“Seriously?” Zhan asked annoyed glaring at the female before him while rubbing on his throbbing head.
“Please boss and besides it’s for your wedding.” Ziyi said pleading and excitedly while dragging Zhan to the mall.
Previously, they both met up with a client for a meeting at a popular restaurant in China which ended well but Ziyi being Ziyi decided on shopping for some clothes she’ll be using for the wedding and also urges Zhan to come with her to get his suggestion as Zhan kind of have a fashion sense.
“But you can do this with your friends you know. I have a lot of pending work.” Zhan says trying to avoid this at all cost.
“Boss I’m your secretary so I know you’re very much free right now and you’re only looking for an excuse to go meet up with your daddy.” She says teasingly and Zhan blushed. She turns towards Zhan freeing his hand.
“Please boss. I need your suggestion and besides, I’ll be busy so this will be the perfect time to shop. I feel lonely you know. Ever since you started dating your daddy I mean Mr Wang, your hadn’t had time for me. I’m your friend you know, so please let me enjoy this little time I can spend with you. Please boss!” she says flickering her eyes at Zhan who groaned loudly.
“okay but you only have two hours. After that I’m gone.” Zhan says and Ziyi smiled widely and dragged Zhan inside the mall.
They immediately went into a female shop were dresses are being sold.
Ziyi looked around trying to find a very suitable dress for herself while asking the bored Zhan for his suggestion.
“How about this boss?”
“you’ve chosen like four to five dresses already.” Zhan says whining.
“but I like them all. So I want to chose the best from all dresses. I’m gonna go try them on now.” She says and ran to the dressing room. She tried on all dresses and ended up going for a long fitted white dress with glittery roses on it’s edges. The dress was an open back that when Ziyi tried it on, it was as if the dress was actually made for her and also got a silver heels with butterfly design and a matching purse. Zhan mentally thank all that is holy when he saw her approaching the cash desk for payment. He gave his credit card when he saw Ziyi about handing hers and received a thank you very much in return. Zhan rolled his eyes at how happy Ziyi looked and they went directly to the car parked outside.
They were about getting on the car when Zhan's name was suddenly called out by a familiar voice.
“Zhan!?”
Zhan stopped on his tracks not daring to look over at the said voice as he recognizes it very clearly. That’s a voice he doesn’t want to ever associate with. The owner of that same voice was actually what almost put his relationship in danger.
“Zhan?”
The voice became closer and closer till the owner of the said voice stopped in front of him.
Zhan looked straight at the person before him but didn’t utter a word. His thoughts running wild.
'Why is he here? Isn’t he supposed to being in Italy? When did he came back?'
Zhan couldn’t think of anything possible at the moment.
The fellow was actually one of his senior he was close with when he was still schooling. He was only two classes away from him and same department as him. He actually met the said senior who goes by the name Dylan when his class went on a class trip with the senior’s class as supervisors.
Dylan was a very nice person, took care of them and also made sure they weren’t maltreated by rude seniors who took fun in treating the juniors badly. He’s a very nice person in nature and handsome too. He’s about the height of Yibo but abit smaller.
Dylan was actually the one who approached Zhan. They talked about school related stuff and other things and they slowly became friends. Their relationship deepened within few weeks and even got introduced to Yibo who didn’t actually liked Dylan at first glance. Zhan could tell as he could see Yibo laterally glaring at Dylan which wasn’t took person by the senior.
Yibo didn’t even gave him a chance to be introduced and immediately claimed his right over Zhan that he was his boyfriend. Zhan swore that he wished the mother earth could open up and swallow him at that awkward moment. But that was eventually gotten over as Dylan didn’t took it lightly and accepted it. But after few months together, Dylan’s feelings changed for Zhan that he even confessed to Zhan but Yibo didn’t give him a chance. Dylan even went as far as kissing Zhan on his lips and that triggered Yibo that day which Dylan as a result ended up hospitalized for a few days. It wasn’t that serious actually, it was just sprained ankle and a black eye. Yibo and Zhan had an argument that day that they both ignored each other for few hours but Yibo apologized immediately as he finally understood his actions was irrational.
Zhan respected Dylan as a senior who helped him a lot although he punched Dylan for the kiss but Yibo beating him up very badly was actually problematic as Dylan was actually their university owner’s son which would have ended badly for the both of them if it hadn’t been for Zhan's parents getting involved.
Since then, either of them hadn’t heard from Dylan and him being here right now and in front of him, Zhan is actually speechless as the last time he saw him was that tragic day.
His thoughts cut short when Ziyi spoke.
“Dylan ge! Oh my God! It’s you!” she says excitedly.
“hello….Meng Ziyi right?” Dylan asked with his usual charming smile.
“y-yes ge. How have you been. We’ve both missed you a lot you know? You suddenly disappeared and I even tried calling a few times but it didn’t went through.” She says.
“I’m sorry. Something actually came up which ended up with me loosing my cell phone.”
“oh. That explains a lot.”
“ehhh Ziyi?” Dylan calls
“yes ge?”
“how about we chat some other time? I want to speak with Zhan alone for now.”
“ohhh O-okay. Ehh Zhan I’ll see you at the office.” She says and Zhan nods as a reply. She immediately boarded a taxi leaving for the company.
It was quiet for sometime with none saying a word. Dylan spoke up finally upon seeing that Zhan wasn’t actually prepared on saying anything.
“how about I take you to lunch?”
Zhan: ………
Dylan sighs. “okay I’m sorry okay. I’ll explain everything let’s….let’s find somewhere private to talk please. I know you don’t want to talk to me but please, I want to speak with you. I promise it won’t take much of your time.
Zhan actually wants to walk away but still couldn’t as Dylan was holding on his arm.
“Please Zhan. I only need a few minutes.” Dylan says desperately.
Zhan sighs and starts walking to the restaurant opposite their direction which Dylan followed behind.
Sitting down, Zhan spoke up
“What do you want to talk about?”
“can we order first? I’ve missed this. Having a nice cosy lunch with you.”
“I didn’t come here with you for lunch if that’s the case then I’ll leave right now.” Zhan says and got up to leave
“okay okay I’m sorry please sit down.” Dylan says trying to get Zhan to sit which Zhan complied and waited for Dylan to start talking.
“I’m sorry for what happened that day Zhan. I know I acted wrongly but I couldn’t control myself. At that time, I hated myself for be late to court you. I should have came earlier. I actually fell for you at first sight Zhan. That was why I approached you. I never knew you had a boyfriend till he introduced himself to me. I thought you were a lonely kid so I didn’t rush things. If I had known that there was someone else trying to get you at that time, I would have asked you out first. I know your love for me was only as friends but Zhan, I still chose to be by your side knowing you having a lover. I thought I’ll be able to get over you but seeing you everyday being lovey dovey with each other or him even holding you angered me inside. That was the reason I confessed my feelings to you knowing fully well that I’ll be rejected but I still wanted to try my luck.
I’m so sorry I kissed you. I couldn’t help myself. That day, after dad heard about it. He was furious with me and took my phone away and the next day, I got transferred to Italy. I tried escaping but my dad was eager. I’m sorry Zhan I was wrong.” Dylan says pitifully
“Are you done?” Zhan asks coldly.
“w-what?” but he was ignored but Zhan who got up and says seriously.
“I actually wasn’t planning on talking to you right now but I respect you as a senior of mine so I decided to forget the past that maybe, maybe we can start over as being just senior and junior or probably friends but I see that you haven’t moved from your delusional thoughts. Just to let you know, I and Yibo are still together so I wouldn’t want to do anything that might anger him. Not at this moment. I’m sorry I couldn’t return your feelings and after hearing all you said that day, I really don’t think it will ever be the same between us.”
“I’m sorry Zhan. I was angry that’s why I said those words.” He got up approaching Zhan.
“I promise you that I’ll never harm him. Please….”
“I have to go now.” Zhan was about leaving but his hand was held.
“y-you really don’t want to give me a chance do you.”
“like I’ve earlier said, I and Yibo are still together and very much in love. So I would like for you to please stop approaching me as you’ve lost the chance of being friends with me. I don’t befriend people who threatens my lover’s life. No one will. And let this be the last time we’ll be seeing each other.” Zhan jerked his hands off Dylan’s hold and walked out of the restaurant.
