The Manipulated Villainess

It had been a while since Aston and Nicole finished dinner at the mansion of the Yang family. The couple were standing on the balcony of the living room with Aston standing behind Nicole and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I think you overwork yourself these days," Aston pointed out. Leaning down, he planted a gentle kiss on her neck.

"I'm busy with that project," Nicole said and explained, "That non-profit hospital project. Chairman Jun said that he will let me do however I want."

Aston smiled at her words. "I think you spent a lot of time with him these days. Even more than me."

Nicole let out a chuckle. "I already know that he is a good person. Besides... " Pausing, her smile faded a little. "He got injured that day because of me. That's enough to prove that he cares for me, genuinely."

Aston narrowed his eyes, recalling that worst day. He could never forget the tears he witnessed that day. "Those memories still haunt you, right?" he asked.

Maintaining her silence for a while, Nicole turned around and looked up to meet his gaze. She tiptoed and captured his lips. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave him a gentle kiss before she pulled back.

Then her eyes trailed to his arms before she lifted her hand to touch the spot where Peter Jung hit him three months ago. Then she met his gaze. "You really mean it when you said that you will do anything for me," she muttered.

"Have I ever lie to you?" Aston mused. "You're safe and alive. That's the only thing that matters to me. I'm willing to endure even more than that."

The scene where he knelt before his enemy and begged for her life was played in her mind again. The exact scene which she really wished to erase from her mind. He showed her that for him, she was above everything else. His pride and even his life... he was willing to give up for her.

"What will I do with you?" she muttered, feeling helpless. She felt so undeserving of such a pure and selfless love!

Aston flashed a smile and wrapped his arms around her shoulders as he gazed down at her. "If you want to repay me, you can do it by spending the rest of your life with me," he simply said. Then he leaned towards her. "I want to be in every part of your future," he whispered in her ear.

"Are you asking me to marry you?" Nicole asked with a burst of laughter.

"Do I have to do that?" Aston simply said, seeming so confident.

Nicole finally laughed again. "Right now, you are just like that overconfident actor I used to know."

"Isn't that what makes you stand before me tonight?" Aston mused. "I think it's all thanks to my overconfidence and persistence," he playfully boasted.

Nicole Yang nodded. "I will give you that," she chuckled.

Aston stared at her with amusement and then planted a kiss on the crown of her head. His hands trailed to his waist and he pulled her closer. "I think you owe me a few days," he said with a mischievous smile.

"Do you have something you want to do?" Nicole asked. She was very busy in the last few days and she knew Aston was right when he joked that she spent more time with Chairman Jun than him. She thought that she will finally have the chance to slack off for a while.

"You took good care of me when I was hospitalized. So, I think I should do the same," Aston said with a little smile. "You work very hard. So, I think you should rest, even if it's just a few days."

"What about you?" Nicole asked, thinking of the news that surrounded him these days. "Have you made a decision?"

"Chairman Jun offered to make me his successor," Aston playfully said. "He said he will teach me if I'm willing."

Nicole Yang blinked at the unexpected news. "Chairman Jun really said that?"

The actor simply nodded. "I don't know what made him say that," he shrugged. "I know nothing about business. My only experience is my past roles as a businessman in two or three dramas," he jokingly added.

Nicole created some gap between them and observed Aston, placing her left fingers on her chin. "I think Chairman Jun has a point. With that intelligent brain, you will surely make a successful businessman."

Aston clicked his tongue as he shook his head. "I don't understand you people in the business circle," he sighed.

"Do you know why Chairman Jun could get this far despite only having a high school degree?" Nicole asked Aston and said, "It's because he's superb at foreseeing things. His predictions are rarely wrong and if he asked you to be his heir, that means he saw potential in you. I trust in his instincts."

When Aston didn't say anything, Nicole closed the gap between them again. She wrapped her arm around his body and looked up at him. "Then tell me. Do you enjoy acting?"

Aston gave a thought, gently scratching his temples. "It's a yes and no. Sometimes, I think it's fun as I got the chance to try new things. Meeting a new character and practically live as that character for a few months helps me briefly forget about the tough reality of life and the feeling is always soothing."

"Then what are the cons?"

"The pressure of being in the eye of the public. Sometimes, I used to be tired of everything." With a peal of light laughter, he added, "I already lost count of how many times I wished to quit during the 5 years that I live as an actor. I consider leaving the industry many times."

"But you're still there after five years," Nicole said. "That means the pros weigh more than the cons."

"Maybe," Aston said with a nod. Soon, his lips curved into an amusing smile. "You talked like a true businesswoman," he pointed out. "You remind me that my girlfriend is one of the most successful businesswomen in the country."

"I love what I'm doing," Nicole promptly said. "So, no matter what, I also want you to do what you like, anything that will make you happy."

"I will remember that," Aston replied with a satisfying smile.....