The Manipulated Villainess

Days passed by quietly and in no time, five days had passed since Nicole and Aston last saw each other.

Nicole was sitting in her office talking with Jerome on the phone.

"No, Jerome. I cannot rush things. After what happened last time, the devil has become more doubtful of me. If I go to the orphanage now, the risk is too huge. This is not a thing where I'm allowed to fail." She explained to the man.

The last time she defied her step-mother, she almost suffered severely and her fever was the thing that saved her. She needs to lie low for now.

"Okay. You too." She put down her phone and heavily sighed. Rushing was too much because for her, everything was a matter of life and death!

After a few seconds, her secretary Julia Cha entered her office room. "Chairwoman, it's time for your meeting with the personnel of the clothing brand." The secretary informed her.

Right, the meeting! It's today. The pain in her heart resurfaced when she realized that Aston Kang will also be present in the meeting.

For Nicole, her past five days were quiet yet tormenting. But for the actor, it's the opposite. Many news about him were reported during three days. He signed with a new agency, he was confirmed to lead a drama with Anna Park and many other small news.

Nicole wondered how she would stop thinking of him if they were talking about him everywhere - in the newspapers, television, articles and even in the streets and her company! What's more? She will meet him again today!

"Let's go." Nicole rose from her seat and went to the meeting room where the meeting was supposed to be held.

There was still 30 minutes left before the actual meeting but she scheduled another meeting ahead of the meeting with Aston. She needs to give some instructions to her employees in the clothing business and checked everything.

"Everything is ready for the shooting that will take place after three days."

"I already confirmed the time with Mr. Aston Kang."

"The factory also finished everything we asked."

The Chairwoman hears out the report from her employees. She felt a sense of satisfaction. This clothing brand was the one she built personally. It was her dream and that's why it was so important for her. She wouldn't allow anything to ruin her efforts.

Five minutes left until the scheduled meeting with the top celebrity and they were already informed of his arrival. As always, the actor was known for his punctuality.

Finally, the door of their meeting room was opened and the most awaited guest made his way to the room. The employees stood up to greet him and so did Nicole. When her captivating chestnut brown eyes landed on the nation's heartthrob, he reminded her of their meeting in the restaurant that night. The night when she realized that he was Aston Kang.

Just like that night, the actor was still majestic as the king of the entertainment industry he was! Wearing a black suit, he posed a formal appearance. Not to mention that he looked as handsome as ever.

Everything resembled that night, except for two things. Nicole's heart that was totally different from that night and the actor's expression that made him looked cold and distant.

Unlike that night, her heart was beating faster when she saw him. Unlike that night, he didn't flash a friendly smile at her.

With a bit of reluctance, Nicole approached the actor and reached out her hand to him. "Thanks for making time to come here, Mr. Kang. It's nice to see you again." She tried her best to not show what she felt inside.

Aston holds her hand and gave her a handshake. "Same here, Chairwoman." He smiled but it never reached his eyes.

They both took a seat and Nicole introduced her employees to the actor as they would be the ones handling almost everything for him in the upcoming shootings. The actor remained polite but never crossed the line. He remained professional the whole time.

"As I told you before, Mr. Kang, there will also be a photoshoot with the newly chosen female model for our brand, Ms. Anna Park. After doing separate shoots, we will do some more shoots as a couple." The General Manager who was a man in his 30s informed the actor.

"I heard about that. I have no problem. It would even be a great chance to promote our new drama together. I think I should thank you for that." Aston replied formally yet his expression was pleasant and friendly.

"That's great to hear, Mr. Kang. But Ms. Anna Park couldn't attend today meeting due to some personal matters. I hope that you would understand." The Chairwoman said. "We couldn't come to a decision for a long time and only confirmed the female face of our brand a few days ago. We were quite afraid that you won't be glad about it."

"It's fine, Chairwoman. I'm good friends with Anna and I'm happy that I could do this together with her and not someone else." Aston turned to Nicole and smiled out of courtesy.

Strangely, Nicole felt uncomfortable. He was too different from the Aston Kang that she knew. When she looked at his face, she didn't saw any wounds or scars. He seemed to have recovered and make up helped him in hiding some of it too. She felt quite relieved, thinking that he looked after himself well.

The meeting ended after around half an hour. All the other employees had left the meeting room while Nicole and Aston remained in the room.

The Chairwoman felt nervous and uncomfortable while the actor maintained a calm and nonchalant face. After a minute of silence, Nicole rose from her seat. "If everything is done, let's get out of here. I will see you off, Mr. Kang."

Aston rose from his seat without saying anything and Nicole walked forward to lead the way.

"Can you spare me some time, Chairwoman? It would be great to have some tea together in your office."

The actor's words made her halted her movement. Confused, she turned around and met his gaze. He was still calm and stoic. He was unreadable.

"Sure." She responded and led him to her office.

Aston sat on the sofa in the office while Nicole prepared some tea in one corner. It was quiet and the atmosphere was tense. After what seemed to be forever, Nicole makes her way to the actor with a tray in her hand. She placed one cup of tea before him and another for herself. She then sat opposite to him.

Narrowing his eyes at the tea, Aston slightly smiled. "You still prepared it by yourself." He muttered. He was reminded of the time when he first came to this office.

With blood staining his shirt, he was a complete mess! At that time, she offered him a lavender tea which she prepared herself saying that it's good for calming the nerves.

"I love making teas. It's my hobby." Nicole simply replied.

Lifting the cup of tea, Aston took a sip and inhale the scent. "It's jasmine tea this time." He commented.

"Yes. It's good for your health. Now, you need that more than lavender tea." She simply responded again yet her eyes observed everything about him.

"You must really like tea. You know so much about it." He put down the cup and finally glanced at her.

"It's all thanks to the research I made." She ended up answering the exact things that he said, nothing more or less. But deep inside, she wondered if he wanted her to spare him some time only to talk about tea!

"You're always great at whatever you do." Even in rejecting me. He wished to say these too but he holds back himself. "How have you been, Nicole?" He asked as he forced a little smile.

It's only five days but why did he ask her as if they hadn't seen each other for weeks? It even made her wondered if something was going on with him. She almost shuddered at the simple thought of it!

"I'm doing fine." She hardly slept and had no appetite ever since that night but how could she say that? She would only make him wavered again! They will only end up hurting each other again. "What about you?" She asked.

"It's hectic." He slightly smiled but he didn't say any more word. He took another sip of the tea.

He looked fine before but now that he was sitting more closer to her, he seemed to be very tired. She was curious but she didn't want to bother him again, so she kept her silence.

Aston narrowed his eyes at his hands that were placed on his thighs. He wished to say something but something holds him back. That night and one more reason.

"It's great to hear that you're doing fine. I could be at ease." He forced a little smile once again like he always did in the past.

Nicole just realized that he had been forcing a smile like he did that day when he came to her office. It made her anxious and worried about him. She wanted to ask him something but Aston's phone went off and made her maintained her silence.

Aston looked at the caller ID and quickly picked up the call.

"Anna." He greeted which made Nicole blinked in surprise! Anna Park?!

"Where are you?" Aston asked the woman and his face was plastered with worry.

"Wait for me. I'll be there right away." He ended the call and then turned his eyes to Nicole.

"I'm sorry. Something came up and I need to go. Thanks for the tea." Without even waiting for her response, he rose from his seat and stormed out of the office.....