Destined to be his Wife - Forced by Fate

Fireworks

YuZhi drove them to a secluded area on the far end of the bund, where many private buildings had their own parking and navigated through a gated entrance using a keypad. The landscaping for this particular park was slightly raised compared to the road in and they got as close to the waterfront as possible before he parked his car, facing towards the display area in the distance. It was a perfect sightseeing spot for the bund from here and they could still hear the music from the bands.

TangShi was regretting eating her candy floss so fast and was sporting a stomachache now, curled up in the passenger seat, being quiet and pale faced but still eager to see the show. They hadn’t driven far but this area was darker than the surroundings and had some trees concealing the private parking lot, so it seemed secluded. It felt like they were out in the woods if it wasn’t for the high-rise buildings peeking all around them and the glow of the city lights all around. There was a jetty off to the edge that looked like a port for a small private boat, and she pondered how he knew about this place. He had the keypad entry pin, so she wondered if this was something to do with Leng Group.

“Are you sure we are allowed in here?” She queried him, sliding off her seatbelt to follow him as he got out of his own side. She didn’t wait for him to open her door and came around the front of the car to meet him, looking around at the pretty landscaping that edged almost all sides.

“Yeah. I own that building right there and this is its parking allotment. It’s pretty, huh?” He gestured to a smaller building nestled behind them. Only ten floors in height, not particularly outstanding in its plain grey structure and shrouded in utter darkness as if nothing and no one was inside.

“It looks empty. Don’t you use it?” TangShi was intrigued and tilted her head to observe him as he shook his, seeming evasive as she questioned it. He dodged her eye, shrugged and seemed immersed in looking for the start of the show.

“Not really.” He hadn’t been here in years and left it to be maintained by his company although he had never okayed a use for it. It had belonged to his father, with a purpose in mind as their first project as father and son working in Leng Group when he left the military. His father died before that happened though and this building was left to YuZhi with no real purpose.

“My dad and I would come here sometimes and talk about the plans for it. Spend time eating lunch on the top floor and watching the river from there. Or coming here to get air and watch the boats go by. Seems pointless now he’s gone. It’s sat abandoned for so many years that I no longer know what it’s for.” He shrugged it off and then pointed into the far skyline as the first fireworks exploded in the darkness and took her hand in his. Eager to drop this subject because it was still raw after all these years. “Scoot up.” He motioned behind him, and TangShi giggled when she realized he really was going to let her lay on his car. She dropped the conversation about his dad, sensing it still hurt him and beamed back at the sleek bonnet instead, of his black mean machine.

“We might scratch it. It’s okay. I know how much you love this car, and I was only joking anyway.” She laughed, warmed by the gesture, feeling guilty that they might damage his prized possession. YuZhi shook his head at her and then shocked her by scooping down and picking her up like a bride to be before she had a chance to click onto what he was doing. Bouncing her up into a firm hold. TangShi squealed in fright and instinctively grabbed on around his neck so as not to be dropped. YuZhi grinned at her with a hint of mischief in his eye and walked around the car and deposited her on top carefully. Holding her until he was sure she wouldn’t slide off and then grinning harder at her shocked expression and crazy grip on him like she was hanging off a cliff.

“YuZhi!” She half laughed, half choked as she began to slide at his loosening hold and clung onto him, but he pushed her further over with ease and climbed up to follow before turning her onto her back and maneuvering beside her. He figured the best way to anchor her was by using his own body as his clothing was less slippery. Satisfied this was a good idea and the best way to watch fireworks.

They lay side by side as he wriggled into a comfier position and pulled them up higher so he could bend his arm as a cushion for her while putting his hand behind his head and leaning them on the windshield. In a lounging posture that made it feel like a bed. TangShi was caught in a giggling fit and snuggled closer to him, pulling her jacket closed to combat the night air and found the comfiest way to lay on his shoulder and still stay secure on this slick surface.

“You’re crazy.” She smiled up at him and poked him in the cheek with a pointer finger. Enjoying the parts of YuZhi that came out to play when he relaxed and showed her his less serious side. This was him of eight years ago and still the personality that could make her heart flutter and build a tiny hope deep in her heart. Even though she knew it was futile.

“Me? You were the one who wanted to do this. Most expensive bed I have ever lain on. I could spend a night here though.” He teased, winking at her before staring up into the sky and enjoying the breeze that was a contrast to the hot engine underneath them. Not caring that they might scratch his baby, because her pure joy made it worth it.

“Look, look.” TangShi burst out and sat up so abruptly she gave him a fright and he had to catch her around the waist to make sure she stayed put. Pointing at the now several booms and rainbow bursts in the sky as the display got under way. They turned into dozens of sparking pretty flickers, crackling, and sparking. Magical dancing lights above them.

YuZhi sat up beside her and leaned in close, putting his hand behind her so they were almost cheek to cheek, and he could make sure she wouldn’t fall off. Caging her in while being near enough to share body heat without touching one another. They watched the light show with soft smiles on their faces and a sense of contentment at this conclusion to what had felt like a perfect evening. It somehow felt special watching it from over here in a quieter part of the city. The illusion of the trees around them making it feel intimate and romantic.

“I love this. Thank you for today, tonight. I really enjoyed myself and love the fact it’s ending with fireworks. I love things like this. They’re so pretty.” She rested her head on his shoulder, confident and comfortable with their companionship that had grown over the weeks, and he moved his chin to accommodate her before leaning against the top of her head. Snuggling close, still mesmerized by the sky, a companionable silence as they observed it.

It was thirty minutes of splendor and booms. Littered with sporadic idle chatter about nothing, and the odd joking remark or second of teasing from YuZhi when TangShi seemed too engrossed in what they were viewing. They could hear distant screams, applause, and laughter from others watching the display while they sat on the fast-cooling car and the night grew colder. Neither wanting it to end when it seemed perfect. The music weas fading and the hour was getting close to ten. Soon this would be over.

YuZhi became aware that TangShi was starting to shiver before it ended and nudged her with his nose against her temple. Sliding his hand over hers and finding them cold and curled up to preserve what little warmth she had left.

“Tang, you’re freezing. Let’s go and warm up, stop for coffee on the road home and thaw out. If we stay here, I may have to chip you off the car.” He rested his cheek against her temple and hugged her with one arm to pass his body heat, nudging against her to provoke her to move and do as she was told. Still playful in his manner towards her and starting to feel tired too.

“Hmmmm.” TangShi deflected because she didn’t care she was cold as she wasn’t done watching this. She didn’t know if they would ever do this again and she was treasuring every second with a reluctance to it ending. She was so relaxed she was almost asleep in his hold and lifted her chin to look up at him from her lower perspective.

“Five more minutes, it’s almost over. I’m not that cold.” It was her sweet and quiet tone that always melted him to the core. A soft cute expression with half sleepy eyes and a rosiness to her face that made her look ethereal. Her body was almost numb despite not admitting it and her limbs were stiff, but she was enjoying this too much to go home yet. YuZhi couldn’t deny her anything when she looked at him this way, but the telltale signs were all over her pale skin.

“I don’t believe you. Look at these little red cheeks and that nose.” He caught her under her chin with his free hand to angle her face towards him, grinning as he pressed her cheeks with two fingers to make her lips pout and pressed his nose to hers to check if it was icy. Laughing at the sudden sulky facial expression and the frown at him for doing that to her face.

“You’re bullying me.” TangShi mock sulked and smacked his hand from her face with a gentle tap, pouting her lip out by herself and it only made YuZhi laugh harder.

“Why are you this cute? What happened to that sassy pain in the ass that threw me angry glares and haughty frowns? You somehow morphed into a kitten.” He leaned in to catch her chin with his thumb and forefinger again and tugged her towards him playfully. Moving too suddenly when leaning too far forward and inadvertently caused TangShi to slide.

Because her body was so taut with being numb, she couldn’t counteract the movement and flailed her arms out in panic as her butt moved down and catapulted her back against the shiny surface. YuZhi with his quick reactions made to catch her, somehow managing to get his arms around her as she caught him too. Losing his own grip on the polished surface with her added bodyweight. His attempt to pad her head with his hand to avoid collision and leaning over with one arm around her waist to anchor her only pulled him along with her.

They both slid with speed, slumped over, unable to stop gravity when the surface was cold and slick. It was so fast it happened in a heartbeat and YuZhi crumpled on top of her with a gentle thud as they skidded right down the front of his car. His nose bumping hers as they jerked to a halt at the very edge where YuZhi’s foot finally met the flat road below. Both balanced and holding on to one another in a tight embrace and held by only one of his legs overhanging the bumper.

Breathing hard, TangShi clung onto him, aware they were precariously held in place, only a whisper apart as they locked eyes and the atmosphere changed dramatically. From a squeal and giggle of their impending doom, YuZhi swallowed hard, his breath hitching at the nearness of her face. The closeness of her beauty, the invasion of her perfume and scent that he always liked, and the intimacy of that delicate body wrapped up in his. YuZhi’s head fogged out and his senses overtook as his pupils dilated and he couldn’t tear his eyes from hers. Somehow this pose threw all thoughts of platonic out of his head.

TangShi’s breath hastened with the way they were curled up and pressed to one another. Aware of every one of his hard taut muscles against her soft feminine curves. His gorgeous green eyes boring into her own dark brown ones and holding her captive with a look she hadn’t seen on him before. She forgot how to think, breathe, or move, when caught in his overpowering charms this way.

It wasn’t the first time they had ended up nose to nose or on top of one another, but this felt different from any other time and YuZhi couldn’t ignore the fact his heart began to race while his insides fluttered. There was a deep stirring inside his soul and an urge drowning out all sense. He moved only enough to graze his nose against hers, his breath mingling with TangShi’s, and her skin seemed to ignite a crazy desire in him that he was powerless to resist. Growing closer these weeks had made this kind of up close and personal interaction mean something else entirely.

TangShi blinked up at him innocently, captivated by his warmth and touch, afraid to move for fear she would break the spell and stayed exactly as she was. It only served to make him want her more, always a sucker for the angelic purity of this girl. Heaviness between them as something grew and the air turned static. Heartbeats pounding in unison and shallow breathing becoming obvious. Both minds went blank and were aware of only the here and now while nothing else seemed to matter between them.

YuZhi dipped his head the last millimeters, all thought lost to him as instinct took over and pressed his lips to hers in a moment of weakness. Unable to fight the way she felt under his body and how much he was attracted to her. Knowing it had been growing little by little lately. His heart exploding with warmth and electric sparks as he tasted her soft smooth lips. It was only a second, but it made TangShi tremble and stop breathing. Poised and stiff in case she made him stop. His mouth on hers elevated her body heat and heart rate and she impulsively kissed him back, sliding her hands up onto his shoulders to grip him tight and encourage what he was doing.

Mouths met and opened as YuZhi got lost in reaction and parted his lips to mold to hers properly. Needing to feel her out and taste the sweetness that he had never forgotten all these years. Kissing her with longing and pulling her face to him with the hand behind her neck as they got lost in each other and surrendered to the passion that had built to crazy levels. He French kissed her, probing her mouth with his tongue, exploring the sweetness that was uniquely her and almost lost himself as he spiraled into crazy lust. TangShi was drawn into memories of their first kiss and overtaken by the need and desire to allow him to do whatever he wanted to her. Surrendering as he made love to her mouth and curled her toes.

It was YuZhi who came to his senses first, as chaos racked through his head and guilt kicked him in the stomach by pushing Rhea to the forefront of his mind. It was like she slapped some reality into him, and he recoiled at speed aware of what he was doing. He yanked back, confused, and bewildered that he could do something like this, losing all sense of reason and loyalty. Inhaling hard to calm himself down while internally berating himself for forgetting he loved someone else. He let her go and got up to right himself before hauling her to her feet to make sure she didn’t fall and stepped away quickly as if she caused an electric shock.

“I’m sorry…. I didn’t mean that. I Shouldn’t have done that.” He apologized, his words coming out in a strangled rush, and he ran his fingers through his hair, mentally shaking himself for what he just did. His head was close to imploding. He was visually rattled, pacing away from her and swallowed hard as he tried to organize his rambling thoughts.

“It was my fault. I kissed you.” TangShi was shellshocked and her legs were trembling and felt like jelly. Her body weak and her heart racing because of what they just did, and she was hot all over and unable to clear her head. She was ready to take responsibility for her part in it and was blushing from her roots to her toes, ashamed that with one kiss she was willing to let him do whatever he wanted to her. Her body tingling all over with an internal war drum beating loudly and stupidly aware that she had no control over her feelings for him anymore. That kiss was proof that she would easily forget Rhea and follow her heart and it made her feel ashamed and sick to her stomach.

His kiss had given her a long dormant longing and desire she had only ever experienced once in her life. Eight years ago, when he kissed her dizzy and made her melt just like he did tonight. She was struggling to calm herself down but also hyperaware of how awkward and conflicted he seemed, and it made her feel sorry. She felt like all she ever did was cause him problems.

“Tang. This was on me. Maybe we should go. Too much romance, sugar…..we just got carried away. Caught up in a moment with this atmosphere. It was a mistake. It doesn’t mean anything.” He was making excuses all while his body was making it clear to him that he was wound up with that brief touch and crazing the kind of touch he hadn’t had since he broke up with Rhea. He put it down to a lack of s*x and hormones and tried to ignore the fact that he couldn’t tear his eyes from her pouted lips or get that peaches and cream taste of her lip tint out of his mouth. His body was on fire, and he seriously needed a cold shower.

He couldn’t look her in the eye while he felt like this as he no longer trusted himself and inwardly curse that he couldn’t even blame this on alcohol. TangShi avoided looking at him too, conflicted with her own shame as she pressed her hands to her cheeks in a bid to cool the flushed rise of heat.

“Okay.” Her voice was low, strained, and muffled and YuZhi hesitated at her tone, thinking he had upset her and that she might cry. He knew it might have wounded her and was aware for the first time that maybe she saw him more than a friend and it sucker punched him in the gut. He never considered things between them would get complicated like this and had been so assured that their closeness was platonic. Confident in their friendship and putting his affection for her down to liking her as a kid sister. He was wrong.

“Tang, wait.” He caught her impulsively, with a need to comfort her, by the elbow and tugged her back to him so he could see her face. Throwing thoughts aside with genuine concern he hurt her feelings and hated himself for doing it. Spinning her with a little strength because he was panicking and twirled her right into his embrace without meaning to.

She ended up with her palms splayed flat against his chest muscles, feeling out his thundering heartbeat, her nose level with his collar bone as she bumped into him with a tiny ‘ouch’ and fully embraced in his arms where both of their heart rates shot back up again.

A coming together of two bodies that hadn’t recovered, and it was easy to ignite the same sparks. His touch all these weeks which had seemed comforting and familiar was now electrifying and caused goosebumps.

“Sorry…. I.” YuZhi lost all his confidence when back this close and pushed her away by the shoulders abruptly to make her step back again. Forcing distance between them so he could breathe once more. Aware of the fact he couldn’t handle her proximity right now. He was awkward and nervous in crazy levels he had never experienced before and couldn’t get his emotions under control in the heat of the moment. “Yeah, let’s leave. It’s for the best if we …ummmm…… leave.” He had forgotten what else it was he meant to say and acted like her touch burned him. Mentally scolding himself and thinking tonight he might stay over at ZhengLi’s to give them both space. He needed his friend to give him a beating for this. He turned and headed for the driver door, motioning weirdly over his head for her to get in the car.

TangShi turned in a hurry, her own skin flaming and her mind melting with conflicted thoughts and feelings. She got into the passenger side while trying to avoid looking his way, her heart hammering through her chest and aware of how out of control her emotions were. Her bottom lip trembling because she now felt like crying and she had no idea why. She knew these past weeks she was starting to fall in love with him all over again, but this didn’t make her feel good at all. It felt wrong and like she just betrayed her friend.

YuZhi sat for a moment in stunned silence, staring straight ahead out of the windscreen without starting the engine, his own head swimming with reasons, excuses, and tried to separate his emotions from his thoughts. Glancing her way and seeing her pink cheeks spreading to her hairline, he had the urge to lean over and hug her to tell her this was all okay.

Only he knew it wasn’t. He shouldn’t. Rhea would never forgive him.

He gripped the steering wheel as a surge of regret hit him hard and he pictured her crying face that night at the club when she thought he kissed her back then. Twisting his insides and physically causing him pain at knowing he had just broken Rhea’s heart for real and would never be able to lie about it. Now he was an actual asshole who really did follow through and was still reeling from the taste of another woman’s lips on his. Rhea planted herself firmly in his head, giving him the urge to go see her and somehow try to fix this while he started the engine with a grim look of determination on his face.

TangShi could read his expression a little and sense his change in mood and felt utterly desolate. He was cutting her off and closing her out to resemble the cold and aloof man she met months ago, putting her back on the other side of the wall. Her own heart panging with pain because all this proved he didn’t want her that way and he regretted it. And then there was her own guilt and regret because she thought she was a better person than this who valued friendships. Rhea had always been good to her and trusted her not to cross this line. She never thought herself capable of being this girl.

“Let’s just forget it. It’s fine.” TangShi broke the silence with her sweet and feeble tone, an edge of something in there he couldn’t quite decipher, and he flinched. Feeling like a complete jerk for making her this way and f*****g up everything of the last weeks with one stupid moment. He knew he crossed a line and initiated the kiss, but TangShi was doing what she always did when trouble arose. Blamed herself and took the full brunt of responsibility. Ingrained into her lack of self-esteem and worthlessness to always be the one people blamed. He hated that about her.

 It enraged YuZhi, irritation coming up from somewhere in the pit of his stomach at hearing her words. Without thinking he spun towards her, dived forward and caught her chin in his hand to tug her to him so they were a foot apart and she blinked in wide eyed shock at his sudden hostile behavior. Silenced and intimidated by the coldness in his face.

“I kissed you. I’m the asshole here and you did nothing wrong. I don’t want to hear you say that again. This is my problem, not yours.” He scolded her, sat back, letting her go and deliberately banged his head against his headrest as he screwed up his face, closed his eyes and sighed heavily. Questioning his life. Looking pissed even though it made no sense to react like that and TangShi recoiled back to quietly watch him from her corner. Not sure what to do or say and carefully clipped on her seatbelt to focus on something to do. Nervous around him and this unpredictable behavior.

He opened his eyes and hit the start button a little hard, thrust his car into gear before clutching the back of her headrest to lever himself around to peer out of the rear window and reversed at speed. Making her nervous with this change in him, the lurch of speed and his crazy driving, and she shifted to face forward. Straight and stiff, focusing on the windshield and remained silent.

“I’ll take you home and stay with ZhengLi tonight. Maybe we should cool things between us for a while. Stick to the plan and make some new clinic appointments. Not hang out for a bit.” He was reverting to his bolt hole, hiding behind hostile and cold in a bid to put some reasonable distance back between them until he figured out what to do about this. He knew he couldn’t keep it from Rhea. Hating that he felt like s**t for being this way to TangShi and knowing she didn’t deserve it over a kiss.

He was always someone who reversed away from complicated emotional mess faster than hell, like he had been doing with Rhea lately. Aware that made him an asshole but it was an ingrained instinct ever since his parents died. He had no idea how to navigate or handle it and was running scared. Confused at his own feelings.

“Okay.” TangShi mumbled, almost incoherently but he heard her, and it caused a sharp pain in his chest to hear her deflated and hurt. TangShi couldn’t understanding why he was being like this, but she couldn’t say anything about it. Looking down into her lap before sighing and focusing on the scenery to force herself to push tears away as they got out into traffic. She could feel the wall growing between them and wished this hadn’t happened at all.