You Can Trust Me

Shi Ailin supported Luo Wanting for days. He had made up an excuse with his family, telling them that he had an abrupt business trip that required immediate attention. And they didn't question him.

She went back to work once she was confident that Luo Wanting could begin to move around on his own. He was able to use the washroom, but he still needed assistance with everything else.

Shi Ailin would give him a large meal that would last him through breakfast and lunch before she returned home for dinner.

It felt strange to her that when she arrived home, someone was waiting for her…

He would greet her every time she returned, and at first, Shi Ailin kept her distance until he invited her to watch a movie with him one evening when she called in sick for work that day since he fell in the tub that morning.

Shi Ailin lay propped on the pillows, next to him with a gap between them.

They watched an action film filled with cursing and violence. It wasn't her thing, but when she heard the background story about the tragedies and hardships that some of the characters faced, Shi Ailin was beginning to understand them better. She then asked herself…are the bad guys always bad? Or is there some internalized good in them?

She pondered over it until the movie ended.

"What did you think of it?" Luo Wanting asked her, but his eyes widened as he realized Shi Ailin's eyes watered. "Are you crying?"

Her mouth quivered. "The ending was so sad," she said, pouting.

She was so utterly adorable that it struck him dumbfounded. "I'll put on a comedy since I don't want to be the one that's making you cry."

Shi Ailin rubbed her eyes and yawned. "But it was such a lovely movie. I liked it."

Luo Wanting gave out a small smile, fully aware that Shi Ailin was leaning over slightly, barely touching him. Her shawl had slipped from her shoulders as her chestnut curls tumbled over her delicate and traceable collarbones.

He looked away.

While watching the comedy, Shi Ailin laughed until she was hoarse. "Oh my god," she said while laughing. "That man reminds me of Fang Qi."

Luo Wanting furrowed his brows. He didn't like the fact that she was being reminded of other men while he was with her. He then shifted until they shoulder-to-shoulder, and he heard her breath stop short. He grinned foxily.

She flustered. "Lu-Luo Wanting, can you tell me about how you became friends with Yuan Shun and Fang Qi?" She wanted to take her mind off of how close their bodies were.

She was still thinking of other men. He chuckled. "I grew up with Yuan Shun. Our families were very close. He and his siblings would visit our estate, and it was easy to get along with him when you're the same age and have many things in common. I am the eldest, and I had many responsibilities and expectations. Shun was laid back, with less on his plate. He supported me until I've accomplished everything my parents expected of me. His father then passed, and it hit him hard, and we grew closer then. When his brother died, that's when everything changed. We grew apart since he didn't expect to be in the position he is now, making tough choices, working hard when everyone depends on you. He pushed everyone away until I forcefully made him bring me back into his life. Now we're good."

He paused. "With Fang Qi, he was Shun's junior. At first, I thought he was annoying because he was persistent in becoming my friend when I didn't know him. But when it comes to that idiot, you can't shake him, and you wouldn't want to."

Shi Ailin grinned, propping her head with her elbow as she faced him. Her nose wrinkled. "Is it hard to have all that weight on you? I am only the second. I wouldn't know. With Yenni, she always appeared calm and collected, as if she was destined to take on any challenge bravely. But other times, I feel like she'd been bottling her feelings."

"It is difficult being the one that carries your family on your back," he said. "As bad as it sounds, sometimes I feel as if my parents only had children for the sake of heirs. Do you know how lonely that is? Being raised by nannies, not wanting to be held by your own mother?" He scoffed. "Then there's my father who is absent yet present. He didn't care to know about my brothers or me. To them, It's always business this, legacy that."

Shi Ailin instinctively reached out to grip him on the arm. Luo Wanting stilled. "Sorry…" he began, "I didn't mean to vent."

"No," she replied. "I'm glad you did. I want to…understand you better."

"Why?" he whispered.

Her walnut eyes met his storm-green ones. "You puzzle me," she admitted.

"How so?"

"I can't figure you out. I can't tell if I trust you."

He leaned forward. "I think I should be the one to question whether I trust you. You know my secret now."

Her eyes widened. "You can trust me," she said. "I don't know much about the Black societies, but you're my friend. I won't tell a soul."

Friend. He'll take that.

He leaned closer until their faces were a few inches apart. The noise in the comedy began to sound incoherent. "I don't know why. But I believe you," he said.

Shi Ailin shuddered, feeling relieved. Realizing how close their faces were, she flushed, turning away to continue watching the comedy. But she couldn't focus as her chest hammered, and she was glad that he couldn't hear it.

They continued to watch until Shi Ailin drifted asleep, forgetting to leave since she was comfortable in her bed. Luo Wanting looked over at her, drinking in the way her long lashes fluttered. She pillowed one of her hands. Her lips parted slightly, breathing softly.

He realized this was a bad idea and foolish on his part. He didn't understand what compelled him to come to Shi Ailin and tell her truth. It was not something taken lightly. His title wasn't something to flaunt. He inherited the role from his father, and they never talk about it, not even to each other.

But there was nothing malicious or deceptive about Shi Ailin. Though he'd be an idiot to believe that she was a completely naïve and oblivious woman since she was a Shi for god's sake. They aren't ever to be underestimated, no matter how beautiful and flowery they are.

Luo Wanting turned off the television. He shifted on the bed, finding a comfortable position before he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

…

"Ailin?" Shi Yen yelled from the front door the next morning.

Shi Ailin stirred. "Mhmm…" she mumbled.

"Ailin, are you still sleeping?" Her sister asked, walking down the foyer.

Shi Ailin shifted, flipping over, feeling a warm figure. Her eyes fluttered wide-open, meeting Luo Wanting, who looked equally startled.

Crap! She accidentally fell asleep next to him and didn't expect her sister to come over.

Shi Ailin then heard her sister ascend the stairs. "Fuck!" she said. "Go hide!" she told Luo Wanting.

"Why do I have to hide?" he questioned, a smile curving his mouth.

"Because you're in my bed, and I don't want to give my sister the wrong idea."

His smile broadened.

"Do you want her to find out why you're actually here?"

"No," he replied.

"Then go hide before she comes!"

"I can't move," he said.

"Ugh," she responded in frustration.

She heard Shi Yen approach closely as her heels clicked on the floorboards. Shi Ailin then quickly covered Luo Wanting's full body with the blanket, trying to smooth out his form. She leaned closer to him, moulding their bodies so that it looked as if she was alone.

There was a knock.

Shi Ailin composed herself. "Come in."

Shi Yen entered, carrying a bag in her hand. She smiled briefly at her. "Hey. How are you feeling?"

"I…I'm better," Shi Ailin said. "Why did you come? Not that I'm not happy…I just thought you had work."

"I do. I just wanted to check up on you." Shi Yen looked at her concerned. "I know you have been going to work, but you missed yesterday, so I was beginning to think that you may still not be feeling well." She then approached her, pressing her hand on her forehead. "But, your temperature seems fine."

"Y-yes," Shi Ailin responded. "I'm fine. At first, I felt sick, and yesterday…I, uh, got my period," she said with a flattering smile.

"Oh," responded Shi Yen. "Yes. I understand now. Well, I brought you some food anyway, maybe we can eat it together."

Shi Ailin was about to sit up when she felt Luo Wanting grab her thigh from beneath.

"I—Thank you, Yenni. It looks delicious. But I'm not hungry right now," she rubbed her stomach for emphasis. "My cramps are deadly."

Shi Yen frowned. "Poor you," she said, caressing her face. "I understand. You should get some rest." Shi Yen then stood up, heading towards the door.

Shi Ailin then felt Luo Wanting's hand slid up her upper thigh. She kicked him, and he whimpered.

Shi Yen turned around, brows furrowed. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Shi Ailin flashed a smile. "Yes. Yes. I am."

"Maybe I should stay—"

"No. No. It's okay, Yen. I'm going to go back to sleep. You should go to work. Tell Yuan Shun I said hi when you go back home later in the evening."

Her sister smiled. "All right then. I'll see you again soon. Take care."

"Thanks, Yenni!" Shi Ailin shouted as she watched her sister leave, shutting the door behind her.

Shi Ailin released a breath, pulling the blanket from Luo Wanting's face. He gasped for air.

She then grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. "Why the hell did you do that?" she questioned. "We could have been caught."

He smiled. "Sorry. I couldn't help it."

Shi Ailin rolled her eyes, clenching her teeth. "You're despicable!" She then rose out of bed, storming out of the room. Before she shut the door, she heard him shout, "I'm sorry, Ai!"

Shi Ailin continued to leave, heading to Shi Yen's old bedroom. She sat on the edge of the bed, palming her warm and flushed face. Her heart was pounding so hard that it frightened her.

She was beginning to realize why…and no, she can't let this happen again and certainly not with a Luo.