CHAPTER 20: ONE LUCKY WOMAN

After her father left, Zhao Xia did some paperwork before afternoon arrived. At exactly 1:00 pm, she made her way to the board room where the investors, her secretary and lawyer where already waiting for her.

"Gentlemen, it's nice to see you again." She commented as she sat at the head of the table. They all nodded their heads in response. Her secretary stood up from her seat when Zhao Xia motioned for her to start the presentation.

"This is the new proposal that the Luvitus group of hotels has planned." She said as she switched on the projector which displayed the contents of the new proposal on a white board.

"We plan on expanding our hotel to other countries like Japan and Canada. We want other persons to experience the luxury of our famous hotel. You might not know this but most of our customers are actually from other countries. Hence, we thought of bringing the hotel nearer to them so that it is easily accessible. We can guarantee success of this project since the market is highly available because of the surplus population, and Japan is the perfect example of this." The secretary,Jing Meng, continued the presentation for another ten minutes before asking.

"Any questions?"

"Yes." One of the investors spoke up. "And how much profit are we guaranteed to earn from this new project?"

Zhao Xia answered the question.

"Sir the percentage of the profit we can earn from this project, in two years, I can guarantee is 70%.

"And how sure are you?"

"You have worked with me for the past three years and you have seen the results, Mr. Chen. Am not being overconfident but am simply predicting the possible outcome, sir." She answered.

"I hope you are right, Miss Xia."

Zhao Xia nodded as response as she gestured for her secretary to continue. The meeting continued for another one hour before being dissolved.

She headed towards her office and picked up her purse and outer coat before heading out. K and Ace guided her to her awaiting car.

"Where to, ma'am?"

Zhao Xia contemplated for a few moments before answering.

"Take me to the Zhao Corporation." She answered.She needed to inform her husband of the new problem she would be facing soon.

"Yes, ma'am." K said as he started the engine, heading towards his other boss' offices.

When they arrived, Zhao Xia headed straight to the private elevator, her body guards in tow, not minding the stares and gazes thrown her way.Once she disappeared, the lobby was filled with murmurs of gossiping employees.

"That's her, right?"

"The new boss lady in town? How could you not recognize her?"

"I mean, she is just, wow."

"I know right. She is one of the women I look up to in terms of power and fashion.I mean, have you seen the way she dresses?"

"And she is married to our boss. She is sure one lucky woman."

....

Meanwhile on the top floor:

Once she alighted the elevator, she headed straight to Zhao Haoran's office.She knocked twice and when she heard a come in, she sauntered in, closing the door behind her.

Zhao Haoran looked up from the document he was reading and gave her a smile. He stood up and closed the distance between them, wrapping his hands around her tiny frame.He kissed her forehead before releasing her, though clasped his hands around hers.

He guided her towards his office swivel chair, sat down and gestured for her to sit on his lap. Once she was settled comfortably,he proceeded to wound his arms around her waist.

"You know, you don't have to knock at my door anytime you come to visit me.So, what brings you here today?" He asked as he brushed a strand of her hair away from her face.In response, she leaned her head on his chest and sighed.

"Haoran, my life is in danger."

It was as if a god of silence had passed through his office because no sound was made for some time.

"Haoran?" She asked when she noticed his silence. He tightened his hands around her before finally responding.

"Why do you say that?"

"My dad visited me today and informed me that someone was after my life. But not as Zhao Xia but as Katana."

"Did he tell you who it is?"

"Yes,I bet you have heard of Huan Kai, the Japanese -Chinese man taking the Mafia world by storm."

"Yes, I have heard of him."

"I don't know what I did wrong to irk him, but he has even given every gang in Japan my photo.I am to be taken to him alive so that he will be the one to know what to do with me. However, I think my life is currently safe because he has never seen the face of Katana.Do you know I even invited him to that banquet and he attended? The world surely is small."

"I should increase the security around you."

Zhao Xia chuckled. "Dad knew that you would do that. I don't need more security, Haoran. Am content with Ace and K."

"Okay, though there will still be some guards around you that will blend in with the masses. You will probably not recognize them because they will be in the shadows. Your security is my second priority right now, sweetheart."

"What's your first priority then?"

"You, of course."

Zhao Xia turned to look at him and placed a hand on his cheek.

"You really know how to spoil your wife." She chuckled as she leaned in pressing a peck on his lips.

"Yes, and you are the only one who is able to enjoy this privilege, sweetheart."

"But what about our future kids?" She asked.

Zhao Haoran looked down at her surprise clouding his eyes.

"You want to start a family with me?"

"Yes, but after we spend time to ourselves for about two or three years. Then, we can start thinking about starting a family."

"Okay. Now back to the main issue at hand. You said he doesn't know that you are Katana, right?"

"Yes."

"Then, let's make sure he never figures out that Katana is Zhao Xia.Let him search and search until he gets tired."

"I just hope that this problem of mine won't implicate you in any way."

"What do you mean, problem of yours? It is ours now and we will tackle it together."

"So, we can have our honeymoon soon, right?"

"You are more excited than I am."He chuckled.

"Of course, who wouldn't be?"