:: Am i dreaming? ::

I go over all the dresses in my wardrobe, but nothing seems to appeal to me for the meeting with Cullen Fu later. I have repeatedly told myself in my mind that Cullen Fu is not Devil Cullen, and this is a work-related matter, but my mind thinks otherwise.

I suppose my imagination works in a way I myself cannot understand. I must be in denial that Cullen Fu is the devil of my dreams. But Cullen Fu can have all the women in the world as he pleases, and I don't even know my worth in his eyes.

Even when I know this, why am I looking forward to the meeting later?

At 3:00 p.m., I just give up and try to disregard the heap of messy garments on the floor of my bedroom. Uncle Dou drops me off at Brighton Mall for me to head on my shopping spree. As usual, he will wait for me in the parking lot and once I'm done, I can either meet him there or he could drive the vehicle up to the main level to pick me up.

I am not in my disguise today, and could not be bothered to act like Jewel Xia. My motive in going to the mall is very clear in my head: I will be going to the Top Boutique in the same mall, renowned for its quality dresses. Hopefully, by dressing well enough, it will create a good impression of me in Cullen Fu's eyes which will help in future cases. Cullen Fu mentioned a deal between us, and I take his word for it.

Even if he is a womaniser, in business, one has to create a good image of oneself in the industry. Integrity and a sense of responsibility is very crucial in this area. I decide to take his word for it, from my intuition. Although he has played a few tricks in the past, he has not lied to me. 

But am I hoping for a business deal with Cullen Fu or something else specifically? The question haunts me.

An image of Cullen Fu holding me securely as we dance surfaces in my memory. Cullen Fu, if I did not have anything for you then, why did I allow you to become close to me so easily?

In the one year, it was only him who had a chance to know me outside university and work. Every male classmate and business associate I knew, I had dealt with in a professional attitude. Cullen Fu trespassed deep into my heart, and I know it's impossible between us. 

One, because of Devil Cullen and the deal. Two, because of his past. A tiger can't change its stripes. He can't ditch all the women in the world for a woman like me. Three, I am also no ordinary woman. I was reborn for a reason, and I can't sit by without accomplishing what I was reborn for.

A bright red dress looks fancy on a mannequin, but I fear the red doesn't go well with my blue dyed hair, so I opt for a glamorous black alternative instead. While I am waiting for the sales executive to return with the right size, I see a familiar face browsing around.

"Cara!" I utter in surprise. The girl turns around and faces me with a joyous smile. I could barely recognise her since we have both graduated from Andophia. 

"Shengyi, how are you doing?"

"Well, every day is a new challenge for me. Say, are you working now?" 

I don't want to startle her by revealing that I am a CEO at this age, so I just divert the topic with a courtesy question.

"Yeah, I'm working! Thanks Shengyi for asking!" the beauty appeared to have blossomed from a childish twenty-odd-year-old girl to a classy working individual.

"But today is a workday?" I shrug.

"Oh, my boss let us all off early because he is going on a date… I mean, an important meeting!" Cara smiled innocently.

I wonder which employer could be so easy-going and generous to allow all his employees to leave work early over his personal matters. So I don't hesitate to hold myself back and ask Cara where she works.

"I work in-" she is about to answer, but the sales executive returns with the dress that I am intending to buy.

I am running short of time, so I just ask the sales executive to send the dress to the counter after a brief inspection. I plan to just head over to the public toilet and change into the dress after paying for it.

"Miss, you don't need to try it on?" the sales executive looks bewildered. "What if the cutting-"

"It's fine. I am in a rush." I turn to Cara and take down her number. "Let's go out when we have time."

Cara nods and I wave to her before I vanish down the corridor. I am always so busy that I miss those days that I used to spend with Xiaoxian. Time goes by so fast that I sometimes wish I could pause time to look back at the good old times. This time, however, I will try to make up some time to spend with Cara, possibly on a weekend.

When I get back into Uncle Dou's vehicle, he is not surprised about the transformation I have made. I have also had my hair done in urgency at the salon where I am a VIP at, also in the mall. And this leaves just ten minutes to rush down to the cafe Cullen Fu has arranged to meet.

Cafe

Cullen Fu rises as he sees me approach. His dark hair is slicked back in an Elvis-like do and he is wearing a glamorous piece, again overdressed for the occasion. But why is the cafe empty?

"Mr Fu," I act cool as I take my place next to him in the cafe. "Been waiting very long?"

"Not at all," he says, probably to be polite but I peer down at the mug of coffee in front of him. It is no longer hot, signifying that he has been here for some time.

"Hmm," I mutter. 

He looks in the direction of my eyes and comments, "You are indeed a smart one. I cannot lie to you, am I right?"

"Why is the cafe so empty? Did you book the entire venue?" I demand.

"Again, your deductions are accurate, Miss Lu," he pronounces coldly.

I fake a yawn. "Mr Fu, what can I say? This isn't at all necessary. We are here for a business deal, aren't we?"

"Let's not talk about this first," he takes my hand in his, without asking. His hand is cold, but when pressed against mine, ironically it warms my hand. His coldness gives me a very familiar feeling. In fact, I am reminded of…. Devil Cullen?

The iciness of their stares, their cold and yet emotional attitudes… can they be the same person?

I'm not sure what to make of this. 

"I invited you here to eat, so it's natural that we shouldn't talk without eating first," Cullen interjects. I breathe a sigh of relief, then he snaps his fingers. The light goes out instantaneously.

Before I can scream, he points towards the candles on the table. It was during this particular point in time that I realised the room wasn't in complete darkness. I didn't like dark rooms, so it was relieving to know that the room was partially lit with candles. But if his intention was to create a romantic atmosphere, then…

"The food should be ready," he whispers, and releases my hand momentarily to fetch some covered dishes nearby. The dishes are kept warm with a heat source placed beneath the dishes, and his sweet surprise however has an effect on me.

But I can't fall for him, I have Devil Cullen's deal, remember?

"Mr Fu, your gesture is very nice and thoughtful, but I have someone in mind. I hope I am mistaken, and this has nothing to do with romantic feelings."

"That someone from university?" he scratches his head and smiles, rather stiffly.

"Maybe yes and maybe no."

I don't have an obligation to tell him who I have in mind. Devil Cullen's words are embedded deep in my head.

"Miss Lu-" he looks towards me and cups my dainty face in his hands. The stinging feeling from his icy hands compel me to look into his eyes.

These eyes have a cold stare, but are filled with emotion. He presents me with a cold and yet, warm sensation. I plunge into a bottomless pit of hopelessness.

No matter how hard I try, I cannot get the 'no' word out. His tempting eyes bend me to his will.

"Cullen Fu," I murmur. "But you are not my devil..." 

I just wish my devil Cullen was here to grant me relief from the despair I was facing. Where had he gone, after miraculously disappearing from my bed that night?

"Lu Shengyi, I can bring you up to the gates of heaven and down into the depths of hell," Cullen Fu whispered in a voice that didn't sound like himself anymore. "Make your choice."

I gasped, but in a split second, I saw my world dissipate slowly before my eyes and Cullen whisked me away, into a land I never knew of before. How this could even happen, I did not know!

Cullen Fu is really not human like Sergei believes, or is he?

Or am I the one dreaming?