The Inconceivable Flame: A Fallen Angel's Disguise

In the past week, Ru had changed the entire interior of the apartment to give it a media-savvy look. The things that she didn’t change were the natural tones of the apartment. The place was a work of pure art and the world-class artworks only enhanced the refined structure of the apartment.

If one would ask, what was missing in this apartment? The answer would be...

"WHAT THE FUDGE? WHERE THE HELL IS THE BED?"

The booming roar must have answered your question. Yes, there was no bed in this huge triplex apartment. Originally, the apartment was designed for her and she would never have any guest which left no reason for having a guest room to accommodate people. And since she never slept on comfy beds, there was no point in wasting money.

Adrian came running back to Ru who was still immersed in the documents before her. "Are you even listening? Where is the bed? Where am I supposed to sleep?" His voice was clearly abrasive and yet Ru didn’t bother lifting her head to spare him a glance.

"I’ve already informed Royal Highness Adrian that this lord’s humble abode won’t be able to accommodate you. It was you who still wanted to stay here." Ru’s mellifluous voice and her mocking words were quite contrasting making Adrian want to bang either his own head or that green-eyed monster’s.

"Now, am I suppose to sleep on your head, Mr. Knight?" Adrian questioned sarcastically while gritting his teeth. He wasn’t serious but someone else took his words seriously.

Ru stroked her chin as if seriously pondering that idea in her mind. "If you can fit, be my guest," Ru answered him and even moved her head a bit towards him.

Adrian raised his hands wanting to strangle her but he could only harrumph before walking away not before saying, "You better get me a bed before I come back."

"Pow! Pow! Pow!" Ru made the sound with her mouth. She even was punching her hands in the air while glaring towards the hallway where he vanished. Then she picked up her cellphone and dialed a number. "What do you think you’re doing in London? I don’t care how you’re gonna do it but get this damn prince off of my back. If he’s not gone by tonight, I might strangle him to death." Taking a brief pause, she added, "And then I think strangling will be too easy. I honestly want to boil him alive in a pot and skin him with my own hands."

The person at the other end shuddered just listening to the malicious tone of hers. "Sir Knight! I’ll take care of it."

"You better do!" With these parting words of hidden warning, Ru hung up the call.

While she was sulking at her place, Adrian had left to see an old friend who was the reason for his decision to stay in China for a few days. Obviously, he wanted to torture Mr. Knight with his presence but his real reason was different indeed.

"Hey, Zoran!" Adrian called out the moment he stepped inside the spacious office of his friend. The person sitting on the swivel chair behind the mahogany desk had refined features; elegant and alluring.

On the huge mahogany desk was a customized glass-like acrylic desk nameplate. On the name plaque, in beautiful writing was engraved: Xiao Zhi-Ren, CEO SnapVise Technologies.

"Adrian! You didn’t even inform me that you’re coming," Xiao Zhi-Ren smiled at his old friend and walked towards him to give him a bro hug.

"If I had informed, would you be this surprised?" Adrian asked playfully wiggling his brows.

Xiao Zhi-Ren shook his head at Adrian’s childish behavior and couldn’t help but remind him, "If you keep acting like a child, who would still believe that you’re the royal highness of England?" action

"Forget about that. You tell me why did you suddenly decide to come to China?" Adrian inquired as he pulled him to a sitting area in the corner of the room. Xiao Zhi-Ren stayed quiet making Adrian impatient. "Zoran! I’m asking you something?"

"Since you ruined my chances in the European market, I decided to take my chances in Asia," Xiao Zhi-Ren answered crisply not forgetting to remind Adrian of his mistakes.

"What did I do?" Adrian played the act of being ignorant.

"Really?" Xiao Zhi-Ren gave him a look before reminding him, "If it wasn’t for your stupid wish to be at loggerheads with Lord Alev Knight. I wouldn’t have had to lose my chances in the European market."

Adrian scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "In my defense, that person is hateful to the bones. I couldn’t help it. Who knew that he had someone on his end to stop your exceptional attack on Knight Empires server." Adrian clicked his tongue in disappointment. "It was such a waste. We were so close to cracking his whole empire down."

"Mr. Royal Prince, it was not a waste. It was a disaster for me. Whoever was stopping the attack left a damn malware in my own server. I had a loss of millions just because of your stupid revenge." Xiao Zhi-Ren flicked Adrian’s forehead.

They had been friends since their college days since both were in the same class. Adrian was sent to America to study away from all the media coverage of his royal lifestyle. And that’s when both became close friends.

A few years back, Adrian wanted to take his revenge on Lord Alev Knight and to do that, he asked Xiao Zhi-Ren to attack the main server of Knight Empires. Now, it was their misfortune that their attack was fruitless. And in return, Xiao Zhi-Ren had to suffer huge losses. From that time, Xiao Zhi-Ren decided to stay far away from Knight Empires territory.

"I still think that your animosity is quite pointless. If I haven’t heard wrong, Mr. Knight actually saved your grandmother’s life and that’s why the Queen favors him so much." Adrian hated this specific argument. Why was everyone reminding him about how big of a favor that hateful person did on the royal family?

"Look, Zoran! You don’t know him personally. I might not have hated him this much if he had a likable personality. But he is just too hateful. I can’t help it." Adrian raked his fingers through his golden blond locks.

"Oh? Why don’t you tell me what’s so hateful about him?" Xiao Zhi-Ren retorted as he gave his complete attention to Adrian seemingly quite interested in this particular topic.

"He... He..." Adrian tried to think of his reasons but suddenly all his reasons seemed childish. But since Xiao Zhi-Ren was looking at him eagerly, he had to say something. "He is too honest with his remarks. He never respects me. Always treat me as if I’m a child who doesn’t know any better."

"And that’s your reason? Because if it is then I think your problem is that he doesn’t like licking your boot to get your favor." Xiao Zhi-Ren didn’t bother sugar-coating his words before his friend.

Adrian was about to argue when his cellphone made him swallow his words back down. Seeing the caller id, he frowned and picked up the call. "What is it?"

"Your Highness, my apologies to disturb you but it’s urgent." The person at the other end spoke respectfully.

"Come to the point," Adrian spoke impatiently.

"There seems to be an emergency at your vineyard in France..." Adrian’s face changed color the more he listened.

"Ask the pilots to be on standby. I’m coming straight to the airport." Adrian hung up the call and stood up in a hurry.

"Is everything okay with you?" Xiao Zhi-Ren inquired seeing his unusual behavior.

"Yeah! Just a bit of an issue that requires my assistance. Anyway, you better tell me the real reason for coming to China when I see you next. For now, I’ll let you keep this secret." Adrian hugged Xiao Zhi-Ren before leaving his office.