Ye Ye called her friends, telling them she had menstrual pain, had taken some medicine, and would skip dinner to sleep. She changed, combed her hair neatly, applied no makeup except for some silver glitter on her eyelids, making her already bright eyes even more enchanting. She picked up her small purse and quickly left the room. Dean was waiting on the lounge sofa on her floor, watching Ye Ye in black leggings, a sparkling purple halter top, and a white short fur jacket, with no makeup on. He was astonished. He didn’t think any girl could get ready in five minutes for a date… Clearly, this girl was different, or perhaps her natural beauty didn’t require much time for elaborate grooming…
Dean stood up, his usual charming smile playing on his lips, extending his hand to invite Ye Ye to loop her arm through his—she approached confidently, without the earlier panic, naturally looping her arm through his solid one: “I want to dine at the most luxurious place in Paris!” she said without pretense. “Darling, this is the most luxurious restaurant in Paris!” Dean was confident his restaurant was the best. “Except for this one!” Ye Ye didn’t want to bump into her friends. “Well, alright then!” Half an hour later, they arrived at a very stylish restaurant on the Champs-Élysées. The elegant, cozy decor and soft, uplifting background music made Ye Ye instantly fall in love with the place. “Why aren’t there other guests?” Ye Ye asked curiously, “Such a hotel shouldn’t be this quiet, right?” “I didn’t want anyone to disturb our first dinner… so…” Dean said casually. “Cleared out?” “Yes!” The waiter led them to a beautifully decorated rectangular table where they sat on opposite ends. The restaurant’s lights were deliberately dimmed, with a beam of cool light casting onto the center of the table, where a Baroque candelabra with dancing pearls of light stood. The bodyguards stood far away from the dining area, almost invisible. Ye Ye took off her jacket, and the waiter attentively hung it up. Her deep purple halter top looked mysterious and noble under the soft light, casting a hazy glow on her dark red hair. “What would you like to eat?” Dean asked, “The most expensive and delicious!” Ye Ye gave a mischievous smile; since he was treating, she might as well enjoy it to the fullest. “Naughty girl!” Dean turned to the waiter, “The best! Open a bottle of ’82 Lafite.” “Yes, Mr. Vulcan!” the waiter said before retreating. “You seem quite famous; even the waiter knows you,” Ye Ye remarked. “Fairly well-known… Do you like wine?” Dean said leisurely. “It’s okay, Lafite, one of the world’s eight great wineries, is the only wine I can accept…” Ye Ye said casually. The waiter brought the delicious appetizers, and they savored them… “Aren’t you scared to come out with a stranger like me?” Dean was curious about Ye Ye’s boldness. “No, because I’m not afraid of bad guys!” Because my family has nothing but bad guys, do you think I’d be scared? But Ye Ye didn’t say the latter part. “Ha, what a brave darling. Aren’t you curious about my identity?” “Not really, everyone has their own identity; what’s there to explore?” The waiter brought the main course, and they ate slowly, chatting casually… “Are you traveling in France?” “Yes, but my final destination is Italy. I’m there for a student exchange; Paris was just because I wanted to come.” “How old are you? Not underage, I hope?” “I’ll be 19 soon!” “Soon?” “Yes, my birthday is next month!”
“Get out of the way, Jack, don’t make me angry! I’m going in!” a spoiled female voice said. “I’m sorry, the president is dining; he cannot be disturbed!” Jack, the bodyguard, said sternly. “Move!” The blonde woman pushed past the bodyguard, barging in. “I’m sorry, sir, I couldn’t stop her!” Jack apologized, bowing. Dean said nothing, watching the blonde woman coldly, elegantly wiping his lips with a white napkin. Ye Ye glanced at the newcomer and continued enjoying her meal leisurely, which was indeed delicious! “You canceled my date just to dine with this girl, Dean?” the woman asked sharply. “You seem to have forgotten your place, Jessica!” Dean’s lake-blue eyes frosted over with icy cold. “I…” Jessica seemed to realize her impulsiveness, “I’m sorry, I was just passing by, saw your car, and wanted to check…” Ye Ye, sipping her soup, accidentally let out a low “gulp” sound. Jessica interpreted this as Ye Ye’s provocation. She glared at the girl who had made her feel ignored, “What are you so proud of? You’re just like me, at best, just Dean’s mistress!” she screamed, slamming her hand hard on Ye Ye’s table. “Mistress?” Ye Ye looked up in confusion. “You are! But I, will not be!” “You’re not? Do you still delusionally think he’ll divorce for you, to make you the official wife?” Jessica clearly misunderstood. So, he was married… A sense of disappointment inexplicably flashed through her. Ye Ye glanced at the silent Dean, then turned back to Jessica, “You can leave now. I’m just here to have dinner with him, not to compete for the ‘mistress’ position you’re so proud of!” Ye Ye rolled her eyes dismissively, picked up her fork, ready to continue enjoying her meal. “You!” Jessica stared at Ye Ye. “Jessica, get out!” “Dean… I…” “Get out!” “Fine, I’m leaving!” Jessica fumed, suddenly glaring viciously at the nonchalant Ye Ye, quickly grabbing a glass from the table and splashing its contents onto Ye Ye’s face — “Snap! Snap!” Ye Ye sprang to her feet, giving Jessica two resounding slaps, “No one has ever dared to splash me!” Transparent droplets trickled down Ye Ye’s cheeks. Fortunately, it was just the half glass of water Ye Ye had left, and fortunately, Ye Ye wasn’t wearing makeup… Jessica covered her face, staring at the seemingly weaker girl in front of her, never dreaming she would fight back! Dean quickly moved to Ye Ye’s side, wiping her face with a napkin. Ye Ye brushed Dean’s hand away, somewhat annoyed, “I’m not in the mood anymore, you guys do what you want! Hmph! I can’t eat!” Then she left the restaurant, leaving the crowd behind. Dean said to Jessica, “You, don’t ever show up again, or else, I’ll kill you!” After saying this, he picked up Ye Ye’s jacket from the back of her chair and hurried out. Leaving Jessica alone, silently crying.
[From Paris to Rome: Five, The Following Program]
