Games That People Play

Chapter 4: Burn Out

"Then order them to look for her again!" Lu Jinian barked.

Assistant Mo Lian was surprised at his behaviour, he was never like this before and at whatever situation he was in, he was always cool and calm, no matter what pressure there was. Why was he so concerned about the whereabouts of one ordinary employee? And why was he mad? Though he was greatly perplexed, he dared not question the motives of the CEO.

Lu Jinian's mood did not improve in the following weeks. He exhausted all efforts to discreetly find her but failed. He just couldn't find Xinli. He then shoved himself to work until he dropped from exhaustion. He kept thinking that she finally got away and he just could not accept it. One day, he would find her, it did not matter where on earth, but he just had to.

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"Honey, what's on your mind?" Miss Zhang's melodic voice came. Her long white hands caressed his arm.

"Nothing in particular" Lu Jinian replied without emotion.

"How about we go on a vacation?" she cajoled, "Paris...?"

Lu Jinian stood up, straitening his ties.

"There will be upcoming events for Zenith and Grandeur, there is no time for a vacation" he said casually.

Miss Zhang pouted her red lips, "then let's go somewhere away from work, you've been working day and night. You never see me anymore!" she complained. Lu Jinian glanced at her coldly.

"Hey, look... i've got this mountain of proposals to review, so do you think i still have time to play?" His voice was irritable as his eyes turned to the papers on his table.

Miss Zhang was miserable and she was near to losing her temper. She has been following Lu Jinian for over a year now and still there was no progress with their relationship. This can't be!

"Then tell me, is this relationship still important to you?" Zhang asked. Lu Jinian turned to look at her intently, it was only now that he realized he never really studied her face and he could not find it in his heart if he cared. Maybe it was because she was always following him, pursuing him, leaving no room for him to express what he truly felt.

"I'm sorry, i think it is good that you leave now. You know best as to the answer to your question." His words were like a bomb in her ears! Zhang could not believe that Lu Jinian was breaking up with her. She burst into tears, telling him that this was not right after all the many months that she pursued him. She has wasted so much time for him. Lu Jinian did not utter a word. He just looked at her, with hands in his pockets. When Zhang calmed down, she purred at him again.

"Darling, you didn't mean what you just said, right? we have so much going on for us wonderfully, we are a perfect match..."

Lu Jinian brushed her hand away and headed for the door.

"Please close the door when you leave" he said behind his shoulders. Zhang couldn't take it anymore, she again burst into tears and ran ahead of him heading for the lift.

Lu Jinian stopped in his tracks and looked at her dismal appearance.

She only looked pretty with that heavy make up on and sexy outfits. Unlike... his thoughts drifted again to that hateful woman, Bai Xinli. His eyes glinted as he recalled their last encounter.

That warm feeling started to wrap him again, spreading between his legs... his hands balled into fists, showing white knuckles. For the life of him, he just couldn't understand how that damned woman affected him in this most profound way. Sweat started to form on his forehead as images of Xinli swirled provocatively in his mind.

He closed his eyes "this is crazy..." he whispered to himself as he headed to the restroom to relieve himself "Aahh, Lia..." he couldn't stop himself as he finally reached his physical release. He looked at himself in the mirror,

"This can't go on, i have to stop disgracing myself!" He felt shame and desperation.

"Bai Xinli, i swear to God, i will find you."