As I step out of the hospital, I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me. Grandma's illness has taken a toll on both of us, and right now, I have no idea how long this hospital stay will last or how we'll manage. I wanted to reassure her that I'd be nearby, but she was asleep when I left. So, I asked the nurse to pass on the message if she woke up.
"Please let her know I'll be back soon," I had told the nurse, the worry in my voice clear.
"Of course," she replied gently, giving me a nod of understanding.
Now, I make my way to Grandma's market stall to tell her friend Mrs. Qin about what happened. I know she'll be concerned and want to help if she can. As soon as I arrive, though, I realize word has already spread.
"Oh, are you okay?" Mrs. Qin asks, her brows furrowed with worry.
"We're fine," I assure her, though I'm not sure how true that is. "Grandma's in the hospital. But... I need to find a cheap room for us while she recovers. Do you know anyone who's renting?"
"Yes, yes," Mrs. Qin says with a nod, motioning for me to follow her. She leads me through the bustling market, past stalls filled with produce and wares, until we reach a small, weathered-looking sign: Lee's Rental.
Inside, a man named Mr. Lee greets us. He shows me around, explaining the different rooms he has available. The cheapest one is $80 a month, and while that's reasonable for most, I know it's beyond my means.
"Can I have your number?" I ask, forcing a smile. "I'll call you after I discuss it with my grandma."
Mr. Lee nods, handing me his card. As I take it, I'm already mentally calculating ways to make up the extra cash. Grandma's health comes first, but this uncertainty is like a shadow that refuses to leave.
After I leave the rental shop, I decide to visit Black to discuss the situation. I enter his office cautiously, half-expecting him to be busy, but the moment he sees me, he leaps from his chair, eyes bright with intensity.
"Give me your number," he says, his tone insistent.
I shake my head, slightly exasperated. "If you hadn't noticed, I don't have a phone."
Without missing a beat, Black gestures to his bodyguard, Stone. "Get him a SIM card and a phone," he orders.
Stone's face tightens with irritation as he glances my way, but he doesn't argue. He leaves the room, though not before giving me a look that could cut glass.
Black pulls me down to sit beside him on the small leather sofa, his expression softening slightly. "I don't know what you said to my friends last night, but they haven't stopped calling me about it."
I shift uncomfortably, feeling a little guilty. I wasn't trying to cause any trouble, just standing up for myself and Grandma. "About that..." I start, but Black's phone rings, cutting me off.
He lifts a finger, silently asking me to wait. "Okay, okay," he mutters into the phone before ending the call. He looks at me with a renewed urgency.
"Go freshen up," he says, his tone suddenly brisk. "There are clothes on the bed in the other room. My driver will bring you to me afterward."
"But can we at least talk about last night?" I ask, hoping to get some clarity.
He glances at the door, clearly in a rush. "We'll talk about it later," he replies, already halfway out of the room.
Before I can respond, he's gone, leaving me alone in the quiet of his office. I feel a mix of frustration and curiosity as I walk toward the adjoining room he indicated. As promised, a set of clean clothes is laid out neatly on the bed. They look new, tailored for someone like me, though I can't help but feel out of place in them.
I wash up and change, the cool water refreshing against my skin. As I put on the new clothes, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. For the first time in a long time, I don't look like someone who's barely getting by. But I know better than to let appearances fool me. This borrowed comfort isn't real—it's a temporary illusion provided by Black.
When I'm dressed and ready, I sit back down, waiting for the driver to arrive. My mind drifts back to Grandma, wondering if she's woken up, if she's asking for me. I'm grateful the nurse is there to reassure her, but I can't shake the guilt of leaving her alone, even for a little while.
I feel torn between the responsibilities of helping Grandma and the uncertain promise Black's world seems to hold. I don't trust him fully, but his help is the only thing giving me a glimmer of hope right now.
Stone enters quietly, carrying a sleek, unfamiliar phone and handing it to me without a word. It's solid, dark, and heavier than my usual device, its surface smooth as midnight. As soon as I take it, a saved number flashes across the screen—simply labeled "Black." I press accept.
"The driver is waiting for you," Black's voice states with a low, direct tone. Before I can respond, he ends the call. His voice lingers in my thoughts like an unfinished sentence, and I feel a twinge of curiosity—or maybe something closer to anticipation.
Minutes later, I'm in the back of a black sedan, the city lights blurring as we speed through familiar streets, my attention half on the phone in my hand, trying to make sense of its features. I'm distracted when the car slows and enters a gated compound, finally coming to a stop in front of a sprawling, dimly lit patio. Black is already waiting outside, watching me as I step out of the car.
Before I have a chance to speak, he pulls me into the house, his grip firm but not harsh, guiding me upstairs with a sense of urgency. We stop at a door, and as he pushes it open, I see two familiar figures lounging in the room. It's them—the guys from last night. Their gazes are sharp, and I remember their words, their invitation to stay, to continue.
There's a hint of a grin on one of their faces, the silent challenge in their eyes rekindling memories of what nearly happened.
Hello there.
The voice, low and smoky, slithers across the room. One of the guys stands by the window, dressed only in a pair of joggers, his bare chest catching the low light as he takes a drag from his cigarette. He grins, his gaze sharp and assessing.
"Hi," I reply, keeping my tone flat, distant. My eyes flick to Black, hoping for some sign of escape, a crack in this tension.
"Can we talk?" I whisper, leaning toward Black, hoping he'll take me seriously.
"We'll talk when we get back to my office," he says, brushing me off with a dismissive wave. His voice is steady, unyielding, as if my request is beneath him.
"Take off your clothes and join us." The other guy speaks up, holding a glass of something dark, likely whiskey, swirling it slowly before taking a sip. His eyes are challenging, almost mocking.
I blink, taken aback. "I—what?"
Black's hiss slices through the air. "Don't embarrass me."
The words sting, his glare sharp enough to cut. I swallow, feeling the weight of his silent demand. One of the guys laughs softly.
"He thinks he's better than us," he mutters, his voice dripping with contempt. Something in Black's demeanor snaps. His jaw clenches, his eyes darken, and he's suddenly all edges and fury, a beast ready to pounce. I brace myself, certain he'll start throwing things, and the last thing I need is a bottle sailing my way.
I plaster on a forced smile, trying to diffuse the tension. "Oh, I don't think highly of myself at all. Just embarrassed to say... I haven't eaten breakfast yet."
One of the men cocks his head, amusement flickering across his face. Without a word, he leaves the room, returning moments later with a tray piled high with food. He sets it in front of me with an odd, almost warm smile. "There you go."
"Thank you," I murmur, the words slipping out before I can stop them.
Black's eyes flash with irritation, his voice low as he leans close. "I told you not to embarrass me. And you're here, asking for food."
I meet his gaze, unfazed. "Sorry, but you know I'm poor and really, really hungry."
Ignoring the glare burning into my back, I sink into the chair, grab a fork, and begin to eat, the silence thick around us.
After finishing my meal, I sip some water, feeling content and relaxed. Thirty minutes drift by, and just as I start to settle into my thoughts, I notice the guy who bought me the food smiling my way. His steps are confident, casual, and before I know it, he's sitting beside me. "The food should have digested by now," he says with a grin, his voice carrying a hint of mischief. I can't help but chuckle, feeling a little surprised by his easy familiarity.
I respond with a simple, "I guess."
Instantly, he strips off his clothes, his hands moving to mine, tugging each piece away. He leads me to the bed. Behind him, the other man sheds his clothes, stepping closer.
Black settled into the chair, his gaze sharp with curiosity as he watched us. "Let's have a drink," he suggested, a sly smile curving his lips. They jumped out of bed and poured a mysterious elixir, its contents known only to the gods, and lifted their glasses in unison. The other two stumbled back to the bed, laughing and whispering, but Black remained seated, eyes still glinting with that unreadable interest. He was distant yet present, observing the scene as if every detail held a secret only he could see.