Chapter 5 — Conflicting Fate

10

The driver took us to Tham Vong Tan's apartment. As soon as he opened the door, he leaned against the door frame, with no intention of entering.

“Come in.”

I pulled him twice but still didn't budge. He looked at me and said softly:

“Come here.”

“Why are you here—”

As soon as he stepped forward, he held my face, leaned down and kissed me deeply. The faint smell of alcohol lingered on his lips. The big hand brushed against my ear, the warmth like a small stream, slowly spreading down. My legs were weak, my whole body almost fell on him.

“All day I just wanted to kiss you.”

“Hey… wait… Tham—”

He didn't let me finish his sentence, picked him up straight, and walked into the bedroom. Throw me down on the soft bed.

“Wait… I haven't changed my shoes yet—”

He bent down, held me in his arms, pushed the tangled curls out of my face, and continued to kiss. My heart was beating so hard it was resounding. In the end, it was impossible to tell whether it was his heartbeat or mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my voice trembling.

“Tham Vong Tan... you're drunk.”

A kiss fell on my collarbone, making me moan softly. The heat spreads like water waves.

“He looked at me.”

His voice was low, his hand placed on my waist.

"And boasted that I used to dance for him."

It turns out that because of Giang Chi Hoai's matter, he was jealous. I laughed and said softly:

“But you were there too, you saw it too.”

"Yes, I saw it. But I regret not looking at you longer..."

The roots of his ears turned red from the alcohol. The button of the shirt was loosened, with each breath and swallowing movement, the pharynx slightly slid up and down. My lips were stained with a bit of lipstick, adding even more darkness. My face felt hot, I unconsciously leaned closer to him, my fingers hooked on the button of his shirt.

“If you want…” I mumbled, “I… I can dance again.”

“My legs—”

“It's okay.”

I held his face, a bold thought suddenly flashed in my head. I leaned close to his ear and said softly:

“You know what? The soul of that dance lies in the waist—”

He hugged me tightly around my waist, pushing me back onto the bed.

“My liver is also very big.”

The alcohol caused Tham Vong Tan's reason to completely collapse. I blinked my eyes and asked softly:

“So… do you want to see it?”

The heartbeat under my palm suddenly accelerated. He closed his eyes, his voice was hoarse:

“Want.”

The door gently closed. Vague sounds filled the dark night. Long and endless. The next morning, I opened my eyes. It's 9 o'clock. I jumped up from the bed, panicking thinking I was late for work! It wasn't until my legs were numb and I collapsed to the ground from cramps that I remembered that today was the weekend. I slept in Tham Vong Tan's bed all night. The sheets that were messy before going to bed are now neat and tidy. Tham Vong Tan is no longer here. Opened his phone, there was a text message he sent half an hour ago.

“The dancing is beautiful.”

When I calmly read it again, the shame came like a tsunami. I immediately spammed a series of "shut up" icons. The phone rang quickly. On the other end of the line, his voice carried a faint smile:

“Are you awake?”

“Um, why aren't you at home?”

"There's work."

From his side came the sound of people talking loudly. He advised:

“My key is hanging on the door.

In the bedside drawer there is a marriage certificate and some important documents. There is an extra card inside, I want to use it then just swipe. I'm busy, talk to you later."

“Oh…”

We... started living together after marriage? But my belongings haven't arrived yet. Should I open my mouth to ask Tham Vong Tan? The next second, the doorbell rang. The screen shows an image of his secretary.

“Miss Hua, General Manager Tham asked if you want to move things over? If you don't want it, you can buy a whole new one."

The anxiety from earlier immediately disappeared into thin air. I opened the door, smiling brightly.

“Move! Of course transfer!”

Busy all day with moving house. In the evening, I was planning to go out to eat with Tham Vong Tan, but suddenly my boss called me back to work overtime.

“This time it's a big project of Giang Thi Group, they specifically named Tieu Hua to undertake it. If you have any difficulties, ask your seniors.”

I was stunned.

“I'm not comfortable accepting—”

“This is a request from the partner, we are helpless.

Tieu Hua, try your best." Looking at my boss's helpless attitude, I tried to hold back my frustration and nodded.

“Yes, I will do my best.”

Just walked out of the office, the phone rang. It's Giang Chi Hoai.

“Regarding product design, I still have some requests to discuss.”

I took a deep breath, with a business tone:

“General Giang, you can absolutely email me.”

“Can't explain clearly via email, let's meet in person.”

When I hung up the phone, I was so angry that I immediately texted Tham Vong Tan.

“Is Giang Chi Hoai sick? You keep insisting on meeting to discuss business, I can't even refuse..."

He replied very quickly:

“Okay.”

Just one word? Is that too cold? I sighed, looked for a popular coffee shop nearby, and sent the location to Giang Chi Hoai. At 8 pm, the cafe is not too crowded. Giang Chi Hoai pushed the door in, looked around, frowned.

“Why did you choose this place?”

I shrugged.

"I'm poor, so shy."

Not waiting for him to say more, I took the documents and opened my laptop.

“General Giang, if you have any request, just say it.”

Giang Chi Hoai was speechless. His eyes darkened.

“Hua Thuc So, do you really not understand or are you pretending not to understand?”

I raised my eyebrows.

“Don't understand what?”

“I want to tell you—”

“Excuse me, is this seat occupied?”

A low, cold voice rang out next to the table. The light was blocked by a tall figure. This voice— The entire cafe suddenly became silent. Tham Vong Tan. He appeared with an overwhelming aura, completely inappropriate for the simple space of the shop. My eyes lit up, looking at him with a smile. Giang Chi Hoai gritted his teeth.

“Do you see any empty seats?”

Tham Vong Tan calmly pulled out the chair next to me and sat down right next to me.

“The restaurant is crowded, be understanding, sit at the same table.”

Behind him... empty, no one. Giang Chi Hoai burst out laughing out of anger.

“Don't tell me you came here by accident?”

“Is it okay to drink coffee if you like it?”

“You have never drank instant coffee since you were little.”

“I want to try today.”

I and Tham Vong Tan both stared at Giang Chi Hoai, waiting for him to continue. A look that says, "If you have any opinion, say it." A look that said, "Are you done talking yet?" When are you leaving? Giang Chi Hoai suppressed his anger, kicked the chair hard, then turned and walked away. The shop absorbed his anger and let out a mournful groan. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Finally done.”

Tham Vong Tan looked at me, his eyes lit up with a faint smile. I rushed over and rubbed against him.

"For saving my life, I am willing to repay it with my own body."

He coughed softly and said softly:

"The restaurant is crowded, go home and report."