Warning: This chapter contains content that may not be suitable for some readers
TP stood by his usual spot in his old home, overseeing Pei Li's room in her old house. He had a big plot in mind. He couldn't believe he would finally be able to own Pei Li. At least that's his wishful thinking.
All of his life, he knew he was smart and had learned a dark secret of his family from a young age about Wayne. He was the firstborn of the family, but he couldn't comprehend the logic of Wayne being the favourite child all along despite them being exactly 12 months apart in their age gap.
He also knew about Wayne's discreet secret crush on Pei Li too. The thing was, he too had a crush on that thoughtful, poor girl.
Pei Li was always the prettier one between the twins. She was the jovial and understanding one. It was easy to differentiate the twins that way because Pei Ni was the quieter one who always had her eyes for Wayne alone but never had the guts to play with him unless he initiated them.
TP remembered when he was beaten up by his father back then as punishment; while hiding in a dark alley, Pei Li came to comfort him with a candy. Though it was innocent for Pei Li, it was the greatest gesture he had ever experienced in his unfair life.
He was too young to ever comprehend if it was gratitude he felt or if he genuinely liked her. He carried on with his crush for her over the years.
TP learnt of her abuse the day he graduated from primary school.
Being curious and wild in his teenage years, he also learnt of her sexual abuse by her father, other than domestic violence, the day she dropped out of school during her first pregnancy when she was twelve. Came her first abortion; it broke his heart to not be able to protect her with his might.
That's where he thought loving and protecting her then was to outdo her father.
And so he did from then on, colluding with her father to prevent him from ever touching her again. However, he knew it was inevitable for his father not to do that, especially during his end-term days.
He didn't neglect studies back then cause he knew it was his weapon to give Pei Li a better life the moment he graduated. However, he was disappointed once again during Chinese New Year when his father announced Wayne's betrothal to Pei Li.
Now, he wants to claim what was rightfully his no matter what way it was.
He knew at this rate, he couldn't gain a lot of inheritance since the family business had been run by his two younger brothers diligently. Wayne didn't care and was using his wealth to tie the family from disturbing his life.
His father had never liked his managerial ways. Hence, the reason they fallout not too long after Wayne and Pei Li registered their marriage.
With his greed, his motive was to take over the family business all to himself but also to make Pei Li his wife rightfully. He knew Pei Li often felt insecure or shy with strangers. The only way he could do it was to take his time to warm up to her. Now that she was getting used to seeing him occasionally, he was plotting his next step in his mind.
Meanwhile, Pei Li and Wayne began to advance further. While Wayne was filling the tub again for Pei Li to soak in it the next night, Pei Li made the first move this time. She climbed onto his lap and kissed him while stripping his shirt.
By the time she was touching his muscles on his chest, she was blushing red.
"That's enough for today… Go soak after I leave." He coaxed, feeling satisfied with her courage. Instead of obliging, she forced him to sit back down as she shook her head.
Her eyes gazed lovingly into his, gently hinting to him that she was ready.
"Are you sure?" He whispered as she nodded before kissing him again. This time he couldn't resist any further as he repeatedly reminded himself to be gentle cause it's Pei Li.
When they broke away from their intense and urgent kisses, which landed them into bed, he was still skeptical about them moving so fast.
"Little Wind, I cannot control if you continue…" She interrupted him.
"Then don't… Take me. Teach me what it's like to be safely entangled with you…" Her breath shuddered as he caressed her back, which was now stripped of her towel.
He was waiting for her to flinch or be hysterical or frightened, but instead, she kept leading him back to meet with her longing kisses and moans, which then led to them finally consummating their marriage.
Instead of feeling the pain the aunties had always gossiped about on their first time the next morning, Pei Li woke to the warmth of Wayne's arms wrapping around her. In her mind, she knew she had successfully broken her fear, but it was Monday. Another fear was creeping up on her.
She was so nervous about her recording, though she knew Violet was going to accompany her that morning, that didn't calm her. She quietly slipped off Wayne's arms and paced at the balcony, trying to practice, but she didn't realise Wayne was awake as he went to hug her and calm her.
"Nervous?" He teased as he kissed her right cheek, Pei Li pouting and nodding.
"Then I will come and accompany you for a bit…" Pei Li smiled and shared a lingering kiss before they got ready and headed to the recording centre.
Violet was still angry with Sebastian. Though it was all for show only, his arm's scar was still recovering. She was glad he didn't need to film for his drama the whole week and only do photoshoots.
He was running out of ideas on how to coax her that he insisted on coming with her to wait for Pei Li and Wayne. He pulled on her sleeve, but she ignored him. She was hoping for Pei Li to quickly arrive cause she was running out of ideas on trying not to be too obvious about her impending arrangements to temporarily leave him for exams and to make it like she was obliging with the agency.
"Can you please don't be angry anymore?" Sebastian whispered in a lower voice, but Violet averted her gaze.
"I'm sorry… I promise I will look after the wound to not leave any scar." He pulled on her sleeve again as she sighed.
"Why don't you start heading to your event? You're going to run late." She suggested with frustration, which made Sebastian a little disappointed at not being able to coax her.
"Vivi!" Their brief feud was interrupted by Pei Li's excited squeals as she ran to hug Violet.
"Oh, Peipei! Have you been well? Have you slept well? Are you ready? Here, see, there's a honey drink I prepared for you…" Violet showed her a bottle of it that she was holding.
Pei Li hugged her again excitedly, leaving Wayne and Sebastian glancing at each other, feeling glad the girls were getting along so well.
"Thank you!! I'm so nervous!" Pei Li admitted as Violet smiled and gently patted her head.
"Relax. Just remember how it felt when we were practising together." Violet coaxed as Pei Li nodded.
"Alright, I will leave her with you. We will head for our promotional activities first. Let us know if it's done, then we can probably come back to pick you both up." Wayne suggested as Violet nodded.
"Thank you…" Violet said before Wayne left as Sebastian reluctantly left. Pei Li noticed Sebastian's guilty look and Violet's upset look as she whispered to Violet.
"What happened? Did you have a couple fight?" She asked as Violet shook her head. "Nothing. We aren't a couple. Careful…" Violet reminded her before leading Pei Li to the recording room.
The ladies had no idea that recording just for a soundtrack could take them the whole day. A mere three-minute soundtrack had Pei Li singing many takes for every part of the song. That's also where the girls learnt how much effort it was to successfully put out a song.
While waiting for the composer and producer to finish editing and mixing, Pei Li went to the park near the recording centre for some air while Violet went to pack some snacks by the truck nearby for their tea time.
As she enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her skin, she was greeted by a familiar voice. "Do you miss me?"
Pei Li opened her eyes to find TP standing in front of her with a cup of skewers.
"TP… What are you doing here?" Pei Li questioned sceptically.
"To feed you… Here…" He passed the cup to Pei Li as she accepted it nervously.
"Don't you have to work today? What did you mean back then…" Pei Li daringly walked closer to him, but he didn't budge a single bit.
"That you touch me?" Pei Li's breath shuddered, anticipating an answer she knew she didn't want to know but had to know as TP chuckled, trying to keep his cool.
"Patience, sister-in-law… There will be a time and place for you to know all these… Meanwhile, look after brother-in-law well…" TP quickly ran off when he saw Violet, who was done with her snack purchases from the truck, excitedly walking back to Pei Li.
Pei Li was drowned in more questions about TP and his mystery. Now that she had just started to be intimate with Wayne, she could not shake away her doubts and struggled to regain those blank memories. It made her wonder if speaking to Penny would work, as she reminded herself to put her questions into the notebook for Penny to read if they ever swap places again.