I Want Him Dead

Li Hao observed Liling's strained expression as she shook hands with the man before her. The man had just started to talk to her before she firmly shook her head and walked away.

Obvious confusion hung in the air laced with silence and questioning stares. Trying to salvage the situation, Li Hao apologized on her behalf and went to find her.

The liling in question stood alone on a balcony, resting against the stone railing as the cool night air sent a chill down her spine as it wrapped around her fair skin. Walking away had been one of the best decisions she had made that night, and shaking that man had been her worst, it had reawakened feelings that she had buried deep within her for years. Feelings she didn't want to revisit.

"Wang Hoang" his name rolled off her tongue leaving a bitter taste in its wake. He was her mother's younger brother —her uncle, and the only son in her mother's family. He was greedy and coldhearted, only caring about someone if they were of use to him. 

He had kicked her and her brother out of their home and to the orphanage, taking their inheritance for himself, all while pretending to be grieving his sister's death. She could feel her fists clench as she revisited the ugly memories of her tainted childhood.

Suddenly she felt the cold around her disperse and warmth slowly seeped up through her arms. Li Hao had draped his suit jacket over her shoulders and silently took the space next to her.

She stared down at the coat, an impassive expression plastered on her face, she didn't bother to look at him or address his sudden appearance.

"I'm not cold"

He rolled his eyes as if anticipating that response. "Can't I be a gentleman for once"

She didn't reply letting them fall into the comfortable silence that inevitably befell them whenever they were together.

"Have you ever hated someone so much the hatred becomes your only reason for existing?", Her voice was just above a whisper, and he had almost missed it. He raised a brow, not knowing what to expect next.

She let out a self-deprecating laugh, "He asked the orphanage to get rid of us. Permanently. His own sister's children. Her words turned more malicious as she spat out her words, hatred evident in her tone.

His eyes widened in shock. If anything, he was certainly not expecting that. His brows furrowed as he put two and two together and asked, "But you said you left..."

"... because I was kicked out for stealing", she completed his sentence, "No.That was them being merciful"

Heavy silence ensued once more as he processed what he had just learnt about her past. He glanced at her, not a single ounce of emotion had graced her face throughout their conversation, and not a single crack had penetrated her perfect facade. Just how much had she gone through to end up so desensitized?

"I want him dead"

Li Hao froze in place, his words caught in his throat. He was about to suggest they both return down as night was getting closer and they would soon leave. The hairs on his arms stood on end as he took in the amount of blood lust emanating from her.

She turned to stare at him, a deadpan look in her eyes. She repeated herself, "I want him dead. No, I want him to beg for death" 

A slow smile spread across Li Hao's face. He knew an opportunity when he saw one, and this was one he would take advantage of. Slightly leaning forward, he maintained eye contact with her.

"And how are you going to achieve that?"

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

~Li Corporation; Liling's office

Another Monday morning had arrived with its fair share of issues for Liling, and she sat at her desk as she tackled them. She sipped her second cup of coffee and peered at the clock.

It was almost 9 am and Shen Ru hadn't arrived yet, a strange occurrence considering she had never been to work late. She had called several times, but that had only led her to listen to the pre-recorded voice of Shen Ru telling the caller to leave a message after the 'beep'

She shook her head trying to dissipate her worries. Maybe she had just gotten stuck in traffic, she would probably soon burst through the doors anytime from there.

She busied herself with her work, sufficing as Shen Ru was still AWOL. Her mind would occasionally create scenarios on things that could be causing her to be late, and not answer her calls.

Half an hour had barely passed and Shen Ru walked through the office doors. Liling looked up but stopped in shock as her gaze landed on the bandage wrapped around her left arm and the eye bags she sported.

"Ru, what's wrong?" Liling asked as she stood up alarmed and walked over to Shen Ru. 

"Nothing. Leave me alone"

"I should leave you alone when you look like you need help?"

"Ah so now you care", her expression morphed into one of bitter resentment as she stared pointedly at Liing only a few steps away from her,

"What are you talking about? I always care"

"Why didn't you tell me you got married?"

"W-What?". Liling stared incredulously at her friend. She knew she could be dramatic at times, but what did her marriage have to do with the fact that she looked like she had just been maltreated?

"I said, why didn't you tell me you were married?"

"Because it doesn't matter. You still haven't explained why you look battered"

Shen Ru scoffed and scrunched her nose in disgust. "Isn't it obvious enough? It's you. You're the reason I'm like this". With that, she turned around and walked out leaving Liling both concerned and confused. She contemplated following her but refrained from the idea not wanting to cause a scene within the company.

Shen Ru didn't return after that, leaving Liling alone for the entirety of the day. At exactly 6 pm, it was time to pack up and leave. Liling suddenly received a message from an unknown number. She stared at it sceptically as clicked on the notification.

The message opened up, it contained just 3 words, nothing more, nothing less.

And it simply read.

[I SEE YOU~]

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Hey, Author here,

Unfortunately for health reasons, I will be going on a two-week hiatus. Please bear with me. I apologize.

Bye~