The game was a scavenger hunt that required several tasks to be completed through photos. The fastest player to complete the challenges would receive a free makeover, dinner at a famous restaurant and tickets to the premiere of the drama. It was a clever marketing scheme for the company, aimed at 'plus one' guests like Lu Ming.
It was difficult to listen to the rules when the handsome man Lu Ming spotted earlier stood nearby. For some reason, he kept trying to inch near her, as if drawn to her like a magnet. Why would he be interested in her with so many beautiful women around him? And what did he find so interesting about her? Every time she looked to Chi Sying, she accidentally met his predatory stare.
"What has you distracted?" Chi Sying asked, noticing Lu Ming's wandering eyes. "You always listen intently to rules."
"Who is the man to our right?"
"Oh. That is Li Jun. He is our company's most famous actor."
"I've never heard of him."
"That is because you are a hermit that doesn't care about anything unless it relates to art or is free. Besides, he stars in romance dramas that you hate. Be careful of him. He is a notorious playboy."
"Oh. That explains the look."
"What are you talking about?"
"My sight," Lu Ming replied sheepishly, needing no further explanation. There were only three people in the world that knew and believed in her ability: her grandmother, Chi Sying and Chi Hao Chen.
"What does he look like to you?!" Chi Sying asked excitedly. She treated Lu Ming's sight like juicy gossip, loving the interpretation of 'true selves'. "You can tell me. Please!"
Lu Ming bit her lip, unwilling to share. Although Chi Sying treated her ability like a gift ever since they met a few years ago, Lu Ming was extremely self-conscious and fearful about speaking of the things she saw. In high school, she was constantly bullied whenever she opened her mouth and she never fully recovered from her classmates' abuse. Sometimes, the truth was better left unsaid.
"Please!"
Lu Ming gave up, weak against Chi Sying's puppy eyes. "Red hair. Grey eyes. Right now, I can see lipstick smeared over his face. That is a sign he has multiple women in his past and present. Then, there are those weird heart tattoos."
Chi Sying froze. "What do they look like?"
"They are small and black, near each eye. Except one is upside down. You could almost mistake them for moles."
Chi Sying went deadly silent. The sudden shift in her mood was frightening. "Ming, listen to me. Do not go near him."
"Because he has heart tattoos?!" Lu Ming exclaimed.
"I can't talk about it here, especially without Chi Hao Chen. Just promise me you will avoid him tonight. I will explain everything when my brother visits next week."
"I will if you help me win. I really want a free, fancy meal."
Chi Sying grinned, dropping her worry. "Deal."
The game organisers - dressed in black trousers and waistcoats - handed out small slips of shimmery gold paper. On these were numbered tasks to complete and Lu Ming started straight away, leaving Chi Sying behind. Her friend would only slow her down; already three men were slowly circling to try talk with her. If Lu Ming wanted a free meal and tickets to the premiere, she had to go solo.
The first few challenges were easy, needing her to photograph specific materials like cutlery or lace. Then, they changed direction, requiring more dedication. The fourth task was to move a decoration or piece of furniture into place it didn't belong. It was slightly tricky, as Lu Ming didn't want to gather any attention. When all eyes were on her, she felt like she was being hunted. It was too uncomfortable. So, she attempted to subtly complete the task; she grabbed a flower from a table arrangement and placed it randomly on the bar, then took a photo. It was simple but she hoped it was enough.
The next task was to do a 'lovers sip' with a stranger. Lu Ming internally groaned. That tasks were getting too ridiculous. At first, she was excited to play but these challenges were more meant for confident people. Lu Ming wasn't like that at all. How could she ask someone to buy her a drink and they link arms to take the first sip? It was embarrassing and no one would ever want to interact with her.
But Lu Ming really wanted to win. She had a competitive streak when a prize was up for grabs. In times like these, liquid courage was necessary and she ordered a drink from the bar. Sip after sip, she slowly felt that familiar buzz that eased her worries.
"You look very beautiful tonight," a deep voice said from behind her.
Lu Ming shivered and when she turned around, gawked. Li Jun was slowly removing the space between them. There was an arrogant smile on his face, knowing the effect he had on women. Then, the smile became increasingly dazzling at the same time his hair turned back to maroon.
"My name is Li Jun," he introduced.
"You enjoy breaking hearts. There is a thrill about crushing the desperate and vulnerable. No matter how many loves you destroy, it is never enough," Lu Ming blurted monotonously and immediately wanted to crawl into a hole and hide. How could she forget the five second rule again?! Why was she being so careless tonight? Was it the alcohol? Maybe it was because of Chi Sying's strange cocktail from earlier. Either way, she screwed up again which only reminded her of the failed painting sale.
Li Jun watched her curiously, the initial shock over her statement quickly masked. "That is an interesting deduction."
Lu Ming's face turned red in embarrassment. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was-ah-um-"
"You can repay me with a drink," Li Jin said with a mischievous wink.
."Huh?"
"I noticed that you have been standing at the bar for awhile. I assumed you were trying to complete the lovers sip challenge," Li Jun said and showed his own gold slip. "Would you prefer beer, liquor or spirit?"
"I-ah-huh?"
"Bartender! Two white liquors!"
The bartender gave them the drinks quicker than Lu Ming composed herself. They were going to do the lovers sip? Just like that? Fortune was finally appearing for Lu Ming. She doubted she could initiate a conversation with anyone apart from Chi Sying. At least both her and Li Jun would complete the task this way. Yet, she remained wary of him. A playboy approaching a lone women always had an ulterior motive. Chi Sying's warning echoed in Lu Ming's mind.
"Shall we?" Li Jun asked and raised his small glass. With his free hand, he gave the bartender his phone to take the photo.
Together, they tangled their arms around each other until they were locked together. An electric shock went through Lu Ming where they touched and she felt her heart speed up. It was terrifying interacting like this with a stranger. The only people she ever touched casually were the Chi siblings.
Wanting it to be over as soon as possible, Lu Ming quickly drank the contents in the small glass that was near her lips. Li Jun was purposely slower, taking his time to finish the liquor. It was infuriating because the small spark in his eyes showed he knew exactly what he was doing. Relief only came when they untangled from each other. When there was distance between them, Lu Ming felt like she could breathe again... and escape.
"Thank you for your help. I should continue the tasks and-"
Li Jun grabbed her wrist to stop her leaving. The touch was hot and just as electrifying as before. "Don't you want to see the photo of the lovers sip?"
Oh. In her tipsy state, she almost forgot. The picture popped up on his phone screen and looked awful; Lu Ming was staring like an enchanted mistress at Li Jun while he drank, her eyes wide and nervous. It was embarrassing that she looked so lovesick. But there was something else vexing about the photo. Near Li Jun's eye was the heart tattoo. Lu Ming's ability didn't work indirectly; she could only see the true nature of people face-to-face. That only meant the hearts on his face were real.
"You do have heart tattoo on your face," she muttered, staring at the photo and back at Li Jun to compare. 'What a stupid tattoo', she thought to herself and giggled.
"Oh, this?" Li Jun replied and rubbed the heart with his finger. "It's a birthmark."
"The other heart can't be a birthmark then. It is in the exact same spot on the other side of your face."
"What do you mean?"
"You have a normal heart on your left and an upside-down heart on your right..." Lu Ming swallowed any other words because of Li Jun's furrowed brows. He didn't know about the other heart. Lu Ming wished she could sew her big mouth shut. This was why she didn't drink; she talked too much nonsense. Quickly, she turned away. "Nothing. I must have drunk too much."
"Are you here as a friend of the host or companion?" Li Jun asked, willing to divert the topic.
"My friend is his manager."
"Oh. You're with Chi Sying." The name was said with slight disgust, hinting at his dislike for the woman. "Then, if you aren't in the entertainment industry, what do you do?"
"I paint. What do you do?" Lu Ming stupidly blurted, her tongue ignoring her mind's plead to get away.
Li Jun laughed, finding amusement in her obvious lack of social skills. It was a deep, rich sound that echoed down to Lu Ming's core. A single man should not possess so many appealing qualities, especially in creating such a pleasant sound. Lu Ming thought it would be more fair if his laugh was like a witch's cackle. He needed an imperfection like a third nipple.
"What did you say?" Lu Ming asked, too distracted by her own thoughts. Li Jun was telling you something over the music.
"I was simply stating that it was a pleasure to help you," Li Jun said with a flirtatious smile. There was a hidden meaning behind his words.
"Oh. Thank you?" Lu Ming awkwardly replied and looked behind her for Chi Sying. She was tired of the awkward pauses in the conversation and had embarrassed herself enough. It was better to wallow in shame back at her apartment than be forced to mingle here.
Suddenly, Li Jun traced his fingers along Lu Ming's chin, encouraging her to look back at him. "You keep avoiding my eyes. I noticed that since we started talking."
"That-ah-"
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.
"Why is that?"
Four seconds.
Caught in a trap with Li Jun's thumb and finger on her chin, Lu Ming couldn't look anywhere else. Panicked about her ability, she squeezed her eyes shut, hoping no strange words would tumble from her mouth. However, Li Jun, the arrogant playboy, saw this as an invitation and kissed her. His lips pressed against hers, soft at first to tease and when she gasped, he deepened the kiss. Lu Ming's mind went blank. All she could think about was the taste of spiced fruits and how experienced it felt. The only man she ever kissed was Chi Hao Chen and it was nothing like this.
But there was something wrong. The kiss wasn't sweet or heart-warming. It felt poisonous, like he was thrusting a drug upon her. Frantically, she pushed Li Jun away, panting and desperate for space between them. This did nothing to calm her heart because as soon as she looked at him, dark, hungry eyes stared back. There was something primal and lustful about his demeanour, and Lu Ming was scared about what she would now see after three seconds.
"Why did you do that?" She burst out angrily, still trying to determine her emotions from the kiss.
"Does it really matter?" Li Jun purred.
It was in that moment, Lu Ming realised how dangerous Li Jun could be.