Fifth Meeting

Jackson stormed out of the club, holding tightly to Halia's wrist. The front of the club faced the beautiful Houhai lake, which was what the area was named after, and it looked stunning at night.

"Jackson, let go," Halia cried as the man continued dragging her forward. But, he did not let go until they could no longer hear the noise from the club.

Finally he stopped beside a willow tree next to the lake.

The wispy branches of the willow tree moved with the early spring breeze and the clear night sky was lit by a crescent moon. The weather was still a little cold as spring had just started, so Halia began to shiver a little in her cropped top and short jeans.

Jackson looked a little annoyed, but he still removed his coat and gave it to Halia. "What are you doing here?" he asked, trying his best to not sound angry. After all, what right did he have to be angry?

Halia wrapped herself with the coat and was reminded of the one she still had at home. Just like the one at home, it smelled of Jackson's cologne. She looked up at the man in front of her, this was the first time since they first met that she had seen him without a bandage around his head. Now that she looked at him properly, he was even more good looking than she remembered and it made her a little nervous. Finally, after a moment of silence, she replied, "I'm working."

"Aren't you a nurse? Shouldn't you be at the hospital?" he asked.

Halia looked down at the floor and replied, "I couldn't go back there after what happened."

"What do you plan to do then? You can't continue working at the club, it's too dangerous," Jackson warned.

"If it's dangerous, then why do you go there every Friday night?" Halia asked.

Jackson looked at Halia with suspicion, "How did you know that I go there every Friday night?"

Halia's eyes quickly darted around awkwardly. Did she just slip up?

"Miss Feng, why do I feel like you came to the club because of me?" Jackson asked.

Halia held her breath; did he just figure out who she was and what she was doing?

At that moment, Jackson suddenly grabbed onto her waist and pulled her towards him. "If you wanted to thank me for saving your life, you didn't have to stalk me," he laughed.

Halia quickly pushed him away. "Hey, I'm not one of those women that swoon over you," she said.

Jackson's lips curved upwards slightly. "What women are you referring to?"

"The two that were all over you earlier. I'm sure they're waiting for you to get back inside."

Jackson laughed. Did that mean she had spotted him from the bar before he even saw her?

Jackson looked down at Halia and brushed away a loose strand of hair from her face. The first time he saw her at the hospital, he thought she was good looking with a bit of attitude and sass, so she immediately caught his attention.

The second time he saw her at the restaurant, she was cold and unapproachable, yet the more she tried to ignore him, the more he wanted to know her.

The third time at the bar, she was innocent and vulnerable, but as soon as he had her in his arms, she was so seductive and alluring that he almost lost control.

So, the fourth time he saw her, he was so charmed by her that he gave his all to save her even though it could have put him in danger.

This was only their fifth meeting, but Jackson had to admit that he was already captivated by this woman.

However, he was never one to fall in love easily. She simply interested him.

"Is your boyfriend picking you up from work today?" Jackson asked all of a sudden.

Halia looked at Jackson confusedly. She didn't have a boyfriend. "Errr...no," she replied, unsure of who he was referring to.

"I'll treat you to some supper and take you home then. Wait for me here," Jackson said as he ran off into one of the side streets.

Halia sat down at the edge of the lake. It was just high enough so that her feet could dangle without touching the water.

She had successfully grabbed Jackson's attention. It was a lot easier than expected. Now, she had to befriend him, make him trust her and subtly hint that she had the skills to help him. How was she to do that?

At that moment, Jackson returned holding two paper bags. He handed one bag to Halia and sat down beside her.

"The grilled cumin lamb sticks are really good at this place. Have you had them before?"

"Not from this particular store." Halia pulled out one of the sticks of meat and started munching down on it.

Jackson laughed as he handed her a tissue, "You look hungry."

Halia held onto the tissue and glanced at the man next to her, "Jackson, thank you."

"For what?"

"You know what. You saved me three times. I don't have many friends in Beijing, so I'm glad you were there," Halia replied sincerely.

"Does that mean we're friends?" Jackson asked as he shuffled a little closer.

Halia looked at the man next to her and nodded her head.