Dinner was being served downstairs and Jo was thinking whether she should go, or not. If she didn't go, she would lead him to believe, that she was afraid of him... well that was true... but if she went, what if he tried to do something indecent to her again. Having diner served into her room, was now not allowed, the Butler said so earlier on the phone "room service was not accustomed in this house". Yeah right, that's a massive lie, most definitely a certain someone gave the order to the staff, to not serve her. Oh well then so be it.
After a while, Jo went to the walk-in closet wearing a thin summery dress and came out in a full winter outfit, like she was ready to go skiing. She wore a wide fit turtle neck woolly pullover, a pair of boyfriend jeans stuffed into a pair of thick woolly knee length socks. She tied her hair up in a loose bun and put on a pair of fake spectacles. "The dork next door" image fitted her perfectly. Jo wanted to dress less attractive, maybe she would deter that man's sexual needs.
When she entered the dining room, the man sitting at the table looked up at her nonchalantly. Her clothing layers didn't bothered him at all.
Jo sat down in her chair, was she overthinking, this man didn't seem to even notice her and she was so hot, that heat waves went down her spine.
Jo stuffed her face with rice, she gobbled so much rice, that she couldn't chew anymore and she started choking severely.
Lu Ye Ze stood up from his chair quickly and patted her back, while giving her a glass of water. After a few minutes, Jo could breathe again, she looked up at the man next to her and she saw a trace of worry in his face. She couldn't help in felling moved by his actions recently... aside the indecent ones.
After checking that the girl was fine, he sat back in his chair.
"I have to attend a banquet next week" finally the man broke the silence. Jo looked up at him... and what has that got to do with me, I am a mere prisoner"
"You will accompany me as my wife!"
When she heard the next sentence Jo splurged out the sip of water she just took, starting to choke again. The man looked at her with furrowed brows.
Jo recovered quickly and stuttered...
"As, as ... sorry, as what? What?!"
Lu Ye Ze looked up at her. He allowed the girl to digest the news, she will come around eventually.
"Me? As your wife? Why... you don't even know me..."
"Who says so?" Lu Ye Ze asked, he had conducted a complete investigation on her, after being informed that his "dying wife" walked up from her death bed and didn't look like she was going to die any time sooner.
Jo was puzzled, what does this man know. He now has my documents, has he investigated me back home, was he the one who leaked the news that I died in a terrorist attack?.
After dinner Lu Ye Ze went to the study to continue working, while Jo went to the living room. She took of a layer of clothes and was now sitting comfortably in a tank top and a pair of jeans with a book in her hand. It was the one she was trying to reach for earlier. Lu Ye Ze had taken it out for her and left it on the coffee table.
In the office Lu Ye Ze was on the phone with Dong Zai.
"How long ago?"
"About half an hour ago Master, at Shanghai casino, Lu Ye Han just booked a private room and Slaughter entered a while later. They both stayed there for about twenty minutes, then Lu Ye Han came out first and minutes later so did Slaughter.
Police found the body of an important business man, Sun Fei in a hotel room, he was undressed and had mosquito bite marks all over. They are still investigating the case to find the cause of death. The dead man that was in the same room with the woman we saved, was his translator"
"Investigate what was the connection between Sun Fey and Ye Han, also find out what is Slaughter's next target"
"Yes Master"
Lu Ye Ze put the phone down and lit a cigar, he left it in the marble ashtray to burn out. He stood up from his leather chair and left the office. Downstairs, Jo has fallen asleep on the sofa with the book on her chest. The man sat down in the armchair opposite and admired the asleep girl. After he had enough, he approached her, bent down and picked her up in his arms. Jo was deep in her sleep, she felt a warm embrace with a hint of tobacco. She has always been drawn by the smell of tobacco, so she snuggled in to the man's chest, to indulge a bit closer on his scent.
The man froze on his spot at the girl's reaction, he felt his heart beating faster in his chest while his stomach was filling with some sort of fuzziness. He liked this feeling, he was making him want more, so he bent down his head and laid a soft kiss on the corner of the girl's lips. His chest started burning, the tingling sensation from his stomach travelled through his whole body now reaching the tips of his toes. A faint smile curved on his lips and then carried the girl upstairs.
The next morning Jo woke up in her bed. Shock took over her whole body, she lifted the duvet and she realised she was still dressed. Jo breathed a sigh of relieve and went to wash up. She looked in the mirror and small bruises were visible on her neck and shoulders. What was this...
Downstairs Lu Ye Ze was drinking his tea in the conservatory, it was a sunny day today and the room emanated a warm, homely feel. He realised since the girl has started living here, the estate seemed more lively and welcoming. His thoughts distracted him from reading, so he put the newspaper down and lifted his head. At that moment Jo's figure was trespassing the doorframe.
"Ri-el!" The man called her.
Jo has heard this name before so she turned her head and looked in the direction that the sound came from. Her eyes shoot wide open and got captivated by the man sitting at the breakfast table. He was wearing a white shirt, with his sleeves rolled up and with two buttons undone revealing his Adam's apple, his dark eyes were gazing at her, while his soft lips looked quite appetising. The tobacco smoke was dancing on the beams of sunlight, making his appearance God like, his aloofness was so seductive, that she was instantly drawn towards him.
Jo was donning a white midi chiffon dress today, with a pair of red high heel sandals. Her long black curls were hugging her shoulders, while her lips wore a rosy lipstick. Her mesmerising big black eyes were fixated on him and were getting closer and closer. Her manner and aura fascinated him, this girl has gone through tremendous torture, that many couldn't withstand, yet she looked unaffected. Her aura was making her shine bright and free, while her manner was gentle, yet sophisticated. She was held captive, but she moved around freely and confidently. Her delicate appearance appeased the man, making him fluster.
Jo stood three steps away from him, looking confused.
"Ri-el?"
"That is the name I gave you"
Jo wanted to retort, but she liked her new name, it sounded more unique than her common name. She always wished to change it, but her status wasn't allowing her.
"I like it!" Jo replied smiling at the man.
Lu Ye Ze was taken aback by her reply and her sweet smile, he expected her to confront him and raise an argument. He was pleasantly surprised, his eyes lingering on her lips, a tad longer than it should have. He was getting thirsty, very thirsty.
"Take a seat and have some breakfast"
Jo pulled the chair opposite him and sat down. He poured her a glass of orange juice and placed a croissant on his plate.
"Butter or Jam?"
"Both" replied Jo.
The man gave her a subtle smile and handed her the prepared croissant. Although she was locked in this place by this man, unable to contact her family and return home, she felt safe and taken care of. As soon as he moved into the house, he took great care of her and the staff satisfied all her requests. She had everything she needed in this house, a gym, a spa, a tennis court and horse racing tracks, there was even a lake where you can take a boat, but she wondered if she would ever be able to step outside the gates. Jo looked up at the man, who was intently watching her and said.
"Where is agent M? I would like to go out"