The morning of the business trip dawned cold and gray, a thin fog hanging over the city like a veil. Ivy stood at the curb, her suitcase at her feet, waiting for the black car that Lu Cheng had arranged to pick her up. Her heart was still racing from the events of the previous day. She could hardly believe that in a few hours, she'd be boarding a private jet alongside one of the most powerful men she had ever met.
A sleek black sedan pulled up in front of her, and the driver, a tall, stone-faced man, stepped out to load her luggage into the trunk. He didn't say a word as Ivy slid into the backseat, but the air inside the car was heavy with tension. She wasn't sure if it was her nerves or the fact that she was heading into unknown territory with Lu Cheng.
They arrived at the airport, and Ivy couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and intimidation at the sight of the private jet waiting for them on the tarmac. The sleek lines of the aircraft gleamed under the cloudy sky, and she felt a lump form in her throat. This was her life now, a whirlwind of uncertainty, wrapped in luxury.
As she approached the jet, the door swung open, and Lu Cheng appeared at the top of the stairs, his mask firmly in place as always. His dark eyes locked on hers, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Are you ready?" he asked, his voice cool and detached, as if this was just another routine day.
Ivy nodded, forcing a smile. "Yes, sir."
"Good. Follow me."
Inside the jet, everything was pristine, from the plush leather seats to the crystal glassware neatly arranged on the side table. Ivy tried to settle into her seat as casually as she could, but every movement felt awkward under Lu Cheng's intense gaze. He sat across from her, his posture relaxed, though his eyes were unreadable behind the mask.
The silence between them was almost unbearable. Ivy glanced out of the window, watching as the ground crew prepared for takeoff. Her mind raced with questions, but she didn't dare ask them. Not yet.
Once the plane was in the air, Lu Cheng finally broke the silence. "Do you know why I chose you for this trip?"
Ivy blinked, caught off guard by the directness of the question. She fumbled for a moment before responding, "No, sir. I don't."
He leaned back in his seat, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
"I've been watching you. You've handled your tasks well, despite the... unusual circumstances." His eyes flickered with a hint of something Ivy couldn't quite place. Was it amusement? Or something darker?
"Thank you, sir," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lu Cheng nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "But I didn't bring you on this trip for your skills alone."
Ivy's heart skipped a beat. There it was again, that undercurrent of something she couldn't quite grasp. What was he getting at?
"I need someone who can keep their mouth shut," he continued, his tone cold and cutting.
"Someone who understands that what happens on this trip stays between us. Are you that person, Ivy?"
The weight of his words pressed down on her. She swallowed hard, feeling the walls close in around her. "Yes, sir," she managed to say, though her voice wavered slightly.
"Good," Lu Cheng said, leaning forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Because if you aren't, I'll find someone who is. Do I make myself clear?"
Ivy's breath hitched. She nodded quickly. "Crystal clear."
Lu Cheng's expression remained impassive as he settled back in his seat. "We'll be meeting with some important clients. Keep your eyes and ears open, but your mouth shut."
Ivy felt the full gravity of her situation settle over her. This was no ordinary business trip. There was something much bigger at play, something she wasn't being told. The intensity of Lu Cheng's warning made her skin crawl, but she couldn't back out now.
The rest of the flight passed in silence. Ivy stared out of the window, trying to calm the storm brewing inside her. She knew she was in over her head, but there was no turning back. Whatever secrets this trip held, she was about to find out, and she wasn't sure she was ready for the answers.
As the jet began its descent, Lu Cheng stood up, straightening his jacket. "We land in fifteen minutes," he said, his tone businesslike once more. "You'll stay close to me at all times. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Ivy replied, her heart racing.
When the jet touched down and they stepped off the plane, Ivy was greeted by the sight of an opulent resort nestled against the edge of a sprawling city. It was clear they were far from the familiar chaos of the office, this was a different world altogether.
A fleet of luxury cars awaited them, and Lu Cheng wasted no time getting into one. Ivy followed, her thoughts spinning as the car sped toward their destination. She still had no idea what to expect, but one thing was certain, nothing about this trip was what it seemed.
And the further she got from home, the more dangerous the game became.