Chapter 229 - The Invitation

Mirae threw the newspaper aside in fury. "How the hell are they getting so many renowned artists?" she yelled. Psycho had just reported that Aroma Inc. had signed up ten famous celebrities. Moreover, their new girl group includes a member who is rumored to be the daughter of a politician. They received strong financial backing and are gaining rapid market shares.

"He's a bloody fugitive and yet he somehow managed to open a new agency!" she exclaimed. "How is he doing it? Who is the backer?" 

"If my information is right," Psycho said. "He has the dirty laundry on all his investors. By working with Madam Lim for many years, he gained a lot of insights about them. He must have forced them to invest."

Mirae shook her head in frustration. Ash was hiding behind his minions. They have placed Junhyung as the puppet CEO while the main brain worked from the shadows. 

"How is the comeback preparation for Six X?" she asked. 

"The songs have been completed," Psycho said at once. "Music video locations have been decided upon. We have already started the social media promotions. Next week, we will start shooting for the video." 

"Prepone it for this week," Mirae ordered. "We can't delay it anymore." 

"But the set managers are not ready yet," Psycho pointed out but Mirae was adamant. 

"Make them work harder," she ordered. "Pay them extra if you have to but get it done!" 

Psycho did not argue further. He bowed and left the room to execute his tasks. 

Mirae slumped onto her chair, tired from her outburst. Her already irritable mood was worsened further by this news. 

There was a knock on her door. "Come in," she said. 

A bespectacled girl walked in, holding a red envelope. 

"Madam, this came for you," she stated, keeping it on the table. 

"What is it?" Mirae frowned as she picked up the card. 

"It's an invitation from Song Tamlin," she informed her. "For his annual gala." 

Mirae opened the envelope to find a silky card inside. It was a couple's ball and both KJ and her were invited. She studied the card for a while. 

Even though she was not keen on attending, it was an opportunity for her to socialize with the top guns in the industry. Furthermore, she could also use the party to her advantage if she played her cards right. 

"Tell Mister Song that we'll attend the party," she said. The girl bowed and exited. Just then, Somi entered, holding a similar card. 

"You got the invitation too?" she asked. "Looks like Song Tamlin has invited the entire city." 

"What is that man upto?" Mirae frowned. 

"So, are we gonna go?" Somi asked. 

"Of course we are! It's the only way we can figure out how to get more people to invest in Mystic Entertainment. Plus, I have to talk to Song Tamlin. It's high time he pays his debt to me." 

"Mir, you don't mean…" 

"I do," Mirae winced. It was not a step she preferred to take but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

…. 

KJ was munching on protein bars at the agency's cafeteria, looking over some important doc.u.ments. The cafe was on the eighth floor of the building, with a magnificent view of the bustling city. He was sitting at his favorite spot beside the large window, scribbling some notes when Dami approached his table. 

"Hi oppa!" she greeted. "Are you still working on your new song?" 

"Yeah," he nodded. "I think I'm getting the hang of it. I've already thought of something." 

"That's great!" she said, reaching across the table to pat his hand. "I am really happy for you!" 

She gently brushed her fingers on his wrist. KJ, who was focusing on the papers in his hands, did not notice her lingering fingers. 

Dami briefly glanced to her right. Right across them, was another ten storey building which had a clear view of the cafe. A small light flashed from one of the windows there. 

"Best of luck, oppa," she said with a wink. 

"Thanks," KJ said absentmindedly. She stood up to leave, but turned around to throw another glance at the building across the road. 

KJ, oblivious to everything, kept on writing his notes. He could have used a laptop or his phone to write the song but he preferred to keep handwritten notes. It helped him to remember the lines. 

His phone had been buzzing for a while. He picked it up to see Dasom calling him. 

"What's up?" he asked. 

"KJ, did you receive the invitation from Song Tamlin?" Dasom asked from the other end. "I think Mirae noona received your card." 

Sing Tamlin's party? He frowned. Even though KJ received the invitation every year, he never attended it. He always felt it was a waste of time and he never truly liked Song Tamlin. The man was dangerous and untrustworthy. But if he invited Mirae, then there was a huge possibility that she would go. 

"I'll have to check," KJ replied. "You received one as well?" 

"I did," Dasom admitted. "But that's not why I'm calling."

He lowered his voice. "I've asked around some of my celebrity friends who got invited," he said. "Some of them have heard that Ash has gotten an invitation too." 

KJ was not surprised. As a shareholder of Aroma Inc. he would also be invited to high profile parties. 

"But isn't he a fugitive?" Dasom went on. "Should he be attending parties publicly?" 

"He's still under investigation," KJ sighed. "Legally, he's not a criminal yet. He can attend these parties freely despite the public backlash." 

"But you may end up meeting him there," Dasom stated. "Will you be okay with it?" 

No, KJ answered inwardly. He was not okay. Meeting an enemy was easier than coming face to face with his former friend. If only it was easy to hate Ash. He was sure he would not be able to hold in his emotions. 

But he was more worried for Mirae. How will this party affect her? Will she be able to handle meeting Ash? How will she react? 

And most importantly, after seeing Ash, will her resolve weaken and create a wider gap between them? 

Suddenly, KJ was scared of their upcoming encounter. He feared that, if Mirae met her ex-lover, he would lose her again. This time, forever.