For the first few months after Sheng Yumei left,Liu Yong was devastated, broken and lost . He grew violent and aggressive engaging in club fights and his relationship with his family even worsened. He tried every means to locate his girlfriend but everything including her social media accounts were gone like she never existed at all.
Only God knows the number of times he had barged into the hospital where Sheng Yumei 's brother worked demanding , persistent and eventually pleading with him to reveal her whereabouts. However Sheng Yiming had promised his sister he wouldn't reveal her whereabouts no matter the circumstances. With time,Liu Yong gave up on finding her and buried himself in matters of the company, shutting off even his closest friends.
★★★★★
Three years went by quickly. For Sheng Yumei,her life in America was like a vacation after months of hectic tasks. With her degree in software engineering,she had landed a job at one of the thriving companies in Texas.Her life was comfortable and she had made a number of friends freely interacting with men unlike in China where her boyfriend had been keeping constant tabs on her.
When she first arrived in the US it wasn't easy for her either especially when she had heard how heartbroken Liu Yong had been. It took her great effort to not drop everything and go back to her big baby but she had quickly regained her resolve and decided to stay. She needed a breath of relief and escape the claws of her boyfriend. Also she wanted to show him that she wasn't some puppet that he would control at will.
Sheng Yumei stood in the lavishly decorated venue clad in a black evening gulf dress with sparkly accessories and heels. She held a wine glass in her hand, sipping the red liquid leisurely, a serene smile on her face as she watched the couple interact with guests. It was her colleague's engagement party,a young sophisticated woman two years older than her. Suddenly the bride to be looked up and locked eyes with her , a bright smile blooming on her face. She immediately excused herself from other guests and dragged her fiancé towards Sheng Yumei.
"Yumei,look at you dolled up people might think you're the bride to be," Amber teased her voice playful as always.
"Maybe I should grab an American man so we can get engaged together," Sheng Yumei joked back,her voice laced with an American accent.
"Yeah you could... Anyway meet Lucas Kaye my fiance," Amber introduced proudly.
"Mr Kaye nice to meet you. I'm Sheng Yumei Amber's colleague and friend," Sheng Yumei said courteously stretching her hand for a handshake.
Lucas,a thirty year old tall handsome man with brown hair,stepped closer shaking her hand.
"So you're the popular Chinese beauty my fiancee can't stop talking about," the man said playfully.
" Aren't you worried she'll beat you up for calling another woman beautiful on her engagement party?"Sheng Yumei jested.
" Well she's the one that praises your beauty almost making me jealous."
Sheng Yumei's phone dinged and the screen lit up. Her eyes quickly caught the notification on her screen.
" Can you guys give me a second?"she said stepping aside and rushed outside. A few minutes later she walked in carrying a large box and found the couple now surrounded by Amber's other colleagues.
"Amber," Sheng Yumei called out softly attracting everyone's attention. She handed the box to her," I brought you a gift."
" Oh you didn't have to,"Amber said,her lips stretching into a grateful smile.
"I have to. It can also act as my compensation since I might not be around to attend the wedding," she said chuckling awkwardly.
Amber's eyes widened slightly at her words so did the other colleagues',"You're going back to China?"
" It's been three years since I left. I have to go back,"she said with a nostalgic smile.
"When are you leaving?"
"A week from now. Let's not talk about that let's talk about the fact that you should be dancing by now," Sheng Yumei said eagerly lightening up the atmosphere.
" Oh yeah a dance is a must,"Amber agreed hyping up and the rest joined.
Slow romantic music started playing in the background. The couple stepped on the dancefloor joined by other pairs, gently swaying to the tune. Sheng Yumei watched them fondly and chuckling whenever her colleagues did dramatic moves.
" Miss Sheng can I have a dance?" A deep voice made its way to her ears. She turned around coming face to face with Marcus Grey,her superior,a tall handsome mysterious man at the company. Over the years the guy had openly shown interest in her and even confessed to her once but she rejected him.
" I don't dance,"she said flatly.
"If you don't know how to dance I could teach you. I don't mind you stepping on my feet," he bantered.
She sighed exasperated, annoyed by his antics,"Mr Grey...."
"Yumei don't be such a killjoy come join us," Amber shouted from the dancefloor and everyone began chanting urging her to join them.
Losing to the momentum of their invites,she reluctantly let her superior pull her to the dancefloor. Marcus's hand rested on her lower back,his touch gentle but firm. Despite him being playful at times,he was a gentleman treating her delicately like she was made of glass.
Including Marcus she had met several gentlemen during the three years but none them roused a single spark in her.
"You're stiff," Marcus whispered.
"I'm not used to men touching me," she said flatly.
He raised an eyebrow," You've never had a boyfriend?"
"I didn't say that," she scowled.
"Just relax," he urged softly.
The danced in their own pace chatting from time to time.
"I heard you're going back to China," he stated.
"Mm."
A while later,the duo stood outside the venue because Sheng Yumei needed fresh air and Marcus not wanting to miss the opportunity to spend time with her followed her. She stood with arms folded, gazing at the sky. Marcus ever the gentleman took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders and quietly stepped beside her.
" Are you okay?"he asked in a concerned voice.
She hummed in agreement. Silence stretched for a moment and then she finally spoke up,"Why are you so nice to me?" She suddenly asked curiously though there was an edge to her voice.
" Because I like you,"Marcus replied simply.
She chuckled derisively,"You should have known by now that I won't be able to reciprocate your feelings?"
"I already know that," he said sadly,"But can you atleast tell me why?"
"You're not the problem. You're not the only good guy that has approached me. I'm the problem," she said mysteriously.
Marcus frowned,"What do you mean?"
"Because I don't do gentlemen. Most women would die to have a guy like you. They like men who treat them like princessess. After I left my ex I convinced myself that men like you are the kind of guys I should date but I guess I was wrong. You must be thinking I'm crazy but I like men who are a little rough with me," she confessed laughing at the last part.
" I'm guessing your ex was that kind of guy and you haven't gotten over him?" He asked as a matter of fact.
" Something like that,"she said subtly.
" But I can be rough too,"he said in defense though his voice wavered slightly.
" You don't sound so sure,,,you must be the type of guy that's afraid to spank their partners,"she joked.
" You're kind of right. I'm the vanilla sex type of guy,"he admitted and they laughed at his words.
★★★★★
Sheng Yumei pulled her suitcase beside her as she exited the grand airport in Shanghai. She was finally back to her homeland.Her eyes scanned around in search of her older brother who had promised to pick her up from the airport. She glanced at each of the parked taxis and cars but none of them seemed familiar till her eyes landed on a distinct sleek black car . A tall handsome man with striking features dressed in black jeans and a leather jacket stood leaning against the car. When she finally locked eyes with the male,she froze.
The sight of her ex knocked the air out of her lungs. Her grip tightened around the suitcase handle. Why was he there? Maybe it was just a coincidence. Sheng Yumei convinced herself but it didn't stop her heart from beating wildly against her chest. With a scoff,she retracted her gaze and began walking away. Liu Yong strode towards her, stepping infront her blocking her path.
"Welcome back...dove."
Dove,Sheng Yumei's heart skipped a beat after hearing the endearing name after a long time— a pet name that evoked thousands of memories
"Who are you?" She asked with a huff.
Liu Yong's lips twisted into that familiar cocky smirk she hadn't seen for a long time,"Dove,is that how you greet me after not seeing each other for three years,two months and six days?" He asked in a low teasing voice leaning closer.