22. A lily

Song: The brightest star in the sky -Escape Plan

***

It got worse. Covid that is.

A girl on my floor got it and we were all placed on lockdowns that limited us to our rooms. These days, I spent my time reading listening to podcasts and talking to Shang Ye when I could. 

Rumors were swelling around that the state would be placed on a lockdown. My cousin was really worried about me as he told me the horror stories of lives that were being lost. It was scary how you were okay one day and then the next you weren't.

He shared the story of a patient who had complained of chest pain. He came in and they saw him and sent him back. Unfortunately when he got home it got worse at night and he was rushed back in an ambulance. A number of tests showed covid. By morning he had a fever that was insanely high and refusing to go down. They lost him two days later.

The stories were all horrifying but I listened because I knew he needed an outlet to let it out. 

At night, I spent it listening to the conversation between Xiao Nanchen and the crew.

"Am I the only one who get's annoyed by Lexis?" Drinkingwine

"Nope, not just you," Phoenixfeathers responds

"Maybe it's because he is so similar to someone we know," Drinkingwine quips

"Shang Ye?" Summer heat asks.

Drinking wine bursts into laughter.

"See, no further justification needed. To be honest at one point I got suspicious wondering if he created a character to praise himself,"Drinkingwine says.

"I can totally see that," Dancinglove says.

Collective laughter erupts.

"His tongue is just as vicious," Sellingfish offers.

"Agreed," Drinkingwine says

"100 percent," 

The zoom chat had now gotten crazy with comments. Ever since COVID got worse, they started doing frequent zoom sessions to keep fans updated on the progress of the book. While Shang Ye joined sometimes, he didn't at other times. I wasn't sure if he was on this session as I didn't see his name. So I felt quite relaxed enjoying their banter.

"Where is Shang Ye by the way, isn't he supposed to be here?" Summerheat suddenly exclaims.

"He's here, he's next to me," Drinkingwine replies surprising me, I unconsciously straighten up.

"Why isn't he talking?" Summerheat asks making me equally curious.

"Does he ever speak?" Dancingove asks.

"He has an excuse this time. He has a sore throat," Drinkingwine explains.

"A sore throat?"

"You should gaggle with salt and warm water," Sellingfish says.

"Don't mind him, he deserves it,"

"Oh? Why?" Summerheat, always in for a little gossip asks.

"He spent the entire night last night talking on the phone with a girl," Drinkingwine says to which I pause. A girl? What girl? I didn't talk to him last night.

"A girl? Hannah?" Sellingfish quips.

I shake my head vigorously as I frown paying greater attention. He stated he was busy.

"Guess again," Drinkingwine says.

"Lily?"

"Bingo, we have a winner!"

"They spent all night talking and he only got off the phone this morning.  I wish I also had a sore-throat from talking to a girl all night," Drinkingwine says.

"I'm conused isn't he dating hannah?" Phoenixfeathers asks.

"You're asking us wo should we ask? Actually the one we should ask is here, ShangYe who are you dating?" Summerheat asks.

"The questions should be are you even dating or two timing?"

"Woah a scoundrel," Sellingfish says teasingly.

"A total scoundrel, you little girls listening and falling over ShangYe need to beware, he is a wolf!"Drinkingwine exclaims. 

A yelp exclaims from his lips seconds later.

"You really have guts, gossiping about Shang Ye to his face," Summerheat says.

"Look who's talking like she didn't gossip with me,"Drinkingwine says begrudgingly.

"See I a smart, I gossiped but from a distance of waters,"

"You're still in Taiwan?" Drinkingwine says to which Summer heat replieds"Mhmm I don't want to come back to be honest,"

"That's okay, we will survive without betrayers like you,"Drinkingwine quips to which they all laugh.

"Anyway, Hannah don't worry Lily isn't ShangYe's type, I mean he might be her type but he is not interested," Summerheat suddenly announces.

"Wow, you're really going full betrayal huh?"Drinkingwine says.

"I have to save my skin should i choose to return to the states," Summerheat announces.

"I think I know why ShangYe spoke to Lily," Dancinglove announces.

"Oh why?" Drinkinglove says.

"She had received an offer for a script from investors in China, I think she said something about having ShangYe spearhead it. That would explain the night time convo," Dancinglove says.

"Did we say we didn't know that?"Drinkingwine replies sounding begrudged.

"Why did you have to kill our fun?" Sellingfish asks.

"He's such a mood killer," Dancinglove laments.

"Mood killer? You all were trying to sabotage his character," Summerheat announces.

"Look at this Judas speaking like she wasn't part of us," Drinkingwine exclaims.

I finally let out a chuckle of relief. It turns out they were all in on the joke and new what had really led to the call.

"Hannah are you free tomorrow?" Shang Ye's voice comes through the laptop.

There is a minute of silence before a bursts of swear words and curses.

"You spent last night talking to one girl and this night you want to meet another girl? Ouch!" Drinkingwine exclaims again.

"I'd like you to meet Lily,"Shang Ye adds.

"No way!"

"Oh my goodness!"

"A meeting of the rivals!"

"Oh my goodness!"Summer heat freaks out.

"Did I hear well?"

"Wow, Shang Ye you are shameless, but I respect you,"

"Would you like to meet her?" Shang Ye asks.

Silence ensues as they all await my answer.

"You should totally see her,"

"Yes, I'd love that," I say truly wanting to meet this Lily. This was the second time I had heard of her.  I was curious about her.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow. How about 2pm?" Shang Ye asks.

"That works," I reply.

"You two do realize this is not your private call right?" Drinkingwine asks.

"You realize we exist right?" Summerheat adds.

"I promise I am not air, I am definitely human," Dancinglove finishes.

"Are you sure? I thought you were all snakes,"ShangYe says.

Someone hisses.

Laughter erupts 

"Wow Shang Ye. Spoken like a true Lexis," Phoenixfeathers says.

"Lexis in the flesh,"Summerheat adds.

Another round of laughter erupts. They then move to discussing details on the book and other mundane life happening in relation toCovid. I shut off the zoom session and start getting ready for a shower when my phone beeps. i pick it up and notice a text form ShangYe.

"Lily is stopping by my place tomorrow to pick up documents. I can come pick you up so you can catch her when she gets here," he texts.

His place? She even knew where he lived? I suddenly felt more uncomfortable by this revelation. Which was the more reason why I needed to be there and meet her otherwise my thoughts would run endlessly wild.

"Sure... How about you give me the address, and I'll just take and Uber over. I know you might be busy," I say.

"Sounds good, I might have to leave work late tomorrow," Shang Ye says and sends me the address.

Wait. A sudden realization falls on me as i glance at the address...I was going to Shang Ye's house? SHANGYE's house?I  know they'll be others there but still it was his house!

That was a more important point than meeting Lily. No wait, a realization kicks in. This was not just his home, Drinkingwine also lived there. OMG! How did my single life get so exciting? I am visiting two guys! How scandalous lady whistle-down would say.

If you had told me this would be me a few months ago I would have laughed and labelled you a good author or dreamer. However, now it was becoming a reality.

I seldom ever went to others' homes, and when I visited relatives I would always feel awkward. Yet I was going to two guys' home? 

I try to imagine what his home would look like. Was it tidy like my cousin or dirty like I have often heard about guys homes? Was it filled with books? What sort of books? 

I place in the address in my map and look at the street view. It was a skyscraper in a luxury building. I wasn't shocked by this as I knew he was rich. Yet I was nervous. How was I supposed to sleep tonight?

I quickly run to my wardrobe and glance at it wondering what to wear. After about 30 minutes I realize I had nothing to wear.

This was not just a visit to his place but also my first time meeting the mysterious lily, she could be a possible rival. i couldn't wear just anything!

It was amazing wasn't it? How a girl could look at a whole wardrobe of clothes and still decide she is out of options?

I suddenly remember something.

"What time should I be there?" I text back.

"Anytime after 7pm," He replies.

***

We finally get to meet Lily. How has everyone been? We are slowly approaching the end of this book. I can't believe it took so long to write it but I'm grateful for it as it helped me destress. No this is not the end but we are getting there soon :)

How has everyone been? Anything fun happen lately?

It was my birthday a few weeks back and my friends planned a lovely surprise. Happy birthday to the march babies!



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