Jinhai was concerned with how tired Evelyn looked. 'Was she not sleeping?' He thought. She tried to play it off and that only worried him more. She had slept so peacefully when he was with her. Does she not sleep easily by herself?
When she told them that she didn't eat he was angry. Not necessarily that she didn't eat but he was worried why she didn't. Just like for any sane guy, worry often comes out as anger. She's choosing to be on her own. But she's not taking care of herself.
He was highly considering forcing her to accept his presence whether she liked it or not. But he didn't want to push her that far. However if she continued on like this, then he would.
He was on his way to the hotel kitchen to find something to tide her over. When he got there he found the door locked. He was slightly irritated but he reined in his temper. He took his wallet out of his pocket and looked for the master key. He swiped it before going in.
Once there he looked around for something that could be thrown together quickly but would be able to tide her over for the next hour. He found bread, butter, and the ingredients for a smoothie.
He saw the blender on the counter and plugged it in. Then he continued to make a pitcher of smoothie. He squeezed a lemon and lime, added some spinach, avacado, apples, rasberries, and some mint. After it all blened together he added some ice. This would give her some Vitamin C which she would need if she's not sleeping well. He toasted the bread then went and poured the smoothe into three glasses before adding straws. Then he grabbed a bowl for some butter and put everything on a tray.
He was just about to leave after cleaning up when the door pushed open.
A guy in his mid forties came in with an angry expression on his face.
"Who the hell are you and why are you in the kitchen?" He asked. Jinhai didn't flinch. He picked up the tray and made his way to the door. The guy stepped in his path.
"You can't take that." He said crossing his arms.
"If you value your job, get the hell out of my way." Jinhai said in a threatening voice. He was running on no sleep and had a hungry woman to feed. He didn't have time for this.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" The guy in the chef's jacket said. Just then the door burst open again.
"Mr. Li! You're here!" Manger Lau rushed over then stopped short when he saw the exchange going on. He quickly recovered.
"Chef Bong, this is Mr. Li of Li corp. Mr Li, I apologize for any misunderstandings." Manger Lau hurried to say. Jinhai didn't acknowledge him as he simply strode passed the men and out the door with the tray.
- - - - -
BACK IN THE ROOM
Zain collapsed on the couch and grabbed the remote. He turned the TV on and pretended to be completely absorbed in the TV.
"You know you look pretty tired too," she said to him.
"I'm fine," he said. She took a seat next to him.
"I'm sure you are, but why does it look like you haven't slept." She pressed. He sighed, turning to her.
"I didn't," he answered.
"Why didn't you sleep?" She asked.
"Business," he said.
"Because you took off the day before to help me?" She asked.
"No, because there was work to be done." He told her. She felt like he was keeping something from her, but she could tell that he wasn't going to tell her.
"Do you want coffee?" She asked instead. He nodded.
"That would be great!" He said. She got up from the couch and went to go make the coffee. She of course went to go get ice for her glass. Neither of the guys liked their's cold. Right when she finished making the coffees and called Zain to the kitchen, a series of knocks sounded at the door. It was in morse code that spelled out "Its me" in the english alphebet.
It was something that the three of them had done one summer. The summer when she was ten and the brothers were twelve and fourteen, they decided to learn morse code. When Evelyn saw them practicing one day, she made them teach her. Jinhai didn't want to but Zain decided to teach her. Ironically it was Jinhai that mentored her in it.
Zain went to go open the door.
"What the hell is that green stuff," Zain asked as he stepped to the side to let Jinhai in.
"First breakfast," Jinhai answered drily making his way over too me. He set the tray down then plucked a glass from the tray, handing it to her.
Her coffee was halfway to her mouth. She pouted and looked at him.
"But, coffee," she whined. He narrowed his eyes at her. That was when she realized that his eyes were red as well.
"You can have it after you drink this," he said. She kept the pout on her face but set her iced coffee down. She took the drink from him. He finally turned from her when she took a sip.
Zain joined them at the table. Jinhai set the drink in front of his brother as Zain was reaching for a cup of coffee. He pouted the way Evelyn did.
"But, coffee," Zain said, copying Evelyn's whining tone .
"Drink your damn vegetables." Jinhai wasn't nearly as patient with him. Zain was still pouting and continued to reach for the coffee.
"You can either drink it or wear it." Jinhai threatened as he reached for his own glass of smoothie.
Zain hesitated only because he knew his brother would do it. His brother wouldn't hesitate to throw it over his head. Something he had unfortunately learned at the dinner table when they were younger when their mother tried to get him to eat something he didn't want to eat.
With a huff he plucked the glass off the table, removed he straw then chugged the smoothie. Evelyn giggled watching the almighty Zain act like an obedient lap dog. When he finished he slammed the glass down and eyed her.
"You think that's funny?" he growled, instantly sobering her. She looked at him with wide innocent eyes.
"Yes?" she asked in a questioning tone. Jinhai hid a smirk behind his glass. He missed her giggle. It still had a slight childlike quality to it. Just like when she laughed and declared them friends when they were little.
Zain ignored her and reached for his coffee.
"Wait!" She said.
"What?" He snapped at her.
"Have some toast first." She said offering him a slice.
"Why?" She didn't take offense to his grumpiness. If someone kept depriving her of coffee after a night of no sleep, she would have been much worse.
"The smoothy is very acidic. If you have the coffee now, it'll only make your stomach upset," she said matter of factly. He pressed his lips into a very thin line but reached for the slice of bread. He slathered on some buttered and his eyes dared her to say another word. She quietly sipped her drink. It was actually very good. The flavors were very refreshing.
They finished breakfast then sat around for a little bit before 9 o'clock. They called downstairs to have a cart sent up to take her bags down.
After they loaded up the car with her bags she reached a hand out. The brothers looked at her with confusion.
"What?" They asked in unison.
"Keys," she said. Jinhai, who had the keys in his hand closed a fist around them
"You're not driving." He said. She crossed her arms.
"Why not?" She asked.
"Because I said so," he said heading to the driver's seat. She walked in front of him and blocked him.
"How much sleep did you have?" she asked him. He didn't answer.
"Enough," he answered.
"Zain?" She turned her question to him.
"None," he answered. Jinhai glared at him.
"It's what you get for making me drink my vegetables," he pulled open the passenger door and got in.
"You shouldn't drive on no sleep." She tried to reason with him.
"You look like you haven't slept in days." He regreted the words instantly. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. She snatched the keys from him before he could react and opened the door and got in.
She slammed the door shut and turned the ignition on. Jinhai pulled the door open. She was already strapped in. Zain simply looked over to observe the scene before him with his arms tucked behind his head. He had a satisfied smirk on his face. Evelyn was probably the only person that could get away with what she was doing to Jinhai.
"Either get into the backseat, or I'm driving off without you," her voice was cold as she put the gear into drive. When Jinhai made no move, she stepped on the gas with the door still open.
"Oh shit!" Zain said his eyes becoming wide, his hand reaching for the roof handle.
"Fine!" Jinhai shouted when she was about 20 feet ahead. Evelyn stopped the car and closed her door. She adjusted the mirrors and seat as she waited for Jinhai to jog to the car. Zain laughed beside her.
"Remind me not to piss you off," he said.
"Don't piss me off," she said. When Jinhai reached the car, Zain was still laughing. She started the car again and drove for about a minute before she realized she didn't know where the guys wanted to go.
Jinhai crossed his arms in the backseat, pissed that she pulled that little stunt. His mood darkened when Zain wouldn't stop laughing.
"So where to?" she asked. Suddenly Jinhai sat up, an evil plot already brewing.
"Let's go to Phoenix's," he suggested. Zain threw a look at his brother, he finally stopped laughing. Jinhai smiled back at him, toothily.
'Turnabout is fair play, little brother.' Jinhai thought.
"Sure!" Evelyn was all too happy to make her way over. Zain sat back, the mirth gone from his face. Jinhai sat in the back now happy as a clam.
As it turned out, Evelyn was able to get them their in one piece. She pulled the car into one of the two VIP spots in front of the restaurant. She sent a text to Phoenix to see if she was here. The staff knew her and would take care of them though, if she wasn't. Zain dragged his feet.
"What's the matter? Don't want to see your sweetheart?" Jinhai teased. Zain glared at his brother.
"Why?" Zain hissed in a low tone so Evelyn wouldnt be able to hear them on the other side of the car.
"Fair's fair," Jinhai said.
"That wasn't fair." Zain said. Jinhai smiled his evil smile.
"I know." He said before he made his way over to Evelyn's side. They headed to the restaurant as the doors were thrown open and Phoenix flew out of the door.