CONCEPTION

ZHAN POV

I studied the small bruises and cuts on mybody as I got dressed; they were quickly fading. I threw on a t-shirt, shorts and a pair of sandals. I grabbed my keys and headed out, I was meeting Bin at our favorite restaurant for lunch.

I thought back to the talk I had with Chen, he didn't seem all too surprised about Danny's pursuits on G-Industries. Which made me wonder if he knew all along or was apart of it. I quickly dismissed that thought; Chen loved Yibo like a son. He'd never betray him, and he surely would've tipped Yibo off if he knew, wouldn't he?

He was however outraged that Danny would force me to lie to Yibo. After a lot of pleading and convincing he agreed not to let Yibo know. He promised to take it from here and that he'll let me know when everything is resolved.

I had to trust him to come through for meagain. Only when I know the company is out of Danny's reach can I go and try to salvage what is left of my marriage to Yibo, that's if it's not too late by then. I love him too much for it to be too late.

I arrived at the restaurant and minutes later so did Bin. We talked about everything from how I was feeling to how he was doing.

"I have news." He said excitedly and Iraised my eyebrows at him

"The surrogate mother was pregnant." She said and I squealed in excitement, quickly swallowing my milkshake.

He was talking about the baby plan they mentioned few weeks ago with Gio. They were planning to hire some surrogate mother and do some IVF, which they are too excited to talk about.

"Oh My God Bin, I'm so happy for you." I said,

"When did they confirmed??" I asked and he smiled.

"The moment she started getting morningsickness a week ago." He said and I chuckled

"Good to hear that." I said and he chuckled. He and I had a good time before he started mentioning the whole Danny thing again, I sighed.

"You really want to get into this againBin?" I asked and his jaw tightened

"Yes, it's because I hate seeing you likethis my friend. You miss them and they miss you. I don't see why you're not with them right now." He said.

"I can't just go back there as if nothinghappened." I said and he rolled his eyes

"Why not?" he asked

"Have you even tried to work things out with Yibo?" he asked and I looked down.

"He won't talk to me." I said,

"He won't talk to you or you just haven't tried to reach out to him." he challenged and I breathed in a rush.

"Why won't you let this go Bin?" I asked,

"Because something's not right here Zhan, what is it?" he asked

"Nothing!" I said,

"See there you go again! Being on the defensive, it's only making me more suspicious." He said then he shook his head.

"You know I keep fighting with Gio because he thinks I should leave you alone but I don't want to, I want tohelp you." He said and I looked at him shocked.

Maybe Gio didn't approve of our friendship anymore.

"But I can't do this anymore, I'm tired oftrying to save someone who clearly doesn't need saving." he added taking his bag and putting some money on the table

"I'm done with you." He said then got up to leave.

Bin was the only one left in my corner ifhe left too, I'd truly have no one. I stood up

"Bin wait." I said and he looked at me, I took a deep breath, telling him thetruth was the only way, besides I knew I could trust him.

"Alright, I'll tell you everything." I saidand he sat back down and so did I but didn't talk, I didn't know where to start.

"Okay I'll make this easy for you." He said

"Let's start with the main issue here, did you really sleep with Danny?" he asked and I shook my head

"Ugh no, I hate his guts. I'd kill him personally before I hopped into bed with him." I said and he gasped,

"I knew it!"

"So you lied about all of it? Why?" he asked and I sighed, I decided to start from the beginning. I told him about Danny coming to my office and about him and the proxy fight that took place without Yibo and Chen's knowledge. To the ultimatum he gave me and why I chose to agree to it.

He listened carefully as different emotionsplayed across his features the more I talked. I went on to tell him about what really happened in Miami and why I had to play along. I finished off by telling him about meeting with Chen and asking forhis helping bringing Danny down.

He sat there silent for a while absorbingeverything

"Oh wow, and you decided to go through all of this alone?" he asked.

"Why didn't you tell Yibo? Maybe there wassomething he could've done." He added.

I shook my head

"Not if Danny is the one holding all the cards. If I play along Yibo still keeps hiscompany, if I tell he loses it," I said

"Had he given the same ultimatum to Yibo he would've chosen me, I know that, but I didn't want to be the reason he lost everything he's worked his whole lifefor." I added sadly.

"Don't you see Zhan? Danny knows the only thing Yibo cares about here is you. He knows it would hurt more to lose you than the company." He said.

"He was going to take it regardless of what I chose to do, it was the lesser of two evils Bin, it was either I go along with it to buy time or I step aside and watch Yibo lose the company, I couldn't do that."

I said and Bin sat back on his seat exasperated.

"You or the company." He said

"And you decided to make the choice for him. Don't you think that maybe youchose wrong Zhan?" he said.

"I can't think like that Bin. Besides it'sdone now, I have to see this through." I said and his eyes tightened

"So what's the plan now?" he asked and Isighed,

"Yibo has the company's privacy locked down tight, I can't get through. I'm putting all my faith in Chen now." I said,

"After he's done then you clean up the mess."

He finished for me

"That's if it's not too much for me tohandle." I said, and he blinked a couple of times

"You shouldn't have had to do this, youshouldn't have had to hurt Yibo like this."

He said, as if it was something I do over breakfast.

"That was the hardest thing I've ever had to do Bi !" I said, a tear escaping my eye and I took a deep breath.

"And it was all for him." He said softly.

"He hates me now." I said

"No..." he started

"Yes, he does." I cut him off, thinking backto that horrible day

"You didn't see the look in his eyes. It's likeI could've dropped dead right then and he wouldn't have cared." I added. I then glanced at my left hand

"And that didn't even hurt half as bad as him taking his mother's ring back." I said my throat tightening.

Bin looked at me with a sorrowful look; he of all people knew how much that ring meant to me. What it meant for me to wear it.

"Aw Zhan, you have to remember that he was angry and hurt..." I cut him off by shaking my head.

"I know; I don't blame him. I just sort offeel like this is the last straw for us. What if we don't survive this Bin? I...I can't do without him." I said my voice breaking alittle.

Bin reached out for my hand

"Shh Zhan, don't think like that. The love you and Yibo share is endless, it can survive anything." he said.

That's what I was holding on to, that's what I've been holding on to ever since that day. I chuckled without humor

"You know what shocks me the most is that he hasn't presented me with divorce papers yet." I said

"It's in his rights too." I added

but I honestly don't know what I'd do if he did.

Bin frowned

"You're talking crazy again."He said,

"It obviously means that he doesn't want to let you go." he said.

Did he not see the pictures of him with that beautiful actress? Never mind letting me go, he's basically moving on. Before the thought could upset me more I pushed it away.

Bin eyed me

"So what happens now? You just stay and wait to hear from Chen?" he asked and I shook my head.

"I wanted to go back to Chongqing." I said and his eyes widened

"What!" he bellowed and I shook my head realizing he misunderstood.

"It's not forever, my kids are here, and Ican't leave them behind." I said and he breathed easily

"I just wanted to get away for a while, away from the city, the paparazzi, my lonely suite." I said; I could go on forever.

"And I really need to be around my family right now." I added. I needed their love andsupport; it'll do me good.

"You have your own family Zhan and it's right here." he said and I gave him a look

"Bin..." I started exasperated

"Fine, fine."

He cut me off then he paused

"This is crazy Zhan, I...I can't sit by andhelp you ruin your life like this." he said then I started to panic realizing what he's implying.

"Bin you can't tell anyone, please!" Isaid and he eyed me reluctantly

"Promise me." I insisted and he sighed indefeat.

"Alright I won't tell anyone." he said.

"And no more picking fights with Gio overthis." I said and he gave me a mischievous smile

"I wasn't really, I just said that to make you spill the beans." I said and I frowned

"You sneaky bitch." I said in mock anger and he chuckled.

I checked my watch

"I have to go pick up something from Biyu." I said standing up; he hugged me

"Sure, I'll call you." he said,

"Everything's going to be okay." he added and I could've sworn there was some secret meaning to that than just to comfort me. I just nodded and walked out.