Engagement Night

The seaside manor was prepared for tonight celebration. There was still an hour before the first guests arrived. I was watching the servants making arrangements on the beach from my room on the second floor. Today the weather was so pleasant. It wasn't warm nor cool—just my favourite type. I suppressed a yawn hoping I wouldn't fall asleep during dinner. I hadn't slept since yesterday afternoon. Maybe I needed to drink another cup of coffee. I made my move to the first floor, where the kitchen was. I didn't want to interrupt the servants, so I was going to make it myself.

The manor wasn't as spacious as other people's manors living in this private residential area; however, it was the most beautiful. The combination of traditional and modern Eastern exterior made it look grand, royal, elegant and sophisticated. The interior was inspired by the West, which brought a unique, relaxing charm. Two cultures were combined harmonically.

I remember when I was a child, how much I loved playing here with Yan Si. There were many good memories, but now somehow, I couldn't feel the same warmth as before, which made me feel like I was part of it. There was this unexplainable detachment not only from the manor but even from the people. I tried my best to hide the emptiness I felt for this place and my family. I didn't realise when it appeared. However, I noticed I wasn't interested in many things which used to be important to me. Somehow the need for interaction with others became less and less with every passing day. All I cared about was to sleep basking under the sun in the afternoon. Maybe, I slowly transformed into a sloth.

'' Biǎo di, what are you doing here? Why aren't you preparing? If grandfather finds out, he will beat you.''

''Relax, Xiao Luo, I still have time. Why should I hurry? This is just a farce, after all.'' It looked like Yan Si was a little bit gloomy. He was standing near the kitchen window while the cooks ran like the devil was chasing them, anxious about making the dishes. They were working on a tight schedule, after all.

''Come with me; you only hinder the work here.'' I could swear the chef sighed with relief when I took Yan Si away. We went outside on the balcony, watching the sunset.

''This view is beautiful.'' I supposed it was. Far away where the ocean and sky were separated from the horizon line, the clouds varied from a raging fire, blood-red, scarlet and carrot one to purple and blue. Still, I didn't feel the same compelling effect it once had. I realised it was breath-taking, but my soul wasn't affected.

''What were you doing in the kitchen?'' I didn't receive an answer, so I looked up at Yan Si.

''I smoked.'' My eyes became large from surprise, and he hurried to explain himself. ''I don't do it regularly, only when I am nervous. I hid in the kitchen because I didn't want Mom to yell at me.''

''Oh, when did she come?''

''Yesterday night. Didn't the butler tell you?'' Thinking about it, butler Che really told me something back then, but I was drunk. If I were sober during the nights, I would die from horror from every little noise. Sleeping might be impossible, but at least being half-conscious wasn't.

''No.'' I lied smoothly. ''How long will she stay?''

''Until the wedding after three months.''

''I pity your father.''

Uncle and aunt weren't in a good relationship. They didn't divorce but lived separately and were rarely in contact. I didn't know the exact reason, but I guessed I had something to do with aunt's awful temperament. I shivered unconsciously. Yan Si and I were often bullied by her when we were children. She was narrow-minded, strict, overbearing and used us to vent her anger. My mom couldn't always protect me because Han Wei was in my grandfather's good graces. She was the chosen wife for uncle. Somehow I could imagine how Yan Si felt right now. I would be scared too if my future spouse would be something like her.

''You never told me who your fiancée is.''

''Ah, I was told only this morning. It is Xi An.''

''Xi An, really? Isn't that the girl whose head was broken because of you?''

''What? No! It was her fault. No one made her run after my cat.'' Yan Si's face became red from the guilt he refused to acknowledge. I smiled at him teasingly.

''You ran after the cat because you wanted to torture it, and Xi An wanted to help you catch it. She liked you and wanted to help you. Pity, she fell and hit her head on the rock.''

''You obviously misunderstood. I didn't want to torture it!''

''Whatever.'' I exhaled. This conversation became boring. But Yan Si didn't want to shut up.

''I wanted to pat and hug it. Xi An ran after it because she coveted it too. She wished to take my pet away. It's not my fault she fell.''

''Yes, sure, blame the poor girl with a broken head.''

Yan Si pursed his lips and turned his back to me, refusing to speak. Maybe, I was a little bit cruel this time. He was feeling guilty towards her. Oh, but wasn't he such a cutie? Xi An was such a shy child. When her parents visited us, she was insecure about asking us to play together. It was good that I was such an observant person, otherwise, Yan Si would never think to invite her. And now they were bound to be together. Wasn't fate an interesting thing?

Time passed, and the guests arrived. The beach was full of different socialites, CEOs and presidents working together with my family. Media outlets weren't missing too. Grandfather sure wanted to exploit this event to its maximum capacity. I was walking around wearing a silver knee-length sleeveless dress. My sandals were silver too. Sadly, the engagement was planned on the beach, and I couldn't wear high-heels which I adored. I hoped at least the wedding was indoors. After some greetings and chit-chat with some of the guests, I wanted to find a quiet place to spend some time until it was acceptable enough to excuse myself to my room. Xi family, Yan family, Xi An and Yan Si were tonight's starts. No one would pay attention if I slipped away. I stood under a tree, holding a glass of champagne. As I was taking a sip, I froze.

''What do you mean by that, Mr Kang?''

''Exactly what you heard, butler Che. My patience is already wasted, and if by tomorrow the money isn't transferred, Yan Si will have the same fate as Fu Hai. Now, excuse my lack of manners for not personally congratulating the couple, but my business is finished here.'' A second after, a tall, handsome man passed by me. I watched his broad back thinking he would leave and I would ask butler Che what was this all about. However, I didn't expect he would turn his head, locking his emotionless eyes with mine. I swallowed my saliva nervously while his face slowly transformed in apparent shock. He made two steps hesitantly before taking long strides towards me, grabbing my shoulders painfully. The look on his face was a little bit crazy. Two different emotions battled in his eyes – happiness and anger. I just stayed rooted, wondering what the hell happened.

''I won't let you escape from me again.''