Hellbound With You – Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Leave her shell

Abigail was unable to sleep that night. Her mind was completely occupied by that man. The reason why she didn’t send a message to Mr. Leather Jacket days ago was because Abi made a bet with herself. That bet was that if she were to see Mr. Qin again, she would take it as the world giving her its blessing and granting her what she wished for the most. She told herself that if their paths crossed again without her actively seeking him out, she would never let him go so easily again, nor would she hesitate or hold back in trying to get what she wanted. She would think of him as the man fate was offering her.

So now that it had actually happened—and so soon after she last saw him—Abigail’s determination skyrocketed more than ever. She was going to do this. There was no turning back!

That night, Abigail couldn’t sleep. She was excited to call Kelly but she had to wait for the man’s message first. She had to know when they would meet again so she could prepare. But as time went by, her phone remained silent. She grew unsettled. She started typing, intending to message him, but it was harder than she thought. She didn’t know how to even begin. She had never done anything like this before. Boys had always been the ones to call or text her first. Should she call him? What should she say? Should she ask?

Abigail spent an hour rolling on her bed, clutching her phone, glancing at it every few seconds, trying to decide. She realized even this little thing wasn’t easy. Did those boys who used to message her act like this too? Shaking her head, she sat up against her sky-blue headboard.

She tried to recall the first messages she received from boys. Almost all of them had simply started with a ‘Hi!’. Abigail rested her chin on her finger, like a detective piecing together clues, and typed the word Hi.

But she couldn’t send it. It felt too plain, too boring. Would he even reply? Should she ask if he was already asleep instead? Abi sighed in frustration. She knew she was overthinking, but knowing didn’t help. Talking to him in person was a hundred times easier than sending a message. Somehow, she was more afraid of the phone than the man himself, which was just too messed up.

In the end, Abi sent a goodnight emoji—a fluffy white cat yawning as it curled up on a pillow. Then she finally fell into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning, the first thing she did was check her phone. Her heart raced when she saw his message.

[Mr. Mysterious Qin: I’ll send someone to pick you up on Saturday evening. Send me a message beforehand if you change your mind.]

Abi sighed. It seemed he was still giving her time to change her mind, as though he was confident she would. Too bad, Mr. Qin. This lady has decided, and I’m not changing my mind anymore…

…

Days passed, and finally, Saturday arrived.

Abigail told her family she would be sleeping over at Kelly’s house that night. They knew Kelly well—she had been over many times before for sleepovers. They knew she was from a wealthy family and Abi’s good friend. Still, they worried constantly. To ease their minds, Abi asked Kelly to talk with them.

After stern reminders about alcohol, drugs, and boys, they finally let her go.

“Sigh… your family is… how should I put this?” Kelly said as she drove toward the city. “I really like them, Abi. I’m jealous you have such a caring family. But they’re so overprotective. You’re already twenty-two! They should stop treating you like you’re sixteen. I get that they’re worrywarts, but I think they shouldn’t be so strict anymore.”

Kelly’s brows drew together as she spoke. She knew they meant well, but sometimes she felt they didn’t give Abi enough freedom. Part of it was Abi’s fault too—she was too obedient. Always home on time, never out with boys, never lied, never went against them. Kelly wondered if Abi even had personal desires, because she always seemed content just making her family happy. She was the perfect, filial daughter.

That was why Kelly was shocked when Abi told her what she planned to do today. Kelly was hesitant at first—she hadn’t even met this Mr. Qin—but she decided it was time to support her friend. Abi had finally chosen to step out of her shell, and Kelly would set aside her worries to back her up.

“It’s okay. I know they just want me to be safe. Even if they sound strict, I think deep down they may actually want me to go out more,” Abi said with a grin.

Kelly shrugged. “Oh well. If I were them, I might be the same. Especially when my sweet, well-behaved Abi suddenly decides to sleep over at her friend’s house for the first time in her life!”

“Haha, I honestly don’t see anything weird about that.”

“Gosh! You have no idea, Abi. I’m telling you! Wait—don’t distract me. You still haven’t answered my questions. Now tell me, this is just the first date, right?”

Abi was ready for this interrogation.

“He said we’ll attend a party hosted by his friend. I’ll be his partner.”

“After the party, you’ll have your first date, right?”

“Yes.”

“And after the date… well, you know what might happen next?”

“Well, of course. I have a fairly good idea. I’ve read lots of romance novels.”

“But never smut, Abi. Ah, I regret not giving you those R-18 novels! You were so innocent I didn’t recommend any. Sigh…”

Abi blinked, trying to follow her friend’s logic. She thought she understood, but she didn’t quite see the connection between first dates and R-18 novels. Still, she didn’t want Kelly to worry, so she didn’t ask. She would just prove she knew what she was doing.

“I’ll be fine, Kelly. Now you’re acting like my family, too, you know?” Abi grinned, and Kelly could only sigh.