Yes, Miss Manoban

CHAPTER 27

"If only you had the same boldness as your sister," Astrid teased as she laid on the soft mattress. "Oh, right. You are bold. You even confessed to me in front of everyone."

"You're not gonna let this slide, aren't you?"

Miss Manoban smiled widely. "Nope." With a popping "p" sound that made him roll his eyes. But at the back of his mind, he smiled.

Seeing his boss at this casual state—relaxed and laughing wholeheartedly, is quite refreshing. She does smile but that would be a once in a lifetime thing.

"But seriously though, Joshua. You're not that bad. A little confidence doesn't hurt."

If only she knew why he's like this. It's actually her fault for being so... so amazing. A fanboy's heart could only go so far. And she's really testing him.

"So you're saying I should be bolder?" he questioned while looking straight at her.

"Yes," she answered. "You always look like you're about to pee yourself when I'm around. I'm not a bloody monster, you know."

"You're too pretty to be a monster," he said involuntarily. It was too late again for him to take it back as Miss Manoban had clearly heard him. She rose up from the bed and broke into a wide smile. "I mean—"

"You think I'm pretty?" she asked teasingly. He sighed.

"Yes."

"Why thank you, Joshua," she said tilting her head to the side while sitting on his bed facing him. Again with that smile. His heart can't handle her. "You're not too shabby yourself."

She hugged her legs comfortably as she rocked herself back and forth. He can't help but smile. She looked cute. Totally different from the intimidating woman he sees every day.

"You like being complimented," she commented.

"Don't you?"

"Yes, but I already know I'm pretty," she answered confidently. "It get's tiring if you hear it all the bloody time. I like it better if they focus on my dancing rather than my looks..."

Her voice started to falter. Then she rested her chin on her knees. Silence. Then he spoke.

"Miss Manoban, can I ask you something?"

"You're already asking," she retorted. He rolled his eyes. "Since I'm in a good mood 'coz my brother's finally getting laid, go ahead. Ask me anything."

He contemplated whether to ask her about the accident or why she stopped dancing. He's curious as to why she was able to dance with no flaws during the audition but when she's alone, she couldn't. But how do he phrase it without sounding nosy?

"Um... what made you love dancing?"

Miss Manoban raised her head from her knees and looked straight at him.

"That's a weird question to ask," she said with her forehead creased. "Well, it's all because of my brother. I grew up watching those Barbie movies and there were a few which incorporated ballet in them. My brother saw how much I enjoyed watching so he bought me my first pair of ballet shoes after saving up on my birthday."

He couldn't help but smile. Typical CEO Jung. He'd do everything for his sister. Miss Manoban's eyes sparkled and she had this infectious smile on her face.

"He used to film me while dancing with Asher oppa—" she suddenly stopped. Then her smile faded. Like she suddenly remembered or forgotten something.

"Miss Mano—"

"I... It's getting late. I should be going."

She unceremoniously stood up and headed straight towards the door. But it suddenly opened and showing CEO Jung looking grim and serious.

"Let's go, Astrid," he said. His aura felt gloomy and he looked stressed. Did something happen?

"Oppa? Where's Erika?"

"I already drove her to her place. I'm sorry for the trouble. We'll be on our way," he said before leaving the room.

He was rather formal. Completely opposite to how he knew him. Even during business meetings, he's never like this. Sometimes, maybe, but never when he talked to him. Something was definitely wrong.

Miss Manoban seem to have noticed as well. He turned to me looking confused but curious. Her eyes darted like she was instructing me to find out what was going on.

So he have her a nod before she went out.

As soon as he heard the lock's alarm, he fished his phone out from his pocket and called his sister.

"Eri?"

"She lied," his sister immediately said on the other line. "He didn't like me. I got dumped."

-

"You said what?!" Astrid blurted out as soon as Asher told her what happened during their 'talk'.

"It's only fair, Assie. I'm dying. I can't accept her feeling then break her heart. She deserves a man who's healthy and well. Someone who could give her a happily ever after."

"Yeah, she does and that's you!" She yelled at him. Yup, she was enraged because her brother was a complete i***t. "You're getting yourself cured, aren't you? So why the bloody hell did you dump her?!"

"I'm not even sure I'll get cured," he spat. "It's cancer, Assie. Bone f**king cancer! Even the doctors don't know if I'll make it."

"But it wasn't your choice to make, Oppa," she argued. "Tell her everything and let her decide whether she'd stay with you or not. She deserves to have a choice. And you..."

She cupped her face and looked straight to his eyes.

"You deserve to be happy too. I know you live her. You wanted to get better for her. This time, why not get better with her?"

"That would be unfair for her, Assie," he said then sighed. "She has a full life ahead of her. I can't take that away from her."

Asher turned around and went inside the house. Her gaze followed his retreating figure until he disappeared from her line of sight. She understood him but... she sighed. Even though he means no harm, he's still being unfair to him. She needs to do something. She can't lose another brother.

She fished her phone out and called the only person who could help her right now.

"Hello? I need a favor."