly." he said a bit annoyed "You should know by now that everything I do has a purpose."
"I am sorry." I lowered my head, trying to stop my hands from shaking. Hong Tao placed his hand on mine and held it. I looked up-
"We're here. Good luck with your exam. I will be waiting outside, text me when you finish." I hesitated, but when I saw Ming opening my car door, I composed myself and faked a reassuring smirk towards Hong Tao while nodding. I sighed quietly and closed the door behind me. I wished the trip took some more time.
"Thank you for escorting me, Ming." I asserted as we both walked toward the university entrance.
"Today is going to be a fun day for sure," I commented faking another smile and clenched the shoulder strap of my backpack. 'Fake it until you make it, wasn't it?
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"How did it go?" Ming asked me as soon as I exit the lecture doors, handing me a takeaway cup.
"Lemon and mint tea. Hong Tao told me you liked it so... I bought you something to warm you up." he grabbed my backpack and let it loosely hang around his shoulder. I smiled.
"Thank you." I replied before taking a sip, "It was alright, I don't excel in accountancy, I did my best though. Mother will be disappointed, but..."
Ming placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned closer "I am sure you did well. It was me who corrected your practice papers, so I know what I am saying." he leaned back as soon as we moved toward the university front doors.
"Cheng!" I heard a well-known voice coming from behind. When I turned, I couldn't resist a smirk. Emma ran towards me and hugged me excited.
"I am glad to see you've recovered! Where are you living now? Your neighbour told me you moved out?" she inquired, looking around me and then pointed at Ming "Who is he?"
I looked at Ming, but he shook his head "Just a friend. And I live nearby; I don't remember the area exactly..." I made up an excuse, even though it wasn't entirely a lie.
"I see... How was the exam?" she still didn't remove her hands off me and I wondered why. Was she that happy to see me? I internally rolled my eyes at her question. Was it just me who hated talking about an exam when I just did it? How was I supposed to know? I could have found it easy, and in the end, get a low mark.
"It was okay. What about you?" I felt Ming's hand on my back. He tapped it nervously a few times, inferring that we couldn't stay any longer.
"Same, but-"
"Oh, I am a bit in a hurry now," I stopped her before she would overwhelm me with her chit-chat that I couldn't stand right now "Text me, yeah?" Ming grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the front door at a fast pace; only three meters were left, but I suddenly felt eerie.
"Don't look up," Ming ordered, but he swiftly left my wrist that was now turning red for how tight he held me.
"Are you-" I stopped as soon as I saw what was in front of me. Ming was petrified beside me like life had been removed from his body even though he was still standing and breathing.
And then... Chin Mae was standing in front of me.
I instantly dropped my takeaway cup, my blood froze as soon as I looked at him in the eyes, my body frightened at the aura he was releasing. But Chin Mae smiled. A smile that I've never seen on him. He silently ordered me to follow him and I obeyed, taking me where nobody was around.
"H-how are you-" I was about to ask when he pushed me inside an empty classroom and locked the door behind him. I smiled and chuckled when he held me against him so firmly that I couldn't escape. He couldn't stop his hands from sliding up and down my back and kissed every inch of my face. I wasn't allowed to talk, apparently.
"Hey... I am happy to see you too!" I chortled, wrapping my arms around his neck but regretting it soon after "I mean... Why are you doing this?" I stepped back and moved next to the door handle, ready to go out.
"I heard you were in the hospital and-"
"I didn't see you there, though. But anyway, it shouldn't bother you since we agreed on breaking up, right?" I pointed out, still remembering our goodbyes like it only happened yesterday.
"That doesn't mean that I stopped caring about you. I just wanted to see you and check if you were alright." he slightly bent his head to one side to make his point clearer, like what he said was the most obvious thing in the world.
Point taken, though.
"So now you care?" I crossed my arms against my chest "Listen, I am not mad at you. Thank you for still worrying, but behaving like this... only frustrates me."
"Hey... I was wrong; I miss you too much. I want us to go back together; I want you; I can't imagine another day without you in my life." he moved closer and embraced me again. I mistakenly lifted my face and he leaned in to kiss me. It took me all my will to avoid it. I've never seen him this desperate and in need of... affection.
"Mae, no... Please, don't do this. You were the one who chose this for a reason." I gave him my back and held the bridge of my nose. I needed to think; this was not the reunion that I was expecting-
"Why now? How did you know I was in the hospital?" I asked in search of answers, not moving from my spot.
"Emma texted me. Since I left your apartment, I've been on the run from other vampires who tried to kill me, and when I read the message I came to find you. But instead, I've found Hong Tao. You need to be careful around him." he tried to warn me, but somehow I couldn't perceive the sense of worry in his voice... like he was badly reading a script.
"What do you mean? What happened?" I turned to face him, but he was looking at the floor instead.
"Hong Tao works for Kurasa. He drugged me, and left with you when I was still unconscious." he didn't flinch when he said his name, nor when he confessed what happened. This is not how... Chin Mae would react. Something wasn't right. I gulped down heavily and tried to steady my heartbeat.
He's not Chin Mae.
"My, my... I should have realised how well you two know each other." Chin Mae's hand moved on mine, the one that was on the door locker "You are not going anywhere, little Cheng."
"Is Chin Mae alright?" I prayed while I was trying to see some changes in his eyes, even though they looked normal "Why are you not showing off yourself like usual?"
Then it hit me.
Chin Mae was gone. He took control over his body, that's why Ming couldn't move, right? That's why he told me to don't look up when he was still in himself.
"What do you want from me?" I urged, closing my eyes so that he couldn't manipulate me as well. I was trying to calm down, but I knew I was in real danger.
"Am I not allowed to check on my dearest son-in-law?" Chin Mae... or better, Kurasa pinched my cheek and then clenched his hand around my throath, choking me.
"I just want to have fun with my food before eating it. You know, when they disobey my orders, I love seeing them beg for mercy." he chuckled and licked my lips, but I tilted my head up. I didn't know what could be worse between being controlled or being bit.
"I can't believe that Chin Mae let you in. How did you manage-" I tried to continue, but I didn't have enough air. I felt dizzy, and even though my hands were around his, trying to loosen his grip, I soon gave up.
"Cheng!" I heard someone shout behind the door I was pinned on "Cheng open the door!" I heard Hong Tao shout as he banged the surface. I opened my eyes and banged my heel against the door as a reply with the last strength remained.
"Your knight came to rescue you," Kurasa grinned, his fangs poking his lower lip "I will see you soon enough, little Cheng." The door opened and I fell back, soon caught by Hong Tao who arrested my fall. I grasped my painful neck and inhaled air in my lungs with difficulty, removing some tears caused by the lack of air from my face.
"Are you okay?!" he asked, worried, looking at my left shoulder and pressuring a hand on it. I simply nodded, feeling something warm sliding on my skin where he set his hand "Just stay still, you're hurt," he stated worried, but I pushed him back and stood up, replacing his hand with mine.
As I looked down, my green jumper was torn apart, and blood was staining it "When did he-?" I asked as I looked at some students that, curious, were looking at us. Hong Tao placed his black jacket on my shoulders and hurried us out of the universities premises. I looked down for all the way to his car; I did not dare to meet his eyes even though I didn't know the exact reason. Was I worried about what he thought happened back there? Was he angry that I followed Chin Mae and left Ming alone when I knew he needed help?
Hong Tao opened the car door and waited for me to get inside, closing it as soon as I entered. Ru appeared beside him relieved, holding his son's arm who was confusingly looking around. Ming's eyes darkened when he met mine behind the mirror and hurried in the car to check on me, stumbling on his feet as he did so.
"I am sorry, he-"
"It's not your fault." I stopped him right away "I am sorry I left you there alone. I shouldn't have followed him. He's... he's lost. There's nothing we can do to stop him now." I confessed as I made myself small "Kurasa got him."
Hong Tao made his way inside the car and soon Ru started the engine, sometimes glancing worried at his son sat beside him and me, as we flew back home. I clenched Hong Tao's jacket and kept looking outside my window, hoping to clear off my mind from whatever happened today.
Nobody was speaking, our breaths and the wound pulsating on my shoulder was the only thing that reassured me, in a way, that everything I've experienced since this morning was real. I removed some sweat from my forehead and tried to recompose my breathing by closing my eyes, and laid my head on the car door frame next to me.
I couldn't wait to go back to my new home already.
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