-||chapter three - not my boyfriend!||-

"The Crown Prince knew not that him saving the beautiful Princess would become the talk of the kingdom. His good intentions were portrayed as a scandalous rendezvous. The rumors made the King furious and he berated the Crown Prince for the damage to the royal family's reputation. But things were different for the Princess.

The Princess grew up in a very loving and protective family. She had the right and the freedom to do what she wanted, to study what she wanted, and to live her life the way she wanted. She was truly loved and cared for.

Though the Princess was caught in an unfortunate situation but she was no damsel in distress and knew how to protect herself and teach such ruffians a lesson."

****************

At Lu Mansion

Dressed in loose comfy shorts, and an oversized t-shirt, Lu Zhi was sitting cross-legged on the throne-like chair in her office. Her parents, Lu Feng and Bai Yan were seated on the couch while her sister, Lu Ying occupied the chair opposite to her. The three of them were staring at her with mixed emotions.

Her father looked as if he was disappointed in her, while her mother had those dramatic expressions on her face, similar to those television mothers, sad, teary-eyed, and so very depressed! Her sister, Lu Ying, her twin, was looking at her with narrowed eyes, and a look that screamed suspicion!

This was all because of the hilariously absurd article published in today's newspaper. Even the news channels weren't less than that. Her assistant had just e-mailed a detailed report as to what was going on. The latest headline flashing on one such news channels, the one that caught her eye and had her laughing her head off was -

"The dark and shameful side of the rich!"

Who in the world comes up with such lines?! These were so cheesy but at the same time so hilarious! It made her cringe and laugh at the same time. But things weren't as fun for her family members.

She sighed, frustrated. She should have told them the truth about what happened yesterday. But it's okay, she'll tell them now and then ask her assistant to schedule a meeting with Yi Chen, the Zhang Yi Chen. They need to settle these baseless rumors as soon as possible. But first, she needs to deal with her family.

Lu Zhi whined and leaned back on the chair, almost falling down, as she cried out, "Nothing happened yesterday! At-least not like what you are thinking and what is being said in the media."

"Then what did happen?" asked her father, "Why didn't you tell us that you were in a relationship with this guy? Do you think we would have objected?"

"Exactly!" her mother began, "We have been waiting for years, years for you to bring a boy home. But you were so focused on your studies, and then with your work, that you didn't even think about having a boyfriend. And now you do this?! How could you not introduce him to us?"

Lu Zhi covered her face with her hands and groaned. She didn't know what to do, should she laugh or should she cry?!

"And what's with the miscarriage? You clearly don't look like a woman who has just miscarried!" that comment came from Lu Ying.

"Of course I don't look like one, because I wasn't even pregnant in the first place!" snapped Lu Zhi. How can they even believe this shit?!

"Okay, fine!" said Lu Ying raising her hands in surrender, "We believe that you weren't pregnant. But what were you doing with Zhang Yi Chen in that hotel room, alone?" she asked making suggestive eyes at her.

Before Lu Zhi could answer that, her mother started talking, "This Zhang Yi Chen looks quite handsome." she said while doing something on her cell phone. "Oh, he does look nice!" she turned her phone ever and showed everyone her phone's screen that displayed a picture of Yi Chen, all dressed up for an event.

"I don't see why you didn't bring your boyfriend home. I have known Yi Chen since he entered the business world, and he's good. I have met him numerous times for business purposes and at a few parties as well. He seems to be a really nice guy" her father added, the earlier disappointment vanished from his features.

"So what exactly is the problem?!", her mother exclaimed loudly making Lu Zhi roll her eyes in annoyance.

"Oh, my Mom! Problem is that Zhang Yi Chen is not my boyfriend! We are not in a relationship as the media is making out us to be!" Lu Zhi then began to explain to her family members what had really happened. She told them about how Yi Chen had saved her, taken care of her when she had gotten sick, and took her to the hospital for a detailed check-up.

"That's what happened, but these nincompoops twisted this into something so ridiculous that I feel like killing them all!" muttered Lu Zhi as she slammed her fist over the desk.

After getting to know the truth, all three of her family members looked murderous, "Who the hell dared to do that to you? How dare he, that bastard?!" her father roared.

Lu Zhi's mother came over to her and cupped her face in her hands, "Are you really fie now? What did the doctor say?"

"Relax Mom, Dad, I am completely fine now. The drug wasn't potent enough to cause me some health issues. I got the counter medicine for it on time, so everything is perfectly alright." she smiled easing their worries.

"And that sleazeball has already been dealt with. After getting discharged from the hospital, I went to the police station to file a complaint against him. They got him and he's in jail." revealed Lu Zhi.

"And that's it?" questioned Lu Ying, "I don't believe that you'll be letting him go that easily. What are you actually planning to do?"

Lu Zhi smiled at her twin sister and leaned back on the chair in a relaxed posture. Nobody knew her better than her twin, "Nothing!" she exclaimed, "For now." she added.

"Right now I need to deal with these rumors of me and Yi Chen being f*ck-buddies. Once I am done with this, I'll deal with that jerk, then. Till then I am gonna let him rot in the jail."

"Good." all of them said in unison making Lu Zhi smile.

"This Zhang Yi Chen is such a gentleman, no?" the moment her mother uttered those words Lu Zhi knew what was about to happen. She took a deep breath and with a groan, she rested her forehead against the desk.

"I agree!" exclaimed Lu Ying, "I mean, wow! You were drugged Zhi Zhi, and he could have done anything to you, with you but he didn't!"

"Maybe because I barfed all over him." Lu Zhi replied, not raising her head from where it was resting.

"Oh, really? Then he could have left you alone but he didn't. In fact, he stayed with you the whole time and only left when you were finally awake." Lu Ying was really impressed with what Yi Chen had done for her sister. She had met him a few times, he seems to be a genuinely good man.

"Also, whatever you have told us, it tells us that he's really a good guy. Are you really not interested in him?" asked her mother.

"Mom! We have just met, and I was unconscious most of that time. I don't know about him enough to get interested." Lu Zhi muttered angrily, still resting her head against the desk.

"I just want you to focus on something, or someone other than work! And that includes finding someone to love, someone who makes you happy. I am not asking you to get married or something, you can stay with us your whole life. I just want you to experience the magic of being in a romantic relationship, be it with a guy or a girl. Totally your choice!" explained her mother making Lu Ying chuckle while her father was trying to hide his smile.

Her mother was the most romantic yet very practical woman she has come to know. She had been egging her to be in a romantic relationship since Lu Zhi turned 16. "Oh, my Mom! Don't force this on me, okay! It will happen when the time is right, so take a chill pill and relax!"

"When will that right time come?" hearing her mother mutter those words, Lu Zhi was about to say something but was interrupted by her the ringing of her cell phone. It was her assistant, Dai Xi's call.

"Yes, Dai Xi." said Lu Zhi, answering the call.

"Ma'am, I just got in touch with Mr. Zhang's assistant, and he too wants to schedule a meeting with you. I have checked your schedule and cross-checked it with Mr. Zhang's schedule for the day. Both of you have two consecutive hours available during lunchtime. From 12 P.M. to 2 P.M. So shall I schedule a lunch meeting for you two?"

"Yeah, that will be perfect." responded Lu Zhi.

Both of them discussed the details about the place of lunch and the time before Lu Zhi ended the call. She hopped off the chair and stretched her limbs, "I'm gonna have lunch with Zhang Yi Chen at 12:45 in the afternoon to discuss what should be done to settle these rumors, and after that, I'll be leaving for City A. I'll come back tomorrow in the morning, okay." she announced while cracking her knuckles.

"City A? Why are you going there?" asked Lu Ying.

"Just a random visit!" Lu Zhi chuckled, "I am just missing the kids. It's been weeks that I last visited them. So I thought to spend the day with them."

The kids that Lu Zhi was talking about were the kids from an orphanage in City A that she was funding solely. It was managed by her mother's childhood friend Pei Ming-Yue, whom Lu Zhi, Lu Ying, and the kids at the orphanage addressed as PM.

"Do you wanna take some gifts with you?" asked her mother.

"I have already prepared gifts and the other stuff that I'll be taking with me. Everything is set, I just forgot to inform you earlier." Lu Zhi replied.

"It's okay! Now you go and get ready for your date!" exclaimed her mother, smacking Lu Zhi on the bottom.

"MOM!" Lu Zhi yelled but everybody else just laughed. They were making fun of her now.