Chapter 9 - 9. ...such a cruel thing...

The first thing she did after putting her bag aside was to give him some Chinese medicines she always carried with her for such situations. It was a bit bitter but she didn't want him to have headaches tomorrow so, she didn't take 'no' for an answer, though in the end, she still, gave him some cookies as a compensation.

Some people may judge that from his visage, his usually cold and noble aura, 'sweets and desserts' didn't suit him, that he must be someone who took his coffee straight but for a fact Meilin knew what a huge sweet-tooth he had and was also fascinated about this 'gap-moe', well, for her, it was more like, whatever her XuanXuan says, goes!!

She then called Secretary Qian, who acted as his secretary for some official matters, mainly when she was not there and ordered him to take more notice so that, such mishaps won't take place in the future, no drinking in the name of meetings, ever again!!

XuanXuan drinking never resulted in anything good ba!

She knew he will become really clingy if she didn't do anything so after he had nibbled all the cookies and had sipped a mouthful of milk, she supported him to the bed in the guest room and asked him to change into his pajamas, which she was forced to have in the closet, by him.

Then she went out to change into her lounge wears and after she had washed the plate, she drank the rest of the milk from the glass.

When she came back to the room, she saw him sleeping with a straight posture, it would have felt a bit rigid but he made it feel regal. He had slightly crossed his ankles and his hands were resting over his abdomen, he must have been really tired as he didn't even change into his pajamas.

She again took a mental note, to make sure that she won't let him meet those old-clients "alone" for a dinner meeting, no matter what!!

It was widely known that she didn't like alcohol, she had a pretty good tolerance of it but she just didn't like it so, many of their business clients didn't force her to drink as considering her status, no matter the reason, they won't offend her. She knew, as the CEO of the QMX, even if no one could force him to drink, it was still considered etiquette to do so and hence, him being a perfectionist, he got used to it but she knew that he was a really bad drunk so, she let the rumors of her preferences spread.

As a matter of fact, many clients made sure not to force her and with her behind him, he drank very less or was asked just to toast, except for some special situations like today, when he met them alone. Adding the fact that he was with older clients, who thought of alcohol to be their business deals, without her around, he would have been forced to drink till they got their fill in the name of sealing deals.

'Tch....geezers, they must have used the seniority card for her XuanXuan to be this dead drunk. I'll definitely take 'good' care of you', she grimaced under her breath.

She was really a tad bit annoyed but then watching him sleep so peacefully, she put the matter on the back of her mind.

She went to the closet and got a soft blanket for him, it was early spring, the nights were still cold and he caught colds really fast.

She sometimes thought about how he didn't like to take care of himself, mostly when she was with him, he would even forget the basic knowledge of boiling water.

She shook her head and let out a sigh as a thought flashed in her mind: 'Well, I prefer it stays like this forever but...', she knew it was not her say any more plus she felt guilty about the time when she was not with him, to take care of him.

'It was better like this, at least, for the time being, she would stay with him and could take care of him.', she thought to herself.

She put the blanket over him, covering his whole body except that beautiful face. Probably feeling the warmth, he lightly smiled and mumbled: "Linlin~"

She was startled for a bit but when she noticed his stable breathing, she thought nothing of it. Him mumbling her name was nothing new, because to him she was probably like his guardian or maybe an elder sister-like presence?

Well, she too had protective instincts towards him, it was like that of a mother bear towards her cubs but she knew that some other feelings inside her, outweighed them.

She she sat on the floor beside him, watching her prince sleep with a soft smile playing on his kissable cherry lips. Her hand played magic through his soft hairs as she slowly caressed his head and played with his soft silky hairs. As she did so, he snuggled and mumbled incomprehensible things, showing a comfortable and serene expression.

She sat there watching him for a long time, she watched him as if, ingraining his face, the face of the man she has secretly loved and cared for, for the longest time, in her mind and body; watching him so blatantly, was something she knew she couldn't do in front of others or even in front of him because she didn't want him to know what she felt about him as she knew she will be unable to hide it. She knew she will hurt him because he would notice her desires, the burning gaze was anything but pure, she didn't want to betray him even if....even if she had to put on with her unrequited love for him, forever.

She had already left him once to stabilize her thoughts, it took her five long years to make sure that she didn't show it on her face and when she came back she was confident to hold it in together.

Well, even she knew, how impossible it was for her and when she came back her heart had made sure to make her know, how wrong she was! Just a look from him was able to make her mind go berserk, the long abstinence had just made her desires go stronger, she was already on the stage of breaking.

She was being stubborn, she knew he won't deny him for anything even if she asked him to love her back.... but she didn't want to force him, she didn't want him to know her dark sides and hate her.

She knew she shouldn't have come back but when she knew that he was shouldering such a huge responsibility she wanted to come and support him.....but deep down she knew that was just an excuse to white-wash her wish, who was she fooling? She knew, all this time, all she wanted was to be by his side forever, she didn't want to stay even a second away from him...

Love is such a cruel thing....

'Why him?' she had asked herself countless of times and the answer that came was always--

"No one but him...."