Several days later, Chao was coming back from an interview. His interview went good but he wasn't feeling good. He had this feeling that by telling Ziva about everything he might have done a mistake. He was regretting it but what was done couldn't be undone.
On his way back, he saw Ziva with a friend of hers coming out of a café. He wanted to talk to her but decided to leave. Ziva saw him leaving even after seeing her so she called him out.
" Why did you ignore me? You clearly saw me. " Said she.
"No.. nothing. " Chao replied.
Ziva paused for a minute and continued,
" I broke up with him. "
Chao looked at her with shock. He couldn't believe what he heard.
" Is it because of what I said? " He asked.
" Somewhere.. but I found out he was cheating on me. so.. " Ziva replied.
"Oh... " Chao looked down.
" Well.. I've thought about what you said back then. " said Ziva.
Chao looked at her and said,
" About what I said? "
Ziva smiled and replied,
" Wanna go out with me? "
Chao was surprised yet happy. He saw Ziva smiling and hugged her tightly.

They both started going on dates and spending time together.
" what should I do now? " Asked Ziva as she finished cutting the onions.
" Check the oil of it's hot enough." Chao replied while cleaning dishes.
" Eh! It can't possibly be hotter than me. " Ziva replied doing a dramatic hair flip.
Chao looked at her with a done face. Soon he noticed that the pan with oil in it was about to fall. Ziva didn't notice as she was facing Chao. He ran towards her as if the pan fell, it would hurt her. He pulled her but got burnt instead.
Ziva freaked out as Chao yelled in pain. She quickly took him to the hospital.

" Why are you crying? I'm fine. Even doctor said I'm fine. " Chao said wiping Ziva's tears.
"I'm sorry... if it wasn't for me.. it wouldn't have happened.. " She sobbed.
" Oi. Look at me. " He said.
Ziva looked up with tears.
" Let's get married. " Chao said.
"HEH?! " Ziva yelled shockingly.
" Was it a yes or a no? " He said.
Ziva couldn't process anything. She was too shocked and happy to answer him.


Days passed by, Months passed by. Ziva and Chao got married. They moved to a different place because of Chao's job.
" Babe. " Ziva said as Chao finished having breakfast.
" yeah? " Chao looked at her.
" Well, Cristy called this morning. She's inviting us for her cousin's birthday party. " She implied.
Chao got up and said,
" Ok. I'll come back early today." He Gave her a peck on cheek and left for work.

Ziva started to clean up. After cleaning , She layed on sofa to talk to Cristy but heard a doorbell. She made her way to the door and saw a delivery man standing there.
" Is this... Mrs. Lu's residence? " He said.
" Yes it is. " She replied.
" There's a package for you. " He extended his hands carrying the box towards her.
" Who sent this? " Ziva asked.
" There's no name. " He said and left after taking her signature.

Ziva went back inside and started thinking about it. She opened it and saw a bright red dress. She thought that Chao might've sent it as she told him they're going to a party but then, he just left for office and he also knows that she's not fond of bright red . She just left the dress on bed and continued her work.
Later, when Chao returned , Ziva told him about it.
" What dress? I have this right here. " He said as he pointed towards the bag he was holding .
" I thought you sent it but then, it's in bright red. " She replied.
Chao was annoyed by that dress. Ziva noticed and said,
" You got a dress for me babe? " She looked at him in an adorable way.
Seeing her, Chao couldn't resist but smile.
Ziva left to get ready while Chao saw that dress on the bed. He took and burnt it without Ziva knowing. Chao is really possessive about her. He doesn't show it to her or let her feel scared of her but he can't tolerate any other guy being close to her.

After getting ready they left for the party. At reaching there, Ziva sat with Cristy and Chao went to talk with the boys.
" I didn't think you'd come though! " Cristy said.
" You invited so why wouldn't I? " Ziva replied.
They were talking when Marlo, Cristy's cousin, came.
" Come on now! When are we gonna cut the cake?! " He said.
" Wait bro! Just 10 more minutes and everyone will be here. " Cristy replied.
Marlo saw Ziva sitting beside Cristy and greeted her. But accidentally, the glass of juice he was holding fell on Ziva's dress .
" Oh no! I'm so sorry! " He said.
" It's.. fine. where's the restroom Cristy? " Ziva looked at her.
" Let me show you. " Marlo said.
" No it's fine. Just tell me where it is. " Ziva said.
" Upstairs, turn right. " Marlo told her and put his coat on her to cover her as her clothes were wet . Ziva smiled awkwardly and left for restroom.
She cleaned her dress and looked in the mirror .
" I guess we should leave now. " She talked to herself and tried to look for her phone only to realize that she left it down stairs. She rushed outside and bumped into Marlo there.
" Oh! I'm sorry. You left your phone so I came to give it. " He said.
"Thanks." She said and took her phone.
Till then, Chao realized that he couldn't see Ziva anywhere. He asked Cristy and she told him where she was. Cristy was aware how possessive Chao is but she hadn't noticed Marlo going upstairs too.
Just when Marlo was about to leave the room, Chao came. Chao rolled his eyes around the room and saw Marlo without his coat. He saw Ziva's dress was wet and he misunderstood the situation. As he looked at Marlo, he punched him real hard causing him to bleed and fall down. Ziva screamed at this sudden action of Chao. He started landing punches on Marlo. Ziva tried to stop him but the rage had taken over him. Marlo got unconscious. Ziva broke a vase to stop Chao and held a piece of broken vase near her neck.
" Babe! Stop! Or I'll kill myself. " she cried.
Chao thought Ziva cheated on him with Marlo. His whole world broke down. The only one he had in his life was her. Now, even she betrayed him.
" He's so precious to you that you're ready to give up on your life for him?! " Chao said with tears in his eyes.
" Let me explain. You've got it wrong. He just came-- " Ziva was trying to explain but was cut off by Chao.
" HOW COULD YOU?! " He yelled.
" Babe... please... " She sobbed.
Till then, Cristy reached there and was shocked by seeing the situation. Ziva told her to get Marlo out of there and she did.
Ziva was trying to calm Chao down but he wasn't even listening. Soon, his sorrow turned into rage. He moved close to Ziva and started choking her. Ziva fell down, with Chao over her, Choking her so hardly.
" Babe.. please.. " She tried to breath.
" Don't... " She breath and was starting to lose consciousness. Her vision got blurry. She saw the broken piece of vase and took it in her hand. She didn't want to die from her lover's hands. She didn't want him to become a murderer because of her. She picked up the piece and said,
" I love you forever,Chao. "
Saying this she slit her wrist.



To Be Continued...


© SM