FINAL CHAPTER

Zhan rubbed his eyes, trying to wipe away the ache sitting behind them. Staring at a computer screen all day was not what he was used to at all. As Yibo's personal assistant, he had spent most of his time on his feet, running around the greater Beijing area doing errands. He had complained about it a lot when it was his job, but now he actually missed all the action. Although not as much as he missed him.

Zhan shook his head. Nope. He couldn't do that to himself. Thinking about Yibo was a bad, bad idea.

He checked his phone. He didn't know why he insisted on looking at it so often. Even if he had called again - which he hadn't for over a week now - he wouldn't answer it anyway.

So why did the ceasing of his calls seem to bring about a second breaking of his barely taped together heart?

Zhan dropped his phone in his purse, then shoved it under his desk, and tried to focus again on his computer screen. He'd been working at the ad agency as a copywriter for almost two weeks, and it already sucked. Not only did it pay barely enough to cover his bills, but it was gruely boring - and he didn't even get his own cubicle, much less office.

He had a desk that was pushed right up against the desk of a coworker's - a young, gangly temp named Yu Bin who wouldn't have been so bad if he hadn't been blowing his nose so freaking often. Yes, it was definitely a starter job. Or more like temporary job, until he (hopefully) found another personal assistant job.

Too bad he wouldn't be able to list Yibo as a reference. If nothing had ever happened between them, he could have used him as confirmation of his impeccable personal assistant skills.

Now? Well who knew what he thought of him now... Forget about it, Zhan, he chastised himself. He got to work, focusing on a particularly boring paragraph of footnotes - although half of his mind was on the words and the other half was on his lunch break that would be occurring in approximately twenty minutes.

He would probably take the sandwich he'd packed himself and go to the little park around the corner. It was nice and shady there and there usually weren't too many weirdoes.

Let's see, he thought. 'In the circumstances of failure to provide sufficient'... blah, blah, blah. He froze, his hands paralyzed above the keyboard. A sound had stopped him. A voice One all too familiar. No, he had to have imagined it.

There was no way he had just heard Yibo's voice. He was imagining things because he missed him so much.

"Yes, Xiao Zhan."

That was him again. Xiao spun his swivel chair around, practically knocking over a potted plant in the process. His heart shot straight up through his chest and his throat and took off into the depths of the universe - an action of which he couldn't say was either bad or good. He was supposed to stay away from him. He had to.

Yet here he was, striding towards him across the open spaced office. He had dark circles under his eyes, like he hadn't been sleeping much, but he still stood out against everyone else, like there was something deep in him, bright like a diamond, that shone with every movement he made.

Now that he hadn't seen him for weeks, he could recognize this better than ever. His dark eyes latched on to his and, try as hard as he might, he couldn't look away. He stopped just a few feet from his, him standing there like a towering god and him still sitting, like a human made just to worship him.

And then he remembered why he had left his life. Anger surged through his every limb, and he crossed his arms.

"How'd you find me?"

"It wasn't that difficult." He paused, and for a moment he just looked at him. He would not let him guard down. He would not.

"You haven't been staying at your apartment," he said.

"No, I've been staying with my sister from next town. I'm moving soon, anyway. I need to get out of the city."

"You really want to avoid me that badly?"

"Yes. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

He spun his chair back around to his computer again, although as much as he wanted him to go he wanted him to stay - and it was making him feel absolutely sick to his stomach.

He didn't move, instead listening to hear if he actually went. He breathed a sigh of relief when there were no footsteps. Same old Yibo. The man always had to have things his way.

Across their desks, Yu Bin peered curiously at him. He raised his eyebrows, giving him a None of your business look.

"Why did you leave? At least tell me that." His voice sounded angry now, and he gripped his chair to swivel him back around.

"Why are you such a player?" Zhan snarled.

He recoiled, hurt splashing across his face. "What are you talking about?"

"You kissed that girl - your pretty little french fiancé, or whatever."

His face fell, and he swallowed hard, his Adam's apple looking painful as it bobbed up and down. There was no way he could deny it. He couldn't even try to.

Zhan was aware that several people near them were watching their exchange. He lowered his voice, doing his best to remain in control. There was no need to make such a bad impression at his new job - or get fired for causing a scene in the office.

"Tell me," he asked.

"Why aren't you in Paris with her now? Did you trick her just for sex, like you did with me?"

"I didn't trick you. I want to be with you."

"For how long? A week? A month? I want you longer than that Yibo." He swallowed hard, tears springing to his eyes.

"I wanted you for the rest of my life. And I'm not going to settle for anything less than that."

Standing up, he grabbed his bag and brushed past him. He was just going to have to take his lunch early. If he stayed in here any longer with him then he really was going to start causing a scene.

"If you saw her kissing me, then you saw me push her away," he said to him back.

He stopped walking, but didn't turn around. He bit his lip, trying to ignite the tiny spark that had just come to life inside of him. Had he really pushed her away? Had he perhaps been a fool and just run away too soon?

"I didn't see that because it didn't happen. Actually," he paused, attempting to steady his breathing."It looked like you were enjoying it."

"Zhan." He grabbed his arm, and all the old feelings rushed through him- the tingling and the throbbing; the heart-wrenching ecstasy that he caused with just the slightest brush. He closed his eyes, feeling completely overwhelmed.

"You're the only person I want to be with. When Carissa kissed me I was shocked - I had not seen her in years. She has always been very manipulative, though, and she was trying to get a reaction out of me. Please believe me. As soon as I could process what was happening, I pushed her off of me. I told her that I did not care for her; that I no longer was ruled by what my parents expected out of me. I told her there was another person that I wanted to be with. Then, when I went back to find you, you were gone. I searched the whole party and couldn't find you anywhere."

Slowly, he turned to face him, finally opening his eyes. Was he really telling the truth? He wanted to believe him so bad, but he couldn't fall for it just because he was feeling desperate.

His eyes searched his face. He looked so broken, standing in front of him, every inch of his face imploring. It was a Yibo he had never seen before. His voice cracked as he spoke.

"How do I believe you? How do I know that you mean what you say?"

When he spoke his voice was strong and clear.

"Because I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life by your side."

Tears pricked at his eyes, and before Xiao knew it they were running unchecked down his cheeks.

"I want to believe you so bad, Yibo. But how do I know?"

Slowly, Yibo reached into his pocket, and as he did so he bent down to one knee.

Ho-ly... shit. Was what he was thinking was happening actually happening?

"He's proposing," an excited female voice shrieked.

Zhan glanced over to his right. Yep, the entire office was now watching the scene, including his manager. Oh, well.

Out of Yibo's pocket came a small black box, and when he opened it a dazzling diamond rested on a gold band.

"I want you to marry me," he said. "And I will spend every single day of the rest of my life working to show you how much I want you."

Zhan tried to take in a breath, but nothing had ever been harder. He was aware that his mouth was hanging open, but he didn't have the strength to close it. He believed him. He believed everything he was saying. Just as he had believed from the very first day he'd walked into his office for a job interview and shaken his hand. They were meant for each other. Everything had its time. Everything that was right had its place. And everything was good.

"Yes," he said.

_ THE END _