** Destined to Be? ~ Chapter Two **

I have finally begun the plot.. took me so long!! *sigh* Nice chapter.. with a hint of angst. :D Happy reading! *wink*

**

Lei’s P.O.V:

I fell to the floor unharmed as Shan Cai pushed me. Everything seemed to go in slow motion, I almost saw the bullet fly at her.  Blood spilled from her wound make a dark red patch on the white coat I had lent her. She gave me a small smile before collapsing into my ready arms. Her eyes slowly closed, I panicked for a moment – was she dead? Unknowingly I began to cry, my tears wetting her cheeks. I lifted my head to look for the butler, where was he when you needed him?!

 Suddenly I felt Shan Cai’s grip on my arms tighten, I immediately looked back at her. “Don’t worry Lei..” She managed to cough out, she was obviously in a lot of pain. “I’m okay.” She whispered before closing her eyes on last time as her body went limp. “Shan Cai!”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“WHAT HAPPENED TO SHAN CAI?!” Ah Si’s voice echoed through the hallways of the hospital. He strode quickly to where I was sitting – in front of the operation theatre. “Lei! What happened? Mei Zuo said that she was in hospital.. where is she?!” he asked anxiously.

I gestured to the doors beside us, the red glare of lights telling me that they were still operating on her. It seemed too surreal, like the time she had been in a car crash. The empty waiting and waiting.. time seemed to pass too slow. Why did she have to be shot on our anniversary day? Who had shot her? For all I knew, the gun had been aimed at me – Shan Cai was shot because of me. Guilt weighed heavily on my conscience. Maybe I should’ve just taken her to a restaurant.. then maybe this wouldn’t have happened.

The next thing I knew, Ah Si was shaking me. I didn’t respond, I deserved all of this.. It was my fault that Shan Cai was injured now. What if she died? How could I live without her? Just when we had finally become a couple.. the heavens had to ruin everything. I was dragged back to reality by a punch in a face. It was Ah Si.

“Tell me what happened!” he shouted. Ye Sha seemed to be trying to restrain him. What was the use? Maybe I would be knocked out.. then I wouldn’t have to feel the pain anymore.

“She was shot.” I said dully, my voice void of emotions. Saying it out loud had, if possible, made reality hit me harder. I could hear sounds of people crying, shouting. Nothing seemed real anymore, except the pain that was thudding in my heart. I tried to close off all emotions, but it was impossible. I walked off towards the balcony, muttering I needed some fresh air. I did a handstand once I was outside, but the tears kept coming, running out of the corners of my eyes. I collapsed onto the ground, defeated.

“Lei.. it’s not your fault.” A voice quietly said behind my back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ye Sha’s P.O.V:

“Shan Cai was shot?” Xiao You’s face turned deathly pale from the news. She leaned onto Ximen for support, “How could this have happened?”

Dao Ming Si had his face buried in his hands and did not answer. Even the ever-cheerful Mei Zuo was sitting quietly on a chair. Shan Cai’s parents had also arrived, they were hugging each other tightly, her mother was especially loud as she cried. “Shan Cai was on a date with Lei.. I think they were dancing on the beach. Then..” I stopped, trying to get control of my emotions, “and then Shan Cai was shot.”

Xiao You let out a cry and buried herself into Ximen’s arms once more. “I swear I will find the person who shot Shan Cai! I will kill them myself!” said Ah Si angrily. “Ah Si… don’t,” I said softly sitting next to him.

“What?! So you want me to just let them go? They can just shoot Shan Cai and we won’t do anything?!” he shouted. “That’s not what I meant..” my voice wavered, the event was finally taking its toll on me. Seeing everyone depressed around me, how could I stay strong? I started to cry, praying silently that Shan Cai wouldn’t die. “I.. I’m sorry Ye Sha.” Ah Si hugged me tightly, I let his warmth surround me, I felt a bit better, knowing Ah Si was here for me.

We stayed like that for what seemed like hours. I stared at the operation theatre. Would the operation ever end? Suddenly a nurse rushed out, “Miss Mu Ye is losing blood rapidly, do any of you have B negative blood type?!” she asked anxiously.

“Eh! What kind of hospital is this?!” demanded Ah Si, “How can you run out of blood?!”

“Well.. B negative is very rare. Only a minor percentage of the population have this blood type..” the nurse said nervously. I rolled my eyes, they were wasting time. I quickly checked to see if anybody had B negative. Everybody shook their heads one by one. I looked to Shan Cai’s parents. “Auntie, uncle? Aren’t one of you supposed to have the same blood type as Shan Cai?”

“Umm..” Shan Cai’s mum fidgeted nervously, “We don’t have the same..”

I nodded, all I needed to know was they didn’t have the blood type. It struck me as odd but it was emergency, I had no time to ponder over such things. “Where’s Lei?!” I asked frantically (Ah Si and the nurse were still bickering). I’m going out for some fresh air.. his words rang in my head. I rushed towards the balcony.

“Lei!” I called out, I received the shock of my life as I arrived. He was there hugging another woman! “What are you doing?” I demanded. Shan Cai’s life was at stake and he was secretly going out with another woman?

“Ye Sha?” Lei turned to look at me. His calm face suddenly filled with worry, “Did something happen to Shan Cai?”

I stared accusingly at the woman still holding his hand. “Who’s that?” I muttered in distaste.

“She’s Jing..” he said carelessly, “What happened to Shan Cai?!”

“She’s losing blood.. She needs B negative.” I explained quickly but I still looked at ‘Jing’ suspiciously.

“I have AB..” he muttered.

“Wait, I have B negative.” Jing said quietly, “I’ll donate my blood to Shan Cai.” Lei’s face lit up as he kissed her on the cheek. “Let’s go then!” he grabbed her hand and dragged her towards the operation theatre.

I looked distrustfully at the back of Jing. She was so beautiful, her features were perfect and her short wavy hair framed her small face gracefully. Jing was just Lei’s friend right? I had developed an immediate dislike to her, what was she doing here? How come I’ve never seen her before? I asked myself quizzically. But she was going to donate blood to Shan Cai so who was I to complain?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Hua Zhe Lei’s P.O.V:

 I watched slowly as the nurse drew blood out of Jing. I wanted to thank her, thank her for saving my Shan Cai. My angel had appeared again, in my deepest, darkest moment. I hadn’t asked her any questions but let her comfort me.. like the old times.

 The others had been surprised when I came dragging Jing along with me. Ah Si was arguing with some nurse, talking about suing the hospital or something.. I took no notice. All I cared about was Shan Cai would be okay.

 Jing winced slightly as the nurse inserted the needle. Mei Zuo started to talk to her – trying to draw her attention away from the syringe that was slowly taking dark red blood from her arm.

 “Jing, when did you come back? How come you never told us?” Mei Zuo started to ask.

 “I came back.. a few hours ago.” She smiled, “I wanted to give you guys a surprise. Did you miss me?”

 “Of course.. you haven’t been back for more than a year!” Mei Zuo exclaimed.

 “That’s not entirely true..” she said mysteriously – sharing a look with me. It had been her that had encouraged me to be with Shan Cai. Jing, my older sister, what would I do without her?

 Mei Zuo looked accusingly from me to Jing, “You mean.. you’ve come back before?! Just to see Lei?” He looked wounded, “I’m jealous..”

 Jing laughed, “I was only back for one night. I.. I met Lei by accident.”

 “How did you know we were at the hospital?” I asked quietly. It had been a small question that had been bugging me.

 “Oh.. I called your house and the butler said you were at the hospital.” She explained, carefully avoiding my eyes. What did she have to hide? “I came and saw you and Ah Si talking about Shan Cai’s accident. When you left, I followed you to the balcony.”

 “Okay then, we’re finished.” The nurse announced. Jing glanced nervously at her own blood, she looked slightly sick. “There’s already a room ready for you. You need some rest after all that blood taken from you.” The nurse handed the blood to another nurse and took Jing to a hospital room.

 After I checked that she was okay I sat in front of the operation theatre doors again, not daring to leave. Suddenly the light switched off and the doctor walked out, his face grave and solemn. “So? What happened to her?!” Ah Si walked up, Ye Sha tried to pull him back, “Ah Si.. calm down.” she whispered softly.

 The doctor raised an inquisitive eyebrow, “Of what relation are you to Miss Mu Ye Shan Cai?”

 “We’re her friends.” Mei Zuo answered. “I’m her boyfriend.” I said, but would she forgive me? After this?

 “Well, Miss Mu Ye is quite lucky to be alive..”

 “Just get to the point!” Ah Si shouted. Ye Sha looked embarrassed, “Ah Si! This is a hospital for god’s sake, stop being so loud!” she reprimanded dragging a defiant Ah Si away with her.

 The doctor coughed, glaring at Ah Si. “As I was saying, the bullet missed her heart by inches and punctured her left lung. It’s not very serious and I think she will probably wake up in a few hours. We have removed the bullet but she might have a slight trouble breathing. She will stay in the hospital for a few days for regular check-ups. If she is fine then she can go home.” The doctor finished explaining and looked at Ah Si again, as if daring him to speak again.

 I let out a sigh of relief, “Thankyou, Doctor …?”

 “Doctor Chen.” He answered taking my hand and shaking it.

 “Thankyou very much Doctor Chen.” I said gratefully.

 “Not really..” he mused, “You should thank that friend of yours who gave blood to the patient. If it hadn’t been for her, I think Miss Mu Ye wouldn’t be alive now.”

 I made a mental note to give Jing something really special for helping Shan Cai. “So Shan Cai is okay now?” Xiao You asked anxiously.

 The doctor nodded, “Yes, her condition is stable. I advise you let her rest and come back to visit her tomorrow.”

 A renewed hope filled my heart – Shan Cai was okay!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(note: this isn't Lei anymore..)

The images flicked through again, repeating in front of my eyes. We were dancing, I had never felt happier. Everything seemed perfect, Lei’s handsome face looking down at me with such love.. The perfect anniversary, something only he could give me. Then.. the shot. His white shirt was spattered with dark red blood, soaking into my own clothes as he lay in my arms. Slowly his breathing stopped, his body cold and dead.

 “Lei! Don’t leave me!” I screamed loudly. There was a deep pain in my chest as I coughed. I was suddenly in a dark tunnel with a light at the end. “Shan Cai..” I heard Lei’s voice softly echoing in the tunnel. I reached out blindly, “Lei! Where are you?!” He wasn’t dead! I knew I had to walk towards the light.. Suddenly I tripped, I was falling falling…

 ~*~

 My eyes fluttered open, the sight that greeted me was white. Everything was white.. Am I in heaven? My eyes slowly focused to the white figure in front of me. It was Lei. I muttered his name weakly; he in turn hugged me tightly. “Shan Cai, you’re awake!”

 My mind was reeling. What had happened? There was dried blood on Lei’s shirt. I frowned with worry – was he hurt? “Lei.. are you okay?” I managed to utter before the sharp pain in my chest stopped me from saying anymore. I coughed slightly, but it only made the pain worse. “It hurts…”

 “Shan Cai..” he whispered softly, his hand gripped onto my hands tightly. I raised my hand to wipe the tear off his face. “This.. This isn’t my blood. You saved me from the bullet.” He said softly, “I’m so sorry..”

 I shook my head slowly, “It doesn’t matter.. as long as you’re okay.” I closed my eyes again as fatigue overtook me. Lei was okay.. I could sleep in peace.

 ~*~ 

Shan Cai looked so peaceful as she slept. A moment ago, she had been thrashing and shouting then coughing. Her chest heaved as she coughed. Even though the doctor said that her lungs hadn’t been punctured that badly.. she looked like she was in a lot of pain. Each cough was like a stab in my heart. How could I ever forgive myself for causing her so much pain? I would’ve left if she had not been calling me name. So she was dreaming about me? Her face was filled with worry and sadness as her hands gripped the bed sheets tightly. How could I leave her like this?

 I walked over and held her hands in mine. “Shan Cai.. don’t worry. I’m here.” I said softly, hoping my small words of comfort could reach into her nightmare. Her grip on my hands relaxed a little, after a few minutes her eyes opened. I could barely contain my joy at seeing her awake. “Shan Cai! You’re awake!”

 I watched as her eyes travelled around the room before focusing on my shirt. I looked down and saw it was still covered in blood. Her blood. The memories of last night seemed to surround me again. I had not gone home to change, but stayed with her the whole night.

 “Lei.. are you okay?” she asked softly, her eyes shone with worry and concern. Then she started coughing again. “It hurts..” she whispered. How I wished at that moment that I was the one in bed instead of her.. that it was me who was suffering instead of her. “Shan Cai.. this isn’t my blood. It.. It’s yours.” I closed my eyes as tears started to flow – this was all my fault. She reached up to wipe my tears. “I’m so sorry..” I said. 

 She shook her head, a light smile on her face. “It doesn’t matter.. as long as you’re okay.” She slowly closed her eyes again. The blossom of her cheeks had been replaced by chalk, her face was pale but she looked like an angel to me. The light smile that was plastered on her face assured me that she was no longer having nightmares. I kissed her on her forehead before leaving the room.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Ye Sha’s P.O.V:

 Lei walked slowly out of the hospital and into his car, weariness etched on his face. I felt sorry for the poor guy; this must be a big strain on him. I walked slowly in Shan Cai’s room, I hadn’t wanted to disturb Lei before but now that he was gone.. I sat down slowly, she was asleep – her breathing slightly ragged but peaceful.

 Sometimes I can’t understand why fate is so cruel to them. Just when Shan Cai and Lei were happy together, something bad just had to happen. Who is that unlucky to be shot on their anniversary? I still don’t really trust that Jing friend of theirs. No matter much Ah Si tells me about the good things about her… She seems a bit fishy to me. How did she know that Shan Cai was in the hospital? She said she called Lei’s house.. but how would the servants know what happened? The way she looks at Lei… I think she is here to steal him away from Shan Cai. Ah Si tells me I’m over-reacting and there is nothing wrong with Jing… I guess I just haven’t known her for that long – after all she DID donate her blood to Shan Cai to save her life..

 “Ye Sha.. Are you okay?”

 “Huh?” I looked up into the face of Ah Si. “Yeah.. I’m fine.”

 He sat down beside me and looked at Shan Cai. “She still hasn’t woken up eh?”

 “Lei said that she already woke up once.. she’s just tired I guess.” I sighed softly as I leaned against Ah Si’s warm shoulder. I watched warily as Ah Si’s hands clenched into fists. “I’ll find the person who did this to her.. I will make them pay for what they did!” I slipped my hand into his, trying to comfort him. I could understand how he felt.. the feeling of being so powerless.. helpless – watching Shan Cai lying in her bed. I turned to look at Ah Si, voicing my thoughts for the first time.  “Do.. do you think Teng Tang Jing has anything to do with this?”

 “Jing?” he said incredulously, “What do you mean by that?” his face darkened, “She would NEVER shoot Lei or Shan Cai.. We are her childhood friends.. she would never do something like this.. She HELPED them for god’s sake..”

 “I didn’t mean that... I..” I had rarely seen Ah Si this angry.. ‘he must really care for Jing..’ “I was talking about how she donated blood to Shan Cai..”

 The look of anger softened in his eyes, he smiled slowly, “Yeah.. it’s so lucky that they have the same blood type eh?”

 I nodded slowly, “Can you tell me more about Jing?”

 “Oh.. she’s been our friend ever since I can remember. Lei never used to play with us.. I always thought he was a bit strange..” he muttered. I smiled at this, I could just imagine Ah Si playing rough games.. and Lei sitting alone. “When we tried to make him play with us.. he used to throw up and everything. But Jing came and everything was okay.” He shrugged, “I was never as close to Jing as Lei.. Lei has always loved her.. I don’t know when he started liking Shan Cai though.. They dated for a while last year..” he scowled, “Today is their anniversary.. and some bastard had to ruin it for them..”

 I nodded slowly, “It’s so unfair for them.. why can’t they just have peaceful happiness?” Ah Si had said that Lei had always loved Jing.. had that changed? Would he go back to Jing? Did Jing love him? What would happen to Shan Cai? I looked at Shan Cai sleeping peacefully, without a care. What would she think if she knew that Jing, her love rival was back?

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Jing’s P.O.V:

 I heaved myself up into a sitting position. Even that took a lot of effort – I was still weak from the loss of blood. But still.. it had saved Shan Cai’s life, so I didn’t mind. At least I did something to help her.. The heavy weight of the guilt of the accident lay heavily on my mind. Would Lei forgive me if he knew about it? It still gave me nightmares.. the thought if Lei had been shot instead of Shan Cai. I knew I was selfish – I didn’t care as much about Shan Cai as I did about Lei. I was actually glad that the bullet had hit Shan Cai instead. I knew I was terrible person to think of such things.. but, what choice did I have?

 When I had been engaged in France, the look on Lei’s face when I told him... It had been on the spur of the moment – when Jason proposed to me – I accepted. It felt nice to have someone care about me, someone who seemingly understood me. Was it too much ask? It had been so tiring.. even though I loved Lei dearly – I was always the one taking care of him. Nobody ever supported me, I was tired.. tired of all this. Jason had showered me with his care and love.. how could I resist? The minute I stepped inside the church.. I knew I had made the wrong choice.

 How could I marry another when he still held me heart? Lei.. the only one who had ever held sway over me. The hundreds of eyes.. watching me as I watched up the aisle. I suddenly felt as if I didn’t care anymore. A simple ‘sorry’ to Jason and I had flown back to Taiwan. I had been so glad that he understood my feelings.. it was such a pity that the one I loved, was not him.

 The night when I came back to Taiwan, the only person I had seen was Lei.. at the harbour. I can still remember it clearly like it was yesterday..

 * Flashback * (read Chapter 25 – ‘Does love last forever?’)

 “Lei!”

 “Jing..” he said softly.

 Jing stood behind him, her beautiful long hair blowing gently in the breeze. She smiled, “Lei, how are you?”

 “I’m fine,” he replied, but he didn’t turn around to face her. “Where’s your husband?”

 “Lei,” Jing said seriously, “I didn’t marry.”

 “Why?”

 “Because of you.”

 ~*~

 “I’ve already fulfilled my dreams. I’ve finally got the degrees I wanted. I also found out that the one I love was not the one I was going to marry. I always thought my love for you was sister and brother love.. But I was wrong..” She walked up to Lei and hugged him from behind, resting her head on him. “The one I love is you.. Do you still love me?”

 Lei turned around to face Jing. “Yes I do.. There is no need for me to say that. I have always loved you and I always will.”

 Jing grinned happily and hugged him tighter.

 “But Jing.. it’s different now. My love for you has changed.”

 “What do you mean?” Jing removed herself from their hug and looked at Lei. “Don’t tell me.. If it is what I think it is.. then please don’t say it.. please..”

 Lei looked at Jing in the eyes, “Jing.. You’re the one who knows me best. You should understand. You know what I’m going to say don’t you?”

 Jing’s eyes slowly fill up with tears, “Why? Why does it have to be like this? Yes.. I know.. When I was on the plane.. I kept on reassuring myself that you would always love me and only me. But that’s not true anymore.. I was only lying to myself, trying to deny the truth..”

 “I’m sorry Jing,” said Lei quietly.

 “If you don’t love me, there is only one other person.. San Cai. I know you well Lei, you don’t care about other people’s business. But I’ve seen how you care so deeply for San Cai, you’ve done so much for her. You wouldn’t do that to just anyone.. not even me.”

 Lei didn’t answer and looked down at the ground.

 Jing smiled, “You’re still my shy little Lei. I’m guessing you haven’t told her right? If you don’t then you’ll regret it. You’ll be left thinking what would’ve happened if you did. That’s what I said to myself when I was coming back to Taipei. I only failed because you already love someone else. Does San Cai love someone else? You’re always doing what’s best for Ah Si but what about yourself? Did you ever think about your own happiness? Love is supposed to be selfish, you can’t push her to Ah Si just because Ah Si is your best friend and he loves her. If she loves you, then you’ll only make all three of you unhappy. Sometimes, you shouldn’t hide all your feelings. Not everyone understands you like I do. Remember what I said. I’m sorry.. didn’t mean to give you a lecture. But I have to go now.”

 Lei looked up at Jing, “Aren’t you staying?”

 “No, I’ve already got my answer. Goodbye Lei. You’ll see me again, don’t worry.”

 “Thankyou Jing. Bye.” Lei said, as he watched Jing walk away into the night.

 * End flashback *

 Yes, it had been that night when I realised that he didn’t love me anymore. I had tried so hard to forget him when I returned to France.. but how could I? Our memories played in my head.. his face haunted my every dream. I longed for him so much.. that was why I had come back to Taiwan.. to do what I must do to get Lei back.

Chapter Four                                                                                                            Review Chapter.

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