Chapter 2: Back in Beijing

Ah, finally, back in the streets of Beijing. No matter how bad she wanted to escape the usual everyday chaos for a while, nothing would beat the feel of home. To her, Beijing sent a calm sense of comfort no other place could have given. A little more than five hours ago, she sent Nathan a message that she's about to board the plane so he's probably around the corner now.

Nathan Zhou is Win's boyfriend of two years. He was a good friend from college and has been there for Win ever since. They say he's the guy every girl wants to have, the tall, handsome, smart hero in the university who's hopelessly in love with a girl who sees him like a brother. But time changes situations, and feelings change with time. And so, they happened.

Win is quietly seated in a café inside the arrival area, enjoying a cup of her favorite chocolate chip frappe while eyeing the passengers coming in and out of the airport. Nathan texted her half an hour ago, apologizing that he'd be a little late due to errands his father asked him to do. But that won't be a problem, Win is still dwelling on her little getaway before she finally gets back to her usual routine. An added hour to her escape would actually be amazing, she thought.

In the middle of her thoughts, her college reunion that night suddenly crossed her mind. Does she actually want to be at a place where everybody she used to be with everyday would be? Or does she want to think of an excuse to get herself out of it?

But she was avoiding reunions twice now, if she didn't come today, she has rejected her college friends thrice in a row. She cringed at the thought, that wouldn't be too nice. "I guess I'm gonna have to deal with a little meet-up." She whispered to herself, sipping again from the cup that was almost empty.

Suddenly, someone covered her eyes from behind, the scent very familiar to her, "Guess who." A deep but calming voice tells her.

"You'd hate me if I were wrong, wouldn't you?" Win chuckles, "I think.. Jake, is this you?"

The tall guy removes his hands and sulkily sits on the couch across Win, "Are you kidding me? How is my voice similar to your brother's? I'm hurt." He pouts jokingly.

"I'm kidding, Nathan. Of course, I knew it was you. I couldn't have gotten it wrong. I missed you."

Nathan grins wide, like a kid who's gotten his fair share of candy, "Really? You missed me?"

Win nods in response, "My life was very peaceful for the last thirty days. How could I have not missed you?"

The latter pouts in disappointment again, "Are you saying I only bother you?"

Win, amused with her boyfriend's reactions, reaches out to him and gives him a tight hug, "I really missed you. It wasn't very fun travelling alone without you and Lia."

"I'm disappointed Lia gets half of the credit but because I get this tight hug and she doesn't, I'm fine! Come on, I'll drive you to your house so you could get some rest." He takes her things and holds her hand, "You have a college reunion tonight, don't you?"

Win stops and frowns, "You're not coming? As far as I remember, we went to the same college."

"I initially was going to but unfortunately, my errands at work don't end until tomorrow so it's going to be you and Lia only."

Win sighs in response as they continue to walk to Nathan's car, "Lucky you, you get to find an excuse to skip it."

"Unfortunately, I wasn't looking for an excuse not to go, I actually promised the other guys I would go so, it sucks that I can't." Nathan stops and faces Win, "But as for you, why don't you just stay home if you badly don't want to attend? I mean, it's valid that you're tired from the trip."

"I have considered that but Lia threatened me to attend in exchange of missing for a month. And I have already avoided going twice."

"So, I guess you'll have to go." Nathan shrugged.

"Yeah, I guess so."

She fell asleep during the ride home; it was only now she realized how tired she was of the entire campaign with Diamond. It was fun while it lasted, but now that she's sitting alone in the middle of her huge house in which she lived all unaccompanied, she realizes that this is the life she really has to face.

She walks over to her closet to unpack clothes from her trip and while she was doing all that, she decides to look for an outfit that would suit the reunion that night. Lia said it was going to be held in a rooftop bar of a famous hotel in the middle of the city. So, it was going to be bright lights and skylines; she takes out a black body-hugging dress that sparkled in the light. The sleeves were long but the dress' length was about a ruler's length above her knee, it probably was the best way to go.

6:30 p.m. Lia would be here anytime soon, she thought. They both agreed that they'd take Lia's car to the venue instead, taking two cars would be a waste of space, besides, Win is very lazy about driving, given that she's still not over the fact that tomorrow, she'd have to go back to office once again.

As they arrive at the hotel's parking area, Win feels butterflies in her stomach, all of a sudden, she feels like she's not ready to show her face in there. She sits motionlessly, "I don't think I can do this."

Lia raises an eyebrow, "What? We're literally in the parking area already. Besides, what are you not ready for? I told you, whoever you're worrying about is very unlikely to show himself here today."

"No. I'm not worried about a who."

"Then, what are you worried about? You slay court hearings like they're school presentations and you're worried about a measly college reunion? Cut the talk and let's go. We're late."

Win takes a deep breath and whispers, "You said it's very unlikely he shows himself, so what do I do if that unlikely event happens?"

"And you said you're not worried about a who." Lia teasingly responds while checking herself in the mirror.

"No!" Win harshly denies, "I'm just curious about why he would not show himself out here. I heard from Nathan that he was present during the past two."

"He's in a very messy situation right now, I actually thought you'd be hearing about it as soon as you get back. It's a surprise you haven't if all you've done today is scroll through your phone."

"I didn't check posts or whatever, I slept and fixed my stuff."

"Oh, that is why you have no idea."

Win frowns, still very confused, "What actually happened?"

"It's a very long story and if I were to tell you right now, might as well just drive back to your house and chitchat. So, if I were you, I'd get out of my seat and walk up to the rooftop because we are running very late."

Unwillingly, Win finally gets out of the car and enters the hotel. She didn't know why she was all of a sudden worried and nervous. Lia already told her that it's unlikely he shows up and if he actually does, why does she even bother? It's not like she's still affected about everything that has happened before.

Entering the rooftop, all eyes were on Win. Of course, Winona Chen is Beijing's Angel and she's been on headlines for months. Her acts of guardianship to the less-fortunate has had the nation raving about her and her old college friends wouldn't have turned a blind eye.

"So, the famous Angel of Beijing has finally decided to show herself to old friends. This way, Ms. Chen, we have saved a seat especially for you and Lia Huang." Henry, one of the most famous guys in their batch along with Nathan and Asher approached them, leading them to a spot.

Lia jokingly hits him, "What is up with the last name basis? You are cringing me out, Mr. Lim."

Win chuckles, these two have always been flirting here and there since freshmen year but they've never gotten together, everyone has always wondered why, "Please, it's still Win. Just call me Win. We're amazingly close for us to use last name basis, aren't we, Henry?"

"Of course, Win. I was just being careful enough so your fans won't be around to attack me. Enjoy the night. And you too, the ever-beautiful Lia Huang." He leaves the two as he walks over to the other guests that have just entered the bar.

"You know, I have always been curious of something. I just never got the chance to ask." Win faces Lia whose eyes are still on the guy who has entertained them first, "Why did you and Henry never get together?"

Taken by surprise, Lia chokes on her drink and splashes a little on Win's clothes. She was in shock, "Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! I bet I can't even pay for that dress with a year of my salary. Here, let me help you." She tries to reach out and wipe the spills on Win's dress.

"Silly." Win responds, "It's fine. It's just liquid, it'll easily wash off. I see you avoided the question again which makes me more curious. But never mind, I'll just go wipe this off. I'll be back."

As Win walks away, Lia calms herself and once again, looks at Henry's direction. It wasn't a matter of they didn't want to be together, it was more of fate overdid it and didn't allow them to be. As she watched Henry cheerfully welcoming everyone that came in, her eyes darted to someone that was unpleasantly familiar. Her eyes widened as she realized who it was. Murmurs enveloped the rooftop as the unexpected guest walked in.

A group of girls behind her whispered along with the murmurs, "Isn't that Asher Yang?"