Games That People Play

Chapter 16: The Game Begins

Medical City

The soft knocks on Lu Jinian's suite roused Cheng Yue from his thoughts. His wife stood up to open the door, it was Xinli.

"Ah, Lia you're just in time for dinner" Huang Lin exclaimed, a smile spread accross her beautiful face. She was already sixty one years old yet she looked many years younger than her age.

"Good evening Madam... Mr. Yue," her eyes traveled from Huang Lin, then to Cheng Yue and darted to Lu Jinian's bed. She was promptly met by the latter's cold look. She flinched inwardly and greeted him softly, "Evening, Mr. President."

Lu Jinian averted his eyes and continued to read without a word. Xinli ignored his non-reaction and turned to Huang Lin.

"Thank you, Madam but i've had dinner before i came here." Xinli declined politely.

Cheng Yue stood up and said, "Well then, my wife and i will have dinner at home and we will leave Lu Jinian to you."

Xinli nodded and replied, "Yes Mr. Yue"

"Lan Chen and Mo Lian will be here later for the night shift. My husband and i are old people, so we need to rest our old limbs." Huang Lin rejoined and smiled at Xinli. The duo left after saying goodye to their son.

Xinli sat down and brought out her laptop. She began her compilation of the reports from different departments of the hotel. She was tasked to consolidate the papers then submit to Lu Jinian thru email.

She stole a glance at the silent frame on the bed, seemingly engrossed in his own laptop. His face had good colour today, his tall nose stood beautifully above the sensuous lips. His hair was tousled in a very attractive way covering part of his forehead. His eyes were bright and seemed to glint as he suddenly looked at her. She was taken aback as their eyes locked.

"Satisfied?" Lu Jinian sneered. "You've been gawking at me since you came in," he shifted his position so that he was directly facing her. "...or are you in the mood..." his eyes took on a malicious light.

Xinli tried to stay calm at his snide remarks. "Mr. President, i am here in my capacity as your Assistant and you have no right to insult me at every chance you get."

"Miss Lia, you haven't changed. You're still pretentious and arrogant."

"Sir, please try to keep your malicious remarks to yourself. I am not interested in what you think of me and frankly, i don't care!"

Xinli didn't see it coming but Lu Jinian was suddenly standing in front of her. Her eyes stared at his torso, gliding up slowly to his chest then to his lips...

With legs slightly apart, Lu Jinian looked down at the sitting woman, face upturned with her eyes glued to the lower part of his face. He placed his hands on both his hips and said in a chilling tone:

"Don't you really care, Lia? Are you so shameless that you have to push yourself into my domain?" He inched closer and Xinli was beginning to feel nervous...

Perspiration started to form on her hairline and her breath seemed to be caught somewhere in her lungs as a familiar smell wafted through her nose. She swallowed and stood up slowly, mustering all the courage in the world to look at him straight in the eyes without flinching.

Instantly, they were staring at each other which seemed to be a staredown and she will be damned if she looked away first. His gaze seemed to burn her core and she was about to drop her eyes in surrender when the door suddenly opened. Both of them turned simultaneously and saw Third Young Master Lan Chen walked in.

"Hey guys, did i interrupt something?" Lan Chen's playful eyes winked at his brother who was slowly moving away from Xinli. He sat near the window and opened his laptop. "Don't imagine things" he snapped back.

Xinli looked away and said hello to Lan Chen awkwardly. She tried to hide her flushed cheeks and pretended to gather the documents lying on the small table beside her laptop.

"Mr. Lan Chen, since you are here now, i might as well, be on my way."

"Walk her to the door and ask Mo Lian to come over to report all transactions handled by my office." Lu Jinian said coldly, clearly dismissing her. Xinli was indignant and she threw him a dagger look.

"No need for that, Mr. President. I have already sent to your email all the office dealings that I have handled in your behalf today." She informed him.

"Should something might be wrong in your opinion, please let me know." She added, to which Lu Jinian snorted. He eyed her like a caged tiger, his deep set eyes were like two fathomless pools.

"Woman, i didn't hire you and i don't need you here, so please, get lost!" He was so nasty and Xinli wanted to just quit, but Huang Lu Yue's voice keep reverberating in her ears... She swallowed her pain, she raised her head and her eyes were bright due to the tears that she mightily kept at bay.

"Your grandfather hired me, and as you rejected my resignation two years ago, it means that i am still a bonafide employee of The Zenith." Xinli's voice held a conviction that even he, Lu Jinian, admired. She was clear and straightforward in her stand.

"Okay, if you insist..." Lu Jinian smirked. He found her really interesting and if she likes to play games with him, then he is a willing participant. He wanted to see how much pressure this arrogant woman could take.