A relationship

Cree whispered into Qiao Ruo's ears, just as they were getting into a warm bath together, "I just want to be yours." 

She hesitated and asked him, "Then, what about Mei? And what about the publisher?"

"Xiaoruo, I allow you to take the relationship by the reins and lead me," he said frankly to her. "As long as you are willing to give me a chance, we can work this out together."

Cree carefully laid her back against the wall of the gigantic tub and grabbed the tiny bottle of lavender oil placed beside the tub. He added a few drops of lavender oil to the bathwater. The lavender would work as an anxiety-reliever to bring about relaxation and calmness to her apprehension. 

"I don't want to control you, Cree," she finally said. "I do want us to be together, but I'm not sure. I have insecurities. My parents died when I was just a baby, and my aunt has never cared for me and just used me as a tool all my life. She wanted me to marry a rich man. But I swear I was never out for your money!"

He inched closer to her. "You know that I'll punish you if you do." He tickled her under her chin, mercilessly. She stood her ground. "I didn't do anything wrong! I am true to you, and has already been."

Cree gazed into her eyes, absorbing the pureness and innocence of the emotions within her. He queried her carefully, "What about Lu Hanyang? Did you meet him last night?"

"I just remember a familiar voice greeted me at the bar, and then I collapsed."

"He sent you home last night."

She looked at him sheepishly. "I promise you that I won't do that again."

"Prove it," he teased.

She wound her arms around him and pulled him close to her, kissing him sweetly. He bit her cherry lips gently, causing her to flinch slightly. 

"Cree!"

He lifted her into his arms, kissing her again and again. "I'm not going to let you go."

"Cree, do you think we can make it as a couple? We have completely different backgrounds."

"I don't mind. Xiaoruo, we won't know how suitable we are until we try. I may be rich on the outside, but on the inside, I am just a commoner adopted by a rich couple. Do you think that I don't have insecurities, Xiaoruo? I'm willing to work hard for both of us."

She nodded. "I accept. But I need to tell you this, once you move into my heart, I will not let you move out. So if you cheat, it's the end of us. You will never see me again."

"I can give you my oath. Ever since I first saw you in the bar, you have always been special to me."

She blushed shyly and gazed into his eyes, absorbed by his charm. "You're such a smooth talker. I can't believe no women have fallen prey to your words."

"You have," he said, and their lips came together in a kiss again. Qiao Ruo couldn't stop, and she wanted him desperately. She knew desire was consuming her incredibly, but she was unable to abstain from the delight of the sin that was before her eyes.

"Cree, I know I have two more days, but...how do we work under the same office? Won't people talk about it?"

"It's Ye Qi, not Cree who has the authority," he told her. "As far as I am concerned, your co-workers do not know Ye Qi and Cree are not the same person. You can go on working as much as possible. But let us not think about work for the time being. I want to enjoy my first night being your man."

She covered her cheeks shyly, and then he continued, "Do you want to go for a date to celebrate?"

"Cree, I don't think I can walk after how we had hours of... exercise," she said. "But I'm only postponing our date for later. You still have to compensate me for my discomfort."

"Oh." He plastered a few kisses on her forehead, kissing downwards to her neck and collarbone. She gasped at the pleasure of his kisses, and he taunted her, playfully, "What discomfort were you talking about earlier, my dear?"

She glared at him, but he swept her into his arms and kissed her senselessly. It was happening between them again, so naturally that this time, she hardly felt the discomfort earlier. He took in her soft moans, cuddling her intimately and giving her a sense of security as they came together throughout the night.

Even after they retired to bed that night due to exhaustion, Qiao Ruo was already in a state of disarray. This man had touched her heart in so many ways. However, she was unsure of the brightness of their future. Although she was of legal marriage age, she had heard of many couples who had started relationships in their early twenties but broken up after years of being together. 

She did not want her relationship with Cree to end up the same way as them. Though she knew Cree was extraordinarily truthful and would hide no secrets from her, what was the likelihood of his heart unfaltering?

...........

The shrill ringing of the alarm on her smartphone broke the silence, and she knew it was finally time to wake up. Cree's warm and possessive embrace inhibited her from leaving their bed.

"Let's sleep for a few minutes more," he whispered, patting her gently. A particular soreness lingered from the obsession of their activity the night before, and she would find it difficult to move about the office. Fortunately, she had nothing planned on for the next two days while she was still their employee. She would commence her new job with her new employer the following week, which was the week that Cree said his mother would be visiting.

She thought about how she would no longer be able to see what would happen between Cree and her former female co-workers, and she was envious. Perhaps if they had known earlier, she would not have made a move to the other company. But if she continued to remain in her office, wouldn't her relationship with him become obvious, primarily when she was known to be having a relationship with Cree? If some smarties put two and two together, his double identity would come to light.

"I love you, Cree," she whispered, pecking him on the lips.

"I love you, even more, dearest. I hope you had a great time last night," he said sweetly but at the same time, cheekily.

She turned red at the mere mention of 'last night'. "Cree, how am I going to work? Won't it be suspicious since you are Cree and now Ye Qi?"

"What if I buy you a car?"

"I can't drive long distances, Cree," she admitted sheepishly.

"I'll work out an arrangement," he said.

She tugged on his sleeve suddenly. "I have something to ask you, Cree. Could you tell me the truth?"

"Since when have I lied to you?" he gazed into her large eyes, spinning her around to face him.

"I landed in the hospital, and they said someone had sent my wallet in with me. I recall I left it in the hotel room. So who took me to the hospital?"

He stiffened slightly and told her intensely, "It was my assistant. His name is Ye An, but his surname is a different Ye from mine. At that time, I wasn't sure, and I didn't want to blow up the matter that we slept together. I'm sorry, but there was no clarity to our relationship then. I know I should have..."

She silenced him with a finger on her lips. "Let's not stay in the past."

He chuckled, and said, "Believe in fate, Xiaoruo. It's what led us to each other, and brought us together."

Qiao Ruo smiled happily. Maybe it was too early to think if Cree was her final destination, but with him, she was secure and contented. She didn't want to think of the future, at least not yet.

"Have you thought of what you would like to have for breakfast?" he asked thoughtfully.

She didn't usually have breakfast due to her poverty, but Cree loved to make breakfast for her.

"I don't normally eat breakfast, Cree," she smiled bashfully. "I'm very touched, but it's not necessary."

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Xiaoruo." He caressed her hair, and she watched his lips moving as he resumed speaking. "I will make breakfast for you every day, as long it makes you happy and keeps you healthy. It's an honour for me to feed my woman."

"What do you want to have then?" she looked at him adorably.

"You're asking the evident," he laughed. "The answer is just before my eyes. Xiaoruo, I would gladly have you any time of the day, if you let me."

She pinched him without warning, and he drew her closer to him, kissing her slowly and passionately. They had a long day ahead of them.