Almost Dead

Because of work, I saw Duan Yan often.

He was handsome.

Capable.

Dangerous.

He invited me several times to join Horizon with a high salary and manager position.

I refused.

Horizon was not Yan Group’s direct enemy.

Also, with my ability, I could become manager at Keystone.

It was only a matter of time.

At the celebration dinner after a successful partnership, my anti-drunk medicine went missing.

I searched my bag several times.

Gone.

Duan Yan raised his glass.

His smile added a wicked charm to his face.

I had to drink.

The liquor was strong.

My eyes blurred.

Someone put an arm around my shoulders.

I smelled Duan Yan’s cologne.

My mouth was dry.

My body burned.

The night became chaos.

When I woke, it was already dark.

Looking at Duan Yan’s handsome face, I regretted it.

I lifted the blanket to shower.

Behind me, he said,

“Song Yunge, last night felt good.”

“Be my lover.”

“I’ll keep you and help you get revenge.”

I turned to look at him.

He looked back.

There was no love in his eyes.

Only desire.

I lowered my gaze briefly to the evidence of his desire beneath the sheets.

Our bodies had matched well.

The experience was excellent.

My own body stirred from one glance.

Still, I said,

“Sorry, President Duan. I don’t do mistress work.”

He sat up and lit a cigarette.

Days later, I was kidnapped on my way to meet a client.

When the black cloth was removed from my head, I saw Li Yi.

My heart went cold.

The murderous hatred in her eyes was naked.

She slapped me.

Then grabbed my hair and slammed my head against the wall.

Again.

And again.

“Song Yunge, why do you have to force me?”

My mouth was sealed with tape.

I could not make a sound.

“Go die,” she hissed.

“You occupied my life for so many years. Go to hell and be filial to Song Xiang for me.”

“He liked you so much. I’m sure he’ll be happy if I send you down to him.”

Before I lost consciousness, I heard sirens.

Li Yi let go and fled.

I fell to the ground.

Through blurred vision, I saw Chen Jia running toward me.

Behind him came armed police.

When I woke, the smell of disinfectant filled my nose.

Chen Jia entered just as I struggled upright.

He put down what he carried and raised the hospital bed.

“What happened to Li Yi?” I asked.

“I almost died in that crazy woman’s hands.”

“Her husband took her back. This card is compensation from them.”

He handed me a bank card.

“What did the doctor say about me?”

“Mild concussion.”

“How did you know where I was?”

“My sister saw you being dragged into a van and called me. I called the police. They tracked the van through surveillance.”

“If you didn’t save me, the debt you can’t repay would vanish.”

“I’ll repay it.”

After that, Chen Jia delivered meals every day.

Breakfast and dinner, he made himself.

Lunch, he bought outside.

Sometimes he arrived still in construction clothes, sweat and dust covering him.

Only the hands holding the lunch box were clean.

One day, when Chen Jia left my hospital room, he passed Duan Yan at the door.

They glanced at each other.

Duan Yan entered with an expensive thermos.

He took away the lunch box I had just opened and placed his own on the cabinet.

“What wind blew President Duan here?” I asked.

“With your current situation, you are no match for Yan Qianyu and Li Yi.”

He paused.

“Agree to my terms. I’ll deal with them for you.”

“If President Duan is that obsessed with me, you can divorce and give me the identity of Mrs. Duan.”

He would never marry me.

I would never humiliate myself.

“Song Yunge, one word from me and you’ll lose your job. Then you’ll have nowhere to go.”

“Duan Yan,” I said, meeting his eyes, “I am not that easy to bully.”