The dreaded day finally arrives where I have to leave Panda King. I shouldn't be feeling this unhappy and upset given that this is all my plan and Panda is helping me by willingly sacrificing himself. All the way through the ferry ride back to the mainland, I had held hands with Panda and slept on his shoulder, afraid of when I will be able to be this close to him again.
"Don't cry Tina." Panda hugs me to him as my tears fall out of my eyes. "It won't take long. I'll come to get you soon."
I wrap my arms around his back and cry into his chest. Why does this man have the power to weaken me so easily?
"It feels like a dream." I mumble against him, "The island."
"Don't worry about me," Panda pats my back in comfort, "I'll get the evidence and put her behind bars."
"Come back to me quickly." I say through tears, "If you don't hurry back, I might decide to get married to Hans." I joke.
"No way! I will never let him have you." Panda says angrily, "You're only mine love."
I nod and stand on my tiptoes to kiss him. He holds my hips as he kisses me back deeply.
"Don't make me wait."
"I love you Tina." He says as he pulls back.
Yearningly, I watch as he calls a taxi for me before climbing into one of his chauffeur driven cars which came to collect him at the station after he gave the driver a call earlier.
"I love you too Panda." I say quietly as I watch the car drive off.
***
"Where the hell were you Tina?! Do you know how worried your dad and Mint were? How worried I was? Why did you not tell us where you were going? Why did you not even call for so many days?"
I was expecting it but Hans seems more worried than I thought he would be. His eyes are bloodshot and he has dark eye bags as if he hasn't slept in days. Has he been overworking himself?
"I'm sorry Hans. Really sorry. I had something important to do." I subconsciously touch my stomach.
Hans' green eyes turn dark, "The important thing was Panda King right?"
"How did you..." I wonder aloud.
"Tina, are you still sane?! Why are you getting involved with him again? Wasn't it good when you left him? What are you doing now?!" He shouts angrily.
I flinch as he glares and punches the wall. He is really mad. How much does he hate Panda?
Sighing, I close my eyes and lean back against the sofa. "Panda has changed." I say truthfully, "He isn't the arrogant, rude jerk like before."
Hans' eyes are still dark as he walks closer to me and laughs mockingly, "He has changed? That bastard changed for you? Are you joking?"
Did this man eat something wrong? Why is my best friend acting this way? Yes, he must be mad that I went to Panda but doesn't he already know that Panda King is the real father to my baby and the person I love?
"Hans, what's wrong with me?" I ask seriously, trying to stay calm, "Is it so wrong for him to love me?"
"Tina, I didn't mean it like that." He says, turning quiet. "It came out wrong. I didn't mean..."
"Enough!" I shout loudly, holding up a hand. I don't want to listen to his excuses anymore. "I'll move back home." I mutter as I go into my room and pack my things.
***
"You're home!" A beautiful dark haired woman flings herself onto Panda King as soon as he steps through the front door of his mansion.
Startled at her sudden attack, he steps back with a shiver as goosebumps form on his arms. His phobia has been getting better due to Tina's closeness but with other women, his disgust and fear are evident.
"What are you doing here?" He asks coldly as Ciarra Lake stands in a low cut dress which hugs her figure.
"Of course I am your wife." She grins and bats her false eyelashes flirtatiously at him.
Maybe this plan to get hold of the evidence is going to be easier than they had thought. Although he left her at the altar, this woman has still lingered around like a bad smell. No self respecting woman would still cling onto a man who stood her up at her own wedding.
Suppressing the urge to refuse, he forces a smile and nods, "Of course."
She gestures to the stairs, "Shall we catch up?"
Panda hesitates before agreeing. The faster he can gather the evidence, the quicker he can get rid of this leech woman and go to Tina. As he follows Ciarra, she leads him to his bedroom and sits on his bed, staring up at him as she bites her bottom lip seductively.
"Come and sit with me." She says to Panda whose nerves and fear are making him sweat.
"N–no, I'll go have a shower." He says as he leaves the bedroom. Has she been sleeping in his room?
"Do you want me to join you– oops, I meant do you want me to wait for you?" Ciarra calls after him.
Panda rolls his eyes and ignores her as he enters the bathroom in Tina's old room. As he glances around, the memories of the island swim in his head. Her soft skin, rosy lips, her alluring smile. The feel of kissing her naked body.
"Why do you have to be so beautiful Tina Gold?" He whispers as he looks in the mirror.
After Panda leaves the bathroom, he finds Ciarra lying on his bed wearing only her underwear. She glances behind at him and smirks, climbing off the bed and approaching him, "Let's have some fun." Her fingers trail over his chest as she glances up at him coyly.
This woman thinks I am the prey but it's only a matter of time when the tables will be flipped. Panda thinks to himself as he watches the foolish woman acting with no dignity.
How can this woman even compare to Tina?