He stood a few meters away from me. Hands tucked in his pocket, his features dashing and his countenance arrogant. He smirked at me, the smirk I hadn't seen in a while, while making his way to me. Trying to compose myself, I flashed a soft smile at him.
"Are you okay... Someone in the office told me about your panic attack. I had to look for you."
His expression, filled with hypocritical concern, I almost gagged. I would have fallen for those puppy eyes in the past but not today. I tried to compose myself; I wouldn't break down, at least not now.
"I'm fine Hào Rán. How are you?" I asked; his expression dropped from concern to worry. He leaned towards me, faint words escaping his lips, brushing my ears.
"You never call me Hào Rán," I instinctively took a few steps backwards.
"I'm fine…Rān rān." On hearing the word 'Rān rān', he straightened, a smile crossing his lips,
"Ride with me, I'll take you somewhere good," he said, hand in his pants pocket.
"I'm busy… I'll let you know when I'll be free." I tried to sound polite, but my words came out rude.
I didn't wait for his answer, boarded my car and alerted the driver to take me home. His expression looked puzzled as he watched the car move away. I couldn't pretend to care anymore.
I touched my chest, my heart beat accelerating. With my eyes closed, I drew in several deep breaths to calm myself.
Hào Rán was one problem, but my family was a larger one. I thought about how to meet them and realized I wasn't ready for them yet. Tomorrow, yes tomorrow; I'll be ready for the drama.
"Zhēn, to the Penthouse" I told my driver. I relaxed into the seat, looking out the window but not seeing anything. My mind was in a jumble, nothing seemed to make sense, no matter how hard I tried to understand it.
A few minutes had passed and I finally got to the Penthouse. The building stood before me, my safe space. For the first time since I took ownership of the place, I held a deep appreciation for the building. Seeing the lights glimmering, bringing the place to life, filled me with hope. The elevator doors slid open in a whisper revealing a luscious decor. I missed this place. I stepped into the apartment, taking in the scent of amber and champagne, I trailed my finger on the glass walls, my kitten heels clicking on the marble compartment. The crystal chandelier shone in a bright shimmer as my body slumped into one of the couches. At this point, I was exhausted both physically and psychologically. I was finally alone and could think properly. I taught for a long time about several things and the most disturbing was my return. I still couldn't figure out if it was a dream or I've been teleported by an unknown force back to 2022.
I was still deep in thought when my phone buzzed in the bag I forgot I was holding. The screen read "Rān rān". I panicked and declined the call. I kept the device on the marble table beside me. Another call came in from Rān rān but I simply ignored it, I had bigger problems and he was one of them.
I stood up and strolled to the bathroom. The clean up in the hospital was never thorough. The lukewarm water eased my nerves and helped me relax. I got out of the bathroom with water still dripping from my body; stood in front of a large mirror and sighed. Looking at myself, I looked pitiful and exhausted. My black hair fell in malnourished strands, my skin dull and a patch of dark circles around my eyes. I was a CEO who didn't act like one. I needed a new approach to life, a makeover.
"Fèng Yáo," I called. A middle-aged woman dressed in a grey tuxedo, walked in and gave a bow.
"I need a makeover."
"Okay madam."she replied. I liked Fèng Yáo, she never questioned me.
She left to call some professionals while I dressed up.
I strolled to the living room, scrolled through my phone to get acquainted with recent happenings. There was a trending video on my browser. I clicked on it and saw a video of myself in the company building, staggering. Its heading read "The collapsed CEO" I knew it wouldn't take long before news of my panic spread across the city. I sighed, ruffling my hair.
Another call came in, but this time it was from my father.
"Bàba," I said.
"Huá Huá, how are you? I came around to see you at the hospital, but you were asleep." His voice flowed like a rhythm, calm and measured.
"I'm alright."
"How is the company doing?" he asked.
"Everything is under control," I lied. I had no idea how the company was doing right now. I was just coming to terms with my new reality, and the state of the company hadn't crossed my mind.
"Okay, my dearest, try to eat well and get enough rest. Also, visit this old man sometime." a light chuckle came through the phone, and I couldn't help but smile.
"I will, Bàba," I hesitated. "How are Māma and Xiǎo Lì?" I asked.
"They are still the top shoppers in the city, proof of good health…I guess," another chuckle. He noticed my silence.
"Is something wrong, dearest?" his calm voice laced with concern.
"No, Bàba... Everything is fine," I lied again, he paused for a while.
"You just got back from the hospital. I shouldn't be disturbing…"
"No Bàba, I love that you called. I feel better" and relieved, I got one supporter.
"I'm always rooting for you dear, till next time." In the next second the call disconnected. I stared blankly at the phone for a while.
"Madam, the makeover artist is ready" I let out a small sigh and followed Fèng Yáo to the Beauty lounge.
The artist was an androgynous man; it took me a while to figure out his gender. In one word, he was beautiful.
"Ms Wáng, it's a pleasure to serve you today," he said and bowed. I nodded in response.
"Make it sharp and confident. Take out the bangs as well, a bob will do." I said and he immediately got to work.
He worked so well that in a few hours I couldn't recognize myself. I almost intimidated myself and I loved the new look. Not the meek Huá Huá, not the depressed one nor the gullible Huá Huá, but the unpredictable one.
"You did well, I may need your services in the future." saying the word future flashed horrible memories to me. One memory in particular stuck with me, a memory of Xiǎo Lì and Hào Rán humping on the bed in his house. I had gone for a visit and saw them unclothed, intimate but I had left quietly so as not to disturb them. I thought that was a pursuit for peace. But I now realized it was plain foolishness and I wasn't going to allow myself to cower anymore.
"I will be delighted to have you again," he said, calling me back from my reminiscence. I forced a smile, my hand clasping his, his smile widening.
I observed my features after Fèng Yáo escorted the man out of the penthouse; I was finally the woman I always wanted to be.
I strolled to the window and looked up at the vast sky, 'thank you' I mounted, to the universe. I must have saved an empire a couple of lives before.
"Fèng Yáo, clear my schedule tomorrow, I'd like to pay my family a visit".