The Manipulated Villainess

Aston walked out of the filming set after he finally finished shooting for the day. He glanced around and saw one man standing at a distance, pressing his back against his car. Was that Zander Choi? There were also two other men on the other side of the car.

The young man narrowed his eyes at the ground but he glanced at his wristwatch once in a while. Then Aston walked to him.

"Zander Choi?" He said while standing before him.

Mario lifted his head and looked at the man standing before him. "Aston." He said with a smile.

"I almost fail to recognize you! You have changed so much." Aston remarked. "How long has it been? Is it about... " His voice trailed off, trying to figure out the years.

"It's been 14 years," Mario said to him and briefly observed him. "You're too hard to meet." He slightly chuckled, hinting at the fact that he waited here for almost an hour!

"Don't get me started. It's so exhausting." Aston promptly said with an annoyed face.

Mario laughed and glanced at his wristwatch. "You're done for today, right? Shall we return to the city and have some drinks together?"

Nicole briefly crossed Aston's mind but when he thought about the fact that it's been 14 years since he last met this old friend, he decided to agree. "Okay. Let's do that."

After driving back to the city, the two men settled in one private room of a famous bar.

"I bet life won't be easy for you." Aston jokingly said, eyeing at the door. The two guards were still standing near the door outside the room.

Mario frowned. "They are so annoying. Boring too."

Aston poured a glass of whiskey for him and said, "I never thought that you will come to see me. After all, it's been 14 years and you are now the heir of Aris Group."

Mario narrowed his eyes at the glass for a while. Then he raised it and gulped it. "No matter what, you're still a friend of mine. Besides... " He paused and turned to Aston. "My current name, family, wealth, title and everything; they were originally yours. You refused to be adopted and I was sent in your place."

Aston's smile slipped a bit but he maintained his composure again very soon. "It's all in the past. Let's not talk about that." He raised his glass and took a sip of the whiskey. "How do you live your life?" He asked Mario.

"Quite boring." Mario bluntly said and Aston laughed.

"You still have a family."

Mario nodded his head. "I know. My adoptive parents love me and take good care of me but... it's hard to live up to my father's expectation. Besides, I'm not that interested in business. I find it boring."

"Did you regret?" Aston asked and glanced at Mario. "I mean, leaving to a faraway place."

Mario narrowed his eyes at the glass again for a while. "No." He took a sip of the drink and turned to Aston with a slight smile. "This is not my country anymore. Here, I'm just a foreigner. Besides, I don't have many good memories in this country. For me, my real home is New Zealand."

Aston sit still, thinking of what he just heard. He just had a feeling that his old friend from the orphanage had changed a lot.

"At first, I don't understand why you refused to leave this country. But after a few years, I finally understand while putting myself in your shoes." Mario said. "Unlike you, I had no family in this whole country to hold me back. So, I'm fine with it though it's my first time back here in 14 years. But if it was you, you won't be fine with that because of your sister."

Aston smiled at Mario's words. "You have grown up. I don't see that immature boy in you anymore."

"I'm just a year younger yet you won't stop speaking like you're many years older," Mario said with a slight frown but Aston simply chuckled. "What about your sister?" He asked.

"I find her." Aston simply replied.

Mario's face brightened up at his response. "Really? When?"

"Three days ago."

Mario could felt his jaw dropped to the floor. Three days ago?! Does it mean that he searched for her all those years?!

"Don't look at me like that. I'm happy and lucky enough to meet her again safe and sound. The years don't matter to me. What matters is that I succeed." Aston said and lightly patted on Mario's shoulder.

"It's good if you feel that way. Your patience is truly something." Mario remarked.

Aston knew that it wasn't because he was patient. He had no choice but to be patient. However, he didn't say anything and took a sip of the drink again.

"Are you here for business?" He asked after a few seconds.

"Yeah. I hate business trips but I agreed to this one. I think it's a great chance to meet you again. That's why."

"When the orphanage Director called me the day before yesterday and said that you were looking for me, I was quite shocked. I initially thought that you would already forget about me." Aston said as he lightly chuckled.

"You changed your name," Mario stated with a sigh. "That's why I can't find you and ask the Director for help. I was quite flustered when I heard your identity. You also have quite a fans in my country."

"I'm honored." Aston let out a laughter. 

Mario leaned a bit towards him and whispered, "Yesterday, I spent my whole time investigating you. Seems like we have a similar trait."

"What is it?" Aston promptly asked with a curious face.

"You date many women. I am also never interested in a real romance." Mario said with a menacing smile and Aston instantly pushed him away.

"I already changed. I don't do that anymore." The actor bluntly said.

Mario became very curious. "Does that mean you are serious now? You met the right one?"

"I think so."

Mario frowned at his short response. "Who is her? Is she some celebrity like you? Do I know her?" He was very eager to know the answer!

Aston briefly thought of Nicole and he slightly smiled. "How long will you stay?"

Mario frowned deeper when Aston changed the topic. But still, he answered, "A few weeks."

Aston nodded. "That's great. We still have some time, so I will introduce her to you later."

"Really? You better not go back on your words. I will still stalk you if you do that." Mario's face brightened up at once.

Aston glanced at his old friend and when he saw his carefree smile, he felt relieved. It won't be easy to blend into another country. He might suffer a lot but still, he didn't lose his carefree smile and pure mind. He was glad for that. "I won't." He said with a little smile.

* * *

Garcia Han was in her study, going through some files when Carson Jun suddenly showed up. Seeing him, she abruptly rose from her seat.

It's the first time they met each other again since the night Carson left while having dinner. However, he still keeps his promise. He never missed her call.

"You seem to be busy." Carson Jun said, standing before her desk. 

"Just a bit." Garcia Han promptly said. "You're not angry anymore?" She cautiously asked him.

"When did I ever get angry at you?" Carson said and slightly smiled. "I only need time and I think you have given me enough. I'm sorry for my behaviour that night, Garcia. That was the first and it will also be the last."

Garcia Han walked past her desk and stood next to him. "You don't have to hold back all the time. You can tell me if anything troubles you." She calmly said, glancing at him.

"Don't worry. There is nothing like that. As always, I will assist you in whatever you want to achieve. I will do whatever you want me to do. Even if you wish to stop, I won't complain." Carson earnestly said. He never says it to her but he knew what she had in mind these days and he was willing to accept as long as it's what she wanted.

Garcia Han understood what he said. She holds Carson's hand and then hugged him. In the past, she was too fixated on her revenge and she never had much time for him yet he still remained devoted to her.

She always thought that she should be strong enough on her own. After losing all her family members, she was determined to not rely on others again. But his selflessness and unwavering heart made her break her principles all the time and by now, she didn't think that she would be able to live without him anymore. After all, he made himself available for her for more than two decades now!

"I think you finally succeed. I can't imagine my life without you anymore. Shall we do what you always wanted?" She muttered.

Carson Jun raised a brow and pulled back. He observed her with a flustered face. "Do you mean - "

"Yes. Marriage. I will marry you." Garcia Han said to him with a smile.....