One Night in a Storm by daydee
(Translated from Indonesian)

Edited by All-About-AAE

PART 1

Chapter 1

San Mei looked at the sky with a sense of disbelief. The summer sun that afternoon shone brightly, giving off a rare warmth in Korea. The cloudy blue sky seemed to extend to the end of the universe, and the trees gave off a soothing aroma to the air.

But behind all the beauty before her eyes, there was no smile on the faces of the persons passing by on the streets. Everyone looked busy, walking with their heads bowed and in a hurry, as if their lives depend on the speed of their steps.

San Mei sighed as she continued her journey. Xiang Zhe's apartment complex is in front of her eyes, but her luggage now feels even heavier than before. Her heels made sharp, insistent taps on the pavement as she also accelerated her pace.

She had left the MBS office building early, taking the bus directly to his apartment, as on the busy business street, with everyone also anxious to leave early, it was impossible to get a taxi.

Only with the rushed assistance of her dedicated studio team had they prerecorded a series of special tapes for a week of her nightly radio programs, intended to bring special comfort to those sheltering the coming storm at home, and fearing for the safety of their remote loved ones.


There was a moment of hesitation when San Mei turned on the door lock of the apartment. The key was given to her a long time ago, but today was the first time she had used it. Shaking her head, she sent away the feeling of doubt. That Xiang Zhe handed over a duplicate key to her is a sign that her boyfriend trusts her. What are all the doubts for? San Mei smiled to herself thinking about her stupidity.

The apartment was really very simple for someone like Yin Xiang Zhe. There was no ostentatious show of luxury that the occupant is a conglomerate heir. One additional point that made San Mei like it more.

She placed her luggage on the kitchen table and then turned on the television set in the living room which integrated with the kitchen and dining room. It was already tuned to the MBS channel. The news broadcast was on, that she knew is being watched by millions of Koreans.

Typhoon Sarah was on her way!

The television showed a heartbreaking scene that hit Japan, where the storm had passed several hours before. In a few hours, the typhoon will strike Seoul. The news reader, one of San Mei's colleagues, suggested some preparations that all residents should do in anticipation of the storm.

That's what San Mei did in Xiang Zhe's apartment that day. She bought food that was more than enough for a week, and lots of candles and batteries for preparation when the electricity was cut off.

Xiang Zhe was in Beijing, and on his way home. He did not want San Mei to pick him up at the airport and had asked her to wait in his apartment.

San Mei wanted to go to the airport, to see him the very first moment possible. That's how much she missed his strong and comforting presence. But this time, she would be an obedient girlfreind, and stay here as he had ordered her to.

"Xue Zhang, I am here, waiting," she sent the telepathic message out. "Please be careful, and return safely..."


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One Night in a Storm by daydee

Chapter 2

After she finished compiling her shopping items, San Mei changed into a casual skirt and top, and began preparing dinner. She had promised a special meal for Xiang Zhe, and she was determined to make it a really special one.

After everything was prepared, San Mei, hot and perspiring from her cooking efforts, took a leisurely, relaxing shower.

After her shower, San Mei applied her evening makeup and carefully arranged her hair into a loose chignon that rested on her nape (for the upcoming wedding, she had let her hair gow out longer). Then she put on the blue and white satin silk dress that Xiang Zhe had specially bought for her to wear at the MBS Anniversary party.

San Mei had debated for a long time on what to wear for this special homecoming dinner, wanting to look her very best when her precious Xue Zhang first saw her again. In the end, this dress had meant the most to her out of all her nice clothes, and she had wanted to show him that she treasured his gifts and care for her.


Still with time to kill, San Mei distracted herself by looking around the apartment. She had come here several times but was never alone like she was now. She could do anything and Xiang Zhe wouldn't know. Again, San Mei smiled to herself when she saw a large collection of his DVDs, and that he owned all of Julia Robert's films. Unconsciously, she compared herself to the gorgeous movie star, coming up short. Is that the kind of woman that Xiang Zhe liked? Like it or not, San Mei was curious about that.

Suddenly her eyes were drawn to a slim photo album tucked between neat piles of DVDs. On the opening sheet of the album, was Xiang Zhe's photo from when he was a teenager. San Mei gazed at it with a smile on her lips. In her heart she told herself that she would ask Xiang Zhe about all the events that were in the photos.

Turning to the final page of the album, San Mei was stunned when she saw a photo of Xiang Zhe embracing two girls. A very beautiful girl on the left and another on the right. San Mei recognized one as a young Liu Yung Xi. There were also several other photos that showed the close relatio nship of Xiang Zhe and Yung Xi while they were in school, and two closeup photos of Yung Xi, professionally taken, in which she looked stunning beautiful.

San Mei was increasingly curious. Removing those two photos, she hoped to find a description of when and where they were taken. Nothing was on the back of the first photo, but behind the second photo it read: 'My birthday is never the same without you. Really wish you were by my side as you had hoped. XXX -- YX'

Before San Mei had recovered from her shock, the phone rang.

Instinctively she went to pick it up, but then realized that this was not her home. And Xiang Zhe was not here. It was not good if other people knew that she was here. Let the answering machine record the message from whoever it was.

"Xiang Zhe, it's me." It was Yung Xi's voice, warm and friendly. "I don't know what time you will arrive, but with the typhoon coming soon, I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

Then Yong Xi's voice lowered. "I have a secret to tell you. Contact me when you get home. Bye."

San Mei gawked at the answering machine. She knew Xiang Zhe and Yung Xi were friends since childhood and their relationship was very close. But until today, she had not imagined the pictures she'd seen in the album. Or was aware that Yung Xi kept secrets with him. She sat while looking at the phone, hoping to hear something again.

Feelings of doubt now consumed her. She glanced at her watch. There was still time if she left for the airport right away. Without a second thought, she grabbed her handbag and stepped into her heels, flying out of the apartment. She wanted to be the first person to see Xiang Zhe when he arrived.

San Mei had contacted Xiang Zhe's assistant who was in charge of picking him up, for his whereabouts at the airport, but San Mei wrung her hands restlessly, all the way in the taxi.

Were they ever engaged? If so, why didn't it work out? Why did Xiang Zhe never talk about that time? Why had he kept those pictures, if Yong Xi meant nothing to him now? She had no answers to those questions. Instead they only added to the turmoil of her heart.

"Xue Zhang... XueZhang..." she repeated the words, trying to strengthen her heart against the sudden doubts that had crashed into her hopes and sent her reeling, "Am I the only one in your heart, or must I share it with another?"


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One Night in a Storm by daydee

Chapter 3

Pressed in the center of an anxious crowd in the Arrivals Hall, San Mei craned her neck, trying to watch the stream of passengers trudging tiredly by, many pushing loaded luggage carts. Even wearing 10cm high heels, she could barely see past the backs and heads making a wall in front of her.

Then she saw a man, his form and mannerisms familiar. -- It was Xiang Zhe! She was certain.

"Xue Zhang! Xue Zhang! Over here!" San Mei shouted, waving her arms wildly and jumping as high as could could stretch. Her voice was surprisingly loud and brash, coming from such an stylishly dressed, gentle-looking female, that people turned to stare at who was making the commotion.

But San Mei's eyes were fixed on only one person, the man she loved with all her heart -- overcome with joy that to see him -- forgetting for the moment the new doubts and insecurity that burdened her heart.


Xiang Zhe's smile broke open wide when he saw San Mei had come to meet up.

They both pressed through the crowd, until they were together, standing in front of each other, the throng of people around them fading to a blur of sound and motion.

Even after a long flight, and tired from travel, Xiang Zhe was extraordinally handsome in his business suit and tie, exuding authority and confidence of a man charged with leading a major corporation. He bore a presence that would otherwise intimidate San Mei, if his eyes were not alight with warmth and happiness as he gazed steadily at her, seeing a vision in blue and white satin that prompted the memory of a moment etched into his heart...

... 'Father, this is the woman I plan to marry' ...

In response, San Mei's face displayed her most brilliant smile, one that she reserved only for him. Dressed in her elegant outfit, hair and makeup perfect, she was the picture of professionalism and poise as one of Seoul's top TV announcers, a public celebrity with tens of thousands of admirers. But at this moment, one only admirer mattered, and Xiang Zhe saw San Mei only as the person closest to his heart, the woman who had accepted his proposal and promise.

"Stubborn girl. I was warned that marrying you would be very tiring. You don't obey me in the slightest. Why not wait at home?" he said in an elevated tone. "Don't you know that there will be a storm soon? What if you got caught in a deadly storm? I don't want to lose my future bride."

The intention of Xiang Zhe was just to joke but San Mei who heard it did not consider it a joke, because in the next seconds San Mei's eyes turned red, brimming with tears.

Xiang Zhe is shocked. He knew San Mei cried easily but it seemed this time there was nothing to cry about.

"San Mei, what is it?"

San Mei shook her head, wiping her tears before they fell down her cheeks. "I would not have come if I knew I will be scolded like this," she said in a low, tremulous voice.

Xiang Zhe laughed, taking San Mei in his embrace. "Stupid girl! I am just kidding. 3 days not seeing your smile feels like 3 years. Of course I'm very glad you came. That's proof that you miss me too much, right?"

"But you're so fierce."

Xiang Zhe tightened his arms, not caring about the people passing by, not even his assistant who appeared belatedly, watching them with a look of disbelief, that the powerful Director and heir of MBS was acting like a besotted school boy.

Xiang Zhe really wanted to give San Mei the 5-minute hug he always did when they met after parting even for a single day. But it seemed like everyone was in a hurry. He himself did not want to be caught in the storm, and so released his hug, saying, "Let's go home."

The invitation sounded intimate even in her own ears. As if 'home' was their common goal. Xiang Zhe asked his assistant to go back alone by taxi, there being no need to drive him anymore. He himself will drive the car.


When they came out of the airport, the sky that was once bright had disappeared into dark clouds. The wind that was blowing felt unfriendly. Xiang Zhe with one hand held his traveling bag, and with the other held San Mei's hand tightly, afraid that a strong wind would come and blow her away. The tiny hand was released only when San Mei was sitting safely in his BMW.

Xiang Zhe drove the car at high speed. He didn't realize the silence until San Mei said, "Xie Zhang, slow down a little. With the heavy traffic it's frightening me."

Xiang Zhe reduced his speed, smiling at San Mei with his justification, "I just want to get home quickly so I can hug you longer."

"You should concentrate on the road. Everyone seems to be in a hurry. How dangerous. If your mind wanders, I prefer to take a taxi" San Mei scolded with a frown.

"Yes, Princess..."


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One Night in a Storm by daydee

Chapter 4

They arrived at Xiang Zhe's apartment, ascending the steps and entering his door as the first lightning struck. Such a powerful roar made San Mei jump in surprise. She never liked lightning. Moreover, the storm is still building in strength. Reflexively she moved closer to Xiang Zhe.

Realizing San Mei's fear, Xiang Zhe embraced her, providing protection and a sense of security for San Mei.

"It's okay. The lightning is outside and won't touch you. Besides, even if that lightning will strike, I will be hit first because I am hugging you like this," Xiang Zhe tried to joke.

His joke was quite successful, because San Mei smiled and hit Xiang Zhe's chest with her small fist. "I don't want you to get in more trouble."

Feelings of pleasure, happiness, joy, mixed in Xiang Zhe's chest. San Mei doesn't want it to be a problem.

"Didn't you say you would prepare dinner? I'm starving from deliberately not eating my lunch so I can enjoy more of your cooking," Xiang Zhe tried to distract San Mei from the storm that had started raging outside.

"Dinner will be ready when you finish bathing," San Mei replied.

"But if I have to take a shower I have to let go of this hug. What if there is another lightning strike? Ah! We should just take a bath together so I can keep hugging you and you don't need to be afraid of lightning anymore."

San Mei closed her mouth and immediately escaped from the arms of Xiang Zhe. She knew Xiang Zhe was just teasing, but still she felt flustered from their closeness.

Xiang Zhe is holding back laughter, wondering about how long his lover will be shy like this. Will he still have to coax her into sharing the marital bed on their wedding night?


He showered while San Mei put on an apron and gave the finishing touches to the dinner that had been prepared beforehand.

After bathing, Xiang Zhe checked his answering machine. From the kitchen, San Mei was immediately worried. She had forgotten the message Yung Xi had left earlier, wondering now what Xiang Zhe's reaction will be. Will he answer the message immediately?

San Mei listened in as he went through several messages before Yung Xi's message. San Mei's heart was beating fast when Xiang Zhe picked up the receiver and pressed the telephone number. Whose message was he answering? Yung Xi's? When she heard Xiang Zhe speaking in English, she was relieved. Their conversation was too fast to understand. But it certainly was not Yung Xi.

San Mei quietly scolded herself. Why did she worry like this? Xiang Zhe is her mooring. Yung Xi is also the most respected senior. And also now she was married happily. It was inappropriate for San Mei to think about what is not. Even if there was something between them, it was only a part of the past. And every person has a past. Even herself. The most important thing was the future, because she will be a part of Xiang Zhe's future.

"Stupid girl!" San Mei cursed herself while hitting her forehead, trying to knock the doubts from her head.

"San Mei, what's up?" Xiang Zhe asked when he saw the strange expression on San Mei's face.

"Nothing," San Mei forced a smile. "Everything is fine. It's just the storm, worrying me..."


To be continued...