Mirae turned up early at the studio next morning. After bidding farewell to Somi, she headed straight for her workplace, to start preparing for the day early. To her surprise, Ash was already at the studio.
"What are you doing here this early?" she asked in astonishment. It was only 7:30 am and artists did not come in till 10 am.
"Didn't go home," he replied. "I was here all night."
"Why?"
"I just didn't want to be home alone," he admitted. "I usually hang out here whenever I don't feel like going home."
Mirae felt a twinge of guilt in her stomach. In her desperation to subdue Madam Hong, she forgot how alone Ash really was in all this.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled. "I should have been there with you."
"What are you talking about?" he asked in a sharp tone. "Don't forget, what our mission is. You're the CEO of Abyss. If you're going to neglect your duties for me, then you'll fail in bringing down the Cartel."
