[Years of hard work and being in several relationships, how come I never realized I was being used].
[On that rainy night...]
".What the hell are you saying!" Xiaobo's voice cracked with panic.
".What don't you get... the USB drive has been stolen!" Lei Wuije's voice shook as he paced, the panic in his eyes matching hers.
".How is that possible? Weren't you supposed to keep it safe?" Xiaobo questioned him.
".How would I have known a thief would find my secret safe?" Lei's breath hitched, running his fingers through his hair, and his voice wavered.
".I can't believe this!" She breathed heavily, ".We just need to figure out what to do now." They both paced around, panicking.
"Wait a minute..." Xiabo's eyes narrowed as a thought hit her.
".Did you figure something out?" Lei Wuije stopped, turning to her.
".A thief found your secret safe?" She asked, her tone laced with suspicion.
"Yeah! What's wrong... do you suspect anyone?" He asked curiously.
"Mei Lien lives here, doesn't she?" Xiaobo's voice dropped to a near whisper.
".We both know she hardly ever comes into my room." Lei Wuije rubbing his fingers through his hair, shot back defensively.
".She's your girlfriend!" Xiabo snapped, her voice louder now, filled with frustration
".[Sighs]." Lei Wuije exhaled sharply.
Suddenly, they heard someone call out his name.
"Lei Wuije!" The sharp voice pierced through the room.
"Lien!" Lei turned to see Mei Lien, her eyes red and swollen from crying. He rushed toward her, but she shoved him back with all the strength she had.
".How could you!" Mei Lien's voice trembled with emotions.
".What are you talking about?" His eyes widened, panic rising within him.
".How could you cheat on me!" she cried out, her voice cracking with disbelief.
".Cheat?... What are you talking about?" Lei's voice wavered as dread flooded his veins.
".And you... Xiaobo!" She turned to her friend, eyes burning with betrayal. "You were my best friend!"
Xiaobo crossed her arms, a small smirk playing on her lips, her calm demeanor unsettling. "You finally found out, huh?" She stepped closer, placing her hand on his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.
".You!" Mei Lien's finger shook as she pointed at them both. Her body trembling in anger. "I trusted you!"
". nothing is going on between us!" Lei shoved Xiaobo away, walking slowly toward Mei Lien.
".Explain this, then!" She threw her phone at him.
Lei caught it, and his blood ran cold when he saw the damning image—the one of him and Xiaobo, locked in an intimate embrace at the office.
".I can't believe it... my best friend and my boyfriend... together." Her voice cracked as tears rolled down her cheeks.
".I can explain!" Lei tried to reach for her, but she pulled away.
".Don't touch me!" she cried, backing away in disgust.
".Wuije," her voice dripping with sarcasm. Why are you still pretending? Just tell her the truth!" Xiaobo's voice was sharp, cutting through the tension.
".Shut up!" Lei yelled at her before turning back to Mei Lien.
".I can explain!" His eyes pleaded, but his words seemed hollow.
".Explain?" Her voice dropped. "Is this what you're looking for?"
Mei Lien pulled out the USB drive from her pocket and raised it in the air.
".USB!" Xiaobo gasped as she shot up from her seat, eyes wide with panic.
".Lien... calm down and hand it over," Lei said, trying to stay composed.
".What's so important about it?" Mei Lien's eyes narrowed.
".This is business, Lien. Just give it back." Lei's voice softened, though his nerves were on edge.
".What if I don't?" Mei Lien challenged, holding the USB tightly.
".Give me the damn thing!" Xiaobo screamed, her patience breaking as she threw her champagne glass onto the floor, the shattering glass sending an echo through the room.
At that moment, Mei Lien rushed out of the room without a second glance at them.
".What was that for?" Lei snapped at Xiaobo, fury flashing in his eyes.
".She has the USB, Wuije! And you expect me to stay calm?" Xiaobo shot back, her eyes blazing with fury.
".I was going to get it back!" Lei shouted, frustrated.
".How?" Xiaobo sneered. "She already knows about us! Do you still think she loves you after all this?" She shot back.
".What are we going to do now?" Lei muttered, running a hand through his hair, panic creeping in.
".If that information gets out, we're not just finished... we're ruined!" Xiaobo's voice trembled with fear. "Do you get that?
---
[Outside in the rain...]
Mei Lien's heart ached as she stumbled down the street, her vision blurred with tears. Everything felt unreal—the betrayal, the lies, the heartbreak. Lei Wuije... Xiaobo... she thought they were her world, and now, it was all crumbling.
"Do you know how much I loved you?" Mei Lien whispered, recalling the words he once said. She shook her head in disbelief, her chest tightening with pain. She felt lost, adrift in her grief. Step after step, she wandered.
She didn't notice the speeding car.
The screech of tires. The blinding headlights. It all happened so fast and everything went black.
---
[Elsewhere...]
A woman in black sat calmly at a café, sipping her tea. Her eyes watched the world outside, but her thoughts were elsewhere. A boy rushed toward her, panting.
".[Pants]".
".What's wrong?" she asked, her voice cool as she took another sip of tea.
".I followed your instructions, but... something unexpected happened."
".Did anything happen to her?" She turned her head slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
".She... was knocked down." The boy lowered his head, barely able to meet her gaze.
".What!" Her calm facade cracked for a moment. She stood abruptly, her tea forgotten on the table.
---
[Two days after Mei Lien's death. Back at Lei Wuije's house...]
".You shouldn't go out right now," Xiaobo said, lounging on the bed as she scrolled through her phone.
".A meeting came up," Lei said as he adjusted his tie, his voice cold.
".The paparazzi are swarming out there, remember?" She reminded him with a lazy smile.
Lei shrugged, his eyes emotionless. "What can I say? My girlfriend's dead and gone."
Xiaobo smirked, standing up to fix his collar. ".I can see the joy in your heart." She laughed softly.
".Now that the USB's gone with her, I don't mind," Lei muttered darkly, his lips curling into a small, twisted smile.
".But don't forget—" Xiaobo's voice turned serious, "You need to put up an act that you loved her, at least for the media and to spice things up."
Lei chuckled. "You want to tag along?" He wrapped his arms around her waist, smirking.
".Do you want to stir more trouble?" she teased, pushing him away playfully.
".I'll miss you," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her neck.
".Come back early," she smiled, watching him leave.
".Sure... and keep yourself safe," Lei added before walking out the door.
".Mei Lien..." Xiaobo whispered to herself, a sly smile forming on her lips. "....finally I have got what you hold so dear.....you might as well come to take him away if you could rise from the dead."