The Poisoned Pen: A Guardian Story

Chapter Thirteen: The Heightened Security

On the second morning after sharing a bed, it was Shen Wei's turn to wake first.  He started to roll onto his back, then realised that he was being kept in his present position by a weight pressing down on his body.  It was not uncomfortable, but it was enough to keep him fixed firmly in place.

He glanced down.

A toned right arm was resting across his side and around his waist.

As he contemplated the sight, he became aware of the warmth of another person against his back, and a slight ruffle of his hair every couple of seconds as someone lying close behind him exhaled a slow breath.

He fought back the urge to panic and pull away immediately, as he considered his options.  If he made a fuss now, it would be extremely embarrassing for both of them, and he could not really blame his employee.  No doubt Zhao Yunlan had moved unconsciously into that position during his sleep, reaching out for him in the same way that one might hug a pillow.  He glanced at the clock on the bedside table.  It was still early.  Without realising it, he made a decision, reached down with his right hand, and intertwined his fingers with the ones resting gently against his stomach.  Then, he shuffled back ever so slightly, so that he was even closer to the man sleeping soundly behind him, closed his eyes, and allowed himself to drift off once more.

***

"It's not like Mr Shen to still be in his room at this hour," Chef Yu observed.  "He doesn't eat breakfast every day, but he is always in his study working by now."

"Don't worry about it," Butler Lao said.  "Mr Shen has been under quite a bit of stress recently.  He needs the extra rest.  And Mr Zhao is in there with him, as he's been quite unsettled at night.  He will make sure nothing is wrong."

"Speaking of which..." Chef Yu raised an inquiring eyebrow, but Lao Li was having none of it.

"Zhao Yunlan has done our employer the world of good ever since he arrived, and you won't catch me speculating why.  All I know is that I've never seen Mr Shen smile so much.  Long may it continue, as far as I'm concerned."

Chef Yu threw his hands up in the air in mock surrender.

"Okay, old friend.  I meant nothing by it.  Like you, I only want the best for the boss.  It's about time he had someone special in his life.  Now, do me a favour and stir that porridge before it goes lumpy."

***

Before Zhao Yunlan even opened his eyes, he was acutely aware of everything around him.

Another body was pressed tightly against his own, and a warm hand covered his, which rested against the soft cotton of clothing that was not his own.

He smiled to himself, and stayed perfectly still for a few moments, savouring the experience.  Then, he glanced across at the clock on the bedside table.  It was almost nine.  Usually, the alarm would have gone off by now, but then again, it was Sunday.  Perhaps this was the one day of the week when his employer allowed himself to wake up naturally.

As he focussed his attention once more on the man sleeping in front of him, he thought about how far they had come in less than two weeks, ever since he had first mistaken Shen Wei for the gardener when he came for his interview.  It was extraordinary really.  Being slow to trust given his chosen careers, he had never formed such an intense bond with someone so quickly.  If he was being honest, it scared him a little, and he wondered briefly whether he should release his hold on the author and slip away, back to his own room.  However, he could not summon enough willpower to move, so he remained where he was.

When Shen Wei opened his eyes again, it was almost half past nine, and he could not justify indulging in laziness any longer.  Gently lifting Zhao Yunlan's arm, he moved it backwards, away from his body, and gave his assistant a gentle push so that he settled onto his back.  The sleeping man let out a loud snore, and the author resisted the uncharacteristic urge to laugh.  Instead, he shuffled carefully to the edge of the bed, and swung his legs out over the side.