A night with insomnia gets you chapter 2!

No real warnings yet.

ENJOY!

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She made it back to the bed. Mei Lin knew she had time and while she waited for her Laoshi to return to her; she let her mind wander. She remembered what she could of her old life, her first life. Malcolm had been right. She'd been a princess or as close to royalty as one could be. The revolutions had started when she was just barely of a marrying age and she was taken from her home.

The Triad had done their best to break her. Thank the maker they never could; she was defiant till the end. Then she'd met Malcolm and everything had changed.

~Flashback~

Hong Kong, China…

His flight had been long, annoying and all he wanted to do was find his hotel and sleep. Malcolm didn't have to visit the Chinese branch of Merlyn Global till tomorrow. The glass doors slid open and he huffed a sigh of relief. A bell hop was taking his bags and the Concierge's smile was syrup sweet as she welcomed him.

Mr. Merlyn made it to his room to find a veritable convention of attendants waiting to serve him should he need it. Not that he ever would 'push it', but he wondered just how far 'service' went for them? Would they consent to sexual servitude, if he asked? The woman in charge of them told him they were to accompany him should he need. Such a handsome man shouldn't have to spend his trip alone. The least he could do for her is see if any caught his eye.

Mei Lin watched him as he scrutinized them. Praying he didn't pick her; him doing so, who knew what it would mean. She looked left then right as he slowly dismissed them. One by one they moved to the hall. Each time another girl left they took a part of her hope with them. His hand grasped her chin in its surprisingly gentle grip; tilting her this way and that. The impeccably dressed man was smiling. He turned to the obvious 'Madam' and nodded at Mei. Telling the woman to have her back that night, dressed for a black tie affair. He needed to sleep first. Mie Lin hoped he hadn't caught the way she had shivered or that her hands had clenched when he'd touched her.

He had, of course he had.

~WSUtB~

They'd beaten her again; made sure she knew what was expected of her. Didn't they realize; if Mr. Merlyn wanted sex with her, she wouldn't be able to hide the bruising forever. She was lucky the gala she was to accompany him to allowed for a mask. A perfect cover for the black eye. The Lavender gown made said eyes pop behind the intricate mask and slipped over every curve. They'd even given her silk gloves and jewelry to wear. Her hair gleamed in the moonlight, swept into a bun for the night. Despite the glitz and glam she still felt insecure as she knocked on his door. A gruff voice asked who it was. Sounding very annoyed at the intrusion.

"Um…Sorry to disturb you, sir. You told them to bring me here… I can tell them, you wish me to meet you there or…or not at all if you've changed your mind." Mei Lin stammered; oddly enough he heard relief along with fear in her words. She'd stepped back; trying to prepare for the hell that surely awaited her, when she returned unsuccessful. Only looking up as the door opened and the most gorgeous eyes she'd seen in her life stared back. "I hope I don't disappoint you sir." She stated, her eyes downcast.

He knew she dreaded his rejection. Rather than the question being a bid for a compliment. The older Merlyn tilted her chin up. "You look beautiful. Now Tell me you can tie a bowtie, I usually have someone to help me get ready." Malcolm begged as he let her in. She actually smiled as she nodded; forgetting her insecurities as his eyes openly roamed her figure.

~WSUtB~

She didn't know when she'd get this freedom again. So she decided to enjoy the next few days. Mei Lin didn't understand why they wanted Merlyn dead; all he seemed to do, was go to meetings and parties. The Triad thugs rarely told her anything though, and it wasn't her place to ask.

His last night here, he set up a wonderful intimate dinner. It had only been 4 days, but he'd really come to enjoy Lin's company. Maybe she'd tell him her real name. Maybe she'd come to Starling and be his assistant or something. She couldn't want to stay here; could she? Malcolm knew there was something darker going on here than her being a simple escort. He needed to figure out what and he needed to figure it out now. Her knock promptly stopped his mind wandering and he went to let her in. He was sure not to be shy about telling her; how beautiful she looked, as he showed her into his suite. The slight blush on her smooth skin was adorable and his grin widened.

The food prepared for them, was cooked to perfection. She even fed him from her own plate. How did she know he really liked that? Keeping his head in the game just didn't seem possible. But he knew; despite his pleasure, she was trying to slip him something. At least it was slow acting and he could take an antidote when she'd gone. Or when she was sleeping; if the night went like he hoped.

Everything was amazing. That is; until Malcolm decided to go for broke and ask her to come back with him. Time seemed to slow as she blinked at him; processing the request. The Triad thugs had promised to hunt her down. Should she even think of trying to escape. She slowly started to cry; telling him he was sweet, but she couldn't. Leaving him confused and alone as she fled his suite. Only to realize part of it was that Malcolm Merlyn; was supposed to be dead later, anyway.

~WSUtB~

Mei Lin crouched in the corner of Malcolm's balcony, just watching him sleep. He looked peaceful; he looked perfect, moonlight dancing through the open slider. He really should learn to lock things. Then again it was a pleasant night, so it made sense. She quietly crept in; ribbons winding up from her feet to her legs and even her body. Creating an outfit of shimmery purple. It was a tradition of the female warriors in her original homeland. The more ribbon a warrior shed in a fight; the more skilled the opponent and the more beautiful their dance would be.

She stood over his peaceful form; her weapon raised. "May you find peace in your new journey." She whispered, adding. "If we meet there, may you forgive me." Mei plunged the knife down; only to have it slice the mattress as Malcolm rolled away. She gasped and looked up; he was supposed to be knocked out. Malcolm's stunning blue eyes bored into hers; just as her jade pools, stopped him.

'I'm so sorry', he saw it in her eyes before she lunged. He countered the move; throwing them both off the bed. Malcolm shielding her head as they hit the floor. She blinked at him in shock; rolling away before he recovered.

This time he'd made the first move. Hoping to subdue and not trying to hurt her; even though she was trying to kill him. They scrabbled around the room, he'd have her pinned and she'd escape. Then she'd have him and he'd get out. Even then she'd been skilled in hand to hand combat. His hands slid along her chosen covering with each hold. Every time she'd escape, but lose a shimmering piece of silk as she'd slip out of his grip.

The whole time she'd watch as her ribbons danced to the floor. Slowly removing her 'outfit'. Soon enough; only the ones on her feet remained. Whether he hoped she'd be naked or not; she wasn't, completely at least. The various strands of silk; had covered simple cotton underwear and a white band around her chest, also cotton. Her ribbons had covered the bruising as well; some marks more recent than others. His eyes widened as the last piece floated to the floor. At last; he understood, she'd been forced into this role. Both as his escort and eventually as his killer. Suddenly she dropped the knife and started to sob that she'd failed.

Had he missed something? Had this been a timed fight? "Lin?" Malcolm asked softly; trying not to startle her. Reaching for her over the purple glittering in the moonlight.

"Just go, leave… They're coming. They'll try to finish the job. Then probably kill me for failing to kill you. So go, while you can." Mei Lin sniffled, sliding down the wall and hugging her knees to her chest.

"Let them try. I'm not going to let those bastards hurt you anymore." He huffed. Telling her she was lucky that they obviously didn't know who they were dealing with.

"Why do you care? I'm no one to you. Malcolm go…please?" She begged and he just smiled and pulled her up from the floor.

"Was kind of hoping tonight's dinner would show you. Well who I'd like you to be." The older Merlyn shrugged, picking up the ribbons as he spoke. "I know a trick and they'll assume you did your job."

He was able to make them think he was dead. The thugs decided to leave him for the hotel staff, telling Mei Lin to alert them. It gave Malcolm enough time to recover and hide. When the thugs came back to drag Mei out, he leapt out and attacked. During the scuffle one thug tried to use Mei Lin for a shield. When she flipped him off of herself, then snapped said thugs arm; Malcolm could see fire blazing in her eyes. He knew in that moment she was meant to be his. His student, his secret prodigy, if nothing else.

~End Flashback~

She blinked when she heard the front door close; shaken from the memory. Mei Lin smiled; her Laoshi was back.

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Hope you enjoyed.

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