“… and, in the middle of the night, my cold, wet, beaten, and stabbed self, led on by sheer instinct, found its way to your condo. While on the verge of keeling over from blood loss. And, without asking any question about anything, you took me in. You even broke up with the girl you were dating for the entire three years period. On the spot. For the mere suggestion of leaving me to my comeuppance.” I smirked, remembering the furious grimace marring the beautiful visage of my special woman. It etched itself into my memory. “You stuck with me at my lowest, and, on that day, for the first time in my life, I decided that it’s time to change. For the next four years, I did everything in my power to stay by your side. One way or the other. And failed miserably in the end. One thing led to another, and we went back to how things used to be before that day.”

The whole story took me a bit more than an hour to tell. We left the highway ten minutes ago, and were currently driving through some countryside road.

“So you really are a junkie. What you described, I heard stories like that from ex-addicts,” Bella commented. “On a side note, I am worthy of four years of your interest. I’m flattered, dear.”

“You are worth my whole life,” I denied. “And then some.”

“If you say so, dear,” she laughed off my denial. “So, I guess the stray from your story is Olivia?”

“Yeah.” I nodded, not knowing what to add.

“Good job changing that, then,” she concluded. “Let’s finish the topic on this note, dear. You were right, it’s not pleasant at all. I don’t want the mood of the date to be ruined any further.”

“As you wish, dear,” I easily agreed.

***

The rest of the ride was spent talking about lighter topics. I told her a few anecdotes from my first life. A few funny little things from our relationship We discussed the potential plans for the immediate future of our arrangement. Bella told me about her progress in negotiations with ‘Face & Crotch’, informing me about the fact she will be away for the whole of the next week, hopefully coming back next Sunday.

And, just like that, we arrived at our destination. A decrepit looking small house in the middle of nowhere.

“Are you certain this is the right place, dear?” Bella questioned.

“Yes, one hundred percent sure,” I confirmed.

“Doesn’t look like much, to be honest,” she verbalized another comment.

“Yep,” I agreed.

“What are we even here for?” My special woman finally couldn’t help but ask.

“Something of an incredible worth and danger. Depending on who you ask. And who you are,” I answered her question without going into details. “If you are really curious, I can tell you the rest on the way back.”

At that moment, the second vehicle finally arrived as well. Three people left the car, while the driver decided to stay behind the steering wheel, in case there would be a need for an instant takeaway. Ah, I love working with professionals. The three walked over to Bella and me, and I started briefing.

“Your job is simple. Get inside the house and find the small brown notebook with a gold emblem that looks like this.” I showed a picture on my phone. “It’s somewhere inside. Where exactly? I have no idea. There is no time limit per se, but the faster it’s found, the faster we all can go home.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The three guys nodded.

“Oh, also, a fair warning. Under no circumstances should you open it.” I decided to warn them. While Bella said they could be trusted, there is no such thing as being too cautious. “The things inside are a very hot potato. Hot enough to get everyone you ever knew killed and buried without a marked grave. Together with you.”

The expressions on their faces became much more serious after hearing my words.

“Now, chop chop. There is only so much daylight left.” I clapped my hands, and the trio started their job.

***

Just two hours later, the thing was found, so Bella and I drove off, leaving the rest of the crew to cover the tracks.

I opened the small notebook and started reading it. I still had a decent recollection of the content, but the refresh won’t hurt. Half an hour later, I was tired from the delusions of grandeur of the bastard who wrote this waste of paper, but the info I needed was all there.

“Hey, Bella, can you organize me a nice suit?” I asked out of the blue.

“Sure, why do you need one, though?” she answered without taking her eyes from the road.

“This thing should be dealt with quickly.” I patted the book. “And it requires a meeting with a person of really high standing. I would rather not offend them by being too unpresentable.”

“The one you need Su to organize?” I nodded in response, and she continued. “Is something ready-made acceptable? Getting one from scratch would take too long.”

“As long as it’s fitted and looks nice enough,” I gave her an answer.

“So, dear. What is so important about this book?” Bella questioned.

“Oh, you finally want to know? Be warned, though, it’s a one-way street from there,” I asked for confirmation.

“Dear, I am already strapped for a ride together with you either way.” She shook her head in exasperation.

“This is a diary of my father. His real name was Long Chen, the black sheep of the Long clan, son of Long Hào and Kouzuki Miya.” I explained. “Which makes me Long Tian, the current heir apparent.”

“Should I order the pants to be made of silk?” she joked.

“Only if you are ready to wear qipao to meet the new in-laws,” I responded back with full seriousness.

The look on her face was an absolute treat. I grabbed my phone and took a photo, saving it for posterity.

“What are you saying?” It wasn’t every day when you can hear Isabella Alvarez to sound so flustered.

“Eh, wasn’t I clear enough, dear? I want you in my life. You want my child. Of course, I’m ready to put a ring on you.” Wasn’t it obvious to her?

Hearing my words, Bella gradually slowed the car down. Considering how shocked her current expression was, I applaud her ability not to slam on the brakes. She then steered the vehicle and stopped on the roadside. Only then did my special woman finally slump onto the steering wheel for a moment before turning sharply towards me.

“You are kidding, right?” Bella, for some reason, sounded like she was in denial. “Tell me you are joking.”

“Come on Bella, the moment you brought up the topic of wanting my kid, it was a foregone conclusion that I will marry you,” I continued my words.

“Why?” Heavens, how tired I was of this question.

“Why what?” There were so many ‘whys’ she could possibly ask me about, I needed to know which one it was.

“Why choose someone like me?” Huh, this one wasn’t even on my list.

“Someone like you? What do you mean by that? Yeah, why would I choose someone like you?” I asked rhetorically. “Someone so beautiful, that I can’t imagine ever getting tired of looking at her. Someone so loyal, that she refused to abandon a junkie at his lowest of lows. Do I even need to continue? Why would I choose someone who, to me, already is a friend, a lover, and a partner, both in bed and in crimes. Family even.”

I paused, my thoughts full on in disarray. There was another thing I wanted, needed to say, but it kept slipping by.

“Why would I choose someone, who is, with or without a proper title, a special woman to me already?” I caught her gaze. “And if I wish to choose this special woman of mine, why can’t I give her this title?”