The Bad Girl: Chapter 23 - Women

Smile Liu looked at the clock on the wall. It was 10:53 in the evening.

"Damn! Where are you, Sherwin?" She peeked through the window; her face was contorted into a frown.

She looked around her and slumped onto a chair and crossed her legs.

The room was decorated lavishly to illustrate a love haven. The lamps on the side of the bed burnished softly, creating silhouettes all over that added drama to the room. Delicate sheer curtains hung on the windows, initiating a subtle and sexy mood, as the gossamer fabric swayed gently to the wind.

It took almost 3 hours to set the atmosphere. Each detail was taken into account to make everything seductively perfect.

She was excited to see his reaction. She smiled. He didn't know that she was back from the information technology forum in Seattle, Washington. She was scheduled to return in three more days.

She regretted leaving for that damned seminar. All the symposia were so mind numbing. To ease her boredom, she thought of her heart-stopping, blood-raising lover, Sherwin. In all her lustful daydreaming, she came up with this plan to surprise him.

She stood up, went to the full-length mirror and adjusted her attire: a black vinyl top with a very low neckline and deep back and a matching thong and thigh-high stiletto boots. She looked ultra sexy with her hair piled on top of her head, curly tendrils fell on the side of her face, her eyes hidden by a mask.

Except for the ears and tail, she completed the look: Catwoman, The Tramp.

She opened a bottle of Hennessy and took a large gulp, straight up.

She searched for her Panatela, took one and lit. She glanced at the clock again: 11:00 PM.

Her face flushed in disappointment and anger. It took a lot of time and effort to prepare everything and she had no intention of putting them all to waste.

She killed her cig and dialed Sherwin's number: out of coverage.

She tried the office: no answer.

She took a deep, calming breath before proceeding to dial another number.

Smile reigned her emotions in. "Mae, this is Smile Liu. Sorry to have bothered you at this hour."

The woman on the other end answered sleepily but surprise was evident in her voice, "Miss Hsu, it's no problem."

Smile was twisting the telephone wire with her finger. "Uhm... I was just wondering. I'm trying to reach Sherwin. His mobile must have gone off. Do you have any idea where he is? I have some matters to discuss with him."

"Oh... He left the office around six. I heard that he had a certain business arrangement at the Yan and Yang Skycraper," Mae told her everything she knew.

Smile was confused, "Yan and Yang Skycraper? Isn't that a residential building?"

"Yes, Miss. Maybe he's buying a unit there." Mae stopped a yawn.

There was silence.

"What for? He already has a penthouse here," Smile thought, "Besides, Reina Yang owns one of the only two penthouses there. The other one is under Chrissie Yan's name."

It was common knowledge that the Yan and Yang Skyscraper was built for the infamous brats of Jerry Yan and Drei Yang.

"Thanks, Mae. I'll call Sherwin tomorrow. Hopefully, I could catch him or something. Do tell him I called up, please?" she told the sleepy woman.

"Yes, Miss."

"Thanks, Mae and sorry to have bothered you. Goodnight!" Smile replaced the receiver on its cradle. She folded her arms, her face turned sour and her eyes were ready to kill.

"Damn you, Sherwin! You better not have any woman other than me!" She muttered angrily under her breath, oblivious to the tears spilling down her face.

She felt sick. The thought of Sherwin having another woman tore her insides apart. She was in love with him.

Devastated and furious, she took her coat and left Sherwin Xu's penthouse. Her efforts were in vain.

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Reina was standing on top of the Yang Towers, a lit cigarette on her delicate fingers.

It was around 5 pm and yet, the sky remained clear and bright. The bright orange sun was preparing to settle on the west.

She looked down and she could see Taiwan below her: the tall buildings, the moving cars, creating a long line, and some neon lights were already on.

Looking up, she stretched her arms upward and faced the sky. Her long hair flowed freely against the whipping wind. Even her dress clung tightly on every curve of her body. She surrendered to the wind's mischief.

Her smile was triumphant. She had emerged victorious against Sherwin last night.

It had been five days since that evening when Sherwin showed up to stake his claim.

The surprise in Sherwin Xu's face when she voiced her choice will forever be etched in her mind....

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Five nights ago....

Sherwin shrugged his shoulders and said, "Choose the lesser evil."

He held out his hand and offered it to her.

She never made a move, seeing Daniel at the corner of her eyes.

Reina just stared at Sherwin's outstretched hand.

She took a deep breath and met Sherwin's eyes.

"What were my choices again?" Reina shot up an eyebrow, her tone, challenging.

Sherwin was taken aback. He knew there were no loopholes in his carefully-laid plan. Unless....

Would Reina meet him head on?

It would be suicide for Reina should she challenge him.

He knew her to be wise enough to know he was resolute and she would not be any match when he would play hard.

His eyes darkened, warning her as he replied, "It's either you're mine exclusively and I'll stop my acquisition of YC at 35%. Should you choose me, I'll let you take charge of YC but I'll remain as a BOD. Otherwise, I'll throw you in the streets and I'm serious Reina."

Reina was not one to not recognize the dangerous gleam in his eyes.

"I have an offer," Reina tilted her head to her side.

"You're in no position to negotiate," Sherwin told her off flatly.

"Oh, but I am, Sherwin," Reina smiled. "You see, you pointed it out yourself, actually.

She sauntered to him and whispered into his ear closely, "You want me."

Reina smiled and took her time in sitting down on the couch.

"It goes both ways," Sherwin countered frankly.

"But you want me more, having planned this trap all this time." Reina shot knowingly.

Sherwin nodded in understanding.

Reina Yang would lock horns with him.

In a calm and calculating voice, Sherwin said with finality, "So, that's it then. Clean your office tomorrow. I'm taking over Yang Conglomerate."

He turned to leave when Reina spoke.

"You sure you don't want to hear what I was about to offer?"

Naughtiness laced her question.

Sherwin stopped, turned around and smiled slowly. He put his hands in his pockets.

She was his.

"Quit smiling, Sherwin," Reina sharply said as she saw the triumphant look on his face, "It wouldn't please you actually."

Reina reached for the drawer on the side table and took out a pack of cigarettes and lit one stick.

Sherwin's smile vanished..

Reina Yang was aptly called behind her back, The Bitch.

His eyes narrowed slightly and turned for the door, disgusted.

"Bring it on, Sherwin! Show me what more tricks you've got..." Reina dared after him.

His hand was on the knob when Reina finished her sentence.

"IN BED!" a crooked smile was playing on her lips.

Sherwin abruptly stopped and said, "You're shrewd."

"I don't run Yang TV for nothing," Reina accepted bluntly.

She took a step towards Sherwin, intending to kiss him to seal the deal when Daniel made his presence known by hitting the wall and brushed pass Sherwin and left, his eyes meeting Reina's.

They stared at each other: Reina's eyes pled for Daniel to understand.

The silent exchange did not escape Sherwin. He shrugged off the tiny pang of pain that he felt. His eyes darkened.

Sherwin gravely spoke, breaking Reina and Daniel' moment, "There's a clause there, Reina. You're mine only."

Reina sharply turned her head and met his gaze unflinchingly, "I will be BUT I must go to your bed willingly."

"Oh but you will," Sherwin countered.

"We'll see, Sherwin. Well see," Reina contested.

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Reina smiled at the memory.

The wind was picking up.

She decided to go down...

On her way to the elevator, she was thinking that it's been five days and still, nothing happened between them. Somehow, she was endeared.

He never forced her although she had always left him wanting more for the past five nights.

Sherwin and Reina had moved to a lavish bungalow on the outskirts of Taipei, very reminiscent of Sherwin's house in Thailand. Upon seeing the structure, Reina realized that Sherwin had carefully plotted his entire scheme.

They were presently sleeping in different rooms as a concession to Reina's bargain. However, she kept on seducing him just to tease him.

Reina was amazed at Sherwin's control because every time she says stop, they never carry on, although it was hard and discomforting for Sherwin.

Take last night for instance...

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Reina arrived at the bungalow tired and weary. She searched the house. Sherwin was nowhere to be seen. She smiled. "Alone for a few precious minutes," she thought.

To relax, she decided to soak herself in the tub with warm water and her favorite scent, vanilla.

She took her clothes off and wrapped her body in a soft terry robe. Her hair was pinned atop her head.

She went inside the bathroom and poured the oils onto the warm water and immersed herself.

The door remained open. She never bothered to close it. She was alone anyway.

She did not hear the front door open. Sherwin arrived, tired as she was.

He went directly to his room but stopped short when he heard Reina humming in the bathroom.

He decided to have a peek.

God, that woman was making him crazy with all the things she had been doing and yet, she never came to him! She had always left him provoked! It was painful!

To his delight, he found the door open.

He slowly peered inside, afraid that she might catch him.

Reina felt she was being watched. She glanced at the doorway and saw Sherwin, taking a sneak peek. She smiled wickedly.

Sherwin was not aware that Reina saw him. He continued to gawk, taking in every detail of her body: her creamy breasts, her soft skin, her shapely legs....

Soon, he was stirred up.

Reina stood up in the tub. She took the sponge and spread the bath gel. Ever so slowly, she rubbed it onto every part of her body.

She made sure she rubbed her breasts carefully and longer than she usually would. After all, she had an audience.

Then, she moved down to her legs, caressing them lovingly and softly.

Sherwin gulped at the sight.

He couldn't take it anymore so he moved away and pretended that he just arrived.

"I'm home!"

Reina smiled and shook her head.

"Yeah right," she thought.

She heard his bedroom door close.

She rinsed off and headed to her room but left the door ajar.

Her show was not done yet. Definitely not!

Reina was hoping that Sherwin would take the bait and come in.

Sherwin leaned on the door and sighed then he banged his head on his bedroom door.

"What were you thinking?!" he berated himself. "Peeping?! You're acting like a teenager with raging hormones!"

He shook his head and changed his clothes.

Meanwhile, Reina was sitting on the dresser brushing her long hair and was getting a little impatient waiting for Sherwin to show up and watch her again. This time, she would give him more than he bargained for.

She smiled wickedly.

She heard his door clicked open and hurriedly positioned herself to stand beside the bed but not before turning Come Away With Me by Nora Jones on.

Sherwin walked out of his room and heard the soft music coming from Reina's room. He saw that her door was partly open and shook his head. He walked towards her room with the intent of closing the door. As he neared her room, he could smell her sweet vanilla scent.

As he placed his hand on the knob, he chanced to look up and saw Reina swaying seductively to the music... without her clothes!!!

He stiffened and his eyes were glued upon her.

Reina felt his presence. She started swaying to the music and slowly discarded her robe, letting it drop to the floor.

Squirting some fragrant lotion on her palm, she then placed her right foot on the bed and gently massaged it on her shapely leg, starting from the foot and working her way up to her thigh. She repeated the ritual on her left leg.

Sherwin felt he was stirred to life just by watching her. He moved slightly to ease his discomfort. By doing so, he inevitably opened the door a little farther.

Reina noticed the stream of light coming from the hallway become brighter and smiled.

She proceeded to continue with her ritual. She sat on the bed, giving him a nice visual of her side. She knew that she had given him a more pronounced view of the elevations on her chest; the flat plans of her stomach, and the thrust of her buttocks as she pushed them back.

She squirted more lotion and rubbed it on her arm, and on her breasts. She did the same on her other arm.

Sherwin was debating whether to close the door and take a cold shower or go inside and devour her. Then he saw Reina stand up and walk toward him.

"Uh-oh! Busted!" his mind screamed as he scrambled to straighten up and tried to conceal himself on the wall beside the door.

His abrupt movements did not escape Reina and she tried hard not to laugh.

When she reached the door, she opened it fully and said, "Hi! I hope you enjoyed the show!"

She blew him a kiss, grinned like a Cheshire cat, struck a pose, and slammed the door and locked it, leaving Sherwin with a stupefied expression.

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Sherwin was waiting for her at the car park. He looked dashing in his gray business attire with a dangerous sexy air about him.

Instead of heading directly to their place, they had dinner at a fancy restaurant.

"How was your day?" Sherwin asked, as he pulled the chair for her.

Reina's eyes rolled at the exasperating events that transpired earlier this day.

"It was almost a disaster. One of my biggest stars, Apprille Chu, is pregnant and the TV series she's in, is in the middle of the whole shoot! One of our sponsors is demanding to take out one of our stars Kenrose Cheung from the station because they want Happy Yao instead. Are we having another SWOT analysis, Mr. Asian Predator?"

Sherwin laughed.

Being CEO's themselves, Sherwin suggested that they do a certain SWOT or Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats assessment at the end of the day so that they would somehow get to know each other better. And, it would make their relationship more harmonious.

Reina smiled, "Okay so I'll indulge you. Those two events will be my weaknesses now. My strengths would include my absolutely wide range of talents and not to mention, extremely intelligent..." she laughed heartily.

Actually, she enjoyed their SWOT routine. It helped her get her mind off things and get opinions, too.

She paused to chew her food before she continued, "Opportunities will be the strengthening of our financial position. Yang Conglomerate stock seems to be stable for the past three days. Threats will be Mr. Ulmahn wanting to take over Link and Jesse is in panic. He already has your telecom after him."

Sherwin never ceased to amaze Reina with his capabilities. She just found out yesterday that he owned Galaxy.

"Well, there's nothing to worry about my taking Link over. Did I not say that I would stop hounding Yang Conglomerate? As for Ulmahn, do you want me to deal with him?" Sherwin offered as he sipped from his wine.

Reina was touched by his thoughtfulness, "Thank you, Sherwin. That actually means a lot but I'll do this myself. I don't want you depriving me the pleasure of taking the man down..." teasing him with her words.

Sherwin's voice suddenly turned seductive, "Talking about pleasure... I have in mind giving you something else..."

Reina held his gaze and caught on. She stood up and with a naughty gleam in her eyes she pulled Sherwin.

"It's about time," she huskily said.

Surprised and pleased, Sherwin threw some cash on the table and they left the restaurant in a hurry.

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They had barely reached the living room when Reina faced him and kissed him hard on the lips.

He smiled and groaned in anticipation. He waited too long for this night. Her lips were full and she tasted so sweet. He felt like drinking the sweetest wine, drugging his senses.

They were caught in a frenzy as their hands roamed all over each other's body.

Reina moaned when Sherwin's hand tugged on the waistband of her top and slipped inside her, caressing her stomach.

She sat down on the sofa and removed her top, leaving her in her lacy bra.

Sherwin hissed at the sight. He kneeled down and pushed the cups of the bra and teased her sensitive hardened peaks.

She arched in response. She ruffled his hair, pulling him closer.

He continued to pleasure her with his tongue, but his hand was rubbing her thigh, moving upward, bunching her skirt to her waist, to rest on her apex.

She pulled Sherwin's head and searched his lips and kissed him passionately.

Sherwin broke free from the kiss and looked her in the eye. His fingers were deftly sneaking inside her panty, parting her folds, rubbing her tip and teasing her entrance.

Reina squirmed and threw her head from side to side in sheer torment and pleasure.

He smiled and forced her to look at him. He saw her eyes glazed with heat and passion. His fingers entered her and her pupils dilated at the pleasure.

She moaned and groaned as he continued to enter her again and again with his fingers.

"Oh my God!" Reina screamed when the coil inside her was about to unfold and scatter into a million pieces.

All of a sudden, Sherwin stopped, an unreadable expression on his face.

He hastily stood up and fixed himself, saying incoherently, "I'm sorry, I forgot I need to meet someone. I have to go."

He scampered to his car, leaving a bewildered Reina.

Reina felt rage bubbling inside her. Of all the times to stop, why now?!

She covered her face with a throw pillow and screamed.

She took deep breaths to calm herself and thought, "I will not plead for him to take me."

She took a cig and lit and after a few puffs, killed it. "Fine! You had your revenge."

She gathered her clothes and stormed to the bathroom and took a cold shower.

"There won't be a next time, Sherwin!"

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Sherwin was driving around the block several times, trying to simmer down his raging hormones and emotions for deserting Reina in that state. He has done hitting his forehead on the steering wheel, regretting what he did.

"I'm such a dork. I'm still a dork!"

He can't go back to their place, lest he wanted to meet the flying pots and pans greeting him on the doorstep.

He decided to go back to his own apartment.

He was surprised to see Smile waiting beside her car at the parking lot.

He parked on his reserved space and got out of his car.

Smile walked towards him and greeted him with a hungry kiss, and whispered, "I missed you, loverboy...I want you, now."

Sherwin smiled and kissed the inviting woman urgently.