13 Chapter 13: Travel Invitation

She got into her room, letting out a relieved breath. Jiaye quickly surveyed the room and locked her door leaving the key in the hole. She wasn't going to fall for the same deathtrap twice. She quickly shed off her clothes got in for another quick shower and slid into her comfy grey sweatpants and her huge black band tee and headed off to Maddie's office.

She knocked twice and let herself in. She found him deep in a call staring out the window and it seemed like he didn't even hear her coming in.

She made herself comfortable on his chair waiting for him to end his call. Would it end now though? this was most likely a business call, after all, she noticed his coat was draped over his chair and his hand was deep in his pocket.

She 'coughed' loudly letting him know that he had company and it worked effectively. He slowly turned his gaze narrowed as they landed on her. She heard him tell the other person he'd call them back later and to hold all the decisions and immediately hang up.

"You finally decided to grace us with your presence, huh?" His tie was loosened his hair was ruffled a bit.

"Hello to you too. You summoned?"

She saw his muscles move in his jaw and she knew he was pissed. He grabbed his tablet scrolled a bit and placed it before her with strained calmness.

"Explain?"

There was a picture of her dancing on the tabletop Jayden beside her shirtless and Sally and her crew pouring beer bottoms up straight to their mouths, both Jayden and she were seemingly competing. It was pouring messily over her cloths and Jayden's bare chest.

"What's there to explain? She thinks it's pretty self-explanatory."

"You're married now," he said angrily

"Miss me with that bullshit." She stood up, so pissed off she could barely contain her anger and made her way to the door but he quickly intercepted her.

"There is a certain public image that needs to be maintained. You need to understand that." He muttered sternly trying to keep his voice at a certain level.

"Oh please, I'm not going to stand here drinking the dirty water you give me as you indulge yourself in the purest of wines. Now if that's all you had to say-"

"You're parents are coming over for dinner. They should be here by 8 pm, could you at least dress decently please."

Jiaye's blood immediately ran cold, she was going to have to deal with her father too. This couldn't get any better.

"You just had to be so immature and drag my parents into this. Gee thanks a lot," she replied

She knew it probably wasn't him and they'd invited themselves after seeing pictures of her on the internet but she was furious and she wanted someone to blame. Unlucky for him, he was the one there. She mastered all her might, pushed him out of her way and stormed out heading straight to her room.

She banged the door loudly hoping he would hear and threw herself on the bed. She wanted to scream out in frustration. why?! When a girl just wants to be lazy, her stupid father who won't give her even the least bit of acknowledgment just had to show up. Anyway, she may as well dress up. It was already 7:30 pm and she needed to be waiting to receive them.

She pulled on her white chiffon top and a black body-hugging skirt that had a little slit right up to just above her knee then pulled on her nude pumps. Why do we even have to dress up just to eat? Oh shit. She went to her dressing table straightened her hair and held it in a perfect bun at the top of her head. He hated it when she wore her specs so she carefully slipped on her contacts applied a bit of foundation and nude lipstick then headed downstairs.

She arrived just as the doorbell rang. She noted the table was already set and then headed out to receive them. She plastered on her fake smile and straightened her skirt then stood at a polite distance waiting for their 'grand entrance'.

This night was going to be fun. Please note the sarcasm.

Her parents walked in and she noted the amazement in her mom's eyes as she slowly surveyed the house as she came in trying to be as discreet as possible, but she stayed with her long enough to know.

"Hi, mom, father." She gave him a curt sort of bow which he disregarded. "And..." She noticed the burly woman right behind them with a stern no-nonsense expression on her face. She turned to her mother signaling her to introduce her then she noticed the embarrassed blush that tainted her cheeks.

"Jaiye, this is Catherine... Babe let's say she's my parole officer."

Her eyes widened as she looked at her then back at Catherine to shake her hand. She threw her an inquisitive glance which she easily avoided and slowly lead them to the sitting room.

"My husband will be with us in a moment. Would you like some refreshments?" Jiaye ushered them to their chairs and signal Lee over a maid hoping they'd at least try and be respectful today just for show and she sighed in relief when one came over immediately.

She saw something like approval in her dad's eyes but she didn't believe it. It must have been something else.

She sat opposite them and watched as they asked for a cup of hot tea for her mom and coffee for her dad.

Her back was so straight and her hands clasped tightly on her knees.

"Excuse me one moment," She said as she quickly stood up and headed for the kitchen.

She went over to one of the maids, honestly, she had to learn their names, and tapped her lightly on her shoulder.

"Hi, I'm sorry, could you please tell me your name?"

She looked at her coldly a bit disbelieving that she had even approached her then softly said, "Sera, ma'am."

Politeness? But we were out of earshot. Hmm, that was peculiar, anyway,

"Could you please go get Maddie for me? Tell him his guests have arrived."

"Sure thing."

She stopped what she was doing and immediately went upstairs. What in heaven's name was going on? Oh well, maybe she was new. Jiaye went back to join her parents dreading the rest of the night.

"So, Jaiye, sweetie, how you been?" Her mum asked softly reaching over to touch her knee.

"It's been good." She had nothing else to add. It was either she asked about rehab or the business and none of those topics was pleasant so she opted to dive back headfirst into an awkward silence.

"Jiaye, how is your marriage?"Her dad's gruff voice pierced through the silence.

"It's okay." She wasn't going to be indulging any of them today. She didn't want to get herself into any trap.

"Really?" His eyes narrowed down to slits as he gave her an intense glare. He took his phone from where it was laying on the table and she immediately knew she was in trouble. She'd still managed to get herself tangled in a trap anyway.

"Explain this," He unlocked his phone and pushed it in her direction.

Oh great, she didn't even need to look twice. It was the picture that was taken at the club. Unlike Maddie though, she couldn't give her dad the same stupid reply she gave to Maddie. This man expected an explanation.

"Can't you speak, girl?" His voice had gotten so cold and hard, it sent her back to her childhood days where tears would have immediately started flowing. She had grown with time though. She tried sorting through excuses, one that she could use in this situation.

"Good evening Mr. Zhi, Mrs.Zhi." Madie's deep voice interrupted them. The relief she felt that he'd come to the rescue could not be explained in words. Jiaye stood up trying not to wobble and went up to him. She got on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek lightly.

"What took you so long, honey?" She plastered a huge fake smile and turned to her parents. Their expressions were unreadable, but her mom looked sort of happy.

"Mom, Father, officially meet my husband, Maddie. Maddie, my parents."

She stepped aside smile still on her face and watched as they exchanged firm handshakes with her dad and he kissed her mom's hand courteously.

"Please make yourselves at home." He gestured for them to take their seats and sat where she was originally seated then signaled her to come to sit beside him.

Jiaye gladly obliged. She noticed as his eyes landed briefly on the phone and his jaw ticked but that was all. He reached out, turned off the screen and pushed the phone back to her father.

"We've already discussed the matter with my wife, sir. I'd appreciate it if you let it be." His voice sounded forced but it clashed with the pleasant expression he had on. She looked over to her dad and was genuinely shocked. He was embarrassed. She thinks this was the first time in her life she'd seen such a spectacle. He grabbed his phone and quickly stashed it in his pockets as he looked away guiltily.

Their drinks arrived conveniently at that time and father looked grateful to have something to keep his hands busy.

"Oh, so you'd already ordered for refreshments."

He signaled over Sera and got her to bring him a mug of coffee. Before he dismissed her he turned to me and asked me in such a sickly sweet voice I couldn't believe he could produce,

"Won't you have a drink too, darling?"

"An iced tea would be fine, thanks."

He dismissed her then brought his focus back to the table.

"So Mrs. Zhi how you been doing?"

"Nothing new really. Same old. How about you? How's work and everything?"

"Really good on! This time of the year is exorcism good for business -"

Their drinks were placed before them cutting Maddie's shirt momentarily.

"Mr. Zhi? How's your company doing? How is everything fairing?"

"Actually son, I needed to talk to you about that in private, if you don't mind."

Maddie looked at him scrutinizing him then finally said, "Dinner is served."

He stood up and held out a hand for me. She took it absentmindedly still awed at how nervous and fidgety he was making my dad.

"Shall we?" He gestured to her parents to follow and led them to the dining room. He took a seat at the head of the table, she sat on his right, mom beside her and dad opposite her on Maddie's left. This was her first time eating here. The cutlery had been set beautifully and the food was lined up neatly on the table.

They served and ate in silence, Maddie offering the occasional ice breaker and she's not even bothering to attempt conversation.

Finally done was over, her dad managed to steer Maddie away for a chat and she took her mom outside for some fresh air as she insisted she needed some.

"Baby girl, is everything really fine?" She had stopped walking and turned to look at her with her caring gaze that piercing deep.

"Yes, mom. Don't worry about me. Just focus on yourself and your recovery."

She was quiet for a moment as she resumed walking then she stopped again.

"You know I raised you. I also watched how your father used to grill in perfect appearance into you. So are you okay? Is your marriage good or-"

"Mom! I'm fine. Now could you just drop it? Please?" Her voice was strained and she knew she'd picked that too but she didn't push any further.

"Tell me about your friends in rehab? I hope none of them is making you want to relapse." She told her in a light note and was pleased when she chuckled a bit. She then got into telling her all about her new friends and their daily lifestyle. Then she told her how it took connections to get out even for a couple of hours so she had to have an escort to keep an eye on her and be back by midnight.

A few minutes later, she caught dad storming out of the house and signaled to mom.

She looked at her sadly, "I guess it's time for us to go now. Come visit me, okay?"

She pulled her into a tight hug caressed her face then left. Just as she was about to step back into the house, she was roughly grabbed by the elbow.

She turned surprised and her eyes clashed with dad's angry eyes.

"Clearly, there's something you're not doing right. Such a fucking disappointment." He spat out bitterly then released her just as roughly, she stumbled, and went to his car.

This time some tears actually gathered in her eyes. She let out a slow breath trying to calm herself down then she stepped back into the house. Jiaye was surprised to get Maddie standing by the staircase his eyes trained on her.

She quickly looked aside and fiercely wiped away the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Is there something you needed?" She asked him as smoothly as she could as she slowly approached him.

"I'll be leaving for a business trip early tomorrow morning. Would you like to accompany me?"