Dan dragged Midori all the way to his suite, their assistants quickly following behind. As the reached the room, he turned to her. "Keycard." Then he held out his hand.
"What?" Midori was confused by the sudden order.
"Give me the card to your suite." he ordered with a domineering aura.
For some reason, she did not hesitate to rummage through her bag and took off the keycard to her room and handed it to him.
Dan looked at Michelle. "You have two minutes to bring all her clothes here."
Michelle gasped, hurriedly took the car and ran out of the room.
Riley was awkwardly left. He prayed to get orders too; however, CEO Zhou turned around and headed for the veranda.
Midori still had a look of confusion. Then she realized that Riley was still standing there like an abandoned puppy. Well, she cannot tell him to help Michelle. No man shall touch her clothes. However, conversations with Dan were a bit tricky, plus she has not even explained anything about them to her assistant. She sighed. "After Ms. Park has accomplished her task, you are free to go. Just make sure you attend this evening's dinner."
Riley bowed in understanding. However, it was still vague whether or not he should go right now. The order depends on the time Michelle finishes the job.
As he was contemplating, Michelle emerged by the door, panting. The rooms were located on the opposite ends of the hallway. She immediately dragged the luggage in, parked it near the bed, bowed then she went out.
Riley was staring at her in bewilderment. Luckily, he regained himself and managed to walk out and shut the door before another set of eyes glares at him.
After they left, Midori went out to the veranda as well, finding Dan who was about to light a cigarette.
Dan was looking out into the ocean, memories and concerns swirling in his mind. He was going to light a cigarette by habit when a hand snatched the stick from his mouth.
"Since when did you learn how to smoke?" She casually asked, while dumping the stick into the trash bin.
"I started when you left." he replied nonchalantly.
Midori's face became solemn. She felt how hurt he was. Maybe he just made a mistake when he slept with Rushi. He might have been drunk or what not. She can feel the sincerity in his voice when he apologized. Her hesitation is because she is afraid to be hurt again.
"But I'm here now. Stop smoking." she finally said, without looking at him.
He looked at her then he went to embrace her from behind.
"Didn't we say we will be casual about this?" Her words had a lace of irritation but she was smiling.
"But you took my cigarette...and dumped it in the bin." He was whining like a spoiled child as he buried his face on her shoulder.
______________
For the final night of the cruise and Chairman Tang's birthday celebration, there was a formal banquet held in the ballroom they had their first seating in.
Midori was wearing an off-shoulder emerald green satin dress, in mermaid silhouette, with the skirt lined by layers of tulle. Dan was wearing a dark gray 3-piece suit, with a striped green tie.
Unlike the ball during the first night, this is simply a dinner of seven courses, catered by a renowned chef from Country F.
The guests were having dinner while performers such as opera singers, ballet dancers, aerial silk and pole dancers, and even illusionists were busy with their acts on stage.
They were on the main course when Dan's work phone rang. The caller was flashed as 'General Manager-City B.' He excused himself as he took the call.
Michelle had a look of confusion. She thought that CEO Xiu is very special to CEO Zhou. However, he still answers his phone hurriedly when Manager Ming calls. Were the rumors true? Therefore, is the CEO dating two women at a time? She contemplated more. 'Hmmm...are his relationships territorial, like different women in different countries? But he had stayed in other countries too. He remained aloof towards other women.'
Her thoughts were brushed off by the sudden applause by the audience. The illusionist will be performing.
Riley saw the changes in his expression. 'Her boss just took a business call? Why is she so bothered by it? Does she harbor feelings for him?'
The illusionist was pretty bold to ask for the celebrant to come up on stage as his assistant for the illusion. Chairman Tang stepped into the tall box and the illusionist shot the door.
At the same time, Midori excused herself to the powder room.
To clean her thoughts Michelle stood up and walked towards the mobile bar. Riley went after her. The bar was near the entrance to the galley.
The illusionist uttered some unknown words. When he opened the box again, the chairman was gone. Applause from the audience was heard. Then the performer announced that the chairman will come out again. He urged the audience to chant the 'magic words' with him.
After the words were uttered, he opened the box again. To everyone's surprise, it was not the chairman, but another man came out.
Before anyone can move, he started firing his guns on everyone in the hall.
Riley quickly pulled Michelle down on the floor. They initially hid behind the bar. He covered her mouth with his hand before she screamed, as the bartender lied lifeless in front of them.
Midori was walking back from the restrooms when she heard screams. She hurried her steps to find out what was happening. When she was near the door to the hall, people with bloody bodies pushed each other out the doors. A man who stumbled on the floor was shot in the head before her eyes.
Midori gasped and stood frozen for a second. Then she moved to run away. As she was running, a door opened and she was snatched inside before it was locked.