Chapter 55 - An idiotic disguise

Both girls sat in the theatre area quietly for a few minutes.

As Lina pondered over her past and the inexplicable events and happenings she couldn't seem to control, Mana thought about how Lina saved her from the mean girl who had been bullying her.

She was being beaten, crying on the ground when suddenly there had been silence.

A stunning girl was standing above her, the freshman who was bullying her, lying on the other side, crying and shocked at being flung brutally to the side by Lina.

Lina's face was fresh and make-up free. She wore a cool black tank top, and tight jeans that accentuated her toned, petite figure. She didn't need to dress up like the others to look beautiful. There was a confidence about her face and sharpness in her eyes that naturally gravitated people towards her.

Her soft, dark locks were tied up in a high ponytail and her face was pleasant, smiling down at her with big, deep almond eyes. Lina was extending her arm down to Mana, to help her up but Mana was so stunned she couldn't move.

Lina had laughed, not in a condescending way, but as if she hadn't a care in the world.

"Hey, have you stared long enough?"

Mana shook herself off, and took Lina's hand. Her grasp was strong and sure. That's when Mana knew they'd be the best of friends. She could trust Lina.

Slowly, but surely, Lina's presence and support gave her a voice, the ability to look people in the eye and speak up for herself.

As she extricated herself from this daydream, she turned to look at Lina staring into the distance.

Her face still glowed with the same fresh, confident youth, but her eyes weren't as sharp or determined. There was a look of emptiness, and loneliness. She looked lost.

Mana's heart softened as she stared at her best friend's face.

Suddenly she saw a spark of recognition in Lina's eyes. Following her gaze, she saw an awkward looking, tall figure clad entirely in black with dark shades and and black hood. The figure's face was also covered with a black face mask.

Mana's heart began to race. Were they going to be attacked here?

She stood up, held Lina's arm and began to run, dragging Lina along.

"Li, come on! Someone's coming after us!"

Mana's mind instantly began to race. The people who tried to assassinate Lina hadn't been caught. What if it was one of those people?

At this point, the black clad figure began running towards them.

But Lina wasn't moving fast enough and kept turning to look at the figure. She even looked mildly amused.

"Mana! Mana! It's okay, relax! That person won't harm us."

"Li! He's running towards us! He's literally hiding his identity with all that black clothing like a thief or an assassin. RUN!"

Lina held Mana still so she could stop but Mana's eyes were full of panic.

"Listen to me! He won't harm us, it's just the king of the underworld!"

Mana stood still suddenly, frozen in her spot. She turned to look at the awkwardly dressed running figure, and then at her best friend's amused expression.

She turned again at the approaching figure clad in black and looked once more at her best friend who looked like she was about to burst into laughter.

"That crazy, running figure who looks like a thief is your husband?"

"Yes..."

"That weirdo who looks like he's about to attack two women in broad daylight is the great Shen Moshi?"

"Yes..."

Even though almost no part of his face or body was visible, Lina could still make out his build, height, his walk and his aura from away.

Seeing as the two women had stopped moving, Shen slowed down and finally sauntered up to them.

Pulling down his mask to reveal his perfect jawline and beautiful thin lips, he huffed loudly, annoyed at them for making him run across the huge open air theatre.

Mana recognised the lower half of his distinct face from the few press conferences and interviews she had seen related to Moshi Corp.

Without a second thought, she blurted out words she wished she could take back.

"What are you doing dressed like a freak?!"

Shen's face darkened. Mana would have shivered at the death glare he was sending her from behind his dark sunglasses.

"You must be Mana, then."

Lina burst into laughter at his idiotic disguise and Mana's filter-less comment.

What a way for her best friend and her husband to meet for the first time!

"Hubby, what are you doing dressed like that in broad daylight? And why are you here?"

Shen didn't say anything for a minute. He didn't want to alarm Lina and tell her someone had been tailing her and that he had come right after Ayu texted him to quietly take her back home himself.

But then he decided that keeping her aware and vigilant was the best way to keep her safe instead of hiding her from unknown dangers.

"Someone has been tailing you and Mana all day. I don't want anyone to target you right now because of me, that's why I'm in disguise."

"Tailing us? I didn't even notice! How did you know? Aren't you supposed to be home?" Lina was confused.

Did this mean he had someone check up on her?

"Exactly. You didn't notice because whoever has been after you is dangerous. We don't even know for sure if they're after you because of me! We have to lay low and stay vigilant!"

Shen looked determined but Lina looked somewhat agitated.

"I just wanted to spend time with my friend and you had me tailed?!"

Lina sounded wronged and obstinate when suddenly the three of them heard a gunshot.