SO COLD (18+) currently editing

Chapter 18

CHARACTER VIEWS DO NOT REPRESENT MY OWN. Please be civil in the comment section.

I wasn't the sort to wear cute, girl-next-door type dresses. I liked my Timberland black boots and worn out jeans. But that didn't mean I was clueless on how to put on a face full of make-up and pull on a nude maxi dress with a thigh split – which is exactly what I did as the occasion called for. I was naturally tall but that and the pair of black heels I wore added more than a few inches to my height. I pulled my hair into a messy bun, pulling out a few curly strands to frame my face and rubbed my lips together before smiling a red painted smile.

Irvin walked into the bathroom. He pulled at his white collar, one hand hanging in his trousers pocket and gave me a nod of approval. "You clean up well."

"If it's going to be my last day on earth, I'd like to look good." I joked half-heartedly as my stomach twisted. I was nervous, I didn't know what to expect and neither did Irvin. Cole kept mum on the whole situation, patiently waiting for us in the living room. He rose, rubbing his stubbly jaw and gave a grunt. The sort of grunt that was neither happy nor angry, but satisfied, the man grunt.

Stolen from a movie was a black Mercedes Benz S Class. I knew the type because Dad used to drive one. There was a bald driver with shades and pressed lips, he held the door open before briskly walking to the driver's seat once we were seated. It all felt very secretive, like we were important people about to arrive at an event with flashing bulbs and desperate people wanting to be acknowledged. The drive was silent and took half an hour. The windows were tinted dark and I wondered if they were also bullet proof. It seemed likely given the situation. Irvin glanced at me briefly, smiling.

I smiled back; his gun weighing heavy in my clutch purse.

*

The house was a dazzling structure of marble white with an enchanting green front garden. It was a well-kept museum of Japanese style ornaments shaped into mini temple structures and giant hands with giant animals in stone. Inside was less impressive; too many bright lights, extravagant décor: riches and riches and rooms that stank of wealth. It was overcrowded, any second now it'd be a Disney film and all the furniture would grow legs and run out for freedom. Too many objet d'arts: a poor man's hallucination of what it would be like to affluent.

On the bottom of the staircase stood a man. Oily slicked back hair, a slightly crooked nose that I knew he had to be self-conscious about and a silk scarf that he wore to draw attention away from the fact that he had no chin. He grinned widely, stepping down and striding over confidently with all the grace of a man who knew he was important. "King," he said.

"Shěn," Cole said.

He turned his attention to me with a smile that was as false as Coles'. He looked at me and I felt like I was being photographed; forever trapped in Shěn's library of interactions. "Gui Shěn, it is a pleasure to meet you."

His lips scraped against my hand in a dry kiss. "Likewise," I returned with a nod.

"I take it you've never come to Shanghai before? How is my city treating you?"

"It's a beautiful city."

"Without a doubt." Gui seemed pleased, arrogant and boastful. His smile became sincere with a flash of teeth and he turned his swollen-head to Irvin, trapping Irvin's hand between both of his in greeting.

Introductions done, we were led to a room with an impressive view of the skyline. Artificial light was not needed; nature graced us with a land of greens and beanstalk trees. Jack would have a hard time scaling those. There was a black dining table, frosted glass top with heavy, high-backed chairs. I was seated next to Irvin further down the head of the table where Gui royally sat. To his right was Cole, sat relaxed, to his left was a man of muscles: big and burly. Easily able to crush our throats in one hand. Cole looked miniscule sat next to another man of muscles. They weren't there to make friends or to add to the weak conversation, but there to intimidate or warn, whatever it was it worked.