It was a bright and sunny Saturday, Li Na was at the Songshan Airport (TSA), boarding the plane for the short two-hour flight to Keelung city, despite the sunny weather Li Na felt gloomy, sad, and down.
Despite the short distance, It was a long journey back to her parents' house in Keelung city, Li Na was filled with dread as the thought of seeing Chen Yinnan literally made her queasy, and her belly was in a knot as she kept on biting her lips.
Without even realizing it, Li Na finds herself highlighting from the plane as she awaited the arrival of their family driver, Mr. Li which her mother sent to pick her up.
Li Na was relaxed when Mr. Li met her at the airport terminal. He called to her and his smile spreading all over his wrinkled face. Li Na had always been happy in the presence of Mr, Li because he was the only one apart from Mrs. Chen who cared for her like his own daughter despite not having one of his own.
She wished the old Mr.Li had a way for her to contact her because the old Man never bothered to try to use a phone since the advent of cellular phones or smartphones.
"It is great to have you back, Ms. Li Na. how are you doing?"Mr. Li asked as he collected the luggage which Li Na carried into the car.
"I'm fine Mr.Li, How's father's health?"Li Na asked as she got into the car.
"He's getting better. Li Na you don't have to look worried, You need to take care of yourself before worrying about others."
"Mr. Li. I'm okay. I just need to rest for a while and I will become better"
After chatting and he urged Li Na to rest and he kept on driving. He seemed to know what she needed as she lay her head on the headrest.
Li Na did not feel the need to sleep as they drove through the city and out into the countryside.
Li Na was completely engrossed in her thoughts when her phone abruptly rang. She answered the phone since it was a call from Li Jun.
"Hello?"
"Li Na."
Her stray thoughts calmed as she grinned broadly at the sound of his voice. "Hello."
"Just wanted to know if you've gotten to Keelung."
She gazed at the trees, which were blurry due to the speed of the car. "Not yet. What are you doing now that you're back at home" Li Na inquired.
"I'm having lunch at my place. I saw your text reminding me to eat lunch before I join you ." Li Jun chuckled.
Li Na breathed deeply, glad that he was still coming at least after the confrontation with her parents she will be able to stay with him at the hotel. "I- that's good…"
"I need to see you."
"I want to see you too. But we'll see each other when you are back, the next day."
"I need to speak with you about something, Li Na." Li Jun breathed.
He continued cautiously" You mentioned your ex, and the letter and flowers you received recently, prompted me to do some research on him. I hired a private investigator to look into it, and—"
"Yes, what happened, Li Jun? What is it?"Li Na interrupted him because she was agitated and concerned about Li Jun discovering something more incriminating about Chen Yinnan.
Li Jun's voice grew raspy. "I wanted to tell you in advance so that You wouldn't be upset. I don't want you to be shocked when you see him, Chen Yinnan has being released prior to the time he was supposed to be released."
Li Na took a deep breath. "Ah, when my mother called me the other day, she said he'd been released and that I should expect to see him."
"What! Li Na, you're heading there without informing me that you'll be meeting him. But, despite what that jerk did to you, how can your mother do that? Li Na, how can you agree to that?" Li Jun yelled and screamed at Li Na over the phone, forcing Li Na to take the phone away from her ear for a while.
"I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to feel burdened, Li Jun. I also don't want you to yell at me like you are right now." Li Na remarked this as she rubbed her finger on her forehead.
"I'm not bothered by anything about you, Li Na. It's important to me that you're protected, especially from that douche." He took a breath and stopped. "Of course, all I want to do right now is come to you and protect you, and yes, I realize we have to keep up the pretense of not being connected. But, Crap! I prefer not to keep our relationship a secret."
"I understand, Li Jun and that is why I'm going back home to give the past a needed closure. Do you get me? "
"I do Li Na, Li Na…" he began, dropping his voice, "I don't like this any more than you do. But I would like to have you with me right now, I'm not feeling calm knowing that, that man is free-roaming about, especially near you. It feels; like I'm sending my sheep to the wolf den."Li Jun grumbled
Li Na's eyes immediately start twitching. "Your sheep? What is that?"
He began muttering under his breath. " It is a metaphor Li Na, a metaphor. I just want to keep you safe and happy"
"Stop being a baby, I'm happy that you want to make me happy and safe but this is my fight alone Li Jun and I want to fight because I know I have someone who now cares about me."Li Na smiled at his antics.
"Really? Well, What about making me happy?"
"What? I…" Li Na was at a loss for words.
He fumed slightly. "Will you promise to see me by Sunday night, instead?"
"Won't you rest after coming to this place?"
"No, I'm not tired. I'll like to take you to dinner at the restaurant I researched recently. It is a newly established restaurant and they are famous for their steak, you will like it.""Okay, I will see to that. No pranks.."Li Na warned him.
"Hmm...Not for what I have in mind. You promised. You know. Remember you will have a sleepover at my place"
Li Na grinned as she remembered the grownup sleepover she had lately discovered through Li Jun.
"So, do you think I'll see you on Sunday night?" His voice was reduced to a sultry murmur.
"Um, of course.". I'll see you soon, and remember to send me the hotel you will be lodging at, okay."
On the other end of the line, silence echoed.
"Hello?" Li Na move her phone to her left-hand side, thinking that the phone reception was not good. "Li jun? Are you still there?"
"I'm here." Li Jun's tone was slightly mellowed.
He was silent for another moment before he resumed speaking. "I will do that."
As he continued, Li Jun breathed deeply into the phone. " Okay, take care of yourself. On Sunday, I'll inform the receptionist, who will let you into the room where I'll be staying."
"Okay."
"See you in a few hours."