Yes, Miss Manoban

CHAPTER 16

"M-Miss Manoban!" he blurted out as soon as his boss, Miss Manoban, came inside his sister’s pub.

But the woman did not give him much attention. Instead, her eyes were glued at his sister who looked like she just saw a ghost.

Miss Manoban never fails to make heads turn. She was wearing a black leather jacket over a leopard-printed body con dress and black dagger heels. It was a weird combination of biker chick and sexy. But it works. His eyes went straight to her long (beautiful) legs.

"Eyes up here, Joshua," she said casually as she made her way beside him. Then she turned towards Erika. "You own this place, am I correct?"

Erika—still shocked and awe-struck, nodded slowly with eyes still wider than it used to.

"I uh... y-yes."

Totally out of character, Miss Manoban smiled! His eyes grew wide and his mouth flew wide open.

"I like it," she declared, propping her elbows on the counter as the back of her palms supported her chin. "Maybe that's why my brother loves hanging out here so much."

He watches as his sister blink twice as fast as a normal human should. Give it to Miss Manoban to intimidate someone who's already intimidating. It's the first time he saw his sister in this state. Flustered and frantic.

"Uh... okay. I uh... I'll be right back."

Miss Manoban turned towards him and drank his drink in one go. She gave him a grin before placing the now empty glass back to where it originally was.

"She seems nice," she commented—her one arm on the counter while the other rests on the backrest of her seat. "She looks smart and she's really pretty. My brother really does have impeccable taste in women."

It was now his turn to be shocked. What?

"Oh, you didn’t know?" she stated innocently. "My brother fancies her. So, if you have plans on making a move on her, I think you're in for a tough competition."

"She's my sister."

Miss Manoban's eyebrow raised. "Sister? Wow. I thought she's also someone you fancy. Well, that's just plain boring. I thought my brother has some tough competition or something."

"CEO Jung likes my sister?" he asked clearly still shocked by her revelation. Why does he not know this?

"That or he often comes here to get inside the bartender's trousers," she said shrugging. Then she smiled. And then she used her index finger chin to close his wide-open mouth. "Congratulations, by the way, Secretary Jeon. Your plan seems to have worked. Our stocks are back up again and the rumors about you going out with Miss Lee has been debunked."

He was about to say thank you but she had already directed her attention elsewhere.

It was kind of awkward sitting there next to his boss. If it were CEO Jung, he'd be more comfortable opening a legit conversation with him since he'd been working with for quite a long time. But with Miss Manoban, he didn't know what to do or say. He just sat there gawking. Watching her sip on the glass of Mimosa his sister just handed.

Her side profile looked familiar.

Then his thoughts wandered back in that one practice room. When he saw a woman dancing gracefully along with the classical song.

It was really her!

"You..." he whispered. Miss Manoban seemed to have heard him as she turned towards him again.

"Hm?"

"I uh... Miss Manoban, can I ask you a question?"

"You're already asking, Joshua."

His hand made its way to his nape. Geez. He's always a nervous wreck when faced with this woman.

"I uh... Do you... Do you dance?"

Joshua clearly saw how his boss' face turned from smiley to blank. Her brown orbs that seemed to glimmer became hollow. Was it something he said? Then she reverted back to her formal self.

"I used to do ballet in New York," she answered monotonously.

"Used to?"

"Yes, Joshua. I used to dance. Now I don't."

"Why?" he asked. "I uh... I saw you dance and you were amazing--"

"Because I hated it," she answered flatly. Like she's brushing the topic off. "I don't really liked dancing."

Joshua decided not to push the topic as he saw how uncomfortable the girl was starting to get.

After a few minutes of silence, Miss Manoban pushed her now empty glass of Mimosa away, tucked a few bills under it and hopped off the bar stool. He immediately helped her out as what he usually does.

"I can manage," she said in a rather cold demeanor. "I think a single glass of Mimosa isn't such a big deal. Anyways, I'll see you at work tomorrow, Joshua."

"Yes, Miss Manoban."

He gave her a formal bow as they reached the outside of the pub. But before the woman can go inside her car, a creepy looking guy—a high schooler if you'd put it, suddenly attacked him.

"Wha—"

His eyes grew wide at the sight of a small knife on his right hand aimed towards him. His instincts kicked in and signaled Miss Manoban to stay back as she was about to hold off the guy.

"Noona is mine!" the guy exclaimed as he charged at him. "You're not good enough for her!"

"I'm not her boyfriend! We're not dating—"

"You think I'm stupid enough to believe the tailored statement JHS Ent. released? Ha! You did the same thing with that Royal guy!"

Joshua tried his best to block the attacker but he's strong. Too strong in fact.

"Ow!"

"Ya! Get off my boyfriend!"

Miss Manoban's voice roared through the streets getting the attacker. He noticed she was already missing a shoe.

The attacker froze—wide eyes and all.

"Get your filthy hands off my f**king boyfriend, you delusional freak!" she yelled.

He could clearly see the sudden change in the attacker's eyes.

The poor kid immediately backed down and dropped his weapon. He even tried to run but Miss Manoban threw her other shoe at him. It hit him on the head which made him trip and fall.

"What are you waiting for? Christmas? Catch him, you i***t!"