CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR (44) Hue

The grand mansion which was adorned with golden lights, and for the first time seemed empty with no one in sight. Truly, everyone had gone to their homes due to her command.

It was the middle of night, as a figure stood outside the balcony, her body was twisted in a way that made it seem like she was posing for a magazine cover, staring into the dark night. She held a wine glass in her left hand, while her right hand hugged her body, halting her cozy fuzzy sweater from falling from her shoulders.

There seemed to be a pause in the environment, as snow flakes fell from the sky while everything else was stand still.

The golden lit up lampposts were all covered up in snow, just like the ground.

Another year was about to end, she was still hated by the same person, for a very stupid reason...

Rose's eyes misted up, a tear dropped from her eyes, cascading down her face. She raised the glass to her mouth, downing all the content.

Just how long more will it take? When will everything go back to normal? She wants her heart to be at peace, but whenever the thought of that person arose, she'd end up crying, blaming herself. Everything had taken a total turn upon the news that particular night, it has been ages but still nothing seemed to be working anymore.

Her world had shattered, and she wished for only one thing at that moment. To fall from the highest mountain, with the strong wind blowing her around, she didn't want to know where she would land or how she would. Nothing mattered at that point in life...

Was she even sane to ask for everything to go back to normal?

No. yes... author says

It was like asking for the impossible.

Rose flicked the tear off her face, breathed out, kept the wine glass down on the wooden table, then looked up into the night sky. There was no star in sight, it was pitch.

She shook her head and mouthed. "Nothing to see, here."

Her chest rose and fell as she tried to calm her mind.

She could see the city far away, bustling with activities, the colorful buildings, the honks from cars... When will her life become that colorful again? Will the hue ever return?

She instinctively pushed her hand out, trying to reach for the flakes. A few of them dropped into her hands and it made her smile.

However, she was beginning to feel colder as the night deepened. She was wearing only two piece of clothing, her silk night wear, covered all the way to her lower leg, stopping just right above her ankles. And her sweater stopped right on top of her hips.

"Time to go to bed." She remarked, dawdling as she was reluctant to leave the snow flakes.

*

Is it coincidence or fate?

That when Rose outstretched her hand to catch the flakes, Yuanqi also did too?

*~~~*

Yuanqi after he had got home, he took a warm bath, ate and went outside his balcony to watch the snow fall. The only difference was that he wasn't drinking wine. It was a sight to behold for him, and his love for nature was one he couldn't hide.

Instead of cold drinks like his mother had stated, he brew hot tea and sipped from it every now and then, it soon went cold due to the fact that the wind was more powerful compared to a tea mug.

He was quite strong but when it was winter, his body was easily proned to cold.

He stretched out his palm, collecting flakes and smiling brightly like a kid.

After some time, Yuanqi retired to bed. Hugging his pillow to sleep, someone popped up in his mind.

The ever so endearing Nation's Wife.

Rose!

The name reverberated in his head, mind and... should he say, heart?

Why, though?

Or was he being thoughtful by suddenly thinking about his new business partner?

Yuanqi peeled his eyes open, he didn't want to have her in his thoughts. She was great and all that, but him thinking about her... no way!

*~~~*

Rose's thoughts was already messed up, she was now laying on her bed but couldn't sleep.

Tonight should be peaceful, but it was the opposite as she sat up, took out her phone and went to watch videos online.

How long was it? Rose couldn't tell as she heard the birds singing by her window.

She stretched her body, tiredly and rubbed her eyes.

As she went into her bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. She gave herself a thumbs up.

"You've done just well, look at your panda eyes." She criticized, running her hand through her hair. Now she was really considering getting her hair retouched.

After bathing, she came out, wearing orchid cargo pants, a baby pink colored wool turtleneck top, and white long blazer. She had contemplated on letting her hair loose or in a pony for a long time before deciding on doing the both. Pink knee length boots to match her hand bag.

There was breakfast on the table, as her eyes lifted to see Ren Jiayi coming out of the kitchen.

"Come, eat or you might be late for work."

Rose blithe smile caused the woman to smile back in return.

Ren Jiayi promised to wait and only leave on the 24th as Rose was likely to spend the Christmas at her parents home.

The breakfast was simple but healthy. Mini bagels, cheese cream plus sliced strawberries. A milkshake for strong bones, according to Ren Jiayi.

"Thank you," Rose downed the glass of milkshake, selected a car key and exited the door.

She sighed at the sight of He Duyi, heavily clothed and leaning against the pillar, waiting for her.

"Good morning, I'll drive."

He Duyi didn't argue, there was no need to, since Zedong wasn't there with them.

The pink colored Range Rover, easily rolled out of the garage, unto the wet interlocked floor.

He Duyi got in at the gesture of Rose, and she drove off.

Instead of the company, Rose made a stop at the new land.

She was accompanied by He Duyi into the busy backyard.

Everyone was busy, just like the vehicle mixing concrete.