The Pain Jane is Chosen

A few customers browsed through the massive display of wines from one of Zihao's member-exclusive stores. Only the rich could afford membership fees. In return, they get a selected range of the finest wines supplied periodically. Elites came into the store to make their selections by tasting wine. Designer lounges in shades of red were positioned at various stations in the endless shiny tiled hall. Each recliner set had a fair-sized crystal chandelier hanging above it. Customer service attendants stood at multiple counters, ready to serve the filthy rich. It was an abode of luxury to impress the wealthy, thought Leo.

 "I made a few checks, and there is no lead about the person who has leaked your pictures to the media," said Zihao, swirling the glass of wine.

 "But there was a small group of them," highlighted Leo. He was unhappy with another round of Min and his photos appearing on social media. A short dance to please the elderly women became an internet sensation in a night. Usually, his workers kept everything under control, thoroughly monitoring every photo or news regarding him. After all, he was the Zhang billionaire heir.

 "But I have discovered that the photos and videos have only been coming from one source. Perhaps they all work for one person, but who?" wondered Zihao aloud. He sniffed his wine as if it would make his mind race.

  "That one person must have some good hacking skills and the support of someone influential," reasoned Leo. Was it Jian Yu? Could his friend do that in the name of a wager? But why would he? Would Jian Yu not want to suppress Leo's popularity in the media? "Did you hire someone to follow me?"

  "Well, that was part of the wager. That we'll monitor your every move," chuckled Zihao. "I can guarantee you, and it's not Sean or me. We are just keeping watch on your activities, that's all," Zihao finished innocently, scratching his belly a little.

 "The fucking wager," barked Leo. He realized that all the while, though unknowingly, he had been making news with a simple woman. However, that woman was Min, a forbidden fruit.

  "This is not any wager, Zhang Leo; it is 'The Plain Jane's Wager,' which is already making news in The Bachelors' Circle. And for your information, everyone thinks you are dating Min," informed Zihao, grinning.

  The Bachelors' Circle was a website dedicated to all the filthy rich playboys. Ironically, not all members were bachelors; it included married men keen on having extra-marital affairs too. It has more to do with a bachelor at heart. It had information on upcoming parties, gossip, and news of who was dating whom. A members-only website that had online betting too. It's easy to guess that Leo and Jian Yu's wager would be the highlight. Leo's image was at stake now. Leo then reached a decision and announced, "Min, it is then."

      *  *  *

  Two guards greeted Leo as he entered the Tanzick Wedding Planners building. As soon as he had moved out of Zihao's store, Leo called Peng Xi, his secretary. He asked him to buy a cute, cuddly gift for Min and to arrange for a private detective ASAP. Now, before meeting Min, he must do one more task.

 The plump administrative assistant more than willingly guided Leo to Xi-Wang's office. On his way, he heard a few sighs and chuckles, most probably directed at him. Leo gave Xi-Wang a full dose of his breathtaking smile as soon as he entered her office.

  "What do you want?" She tried to be stern but ended up smiling in return.

 "Nothing much except your permission to meet Min in the office as her boyfriend, of course."

 "Seriously? You want to date Min?" echoed Xi-Wang, surprised. Then asked as an afterthought, "Have you fallen for her innocent charms, you naughty player?"

 "Yes, I guess so," lied Leo. Then he added to convince Xi-Wang as she narrowed her gaze, scrutinizing him, "I know she's not my type, Xi-Wang, but you have to agree that Min is lovely. Only she's unsophisticated, nothing that cannot be fixed. I feel some connection with her and want to give it a go."

  "Okay, that's promising," relented Xi-Wang. Then, as if weighing her pros and cons, she fired, "No, I don't want you here because you'll kill my business productivity. Women don't work in your presence; they drool!" complained Xi-Wang, massaging her temples.

 "A few minutes is all I ask. Think about it, Xi-Wang. I might be of some help in the future," coaxed Leo.

 "OK, a few minutes, but in one condition. Tanzick Wedding Planners will organize your wedding in the future." She got up from her chair, one hand on her hip, while the other pointed the finger at him.

 "Ok," agreed Leo without hesitating. In his mind, though, he said to himself, 'If there ever will be a wedding.'

 Xi-Wang walked towards Leo, "Hold on, I haven't finished Leo yet. I mean a lush wedding with all the elements. Not just marriage registration followed by a reception party. I will decide everything, and you only have to pay and make yourself available."

  "Agreed. As long as you know, this wedding may not happen soon." Leo saw Xi-Wang's faraway look on her face. Perhaps she was already dreaming of his wedding. See you."

After inquiring with a staff, Leo discovered Min was in the bridal display room. Finding Min didn't take long, especially when so many female employees were willing to show him the way. It was a short lift ride, and he was in the bridal display area. Min was busy adjusting a designer multi-layered white dress on a mannequin.

     *   *  *

 Gently, Min ran her hand over the bridal gown's hemline, liking the material's satiny feel. Involuntarily, she bit her lips, her mind racing over the recent news. This time, the photos didn't appear in the newspaper; they smashed the internet. There were thousands of views and comments on social media websites. All thanks to Leo for dancing with her in the restaurant. Their seductive Spanish dance pose spoke volumes. Someone had posted the video, and Min swore she was no match for Leo. Where did her dancing skills vanish when she needed them the most? She was blank when Leo touched her; now, she was even more worried at the turn of events.

  She sensed someone come closer to her, and Min looked up. "Leo." Her cheeky heart pirouetted and bowed at Leo.

 "Yes, Min, it is Leo Zhang. Can I get a few minutes of your time, please?" he asked with the manners of a gentleman. Just where his manners were when he had kissed her or wrapped her leg around his waist and drove his hand dangerously up her skirt?

  "I am not sure I can talk to you now; it's not break time," Min looked about her and saw a group of girls, including Bella and Stella, popping their heads from behind the doorway.

  "I have already informed Xi-Wang," informed Leo, bringing his eyelids down slowly before looking directly into her blue eyes. It was a silent gesture of command.

  Oh, no thought, Min. She was doomed. Xi-Wang would surely fire her for having visitors during work time. Now, what will she do? "Leo, we shouldn't meet, especially with all the media frenzy about us."

  "And that is why I am here," Leo announced and extracted a gift package from his inner blazer pocket.

A small parcel wrapped in shiny scarlet paper with cascading white ribbons. Curiosity got Min. "What is this for?" asked Min, frowning and extending her arm for the gift.

"To make up for all the news in the media about us. I am sorry for being unable to protect you from all the scandal," Leo handed her the gift. When Min hesitated, he encouraged, "Well, go on and open it."

Now, what was Leo Zhang up to? Min pulled the wrapper, revealing a palm-sized crystal vase with a red rose. However, what got Min's admiration was a tiny cuddly bear holding onto the vase. It was a female teddy bear because it wore a cute little pink dress. She smiled, tracing her finger on the gold locket of the letter 'L' that the teddy wore. 'L' for Love or Leo, wondered Min. Immediately, she fell in love with the present. It was so adorable; she could have hugged Leo, only that he was kneeling before her. Horrified, Min jumped. Min wished silently that Leo didn't pull a stunt that would attract attention.

"Min, please accept this rose as a gesture of forgiveness. I can assure you I had nothing to do with all the media drama. I accept that I was reckless and didn't think it could get out of hand," Leo pulled his face like a sad emoji.

Min glanced about, looking for anything to get him standing. "I accept the rose, Leo," came Min's hushed voice, avoiding his gloomy expression.

"You do?" Leo swiftly stood on his feet and hugged her.

Oops! Engulfed by his embrace, her tiny form pressed against his hard physique. Gosh, he was so tall; Min had her face buried somewhere on his chest. That scent heightened Min's senses as she became aware of all the places his body was touching hers. A few sighs and chuckles drifted towards them. From the corner of her eye, she saw a group of girls clustered at the doorway, broadly smiling at them now. Min tried to escape Leo's embrace, but the devil held her tight.

He looked down his nose with a smile that Minted Min's resistance. "Have dinner with me tonight, Min."

"You can call me Min, and I don't think dinner's a good idea..."

He held her tighter and whispered, "Not going anywhere, Min, till you say 'yes.' Unless you are bidding for time because you love the feel of my body against yours."

Min let out a loud sigh of disbelief. Her mouth curved in an 'O' shape, unable to find the right words to shut him up. She pressed her trapped arms with Teddy against his chest and tried to give him a stern glare. Can her eyes really throw daggers at this despicable man? And if there were any daggers, they Minted in the shiny depth of his eyes.

Despite the silent wrestling, he kept her in his arms. "Whether you agree or disagree for dinner, you'll find me at your doorstep tonight, Min." He abruptly let go of her and walked towards the door, straightening his blazer. Before he exited, he turned with a butterfly kiss directed at Min and a wink for the girls at the doorway.

That handsome rogue, what was all that about? Min wondered, slumping into a nearby chair. Her body went into a chain of unusual reactions because of his nearness. Her heart was beating wildly in excitement, her breathing rate increased, and her face was undoubtedly red. She fanned herself with the teddy. Above all, a proper rebuke would not form in her mouth. Heavens, what was happening to her?

  *   *  *

The anticipated night came quickly. Meng Yao walked with a load of clothes from her walk-in wardrobe. Min sat on the bed, folding clothes and putting them in the luggage bag. They had found a two-bedroom apartment, all thanks to Kasey Zhang for pulling a few strings here and there with a real estate owner. Not only that, but Kasey had also insisted on paying a whole year's rent for them. She said it was her gift to get them started in this city. The lady of the house had also asked servants to pack their bags, but who knew Meng Yao would be so fussy; hence, she ended up packing her bag. Of course, with Min's help.

Meng Yao dumped her clothes on the bed. "I tell you, Min, there is something fishy. You tell me, why would Leo, the handsome billionaire playboy, ask you to go out to dinner with him?"

"My exact thoughts," Min chewed her bottom lip, wondering about Leo's motive. All of a sudden, he apologized with a cute teddy. Then he asked her out for dinner. Was it so simple that it was only an apology dinner? The rogue's action didn't look like an apology; it was more like a seduction, thought Min. Why would Leo go to that extent? Why was he showing interest in Min? Was it another bet amongst his friends?

"I think you are getting Leo's attention because of your simple, innocent ways." Meng Yao slumped on the bed and started to fold her clothes. All of a sudden, she squealed loudly, narrowing her gaze, "I guess it's another bet amongst those filthy rich brats. 'Who gets to screw the maiden first?' And Leo's in the run for the first place," concluded Meng Yao with conviction.

"And what do I do? I mean, if it really is a bet," asked Min in a soft voice. She didn't like the fact that Meng Yao was also thinking the same. Well, Leo had kissed her in the name of a wager; then why not take her out for dinner or dates? Could she trust Leo?

Meng Yao took the folded heap of clothes that Min had placed in the bag and started rearranging them. This is a typical case of undiagnosed Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, thought Min as Meng Yao smoothed out even the tiniest wrinkle on the clothes. "I have an idea," Meng Yao's face lightened up. "Go out as you are dressed now," she looked at Min from top to bottom.

"This?" asked Min, pointing at her attire. Horrified, she looked at her ripped three-quarter jeans and T-shirt.

"Yes, my simple little friend," Meng Yao pinched Min's cheeks as if she were a cute, gentle bear. Then she jumped and walked about excitedly in the room. "If Leo's genuinely interested in you, he'll take you for dinner with no fuss. But if he's not serious, he'll hesitate and ask you to change because he's mindful of his image."

"Why not refuse to go to dinner with him?" asked Min, laying back on the bed.

"Silly, you have to play along. What do they think of us country girls? That we are innocent maidens, who will fall into their golden trap?"

"And their toys to play the game of wager," added Min, agreeing with Meng Yao. She sat up straight, "So what's the plan, Meng Yao?" Min couldn't control the enthusiasm in her voice.

"I think you are the target because you have this aura of a maiden coming from you," Meng Yao came closer to Min and made wavelike motions around her face.

"Go away," Min lightly smacked Meng Yao's hand. She laughed at her friend's cheeky face.

"Man can't guess that in my case. On the contrary, you are like a nun who came to the city for the first time. You are like this new flavor that these playboys cannot resist. You know the untouched forbidden fruit theory," explained Meng Yao seriously.

"So says the professor in womanizer psychology," muttered Min. Could Leo and his friends have guessed that she was inexperienced in dating or sleeping with a man? Oh, why did she have to accuse him of stealing her first kiss? Min groaned as she realized that she had indirectly told Leo Zhang that she was a virgin!

"What I want you to do is act out as they expect. Make your lack of experience with the man your biggest weapon of defense. Act that innocent virgin he thinks you are." Meng Yao rolled her eyes when Min gave her a confused look, "You know, shy away if he tries to touch you. Mind you, even your hand is off limits. Do not kiss him back if he kisses you. Make it hard as hell for him and do not give in," advised Meng Yao.

At that moment, a maid knocked on the door, "Lady Xing, Mr. Zhang Leo is waiting for you downstairs."

"Tell him I'll be there in a minute," responded Min with a secretive smile as she looked at Meng Yao with twinkling eyes. She stood up and smoothed out the loose strand of her hair in a grimace. She had her hair tied in a tail, but those unruly curls had a habit of always escaping. A quick touch of Step's lip gloss and she was ready to face Leo.

"Be a good girl, and I am counting on you to defend women's dignity against those womanizers," Meng Yao winked brightly at Min with a salute as if it was a highly classified military mission.