The Manipulated Villainess

"I will call you back." Nicole promptly said and hang up the phone. Then she turned to Shara.

Somehow, she felt reluctant to answer her. It will be the same as revealing Aston's identity which he tried so hard to hide for years! She wondered what she would do.

"I clearly heard you, Nicole. Please tell me. Who are you talking to?" Shara asked, tightening her grip on Nicole's hand. She was sure that she heard her talking about a birthday and the familiar name which she could never forget.

Nicole stood still, glancing at Shara as she bit her lip. "I can't say." She muttered in a low voice.

Her desperation was evident in Shara's eyes but Nicole didn't see it because she turned her head away from her. She was afraid that she would waver and reveal Aston's secret.

Shara was never the type to confront others with persistence. She was too calm for that. However, she couldn't do that this time. The clue she got was too clear to just let it go.

Now that her mind was cleared a bit, she looked at Nicole and noticed the guilt on her face. What's more? She had something which she wanted to hide.

Shara took a deep breath and slowly withdrew her hands from Nicole. Then she made up her mind to spill out her secret which she never brought it up for more than a decade now. She admitted that it was worth a try, though just the thought of it created an excruciating pain in her heart!

"Aston Min... " She muttered and made a deliberate pause. "It's the name of my twin brother whom I lost touch 17 years ago."

Nicole who once turned her head away from Shara was now darting her eyes to her. Did she say twin brother?! Was she...

"If you know someone with that name whose birthday is tomorrow, please tell me. I beg you, Nicole."

She had already lost hope a long time ago. She wanted to admit the bitter conclusion that she would never reunite with her long lost brother. However... her heart could never accept. How could she do that when he was the only blood related she had left in this world?!

Nicole's eyes grew wide, failing to utter a single word. What did she just hear?! Wasn't her name Shara Lee?! With much difficulty, she muttered, "Aria Min?"

* * *

The Next Day 

"Where are you?" Nicole was sitting in her car, talking on the phone with Aston. It was almost 4 p.m. and she was there on the outskirts of the city, trying to pick up Aston who was on the filming set. 

"I think I see you," Aston said from the other line.

Nicole's eyes swept around her surroundings and saw Aston on the right which was a few steps away. The latter waved at her and quickly ran to her and get inside her car.

"You insisted to come for me. It's about two hours drive from the city." Aston promptly said as he turned to her. "Do you regret?"

"Why would I? Two hours is nothing." Nicole said with a smile. Then she paused and turned to him. "I finally get to say this in person. Happy Birthday, Aston Min."

She met his ocean blue eyes but he's the one who was lost in her eyes. Then she slowly leaned to her and captured her lips.

"We are in a car." She said as she pulled back.

"I missed you." He whispered. His hands trailed down from her face to her soft lips, never taking his enchanting eyes off her.

"I missed you too," Nicole said as she slightly smiled. "However, I was less lonely, thanks to you."

"Are you talking about Leon and Shara?"

She nodded. "They helped me a lot."

"I'm glad to hear that." He remarked.

Nicole turned to the front and then briefly glanced at him. "Let's reach my house first. I might even have a little surprise for you."

"Surprise?" Aston's lips curved into a smile. "You really work hard, don't you?" A playful smile was on his face.

"I think I received some blessing because of that," Nicole remarked and slightly chuckled. She ignored Aston's confused face and started driving the car back to her house.

When they reached Nicole's house, it was almost 6 in the night.

"Let's get inside. Your two friends will be here soon." Nicole said and walked past the gate.

"You're always so cruel, Nicole. You spoiled me by saying that you have a surprise and now, my head is full of that." Aston complained as he walked next to her.

Nicole let out a light chuckle. "You're too impatient, Mr. Min. You only need to wait for a few minutes now."

"You should also count the two hours we spend for a ride back, Miss Yang," Aston said and stood before her.

Nicole frowned at his actions. "If you behave like this, you only delay the surprise." She put both her hands on her waist and stared at him confidently.

Aston quietly stared at her for a while until... he sighed in defeat. "Alright. Let's hurry then."

The couple walked inside and the moment Aston landed his eyes on the interior of the house, he was in awe! The living room was decorated with banners, balloons, ribbons and several photos of him. "Did you make all these?" He asked as he turned to her.

"I also receive some help." Nicole simply said. She walked to him and grabbed his arm. "Do you like it?"

"Yes, but I cherish your efforts more. Think it this way. The busy Chairwoman of Yang Group dedicated a whole day to prepare a birthday party for me. I should be truly grateful, right?" He tilted his head and glanced at her with a playful smile. "You make me feel very lucky." And that's a rare thought coming from someone like Aston.

Nicole looked up at him and her heart warmed when she saw his priceless smile. "If that's the case, I'm sure the surprise I arranged will make you feel more luckier."

Aston's face brightened up more at the thought of it. He was more than curious about what surprise makes her so confident!

Nicole glanced at a certain place for a while and when Aston followed her gaze, he only saw a door. It was the door to one of the bedrooms. He had no idea why she keeps on staring at the door as if someone will come out from there...

His thoughts were right. The door was indeed pulled open from the inside and... a familiar face came out from the room. "Shara?" He muttered and quickly glanced at Nicole. She didn't tell him that she also invited her. Then Leon might be with her too. But even when Shara was approaching them, Leon was nowhere to be seen!

Didn't Nicole talk about a surprise? Then what was this? Aston was quite puzzled but still, he remained his composure. "Shara, you came for my birthday party? I'm so glad, but where is Leon? Nicole told me that she feels less lonely because you two keep her company. I really want to thank you." 

When Shara keeps on gazing at him without saying anything, Aston didn't know how to behave. On top of that, the way Shara looked at him was so strange. He couldn't even describe the way she gazed at him! What's going on here?!

Feeling lost, he turned to Nicole who was standing next to him. However, she only smiled at him. Now, he felt lost than ever.

He turned back to Shara and she still stood there without saying anything yet she never shifted her gaze from him. He didn't know what to do and as such, he shifted his gaze to Nicole again. "What is this, Nicole? Is there something wrong?" His gaze fixated on his lover, demanding some answer from her.

Suddenly... he was frozen and his eyes grew wide. After much effort, he slowly turned to Shara whose hand was now on his face. What was she doing? He tried to take a step back but...

"Aston."

He lost his energy to move when she called his name. Then Nicole slowly withdrew her hand from him.

"Aston Min. You are still alive." Shara muttered. Her eyes were now teary red and finally, a teardrop rolled down her face.

With an aghast face, Aston unconsciously took a step forward. Now, it was his time to stared at the woman standing before him. The way she called him repeatedly echoed in his ears. Aston Min. Aston Min.

He slowly shook his head but never took his eyes off her. This can't be! As if he was seeking help, he turned to Nicole once again. The latter still smiled at him and nodded. 'What you think is right.' That's her message!

When he looked at Shara again for the final time, his eyes were all red now. He slowly lifted his hand but forced it back down. He took out a breath and muttered, "Aria?"