Nicole awoke to the midday sun pouring into her room, completely different from when she had fallen asleep the night before. As she looked around, she noticed Miss Rong standing near the large glass window, lost in thought.
"Where's Janice?" Nicole asked, noticing the woman's absence then sat up on her bed. Because they had been together since yesterday, it felt odd to only see one of the two women in front of her.
"She's observing them playing golf." Miss Rong said, facing Nicole who still seemed half-asleep.
"We need to catch up with her soon," she said resolutely while stretching her body to get up from the bed.
"No need." Miss Rong stopped Nicole, "In an hour, this ship will make a stop at one of the cities in Hong Kong. You can get off there and return to Shanghai."
The woman lifted both hands in front of her chest and continued, "I will speak to Director Li about this to prevent any trouble later on." She then headed towards the exit door, clearing the room for Nicole to get ready.
"Give me one valid reason." Nicole remained unmoved as she demanded.
Miss Rong inhaled sharply and responded, "I can give you two clear reasons." She then faced Nicole locking eyes with her. "One, you've already had two accidents within a single day. I shudder to think what would happen if you stayed here for a week, I might have to physically carry you out myself."
The woman's emotional tone made Nicole realize that Miss Rong was genuinely concerned about her well-being. "Two, you are a weakness for Wu Zhaoyi. He keeps risking his own safety to save you." Her voice then softened, "Wu Zhaoyi can't even concentrate on anything when you're there."
Nicole did not give any response, then turned to the large glass window where Miss Rong had been standing. "Our main goal is to bring that blonde woman to you, right?" She repeated the woman's words from yesterday, "How about letting me do it?"
Miss Rong looked confused, "What do you mean?"
"I will be the one who brings Kylie Howe to you." Nicole explained her plan and stared at Miss Rong closely.
Miss Rong's expression still looked doubtful, but Nicole's next words were the ones that left a deep impression on the woman's mind, "Trust me."
***
"I think you should rest a little longer." Lai Xuting suggested that when he saw the golf ball that Kylie hit went off the board and fell into the sea outside. Even though the situation was awkward because of yesterday's incident, Lai Xuting still had to do his part until they could finally get out of here. "You look pale."
Although she didn't want to admit it, Kylie realized that Lai Xuting's words were true. She wasn't in a good condition, even her vision wasn't clear enough to see the surroundings which were actually quite bright because the sun was right above them.
"Let's have a short break." Kylie put the golf stick in her hand on the nearest table and entered the large room which was already filled with people having breakfast.
Lai Xuting took a cold lemon water and gave it to Kylie, who accepted it and placed the glass on the empty table in front of her, while she sat on one of the soft chairs facing the sea view outside.
"How is he?" Kylie asked after a moment of silence, glancing at Lai Xuting beside her.
Without needing to ask for clarification about who Kylie was talking about, Lai Xuting answered confidently. "I don't know, I haven't seen him since last night." He then turned to Kylie and asked, "Are you worried about Wu Zhaoyi?"
Kylie remained silent, but the woman's weary eyes gave away her deep curiosity. Despite trying to conceal her emotions, they were evident. "I'm exhausted," she eventually stated, not wanting to wait for Wu Zhaoyi there any longer. "We can play again another day."
When Kylie stood up from her chair and prepared to leave the place, suddenly her eyes caught a male and female couple who were chatting while laughing walking from the entrance towards her. As the two got closer, her eyes widened when she realized who the brown-haired man with Nicole was. "Brian?"
As if hearing his name being called by someone there, the brown-haired man wearing an oversized beach shirt turned to the woman standing not far in front of him. "Kylie?" he asked with an expression and voice that was surprised like the woman. "You're here too?"
With Nicole holding one of the man's hands, she had no choice but to go along as Brian led the way towards Kylie and Lai Xuting. Out of all four of them, Nicole appeared to be the most collected, as if she had foreseen this encounter happening.
Despite the surprise on the faces of those in front of her, Nicole still didn't seem satisfied. She raised her other hand and casually tightened her grip on Brian's arm, showing no signs of discomfort from the man at all.
"Since you're here, that means you have to come to my birthday party tonight." The man's broad smile revealed his obliviousness to the tension in the room. "Feel free to bring your partner too." Brian's eyes darted over to Lai Xuting.
"How do you two know each other?" Kylie asked, stuttering slightly. "I'm sure you've never mentioned that woman's name before."
Brian's eyebrow arched curiously when he followed Kylie's gaze. It didn't take long for him to figure out what the woman was asking. "Are you talking about Nicole?" he clarified, wanting to make sure. "If so, that would mean I met her after our divorce."
The statement came out easily from Brian's mouth, there was no emotional feeling like sadness or sorrow heard there. "I choose Nicole as my partner for tonight," he declared with confidence, turning his head to beam a happy smile at the woman next to him.
"Didn't you mention wanting to check the pool before the party starts?" Nicole suddenly reminded him, then glanced at the watch on her hand, "We should hurry, the sun is already starting to set."
As if remembering their original plan of why they were there, Brian looked at Kylie and Lai Xuting once more before walking. "See you tonight guys," he said, raising one hand and waving it at the two people. "Also you promised to swim with me later."
Brian's eyes flickered to Kylie and Lai Xuting with one last glance before heading off. "See you tonight," he gave a small wave to the two individuals. "Don't forget, you promised to swim with me later."
The words came from Brian, but they were no longer directed at Kylie or Lai Xuting as he had already walked away, leaving the two of them behind. However, his voice could still be heard by those in the vicinity, including Wu Zhaoyi who stood frozen, watching the two people approach him.
Maybe among all the plans she had made, Nicole did not predict that the man would see her there with Brian. But even though she knew Wu Zhaoyi would be there, Nicole would still carry out the plan. Because her target now is only Kylie, then anything outside of that she would not care.
Nicole may not have anticipated that the man would spot her with Brian in that particular location. However, she was determined to follow through with her plan, even though she knew Wu Zhaoyi would be present. Because Kylie was her main target, then anything outside of that she was not concerned.
"You're going to wear the swimsuit I got you, right?" Brian asked enthusiastically, waiting for Nicole's response, unaware of the piercing gazes given to him by the three people there.
"I'll do whatever you want," Nicole replied with a faint smile.
To outsiders, Brian and Nicole may have seemed like a newlywed couple due to their physical proximity and intimate conversations. But when it reached the ears of the three people who were standing just a few steps away from the couple, the annoyance was clearly visible and so was the feeling of irritation that arose in their chests as if they wanted to slam something to calm it down.
"When I first saw that yellow bikini, I immediately thought of you. Unexpectedly, one day I would actually see you wearing it." Brian's voice when he said that was a combination of lust and desire. Even a dog could see and feel how lewd those two eyes were when they stared at Nicole.
In spite of the man's good looks, Wu Zhaoyi paid him no mind. His complete lack of manners overshadowed any positive qualities he may possess. When the couple walked by, Wu Zhaoyi purposely shifted his leg, causing Brian to lose balance and fall to the ground.
"Oh, my apologies." Wu Zhaoyi said, looking down at the man with his usual detached expression. "I didn't notice any garbage there." He then briefly glanced at Nicole before walking away, leaving them behind.
A faint scream was heard behind Wu Zhaoyi which of course came from the trash he had mentioned earlier, but unfortunately Wu Zhaoyi didn't care because he didn't want to see the two people together there.
Kylie and Lai Xuting's eyes followed Wu Zhaoyi as he walked past them with a calm expression, as if nothing had happened. Regardless of the fact that they were well aware of the emotional turmoil he was going through, based on his small actions towards Brian earlier. But in the end, no one really knew for sure what Wu Zhaoyi was feeling at that moment, except for himself.
***
The sun began to set, the pool party was in full swing with guests wearing nothing but bikinis and swimsuits, per Brian's strict dress code. The DJ positioned high above the pool on the outer deck of the ship, pumped out lively music that filled the air and made everyone feel happy and energized for the night ahead.
There was an abundance of food and alcohol, adding to the joy of everyone present. As a result, the atmosphere became boisterous and chaotic, while the host of the party seemed unfazed since he didn't know most of the attendees very well.
Nicole stepped through the heavy iron door, which effectively muted the sound of the music. She needed a quiet place to take a call and the emergency exit area seemed like the perfect spot. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" she asked into her phone.
"Kylie Howe is Brian Ross's legal wife," Han Yao's voice was heard speaking from the other end of the phone, "But they divorced a few years ago."
This information immediately made Nicole realize that she was really in big and serious trouble, "Then what about that woman?"
"Li Rong is the woman who became the third wheel between the two of them, which led to their divorce." Han Yao's calm voice when giving the information was in stark contrast to Nicole who was already starting to get goosebumps hearing every word that came out of her comrade's mouth.
"Moreover, I don't think Director Li was completely honest with you guys."
"Why?" Nicole's breath became short and her palm holding the small object felt cold.
"Miss Rong is actually Director Li's daughter," It was an unexpected jackpot that had been prepared for Nicole. "I've checked it many times, I can even send their photos or medical tests as proof."
Nicole shifted her weight against the wall and let out a long sigh, closing her eyes. She took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself, but the gentle rocking of the ship made her even more disoriented. Even though she knew she was on a large vessel, the sound of the waves crashing against the hull was clear in her mind, making her feel like she was lost at sea. "Anything else?"
Han Yao could sense the emotions in Nicole's voice when heard the news. However, she had a duty to relay all of the information she had, even if it meant conveying a harsh truth. "Do you know why Director Li chose you to eliminate that blonde woman?"
There was no response from Nicole, but Han Yao could project the woman's eyes staring straight at her. "Because, Kylie Howe's father is one of the strongest gangsters in mainland Europe. Poking him or his daughter is the same as seeking a painful death."
Han Yao took a deep breath, knowing that there was no need for her to explain further. She knew that the other person understood this world all too well. Han Yao's voice softened as she continued, "Besides, I have no doubt that the truth will soon be revealed to that woman and she will uncover all of your carefully laid plans. When she does, you will be the first person she meets."
It was as though Han Yao's ominous prediction had manifested itself, the sound of heels on the typically quiet hallway carpet echoed loudly in Nicole's ears. She turned her head towards the noise and saw a young woman in a black single-strap dress with a wide smile approaching her.
Everything felt like a dream, the distance of a few meters that separated them suddenly disappeared in the blink of an eye, making the woman now stop and stand in front of her. "Miss Nicole," Kylie called out in a tone that made Nicole's ears feel uneasy. "I think the two of us need to talk about something."
Nicole's hand trembled while she gripped the phone tightly, as if her last hope depended on it. Had she truly made a mistake this time?
"Before the execution time begins." Kylie's final words, followed by a small chuckle, hit Nicole like a ton of bricks. In that moment, she realized her mistake and the consequences that came with it. She had been reckless, ignoring Wu Zhaoyi's wise advice and now she was paying the price.
***