**
The door gradually opens up. A strange feeling envelopes Yan Zi, as she raises her head to face the Director.
A distance away from Yan Zi stands a figure she thought she'd never see again.
Her brows furrow, her eyes widen. She becomes aware of her own heartbeat.
BATHUMP!
BATHUMP!
She feels as if her universe is knitted back together again,
As if the embers of galaxies glow to life in her eyes,
As if time freezes and reverts back again.
She is baffled, lost for words.
How can someone look so similar..?
"Miss Yan, please take a seat here." The Secretary points the way to a seat in front of the man.
"A-Ah," she nods, "Yes." She takes a seat where the Secretary points to.
The Secretary acknowledges, "Miss Yan, this is our Director Xuan Kai. EastCo has remained a top notch and trustworthy company for the past few years and we are glad to have you with us today. You will not be disappointed."
The Director responds with a slight nod, "Nice to meet you, Miss Yan."
Her eyes gaze straight at him, "It's a pleasure.."
The Secretary comments, "Please let me know if anything is needed. I will take my leave now."
After the door closes shut, the Director starts off, "..Shall we begin?" His arms motion to retrieve the documents and folders necessary for the discussion. "Miss Yan, the reason why we scheduled a meeting today is because we...." He continues to speak but Yan Zi is distracted by his shockingly indistinguishable traits from Xu Kai.
She observes every detail of him.
Despite his shorter hair, his appearance is still the same. The face reverberated with rugged masculinity. The laid back yet cold attitude. The long and delicate fingers that once intertwined with hers. The perfectly sized palms. Every movement, every gesture reminds her of him.
"Miss Yan?" He questions, stopping. "Are you okay?"
"Huh?" She returns to reality.
He picks up a piece of tissue from a nearby tissue box, "You're.. crying."
She taps her cheeks, feeling something wet. "Ah.. Sorry." She sniffs and wipes her tears, "..Allergies."
The meeting continues as Yan Zi tries to focus on the topics and fields of the discussion. Yet she cannot help but sneak glances towards the Director.
Can he be Xu Kai?
Isn't Xu Kai a character from the book, Brotherhood of Blades? Why would he be here in the present?
What if Xu Kai is someone from the present who also transmigrated into the Ming Dynasty?
But how likely is that?
Unlikely. Yan Zi's actual appearance doesn't look like the Yuan Zi Yan she had transmigrated into. If Xuan Kai did transmigrate, he wouldn't look like Xu Kai because they are two separate people.
So who is he?
She tries to make excuses, that indeed, she has met Xu Kai again. But none of the evidences prove so. He doesn't appear to recognize anything about her. After all, why would he? She looks like a completely different person.
When the meeting has soon come to an end, the Director turns his attention from the documents to the lady: "Thank you for partnering with us to make this project possible. Secretary Rui will discuss the next steps with you through a phone call in a week."
Yan Zi smiles, "I am honored to be given this opportunity with such an elite company. I kindly thank you for this terrific meeting."
"I am glad you feel such a way. May our companies blossom with success. Miss Yan, I will have Secretary Rui see you out, then?"
She blinks, her mouth open in surprise. It is as if she isn't ready to depart yet.
"Oh.. Yes. Enjoy your day, Director Xuan." She begins to turn around, heading for the door.
Take your chance, she contemplates.
Say something or else you guys will part your ways again, she ponders.
Her mind is ambivalent as she agonizes over whether if she should say something. She is getting closer and closer to the door.
Is this the end?
It is stony silent. The only thing that can be heard is the sound of her heels clicking against the floor.
Suddenly, the voice speaks behind her.
"That hairpin.."
"..."
She comes to an immediate stop. Goosebumps form over her skin, her heart skips a beat.
Director Xuan continues, "Have we.."
"..Met before?"
As if music is being played and all the world becomes colorful again, she swirls around.
Solemn tears fall down her cheeks while she leisurely nods. Her throat feels swollen and she stutters as she tries to speak the words in her head.
"...I thought so too."
—END—