Another Bad Boy Down

The food in front of us is very extravagant. I guess my parents want to celebrate their safe return home. My parents including Qian, are usually out of town for the rest of the year. They only come home once or twice a year. Sometimes three times a year if they are lucky to catch some break. Father is busy with his companies abroad. Mother is busy shooting commercials and films and she often travels in different places to find inspirations for her novels.

My one and only big brother is also busy with his career as a model,actor and singer. He uses the stage name Ian but everyone knows that he is the future heir of the Tan empire. Everyone knows that these three very important individuals came from the same family, making everyone expect that the rumored young miss of the family is also extra ordinary.

Too much pressure! This is one reason why I begged my parents to agree to my request. The request to not publicized my true relationship with them. To tell the whole world that the young miss of the Tan family is sick and is now recovering in one of the families rest house. In elite circles, it became a tradition for the high and powerful families to held a party to officially introduce to the public the young miss and young masters of the family when they turn 8-year-old.

I was 7 then and Qian was 11-year-old when I kneeled in front of my parents to let me live a different path. To let me live as a different Elrae from the rich and spoiled young miss of the Tan family that everyone is expecting. I made this decision simply because I was influenced by the novels my mother wrote and also because I saw my brother's struggle under everyone's pressure.

In the novels that I read, those who struggle because he/she is at the bottom of the food chain often learns more and experience more life changing situations than those rich kids who have their paths engraved with marbles. I want to learn more. To live outside the box without everyone leeching on me just to get some favors for future business plans. Though many do look down on me just because I am 'adopted'. I still never regretted my past decision. My parents also agreed because they want me to be happy and live my life to the fullest.

I absent mindedly stared at my empty plate as I busy myself with this thoughts. I blinked twice when a chicken wing magically appeared on my plate. I looked up to see Vincent retracting his spoon and fork after placing the chicken wing on my plate.

"Eat" he mouthed with no sounds.

"Thank you." I mouthed back.

"Elrae honey, are you okay? Do you not like the food?" Mom said, worry evident in her face.

I slightly nodded my head. "Yes, I'm sorry for spacing out."

"It's alright honey. Come on, eat more meat. I have never seen you for a while. You look too thin for my liking, you have too eat more." Mom said.

"Thank you Auntie." I said.

"Didn't I tell you to call me Mom? You are family, no need to be shy around us." Mom said sternly. I saw her take a glimpse at the guy silently eating his fill on my right side.

I sighed internally. We are playing this aunt and adopted daughter role because Neo is here. Everytime there are guests who doesn't know the truth about my relationship with this family. No one else know that Neo already found out the truth about my true identity as the young miss of Tan family. I can't tell my family about it because they will ask me unwanted questions. They might find out about the deal I have with him. Ah-- wrong the might find out about how he black mailed me into agreeing into this deal!!

The Yuan family is a very influential family. They are not easy to go against with, I can handle Neo on my own. No need to involve anyone else. I looked at Vincent who is at the moment happily chatting with my mother. I again sighed inside. I know Vincent's personality. He won't let me get close to Neo simply because he knows that Neo is the exact example of trouble. I can't tell him that I will become the future 'fake girlfriend' of this so called trouble.

I felt than someone is staring at me so I moved my head to that direction. I then caught those black orbs looking at me. He didn't even try to hide that he is staring at me! How can this guy be this shameless? Who on their right mind would not try to hide that they are staring at a beauty? I know that I am beautiful and it is hard not to stare but can he at least try to act like a gentleman by retracting his gaze away from me? He is a young master from a very rich and influential family. What kind of beauty has he not seen before? Oh~ of course my kind of beauty, but still!

"I did not know that Young Master Neo is actually good friends with Big Brother Qian." I said, a cold smile plastered on my beautiful face.

"I met young master Tan at one of my stay abroad during one of my summer Vacation." Neo said as he glance at my brother.

"Please call me Qian, no need for formalities. Neo and I met when I was having a break in between photoshoots. I went outside to inhale cold night air when an anti-fan suddenly came rushing towards me with a knife in hand." Qian said. He lifted his wine glass onto his lips and took a sip before continuing, " I did not expect that something like that would happen and I was already very tired due to my busy schedule so my reflex became dull than usual. Good thing Neo happened to pass by and acted quick. He tackled the assailant away from me. The guy fell unconscious. That is how he saved my life. I promised to treat him to dinner once I return to X country."

"I wanted to meet the man who saved my son's life so I suggested to invite Neo over for dinner. Our food here does not pale when compared to the food in luxurious restaurants anyway. I even personally helped in preparing this meal. I hope this is to your liking dear." Mother said as she smilingly looked at Neo.

Help in preparing food? I inwardly rolled my eyes at my mother's words. She is not a good cook so we know that she only helps in the kitchen by being the taste tester. (-_-)

"Thank you for your trouble Madame." Neo said respectfully to my mother.

We all continued to eat our food. Qian, mother, Vincent and Neo would sometimes talk about random stuff. My father stayed quiet as he finish the food my mother placed on his plate. I only observed as the people around me exchange conversations. It even surprised me how Neo and Vincent act as good friends and classmates. My brother is still abit cold towards Vincent but it is only minimal compared to when they last met.

"Vincent dear. I heard that you just recently donated a huge amount to one of the orphanages in K City. Did you auction one of your paintings? You are a very generous person, I am very proud of you." Mother said to Vincent in a very pleasant tone of voice.

"It is not my doing Mother Z. I am sorry to disappoint you but someone else used my name to make that donation. That someone actually auctioned my school uniform to make such a huge profit." Vincent said in a calm warm voice.

I choked on the water that I was drinking when I heard their exchange of words. Vincent Gu, it was for the greater good! You should not be stingy to a good samaritan like me.