Happy thanksgiving week everyone! I tried to get as much typed as I could with the family here. I do hope you like it.
~Enjoy!~
I'm not sure what happened to the weekend but when my alarm went off I groaned. I turned my alarm off and gently sat up. My ribs reminded me that my weekend sucked. I slid out of bed and wrapped an arm around my waist as I remembered I was at Dao's house. I smiled at clothes that were set in the chair for me. I changed clothes slowly and grabbed my bag. I would assume Dao went to my house and grabbed it for me. He could be sweet at times.
I opened the door and walked down the stairs. I smiled as I looked around. The place really hadn't changed since last I was here. I wandered into the sitting room before wandering into the kitchen. Two plates were sitting on the island with breakfast on them. I put my bag on the chair and sat at the island. I had just taken a sip of my orange juice when Dao walked in.
[Morning. I didn't think you'd be up yet.]
[Just because my life gets screwy doesn't mean I change my schedule.]
[Well that sounds familiar.]
I looked at him confused as he smiled at me and then sat beside me.
[You used to say that a lot when things would get hectic.]
[In my defense, things are hectic.]
He smiled as he started to eat.
I thought about it as I began to eat. Maybe telling Dao about my memory returning might be a good idea. Then again, it may not be. I really couldn't decide. There are so many things that I wanted to tell him, yet, there were so many things that I couldn't. There were too many variables. Too many what ifs, too many why's, too many how's, too many maybes...there was just too much of everything. There was still too much that I needed to figure out. So maybe I should just hold off for now.
When we were done eating, Dao helped me get in his car, and we went to class together. Nothing could have prepared me for what was going to happen today. Yijun didn't come to class and even though I was upset with her, I found myself wondering if she was okay. It's moments like this where I question myself. I wanted to forgive her but something told me not to. She was an underclassman who thought highly of me, or at least let me believe so. Now that the boys had discovered that she was the one who had posted the pictures of me and Thomas, I really didn't know what to think. I was angry with her. I was upset with her. I was all kinds of things. But now that I remember everything, I feel like I'm a little more forgiving than I used to be.
Each class I went to that morning held whispers of the events that took place. I feel like every time I turned around, Yijun was being made into the bad guy. She was guilty, yes, but she really wasn't that bad of a person, or maybe that's just me. I don't really know why everybody feels so compelled to constantly gossip about everything, but I do know that in a school like this, nothing stays a secret. Yijun, I hope, has learned a very valuable lesson from all of this. I hope that when she does come back, she comes back a better person, because she meant quite a bit to me and I didn't even know it.
With my mind being as busy with so many thoughts as it is, there is one thing I do know that I wish for my friend, Yijun: jealousy is an ugly beast of burden so I wish for it to dissipate as soon as possible.
By the time I made it to lunch I was so thankful my day was over. My ribs were so tender that I had unconsciously wrapped an arm around my waist and had now realized that I was doing so. I gathered my tray and sat at a table at the back of the cafeteria. I wanted to be as far away from everyone as I could possibly be. I didn't want anyone to see that I was in pain. But as luck would have it, being alone is never a chance I have. To be honest, I'm okay with that. The only people who really seem to bother me much anymore are the people who have bothered me my entire life, my boys from F4.
Dao sat across from me at the table, not five minutes after I began to eat. I really wasn't in the mood for him but I knew that if I ignored him things would only get worse for me.
[Do your ribs hurt?]
I smiled as I looked at my food. I couldn't hide it from him and I knew that but still I really wished he wouldn't have noticed.
[I'm fine, Dao. Just tired at this point.]
[You really should stop lying to me.]
I scoffed.
[I'm not lying, Dao. Really, I'm fine. Tender maybe, but I'm fine.]
He sighed as he started to eat as well.
[Do you want one of your meds?]
I nodded without saying a word. Dao reached into his jacket and handed me the pill bottle. I took one and handed the bottle back to him and he put it away. I had no sooner swallowed the pill when Ximen and Meizuo walked up. I smiled at the two of them as they sat down.
[I see the two of you are getting along slightly better than before. Did you guys kiss and make-up?]
I rolled my eyes as Ximen smiled. Dao smiled and blushed as he playfully hit him.
[If I didn't know any better I'd think you boys didn't have anything better to do than to bother me. But then again, you really don't have anything better to do, do you?]
Meizuo smiled as he took a bite of his chicken.
[We're only messing with you Rose. Compared to what happened earlier, we're just glad to see the two of you are okay with each other.]
I started to reply but then realized that Lei was walking up.
[Lei!]
It was all I could do not to leap out of the chair. I hadn't seen him for a few days but after what happened, after remembering everything, I couldn't help but be overly happy and overly excited that he was here.
Lei took a seat beside me as he grabbed my bottled water and drank from it. That overly annoying thing that we always do to each other...where does it end? I rolled my eyes once again as he put the cap back on the bottle to set it back on my tray.
[When did you get back?]
I looked at Dao, confused for a moment before I remember that Lei returned a few days prior without telling anyone. He only told me.
Ximen smiled as Lei took my hand in his.
[He just arrived this morning. He called us when he landed.]
I grinned as I squeezed his hand. After the weekend I had just experienced, having all of my boys back couldn't have made me happier.
Meizuo looked at Dao.
[Ah Si, we should get together tonight.]
[Sure.]
I shook my head as he agreed without even giving it a thought. I know they were close, they always had been, we had always been that way, but at least I gave it a thought. Dao never hesitated for things like this. Sometimes, I wish he'd at least think about it. Not that he really needed to because this is Lei we're talking about hanging out with tonight, but you get my point.
I was sore. Maybe I didn't want to go...but I know I didn't want to miss this chance and I am pretty much sure that Dao knew that too.
Lei leaned down to my ear as he whispered to me.
[Rosie, I'm back. Just for you. Long time no see.]
I smacked his hand playfully as I took mine away from him.
[Welcome back, LeiLei. ]
I blushed slightly as we stared at each other for a moment. Dao, having noticed I was blushing, decided to interrupt.
[Hey. Rose is my girlfriend now.]
I kicked Dao's leg under the table and he winced in pain as he looked at me.
[No, I'm not. Stop saying such things. We've been over this.]
Lei raised an eyebrow in question as he looked at Dao?
[Really? What a pity.]
Dao Grinned as he looked at everybody else.
[A handsome Bachelor like me just got taken. It is a Pity indeed.]
Meizuo crossed his arms on the table.
[It's a Pity because we'll never have peace and quiet again.]
Ximen nodded.
[The two of you bicker more times in a day than we do in a year. I can recall every day being filled with arguments. Now that we're back at square one, I'm hoping that the two of you won't be as bad as you used to be. I'd really rather not have that headache.]
I sighed.
[Will you guys cut it out. I'm not the one you need to worry about, it's Dao. If he wasn't such a prankster, I wouldn't argue with him so much.]
Lei grinned as he looked at me.
[Is that so?]
I laughed as I looked back at him.
[I'm serious! If he could just express his feelings like an adult, instead of this childish funny business he thinks he's got going for him, we'd get along much better. But no, he's always got to try and make everybody laugh.]
[Hey!]
I looked at Dao as he glared at me.
[Oh no you don't. Have you met you? Life is a big joke isn't it? Mr. Bad boy with a really soft heart thinks he can have any girl he wants, except for me. One big bad attitude for the win. I'm not surprised girls stalk you the way that they do. Every girl loves herself a bad boy.]
[I don't want every girl now do I? Just because they stalk me doesn't mean I feel anything for them. Just because they're my fangirls doesn't mean I like them in the least. If you remembered anything at this point, I'd at least think that you'd remember why I don't care about them.]
I rolled my eyes.
[And here I thought you boys loved that kind of attention.]
Dao shook his head as he continued to eat. The other boys just laughed at the two of us and I couldn't help but to smile. This was an argument I'd had with Dao a hundred times. It was more a tease than it was anything. Just us messing with each other.
When we were done eating, the boys bailed off to class, all except for Meizuo. Once the others were gone, he got up and sat beside me.
[Would you like to tell me what's going on?]
I smiled.
[Whatever do you mean?]
He leaned on his elbow as he turned to me.
[Come on, Rosie. It's me. You know just as well as I do that you can't hide anything from me. You would not have had that conversation with Dao just now if something hadn't happened. Now tell me.]
I sighed as I turned to him fully.
[Do you want me to include the story about why my rib cage hurts?]
He nodded.
So, I told him. Meizuo was once the person I told everything to, and now, it would appear he was that same person again. I told him everything. Told him what happened with Dao. How I remembered everything. How I was still confused about some things as some things were still a little hazy. Then I told him about how I felt about everything. That I was more confused now then I was before I disappeared. How I have feelings for more than one person, and that included him.
Meizuo just sat there. Listening the whole time. He nodded here and there but he didn't say anything. It was like he either didn't know what to say or he just really needed to think about things before he spoke.
[Password.]
Now I was super confused.
[What password Mezzie? We have like, a hundred of them.]
He leaned his forehead against mine.
[Our password.]
I blushed as I smiled slightly. I know what password he wanted. I just wanted him to say it. However, the way he was looking at me made me say it first.
[*Vertrauen.*] (German word for trust.)
He smiled as he leaned back.
[You really do remember, don't you?]
[I told you. We can't tell the others. Especially not Dao. Lei? I might tell him later but I don't...I don't know what to do. I can't protect you boys if you know that I know everything now. It was part of the reason I left to begin with. I chose you boys over myself. If all of you know that I'm okay now, it might ruin everything I've done for you. I can't have you wrapped up in this again. I'm trying to solve it without you. Please, Mezzie, let me do this.]
He shook his head.
[You can tell Dao and Lei in your own time but I am telling Ximen. You are definitely not doing this alone. I don't care how much you have to say about it. We got into this mess together and we're going to get out of it together. Got it?]
I sighed as I hung my head.
[Fine. I got it.]
[*Vertrau mir, meine Liebe.*] (Trust me, my love.)
I looked at him slightly surprised. He had just called me his love and I froze.
Meizuo smiled.
[Don't think too much about that. I don't want your brain to catch fire.]
I smacked his shoulder as he laughed. He was picking on me. Just like old times.
[Fill me in on what you know, Meizuo. You and Ximen should have plenty of information for me by now.]
He nodded as he filled me in on as much as he could. He had discovered that my friend Sam and his husband were filling in as CEO and spokesperson for Evervine Tech. They had been friends of the family and promised to take care of the business my father meant to give me as my own.
And here I had thought I met Sam by fate. He never mentioned that he was friends with us. Yet I was glad he was there. That he was taking care of me in his own way.
When Meizuo was done, I sighed and rubbed my face. Everything I thought I knew was either a lie or what I had hoped had been a lie, was true. I feared that the more clarity I got behind what happened with my parents and the Black Lotus Group, the more I would learn to hate them. I also feared what would happen to my boys. If what we had originally gone through was a hint to what may come, I was definitely terrified of what the Madam would do now.
[If my adopted father was in on this entire plan to begin with, with the Madam, I wonder why he kept me alive. Nothing's making any sense right now. I think I need to go home. To my real home.]
[Are you sure you're ready to face those demons?]
[Come on, Mezzie. If I can't face those, how am I ever going to face mine? It started in that house. I need it to end in that house.]
He nodded as he wrapped a hand around my neck.
[I'll go with you if you want me to.]
I nodded as I smiled at him.
[There's also something else I need to tell you, Meizuo.]
He looked at me with curiosity.
[And what might that be?]
I tilted my head towards his hand.
[I won't be making my decision anytime soon. Circumstances have changed the way I feel about everything and everyone. I love you boys wholeheartedly and I love each one of you differently. I have learned that no matter what the past may have dictated, I have changed. I'm not so sure that the decision I made previously will be the same one I'll make now. I'm scared, Mezzie. So much has changed and in so little time. I know your secret, Meziuo. I know what you've been hiding from me this entire time ever since we were kids. I was so focused on myself that I never even considered how you might have felt then. I see it now. That's why I said what I said earlier. And because I've changed, I'll have to change the way I made my decision. Falling in love is not as simple as it sounds. You know me almost better than I know myself, almost better than the other boys know me. I have to consider you as well. I know you won't join the fight. You've never really been one for conflict. So, just be with me. Like you always have been. I promise I won't be as blind as I was when we were younger.]
Meizuo smiled sweetly at me. Tears touched the corner of his eyes yet not a single tear fell as his thumb gently stroked my neck.
[Pay my feelings no mind. Your heart never belonged to me anyway. Yes, we were children then. Too young to make a decision on who we were let alone on who we loved. But don't add me into this mess. I want no part of it. I promise to be here for you like I always have been though. If you ever need me, you know where to find me.]
[Meizuo.]
[I mean it Rose. Besides, I have a date tonight.]
I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
[How dare you push our feelings aside.]
[I have no idea what you're talking about.]
[Really? Then why do you look at me the way you do?]
[I regret nothing.]
[Liar.]
He smiled as he got up.
[Alright you pain in the ass, I'm leaving before this gets any weirder.]
I waved him off as he walked away, taking my tray with him as he did so. Meizuo loved me in his own way and I would eventually make him admit it out loud. I just wanted to drag him into this mess for the fun of it. I mean, who knows. I might choose him in the end. As he said, he's always been there for me and I missed the moment when he fell for me. I wonder when it happened.
I got up as I headed for the bridge room. If Dao's mother hated me the way I believed she did, then his photo album would be there. Far from where she could reach it.
I walked down the stairs and realized why it was I had to watch my feet until I hit the last stair. I have both fallen and been pushed down several staircases in my lifetime and I was suddenly aware I was lucky to have survived a few of those.
I looked at the books and found it at the bottom. You really had to be looking for it in order to find it. I opened it and flipped through it slowly. Some pictures repeated in his as they had been in Lei's and Meizuo's albums as well. Others were different and some were surprising. One of my favorites was of us hiding under his bed when his mother came home for a surprise visit. We weren't hiding because we were afraid of her, we were hiding because we wanted to surprise her. Scare her even. It was early middle school and I clearly remember her always being happy I was around.
At what moment did she decided that I was no good for Dao, even as a friend? When did she stop loving me like her own daughter.
Our pictures suddenly became different. We were angry in some, ready to kill each other in others, and then we were kissing each other in the rest. As I kept flipping, I noticed that I got happier and he grew softer. Then suddenly, I could tell I was faking a smile. I was uneasy and tired.
I don't remember that part.
I was suddenly confused. There were pictures from our trip to Barcelona, pictures from our Paris trip the one time we went with Lei, and pictures of…
There's not a chance in hell.
There was a young girl standing beside me when I was eight. It was an old photo and I could barely make out her face. It looked like it was covered in dried blood. Standing behind her was my adoptive father and my father. The girl looked to be around my age if not slightly older. I couldn't tell. I pulled the picture from its place and flipped it over.
In my father's handwriting was - [Xue Lee and her father Henry, My daughter Rosealine and myself. My new business partner and my daughter's future business partner all in one picture. I couldn't ask for a better friend.].
Henry…
It suddenly made perfect sense. Henry took on a new name when my family died. He had given me his daughter's name.
So what happened to the real Xue?
Something in the back of my mind nagged at me. I wanted to cry and I felt guilty as I looked at her. I hadn't seen her since this picture. I'd remember growing up with someone other than Jing.
The kidnapping…
That had to be it. She had to have been taken with me when I was taken by that sick man all those years ago. I barely survived.
I bet she didn't make it.
It would explain everything. Why my adoptive hated me. Why he beat me, why he cried when he looked at me the first time after I woke up in the hospital, why she was around.
[Why would Dao hide this from me?]
Then I remembered that my boys were lying to me. Now I understood why. They were lying to be about her and about how the Black Lotus Group were connected to them and to me.
I'm afraid to remember my time with that sick man...I'm afraid of what really happened.
The longer I looked at the photo, the more I wondered whose blood was on it, and why Dao had it.
I closed the album and placed the photo inside my phone case where no one would see it. I was really left with only one option.
I called Sam.
"Well, well, well. It's about time you called me. Do you have any idea what your stocks are doing? If we don't sell some of these lesser ones to buy more of these larger ones you are really going to miss a big boost."
"Sammy."
"Oh my god. Tell you didn't."
"Will you shut the hell up for a minute?"
"Sorry baby girl. Yell at me."
"I remember everything that the herb was suppressing. I remember how you've been a family friend and an even better brother if ever I had one."
"Awe, sweetie. Hubby is so gonna flip!"
I smiled as I shook my head.
"I guess I should thank you two. You've been running my family business for me. The secret president whose CEO and spokesperson keep them out of the limelight, thanks you so very much."
He started laughing and I grinned.
"Baby girl, look. You father saved my family from ruin. Keeping the business afloat and keeping an eye on you until the time was right is the least I could do. Besides, I couldn't have gone into fashion if not for him. My designs are all the rage these days and I have him to thank. I like your technological business but I love your fashion business more."
I nodded.
"I get it you crazy mess. Just listen to me. I need to investigate things on my own without my boys. Do you think your husband would mind doing some digging where I can't? I'm going to my old house soon so I'll have information but I need the dark part of it."
"Oh, hunny, he won't mind. He'd do anything for you, you know that. I've also taken the liberty of securing contracts with your friends where Mrs. Daoming can't ruin them."
"Sam?"
"Thank me later. I've known you a long time. When Kai came back I knew things were going to progress at a fairly fast pace. Yaling's father signs his contract in a few minutes. She might call you tonight so be prepared."
"You're the best Sammy."
"I know."
"How is Kai and his family?"
"They seem fine. Kai seems to be arguing with your adoptive father so I'd be prepared for the forest to catch fire if you know what I mean."
I sighed.
"She's already been here. I think she's part of the reason Kai has lied to me for so long."
"I wouldn't put it past her. I've seen her at the salon. Rosealine...she's got a black lotus at the base of her neck."
I stared at the floor.
"You don't think…"
"I do. So be careful, little one."
"I will. You boys do the same."
"We will. Love you sis."
"Love you too, Sam."
I hung up the phone as I ran a hand through my hair. She was watching me. She knew I was alive the whole time. She was watching. Waiting. Playing with me in the meantime. Even though I remember everything, there are gaps. Bits and pieces that just either don't exist or are still hazy.
Maybe I should hit my head again. Seemed to work the first time.
I sighed as I closed the album. I wanted to keep the boys out of this but it seems like they've been in it from the very beginning. I propped my elbows up on the album in my lap as I set my face in my hands. It was all my fault. They shouldn't have to deal with this. I shouldn't have to deal with this. Yet...here we are.
I'm not sure how long it was that I sat there. I wanted my thoughts to silence themselves. I was mentally exhausted.
[I need a hug…]
I crossed my arms over the album as I closed my eyes and hung my head.
And here I thought not remembering was stressful. Turns out remembering is just as bad.
Then suddenly, without me having noticed, a warm and familiar person sat behind me. I looked at his knees on either side of me as his cream colored sweater wrapped around me. I smiled as Lei leaned against my back, careful not to squeeze my ribs hard enough to make them hurt.
[Did I hear someone say that they needed a hug?]
I giggled as I turned to him.
[How long have you been in here?]
[I came to check on you after class. I got here just as you asked for a hug. You alright?]
I smiled.
[Are you?]
He leaned his forehead against mine as his hand caressed my cheek.
[I missed you, Rosie.]
[Liar. How are things with you and Jing? I thought you would've transferred here pretty soon.]
Lei kissed my forehead as he ran a finger under my chin and made me look at him.
[Are you really dating Ah Si?]
I frowned at him as I rolled my eyes.
[No. I'm not. And I want everyone to stop thinking I am. I'm not comfortable with any of this right now.]
I turned my head into his hand and he kissed the ribbon over my scar. I flinched when I felt the pressure of his lips push the ribbon against my skin. My heart picked up pace as I panicked a little. Not only at his touch but at the way he was acting. But before I could say anything, he ran his nose up my neck to my earlobe. Then he kissed my temple.
[I'm sorry, Rosealine.]
His voice was nothing but a whisper and I tried to calm down as I turned back to him.
[For what?]
I could barely speak. Lei would never hurt me but something was off about him...and I didn't like it. He was avoiding my question for some reason.
[For always pushing you away. I thought it would be best for you not to be with someone like me.]
I scoffed.
[I think the phrase...we should see other people...comes to mind.]
[Rosie.]
I smiled as I looked up at him.
[When you're ready to talk about Jing, we'll talk about that more. Okay?]
He sighed as he pressed his forehead against mine again.
[I'm not okay, Rosie.]
I placed my hand on top of his and pulled it down from my cheek to set it on my neck.
[Neither am I, Lei. But you're home now and so am I. We'll help each other get through this weird and stressful time, okay?]
He nodded slightly as I turned around and kissed his forehead.
[Don't let Ah Si see you two like that. He'll lose it.]
I smiled as I stood up and put the album back.
[Oh, come now, Ximen. You know as well as I do that I'm not dating him.]
[Don't tell him that.]
I shook my head as I got up and walked over to him.
[I have. How do you deal with that constant arrogance? How did I?]
He smiled.
[A question for the cosmos.]
I rolled my eyes as I headed for the stairs.
[I'm going home. You boys have fun.]
They waved me off as I walked up the stairs and out of the room. I decided to walk home this time. Dao may have drove me this morning but I didn't want to bother him with driving me back. I really didn't want to go to his house again. I think I had gotten about halfway over the bridge when I came across Meizuo again.
[Hey Rose. Are you going home?]
He slid his hands in his pockets as he stood beside me.
[Yeah. Dao drove me here this morning but I don't want to go back to his house so I'm going to go ahead and walk home. I'll meet you guys at the restaurant though. I'm sure Dao will tell me what time to be there.]
He nodded as he smiled.
[How'd classes go this morning? I forgot to ask earlier.]
[Well, you know how this place is. It's gossip column city. This place has zero secrets and I just hope that Yijun isn't made into a complete bad guy. I'll never trust her again that's for sure, but not everyone handles jealousy very well. She's young and believes she's in love. I remember a time when I'd do anything for it too.]
He chuckled slightly.
[You'd still do anything for it.]
[It just depends on who you think I love. But if we're talking about my boys in F4, then yes. I would do anything for them. Just like they'd do anything for me. We're family, so to speak. It's what family does.]
He nodded as he patted the top of my head.
[Be careful on your way home. We'll see you later.]
I waved him off as he walked away. If I run into Dao again, I will have met my boys twice on the same day.
I pulled my headphones out and put my music on shuffle. my music always had a way of knowing what I needed to listen to, for the song What doesn't kill you (Stronger) by Kelly Clarkson started playing. It may not have meant something really in a romantic sense but in a way I have replaced my adopted father with the people who really loved me. And of course, I was supposed to be dead, and since I'm not, I'm stronger for it.
I took a short detour to the mall on my way home. I decided to buy a new jacket, a new dress shirt, a pair of black skinny jeans, and a new pair of heels for tonight's get-together. By the time I got home, got changed, rewrapped my ribs, and did my hair, Dao started blowing up my phone. Not only has he sent me the address for where we were supposed to meet but somewhere along the lines he decided that because I hadn't replied fast enough that he was going to call me over and over again.
I texted him back that I was getting in the car and would be on my way in a minute, that way he would shut up.
I grabbed my wallet and shoved it in my jacket pocket on my way out the door. Then I got in the car and headed towards the restaurant. My phone kept going off as I drove there. Dao was apparently becoming very impatient with me. I don't text and drive so I ignored him because I didn't have it hooked up to the car. I figured the boys could wait...patiently. But it was becoming very well known to me that Dao was not going to be patient.
After I got in the restaurant, I walked to the back where the boys were, they had already ordered drinks and I had realized that the only person who was missing was Lei. I also noticed that true to his word, Meizuo and Ximen had dates for the night. I admit I was a little jealous but that's just the way things are and I've pretty much come to terms with it.
I tapped Dao's shoulder as I smiled. He stood up as he shook his head.
[Are you a turtle? what took you so long?]
I rolled my eyes at him.
[How dare you say that. I came here by choice not by obligation, if I didn't want to come I wouldn't have, just to be clear. Why would I show up when you tell me to, anyway?]
[Because I want to see you.]
[And who exactly do you think you are? I am not here at your beck and call. I am not a dog.]
[You're right, dogs heal faster than you do.]
I smacked his arm as he started laughing.
[One of these days, Dao, I'm really going to hurt you.]
He grinned at me just as I heard my name being called.
[Hey, Rose.]
I looked towards where the voice was coming from and discovered Lei walking hand-in-hand with some sort of... well... she was at a tacky keychain if you know what I mean. I raised a brow in question as the two of them walked over to the rest of us. I was confused. He had specifically called me out to bring notice to the girl he had brought with him? Seriously? What was he doing with an easy girl like her, anyway? It was so out of character for him. My hunch from earlier had to have been correct. Things with Jing must have gone South on him. Call it jealousy or call it selfishness but I was not happy with him right at this moment.
He stopped beside us as he introduced Her to us all.
[This is Kiki.]
She waved at us and said hello. Dao couldn't stop staring at Lei. We were all taken a little aback at the moment. Lei looked down at me and I couldn't help but shake my head. Sure he could have brought a date, he's single, but this was just too much. She was too much. One of those girls that just wanted an in with the boys...no matter what she had to do to get it. Then before I knew it, Meizuo was talking about Lei being able to bring her with him to play bridge whenever he wanted to.
Lei then took her to the table behind us and the boys sat down. Dao looked at me as I stared at the wall.
[Hey. Why are you spacing out? Sit down.]
I sat down in the chair beside him as I looked at Meizuo. He shrugged, having no answer just like I did.
I made a face as Dao handed me my drink when the drinks were delivered.
[Here. this is yours.]
[What am I, five? What's with the orange juice?]
[You can't take painkillers and drink alcohol so deal with it.]
I pouted slightly as I sipped at it. Of all the times I've needed alcohol, this would definitely be one of them. Out of curiosity I turned slightly to look at Lei and his new keychain, only to see him bite the strawberry in half that she was holding in her mouth. The two of them laughed as they chewed their pieces and it was all I could do not to spit my drink on Dao.
I rolled my eyes as I turned back around to the table to see Ximen lean on his hands at the end of the table.
[What did Lei do in Paris? He's changed so much.]
Meizuo was staring at Lei when he answered.
[I think he grew up. But we don't know how long he'll be like this.]
Dao nodded.
[Something's wrong between him and Jing.]
I sighed.
[Could you boys maybe act like you're smart right now? Of course there's something wrong between him and Jing. Do you really think he'd come back just like that? If something wasn't wrong he would have transferred by now. He would not have come back at all. But I'm disappointed to see that he would bring a tacky little keychain like that around us.]
I glared at my drink as the boys looked at me.
[Are you alright Rose? It's not like you to be so rude about other people.]
I Shrugged.
[People change. Isn't that obvious?]
[Rosie?]
[Drop it, Dao. I don't want to talk about it. I'm just a little angry right this moment.]
[What do you have to be angry over? We should be worried about him, not angry with him.]
[What part of drop it don't you understand? You're really starting to piss me off so just leave me alone.]
[Rose.]
[Meizuo, that goes for you too. Drop it.]
The boys looked at each other before going back to their drinks. Ximen took a seat at the end of the table where he was previously standing. What I thought was going to be a halfway decent night with the boys had turned out to be pretty sour. And if you really want to know, yes I'm jealous. With what happened earlier I would have thought that...nevermind. I just need to get a grip on myself. That's all.
I rubbed my forehead as the boys kept talking. I was not dealing with this correctly. Lord knows why, but I need to leave. I needed to think about how I was going to deal with Lei. He needed a wake-up call and I would be the only one who was able to do it. The only problem was it wouldn't be right now because I wasn't in the right frame of mind. After having learned that the boys were definitely lying to me and they definitely have a secret that they weren't telling me, I've been a little short-tempered. Although I wouldn't address them with it now, I would have to do so eventually. Otherwise, I might explode on them for no reason, but, one thing at a time. One thing at a time.
I finished my drink and then stood up.
[Alright guys I'm leaving. I'll see you guys tomorrow.]
[Already?]
[Don't whine, Dao. Truth be told, my head hurts. So, I'm going to go home and rest.]
He stood up as well.
[ I'll walk you out then.]
[It's okay, Dao. You don't have to.]
[I'm walking you out. Deal with it.]
I shook my head as he walked me to the front door and then he followed me all the way out to the car.
[Are you sure you're alright, Rose?]
I nodded as I opened the door to the driver's side.
[I think maybe, this thing with Lei is dragging up painful memories for me. I can't really tell what they are but I do know that I feel pretty hurt about it. I'm sure it's nothing but I'd rather rest just in case. I'll see you tomorrow, Dao.]
I hugged him and he hugged me back. I patted his arm as he let go and I got into the car. I drove off and watched him in my rear-view mirror as he watched me drive away. He looked worried and I guess he should be. But I need to learn to deal with myself. I just need to breathe right now. Coming out with the boys was definitely a bad idea.
Hope you enjoyed. I'm getting a microphone soon so hopefully I can write more for you guys here soon.
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