Yes, Miss Manoban

CHAPTER 22

Like most of the time, Joshua was caught off-guard. One minute he was just sitting there talking to his boss and the next he's the other half of a make-out session and the door coughing out two figures.

His eyes grew wide as he saw Mr. Alex Kim and Team Leader Bong—who was clearly having a silent mental breakdown seeing him and their boss on top of each other. Then she cleared her throat.

With a pissed look on her face, Miss Manoban pushed herself off him and faced the two—while still sitting on his lap and half leaning in.

"What?!" she spat startling him and Miss Bong in the process.

"Lis, can we talk?" The choreographer said breaking the awkward silence.

His boss' forehead creased. He could clearly feel the tension building up so he decided to straighten up and leave. But it seems thag she didn't want to talk to him. With a single—strong, tug, he fell back on the couch next to her.

"Can't you see I'm busy?" Miss Manoban spat. Miss Bong—yet again, flinched. But not Mr. Kim. "If you want to talk to me, schedule an appointment like the rest. You can't just barge into my office like you own the damn place. So if you can, please bugger off before I call security."

Alex clearly took her threat lightly as he did not move an inch. He just stared at her and stood there.

"Can't you bloody see that I'm enjoying my boyfriend's company? And please, we don't have anything to talk about. Whatever it is that you want to say, I don't want to hear. I didn't before, I wouldn't now. So if it's not much of a big deal, please lock the doors when you leave."

The pokerfaced girl turned her attention back to him and again, kissed him senselessly. Not that he's complaining but, he too was in the verge of a breakdown.

What the actual hell is happening?

As soon as they heard the doors close and not one trace of the intruders near the vicinity, Miss Manoban pushed him back and stood up. He blinked before turning towards his uh... boss.

"Miss Manoba—"

"I don't want that bastard near me ever again, do you hear me?!" she blurted out—red in anger. If he could see himself right know, he's certain he turned white as sheet in a quick minute. Unsure what to answer, he nodded. "Good. And I want you to continue to pretend as my boyfriend. That bloody arsehole wouldn't stop even if I tell him to leave me alone."

Taken aback, he just stared at her in shock. Miss Manoban raised an eyebrow and folded her arms.

"Now don't get cocky, Joshua. I'm requiring your services just so that guy would stop bugging me," she explained.

He felt his throat dry up. Boyfriend? Again?

But what exactly is Miss Manoban's relationship with Mr. Kim? Given by her reaction, it seems like the two were close before. Either that or the guy's her ex or something.

That would explain the random British slangs she uses.

"If you don't mind me asking, Miss Manoban. What relationship do you have with choreographer Kim?" he boldly asks. Where he got the courage to, he had no clue.

"Actually, I mind. You don't need to know."

With that, she stood up and made her way to her desk.

"Don't let her push you."

He sighed. He might get fired for this but it won't be the first time.

"I'm sorry but, I can't do it," he said making her turn to face him. "If I have no idea what I'm doing this for, then I can't do it."

She raised an eyebrow. Oh boy. He might need to send out resumé's after this.

"I mean, shouldn't I know at least why we're doing this?"

"Because I said so," she said gritting her teeth. "Choose your next words carefully, Secretary Jeon. I'm not someone you should piss."

"Don't let her scare you..."

"You have a clear schedule this afternoon," he stated. "Should I call Mr. Kim to meet you instead?"

Miss Manoban's eyes narrowed. Even though he's a bit scared, he still stood there and folded his arms over his chest.

They were stuck in a staring down game before Miss Manoban rolled her eyes—clearly annoyed.

"Fine!" she blurted out. "He's my ex and he did something that I can never forgive. So I need you to keep being my fake boyfriend until he leaves me alone or at least when he leaves the country, understood?"

"Why? What did he do?"

"Don't push your luck on this one," she warned. "I told you more than enough."

But curiosity got the best of him.

"Was he... was he the reason for your accident?"

Miss Manoban froze for a quick second before turning to him. The corner of her lip raised in with a scoff.

"So you did your homework on me," she stated—her eyes looking blank. "I should've guessed it since you asked me about my dancing. I didn't know you dug that deep."

"I... I just saw the article—"

"Yes," she cut him off. "Alex Kim is responsible for the accident. What he did... is unforgivable. And I refuse to give him the satisfaction of getting forgiven."

Joshua just watched his boss as she clenched her fists. Although fury was an obvious emotion etched on her flustered face, there was something else reflecting on her brown orbs.

Betrayal.

He chose not to ask any further as he respects her decision not to tell him the details. Maybe in time, when the walls around her start to break, he'll get his chance.

His hand must've had a mind of its own as he unknowingly reached for her cheek and wiped off the lone tear that had cascaded from her glossy eyes. She was in pain. For some reason, he didn't like it. Not one bit.

"Your whole afternoon is free. Would you like me to accompany you to the mall?"