At present, Yukito’s voice snapped Wang Ling out of her stupor.
“I need to leave now. I am getting late.”
Wang Ling couldn’t do anything but see him leave as he moved farther and farther away. She wanted to talk to him more and apologize for her hurting Yukito in the past for being so insensitive. She felt utterly horrible, comparing him to his father. It wasn’t his fault that he and Yukira were born to him.
Yet I…
Wang Ling could only feel remorseful for her stupidity and losing Yukito for such baseless assumption.
—
Yukito reached the address Jing sent for the date at exactly seven PM.
Phew! Jing won’t cry now, he chuckled.
He went inside and the manager greeted him.
“Welcome, Sir. I will take you to Sir Liu Jing.”
Yukito looked at the lavish decorations of the hotel and laughed.
“Seriously he is so extravagant…”
The manager smiled. “Sir Liu really cherishes you. He was here since morning to perfect all the decorations to give you a memorable date.”
Yukito was stunned. “Since morning?”
He nodded. “He has really worked hard.”
Yukito could almost imagine Jing running towards him like a dog with his ears perked up and asking him to praise him for his efforts.
His lips curved into a smile.
They reached the terrace and the manager said, “I was told to bring you till here.”
Yukito nodded. “Thank you.”
“Have a lovely evening.”
Yukito twisted the knob and slowly opened door.
The terrace was beautifully decorated with lighting and flowers. Scented candles were placed all over the terrace’s railing giving off a sweet smell. A soft melody was playing in the background adding to the romantic atmosphere.
Yukito slowly stepped in and found a table at the center with a bottle of exquisite wine kept on it.
Jing raised his head from his phone and looked at him. He smiled. “Yukito…”
Yukito felt a little odd. He was sure that Jing would come running to him with a bright grin on his face. But even his smile right now seemed forced and sad.
Maybe I am thinking too much.
He let go of his thoughts and approached him.
“Look. I am on time. Exactly at seven just like you said.”
Jing nodded. Then he suddenly got up and laughed. “Oh yes! It’s dinner time! Look. I have prepared a feast for you. It is not as awesome as sister-in-law’s but you definitely the second best. I will show you. Let’s dig in!”
Yukito blinked his eyes in confusion.
No hug. No kiss. Nothing. No greeting. No welcome at all.
He said about the dinner as if he just remembered it. He seemed to avert his gaze as he talked and strangely he was clasping his hands when one does if he was nervous or anxious.
Yukito held his arm and stopped him.
Jing asked, “What happened? Oh right! I am so stupid! You must be so tired, right? And I didn’t even give you water. How inconsiderate of me.”
Yukito said, “What’s wrong with you Jing? You seemed to be out of sorts. Your gaze and attention are not on me. Weren’t you so excited about our date? Didn’t you work since morning for it? But now you are looking…lost. You didn’t hug or kiss or welcome me.”
Jing laughed. “Oh it’s nothing. I guess I worked a little too hard. I am fine.”
“you are not fine Jing. I can tell that by just glance. What’s wrong? Please tell me.”
“And what will you do even if I tell you?” He quietly said.
Yukito widened his eyes seeing tears in Jing’s eyes. It took him aback to see his gaze shining with them.
“Jing, why are you crying?”
“Because I don’t know what to do Yukito…”
Jing slowly brushed off his hand from his arm. Yukito’s hand was left in mid-air and he didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know what Jing meant.
“Jing…”
“Yukito…” Jing smiled as a tear slid down his cheek, “Tell me. Why did you become a model?”
Yukito froze.
“Why did you have to enter this industry?”
Yukito blankly stared at him. “Jing. Today is supposed to be our date. Why are you asking me these things?”
“Just answer me Yukito.”
Yukito said, “I cannot tell you that. At least…not now.”
Jing chuckled sadly. “Then when? When your heart will be completely swayed by your ex-girlfriend?”
Yukito was stunned. “What?”
“Wang Ling. Were you shocked to see her with your rival?”
“What nonsense are you spouting Jing? You must be talking about the interview. But I don’t see why it is relevant here and now?”
Jing tilted his head. “Then who is your special someone that you talked about? Is it her?”
Yukito was beyond shocked. He fell at a loss for words.
“Jing, are you drunk? Because clearly, you are not in your right mind.”
Jing clenched his fists. “Why am I not my right mind? Ever since the day you became a model, you are only growing further and further apart from me. You hardly get time for me. Are you working your butt off to make Wang Ling realize her mistake? You are a celebrity now. She must be regretting that she broke up with you now that you are so famous. Is that what you wanted her to feel so that she comes back to you?”
Yukito glared at him. “She is Huang Minzhe’s girlfriend for God’s sake! And what trying to prove to her anything? We already broke up seven years back! I don’t care about her.”
Jing’s lips trembled. “Then who is your special someone? Who do you want to recognize you? What is your dream? Because…I don’t think that’s me…”
Tears plopped from his eyes.
“Yukito…do you even love me anymore?”
Yukito froze.
He blankly stared at him, feeling unbelievable that he just asked him that.
“Is it Wang Ling? She came back so has your feelings returned for her? Oh no…you said that your special someone is from a similar industry as yours. Then is it one of the two models? Those…female models who are at the top of the charts?”
