As the director yelled cut for the first part, Violet noticed Pei Li was nowhere to be found. Fortunately, Sam, who was monitoring Violet earlier, had noticed Pei Li's strange behavior and followed her.
"Pei Li?" Sam called out, which startled her while she ran off aimlessly back to the makeup tent. It took her by surprise to see someone she wasn't familiar with but yet felt familiar. She couldn't recall who Sam was and was also afraid it was the dangerous yet mysterious TP.
Without thinking much, she frantically yelled at him.
"Don't come near me… Don't! Don't!" She shook her head and shuddered in fear.
"I'm Sam Chu. We have met before. What's wrong?" Sam tried to keep her calm and approach her, only for her to scratch him.
She was overwhelmed by her anxiety that she didn't hear his name properly. Instead, she reacted out of panic. He didn't expect her to be so violent. Fortunately, Violet caught up.
"What happened?" Violet asked while inspecting Sam's arm.
"She was like that after the scene…" Sam explained as Violet shared a knowing gaze of what Wayne had briefed them about before. Though it wasn't detailed to the extent of sexual assault, the siblings suspected it.
Violet's eyes darted back at his arm as he shook his head indicating not to worry about it. She quickly looked for something she could use to coax Pei Li who was sitting on the ground mumbling to herself.
Violet saw the basket of fruits which was Wayne's stash of food and quickly grabbed an apple before returning to squat beside Pei Li slowly.
"Pei Li…" She called out in her sweetest voice as Pei Li's frightened gaze met hers.
"Here… Let's have an apple first, alright? Big sister will help you cut it into pieces?" Violet tried to pass it to her as Pei Li slowly accepted the apple.
"It's fine…" She gently patted Pei Li's back who seemed much more calm before heading to Sam.
"I will lead her back to the hotel," Violet said to Sam, who passed her their room's key card and his car keys.
However, Violet's eyes didn't look away from his scars.
"I will take care of this. I will look after them both. Don't worry. I will arrange transport back later." Sam assured her as Violet nodded reluctantly before helping Pei Li to stand while holding her tightly by her side as they walked to the carpark.
Anxiety and panic disorder… Violet sighed quietly to herself about Pei Li's symptoms while driving.
Dual personality… This must be a different personality. She seems more… Her gaze averted at Pei Li's calm self enjoying the night view.
Innocent… Gullible and low self esteem… She seems to like me a lot. Violet thought to herself as she continued monitoring Pei Li's condition closely.
While parking at their hotel, she gently helped Pei Li unbuckle her safety belt. Violet once again saw the sweet smile Pei Li always gave her.
"You're alright?" Violet asked gently as she nodded.
"We arrived at the hotel. My brother, Sam, who tried to help you earlier, will assist Wayne, alright?" Violet explained as she nodded again before they alighted the car. Noticing the chilly wind towards evening at the outskirts of town, she quickly wrapped Pei Li tightly with her wool sweater.
When they reached their room as Violet unlocked the door, she let Pei Li step into the room first to familiarise herself with her surroundings. That was the only way to keep Pei Li calm by feeling safe.
Violet had noticed in Qi Tai though outskirts, because it was early in the year in a four season country, the day tends to become shorter and the sun sets rather early too.
"Come, let's sit here. It's going to be sunset soon, and we are so high up, we get to have a good view." Violet urged as Pei Li went over obediently.
"Do you want some tea or water?" Violet offered her a bottle of water and a packet of chrysanthemum tea. Pei Li's eyes darted back and forth before taking the bottle of water.
As Violet quickly sat next to her, she noticed Pei Li was much more settled now, though she was still a little fidgety.
"How did you meet Wayne?" Violet's question made Pei Li smile genuinely this time.
Violet knew the only way for such a smile to appear despite the chaos earlier showed how much Wayne meant to her. Even her eyes were smiling, but behind that joy, Violet could see hints of sadness.
"In school?" Violet prompted as she shook her head before sipping some water.
"I didn't get to go to school…" Pei Li's answer came as a surprise to Violet.
"Aww… I'm sorry." She wanted to comfort Pei Li, only for Pei Li to pick up the courage to open up to Violet after recalling Wayne telling her she could trust her.
"It's alright. You didn't know… We were neighbours… Our parents forced the marriage. It was a pity for him…" Pei Li explained nonchalantly before biting into her apple.
Violet nodded understandingly. "Yes, he did explain previously…" Violet pointed out as though reminding her.
That's when Pei Li remembered what Penny wrote. She had met Penny and spoke about the entire situation after the accident previously.
"I'm Pei Li." She introduced herself again to Violet, who blinked.
"I know…" Violet smiled and nodded as Pei Li giggled.
"The original Pei Li. You met my second personality, Penny, before…" Pei Li was testing Violet for signs of judgements but Violet was still calm as she nodded.
"Wayne had explained that too." Violet updated her.
Why aren't you afraid of me? Pei Li questioned in her mind while frowning as she decided to reveal a bit more truth to try and scare Violet.
"I had a twin who passed away when she was very young. Her name was Pei Ni, too, except it was of a different spelling." Pei Li explained as Violet nodded understandingly.
"Yes, Penny and Wayne explained before." Violet tried to lift her mood a little by holding on to her hand.
Pei Li pouted at her failure of scaring Violet and was rapidly questioning herself if she could really be Violet's friend and open up to her.
"So, tell me what you like about Wayne?" Violet asked with a hint of teasing to help her not get too upset.
It instantly got Pei Li pondering and she was getting more comfortable with Violet.
"Hmm, he was very caring and compassionate from a young age. He was like a big brother protecting me and my twin always back then while accompanying us when we were bored." Violet smiled hearing her chirpy self as she helped her to put a loose fringe behind her ear.
That gesture alone touched Pei Li as she stripped down her guard and spoke whatever was in her heart to Violet.
"When we were young, I knew my twin liked him. To not be so selfish, I often let them play together cause as long as I get to see his smiles and hear his laughters, it was enough for me." Pei Li looked down to her half nibbled apple with a pout as Violet gently tapped her shoulder.
"And now, being his wife. How does it feel?" Violet prompted.
"Unbelievable… That I could finally legally be his but…" Pei Li sighed sadly as Violet frowned.
"Why?" Violet asked.
"I don't know if destiny is playing with me or is it fated. I feel Penny deserves him more and so does he. From the notes Penny left me, it seems they had progressed further in their relationship than I did with him. I mean…" Pei Li wiped her tears away as Violet passed her a tissue.
"I'm sorry, I don't know why I tell you this or act this way." Pei Li apologised as Violet shook her head.
"It's alright. You're not the only one who is going through a rough time. I just got divorced and I miscarried a baby a month ago." Violet's eyes felt the stinging feeling when she added the last line in her mind.
And got dumped by a companion whom I thought could last. Now, who knows what he is up to with my brother…
"Oh… I'm so sorry… It's so sad." Pei Li pouted as Violet smiled and held her hand.
"Pei Li, I may not understand how it felt for you but I know Wayne and Penny are genuinely wanting their best to protect you and give you all the goodness they could in the world. It may be the first time we sit and talk like this but I could tell how much you care about others… Sometimes, it's alright to pull out that bravery to love someone fully… Even if the results may not be what you expect of eventually, at least that version of you exists. The one who loved courageously, of the man who wants to protect her. Despite whatever and whoever is around, at least do that for yourself. For once in your life." Violet encouraged which made Pei Li teared up a little.
"Aren't you afraid of me?" Pei Li finally asked before tearing up even more.
"You are who you are not because you wanted to. It's not something you can control… It's not your fault either. So, if anyone else couldn't accept you the way you are, then the person isn't worthy to be your friend or even somebody you know." Violet's explanation instantly made Pei Li cry as she hugged her.
"Thank you…" Pei Li said in between her muffled cries as Violet comforted her a little before they continued with their small talks while waiting for dinner she had ordered via room service.