A sudden confession is like hit and run. It hits you so quickly that you feel disoriented and leaves you with little less time to react.

 

 

 

"You should take responsibility."

 

 

 

I turn around and face him. Even with the glaring rays of the sun, I can clearly make out his serious expression.

 

 

 

"What did I do?"

 

 

 

I swallow hard as he walks towards me, his gaze holding mine, never letting it go.

 

 

 

"You stole my heart."

 

 

 

This feels surreal. It feels as if anytime now, the director will shout "CUT" and I'll be yanked back to reality.

 

 

 

Yet he holds my hand, assuring me that this isn't just a dream.

 

 

 

I didn't realize that tears are already forming in my eyes. Didn't notice them until they start blurring my vision.

 

 

 

I can't remember how many times I dreamt of this. Can't recall how many times I've stopped myself from showing my feelings, believing I'm undeserving of such happiness.

 

 

 

HIs face softens as he gently wipes my tears.

 

 

 

"Hey, I was just kidding. I don't mean to pressure you."

 

 

 

I breathe hard and shake my head. There's no pressure now.

 

 

 

"You're right."

 

 

 

I clasp his hand tighter and place them next to his chest.

 

 

 

"What will happen to that fragile heart of yours if I don't?"

 

 

 

 

I drag him towards the house, hiding my smile all the while. We walk in comfortable silence as we wander the vast uphill road.

 

 

 

"I didn't know you were part of it, Shuang."

 

 

 

He says after awhile.

 

 

 

"Part of what?"

 

 

 

"I was supposed to be the Crown Prince Liu Che."

 

 

 

Ahh... that.

 

 

 

"Yes, I heard." I say. "Why didn't you take it?"

 

 

 

He sighs. "My team didn't think the role suits my image. Had I known you'll be part of it..."

 

 

 

"You'll take it?" I hold my breath for his answer.

 

 

 

He smiles at me.

 

 

 

"Of course."

 

 

 

I smile at him. A thought suddenly comes to my mind.

 

 

 

"When I read the script, I imagined you as the Crown Prince."

 

 

 

He stops walking and looks at me.

 

 

 

"Really? Why?"

 

 

 

"I don't know. Maybe because you have similarities with him."

 

 

 

I feel myself melt with his gaze. 

 

 

 

"Like what?"

 

 

 

I look up and purse my lips in thought.

 

 

 

"Well, you both have a boyish charm."

 

 

 

His lips curve into a smile as we continue walking.

 

 

 

"What else?"

 

 

 

I bite my lips while thinking.

 

 

 

"You both have a regal aura."

 

 

 

"And?"

 

 

 

I lurk my eyes, avoiding his, contemplating whether to say what's on my mind.

 

 

 

"You both have a naughty side."

 

 

 

He stops on his tracks, a serious expression clouds his face.

 

 

 

Uh-oh. Shouldn't have said that. Shouldn't have said that.

 

 

 

"You haven't seen me at my naughtiest, my dear wife."

 

 

 

I almost bite my tongue at what he said but I refuse to be stunned. If I do, he'd think he'll always have the upperhand between us.

 

 

 

Hao de. Two can play the game.

 

 

 

"Why don't you show me, da shen?"

 

 

 

I drop his hand as my cheeks turn crimson and walk briskly away from him. I hasten my steps as I hear him nearing me.

 

 

 

"Come here, you little feisty cat."

 

 

 

I gasp as he wraps his arms around my waist and pull me close to him.

 

 

 

"Airen, I don't think they'll be needing that push from you."

 

 

 

My cheeks heat up even more as Ni Ni and Jing Bao walk towards us.

 

 

 

 

 

"What does this mean?" Jing Bao asks, genuinely confused. "You two...?"

 

 

 

Yang puts me down gently and  clasps his hand with mine.

 

 

 

"Told you we'd go together." He says with a smirk.

 

 

 

Jing Bao dials his phone while looking at us with a goofy smile on his face.

 

 

 

"TIANYU, OUR BOY FINALLY DID IT!"

 

 

 

"Really? Him and Xiao Shuang?"

 

 

 

"Yes. This is my proudest moment." Jing Bao says, pretending to wipe his tears.

 

 

 

I look at Yang and we both laugh. Trust Jing Bao to put on the theatrics.

 

 

 

"I thought it'll take another decade before Yang would confess." Jing Bao says, shooting Yang a teasing look.

 

 

 

 

Yang just smiles and leads me to the seat beside him.

 

 

 

"I've always ran after her. She's just too elusive."

 

 

 

I give him my brightest smile.

 

 

 

"But you finally caught me."

 

 

 

He takes my hand and smiles, that smile that melts even the coldest heart.

 

 

 

"And I'll never let you go."

 

 

 

Jing Bao coughs rather loudly.

 

 

 

"Great. Now that he's found a way to show his happiness, life will surely be unbearable."

 

 

 

Ni Ni laughs as she passes the food.

 

 

 

"Don't mind him. He's just jealous that he's no longer your favorite leading man onscreen." 

 

 

 

I take some and pass the plate to Yang.

 

 

 

"Tianyu's my favorite, actually."

 

 

 

Da shen drops his chopsticks.

 

 

 

"What about me?"

 

 

 

I calmly pick some cauliflower from the plate and place them on his.

 

 

 

"You're already my leading man offscreen."

 

 

 

He lets off the silliest grin.

 

 

 

"You're so cute, laopo." He says as he playfully pinches my cheeks.

 

 

 

"Aisht, look at these two..." Jing Bao sighs as he looks at girlfriend. "And I was even planning on hooking them up."

 

 

 

Ni Ni pats him on the shoulder. "You did good, airen."

 

 

 

I smile as I remember Jing's invite a few days ago. Come to think of it. If he hadn't asked me to have lunch with him and Ni Ni, this probably wouldn't have happened.

 

 

 

I look at Yang and my heart skip a beat. He has a boyish grin that never seems to leave.

 

 

 

. I think I'm in trouble.

 

 

 

I've been hit out of nowhere and now, my mind's reeling.

 

 

 

But it's alright as long as he'll stay beside me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I went out last night, I just wanted to clear my head. The past few months have been a whirlwind and my mind's been disoriented.

 

 

 

But now, everything's clear.

 

 

 

"Wipe that silly grin off your face, Yang. It's making me lose my appetite."

 

 

 

Jing Bao jokes as he pours us drinks.

 

 

 

"I actually think it's cute."

 

 

 

My smile gets bigger at what she said. I look at my laopo adoringly.

 

 

 

"Shi shi ni, my dear wife."

 

 

 

She smiles at me, that smile that can make a man weak on his knees.

 

 

 

"Anytime, da shen."

 

 

 

"Hao de, hao de." Jing Bao raises his glass. "A toast for you two."

 

 

 

We share a toast and down our drinks.

 

 

 

"Congratulations also. Both of you have new dramas." Jing Bao downs another drink. "I'm especially excited for yours, Shuang. Your interview piqued my attention."

 

 

 

"Really? Why?" She asks as she sips on a lemon.

 

 

 

"This is your first time taking on a matured role. I'm so used to seeing you play sweet and innocent characters."

 

 

 

"Yes, Shuang." Ni Ni agrees. "I was so surprised you accepted the role. Even I was overwhelmed by some of the scenes."

 

 

 

I suddenly remember some of the scenes I've read in the drama script with what Ni Ni said. One of the reasons my manager refused the role is because there are a lot of steamy scenes that might not sit well with my fans.

 

 

 

And I mean a lot.

 

 

 

I drink some water as I feel a lump forming in my throat. 

 

 

 

AISHT! Why didn't I fight for that role?

 

 

 

The image of another guy on top of her suddenly flashes on my mind.

 

 

 

I shake my head furiously.

 

 

 

AISHT! This is frustrating!

 

 

 

"Da shen, are you alright? You're sweating."

 

 

 

I look at Shuang. She looks so anxious as she stares at me.

 

 

 

"I'm okay. Just thought of something." I assure her.

 

 

 

"Oh, that's right!" Jing Bao suddenly says. "Now that you two are together, are you cool with Shuang doing those hot scenes with Hu Yi Tian?"

 

 

 

I almost spat my drink. Why does he have to remind me of that?

 

 

 

"What can I do?"

 

 

 

It's not like I can pull her out of the drama even if I want to.

 

 

 

 

Shuang looks worried.

 

 

 

"I can't pull out of the drama but I can ask to lessen the steamy scenes..."

 

 

 

I stop her and hold her hand. She'd already given up a lot when she was with Zhang Han. I won't let her do it again now that she's with me.

 

 

 

"No need for that. You're just acting after all."

 

 

 

I assure her with a smile.

 

 

 

"As long as you're willing to be with me...

 

 

 

... I wouldn't mind all that."