*The next day*
Howin sat there pouting. "You promised you would drink with me at least once before we left. Was that a lie?"
Zhi laughed at the pitiful women in front of her. This Howin was much different than the one she had first met. To her, Howin was once a gorgeous warrior lioness and now she more resembled a pampered house cat on catnip. Zhi found this amusing. "Did I really promise such a thing?"
Howin scrunched her brows together. "You did! As I recall that was the deal we made. I give you Tadashi's number and you were to get drunk with me." Howin gave her best sad face and quivered her bottom her lip.
Zhi laughed. "Oh my. You're too much!" That was their deal but did it even count if Tadashi never answered the call? Sadness started to creep over Zhi. Did he regret helping me? It had been two weeks and all Zhi really wanted to do was go at see Tadashi and have an actual conversation with him. The big hole inside her that she thought would never close was finally started to shut and Zhi wanted to know if it was because of Tadashi or not. Zhi spent the whole two weeks wondering if it was just her getting some type of closure from the incident from her childhood or was it actually Tadashi himself that was filling the emptiness. "Actually Howin, I suddenly think it would be a good idea to get drunk today."
That was all Howin wanted to hear. Tomorrow they would be leaving this dream vacation and Howin would have to actually start working. At least this trip helped loosen Zhi a little which was Howins main goal. Howin decided to make Zhi her personal mission for the two weeks. When they first arrived at the spa resort, Zhi Ruo was like a blank canvas or an empty shell of a person. It was like she had shut herself down and was running on autopilot. Howin did her research on Zhi and almost found nothing at all, except medical and school records. It was like Zhi had no life at all.
Based on her medical records Zhi shut herself away after some sort of incident around the age of 12. There was no record of the incident but Howin knew it must have been the reason Zhi seemed so empty.
After the incident Zhi was sent to a boarding school and then she was off to college and then nothing. No hobbies, no boyfriends, no jobs except rare small parts in horrible movies and from what Howin could tell no personality. If Tadashi wasn't set on making Zhi Ruo apart of his company at Mamoru, Howin would have considered recruiting Zhi to be an assassin. Zhi handled seeing the dead body's like it was nothing and she could take one hell of a beating.
Now at least Zhi seemed better. More relaxed and full of life. Now Howin wanted to get Zhi drunk and to see the beautiful seedling she planted in Zhi would sprout by letting go of her past. Howin gave her trademark wicked smile. "This is going to be fun!"
Zhi was kind of excited now. "Sounds perfect!"
"Alright, let's get all dressed up and go dancing tonight!" Howin remembered Tadashi mentioning Zhi dancing the night he called her over to change Zhi's clothes. Hopefully, this will be what she needs to fully let go.
The girls quickly ran off to take showers and get ready.
After her shower, Zhi Put on really loud music and danced around like usual. Zhi's long silver hair flipped back and forth as her whole body started to follow the music's beat. Howin couldn't resist and barged into Zhi's room and grabbed onto Zhi and the two girls danced around the room like giddy teenagers. Zhi felt warm inside. Howin was the friend she always wished for. Zhi secretly wondered when the rug would be pulled from under her but kept on dancing with Howin anyway. If something does happen Zhi wanted to enjoy every second of this blissful moment while it lasted.
Howin was the first to break up the dancing. "Do you know what tonight adventure calls for?" Howin didn't wait for Zhi to answer and shouted out with her best American valley girl impression that she could. "SHOPPIIINNNGGGG!!!!!"
Zhi's face flushed. How embarrassing, I can't buy a dress. "I'm afraid i didn't bring money."
"Don't worry about that. I'm your manager. And as such your image is very important to me and to our company. The company has issued you a credit card with a set amount for your new wardrobe." Howin beamed inside. Nice touch boss! Such a romantic at heart.
Zhi was shocked. "What company and what credit card?" Two weeks and Howin managed to not mention this?
"That's right i haven't told you anything, have I?" Actually, Howin didn't mention it on purpose. Zhi needed to relax and the pressure of a whole new career was something that could wait until the vacation ended. "Well, actually I work for the most prestigious entertainment company.
"Mamoru?"
"Yup. That's the name and when we go back and you sign the papers you will be working there too."
Zhi held her breath. Her father's companies biggest rival. "What would he think of this? At least Fang would no longer have any control over me." So many thoughts ran through Zhi's mind that she forgot all about Howin who was standing right next to her.
"Damn it," Howin thought to herself. Zhi's eyes have that blank stare that she had we first arrived. Her black eyes went back to being as wild as before. "Look we can work this all out when we go home. Let's just go shopping, have dinner and then go dancing."
Zhi agreed and the two finished up and they both headed out.
The two took a train to the next city and headed to a large shopping center called, The Strip. This shopping center was filled with amazing boutiques and luxurious brand name shops.
The strip was filled with people and it wasn't long before one of Jin Hyun's loyal fans spotted Zhi Ruo. The fan secretly snapped pictures and sent them straight to Jin Hyun's online account with the caption "Cinderella spotted at The Strip!"
****
Jin Hyun got the alert immediately. "Ahh, there you are."