Shen Yu**

So.. Right now I'm in a closed room where Yuan takes me. I look around and the walls are decorated beautifully. There is a bedroom a living room and a kitchen on it. But it's quite big for a single person to live in. Why am I here? Well, 2 hours ago Yuan asked me to work for him. I didn't bother to ask what work I had to do. I just say yes since it's him who asked me to. But I didn't listen to his condition since it was him. So I just go with the flow. Besides, I missed him, and I wanna look at him more. He said he has 3 conditions. But I didn't listen. And then the next thing I know is that he asked me to go with him and got into this building.

"Ahm.. Yuan, what are we doing here?"

"Next time listen to the rules before saying yes to anyone."

He looked at me with such disappointment. And I just shrugged it off.

"3 RULES! First, you have to leave here. I don't want people who are late for work. So you need to live here for me to check."

"FOR FREE???"

He nodded as an answer to my shouted question. So I'll live here! WOW! FOR FREE!!!!

I look at him surprised.

"ASA!!!!""2nd RULE!!!! Always be quiet! I can't think if there is too much noise."

"Yes SIR!!!!""And last RULE! Keep it a secret... This situation to anyone."

His rules were not that serious. But I can't live here on my own. I hope there is anyone that can accompany me in this house. OH WAIT! Does Ms. Mina live here with me?

"Yuan? Does Ms. Mina live here also?"

"No. She lives somewhere else. You can sleep in that room there is a bed there."

"Okay! Oh, I'll walk you out."

"OUT?"

He looked at me with confused eyes. We looked at each other for a few minutes while standing there.

"I live here also! Don't kick me out, Remember you are the cat here."

Then my eyes opened wide! WHAT! HE WILL LIVE WITH ME? WAIT! Then he patted me on my head before entering his room. His room is on the opposite side of my room. I entered the room as well then closed the door. How am I gonna sleep here? I Jump in the bed and lay on it. I keep thinking about what happened 1 year ago. We are all sad because Yuan has gone, and now I can see him whenever I want. Since I can't feel sleepy yet I looked around the room. I saw a big mirror on the side of the table. When I come near it I almost curse on my reflection. I look like an aged woman. My hair, makeup, and face were messed up. I looked like a dead woman walking in a zombie film.ARGGGGGHHH... WHAT THE HELL?? WHY DIDN'T HE SAY IT EARLIER AGO!!!

I sulked in the mirror for a while. I guess it won't matter anymore if I don't fix it since I'll gonna sleep later. While talking to myself, I heard Yuan's door open. I took a sneak peek at what is he doing and I saw him sitting on a couch that was pointing towards the balcony of the house. He just stares in a blank space there. There was a pinch in my heart when I saw his face. Though the lights were out, there was a light that came from the moon that gave a little shine to his face. He looks like someone who is trying to hold back his tears because of something or someone.

I am in my own battle whether I'll go to him to pat him or I should stay here. A few minutes pass he is still there. On my own decision, I got out of the room and sat beside him. He looked at me and as if he was expecting me to sit there, he scooted a little to give me a space to sit. He really is a gentle person. That is why even if I hate cats, I like him calling me that. As soon as I sat beside him, I asked him what was on his mind.

"If what should I do for tomorrow."

I don't think his saying it like just that. While I was looking at him he continued talking.

"I can't sleep for a year now. Whenever I go to sleep, there is a nightmare hunting me down. I always ask for someone to talk to me in the middle of the night. I always tried to call for Mina and Sam but they were already slept and I don't want to disturb them in their rest."

Then he looked at me with grateful eyes.

"So thank you! Now you are here I might bother you for a while. But I promise I won't disturb you if you are already sleeping."

I looked at him and gave him a smile. I wanna say that since I found him, I can be here with him all the time. But those kinds of things are not my style. I hugged my two knees as I sat comfortably beside him. Then he patted my head. Now that I found you, I won't let anyone hurt you again. I'll make sure to keep you away from those people who will hurt you.

I can protect you.

I will protect you.

I promised Yuan.

*******************The next morning when I woke up, I saw Yuan cooking breakfast. I smell a good, no! Better... NO AWESOME breakfast! It feels nostalgic that I am seeing Yuan actually cooking. I remember how he made breakfast for me and ... Dog, the day I slept at their place.

"Wash your hands while I prepare the food," he said."Oh... yeah right."

I quickly wash my hands and sit properly at the dining table as I wait for breakfast. I waited there while looking at Yuan's back. When he was done I suddenly became silent, then he looked at me. I looked at him also and started digging into the food. His food is delicious. From the time I started living on my own, I often cook for my own breakfast. My breakfast was always from the convenience store. And because of that, I started missing someone's food. After we ate. Yuan gave me 2 documents.

"You can sign this one for your job and start reading this one, it's the scope of your job."

"Sure! Hmmmmmm.... hm? Wait manage the bookstore?"

Bookstore? Wait, this bookstore isn't that bookstore, right?

"Yeah, I am the owner. Also, the one that manages the books."

"Eh? Then you already know who I was? Wait in the stoplight?"

"Why are you so slow in figuring things out? Be good to the staff of the store and don't bother anyone"

"I'm not a trouble maker you know."

Before I go to the store I went to the Publishing house first to get my things. I already passed my resignation yesterday so I can get my things right? Since I don't have my Company ID anymore I just entered the premises by surrendering my personal I.D. I started packing my things up without hesitation. While packing I saw Lu-Lu looking at me. I picked up my most expensive lipstick and gave it to her.

"Here take it! You are my friend in this company, and I am very grateful to you! So take it!""Yu-Yu ... Are you really leaving already.."

I hugged her really tight.

"If something happens call me okay?"

As she nodded to me I continued packing my things, but this time Lu-Lu helped me. Then Boss and Mika came. Mika glared at me and then went to her chair. Roll your eyes all you want. If you like I can pluck them out. Then the Bos... no he is not my boss anymore. The stupid guy came to me.

"Ms. Shen we don't have to be like this. You can forget about what happened yesterday."

I looked at him and just shrugged him off. I don't wanna work in places like this. I prefer to work with people that treat me like a human. Or I could say that I prefer to work with Yuan. At least the benefits were much better since I didn't need to pay for the house. I can eat good food and I can relax without anything on my mind. And The BEST Benefit of all, Is that I can always see Yuan all the time.

"I am not your employee anymore, so I can just walk away right."

"But Ms. Shen!"

"I already signed a contract to work for Mr. L . Y."

I picked up my things and got out of the company. But before I left Lu-Lu held my hand.

"I..I...I...If I will resign here too... ca .. ca .. ca .. can I work with you too?"

I looked at her and smiled brightly. I know how hard it is for her too. Even though she entered this company earlier than I did, she never had any chance to be a regular employee here.

"I'll talk to Mr. L.Y about it. Don't worry!"

I bid farewell to Lu-Lu as I go to my apartment to pack my things. When I almost got to the apartment. A bunch of guys are at my door. I look at them as I pass through. Is there a celebration or something? When I almost got to my room, my door was already open. I tried to pass through the flood of men in suits and inside I saw my Mom. I guess she was not kidding when she told me that she would bring all of those blind dates.

"MOM!!! WHAT THE HECK IS THIS???" I shouted.

"I told you I'll look for you and bring them all here."

"Take them all with you and get out."

This argument has gone too far. Mom didn't even budge. This is too tiring for me.I was just standing there as I got myself ready to cry. I don't wanna get married to this bunch of people who don't know me.

"I TOLD YOU TO TRY THEM OUT! BUT YOU DIDN'T LISTEN." She yelled."FINE!!!! WANT ME TO TRY THEM RIGHT!" I answered."ALL OF THOSE WHO CAN COOK WILL STAY!!! I WANT SOMEONE TO COOK FOR ME!"

Some of them just walked away as soon as they heard us shouting. Some have stayed still.I look at them angrily but they just stand there. Even Mom just shrugged it off. Some of them start cooking in my kitchen. But of course it their own menu, recipe, and ingredients. I'm a picky eater. Mom too. And since it's Dad who always cooks for us, she can't even dare to contradict it. One by one the foods were put on the table. I got a fork in my hand to taste them all. I even gave Mom a spoon and fork to taste it with me.

"Too salty! Too sweet! TOO BLAND. I can't taste it." I looked at Mom and she agreed to my criticism."Wh ..wh ..why is there no great cook here? ""Mom! These foods were great. They were just not into our palate."

I won't lie. These foods were tasty. It's just not that great on our palate. I'm a picky eater. But I don't hate eating. I like simple food. Now that I think about it. I ate what Yuan cooked without saying anything. After the food tasting, there is no one left there. I look at Mom as she tries to call someone.

"What now Mom? No one passed."

Then a bunch of men came at my door, AGAIN!!!

"Excuse me!!! Let me through! What the hell is this!"

The huge wave of men got separated when a woman passed through them. She has a well-toned face and a beautiful hair.

"Ms. Shen, are you here?"

"Ms. Mina?"

I pushed the guys at the door to let Ms. Mina in.

"Wow! What a wave! "

"I am so sorry! My Mom brought suitors here."

She looked at me and raised her eyebrow.

"Ms. Shen, Mr. L.Y don't want lazy people. Tardiness is a big No!"

She winked at me as a sign of helping me with this trouble. Then she talked to Mom.

"Mrs. Shen, your daughter is our employee so I have to take her to work for us. It's her first day at work so please let us have a fruitful day!!""I just need her to have a lover at her age. " Mom answered."Oh! Well, she does have one! Our boss! He is her husband material!"

I looked at Ms. Mina with the eyes of WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING!! Mom stood up and bit the bait.

"REALLY!!!!?"

"OF COURSE! Mr. L.Y hates people who are good at lying and he trusts Ms. Shen really well!! RIGHT BOSS!!!!"

Ms. Mina shouted really loud as if he was calling for Yuan. Then in the crowd of men, a man in a black suit with a mask on came forward. He is walking like a real boss with a good posture. His eyes were totally hot. I know that he's wearing a mask but since I know what his face is. I imagined how handsome he was. Then he stood on my side while glaring at me.

"You are late! "

His low tone of voice gets me goosebumps all over. Then he faces Mom. Mom was still in awe, when he saw Yuan turn to her she gave a sign to the men outside to get lost.

"Auntie! I am Lee Yan Yan. Nice meeting you.""oh...o..o.. a huh..."

Mom Stuttered while answering Yuan's greeting then Yuan went to the kitchen. Is he cooking? Mom, Me, and Mina take a peak at him while he cooks. He takes off his suit and folds his sleeves. While he was chopping some onions I saw that he wasn't wearing an apron. I saw the used aprons laying on the floor which was used by the men who cooked here a while ago. So I rushed to my room to get a new one. He was almost done chopping when I got back. I tried to hand it to him so he could wear it. But he just looks at me. WOW! He really is handsome. Then he leaned over to me.

"My hands are full put it onto me."

I was so shocked at him leaning down, that my brain almost stopped functioning, and I didn't hear him. While I put the apron on his head his eyes are still fixed on mine. His breath almost reached my neck. Then he stood straight and turned around for me to tie the back side. After I tied the apron he turned around to face me and leaned again near to my ear.

"Good CAT!"

Then goes back to cooking. I blushed really red as I exited the kitchen. Mom looked at me while Ms. Mina was smiling from ear to ear. After he's done, he hands a spoon to Mom to taste the food. After a bite, Mom looks at me with an amazed eye! Looks like Mom and I have the same palate after all. Ms. Mina also tries to have a bite but Yuan takes the food away and goes to me. He hands the plate to me and tries to give me a bite.

Amazingly, this food is too good from what he cooks for me this morning. Ms. Mina pouted so I sneakily gave her a bite. She was also surprised by how delicious Yuan's food was.

"It's my first time eating Yuan's food. Is it this good always?"

I nodded as an answer then her eyes pointed towards Yuan. Those eyes... Where did I see them? Then she smiles and turns towards Yuan.