An intense fire engulfed the building, burning bright into the night sky.
"Let me go! Leah is inside! I have to go save her!" yelled the man in desperation, his voice cracking.
Veins bulged at the back of his trembling hands. Sweat poured down his skin, mixing with the tears streaming uncontrollably from his eyes. He tried to get up from his wheelchair to rush into burning building, but he was restrained by two men.
No matter how desperately he struggled, he remained helpless against their strength. He could only watch the fire go on higher and higher.
A man bolted upright on the bed. His chest heaved violently, and his breaths were sharp and shallow. Cold sweat drenched his skin, clinging to his back and soaking the sheets beneath him. His heart pounded furiously, every beat crashing against his ribs as if trying to break free. His head throbbed, heavy and tingling, but all he could see, flashing again and again in his mind, was that burning building.
"Leah, I need to save her." His voice rasped, hoarse with horror.
His despair and anguish was clear as he got down from the bed hurriedly. But his legs tangled in the sheets, and he fell down on his knees, creating an embarrassing sight.
However, he instantly got up the next instant, moving to open the door.
But before he could do that, the door before him was pulled open. His assistant noticed the miserable sight of his boss and was taken aback for a second.
The man's hair was messy and unruly. Those dark bloodshot eyes of his held immense grief and a mess of inexplicable emotions. The buttons of his shirt was barely done.
The man who cared greatly about how he presented himself to the outside world seemed barely decent.
He looked like a desperate ghost from the underworld.
"President Zhen?" The assistant carefully called, trying to bring him out the trance.
Leo Zhen's muddled mind cleared for a second. He blinked his eyes, registering the moment. He had already fired assistant Zhang.
What was he doing here?
Then, looking down at how he was standing on his two feet, more shock planted on his face.
What was going on?
He raised his hand and harshly slapped on his cheek, not holding back.
His further shocked the assistant.
He wondered whether or not his madman of a boss was possessed.
Could it be that he was going more crazy?
"President Zhen, are you alright?" he carefully asked.
The crisp slap felt very sharp against his cheek, stimulating his pain nerves.
"This wasn't a dream," he muttered.
Then, his bloodshot eyes glared at the assistant, making him look more fierce than usual.
"What date it is today?" His commanding voice came out rough and deep, but underneath it, there was a strange expectation.
The assistant looked confused for a second.
Did the boss out of his rage yesterday consume some strong drugs?
Did that mess up his brain further?
Nonetheless, maintaining his professionalism, he answered, "8th of May, 2025."
"2025," muttered Leo, "five years back."
He really managed to come back to five years back.
Every desperate prayer coupled with the sleepless nights of begging the heavens to return Leah to him— it had all been answered. Somehow, although it seemed impossible, it had worked.
Then, something else hit him.
"If it's the eighth of May..." Leo's eyes widened in realization.
"President Zhen, the marriage ceremony has been completed. Are you going back to the house or will you stay another night at the hotel?" informed Assistant Zhang.
This was the day he got married.
Only then was he reminded of the foolish thing he did on the day of marriage.
In order to protest against this arranged marriage where the bride has been replaced, Leo got drunk and wasted the previous.
He ended up on tabloids for spending the night at an infamous club with beautiful women and hundreds of thousands dollars worth of alcohol.
On the day of the marriage, he was too hungover to get up and expressed his discontentment by not showing up at his own wedding.
Leo slapped hard on his other cheek.
"Bastard!"
He was truly not worthy of being a human being.
Who knows what type of insults Leah suffered from during and after the marriage due to his immaturity?
He was the one who deserved to die.
Assistant Zhang was startled by his self-abusive behaviour once again. Although his boss was indeed a 'bastard' and deserved to get beaten up, as an assistant, he could only express his concern for the man.
Should he call for a shaman?
Or will the psychiatric department be better?
Leo had no time to observe the colorful changes that took place on his assistant's face.
Thinking about how Leah was all on her own, Leo knew he had to go over to her.
Who knows how frightened she is by herself surrounded by all the strangers?
His heart broke thinking about it.
On the outside, his face only turned more fierce.
His dark, intimidating eyes shot towards the assistant, and he ordered, "Drive me to my house."
The assistant paused for a second.
Did the president want to give warnings to the new bride on the day of her marriage?
He felt pity in his chest for the new bride.
But as a small worker, he could only abide by the man's words.
"I will drive you over."
The impatience on Leo's face had the assistant rush. As Leo got into the car, he was filled with anticipation of seeing Leah.
Because he was a bastard in his previous life, immediately after his marriage, he departed to another country on the excuse of business trip.
By the time he saw Leah, three months had already passed.
"Go faster! Ignore the traffic lights!" Leo barked, his voice rough with urgency. His fist tightened against his knee, knuckles whitening. "Step on the pedal— I said faster!"Leo was irritated at Assistant Zhang for caring about the traffic rules when his newly married Leah was probably shaking in anxiety.
Nervousness made his palms sweaty, thinking about what expression to make on his face when he faced her.
His Leah was timid, so he couldn't scare her.
Thinking about that, he pulled the corner of his lips upwards, trying to force a smile on his face. The sensation felt foreign to him.
From the rearview mirror, Assistant Zhang saw the strange facial expressions being pulled by the Boss, and he shuddered in horror.
No matter what, he truly had to get away from the Boss before he completely loses it.
When the car stopped in front of the mansion, Leo rushed out the door and entered the house. He headed upstairs, and in his excitement and anxiety, he slammed the door of his room open too loudly.
Then, he was greeted with the sight of his beloved Leah standing before him.
Her lovely, doe hazel eyes widened. Although she wore a plain white dress, Leah looked dazzling. Her small, pink lips parted.
This was how his Leah looked as a bride.
His heart beat rapidly in his chest.
"Wife!" The word burst out from his lips, heavy with emotions.