Burning Passion

CHAPTER 82: BUMPING INTO YOU

* * *

Darkness still surrounded the entire city, but Theo has been walking back and forth in the poolside. He already made ten rounds, jogged in the neighborhood, and even visited the mansion where held the photoshoot. Although he can only peep from outside, he plans to ask permission to see the garden and the interior of the mansion next time.

He is contemplating something, at the same time thinking about what Jeremy has talked with him last night.

Now he is bothered with this when he already had a huge problem. He doesn't know how to approach Nikki Lindsey, so he is practicing his dialogue.

"Hi, my name is Theo Shang. I am a Director of Li-Shang Distributor Company. Celebrating a hundred years, we are launching a new product and you are the one I chose to— no, we have chosen you to be the endorser of this product. This includes having billboards Ads, not only all over China but in major cities on this planet."

Ugh, isn't that too exaggerated? She must have dropped a mouth on the ground upon hearing his introduction. And— I should not introduce that way… too much formality. He should not sound business personnel: but somewhat friendly, easy to talk with, and such.

Ah, why is he bothering with this now? Theo keeps talking to himself.

But he does find it hard. He doesn't know how to approach her and leaves a great impression on her.

Ugh! Why is he even conscious about it? He never worried about meeting someone like in business meetings.

Then what is the difference now?

Theo continued walking back and forth. Roland came out from the mansion, noticing his master restless for the first time. Even with how huge a problem he is facing, he stays calm and never shows emotion. He will just sit quietly behind his desk, contemplating a solution.

But now? His master even showing more emotions on his face. Is his master in love or something?

"Ahem! Master, here is the coffee," said he, placing the tray on the table, then poured coffee into the mugs.

Theo pulled a dining chair and sat on it. He peers at his assistant. Although hesitant to voice out his thoughts, but he had to man up.

"Erm, Roland, how would you introduce yourself to a girl?"

Dumbfounded, [Roland is jumping inside his head] he grins at his master. 'I knew it! My master is in love!'

"Roland? I am talking to you. Don't just grin at me mockingly."

"Eh, I'm not mocking you!"

"Then? Your face is the same as those emojis you usually use on me," he complains.

Roland chuckled. He first took a seat before he replied. "Who are you going to court, master?"

"Court? What court?"

"Don't you want to introduce yourself to a girl? Talk to her, then get to know her?"

"Wait... I was just asking you how to introduce myself in a friendly manner. Why is it getting to know her?"

"Eh? Isn't that what will happen after she will become your girlfriend?"

"Hey! I am not asking you how to get a girlfriend! I am just referring to how you introduce yourself to Margaret when you first meet?"

"Ah! But we just bump into each other, then give each other's name, have a brief talk a little before we separate ways, then meet again when she applies as our Receptionist."

"So what? I should bump into her intentionally?"

"Huh?" Roland seems not to be following what his master is inquiring about.

"I am speaking about Nikki, our prospect model!"

"Oh! So you are planning how you will approach her?"

Theo rolled his eyes. "That's what I have been asking you!"

"Ah! You are making a plot so you can introduce yourself to Miss Nikki, then ask her to model for us? Aye!" Roland slaps his forehead.

"You finally get it." Theo picks up his mug and draws it close to his mouth.

"Hmm… how did you want it to happen? Bumping to each other is too generic. Even fate always uses it so that the destined lovers meet."

Theo chokes, and he's coughing to clear his throat. "Ahem! I didn't know you were a fan of such beliefs."

"Hey, Master! Don't ridicule me!"

"I am not." He won't.

And what to call about him dreaming of her? Also, if not because of this project, he cannot find her. Until now, he's still wondering which part of Earth he will find her.

"Master, how about you chat with her?"

"Huh? And how I should do that?"

"Ah! You don't have any social media account!"

Theo frowned when he noticed that Roland is suppressing not to laugh. "Don't dare to mock me."

"I am not! I just realized that you are one of the rare people who has no social media account yet!"

"So?"

"If you want to contact her through chats, you need to make an account!"

"And?"

"I have FB, Messenger, Discord, WeChat, Instagram, YouTube, and? Hmm, we should make you even an FB account."

"No. I don't like scrolling FB."

"You won't see any feeds if you only have a few people in your friend list and don't follow a lot of pages."

"Okay. But I don't like FB. Maybe Instagram? Is it the same Founder?"

"Ah! Yes! Let us create you an account!"

Roland took Theo's phone to install an Instagram account.

"Master, what username do you like?" he asked.

"I should not use my actual name." He may use none of these social media thingies, but he was aware of it.

"Then what do you like?" Roland helps Theo think of a name on Instagram.

"How about Roland Lim?"

"Eh? A combination name of mine and Rubin? Isn't looking fishy, Master?"

"Right. She would realize someone Rubin knew about."

"Ah! Ronland Li!"

"I guess that would do. I'm fine with it."

"Okay, here is your phone, Master Ronland Li," Roland handed the phone back to Theo, sounding teasing his master who just rolled his eyes. "Your account is Ronland Li, don't forget, Master."

Theo takes back the phone and browses his account.

"Go ahead, Master Li! Send a message to her!"

Theo glared at his assistant who was taunting him. "Can't you see that sun not even rising, yet?"

"Ahh…" he scratches his head.

"How can I search for her name? Is it this one?" The murmuring, likely just to himself, asking questions when he is doing it already.

Roland smirk. He's enjoying this fresh expression plastering on his master's face. He thinks he acts cooler now.

* * *

That morning...

Jeremy, Erika along with Theo and Roland: they head to Jeremy's treatment while Rubin is sent by the butler toward the airport.

On their way to the hospital, Jeremy opens up the topic he talks about with Theo.

"Can we discuss this after the anniversary? I have to finish my project, such a distraction, you know." Theo's petition.

Roland and Erika meet gazes with a question 'what are they talking about'? They just listen to the sibling's talk which is intriguing to know.

"Alright. Let us just drop it now. Anyway, can you replace me for all of my meetings today? Rubin wasn't here, so I want you to go with Erika while Roland will stay with me."

"No problem with me, Master!" Roland spoke.

"Okay. Who do you need to meet? Are they informed you have treatment today?"

"He is the owner of Williams Medical Research, which is his facility providing my medicines."

"I see."

"Don't worry, he is a warm person."

"Hmm? Are we talking about the Chairman of Crow Corporation?"

"Yes, the same owner of CSS."

The Crow System Security-- if someone is in danger or a person receives threats under the Agency's care: they have eyes in the sky, and they would find you quickly. They also have people who they call that belong in Section 14, 13, or 15 to come to save you and protect you.

Theo heard of them because he is a member of Section 14; an all-male member who came from an elite family, like his. And to be a member of this secret group, it has to meet all the qualifications. Probably, that is the reason he could do martial arts, and he is good at a knife or guns... but as he lost his memories when he was 22, he doesn't remember about these groups and the members who possibly he meets around but he did not recognize them.

• • •

After 20 minutes of driving with light traffic, Erika parked the car at the reserve space area inside the hospital parking lot.

Jeremy presses something on a monitor screen behind the front set, and the back of the car opens. They made it personal for Jeremy to come down and come inside the car without help, but on his own.

Before he and Erika go to the meeting place, Theo sends Jeremy toward his reserve room in this hospital. He learns the room also becomes Jeremy's office when he has to look at the hospital's standing. He came here twice a week to review the report, especially when facing a problem.

Theo now sees that Jeremy is not only managing the Shang Holdings her in Mainland City but he is also taking care of the hospital's Finance. Theo realizes his brother is working hard more than him.

"Roland, call me if anything happens," Theo instructed his assistants

"Rest assured, master!"

Theo left the room, and he explored the hospital real quick. He scanned around and found another lobby near another elevator. He took the stairs after the lift stopped on the 5th floor. Reaching the first floor, Erika sent him a message, asking if it is time to go before they ran late for the appointment.

He was replying to Erika to bring the car to the front door, not looking at his direction, he bumps into someone. He waited but he did not hear this person apologize. Annoyed, Theo looked up just to recognize the person.

'It was her!'

But he notices how sad she is like about to cry at any moment… like in his dreams.

Nikki…

'I FINALLY FOUND YOU.'