His 'card'

*Previously*___

"Well, It was a dirty scheme at first but not anymore. I gained her trust thanks to my acting skill. Just a bit more push and I can have her." Noah slicked back his hair and grinned!

I mumbled to myself, "I should leave.....This is an unpleasant drama. Not worth watching."

My eyes couldn't see properly, since my bangs were covering my eyes. I couldn't care less about it since my target was to walk out of there somehow and get to my house for sleep. The stairs felt longer and deeper for some unknown reason. Why didn't I choose the elevator? Maybe because the stairs were empty and dark. Therefore, no one would see my unsightly look.

________

"How did I end up in between their family tangle?"

I thought as I stared at the ceiling, embracing the blanket near my chest. My heart told me to confront Noah, and again my mind told me to take revenge on him by pretending I didn't know anything.

All of a sudden, some noise from my neighbour's apartment reached my ear. The sound of the woman yelling seemed like they were fighting.

"Ah! Why don't I pretend to like Noah and then confront him? Our CEO Mark might get jealous. It'll be killing two birds with one stone." I snickered at my own plan then my smile faded away slowly.

"Will he really get jealous?" I muttered, feeling a quench in my chest, an uneasy feeling- what was it?

I couldn't tell since my eyes slowly closed for a good night's sleep.

_____

"Did you have a good sleep, Ms Irene? You look well today!" Ethan's smile flickered across his face like a hologram as he greeted me right after getting out of his car.

"...It was like usual, Sir!" I politely smiled at him though last night's incident bugged me. My mind was itching to make him feel covetous as I opened my mouth to say, "So...Will I get any free days if I get married, Sir?"

"Of course, you will. A whole month free for the newlyweds...Are you getting married, Ms Irene?" I could see the smirk on his face from the left side as he stepped towards his office with one of his hands inside his pocket.

"I might!?" I said with surprise, as I couldn't read his expression at that time, and quietly followed him into the office to operate as his secretary. Moments after, there was a knock on the door, "CEO Marc, The reports have been submitted."

It was Noah's voice.

"Come in!" Just as usual, Ethan's proficient voice. They exchange documents like any other ordinary employee and boss as if nothing's wrong.

"Good morning! Mr Noah." I deliberately put on a gentle smile and sensual gaze.

"Good morning to you, Ms Irene." He returned my greetings the same as I did, making Ethan seem like a third wheel.

"You can go now!" He said as he slammed the papers on the table and Noah slightly bowed to leave.

"You don't have to greet every person here." He tilted his head towards me with his slightly harsh gaze.

".... I'll try," Glancing away, I strode towards my desk which was 3 metres away from his work surface and started focusing on my work until lunch break.

Stretching out my arms, I stood up and tidied my desk with the pencil and markers in my grip. Just when I was about to leave to meet with Noah, I saw a shadow on my desk and looked up to see Ethan standing there staring at me.

"Is there something wrong, sir?" I had to Bent my head backwards to look at his face. Now that I'd made clear eye contact with him, I could see how tall he was.

"Have lunch with me!" He said as he grabbed the things from my hand to put them by the corner of the desk.

"Yes? But I thought you ate at home?" I said with the hope of his leaving so I could tag along with my plan.

"I know a good place, let's go!"

"Is it an order?"

"No, an invitation."

"Then I'd like to decline since I have people to spend time with, sir."

I saw him hesitate for a moment then he blinked at me while nodding, "I see. Then, have a good time." He smiled as he walked away.

Once again, I was unable to read his expression. After making a fuss the other day, he was unexpectedly letting me have my way that day. Little did I know, the trickster had cards up his sleeve.

_____

The same garden, in front of the same fountain and sitting on the same branch. I could feel Noah's gaze on me.

"Is there something on my face?" I asked as I noticed him staring.

"Ah no, I'm sorry. It's just...You suddenly look...so pretty." That same old genuine tone and same old soft gaze under the faint breeze. No one could imagine this person talking crap like that just the previous day. Humans can be more twisting than snakes.

"Is that so?"

I replied without any reaction since I was spacing out, staring at the tacos in my hand.

"Is something bothering you again?" He leaned his head towards me to see my face up close, and his question made me want to crack his neck thinking, "How could he act like that towards a person? He was using me!"

"It's abo-" Before I could finish, my phone started vibrating and I checked it to see my father calling. An uneasy feeling rushed over me as I picked it up.

"Yes, Father?"

"Ah! Irene, are you working right now?" His static voice sounded satisfied, probably something good happened.

"I'm currently on a break. Is there something you need?"

"No no. You'll probably get your work done by 5.00 today. So come home. We have something important to talk about."

"What do you know about my work? I finish at 9.00 usually." I howled at him feeling irritated because he assumed something he didn't know about.

"I talked with your CEO about it. Don't worry. Be here at 5." He hung up before I could ask him, "How did he know Ethan?"

Just then my sister called, " Dad called you, didn't he?"

"...yes, but what's go-"

"He has arranged a marriage partner for you, Irene!!!! Not a proposal but a direct marriage!!!!"

My phone slipped from my hand onto the ground, as I froze while staring into the emptiness.