The Protector (EarthMix AU)

Chapter 5

Phupha

To keep myself from reaching for Tian again, I went around the island and retrieved the few remaining dishes from the table. Tian had turned his back to me by the time I got back to the sink and I was glad, because I needed both the physical and mental distance.

I'd already made myself more vulnerable than I wanted to admit by revealing my aversion to being touch to Tian.

It would have been easier to let him believe I didn't want him but it was one lie I just couldn't stomach.

"You said you were attacked in your office building's garage - were you coming or going?" I asked.

"Going, I was on my lunch break."

"Is the garage secure?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are there security guards or parking attendants?" I clarified.

"Um, there's an attendant but I guess anyone on foot can technically get into the garage."

"You'll want to talk to your boss about adding extra security. If the owner of the building isn't willing to do it then your boss should foot the bill," I said.

"The other companies in the building might be willing to go in on the cost together."

"Okay..." Tian responded non-committedly.

"Tian, if you want me to talk to someone for you-"

"No." he said.
"I mean, that's not necessary. It's my building. I'll make the call tomorrow."

I was caught off guard by his admission.

"Your building?"

"Yeah, well, it's the company's technically. My dad bought it just before... just before he died. The business was growing so fast that he wanted to make sure he had enough room to keep expanding."

I couldn't hide my surprise.

"You took over your dad's shipping company?"

"I'm still learning but yeah, it's mine. My father's business partner is teaching me the ropes."

Tian's father had started a global shipping business several years before New was born and within matter of year, it had become one of the top companies in the industry, netting millions in profit every year.

At the time of their deaths, Tian and New had inherited the bulk of the estate, but New had never shown any interest in running the company and Tian had been so young that I hadn't considered he might one day take it over.

God knew he had enough money to do whatever he wanted with the rest of his life.

Of course, then again, so did I since New had left his entire inheritance to me.

At first, I'd been horrified by the prospect of profiting from New's death, but when I'd realized I could use the money to get justice for New and so many others like him, I'd been grateful for it.

"I didn't know that was something you were interested in," I said to Tian.

He cast me a look that didn't need words.

I didn't know because I hadn't made an effort to find out.

In the years that I'd been checking on Tian after New died, I'd been too lost in my own grief and hate to really focus on what was happening to Tian beyond making sure he had the basics covered.

"I'm sorry Tian, I should have done a better job of knowing what was going on after New-"

"Anything else?" Tian cut in, refusing to look at me.