BAD HEROINES

5. We're Close

Everything was a blur to Michelle. In one moment, she felt that dagger was about to sink into her; the next moment, someone helped her, if help was what happened.

When Yushen left, Lian scoffed. Three hours? He had even failed to find out about himself from her in months. He just couldn't see her get stabbed.

He approached her from behind as he told himself, "Lian, you better have a good excuse to tell Yushen."

Michelle flinched when he did that. But then the pressure on her wrists loosened. The same went for her legs.

That guy untied her. He was helping her? Why? Wasn't he in the same group as Celine's brother?

Lian removed the chair, which was already broken.

Michelle, with a struggle, helped herself sit up and leaned against the wall. Through her swollen eyes, she looked at Lian.

Then Lian crouched beside her and lit his cigarette.

"It's been a while," Lian said.

Thinking about it, Reina hadn't disappeared from him as he thought; instead, she was in a coma. Fuck! Why am I relieved about that?

He turned to her, and he was taken aback.

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Reina was crying?

Then Michelle burst into louder cries. Bitter cries. Her crying didn't seem to stop. "What have I done to deserve this?"

She went on and on until she fell asleep.

He let her be, and two hours passed like that.

After two hours, she woke up.

"I'm sorry," Michelle slowly said. "You wanted answers from me, but I don't have them."

She talked as if they had just met. Lian noticed.

"How were you involved in Celine's disappearance?"

She shook her head. "I don't know." Her voice cracked on the verge of crying. "Why would I do that?" She choked on the last word as tears streamed down again, her grip tightening as she looked up at him. "Please help me. I don't know what's going on."

"You know who I am, don't you?" Michelle leaned forward. "Please tell me what's going on."

Lian shifted his gaze aside. Was he being manipulated? Hadn't she already succeeded at it a long time ago? What now?

But then someone's stomach growled. Lian looked at Michelle.

She grabbed her stomach. "I'm sorry. I haven't eaten since I left the hospital."

Lian remained where he was for a moment, then he stood up and headed outside.

Left alone, Michelle stopped crying.

Her face hardened.

She tried to sum up everything she had heard since she woke up.

She had been in a coma after an accident. She was about to be transferred when she was attacked. She ended up in Celine's brother's hands, who claimed she had kidnapped Celine.

She was a criminal. That was the only thing that stood out. At least that was what those people believed. As for why she didn't believe it...

She glanced at her hands.

Me? A kidnapper? Why would I even do that?

Struggling, she forced herself to her feet. Above her was a small round window, which didn't help with lighting the room.

Standing on her toes, she peeked through it.

Shit!

Through the window, she could only see the dark sky and water. Where was this?

Then the door opened. Looking back, that guy had brought a plate of food and even a cup of water.

Was he on her side? Or was he just a good person?

Right, let's eat first and then think about this mess later.

She sat with the plate before her and ate with the chopsticks.

Lian looked at her intently.

"Only two things make sense." He narrowed his eyes, studying her face carefully. "You don't remember me, or you're acting like you don't. I believe the latter."

As she kept eating, she casually replied, "I can't even remember my own name."

He only gave her a strange stare before taking a cigarette. "Finish the food. I have to bring you to him."

"I don't think three hours are up yet,"

Lian stood up. "Three hours were over when I brought you the food."

"Are you really going to hand me over? We were close."

"Close? That's not the word I'd use."

"Oh." She sighed. She put the chopsticks behind her trousers, as she was wearing a huge shirt. "Let's go."

As ordered, Lian brought Michelle outside. She walked in front while he followed behind.

Soon enough, they arrived outside.

Michelle took a good look around her. As expected, she was on a boat—a luxurious boat. All around was water.

On that boat was Yushen, standing at the edge of the deck, enjoying the scenery. Beside him were dozens of men, some even carrying guns.

He would kill her and drop her into those dark waters, and no one would know. Was that what he meant?

But if she jumped herself, would she survive? Just having that thought made her heart race.

Yushen turned. His eyes widened slightly.

She wasn't tied! That Lian... was he out of his damn mind?

But then, no matter how dangerous they claimed her to be, he had more men.

"Lian, where is my sister?"

Lian opened his mouth, but before he could reply, a voice cut in beside him.

Michelle calmly said, "Celine is fine," she said. "If that's what you're worried about. How long that lasts depends on you. Just so you know, if I die... she dies."

The moment she finished speaking, she kicked Lian's knee. As soon as he went down, she stepped behind him and pressed those wooden chopsticks against his throat.

Lian, caught off guard, wanted to fight back.

"You promised to help me," Michelle said in a low voice.

Lian blinked. Had Reina become a fool too? Or was she always this stupid?

Yushen tilted his head. He knew there was something going on when Lian helped her. He even set her free, and now they were putting on such a childish show.

"I suggest you don't try your luck," Yushen said as a warning. "You can't think that would work on me?"

Michelle grinned. "Of course it won't."

As she said that, Lian grabbed her wrist and threw her to the floor. But Michelle landed on her feet. The instant she did, she sprinted toward the edge and jumped into the water. No way she would fight those men with guns, so she chose plan B.

Yushen stared for a split second. Then he shouted, "Go! Bring her back!"

Only after he gave the order did Lian dive into the water.

After everything that had happened, he knew Reina wanted Yushen to lose trust in him. He knew following her was part of her plan, as he would never let her die, but he did it anyway.

Yushen smacked one of his men on the back of the head.

"I said go and bring her! Didn't you hear what she said? My sister will die too!"

His men hesitated for a moment before jumping into the water.