Cutting Ties

Lianne reeled in her emotions that were being caused to go out of whack by this Heavenly Creature.

This … Kai person.

She had to keep telling herself that this was Kai Sheng, playboy CEO, and not some Heavenly Creature.

Heavenly Creatures are not just pleasing to the eye, but also one that does not bring any trouble.

She had always been clear-headed and also an overthinker, which resulted in her being rather detached from the things and people around her.

This was really due to her condition - she had Asperger Syndrome.

However, her situation wasn't as 'severe' as some. She was on the other end of the Spectrum, thus, most of the things associated with Aspergers were not quite apparent with her.

She didn't do things like banging her head on the wall when her senses were overloaded. Instead, she would release it via her drawings or do some repetitive patterns like taking long walks.

Sometimes, just in a circle in her living room.

She didn't like social interaction like most Aspergers though those who saw her, would simply put it down to her being an introvert.

In truth, it was more than that.

She did have difficulties in social interaction, but that was more to the fact that she felt people were just too fake.

Too immature.

As an Asperger, she noticed things that most people wouldn't. Her mind would focus on it and she would tend to overthink.

As such, she found it just too tedious.

She just didn't have the energy nor the desire to always try to get along with such people and preferred to be in her nice, little bubble of happiness.

Away from people.

So right now, Lianne was feeling utterly confused.

Kai was the only person that she didn't actually feel repulsed by, or be apathetic towards. Worse, she didn't retaliate even though he was constantly trying to take liberties with her and was currently making use of her.

Just ... why?

Why was she actually interested in him?

If it was any other person that did what he had done, she would have pointedly ignored him and walked away … after beating him up a bit. Maybe not instantly, but she would have gotten back at him one way or another.

Retaliation didn't have a time limit, after all.

So why did she stay and help?

Just because she was triggered?

Perhaps, at first but when he started hamming it up, she would normally have just dropped the ball and walk away.

So, was it because he was so visually pleasing?

If that was so, wouldn't just sketching him be enough?

Why did it feel that just having him on canvas was insufficient? Why did it feel like … she wanted to get to know him more?

True, she always had a weakness for such a pretty person.

In fact, she had even said to her mother once, that if she was ever to get married, her husband had to be more beautiful than she was.

Not that difficult, but neither was it easy.

Still, this was beyond her expectation.

Lianne brought back her mind to the current situation, thinking that it would be best to settle this issue right now.

The lady's screeching was rather shrill after all.

Lianne put a finger to her ears, rubbing it while looking aggrievedly at Kai, "Did you hear what she screeched? She said you're being indecent. How long do we have to keep on listening to this shrew?"

Kai put his arms protectively over Lianne's shoulder, then glared at Irene, "What? Why are you screaming like that? What is wrong with you? Which eyes are you using to see that I'm being indecent?"

Irene now had tears in her eyes, looking at Kai as if she had been wronged. She wrung her hands together, making people around her suddenly feel pity for her as she said, "But .. but … I thought after last night .."

Kai put up a hand and sneered, "What? You mean the dinner you invited yourself into? When you shamelessly sat down as if you're a part of the business meeting? That 'last night'?"

"Or was it when you found yourself waiting for me the whole night in my room after you sneaked in?" Kai questioned.

Irene's face went pale at that.

"Just because I didn't say a thing or did anything, does not mean I welcomed it," Kai said, "It was out of respect for your father, who had been a good friend of my late father, that I simply walked away."

Then he turned to Lianne and his face showed extreme pain and remorse, "But in the end, my kindness caused my Angel to be mad at me."

Kai then turned to Irene and continued, his eyes narrowing, "You even said things to try and make her misunderstand me and break us up. In what way did I ever give you any hint that I liked you?"

Kai pulled Lianne closer to him, enjoying the softness against him and the sweet smell of chocolate that seemed to waft into his nose.

He couldn't help himself but kiss her hair, inhaling her scent deeply before he looked back at Irene, "You're lucky my Angel understands me. Now scram. From this day forth, stay one foot away from me."

Irene's mouth quivered and she stared at Lianne angrily.

"Oh, and for the record, what Kai and I do behind closed doors wouldn't land him in jail," Lianne said with a smile as she studied Irene's face.

Tilting her head a bit, she said seriously, "A friendly advice. Getting a facelift but not taking care of your face can reverse the effects. Using your unskilled hands to load all that make-up in an attempt to hide the crow feet around your eyes only makes your skin worse."

Irene's eyes went wide and she slapped her hands by the side of her head, hiding the offending lines around her eyes, when Lianne continued, "It makes your skin sag and more wrinkles are appearing …"

Irene screamed, "Shut up, shut up … I am not old!"

Lianne shrugged, "I never said you were. I just said your facelift isn't working."

Irene glared at Lianne, pointing a finger at her when Kai grabbed that finger, hissing in a low voice, "One. More. Word … believe me, Irene. I'll get rid of your pathetic little company and Alder's."

He pushed that finger away, rubbing his hand on the airport chair, "Get out now before you continue making a spectacle of yourself."

It was only then that Irene realised that everyone was looking at her. Some even had their phones whipped out, filming the whole thing. She wanted to scream at them to stop but it was too late.

Humiliated, she ran off into the VIP lounge.

The moment Irene ran off, Lianne placed a hand on Kai's chest and pushed him roughly, saying, "Take your hands off me."

Kai didn't budge and instead, leaned closer, saying, "I can't. Not now. Everyone is looking and filming this. We will have to keep up this charade until we reach Country Tz. Otherwise, she'll find out and may target you later."

Lianne snorted.

Then, she froze.

Shit.

She looked at the security cameras around the lounge and groaned inwardly. In her agitation towards Irene and her provocation, she had missed one crucial element.

Someone … no, make that some people's … over protectiveness.

Her eyes landed on the Heavenly Creature in front of her.

Lianne was actually worried over the drama that was most likely happening in Country Tz right now.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at Kai in the eye and said, "Damn the cameras and damn what other people will think. If you don't step back, right now, I will …"

Kai immediately let go before she finished her sentence.

"Sorry, sorry," Kai apologized immediately, "I got too carried away. It's just that … no, that's not an excuse for my behaviour."

He cleared his throat and then said, with a hand over his heart, "Thank you. I have been wanting to cut her off for a long time now but could not find a valid reason to do so without stepping on some toes."

With his words, Lianne's dissatisfaction over him and his behaviour dissipated.

At least, he knew what he did wrong.

That, and the fact that he hadn't hesitated to protect her earlier from Irene. Sure, he may have said that he had been wanting to cut ties with Irene, and she was but a tool he used, but she couldn't help but feel a bit warm at the thought.

Lianne sighed, pushing away her fantasy and put the one braid she had on the side, to tuck behind her ear, "Fine. Just don't do it again."

Kai was happy.

His Angel forgave him.

But wait ... earlier she hinted that she was older than she looked?

Kai observed her closer than ever.

Her smooth skin, her rosy-red cheeks ... she wasn't 14??

This. Was. Awesome.