The Manipulated Villainess

Her gaze which was a mixture of strange and disbelief was what made Aston's heart crumbled. He didn't want her to look at him that way!

Of all people, why must she be the one to saw him when he was at his lowest? Just the thought that she would pity him made the actor scared. He doesn't need to be pity by anyone, especially her.

"Why did you do that? Why did you allow yourself to suffer like this?" Her voice was very calm which was not what he expected.

He expected her to laugh at him saying that he was a crazy man. His experience taught him that no one really understands him but it's understandable. They don't know the real him.

People know Aston Kang, the friendly, playful and cheerful actor but they don't know his insecure and broken side which was hidden deep inside for many years.

"Why do you care about that? It's none of your business." For the first time ever, he talked to her in a cold manner. He can't help as it was him making an effort to hide his weakness.

He thought that she would leave him saying that he doesn't even know how to be grateful. After all, she had done so much for him. He sat on his bed with his face turning away from her. He doesn't want to face her, not in this condition. But... she didn't leave even after he gave her the cold shoulder.

Nicole raised a brow, not because of how he talked to her but because of their similarities. She too was always like that.

Whenever people tried to get close to her, the more they tried to understand her, the more she became cold to them. She doesn't want to expose her weakness.

After her father died, her life becomes a hell. Being at the hands of her step-mother, many of her family friends come to her as they were worried about her. But she couldn't tell them anything. She was afraid of the devil. Besides, even if those people know, there's nothing they could do for her. The devil would always be one step ahead of them.

She didn't want people to pity her. Above all, she didn't want empty sympathy. After the media portrayed them as a loving step-daughter and step-mother, those people had stopped questioning her.

"I won't ask you if you don't want me to." She calmly said to Aston. "But remember this. Don't torment yourself to push people away. After they all left, you will be all alone feeling scared but it will be too late."

Aston's slowly tilted his head to her. Why did she talk like she understands him? He already figured out that her life was also not what it seemed to be. That sad smile at the night of the party told him that much. But he had no idea what she went through.

While he stared at her with a puzzled face, she put his phone before him. "Call your family. I will be off when they get here."

She watched him as he took the phone with a blank face. He stared at the phone on his hands for a while but she patiently waited for him until she heard him say, "I don't have a family."

Her eyes widened but instantly maintained her composure again, realizing that it was rude. "What about your manager?" She asked again.

"I don't have any activities for the upcoming few days. So, he left the city to visit his family." He responded without even glancing at her. His eyes were glued to the small blanket that covered his lower body.

She sighed at how messed up his situation was. "Then how about any relatives or acquaintance who could take care of you?" She asked even though she doesn't have much hope.

Leah and her family came to his mind but he instantly brushed it off. He shouldn't trouble them. Besides, they will be more than worry if they heard his condition. After being quiet for a while, he muttered, "No one."

"How come such a miracle exists?!" She blurted out but when she saw his confused look, she regretted right away. "Sorry." She muttered as she tucked a hair behind her ear which earned her a slight smile from him.

But she really meant it. How could one have no relative or acquaintance to call? When she gave a serious thought, she realized that she was not much different.

If she was the one in his position, she wouldn't know anyone to call either.

"I want to be discharged."

Her eyes darted to him when she heard him. "What? I mean... no." She firmly replied.

"Why? Isn't that up to me? I will pay you back everything." He stated, feeling a bit amazed at her firm response.

Her lips thinned at his response. "Hey! Do you think money is the issue here?" She shook her head in disappointment. "The doctor said that you must be hospitalized for at least a week and until a week passed, you will not go anywhere without my permission." She declared.

"Why would you be the one to make a decision?" He retorted, refusing to be, in his opinion, her captive.

He's truly helpless! "I don't care about your opinion. Just know that you will be here until you are fine enough to run. I was the one who brought you here and admitted you as your guardian so I will be the one making decisions." She stood firm in her decision, making no room for objection.

"But I'm older than you by two years." He said with a very low which could be barely heard but when he saw her glaring at him, he back out right away. "I mean... I will do as you say. Elders should also listen to the younger ones, right?" He never knew that she could be this stubborn and domineering!

In the past, she always gave in to his suggestions even when he thought that she won't. Buying him a coat personally was one example. When he suggested that, he was only playing around to troubled her but who would have thought that she would really agree?!

Signing a contract could also be done at that night's dinner. He didn't forget his seal at all but he loved to play around with her. Much to his surprise, she agreed to sign it the next day without much protest.

Was she used to listening to others? Was she used to giving in? It made him wondered such things.

She finally shifted the threatening gaze from him when she received a phone call which made the actor sighed in relief. But he noticed her changed in expression when she looked at the caller ID. She appeared to be nervous. Did he saw it wrong?

She rose from her seat and swiped the green button. "Mother." She greeted Garcia Han who was on the other line. She stood near the window which was just beside the bed while the actor observed her keenly.

"You're not at your office? I come by but you're not there." Garcia Han's doubtful voice echoed in her ears.

Nicole squeezed her dress, wondering what answer would she give her. "I'm sorry. I'm at a hospital to visit an acquaintance." Coming clean was always the best for her. The devil would find it out sooner or later anyway.

"Really? That's so bad." Garcia Han made a deliberate paused. She knew so well that her step-daughter always felt more nervous and intimidated whenever she did like this.

As always, Nicole could feel her heart anxiously beating faster than normal. She squeezed her dress tighter and tighter as she clenched her fingers.

"I should have called you beforehand. It's my fault." The devil finally continued after what seemed to be forever.

"Don't say that. I'm the one who is late." Nicole replied as she inwardly sighed. The fact that the actor was observing her every action doesn't even cross her mind. In fact, she had totally forgotten about his presence in the room.

A mockery smile appeared on Garcia Han's face when she heard Nicole. It seemed like she had nothing to worried about. Her step-daughter was still weak like before. "I'll hang up then. Take care and don't overwork yourself."

Wondering why the devil always said such things to her as if she actually cared about it, Nicole responded, "I understand." Then the devil ended the call right away.

She put down the phone with a puzzled face and when she saw Aston who was gazing at her, she was startled so much which caused her to bend backwards involuntarily.

"Is that the Minister of Justice?" He asked with his keen gaze never leaving her.

She nodded her head as she forced a little smile.

As soon as she returned to her seat, he leaned towards her and keenly observed her as if she was an object. "But why do you look so nervous as if you did something wrong?"