Finding The Culprit

Ji An woke up finding she's all alone in the room. She realised she doesn't have clothes on and the scent of men's perfume was on the bed and on her skin. She stood up and wrapped the blanket on her naked body and went to the bathroom.

She looked at herself in the mirror and have the shock of her life. "Oh my god!!! Kiss marks!" It's all over her. Feeling a little bit sore from below, she sat on the edge of the bathtub lost in her thoughts about what happened last night. 'What the hell happened.' "Who is that man? He clearly took advantage of me while I was drunk. All these marks are from him and I don't even know him," she murmured as she covered her mouth in devastation. 'Did I just had a one night stand with a man I didn't know? Isn't it ra....pe? It must be! I should go to the police— and tell them what?' She doesn't know what to do.

After gathering her stuff and placing them on the bed, she took a shower and calmed herself to think properly and tried to remember what happened. But there was nothing, all she remembered was Zarah's hen party, drinking some cocktails and a man who offered them drinks. After drinking it, she went to the elevator and after that, she can't remember anything. The next thing she knew, she was there, alone, with all the marks and had been taken advantage of by a man. 'If I see him again, I'm sure I'll remember his face. I have to keep this to myself, I can't tell anyone, and no one has to know!'

She left the room at 7 in the morning, wrapped up with her coat, she went to the reception to ask for the name of the guest who stayed in room 950, but obviously, the receptionist cannot disclose anything about their guest. With that, she went home.

Ji An went inside their house not expecting that her father was there, "Dad, why are you home—"

"Where have you been young lady?" Jiefu was worried sick when his daughter didn't come home last night and she just arrived now, "It's nearly 10 o'clock! I called Zarah and she said you left last night around 10 in the evening."

"Yes, I left earlier than them because.. I.. I" she stuttered trying to find an acceptable excuse and something believable, "..Went to see a friend. She was near the area so I spent some time with her and totally forgot about the time."

"Do you have any idea how worried I am? After your brother left without a word I'm always worried that you will follow him. You should have called and let me know." His voice mellowed down and was no longer that angry.

"I'm so sorry dad. It will never happen again." The last thing she wanted to do was to upset and disappoint her father, she was all he got.

She got herself ready to go to Uni but her thoughts were still thinking about the man who gave her the drink that knocked her out. Zarah must have some information about that guy, at least his name or address if lucky.

Later on that day, she gave Zarah a call to get some information. "Hi, Zarah. How are you? I just wanted to ask something about last night...." Zarah completely disregarded what she said and told her that Mr Li called her asking her whereabouts.

She knows her friend too well, disregarding her and pushing through with her question, she asked again, "Yeah, that uhm... Zarah, do you know the name of the guy who gave us the drinks?"

"Yeah, I think his name was Li Wei and he said he's from Beijing, he was touring Europe with a friend." her voice was casual as usual, "And no he didn't give contact info. We were chatting after you left. He was with us until midnight. He was a funny guy." she giggled as she remembered how fun it was talking with the guy, "Why do you ask anyway? Are you interested in him?" She teased Ji An.

"No of course not. I was just curious that's all. So he was with you guys till' late? Okay. Thanks. See you on your wedding day. Bye Bye." There was some information but if he was just touring he could be anywhere plus he lives in Beijing, too far for her to go. She hung up and decided to just leave it to that and not think about it anymore and just focus on her studies for her future.

During their travel, Lori had fun while Cheng Ze seemed to be preoccupied with something and wasn't really himself. Li Wei noticed his behaviour towards Lori and he was acting differently. He knew he was over Lori and probably he wanted something or someone new.

Cheng Ze's head was filled with thoughts of Ji An, with what happened between them, if she remembered it or not or if she remembered him. His face showed different emotions, he would smile at random times and he will look worried at other times.

He smiled whenever he thought of that night, how he held her and kissed her. Her soft lips and soft skin, her smell, he wanted them again, he wanted to have her again. Then he will start to worry whenever he's reminded that she will be his stepsister. 'I don't want her to be my sister. I have to stop her from entering China, she must not meet her mother until I figured out what to do.' That was his thoughts, but how was he going to do that?

"Cheng Ze, what's bothering you? Are you ok?" Li Wei was concerned about his friend. His behaviour was very unusual.

"Li Wei," His voice has a hint of mockery, "Are you my boss or am I your boss?"

He coughed lightly ".. Sorry boss. What's bothering you? Can I help you?"

"Tsk, this is your fault, Li Wei! I should cancel that bonus. Why did you have to go that far?" Though his voice sounded angry, his face and eyes showed different, like he was pleased and happy.

"Uhm what are we talking about here, boss? I'm a bit lost. What have I done?" 'What is he talking about. The last time he asked me to do something he told me I did a good job and I'll get a bonus. Is that what he was on about?' This was the first time he struggled to read Cheng Ze. He doesn't know what's going on in his head.

"Forget it! Send Lori to her house when we arrive in Beijing and thank her for accompanying me on my trip. I will not see her again, tell her that too." He was too straight forward when it comes to leaving women that he wanted to discard.

"Yes, boss." he didn't ask him for more information instead, he just sat there quietly, 'Hmm, he stopped sleeping with Ms Shen after we left London. He didn't want to be touched or kissed by her. Has he fallen to that woman from that hotel?' Li Wei wondered.

Cheng Ze continued, "I don't want to be affiliated with any woman from now on. I'm 21, so I decided to take things seriously I should please my dad so he can grant me a favour when I need it. He should be happy with that right?" His expression was dead serious, he really meant what he said.

'Is he sick? What has gotten into him? Living a straight life? Tsk really? No woman? I don't believe him and with the Chairman, what?!?! Does he want to please him? He must be really sick!' Li Wei thought to himself but replied differently from his thoughts, "Yes boss."

As soon as they arrived in Beijing, Li Wei did what his boss asked him to do. Lori thought he really liked her, after all, she was the only woman who lasted for almost a month. What Li Wei told her saddened her but there was nothing she could do, she knows his reputation, when it's over there is no way to have him back.

Gu Mei Li welcomed Cheng Ze but obviously, he's not into it. He walked past her as if she's not there. He called Li Wei to arrange everything for tomorrow as he will start working properly and accordingly.