The girl in the Louvre

As the sun that had been steadily sinking towards the horizon finally started to shed its last rays of light they arrived at their destination. Just across the street was the park that Zhi Rou was meeting her teacher and they could see some of her classmates walking further on, presumably to the parking lot.

Giving her one last hug and kiss Julian let her go and lightly pushed her away. "You should go now," said Julian as he inwardly thought, 'For if you stay a moment longer I don't think I can bear to let you go.' She was like sweet nicotine, making him addicted with just one breath. Only she was one drug that Julian could never quit.

She nodded and starting walking across the road. When she was halfway there Julian called after her, "you have to call me when you get to China, okay?"

She smiled and turned around, running back to him she quickly kissed him on the lips before saying. "Of course," and taking off again to the other side of the road before the light turned red.

Rubbing his lips, Julian watched Zhi Rou run off into the distance with an expression of melancholy and longing. Seemingly already missing his beautiful wife that has just left him, leaving nothing more than the faint smell in the air and the fading sweetness on his lips.

He sighed when he finally realized that she was gone and that she was going to be gone for a long long time. 'Why does she have to go? Why does she have to leave me?' thought Julian even though he knew the answer. 'Is it my fault? If I had accepted my moms' proposal back then I could have gone back to China with her. What about in the future? Will I have to watch her walk away again just because I am too useless to do anything to help her?

His eyes narrowed as for the first time in his life he felt powerless. His arms rested gently at his side as he looked up into the night sky.

Suddenly his heart started to beat faster as his blood pressure increase. Yes it was the first time that he had felt useless, but it was also the first time that he had ever developed such a craving for power. 'If I had the power and connections that my mother has, who could stop me from going to China and bringing her back with him?' thought Julian as he clenched his fists. Actually, he wouldn't even need to go to China. All he would need is one phone call and her plane wouldn't be able to leave the airport.

Reaching into his pocket, Julian pulled out his phone and scrolled down in his contacts. Stopping over an almost unfamiliar number he pressed call.

"Ring... ring... ri-, Julian? I am in the middle of a meeting so please keep it brief." On the other end of the phone, a cold looking woman with black hair and striking eyes just like Julian's sat at the head of a long Bubinga wood table. Seated before her was several impressive looking men and women dressed in expensive suits and business attire.

Hearing the inpatient voice over the phone Julian laughed. "It is the first time that I have called in over a year, don't you think you could spare me a minute? I want to take you up on your offer, that is if it is still open."

"Oh? So you have finally grown an interest in the family business?" the woman on the other side looked slightly shocked. After all, the only reason he left their secluded mansion on their privately owned estate in the gulf islands was that she had tried to force him into the business. "Of course my offer still stands, how could it not for my own son? But I hope you remember that millions of people would die for this position. If you don't take it seriously I will disown you and feed you to the sharks myself." Her voice narrowed dangerously towards the end of the conversation before cancelling the call.