The ocean is seen through a haze

picked up a brush

and 80 bucks worth of paint.

After a few tries, I know

that kind of artist I ain't~

The sun and sand go hand in hand.

The sound of constant waves -

There's a smell of salt in the air.~

........

"Fine" agrees Shi Lian, rolling her eyes. Shoving her hands in her shorts pocket she says, "Lead the way."

Zichen's face instantly lit up and he couldn't hide his smile. He nods and walks with her where they can have a private talk. "In my car?" he asks, turning his head to face her.

"Whatever" she shrugs, trying to treat him coldly. She looks sideways watching the beautiful beach where hoards of people are playing, laughing, and enjoying.

Meanwhile, Atian grits his teeth when he sees Shi Lian going with Fu Zichen. His anger is clearly seen on his face and Evelyn notices it. "Why are you gritting your teeth?"

He stops grinding his teeth and lets out a sigh. He turns and smiles at her, "I ain't."

"Oh sure you were" she taunts.

Atian did not say anything. He remains silent as he watches the two of them walking side by side and close. He shouldn't have let her go with him. He is now regretting not being cautious before.

"What's your name?" Evelyn questions, making Atian lose sight of the pairs. He turns to her and sits facing her leaving some distance, of course.

"Hu Atian. May I know your Miss?" he smiles. He almost always smiles. The moment she hears his name, her face falls and she is in a state of shock.

'Hu Atian? The same guy who broke Shi Lian's heart?" she recalls and glares at him with a grimace. "You were Shi's boyfriend?" she asks, almost like accuse.

Her question made him uncomfortable. Scratching his head he laughs awkwardly before answering her. "Yes, I am her ex. You are pretty close to Shi, huh?"

"Shit! Can't believe she made you come with us!" Evelyn barks, her arms flying up dramatically. "How dare you show up again? You almost ruined her!"

Atian is speechless. He couldn't speak because what she said is true indeed. He opens his mouth but closes it. what could he possibly say? he feels guilty till now and no matter if Shi Lian forgives him, he will still feel guilty for the rest of his life.

When he didn't say anything, Evelyn scoffs and continues snarling at him. "Do you even have a single idea how hard it was for her? I watched her crying every damn day! And the reason? It's you! Holy Jesus, how the hell didn't she told me about this?"

"I-I.." Atian tries to says something but Evelyn cuts him off by showing her palm in front of his face.

"I am not finished and there's no way you can defend yourself" she bit out, her jaw flexing, "She told what happened that day and honestly I don't blame you, I blame your mother. Fuck! How can she be a cruel witch!"

He remains calm but he isn't. His jaws flex and his palm is curl up into a fist so tight that his nails dug into the soft skin. "I know" his voice barely came out as a whisper. He continues, "For the past five years, this guilt has been eating me. I blame my mother too but I am one to be blamed as well. I know I hurt Shi Lian in the worst way but I-I lost my memory and by the time I had it back, she left. I tried contacting you in every possible way but I couldn't get any hold. I had no idea where she was! I fought with my mother said shit to her which I shouldn't have. I….am a loser."

Evelyn eyes him as she listens to him quietly. Although she wants to beat the shit out of this guy his confession seems that he is really guilty. And come to think of it, Shi Lian forgave him. Shi Lian isn't dumb. She knows what's good for her so she must have thought carefully about talking to him again. "Yes, you are a loser" she snaps. She got up from there and walk away to the other side. He sits there with his head lower as he cries. Tears stream down from his face before he knew he is crying. The lump in his throat feels heavier and heavier as he whimpers quietly by himself.

**

Zichen opens the car door for her and she steps inside hesitantly. He enters inside as well and closes the door from behind. She scurried to the other side, leaving some gap between them. there is no one in the car and the atmosphere inside seems heavy. They remain silent. After a while, Zichen clears his throat and speaks, "I am sorry."

The confession is so surprising that Shi Lian's eyebrows shot up and she looks at him with her mouth form in O. He didn't look at her, he is embarrassed and it's clearly seen in his face. His cheeks turn into a shade of pink, his ears red as well. "What did you say?" she asks, pretending to be innocent.

"I am sorry for the way I behaved that day. I was out of my line. I am extremely sorry" says he in one go and one breath. The truth is he practiced it more than ten times and Rong, his manager told him to do it again and again because he wasn't sincere enough. He is genuinely sorry as well, Rong only helped him to find the correct words.

"And you think I will forgive you?" she teases. She never thought that this cold and bossy man would actually come and apologize to her. She liked it though because it was genuine and she knows it's not easy for a guy like him to apologize very often.

"It's up to you. I lost my temper that day and I….I was out of the line" he confesses, now looking straight into her eyes.

"Why did you did that then? What made you so angry?" she questions. It's been eating her since that day why has he acting like this. now that he is sincere, it's the right time to ask.

He hesitates for a moment but sighs eventually. He sucks in some air and begins his explanation, "I was angry because you said we were in a business relationship. I thought you were joking but weren't and that's what pissed me off. Shi Lian" he pauses and tilt her head and scoots closer to her, he then continues, "Are we in a business relationship only?"

Shi Lian is taken aback. The question is shot right at her face. she looks away, gazing outside the window. "Y-Yes," she says in a low voice.

To that Zichen smirks and scoots more closer, leaving no gap between them. he leans and whispers close enough to her ear, "Business partners don't sleep with each other."

Shi Lian's reaction is fast as she turns back and glares with a scowl on his face. Her mouth is inches away from him and she can feel the heat seeping through her. Her muscle clenches and she brings her thighs closer. She licks her lip and pushes the thought away.

"What? Have nothing to say?" he smirks, his left armrest on the head of the seat. The blush on Shi Lian's face is clearly seen which Zichen finds cute. Shi Lian looks cute when she is angry or pouting.

"I haven't forgiven you!" she yells pouting and damns it turn on for Zichen.

He takes her hand gently, bringing her palm closer to his mouth, he kisses it lightly giving goosebumps to Shi Lian. "Forgive me? please?" he muses as he continues kissing her palm, her fingers, and her knuckles. She cannot the smile on her face and how sweet it felt at this moment. She didn't stop him, she let him do his confession and savor the moment. "Forgive me?" he whispers.

She chuckles lightly and that's the first time Zichen hears her chuckle. "Fine. I forgive you" she says rolling her eyes, looking away as she hides her smile.

"That day...I asked you a question of you like me or not. You haven't answered me yet. I want the answer of that" he demands, looking down at her palm he is holding.