They finally arrived at the hotel and went up to the room.
"Go wash up, first," Jinhai said to Evelyn. She nodded and grabbed some clothes. Going inside she promised that she would soak in the jacuzzi tomorrow. It was a shame not using it.
She took a shower, the hot water loosening her muscles. She washed her hair and breathed in the floral scent. She scrubbed her face clean of make up before stepping out.
She brushed her teeth and then applied her nightly skincare. She gently patted it into her skin.
She put on her underwear, then grey sweatpants and a sports bra before pulling on a white t-shirt. She towel dried her hair and left the bathroom.
Jinhai was sitting on the sofa his suit jacket next to him. He had his laptop open and was working on it with a cup of coffee on the table.
He looked deep in thought so she didn't bother him. She went to get a bottle of water and leaned against the kitchen island.
Not long after he closed his laptop and slipped it into his bag. His phone rang and he glanced at it then her briefly before he picked up.
"Hello?" he answered. He listened for a moment and Evelyn couldn't hear what was being said because she was too far away.
"It was a company decision," Jinhai answered.
"Would you prefer to back out?" Jinhai asked. His expression remained neutral and Evelyn watched him. He turned his eyes to her and rested an arm on the back of the sofa while crossing his leg.
"It's a big project. Li Corp wants the strongest candidate," Jinhai said. Evelyn had a suspicion it was someone from Cheng Global Corp by the way he was looking at her.
"I never promised to work with you exclusively," Jinhai said. His face darkened as he listened to the reply. His voice was as calm as ever when he replied, with a hint of coolness.
"Both you and Wei's World Organization will be competing for Li Corp's funding and resources. Winner takes all," he said. His face turned downright murderous at the person's reply.
"I'm going to stop you there, Shawn. The next words out of your mouth sounds suspiciously like a threat and I don't take threats very well. So I'm going to pretend this conversation never took place," Jinhai said his tone stern. Without saying goodbye Jinhai hung up the phone.
Evelyn's face had paled when she heard Shawn's name. He set his phone down and got up and walked to her.
"Hey," he said. His face conveyed concern.
"It's okay," he said.
"Why are you letting me pitch this idea," she asked.
"Because I believe you're the best person for it," he said without hesitation.
"But weren't you going to give it to them?" she asked.
"No. If their presentation didn't convince me I would have said no." Jinhai responded. He changed the topic.
"All done?" he asked her. She nodded.
"It's all yours," she said. He grabbed his clothes and went to the bathroom to wash up.
Evelyn turned on the TV and found a modern drama playing. She was watching it when he came out of the bathroom. He had on his flannel pajama bottoms and a clean t-shirt. He had a towel hanging around his neck.
"What are you watching?" He asked sitting down on the sofa.
"That new drama from Fuching entertainment," she answered.
"The one about star-crossed lovers?" he asked. She nodded.
They silently watched the program together. When they finished he spoke up first. "So are you going to tell me what's been bothering you all night?" he asked.
"Uh," she said. She pulled her knees up, something she tended to do when she was having a hard time expressing herself.
"Come on, you can talk to me about anything," he coaxed.
"Well, um, it's about you," she stammered.
"Me?" he said taken aback.
"Well you and me," she clarified hugging her knees tighter to her chest.
"Go on," he said. His face betrayed nothing of what he was thinking.
"I want you to give me time," she said. She thought back to Phoenix's words about using him as a rebound. He was too special to her.
"I am," he said slowly.
"Is that what you call kissing me?" she tossed at him. Jinhai didn't laugh. His face remained serious.
"Xiaoli," he said and she slightly loosened her grip on her knees unconsciously.
"Did you have a problem with me kissing you? I seem to recall you kissed me back." he said. She flushed but couldnt answer him. She didn't have a problem with it per se. She just didn't know what to do about it right now.
"I don't regret kissing you and I meant everything I've said to you since I showed up at that door 2 nights ago," he said pointing to the door. She bit the inside of her cheek thinking of how to respond.
"I walked away from you once without telling you how I felt, five years ago. Whatever happens this time, I'm not making that mistake again." He said. How could he say things without being bashful? She wondered.
"So then what do you want?" she asked. He thought for a moment before answering.
"I want you, I want you to give me a chance- to give us a chance," he said. She looked down at the space between them.
"I don't know if I can do that," she said softly.
"Why is that?" He asked, he didn't seem too bothered by what sounded like a rejection. But then again he perfected his pokerface a long time ago.
"Because I'm dealing with so much right now. I don't know how you fit into my life." She answered him truthfully still keeping her eyes lowered. He raised his hand and lifted her chin so she could look at him.
"Tell me something," he began. She couldn't take her eyes off of his. "Do you feel something for me?" he asked her. Her heart began to race. How could she answer that?
"I- I don't know." she stammered. His hand on her chin kept her from looking away.
"I happen to believe you do. If you tell me I'm wrong, then I won't push you. But Xiaoli, if the answer is yes, then I will wait," he said.
"I don't know if I really do. I feel confused," she answered. He let go of her chin. But he still held her eyes hostage with his.
"Then put aside the fact that you're going through a lot right now for just a moment. Look at me, really look at me. You know me, what do you see?" he asked her. His eyes implored her to listen to him.
She remembered all the times that he was there for her. All the times he made her smile and laugh when she was feeling sad. All the times where he fought to make the things she wanted come true for her. Just like he did last night by pushing her to pitch her idea to her father. He was her biggest supporter.
For a moment she imagined if he was the one who had fallen in love with someone else back then. Could she have beared to stay in his life while he was happily married to someone else? She knew the answer. It would have been too painful.
But still, she couldn't ignore that he had just shunned her for five years. She never would have done that no matter how much it hurt to see him with someone else.
"I see the guy that has been there for me through some of my most darkest moments. Someone that cheered the loudest when I succeded. But all of that is the past. We haven't seen each other in five years. I've changed and so have you." she finally said. His eyes betrayed a hint of sadness in them.
"Xiaoli, I'm sorry. Maybe we have changed, but I'm still the same man that celebrated your success and was there to help you back on your feet. I'll be patient. I'll show you that you still know me. I'll prove that you can trust me," he said to her. She didn't know how to respond.
"Just promsie me that you'll let me," he said when she didn't reply. She had to swallow passed the lump in her throat. "I promise," she said. He nodded then stood up.
"I'm going to bed," he announced and walked up the stairs. Evelyn waited until her heart calmed down before turning off the TV and following him. She crawled into bed and laid silently next to Jinhai. She eventually drifted off to sleep and he got out of the bed and stepped outside to the adjourning balcony.
He slid the door shut quietly behind him.This was going to be a lot harder than he thought. But he knew she was worth it. He owed it to her to be patient and let her sort out her feelings.
He glanced inside at her sleeping form on the bed. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful he thought as he watched her. He eventually went back inside and fell asleep next to her.