Lila stopped dead in her tracks.
What was Shen Moshi doing here?!
Was this her lucky day?!
Lila had made it clear to the elders of the Lim clan that she wouldn't even meet suitors, no matter how rich they were or which country they ruled. She would either marry Shen Moshi, or remain a spinster for life.
Her father and brother had recently learned that he was married, but hadn't the heart to tell her about it.
The elders had been pushing Shen's father to set the two up, but Soren Moshi had been stalling, asking them for time to think over it.
She saw him for the first time at a banquet three years ago. He had recently, fully ascended the Moshi Corporation throne and had to make a few public appearances.
She, as a very influential, young missy from the highest tiers of society was undoubtedly present at almost every big event in their circles.
Lila had been harassed that night by many suitors following her and had run somewhere into the gardens.
There she had seen Shen walking around all alone, standing by a lily pond. She had been so struck by his aura and his presence, she made up her mind to pick him to marry.
After all, she was everyone's first choice.
Little did she know, that the answer her family would receive towards the matchmaking proposal was - 'Shen is still consolidating his foothold as the new CEO of Moshi Corporation and marriage must wait for another few years.'
Therefore, she vowed to herself, that she would wait for as long as it took for him to be ready.
She had never even spoken to him, and yet she had dedicated the last three years, worshipping that image of him she couldn't get out of her head.
And now there he was, leaning with his back to the wall next to the ladies room at the university fair.
She had no idea what he was doing there, but she couldn't care less.
Gathering all the courage and feminine charm she could fill herself with, she gracefully walked up to him.
Lila was too proud to feign any stupidity or play tricks. She knew what she wanted, and she walked up to it with all the entitlement she had in her body.
"Ahem...excuse me...Mr. Moshi, did I recognise you correctly?" she asked, softly.
Shen stood up straight and looked up at her. His face was expressionless, with absolutely no reaction towards the goddess-like beauty in front of him.
"Yes? What do you want?" he said, plainly, without bothering to greet Lila formally or politely. He had no use for flattery, nor had he the time to entertain women who weren't his wife and didn't have any work with.
Lila was taken aback by his lack of humour and his non chalant reaction to her.
"I'm Lila...Lila Lim." she whispered, hoping he'd realise that she was the daughter of legendary Lims he worked with.
Shen's jaw clenched. He knew who she was now. The girl the Lim elders were desperately trying to set him up with.
He had no idea she had seen him or she knew who he was. This was troublesome.
But he forced a stiff smile and bowed politely in greeting.
"Oh...Miss Lim. I'm sorry, we have never met before. I'm surprised you know I am."
"In our circles, it is my business to know" she answered charmingly.
She said that sentence with an air of pride, as if their class stood far above the rest of the peasants.
'The arrogance is literally oozing out of every pore in her skin' Shen thought to himself, distastefully.
"Well, I'm flattered, then."
He hoped she'd leave, taking the hint from his short, curt answers. They didn't know each other, and there was nothing to talk about.
He could greet her politely, but that was all. He just wanted to bring his wife safely home.
'How long do women take to change their clothes!?' he thought to himself.
He wanted the Lims to know he was married, but at the same time, he didn't want anyone to see his wife or know her identity. Their world was a cutthroat one, and no matter how strong Lina was, it was his duty to shield her - to hide her away safely.
This was a problematic situation. If Lina came out of the ladies room now, he would have no choice but to reveal her to Lila.
And if she was revealed to Lila, she would be revealed to the other Lims.
He had to get this woman away from here!
"Mr. Moshi, I wasn't expecting to run into you here. Are you also an alumnus of this university?" she asked, smiling sweetly, drinking in his presence.
Who knew she would find this wonderful opportunity! Thank god her brother had left early, otherwise who knows what a third wheel he would be.
'This woman is such a third wheel! Why is she making conversation?!' Shen thought, conversely to Lila.
He wasn't actually an alumnus, but to agree, would be the easiest way to get out of her annoying questions and end the conversation.
"Yes, I am, actually."
Again, Shen's answer was short, leaving no openings for Lila.
But she wasn't a Lim for no reason. The girl was relentless.
"Amazing! So am I! I graduated about four years ago! What student organisations were you in, during your time? Maybe we were in the same ones and have similar interests!" she went on.
Shen was now trying very hard to keep his patience.
Thankfully, his phone rang and he picked up immediately, turning away from Lila.
It was Ayu.
Shen thanked the stars. Now Lila would go away, without him having to chase her away. Maybe he would give Ayu a bonus this month!
"Hello, Ayu?" he said.
He turned to glance at Lila, but she just stood there, waiting patiently with a smile on her face.
"Boss! We've got another trace of Victor Tachibana from ten years ago in a village in Country J itself!"
Shen's heart began beating faster. Finally! A lead!
He opened his mouth to bark orders at Ayu, to prepare a report for him as soon as he was back. But then, turning around, and still finding Lila smiling for him, waiting - a crazy plan was formed in his demon head.