Switch

Ai Sha could not bear to look back, she is afraid, if she looked back and found him gazing at her leaving figure, her resolve to leave might be torn down. She knew his men were following her to keep her safe and for that she is glad. She was once left in despair by a man, she could not afford to fantasize in another. She don't have that confident anymore, her self confidence had plummeted down. Best not to harbour any feelings. She reminded herself that she now could only depend on herself. She continued walking aimlessly. She shivered as the wind started howling, as she was about to step into a building for shelter as the sky darkened with thunder and lightning could be heard and seen, a sign, soon it'd be raining cats and dogs, a flyer came flying towards her and got stuck on her body.

She peeled it off her body and was about to throw it away when she read, volunteers needed, food and accommodation provided. She folded the paper and tucked it inside her pocket while hurrying into a bookshop. It's an antique bookshop with not many customers, the lights were a little dim, and the atmosphere a little shady. A man at the counter was dealing with the shopkeeper in a hushed tone. She wanted to walk out but decided against it as the two men had already noticed her and it's be obvious if she rushed back out, instead she headed towards the end of the store pretending to browse the old books.

As she was browsing, she was startled by the shopkeeper who suddenly approached her. He had a small built with thin sunken face, and had a strong tobacco smell.

"Lady, don't need to pretend any longer, no one is ever interested in these books, are you here for switch?," he asked in a gruff manner.

Her eyes widened in confusion, "Switch?"

Seeing her expression, the man could not help but laugh out loud, " Never in my life I thought there be a day someone actually come in here to look at these books! Well, go on then," he said.

"Mm, sir, if you don't intend to sell books, what do you actually sell then?" she asked timidly.

Deep down she is hoping that he's tell her, she had a hunch that this man is in the business of giving people new identities, it seems like heaven is helping her. She didn't dare to use any of her father's contact as they definitely will snitch on her and she doesn't want to impose on Ken further.

"Books. I sell books," he answered "Browse and decide if any of these books is to your interest, he continued.

"Sir, If I may ask, how much do you charge for an identity change?" she asked deciding to just gamble.

The man suddenly turn hostile and wanted to attack her, she quickly said, "Please, I came across the store by chance, it was going to rain, and I needed shelter, and by luck when you mentioned switch, I made a guess you are in this business and you are like a god sent gift to me as I actually in need of a new identity. Please, help me, " she begged while kneeling on the floor.

She understood that the man turned hostile as she came across as a suspicious character. She acted as if she did not know and suddenly she knew about his business, the possibility that he thought of her as an undercover police is high.

He eyed her suspiciously but his stance seemed to have relax a little. The bodyguards sent by Ken to protect her were shocked to see her kneeling. They almost rushed in to intervene but knowing she is no longer in danger they held back. Their sudden moves causes the shopkeeper to notice them and he was shocked to see them. One of the guard signalled to the shopkeeper to not expose their identity. Ai Sha was still kneeling down with her head bowed down, hence she missed their hand communication. The guards signalled to the shopkeeper to assist Ai Sha.

"Get up and follow me to the back, you tell me your story, and I will decide if I want to help or not, and if I feel you are lying, don't think of leaving this place alive," he spoke in a stern voice.

Ai Sha quickly got off the ground and followed him while thanking him profusely. The guards let off a sigh of relieve, luckily old fourth knew what to say in such situation. In reality, this business belongs to Ken and indeed it was by chance Ai Sha stumbled into this place and managed to make a connection of its main business. If it wasn't because old fourth pose a threat to Ai Sha, they would not have revealed themselves but of course if Ai Sha were to ask old fourth for a new identity, they would tell him to agree because Ken had gave them orders to clear any obstacle for her discreetly and keep her safe.