The morning's moist air brushed gently against the skin, carrying the scent of blooming flowers.
A woman dressed in lavish clothes, short beige dress and high silver heels, entered the company's building with mesmerising elegance. With each step heads turned. Her beauty was captivating, complementing her poised confidence.
Reaching the 18th floor, doors were held open and everyone made way for her to pass. Her long legs moved forward like a model on the red carpet.
"Mrs Gu"
"Mrs Gu"
Everyone greeted her politely.
She walked past the reception where Zimo and Lingling stood.
"Mrs Gu", Lingling greeted her and Zimo only nodded. He narrowed his eyes, like he remembered something. "Did you just address her as Mrs Gu?" He asked.
"Right", Lingling answered. "She's well respected here, don't offend her."
"Wait… why does she seem so familiar?" Zimo asked, thinking hard.
"Maybe you saw her with Mr Gu."
…
"Gu…" Zimo's eyes widened. "Does that mean… No way." Zimo's stunned face turned to Lingling. "Why do you address her as Mrs Gu?"
"That's how it's been since I got here." Lingling said.
"Does she come often?" Zimo asked.
"Not often, but she does come sometimes."
Zimo sat down on the chair behind him. Finding it unbelievable.
"Gu Yuxuan is married?"
And then something clicked. His eyes narrowed and he brought himself to his feet.
"The event."
Gu Yuxuan's office door shut close.
He looked up to the person in front of his desk. "Why are you here?" He asked.
"I told you I'd visit." Lina said. "You don't even answer your phone. What else can I do but come here?"
"What do you want?" He asked
"Are you still blaming me?" She asked. "Can't we start on a clean page?"
"We did. But keep going back to the past." He looked up to her. "Aren't you tired?"
"What else can I do to make you forgive us?"
Gu Yuxuan looked at her for a moment and then said, "I can forgive him for many things, but I can't forgive him for destroying something I worked my whole life to build."
"It happened so long ago and look… your company is doing pretty good." Lina said.
Gu Yuxuan smirked. "You're really stupid."
"Gu Liang is really trying his best to make up for what he did. Why not give him another chance?"
"Gu Lina. Go back to your husband."
"Gu Yuxuan! He's still your brother!"
"Pathetic." Gu Yuxuan said through his teeth.
"After all this, I still can't get you two to reconcile. Why are you so heartless?"
"You're just married into this family. What gives you the right to interfere? Your power is limited. Give up."
Lina's eyes were filled with resentment. She walked closer to him.
"I may not hold much power, but at least I can say I have a family." She looked in his eyes, turned, and walked out.
Gu Yuxuan released a clenched fist he didn't know he held. His gaze fell upon the reflection of himself in the laptop's dark screen. After all, he couldn't even reach himself. What right did others have?
He took a deep breath and returned to the documents on the table. Lingering emotions should be eased with overwork. That's the motto he lived by.
Time passed like fleeting images.
And the clock soon hit 11pm.
Zimo stretched behind a desk. Yawning until his eyes started to tear up. He stood up, poured himself a glass of water and drank it in one breath.
The empty office was so quiet that every sound made an echoing noise. He then walked over to Gu Yuxuan's office. Peeking through the half opened door, he saw Gu Yuxuan still in full energy working through papers.
"Why are you still here?" Gu Yuxuan asked.
Zimo stepped in. "Am I not supposed to be around you until I'm dismissed?"
"Go home." Gu Yuxuan said.
"Do you know what time it is? There's no transport at this time."
"Take the car"
"If I take it, how will you get home?"
"I'll return when you get back." Gu Yuxuan said.
Zimo walked up to his desk. "Gu Yuxuan. Why didn't you tell me you're married?"
Gu Yuxuan slowly looked up to him.
"What did you just call me?" He asked.
"My question is more important."
"Important? It's ridiculous." Gu Yuxuan said and lowered his eyes to the papers again.
"What do you mean?" Zimo asked. "Do you not care about my feelings?"
"What feelings?"
Zimo froze. His words felt lost in his throat and his face sunk down, but he slowly compelled his numbing face into a smile. He turned, and started walking. His smile faded as he walked towards the door.
"I'm not married." Gu Yuxuan said.
His words rang into Zimo's ears and it made him instantly stop in his step. His lips curved up.
Gu Yuxuan looked at him who was frozen in front of the door. "Why do you think I'm married?" He asked.
Zimo awkwardly chuckled and turned back. "You're great at misleading people too, you know." He walked back to the desk with a relieved face.
"The same woman you spoke to at the event was addressed as Mrs Gu when she entered. What is that all about?"
"She's my sister-in-law."
"Oh. I thought…"
"Thought what?"
"I lost my chance."
Gu Yuxuan lifted an eyebrow as his eyes followed Zimo who came to stand next to him, half sitting on the desk and lowered himself closer to him.
"Gu Yuxuan… I like you."
". . ."
Zimo tried hard searching for an expression on his face, but Gu Yuxuan was calm. Composed. And… naturally attractive, he thought.
"I don't like men" Gu Yuxuan said and continued working.
Zimo looked at him like he was expecting it and leaned even closer, whispering, "Even if you reject me, I won't stop. But you didn't reject me, making me like you even more." His eyes trailed up Gu Yuxuan's neck to his eyes and then he stood up and walked out with a big smile.
Gu Yuxuan sat the file in his hand aside as he laid back, releasing a deep sigh, frowning while he closed his eyes.
"Gu Yuxuan", Zimo called out and Gu Yuxuan slowly lifted his gaze.
"Let me take you home."