1.13

Lalaine Brooks, she's a natural-born actress that started her career as a child actress in different TV Dramas. She started to become a red horse after a movie that hit the block-buster award and garnered the attention of the international media, from then on, she became the renowned "Royal Actress" from her frequent roles as young princesses from rich families.

As she reached adulthood, she started to develop a kink of dominating males, so she started to look for a suitable target and planned her whole scheme against the guy whose well-suited for her and fitted her criteria- Ling Wǔshì.

It's an open secret around K-City and the country that the Ling family is the holder of the true and ethereal beauty that can be on par with the gods and goddesses of the past. What makes Ling Wǔshì an easy target is that he is a fledging at the elite society and easily influenced by the mass. She strikes a deal with him and became her sex slave and boyfriend. She enjoyed the days passing being a famous actress in the day and being Ling Wǔshì's master at night.

She thought that everything was going smoothly according to her plan, however, things took a turn this month. She started to lose fans and popularity against a chubby little actress! She doesn't understand why they would idolize a fat person than her- a beauty with a body of a goddess! And then Ling Wǔshì also started acting weird until he told her to break up with him! In front of the students of K-City University! How dare he!

Lalaine was the one who poured dirty water on Ling Wǔshì's reputation, telling him that he needs her influence to win the election. She was also the one who fed Ling Wǔshì lies and threats about his sexuality, that she's the only one who can accept him and no one else.

For Lalaine, it was just a simple but deep scheme that she integrated inside his mind, but to see him slowly glow-up, get out of her grasp, and be the ethereal beauty he was, envy and greed crept inside her heart as she was pushed to plot in public. Bragging their relationship in the elite society, being clingy, and PDA in any place he's available, She did her best to make sure everyone know that he's already taken. However, it was all for naught, he still left her. Her plans were crumbling, her career threatened- it was as if someone was trying to ruin her reputation!

She was already inside the Pheonix Restaurant in one of the private booths to wait for Ling Wǔshì. She watched the Live and found out that Ling Wǔshì started the downfall of the lower class elites and the netizens were crazy after seeing his face up close! He's garnering lots of attention! The attention that she painstakingly tried to divert from his existence.

"Ling Wǔshì, that damn bastard! How dare he do this to me! Argh!"- Lalaine gritted her teeth in anger as she drinks her wine in one shot. She called for a waiter to get her another bottle of wine and some finger foods while waiting for him, she waited for him for a long time.

After waiting for thirty minutes, he still hasn't arrived...

After one hour, still no sign of him...

After two hours-

Lalaine was ready to explode! She gritted her teeth in anger as she gazes at her phone. No calls or messages are coming from Ling Wǔshì! That jerk! He's really getting on her nerves! She finally called him first, but she still has to wait for him to pick up, making her patience grew shorter and shorter by the minute that passes.

"Who's this?" Lalaine finally snapped and shouted at Ling Wǔshì at the top of her lungs.

"Ling Wǔshì! I told you to meet me at the Pheonix Restaurant at C Block two hours ago! TWO HOURS! Where are you?! Did you run away like the coward you are? Huh! You're probably staying with that butler of yours doing indecent things! Let me tell you, Ling Wǔshì! Without me, you are nothing!"- Lalaine poured threats upon threats to intimidate and push Ling Wǔshì's confidence down. However, She heard someone unexpected that made her knees weak, and started sweating like crazy.

"Ling Wǔshì, did I heard that right? Isn't that Lalaine Brooks?"- An elder's voice asked with inquiry and shock in his voice. Almost immediately, Lalaine recognized that voice! He's the President of her agency- Pan Cai!

"Oh, as expected of Mister President, You still have keen senses. Yes, my ex-girlfriend, Lalaine Brooks."- She can hear the mocking tone from Ling Wǔshì's voice. It was infuriating and at the same time heart-thumping that almost made her breathless.

"Why is she... towards you, then? Did something happen?"- The elder asked in an inquiring tone.

"Oh, it's because we broke up suddenly, she wants a proper break up with me. Besides, almost everyone in the Elite society knows that we were a couple, her reputation will take a hit if they knew we broke up or we were associated with each other after what happened earlier. Which reminds me, Mr. President, I think I'll have to decline your offer, after all, I don't have a good reputation."- He said to him with an apologetic tone.

"No! Don't turn it down so early, Ling Wǔshì. I'll give you time to think it through, after all, these kinds of opportunities don't come easily, or is it that you have other troubles? You can tell to this elder, although I may be old, I am still capable!"- She heard Pan Cai's words and suddenly, Lalaine felt those words are weird.

"No, thank you for your kindness, but I do not want to rely on others, President Pan Cai. Like I said earlier, I have a bad reputation and I still have an unsettled discussion with Lalaine Brooks. I am also busy with the program the university is planning, so I really have no time."- Ling Wǔshì said in an apologetic tone.

"I see, it's such a shame to pass on you. I really am genuine about making you a star, but if you are still undecided, I can only wait. Here's my number, don't forget to call me when you are decided."- Lalaine thought that the conversation is already done and sighed in relief but didn't expect that Ling Wǔshì will tattle her out!

"President Pan Cai, is my face good enough to be an actor? Lalaine always told me that my face is just so-so to be even liked by the mass. It's one of the reasons why I don't want to be an actor or star."- Ling Wǔshì's voice carried the tone of a depressed and anxious person. Lalaine felt her heart almost jumping up to her throat, if the President gets angry at her, her whole career will fly away! No!

"What kind of nonsense is that? Ling Wǔshì you are an epitome of an ethereal beauty! Don't listen to Lalaine's words! What kind of girlfriend said those kinds of insults to her boyfriend! I never knew Lalaine is like this!"- the President's voice got louder and angrier, Lalaine flinched away from her phone in fear.

"Sorry President Pan Cai, if I am going to work in the same environment with Lalaine Brooks, I think I won't be able to cope up. I'll take my leave then, Thank you for the meal."- Lalaine's hands trembled after hearing his words. In the same environment as her... working together... Impossible!

Lalaine was in a daze as she held her phone without strength and leaned on the table. Her mind is working with thoughts that could reach a thousand miles. Suddenly, someone entered her private booth and when she looked up to reprimand the other person, she was only left astonished. It was Ling Wǔshì!

He casually sat at the other end of the table and looked at his phone. His posture, his unperturbed look, and the intimidating aura that he was emitting were overwhelming her so much that she feels her throat close up, hands tremble under the table and heart pound hard against her chest. Uncomfortable, she felt undeniably uncomfortable being with Ling Wǔshì in a small space right now, like a mouse being looked down and intimidated by a ferocious lion.

"Anyways, let's break up. Between you and me, there is no connection whatsoever. If you try doing something dirty like exposing me and similar things on social media and the news stations, then be prepared for the consequences."- Ling Wǔshì gave her a side-glance before showing her his phone screen. there are five angles of cameras looking inside the private booth they are in, all cameras are zoned towards her and her alone. Lalaine was stupefied, He... this... since when?

"Since when were you... monitoring me?!"- Lalained asked in a shaky voice. She was very shaken from the revalation Ling Wǔshì slapped on her face. It was so evident from her trembling shoulders and the fear in her eyes.

"When? hmm... Since the beginning? I mean its not that hard to do with the my family's assets and other stuff at my disposal."- He said in a carefree tone and put his phone back to his pockets.

"Well then, I have important things to do, so you better just not associate yourself with me or you know the consequences."- He said and stood up. Lalaine was silent as she gaze up and meet his cold eyes. A sudden realization struck her mind that almost made her collapse.

"You... you had me at the palm of your hands... all this time."- She mumbled in a weak voice as if she resigned on her own fate. Ling Wǔshì shrugged at her before leaning down to close the proximity between their faces.

"So what if I did? I had fun, Lalaine. Be careful associating yourself with others in the future. Bye, Darling."- Ling Wǔshì gave her a peck on the lips before leaving her with a enigmatic smile. Lalaine collapsed as soon as he left the private booth, fear and anxiety were overwhelming her senses as she hugged herself and curl up in her seat, she was left there terrified.

+++

Ling Wǔshì was walking on the hallways of the hospital when one of the nurses approached him. He knew the familiar face as she was one of those staffs that was assigned for the special intensive care unit he put Takeru under.

"Sir, we have a report from the earlier check-up with patient Takeru Furukawa."- She said in a respectful tone, he tilted his head while looking at the nurse in wonder. Why suddenly report his check-ups? What happened while he was out?

"Did he die?"- Suddenly being asked with this kind of question, the nurse was taken by surprise, before answering him.

"No, Sir. It's just that earlier-" She said but was cut off by Ling Wǔshì.

"If he's alive, then no need to tell me about these things. Thanks for the hard work."- He said and went inside Takeru's private room. The nurse blinked and looked at the close doors in wonder.

"Why is he only concerned about the patient's life or death?"