Ominous Feeling (2)
Ominous Feeling (2)
"And what do people say?" Shi Ailin questioned her.
Mrs. Luo's smile died. "That you're a pale imitation of a Shi, of your own name."
Shi Ailin pressed her lips into a thin line, but she tried not to show it. "I believe that not every person has to live up to a name. However, I do consider myself to be as much of a Shi as any other member of my family."
Mrs. Luo took a bite out of her food and chewed it slowly as she kept her eyes locked on hers. When she swallowed, she said, "that's good to know."
Luo Rong and his wife watched the entire exchange, not saying a word, but Mr. Luo's expression was hard and unfriendly.
Luo Rong attempted to lighten the mood. "It'd be great to invite Yuan Shun and his wife over one evening. We rarely have any guests come over."
"That's a great idea," his mother replied. "I can invite some of my friends, too," she continued without extending the invitation to her.
Shi Ailin inwardly sighed. What could she do in this situation?
She then spoke again to Mrs. Luo. "I've noticed that you have a fondness for complimenting your eyelids with light shadows. If you don't mind, I would like to gift you some palettes from my beauty company, not that you need them."
His mother's eyes glinted. "That sounds wonderful. You own a beauty company?"
"Mhm," Shi Ailin replied. "And if you like the products. I can gift you the entire collection."
Mrs. Luo's face bloomed with a flush, and Shi Ailin realized that she hit the mark. His mother was a fan of cosmetics. Just observing her porcelain skin, Shi Ailin could tell she uses an expensive skincare routine from cleansers to toners and moisturizers, to primer, flawless but light foundation, and translucent powder. His mother takes her routine seriously, and most likely, she performs those steps on her own.
For once in the evening, Shi Ailin felt a brief moment of relief.
Luo Rong then carried the evening by bringing up stories about his honeymoon trip with his wife, and the couple lightened the mood.
Halfway through the dinner, someone else arrived to join.
"I thought you weren't coming," said Mrs. Luo to her second son, Luo Tian.
"I wasn't going to make it, but the traffic cleared up quickly," he answered, taking an empty seat by the table. Shi Ailin tried not to flinch as her momentarily relief vanished.
"Well, I'm glad you made it," his mother told him with a smile.
Luo Tian collected a plate of food and began to eat.
"Miss Shi," Mrs. Luo said, "Didn't you court Luo Tian first? I remember you two used to be such good friends before he asked you to be his girlfriend."
"Mother," Luo Tian interrupted, trying to get her to let it go. But his mother ignored him.
"Yes," Shi Ailin replied. "It was a short time, and he was the one who dumped me."
"Ah," said Mrs. Luo, "I remember that." She pointed a finger to her chin as if to think long and hard. "So you decided to then court Luo Wanting, my eldest, the one with the majority of the inheritance?"
"No. It's not like that—" Shi Ailin said.
"It's not?" she replied. "Mhm. I can't imagine why a girl like you would have coincidentally dated two brothers at one point in time and another, and not expect me to think of you like those other girls who chase after my boys."
"I was the one who chased after her," Luo Wanting cut in, voice hard. "At first, she refused me because she didn't want to risk another broken heart. She was looking after herself, and she wanted a life that didn't involve me. But I pursued her because she's nothing like you imagine. She's creative, compassionate, caring, and beautiful. And I wanted no one else but her."
Shi Ailin smiled. She caressed his hand with her thumb from underneath the table before she added. "I stayed away from Luo Wanting as much as possible at first. But he's done more for me than anyone I know, and I was grateful to have him as a friend. But now…I love him very much."
Luo Wanting's eyes widened. He had to cover half of his face to conceal his flush. It was the first time he had ever heard her say those words out loud, and it was in front of his family. He would make sure that later, she'd repeat those words again and again when he's deep inside her.
Mrs. Luo looked at Shi Ailin, slightly stunned.
It was then Luo Tian that said something. "Mother, please don't give Shi Ailin such a hard time," he paused. "It's true what they both said. I was the one who hurt Shi Ailin, and it wasn't her fault that later, she wanted Wanting instead. He treats her far better than I ever did, and because of her, I'm going to learn how to be a better man. They deserve each other. Truly. I can't see Wanting with anyone else that makes him happier than Shi Ailin."
His mother looked at her son, eyes wide. She then glanced back at her eldest son, contemplating it. She hadn't realized that she had been seeing him smile more often, and though she wasn't the world's greatest mother, she still wanted to see her boys happy. Shi Ailin gave him more than she ever could.
Mrs. Luo grinned happily. "So, Miss Shi. Would you like to come again next week?"
"I would love to!" Shi Ailin's said.
…
After the dinner, Shi Ailin went to find Luo Tian alone, in the garden of the estate. He was staring into the distance when she stepped to his side.
"Did you mean the words you said during the dinner?" she asked him.
Luo Tian smiled briefly as he looked at her. "Yes," he replied. "I meant every word."
Shi Ailin stared at his side profile. "Thank you," she told him. "That was very nice of you."
Luo Tian nodded. "You were right, Ailin. I've thought about what you said to me the last time we talked. You gave me a chance to be honest and transparent, and I failed. You felt as if I didn't trust you, and trust is the foundation of a relationship. I should have realized it sooner. I'm sorry."
Shi Ailin chuckled. "Don't be sorry. You're a good man, Tian," she said. "And you deserve to be happy, and I hope you find someone precious enough to share your feelings and to trust them wholeheartedly."
"Thank you," he replied. "It will happen one day, and I look forward to it."
Shi Ailin smiled. She briefly touched his shoulder before she went back inside the house to join Luo Wanting again. She had never felt this light in days.
…
On the rooftop of an apartment complex, four men overlooked the horizon of the lively city.
"How much longer?" asked one of the men.
"Patience," said another. "Don't pester our boss."
"Men," replied a deep, baritone voice. "We start the operation now," said the Emperor of the Underworld.