The Elevator

Zhou Zhili apologized profusely. Ignoring Zhou Zhili, Yang Xinyu looked warmly at Wu Lina. Wu Lina shuddered and froze. She apologized and stepped aside. Averting her gaze from him she looked at the floor. Her hands closed tightly around her waist. Her chest grew tight, and it beat so heavily that it pained. She felt winded. She wanted to flee from that place but was rooted to the spot instead.

The elevator came and the group of managers walked in. Yang Xinyu waited for the girls to get in. Zhou Zhili stepped inside taking the cue, but Wu Lina was paralyzed in her place, hands trembling.

Yang Xinyu called her name making her shudder even more. "Ms. Wu Lina, please step in the elevator so that we don't waste time any further."

She looked up and saw people waiting for her and then looked at him. Yang Xinyu pointed with his chin, "Step in."

Wu Lina scuttled inside followed by Yang Xinyu. She went to stand behind Zhou Zhili. Yang Xinyu came inside and stood right beside Wu Lina. They were now standing behind everyone else facing their back. Yang Xinyu slowly slid his fingers in her shirt from behind to stroke her soft back. She trembled slightly and looked up to see him. But Yang Xinyu's expression was indifferent as he carried on his act shamelessly. Slowly his hand moved up to cup her breast. He squeezed it a bit. She lowered her face, pursed her lips and dare not move away from him or else others may start looking in their direction.

There were too many people standing in the elevator, all of them looking in front oblivious of what was happening between them.

Thankfully for Wu Lina and unfortunately for Yang Xinyu, the elevator stopped in less than thirty seconds and they all stepped out.

Along with Zhou Zhili, Wu Lina scurried towards the office cafeteria without looking back.

Yang Xinyu looked in her direction, her warmth in his hands… he knew she was trembling… he wanted to hold her small back… he wanted to protect her… He lifted his hand slowly to his lips and kissed it lightly. He followed the group of managers outside.

The cafeteria was abuzz with people sitting around and chatting endlessly. Along with Zhou Zhili, Wu Lina went to the counter to fetch her lunch and sat down at the only table that was available at the far end of the cafeteria.

From the corner of her eye she saw Bo Xilai making his way towards them to join them for lunch.

"Hey! How are you Zhou Zhili?" Bo Xilai asked while looking at Wu Lina. Before Zhou Zhili could say anything, he turned to look at Wu Lina and asked, "How are keeping Wu Lina. I heard you had fever. I called you but you never picked my phone," he lamented.

Zhou Zhili's mouth was still open to give an answer but seeing his eagerness to strike a conversation with Wu Lina, she shook her head and continued eating. 'Love and infatuation does make people idiots'.

Zhou Zhili liked Bo Xilai in a friendly way. Being CEO Yang's secretary, her interaction with him had given her enough time to understand his personality. She found him to be good-natured, agreeable and a cute looking man. He was very fair with curly hair. At 5 feet 9 inches, he was slightly taller than an average man. He was friendly to everyone in the company. She was a year older than him and maintained a slightly-more-than-professional relationship with him. His only flaw was his choice of clothes – they were too loud! She had pointed it out to him number of times, but he never listened to her. Now, she had become used to this assault on her eyes everyday! Today he was wearing a yellow shirt with royal blue pants!

Bo Xilai had fallen head over heals for Wu Lina the minute he saw her. While Wu Lina never gave him any reason to advance their relationship, he was eager to cross the threshold. His infatuation for Wu Lina grew every time he saw her.

"Zhou Zhili told me that you had gone to meet your aunt and then fell ill," he continued. "Xiao Lili you must contact me if you get into any trouble. I get worried, you know."

'Xiao Lili!' Zhou Zhili's expression was priceless!

Wu Lina managed to smile and thanked him for his concern. "I will surely let you know next time," she lied to him for the umpteenth time.

Zhou Zhili wanted Wu Lina to marry Bo Xilai. According to her he was a good catch. He was drawing a good salary from the company and was liked by the chairman. He was likely to get promoted to the position of a manager in the coming years. He was a young cheerful man who would keep Wu Lina very happy.

Zhou Zhili had often hinted Wu Lina to go on a date with him. As a matter of fact Zhou Zhili had set her up on several blind dates in the past but Wu Lina rejected all of them. She knew that Zhou Zhili was a fantastic friend who wanted to see her well settled in life.

However, Wu Lina had someone else in her heart. His memories and face had permanently etched on her soul, although she never revealed it to Zhou Zhili…

She was reminded of the past when Yang Xinyu was under her care in the hospital.