MAFIA BOY and MASK MAN: Live to Love

CHAPTER #3

A black car, with black tinted windows pulled up beside Qihe. He got in and recognized the driver as one of his father's men. They were off to pick up Zhao Xiu. His father had him memorize her picture and details. She was sixteen, a drama actress gaining attention and a pop singer. Her father was involved in a business deal with Mafia Boss Crane, under the Seven Cranes Entertainment Agency. The same agency that employed the twins for commercials and modelling. It was a legit business, even if the owner was a mafia boss.

Qihe's job was to escort her to and from an industry dinner and after party. He would be posing as her boyfriend, even though she was older than him. His attire was business casual; black dress shirt, no tie, black dress pants and black shoes. His mouth mask was a matching black too.

Arriving at the girl's house, her father brought her outside. Qihe left the car and greeted the pair. "I'm Qihe Crane, your date and bodyguard tonight." He shook the hand of the father and offered his own to the girl.

"Hi," she said a little shyly. "Dad, I've got to go. I'll call you once we're there."

Qihe helped her get in the car and then walked to the other side, so he was sitting beside her. As they drove away, her demeanour changed.

"He's so over protective, like seriously. It's not even a red carpet kind of event. I'm not as popular as some of the actresses, there's no need for a guard."

"That's not your choice, nor mine."

She looked at him, to the point of almost staring and then declared, "well at least you're better looking than the guy he stuck me with last time."

The driver interrupted, "arrival in five minutes. When you want to leave, tell Qihe. There will be a lot of photographers and gossip interviewers at the entrance."

Once the car pulled up to the curb, Qihe went and opened the passenger door, offering his hand to help her get out. Zhao Xiu's hand moved to rest on his bent arm, as he escorted her past the photographers. They bombarded her with questions, but she didn't stop to answer. Qihe heard some guy shout his love for the teen actress and rose an eyebrow in mirth. They walked up the stairs and through the open doors, into the venue. Inside, entertainment magazines stopped them, to interview Zhao Xiu.

"Who's your mysterious escort?"

"I'm Qihe Crane, from Seven Cranes Entertainment."

"The masked commercial actor and model?"

"Yes. Please excuse us," Qihe moved his date away from the questions, but she stopped him.

"You're that Qihe?"

"Yes. Technically my twin brother also does commercials, dramas and models too. But I thought your father would've told you that."

"He tells me nothing."

"We have that in common," was his cryptic reply.

"These heals are making my feet hurt. Let's find our table." She tugged him in the direction of the dining hall.

A woman came forward, asked their names and then lead them to where they'd be seated. More people were constantly being escorted to their tables too. A waiter brought a bottle of red and white wine to each table. Qihe opened the red and poured a glass for her and for him, then also poured them both iced water in another glass. He lifted his mouth mask, to take a sip. It was a decent wine.

"Aren't you underage to be drinking?"

"So are you, but who here will ID us? Also no cameras allowed inside the dining area, therefore no scandalous picture of us drinking wine."