Chapter 256 - Comeback (16): The Trainee

The office was buzzing with the latest gossip. The employees were seeing the pictures posted online of the Nation's Couple, enjoying a quiet, romantic dinner on the outskirts of the city. They were all over the entertainment news, with the media posting their pictures on the news every hour. 

The couple was being lauded for their renewed sense of trust and love by all journalists and fans. A fansite dedicated to the couple had gained over a million fans within hours as fans scrambled to circulate their pictures.

"Why do they look so darn cute? <3 <3," a user posted.

"I never thought KJ would fall in love! Just look at him with his wife!

"His wife is so lucky!"

"She is really pretty and smart! KJ has a good taste."

Somi was scrolling through the pictures and smiling. Looks like they had made up and were able to sort out their issues. After what Ash had done to Mirae, Somi had thought that her friend would not be able to recover from the shock. But she underestimated Mirae's tenacity. Not only did she recover but was already moving on with a far better person.

Moreover, inadvertently, their relationship had also vastly increased the image of the company. Not only was Mystic Entertainment being portrayed as a company with creative freedom, but many fans also praised them for protecting their idols' private lives. Artists were allowed to date without restrictions, provided they were a.d.u.l.ts, and also enjoyed proper promotions. Within months, the company recovered from the setback they had suffered from EXOTIC's disbandment.

Furthermore, KJ's first comeback after his coma was highly anticipated. They had already received numerous offers for endors.e.m.e.nts and award shows were already knocking on their doors. Also, with Mirae as the CEO, the company was projecting a big profit for the year.

But Somi was a little apprehensive. From the information she had gathered from the insiders, things were going too perfectly. The girl group Aroma Inc. was planning to debut, was already notorious for their beauty and visuals. Even though Junhyung was the figurehead, Ash was the real mastermind. They had bought off many marketing firms to purchase online views and paid off award organizers for spots. Ash's old clients also provided the girls with high profile commercials for famous brands. They were going to give a tough competition to KJ but his victory was all but final.

However, there was one particular trainee of that girl group who interested her. It was a busty, wild haired beauty who was gaining attention for the amazing dancing skills and sensuality. But Somi was not interested in that girl because of her skills. She was more curious about why Ash chose her to debut since she was the one who helped them to escape from Sunny Daze that night.

"Jang Nida," Somi muttered. She did not know many trainees but the usual training periods last at least one year. This one, however, had been training for over fifteen years. She was a trainee ever since she was ten and had moved from company to company for years before finally arriving at Aroma Inc. However, all the companies she was part of were either owned by the Cartel or had the Cartel members in the Board of Directors.

She buzzed her intercom. "Shelley, can you come in for a sec?" she asked her secretary.

"Yes madam," Shelley replied through the intercom. Within seconds, she was knocking on the door.

"You called madam?" she asked.

"Can you find out more about this trainee?" Somi requested, handing her Nida's file. "I want to know who she is, where she is from, where she lives. Everything. And keep this investigation confidential for now. Report only to me."

"Understood madam," Shelley nodded. She took the file and exited the room to start her work. Somi bit her lip, thinking hard for a minute before picking up her phone to call Hyun Jung. He picked up on the first ring.

"Hey Somi," he greeted. 

"Hey," she smiled. "Are you free right now? Can you go somewhere more private to talk?"

"Alright, give me a minute," he said. He was at the precinct and they had caught a gang of thieves so the place was crowded with police officers. Getting up from his seat, he quietly slipped out of the room and headed for the storage unit. There was no one in it, so he spoke into the phone.

"Yeah?" he asked. "You want to say something important?"

Somi told him about her suspicions. He raised his eyebrows, listening to her every word. That girl from Sunny Daze was his trainee?

"And she had been involved with the Cartel for a long time," Somi stated. "Ever since she was a child. All the agencies she had been involved in belonged to them."

"So Ash and this Nida knew each other for a long time," Hyun Jung deduced. "She is the same girl who was caught on camera the night EXOTIC members were attacked on stage."

"Was she caught hurting them?" Somi asked.

"Unfortunately not," Hyun Jung sighed. If they had that crucial moment on camera, they could have destroyed Ash and his girl group. But the girl only bumped into Ash. It did not prove her part in the attack.

"I've asked my secretary to look into her," Somi said. "Once I get more information, I'll talk to Mirae about this. This girl...she keeps on popping up. I'm sure she's up to something."

"Alright," Hyun Jung nodded. Somi hung up from the other end. She leant back and thought hard. Jang Nida was holding a lot of secrets. It was time to corner her somehow.

….

KJ and Mirae reached the office. His 'exercise session' lasted for more than an hour which made Mirae very much late for work. It was past lunchtime when they entered the building. To make matters worse, KJ refused to let go of her hand.

"We're at the office!" she hissed.

"So?" he flashed a devilish grin. Ever since he had confessed to her, he let down his guards and was being more shameless. There was a new carefree spirit in him, making him more relaxed. His once permanently irritable expression died down around Mirae although it tended to make appearances whenever someone bothered their private time.

"People are gonna talk," she mumbled.

"Let them," he scoffed. "As if that will make any difference to us."

He had stopped caring about what other people would say. It was their second chance and he was not going to let a minute go to waste. Mirae sighed. There was no point talking to him. He had already crossed the thresholds of shamelessness. 

Her phone began to vibrate in her pocket. She took it out as they entered their private elevator.

"Hello, CEO?" Eli's voice came from the other end.

"Hi, Eli," Mirae greeted. KJ was kissing her hand, distracting her.

"I looked up on the jeweler you had asked me to," Eli was saying. KJ tickled Mirae's neck. She nearly cried out in surprise.

"Are you alright, CEO?" Eli asked from the other end. Mirae threw an angry look at KJ, who was stifling his laughter. 

"I'm fine," she said. "You looked him up? Did you get any information?"

"Their old place was torn down many years ago but I got the address of his daughter," Eli stated. "I'll text it to you. I'm about to head out to meet her. If you want, you can come with me and we can question her together."

"Alright," Mirae said. "Is it alright I bring my friend along?"

"Sure," Eli said. "I'll pick you up from your office."

"Okay," Mirae said. Bidding goodbye to Eli, she hung up.

"Where are you going?" KJ asked.

"I promised a friend I'll look into a personal matter of hers," Mirae said. "She's looking for someone and we got a lead. I'll go with Eli."

KJ frowned. "Shouldn't you take some of the guards with you?"

"Alright," Mirae said. "I'll ask a team to follow us closely."

"Who is this friend of yours?" 

The elevator reached the top floor and they got off.

"You remember Sunye?" Mirae asked. "I ran into her at the mall. She asked me to find someone for her. Since she helped us out at Sunny Daze, it was the least I could do for her."

"Doesn't she work for Song Tamlin?" KJ frowned.

"Yeah," Mirae sighed. "She's only doing it as a favor to her childhood friend, Soyeon. That's it really. Otherwise she dislikes him as much as we do."

"Okay," KJ said, feeling a little skeptical of Mirae's new friend. "Just be careful. Text me your location every hour."

"Alright, you worry wart!" Mirae said, rolling her eyes. "I think I can handle myself. Just don't panic. I'll be with Eli and my guards. We'll be fine."

They reached her office. KJ was reluctant to let her go. He was scowling as she let go of his hand. 

"Let's just go back home," he insisted.

Mirae pitied her husband. She looked around, making sure that no one was around before lowering her voice.

"If you finish your schedule early, I'll put on the pink negligee for you tonight," she winked s.e.xily. KJ straightened up.

"Time for me to go to work, wifey!" he announced, turning around to leave. 

Mirae smiled and was about to enter her office when he returned and pulled her around. Catching her by surprise, he kissed her.

"See you at home," he teased. Mirae pinched his arm playfully. KJ gave her a shameless smile and waved her goodbye as he walked away from her.