Chapter 114 - Filling in the Gaps

"Good riddance," Dasom said in relief. "Her fake attitude was annoying me."

"She does go overboard," Jinhyun sighed. He turned back to KJ. "So what did you want to ask us?"

"Fill me in with what's been happening," KJ demanded. "I've been asking but no one is willing to tell me anything. Even the CEO of Abyss remained mum."

The other three looked at each other, uncertain of what to say. Finally, Ash decided that it was no use hiding anything. He would find out anyway.

"While you were in a coma," Ash began. "Someone from the Cartel tried to kill you again. If it wasn't for the CEO's timely arrival, you'd have been dead."

"What else happened?" KJ pressed on. 

"At EXOTIC's concert, someone cut off a large flashlight which almost fell on us," Ash continued. 

KJ frowned. "Could have been an anti-fan or hater," KJ reasoned. "Crazy people do this a lot."

"That's what we thought until…" Ash trailed off.

"Until what?"

"Until we got to know that the person who attacked us knew CEO Ahn," Jinhyun informed him. "We went to his house, demanding for answers. However…"

Ash took a deep breath. "This will be hard to hear," he said.

"What is it?" KJ asked, his head filling up with panic.

"When we went to CEO Ahn's house, we found him dead," Ash revealed. "It was murder."

KJ's mouth opened in shock. "That's not all," Ash continued. "His PC showed that he was conducting transactions with the Cartel behind our backs."

"No way!" KJ exclaimed. "Ahn wouldn't do that."

"But he did," Dasom piped in. "In fact, Hyun Jung dug deeper and found out that CEO Ahn was in heavy debt. He gambled and spent a lot on his mistress. The house and properties he had was registered under his wife's name. He had nothing. Even Mystic Entertainment had to be sold off to pay his debts."

"Who bought the company?" KJ questioned.

"The CEO of Abyss," Ash replied. "And we all have equal shares in it."

All this information began to hurt KJ's head. So many things happened in a month…

He felt something jump on his lap. Looking down, he saw that Jade had settled on his lap, snuggling against his stomach.

"You know…" Ash frowned. "It was really strange that your cat went into a coma not long after you did. In fact, it turned up by itself at the hospital...as if it knew where you were."

"Don't be silly!" KJ scoffed. "Someone probably brought him and you guys didn't notice. Besides, Jade was probably sick too. I was meaning to take him to a vet before I was shot. At least the hospital was able to take care of him."

The lies were now more natural. It was now second nature to him. Ash frowned slightly, but did not say anything.

"Anyways," he went on. "The police still could not find out who killed CEO Ahn. They've tried but I doubt they'd find the culprit."

KJ nodded. If the Cartel killed CEO Ahn then they'll never catch them using the law. But the question is why did they kill him? They could have easily used CEO Ahn to reach KJ. Also, if he was working for the Cartel, why would he agree to hire the CEO of Abyss as KJ's protector? 

Something is amiss, KJ concluded. There are too many gaps to fill. I'll have to investigate.

The door flung open. Hyun Jung entered, wiping his face with a tissue.

"How are you feeling?" he asked KJ.

"Lousy," the latter smiled as Hyun Jung gave him a brief hug. "Can't move my muscles much."

"You'll be fine in no time," Hyun Jung said. "You've been through worse."

Ash, Dasom and Jinhyun froze up at those words.

"Been through worse?" Ash repeated. "What does he mean KJ?"

"He means the training I used to do at school," KJ replied. "With one of my teachers. She was very tough and trained me diligently. If I can survive her sessions then this is nothing!"

It was partially true anyway. Compared Ms. Sohee's training, his stiff muscles pained less. 

Somi walked into the room, carrying five cups of coffee. She handed one each to everyone and one for herself.

"I only brought five cups," she said handing over the cups to each member. "I didn't know you guys were having company."

"When are you leaving?" KJ asked.

"In a few minutes," she said checking her watch. She completely ignored Hyun Jung's presence as she sat on the edge of the bed beside Dasom. Ash noticed the awkwardness between Somi and Hyun Jung. They were not looking at each other nor did they introduce themselves.

"We should be heading back," Dasom announced. "Jinhyun and I have individual schedules for today. What about you, Ash?"

"I have a late night shooting and I'm free tomorrow," Ash replied. 

"I have a shooting too!" Somi sprang up. "Dasom oppa, can you drop me off on the way?"

"S-sure," Dasom hesitated. Somi nodded, following Jinhyun and Dasom towards their car.

"I have to go too," Ash said. "I'll leave you two to talk."

"Alright," KJ said with a wave. "Bye."

Ash waved him goodbye and headed for the parking lot. He revved up the engine and drove towards Mirae's apartment. 

….

Half an hour later, he stepped off her private lift and into her house. She was curled up on the couch, typing away on the screen.

"Mirae?" he called out. Looking up, she saw Ash, looking tired and exhausted. She put the laptop aside.

"You're back!" she strode over to give him a hug. "How were things at the hospital? Were there any trouble?"

"Nope," Ash replied, letting her go. He settled on the couch, pulling Mirae beside him. "But we told him everything that happened while he was in a coma."

"How did he take it?"

"He wasn't surprised," Ash frowned. "It seemed he kind of expected things to go wrong…"

Mirae was unsettled. The Cartel was strangely quiet after CEO Ahn's murder. To the public, they had managed to convey that he died of a heart attack from the stress he was going through. But they knew the Cartel was involved.

"Are you alright?" Ash asked. "You haven't slept well the past month. What are you doing working so late?"

"I just have a little work," she said but Ash was not having any of it. He scooped her up in his arms.

"Hey!" she protested but her lips were captured by his. 

"No more staying up late," he smiled at her. "Let's go to sleep."

"You're staying here tonight?" she asked, feeling hopeful. 

"Yes, coz I'm tired and I need to make sure my girlfriend falls asleep," he teased her.

Ash carried her to the bedroom and laid her on the bed. 

"I'll go and freshen up," he said, kissing her on the forehead. "You better fall asleep by the time I return!"

"We're only going to sleep?" she asked, a hint of disappointment lingered in her tone.

"Yes," he winked. 

"Tch!" Mirae scoffed. She watched him go into the bathroom with his spare clothes. 

Ash came out of the shower a few minutes later to find Mirae was sprawled across the bed, drowsing off. She had a habit of kicking off her blankets in her sleep. 

Shaking his head, he got onto the bed with her and tucked her in the blanket. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around him, dozing on his chest. 

He stroked her head gently. Carefully reaching towards his wallet on the bedside table, he took out two tickets to the amusement park. Smiling at their pending date the next day, he held her in his arms before he too drifted off to sleep.