ch 11 (Xerxes pov)

"She'll be fine. Her body just shut down. Make sure to give her some light food"

"Light food?"

"Yes, she hasn't eaten for a while so giving her heavy foods won't do any good"

"...how do you know she hasn't eaten?"

"-.....every year is the same. For a week she doesn't eat or sleep. Her kidnapping anniversary is near. I'll get going"

Kidnapping? She was kidnapped?

I looked over her resting body trying to wrap my mind over what I now know. How can someone who holds all the power in the world be chased by a past so dark.

Allowing her to sleep I locked myself in my office looking for more information. To my utter disbelief I found zero articles. There is no record, no post, no news. How can she have been kidnapped and yet there is no article about it.

Her father must've ordered this to be kept behind doors. All these years I never imagined her to be so, so....vulnerable.

As I leaned back in my chair I imagined my life with her. We were so close, I made sure to make her feel safe, loved and cared for. Yes, we never officially dated, however I wanted to. Our story started with a simple encounter after a meeting with her father over some properties.

She caught my eye with her gorgeous smile. Her scent a very distinguishing smell of flowers and mint. Her eyes, big and round filled with happiness, her long black hair hanging from her back, like rapunzel. Her small stature is what caught me off gaurd. Usually when I heard about the Ling daughters I imagined tall, blonde haired chick's not a 5'1, dark hair, caramel skin, young lady. Well at least that's not what I imagined with Esmeray. Diamond is taller, brown hair and green eyes.

So you can imagine the shock I had on my face but that shock turned to admiration, admiration turned to affection. Finally affection turned to hate. Which is now threatening to turn into affection.

I will not deny that part of me is content with the results, my ego on the other hand is pounding with so much hate. Hate I don't even know where it came from.

The last conversation I had with her mother made me realize that regardless of their size all they are after is money. Maybe that's why I dislike her, regardless of our past. I won't lie I promised her mother I would take care of her and that's what I intend to do.

Morning came and before I knew she was up asking what happened. I knocked on her door announcing my entrance.

"Ceo Ling you're awake. I brought you some chicken soup."

"Thank you. Uhh-"

"You fainted. Forgive me if I overstepped but I didn't think the hospital was a good idea to take you too so I brought you here"

"....fainted?....thank you." She said smiling at me, more like forcing a smile to seem friendly. I'm sure she doesn't remember and I do not need to explain things that I have no input in. Then again, we were having breakfast when she passed out.

Now it's the next day so of course she'll have questions. Oh God I hope she doesn't think-

"I'm not thinking about that. I can see the worry settle in your eyes. I trust a maid helped me change"

"....*cough*..I-"

"Whenever something comes to mind your eyes would either twinkle or darken. Your body would either relax or tense up. Your forhead begins to sweat when you're lying, the veins in your hands pop up when your angry. Your voice deepens when- anyway " she didn't finish her statement.

I don't know if I should be ashamed of how easily she she can read me despite me not showing a glimpse of emotion. Or in awe that she knows all these things about me.

But how does she remember all this? When I don't remember- that's a lie I remember her favorite breakfast choice. I remember her favorite movie, her favorite TV show. Her favorite perfume, I remember that she likes adding spicy sauce to everything she eats because it's a Mexican thing.

Which is something that I'll never understand. Even back then I never did. I learned not to question it instead go with the flow. I remember the freckles on her beautiful round face that make a constellation.

Her eyes deep and astonishing like the milkyway. Her lips not so big but not too small either. The perfect kissable lips that can drive a man crazy. Her soft hands, her perfect Carmel skin that glows when the sun is up.

Stop staring she doesn't like it. I said to myself when I noticed I didn't take my eyes off her.

I walked to the balcony and opened the doors allowing some fresh air.

"The bathroom should have everything you need. Whenever you feel ready we can continue our discussion for another time."

"You are leaving?" Does she want me to stay? No, why would she, she is not in need of me. Not in that way or in any way. She only needs me for her gain, the same way I need her for mine.

"...Yes I have a meeting. Your car is in the garage. (Say something else) I hope-"

"Tomorrow. I'll have things ready by tomorrow. We need to announce whatever it is we have in a meeting in order to make a point. "

"If that's what's best then so be it" I said walking away from her. That's right, this is all an act. We both need to keep our positions. Love isn't the question, we played the part once who said we can't do it again.