A wish

Back at her cubicle in the office, Qiao Ruo brushed her hair with her fingers and tried to focus at the computer screen in front. She had less than half an hour to go before she would accompany 'Ye Qi' to the lunch appointment.

Venus was a forty-five-year-old unmarried woman and a workaholic. Due to encountering various struggles throughout her younger years, she had become a bitter and challenging person with overly demanding requests. To obtain her trust and get into her good books was an incredibly difficult feat. Provided his confidence, was Cree insisting he could impress the client with his smooth tongue and individual achievements? Though she was assured his glib tongue was one of his strengths, along with his charming attitude, she was not very convinced that he could tackle this demanding client.

Qiao Ruo blushed as she recalled how mischievous Cree had been with her earlier, and wondered if had he not been occupied with a busy schedule, perhaps something else had been inevitable between them. While she was absorbed in her thoughts, she failed to hear the light footsteps behind her.

"It's not lunchtime yet, Miss Qiao," he told her sarcastically, and she quickly snapped to her senses. Her co-workers eyed her strangely, and she immediately returned to the work she was doing.

"To my office, now," he uttered strictly, and he vanished into the distance. Qiao Ruo pouted and ignored her co-workers before packing her items and hurried towards the direction of Cree's office. Someone had erected a medium-sized new signboard on the door of his office, and she was mesmerized by the golden characters on the signboard spelling out 'Ye Qi, Manager'. She knocked the door gently, hearing him call out to her to enter.

She wasn't sure what to expect from Cree, taking her time to stride into the room. She had only taken a few footsteps when he closed the blinds, and the doorknob clicked.

"Mr Ye, this isn't very appropriate. People might be suspicious," she stated.

"It's already twelve, and most of the office staff have left for lunch," he said and pulled her on his lap. Her heart thumped, and she took a few deep breaths to calm herself. Was he going to kiss her? She was thrilled by the thought, but a few seconds later, she realized she was mistaken when he pointed at the computer screen instead. A sea of alphabets presented neatly, accompanied by beautiful photographs.

"This is the proposal for the client later," he explained. "Their contract with us for the advertisements of their existing products is about to expire, and today, I have invited Madam Venus to discuss the possibility of a new contract.

She nodded and browsed through the contract. Cree wound his arms around her as she read the text on his screen.

"I like it." She didn't think she was capable of writing such a good sales proposal, and she was not knowledgable in sales and marketing. Cree's request clearly defined the goals he wished to achieve through the contract and presented them in a way that was easy to understand. Even a person who lacked a business background like her was able to read and figure it out.

He thanked her and presented her with a peck on the lips. She would have wanted more, but he just lifted her and placed her on the luxurious soft sofa on his room, while he shut down his laptop and put away what he would require for later. Even though he was more warm and modest compared to Cree, he was still very sophisticated, and she enjoyed the view.

"Hey, what's your strategy against Venus?" she poked at him, leaning back on his sofa as he readied his bags for the meeting later. 'Ye Qi' was the type who wanted to attend a meeting fully prepared. Unknown to her, he had already spent hours gathering information about the lady and figured out the combat tactics in preparation to use on her. Given his years of experience in dealing with demanding clients, this lady was nothing. But of course, he had to do his best to present himself and his ideas and not neglect the demands of one loyal client.

She followed him to his Mini nervously, unsure whether to take the front or back passenger seat.

"Are you treating me as your driver now, Xiaoruo?" he teased, knowing they were out of her co-workers' vision as it was still their lunch break.

"I..." She did not know how to tell him that as an employee, she was not aware whether she should seat herself in the front or back passenger seat, to avoid discomfort. Previously, while working with the publisher, she had only taken public transportation and not entered a car with her reporting supervisor.

"You don't have to walk behind me," he told her as she followed him into the restaurant. She nodded and flanked him. He chuckled and helped her into one of the seats at the table he had booked. "This is a Michelin restaurant, so we have to dine with etiquette. Also, I have arrived thirty minutes earlier to prevent any mishaps. Unforeseen circumstances happen at any time, so we have to be prepared for them."

She gazed at him in admiration. "Is this how you've been working for the last few years?"

He nodded. "I've been working in the corporate sector for the last five years. It didn't take me an instant to get to the Head of Design, my dear Xiaoruo."

Cree paused and eyed her playfully before continuing, "I have something to ask you. If we succeed at clinching this deal, can I ask for a wish from you?"

"What kind of wish?"

"You'll know later. Do you trust me?"

She nodded and smiled positively. "Very well. I will grant you a wish."

After thirty minutes of waiting, they got to meet Venus. She sat quietly observing Cree do the magic and watching his and Venus' body language. She was mesmerized when, in less than five minutes, Venus' stern face transformed into a smile and they shook hands. It was mystical how he had managed to gratify an incredibly tricky client in just a few minutes. She attempted to figure it out, but yet, no answer could come to her mind. It had taken so many tries from the former owner of the business to parley with Venus. A few months before the contract expiry, many executives had presented their ideas and proposals to Venus. Still, none of them could successfully persuade her to renew the contract, which she deemed ended and not renewable. What did Cree have, to be able to achieve something nobody, not even the former owner, could?

As Cree and the woman departed from the restaurant with Qiao Ruo in tow, Qiao Ruo could not help feeling that a few eyes were on them. Still, upon turning around, she was unable to locate who was following them. The person or persons had been as fast as lightning, and she presumed that they could hide in shadows like thieves in games.

She buckled her seat belt while informing Cree about her suspicion. Instead of inquiring further, Cree just cut to the wish she had granted him earlier.

.............

The breezy winds took up strands of her hair as they walked hand-in-hand across the light-brown sands of an unpopulated beach located about two hours away. Two hours ago at two p.m., they had secured the deal and Venus had signed the contract without a further question. Now it was four p.m., and they had reached the mentioned beach. Cree had prepared ahead since he had stowed away some beach attire and slippers in the back bonnet of the Mini.

"So, we don't have to go back to the office?" Qiao Ruo asked. "It's supposed to be working hours, and yet you selected to go now for the wish."

"You agreed to it yourself," Cree defended himself with a grin.

"We can always go back and do OT," she said.

"I don't mind doing OT, as long I have you in the room with me," Cree said sweetly, making her blush again.

"Why does it sound so obscene coming from you?" she laughed.

"So says the person thinking yellow-mindedly here."

She smacked him for the answer. He retaliated rapidly by spinning her around to face him and rejoiced with a massive kiss on her lips. In her skimpy beach attire, she looked even more captivating. Usually, he would have been envious of others seeing her this way, but he had planned carefully to ensure that they would be the only ones present at the beach. Teasingly he gave her a little push, and she ended up falling in the water.

"Cree!" She fought to get up and tugged on his arm to pull him in the water as well.

He yielded because there was more on his mind. He remembered that his mother was arriving next week, and there was a lot for them to do. How would she respond to Qiao Ruo being his girlfriend?

There was a more significant matter on his mind, and it was the question of his plans with Qiao Ruo concerning their future together. He knew he could not be contented with her just being his girlfriend, and he wanted to explore more in their relationship. If she were not only twenty-one and did not have a stable career yet, he would have liked to take their relationship to the next level. But given those reasons and that she had only accepted him a few days ago, he had to take it slow and easy, to avoid scaring her. Waiting was a torment, but he knew he had to. He had waited so long just for her to accept, and he feared for the worst in their relationship.

With his mother's impending arrival, things could take a turn for the better... or worst.