The Manipulated Villainess

"Aria, is it really you?"

Shara promptly nodded. "Aston, I thought that you were dead. I hear no news of you and... " She gulped as she finds it hard to continue. 

Aston lifted his hands and touch her hand which was on his face. His twin sister whom he had searched for 17 years was now standing right in front of him! He didn't even know what to do!

The siblings gazed at each other for a while and Nicole glanced at them from the side. After what seemed to be forever, Aston closed the gap between them and hugged his long lost sister, placing his chin on her shoulder. "Aria! I have searched for you all these years!"

Though Shara's face was now wet with her tears, she smiled as she hugged her brother. It was a smile of relief. "You're even taller than me now." She remarked as she shut her eyes.

Now, Nicole smiled and head to the kitchen to give them some space. She knew how much Aria Min meant to Aston and she didn't want to bother them. After all, 17 years was such a long time!

"Why don't I recognize you? You were right before me that night." Aston murmured. He holds onto his sister and rather than pulling back, he keeps on tightening his grip.

"I changed a lot. The same goes for you, my brother. I never recognized you though I have seen you many times. You are too famous now." Shara said with a smile.

Aston was lost in the moment. He had waited this moment for years and now, it happened in his least expected time! For now, how their reunion happens didn't even cross his mind. All he could think of what his sister who was in his arms.

After more than a minute, Shara pulled back and look up at Aston who was now way taller than her. "You have become so handsome now and maybe that's why I don't recognize you even when you appeared on TV." She chuckled, holding him in both of his upper arms.

Aston reached out to her and gently wiped away her tears. "We met after 17 years and today is our birthday too. Why are you crying?" He smiled though he admitted that his eyes were all red too.

Shara laughed and holds his hand. "You're right. I shouldn't cry on such a good day." She pulled him and make him sit on the couch.

"I miss you, Aria. I always see you in my dreams. Our parents... " He instantly paused and his smile slowly faded. This was the first time they met ever since their mother's death!

"I know, Aston. I know. Let's not talk about those painful experience. We are both alive and we meet again. That only matters."

Aston slowly nodded but he suddenly realized something. "How is this possible, Aria? How did you know that I'm Aston Min? Besides, Nicole... " His eyelids flickered and then he turned to the kitchen.

Shara nodded with a smile. "It's all thanks to her. While you were talking on the phone last night, I overheard your name. I begged her to tell me who she was talking to but she won't speak. She's very loyal." She slightly chuckled as she now understood that Nicole turned her down to protect Aston's secret.

"I told her that it was my brother's name and she only tells me about you after that. I tried to come to you right away but... it was raining too heavily and you were out of the city. So, Nicole planned this surprise. Before you reach here, I was so nervous." She added.

Aston turned his head to the kitchen once again and this made Shara smile. "We can talk about other things later. We have so much time. But this is your birthday party, Aston. Nicole works so hard to prepare this for you. Don't leave her alone." She pointed her chin at the kitchen, urging him to go to her.

Aston turned to Shara and saw her urging stare. Then he smiled and rose from his seat. He walked to the kitchen and saw Nicole who was busy arranging things. Her back faced him and she wasn't even aware of his presence. Then he cautiously approached her and hug her from behind, taking her by surprise.

He leaned down and gently kissed her on the neck and then on her jawline which made her smile. "You should spend more time with Aria. It's been 17 years and you will surely have many things to talk about." She calmly said to him.

"I don't even know how to express my gratitude, Nicole." He said, still wrapping his arms around her body. "You fulfilled my wish and this is the best birthday gift for me." He longingly buried his face in her neck and shoulder.

"It's just luck, Aston. I don't do anything but luck finds its way to us. Maybe the gods pitied us." She said, standing still in her place.

"You are the greatest blessing of my life, Nicole." He murmured.

She turned around and wrapped her hands around his shoulders. "What if you neglect me now that you find your beloved sister?" She playfully asked him and it made him chuckled.

"Do you think I will do that?" He mused.

She fell silent as if she was thinking hard. "A bit." She replied and it was followed by a peal of light laughter.

He frowned and helplessly shook his head but the next second, he leaned down to capture her attractive lips but... the sound of the doorbell interrupted him. He frowned even deeper but she laughed at his reaction.

"They might be your friends. Let's go." She said and pulled him out of the kitchen while he maintained an annoyed face.

Not only Liam Ryu and Samuel Yoo but Leon also made his way inside the house. He had urgent matters to take care of in the base of the Blackhood, so he couldn't come early.

Last night, Shara told him about Aston and the surprise they planned. At first, he couldn't believe it. That celebrity and the secret 'Pacesetter' was Shara's twin brother whom she missed for years? He thought that it was nonsense. However, Shara never wanted to talk about her family and last night, she voluntarily brought it up. That alone proved that she wasn't lying.

He should also be there during the sibling's reunion but... Ryan called him and he had to rush out in a hurry.

"You're done? Is everything settled in the base?" Shara promptly asked him as she holds him.

He nodded and glanced down at her. "Did it goes well?" He asked.

Shara nodded and she turned to Aston who was now welcoming his two friends. After a few seconds, everyone took a seat.

Aston stood up and glanced at a few good friends who came to celebrate with him. "Today is a very special day for me." He said with a smile. "Not only did I get to celebrate my birthday for the first time in 17 years but I also reunite with someone very precious to me."

He glanced down at his detective friend who looked at him with a confused face. "Liam, you are the one who helped me look for my sister all these years. I'm really grateful, so... " He paused and turned to Shara. "I want you to meet my sister, Aria."

Liam? The name rang a bell in Shara's mind. She thought about it for a while and suddenly darted her eyes to the man. "Liam Ryu?" She gasped. That friend from the neighbourhood?

Liam's face turned pale at the sudden declaration. His gaze shifted to the woman whom Aston referred to. She was Aria Min?!

"Liam. Are you really Liam Ryu?" Shara asked as she rose from her seat.

"Aria Min?" Liam asked and followed suit.

Then a smile plastered Shara's face and rushed to Liam who was standing just a few steps away. She smiled at him and gave him a small hug. "It's nice to meet you again, Liam." She said to him.

Everything happened so fast and Liam finds it hard to believe! The old friend whom he had been searching for years just hugged him! How did this happen?!

When Shara sensed the curious stare of Leon, she promptly turned to him. "Liam is my childhood friend." Then she turned back to Liam and said, "If you know Aston and Nicole, then you might also hear of Leon Jung. He is my husband."

Husband she said? Liam could feel his jaw dropped to the floor! Nicole's engagement was broken just weeks ago and now... the ex-fiance already had a wife?! On top of that, the wife was Aria Min, his childhood best friend!

"Nice to meet you," Leon said and nodded once.

"Nice to meet you too," Liam said, glancing at Leon.

Shara turned to Aston and the latter said, "You might hear of Samuel Yoo, Aria. He is a good friend of mine."

Shara turned to Samuel and the latter stood up, reaching his hand out to her. "So, you're Aston's secret twin sister? I'm so glad to meet you."

Shara smiled and gave him a handshake. "It's nice to meet you too."

Samuel remained calm but he had so many questions in his head just like Liam! He had heard about Aston's long lost twin sister but he never knows the whole story. And now, the twin sister showed up and what's more? She was the wife of Leon Jung, Nicole's ex-fiance! And Aston was dating Nicole!

Why were things so complicated?!