The Secret Plan

It had only been hours late to the evening darkness that Lyra got to know of a reservation at the Skyline International Restaurant which came to her surprise as made by her father. Ryu Sheng thought to join the moment as a reunion but something didn't feel right in his heart. 

"Why do you look so confused Ryu? I've been noticing since a while." Aldric had his eyes on him. 

He knew it. The old man was fucking sharp. Ryu regained his composure and smiled at him without a second thought. How could he falter in his behaviour so badly even though he was trained to not get caught!? Ryu felt disappointed in himself. 

"I feel like I should leave you two alone." He said innocently, looking down at his feet. His hands were clenched tight under the wooden handles of the chair to stop himself from fidgeting with his fingers. 

"What do you mean Ryu? We are here to meet as a family tonight. You must be present with us!" The man was taken aback. 

"But it will mean more for Lyra if she got to see you alone. Me being there will… ruin the authenticity." 

"What authenticity!? Nonsense!" The old man got up and the servants a little afar seemed to shiver. Ryu closed his eyes to take his wrath. Tough love…

Back at home Devin felt like he had stepped straight into a trap. Darah's eyes were wide like a little puppy's, her hands dearly clutching on the taller man's sleeve. Behind, Devin saw Zhi Ruo appear with her medicine but he immediately took it to his hand and placed it on the table. Darah went behind the door silently watching how Devin sent the maid away. As soon as she left, Darah reappeared in front of him, lowering her gaze.

"Darah… Do you have any idea what you're asking from me?" She watched the serious gaze through his brown bangs, partially covering his eyes. Devin sighed, keeping his palm over his face. He felt like he couldn't run away from this any longer.

"I know it's stupid but you're the only one who can help me. I hope you do. Please. I don't want to be stuck here with that crazy man! I'll go anywhere but to the police! I just want to be away from here." Darah pleaded seriously, her words weren't shaking but it was out of dire need. Devin looked at her sharply.

"Listen to me. I may be of help. But you cannot rely on me to take you out of here. You have to do it by yourself. Don't blame me, don't even think of me or what I said after this if anything goes wrong. Understand me?" Darah was ok with it. As long as things went smoothly she surely was ok. 

"And one more thing. If you do escape, that is if you really do, don't contact me. This will be it." Devin had a bit of a difficulty saying that but seeing Darah nod slowly, he felt even more troubled from the inside. They'll probably never see again, he thought. 

"Ok then…" 

Darah was in her room, her fingers amongst each other  with utter recklessness. Devin had gone out and told he'd be back in a minute or so. Only her hope could save her now… A few seconds later, she noticed a slight drizzle on her window. It was raining lightly… 

A loud thunder roared, followed by the lightning that blinded Darah's gaze as she looked through the darkness to see Devin's figure appear out of the little light. He threw her something which looked like a maid's clothes. 

"Wear it. And come out with the umbrella. You have enough time. The maids are allowed to go home during the weekends, except for the old one who's preparing dinner now. Just be normal. You can leave after the younger maids leave without them noticing you. I've cleared the guards in the front door for you. You'll have to do the rest. " Darah nodded to Devin's words, not even bothering to pay attention to half of what he said. All she wanted was to leave this hell hole! 

She put on the black and white attire that reached just down to her knees and tied her hair into an imperfect bun. She took the suitcase  and stepped outside only to witness a menacing storm. She could barely hold on to her shaking umbrella but noticed through the messy downpour the silhouette of two women disappearing into what seemed like a thick mist. 

Devin had already left, not to attract too much attention from the guards. Darah suddenly felt her legs feel like jelly… She couldn't do it alone. Through the watery pavement, she took slow, gentle steps so as to keep herself going. Since she had to hold her bag on one side to avoid suspicion, she couldn't hold the umbrella properly causing half the dress down to her waist to get wet. However she held the umbrella as low as she could to cover her face to the guards at the front gate who seemed to be half asleep under the shade of the gate top. 

 Darah swore she was almost there when suddenly a guard threw himself near her and grabbed the umbrella from her hands. 

"Miss Dana! Why didn't you just call for me!? I would have held the bag for you!" The over friendly man smiled wide which Darah saw from the edge of her eyes as she tried her best to cover her face. He was now holding both her bag and the umbrella. Her heart was racing with hear! What do I do!!!

"Miss Dana? You must still be mad from yesterday! I promise I will keep an eye on her next time!" The man was laughing to loosen the tense atmosphere and Darah was trying her best to not utter a word. An eye on whom!? She kept facing the other direction, heart beating out of her chest until a bright light flashed in front of them. She felt her body freeze in time. The red sports car… It couldn't be…

The streak of a sudden lightning along with the interior car light made Darah catch a clear glimpse of the man sitting in the passenger seat, those cold eyes breaking her already weak heart into crumbs. Ryu Sheng!? No! He shouldn't catch me like this!