Chapter 23 - Madam Hong (1)

Ash was waiting at T-Net's artists' room. He had a commercial shooting in an hour and he was being styled for it. His blonde hair was brushed back into a sleek look. The stylist made him wear a grey dapper suit which complemented his eye color and added an extra elegance to him.

"When is the shoot going to start?" he asked the stylist.

"I think in a few minutes," she said. Just then the manager of the shooting came in.

"Mr. Park," the manager bowed down. "The shooting is about to start."

Ash nodded and followed the manager. He was led to an indoor studio where a faux set was installed. The director and the others were already there, waiting for him.

"Ahh Ash," the director beamed at him. "Have you read the concept of the commercial."

"I have," Ash replied. "Let us start the shooting then."

The director ordered everyone to get into their positions. As soon as the camera started to roll, Ash became immersed in his work. Nothing else mattered in his mind other than the task at hand and he put all his focus on delivering the perfect performance.

By the end of the shoot, everyone was in awe of his professionalism.

"I knew we made the right choice by hiring you!" the director exclaimed with a hint of pride in his voice as he praised Ash. The latter simply bowed in gratitude.

"Thank you for your kind words," Ash said. "Is there anything else for today?" he asked the manager.

"Yes," the manager replied. "You are scheduled to meet our President's wife today. She is one of our top executives here and she asked to schedule a meeting with you for possible solo collaborations."

Ash nodded in understanding. He could not tell if the manager knew what this 'solo collaboration' was. It was best to assume that the manager was at least aware of what was going on.

Ash returned to his trailer, patiently waiting for Madam Hong to summon him. Meanwhile, he scrolled through his phone. He received two messages. One was from KJ

"Do you know what to do?" KJ texted. "Remember, our plan. My men will be around in case if things go wrong."

Ash sighed and texted him back.

"Don't worry. I can handle this."

The next message was from Mirae's secret phone.

"My men will be monitoring you. If Madam Hong gets suspicious, put up a V sign and they'll run in to help. And remember to put on the mic."

Ash chuckled at both of them. They were panicking too much.

"Don't worry, Mir. I know how to do this. Trust me."

Even though their work methods were different, KJ and Mirae genuinely cared about the people around them. If only they knew how to put their differences aside and work together...

"That's just wishful thinking," Ash sighed out loud.

Someone knocked on the door. "Madam Hong is waiting for you, Mr. Park," the manager informed him.

"Alright," Ash said. Time to start his real work.

He was led into a lavish office. It was circular in shape and oversaw the city of Seoul. The white walls were decorated with pictures of a happy family. Ash stared at them. It consisted of a man in his seventies with a much younger wife and their teenage daughter.

"That's my daughter," came a voice from behind. Ash turned around to find a sultry woman in full business attire which showed quite a bit of her cleavage. She was tall and very well maintained for her age. As the wife of T-Net's President, Madam Hong knows that maintaining one's looks are very important in order to survive in the ruthless world.

"You called for me, Madam?" Ash asked her.

"What's the hurry?" she asked in a soft tone. "Want a drink?"

"I'm good," he said coolly. "You wanted to discuss a solo venture with me?"

Madam Hong let out a singsong laugh. She sat on the couch right beside Ash.

"Mr. Park," she whispered, leaning in closer to his ear. He could almost feel her breath on his skin. "You know why I called for you. As long as you keep me happy, I'll help you become a successful soloist."

Ash felt her hands creeping up his thigh. He narrowed his eyes. Pathetic.

Fighting the urge to fling her hands off him, he maintained to give her a dazzling smile.

"What to do?" he teasingly lamented. "Someone already bought me for a year. I'm bound to her."

Madam Hong's hands froze. Her eyes turned darker. She was unfortunate to be out of the country on the day of the auction. Otherwise, she would have been Ash's owner.

"I'll get rid of her," Madam Hong said in a calm tone, containing her hatred towards Ash's buyer. "You don't have to worry. All we need, is each other."

Ash raised his eyebrows at her tone. He did not doubt for a second that Madam Hong used her cronies to dig up information on the person who bought Ash. But from the bitterness in her voice, Ash guessed she still did not know about Mirae.

Ash leaned in closer. "You don't have to worry sweetheart," he murmured in her ears. "Buying me off doesn't mean I'm exclusive. We can have our own fun."

Madam Hong smirked at him. After all, which man can refuse her advances?

Ash held a strand of her hair and pushed it behind her ear. He leaned in closer to her. Madam Hong closed her eyes, anticipating a kiss but before she could feel his lips, he pulled back.

"We'll save the rest for later, Madam," he grinned and walked out.

"Your place then?" Madam Hong suggested. "Tomorrow night."

"Sorry," Ash replied. "I don't bring any clients to my place."

If Madam Hong felt any offense, she hid it well. After all, she can punish his disobedience some other way.

"You did not take your owner there?" she asked icily.

Ash looked directly in her eyes and said, "No. I never took my 'owner' to my house."

He gave her a polite smile and headed out of her office. Once out of earshot, he spoke into the tiny mic hidden in his suit's brooch.

"I took my girlfriend there instead."

From the other end of the line, Mirae burst into a giggle. Somi, who was standing next to her, could not help but shake her head. It was official. Her best friend had lost her marbles.