23. Jealous

Suddenly a strong smell of vinegar permeates the room, the previously sulking Liu Xiang is now feeling ecstatic looking at his jealous brother. 'Haha! Karma is really real and fast, how does it feel losing to a woman huh brother?'

The poor Demon King who is finally smitten by a lady is being rivaled by another woman and here he thought that his friend just needed to pass through Leona's brothers. After observing the two women, you'll understand how Leona is attached to this little ball of sunshine more than anyone else, you could feel how fond she is of Katarina that he himself finds Xavier's jealousy rational. He playfully patted his brother's shoulder who sent an icy glare his way as they followed the two women out the room.

"CE- Mr. Wang, you said I can use the car for the night right?" remembering Katarina's presence she changed how she normally addressed Xavier at work lest her friend figure out what is going on.

The four of them are now standing at the parking lot in front of the police station after clearing up the mess inside. Seeing how the Koala is still stuck on Leona, his face darkened another shade darker. "No I just remembered that I need my car tomorrow, Liu Xiang could send your friend home."

Leona sensing his foul mood can't help but frown 'Why is he being capricious again?'

Although it was unintentional, being with him everyday made her learn and get familiar with his personality. He really is a king of his own right, she witnessed how he intimidates his business partners and even clients in the meetings. They basically bow down to him, he is as what the people say, Domineering and is even a bit cruel. And by the word 'bit', she means she felt like he's just holding back. The employees respects him out of both fear and admiration, just like the people to it's ruler.

That is why she wonders if he is already too bored of his life on the throne that he finds it entertaining to irritate her to death because apparently that is the only time she hears him talk about trivial and sometimes nonsense things and act out of his usual king-like character.

"No, I can't leave my baby to you. You look mean." Katarina blatantly blurted, deep inside she's shaking but having Leona by her side makes her brave. She can't have her do the protecting all the time, she has to stand up for her friends too.

"I'm hurt Ms. Xia, I thought we're cool now. Why don't you trust me? Ms. Nian knows me well, I won't dare do anything to you. I love my handsome face so how about you let me drive you home, hm?" Liu Xiang despite feeling betrayed decided to help out his brother, anyways he enjoys watching her sister-in-law torture him on his behalf so it's a actually a win-win.

"B-but" Katarina felt helpless, she's in a tough position given the trouble she had caused, darting a look from Leonna to Liu Xiang she decided to give in thinking about the favor she owes him. "Alright, you have to call me once your home okay?"

"Hmm, no worries I'll be fine."

"Okay, I love you" she gave Leona a smack on the cheek pushing someone on the verge of stroke due to too much jealousy. A smell of gunpowder permeated the air this time.

Katarina: *sniff. sniff.* Is it because we're near a police station?

Feeling a sudden chill, Katarina hugged herself as she followed Liu Xiang to his car. Completely oblivious of the murderous glare being sent her way.

*****

"It seems like you and Ms. Nian knows each other for a long time." Liu Xiang casually said to break the ice as he drives her home.

Her mom used to tell her that with Leona's parents' line of job, they have to leave Leona under her parents' care from time to time when she was just a toddler and that's how she grew up calling them mom and dad too.

"Hmmn, our moms were bestfriends so we were basically sisters with how we grew up together since our diaper days." She answered with a small smile on her face, seemingly happy and proud about her relationship with Leona.

He'd seen a lot of women, dated a few but none of them as innocent as her. Looking at how she wears her heart on her sleeve, he understands why Leona is protective of her like a mother elephant of her calf. Earlier, he followed the kids for a long while mainly because of her, he wonders how someone could smile so brightly as if this cruel world won't be able to dim her light. Maybe he just seen too much for his age; scheming people, greedy ones, fake affection and the list could go on and on, Liu Xiang has gotten sick of it. This sunshine is a breath of fresh air for him that he wanted to basked on her warmth a little bit longer.

"I see, no wonder she punched without holding back at all." Katarina let out a hearty laugh making Liu Xiang smile himself. "It does look painful, I'm sorry."

Katarina carefully touched his face with her fingers, making him flinched. "Oh, my bad! my bad! does it hurt?" She blew on his face, trying to ease the pain. Liu Xiang gulped, he didn't flinch because it hurts but because he was surprised by her action. Feeling his heart ramming on his chest, he painstakingly veered himself to focus on the road and ignore his messed up system.

"Aherm, we are here." He said as he parked in front of a homey two-storey house, base on the community that she lives in. She must be from a pretty well off family, not that rich but comfortable enough.

Liu Xiang walked her towards the gate. "Thank you for driving me home, Mr. Chu. Come on in, let me tend to your wound." She said opening the gate door wide for him to enter.

Liu Xiang who didn't know is capable of being shy, is definitely feeling that right now.

'How can this naive woman just ask a man she barely knew to come inside her house in the middle of the night?'

"No worries, my parents must be inside. They won't mind as long as Leona vouches for you." Katarina who seemingly sense his awkwardness assured him.

Liu Xiang facepalmed himself in his head, right! Of course she trust him because of Leona, what was he thinking?

Katarina who is getting impatient held him by his wrist and pulled him inside the gate.