A Chance

Qiao Ruo had thought that one day, everything between them had to come to an end. He would find his Miss Right, and she would move on. After all, what they had was not a true relationship. At first, she found it hard to admit her feelings for him, particularly given her young age, and her dreams of success. Nothing mattered more to her than escaping what her aunt had planned out for her, and she would persevere until she reached her goal. Or so as she thought.

It turned out that she had been wrong all along, and the temptation of sin had been more than she could handle. She trembled and held more tightly to him before surrendering to passion. "Cree, I want you too," she blurted out, and gently, he scooped her in his arms and took her to the other room in the suite. She hadn't known what had came over her, and all the feelings for him that she had been in denial of, was starting to overflow into her mind. At that moment, she realized how much he had meant to her, especially after she had rushed to the hospital immediately after receiving the call.

Somehow, it had happened so naturally between them. He slipped her out of her dress, and she assisted him with his patient robes. The pain she anticipated didn't happen, and instead, they were engaged in deep pleasure with each other. Strangely, none of them were abashed with each other's unceremonious actions.

Qiao Ruo realized she liked Cree, after all. But it was the actualisation of her feelings for him, that caused her to be perturbed, so she focused on the moment instead, immersing herself in the desire that accompanied her feelings.

She was deeply attracted to him and wanted him, but on the other hand, she feared committal to a relationship at twenty-one. Now that she was offered a better opportunity for her to shine and achieve what she had been wishing for such a long time, was she willing to tie herself down in a relationship? She questioned herself. She wouldn't be young forever. Furthermore, he was after all, the very person who she had lost her purity and innocence to, after a night of drinking. She wasn't sure if there were for each other.

It was so surreal. That night, none of them regretted the consequences of their actions, but rather, the moment of lying in his arms after the deed was the sweetest she ever experienced in her life. She had been shocked at the aftermath of her own actions, but she assured herself that it would be just this one time. Unlike her cousin, Qiao Ruo had not been raised to be conservative or to save herself for marriage, since her aunt's plan was to 'sell' her. She casually reminded herself that it was the twenty-first century, and either way, being with Cree would warrant judgement from others. It made no difference if she had physical intimacy with him or not. In the end, she was just a small girl in a confusing big world.

It dawned on her that of all places, it was awkwardly happened in his private patient suite, but the timing had been perfect for her. Although their copulation was due to the heat of the moment, she had decided that she was ready. But now that she was no longer oblivious of her feelings for him, she had to deal with them one way or another. Just because it had happened between them didn't mean they had to be in a relationship. But the feelings between them would get more intense, and she might really fall for him.

As her mind whirled with all her confused thoughts, she chose to close her eyes and attempting to go to sleep instead, twisting and turning for hours.

...........

A few hours later, she found herself still unable to go to sleep. He watched her admiringly as she coyly rolled her eyes at him as she lay in bed, and he tightened his arm around her waist mischievously. Her bare skin felt soft under the sheets, tempting him further. Shyly she kissed him and teased him with her tongue in his mouth. He broke the kiss gently and whispered into her ear sensually, "Are you asking for more action between us?"

She turned red, and dived deep under the sheets, looking small as she lay hidden. He was amused, and calmly read the newspaper that the nurse had placed beside his bed earlier that day. She saw how focused he was, and joined him in his reading.

Under the caption "Lu Hanyang, young CEO of Sunshine Medical Corporation", a photograph of a very familiar man smiling on an article attracted her attention. She took a deep breath and tried to contain herself from gasping, as she recognized the man in the article. He was no other than the exact man she had met the other day at the front desk reception of the ward a few days ago. She had been making arrangements for Cree's suite room, and the man had introduced himself.

She definitely remembered him then, as he had been her primary school classmate back in the countryside! To think he was actually a CEO at his young age, she thought. Cree looked irked by her sudden interest in the man, as she had her eyes all over the article.

"Xiaoruo, I don't like how someone else has your interest now," he proclaimed. A tinge of jealousy filled his loving eyes, increasing the seductive effect he had on her. She couldn't help but admit she was turned on by it, but she didn't want him to misunderstand, and quickly cleared his doubts.

She smilingly patted him on the shoulder and shook her head. "It's just that he is a primary school classmate. He's a CEO now, and I..I'm just a reporter."

He apologized for his inconsideration, and hugged her instantaneously without a further thought. She blushed as her skin made contact with his, and then his next words boggled her.

"Xiaoruo, would you be willing to be with me?"

She feigned ignorance, and casually responded, "Aren't I with you now?"

"Xiaoruo, I meant, be my girlfriend."

He pronounced the words with ease, and she wondered if it was possible between them. She remembered vividly how they had spent each memories together, and how happy that had been. She had cried and hoped that he was fine when he had collapsed.

A tear rolled down her cheek. As much as she didn't want to own up to her feelings, it had been blatant that she was unable to let him go. Especially how desirable he was to the female population.

"I... We..." she stammered. "..are we possible?"

"Xiaoruo, for you, I can make it happen," he told her genuinely with hopeful eyes. "You touched my heart, Xiaoruo. I don't think..I can ever like anyone the same way as I like you. You are special to me, and I don't want to let you go."

She blushed redder with his words, and averted his gaze. "Cree, it's fast between us. I don't know... if I can..."

"Trust me, Xiaoruo. I do need to take responsibility for what just happened. Let me take care of you, and be your boyfriend. I will do what I can to make you happy."

She thought of her pathetic life in the countryside, and how she had struggled to get out, and she was reminded of how much she hated her life. She was driven to accept him, but she didn't want to depend on him.

"I don't know, Cree. But what happened a few hours ago... can you keep it a secret between us?"

He nodded, appearing slightly disappointed, but she then pecked him on the lips invigoratingly.

"Let's take it slow between us," she said sweetly, and snuggled against him. "I'll be here. You need to get well. Then we have that act with your mother, so we have to keep our game up."

He returned her peck with a quick kiss on her lips, and then she said, "After you get discharged, I've decided to move in with you. But I won't be sleeping in the same room with you," she announced, and he was deeply amused by her determined face. He reassured himself that at least, he now knew that he had a chance with her, and he would put it to its greatest use. He had to be positive about their future, and would not give up the smallest chance to be with her.

"Let's see," he said teasingly. "Are you afraid that I won't let you go?"

"I'm not afraid of you, Cree Ye," she uttered smartly back at him, and he took her in an exhilarating kiss, caressing her cheeks slowly as her heart beat strongly against his own. She felt comfortable and protected in his embrace, and this time, she was able to get to sleep.