The Manipulated Villainess

It\'s him again.

Nicole looked at the name of Aston on the caller ID. What did he want after cutting short their tea time because of another woman?! That\'s the first thing that crossed her mind. Was it jealousy? Maybe. 

Great timing! She was just entering her apartment, not even having the time to get changed. She even wondered if he stalked her! That\'s absurd! She brushed off the thought but recalling about Leon\'s men, she sighed. It\'s not entirely impossible.

Sitting on the couch, she decided to pick up the call. He was incapable of leaving her alone and she always failed to resist his temptation! Now, she thought that she understood why he was so popular, especially among women. He had an irresistible nature.

"To what do I owe this call?" She said with a bit of sarcasm the moment she answered the call.

Aston who was alone in his apartment raised a brow at her words and the tone of her voice. Why did it seem like she was upset? Was she in a bad mood?

"Is something wrong? What\'s with your tone?" He asked, dumbfounded.

"I have a long day and I\'m more than tired, Mr. Kang. I will hang up if you have nothing important to say." Nicole bluntly responded. When she put down her phone, she heard his voice.

"Wait! Don\'t hang up. I only wish to talk with you for a while." He anxiously said, paying full attention to the phone call. He was sitting in his bed, his heart beat faster at the silence.

"I thought that you had given up being persistent," Nicole remarked, pointing out how the actor kept his silence for the past five days. She admitted that her life was duller when he was not around, not calling her or not meeting her. It was tormenting.

"I wanted to talk to you but... " He paused, wondering about what words would he put. "I\'m afraid that you would push me away again." I was not ready for another heartbreak. He wished to say these words too. But like always, he cared about her feelings the most.

He knows that she felt the same as him. She liked him as much as he did but something was holding her back. The reason which he didn\'t know. Telling her how hurt he was would only torment her!

"Things are still the same even now, including my decision," Nicole said. Her voice was now very calm compared to before. Hearing his voice through a phone once again, she missed the time when they chat, laughed and bickered. But happiness was not always followed by the same. Sometimes, hell used to be the one awaiting happiness, just like how her happy life turned into a hell.

"I know. I can feel it today." Aston muttered. "Your decision is the same and so is mine. I won\'t force you but I have no intention to give up on you. I would be glad if you at least answer my call as you did now." Aston\'s voice was soft and gentle. It was just like what Nicole missed!

"What am I supposed to do with you, Aston Kang?" She muttered and leaned backwards, pressing her back to the back support of the couch. She placed the back of her head on the top, staring at the ceilings. 

"You don\'t have to do anything. Just sit back and watch me falling for you, chasing you and crazy about you. But after I make you change your decision, it will be your turn." Aston simply replied.

Nicole rapidly blinked at his words! Does he mean that if she changed her mind, he will be the one sitting back? He will watch her being crazy about him?! What nonsense was that?!

"You make me lose my mind and even myself. That\'s why I plan to do the same. I only need some time." Aston added. He was still the same, confident like ever!

Did he even know how hard it was for her to control herself? He knows nothing! She was already not in her right mind, all thanks to him! And now, he wanted more?! 

She opened her mouth to say something but he beat her at that.

"You must be tired. Have a good rest. Goodnight, Nicole." Without waiting for her response, he hung up the call!

Nicole immediately sat straight and looked at her phone. Did he just hang up? She couldn\'t believe it! 

She recalled him rushing out today for some actress which was very contrary to the words he told her just now. Staring at his number on her phone, she scowled. "Aston Kang, just what are you thinking?!"

* * *

In the Prime Minister\'s mansion, Leon sought out Shara as soon as he reached home just as he promised. He must talk to her and listen to her.

The last five days were so awkward and tense between them which he didn\'t want at all. He wanted to fix things as soon as possible.

Now he was sitting on the couch in his room with Shara sitting on the other couch opposite to him.

"Did the dinner went well?" Shara simply asked, calmly sitting there.

Briefly recalling the step-mother losing control, Leon\'s lips curved into a slightly mocking smile. "Much well than imagined." He uttered.

Shara didn\'t say anything and simply sit still. Her silence always made Leon uncomfortable. He was not used to this.

"Let\'s continue our talk which was left unfinished." Leon gazed at Shara as if he was pleading with her to say something.

During their joint dinner, Shara was in her room, thinking about what she would say. She decided to go with what she thought would be the best for both of them.

"I apologize for my behaviour that night and the next day. I was out of line." She formally said, narrowing her eyes at the floor.

He didn\'t expect to hear this. He thought that they would talk it out like a friend, not as a master and a subordinate. He knows that the way she was brought up was harsh, harsher than even some men! Maybe this was the effect of her training. Maybe it was in her veins and she had grown accustomed to it.

"What did you apologized for?" He asked her after maintaining his silence for a while. Was it the kiss or the confession? He was not sure.

The whole time, she didn\'t meet his gaze at all. She bit her lip, hesitating to speak for seconds. But she knows that he was waiting for her response and she must answer him. She already decided to come to her sense and be herself again, starting tonight.

"I shouldn\'t talk to you that way. I was rude and even yelled at you. According to the rules of the Blackhood, I know that it\'s a crime." She muttered. She didn\'t look at him but she could feel his rage. She had known him long and well enough!

Feeling utterly displeased and disappointed, Leon abruptly rose from his seat and Shara followed suit. "I\'m here to have a normal chat with you, Shara." He grunted. "As your friend. Don\'t you understand?"

"Young Master, I - "

"You know I hate it when you mention the organization. Can\'t I have a normal and simple life at least when I\'m with you?" Leon snapped, interrupting whatever Shara was trying to say.

Shara noticed the rage in his eyes and realized that she was in trouble. But she had made up her mind and she tried to do it no matter what. Ever since she was young, she was always brave, blindly brave, which often leads her to trouble.

Bracing herself, she mustered her courage. "I want to end this awkward relationship and become a normal member, like others." She said to Leon. She talked too fast due to the pressure she felt that she didn\'t even hear what she said!

"What did you just say?" Leon asked. His voice was cold and his gaze impassive. Unlike her who was not even aware of what she blurted out, he heard her loud and clear.

"Please permit me to be a normal member. If I remained this way, I\'m afraid that I would lose balance." She pleaded despite noticing his eyes that were now fiery red.

"Do you recall me caring about the balance? I\'m completely okay with it even if you lose the balance between your life as my friend and a member of the organization. That\'s how much you mean to me." Leon scowled. He stared at Shara who refused to meet his gaze. Her eyes were glued to the floor which made him angrier and his face darkened.

"But I\'m not okay with it. I want to stop being your friend." She firmly said though she was completely aware of the weight her words had! Besides, it would not be a pleasant one!

Leon was stupefied! She was never this persistent during the many years that he knew this woman! Did she behave like this because he couldn\'t reciprocate her feelings for him?! He was afraid of losing her but now, he was blinded by rage!

"Look at me." He said, trying his best to be calmer. When it didn\'t work, his patience ran dry!

"I said look at me." He repeated himself. This time, his voice was full of authority which Shara didn\'t fail to feel it. He was serious.

She lifted her head, meeting his penetrating gaze. He was truly angry with her!

"Do you mean what you said? Answer me." His voice was commanding which was very unlike him.

"Yes. I mean every word I said." Shara replied, still meeting his unfamiliar cold gaze.

Leon\'s heart sank yet he didn\'t show it. If that\'s what she wants, then it\'s fine. He decided to be tough. He should be.

"As you wish." He whispered and sat down again. He looked up at the woman who was standing before him. "Starting tomorrow, you don\'t have to come to the museum. You will join the others in the main base just like you wanted." He enunciated the last four words, observing her expression.

"Thank you, Young Master." Shara formally said. Her face remained unreadable. She was tired and if it\'s possible, she wanted to run away to a faraway place, where she couldn\'t see him. Her feelings which were evolving stronger made her afraid! What if it became out of control someday? She must distance herself from him as much as possible!

"You can leave." He uttered and she instantly left without saying anything.

Now that their friendship was broken, all that remained between them was a relationship of a master and a subordinate.....