The Duke’s Affair -Part One

Opening the door to his suite on the top floor, the spacious room was eerily empty, making Dean feel a sense of loss. Entering the bedroom, still no one, only his shirt, worn by Ye Ye, lay quietly on the bed. Dean picked it up, and the scent of Ye Ye filled his nostrils… Feeling a bit dazed, Dean walked to the desk, sat down, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag to suppress the inexplicable emptiness in his heart, exhaled a wisp of smoke, and leaned back in his chair, his lake-blue eyes meeting the small black bottle on the desk… Picking it up—”NightSoul”, Ye Ye’s perfume… Underneath the bottle was a note: “Sorry, the bet is off… Here’s the perfume, consider it a keepsake. After you’ve used it… forget about me…” — written by Ye Ye. Dean stared at the perfume with a sense of loss; she wanted him to forget her after using it, but could he really forget her once it was gone? Dean picked up the phone on the desk and dialed Ye Ye’s room, but there was no answer. He then tried her cell phone — it was off! He dialed the front desk directly: “Check on the guest in room 1507.” “Yes, Mr. President,” the receptionist responded, seeing that the call was from the top floor suite, she quickly responded alertly, “Mr. President, Miss Ye Ye from room 1507 checked out 35 minutes ago.” With a thud, Dean hung up the phone. What a heartless girl, to leave so decisively! And to cancel the bet? Even if it had to be canceled, he should be the one to decide! Dean had never been avoided by a woman like this before; his machismo and proud ego flared up, his light blue eyes quickly turning into an icy green… He was determined to bring Ye Ye back and tell her that once the game had started, someone had to lose before anyone could leave! “Jones, inform Nangong Lie and Beidang Xi to wrap up their current affairs and return to Paris headquarters within three days! I’ll be heading to Italy in three days!” Dean said to Jones, who had been silently by his side. “Yes, Mr. President!” Jones responded emotionlessly. Dean walked over to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of Lafite, and drank it down in one gulp — Ye Ye, get ready, next time we meet, you’ll realize that the man you bet with is someone you can’t avoid for the rest of your life!