"This is the second and final warning," Zhaoyi's voice interrupted Nicole's wandering thoughts as she stood near the deck of the ship, at the front end braving the strong wind there. "If you repeat your actions, I will not hesitate to take further measures." With that, he draped his black leather jacket over her shoulders, not wanting to see her get cold.
They stood shoulder to shoulder, both staring ahead at a blank canvas of black sea water and dark clouds that seemed to engulf everything around them. In the end, Nicole and Wu Zhaoyi were lost in the complicated thoughts that came into each of their heads regarding the future that felt so uncertain.
"We are a team now, let's work together to make it happen." Nicole replied as she pulled the man jacket closer to her body.
"Then you have to believe me." Wu Zhaoyi turned his head to the side. "Listen to me too." He said seriously.
Nicole was silent for a moment, "Next time I will be more careful." Her answer was neutral, neither confirming nor denying Zhaoyi's request. "I also have my own calculation, I will not sacrifice myself for something that does not bring the same results as my efforts."
Wu Zhaoyi knew that Shanshan would not listen to his words. This meant there was a possibility she would act impulsively in the future, potentially causing more harm to herself. "Let's make a deal," Zhaoyi said, feeling like he had no other option. "If you ever truly need to do something, please talk to any of us."
Nicole turned to Zhaoyi who was looking at her with concern, "Actually, that impulsiveness will get us all out of here."
"What's the point if we can get out of here, but as corpses?" Zhaoyi replied, "Don't try to make a decision that will end up hurting all of us, Shanshan."
When Nicole heard the name Zhaoyi's uttered, she felt a chill run through her body. She tried to attribute it to the harsh wind blowing against her face, but deep down Nicole knew the true reason. Even though Janice had mentioned her name countless times, hearing it from the man standing beside her now seemed to elicit a different reaction. It caused a fluttery feeling in Nicole's chest, like tiny tickles dancing beneath her skin.
"I understand," She said sincerely. "I will believe you, one more time."
Shanshan's words may have been said in a casual tone, but they struck a chord with Zhaoyi and caused some hurt. How could he expect her to trust him the same way after Zhaoyi had hurt Shanshan so deeply, especially when it involved her heart? The pain he caused had changed her, as pain often does to people.
"I know it may seem silly to you, but I have a feeling that one day we'll look back on the past as our time in Leeds," Zhaoyi's voice held a nostalgia with a hint of sadness, causing Nicole to feel a pang of melancholy in her heart. "Youth is such a precious and vibrant time and I will always remember it as a time filled with love."
Despite the stains and blue bruises that have become a constant in her life, Nicole agrees with Zhaoyi. Back then, she never realized the price she would have to pay, but now it's too late to turn back. Could she have avoided it back then if she had known the truth? Or perhaps she would have embraced it anyway, with all the consequences?
"Time is something that can never stop and the only thing that can happen is passing by." Nicole spoke in a low voice, "This is time that cannot be returned." It would also be a memory that she would hold dear in her life, all about her bright youth.
Nicole glanced behind her and saw the silhouettes of several figures making their way towards the outdoor area. She recognized them immediately based on their clothing and physical features, because she had been keeping a close eye on those faces. As part of their agreement not to put others in danger, Nicole promised herself that she would act impulsively, but without causing any harm to those around her.
"Trust me this time." Nicole said and made Zhaoyi turn to the side, facing the woman.
"What do you want to do?" Zhaoyi asked innocently, not expecting at all what Nicole would do next.
Stepping closer with her eyes constantly glancing at the entrance that would open in a matter of seconds. Nicole spoke one last time, "Just follow my lead." She said then stood on tiptoe with both hands raised and wrapped around Zhaoyi's neck, then right when the sound of the door opening, Nicole closed her eyes and pressed their lips together until there was only an inch distance there.
Zhaoyi's tense body was very obvious in Nicole's embrace, feeling the stiffness of his lips like blocks of ice. But, the dice is already thrown, there is no turning back now. Nicole continued to move her lips slowly and with determination, pulling Zhaoyi even closer until their bodies were pressed together like magnets.
The initial idea was for Kylie, the blonde to observe the situation for a bit. But things quickly spiraled out of control when Zhaoyi forcibly pushed Nicole's back, making her eyes open widely in shock. At that moment, Nicole could almost hear Zhaoyi's voice in her head saying, "Now it's my turn."
His lips pressed against her, feeling as hard as a brick wall before they softened and became like an ocean wave, ready to consume her completely. Zhaoyi's tongue eagerly explores Nicole's mouth, leaving nothing untouched. Why does it feel like he has been holding back all of his desires for her all this time? And why does Nicole feel such a strong response to Wu Zhaoyi? Her heart races in excitement and anticipation.
Despite the jumble of conflicting emotions and thoughts in her mind, Nicole ultimately decides to follow the pull of her heart's desires, disregarding any potential consequences. She lets her body guide her actions without trying to make sense of it. When you're in love, the only thing that matters is feeling genuine affection from that person through their touch.
Wu Zhaoyi touch reignites memories that she has deemed forbidden, but Nicole couldn't afford to be careless that time. The familiar movements, scent and even his breathing rhythm overwhelm her senses. Wu Zhaoyi is the only person who can enter her heart without even knocking, because he understands her on a level she had never known existed, his love for her exceeds her own self. While Nicole is overwhelmed by swirl feelings, she comes to the realization that Wu Zhaoyi still resides deep within her.
But the dangerous thing is that she wasn't aware, the kiss unlocked the doubt she had been praying about, 'Can I be with this man?' Tears stream down Nicole's cheeks. 'No, not as Nicole, but as Xiu Xieshan.'
The wind relentlessly blows, threatening to carry anything that stands in its way. Standing nearby, Kylie and Lai Xuting remain motionless, their gaze fixed on the two figures in front of them. The icy chill in the air attempts to freeze them, but their burning heart keeps them warm despite the freezing temperatures.
***
"You're his girlfriend?"
Asked a female voice behind Nicole as she walked back to her room. Without turning around, she already knew who the voice belonged to, because she had expected this to happen, but not this soon. "No," She replied and turned around, making them both face each other. "I'm his ex."
Without telling who the man Kylie was referring to, Nicole could answer clearly. "Is there something bothering you?" She asked, starting to provoke her.
"Because what I saw on the deck is not something an ex would do." Kylie commented with an unamused expression
"Yes, you're right. Because, we're considering getting back together." Nicole smiled.
"Really?" One of Kylie's eyebrows raised.
With both arms folded in front of her chest, Nicole continued with a wider smile on her lips, "This time we're even considering getting married."
There was a long pause from Kylie, as if quite surprised and confused on what to answer. "Then, how about we celebrate? Since A-yi~ saved my life today, then that means I have to repay him abundantly."
A-yi? Nicole was unmoved when the woman called Wu Zhaoyi by a nickname, which should only be used by those close to him. Did the man intentionally let Kylie call him by that name? Or perhaps Lai Xuting?
Kylie glanced at her watch, noting that it was almost midnight. "Let's go now while the night is still young," She said firmly. "Come on, Miss Nicole, one drink won't hurt." The woman said with a wide grin, her lips almost seeming to swallow her whole.
This was a red light that Nicole also couldn't see, if feelings were involved, there would be no fairness in the outcome for the loser.
Zhaoyi prepared to retire for the night, when he suddenly heard the doorbell ring. He was surprised to see Janice on his doorstep, breathing heavily and looking like she had just run a long distance. "Shan Jie~," She gasped, leaning against the doorway before speaking again. "She's in trouble."
Hurrying to catch up with Janice, they arrived at the pub he had visited earlier, but now the atmosphere was much more energetic. Seeing everyone standing around the pool table in the corner, it seemed like something interesting was happening there.
"What's going on?" Zhaoyi asked Lai Xuting and Miss Rong who were in the front row while watching the two people playing at the table. As he took in the scene, Zhaoyi finally realized the true identity of these players and understood the potential danger that Janice had warned him about. It was none other than Shanshan and Kylie, two drunk women playing pool.
"They are playing the game about you," Miss Rong replied with a gaze fixed on the table.
"What exactly is it?" Zhaoyi watched Shanshan who seemed to be concentrating on putting the billiard ball with the stick in her hand into one of the holes, but failed.
"The winner will sleep with you," Janice, who was already standing beside Zhaoyi, breathed normally.
Zhaoyi frowned and turned to Janice for a moment, but did not find any joking expression there. The woman just shrugged, as if she did not really know anything about what was really happening there.
"Then, what about the score now?" Zhaoyi turned to Lai Xuting who was standing beside him on the other side, both the man's eyes straight at the table with a worried and slightly annoyed expression.
"Can't you see it clearly? Who's leading there?"
It was clear to everyone that one of the women could stand without assistance while the other had to rely on the table for support. It was no surprise then, that one would likely score more points and the other would lose the game. Zhaoyi was aware of Shanshan's lack of tolerance for alcohol.
"But, I can turn things around." Lai Xuting continued and turned to Zhaoyi. "Who do you want to be the winner?"
Zhaoyi understood the meaning of Lai Xuting's question directed at him.
"Think carefully, Director Wu." Miss Rong added, "This opportunity doesn't come twice."
When Shanshan begins to scratch her skin and is on verge of a breakdown due to an allergic reaction from the drinks, Wu Zhaoyi decides to put his trust in the path she has already opened up for them.
"Let's just end the game like this." Wu Zhaoyi's answer was cold but there was a hidden emotion there, "I don't want to waste her efforts and disappoint her."
As expected, Kylie quit victorious despite her semi-conscious state. However, Shanshan was in an even worse condition and had to sit on the sofa, unable to stand up straight.
"Here, drink this." Zhaoyi handed Shanshan a glass of warm water, anticipating this moment. He sat beside the woman and hugged her, letting Shanshan rest on him. "Try not to scratch your skin, it might leave marks. Keep drinking water."
While they thought they had enough time, other voices were heard around the room. "Since I'm the winner, then I can have my prize, right?" Kylie was already standing by the door frame, directing her gaze towards Zhaoyi to get the prize she was referring to.
Zhaoyi gently guided Shanshan's limp body towards the sofa so she could rest. Just as he was about to step away, her hand grabbed his collar and a faint whisper escaped the woman's lips, "Come back to me, okay?" The scent of alcohol lingered in the air, telling Zhaoyi just how much she had consumed to reach this state. "I'll be waiting for you."
Nicole's hands slowly let go of Wu Zhaoyi's clothes after she finished speaking. Zhaoyi wasted no time and stood up from the sofa, heading straight towards Kylie who had a wide grin on her face in anticipation of his arrival.
"Let's go," She said and turned her body to walk out of the pub. But only taking two steps, her legs suddenly gave out and Zhaoyi had to catch her slim figure to prevent the woman from falling to the ground.
Compared to Kylie, who appeared to be a stronger drinker than Shanshan, she also couldn't stand straight. Zhaoyi couldn't imagine how much Shanshan had been drinking, in that state she should have been unconscious and not even bothering with playing billiards. Yet, despite her obvious intoxication, Shanshan was still trying to hold on with all her might, which warmed Zhaoyi's heart as it showed she was actually waiting for him.
***