"That 'wait' sounded like a 'wait, what the fuck are you doing' kind of 'wait.' I thought we already established an understanding between us."
I wasn't listening.
Li could have sensed my fear and ordered me to leave.
He wasn't even mad when I was boarding the cab he'd called, in fact, he smiled gently at me.
That is cool of him.
I thought he was going to devour me, especially when he found out I was a virgin, but no.
He made me feel good, taught me everything I wanted to know.
I didn't feel any bit of guilt; all I knew was that Li's club would never see me again.
I'll never set foot there and that was it.
He didn't bother asking for my number and
I hadn't even asked for his number, that was a good sign that we'll never meet again.
I got home late in the evening.
Mom was busy preparing dinner for the Xia's.
It's a pity Xia will eat alone today; her parents left yesterday after the engagement.
That always did that.
I used to keep her company, but yesterday's fallout ruined our friendship.
We're no longer friends. I'm just waiting to graduate in two months and leave her home.
Yesterday Xia and Qin Mochen had promised each other to go and talk at back at the garden.
I don't know what happened because Qin spent the night at the villa.
He thought I would talk to him when I passed him after getting the tranquilizer pill, but I passed him to my room.
I was so broken yesterday to even look at Qin.
Today When I arrived, I found Xia at the porch. She was on the phone. I didn't bother with her and went straight to the servants' quarters.
My mind was made up I was going to have my best friend's man
Five days later...
Tomorrow is Qin Mochen's birthday.
I saw Xia today preparing gifts, all of them superficial just herself, she wasn't even giving thoughts about the type of gift she was to choose.
Xia was jealous about me, and I knew it.
But Qin ....
In the past, ever since I knew him, he used to invite me.
Sometimes he would remind me everyday about his birthday and I had to surprise him.
But until today, he hasn't spoken to me.
Neither has Xia asked if I would join them.
I didn't even know where he was going to hold his birthday this year. Last year it was at the beach.
Worse of it to come, I'll just swallow BMy pride tomorrow and wish him Happy birthday. I'm sure he won't reject me since we're still friends.
Suddenly Kate's message came.
Kate: "My boyfriend has been invited to Qin Mochen's the birthday."
What a perfect timing.
And here I was thinking of how I'll know about the location.
Come rain nor sun, tomorrow is the day I'm going to take Qin Mochen down, by surprise even more.
Qin Mochen hadn't invited me yet up until 9 pm , and that was the more reason I was going to invite myself.
I didn't want Kate to know I wasn't invited.
Seconds later another of her messages came.
Kate: "Bestie, remember to book me a ride tomorrow."
Kate always did part-time jobs; she's forgetful.
Asking me to book a ride was her way of asking me to remind her about the birthday party.
I didn't want her to know I wasn't invited.
Me: "At what time?"
Kate: "9 pm, Riverton Road apartment 19."
So the birthday was at his new apartment.
I was busy surfing online when Kate texted again.
Kate: "Which costume should I choose?"
She sent two pictures.
The first costume was a sleek, royal purple gown with shimmering silver embroidery, slit to the thigh, with a tiny silver mask that could make her look like a mysterious heiress straight out of a Shanghai gala.
The second was a white lace corset dress, soft and angelic, feather-trimmed and short enough to look sinful if she turned around.
I looked at the two sets of clothing and immediately knew it was going to be a costume party.
That was just like Qin Mochen, devilish, mysterious, dramatic, secretive, and annoyingly stylish.
I told her to choose the purple costume.
Me: "Purple. That one says, 'I'm not the main character, but you'll remember me after midnight.'"
Kate: "Oh, so you want me to outshine you again?"
Me: "Sweetheart, you've been outshining me since we knew each other on the first day at campus. It's your natural disaster."
Kate: "Then what are you wearing, my mysterious rival?"
Me: "A maid costume."
I can't tell her my plans, though she loves me, she won't allow me to stop so low and drug Qin Mochen. At least she would know me tomorrow from my costume but not my evil plans.
Kate: "A maid? You're joking!"
Me: "Nope. Classic black silk maid outfit, lace apron, short ruffled skirt, white thigh-high stockings, and a little feather duster for emotional support."
I typed back, while continued surfing for more maid costumes online.
Kate: "Oh my God, you'll look like you're serving drinks at a billionaire's fantasy club."
She has no clue I visited one five days ago.
Me: "Exactly. He'll never recognize me. If he does, I'll just say I came to clean his sins."
Kate: "Lilya, you're insane. And I love it."
Me: "I know. Remind me to practice walking in heels before I trip over his ego."
I laughed to myself after we ended the chat.
My reflection on the phone screen smiled back at me.
Though I was a little bit nervous, I wanted to be daring, maybe a little crazy just for tomorrow only.
I was sure Qin Mochen won't realize me, not in that maid outfit.
Not when Xia Míngzhu being around him being all cozy.
Not when everyone would be in disguise.
I looked at the location Kate had pinned to me...
Riverton Road, 9 pm.
I knew Qin Mochen's house number, I even knew his password, that's how close as friends we are.
I switched off my phone and prepared myself to sleep.
That's the address.
That's where the game begins.