The fortified tower

Assistant Xu brought them to a large, trendy apartment complex.

Emma spent the entire car ride feeling embarrassed at her jealous outburst before.

She didn't know what had come over her, as there was absolutely no reason for her to react that way. Despite the warm feeling that often spread through her body when he looked at her with those bright green eyes, Ying was not her lover. He could not even be called a friend. He was just her guardian spirit, her body guard. And a person she barely knew.

Feeling that Ying was silently watching her, she resolutely spent the entire journey staring intently out of the window.

As their car pulled into the spacious private underground garage of the building, Assistant Xu helpfully pointed out the various security features of the complex, which were impressive and very extensive.

Every entry point to the complex was covered by security cameras, that were connected to an advanced surveillance and security system. Additionally, a large security team was on site around the clock. Residents needed both a key card and security pass code to enter the building, and all guests had to be checked in at the reception in the lobby area.

Emma was impressed and reassured by what she saw and heard. However, she was not as not as awestruck by the level of security like some people might have been. After all, she was used to these sort of things growing up.

Ying stayed silent, sticking close by Emma's side, his eyes calmly surveilling their surroundings. However, apart from staying alert, he seemed rather uninterested in it all.

The three of them took the elevator, which also needed a key card and passcode, up to the third highest floor. There were only two apartments on this floor.

As she entered the apartment where she would be staying for the foreseeable future, Emma was a bit overwhelmed at the size of the place, despite her previous nonchalance.

The apartment stretched over two floors, with a wide and airy living room that opened up towards the floor to ceiling windows. Unlike the empty apartment from this morning, this one was tastefully and luxuriously furnished.

Assistant Xu took them on a quick tour of the massive apartment, which had several bedrooms, of which the master bedroom was especially impressive, decorated in a comfortable and luxurious manner, with a wide open balcony which had a stunning view of the city far below. The apartment also had a well stocked kitchen, a dining area, an office, and even a small fitness studio.

Emma expressed her satisfaction with the place, and Assistant Xu seemed pleased. He always strived for excellence in his professional life, and praise for his competence was a welcome reward. Especially when he had satisfactorily performed the task set by his temperamental boss.

With the intuition of a first class personal assistant, Xu soon endeavoured to make himself scarce by handing over the key cards, passcode and other information on the apartment over to Emma, along with two brand new and encrypted mobile phones. Then, after reminding Emma of the meeting with Huang Lihua the next day, and informing her of when the driver would come to pick her up, he took his leave.

Emma and Ying were left alone.

The silence hung thick in the air between them now that they were left alone, but still neither of them spoke a word.

Emma looked around the apartment, her gaze pensive. She brushed a finger across the gleaming granite surface of the kitchen island.

"What do you think?" she wondered aloud, turning to look at Ying.

He closed his eyes for a second, his head cocked a bit to the side, like he was listening for, or perhaps sensing something. Emma's lips quirked into a small smile at the thought that he looked a bit like a dog tilting its head to the side. Then Ying's eyes snapped open again, and a calm smile spread over his lips.

"There is no one on the floors above us, and the house across is occupied by an elderly woman, living alone. The guards here seem competent, and the security in this fortified tower seems comprehensible. Even without me present, I think you would be very safe. Of course, with me here none of the measly mortals in this world will have any chance of laying a finger on you." Ying spoke matter-of-factly.

Emma chuckled at his odd speech, realising that she already felt more familiar and at ease with him than previously. It was wierd, because she felt almost like Ying was an old and dear friend, that she had not seen many years. There would be a certain amount of awkwardness in the beginning, but then you would become comfortable in each others presence again.

Only problem was that feeling that way about Ying didn't make sense when she had just met him 24 hours ago.

Emma sighed inwardly. For the moment, she decided to give up on trying to understand the jumbled mess of emotions he invoked in her. She should just focus of pushing her mess of a life back on track.

"Fortified tower, huh?" she said, her voice tinged with laughter. "Does that make me the princess locked away in the tower?"

Ying looked at her with a puzzled expression across his handsome face. Apparently the the way she spoke was just as confusing to him, as his wierd remarks were to her.

"Nevermind," Emma mumbled, waving a dismissive hand.

The important thing was that she was somewhere safe. Somewhere far away from Mr. Long's clutches.

Stepping into this apartment had finally brought home to her that she was out of danger now. Her sister was helping her, and she had an all-powerful immortal guardian spirit whose sole purpose seemed to be to keep her safe.

She felt the tension that had been plaguing her for weeks finally release its hold on her.

'I am safe. I can finally relax.'

With that realisation a beautiful smile spread across her lips, even making her nose wrinkle adorably.

Ying was struck dumb for a second, bewitched by the sight of her. It was as those the sun had suddenly risen, bathing him in warm light. A faint glow seemed to be emanating from within Emma, making her look absolutely radiant.

His chest twisted with heartache, as for a moment he saw not the young mortal woman standing before him, but the woman he longed for with all his heart. Quickly, he turned away, as if it was too much for him to take in. To his surprise, he felt his eyes sting, as involuntary tears clouded his eyes.

Meanwhile, Emma, completely oblivious to the effect she was having on Ying, was inspecting kitchen, checking the contents of the fridge, and opening cupboards and drawers, while humming happily to herself. This was often the way with her. She usually tried to stay in the moment, and to the best of her abilities prevent difficulties from dampening her mood.

"Are you hungry?" she asked, turning back to look at Ying. "I'll whip us up something delicious."

Ying forced himself to act normal, plastering a calm smile on his face.

"Yes, let us eat."

...

A few hours later Emma collapsed on the soft and comfortable bed in the room she had chosen to be her bedroom.

It turned out that in Ying's vocabulary, 'let us eat' meant 'let me watch you eat, while silently urging you to eat more with insisting looks'.

He had kept adding food to her plate and watched her with a demanding gaze until she ate it. Although frustrating, she had nonetheless found herself obliging him. Perhaps it was because it felt good having someone dote on her. However, he had been so unrelenting, that in the end she had eaten until she felt uncomfortably full.

Now, with a stuffed stomach and freshly clean after taking a nice long shower, she felt herself getting drowsy.

Before drifting off to dream land, she spent a few minutes staring at the ceiling, mulling over the craziness of the last few days. She took a few moments to relish in the feeling of being safe, and having a good backing behind her.

'Finally', she thought, as her lids grew heavy, 'I can relax and have a good night's sleep. With Ying here, nothing can hurt me.'

She left out a contented sigh, as she drifted off to sleep.

The darkened room soon filled with Emma's soft breathing.

A dark shadow appeared silently beside the bed, materialising out of thin air. A pair of bright green eyes glowed through the gloom, as the figure bent over Emma, who was fast asleep, wrapped up her blankets.