Venice (4)

I was ready to open my mouth and explain. I didn’t see a reason to keep my cousin’s problem a secret. I preferred honesty when possible. And considering this case, I thought that I would win more if I told the truth. Besides, I was a bad liar. However, before I can realise Leonardo strode towards me, wrapping his fingers around my throat. My eyes bulged from surprise and I wanted to remove his hand. But, next second his grip became stronger and I choked due to the lack of oxygen. Panic surged in my veins and I desperately tried to fight with him. He was unmovable like a rock.

‘’What is your relationship with him?’’ His voice was as dreadful as the death incarnate. It was devoid of any emotions. I could feel the eerie feeling of impending doom upon me which made my adrenaline rush. I struggled again against him without success.

‘’Let me go! You are strangling me.’’ My rationality was almost gone. I looked into the dark blue eyes which colour changed from their usual hue. At that moment they looked inhuman. The light coming from them reminded me of a demon who came from the depths of hell. I felt freezing cold all over my body. I tried to kick him. He only snickered mockingly. A moment later, my body was lifted in the air and my back hit the surface of the closest wall. I already had a problem with my breathing but now I was left without air.

‘’Human brain can survive without oxygen from five to seven minutes. So, you have enough time to decide if you want to betray Kang Xianliang or to die.’’ My brows furrowed for a second. Betray? I had nothing to do with him! Why did this idiot think that Kang Xianliang and I were best friends? Oh my, these men, both of them had the tendency to jump into conclusions without taking the facts into consideration.

‘’I can’t…’’ I patted his hand indicating I wouldn’t be able to talk if I was deprived of air. He looked into my face and finally decided to realise his grip.

‘’Speak.’’ I took a deep breath, coughing a few times until I stabilize my breathing. I needed at least five minutes until I calm down and put my emotions under control. My mouth was dry when I opened it to speak.

‘’Kang Xianliang threatened my cousin’s life. Yan Corporation cooperated with Kang Enterprise in a deal. Bei He was Yan’s representative and now Kang Xianliang blames Yan’s for the missing money.’’

‘’Wait, is Yan Si your cousin?’’ Leonardo’s brows furrowed in thought. ‘’I didn’t know you have connections with Yan Corporation.’’

‘’Well, actually I don’t.’’ He gave me a quizzical look, however, I didn’t want to elaborate. As far as I knew grandfather severed the family connections with mum and me. That meant I would never inherit anything from Yan’s. It wasn’t known to the outside world because it would be a stain to the family name. That’s why we were able to come back to China and attend Yan Si’s wedding. It was all about preserving face.

‘’What do you mean? Is Yan Si your cousin or not?’’ I gritted my teeth irritably.

‘’Yan Si is my cousin and Yan Cheng is my uncle. However, I have nothing to do with Yan Corporation. I am not their heiress nor young madam of Yan family.’’

‘’Why?’’ His hand was still on my throat but he didn’t use force anymore. I felt the warmth of his fingers being somehow pleasant. This thought made me give him a penetrating look.

‘’Gossipy, aren’t we?’’ I smiled mockingly hitting his hand. His eyes squinted warningly at me but he let me go.

‘’I am happy Kang Xianliang and you aren’t close.’’ Yes, definitely. Otherwise, it looked like I would be a corpse by now.

‘’Why? Who is he to you?’’ He gave me a playful smile.

‘’Gossipy, aren’t we? By the way, I will see what I can do for Bei He’s case. He worked for me before and I can find a way to lend you a hand.’’

‘’Why will you help me?’’ Leo wasn’t a charitable person. He wouldn’t do something just like that.

‘’I won’t lose anything. Besides, I like your eyes.’’ He winked at me at my face became red with anger.

‘’How could you be that audacious?! You almost strangled me two minutes ago. And your hypocrisy is limitless. You were saying how you don’t want me to die in your territory but you were ready to kill me.’’

‘’Firstly, I can strangle you and admire your beautiful eyes at the same time. Secondly, no one can kill you in my territory except for me.’’

I almost choked from his heartless words said with such a light tone. I never had imagined that his real self is so cold-blooded. This was in stark contrast with the considerate Italian gentleman I knew in my previous life. The man in front of me was like a stranger. His incisive cold eyes made my body stiffen with terror. And the reason for that was he would definitely end my life without feeling any remorse. I felt my body drenched in a cold sweat. Was I in love with a sociopath? Somehow part of me refused to believe it despite what my eyes saw. While I tried to come to my senses he turned me his back. I watched as his body dressed in white Italian suit left the room. A few seconds after that my phone ranged.

‘’Luo, are you still in Bei He’s room? If you are, just go, Xi An will take care of him.’’

‘’No need, Yan Si. Someone else will do it for us.’’

‘’What? How is that possible?’’ I opened my mouth ready to give an explanation but paused. I wasn’t quite sure about the whole story with Kang Xianliang and Leonardo. I had my assumptions but I decided to keep quiet.

‘’Trust me. You are safe now. We can go back to China and Kang Xianliang won’t bother you.’’ Yes, Yan Si was saved. However, the same couldn’t be said for me as I found out later.