"Party starts at midnight. I'll text you the address. Now, I have to go back to the studio. You've got my juices flowing." He tossed her the envelope and sprinted out of the door.

  Mo Qingchen walked over to the door and slammed it shut. "You're not seriously considering going out with that maniac, right?" he asked, throwing a disgusted look over his shoulder.

  I nodded and handed him the envelope. "He's just eccentric and completely harmless." An idea came to her head. "I have two tickets to the show, why don't you come with me?" she asked. "We'll have fun."

  "A fashion show? I highly doubt it will be fun. I can only imagine what a circus it will be with people like him." Such a fat cat.

  "Excuse me, there is order at these shows. You don't have to come to the party. Just come to the shows. I need someone to take pictures with me. I can't take all the pictures, myself." She looked him over. "And you really need some fashion sense put into you. This is a good opportunity."

  "You can go to the fashion shows, but I forbid you to attend the party." The words dripped off his tongue venomously.

  Her mouth hung open. "You forbid it? You can't be serious." The man was insane. "What? You're taking on the role of my father now? Or did the joke about being my husband make you go crazy?"

  His eyes firmly held hers. "This is not a joke, Yun Qian Meng. I don't want to be your dad. But I can't let you jump around the city at all hours of the night with a mentally unstable druggy. I brought you into my home, so I have some responsibility," he spoke in his most commanding voice.

  "I am twenty-five. I understand that you're a great host, but what I do in my private time is none of your concern." A lone finger shot up in the air. "No one owns me."

  In one swift motion, he was dangerously close to her, so close that his pursed lips were inches from her extended finger.

  His breath burned like fire, it brushed against her skin, causing the fine hairs at the base of her neck to stand at attention. Was this the legendary fire breathing Mo Qingchen she had heard about? She wanted to push his buttons a little more.

  "Why must you always push me?" A low growl erupted underneath the words he spoke. She sensed the fire coming on and was actually thrilled about it.

  Her eyes lingered on his fury-filled face as she contemplated her response. "You give me no choice." Her voice quivered slightly, surprising her. Her thoughts were jumbled and the room seemed to be closing in.

  Damnit, she was being frazzled by him.

  He shook his head. "Qian Meng, there are consequences for your actions," he warned.

  There was a heavy silence as a sinister idea came to her mind.

  She lowered her hand, placing it on her hip. "Consequences? What consequences? What about your actions?"

  His body stiffened. "Yes. There are deep consequences." A frown embedded itself on his lips.

  "Why can't you let go and have some fun? Even when you bring people out for food, you have this bodyguard like feeling about you. You know there are consequences for not taking time to enjoy life, right?"

  He was silent. "Sorry, hanging around lunatics or money-grabbing men is not my idea of a fulfilling and enjoyable life. I'd rather take the consequences."

  Qian Meng swiped the air in front of him. "Fine. Stay here. I'll go alone," she said with a smirk. If he wanted to be a good host, he would come along.

  Mo Qingchen didn't respond. She turned to the butler who was standing expressionlessly.

  "Could you show me to my room?" Qian Meng asked sweetly.

  He bowed at her request. "Of course, Miss Yun. Please follow me." He bowed again to Mo Qingchen before walking past them.

  She didn't even glance at Mo Qingchen before leaving the room. She was a fool to think he would tag along. She wanted to dangle a cookie in front of him and see how he reacted, but he was as stiff as ever. Who didn't like cookies?——

  By ten in the morning, Qian Meng was showered, dressed, and ready to go. Surprisingly, she had spent time on her hair and pulling it up in a high ponytail. The charcoal and glitter eyes that went with it made her look younger than usual. When Qian Meng looked at the reflection, she felt sexy.

  'Damn it feels good to be a woman,' she thought.

  There was strength to feminity, yet it was strongly underestimated.

  As she strutted her sexy ass down the hall, the sound of her killer shoes tapping against the marble floor, she felt a renewed sense of power. She rounded several corners before she realized she was lost.

  "Shit," she cursed under her breath.

  She didn't have time to wander aimlessly in the dragon's labyrinth. She walked in circles and grumbled about the many doors in the hallway.

  It was pure madness. Qian Meng considered herself good with directions, but this property was nothing short of a maze made to drive people insane. She tried to call for help but all she got was silence in reply.

  Just as she was about to give up and squat down on the floor in defeat, she heard a distant noise from within the walls. She darted over to it and definitely heard Mo Qingchen's voice.

  She knocked on the door with purpose. "Open up!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.

  "Go away!" came the distinct growl from the other side of the door.

  "Mo Qingchen," I called. When he didn't respond, Qian Meng kicked the sturdy door with force. "I'm getting late. Open up!" I demanded.

  She waited for a few moments before putting her ear to the door and hearing no movement inside.

  She lifted her and for some good reason, thought it a good idea to smash her knee against the thick, wooden surface. It took only a fraction of a second for her to realize her mistake.