The Tale of the Lotus Heart

Aivi's POV

I couldn't stop thinking about Yong. why did he feel so familiar? Why did I trust him immediately? Why was I so comfortable around him? Days passed. I went back to my job, working only the register until I was cleared to take my arm out of its brace. Lucas didn't show up again. Thankfully Yong thoroughly scared him off. Harper, my only friend and roommate, pestered me constantly trying to get me to tell her about Yong but I kept my mouth shut for some reason. I felt that before I got a chance to figure him out for myself, it was best not to involve anyone else.

"Why don't you just call him?" Harper said after catching me staring at his business card again in the changing room after a shift. I sighed and set the card down beside me.

"He could've just been being nice to me. He's a doctor. He saves people all the time. He probably doesn't even remember me," I spoke my thoughts honestly. Harper chuckled as her phone rang on speaker.

"Talk to him and you'll find out," she said with a smirk. My eyes widened as I stood quickly. I didn't even see her take the card, but yet, she was already dialing his number.

"Harper!" I tried to take the phone from her but she successfully kept it out of my reach.

"Hello?" Yong's voice came through the phone.

"Hi, Yong. This isnt my phone, but this is Aivi. The girl who got her shoulder reset in a coffee shop changing room," I said awkwardly.

"I remember. But if this isn't your phone, are you okay? Are you in trouble somewhere?" He asked seriously. I felt my cheeks blush in embarrassment.

phone has been broken," I lied instinctively. Harper was having a hard time holding in her giggles as she finally handed the phone to me. I took it off of speaker and

called me yet. Do you need

continued my lie. Saying that I was too self-conscious and conflicted to call him the last few days would make

my personal number, you can send me a text when your phone is fixed," he

are you at work

with me after you get off of work?"

out. What did you have in

a great spot

fun. Um..."  I hesitated when I tried to think of how I could continue the lie but meet up with him at

can come there to pick you

have my phone back by then," I replied.

minutes," he said before we hung up. Harper giggled as she took her phone back and handed me

you," she teased me.

texting Yong from my own phone. When he arrived,

smiled like an idiot. Yong was quick to smile back at

a sleek black Tesla. I followed him to the car and he opened the door for me. After driving a while, we came up upon one of the few pieces of greenery in the city. I got out and looked at it in awe. It was actually very