Win yawned and stretched as she approached the door, it was a weekend but she was awakened by the sound of continuous knocking so early in the morning. As soon as she opens it, she finds Lia, who immediately starts blabbering about things she couldn't quite grasp. She wasn't fully awake yet.
When Lia finally calmed down, she asked, "So, what would do you have to say about that, young lady?"
Win looked at her confused, she blinked twice, making sure she wasn't dreaming, "About what?"
Lia's eyes widened in shock, "Don't tell me you weren't listening all along."
"I wasn't." Win casually responded, "Why are you here so early on a weekend?"
"Winona Chen, your manager has asked me to talk some sense into you since you weren't replying to her calls and messages."
"Oh, I was sleeping, of course, I couldn't have replied to them."
"Now tell me what all of this is about." Lia hands out her phone, showing a text message form Win's manager saying that she has cancelled all sponsorship projects and runway shows for the next three months. Her best friend takes one deep breath before loudly screaming in her ear, "Have you gone insane?!"
Win flinches and covers both her ears, "What is wrong with you? You come into my house so early on a weekend and now you're screaming into my ear. I just am going to be busy for the next three months, that's all."
"You've never been too busy to leave your modelling career out of your life, Win." Her best friend sighs in rout, walking over to the turn the television on instead, "I don't understand what's happening to you lately. You're too preoccupied about things I don't know. You weren't normally like that."
She still hasn't told her about handling Asher's case, Win suddenly remembers. It was as if on cue that the news reporter speaks out all the answers to Lia's concerns, "It was confirmed by the legal team of Yang Industries this morning that an assault case was filed against the company's sole heir, Mr. Asher Yang. The case was filed by one of the company's former employees who was allegedly physically assaulted by Mr. Yang. However, it was also confirmed that the lawyer to represent Mr. Yang in this case is renowned Beijing's Angel, Atty. Winona Chen."
Win couldn't help but cover her face in desperation and defeat. Couldn't the news have released the report after she has personally told Lia about it?
The house was quiet for the next three minutes or so, no one knowing what to say next. Until Win finally decided to break the silence, "I can explain."
"You better." Lia faces her and shoots her serious looks.
"Mr. Yang personally went to my office days ago to ask me to handle Asher's case. How could I say no? He was a father wanting to drag his son out of a mess." Win took deep breaths before continuing, "So I thought and thought about it, but in the end, it just felt like the right thing to do."
"Did you tell Nathan about it?"
"Yes."
"And what did he say?"
"He agreed."
Lia throws both her hands up in frustration, "Of course, he'll agree. Everything you do is agreeable to him. Haven't you noticed? He just doesn't want you to get mad at him because he's so afraid you'll leave him. You practically got him wrapped around your finger and you're taking advantage of it."
"Don't say that." Win felt bad about what Lia just said. It is true that Nathan just agrees to everything she does all the time, but she's right, just because he agrees does not mean he's fine with it.
"But obviously you can't put that into consideration now because you've made your decision and now the whole of China knows that their little lawyer angel is going to be on the defense of a conglomerate heir." Lia grunts, "This is on another level of messed up."
Win could have done nothing but silently agree, "Yeah, it's on a national level of messed up."
"So, what were you thinking? Cancelling your commitments just like that for Asher's case?"
"I asked to investigate on the case alone, I would need so much time for that so I had to turn down everything set for three months."
"Why would you give up so much for a person who left you when he stopped needing you?"
Win was taken aback, Lia's words were too painful maybe because of its level of truthfulness, "I- I don't-" She sighed, there was no use in denying that Asher's case would require her to sacrifice so much, "The future of Yang Industries is at stake. I could not just watch and do nothing."
"Your career, your relationships, your future, they're all at stake!" Lia shouts out.
The house was enveloped in silence, the atmosphere was too heavy for anyone to bear. It suddenly occurred to her. Her manager was probably worried of where her career was going after cancelling three months amount of work. Nathan was probably hurt and disappointed that she chose to defend her ex-boyfriend in court but agreed anyway because he knew she wanted to do this, Lia too, was probably very worried she went out of her way to talk her out of it.
Win thought too much about trying to save other people when she was burying herself all over again.
"It can't be helped, the only thing I can do is help you." Lia suddenly blurts out.
At that, Win looked at her with teary-eyed gazes and ran to her, apologizing continuously. Lia hugs her back and comforts her, "Stop it. I'm about to cry too. You have to promise me you'll allow me to help you through all this, okay? Anything I can do, I will."
Win nods and continues sobbing, "I'm sorry. And I'm really grateful you understand."
Just then, they both hear the door open and a clueless Nathan and Henry enters the house, with all Win's favorite food in hand. Nathan was most confused, seeing the two girls huddled in the couch, crying in each other's arms, "Lia, what did you do to my angel? Why she crying like that?"
"Why me?" Lia protested, "She was the one who made me cry." Suddenly, she took sight of Henry following behind Nathan, "What's that guy doing here anyway?"
Henry sticks his tongue out, "Am I not welcome?"
"Of course not!" Lia retaliates.
Henry pretends to look hurt, "This is not even your house so whether I am welcome or not, is not for you to decide. Besides, the boyfriend of the owner invited me over. I guess he's got much more authority thank you!"
Upon hearing that, Lia jumps out of the couch to paw on Henry who immediately runs for his life. Nathan comes over to the couch where Win was seated and gives her a hug, "They look cute, don't they?"
Win laughs, "Like I never tell them that. They're two adults afraid of catching feelings."
Nathan suddenly pinches both her cheeks which makes her flinch in pain, "Ow! You don't have to do that. I am crying already." She pouts.
Henry sees the two and stops running around, "I can't believe I came all the way here only to get chased and to watch you to get all lovey-dovey."
"Why don't you finally ask Lia out so you'll stop being jealous when you see couples acting all sweet around you?"
The two are both frozen when they heard Win's statement which made the couple laugh at their reactions. They both turn red and Henry walks towards the door to avoid any more interactions, "I'll just grab the drinks, I think we left them in the car."
"And I'll go prepare these food you guys brought so we can eat." Lia then leaves the living room as well.
Win's eyes dart back to the television, she was still resting on Nathan's chest with his arms wrapped around her, "You're not mad at me, are you?" She quietly murmurs.
"Silly. Why would I be?" He pinches her nose.
She got off from his hug and looked at him in the eyes, "Tell me honestly. Am I selfish? Do I only think about myself?"
Nathan sighed, as much as he denied it, he knew the reason why Win was all of a sudden being like this. He was hurt the moment he heard about her representing Asher in court and even personally investigating for him, but he knew it would make her happy so he agreed. "You are the most selfless person I know. You're not Beijing's Angel for no reason, right? So, stop overthinking it. Whatever you're doing now, you're doing it right." He then planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Win felt warm inside. Once again, Nathan knew what to say just when she needed to hear it. She felt grateful to have these people in her life.
Whatever her reasons were, she knew it must not interfere with her personal life.