Affair in the Red House

CHAPTER 08 : JIANGLI

"...and that concludes the meeting. Thank you everyone." Rein said as he bowed.

Everyone whose seated clapped and also bowed to gave thanks to the Director.

"Job well done. Hope to see more of your proposals." his older brother Jun shaked his hand, he was the acting President of the Valdir Corp.

"Yes brother. There will be much more to come."

Jun smiled "See you around."

The meeting hall gradually become empty and Rouyi was still reviewing his proposals and the suggestions that the committee said.

When suddenly the phone of his secretary rang, Mierin who was polishing her report about the meeting took it.

"Yes?" Mierin asked

"Yes."

Mierin's expression changed and looked at Rouyi who was still busy on his table.

"Yes, I'll notify him right away." she then hanged up and hurriedly went to Rein's side.

"Rein. Your husban---Mr. Jeremy wants to see you." Mierin said

"He's now waiting at your office." she added

"What? Now?" Rein massaged his head

"Maybe about the divorce? You said he didn't contacted you nor did anything to you after your dinner date. Maybe, right now he wants to talk about it." Mierin shrugged on her speculation

"Really?" Rein exhaled "In this building, in my office?" he finds it ridiculous if she was right.

"Why are you asking me? Hurry now! He's waiting." Mierin retorted

Rein made a deep sigh and started to fix his things. Mierin accompanied him until they reached his office door.

"Hey lady." he called to Mierin who was about to leave.

"What?"

"Enter the office after 20 minutes. Don't knock nor do anything to declare your presence to enter. Just enter and do something for me to get excused." Rein told her

Mierin twitched "Are you out of your mind?!"

"Just do it! I'm trusting you." he then entered without waiting for Mierin's reply.

After opening the door, he immediately spotted Jeremy's broad back, he was firmly standing and staring at a certain painting on the wall.

"This painting. Does it have any name?" Jeremy asked as he heard the door open.

Rein was at first confused but he liked the topic, he went on to Jeremy's side to have a view on the painting.

A painting of a person playing a flute with his lover watching at a spring season, near a river.

"It is called 'A Tale Untold'. Isn't it pretty?" he smiled as he ask this

It was the first he smiled sincerely that Jeremy witnessing it.

Jeremy also smiled with a hidden intent "It's a good painting, seems like the painter is well versed with the Tales of the Red House."

Rein turned to him, "What do you mean?"

Jeremy observed his face and answered, "Isn't this painting convey the Tale of the Lost Beauty?"

"It is?" Rein turned to look at the painting.

It was one of Lin's work 2 years ago that he desperately bought among his many competitors.

Rein was just observing the painting, finding some significance and similarity on the tale when suddenly, Jeremy lean to rub his lips on his ears.

Rein abruptly moved away, "What are you doing?" he touched his ears as he glared at the man.

"I find you beautiful recently. Tell me why?" Jeremy grinned

Rein frowned "Have you gone crazy?"

"Look Jeremy, if you came here to talk about the divorce I will gladly entertain you but if you are here to joke around, the door is there." Rein angrily told him

Jeremy giggled devilishly "I think you forgot who's the boss here, Director."

And he suddenly pounced on Rein, he wrapped his long arms on Rein's waist and locked him in his embrace. He started kissing him.

Rein used all his force to free himself but the man was too big for him.

"S-Stop it!!!" he was turning side to side to avoid his lips and trying unlock his arms on Jeremy's tight embrace.

"You're not even wearing your wedding ring anymore. Are you that desperate to cheat on me?"

"But I want you Rein. What should I do?" he whispered as he slowly licked Rein's cheek.

"Doing you in your own office won't be that bad." Jeremy smirked

Rein stopped when he heard this and really felt disgusted to the core he was frantically trying to break free.

Fortunately, the door suddenly opened.

Mierin had a grim expression on her face doing this but immediately became stiff and scared when she finally entered and witnessed the scene, she bowed,

"U-U-Uh U-Umm, t-the..., t-the President was calling you Sir Rein. S-Sir." Mierin was shaking obviously

"Tell him to wait." Jeremy coldly spoke

"I-I-It's an u-u-urgent call Sir." Mierin managed to politely rebut back even though she was sweating too much.

Rein heaved in relief and took this opportunity to break free from Jeremy's embrace.

"I will go. Mr. Houston, you can stay here if you want. Please 'entertain' yourself." he bowed and walked away.

"Don't think you can ran away again." Jeremy's cold voice sounded as he closed the door.

"H-Hey Rein what's that?" Mierin catches up to him on walking away from his office.

"Mr Houston's expression was really scary when you left."

"Let him be. He's crazy." Rein stated fixing the disarrayed creases on his shirt caused by the man's previous action.

"Was he really trying to r**e you in your office?" Mierin asked

Rein stopped and faced her "Can you be more louder?" he sarcastically asked and resumed walking

"What?!" Mierin was confused of his angry expression

"I mean, base on his recent actions... maybe he had a clue on your unfaithfulness and tries to win you over. You know, maybe he realizes he loves you because you were about to leave him." Mierin said as she expresses her own theories again.

"You've watch too much dramas." Rein uttered

"Come on. Life is full of 'what if'!"

Rein suddenly stopped and remembered something "Hey Mierin, Lin wanted to have lunch together with you again you're not busy aren't you?"

Mierin glowed "Really?!"

Rein pushed her face away from him "Do you think I'll invite you if he doesn't want to?"

"I'm very much available!" Mierin shouts in happiness.

.....

"Thank you for inviting me!" Mierin greeted Lin casually because they both had many encounters already.

"Hi." Lin wore pastel colored shirt and plain pants but his face was fresh and youthful as he waved to Mierin like a child.

"Is it all set?" Rein kissed his head as he asked

Lin nodded "The exhibit will officially launch next week and all we have to do now is to eat! Come, I already ordered some."

They entered the restaurant and happily ate. Mierin was a funny person at the people who had a shallow happiness.

And Lin was laughing every joke she make. Like a child Being deceived by its own mother.

"I really don't get how can you laugh on her lame jokes." Rein interrupted their moment.

"Come on it's funny." Lin responded

"Rein was just a killjoy since birth that's why his nickname was Rein the Killer Joy."

They both burst into guffaw.

Rein rolled his eyes on them, he still don't get the fun.

"Aye Lin, tell you what Rein was very nerdy when we were in high school. He was a pro on games likes to read manga and very much nerdy like me before!"

Lin was astonished and turned to his lover "Really?"

Mierin nodded as she sips her drink "We were both an outcast back then--Oh wait!" she suddenly remembered something.

"Rein remember in high school... you had a secret admirer?" Mierin said

"Secret Admirer?" Lin giggled with a bit of uncomfort

Rein shrugged as if he doesn't remember.

"You have! The one who sends letter and flowers and bears and chocolates to you every day! It was cringey but the effort though."

"Every day?" Lin asked curiously

Mierin nodded "Yes! It was at first sweet but it became creepy later on, that person became a stalker! It knew Rein's schedule, the path to his home and sometimes, delivers flowers on their house. The most goosebumping part was whenever we take our daily route after school, we always felt stares and people watching over us." Mierin explained as her expression disgusted

"Shu and Xian ended up tracking down the 'secret admirer s***h stalker' and only knew the fact that it was actually a Senior from another school---"

"OH." Mierin cut her words and seemingly froze.

"What is it?" Rein finally asked because Mierin's expression became strange.

"Damn Ruo." she cursed

"What?"

"I completely forgot something important to tell you when you were about to marry Houston Jeremy." Mierin was a bit in panic

Lin was curious now, frowning deeply.

"As your ever most loyal bff, I stalked Houston Jeremy and confirmed he was an outstanding person since he was a fetus and the most important part is! He's the Council President at year 20XX-20XX of XXX Academy."

Rein frowned "So?"

Mierin rolled her eyes in frustration "Come on! That year was the time where your stalker started to let you feel his presence. And did you forgot?"

She continued, "Shu and Xian said that after they tracked down the stalker and confirmed it was a Senior from XXX academy they dig deep down on the social platforms of that school and.... the stalker was actually the current Council President of that school that time! And maybe, that's the reason why he had access on your schedule, on your address and..."

"So you mean, Houston Jeremy was that stalker?" Lin trembly asked

"That... that he knew Rein even before their marriage?" he turned to Rein who was also a bit shocked

"That's ridiculous. " Rein said and switched to his normal expression again "...you have your theories again."

"It may be 80% unreliable but there's that 10% still!" Mierin refuted

Rein and Mierin debated but Lin became quiet.

He concluded something.