Being the son of a businessman isn't easy, and Ji Nan knows that to well. So when he was forced to move he made sure to not let anyone know about his fathers income. He even made sure not to let anyone get to know him, but when he is tasked with tut...
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When I left my old apartment I made sure to dry the tears that wet my face. I knew it wouldn't help much since my eyes were puffy. The wind was cold against my skin, even colder from when I arrived. I took in a deep breath and started walking. As I walked down the crowded streets I couldn't help but feel numb. Numb to the point where I didn't want to be awake anymore. I just wanted to go to bed, and let this day end.
I glanced around the sea of people and wondered how many of them were having as bad as a day as I was. Probably none of them. No one understands, not even Ba Wei. As I thought about him my eyes began to sting and I made my way to the front of a store to lean against the wall beside it. I let out a shaky breath and pulled out my phone. I opened it and clicked on Ba Wei's number and waited. To my surprise he picked up.
"Ba Wei," I called out softly.
"Who's this," a female voice answered?
I furrowed my eyebrows as the voice met my ears. Why did some random girl have his phone? Where was he?
"Um," I said slowly, "can you give Ba Wei his phone please."
The girl didn't say anything but I could hear rustling coming from the other end. I listened closely and I could hear Ba Wei in the background.
"Ji Nan," he called out to me.
"Where are you right now?"
"I'm with a friend. Why do you sound like that? Have you been crying."
"You didn't tell me you had any female friends."
"I didn't think I needed to. Where are you at right now?"
I didn't like the answer he gave me. I couldn't tell you why but I was slightly angry. Why was she answering his phone? What were they doing that gave her that opportunity?
"I'm heading home. I assume you're not there."
"No, but I'm about to head there. We should make it there around the same time. "
"Okay," I said with a sniffle.
Ba Wei hung up first which made my already somber mood even worse. Why was he with a girl, and why did he let her answer his phone? How close were they?
All those thoughts crossed my mind as I made my way to the apartment. Have they always been in contact? When he wasn't with me did he go see her? Those thoughts rushed through my head and before I knew it I was in front of the apartment building.
I ran my hand through my hair and quickly made my way to the apartment. As I was climbing the last stairs Ba Wei's voice hit my hears, and soon after a woman's voice.
"Make sure to call me after you tell him," the girl said.
"I will if it goes well. I have a feeling it won't because of me."
"None sense. Have some faith in yourself. Be cocky, it's what I like about you the most."
When I heard that sentence I climbed the last remaining steps and immediately me and Ba Wei's eyes met. The girl that stood in front of him had a shaved head and seemed confused on what he was looking at until she turned around. My eyes shifted to her and she simply just smiled.
"I'll catch you later Ba Wei. Tell me how it goes."
I watched as the girl walked past me and down the stairs and then looked at Ba Wei. He was opening the door. I walked up calmly and entered the apartment with him. I slid out of my shoes and just watched Ba Wei. By his movements I could tell that he was nervous about something.
I let out a sigh, "what is it that you want to tell me?"
He seemed surprised by me asking that. He turned to me leaning against the island and said, "I don't have anything to tell you."
"Ba Wei, if you want to break up with me you can be upfront about it."
"Wait, I never said that."
"You don't have to," I said as my eyes began to sting. "I heard you and that girl talking. I'm not a idiot."
He pushed himself off the counter and walked up to me, "You're acting like one right now."
I stared at him for a few seconds processing what he just said and just turned to leave. Before I could slip into my shoes I was pulled backwards. I fell into Ba Weis chest and his arms wrapped around me.
"Let go of me."
"No."
I tried to pull his hands off, "Ba Wei please."
"I told you I loved you Ji Nan," he turned me around to face him, "I wouldn't have told you that if I planned on going anywhere."
"But-"
"There's no buts with me," he said cutting me off. "She's just a friend. That's all. Stop over thinking."
"Sorry," I said softly.
"I knew you'd be a mess after talking to that woman. I shouldn't have let you go."
"I'm sorry," I said again as I laid my head against his shoulder.
He wrapped his arms around me, "it's not your fault. Don't apologize."
"I should've listened to you."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
His voice was soft against my ear and it comforted me. I stayed silent and just buried my face in his neck. He didn't say anything and just kissed the top of my head. Why did I only feel safe in these arms? Why was it only him that made all the negative emotions go away?
"She told me she wishes she never had me. Out of all things she could say she said that." I let out a bitter laugh, "its almost funny that I still love her." I looked up at Ba Wei with glistening eyes, "why do I still care after she told me such a vile thing?"
As he stared down into my eyes I couldn't help but see the concern in them. I wanted him to say something, anything at all, but he didn't. He just stood there and stared into my eyes.
"You can't even answer it."
"She's your mom. That's why you still care."
"I'm pathetic aren't I? Can't even let go of someone who clearly wants nothing to do with me?" I let out a bitter laugh, "if I could I would trade places with my father. I deserve to die. It's only fair-"
"Stop!" Ba Wei yelled cutting me off. He closed the little distance between us swiftly and kissed me. He forced his tongue into my mouth causing me to let out a low moan. He pulled back and grabbed me tightly by the jaw. "Don't ever say you want to die. Do you hear me?"
I nodded my head and his grip loosened. I was stunned and just decided to hug him. I didn't know why I did that but I felt like I needed to. I listened to his heart beat and closed my eyes.
"Ba Wei," I called out softly.
He didn't say anything and just let out a sigh. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me as close as possible to his body.
He laid his head on top of mine, "theres nothing in this world that is more important to me than you. If it takes me a lifetime Ji Nan; I will make you feel like I'm all the family you need."
I couldn't describe the type of feelings that were swirling within me after hearing that. I tried to keep my emotions at bay but the tears still came. I let out a quiet sob and Ba Wei tightened his arms around me. Even now I'm still as weak as I've always been.
