Her Suspicions

A few days later, Shao Lin felt like she could not escape the feeling of being watched. She would go to and from work anxious as if someone had been trying to get close to her but then disappear right when they got near.

She decided to keep a disguised pepper spray bottle in her purse at all times—just in case—to play it safe. She would outrun the figure that followed, her car being her only safety net.

On the way home that afternoon, she received a text from Zhong Bai to pick up some groceries. She then went to the local food market and picked up some eggs, meat, vegetables, and extra seasonings. She bought some things that were on sale in bulk and collected her food points.

When she arrived home, Shao Lin noticed moving vehicles in front of the house. The movers were bringing some furniture through the large double doors. Surprised, she went into the house, dropped her groceries and looked for Zhong Bai.

"What is going on? What are these people doing here?" She asked once she found him.

Zhong Bai looked at her with a half-smile. "Ah, Lin. I requested the movers to bring my things here."

"Why?" she questioned, her voice clipped.

Zhong Bai moved toward her. He collected her in his arms, wounding his arms around her tight. Shao Lin stiffened, noticing that whenever he tried being evasive from answering her questions, he'd distract her with affection.

She remained stiff within his embrace. She then went to press on, "I thought you were moving into your new apartment?"

He looked at her. "There was an error with the lease. Apparently, I had signed a contract for the first day of July next year. I have nowhere else to go at the moment, but this arrangement shall be temporary," he said, trying to assure her. "Besides. I can protect you by being here more often, close to you."

Shao Lin did not know how to feel about it. She had been feeling a strong sense of danger lately, feeling more afraid now than ever, and she did not want to be alone. But still…she felt like things with Zhong Bai were moving too quickly, and she did not know how to say no.

He looked at Shao Lin so carefully and so hopeful that she couldn't bring herself to deny him.

Zhong Bai then settled in the spare room he had occupied the last three weeks, and he officially moved in.

…

Another week flew by.

Shao Lin had gone to her car, slipping into the driver's seat, fastening her seatbelt. She felt like she was being followed again, so she turned on the engine just as she took out a small mirror she had in her purse. Pretending to apply chapstick, her heart had jumped when she saw the reflection.

Zhong Bai.

She quickly shut the mirror, heart racing, wondering what Zhong Bai was doing there, and she was afraid of the answer.

Shao Lin sped off the parking lot and when she arrived home, Zhong Bai was not there.

She put her things down, stalking up the stairs quickly. She approached his bedroom, turning the knob. It was locked.

Shao Lin knew that he most likely needed the privacy, but she was getting far too suspicious now. Zhong Bai had been moving onto her far too quickly, not letting her have a say. He'd been watching her, making decisions for her. He kept things hidden from her, private.

Shao Lin heard some motion by the front door. She quickly stormed away and bolted into her bedroom, her heart beating fiercely.

She heard footsteps trek up the stairs. "Lin?" Zhong Bai called out for her. A hard knock banged against the door, startling her a second later.

"Wait a moment," Shao Lin said quickly with a trembling voice. "I still need to wash up before I go downstairs."

"Are you all right?" he questioned.

"Yes. Yes," she tried not to sound panicked. "I will meet you in the seating room soon."

She heard nothing but silence. "All right, Lin," he said a moment later.

Shao Lin then took her time washing up, changing into clothes she'd normally wear at home. She went to meet with Zhong Bai in the seating area. He was on his tablet while she went to pick up a book to read.

She could not concentrate on the words, as she felt uncomfortable. She reminded herself to breathe, and she tried to relax. She inhaled and exhaled a deep breath.

When Shao Lin glanced up from a page, her eyes met his. He was already staring. She quickly glanced back at her book, trying to keep her heartbeat steady. She felt his gaze, but it was sharp and predatory, keeping her locked in. She was too afraid to look back up.

"What did you do today?" she heard him ask neutrally.

She turned a page absent-mindedly. "The usual. I met with the gardeners in the morning. Went to work and stayed there the whole day," she replied. "You?"

"I mostly stayed home," he replied. "But I stepped out shortly to meet with one of my superiors." A lie.

If she hadn't caught him watching her earlier, she would have believed the pretty lie. Now she didn't know what to believe anymore.

Come dinner, they ate together in silence, and when they parted ways for bed, he kissed her on the cheek, and Shao Lin tried not to stiffen, not to cringe, not to show her discomfort beneath his touch.

She went to her bedroom, contemplating her afternoon, making sense of it. And she came to a conclusion.

Stirring out of bed, she went to do something before she knocked on Zhong Bai's bedroom door.

He opened it. "Lin. What is it?" he asked.

She started to speak, out of breath. "I think I heard something," she said. "I think someone is here."

His body went rigid, his face crossed with something like anger. "Where did you hear it?"

"Downstairs. The basement," she shook. "I'm afraid. What if it's Long Yat-sen?"

Zhong Bai stepped out of the room, his face hard. "Go back to your room," he said, voice tight. "I am going to check."

Shao Lin nodded as he stalked past her.

"Please be careful," she told him.

Zhong Bai nodded before he descended the stairs quickly, making his way to the basement.

Long before she came to his room, Shao Lin had already turned off the electricity and messed with the backup generator. Zhong Bai would be looking in the dark while she had time to look into his bedroom with a small flashlight.