CHAPTER 3: AN EARLY GIFT

CHAPTER 3: AN EARLY GIFT

The next morning, Kai went downtown to Lu’s Jewelry Store. It was a small, family-owned business that sold unique gemstones, gold, and diamonds. Besides selling, they specialized in making custom designed jewelries. He entered in and saw the owner rearranging gold rings behind the glass counter.

The owner was a cute, little old man in his late 60’s-half bald with his white hair slicked back. He wore a little brown with white striped bow tie to compliment his matching brown, wool blazer. Kai heard about him through his mutual friends that he was the master of making designed jewelries. He had seen some of his unique works and loved it.

Kai walked toward him and stood a couple feet away from the owner. “Good morning Mr. Lu,” he greeted.

The owner looked up and saw Kai. “HEY! My number one customer!” Mr. Lu excitedly came over to Kai and shook his hand, while his other hand patted his shoulder. He leaned toward Kai with a big grin on his face and whispered loudly, “It’s finally finished…wait here.”

Mr. Lu went around the counter into another room while Kai waited patiently for his return. A couple of minutes later, Kai saw Mr. Lu coming out with a small black box and started to get anxious of what was inside. Mr. Lu stood in front of him and lifted the lid off for Kai to see. Inside, was a 10-karat, white diamond engagement ring. The huge diamond sparkled when the ceiling lights reflected on it. The band was made out of platinum that was designed into multiple unique swirls, giving off an old Victorian look. It gathered upward to where it held the diamond in place. Kai stared amazed of its beauty that he quickly took it out from the box to have a closer look. 

After a careful examination of the ring, he said excitingly, “She will love it!”

Mr. Lu was happy, knowing that he had satisfied another customer. Curious, he asked, “When are you going to propose to her?”

Kai placed the ring back in the black box while he answered him. “Our three year anniversary is coming up in a week from now…” After the ring was in the box, he closed it and looked at him, smiling. Then he continued, “I’m planning to propose to her then.”

Mr. Lu was joyful to hear the news and teased, “She is a lucky woman to have a guy like you; smart, romantic, and with great looks.”

Kai chuckled from his compliment and replied, “No, I’m the lucky guy to have her in my life.” The old man laughed and nodded in agreement.

At the corner of his eyes, Kai saw something that caught his attention. He turned his head and saw a heart shaped necklace displayed inside the glass counter. On the silver lining of the shaped heart were tiny diamonds, sparkling for him to see.

The owner saw that he was intrigued by it. “Mr. Yang, that necklace will compliment well with the engagement ring. Why don’t you buy it?”

He thought about Cecilia and started to reminisce about the first time he met her and knew that she was the one for him.

He was nine years old when he came to the orphanage. Since he was a newcomer to the place, boys that were around his age bullied him daily, making him felt worthless and weak.

One day during recess, the bullies cornered him and started to tease him, saying that he was a ‘weak sissy’. Then they pushed him a couple of times until he fell to the ground and cried. Suddenly, one by one, the bullies were being hit by a stick. The next thing he knew, they too were on the ground, hurting and crying. He heard an angelic voice hovered above him saying, “Don’t cry,” and looked up to see a tiny hand in front of him. Then he saw the heroic angel. A tiny girl with hair braided on each side, smiling warmly down at him. He grabbed her hand and she pulled him up by using all of her strength. When he got up, she turned and stared at the bullies coldly with her arms crossed in front, while holding the big wooden stick in her hand. The bullies saw her and quickly got up, crying for mercy. She told them to leave, and they did without fighting back. That was when he knew his angel’s name.

Cecilia Lin-A six year old little girl that came to the orphanage when she was a fresh newborn. She was quickly loved by the staff and children from her cute baby face; but, physical appearance was nothing compared to her personality. She was fierce and brave. She didn’t tolerate bad people and stood for the weak. Children called her a heroine; but to him, she was his angel.

He wanted to give back to her for helping him, so he did her chores, did whatever she said, and even got in trouble with her.

One time in the backyard, there were pretty flowers blooming in the rose garden. Cecilia took him to go and pluck rose petals with her. She plucked one and smeared the rose petal all over her arms, neck, and face, and said that it was to ward off bad people. She handed him one and forced him to do it also. He thought that was silly, but didn’t hesitate and did what she told him to do. He only wanted to see her happy.

She wasn’t like the other girls in the orphanage where they love to play with dolls and dress up. In fact, the only girly thing about her was the scented rose on her skin. She never understood why people would still want to be close to her when it was supposed to scare people away. As a six years old child, her mind was so full of imagination and creativity that it made everyone enjoyed being with her.

Kai had a huge grin on his face after reminiscing their childhood years and decided to buy the necklace. Happy, the owner quickly took the necklace out from the glass counter and put it in a small, red velvet box that has a white bow on top of it. Kai paid Mr. Lu and then left the store excited and anxious in giving the gift to her.

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Cecilia sat down to read some of Tsui Man’s criminal activities across the countries and had the television turned to the news channel. Suddenly, something caught her attention from the news and stopped what she was doing.

News lady anchor: “Two months ago, a group of hikers stumbled upon an object and reported to National Museum of Science and Research. Professor Choi and his team of archaeologist went to the site to excavate it. What they found was so extraordinary that it may question our history.”

The video clip then switched to Mystic Mountain where the site was being excavated. An old gentleman in his late 60’s was being interviewed on scene.

Prof Choi: “What we’ve unearthed is something that we have never seen before. As you can see here…”

The camera panned to the right where the excavation was. It showed an exposed entrance of a cave on the ground and next to it, was a huge, white pillar. Around the pillar were strange hieroglyphics carved in rows. It filled the whole pillar and in the middle, was a huge carved celtic-like, diamond symbol.

Prof Choi: “…are hieroglyphics that are not from our writing system or from the Egyptians as well. Who are these people and where exactly are they from? We do not know. It will remain a mystery for now.”

She was astounded by the excavation; but at the same time, it made her even more curious of Alex Wong’s motive. The doorbell rang and startled her, making her chuckled a bit. She placed the papers back on the coffee table and went to answer the door. She opened and saw that it was Kai; he waved at her.

“Hi beautiful,” he said with a cheesy grin.

She crossed her arms in front, noticing that he was in a very good mood. Curious, she asked, “Ok, what are you hiding?”

Kai simply shrugged his shoulders and made his way inside to her place without saying anything. Cecilia hated it when he does that to her. It annoyed her greatly for not knowing what he was hiding from her. But to him, he loved it. He loved to drive her nuts in curiosity and found it very entertaining; especially when she gets feisty at him.

He walked straight to the living room and sat down, while she closed the door behind her. Kai picked up a packet of papers to read, but she quickly came over and snatched it out of his hands. Then she slightly punched him on the shoulder and sat down next to him. Her hazel eyes bulged as she stared intensively at him.

He smirked, “What?”

“Why are you such in a good mood?” she asked curiously.

He laughed, “Why can’t I be in a good mood?”

Annoyed, she rolled her eyes and scoffed at him. Since she was in a good mood also, she let his sneaky behavior slide and focused on the mission. Cecilia told him about the excavation at Mystic Mountain.

“What do we know about this Alex Wong guy?” he asked.

“According to his criminal background, he stole some ancient scriptures and antiques back in 2013 from the Shang Gala. He also stole an infamous antique painting from another Gala show in 2008.”

Kai thought about Tsui Man’s manpower and Alex Wong’s antique fetish. “So, we’re dealing with a terrorist and a thief. I guess Professor Choi must have known that Alex Wong was going to stir up trouble at the site. He must be the third party who teamed up with CCIA in this mission then.”

“I believe so,” She asked.

“Well, this will be fun then,” he said sarcastically.

She nodded and grabbed some photos on the table to look. While she was doing so, he quietly took the velvet red box out of his back jean pocket and placed it on the coffee table close to her. She turned her head and saw the box.

“What is it?”

“Just open it,” he insisted.

Excited, she picked up the box and lifted the lid off to see a diamond necklace neatly placed in there. “It’s beautiful…”

“Happy Anniversary,” he said.

She looked at him confused, “But our anniversary is not until next week.”

He smiled, “I know. I wanted to give you an early present.”

“So this is why you’re in such a good mood!” She pursed her lips and punched him on the shoulder. “You’re so devious!”

He laughed. “Here, let me help put it on you.”

She handed him the box and he took the necklace out. She lifted her long, black hair up and he placed the necklace around her small neck. After he finished, she let go of her hair. Cecilia touched the heart necklace, feeling the smooth diamonds on her fingers tips and smiled happily.

Kai saw her face glowed and complimented, “Cici, it looks beautiful on you.”

Then she pouted. “I feel bad that I didn’t get anything for you.”

He thought for a second and then he had an idea. “I know what you can give me,” he said teasingly.

She grinned, “What?”

“A kiss!”

She thought about it and nodded, “Alright.”

Happy and excited for the kiss, he puckered up and closed his eyes. She leaned forward to his lips; then with quickness, she kissed him on the cheek instead. Surprised, he opened his eyes and looked at her in disappointment.

“Hey! That’s not where I wanted!”

She laughed at him, “You didn’t specify where.”

“For that, I am going to tickle you until I get it then!” He began to tickle on her sides. She laughed so hard that she fell on the sofa cushion along with Kai. He was on top of her and stopped tickling her. They gazed into each other’s eyes as if they were hypnotized. His fingers stroked through her silky hair, loving how it felt between his fingers.

Then he whispered, “I love you Cici.”

His eyes sparkled when he said those words and she knew that he meant it from his heart. Her heart fluttered and replied, “I love you too Kai.”

He slowly leaned forward and passionately kissed her on the lips. While kissing, he carefully laid his body on top of hers until their bodies became so close that they could hear each other’s heartbeats. He smelled the rosy scent on her and started to move his lips down to her chin. He kissed it, making her enjoyed his sensual pleasure. Then he slowly made his way to her right neck and found where the strong rosy scent was. He kissed it and then licked the area to taste it. She loved the way how it felt; but was ticklish, and she started to giggle. He pulled his lips away from her neck and giggled with her. Then he made his way back to her lips and kissed her more.

Kai slowly pulled his lips away and leaned his forehead to hers so their noses could touch. He stared at her as he continued to stroke her hair.

“Stay alive for us,” he said softly.

As a secret agent, the person never knew if one would make it out alive from a mission. For Kai and Cecilia to make it thus far was a miracle because of those encouragement words. One has to stay alive for the other no matter what the circumstances were until the end. They also had made a promised that if one did died, the other have to move on with his/her life until it was the person’s last breath on earth. Life was too precious to be wasted when grieved.

She smiled and nodded. He kissed her again on the lips and then laid his head on her breast. She held him in her arm as he listened to her heart beat. Cecilia stroked his short, black hair and felt them poked her fingers.  She let out a sigh and thought about the mission.

“After this mission, let’s move somewhere far away from here.”

He knew that she was tired of this kind of work. Although the work was full of hardcore action and high adrenaline rush that they loved to experience, both were also afraid of losing each other. There were times when one of them would be seriously injured from the missions-getting beaten, shot at, and stabbed multiple of times, but survived. Out of all the missions that they had encountered, there was one in particular that scared them the most; it was also their last.

It was on a cold, winter night in a secluded place out in Moscow, Russia. They were assigned to assassinate a Russian terrorist group before a missile was launched. During their assassination attempt, they were captured and detained in a secret base.

Kai hung from the ceiling by his feet with heavy chains wrapped tightly all over his body. Underneath him was water in subzero temperature. His face was barely unrecognized from all of the beatings-eyes swollen shut that he could barely see, and blood gushed out of wounds from his nose, head, and mouth. A few feet away from him was Cecilia, hanging by the arms above on land. Cecilia wasn’t beaten as badly as he was, but was shot on the shoulder.

The leading terrorist, Vadim Kubyshkin, came over to Cecilia and grabbed her cheeks with his large fingers; his eyes full of rage.

“It’s time to payback for what you have destroyed!”

Then he gave her a lustful smile and she knew what he was going to do next. She tried to struggle free from his grip. “The more you struggle, the more I’m going to make sure you get f***** hard by me and my men!” he threatened. His men started to laugh and whistle in the background.

She decided to stop struggling and he let go of her cheeks. “Good girl, now give this daddy a kiss.”

She spat him on his face and his men became silent in disbelief. Vadim got upset. “You B****!” and punched her hard on the stomach.

She gasped in excruciating pain and coughed. Then he grabbed her hair close to her scalp hard. She felt the roots being pulled out and yelped in pain. He turned Cecilia’s head toward Kai and taunted him.  

He took a sniff of her by her neck. “Your girlfriend smells so sweet…” and licked her neck up to her face. She was too weak to fight back and limped there.

Enraged, Kai struggled around like a dangling fish to get free, so he could come and help Cecilia. He threatened, “I’m going to kill you!”

They laughed at his little threat.

“By the time I f*** your girlfriend, you’re already dead.” Then Vadim ordered his men, “Release the rope!”

The rope that held Kai from the ceiling was released and his body plunged into the frigid waters. Cecilia yelled his name in horror and started to struggle to get free again. Vadim grabbed her shirt and tore it off, exposing her blood soaked bra. Then he groped her breast hard, licking and sucking her neck and bloody chest like a wolf devouring its prey. His men got excited and walked closer to them, wanting a piece of her meat for themselves as well.

Meanwhile, Kai struggled to get free from the frigid waters. The heavy chains were too strong for his body to get out. Then his body started to numb from the cold…and then air. He started to panic and tried to gasp some air, but all that entered in his body was cold water-Gulping it down one mouthful…and another.

This was the end. This was the last that he would see Cecilia-her smile, her kiss, her warm body next to his…He took his last breath and his body stood silently as the heavy chains dragged him deeper into the abyss.

Suddenly a hand grabbed onto his body and tried to pull him up. His body moved upward to a familiar face; it was Cecilia. She pulled him up close to her bare shoulders and held onto him. She fought with all of her strength to swim up to the surface as the heavy chains tried to drag the both of them down. Finally, they reached to the surface and she gasped for air. Quickly she pushed Kai’s cold body out of the water and onto the cemented floor. Then she got out and leaned close to him.

Kai’s face was blue and she began to worry. She cried out, “Don’t you dare leave me, YOU HEAR!” 

She blew air into his mouth and thrust his chest numerous of times while tears strolled down her face. Her tears dropped into his mouth while she blew air, and it dropped onto his icy cold body while she thrust down his chest. She did this for a while but realized that it was too late. He was dead. Her heart sank in dismay.

“KAI!!!!” and hugged him tightly, crying and burying her face in his.

Seconds later, Kai’s face started to turn to a peach color and then his fingers started to move. He began to cough out water from his mouth and nose. Cecilia felt his movement and lifted her head up to be in total shocked. He was alive! Full of joy, she quickly hugged him as tears strolled down her cheeks. Her hug was so tight that he didn’t have air to breath.

“I thought I lost you,” she cried happily.

He coughed out more water. “I thought I would never see you again,” and smiled.

Kai raised his hand to her cheek and wiped her tears. Then she leaned toward him and kissed him on the lips. They could feel their warm breaths as they exchanged air and their warm tongues as it touched. Their cold bodies were now warmed from the kiss.

CCIA-Black Ops Force finally found them and saw dead bodies everywhere. They helped Kai and Cecilia up and gave them warm blankets to cover their bodies.

Now that they took another mission because of the lump sum of money, they wanted to make sure they disappeared for good. No more hounding down from Cho San and his men, CCIA, and Black Ops Force. There was going to be only Cecilia and Kai, living peacefully from the chaotic world forever.