Chapter 31 - Jealousy Incarnate

Ash heard the opening of the door. He looked up to see Madam Hong entering with Mirae closely following her.

Madam Hong took the seat across him at her desk, while Mirae stood next to him, maintaining a stoic expression.

"Mr. Park," Madam Hong smiled. "I hope our deal still stands?"

"It does, Madam," Ash bowed slightly. "I will sign the contract with your company for my solo venture."

Mirae knew that Madam Hong would not go into details about this contract in front of her watchful eyes, but she knew what the contract said.

"Very well then," Madam Hong said. "We will send you the papers next week. And another thing."

She shuffled through her drawer and took out three tickets.

"These are tickets to my private ball," she explained. "I wish to invite you to there as my date."

She handed one of the tickets to Ash. He took the ticket, knowing fully well what her 'private' ball meant. Mirae quietly saw the exchange.

"It will take place this weekend," Madam Hong went on. "At my personal villa at uptown Seoul. And these tickets are for you."

She handed the two tickets to Mirae. The latter was startled.

"T-thank you," she managed to stammer.

"I hope you can being KJ there with you," Madam Hong winked. "Since, you told me that you fancy him."

"I-I do," Mirae lied. She sneaked a peek at Ash, whose expression suddenly darkened.

The woman did not completely trust Mirae's words. She wanted to see if the measly assistant really meant it when she said that she is in love with KJ. Hence, she deliberately handed the ticket over to Mirae in front of Ash.

Mirae was in a dilemma. How the hell will she bring KJ to the ball without giving her identity away? It was an invite only party. She cursed her luck.

"We'll take our leave then," Ash stood up. "I have another schedule for today. Let's go Ms. Mirae."

"Yes, Sir," Mirae said at once. "Thank you once again, Madam."

She bowed to Madam Hong. The latter acknowledged her with a slight bow. On the other hand, Ash did not bother for polite gestures and walked off.

Madam Hong saw them retreat. As soon as they left, she buzzed her assistant.

"Kim, please dig out all the information you can on EXOTIC's new Personal Assistant," she ordered.

"Yes ma'am," came the reply from the other end.

.....

Ash was driving at an unusually fast speed. Mirae, who was sitting beside him in the passenger seat, was nervous.

"Ash?" she tried talking to him.

He did not answer and instead kept on driving. Mirae noticed that he was driving off course and steered towards a direction away from the shooting site.

"Ash, where are we going?" she demanded.

"You'll see," he said shortly.

"Ash, we'll get in trouble if we don't reach the site!" Mirae exclaimed.

"I asked for a reschedule when you were in the toilet," Ash said. "Dasom will take over for me."

Mirae blinked. What was going on in his mind?

She did not probe him any further but let him drive on. They drove on for over an hour till they reached a remote beach just outside of town. Ash stopped the car at the most secluded part of the beach.

They remained in the car, trying to find words to start a conversation.

"Why did she ask you to go to the ball with KJ?" Ash finally asked.

Mirae hesitated. "I lied to her when we met at the washroom," she revealed. "When she asked if I fancy any of the EXOTIC members. I took his name. She probably did not believe me and hence, handed me those tickets."

Ash let out a sharp breath. He knew her lie was necessary, but he could not help but feel a little jealous. From KJ's behavior, Ash could tell he had a soft spot for the CEO of Abyss. Even if he did not know that Mirae is the CEO, it was still difficult to overlook KJ's growing concern for her.

Mirae, who thought Ash was worried about her lie to Madam Hong, smiled a little.

"Why are you smiling?" Ash frowned. She pinched his cheek.

"You're jealous!" she snickered. "Don't worry! It was just a white lie. You know that I have a disdain for that jerk."

She kept on laughing, oblivious to what actually bothered Ash. He sighed and decided not to tell her of his suspicions.

"Of course I am," he scoffed. "You'll be in a pretty gown at the party and I'll not even be able to dance with you! Instead, you'll sway on the dance floor with KJ."

Mirae leaned in closer to his ears.

"But you're the only one who can take off the pretty gown off me," she teased, nibbling him.

"Seduction techniques won't work," Ash smiled wickedly. Mirae pouted and started to pull off when Ash pulled her into a fiery kiss. Mirae held on to him as his tongue plied her mouth open, tasting her. They kept on kissing as the waves of the sea crashed with the land under the setting sun.

It was almost midnight when they pulled up in the garage of Mirae's apartment. She was snoozing in the car. Ash gently put her mask and sunglasses on her face while she slept blissfully. He got out of the car and scanned the area. There was no one in sight.

He opened the passenger seat's door and carefully carried Mirae in his arms, towards the private lift. She snuggled against his chest. Ash smiled as he watched the sleeping girl.

Unbeknownst to him, a pair of feline eyes followed them since they entered the building. Those eyes also saw a glimpse of the sleeping girl before the man put on the mask and sunglasses on her.

"Holy crap!" Jade whispered. "KJ's suspicions were right. The CEO is Mirae!"

He recognized the girl from one of KJ's drawings. The guy may deny that he had no regrets in removing his past life, but Jade stumbled upon a painting KJ made of her. Even though many years passed, it was so detailed, that Jade could immediately recognize the girl at one glance.

He watched as Ash carried Mirae upstairs.

"This is getting more complicated than a Korean drama!" Jade commented.

....

Ash carried Mirae to her bedroom. He gently laid her down and took off her shoes. He pulled the blanket over her and was about to leave when he felt her tug his arm.

"Stay," she requested. Ash smiled and kissed her forehead.

"I should bring over some clothes the next time I come over," he winked. He took off his shirt as he got into the bed.

"Mhmm," Mirae mumbled, settling into his arms for warmth. "I prefer you without clothes though."

"Oho! So you love me for my body?" Ash said in a playful tone.

"It is a special benefit which comes with dating you," she teased. "But no. I like you for another reason."

"What's that?"

"I guess, you can say that...we had the same expression in our eyes," Mirae reflected. "A hollow smile which did not reach our eyes. The first time I saw you, I thought you were lonely amidst the crowd. You were detached from the others even though you smiled with them, lived with them and experienced your entire youth with them."

She touched his cheek. "I wanted to give you a hug and tell you that everything will be alright."

Ash did not say anything but gave her a soft kiss. He lingered on her lips for a while, putting all his feelings into that kiss. Mirae kissed him back, accepting his genuine gestures.

Finally, he pulled back. "Sleep," he smiled, stroking her head. Mirae snuggled into his arms and soon fell asleep.

Ash stared at the sleeping girl beside him. Watching her in his arms, he realized how much she meant to him. Remembering KJ's reactions towards her, his mind became uneasy.

He did not want to create a rift in their friendship, but he also could not stand by and try to gauge KJ's feelings towards Mirae.

Holding her close, Ash decided to directly ask KJ about this matter. Soon, he too fell into a deep slumber.