Chapter 8: Okay I admit!

"Missy, your hot bath is ready," says Lixin to Janice, who is curling around in one corner of the room. She nods. She is sick of all these acts. This isn't the first time she ends up miserable. Every time she met Kris, he forced her to do things she didn't like. He touches her body as if he owns it; she doesn't like his touch, but she never says this to him because if she did, her relationship would have ended long ago.

God knows when she will be set free. She is like a bird in a cage for him, but he neglects the part that she has wings too, and whenever she gets a chance, she will fly away from him for sure.

She has done nothing wrong with anyone; then why? Why is it she who has to suffer every time? Tears begin to fall from her eyes. She tightens her grip on the coat. She is still wearing Dylan's coat. He is not around her, but his scent and the warmth of his' on his coat is enough to make her feel secure. She feels good having his coat on.

Lixin has placed an ointment on the table and has left already without saying a word. She thinks that he pities her… she isn't worthy of that. She blames herself because she loses her worth by trusting someone unworthy, and the consequences are in front of her. Disgrace, the tag of a characterless girl and now she has become a laughing material to them.

She has been in relation with Kris for six years and those years were completely miserable for her, but the real trauma begins when he gets bored with her and double-crosses her by confessing his love for her friend without Janice knowing this.

He promised unconditional love and took care of her for the rest of his life; later, he backed off, betrayed her, and left her when she needed him most. But she didn't need him. What she needed most was love which she didn't get!

Sigh!

Janice takes off coat, places it carefully on her bed, and then strips to soak herself in warm water. She closes her eyes to relax, to let her body float; instead, she gets up gasping. "Huff huff, it is haunting me!”

She wipes her body with a towel and stands in front of a mirror to examine her body. "My neck," she says slowly, running her fingers over her neck, which burns. Her scars are deep but not deeper than those at her heart.

She recalls her chat with Dylan regarding the match and makes up her mind. "I want to have a word with him.” She applies an ointment on her scars. As soon as the grease touches her bare skin, it begins to work rapidly, producing an emollient effect and relieving pain. She immediately dresses herself in black tights and a shirt and goes around looking for Dylan, and spots him sitting outside the house on a bench.

"Last time I saw him I was sitting on his lap, crouching him like he is my teddy bear," says Janice to herself. "Oh I'm embarrassed.” She hides her face in her palms. "But there is something important I want to discuss with him. I've to face him."

Determine to act normal as nothing happens between them, Janice strides toward Dylan and sits next to him. Dylan has placed his arm on his face. He peeks.

Hey! says Janice.

Hey! replies Dylan.

"It's good out… isn't it? Fresh air," says Janice, rubbing her knuckles. She isn't a chatterbox because she is restricted to do so by all means. The Wu family never considers her as their and treats her like a maid. She never hangs out with her friends because her uncle never allows her, so she remains at home most of the time and enjoys her own company. This is the first time she has ever stayed at someone else's place despite the fact that her uncle will punish her, but little does she care.

Yeah! He exhales. "It's good 'out'.” He sits straight. "I'm sorry. I was being possessive earlier. Actually, I was distracted… something was bothering me.” Janice nods. She doesn't ask what bothers him, nor does he tell her. She isn't good at consoling others, so she leaves that part.

"I'm sorry too for my behaviour. I was being reckless," says Janice. She feels guilty. Dylan doesn't say anything, and neither does he look at her. "And about that fight…" she begins.

"Don't bother, okay? I will take care of that matter," says Dylan interrupting her. He sneers, "Since I caused that mess.” He doesn't wait to hear her out and immediately stands up to leave. He looks sad, disappointed, and more like devastated. He fails to save Janice as he failed to save her 12 years ago.

"Wait!" She holds his hand and stands up. "I haven't finished yet!" says Janice looking into his eyes. She knows that she has done nothing wrong, so why steal her eyes? So she looks much deeper into them. Dylan takes a step toward her. He says softly, whispering in her ears, "Oh? What's more?" He caresses her neck with his free hand.

"It was an accident! I didn't wish for it," says Janice sharply.

"So… does that count nothing happens this eve?" teases Dylan, moving further closer. Janice can feel his breathing on her neck, burning her scars. She wants to shout, but who cares for her? A moan escapes her mouth, and Dylan back off. He looks down at his hand, which Janice is still holding. She tightens her grip staring deep into his eyes without blinking.

"I want to fight," says Janice.

"What?" asks Dylan because he couldn't believe his ears. He thinks that he hears her wrong because in the afternoon she was very much clearer and that she wasn't interested. The fight was for her benefit, but her arrogancy drifted the real motto of the topic. Moreover, she wrongs him. The quarrel between them was all because of that fight, and now she agrees easily?

"I said I want to fight," she repeats herself, her voice much higher and much clearer.

"Sudden amendments in plan huh?" says Dylan. "Did your ex hit you on your head?"

"How do you know to whom I was with?" asks Janice. Though she is aware that he is a bigshot, he needs no one's permission to meddle in others' affairs. She doesn't like it. He wasn't with her but asked someone to keep an eye on her. Is it his care or his doubts about her?

"I know more than you know things yourself.” He shrugs as if it is normal for him to know the daily routine of anyone he wants to know. "You know what?" He entwines his finger in her hair, "You should make out with him more often.”

Janice doesn't like what he says at the moment. He only sees things with others' eyes. What if he sees with his own eyes and follows his heart? Ah! maybe he will suffer a severe angina attack. "Think and say whatever you like. I won't stop you! Cause I can't shut everyone's mouth but my acts," says Janice. Her words left Dylan speechless.

"So, right now I need this chance… badly," says Janice. "Will you… will you help me out with this?"

She looks so desperate for the fight that he can't help it. "Tell me one thing then," says Dylan and Janice nods.

"Do you have feelings for him?" asks Dylan. The question seems inappropriate at this moment, but he wants to know what she thinks about her ex.

Janice loosens her grip and stares at the ground. "Ummm, what can I say? I'm figuring out?" She adds further to his question, "Maybe the aura of love isn't for me.” She doesn't know whether she is clear to his question or not, but her answer reminds her of family love since she never had one!

Dylan knows what she means, so he doesn't question her further. He knows it will only make him guilty if he throws more tantrums at her. "Get yourself ready. You're going to have me as your opponent.”

"Seriously? You agreed?" asks Janice in disbelief. She doesn't wait for his answer; instead, she tiptoes and kisses him on his cheeks.

Whoa! He places his hand where her lips leave their traces. She runs towards the house in no time, gets past Lixin, who emerges from the house, and heads towards Dylan.

"Ze, have you make arrangements?" asks Dylan, smiling.

"Yes boss everything is ready," says Lixin.

Dylan gathers every thought and word before spitting. "Maybe you were right because by judging her action right now, I mean, she didn't blink while talking. She wouldn't make eye contact if that was deliberate. Maybe she is innocent." He now regrets every thought of judging her.

"Yeah! Well, I don't know her, but I know you very well," says Lixin. "I also know that you were very much distressed earlier." Lixin shows him a bag full of ashes and cigarette butts.

"Oh! It wasn't me," says Dylan neglecting eye contact.

"I suggest you should practise more," says Lixin. "By the way, boss, you're blushing.” Dylan tries his best to hide his expressions, but Lixin is keen he catches him on the spot.

"Dammit! Am I?" says Dylan.

Janice has gone inside the house and has already climbed the first floor and is ready to climb another. She shouts from the window, "Come on! it will be a long night.” They both go in the direction where Janice has just gone, still arguing regarding how bad he is at lies and Dylan still neglecting the fact.