Bug Bite

Ash's phone rang, interrupting their little tryst. Ash let go of Mirae and reached over to his phone on a table next to them.

"Where the hell are you?" KJ sounded annoyed from the other side.

"I just ran into an old friend and was catching up," Ash lied. Mirae silently giggled and hugged his back.

"Who?" KJ asked suspiciously.

"You won't recognize him," Ash replied.

Mirae teased him by sucking on his neck.

"Will you please focus?" KJ scolded him. "We're working our ass out for this album and you go off, wandering around!"

"KJ, I- ouch!" Ash yelped. Mirae bit his neck.

"What was that?" KJ demanded.

"A bug bit me," Ash lied, shooting a look at Mirae who was barely containing her laughter.

"Just get back to the recording room," KJ ordered and hung up.

Ash let out a sigh. "You sure are bold," he commented.

"As if you were very shy," Mirae snorted.

Ash smiled at her. "The CEO is a bold seductress," he said, locking her lips into another kiss. Mirae welcomed his soft pecks and pouted when he pulled away again.

"Get dressed," he laughed as he began to pick up her clothes from the floor and handed them to her. Mirae pouted and got dressed.

"You go ahead," Ash told Mirae as she tidied herself up. "People might get suspicious if we arrive together."

Mirae nodded. "Okay," she said. "And I'll look into the information you gave me. My men will work towards stealing the goods."

She unlocked the door and after making sure that the corridor was empty, she slowly exited the room.

When she arrived at the recording room, the mood was very unsettling. KJ was colder than usual, his icy glare creating a stressful atmosphere. Jinhyun and Dasom were fearful of KJ's reactions. He made them repeat their pitches again and again even though they sang their parts perfectly. Dasom was singing his lines, but KJ's expression unsettled him.

"The pitch is too high," KJ snapped at him. "Go lower!"

"I'm already at my lowest pitch," Dasom complained.

"Jinhyun take over his part," KJ ordered.

Jinhyun immediately stood up and replaced Dasom at the microphone area. Dasom, feeling relieved, slumped on to the chair outside.

"Sing it low," KJ ordered. As Jinhyun sang his part, Mirae approached KJ.

"Umm...Mr. KJ?"

KJ did not bother looking at her. Mirae was annoyed by his attitude. What was his problem?

"Mr. KJ?" she called him in a louder voice.

"I'm busy," he replied coldly, as he composed some notes on the recording software. "Please do not disturb anyone while they're working."

Mirae was annoyed at his rude behavior but bit her tongue. Remember, you need to protect him, Mirae chanted inwardly.

"I just wanted to inform you that I am done with arranging the notes," she said in a clear tone.

KJ ignored her and continued to focus on the screen in front of him. Mirae was frustrated by his rudeness. Maybe she should just lock him up in a box and ship him off to the Cartel herself.

"Sorry I'm late," Ash apologized, as he entered the room. He took a seat next to Dasom.

"That was a long meeting with your friend," KJ glared at him.

"We had a lot to catch up on," Ash said in an indifferent tone, masking his expression. Mirae fought the urge to roll her eyes. She reached towards a bottle on the refreshments' desk to pour herself some water.

Dasom was peering at Ash suspiciously. "Ash," he began. "Did you change your pants? You were wearing green trousers in the morning and now you're wearing white pants."

"Yes," Ash replied. "My friend spilt some juice on me."

Mirae who was taking a sip of water, started to choke. This guy! Mirae cursed him inwardly. Ash caught her momentary glare and winked at her stealthily.

"Are you okay, Ms. Jung?" Jinhyun asked, looking concerned.

"I'm fine," Mirae coughed. She glared at Ash, who put on his poker face.

"What's that on your neck?" Dasom asked suspiciously, pointing towards a red mark on Ash's neck.

"A bug bit me a while back," Ash answered him.

KJ was also staring at the mark. "The bug must have a really big mouth," he said. "Maybe you should get it checked by a doctor?"

"That's fine," Ash reassured him. "It's no big deal. Let's get back to the recording."

KJ nodded even though he was still looking suspicious. They were immersed in the song for the rest of the day. Despite KJ's outbursts on trivial matters, they managed to finish the song.

"Finally, it's over!" Dasom sighed, slumping on the couch.

"I wanna go home and sleep all throughout the weekend," Jinhyun yawned as he too settled on the couch.

Ash was busy crossing out some lines from the lyrics while KJ rearranged the composition. Mirae was still there, quietly observing the group.

"Ms. Jung," Dasom looked up. "You can go home now."

"It's alright," Mirae assured him. "I will leave after you all go home."

"Yeah, but it's getting late," Jinhyun chimed in. "It's dangerous for a girl to stay out this late. Perverts might be lurking around, ready to harm you."

Hearing that, both KJ and Ash snickered quietly. Only God can save the pervert who will try to harm Mirae.

"But I-"

"You should go home and prepare for the next day," KJ ordered her. "Your work is done for the day."

With that, he dismissed her. Mirae slightly nodded and politely bowed down before heading out. She exited the building and put on a face mask before heading into a black car which was parked behind the building. Riggs was sitting in the driver's seat.

"Where to madam?" he asked.

"My new place," she instructed.

"I hope you had a productive day," Riggs said.

Mirae smiled as she thought of her 'productive' day. "That would be an understatement," she commented. Riggs was confused but did not probe any further.

Mirae took out her phone and typed in two messages. One was to her subordinate who was placed in the Police Department. She informed him of the exchange with Ziko which would take place on Saturday. The second one was to Ash.

Ash was heading out with KJ, when he his phone vibrated. He took it out only to see a one line message and smiled. KJ was bewildered by Ash's expression. The guy rarely showed emotions.

"What are you looking at?" KJ asked as he peered over Ash's shoulder. He stared at the message.

"Spicy rice cakes with beef bulgogi & soju. Saturday Night."

KJ frowned.

"Who is the sender?" he asked.

Ashe took a while to answer. "Let's just say she is adorably feisty," Ash winked and walked off, leaving KJ in confusion.

Back at home, Jade was purring on the sofa when KJ walked in.

"I'm hungry," Jade announced. "I want food."

"I already left it out for you," KJ rolled his eyes.

"I want more!" Jade demanded. Sighing, KJ made his way to the kitchen. He was pouring Jade some cat food when the doorbell rang. KJ opened the door to see his masked neighbor was standing outside. If his suspicions were right, she was Mirae. But he decided to observe the CEO before reaching to a conclusion.

"Got some time?" the CEO asked. Before KJ could reply, she barged in and settled on the couch, crossing her legs.

"Glad you're making yourself at home," KJ said in a dry tone.

"Let's skip over the chitchat," the CEO waved him off. "I need to borrow some of your best men for a job."

"What kind of job?" KJ raised his eyebrows.

"A source told me that Ziko will be delivering a consignment at Incheon Port this Saturday," the CEO stated. "He won't be there in person, of course. He'll send his minions to deliver it. We'll need to steal that consignment so that we can draw him out."

"What makes you think he'll come for the goods?" KJ asked.

"Those aren't goods," the CEO replied. "Those are human beings. They're trafficking people."

KJ was not surprised by this news. The Cartel's main source of income came from prostitution. No doubt, they kidnapped people from different regions to sell them off to wealthy buyers.

"So you're planning to break them out?" he asked.

"Yes," The CEO leaned in forward. "I'll break them out. But I need your men for this job as well. Are you in or are you out?"

"I'm in," KJ promised. "I'll send my best men for the job."

The CEO nodded. Suddenly her stomach growled. An awkward silence loomed in the air.

"Uhhh...I should go," the CEO stammered as she stood up.

"Wait," KJ grabbed her wrist. Instinctively, she twisted his arm and tackled him to the floor. Luckily, the thick carpet broke his fall.

"Ow ow ow!" KJ moaned in pain.

"Don't. Touch. Me," the CEO threatened as she held both his arms behind his back.

"I just grabbed your hand!"

"I don't like people touching me," she grumbled. "Unless I allow them to."

With that, she roughly let go of his hands. Rubbing his wrists, he slowly got up, feeling a little fearful of the girl in front of him. It was hard to believe that this girl was Mirae.

"I just wanted to ask you to stay for dinner," KJ yelled at her.

"Oh," Mirae realized. "You could've just told me!"

"Well, you tackled me on the ground before I had the chance to!"

"It's your fault for suddenly grabbing my wrist!"

Both of them glared at each other.

"I'll pass on that dinner offer," the CEO announced. Inwardly, she regretted turning down his offer since she was a lousy cook and KJ was known for his culinary skills.

"Suit yourself," KJ responded angrily. The CEO shot him one last look of anger before storming off.

"Wow, she sure is a stubborn one," Jade said as the door closed. "Are your wrists okay?"

"They'll be fine," KJ minced. "In a few weeks."

After cleaning up the dishes, KJ decided to call it a night. As he lay on his bed, his thoughts drifted off to Mirae.

"Hey, Jade. Tell me something," KJ requested. Jade, who was resting on the floor simply said, "Hmm?"

"The Mirae, who was my wife," KJ started. "She was...much different than the current one we know."

"We don't even know whether the CEO is Mirae or not," Jade rolled his eyes.

"Well let's assume the CEO is Mirae," KJ said. "Is it possible for a person to change this much? The Mirae I knew was optimistic and grounded. But this one is...bold?"

Jade sighed. "KJ, you have to understand, you guys were just eighteen when you got married," he explained. "People change as they grow. Even if the CEO is Mirae, many years have passed since then. Moreover, you erased your past with her. With her time getting altered, her future also changed. The girl who was supposed to be naive and timid, turned bold and fiery instead. She grew KJ. Be happy for her."

To his surprise, KJ gave a genuine smile.

"If Mirae is happy now," KJ said. "Then changing the past was worth it."

He pulled the blanket over his body and went to sleep. Jade's mouth was left gaping in confusion. Huh?