The Manipulated Villainess

When Nicole asked him that question as if it was a usual thing, Aston rapidly blinked. Was that what she was thinking the whole time?!

Still, how could she ask him that with such a curious face?! He shook his head at her. Her frankness was no joke! She always said whatever she had on mind!

When Nicole saw his reaction, she was flustered. "Why did you look at me like that?" She asked with a displeased face.

"Your honesty is something, Nicole." He remarked but his amazement was still on his face.

She wasn't pleased with his response! "That's not the answer to my question." She clicked her tongue.

"Are you really that curious? Why would you want to know how many actresses I had kissed?" He mused.

"No particular reason." She simply said and glanced at the living room. "I saw your series."

Aston finally realized why she suddenly thinks about this. She watched the series and came across his kiss scene! It troubled her this much? He didn't expect this!

Then he realized that she still hasn't given up on his question. He sighed in defeat. "I don't know."

Nicole's eyes grew wide at his response. "You don't know? Then... " She trailed off, thinking of something. Suddenly, her brows furrowed. "You lose count? That much?"

Aston felt like he was stuck in a maze with no exit. Why did she have so many questions?! He never knew that she was such a curious person. But why this matter?!

He deliberately cleared his throat and glanced at her. "Listen. Firstly, I don't lose count. I never count it in the first place. Secondly, I don't know how much figure is on your little head but I don't think they would be as much as you thought. Lastly, it's all an act. They don't matter to me."

"Then?" She asked, slightly tilting her head to the left.

He let out a light chuckle. "Only you matter to me. All others are fake and you are the only real one. Happy now?" He stared at her with an amusing smile. What was she? A little kid? She behaved like one!

Nicole slowly nodded but the look on her face tells him that there's still something on her mind. However, she quietly continued with her dinner so, he did the same, thinking that her thoughts will settle down but... he was wrong.

After quietly eating for a while, she glanced at him and leaned a bit towards him. "Do you mean that you don't feel anything when you kissed those beautiful actresses?"

Aston looked at her and helplessly sighed. "Yes." Can't she just settle down her thoughts?!

"I see." Nicole slowly nodded once again and continued eating but Aston never took his eyes off her. He was amazed at how her little mind works!

"Any more questions?" He asked, an amusing smile never leave his face.

"Nope." She said without even glancing at him.

"Don't watch my series anymore." 

His words made her halted, then she glanced at him. "Why?"

"You only watch it for a few minutes and look at you. You bombarded me with such absurd questions. If you watch any longer, it might lead you astray. Besides, I don't think I'll be able to survive if this goes on." He responded with a serious face.

"Astray?" She slightly frowned. "Do you think I'm a kid?"

"Yes. You behave like a kid."

She fell silent but her gaze never left him. Her face was so calm and it made him wondered what was on her mind. After what seemed to be forever, she nodded. "Fine then. I won't watch anymore." She narrowed her eyes and started eating again.

Aston chuckled and shook his head. He wondered what her frankness had in store for him. Being with her was always a beautiful challenge!

*

"Does it mean that I can drop you on the main entrance of your apartment building this time?" Aston asked Nicole while he was driving. The two were on their way to Nicole's apartment.

"It seems so." Nicole was suddenly reminded of what Aston said to her before. "I think you're right at one thing. You said that we can see each other freely at the least."

"Just one? I think I'm right at many things." Aston jokingly said and Nicole slightly smiled. "You are signing the contract to buy the house tomorrow, right? I really want to accompany you but I don't think it's possible."

"It's fine. I will sign in the morning. My assistant already picked some furniture and it will be delivered in the evening. I can handle it myself." Nicole simply replied.

"That fast?" Aston promptly asked. He had no idea that she already prepared everything.

"Yeah. I want to move out as fast as possible. I will have more freedom that way." She turned to him when she realized what Garcia Han said to her in the morning. "By the way, my step-mother said that she will grant me whatever I want if I managed to convince you tonight."

"Will she really do as she said?" Aston asked. Once in a while, he shifted his gaze from the road to her.

Nicole nodded. "She is never the type to go back on her words. That's why I'm quite puzzled now. I can ask anything but that wish shouldn't make her grow suspicious of me. If it makes her doubt me, there won't be any benefit."

"You know her better than me. I'm sure that you will know something that would fit all your criteria. Give a serious thought." 

"You're right," Nicole said and turned to the front. In her current situation, she must make use of everything but what will be the best? She wasn't sure.

"Have you made up your mind?" Aston suddenly asked her.

Nicole was quite baffled. "On what?"

"Alex Jo." He reminded her. "We need to claim that land you mentioned."

Nicole bit her lip and fell silent for a while. Then she said, "I don't know. It's not easy... No... It's more than hard for me."

"Then take your time. I have a good plan." He saw her darted her eyes to him which made him chuckled. "Don't worry. It's not about violence like you thought. I will tell you when the time comes."

Soon, they reached the entrance of the apartment and they both get off. Then Aston walked to Nicole.

"Do you think her men are watching us now?" He whispered.

"Sure enough." She promptly responded with a slight smirk.

"We fooled them enough. How about giving them something to report tonight?" He said which made her raised a brow.

"What do you mean - "

She couldn't finish her words as he suddenly pulled her close and hug her. She was taken aback for a while. "What are you doing? We are outside. What if someone took photos of us? You are a celebrity!"

"You know that's the last thing I care about." When she struggled in his embrace, he promptly said, "Don't move. You make me look bad."

She let out a little sigh and finally returned his hug by wrapping her arms around him. After a few seconds, Aston pulled back and smiled. "I think we already give them quite a scene. I'll get going." He bid her goodbye and drove back to his apartment.

Nicole stared at his car until it was out of her sight. Then she went up to her apartment and informed Garcia Han that she had succeeded.

* * *

On a road that was more than quiet, there was a small pavilion on the left of one corner. Standing in that pavilion were a man and a woman who stood still, glancing at each other. Judging from the look on the man's face, the situation didn't seem to be good but the woman's face was very calm.

"I already warned you, Cassandra Lim. How dare you approach Aston?" Nathan Woo spatted each word, gazing at the woman before him with contempt. When Aston called him in the evening and told him about his meeting with Cassandra, the intelligent Gang Boss completely lose his cool!

"Nathan - "

Cassandra tried to say something but Nathan won't let her.

"You used me and make me suffered an immense humiliation; my father died because of you and now... " He paused, sneering at her. "You want to make use of my friend? What dirty plan do you have in mind this time?"

"Mark my words, Cassandra Lim. Stay away from Aston and me. Are you trying to test my patience?" His voice was low but there was an undeniable rage in his eyes.

He had lost many things and suffered because of this woman; so he had no intention to let it happen again. He couldn't believe that he had once loved her! Trusting her was his biggest regret and his feelings for her destroyed his life!

Cassandra remained calm though each syllable of his word was piercing her heart!

"Nathan, please listen to me - "

She instantly paused when Nathan shut his eyes.

When Nathan opened his eyes again, she saw pain in his eyes for the first time and that made her froze! Then he spoke up. "Cassandra, please. Leave me alone. Stop tormenting me."