Encounter with the Plain-Jane

Leo adjusted his tie in the private elevator of Zhang Enterprises' towering skyscraper in Shanghai's CBD. He rhythmically tapped his foot on the lift's plush carpet, a nervous habit. A quick look at his Zenith Christopher Columbus watch confirmed he was four minutes and thirty-three seconds late. He anticipated the old man's signature high-voltage frown; after all, the multi-billionaire Zhang Chen was well aware that his heir, Leo, only graced the office a few days each week. That is, when Leo wasn't jet-setting to some exotic locale or, more bluntly, occupied with romantic escapades. The reason for today's unexpected summons was a mystery to Leo. It had to be a critical meeting with a high-profile client.

The moment the elevator chimed, and the doors glided open, Leo stepped out with determination. Ms. Huang Fen, his father's secretary, hurried toward him, her smile strained. Unfazed, Leo strode briskly to his father's office, with Fen clattering behind in her high heels, trying to keep pace.

"Mr. Zhang, your dad's waiting for you in the conference room." Leo stopped. The middle-aged woman's gaze settled on Leo's neck and her eyes just rolled a fraction in disapproval. In response to Leo's 'what now expression' she fumbled through the documents in her hand and extracted a black gold file for him. A file of that color meant one thing, new business deal of high importance. Damn if only he had paid more attention to his emails. Ah well what the old man's judgement was for. Leo knew his father was one of the best in the business. One day he would be like him, maybe when he was forty or fifty. The later sounded better because for now he was going to enjoy life.

"A brief summary would suffice," drawled Leo chucking the folder towards Fen.

"Japanese software deal."

He reached the conference doorway, "Good summary, Arigatou Lady Fen."

Thank God this meeting was the final stage of signing the deal. Fortunately, which didn't take long. When the clients walked out, Zhang Chen, loosened his tie and poured himself some brandy. "That went well", commented Chen taking a sip of his drink. His jaws moved slowly as if he was trying to taste the essence of the liquid. Typical gesture of his father.

"Yes, that was quick. Did you just call me for this settlement?" asked Leo grabbing the nearby bottle of water. Last night's alcohol consumption was enough for him.

"Always in a hurry to leave the office. I understand my boy. Your grandfather and I have made this empire so that you don't have to work your butt out here. But one day you'll have to take the reins."

"Thanks dad but not now," cut in Leo.

"Ah well I called you here for an errand."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Your grandfather is in Tongli Town. He was supposed to return today from Suzhou City, but the old man detoured to Haven Retreat in Beilian village in Tongli Town."

"What is he doing there?" inquired Leo frowning.

"He has stopped there for a few days. You see Haven Retreat belongs to an old friend of your grandfather. And before you ask again, you have to get some important signed documents from your grandfather, the reason for his trip to Suzhou City. Our lawyers need those documents by tomorrow the latest."

"I see a long boring journey ahead of me," said Leo dryly.

"Sorry my boy. You know what the old man is like, if he has asked for you then he expects you only."

Leo smiled and got up, "Anything for him dad."

* * *

Leo journeyed past the blooming rapeseed fields of Beilian village. The expanse of lush, green and yellow fields afforded him a serene delight.

Breathing in the fresh country air, he was grateful for the Ferrari convertible he drove. A few miles further, and after asking few villagers for directions, Leo drove into the entrance of Haven Retreat. Stepping out onto the pebbled approach, Leo removed his sunglasses and surveyed the mossy walls of the traditional architecture surrounded by overgrown gardens with a critical eye. He concluded that the old beauty required care. Visions of manicured gardens and freshly painted walls flashed through his mind. "If only this beauty were mine," Leo whispered, shaking his head slightly.

Mr. Li Hui beamed at Leo and ushered him into the living room. Hui was grandpa's caretaker, driver, secretary and friend or in short all in one employee. "Good afternoon, Mr. Zhang Leo. Your grandpa is in the living room." He motioned his hand towards the sofas somewhere in the middle of the living room.

"Ah Leo my child," laughed the elderly Zhang Chang in pleasure. The old man got up and motioned Leo to join him. Leo gave the now twinkling eyed man a hearty hug. He loved his grandpa. Suddenly through his peripheral vision Leo saw an old woman sitting on the sofa, he cleared his throat, embarrassed that he forgot his manners.

"Hello ma'am," Leo bowed.

"Oh, you are one handsome fella like your grandfather," exclaimed the lady.

"Chip of an old block," smiled Leo winking at his grandpa. He learned that he was now sitting in Xing's Haven Retreat. He had heard that name somewhere but that moment the significance of it just wouldn't come to his mind. Few minutes later Leo took the important documents from Zhang senior and excused himself almost getting up.

"Oh, Leo hang on a minute. I have promised that you'll be delighted to drop Ms. Xing's granddaughter to her graduation dinner tonight," informed senior Zhang. Somehow Leo sensed that his grandpa avoided meeting his stare of surprise. Hell, he didn't have time to play chauffer for some college graduate!

"Li Hui could've done that too grandpa," suggested Leo.

"Oh both Ms. Xing and I could use Hui. He's actually cooking dinner now. Min's college is on your way so I thought it wouldn't really be a problem for you," coaxed senior Zhang.

"If I leave now, I'll reach the Shanghai late in the evening." It came out a little too harsh than intended thought Leo. Anyways if grandpa had given his word, then he had no choice or rather he didn't want to disappoint this dear old man.

"Min, Mr. Zhang is ready to leave dear. Hurry up," Ms. Xing called out loud enough for the entire habitants of the house to hear.

"Coming," came a melodious reply followed by racing footstep down the stairs.

A petite girl came taking two steps at a time down the stairs. First thing Leo noticed she had glasses on. Second, she was in jeans and a hoody jumper. Who wore jeans to a dinner party? "There you are my sweet girl." Ms. Xing came around to hug Mel. "I wish you would have worn something more appropriate to your graduation dinner," complained Ms. Xing twitching her nose her little.

"You know Nainai its nothing very grand. This will do." Min planted a kiss on her grandma's plump cheeks.

"Min this is my grandson, Zhang Leo. He'll drop you to your destination," motioned Zhang Chang towards Leo.

Out of curtsey Leo smiled and shook hands with Min. He could have sworn that her sweaty little fingers trembled in his grasp as came her mousy "Ni hao."

"Shall we Xing Min?" Leo swept his hand towards the door. Without waiting he walked out of the widely opened main entrance door, to his Ferrari. He could hear Ms. Xing fussing over the girl to put her hood down, remove the glasses and the final bit was an order to have fun.

"Yes Nainai," replied Min under her breath. Leo heard her footsteps who walked straight onto him. Was she that blind that she couldn't even see properly through those thick glasses?

"I am sorry. I was looking at Nainai and walking at the same time," Xing Min colored blinking a little.

"It's alright. Get in," murmured Leo opening the door for Min. Leo waved at the oldies and got in at the driver's seat. He pressed the convertible's hood button and veered the car into driveway, picking up speed.

Minutes later Leo asked, "So where do you want me to drop you? I am afraid you'll have to be my navigator."

When he didn't get his reply, he turned his head a fraction to find Min engrossed in her iPad. Head bowed her tiny fingers swiped the iPad screen every minute or so. Leo waved his hand in front of her. Still no response. Silly teenagers!

Leo straightened his posture focusing on the road and slammed on the breaks as soon he could. In the evening sun, the car stood still on the edge of an empty road. He faced Min who was still absorbed in the iPad. Damn the girl! He yanked the root of all evil from her hands.

"What no! It's the last chapter." Now he got her full attention. Dark brown eyes narrowed behind her rimmed glasses before rolling up in disbelief. Her lips thinned as she extended her hand for her iPad none too politely. "Can I have it please?"

Something hit a cord deep in Leo. She was a damn pretty chic. Only because she was covered in hood and glasses he hadn't noticed earlier. "Nope," Leo shook his head sideways.

Her hands crossed over her chest. Min gave him a full voltage glare before looking outside. As if realizing that they had parked at the roadside she asked eyes widening "Why have you stopped?"

"Because I don't know where to drop you. I asked but you were too busy reading. In fact, so into it that you wouldn't have even noticed if a twister did the dance of destruction next to you."

She slightly raised her eyebrows, perhaps regarding the way he compared her to a twister. "I love to read, and I am very close to finishing it. You know how captivating the last part of a book usually is," explained Min again extending her hand for the iPad.

"No, I don't. And you haven't answered my question yet." Leo moved the iPad a little further away from her.

"Adcote College Suzhou, it's just as you enter the town. If you are heading to Shanghai, then you have to cross the town. It's on your way actually."

"Much easier if you had told me earlier..."

"Now can have my iPad?" she cut in impatiently.

The nerve of this tiny girl. With a wicked smile he slipped the iPad in his inner blazer pocket and changed gears from park to drive mode.

"What? No..." She sucked in her breath in irritation.

Leo smiled inwardly. "Teenagers like you think the world of silly romance books. Get your tiny nose out of the book's virtual world of romance and see reality," he drawled doing a shoulder check for any oncoming traffic and started driving without sparing her a second glance.

"I am not a teenager. For your information I am twenty-one."

"I thought you were going for college graduation dinner," commented Leo keeping his eyes on the road. Something in him skipped a bit to find out that she was not a teenager.

"It is a graduation dinner organized by the college in honor of the first batch of girls completing their online Project Management Degree. The college started this program only few years ago."

"Okay one mistake but I was correct about the romance book, was I not?" asked Leo with a raised eyebrow.

"What's wrong with romance book?"

"What is the title of the book?" counter questioned Leo.

"Initiating His Virgin Mistress," replied Min. As if realizing what she had said, she quickly looked out her window.

It seemed the 'virgin ghost' was haunting him today. "I wonder whether one can be interested in reading that sort of romance after being initiated."

Her reply took a while to come, "Depends on the likes of the person."

"Would you?" Leo couldn't help it, but he was enjoying the way she colored. Why were some girls so shy to openly talk on sex-related topics?

"Mr. Zhang Leo, I have just met you today. I do not indulge in deep conversations about my likes and dislikes with strangers."

"Yet you are with this stranger in his car," Leo pointed with a slight upward lift of his lip.

"Taxi drivers are also strangers. But they know better to act professionally." Min's chin lifted as she faced Leo.

Wait a minute, did she just call the heir of Zhang enterprises a taxi driver? "Then I hope you'll pay me in kind for driving to your destination Lady Xing Min." He parked the car at the front gate.

"Thank you for the lift and now may I please get my iPad?" She held onto her door pulling the knob. But it wouldn't open. Not when the driver had kept it locked. Her eyes zeroed on Leo.

"My taxi fare?" Leo turned slowly running his gaze over her. Deliberate and meaningful. If she got uneasy well that was the intention. Leo smirked at her 'seriously?' expression.

Min fumbled in her handbag for cash. "I... I don't have cash. I forgot to bring my wallet." Frowning she dug deeper in her bag.

"I didn't ask for cash. I'll think of a way for a beautiful girl like you to pay me in kind." Leo's eyelids dropped just a fraction focusing on her lips. She clutched her handbag tightly as her lips quivered a little. 'What the hell am I thinking?' Instantly he recovered, "Some other time. You can have this," Leo extracted the device from his blazer and offered it to her. She grabbed it. But he wasn't letting it go yet, "Wait. How will you go back home?"

"Oh, I'll stay the night at a friend's place." Instantly he let go of the iPad. Unable to explain why it bothered him that she might bunk in with a friend or possibly boyfriend tonight. Briskly wishing her all the best he took off.

* * *

Xing Min lay on her best friend's bed viewing her iPad. As she finished reading her eBook the title of the book reappeared for review purposes. 'Initiating His Virgin Mistress'. Twirling her nightie's lace ribbon Min smiled to herself. Images stored in her memory bank after reading the book flashed again in her mind's eye. The moment when the main character had grabbed the girl and shut her chatters by kissing her, gave Mel some delicious feelings in her tummy. Weirdly the main character resembled Zhang Leo and...

"I would say you are having a crush on the main male character of your book now," concluded Zhao Meng Yao. Min jerked from her reverie.

Meng Yao was Min's best friend officially since year three of school. Officially because they had pledged to their friendship back then. Her one and only true partner in fun and troubles alike. After a boring dinner organized by the teachers of Adcote College the duo had driven in Meng Yao's old family car back to the latter's home. Now her best friend sat in front of the dressing table combing her dark hair, what Min guessed probably for the hundredth time.

"Oh yeah you should read this one. I bet you'll be in love after the first chapter."

"Not in a million years." Meng Yao jumped onto the bed clutching a pillow, then smiled wickedly. "Just tell me the interesting bits."

Min shook her head sideways smiling because Meng Yao hated story books. Apart from the literary books in high school, Meng Yao vowed never to read novels ever again. "You saucy village minx. Find yourself a boyfriend."

"Oh, I wish there were some rich handsome hunks in this small town of Tongli," groaned Meng Yao. 

"Does he have to be rich?" asked Min rolling on her back and staring at the ceiling.

"It's a bonus," shrugged Meng Yao eyeing her buzzing phone. "I am hoping for some fun when we go to Shanghai the day after tomorrow."

"Meng Yao we are going there to find ourselves a job not a boyfriend," admonished Min.

"Yeah yeah so the virgin of the century Miss Xing Min says. You know you should have tried out few things with that Jiahao guy in high school. At least you could say by twenty-one you had some experience."

"Now that you have mentioned it, I remember. We'll be staying at Zhang's place till we have an apartment to move in. And don't remind me of Jiahao the jerk," informed Min sighing. Jiahao was so full of himself. A mistake best forgotten. It seemed attending a small International College and interacting with the geek students, she had started acting like one as well. Only her books were a portal for her to escape into the romantic world.

Meng Yao's eyes widened in surprise, "You mean your visitor has offered his help. Do you even know he is a billionaire who founded the Zhang Empire? You never mentioned you had such good contacts."

"He has visited us after a very long time or so Nainai says," said Min frowning a little. In fact, Min didn't even know that her Nainai was friends with this old chap. Now that she thought about it, she recalled letters addressed to Nainai from a Mr. Zhang. Who knew it was The Billionaire Zhang.

"Did you say his grandson dropped you?" Meng Yao asked typing something on her touch screen phone. "Tell me all about him."

"Yes, and there is nothing to tell except that he is a big bully. He took my iPad. Snatched to be exact. You know 'my car my rules' kinda thing," Min scoffed facing Meng Yao. The man simply lacked manners.

"Silly who reads a book in the presence of hunk like him?" chided Meng Yao. Suddenly she squealed in delight at her iPad and abruptly sat on her bottom. "OMG he is so handsome." Meng Yao showed a picture of Leo to Min.

Min rolled her eyes, "I know he looks like a model stepping out of a glossy magazine."

"More like a ladies man magazine," cut in Meng Yao her eyes rounding in disbelief as she sat swiping her mobile screen. "According to 'The Elite Corner' he is labelled as one of the billionaire playboys in the world. He is seen with a new girl almost every week! Models, celebrities and heiresses, you name it."

"Why are we talking about him?" Min said dryly. Why Leo's playboy image bothered her, she couldn't fathom.

"It's good to do some research. You never know you might meet him again. Anyways I can't wait to start a new chapter of my life in Shanghai," mused Meng Yao.

"Hmm..." Min couldn't agree more.