"Wake up," Evelyn heard. "Wake up," she heard again. It was a voice she recognized, Jinhai! She would know his voice anywhere.
She struggled to open her eyes but couldn't. She didn't understand why she was having such a hard time. Then she recalled the night before and the lanterns. She felt warmth begin to spread through her much like it did the night before. It spread from her heart to the tips of her toes and fingertips.
She recalled curling up against Jinhai that night and waking up together. She remembered taking a walk with Coffee. Then it hit her and she became aware of the pain on her left side.
"Evelyn, wake up," she heard Jinhai continue to coax. This time, she won the battle with her heavy eyelids and she was able to blink her eyelids open. Her eyes followed the direction of Jinhai's voice and she found him.
His face was full of concern and relief when her eyes finally met his. She felt his grip on her hand tighten and his shoulders sag in relief. He stood up and sat on the bed. He lifted her gently and embraced her as tightly as he could while being mindful of her left side.
Her head rested on his shoulder and she breathed him in. His scent had a calming affect on her as it always did. His arms tightened around her and she winced from the pain. Jinhai understood immediately and released her.
"I'm so sorry," he said as his hands sought hers again. It was a little awkward as her finger had the heart monitor on it.
"Why are you sorry?" she croaked. He reached for the cup and pitcher of water that was by her bedside. He filled the cup and put a straw in it. He held it steady as she drank from it.
"I couldn't protect you," his voice was barely above a whisper. His shoulders sagged with the weight of his disappointment and shame. He lowered the cup and put it back down on the side table.
Evelyn felt a pang in her chest seeing him this way. He had never failed to protect her and that includes today.
She lifted the hand that didn't have the IV in it and lifted it to cup his chin. She lifted his face until his eyes met hers.
"You couldn't have known. If you didn't get me here fast enough, I might not have made it. So stop," Evelyn said. She forced her voice to sound authoritative, which made him smirk.
"Is that an order?" Jinhai asked. She smiled softly at him. "Yes," she answered. He took a deep breath in before he answered her. "Fine, but only because it's never happening again," he said. She was about to question his meaning when her eyes shifted to the door and she saw the men in suits. Their demeanor gave away their occupation and purpose.
Evelyn groaned and Jinhai knew that it was from the bodyguards and not actual pain. Her hand dropped back down onto the bed.
"This isn't negotiable, Evelyn," his voice was stern. "I wasn't arguing with you about it. But I have a right to voice my displeasure at the loss of privacy," Evelyn said.
He took a deep breath as if he was trying to calm himself. He closed his eyes then opened them slowly on an exhale.
"Why would the Cheng's want to kill you?" Jinhai asked. Her face paled slightly at the question. He watched her as she visibly became fearful.
But when her eyes met his, he was surprised at the determination that were reflected in their depths.
"I know about their illegal dealings," she whispered. He didn't flinch at her response. Did he already know?
"Their dealings with the government?" Jinhai raised an eyebrow. Evelyn shook her head. She beckoned him closer.
"No, their involvement in the drug dealings and weapon smuggling," she whispered into his ear. He remained motionless as he listened to what she said.
She leaned back to observe his expression. "Shit," he said, then looked at her. She swallowed against the lump of fear forming in her throat.
She never believed that this would ever come up but it was. A few days after their marriage, Evelyn had noticed the discrepancies in CGC's budget and brought it to her father-in-law's attention.
He decided to let her in on their family secret. He made her feel welcomed and part of their family. Of course he didn't fail to impress upon her the need to keep the information to herself.
He also didn't fail to leave the impression on her that he will stop at nothing to keep his family safe. That either meant she was with them, or she was dead.
She knew with absolute certainty that her father-in-law now saw her as a loose end that needed to be taken care of.
"They aren't touching you again," he vowed. She smiled at him. There were only two people in the world she believed could keep her safe. Her father, and the man in front of her.
Both families had power, roots that extended to the very beginning of China's history. Both families had influence with the government and criminal world. However both families had made a clean break two generations ago.
She reached out to squeeze his hand. It was then that the door burst open and her father came in through the door. He was followed by Ben, Chloe, Phoenix, Zain and Lady An.
Deming reached out and gripped her shoulders. He observed her himself to ensure that she was okay.
"Ba, I'm okay," she said pretending to be annoyed. But the smile on her face betrayed her.
Everyone chimed in with their relief. The doctors came and and told her how lucky she was that the bullet wound would heal completely. They told her that she did not require extensive medical attention but that she should come back in about five days to get her stitches removed.
When she was discharged her surgeon advised her to not do any strenuous work and to stay off her feet as much as possible. Evelyn drew the line at having to stay home knowing that the deadline for her personal project was a week away.
The doctor put her left arm in a sling to stabilize it. Evelyn found it to be a nuisance but a glare from her father kept her from voicing it out loud.
It took a lot of convincing on Evelyn's part to convince everyone to take her back to her apartment. Her biggest objectors were Jinhai and her father.
But they couldn't fight her logic that she would be safe because of the guards and that her condo had heavy security.
They piled up into several cars and headed to back to her apartment. Deming drove with Chloe, Ben, and Lady An. Jinhai drove with Evelyn in the seat next to him with Phoenix and Zain in the backseat.
Several cars full of bodyguards escorted them. Jinhai's car led the way back and the whole time he gripped Evelyn hand the entire time. She allowed him because she could only imagine his fear throughout the day.
"So, something you want to share?" Phoenix asked. "What do you mean?" Evelyn asked turning around to look at her. Phoenix nodded toward their interlinked fingers.
Evelyn felt her face her heat up and she turned back around. "Um," Evelyn said glancing at Jinhai. "She's with me," Jinhai said.
Zain grinned and slapped his brother's arm. "Congratulations, Jinhai!" Zain said. "Evelyn!" Phoenix exclaimed. Evelyn bit her lip. This wasn't exactly how she wanted to tell them.
"Yes?" Evelyn asked innocently. "How? When?" Phoenix asked.
"Last night," Evelyn answered. "Well it's about time," Phoenix said. Evelyn saw Jinhai smirk from the corner of her eye.
"Agreed," Zain said. "Thanks guys," Evelyn said. She felt warmed by the fact that two of the most important people to her were so supportive.
"Does your family know yet?" Phoenix asked. "Not yet," Evelyn said. "I'm not sure now is the time to tell them."
"So when will you tell them," Zain asked. "I don't know yet," Evelyn answered. "I know they're processing a lot with what's been happening."
"We don't have to tell them right now, but I think we should," Jinhai said. "I agree, but maybe not today?" Evelyn said.
"Your father knows," Zain said. "What?" Evelyn asked. Evelyn was bewildered by that fact.
"He's asked me about it," Jinhai said. "Really? How would he know-" Evelyn began to ask, looking between the brothers before realization dawned on her.
"Driver Chung," Evelyn answered her own question. "He probably told my father after that night we went out drinking," Evelyn said.
"You went out drinking without me?" Zain complained. "It was last week, the day Shawn gave me the divorce papers," Evelyn answered.
"Yeah they came to my restaurant," Phoenix said. "I figured she should at least get drunk in a place she would be taken care of."
"That's good," Zain said earnestly. "Yeah, I can thank Jinhai for taking care of me," Evelyn said. "The pleasure was mine," Jinhai replied.
They talked some more about that night before they pulled up to the building. Evelyn had to verify that her family, Jinhai, Zain, and Phoenix were allowed into the building. Both Jinhai and Deming pulled social rank and the bodyguards were allowed in as well.
"Boss! Is everything okay?" Mingxi asked as soon as she saw her boss entering. She quieted when she saw everyone piling into the room.
Jinhai helped Evelyn take her shoes off put on her slippers. Then he helped her to the couch. Everyone one else followed suit and removed their shoes.
Garfield crawled up into her lap and curled up into a ball as soon as she sat down. Coffee, settled by her feet, laying his head on his two front legs. Evelyn gently stroked Garfield's fur. She wished her other hand was free so she could pet Coffee as well.
"You really did get a cat and dog," Ben said. He eyed Coffee longingly. "Jinhai and Zain's doing," Evelyn commented.
"That's for watching them today, Mingxi," Evelyn said to her assistant. Sometime after she woke up, Jinhai assured her that one of the guards had taken Coffee back to her apartment.
"It was no problem. Coffee seemed very anxious today," Mingxi reported. Coffee got back up on his feet at his name and his ears perked up.
Evelyn rubbed a hand on his head, scratching him behind the ears. Coffee whined and pushed his head against her palm.
"You're working from home," Deming said. "Absolutely not," Evelyn replied not looking up from Coffee.
"You were just shot this morning," he reasoned. Evelyn took a deep breath.
"Ba, trust me. I'm well aware. But I'm not going to cower," Evelyn said calmly.
"They're going to keep trying," Deming said. "Let them. They won't succeed," Evelyn replied. Deep down Evelyn felt the fear of death. But it wasn't death itself she feared. She had always been a fighter, she wouldn't give up now. To her, death would mean losing.
After negotiating with Deming and Jinhai, they agreed that Evelyn would be allowed to work. However she was no longer allowed to go anywhere alone. As much as Evelyn despised her lost of freedom she didn't contend it. She understood the need for extra protection.
Security cameras were to be installed and monitored. There would also be a minimum of two bodyguards in the apartment with her at all times. Locks were placed on every window and door.
The shot this morning had signaled war. The Chengs' were afraid, because she was the one with all the ammunition to take them down. Knowing this, she was determined to be defiant. She would not allow them to make her cower in fear. They forget, she was a force to be reckoned with.
Two great houses would ban together to protect her. If the Cheng's wanted war, they'll have it.