Strings Attached (Sequel)

Travel to Beijing

March 3rd

Faye Calinao

"Ximen," I whispered and Ximen chuckled as he looked down from his book towards me. We sat across from each other sitting at the National Library of China in Beijing. According to Ximen, he wanted to take me to Beijing for the day and we ended up coming here.

"You're adorable Faye," Ximen smiled and reached forward to flick my nose.

"Ow," I playfully pouted and pushed his arm away from me. Who would have thought Ximen would have had the private jet on standby to take us here from Shanghai. It wasn't until we were on the plane that he said we were meeting his mother here in Beijing. "That was mean."

"I'm sorry." He attempted to hide his smile.

"You don't look very sorry," I said, putting my journal down and placing my pen beside it. Ximen tried to glance towards my journal, but I shut it before he could figure out what I was up to.

"What are you writing? You have been thinking and jotting down since we've arrived."

"Something important."

"Something is bothering you," Ximen said lightly and frowned. He was right.

"I'm alright."

"Did I do something wrong?" He sighed.

"No," I shook my head. "It is not you. I'm having a great time with you today. I... appreciate that... you're letting me be with you on your birthday," I spoke lightly. "I'm just... a little conflicted."

"You're worried I'm going to go back to being cold towards you." I hesitated before nodding. There was the worry of that, but I was also concerned for Gu Weiyi and Senior Yu Yin. Ximen had a hurtful look before turning into guilt. Ximen stood up and I looked at him as he walked around the table to take a seat next to me.

"I did not mean to interrupt our day..."

"You have the right to feel this way," Ximen spoke uncomfortably. "I know I'm not forgiven for what I've done this time."

"No... you're not."

"There... isn't much I can do to make up for weeks of my behavior. Umm..." Ximen seemed to be nervous as he gently took my hand like he used to. "I've been hard on you and it wasn't fair to you. Especially at the time when you told me you were pregnant. You had a memory gap. You must have been terrified of my reaction and traumatized from how I treated you."

He was right. I was traumatized to the point I was constantly stressed and hurting. I was confused because I had no control of what was happening. I freaked out alone when I was in the guestroom of Doaming Si's home that very evening.

"I promised you things would never change between us," Ximen spoke lightly. "I'm sorry for hurting you the way I did and I hope it's alright for me to continue to be your best friend."

"Y-you have and always will be my best friend Ximen," I said barely audibly. "You've done so much for me in our lifetime of friendship, I could never replace you with anyone." Ximen smiled sadly and nodded slightly.

"You have a kind heart Faye," he said, sounding upset and reaching forward to hug me. I was surprised by the affection he was giving me. I knew he was around me sometimes. "I'm thankful to have met you." My heart awed at Ximen's small emotional statement and squeezed me slightly before pulling away. I noticed now his eyes were glossy and I knew he meant everything he said. "I really don't deserve you."

"Don't get too sad on me Yan," I laughed lightly.

"Alright Calinao," he sighed. "Mmmhhh, I'm allowed to be sappy around you. Only you know though."