[Phoenix's point-of-view]
It was around 8 o'clock when everyone began to leave. Phoenix didn't want to leave her best friend right now. She was afraid she might never see her again. Phoenix knew this was absurd but she still couldn't shake the irrational fear.
"I'll take you home," Zain said, as he came to stand next to her. Phoenix spared him a glance. "I'll take a cab," she replied. He was so close to her that she could almost feel the heat coming off his body.
"Phoenix," he warned under his breath. "Now is not the time to fight me." She looked at him defiantly.
"So then stop insisting," she shot back, her voice was equally as low as his.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Ba," she heard Evelyn say. Phoenix and Zain turned to Deming and said their goodbyes.
Deming went to the door opened it and closed the door gently behind him.
"Are you guys heading out too?" Evelyn asked. She looked fatigued but Phoenix could tell that it was on the tip of Evelyn's tongue to ask them to stay for dinner. Phoenix knew her friend needed to rest and not continue to play host.
"Yeah, Zain was going to give me a lift home," Phoenix said. Phoenix once again felt guilty for not telling Evelyn what had happened between them. But now was certainly not the time.
"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow," Zain stepped forward to give her quick hug.
"I'll pack my stuff tonight," Phoenix said, hugging Evelyn next.
"Good, I expect you here tomorrow," Evelyn teased. "Won't you be working?" Phoenix asked. Evelyn nodded.
"I expect you to be here when I get home," Evelyn clarified. "Should I have dinner ready and a bath running for you?" Phoenix replied drily. Evelyn laughed.
"Yes and don't forget to put bubbles in," Evelyn replied easily. Jinhai smirked behind Evelyn.
"See you later, Jinhai," Phoenix said as she rolled her eyes. She began to make her way toward the door. "Get home safe," he said.
"Let me know you guys made it home safely," Evelyn said. "Will do," Zain said as his hand hovered over Phoenix's back and led her out the door.
Once the door closed, Phoenix sped up and put distance between her and Zain's offending hand. She pressed the button and they waited in silence for the elevator. They were aware of the eyes of the bodyguards stationed outside of Evelyn's apartment.
They entered the elevator and Phoenix was very aware of the fact that she was alone with Zain. His proximity made her want to reach for him but she kept her fists balled tightly against her sides.
Zain said nothing but turned to stare at her. A fact she was acutely aware of and ignored.
They had been friends once. Almost like siblings, a fact he had painfully reminded her of when she had confessed to him.
After that, their easy going mannerism with each other started to become forced. Eventually, it had become entirely too painful for Phoenix to continue to be in his presence alone. So they stopped. Because no one knew, they maintained the facade that nothing was wrong.
They exited the elevator and left the building. Phoenix took her phone out and was ready to call a cab service when she noticed Zain stopped by the car and was pulling it open for her.
"I'm getting a cab," she said, waking passed him. He left the door open and took two strides to catch up to her. He gripped her upper arm and the contact thrilled her more than she was willing to admit. She yanked herself out of his grasp.
"I'm not playing, Phoenix. Get in the car," Zain said. She could tell he was frustrated, tired, and angry. But she didn't care. She pressed the call button and lifted the phone to her ear.
"Hello, I need a car at-" she never got to finish because he took the phone from her. "Lover's quarrel, she doesn't need the car," Zain said before ending it.
"What the hell!" she said. She couldn't believe he did that and she ignored the anger that bubbled up at his casual use of the word, 'lover's.'
"Phoenix, Evelyn could have died today. We don't know what they want and we don't know if you're a target too. So get your butt into the car," he half growled at her. She stood there defiantly for half a minute before she walked passed him and got into the car.
He relaxed a little and turned to get behind the wheel. He wordlessly, got in and started the engine.
Phoenix noticed a car began to follow them right away. She knew Zain noticed as well. He wasn't worried so she could only assume this was the protection detail.
The car filled with awkward silence and neither of them was willing to fill the space. Zain had his hand gripped so tightly on the wheel that she could see the whites of his knuckles.
She fought the urge to run her fingers over them and ease the stress. Instead, she crossed her arms tightly over her stomach and stared out the window.
'What was wrong with me?' Phoenix thought to herself. He already said he wasn't interested, so why was he suddenly so concerned about her safety. 'And why does that make you happy?' that annoying little voice piped up. 'Shut up!' She shouted back at it.
It was a constant war with herself to want to continue to be a masochist and carry her torch for the man beside her. But she was a prideful woman and would never allow herself to stoop so low.
So she kept her distance, and she tried to date other men. It never turned out well but she tried. She tried to forget the man that sat beside her and that made her feel so alive and happy, once. A feeling she wanted to feel again.
Phoenix could try and allow herself to get lost in other men, at least for a while. But he always crept back up. Drawing her back to him like a moth to a flame. Her stupid heart refused to listen to reason. It was all she could do not to beg him to reconsider.
Soon, he pulled up to her family home. She quickly released her seatbelt before he even stopped. She mumbled her thanks and had the door open before he could get a word out.
Just before she shut the door, he called out her name, "Phoenix! Your phone." She turned around and sure enough he was leaning over with her phone in his hand. She reached in to grab it and then closed the door.
She felt his eyes on her as she made her way back inside. Not once did she turn around. Not when she went up the stairs, not when she got to the door, and not after she closed it behind her.
Her parents greeted her and she greeted them back. She told them about her plans to move in with Evelyn and expected resistance.
Surprisingly her mother replied, "That's a wonderful idea. It would do you good to move out of the house."
"I agree with your mother," her father chimed in. 'What?' she thought. Her parents had always had a fit at the idea of her moving out before she was married. But Phoenix was tired and she wanted to be alone so she didn't question it.
She dragged herself up the stairs and into the bathroom before she closed it and took a shower. The heat was welcoming against her skin after such a stressful day. When she finished, she laid in bed for a while before she pulled out her phone to text Evelyn.
Phoenix: I'm home, safe and sound.
Evelyn: Good. Thanks for being there today.
Phoenix: Always. Now go be with your guy.
Evelyn: When will you find yours?
Phoenix's fingers paused over the keyboard. If only she knew.
Phoenix: Who says I haven't? And who says it has to be just one?
Phoenix knew how scandalous the words were and it would be enough to get Evelyn to back off. Phoenix smiled when she felt her phone vibrate again. Evelyn must have found a reply to that. Her smile faltered when she saw the name.
Zain: I'm sorry.
Phoenix considered not answering him but her curiosity got the better of her.
Phoenix: For what?
Zain: For everything. I wish I could take it back.
Her heart clenched at his words but her resolve to never speak of it again flared up.
Phoenix: You can't. It's a little too late for apologies, don't you think?
Zain: Is it too late, Phoenix?
Her breath caught as she looked at the words. But before she could type a reply, chat bubbles appeared; he was typing another message.
Zain: I may be five years too late. But If I could do it again, I wouldn't push you away this time.
She stared at her screen not answering. Her heartbeat was fast against her rib cage and she struggled to breathe.
They had never acknowledged that night five years ago, until now. It had been an unspoken agreement.
Tears began to pool at her eyes as she began to recall that night. That night she had offered up her heart, her soul, her entirety to him. And he had stabbed it, then returned it to her. Furiously she wiped her tears away.
Phoenix: it is too late.
After responding she tossed her phone to the side and pushed herself up. She began to grab suitcases and put things in it. She didn't know how long she would stay at Evelyn's. So she packed up most of her clothes.
She hesitated, as she pulled out a box from deep in her closet. In it was a tie. A maroon colored tie that had once been Zain's.
He had left it one day and he told her to keep it. It was the only thing of his that she had. She gripped the box tightly in her hand but shoved it deep into one of her suitcases. She would rather take it with her than risk someone else finding it. When she finished, she collapsed onto the bed. She pulled her knees up and curled into the fetal position.
Eventually she drifted off to sleep.
- - - - -
EVELYN'S APARTMENT
After everyone left, Evelyn's shoulders sagged. She was exhausted from her day. But she picked up her phone and called John.
Jinhai waited patiently at her side as she took the call.
"Ms. Wei? Are you okay?" John answered. She could hear the sound of typing in the background.
"Are you still at the office?" Evelyn said. She pulled her phone away from her ear just to double check that it was indeed past 8 o'clock. She heard him sigh before he admitted that he was.
"Go home before I call security to escort you out," she said. She sighed when she realized how dictatorial she sounded.
"Well since you're there, can you tell me what's on the agenda for tomorrow?" she asked. He updated her quickly on tomorrow's agenda and then gave her a quick rundown of today. Luckily it hadn't been too busy and he was able to familiarize himself with ongoing projects.
After they hung up she leaned against Jinhai. He supported her weight easily. She released a breath before she stood straight again.
"I'm going to go take a shower," she announced. She went to her bathroom and took her sling off. It was only then that she realized her problem. She didn't have the ability to remove her clothes without pulling any stitches.
Her sister and Phoenix had helped her put her clothes on at the hospital.
Evelyn felt a flush creep up her neck as she debated skipping a shower or to find a pair of scissors. Before she lost her nerve she stepped back out and called to Jinhai.
He was sitting at the kitchen island and looked up.
[WARNING: MATURE CONTENT. If you're uncomfortable skip the rest of the chapter.]
"Yes?" he asked her getting up. "I need your help," she said rather timidly.
"To shower?" he asked slowly. Her face heated up more. "No, I can't exactly get my shirt off," she said.
He almost laughed. She could see him struggling to keep his features impassive for her sake. If he had laughed, she might have punched him.
"Come on," he said. He guided her back to the bathroom. He gently maneuvered her so that he could take her shirt off leaving her in her yoga pants and bra. She shivered as the cool air touched her skin.
The small smile that he had been unable to hide, vanished instantly as his eyes glued to her fantastically full breasts. Evelyn breathed in deeply and the movement did not escape Jinhai's attention.
His hands settled in the waist band of her pants and his gaze met hers as he lowered them, passed her hips and butt.
Then he bent until he was eye level with her crotch but his eyes were on ankles where he lowered her pants to. She put her good hand on his shoulders to steady herself before lifting one leg up. He gently removed one leg. Then they repeated the process with the other leg.
He left her pants on the floor before he stood. He laced a hand into her hair and firmly brought his mouth against hers. She whimpered against his lips. He took that as an invitation and thrust his tongue into her.
Evelyn melted into the kiss, suddenly forgetting to be modest. It wasn't until he pulled away that she realized how very close to naked she was.
He placed his hand against the edges of her sports bra. He gently took them off her. When her breast were completely exposed she covered them with a hand.
"Stay right here," he said his voice was deep. Deeper than she had ever heard it. "Okay," was her response. Holy shit, did that breathy voice belong to her?
He returned soon with plastic wrap and medical tape. He nudged her elbow to the side as he wrapped the plastic to cover the bandage. He taped the edges to ensure that the water wouldn't penetrate.
Evelyn could barely hear anything above the roaring in her ears and the pounding of her heart.
The way he stared at her made her press her legs together. She knew that he wouldn't pressure her for anything, especially not tonight. But it didn't take away the fact that this was the first erotic experience she had with him. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this way, or had she ever?
"I'll help you shower," he said. Her turned her gently and began to walk into the bathroom.
"I can bathe myself," she countered. But her argument was weak. "Princess, you can barely lift your arm without wincing. Humor me," he said.
She nodded. She let him remove the last bit of clothing and she noticed his smoldering gaze on her. She would never tire of that look.