Yes, Miss Manoban

CHAPTER 13

Blue Moon Restaurant

the night before the scandal

"What now, butt? I could hang my coat on that pout of yours."

"What's your bloody obsession with bums? Are you playing for the other team now?"

"And disappoint you? Awe, I'm not that cruel, baby."

"I hate you, you know that, right?" Astrid spat as she folded her arms and leaned on the backrest of her seat.

"And I love you too," Vince answered as he continued to eat. "Stop being a drama queen and eat. It's been a while since we had dinner. Alone."

"Well if you visited me more often then maybe it wouldn't have been a while," she fired back.

"Shut up and eat, Manobutt."

Astrid glared at the older guy before sitting straight. "That nickname is getting old. Try another one."

"So, stepping in for your brother," he said totally ignoring her sass—or lack thereof. "I never thought this day would come. Didn't think one nasty article would be the cause of you finally getting involved with your mom's company."

Astrid suddenly froze. So, her brother didn't tell him. Vincent Min had no idea that his best friend is dying. But does he know the reason why he's so keen on getting better?

"Ya, oppa. Is my brother seeing someone?" she asked out of the blue. Vince raised his head to look at her. "Is there?"

"I can't tell you. Bro code," he simply answered. "Plus, you might scare her away or something. I won't let you."

"Psh." She rolled her eyes and resumed eating.

She wanted to find out who that girl is to thank her. Whoever she was, she's the reason why her brother wants to get better. She's the reason why he wants to live. Maybe to be with her or maybe to grow old with her. Whatever his reason may be, she's sure that it was because of that girl.

"Asher told me you didn't want to be treated," he said loosely. He had no problem whatsoever when it comes to talking about s**t with her.

Whenever her brother is at a dead-end, he calls for Vince to talk to her. That explains the sudden dinner invitation.

"I'm not sick," she answered plainly. "I'm fine. I don't want it anymore. I'll live."

"You say you're fine but your bitchiness says otherwise," he argues coolly. "It's like your panties are permanently in a twist. A whole lifetime of PMS."

"One, what's your addiction with my knickers? And two, I was born with this attitude and you very well know that."

"You broke a company property."

"I saw a spider. I just wanted to kill it."

"Unlikely."

Astrid's eyes narrowed at the guy but he continued eating—completely ignoring her piercing gaze.

"You're a sodding git."

"Thank you," he said pissing her off more. "Just try it out, Butt. You won't lose anything."

"I might literally go insane, Vince," she insisted as her last attempt of defense. "You of all people should know it's really annoying to talk about feelings."

"Yeah, but it helps," he answered nonchalantly. "Look. I care for you, Assie. You're... well, I loved you. I want to see you on that stage you love the most—"

"The stage I left you for?"

He sighed. "Assie, you know that's not what I meant."

"I know but..." It was now her turn to sigh. "You should be mad at me. You should hate me. I still can't understand why you're still taking care of me after what I did to you. I... I..."

She felt him hold her hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"I can't hate the only woman I've ever loved, Li."

Vince and Astrid dated when he was in college and she was a senior in high school. Given that he was her brother's best friend, they both decided to hide their relationship from everyone. And when she got her scholarship to Juilliard, she had to choose. He made her choose.

"It was the biggest regret of my life," Vince broke the silence. "I... I shouldn't have made you choose. I should've just packed everything and went there with you. But I didn't. I should have but I didn't. And that pretty much f**ked everything up."

"Vince..."

She didn't know what else to say. Was he asking a question even? Was he insinuating something?

"Relax, Assie. I've already moved on."

She let out a sigh of relief. She sucked at this. Why does she suck at this?

Vince must've noticed her indifference so he sat back up straight and took his phone out.

"So, I have this song here that I think would be a good debut song for Saerin," he said diverting the topic. "And since you said she'd debut first, you don't have the right to complain or b*tch about this one."

She can't help but smile. He knows her too well and spoils her rotten. Explains as to why she lets him call her whatever the hell he wants and not lose a limb or two.

"It's brilliant," she said nodding as she listens to the beat. "You have my blessing with this one."

"Great. So, I'll send this to Secretary Jeon and schedule the concept evaluation as soon as possible?"

"Why? Aren't you their producer?"

"Uh, Assie? Didn't Ash tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"The CEO is the Executive Producer. Your team decides the concept and schedules of the artist."

"What? I don't know any of that shi—"

"Relax. You have Secretary Jeon with you. He knows what to do," Vince simply said. "He's been doing this with your brother for years now."

But it wasn't that simple. She fired the bloke. Now, what would she do?

Of course, she has no idea what to do. She may have an eye for talent whatsoever but she knows nothing about preparations for a debut. It's not like she's been in the business for years. She did just take over weeks ago.

"Assie? What's wrong?"

"I uh..." She suddenly grabbed her phone. "I might have fired him..."

Vince's forehead creased.

"You... fired Secretary Jeon?"

She nodded. Slowly.

"Why?"

"Because he questioned my choices."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You do realize I would've done the same if you're throwing almost a year's work outside the window just because you suddenly thought a member of the debut team should go solo."

She heaved a sigh. True, it was a rash decision. But to be all honest, her decision wasn't loosely just because he questioned her. A part of it was because of the airport thing. For her, it was embarrassing. And to say the least, awkward. Also, he's like a creepy stalker of one of the company's top artist. Her decision's well justified.

"I know you're well equipped coming from the entertainment industry too, Assie. But your brother knows more. And Secretary Jeon's been there with him for years. You'll need him."

She let out an exasperated sigh.

"Fine. I'll give him a call tomorrow," she surrendered. "If he blows this up again, you'll be joining him in the gutter."