CHAPTER 20: BACK AT ONE

Ahem ahem, Jason let out a cough to hide his embarrassment, he knew that the reputation he had tried so hard to build in front of everyone, was totally seen through and broken down in a few hours by this girl, and to make matters worse, hi subordinates were still watching.

I actually love riding motorcycle and i'm a bit of a collector myself. Jason said

Ru lan's eyes flew open when she heard that, she was so surprised and if anyone had told her that a big and serious CEO like Jason will be fond of bidding for collectible cars, she would never have believed it ever.

Collector; as in, you collect rare cars? She asked him once again

Yes, he replied

As in collectible cars? She asked him again

Yes, collectibles, now can we move on, he was already tired of standing by the road side talking about bikes and cars, but what she did next totally threw him off course.

She jumped on him and hugged him so tight. Where have you been all my life. You are like the freaking male version of me. She said to him in a raised voice.

Jason (....)

Assistant long (.....)

Ah liu (.....)

Other body guards (....)

To say that they were all shocked at the woman's behaviour in the streets was to put it lightly.

But who was Ru lan, she spent most of her life abroad and this was considered normal for her, even if it wasn't, who cares... once she saw the things she adored, she completely threw reputation off to the dogs, and now she met her perfect match who also loved the things she loves, she went completely unrestrained.

Jason was still stiff after the hug because he had never expected that in his wildest dreams, she would ever take the initiative to do those things. It was a calculated move for Ru lan, since she had decided to make her move, she wanted to go all in.

Come on let's go have dinner, i'm really hungry now, i'm afraid i might faint soon. She said.

She looked towards his cars parked at the side of the road and his bodyguards waiting behind them.

How about we ditch them? She asked him

You mean them? He asked as he looked toward his assistant and body guards.

I mean ditch your cars and your bodyguards and lets take this baby for a spin, she said and rubbed her hand on the bike.

Assistant Ju long was already smiling; he knows his boss would never do something so risky due to the recent attempts on his life. but why on earth would Jason deliberately miss this opportunity of a lifetime that just fell on his lap. He would go as long as there was still breath in his lungs. he was already break dancing in his mind but still kept his emotionless facade intact.

The boss he knew was never impulsive, he was totally unfeeling and always knew what to do. He was already ecstatic when his boss called him to come to him. He skipped to his boss, thinking, I've really had enough of this weird lady, thank God boss still has a bit of his rationality left and she has not totally infected him.

Ju long, get me a change of clothes, i can't ride in these, he pointed to the suit he was wearing, then he gestured for assistant Ju to come closer, and he mouthed something else to him in his ears. Assistant Ju was shocked silly by what he heard his boss say, he was once again confirming his previous thoughts that this man was not his boss, that his boss had been replaced, but he could only think these in his mind, not daring to voice out or disobey his boss's order.

Jason had told him to get the male version of the clothes Ru lan was wearing, and ditch his security as well, he wanted the both of them to look like a couple. He was looking forward to it.

Why don't we go wait in the coffee shop, while he gets the clothes. I need something to recharge myself. Ru lan said.

Sure, after you milady. Jason said and gestured with his hand for her to lead the way.

Soon, they entered the blueveiw cafe, it was located very close to the L&B building, the owner of the cafe was a white guy with blonde hair and blue eyes, and everyone knew he was a foreigner with just one look, he looked as beautiful as a girl and at the same time he was so manly like a military sergeant. His name is Raymond Ray.

The blueveiw cafe has a relaxing feel, the interior was so well decorated that when you entered, one would feel like they had been transported to a villa under water. The entire cafe was ocean blue with twinkling lights and the ambience was very relaxing. Everyone wanted to have a cup of coffee here at least once in their lives, just for the fulfilment, everyone also wanted to get the chance to come in here but only the selected few could. The security here was top notch. The main reason for opening this cafe was for Ru lan's enjoyment. Raymond didn't care about the profit.

He might look like just a sturdy hot guy, but the truth is that he was currently on a mission, and his mission was to stay with Ru lan and protect her, he was one of the people Ru lan's family had sent with her from up north to stay with her here, and go wherever she goes.

The moment Raymond saw Ru lan, he was so ecstatic, he jumped over the counter and ran to her to grip her in a bear hug.

Ray! Ru lan called out happily. She was also excited to see Raymond and she reciprocated his gesture and landed in his arms. He held her in a tight hug.

While all these were going on, alarm bells were ringing in Jason's head as his brain's security system was screaming nonstop.

Rival alert, Rival alert. His aura immediately changed and the coldness emitted from him was almost freezing, the shop which already had the oceans feel was suddenly so chilling.

Ru Lan seem to have felt the change, so she got herself out of Raymond's embrace. To look at the man whose face was already as black as the bottom of a pot. Raymond felt it too, and just smirked.

Seems like he'll be the perfect match for our daisy, he looks so jealous and possessive, he thought. Earlier today, Birdseye had already relayed the boss's orders to all of them and he had kept watch all this time they were in front of L&B. Everything he did was to test Jason and so far the man had passed in flying colours.

My darling flower, who could this be? He asked daisy and held her by the waist.

Jason's eyes were so fixated on his hand that was lying on her waist like he could not wait to chop it off a million times, but he was expectant, he wanted to know how Daisy was going to introduce him since she had already claim him earlier. But to his surprise...

Ray, your baby is so hungry she could die, i'm going for dinner later so just give me something light to keep my stomach in check. I'll introduce him once i'm seated. Ru Lan said

Sure darling! Raymond said.

Ru lan dragged Jason to an empty seat close to the window and sat down with him. While they were waiting for Raymond, neither of them said anything. The silence was a little awkward.

She didn't know what to do to relieve the awkwardness, she knew that Jason was just jealous of her interaction with Raymond, but she couldn't explain that she was a natural hugger, that's just who she was and Raymond was her family. she didn't want to explain even though she knew she had to, so she just started singing along with the speakers in the cafe. 'Back at one' by Shayne ward was just starting... She sang with her mesmerizing voice that totally blew Jason away

Its undeniable that we should be together...

Its unbelievable how i used to say that I'd fall never...

The basis you need to know, if you don't know just how i feel...

Let me show now that i'm for real...

If all things in time, time will reveal....

Jason was already surprised when he heard her sing, her voice was so ethereal, it sounded so sweet and she followed the lyrics with sincere emotions without missing a single beat, she was staring at him the whole time, like all her feelings were conveyed in that song and he'd be a fool if he said he didn't understand.

Though, apart from the employees, there were only the two of them in the cafe, all he could see was her, like they were the only two people in the world. He was a fan of music himself, his life outside business was quite the opposite of what he let everyone else see, but with her, it was different. She made him forget everyone else and always lose his composure. He felt he should express how he really felt too and this song was just perfect. So he started singing the chorus along with her.

One, you're like a dream come true

Two, just wanna be with you

Three, girl it's plain to see that you're the only one for me....

Four, repeat steps one through three....

Five, make you fall in love with me....

If ever i believe my work is done, then i'll start back at one...

Jason stood up from the chair and held a hand out for Ru lan, she placed her palm on his and stood up with him. Jason continued singing alone

So incredible, the way things work themselves out...

And all emotional, once you know what it's all about babe...

And undesirable, for us to be apart...

Never would have made it very far...

Cause you know that you've got the keys to my heart...

They both sang the chorus together again, and then Jason took over once again, he sang in a smooth low voice, one would think he is a professional singer. He looked straight in her eyes and sang. In his eyes, all his pain of looking for her all these years and the love he felt in his heart were all evidently clear, he sang like his life depended on it, he sang because he found her, he sang because he knew it was time to let go of his pain. he simply just sang.

that's why he sang this last line with so much emotion that it made even the carefree Ru Land tear up.

Say farewell to the dark night...

I see the coming of the sun...

I feel like a little child whose life has just begun...

You came and breathed new life into this lonely heart of mine...

You threw out the life line just in the nick of time...

When the song had finally ended, they just stood there staring at each other's eyes, with myriads of emotions swirling in both their hearts. They were both entranced by the view they were seeing in their eyes, and this time they knew. they both knew they were never going to let go of each other ever again.