As the clock struck 11:11 pm, each and every one scrambled to open their envelopes. Inside the black envelope was another one, albeit smaller.
"There is a riddle inside the envelope. You need to answer it to get the next clue," Hong Chi informed the crowd.
"So it's like Amazing Race, huh?" a man from the crowd voiced out.
"Yup," Hong Chi agreed. "Except here, you can't quit. Because you'll be forever banned from buying NU C designs."
A series of gasps dominated the crowd. But what can they expect? NU C is known for its peculiar way of selling.
Hong Chi clasped her hands together. "Okay, you're wasting your time. Let's get moving. See you at the finish line." She went towards the driver's seat of the SUV. Before getting in, she turned her head.
"The winner will get to meet the brains behind NU C. Good luck, guys!" Hong Chi blew a kiss towards them. As soon as she went in, she started the car and head out of the town square.
"Not afraid that they will follow you?" Li Chanying asked Hong Chi, her eyes still glued on the laptop monitor, fingers dancing above the keyboard.
Hong Chi sneered. "They should know better than that."
Meanwhile, most of the crowd was either sporting a wrinkled forehead or furrowed brows. Some were even pacing back and forth. Okay, so they know the answer. What now?
Looking up, Chang Lianna pulled his brother's sweater. "Brother, what is it?"
Her brother curled up his lips. "This is chicken."
"So, what is it?" she asked again.
The man leaned forward towards his sister. "It's about the riddle of the sphinx," he whispered.
Chang Lianna's mouth formed an 'O'. "So, what now?"
"Let's go," he pushed his sister's wheelchair towards the black Chevrolet.
One by one, the cars headed out of the area. In particular, Chang Lianna and his brother were heading towards the Pavilion at a steady pace. "Why are we going to Pavilion, brother?"
The man gazed at her sister thru the rearview mirror. "You're asking too many questions. Just sit back and enjoy. Your brother will definitely bring home the Blood of the Night."
Chang Lianna pressed her lips together. "I know you're capable. But at least, you need to update me of what's happening, right?"
With eyes focused on the road, his brother just glanced at the rearview mirror raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, okay," Chang Lianna raised her two hands, signalling defeat.
After forty-five minutes, the Chevrolet reached the main gate of Pavilion. "Wait for me here," the man told his sister. Without turning off the engine, he went out of the car. Chang Lianna watched her brother approached the guards of the gated community. Pavilion is home to the prominent people in City S, in particular, the Triad.
The owner of NU C must be powerful enough to have such backing. Outside, the lights from the posts were fighting the darkness. As she continued to stare at the main gate, she noticed the statues that seemed to guard the community.
The sphinx!" She exclaimed. Her brother approached the guards and as Chang Lianna predicted, the guards were collaborating with the owner of NU C. In less than five minutes, Chang Lianna's brother got inside the car, in one hand was another black envelope with the same markings like the first one.
Chang Lianna's hand covered her mouth as she continued to stare at the envelope. Her brother really got it. "Brother, open it now," she said as she rubs her hands together.
The man reached out for Chang Lianna's head and ruffled her hair. "Always impatient," he chuckled as he opened the envelope carefully.
Inside was a simple poem. 'Like a woman who flawlessly danced in the night, shimmering with her gown in white.'
"Does it ring a bell?"
Chang Lianna shook her head. "This is the first time I heard this poem."
"Any girl who wears white? Like in movies or something?"
Chang Lianna closed her eyes to think. But not a minute has passed when the car maneuvered at the opposite direction. She opened her eyes abruptly, grasping the door handle with one hand as another stroked her chest.
"What happened?"
"Our competitors are catching up."
Chang Lianna looked outside and true enough, the cars from earlier were already in front of Pavilion.
"Don't mind them. Just concentrate on thinking about the poem," her brother told her.
She nodded. "White dress? Shimmering in white dress?" Chang Lianna murmured. Where did she see a white dress that shimmers?
"Do you think it's a painting?" she asked him.
"Probably but I haven't seen one."
"Maybe we can check the National Art Holdings?"
"Hmmmm," her brother shifted the gear before heading towards the city center again. The National Art Holdings was the one responsible for the ancient art collection of Country C. It also houses the art collection from the famed Shu Family. The building was opened for the citizens of Country C. However, tourists need an approval to enter the premises.
As the car drove along the almost empty thoroughfare, Chang Lianna was wringing her hands which did not go unnoticed to her brother.
"Don't be too nervous. We're going to get it."
She took a deep breath. "I know," she looked at her brother and gave him a smile.
"That's my girl."
At the other side of the City S, Li Nuxie was seated on her favorite spot at One Cup Coffee. The coffee shop was already closed but she got permission from the management to go up.
Glancing at her watch, she leaned backward on her seat. The participants have two hours left. She covered her mouth as she yawned. She removed her black-rimmed eyeglass before rubbing her eyes. Her eyes roamed around the vicinity but there was not a soul in sight.
Her lips curled behind the black mask. She was actually expecting that someone will win the challenge. Was her standard too high? She shook her head. She even downgraded the challenge from the original one.
The minutes turned into hour. Only one hour left, she thought. She stood up from her seat, stretching her body. Convinced that no one can get past her third clue, Li Nuxie removed her mask and put in on the table near the black envelope and her eyeglasses. Only one winner will emerge from the challenge.
If a person will be able to go up within the prescribed time, the building will be locked down by her people. But of course, everyone who finished it will be able to choose any design from the NU C collection except the Blood of the Night.
Her hood remained over her head. Walking towards the glass wall, she breathed against it. Instantly, a moisture was formed which she drew a happy smile. She breathed against the glass wall repeatedly and drew nonsense musings. The corner of her lips was raised as she drew. Maybe she was too focused on what she was doing that she failed notice a certain man standing near the table.
Picking up the black envelope and the mask, the man approached Li Nuxie like a panther. He halted his steps when Li Nuxie broke the silence.
"It seems that I have a winner, already?" Li Nuxie gritted her teeth. How can she be so careless to leave her mask on the table? Although it was dark inside the coffee shop with only dim lights from the bar counter that illuminated the whole area, she might need to have the person signed a confidentiality agreement for pre-emptive measures.
"Indeed, you have," the man said.
Li Nuxie's widened when she heard the voice. Her heartbeat went faster when she heard it. It was a voice that seemed to caress one's soul. She turned around slowly and just a foot away from her was a man who was wearing a black mask that covered the upper portion of his face.
Just like her, he was also wearing a hoodie jacket. The man took another step towards Li Nuxie which made her sweat. Why is she sweating? She can bring this man down with her Karate. She's a seventh dan for Pete's sake! But of course, Li Nuxie was just comforting herself.
From the physique of the man in front of her, she was sure she cannot even inflict a small injury on him. She bit her lips as she thought how to get out, completely forgetting that this was a challenge she had organized. All she knew was the man was dangerous to her heart and nervous system.
The man raised an eyebrow as she watched how Li Nuxie's expression changed from another in just a minute. Who would have thought that she was the owner of NU C? He almost groaned when Li Nuxie bit her lips. He wanted to do that too. He needed to calm himself. He took a deep breath, curling his lips after.
A soft gasp escaped from Li Nuxie's lips. The man smiled internally. So, the Young Miss Li was not immune to his charms. He raised the black envelope, reminding her subtlety.
Li Nuxie crossed her arms before she spoke. "Bring it to Hong Chi. She'll process it. The Blood of the Night will be delivered in your house as soon as the paper works are finished."
Lines appeared on Li Nuxie's forehead when he remained rooted in front of her. "Uhm, excuse me? Didn't you hear me?"
"I did hear you," he started forwarding towards her. Li Nuxie took a step back. "The Blood of the Night is my sister's prize," he continued.
Tilting her head, Li Nuxie looked at her with furrowed brows. "Okay, so you are your sister's representative. That was allowed according to the rules." Another step back and Li Nuxie's back touched the glass wall. Her eyes widened when he did not stop approaching her. "W-What are you doing?" she stammered.
He stopped in front of her, their clothes were almost touching. Her rugged breathing was driving him insane. Leaning forward, he whispered in her ear. "Where's my prize?"
He closed his eyes as he inhaled her scent. It was like a fresh watermelon mist during the summer season that quenched one's thirst.
"Your prize?" Li Nuxie's body went stiff. The man was too closed. "You're invading my personal space," she added.
The man chuckled. "Is that so?" He stood straight, staring back at her eyes. "Then punish me."
"What?" Li Nuxie twisted her lips. Is this guy lunatic? What was he saying?
"Steal my kiss," The time stood still when the man leaned forward and caught Li Nuxie's lips. She just stared at the man who was currently taking liberty on nibbling her lips. If the man forced himself on her, she might have used her Karate. But wait, damn, this feeling was somehow familiar. That was her last thought before closing her eyes.
When Li Nuxie closed her eyes, the man smiled. His tongue assaulted Li Nuxie's mouth like an experienced cave diver exploring a newly discovered cave. Li Nuxie groaned when he gently bit her lip. He has been imagining it since that day on the veranda. He did not dare touch her though. He was not sure that he can maintain his self-control if he touch her.
Both of them were short of breath when the man decided to let go of Li Nuxie's lips. Blood rushed towards Li Nuxie's face when she realized what she had done. She lowered her head as her lips formed a thin line. Oh no, did she just kiss a man she met for the first time? And with mask at that?
"Am I forgiven?"
Li Nuxie raised her head abruptly. The man's eyes glittered with amusement. She narrowed her eyes. "Are you making fun of me?"
"Nope," the man shook his head. "Didn't you just steal my kiss?"
"How dare you? It was you who stole my kiss," Li Nuxie clenched her fists. She just wanted to punch this guy.
"Your first kiss?" The man continued to eye her. "I mean Steal My Kiss is SMK Building, right?" The man tried to look innocent but failed.
"It's none of your business on the first question," she glared at him. It was he fault for playing with the words. Who would have thought that a guy will win her challenge? Her plan indeed backfired. "You have the envelope. I've already told you what to do," she turned her back from him. "I hope this is the last time we'll meet each other," she murmured as she gathered her things.
The man's eyes turned serious. As Li Nuxie vanished from his sight, he curled his lips. "Not a chance, babe."