Chapter 18 - Stay

Ash felt the CEO stiffen beside him.

"What madness is this?" she asked furiously. "You're planning to use your own best friend as bait?"

KJ was surprised by her reaction. He thought she would agree to the plan.

"Ash has direct connections to the Cartel's men," KJ reasoned. "He can get the information directly. All he has to do is get close to the ENT's CEO's wife and we can catch Teppei!"

The CEO snatched the photos from Ash's hand and threw them at KJ's face.

"Look at what they did to Madam Lim!" she pointed out. "You'll be pushing Ash towards the same fate! I disagree. We are not doing this."

Her anger was going out of control. She did not rescue Ash from Madam Lim only to throw him back into that dirty world. No matter what KJ said, she could not agree to this plan.

Before KJ could argue back, Ash cut him off. "CEO," he turned to her. "I appreciate your concern for me. But KJ is right. I'm the only one who can infiltrate the Cartel and get direct information for you. I agree with his plan."

"We can just plant someone else!" the CEO pleaded. "It doesn't have to be you."

It took all her willpower not to hold on to Ash at that time. He read her predicament but it was impossible to console her in front of KJ.

KJ observed them. It was the first time they met but they look like they're already acquainted...

"I'll do it," Ash said firmly. The CEO stared at him in disbelief.

"CEO, our goal is to expose the Cartel," KJ added. "I know we're risking Ash's life. But I assure you, I will protect him. I give you my word."

The CEO was silent. She did not argue further nor react. It was impossible to read her expression behind the mask and sunglasses.

"Ash," KJ turned to him. "Here are all the details of Mrs. Hong Jaehee."

He took out a file and handed it to Ash. He took out the photo only to find a tall woman in her late thirties adorned in expensive clothes and jewelry.

"He won't be alone with her," the CEO announced. "We'll be there as well, monitoring them from afar."

"The Cartel might find out," KJ reminded her.

"I don't give a damn," she snapped. "If I sense Ash to be in any danger, I'll abort the mission right there."

She glared at him from underneath her sunglasses.

"I'll be fine CEO," Ash assured her in a quiet tone. "I know how to handle myself around them."

"Since, both of you have already decided," the CEO said sourly. "You don't need my permission. Go ahead with your plan. But me and my men will be there as well."

Her tone was decisive and both men knew they could not argue with her on this topic anymore. Hyun Jung, who was quiet all this time, witnessed the argument. He cleared his throat.

"Madam, please be assured that Mr. Ash only has to seduce the woman so that she spills Teppei's location," he said. "After we get the information, we will escort him out."

The CEO ignored him. "Just tell us the plan," the CEO ordered him. Hyun Jung once again cleared his throat and started to map out the plan.

"Mrs. Hong visits Club Shiki every Friday night," he explained. "Given that she already fancies Mr. Park and even tried to buy him off of Madam Lim, there is a chance it will be easy to seduce her. Plus, she is not a very smart person. Getting information out of her should not be very difficult. But, she also maintains a secret diary, where she records all her dealings with Teppei. If she doesn't give out the information, then you gotta find that diary instead. That should suffice."

"That's your plan?" the CEO snorted. "All of this is based on luck!"

"Ash only needs to get the access to her bedroom," KJ rolled his eyes. "After that, we'll take over."

"I don't trust your plan," the CEO retorted.

"Do you have a better one?"

"Just kidnap her and make her spill," she slammed her hands on the table. "That's an easier option!"

"She is the wife of ENT's CEO," KJ said. "Kidnapping her won't be an easy task. Also, the scandal might turn the public against Abyss!"

"CEO," Ash started. "I'm fine with it. If I can help KJ, then I'll do it."

"Fine!" she spat at them. "Go ahead with this stupid plan. But my men will be there and I won't hear no for an answer."

She then turned to KJ. "You better keep your promise," she threatened him.

"I will," KJ promised her. Her reaction was strange. He assumed she would not object to the plan but she was overreacting...

"I'll explain the rest of the process then," Hyun Jung continued. For the few hours, KJ and Hyun Jung carefully plotted the next course of action. The CEO did not budge from her position and listened intently to them. Ash also, took in every word till he had the plan memorized.

It was almost night when they finished. They went over the plan one more time before deciding it to call it a day.

"Mind if I hang out at your place for a while?" Ash asked KJ. "Hyun Jung, drop my car off at your place."

"Not at all," KJ replied. The CEO did not say anything and stormed out of the door. By the time they got to the parking, she was already gone. Ash and KJ drove towards the latter's apartment.

When they pulled up at KJ's car park, they noticed the familiar Porsche there.

"Looks like she's home," KJ commented. He was a little worried after their argument.

"Hmmm..." Ash said. They went into KJ's apartment. KJ poured Ash a drink.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" KJ asked him.

"I am," Ash replied, his voice full of determination. "If this can get the Cartel off your tail, then I'm all for it. Just tell me what to do."

"Ash, why didn't you tell any of us about this?" KJ wondered how he went through the abuse all these years.

"When I got entangled with Madam Lim, it was my choice," Ash recalled. "I needed money to raise my sister. I chose to go with her offer. No matter what the reasons were, ultimately, I'm the one who went down that road. Later, when I tried to back out, they wouldn't let me. It was a consequence of my choices and I had to deal with it."

"Funny, how we get burdened by the very choices we make," KJ remarked.

"It sucks," Ash smirked. "But it's life."

"Why are you risking your life?" KJ questioned him. "You have no reason to agree with our plan if you don't want to go through all that again. Even if it is to get the Cartel off my back, surely, there is a bigger reason?"

Ash sighed and downed his drink. "It is because I found a purpose in life," he smiled. For the first time in years, KJ saw him giving a genuine smile. It felt unreal but also heartwarming.

After bidding goodnight to KJ, Ash made his way back to the parking lot, towards his car. As he made his way through the empty car park, two hands suddenly grabbed him from behind and pulled him into an enclosed space.

"The hell-"

He felt his mouth being shut by a soft hand. A pair of green eyes bored into his grey ones.

"Mirae?"

He heard a loud cling and felt the room moving. Suddenly, he realized he was in an elevator. It led them back upstairs but this time, instead of a corridor, he was inside an apartment.

"I want to talk to you," Mirae said, pulling him by the sleeve towards her study room.

"Don't do this," she begged him. "They'll kill you if they find out!"

"Mirae..." Ashe started but she was hysterical.

"Ash, I did not rescue you out of the hellhole only to push you back," she cried. Ash was startled to see her teary eyes. They were blood red and she seemed to have been crying all this time.

"Mirae, nothing will happen to me," he assured her, hugging her. She held on to his waist tightly, not intending to let go.

"Oh you silly girl," he ruffled her hair. "Listen."

He wiped off the tears off her cheek. "I trust you and KJ," he said. "Nothing will happen to me as long as you two are around. Besides, you should also put some trust in me. I can do this."

"I know," she said in a heavy voice. "But the thought of you and that woman..."

She started to cry again. "That woman is nothing but a pawn," Ash sighed. "A stepping stone towards Teppei. Don't tell me you're jealous of her?"

He teased her. Mirae's face flushed up.

"No way!" she looked affronted. "I know she has no chance against me!"

Ash chuckled at her cheekiness. "No one has a chance against you," he laughed. "But for now, we'll have to focus on our goal. Catching Teppei."

"I know," Mirae said sadly. "I just didn't want you to get involved in this mess. This was supposed to be my work. Not yours!"

"Just trust me," he winked. "Please?"

Mirae looked at him for a long time before nodding.

"Anyways, I should go," Ash said. "We have a recording tomorrow."

As he was about to leave, Mirae held his wrist.

"Stay," she requested quietly. "Please stay with me tonight."

"I want to," he admitted. "But what if KJ finds out?"

"Screw that guy!" Mirae exclaimed. "Just stay. I don't wanna be alone tonight. Not after today's events."

She looked at him hopefully. Ash sighed. He really could not win against those eyes.

"Fine," he said at last. "But no naughty stuff."

"Okay," Mirae smiled, giving him an enthusiastic kiss. Her mouth was desperately clinging on to his, fiercely taking his tongue. It was not simply the heat of passion; it was her desperate plea to hold on to him. She was planning to seduce him but he pulled back.

"No naughty tricks!" he scolded her playfully. Mirae pouted at him before letting out a yawn.

"Let's go sleepyhead," Ash ordered her, walking towards her bedroom. He waited for her as she changed her clothes. She stepped out in a white see through t-shirt and shorts. Given that she was not wearing any bra inside, he figured out her antics.

"Seduction techniques aren't gonna work today," he said in a dry tone.

"What seduction techniques?" she asked, feigning innocence. Ash rolled his eyes as he took off his shirt and settled under the sheets.

"Now who's seducing who?" Mirae asked, fully appreciating the view of his well maintained body. She got on the bed and pulled the blanket over her, cuddling into him.

"Goodnight," he kissed her before shutting his eyes.

His musky scent was addictive. She sniffed in his fragrance, fighting the urge to lick his neck. Stealthily, she took his hand and for the second time that day, slipped it under her shirt.

"Trick won't work," Ash teased her, his eyes still closed.

"Oh come on!" she said crossly. Letting out a small chuckle, he held her against his chest, one hand hugging her while the other stroking her head.

"Go to sleep my little pervert," he smiled at her, giving her a light kiss. Finally, giving up her shenanigans, Mirae immersed herself in his scent. Sleep engulfed her as she drifted off to dreamland in his arms.