To successfully approach Fred, I even meticulously arranged for a play to unfold.
At the entrance of the dimly-lit bar, I ended up seated in front of his car, scars littered my fair neck and arms.
Before the two cursing men behind me could catch up, I pitifully begged the man in the car for help.
"Please, take me home."
The bright car lights shone on me and I instinctively closed my eyes, the next moment hearing the man's icy voice, "Get in."
I bowed my head, and in the moment when my loose hair fell and covered my cheeks, I quickly curved my lips into a smile, then opened the car door and got into the passenger seat.
He turned his head and gave me a faint look. "Should I call the police for you?"
"No..." I hugged my shoulders, huddled up on the leather seat, my voice trembling, "I'm afraid they'll come after me again..."
His slender, fair fingers slightly curled up, tapping lightly on the steering wheel as if showing impatient expression, "Give me your address, I'll take you home."
My sobbing paused slightly.
"My parents are dead, I don't have a home anymore," I carefully watched him, "Sir, could I stay at your place for the night?"
He mused for a moment, then lightly nodded at me: "Buckle up your seatbelt."
On the way to Fred's house, I leaned against the car window, sneaking peeks at him from the corner of my eyes.
His profile was naturally deep, in this dim light from the car top, his side face appeared all the more sleek. His slightly lengthy eyes always had an upward tilt, appearing as if he was gentle and romantic, yet when engrossed in his task, he seemed cold and distant.
I gazed at him, momentarily lost in my thoughts.
The first time I saw that face, was at the birthday banquet of his sister, Marilyn.
Marilyn is the woman who my father's mistress is going to replace as my step-mother, and her five-year-old daughter is my half-sister, born of the same father but a different mother.
I lied to Fred - my mom passed away from an illness, but my dad is still alive and well.
Not only that, he also wants to formally marry Marilyn, making official their love affair that society would not accept.
That night, my dad smoked half a cigarette and began playing the emotional card to me: "Maggie, your mother has been gone for two years. I'm getting old and always need someone to be with, and to take care of me..."
I looked at him expressionlessly, "My mother has been gone for only two years, but Emily is already over five years old."
Having been caught out by me, he couldn't save face, suddenly standing up and pointing at me, swearing: "You live off me, who do you think this house belongs to?"
In my father's eyes, he, Marilyn, and Emily are the affectionate family, while I'm just an outsider.
Last month, it was Marilyn’s birthday, my father completely disregarded me, and held a big celebration for her in a hotel.
When I disguised myself and mixed into the party, I happened to see my father and Marilyn, each holding a glass of wine, full of favor in their eyes for the man in front of them.
The man was extremely handsome, tall and with good body proportions, his facial features were even more prominent. He was wearing a tailored suit that made him look even more distinguished. Without intending to, his gaze sweeped over me for a second, revealing his sharpness.
At first, I thought this was one of my father’s important clients, until the man walked out of the box with a casual look, and Marilyn chased after him.
It was while they were talking, that I learned, he was in fact Marilyn's younger brother by six years, Fred.
"Fred!" Not sure what he had said, but Marilyn yelled out in a shrill voice, "I am your sister!"
Fred had already started to walk away, but this stopped him in his tracks. He turned his head, a touch of mockery breaking through his sharp gaze: "Do you think you're worthy?"
When he was walking towards the entrance, I lowered the brim of my baseball cap, passing by him on purpose.
"Excuse me."
His distant and detached voice resonated in my ear. I turned my head to glance at him and noticed a small mole beside his Adam's apple, which was made all the more attractive by his pale skin.
"..."
Desire and vengeance surged simultaneously, and at that precise moment, I made up my mind.
Unable to garner any response from me, Fred remained nonchalant and continued towards the door.
The moment he stepped out, I pushed open the door to the private booth, striding in. To the shock of my father and Marilyn, I swept all the bowls and dishes off the table onto the floor.
"Maggie!"
Amidst the total disarray, my father stormed towards me, hand raised ready to strike me. Quickly, I stepped back, nimbly evading his blow.
He tried to come forward again, but was held back by a relative standing nearby, left bellowing in the same spot.
"I want you out! Leave my house!"
Holding the door handle, I turned to look at him and responded with a sly smirk, "Feeling angry already? Wait for it. I've got a special surprise in store."
"Here we are."
Fred's typically cold voice abruptly pulled me out of my memories.
I hastily regained my facade of pitiful innocence as I followed him out of the car. We rode the elevator all the way up, until it came to a stop at the penthouse on the thirty-second floor.
The house he lived in was a spacious, open flat with a simple design. As I sat on the high-end gray sofa, I watched Fred disappear into another room, only to emerge moments later holding a first-aid kit, which he set down in front of me.
When I had fallen, sprawled out in front of his car, I had hit hard. My knee was bloodied and scraped, with traces of grit buried in my skin.
"Ouch... it hurts," I complained softly.
"Try and bear it," he suggested.
With that, he used a pair of tweezers to remove the grit embedded in my wound, followed by disinfection with iodine and then the application of medicine.
As he worked, his moves were gentle, and his attention was fully on the task. As his long eyelashes cast a shade on his face, it softened his initially stern expression, making him seem gentler and more captivating.
On a whim, I asked, "Sir, have you helped others in this way before?"
He looked up at me, packing away the first-aid kit: "You're the only one."
My heart fluttered slightly at his response. Looking up at him, I flicked my eyes: "I am honored... But, Sir, where do I sleep later, together with you?"
Fred chose to ignore my teasing, and with a normal look on his face, led me to a guest room next to his study.
"You can sleep here tonight. If you need anything, come to me but remember to knock first."
As he turned to leave, I stopped him again: "Wait, what's your name, Sir?"
Leaning against the wall, he looked down at me: "Fred."
I already knew his name, but hearing him say it aloud in his pleasant voice gave it a fresh meaning.
I smiled slightly and moved a step forward, coming dangerously close to bumping my nose against his chest.
"Fred, you have to remember my name, too." I looked straight into his eyes, "I am Maggie."
