4

“IS IT OKAY FOR YOU TO BE HERE?”

Ella shouted out as Selina glared at her, lightly punching her on the arm. “I THOUGHT WE AGREED NOT TO DISCUSS THIS IN PUBLIC!”

Ella shrugged as she shouted out happily, feeling the rhythm of the music take control of her conscious. The club was packed with people so it was going to be a night to forget, but knowing Hebe, she had a strict curfew that they couldn’t break, even if their lives were on the line. It wasn’t possible to do so. “LET’S PARTY! WANT ANY DRINKS?” Ella shouted out as Selina nodded, pointing to the cute bartender. “YEAH! I WANT HIS NUMBER TOO!" Ella looks at her, wondering if she is drunk from the music. “I’M ASKING IF YOU WANT ANY DRINKS, NOT THE GUY!”

“YEAH! I WANT THE GUY!” Selina replied as Ella rolls her eyes, walking over to the bar. Selina laughed, when she locked arms with Hebe, she found herself rejected. Surprised, Selina turned to see a lady about their age beside her.

“SCREW OFF!” The girl scoffed off as she walked back to her group of friends. Leaving Selina worried as she frantically look around for Hebe.

The club was jam packed, so she could be anywhere. Selina felt her mind explode as she quickly went to get Ella, who was flirting with the bartender. “We need to go.”

“WHY? I WAS JUST ABOUT TO GET HIS NUMBER!”  Ella screamed as the bartender smiled, showcasing his charms. “FINE! BUT DO IT QUICK, WE REALLY NEED TO GO!” She shouted out as Ella nodded, feeling the urgency in the situation.

While Selina and Ella was busy trying to get themselves unattached to the bartender. Hebe was in the midst of going crazy as she walked around the club, trying to stay away from people as much as possible.

Unaware that Aaron and Mike was also in the building.

“WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?” Mike asked as Aaron smirked, already blending in with the crowd of dancers, leaving Mike to fend for himself. “I knew I shouldn’t have followed him.”

He muttered as he walked around the building, trying to find a quiet place, but no matter how far he walked for, he couldn’t find anywhere.

He was about to give up and lean against the wall for support when the music shut off and the room brightened, Mike stared at the lights, he smirked as he never knew that there were lights this bright in a club. It was extremely rare for this to happen especially when everyone was going over their limits. It wasn’t until someone grabbed the microphone and stood on top of the stage. Mike turned his attention to the man who was dressed in a uniform. He sighed, scratching his head as he noticed the uniform, it was the police.

Now what?

“What is the police doing here?”

He looked around to see if he could find Aaron, but he couldn’t find him, despite the bright lights. So he walked around the room, trying his best to find him. But despite his efforts, he couldn’t find him. He was always the type to blend easily in these type of situations. So he decided to walk around, leisurely.

It wasn’t until a police officer stopped him, asking for his ID. Mike rolled his eyes as he showed him his ID.  The man stared at him long enough to hand his wallet back.

“Mr. He, what are you doing in this place? Don’t you know that this place is crawling with criminals?”

“Criminals? What kind?”

“Just know that this place isn’t your place to be. On the safe side, please find the exit and leave this building. I am telling you this as a police officer and as a fellow Taiwanese citizen.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

Mike said as the officer continued to check the identification. He sighed as he continued to walk around the club, trying to find his brother. After countless of rounds, he leaned against the wall, tired to look any further.

After what seemed like a long time, he was about to get up and walk out. But someone caught his attention as she walked passed, with a pain look on her face.

When she walked pass, he felt his heart skip a beat. This doesn’t happen too often so he quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her into a corner. Her eyes widen as she tried to push him away, but he wouldn’t allow it. He pushed her against the wall, with his hand on her chin, he slowly lifted her face, hoping to get a glimpse of her face.

She was going to kick him in his spot when her eyes found his, she gasped as she sensed the familiarity of his gaze. Unknowingly, his hand that was on her chin held the back of her neck as he brought his lips close to hers. With this simple action, their heartbeats thump loudly against their skin.

Unable to keep his composure, he went further and kissed her. His hands then crawled down to her back as he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer to his body. She tried her best to separate herself from him but he made it impossible to do so. His kiss deepened as an officer caught them, in the dark.

“HEY! WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOI–“ The officer was about to pull them apart when another officer stopped him. Whispering something in his ears before he apologized. “OH! I’m so sorry Mr. He, I didn’t expect to see you here tonight! Well, carry on then.” He said as they backed off, continuing their search.

When the officers left, Mike pulled away, only leaving a bit of space between them as they breath heavily. Catching their breath as the girl suddenly pushed him away. The girl whispered the words ‘thank you’ and she quickly ran out of the building, without once has she looked back. Mike felt his heart race as he went after her.

She was about to blend in with the crowd of people when he pulled her back, pulling her back into the darkness where she would be left concealed. “Is it really you?” He whispered as she stared at him, not knowing what he was talking about. “Let go of me!” She muttered as she kicked him in the knee. Freeing herself from him as she walked away. Only to be caught again when he held onto her arm. “STOP! I really need to go.” She pleaded as she tried to shake his strong grasp. “Are you leaving me again? ...Fu Chen?”

She stopped as her heart quicken. Fu Chen... Her real name... No one had called her real name in a long time. When he let go of her hand, she slowly turned around. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Fu Chen...”

She was about to runaway but how can she? Someone found out.. who she was, she tried so hard to conceal her identity, with so many thoughts running through her mind. She ran out of options, so she dropped down to her knees.

“I don’t know how you found out but please, spare me.” She quickly cried out, hoping that he would be nice and let her go just this once. “Don’t you remember me?” He asked as he helped her up. “Do you?”

She stared at him puzzled, so she slowly pulled him towards the light, hoping to get a glimpse of him as he quietly anticipate her answer.

When the light hit his face, hitting his defined strong features. She felt herself smile as he held her hand, squeezing it tightly, afraid of letting her slip through his fingers again.

“Aren’t you... Aaron’s older brother... Mike... are you Mike?”

At last! Mike was about to twirl and pull her into his arms when she started to tear up.

“W–What’s w–wrong?” He stuttered, not knowing what she was going to do. “I’m sorry... Please... I’m sorry to leave when we just met. I’m sorry.. for doing this but please.. forget you saw me tonight, I am begging you. Forget tonight and meeting me... no. Forget me altogether.”

She whispered as he felt her hands slipping from his grasp. Soon, she calmly blended into the crowd of people as she disappeared once again. Mike stared down at his hands, he himself did not know what just happened. This was just any other night, but tonight was different from the others. His hands balled into a fist as he stared at the streets, he knew what he wanted. He wanted her, he wanted her back in his world.

................

“Where did you go?” Gui Gui asked as she slowly walked over to Hebe. She looked at her sister who was looking at her hands when she came back. “Did you have fun with Ella and Selina?” Gui Gui continued to question Hebe who only remained silent. “Hebe Jie...” Gui Gui whispered as Hebe smiled, surprising Gui Gui who was sitting beside her. Hebe turned to her and smiled, with tears coming down.

“Why are you crying? What happened tonight?” She bombed Hebe with questions but all Hebe did was smiled. “I should’ve abandoned these feelings a long time ago but he appeared... he still recognized me... What am I going to do?” Hebe whispered as Gui Gui squeezed her hands. What can she do?