The Manipulated Villainess

After Nicole changed her dress, she started cleaning the house with Shara. Because the house was so big, it needs so much efforts to clean every corner.

"I never thought that you will know how to do it, let alone cleaning it yourself," Shara said to Nicole while they were cleaning the main room together. Leon was handling the furniture in the bedrooms, so they cleaned the main room where furniture was already arranged.

Nicole slightly chuckled at her words. "Are you saying that it's unexpected of me, the heiress of Yang family?"

"A bit," Shara said as she laughed.

"When I started living alone in my apartment, I don't want anyone to look after me. I'm sure that they will just be another eyes and ears of my step-mother, so I just learn to do everything myself. If I'm so busy to do it myself, I usually hired someone to do the housework for just a day or two." Nicole simply said.

Shara had already heard of her messed up life. If Leon knows it, then she knew it too. They never have a secret between them. But now that she heard her personally, it made her wondered how suffocating her life would be.

"You said that I'm more positive than you but I think you're wrong. If I was you, I don't think I'll be able to talk about that casually." She remarked.

Even Nicole just realized that she was able to talk about it casually as if they happened years ago. She could never do this before! She never expected this and as such, she narrowed her eyes and slightly smiled.

They continued cleaning and have a casual chat from time to time. After almost an hour, the furniture was all arranged.

"It's done," Leon said as he came downstairs. The men from the furniture company all left the house. "I let them arranged in the most suited way possible but if you don't like it, you can move them later. Though I doubt that would happen." He added with a little smile and stood next to Shara.

"I have no idea in that field. I admit that." Nicole said and pointed at the kitchen. "Then why don't you go and cook dinner as well? You know I suck at cooking."

"Leon is not that great either," Shara remarked with a chuckle and Leon glanced at her with disappointment. He wasn't that bad!

Leon tried to speak up but before he could do that, Shara glanced at him and said, "Nicole asked us to stay for dinner; so I agreed."

"I don't have a problem with that." He bluntly replied.

"That's good." Nicole chimed in and then glanced around the house. "Then you two can help in cleaning the house. I will make dinner." She cleared her throat when Leon darted his eyes to her. "I mean... I will give a try."

"I think I should help you," Shara said but...

"No." Leon firmly said and glanced at Shara. "You have no idea, Shara. If you let her make dinner, we will surely be starved. It's better for me to cook." He argued.

"Starve?" Nicole gasped. "I'm not that bad. I often cook for myself too!"

Shara sighed at their childish argument and think that she should step in. They're already adults but... why were they so immature?!

"Let's do like this. Leon will cook and... " She turned to Nicole who also returned her gaze. "Let's continue cleaning together. It's fun."

Nicole agreed that it's quite fun when having a companion. Then she nodded. "Okay. Let's do that."

* * *

It was around 7 in the night and Garcia Han was having dinner with Carson Jun in her house.

"It's quite hard to see you these days." Garcia Han said as she glanced at Carson Jun who was sitting opposite to her. Though she was holding a knife and fork, she paid more attention to this man than dinner which was served on the table.

"I'm working on a new project," Carson said as he ate his dinner. But when he noticed that she was gazing at him the whole time, he glanced at her and a little smile on his face. "I think you're wrong."

"What does that mean?"

"Simple. I don't remember myself turning you down whenever you asked to meet. It's just that... you don't contact me much these days." He explained and she quickly turned away.

"I heard how busy you are. That's why."

"Do you ever recalled me neglecting you no matter how much busy I am? Whenever you asked for me, I always come right away." Carson said with a little smile. "Why don't you eat your dinner?"

"I'm not that hungry." Garcia Han said, putting down her knife and fork.

Carson sighed and did the same. "Something bothered you again? You told me that things went as you planned."

"No. I just think that you should be more serious as a businessman." Garcia Han promptly said but her voice remained calm.

"I never take it loosely. But in your case, I don't want to make mistake and have another regret. That's all." Carson's voice was firm and he never took his eyes off her.

Garcia Han felt lost for a while but when she understood what he meant, she frowned. "That's 20 years ago, Carson."

"I know but... that single mistake is the reason why our lives turn out this way. That's why I will never let it happen again."

Garcia Han quietly glanced at Carson as she didn't know what to say. Sometimes, she even thought that she was the one who messed up his whole life. That always haunted her as she knew that he deserved better.

"When you make that decision to avenge your brother 20 years ago, you called me but... I was busy working. I said that I will come as soon as I get off from work."

"Why should you bring up that?"

"Because Mira Kim died that day. If I come right away, things wouldn't have turned out this way. You already left when I come."

"Carson - "

"If I were there... " For the first time, he raised his voice at her. He rose from his seat and she glanced at him with a stupefied face. "Your life won't be ruined by bitterness. We will live a normal life together. That's why I regret not coming to you right away. It haunts me everyday!"

Garcia Han slowly rose from her seat with a horror-struck face. She stared at her lover who acted like a completely different person. She knew that still bothered him but... she never know that it's this severe! 

"Carson... " She muttered, slowly reaching out her hand to him. "Calm down."

When he narrowed his eyes at her hands, Carson Jun was finally back to his sense. Did he just yell at her?! Had he gone mad?!

Ever since he met her more than two decades ago, he had worked hard to be worthy of her. As such, that became his only goal in life and he dedicated himself to it.

He imagined her to be disappointed in him, to be angry at him for treating her in such a way. No! He didn't think he will be able to bear that.

"I - I have to go." He mumbled the words and walked away from the dining table.

Garcia Han didn't stop him but her eyes trailed to him. "Carson." She called his name when he was almost out of her sight.

Carson Jun halted but he didn't turn around. Maybe he didn't dare. "Later, Garcia. I need time."

He left the house and she keeps on staring at the door with an indescribable expression on her face.

* * *

Nicole just finished dinner with Leon and Shara. After doing the dishes, she glanced at her wristwatch and noticed that it was almost 9 p.m. The rain was heavily raining since an hour ago.

"The rain is quite heavy. So, don't hurry to go home. It will even be better if you spend the night." She dryly said to her two guests.

"We should wait for a while," Leon said and glance at Shara, seeking her opinion.

"I agree with whatever you say. I will prepare some fruits." She said and went back to the kitchen.

Nicole walked to the balcony and stretched out her left hand, allowing the droplets of rain to fall in her palms. She looked at the sky which was all dark and a little smile was on her face. Then her phone went off. She was expecting his call.

"Where are you?" She promptly asked as she answered the call.

Aston who was not comfortable with the pouring rain felt at ease when he heard her voice. "I'm in a small hotel near the filming set. I think I have to spend the night here."

"I'm in my new house with Leon and Shara. They can't go home due to rain." Nicole paused a second and asked. "What if you are too tired? After a few hours, it will be your birthday."

Aston chuckled at her words. "Don't worry. I will be fine. You should worry about yourself more."

"You deserve at least this much attention on your real birthday." She remarked with a playful smile. "I won't be working tomorrow. I have so many things to do. I am yet to pick a birthday gift for you."

"Seems like you have so much free time again. Should I just become a free agent and only work when I feel like it too?" Aston jokingly said.

"Rather than teasing me, you should learn to appreciate the efforts I put in for your birthday." Nicole smiled and took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh smell of rain. "Tomorrow, I want to be the first one who proudly said 'Happy birthday, Aston Min.' That's what I want."

"Aston Min?!"

Nicole quickly turned around when she suddenly heard a voice from behind. "Shara."

Shara Immediately walked to her and grabbed her hand. "Tell me. Did you say Aston Min? Who are you talking to?!"

Nicole was taken aback by Shara's action. She was always so calm but why did she suddenly confronted her and grabbed her hand? When she saw Shara's anxious face, she wondered what's wrong with her. She had no idea.....