We all turned at the direction of his voice and was surprised that he had been here all this time. He then walked towards us and helped himself to an empty seat beside his elder brother.
“… I said I can help you get Feng’s diary, isn’t that what you’re asking for? I’m the closest to him, so I’m the only one who can access his private chambers.” Dao Ming continued as we stared at him in utter silence and disbelief.
“No. Dao Ming, that’s dangerous even for you. This is not a joke, and you know what would happen if Zhin Feng finds out that you are trying to double cross him- he’ll kill you.” Penelope countered concerned.
“Well, I don’t see either of you in a close relationship with Zhin Feng to be able to get close enough to steal from him. So, I’m the best man for the job” Dao Ming replied optimistic, and he’s right.
He is the most accosted with Zhin Feng and can get almost any information we need from him. But my worry was his reason behind helping us against Feng?
Penelope had told me that Xiang Dao Ming worships Zhin Feng, so either we’re falling into a trap if we trust him or he might have just changed sides.
“Don’t mind me asking, but why do you wish to help us against your boss all of a sudden? It’s no secret that you adore Zhin Feng- like hell- you almost killed me 2months ago, so why should I trust you now?” I asked sternly.
The truth is we’ve only got one chance at pulling this off. If this were to go south, then there’s no coming back for anyone except me.
“It was all an act… I hate Zhin Feng’s guts so much it’s becoming harder to keep up the pretence. That bastard threatened my family and is at the verge of taking away my baby sister, so I’ll be damned if I let any of that happen to my family. The only reason I pretended to reverence him is so at a time like this, I’ll be able to play the inside man in plotting his downfall…” Dao Ming replied earnestly.
I could feel his wrath and loothing towards Zhin Feng and that calmed me.
“… and there’s no way I’ll let you alone take the glory in saving my family from that crook’s hands” he then cited at me with a smirk .
I let out a soft laugh and nodded my head in agreement. I could see the proud look on Lei’s face on hearing Dao Ming say those words.
“Can we just take a moment to reflect on what would happen if Zhin Feng catches him…” she interrupted our brief moment of silence.
Calling our attention to the danger of our mission, we had to stop for a while to think about that.
“… and Dao Ming, you of all people should know how dangerous Feng is. What if you get caught?” she asked Dao Ming worried.
I hate how worried she looked, but Dao Ming is right. If we would have any chance to get Feng’s statement book, Dao Ming is our only hope. He is our best option to get close enough to get it for us.
“I’ll just have to go stealth then, dear sister. If I’m careful enough then I won’t get caught…” he stated sweetly as he held her hands to comfort her.
“… we are talking about a chance to get our family out of our entanglement with Zhin Feng. I’ll be damned if I seat still and do nothing to help.” Dao Ming completed bravely.
“Then I’ll go with you- and I don’t want to hear any discouragement from either one of you. If Dao Ming wants to steal from Zhin Feng, he’ll need a way to distract him. I’ll be the distraction” Penelope suddenly volunteered.
Ok?… No. There’s no way on earth I’m letting her get close to Feng as a ‘distraction’. I can even begin to imagine all that could go wrong, what happens then?
A lot could go wrong and she could get in trouble along side Dao Ming.
“I can’t let you do that” Lei countered fortunately.
Thank you Lei- thank you so much for that.
“Do you want to do it then?…” she asked in sarcasm, “… Zhin Feng is a very calculative man, and the moment he sees you in his mansion he’ll immediately become guarded. Mr Winfrey can’t go either because they both have a history together- and not the good kind. No matter how we look at this, I’m the best woman for the job” she ranted arguingly.
This cannot be happening. I know she’s capable of handling herself, but I can’t help but feel uneasy about this whole plan. I’m at a crossroad and can’t help but worry.
“Then it’s settled… Penelope would fix a date with Feng at his mansion, while I handle the rest as she distracts him. I’ll have the statement book to you in no time, then you can put an end to all these…” Dao Ming replied casually.
Everything must really seem simple to him. Shouldn’t he at least be a little worried about his sister?
“Would you two relax?…” he ordered referring to both Lei and I, “… I swear to bring her back in one piece, trust me ok?…” he replied empathically before concluding.
“I have to leave now- duty calls.” He stated casually, shaking the call display screen of his phone at us.
He then saluted playfully and left us all in complete silence. There’s nothing Lei and I could say to these two to change their mind, we didn’t even get a chance to.
I very much wanted to discourage Penelope from that, but she is a very stubborn lady who’s trying to fight for her and her family’s freedom. So, who am I to tell her not to fight and show how strong she really was?
I just worry and would always worry about her no matter how strong and brave she appears to be. But at the same time, I also have to trust her.
We soon placed our orders and were served our individual meals, which we ate in a comfortable silence.
Livy
“Help! Mom please, help me! It hurts so much, I just want it to stop!” I had yelled pleadingly in horror to my mother.
I felt my mind disappearing, shrinking with each excruciating pain that coursed through my body.
“I can’t baby, I don’t know how. The pain isn’t real, it’s all in your mind! Please, try to put yourself together” my mother stated.
I was only 13 at the time and understood what pain was.
“Ahhhh…” I screamed in pure agony.
How can I be in so much pain and she tells me it’s all in my head?
I remembered- I remembered everything.
Everything that happened when I was kidnapped 4years ago, was flooding back and threatening to drown my very soul.
Those memories haunted me each night, and sometimes they are too bad i wake up in trembling pain and fright for the rest of the night.
I had stopped talking to people, except my mom and my shrink- Dr Joe. I was starting to resent Sophia so much for all that had happened to me, i was slowly starting to hate my own sister.
Every night I would go beserk with nauseating nightmares that threatens to take my life. It would always starts the same way every night.
Flashback:
Sophia and I secretly running away from our securities and nanny. We would head to the playground at a park several blocks from our home, holding hands as we run.
But, as soon as we get to the playground, we both choose our separate rides. I was on the slides and Sophia was on the seasaw, going up and down.
She loves the playground, but we never get to come here because of our mother’s strict daily schedules we must follow. I wanted to grant Sophia her one wish, even if it was a dangerous one.
I always did everything to make her happy, no matter what it was. I would often lie for her, took blames for her and never said no to her. God forbids I do the opposite of what she wants, she’ll accuse me of turning against her and trying to hurt her.