The Manipulated Villainess

The moon was in its full glory, brightening up every corner of the dark ground. The skies were clear with stars scattering everywhere, showing no signs of raining.

Aston was driving his bike to one destination after a long day of filming. He might be a celebrity during the day but when night arrived, his past always returned.

He drove all the way to the outskirts of the city and when he reached one villa, it was already 8 in the night. Some men whom he never met came to him and escort him inside, revealing the luxurious interior of the villa. 

One man was standing near the window behind the desk, his gaze fixated on the outdoors. He put his left hand in his pocket and a glass of whisky was in his other hand but he never took a sip of it.

"Why do you want to meet here?" Aston asked, standing a few steps away from the man. He was surprised when this man asked to meet him here, of all places.

The man turned around with a little smirk on his face. "You\'re a public figure. I thought you would like some privacy." He was none other than Leon Jung.

"Skip that. I\'m in a hurry." Aston simply said. His expression remained impassive.

"Oh. Fine then." Leon put the glass of whisky on the desk and made his way to the actor. "I heard that you managed to convince Nicole." He jokingly said.

"I\'m not interested. I think I waste my time here." Aston coldly said and turned around. He only took one step but two men came, blocking his way.

"Do you think I ask to meet here just to talk about that?" Leon calmly said.

Aston could felt his patience running dry. However, using his fist was not what he wanted. Trying to be patient for just a while, he turned around and faced Leon again. "What do you want to say?" He deadpanned.

"I asked her if she knows you well but she said she knows nothing about you." Leon paused before he said, "Why won\'t you just come clean about your past? You should tell her that you are once a gangster." He mused.

Aston made sure that no one would be able to find information about his past. What\'s more? Even the gangsters didn\'t expose each other because it could backlash against them. He was surprised but he was never the type who could be read easily. How did this potter find out?

He was quiet for a while, thinking about what Leon\'s way must be until... one thing crossed his mind.

Leon observed the actor all the time but he couldn\'t guess what he was thinking. He was flustered when the latter suddenly smiled.

"So, you are with the Blackhood?" Aston mused, tilting his head to the left. This was beyond his expectation!

"You are just like what they said. But do you know this? What you just said could cost you your life." Leon uttered, showing no signs of discourage.

"That\'s what I want to say to you. You shouldn\'t say that to a man who is desperate to abandon his past." Aston remained calm though he was in an unfamiliar place, outnumbered by the opposing side. He rarely felt fear anyway.

"I spent the last six months searching for someone who is nicknamed \'The Pacesetter.\' Never thought that he would be so near, not to mention that he is the most famous actor in this country." Leon mused. He only got the result of his investigation last night and the profile he read was the facts he never once imagined!

"We think quite alike." Aston glanced at the other men in black who were inside and outside the villa. He knew right away that Leon was their leader. "Blackhood, which people think only existed in rumours and stories are surrounding me. What\'s more? The Prime Minister\'s son is their leader."

A few days ago, Rion came to him and told him that some people were asking for information about \'The Pacesetter.\' His old friend warned him to be careful as he was the one who bears the nickname among the gangs. While he was still in a gang, he already realized the existence of Blackhood in real life. He had seen them from afar, just for once.

"Young Master." Ryan who was standing behind Aston called out for Leon. He gave the latter an anxious look but still, he was waiting for his decision. No one should be aware of their identity; that\'s the rules. It could only be acceptable when the one who discovered their identity was a family member. In other cases, the leader can make an exception.

"It\'s fine. I\'m prepared for this. We need his help anyway." Leon assured his right-hand man and the latter nodded.

Help? Aston raised a brow. Did the potter call him here to ask for his help? For someone who was seeking help, he was too rude!

"You are too rude for someone who seeks my help." Aston bluntly remarked which made Leon chuckled.

"Well, you stole my fiancee\'s heart. It would be unfair if I am all polite to you." Leon said as he turned his attention back to Aston. "I will get to the point. We\'re going after the Red Tiger Gang and we need your help."

The Blackhood was formed to oppose the crimes of the gangs and Aston knew it. However, Leon\'s words didn\'t pique his interest. "I don\'t have any reason to help you." He simply replied.

"Hear me out." Leon promptly said, patiently. "The Red Tiger Gang are not what you used to know. Their crimes have become so severe and we cannot turn a blind eye anymore. Their leader, Lester Yun is a true psychopath. He has no limits now. He doesn\'t even hesitate to harm women and children. If we didn\'t stop him, severe problems will arise soon."

Aston remained calm and impassive all the time though he was amazed by what he heard. The Red Tiger Gang he knew, never committed such deeds. But Leon might be right. It\'s been years since he didn\'t pay attention to his former gang.

Leon paused for a while, wondering if he should say what was on his mind. Then he spoke up again. "Our informant is someone who used to be a part of the Red Tiger Gang. He wanted to quit but as usual, he was hunted by the other members. Right now, our organisation shielded him."

"The same informant is also the one who gives us information about you. I heard how you managed to quit and how your friend died on the run. Michael Lee - "

Leon couldn\'t finish what he was saying as Aston lost his mind at the mention of his friend\'s death. The latter suddenly pushed him down to the desk, pressing and grabbing him by the collar. "Shut up!" He growled.

"Young Master!" Ryan and one other man were about to rush forward but Leon lifted his palm a bit, making them halted.

"What do you know about me? How dare you talk about my late friend?" Aston grunted, hardly pushing Leon against the desk. "You said that you investigate me for 6 months, right? If that\'s the case, you should be aware of what I\'m capable of. You and all your men here; I can easily end you all!"

"Calm down," Leon muttered, putting both his hands before his chest. "I mean no harm. I\'m sorry if I offend you."

A few seconds quietly passed and Aston finally withdrew his hands from Leon\'s collar. Standing straight, he turned around, trying to leave the villa. He didn\'t want to stay here anymore! However, he halted again when he heard Leon.

"Please help us." Leon pleaded. "With your knowledge of the gang and influence in other gangs, we will be able to end the Red Tiger Gang easily."

Still facing Leon with his back, Aston replied, " Why won\'t you just ask the help of your informant? You said that he is a former member."

"He is only an average member but you used to be the second-in-command of the Gang. Besides, your influence even spread to other gangs. Many gangs wanted you to be one of them. They were willing to follow your lead. That\'s why you were called \'The Pacesetter.\' You have the best knowledge of the gang." Leon was really desperate. It had been a year since the Red Tiger Gang caught the Blackhood attention and they were determined to stop them.

"I don\'t care. I already give up on that life years ago." Aston simply said, taking a few more steps towards the door. But once Leon spoke up, his impassive expression disappeared right away.

"Then what about Nicole? Will you be able to guarantee her safety?" Leon asked.

Aston halted and instantly turned around. He looked at Leon right in the eyes. "What are you talking about? This has nothing to do with Nicole." His voice was deadly low.

"The informant said that Lester Yun has not given up on you. He still observes your every move, trying to find out a new weakness of yours. Holding you back using your sister is not possible anymore... " Leon paused, trying to know if he had offended the man again but when Aston remained still, he continued.

"So, if he knew about Nicole, she will be in danger right away and I won\'t forgive you if that happens."

Damn it! Was that psychopath still not done with him? Why won\'t he just let him be? Aston was tired of this but he knew that Leon was right. Lester Yun was very unpredictable!

"To play attack rather than defence is a smart move in this kind of situation. So, what do you say? Will you help our organization?" Leon asked again as he noticed that Aston started wavering at the mention of Nicole.....