72

72
  Aren't you going home?" 
  "No, not tonight. I don't have a home anyway." 
  "Why? Did you two argue?" 
  "Xenon and I? How dare I argue with him!" Miya pouted her lips. 
  "Ha. Poor thing. I can shelter you tonight if you don't mind."
  Miya was surprised by the offer, and she shook her head. "Thanks, but I will just get a hotel room." 
  "Are you worried that I will take advantage of you? Ha. I'm very picky with women. For now, it's just your face that I like about you. Ha-ha." Chris chuckled.
  It's the same reason why Xenon took me in! I hate to be a replacement. Miya thought. She said impatiently, "I'm not worried. Thanks for your kind offer, but I'd rather stay at a hotel." She downed her drink and stood up to leave.
  However, just as she stepped out into the alley, it started pouring down. Chris grabbed her arm and led her to his car. 
  It was raining heavily. Miya didn't really want to get wet, and she followed Chris. Feeling tipsy, she closed her eyes and soon fell asleep in the car.
  When she woke up in the middle of the night, she found herself in a room similar to where she stayed for three days before. It wasn't Butler Mansion, but it also had beautiful paintings of the same Hindu Gods and Goddesses. 
  Who is he? Did he meet me by accident, or was he following me? Miya wondered. Suddenly as if she had just remembered something important, she felt her body with her hands and was relieved to know that she was still wearing her own clothes. Chris had merely carried her to the room.
  Despite the questions in her mind, she soon fell back to sleep, and when she woke up again, the sun was already up. 
  She went to the balcony, had a stretch while looking at the beautiful garden. She spotted Chris entering the gate, coming back from his morning jog. He looked up and saw her. With a bright and gentle smile, he waved at her. 
  For a second, Miya realized that she was gazing at Chris, amazed by his good look and charm. She waved back and ran downstairs.
  "Good morning. You should have woken me up. I could have joined you!" Miya said cheerfully. 
  Chris seemed a bit startled, as if he was reminded of some memories long lost in his mind. He smiled and gave Miya's hair a brief and gentle stroke. 
  It was completely different from the way Xenon stroked her. Miya thought. Xenon usually pulls my hair, though not hard, and it hurts a bit, but Chris is so tender. Wait, Xenon was very gentle with the young girl yesterday! Miya heaved a sigh. Why am I thinking of him again?!
  "Come on, time for breakfast." Chris wrapped his arm around her shoulder affectionately but feeling a bit awkward, Miya moved away. Chris didn't insist and went to the bathroom for a quick shower. 
  Breakfast was simple but delicious, and on the table sat some beautiful and fragrant white lilies. 
  "If you aren't happy being with Xenon Uba, why don't you quit and work for me instead? I can help you become successful." Chris said casually over breakfast. 
  "He and I are married. Without his permission, I can't leave." 
  "As long as you want to, I can help you leave." 
  "I also need to think about my mother." 
  "Do you want to leave him? Simple as that." 
  "I don't think anyone would dare to displease him." 
  "You think I'm not as powerful as him?" 
  "I don't know. I don't know you well. Chris, you have helped me a lot. I shall not trouble you more." 
  "You don't want to leave him." 
  "That's not true." 
  "Anyway, whenever you decide to leave but can't, you can come to me for help." Chris smiled. 
  Miya had her doubts. She wondered what it was that he was after. He 'happened to' show up at Turn On Bar and saved me; then he saw me at a small café in an alley, and now he's asking me to leave Xenon! Miya didn't want to get stuck between them, whatever their relationship was. I don't want to be used. 
  Chris had saved her once, and so had Xenon. Also, Xenon had helped her mother. Though he did it for the purpose of possessing her, she still felt grateful. 
  What's more, Xenon had been helping her to realize her dream and got her possibly the best clients she could ever get. 
  Though Miya did not like Xenon's arrogance and dictatorship, she understood that it was just his way of doing things, and he treated others the same way. 
  After breakfast, Chris went to his study to work while Miya had a wander around the garden, taking inspiration from the beautiful flowers, hoping to get some new ideas for jewelry design. 
  Chris saw her sketching while observing flowers from his window, he asked a servant to deliver a few books to Miya. They were rare and precious books about design, those that one could not easily find in the market. 
  Grateful and intrigued, Miya sat on the swing and read carefully till she heard her phone ring. It was from Levi. Miya answered quickly. "Hello, Levi." 
  Levi sounded annoyed. "Mrs. Miya Uba, where are you? You didn't come home last night. Mr. Xenon Uba is very angry. Though he hasn't said a word, it is obvious that he isn't pleased with it all. You'd better come back soon. I can't imagine what it will be like in the office today." 
  "I...I will be right back." 
  "Where are you? I will send the driver." 
  Miya looked around the garden and shook her head. "It's ok. I will get a taxi." 
  She couldn't reveal her location without Chris's permission, nor did she know where she was anyway. She checked the GPS on her phone, but oddly it didn't work. They have somehow blocked GPS here?! 
  Miya went up to Chris's study and knocked at his door. 
  "Come in."