A/N: The last two chapters have been taken down for editing, thus there might be a discontinuity. To give a gist, Ryan meets Mary, and they turn into friends with benefit. Ryan decides to move to China along with her.

It would be up again soon:)

They're up

***

"So, what exactly am I supposed to do?" Jessica stuffed her mouth with a gigantic chocolate donut that Liam had served her in bed. It had been three whole days since the meeting with the board members, and Jessica had not much to do since. She saw Liam leave for office and come back home, while she tried to distract herself from feeling useless and monotonously bored. He worked till midnight, and she had no idea on what. Previously, the work he did for the companies he owned had not been so demanding, but this kept him busy, perhaps since this was the beginning and not much days had passed since he took office.

Liam scooped her closer to him such that one of her legs rested right on top of his. 

"Nothing." He smiled and Jessica punched him lightly on the arm.

"I'm serious?! Maybe I could sell my stocks to you!? Yes! Genius!" She clapped her hands in excitement, but Liam was quick to separate both her palms and kiss each one of them.

"You could, definitely."

Jessica looked uncertain. "Yeah." She mumbled.

"I can't be the majority shareholder and the CEO at once." Liam smiled gently. "We'll think something about it. Later." He patted on Jessica's head and got out from the bed.

"For now, I've a surprise planned."

Jessica raised an eyebrow as her lips curled in a wicked smile. "You're actually free on a Sunday!? Oh my! I'd never have imagined with the few seconds of attention I've been given this entire week."

"Best believe it. I took a day off." Liam winked.

***********************************************************

"There is such a place in the world!!!!" Jessica ran free. Wilder. And it was after years she had run the way she did. Without a care in the world, with no fear of being slower than her peers. "I thought you were so disappointed in me, you'd not talk to me for days!" Jessica told Liam as she twirled around with her skirt like a little girl. Liam grinned from a few feet away and soon walked to catch up with her.

He cupped her face with his hands and his gaze softened ever so little. "You could do the worst shit in the universe, and I'd never not talk to you, Jessica. I'll stand by your side, forever and ever."

"You're being cheeesssyy." Jessica laughed and pecked his lips.

"Let's go."

The place was no amusement park, it was too crowded as Liam put it in words. In sooth, he knew it was no place to pacify a restless heart. It was here.

This place looked like paradise. It was an agricultural farmland, with paddy and other grains grown in large, vast, endless fields. The roads were narrow, and softer. A huge lake stood still in the center of the left side of the farms, and only a few trees surrounded it. It enticed anyone who came by, to sit by the lake shore and witness the grass dancing with the cool breeze. The water reflected the brilliant sunshine, and Jessica could not be more tranquil. 

As they went ahead, a fish pond came by, and abandoned buildings with machinery to cut the crops when they were ripe. The clock had turned four when Jessica lay down on the mat she had brought along, and rested her head in Liam's lap. It was perfect.

She opened her eyes and found the sky to be dark. It was seven; a good nap she had had. Her worries and anxiety no longer bothered her. She placed her hand over Liam's and the day dreaming man smiled at her. 

"What are you thinking?" Her voice came out groggy from the sleep.

"Not thinking, just observing." Liam looked up in the sky and nodded. By this time, Jessica had gotten up and came forward to kiss her man, who returned the favor with a matchable fervor. 

"Why didn't you wake me up? Are your legs sore?" 

"A little bit." Liam patted her head and ruffled her hair. "Want to go back?"

"Hmm." Jessica snuggled closer to Liam and embraced him tightly. Amongst all the quiet, she could feel his heart beating.

******

"Ryan!"

"What is it?"

"How much longer are you going to take?" Mary called him out as she leaned against the taxi, checking her watch. She had been there waiting for half an hour, and the taxi-driver had threatened her numerous time to cancel the deal and go away.

"Ry-"

Ryan exited his place and locked the door. He smiled and rushed towards Mary, bounding down the stairs. "Let's go." 

She opened the taxi door for him like a good lady should. It was definitely not her intention to grab his butt when he went ahead, no, not at all.

Once they were both well seated, Ryan leaned towards Mary and whispered in her ear, "I can do it better." She pushed him away and laughed. 

"Sure thing. Let us get to the airport first, okay?"

"Okay."

Mary was not a native to the city. She had flown all the way from Beijing, just to attend her best friend's wedding. And now that it was time to go back, she had no other alternative rather than taking her new 'friend' along. 

Afterall, she had a job. And her friend had seemingly set his mind on travelling the world with torn pockets and no cents in his bank. Well, almost none. Once she shared her idea, Ryan had agreed without a second thought, as if he were living on the edge, risking all he had. He had gotten his visa ready, all of his luggage packed up, and set out on a journey that demanded him being a freeloader. Mary had agreed to pay him a monthly income if he assisted in her household chores, until he could set up a stable freelancing portfolio of his own. As for the time, nothing bound him, and it was up to him if he decided to go on exploring the world in the middle of the night. Of course, he had to pay the rent.

And what did the poor lad have to pay the woman with?

What but his body?

That, settled it all.