Gracious Helper (I)

"Let's go," he told her and began to walk toward the elevator.

She followed him. Her eyes darted in every direction as she scanned the building. The building had photographs of artists hanging on the wall.

There were also posters with information about upcoming events. She felt like she was in Heaven.

All her life, she dreamed of meeting A-Question, her favorite idol group.

So she had no idea she would one day get to walk into the same building they belonged to - that she would meet one of the members.

'Ah,' she thought, a content smile on her lips, 'This must be Heaven's way of apologizing for making me meet Mr. Sheng. The way he caressed my hand made me feel uncomfortable. Okay, I'll forgive Heaven, just this once.'

They stepped inside the elevator.

'Oh, how I wish I met Jack,' she smiled.

Bai turned his face and glanced at her. To him, she seemed over the moon.

"Someone's in a good mood," she heard him say, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, sorry," she shook her head, telling herself to calm her racing heart.

She was so happy that she thought her body could not contain the happiness building up inside her. Surely she would burst into a million pieces if she was a cartoon character!

"Are you that happy to be here?" he asked her amusedly, crossing his arms.

She looked down, embarrassed that Bai had to see her fangirling because of Zero.

"Yes," was all she could mumble, "Sorry for spacing out."

Bai nodded and stared at the elevator door.

"There's no need for you to apologize. Anyone would go crazy if they saw their favorite idol. It's a natural reaction."

Lai blinked several times and wondered if he had a favorite idol. As if he knew what she was thinking, he quickly added.

"I don't have a favorite idol if that's what you're thinking. Idols are not my kind of thing."

Lai nodded.

'Figures,' she thought, 'With a face and body like that, why would you admire anyone other than yourself?'

The elevator doors opened. They walked out, heading for the CEO's office.

She watched as a few actors passed them by.

'Heaven is blessing me today,' she thought again, pressing her lips together, 'I get to see such handsome faces.'

Bai knocked on the CEO'S door.

"Come in," a voice spoke.

When they walked into the office, the CEO immediately stood up.

"Mr. Ying," he bowed, "Please take a seat."

Bai and her sat down across from the CEO.

"Can I get you something to drink? Tea or-?"

Bai shook his head 'no.' The CEO nodded and sat down on his leather chair. He pressed his index finger to a button on the black telephone atop his table.

He then picked up the phone.

"Hi, Miss Xia," he began, "Please tell Miss Hyejin to step into my office. Thanks."

He ended the call and clasped his hands together. Lai noticed that he was anxious - he constantly swallowed and fidgeted. She raised an eyebrow, wondering why the CEO was behaving this way.

Was it because he was in the presence of Bai?

'I mean, he is a formidable man with an aura that screamed, "I am an untouchable god."

Plus, he is a mafia CEO of a multinational company,' she pondered.

However, she found that he wasn't like your stereotypical mafia involved in crime, sex, and violence.

Or maybe she just spoke too soon, considering she had no clue what he does behind doors.

Either way, his presence would make any man tremble. She watched as his amber-colored eyes were locked on the CEO, unmoving.

No one said a word.

She felt like she was going to suffocate in the cold silence. A knock on the door broke the silence, and a woman stepped inside the office.

Lai immediately recognized her. She was Xun Hyejin, a famous model born from a Cedorian father and Eglines mother.

She had just entered the world of acting and was currently appearing as a second female lead character in a youth drama called My First Love is You - a drama Lai has been enjoying recently.

Hyejin even won the Diamond Award for Best New Actress.

'So she's the model Mr. Ying was talking about?' she brooded as she watched the model stand by the door.

"Let's sit on the couch," the CEO ushered them as he moved to the couch.

Lai and Bai sat together on the shiny, brown leather couch, while the CEO and Hyejin sat on the other.

"Hand me the contract," Bai instructed her.

She pulled out a large peach envelope with the contract inside. He took the envelope and placed it on the table in front of him.

He sat with his legs crossed. The CEO quickly grabbed the envelope, opened it, and pulled out the contract. He and Hyejin read it carefully.

"Now," Bai began, after a few minutes, "Are you satisfied with the contract?"

The CEO quickly glanced at Hyejin, who was silent the whole time. He nodded vigorously and pulled out a pen for the model to sign. He held the pen to her.

She clenched her hands on her dress and shook her head 'no.'

"I... I-I'm not signing," she muttered, earning a gasp from her CEO.

"What do you mean you're not signing?!" the CEO bellowed, his eyes widened.

The man was in shock. Hyejin's face contorted in anxiety. Lai noticed that the model was trembling. Was she afraid?

Bai uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, entwining his fingers.

"Is there a problem?" he simply and calmly asked her, "Are you not happy with any of the contents of the contract?"

"No, no!" the CEO immediately exclaimed, waving his hands defensively, "We are more t-than happy, Mr. Ying! Right, Hyejin?"

The CEO looked at Hyejin with a face that screamed and pleaded, "Hurry! Tell them we're happy and sign the damn contract!"

However, Hyejin shook her head 'no' again. The woman was adamant about not signing.

Lai looked at Bai, wondering what he would do. Was it wise to refuse a mafia?

"Can you tell me why you don't want to sign?" Bai asked Hyejin, who avoided looking at him.

The CEO let out a high-pitched laugh. He was nervous.

"It's j-just that s-she..." the CEO stammered, wringing his hands.

The man's forehead began to glisten with sweat.

"S-she's been telling me she wants to quit the entertainment industry this whole week."

"She wants to quit?" Bai questioned, staring at Hyejin.

Compared to the CEO, Bai's face was relatively calm. Lai couldn't tell what her boss was thinking.

"Y-yes," the CEO hesitated, "But I've been trying to talk her out of it this whole time. She won't tell me why-"

Bai sighed.

'Ah, I think he's irritated,' Lai thought, glancing at him.

The CEO immediately shut his mouth, afraid to say anything more.

Bai stood up and grabbed the contract.

"If that's the case," Bai spoke, "You should have told me sooner. I wouldn't have wasted my time coming here."

"But-" the CEO was cut off before he could plead his case.

"I'm not going to work with someone who doesn't want to work for me," Bai clicked his tongue.

'I thought as much,' Lai stared at him, 'He IS irritated.'

He began to walk to the door when she abruptly stood up, rushing to him.

"Wait, Mr. Ying!" she exclaimed, gently grabbing his arm.