Don't Be Afraid

It's been a couple of days, Xunyi managed some case files and attended several client meetings. She was alone at the office while Deming had to meet with the board of directors. After finishing up with filings, she went to take a break in the lobby. A middle-aged man approached the front desk personnels, and he wanted to talk to Deming. Xunyi approached him and asked why did he want to see him. The man hesitated for a while, then pulled out his phone.

"May I ask who are you?" He asked and Xunyi replied, "I'm a law intern working for Lawyer Jiang Deming. He's currently in a meeting. Do you want to go up and wait for him?"

"Will that be okay?" He asked and Xunyi nodded, "Of course. Before we go, we need to sign you in. That's part of the protocol. The security will check your bags first, then we can go in. Okay?"

After they were finished, Xunyi brought the man to Deming's office. Deming finished the meeting just in time. As he entered, he saw an unfamiliar face.

"Lawyer Jiang, this man wanted to see you. He wasn't able to pre-book the appointment, but I saw he was desperate to see you, so I brought him in." Xunyi explained, and Deming approved in no time.

"No worries. Can you bring us some tea?" Xunyi nodded and went to the lounge outside the office. As she finished pouring the tea, she went in and joined the conversation.

"What can I do for you today?" Deming asked the man, and he slowly took out his phone.

"Uhm, I...I wasn't sure whether to show this to the police. I accidentally recorded the accident from a few years ago when I was near at the scene. But I was afraid to show this to the police because I heard from one of buddies that the police tried to hide this incident from the public. From what I know, the man used to be the CEO of this company. I believe you are this man's son, right?" The man asked while Xunyi and Deming watched the recorded video.

"Lawyer Jiang, your parents...they..." Xunyi wasn't able to finish her sentence when Deming slammed the table. He made a fist while raging inside.

"Why did you show me this now?" He demanded an answer then the man apologize, "I wasn't sure, I hesitated a lot. I didn't want the police to see this video otherwise they will just shut me up. So I had to come here. I really didn't mean to record this. I'm sorry."

Deming closed his eyes and said, "Xunyi, make sure you save a copy of this video. And make sure he doesn't show this to the police. And also, he needs to be under our witness protection program. Mr. Huo, I'll ask the officers in my company to bring you and your family to this house. We need you to be our witness when the time comes. Would you be willing?"

"Lawyer Jiang, you are too kind to us. I will never forget your kindness. Thank you so much." Just as he was about to leave, Deming stopped him once more.

"Mr Huo, thank you for coming. The officers will escort you once you go down the lobby."

Mr Huo bowed once more before he left the company. Deming stood up and started walking slowly to his desk. All of a sudden, he started feeling off and he tried not to think about it. I must be tired, he thought. Xunyi helped him to his desk then he carefully sat down. A few minutes later, Deming's secretary came in and told him there were a few papers that needed to be signed. He signalled him and asked to place it on his desk.

Xunyi went to the other side and got some water for both of them, she glanced at Deming several times and saw him rubbing his temple at least five to ten times. She looked at her watch and it was already 8 PM. She texted the maid who was still working in the house usually until 9:30 PM.

"Miss. Lan, can you cook some vegetable congee for Deming? We'll be back in a few hours. Thank you for your help." Few seconds later, Miss. Lan texted, "Sure thing, after you guys come back, the congee will be ready to eat."

Xunyi walked to Deming's desk and saw he was breaking in cold sweats. She grabbed a tissue and wiped it away. She gently used the back of her hand and touched his forehead, "Deming, you have a fever now. Let's go back and rest. Okay?" She gently persuaded him to rest and he finally agreed. He was having a bad headache as well so he wasn't in the mood for discussion.

After getting back home, Deming's fever worsened. She carefully helped Deming into bed and helped him untie his tie, loosen up his clothes, and took off his shoes. She went to the medicinal storage and took out fever reducing medication for him. She also got some congee in a small bowl for him to eat because eating medication on a empty stomach wasn't the greatest idea.

She sat on the bed and wrapped her left arm around his shoulders, she was able to feed him congee with her free hand. After whispering to him, he was able to drink most of it. Then, she fed him fever medication and gave him a glass of water. She carefully placed him in bed then she grabbed a clean towel and rinsed it with cold water. Xunyi used the cold towel to lower Deming's fever.

That night, Deming's nightmare came back. He was tossing and turning to the point Xunyi was unable to sleep soundly. She got up and turned on the lamp beside their bed, and turned to Deming who was still having a bad dream. Then suddenly, he opened up his eyes and gasped for air. Xunyi gently patted him and whispered, "Deming, I'm here. Don't be afraid." He turned to her because he was afraid of losing himself. He held her hands tightly in order to feel more secure. Xunyi looked at him and whispered, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."