Chapter Seventy-Eight

When me and Ba Wei left that apartment and started the walk back to mine I felt like I was hit by a bus. Not only was I embarrassed but I was also dead tired. I had thought that the atmosphere would stay awkward but slowly it became normal. At least for the two friends in the room. You see the entire time we were there I was the topic of conversation and never was included in the actual conversation.

I would say it made me mad but it didn't. I had no interest in talking and they simply made it easier. I did enjoy watching Ba Wei become comfortable around his friend even though every time that guy would touch him I wanted to tell him to take his hands off. It was a strange thought and even though I wanted so badly to say it; I kept my mouth shut. It wasn't my place anyway.

I glanced down at my watch and it was two in the morning. I had indeed stayed an hour and a half. I glanced over at Ba Wei who was walking beside me in silence. His bangs hung over his eyes making the shadow already on them darker.

"Hey," I called. He immediately turned to me and I quickly looked away. "Um..."

He let out a chuckle, "Um what?"

In truth I didn't know what I wanted to say. The only reason I called out to him was because I wanted to hear his voice. I have to make something up. If I don't, he'll get suspicious.

"Are you and that guy close?" I glanced up at him to see a smile spreading across his face.

"Yeah. He's my best friend."

I didn't say anything and just nodded. That made sense. It would explain why he was so relaxed around him, and how his personality slightly changed.

"Is he involved in the business also," I asked suddenly?

He was quiet for a moment, "yes. He's in another gang though."

"Ah," I said surprised, "I thought he was your subordinate."

Ba Wei laughed, "don't let him hear you say that. He'll eat you alive."

"He can try," I said as a smile press across my face.

Ba Wei laughed and pushed his hair out of his face. Even that action made my heart speed up. I shifted my eyes to the ground and took in a deep breath.

"Your face is red you know."

I didn't say anything and pushed my hair into my face to try to cover it. I was about to stuff my hand into my pocket when Ba Wei suddenly grabbed it. I looked over at him confused.

"What-"

Before I could finish my sentence Ba Wei intertwined our fingers. My heart felt like it skipped a beat as I stared at our hands. I glanced up at Ba Wei too see that he was looking straight ahead. How can he do something like this and have no reaction?

Wait, why am I even making something as simple as holding hands so dramatic? It's not like I haven't held someone's hand before. I've done it a lot actually. So why is my body reacting so strangely to him? It's because Its him...it's because it's Ba Wei.

———

When we made it to my apartment building Ba Wei was still holding my hand. His grip was tight. But I didn't mind at all. As we began to climb the stairs I realized that I hadn't used the elevator in such a long time. Every since I met Ba Wei I always used the stairs unconsciously. Thinking about it now it was strange. The elevator would make it easier and faster to get to my apartment. I wonder if Ba Wei even knew I had an elevator.

"What are you thinking about?" My eyes shifter to Ba Wei who was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing. Just..."

"Just what," he asked as we came to a stop in front of my door?

I was going to say that it was nothing but when our eyes met I knew he wouldn't take that as an answer. I sighed and shifted my eyes.

"I was just thinking about how we never use the elevator instead of the stairs."

As I said those words I could feel how hot my face had become. I was expecting Ba Wei to laugh at the stupid thing I was thinking about but he was silent. I raised an eyebrow but kept my eyes on the floor.

Even though he was silent I definitely had all his attention. The feeling of his eyes on me made me feel like a target. It made me uncomfortable, so much so that I stepped back unconsciously.

"Look at me," he said suddenly.

I took in a deep breath and slightly looked up at him. When our eyes met I felt shivers run down my spine. I immediately shifted my eyes and this brought a chuckle out of the guy.

"I know it's a dumb thought but you don't have to make fun of me for it."

"I'm not," he said laughing harder.

Him laughing drew my full attention and when our eyes locked I knew this was exactly what he wanted. How is his stare even so heavy?

"What are you doing then?"

When that sentence left my mouth the smile that was on his face instantly fell. It was quite alarming to see him switch it off so abruptly.

"Hey, I'm not making fun of you." I didn't say anything and shifted my eyes. "I'm serious."

In all honestly I could care less if he was making fun of me. Hell I could make fun of myself because of that dumb ass thought I just revealed.

"I want to spend more time with you."

"What," I asked confused?

"The reason I always take the stairs when I walk you home..."

The heat that was already on my face intensified as I registered what he said. He...he wanted to spend more time with me. Does that mean that he hates to say goodbye to me?

"So you don't take the stairs when I'm not with you and you come here?"

"No. I use them only when you're with me which is quite often now. You never object so I didn't think it was a problem."

"It's not," I looked up at him. "It was just a passing thought."

"Good because I would hate to have to use the elevator from now on." I let out a slight chuckle and pushed my hair behind my ears.

"Uh, thanks for the surprise I guess."

He let out a full laugh this time, "no problem even though it seems like I wasted your time."

I tilted my head, "what do you mean?"

"You don't like him do you?"

I let out a sigh, "was it that obvious?"

"Not really. I doubt he noticed."

I didn't say anything and sighed. I glanced over at my door and back at Ba Wei. I couldn't help but be slightly amazed on how good he could read me. Not just pass my mask but my actual emotions. Is he an empath or something?

I was startled out of my thoughts by something touching my neck. I jumped slightly and looked down to see that Ba Wei was touching my neck. Well I should say the mark he left there. He gently rubbed his thumb across the purplish bruise.

"It looks good on you."

I didn't say anything and just watched his eyes trailed down my body slowly. As he did this he didn't stop moving his thumb. It was almost as if he was admiring it. I wanted to be able to do this. To admire something I put on him. To mark him...

"I want to put one on you," I blurted out.

Ba Wei was silent and began stepping closer to me. Before I knew it the space between us was gone. My breathing had sped up and I knew that he could feel how fast my pulse was. Fuck.

He leaned down to my ear, "I thought you were tired."

In truth I was, but I wanted to do that. I wanted to leave a mark on his beautiful skin. I wanted people to be able to see it so they knew he belonged to someone. To me.

"I'm not anymore."

He let out a deep chuckle, "too bad."