CHAPTER #3

A black car, with black tinted windows pulled up beside Qihe. He got in and recognized the driver as one of his father's men. They were off to pick up Zhao Xiu. His father had him memorize her picture and details. She was sixteen, a drama actress gaining attention and a pop singer. Her father was involved in a business deal with Mafia Boss Crane, under the Seven Cranes Entertainment Agency. The same agency that employed the twins for commercials and modelling. It was a legit business, even if the owner was a mafia boss.

Qihe's job was to escort her to and from an industry dinner and after party. He would be posing as her boyfriend, even though she was older than him. His attire was business casual; black dress shirt, no tie, black dress pants and black shoes. His mouth mask was a matching black too.

Arriving at the girl's house, her father brought her outside. Qihe left the car and greeted the pair. "I'm Qihe Crane, your date and bodyguard tonight." He shook the hand of the father and offered his own to the girl.

"Hi," she said a little shyly. "Dad, I've got to go. I'll call you once we're there."

Qihe helped her get in the car and then walked to the other side, so he was sitting beside her. As they drove away, her demeanour changed.

"He's so over protective, like seriously. It's not even a red carpet kind of event. I'm not as popular as some of the actresses, there's no need for a guard."

"That's not your choice, nor mine."

She looked at him, to the point of almost staring and then declared, "well at least you're better looking than the guy he stuck me with last time."

The driver interrupted, "arrival in five minutes. When you want to leave, tell Qihe. There will be a lot of photographers and gossip interviewers at the entrance."

Once the car pulled up to the curb, Qihe went and opened the passenger door, offering his hand to help her get out. Zhao Xiu's hand moved to rest on his bent arm, as he escorted her past the photographers. They bombarded her with questions, but she didn't stop to answer. Qihe heard some guy shout his love for the teen actress and rose an eyebrow in mirth. They walked up the stairs and through the open doors, into the venue. Inside, entertainment magazines stopped them, to interview Zhao Xiu.

"Who's your mysterious escort?"

"I'm Qihe Crane, from Seven Cranes Entertainment."

"The masked, commercial actor and model?"

"One and the same. Please excuse us," Qihe moved his date away from the questions, but she stopped him.

"You're that Qihe?"

"Yes. Technically my twin brother also does commercials, dramas and models too. But I thought your father would've told you that."

"He tells me nothing."

"We have that in common," was his cryptic reply.

"These heals are making my feet hurt. Let's find our table." She tugged him in the direction of the dining hall.

A woman came forward, asked their names and then lead them to where they'd be seated. More people were constantly being escorted to their tables too. A waiter brought a bottle of red and white wine to each table. Qihe opened the red and poured a glass for her and for him, then also poured them both iced water in another glass. He lifted his mouth mask, to take a sip. It was a decent wine.

"Aren't you underage to be drinking?"

"So are you, but who here will ID us? Also no cameras allowed inside the dining area, therefore no scandalous picture of us drinking wine."

With that explanation, she picked up her glass and drank down the dark red liquid. He raised an eyebrow at her, but said nothing. His eyes scanned the dining hall. He recognized some actors and actresses. There were models in attendance too, mostly on the arms of actors. One pair, Qihe noticed Zhao Xiu watching like a hawk.

"Are you interested in her or him?"

"He's my ex-boyfriend. Figures he'd come with her, it's the only way he gets attention."

There was jealousy in her voice and Qihe found that amusing. Maybe tonight wouldn't be as boring as he'd first expected. To her disgust, the ex-boyfriend and his date were seated at the table directly beside them. The new girlfriend of the actor, made a comment on how the greyish blue-frilly-off shoulder dress that Zhao Xiu wore, was very childish.

Zhao Xiu said just loud enough for the ex's date to hear, "some people dress like whores, just to get attention."

Qihe glanced at the model in red, beside them and saw her angry facial expression. Then he saw the ex staring at Zhao Xiu, prompting him to put his arm around her. Leaning so his mouth was close to her ear, he whispered, "how long ago did you break up with him?"

She giggled and kissed his cheek, before replying, "a year ago. He cheated on me, then told the tabloids I was a frigid virgin."

"Do you want to prove him wrong?" Qihe smirked, but the mask hid it.

"What did you have in mind?"

"Just follow my lead, but he'll hate me by the end of this night."

A blush tinted her cheeks, better than any makeup could. Then they were interrupted as the rest of their table guests were seated. A string quartet started to play, as the stragglers found their tables. Then as the host stood in front of the microphone, everyone stopped talking to listen. Very casually, Qihe caressed the back of Zhao Xiu's exposed neck. She couldn't help the pleasurable shiver that ran down her spine. With a glance at her date, she wondered if he was still playing his role or actually interested. Either way, his fingers on her neck was very distracting. Not a word that the host said, registered in her brain. To retaliate, she put a hand on Qihe's thigh. They remained touching, until the host told them to enjoy dinner.

Zhao Xiu leaned over and whispered, "finally I get to see what you look like with your mask off."

"So will everyone else here."

She pouted and watched the mask get removed. "Mask on you're very handsome, mask off you are too cute. "

He rolled his eyes and began to eat the salad put in front of him. After pouring another glass of wine for herself, she did the same. The next plate brought was a soup, which neither of them liked. The main course came, which was rib-eye steak, small potato wedges and grilled asparagus.

"Don't eat the asparagus, it's mushy and gross," she warned him.

"Noted."

Thankfully the portion sizes were perfect, allowing room for desert. The option was cheesecake or berry pie, both of which were too sweet for Qihe, so he declined them and asked for a coffee instead. His date loved the cheesecake.

"I'm stuffed, but the afterparty should cure that."

"You have strawberry on your lip," Qihe said.

Zhao Xiu wiped with a napkin, but it didn't come off. Taking the opportunity to be intimate and irritate the ex, Qihe used his mouth, to lick and kiss her lips. She returned the kiss, with one of her own, but her mouth remained closed.

"I thought you didn't like sweets?" Her mouth mumbled, as she put distance between them.

"That was the right amount," he smiled and then put his mask back on. Standing, Qihe helped her up. "I've messaged to have the car pick us up out front."

On the way out, he noticed the ex with his model date, directly behind them. Pausing right in front of the cameras, Qihe pulled Zhao Xiu by the wrist into his arms. His mask removed on the side furthest from media, he kissed her. Then put the mask back.

"Qihe Crane, over here!"

"Miss Zhao Xiu is he your boyfriend?"

He laughed and replied smoothly, "maybe, for now she's my dessert."

They ate it up, completely ignoring the beauty and actor behind Qihe and Zhao Xiu. Again he heard someone confess their love and worship of Zhao Xiu. The car came, before he could look for the owner of that voice. Assisting her entry into the car, he closed the door. Bowing to the cameras, Qihe went to the other rear door of the passenger seats and got in.

"Thank you, I think that's the most attention from cameras and the news, that I have ever received!"

"Notice how they completely ignored your ex?"

"Yeah, that was awesome."

"That or my kiss?" He raised an eyebrow questioningly.

She didn't answer, but the blush spread quickly over her face. Her eyes dropped to where the mask covered his lips.

Their driver brought them to a stop in the underground parking. "I've been called away to handle something. Text when you're ready to leave and I'll come back to drive you two home." He explained to Boss Crane's son.

"Sure, later." Qihe offered his arm to Zhao Xiu and they walked to the elevator.

"How long do you want to stay?" She asked to break the silence.

"Your choice, I don't care."

"I don't think it will be long, my feet can't handle too much more. Stupid shoes." She popped a shoe off and glanced down at her red heal.

When the elevator doors opened and the camera flashes announced their arrival, Zhao Xiu wore a glamorous smile and walked like she was on a runway, not limping at all. If nothing else, she was a professional and a good actress. He too played his part perfectly. When a hand reached out to touch her, from between the media people, Qihe put himself in the way, effectively blocking all access. At the door to the party, she gave their names to the security, then they went in.

The venue was loud, with club music pulsing from the speakers. She saw acting friends from her agency and left him to say hello. He detected a limp as she left. Leaning against a pillar, that allowed him to watch over her, Qihe put his hands into the pants' pockets. This is how the ex-boyfriend's girl found him.

"Finally ditch the little girl?" She purred, wrapping herself around his one side, making sure her breasts pressed into his arm.

Qihe raised an eyebrow, "done with the whiney ex?"

"He's on hold, while I satisfy my curiosity." She couldn't seem to get him to peel his eyes off Zhao Xiu and that irritated her. "I heard you're not a boyfriend, but a bodyguard."

"I'm whatever she wants me to be."

"What if I wanted to hire you too… would you do whatever I want?"

He shrugged her off of him. "My services are exclusive to her. Not just anyone can hire me." With that he went to Zhao Xiu's side.

Miss Red-dress huffed with narrowed eyes, "we'll see about that. I'll make you mine, one way or another."

"Are you Qihe Crane?" An actor asked in English.

"One and the same," Qihe replied in the same language.

"Keep your hands were I can see them, Qihe's mine. Don't mind my friend and co-actor," she apologized.

"Honey you need to learn to share this handsome man," the actor almost drooled.

"He's not gay."

Qihe winked at the actor hitting on him. "I appreciate the interest, but I'm with her."

"Girl you are so lucky to land a man like him, I'm jelly." He put a hand on Qihe's arm, "if you ever want to walk on the wild side, give me a call handsome."

Zhao Xiu shooed away the admirer. "Does this always happen?"

"Sometimes. It's worse if I'm with my twin brother."

"Lu He, right?"

"Yes, he's an actor too, so you'll meet him eventually I'm sure."

"I wish he was here tonight. Having two hot guys from Seven Cranes would've been my trump card."

He pulled her into a backwards hug, dancing to the R&B song playing. "You don't need him, when you have me." Qihe spun her around and connected with her wide eyes. A hand on the small of her back, held her in place.

"Are you genuinely flirting with me, or just acting?" She asked.

"Which would you prefer?"

Before Zhao Xiu could decide, someone bumped into them and she began to fall, but Qihe caught her, arresting the downward momentum. He stood her up and guided Zhao Xiu behind him, all in one smooth move. His patience for her ex-boyfriend was wearing thin.

"Do we need to have a private talk?"

"Are you threatening me?"

Zhao Xiu retorted, "you're an idiot. We haven't been together for a year, catch a clue!"

"Shut up bitch, you should know your place." The ex latched on to her wrist.

Qihe grabbed one of the guy's fingers and pulled it back, causing the guy to release Zhao Xiu. But the pressure didn't stop. "Get lost, or I'll break it and every one of your other fingers."

"Are you dating a thug?"

His question was ignored and she pulled Qihe in the direction of the door. He recognized one of the security guards as his father's man. "Send her ex home, he's drunk."

After they were out of the club, Zhao Xiu couldn't hide how upset she was. "I don't understand why he keeps harassing me."

"Wait on the bench, I'll be right back." Qihe returned to the security guard. "Give him a warning not to bother her again."

"Yes sir."

As Qihe returned to his date, he called the driver. "We're done."

"Wait by the car, I'll be there shortly. Underground entrance."

"The driver is on his way, we'll meet him in the underground parking." Qihe offered her his hand and she took it.

"I'm so done with this night," she sighed in the elevator.

As they got off on the 2nd level, he noticed her limp was bad. "Wait for me here, I'll be right back." He returned to the elevator.

"Wait I'll come with you!" She tried to say, but the door had already closed.

Zhao Xiu looked at her phone's social media, but the reception was terrible underground. Hearing something behind her, she turned, expecting to see Qihe. When no one was there, she continued looking at her Instagram. The sound came again and she looked up. There stood some guy in a white t-shirt with a blue ball cap. It was his stare, that unnerved her and she began to run away from him.

"Wait! I'm a huge fan!" The guy shouted.

As Zhao Xiu ran off, her heal broke as she twisted her ankle. Now the strange man caught up to her. She was beginning to panic, what did this guy want?

He held out a ring box, opening it towards her. "I like you, marry me! I've sent you gifts, but you never return the stamped envelops with your picture. So I came to you instead."

Realization hit her, this guy was the crazy stalker. Now she was really scared and ready to scream. Suddenly Qihe was beside her, turning her head towards him.

"Don't look," he ordered. Qihe kicked the stalker in the stomach as soon as her eyes were closed.

The stalker pushed him back, "the garbage should be in the trash can. They call him Mafia Boy, he's a thug."

She protectively stood in front of Qihe. "He's not like that!"

Angered by her action, the stalker shoved her out of the way and she fell to the ground. "The same to you."

Qihe grabbed the guy by the shirt, dragging him behind a pillar. He punched the stalker in the nose, then delivered a knee into the chin of the guy. As the stalker fell down, Qihe kicked the shit out of him. Fixing his shirt, Qihe came out from behind the pillar and raised an eyebrow at her. With his help, she stood up.

"Go and wait in the stairwell, lock the door until I come for you."

"B-Be careful, he's insane."

Taking out the cell, he called the driver again. "Her stalker finally showed up. She's fine, but send someone to get him."

"Is he dead?"

"No, just tenderized."

"I'm ten minutes away, my ride will take care of him."

Qihe ended the call, went back behind the pillar and kicked the stalker in the head, as the guy tried to crawl off. This time the stalker was knocked out. He also tied together Mr. Blue Cap's shoelaces, so if he woke and tried to run, he'd fall on his face. Retreating to where he'd dropped his bag, Qihe picked it up and then went to the stairs. She unlocked the door, when he knocked and announced his name. Standing in front of her, where she sat on the stairs, he dropped a pair of flat shoes by her feet.

Zhao Xiu looked up at him, "shouldn't the bodyguard be with me all the time?"

With his hands in his pockets, he countered, "do you want to rest on my shoulders?"

"No." Her retort was delivered with a pout.

Qihe's eyes turned almost into half moons as he smirked behind his mask. "You need a hug." He sat down on the stair in front of her, then with a hand on the back of her neck, pulled Zhao Xiu towards him. Her chin ended up resting on his left shoulder and he hugged her. She smiled, but he couldn't see it. They remain embraced until a text interrupted them.

"The driver is here, let's get you home."

From that night forward, Qihe became Zhao Xiu's regular bodyguard. She had gained a lot of attention from the media and thus became in high demand as an actress. As he'd predicted, Lu He ended up working with her on a drama. However Qihe's twin found Zhao Xiu to be a bitchy, spoiled brat. If there was a meeting or anything involving her, he switched out with his brother. Lu He asked Qihe to stand in for him, for the publicity photos and that was why he ended up being at her Entertainment company.

Zhao Xiu was eating a hotdog on a stick outside of her company, that she'd bought from a street vender. "Ah, it's too hot!" She dropped it.

A girl points and laughs, "are you Lu He's girlfriend?"

"She's so clumsy!"

A crowd ran towards her screaming, "where's Lu He Crane?"

Alarmed she hastily entered the building, but they surrounded her. They were practically harassing her, but there was at least one guy that wasn't a fan. "Is the news that you were kept, true?"

Zhao Xiu replied, "I'm innocent."

He wouldn't back down, "what kind of high-level do you pretend to cheat fans?!" Angered by her sweet act, he threw his water bottle at her head.

Zhao Xiu ducked, expecting the impact, but Qihe caught it one handed, before it hit her. Blocking them from pursing further, he ordered, "go."

She ran off, but once out of the centre of people, the crowd chased her. He had circled around to get ahead and pulled her down a hallway, so the crowd ran past. Her pulse was racing and she was anxious.

"They should have gone," Qihe said reassuringly. "Stay inside and go out by the garage, if you have an appointment later."

"Thank you, Lu He."

"Actually I'm the other twin."

"Qihe… but…."

He raised an eyebrow, "we switched because he double booked." It was a lie, but she bought it.

"I have to go… will you walk me to the car in the underground parking… just in case?" Zhao Xiu looked at him with wide eyes.

"Sure, you have everything you need?"

"Yes."

Together they went down the elevator and he waited with her for the car to arrive. She waved, as they drove away. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone dart behind a pillar and went to investigate. He grabbed the guy's white shirt, noticing it was the interviewer who threw the water bottle at Zhao Xiu. The guy tried to throw a punch, but Qihe used that extended arm, to pin him, forcing the guy onto a knee.

"Who are you?"

Qihe put his foot on the raised knee, keeping the guy in the white cap immobilized. "I'm Mafia Boy. Who allows you to make trouble in my territory? Be careful or you will be in danger."

"Mafia Boy? As in Crane?"

"Get lost… if I see you again…." Qihe flicked open a lighter and produced the flame.

"Sorry s-sir!"

Qihe stood up and returned to the elevator, he could hear the guy still running away. He shook his head, glad he had chosen not to act in dramas like his brother. The fans and media attention would've been too much of a hassle.