The Masked Man

Part 8

Yibo exited Zhan's room confusedly yet something bothering his heart. He was unwillingly. He want to see more closely and clearly the picture on the night stand. His heart was aching and feeling so weird. But, he will hear him. He will wait for his boss on the dining table for dinner as well. Yes, he will ask him about that.

Zhan who has already finished wearing his night attire with his usual glasses and black mask, going downstairs step by step. His rested on the rail of the stairs as his feet dragging downstairs. Then, there he saw Wang Yibo who is waiting for him. He seems to have a lot in mind. Zhan became anxious for a moment. He shrugged it off and went to sit across in front of him.

" Boss. " Yibo realized of Zhan's presence and look at him with questionable yet soft eyes.

" Say it. What do you want to say. " 

Yibo take a deep breath before start speaking out his mind. It's hard for him but he will try. Somehow, he became sweaty and hesitate. Since Yibo was a kid, he is always independent to himself. He don't really talk. Only eyes were gazing piercing deeply to others. He would always be himself and care to people who he love the most. All eyes on him but he could have care less. He love doing on his own and hate when someone ordered him around and do something embarrassing to him. And now, someone really did carried him because he was accidentally slept. 

If he have to be honest, he doesn't feel hate or disgust. Instead, he feel amazed with his boss's  strength to carry him all the way from office to his room. After Xiao Zhan appear in his life, he can feel another happiness he unable to utter. It feels like someone understand him in a way people won't besides his parents. After he gone, Yibo can feel another soul of inside him were also gone missing. He grew up without Xiao Zhan beside him. Now, time has changed. His parents gone. He is alone again.

" Yibo ? "

" Ah, I'm sorry. Uhm, so.. I want to ask you if you were the one who brought me back to my room tonight. I mean, I'm sorry if you were. I didn't mean to sleep after all. I'm heavy didn't I ? " Zhan chuckled out of nowhere. Somehow Yibo sounded like a kid. Meanwhile Yibo confused why the hell he would spoke like that liked an idiot ? And the person itself even chuckled !

" Well Yibo, you were sleeping and I understand. Maybe you were thinking a lot and feel asleep. Besides, you are not familiar with all these company tension right ? Make sense if you are tired. You are not that heavy, don't worry. Besides, am I that mean leaving you alone in the office ? Of course not. " Zhan spoke, answering to Yibo questions.

" I get it, you're right. I have a lot in mind today. Eh, but wait.. How do you know I am not familiar with company's works before ? " Zhan became froze again. Oh god, did he talked the wrong thing again ?! Good for you Xiao Zhan. Now his suspicious will grew more. 

" W- well.. I- I me-

" I worked at my father's company before okay ? It just.. Something distracted me. I couldn't keep focusing and my father mad at me. I took a rest to calm me down. It took a few month for me to overcome my personal problem. Then, for a few month I took over the company but, no one expected that my parents would gone and my whole life became a messy hell. So, in conclusion, I worked at a company and know the every hell tension there. " 

Zhan became alerted. He refuse to continue their conversation. He kept thinking this is his fault. He am sure if he didn't do that to Yibo, their friendship will remain in peace and he will never leave Yibo alone like this. He is sure, he is the reason why Yibo got scolded by Mr Wang that day. 

" Can I ask you something boss, if you don't mind answering ? "

" Hmm, go ahead. " Zhan smiled, if this can make Yibo forget for a while, then he will answered to it. Past are like our shadow. It will stay with us until the end. Even if we want them to go away, it won't. Accept and move on, that's all we can do. " Is that you ? In the picture on the table next to your bed ? " 

" Uh, y- yes. That's me when I was a kid. "

" Then, why are you now wearing mask in adult age but didn't at your kid age ? Also, who is the kid next to you in that picture ? " Zhan froze for real now. Yibo can't possibly saw his own picture right ? Damn. " Uh, did you saw it ? " Yibo shake his head. Even though he didn't see it clearly. he will lie. Somehow, that face is really similar to him but to answer his question, he will lie for now.

" That's my best friend. We got separated because of personal matter. I kept our pictures because I always want to remember him. He will always be my life. " Zhan words pierced into Yibo's heart. He can feel it. Zhan's eyes became glassy as he stare at Yibo. He closed his eyes. Calm down Xiao Zhan..

" You will know in the future Yibo. The reason why this mask is such a important weapon of mine. I just keep wearing to one purpose but never did I expected.. it hold such a big shield for me until this day. You will discover if you want and, if you can. " Zhan stood up ready to leave. He sighed deeply. His chest going up and down.

" I am going sleep now. I'm not hungry. You can eat because you need a lot of energy. Sleep tight kid and see you tomorrow. Remember to wake up early. Goodnight. " 

Yibo couldn't make it to utter a word as the latter has gone. Yibo closed his eyes. Too much, too pain in his head. First his father's company and now, his boss. Who the hell is his boss actually ? Why is he so mysterious ? And most importantly, why is he like someone Yibo know for a long time ? Argh ! I don't even know !

***

" So, you telling me to cooperate together with you ? Why should I agree with you ? " Mr Zhu asked as he crossed his arm on his chest. He lean back to his chair. Sipping his drink makes him look more bossy. Honestly Yibo hates this appearance of him. His eyes darkly gazing on him. Idiot old man. 

Sitting inside a cafe with drinks and food in front of Zhan, Yibo and Mr Zhu, they began to talk about their business matter. Of course, it's all fake. This is all Zhan's beginning plan to revenge on who has involved with his and Yibo's company. Zhan smile to him.

" As you already know about my company, I had a sudden crash of my company before. But, now, my company almost successfully as before. We will be together and I'm sure yours will also become big and famous as mine. I'm sure, it will also help with the state of your financial for your family. " Zhan said. Of course, it's all lie behind it. Cooperate ? Even if he desperate, he won't cooperate with his enemy. " I refuse. You're wasting my time. " 

Mr Zhu stood up intending to leave after hearing the nonsense from Zhan. Yibo is there as well. He is scared and anxious. How could he stand working and talking there with Yibo's presence ? He know this is his fault but he just can't look at Yibo at all. Zhan smirked silently. It's time to use his special weapon.

" Mr Zhu.. I know about your family's problems and, the reason why you're standing in this position. I know it all, behind this you've been threatened by Mr Yang right ? " Silence taking over. Though the cafe seems lively and the scenery are totally admirable with music playing at the background and the smell of the newly brewed coffee are absolutely fragrant. But Mr Zhu can only feel ice, cold and his body are freezing slowly with unknown by stranger's facts. Only Mr Yang, Mr Dugu and him knew. How could Zhan know ?! 

" How do you ?! " Mr Zhu turning around only meeting smirking behind the mask Mr Xiao. Zhan gestured him to sit with the most intimidating yet playful gesture facial face. Looks like, he can feel a victory on him today. Thanks to Ziyi and Yubin for helping him searching for the information. This is really a secret weapon ! But, he shouldn't be happy yet.

" Sit down and we will talk smoothly and clearly. I have said to you before, I never hurt anybody and I mean no harm so don't worry. I will definitely help you until the end, only if you agree to cooperate with us well. " 

" Tell me. " 

Yibo gasped and look at Zhan shocked. His eyes even widened wide out of shocked. Zhan smiled and nodded to him. Yibo feel a sudden rush of happiness. Will he able to take back what once belongs to him ? Ooof he can't wait ! 

I promise you, I will fight until the end for your happiness even though I will be in pain.