CC HEADQUARTERS
Nobody expected Kro to show up, and most importantly protecting Ukraine from the slap. There was really a first time for everything. Kro, still grasping the mother-in-law's hand, walked inside the marketing department and signaled Ukraine to close the door. He did what he was asked.
"Who are you? Let go of me!", the woman struggled to free herself.
"I need all of you to step out for a moment. I want to talk to our dear guest. You too Sue, go get some fresh air." said Kro, having no plan of letting go of the mother-in-law's hand anytime soon.
Everyone walked out of the office. Misaki had to rush and hold Sue's hand as she didn't look stable. In no time, it was just Kro and the woman inside the office.
"You want to sit down?" asked Kro, finally releasing her hand.
"I have a lot of questions, and I don't think you have any of the answers.", agitated, the woman said.
"I think I do have answers since I know a lot about you _ and your son.",
"What did you just say?",
"Someone once told me to take responsibility of my actions, and I think that's what growing is all about. I want you to act your age. Older people are full of wisdom, don't let me down.",
"What do you know about my son? How dare you!", yelled the woman.
"Ma'am, I'm not Sue, so watch your tone." said Kro, "Are you going to pretend you didn't know that your son was an abuser? How about the million times Sue came running to ask you to talk to your son? How about the stupid conversations you and your son had to give Sue a hard time? And now you're blaming her for protecting herself and her daughter? That's amusing.",
The day Kro got into the mother-in-law's head, she witnessed too many secrets which were still wet in her memory. She saw Sue's tragic marriage and how she had no other choice but to protect her family. All the dirty secrets between the mother and the son were made known to Kro, and she couldn't just sit and watch.
The mother-in-law was fazed, wondering how Kro was aware of everything they did. She was trapped in her own web.
"The human brain has a tendency of forgetting, freezing and watering memories. We forget what are unnecessary, freeze what we don't want to remember and water the memories that we always want to cherish. It's surprising how you still water the nasty things you and your son did to Sue. It made me wonder if you might be the devil's mistress.",
"How did you-how did you kn_",
"That's none of your business. You failed to bring the best out of your son, you failed as a mother 100%." Kro said, disappointed, "Sue might be quiet but don't let it fool you. In fact, that's what your son thought each day he hit her to a point she bled. He had no idea that she'd rip his soul out one day and now he's food for fungi.",
The mother in-law had been shut. She lacked a comeback. It hit her as a riddle. Just how in the world did Kro know all that? Kro rose to attention and walked to the door. She paused and looked back at the woman one last time.
"Don't bother Sue, or what we talked about will no longer be between us.",
Kro left the office like the boss she totally was, satisfied with that brief but satisfying conversation. Punishing the bad guys physically, or mentally always felt like a huge reward from God to her.
...
Garden
Misaki never left Sue's side. No matter how hard Sue tried to maintain her calm, the commotions inside her head were too loud. Her emotions swayed, and her body shivered whenever she recalled the mother-in-law telling everyone that she murdered her husband.
Misaki understood Sue's feelings. She could relate. When she found out about her father being a heartless killer, she was as mentally disturbed as Sue currently was.
"MD, I don't believe what that woman said, and I'm sure nobody in the office did. It shouldn't bother you." said Misaki, comforting.
"No, what she said is true. I killed my husband Misaki, with my own two hands."
It was clear that Sue was traumatized, but still Misaki chose not to judge.
"Why did you do it?",
"That man hit me every day. I was whipped with a belt, punched, strangled and kicked. He kept saying Zoe isn't his, that I cheated on him. It was by the grace of God that I never had a miscarriage. That day he had planned to suffocate my daughter to death."
"What the hell?", Misaki was baffled.
"He made sure to hit me till I lose consciousness then go kill my daughter. I had no idea, so I pretended to faint. Thinking he'd just take the money from my purse and leave; I lost my cool when I saw him taking the pillow and heading to Zoe's room. I didn't want to act no more, I got up, ran to him and pushed him down the stairs. I pushed him to his death."
"I'm so glad you and your daughter are okay."
"Yeah, but that woman inside isn't. She won't rest until I die from suffering."
Misaki softly took Sue's hand and flashed her a warm, assuring smile.
"It will be fine, I promise."
Karina, who was searching for Kro after finding no one in the office saw Misaki and Sue at the garden bench. It seemed odd since no one rested at the garden that freely during work hours. To cure her curiosity, she headed to them.
"Hey ladies. What's going on?", asked Karina,
A sudden disgusted expression creased Misaki's face after she saw her, in her head still thinking she was Akeshi's minion. She despised Karina, very much.
"What do you want?" drily, Misaki asked.
"Uh, I just saw you two sitting here during work hours and I wonder_",
"Aren't you Kro's PA, Karina? Why're you suddenly acting like CC's supervisor?"
It was the first time Sue saw that side of Misaki. It made her believe that the girls were actually mortal enemies or something,
"Do we have a problem, Misaki?" Karina scoffed, surprised by the attitude she received.
"I should ask you; do we have a problem, Karina?"
"Geez." Karina rolled her eyes, "You know what? I'm sorry I came here. I'll be on my wa_"
"Great, bye."
Karina walked away first. Sue had to put her sadness away for a moment.
"Misaki, what was that?" she asked.
"Gosh! I don't like her. I hate it when I'm like this. Forget you saw that."
"I'll try" Sue chuckled.
.....
Ukraine had been waiting for Kro outside her office, stressfully pacing back and forth, fingers crossed that nothing bad happened from that conversation. Kro slowly walked out of the elevator and calmly headed towards her office. She noticed Ukraine standing outside, obviously waiting for her.
She stood behind a pillar, watching him stress over nothing. It did make her feel a bit vulnerable. Since most of the people close to her knew how powerful she was, it was rare to see them worried for her over such small things. Seeing that after a long time was soothing.
She was happy whenever she saw him because he reminded her of Buk, her first love, someone she really missed, someone whose reincarnation was what kept her going for decades and decades. She needed to know if Ukraine was that reincarnation, and if he was, she was determined not to re-live the past.
Ukraine kept saying words which Buk used to say to her, and it was the best remedy yet. Being closer to Ukraine was the only way for her to find out, and that was her mission for now.
She shook the thoughts away and began approaching the office where he was eagerly waiting for her. When he heard footsteps approaching, Ukraine turned back quickly. He saw Kro walking towards him, her hands resting behind her back.
"What are you doing here, Ukraine?" she asked.
"I was waiting for you. How did it go? She didn't hit you, did she?"
"She didn't, come on. We just talked."
Ukraine heaved a sigh of relief. He was satisfied with what he saw and what he heard.
"I want to say thanks for saving me from the slap_",
"To be honest, I didn't care less that it was a slap, I would've done the same thing even to someone who was just about to poke your face with a finger."
"What? Why?" he laughed.
"I love your face; you have a very nice face. Take care of it, okay?"
"Will do, miss CEO." he nodded, "Are there any products you can recommend? Perhaps the ones you use." asked Ukraine.
"The ones I use? Why?"
"I heard people saying you don't age. Ever since you opened CC a decade ago, you look the same."
Before answering that question, Kro had to take all precautions not to cause a misunderstanding and suspicions from him. She had to casually keep the conversation going.
"Well, I use CC products of course. One of the reasons why people trust my products is because of my skin. I'm a living proof of how top tier our products are. By the way, it's not as if I'm 50 or 60. I'm still in my late 20s."
"You're inspiring."
"Thanks." she beamed, "Hey, how about dinner at my house tonight?"
"I'd love to!"
....
AZARADAN
Buk was done anticipating. It was time he told the king about the woman he chose to stand beside him while ruling the kingdom. He had already made up his mind and seeing how close his father and general Qin were, he knew the two men will also love to be in-laws.
It was a very calm, refreshing evening, the setting sun making the sky look orange rich and dramatic. The cold ground was wet and soft from the frequent rainfalls, a wonderful weather to give his father the good news. The king was in his chambers already, waiting for his dinner.
The guards allowed him in. He found his father journalling in what we might now call a diary. It was something the king did at the end of each day. He looked as healthy as ever. Seeing his son walking inside his chamber brightened his mood.
Buk sat across his father, already imagining his face when he tells him that he found the perfect queen.
"Son, how wonderful to see you here", beamed Bukka, the king,
"Father, I'm here bearing great, wonderful news",
"I'm all ears, son. After a busy day, I deserve such news",
"Father, it's about the woman I chose as my queen",
That was exactly the news he was waiting for. He leaned forward, now curious.
"Who is this lucky girl?", asked the king,
"First of all, promise me you won't let the elders say otherwise about my choice. I trust her with my life, and I know she'll make a great queen",
"I promise. Now tell me, who is she?",
"It's Kro, she's the_", his sentence was interrupted by a scary observation.
He saw blood coming out his father's nose. The king had no idea. He was already in a sea of happiness right before his son ripped a piece of his robe and placed it under the king's nose instantly.
"What is it? Is there something on my face?", cluelessly, the king asked.
Buk checked the cloth to see if that was really blood, and he was right, it was. His heart raced.
"Father, your nose is bleeding",
"What do you mean_",
Drops of blood started falling on his white robe, inviting fear. Buk was immediately anxious.
"GUARDS! GUARDS, CALL THE PHYSICIAN, NOW!", yelled the crown prince to the guards outside.
The same second, the king started coughing out blood too, painfully enough, he couldn't talk. His body began falling into a seizure. Buk tried to control the bleeding, but it was a losing battle. His hands trembled. It was the scariest moment, especially when the king's pupils started dilating upwards.
"GUARDS, HEEELP!", insanely yelled Buk.
The few guards who were left outside rushed inside the room, finding their king covered in blood, his eyes completely white with no pupils detected. Blood still ran out his nose.
Buk carried the king to the bed as guards guarded the surrounding. As they waited for the physician to arrive, nothing else made sense to him. His father's collapse was so sudden and unreal.
*****