Ji An glared at her daughter and wore a smile on her face as she called her daughter's name softly, "Sofia..."
Sofia lowered her head and covered her mouth with her left hand, she knew her mummy is not angry but she also knew that she might be in trouble for behaving like that.
Cheng Ze watched how the pair behaved and pretended to cough to get their attention. He crossed his arms and looked at Ji An waiting for what she has to say to him.
She turned her eyes towards Cheng Ze, "Thank you for bringing my daughter back. Do you want to sit with u—"
He didn't let her finish what she was saying and he replied quickly, "Sure. It's my pleasure." his smile was ear to ear and he sat beside Sofia making her smile brightly.
Cheng Ze smiled back at Sofia and glanced at Ji An before he spoke again, "Okay. How about you call me daddy for now." he stared at Sofia's little eyes before he looked at Ji An to wait for her reaction, Sofia looked at her mother as well to ask for her permission.
'What are you doing?' Ji An was baffled with his behaviour, she wasn't sure why he is doing that kind of thing to her daughter. If he hates her for whatever reason, he should take it out on her and not to her innocent Sofia.
Sofia smile at her mother, her puppy eyes were asking her if it's okay to call the man next to her "daddy." She doesn't know why or how she feels so comfortable with him, after all, he is still a stranger to her, but somehow, for whatever reason, she was drawn to him.
"If your mummy is okay with it, I'm okay too." He looked at their reflection in the window, "Look at our reflection!" Sofia looked as well. "We almost look like a father and daughter." And that's when it hit him, 'So this is what Li Wei want me to see? Is she my daugh—'
Ji An hit the table to get his attention, "Enough Cheng Ze! What are you doing? Why are you messing up with my daughter?" she spoke in Chinese so Sofia won't understand and won't get upset by her sudden outburst.
Cheng Ze smirked and with a calm voice, he replied back in their language, "Why are you here? Did your husband found out you slept with me on your wedding night? Is he here for revenge? Are you hel—"
"What nonsense are you talking about?! What revenge?" her eyebrows creased, "Leave my daughter alone!" Though she was extremely mad at him, she didn't show it, instead, she spoke calmly as if they just have a normal conversation.
"Eric Lewis is your husband, right? My business partner?"
"What? My- hus---band? Your business--- Partner? You mean you are the one who invited us here?"
"Your husband is not coming! I think he is waiting for you at home." he glared at her intensely, "But it seems like you are staying with someone else. You probably like sleeping with other me—"
Ji An stood up, walked to his side and slapped his face, "Sofia let's go. We are going!" Sofia was startled with what her mummy did to the man. After Sofia walked to her and held her hand, she spoke once more, "Don't you dare badmouth me. You don't know anything!" She dragged Sofia and walked fast headed to the door.
Cheng Ze heard Sofia's complains and cries, "Mummy it hurts. Don't pull my arm." He couldn't help it, he ran after them, "Ji An you're hurting your daughter, slow down will you! You don't have to drag her. Come on!
"What I do with my daughter is none of your business! Get lost Cheng Ze!" She continued to walk without glancing at him. All she wanted to do was to be far away from him as soon as possible.
"I'm sorry. Let's talk. I didn't mean to say those words. Please, let's talk." he held her wrist trying to stop her but to no avail as she just kept walking steadfastly.
Upon arriving at their car, the driver opened the door for them, "Sofia get in." After her daughter got in, she immediately shut the door and told the driver to take her daughter home and let her mother know that Sofia hasn't had dinner yet. "Drive safely," she added.
After the car disappeared from their view, she faced Cheng Ze wearing her fierce look, "Now we talk, Mr Gu!" her eyes seemed like she is ready to go to war any moment now, "Where is your car?"
Cheng Ze led her to his car which is not that far from theirs. He opened the door for her and let her get in first before he gets in himself, "Where do you want to go?"
"In a place where we can actually talk!"
He drove off to his office, "No one should be here by now. We can talk in my office." Parked his car in his slot and got off to open the door for Ji An, but she opened it herself and stood up. Cheng Ze locked his car and walked to the elevator nearby that leads straight to his office as it was a private lift.
Ji An followed him quietly. Inside the lift, there was a deafening silence. As the elevator stopped, "DING!" Cheng Ze walked fast as Ji An followed him. They didn't notice his secretary who was still there. She hid quickly as she was not supposed to be there at that hour.
He entered his office and he waited for Ji An to enter before he shut the door. "Is she mine?" That was the first question that came out of his mouth as he looked at her vehemently.
"NO! There is no way she's yours!" There was no hesitation in her voice.
"That night—"
"No! She was not conceive that night!" She closed her eyes for a moment, "Cheng Ze... I—"
"Are you going to remind me again that you're married? Don't worry I'm no longer interested." He walked to look at the night view from his window and put his hands on his pockets. "I'm engaged, I just thought I left you a remnant of myself." His voice seemed to regret something. "I planted so many seeds in you, pity none of them are useful!"
Ji An was taken aback when he said he was already engaged. "So you're engaged?" It came out almost like a whisper, but enough for Cheng Ze to hear her.
"Hmm. I have been engaged with her for 4 years. Our wedding should happen soon." He walked towards her and stopped 3 feet away from her. "Do you want an invitation? Will you attend?" His voice was calm and his gaze was fixed at her.
Ji An stared at him, she felt hurt but she hid it from him. Obviously, she doesn't want to go and see him marry another woman "You don't have to—"
Cheng Ze walked more towards her 2 feet. 1 foot, until the distance between them, are just a few inches away. "Will you sleep with me on my wedding night?"