Chapter 5
1220 Words
The figure emerged from the mist like a phantom, his trench coat flapping in the dawn wind.
Ember froze on the empty street, her torn blouse offering no defense against the chill. The man—Jun Yan—closed the distance, his leather shoes clicking on the pavement. Even in the dim light, she saw the concern in his eyes, a stark contrast to the coldness of the man she’d fled.
"Ember Ai," he said, voice warm as cognac. "I’ve been looking for you." A faint smile played on his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes as they scanned her disheveled state. "What happened last night?"
The scent of his cologne—spiced amber and tobacco—wrapped around her, triggering a wave of memories. Shin’s tear-streaked face, the strange taste of the wine, Luo Qifeng’s icy gaze. Ember wrapped her arms around herself, fighting a shiver. "It’s complicated."
Jun’s smile faded as his eyes fell to the bruises on her neck. His jaw tightened, and he reached out, gently tilting her chin. "Who did this to you?"
His touch was warm, unlike Luo Qifeng’s cold grip. Ember flinched, stepping back. "Please, Jun. I need to get to Yin Enterprises."
Before he could respond, a shrill voice cut through the morning. "There you are!"
Shin stormed toward them, her once-neat hair now a tangled mess. Her eyes were red-rimmed, mascara smudged down her cheeks. "I should’ve known you’d be with him, Ember! You just had to steal him from me, didn’t you?"
"Shin, calm down—" Jun began, but she whirled on him.
"Don’t tell me to calm down!" she screamed, pointing at Ember. "I saw you two last night at the bar! You were all over each other!"
Ember’s heart pounded. "That’s not true—"
"Not true?" Shin laughed bitterly, advancing on Ember. "I saw the way he looked at you! And now you’re here, wearing his jacket!"
Jun stepped between them, putting a hand on Shin’s shoulder. "Shin, this isn’t the time—"
"Get off me!" Shin shoved him away, then turned back to Ember, her eyes wild. "I tried to ruin you last night, Ember! I spiked your drink, but it didn’t work! You still ended up with him!"
The words hit Ember like a punch. "You… you drugged me?" The memory of the wine’s strange aftertaste flooded back, along with the overwhelming heat and loss of control. "Why would you do that?"
"Because you’re always perfect!" Shin shrieked, tears streaming down her face. "You get everything you want—good grades, a job at Yin, even Jun! I hate you for it!"
Jun’s face paled, then reddened with anger. "You spiked her drink? Are you insane?"
Shin ignored him, focusing on Ember. "I wanted to teach you a lesson, but instead, you probably threw yourself at the first man you saw! Just like always!"
Ember’s legs trembled, and she had to lean against the wall for support. The friend she’d comforted, the one she’d shared secrets with—had tried to destroy her. "How could you, Shin? We were friends."
"Friends?" Shin scoffed. "You were never my friend. You were always better than me, making me feel small. I hope that man last night was worth it!"
Jun grabbed Shin’s arm, his grip firm. "That’s enough, Shin. You need to leave."
"Let go of me!" Shin struggled, but Jun didn’t budge. "You’re choosing her over me? After everything we’ve been through?"
"I’m choosing what’s right," Jun said coldly. "And what you did to Ember is very wrong."
Shin’s eyes filled with hate as she looked at Ember. "This isn’t over, Ember. I’ll make you pay for this." With that, she wrenched free of Jun’s grip and stormed off, disappearing into the mist.
Ember sank to the curb, legs too weak to stand.
Jun knelt beside her, concern in his eyes. "Are you okay?"
"No," Ember whispered, staring at the ground. "I’m not."
He took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, the fabric still warm from his body. "I’m sorry about Shin. I had no idea she would do something like that."
Ember didn’t respond. She was too busy trying to process everything. Shin’s betrayal, the drugs, Luo Qifeng—all of it felt like a bad dream.
"Ember," Jun said gently, "who was the man last night? The one who did this to you?"
Ember hesitated. She didn’t want to talk about Luo Qifeng, about what had happened. "It doesn’t matter."
"Yes, it does," Jun said. "If he hurt you, we should call the police."
"No!" Ember said quickly. She couldn’t involve the police, not when she needed to get to Yin Enterprises. "I just need to go. I have an important appointment."
Jun studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. Let me drive you."
In the shadows, a black sedan idled silently.
Luo Qifeng watched through the tinted windows, his jaw clenched. He’d followed Ember out of curiosity, but now he felt a strange mix of anger and… something else. He’d seen the way Jun had touched her, the way she’d leaned into him.
Pathetic, he thought. Another woman playing the victim to get what she wants.
But then he remembered the look in her eyes when Shin had admitted to drugging her—pure shock and betrayal. And the way she’d flinched when Jun had touched her neck, as if she’d been hurt before.
No, he told himself. It was all an act. Women like her were experts at manipulation.
He crumpled the check in his hand, the paper cutting into his palm. He should leave, forget about her. But something kept him there, watching as Jun helped Ember into his car, as they drove away.
"To the office," Luo Qifeng said to the driver, his voice colder than ever.
In Jun’s car, Ember stared out the window, lost in thought.
The jacket still smelled like him, but it didn’t bring her comfort anymore. She felt dirty, used. And now Shin wanted revenge.
"Ember," Jun said, breaking the silence, "I meant what I said. If you need help—"
"Thank you, Jun, but I need to handle this myself." Ember forced a smile. "I appreciate the ride."
He nodded, but she could tell he didn’t believe her. "Just promise me you’ll be careful."
"I will."
As they pulled up to Yin Enterprises, Ember took a deep breath. She didn’t have her satchel, but she had to try. "Thank you, Jun."
"Anytime," he said, watching her as she got out of the car.
Ember squared her shoulders and walked toward the building, ignoring the ache in her heart and the fear in her stomach. She had a job to get, and nothing was going to stop her.
Luo Qifeng’s sedan pulled up across the street.
He watched Ember walk into the building, her head held high despite everything. For a moment, he almost smiled. Maybe she was tougher than he’d thought.
But then he shook his head. No, he wouldn’t let himself be fooled. He had work to do, important things to handle.
"Let’s go," he said to the driver.
As the car pulled away, Luo Qifeng couldn’t help but wonder—would he see Ember Ai again? And if he did, what would he do?
- Writer
