Offer To The CEO

Thursday continued ….

Just as Anna and James settled on the couch, Yan Tan and Alecia arrived. Observing the look on his sister's face, James realised that she needed to speak to the man accompanying Alecia. James took her hand and led her out to the outside area.

Once the door was closed, Yao Tan turned to Anna and spoke "I do not know how you did it, but you have her willing to talk about what happened. Anyone else who has spoken to her about it has been shut down."

"I do not know if it was me, or that she is ready to talk about it."

"Who is that with her?"

"That is my 22 year-old brother. I have already warned him that Yi would lynch him if he hurt her, let alone me, you and Amanda. He is scared what we will do."

"Thank you. At least I do not have to worry. Yi told me I could use his study while she is speaking to the police. I am grateful you will be there for her."

"Not a problem. Just let Butler Ge know if you need anything."

They sat down waiting for the police.

Meanwhile, out on the patio.

James had escorted Alecia out there so his sister could speak to her father. Once they had moved from direct sight, they sat down. Alecia was rubbing her fingers in James' palm.

Quietly, and directly looking at Alecia James asked "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"James as we talked about last night, I need to. I am not going to be able to move forward with my life unless I deal with this. It is going to be hard, but I have to do it."

After lifting her hand and placing a brief kiss on the palm James asked "Are you absolutely certain?"

"Yes. Now, you promised to tell me last night what you are studying?"

"Nursing."

"You are going to be a nurse. I thought women were nurses."

"Alecia, that is so much of a stereotype. It would be like telling my sister if she says she works in the legal industry, that being a legal secretary must be an interesting job."

"My step-mother would agree with you. Are you not going to ask about me?"

"My sister told me you are 16 years old."

"But …"

"Alecia, in warning me on the way over here about not stepping over the boundaries she told me about your age."

At this time Alecia started to move close to him. Despite what he felt, James knew that he needed to set some boundaries otherwise this could get out of control quickly. If she had been eighteen, he would not have worried about pursuing a relationship with her.

Alecia was intriguing, captivating, and full of life, but her eyes showed so much pain. He knew that he had to be strong and make it clear that he was here to help her. The future, in his mind could take care of itself.

Feeling James start to tense up, Alecia put her free hand on James' chest and in as seductive of a voice as she could manage she said "Do not tell me I am too young for you. There is only six years between you and me, and anyway I turn seventeen on Saturday. There is more of an age gap between my father and step-mother."

"Alecia …"

"James you have some idea of what happened six months ago. I need your unconditional support as you are the only person who has not tried to smother me with protection. Just be here for me, please. Whatever else happens will happen."

Yao Tan looked up and was concerned that he could not see Alecia. He opened the Patio door, and as they heard it James and Alecia pulled back from each other. Seeing that, all Yao Tan could say in an angry voice was "Young Lady, he is way too old for you. Get away from him and go inside and speak to Anna."

"Daddy, no. I am staying here."

With that Alecia took a harder grip on James' arm. James decided that he would be better off speaking to her father alone, so leaned down and whispered "Alecia, your dad wants to warn me away from you. Go in and talk to Anna. I promise that I will stay here while you talk to the police."

Alecia nodded, let go of James' arm and returned inside. As soon as her back was turned, Yao Tan grabbed James by the arm and pulled him along the patio out of sight from Anna and Alecia. He then slapped James across the face and told him "Stay away from my daughter. She does not need you around her."

"Sir, I let you do that because you are worried about her. I am not stupid. She is a young woman who has been to hell and back, but for some reason she feels she can trust me to support her. I promised her I will be there to do that, and I will not break my word to her."

"Well stay away from her after today. She does not need you in her life."

"That is her choice, sir. We should go inside, but I will not tell her about this as it will hurt her further."

With that James turned and walked away and went back inside. Yan Tan followed him in, still with a scowl on his face, that he found difficult to hide from his daughter. As he entered into the room, three people were being shown into the room.