37 Just A Dream

Wearing an overly laced nightgown, Shi Yen found herself near the pool of her yard.

She gazed into the pool, the sun dancing against the soft ripples of the water. She stepped down the stairs of the pool, slowly emerging. The water sparkled against her skin as she kept descending until her entire body submerged.

She then resurfaced, gasping for air slightly; her long dark hair slicked back. Her sheer nightgown wore down heavily as thin streaks of water glistened across her skin.

She heard a splash from behind.

Her heart sped up quickly right before she felt a firm grasp on one of her wrists from behind her. She slowly turned around, resting a palm over her thundering chest. In front of her was Yuan Shun, shirtless; his black hair was dripping wet. His chest was glorifying broad. Her breath hitched as she itched to run a hand down his skin, cursing herself for even thinking it.

Yuan Shun glanced down at her, his face darting from her eyes to her mouth, to her round bust. He gazed at her intensely, hungrily. Shi Yen approached him carefully; a thin stream of water separated their bodies.

Yuan Shun lifted her chin to face him directly in the eyes. He then descended his lips, watching Shi Yen react to him slowly, almost impatiently. He smiled ruefully, and Shi Yen tugged at his arms.

He then took her face in his hands, pecking her lips lightly, slowly opening her mouth until their lips clashed altogether. His tongue glided across hers, pressing her firmly against him, sending shivers down her body. She moaned softly, whimpering and aching for more. She pulled him closer, and he lifted her, his hands enveloping her thighs.

She grounded against him, feeling his hard length nudge against her. She wanted him—she wanted him inside her.

She wrapped her legs around him to feel the inches of his considerable cock, just as how she traced it before.

Shi Yen then felt a firm pressure on her chest, and she woke.

When she woke up, Shizi was curled up on her chest, licking her face.

"Blegh," Shi Yen said, placing her aside. She then sat up, rubbing her eyes. She remembered the dream vividly and cursed. "Damn. Even in my sleep, Yuan Shun annoyingly creeps up on me," she told no one.

Shi Yen then slumped on the pillows of her mattress, glancing over her dog. "It's normal to dream about your enemy, right?" she questioned. "Even if it's not about strangling them, but more like…straddling them?"

Shizi titled her small head, and she perched her ears. Shi Yen stirred out of her bed with a heavy sigh at the wordless reply. "Yeah, I know, Shizi. It's not normal."

Shi Yen then washed up and prepared to leave the house for the day.

…

Shi Ailin felt excited by the growth of the company. She visited the warehouses before she went to the airport, trying to run with the staff about the new fragrance collection.

"I want you to give each customer a sample. It's costly, but Shi Yen instructed me to do this. Since it's a new collection, people are already attracted to the ads, but what about the scent?" She said to a group of staff. "Once people try it, they'll want to come for the full bottles. This will only be temporary."

The staff members nodded and went back to work.

Shi Ailin then went to look over the merchandise reports when a vermin stepped into her view. He soured her mood instantly. "What do you want, Luo Tian?" she questioned without looking up.

He grinned, his tawny eyes flashed. "I came to check out how it's going since I am in charge of the marketing in this building."

"Then have your look," she replied distastefully. "I'm busy." Shi Ailin walked away, and Luo Tian trailed behind her.

"Have you forgotten that you have to report everything to me if you want to maintain your business in the airport?"

Shi Ailin flashed her walnut eyes. "But, I recall that your brother was in charge."

"And you think my brother wouldn't take my word?"

"Don't threaten me," she snapped.

"I—ugh. Ai, this is not what I want," Luo Tian cornered her near the break room. "I don't want to argue with you. I only want to get along, but you don't give me a chance."

Shi Ailin pressed her lips into a thin line. She released a breath. "Sorry," she said. "I'm not good with casual talk." Especially when it came to Luo Tian, she thought.

He smiled grimly. "I want to help you. In any way I can," he told her.

Shi Ailin's eyes widened. "Thank you. I guess," she replied. She then turned around, grabbing a box of merchandise. "You can start with placing these around the store," she instructed.

"Eh?"

"You heard me," she said wickedly.

"Tch," Luo Tian replied. He then stormed away with the box he gave her. Shi Ailin chuckled as she watched his silhouette disappear. She didn't understand him. He acted as if he didn't break her heart years ago when Luo Tian told her he loved her. And then he stomped that reality a week later when he left her for another woman.

She knew those two broke up since he was looking for a wife, but why would she wait around for him like a second choice? She had more self-respect than that.

Regardless, if she wanted to make an example for Shi Yen, she decided to drop the grudge she held against him, but still, Luo Tian didn't make it easy.

Shi Ailin kept herself busy in her temporary office, ordering more work to get done when she stumbled upon an ash-blonde figure who shot her a grin.

She'd never seen that expression before.

"You have my brother doing more work than in one day than I can in a week," Luo Wanting remarked. His large frame stepped through the temporary office she worked in on Shi Yen's behalf.

Shi Ailin's lips curved upwards. "Serves him right. I've noticed him slacking off since I've started," she said, without looking up at him.

Luo Wanting took another step forward. He placed his palms on her desk as he leaned forward to look at her directly with his storm-green eyes.

"What did he do to piss you off?" he questioned low and honeyed.

"It's not something I want to share," she replied bluntly. She surprised herself with the tone she used at Luo Wanting, since she never dared before.

Luo Wanting narrowed his eyes and chuckled. He straightened and crossed his arms, towering her small frame as she remained seated. "I like you," he said sarcastically with a devilish smile.

Shi Ailin faked a grin. "Apologies, but I don't exactly return that sentiment. You haven't done anything wrong, but befriending a Luo isn't in my to-do list."

Luo Wanting faced her. "My brother and I aren't the same," he told her.

"Noted," she replied indifferently.

Luo Wanting smiled before he started to walk away, "Keep up with the good work," he said before he left.

Shi Ailin released a deep breath, finally feeling as if air returned to her lungs. She no longer wants to involve herself around the Luo's and yet, why are they always in her sphere?