𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

twenty-five ✪

Xukun walked towards me and removed the ropes that were tied on my hands and feet.

I stood up with his help and we locked eyes. Tears started forming in mine as he pulled me into a hug. He slowly caressed my head, "I'm sorry, Xinyi. I'm sorry if I was late."

I shook my head, hugging him tightly, "You were just on time."

"You!" We heard Yanchen's voice from beside us.

I saw Zhengting slowly walked to Yanchen and held his collar. "How dare you lay your filthy hands on my sister? Your reign is over Yanchen."

"The police are coming," Xukun adds, pushing me behind him. "If I were you, I'd give up."

"No!" Yanchen pushed Zhengting away. "You think this is all over? Think again! I still have Plan B! You know what they say, if Plan A doesn't work the alphabet still has 25 more letters!"

He raised some kind of button he was holding.

I blinked, trying to figure out what it is, "B-bomb?"

"If I'm going down, I'll drag you all with me!" He pressed it as I held Xukun's hand and prepared for impact but nothing happened.

Yanchen pressed it continously, "Why isn't it working?!"

"Oh, you mean this?" Xiao Gui said, throwing the broken time bomb in front of Yanchen.

"Y-you! How did you -?"

Ziyi scoffed, "You might be forgetting that his father is a police. He's trained for these sort of stuff."

Just as Ziyi said that, the police started coming on. They collected Yanchen and So Hyun who was crying on the ground screaming, "I can't go to jail! I can't go to jail!"

I sighed, trying to sum up everything that has happened. Zhengting rushed towards me and hugged me real tight.

"How could I let you get away from my sight?"

"You picked Eunki oppa over me," I pouted.

"And now I'm never gonna choose anyone over you," He said as he kissed my forehead. A brotherly kiss.

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We went back to the house as the police interviewed me. They found out that Yanchen's aunt and uncle were still on the run and that they owed a huge amount of money to the government.

"Xinyi!" I saw my mom walked in with Xukun's mom. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

She hugged me and I swear that was the first time she ever hugged me that tight. I greeted Mrs. Cai too.

"Dad isn't coming?" I asked, hoping for my father to come here.

Mom shook her head, "Dad's trying to look for Yanchen's relatives. But he said he'll try to come by."

"We're so glad that you're okay now. Our little Xinxin." Xukun's mom exclaimed, hugging me, too.

I forgot that Xukun was still sitting beside me. I only noticed him when he coughed.

"Oh, right, you're still here." I said, looking at him.

He smiled back, "I'll leave you three to talk then."

"Uh, no," Mrs. Cai said, pulling his son back to the couch. "The four of us need to talk about something."

Xukun and I looked at each other and slowly sat down as our parents sat on the opposite couch. Zhengting decided to join in and sat beside Xukun.

"Since the Zhous are out of our lives," Mom started off.

"What do you kids think about announcing your wedding?" Mrs. Cai finished off.

I widen my eyes and Xukun who was drinking water, suddenly spitted it on Zhengting's face.

"Wow, Xukun," My brother said, wiping his face. "It's so nice of you to share your water with me."

"Sorry - but -" He faced me then our moms, "What did you just say?"

"You're getting married!" Both of them squealed in excitement.

"What?!" I exclaimed, standing up. "You're setting up an arranged marriage for me? Again?"

"But, sweetie, this time it's with someone I trust," Mom defends.

I blinked, as I look at Xukun. Does he want this? But the bigger question is, does he want me?

I don't want to do this with their help. Xukun thought. I still want to ask Xinyi on my own. This is unfair.

He finally stood up, "Thank you for the kind offer Mrs. Zhu, but I think I have to decline."

"What?!" Zhengting also stood up and pointed at us. "You guys are pretty much the worst couple I have ever seen in my whole life! They're giving you an opportunity to marry each other! Do I still need to explain it in simple form for you?"

I bit my lip. Zhengting's right. This is what I've wanted but I don't know how Xukun feels. I don't want to enter a commitment where I have no idea what the other feels.

I look at Xukun who avoided my eyes. I turned to look at our moms again, "Thank you for this, but I'm sorry. I don't think I can."

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word count: 790 words
3/11/18