Zhi hung the phone up with her father. The living room felt colder after the call.
It had been two months since she moved out of the Ruo Household and she still felt it was still to soon to talk of or see those people.
Relief flushed over her. At least her wicked stepmother didn't suddenly feel sentimental today as well. But still, Zhi silently cursed the human being that told Fang Mi where she lived and then looked up to see Tadashi staring at her.
With a soft voice, Zhi asked Tadashi if there was something on her face.
Tadashi only continued to stare.
She looked away shyly feeling completely embarrassed. This man was now officially her boss and she was improperly dressed.
She slowly started walking to her room when Tadashi finally spoke up.
"I'm sorry it's just I'm not used to making business deals with beautiful, underdressed women."
"You should have called and made an appointment Mr. Gao. I'm afraid so far i find you a bit unprofessional, sir."
Tadashi wondered why 'sir' sounded sexy coming from her lips.
Tadashi moved closer to Zhi making her cheeks pinker with every step. The look in his eyes was greedy and made Zhi nervous.
"When we are inside this house, you're the boss. Now tell me, did i already manage to offend miss Zhi somehow?"
Tadashi was now so close to Zhi that if she moved an inch she would be in his arms.
Zhi no longer felt cold. Actually, she suddenly felt the need to step out for air.
"If miss Zhi wishes to punish me.... i wouldn't mind."
Zhi blushed and ran off to her room.
The next afternoon.
Zhi Ruo sat still giving her the look of a porcelain doll. Her skin was flawless and beautifully pale. She wore a pearl colored top with exaggerated shoulder blades paired with high waisted black silk pants.
She nervously tapped her hand against her thigh under the table. Her eyes lingering where she knew her father should be coming from.
The tea Zhi had ordered twenty minutes ago was now cold and she anxiously took a sip.
Zhi's father was running late. The information on two of the three men was difficult to acquire. CEO Ruo was one that didn't like conducting meetings without all of the information. Making decisions without all of the facts was just bad business.
Zhuang Ruo felt it was odd that there wasnt any background information on two of the three men from his daughter's scandal. He actually had to resort to calling a friend from the underworld to do a little digging.
The problem with using the underworld was that the silent partner of his company was instantly notified. This silent partners name was Titus.
now Titus was an underworld business tycoon. This man singlehandedly bought up shares in almost every large buisness all while owning a profiting business of his own. This man was as mysterious as a shadow and the man never showed his face in public but his presence in the business world was undeniable. Upsetting Titus was unquestionably digging your companies grave.
For whatever reason, the mysteries man named Titus sent an associate over to CEO Ruo this morning with a business deal. One that was too good to pass up. Making a deal of Titus was making a deal worth gold. The only thing Titus wanted in return was Zhi.
This meeting was the reason he was late to lunch but when CEO Ruo finally arrived and sat down,waiters ran off to alert the kitchen.
Zhuang's assistant called in the lunch order ahead of time so it would be prepared and brought to the table at his arrival.
Many waiters started to arrive in a line with plates of delicious food and sat them down before them on the table.
Zhi had an uncanny resemblance to her mother and CEO Zhuang Ruo couldn't take his eyes off her. This girl was a reminder of the past, a simpler time when he had no problems in life.
She looked young and vibrant like her mother had when he had first met her. Zhuang Rou took a sip of his freshly prepared tea. He had to remember what was at stake and he knew what he had to do.
With a serious face, he looked at his daughter and spoke with a cold voice. "When did you turn into a little 'Fuerdai'?"
Zhi couldn't help but smile at her father's terminology. "A rich second generation kid? Why do you say such things father?"
"You have enjoyed a privileged upbringing, as a result, you have attended private boarding school and a university that you spent two years at. The money i sent you allowed you to drive expensive cars and wear brand name clothing and own the latest gadgets.
Now you come home to move out just to do drugs and party. Now you're going as far as embarrassing this family with shameful antics that are being published online for everybody to see."
"I came here to tell you-you were to marry one of those 3 boys from your online scandals but digging into them I found 2 of them work for the underworld." He looked at her with disgust. "And the other is a barely budding talent that status isn't suited for my daughter. I'm truly disappointed in you. How dare you dishonor me and your late mother by acting like an American hussy."
Zhi was shocked. "This is how you see me?"
"No, this is how the world sees you." her father corrected her.
"Those scandals aren't the real father." Zhi pleaded.
"Don't sit there and lie to me. Do you have no shame? Fang Mi saw you practically naked with one of the men last night."
Zhi couldn't help but cry. This was just like the day she had moved out of the Ruo estate. He was accusing her of things she couldn't prove she didn't do. This was all that bitch Fang Mi's doing.
"You must Clear the Ruo name." He continued.
Zhi felt betrayed. This was her own flesh and blood but he had no trust in her at all. It was time to fix that. "Yes, father." She swore she would do whatever she had to do to win her father over. One day she would free him of the two snakes that had their fangs clenched in him and she would need him to trust her when that time came. "What do i have to do?"
"I need you to grow up. I'm going to give you a position at my company. You will work there and you will marry." He looked at her pale sad face."You will marry a successful businessman that will be able to take care if you for the rest of your life. One that i choose for you. You will no longer party or partake in drugs. You will be an obedient wife and no longer do anything to bring shame to your family name."
Zhi's heart split in half. She wanted to obey her father but that meant giving up Tadashi. But if her father was telling the truth that meant Tadashi was apart of the underworld.
How could her Tadashi be a part of the Underworld? The very thought disgusted her. It was someone from the Underworld that murdered her mother and destroyed her happy family and life. And it was someone from the underworld that almost rapped her. Tadashi was just like them. He is disgusting.
And he is in her home. Zhi couldn't breathe. How could this be happening? And Howin? she had finally found a friend and again something had to happen.
Her mind went blank. "Yes, father."
"Good girl!" Your fiance will arrive in 2 days. On that day we will announce your engagement and clear this embarrassing scandal once and for all.