"What do you want?" annoyance was visible.
"You shouldn't talk to me like that, after all, I'm doing you a favour," a strict voice laced with placid contempt appeared through the speaker.
"What favour? I don't need your favour."
"I'm here to make you a new deal. Surely it rubs you off the wrong way if you continue being an 'only-in-name'. Your ambitious dream will be for nought."
"Pass, I won't enter a deal with you."
Beep beep beep
The line ended.
"I'll figure out something myself. Bao, have you found her yet?"
In the semi-dark room with the curtains drawn where the last rays of sunshine peeked through, Luka ran his hand through his hair and let out a deep breath.
One problem after another popped up. Desperately chasing after Yana when he should deal with his own dilemma first was stupid but Luka felt that if he lost Yana now, he wouldn't ever be able to see her again.
Call it paranoid, his gut feeling or even a foreboding. The fact was, this annoying feeling always vividly gripped him and wouldn't ease until he saw Yana again and made sure she was real.
Now, Yolinda was trying to drive Luka into a corner, however, Luka didn't know the reason for it. What would Yolinda gain from it? Why was she holding onto Luka instead of just dropping him?
What did Yolinda just want from him? The more Luka thought about it, the more of a headache he got. He didn't understand at all. There were so many pieces but not enough to figure out the puzzle.
All Luka knew was that Yolinda was dangerous and he had to get rid of her control over him.
"Boss…'' Bao's soft voice sounded as if he was pitying Luka.
"Did you find her?"
"Almost, no worries! I'm good at it! How many times have I managed? One more time won't hurt," Bao showed Luka his non-existent guns hoping it cheered Luka up.
"One more time… let's hope it's the last," Luka closed his eyes and leaned back on the sofa.
Yana, as well, was doing things Luka didn't understand. Suddenly, a thought interrupted his focus and Luka shot straight up.
"Boss, I'm on it!" Bao was fumbling with his phone calling while typing on his laptop. Could it be Yana was also a piece of the puzzle he was missing? Did Yana have something to do with what he was trying to figure out?
Yolinda's reason for wanting Luka, the company, the group behind Yolinda, who she was, who she worked for, what their goal was.
Back then, Yana was unfazed about the weapon factory, Mik and even the 3-comps-scandal. Luka didn't question it because he wanted to show his trust in her but now he regretted it. He should've asked her.
Maybe whatever Yana was doing, whatever the reason for her disappearance was, would shed a bit more light on Luka's own situation. Why? Luka didn't know but he felt a connection.
More than that, if it turned out Yana was somehow involved with whatever Yolinda was doing, Luka would do his best to protect her and pull her out of Yolinda's fangs. Luka still felt her fragile and hurt body in his arms and anger welled up.
"Bao, don't forget to properly investigate Yana."
"Yes, yes," Bao rolled his eyes, only thinking his boss turned into a superior stalker now. Well, as long as Luka got out of his moody situation and saw Yana again, it was fine for Bao.
***
Three months later. Country Z.
"Yana, the water bottle!"
"Coming!" Yana's ponytail swung with her sudden movement as she rushed to grab the water bottle and brought it to a handsome male. He winked at her, "Thank you."
"It's my job," Yana smiled back.
"Yana, take care of this," a male in his early 40s dangled a few documents before her, "Read through them and make sure everything is correct."
"Yes, " Yana took the documents and walked to the waiting room.
In the black corridor, she walked past several posters with the very same handsome male she handed the water bottle to and another extraordinary good-looking male who could only be described as a male god.
Idol Zion and superstar Aiden- Tonight live at 8 pm.
Currently, Yana was at the TV site filming a talk show with idol Zion and internationally popular superstar Aiden.
Yana was the assistant manager for Zion. She rather did petty tasks than be involved with the idol, but this was fine. After Yana left the black hall behind the set, she came into a white hallway. The waiting area. Many of the other staff scurried around but Yana paid them no heed.
She walked straight to Zion's waiting room before, "Yana!" her name was called.
Turning around she stared at the male god directly in the face.
"Aiden," Yana greeted Aiden quite familiar with a smile.
"Are you still working as only an assistant? It's a shame!" Aiden was tall and had a soft face yet all of his features had an exceptional charm, his gold-blond hair and his green eyes could easily melt any person.
More than that, Aiden was kind and a gentleman, making everyone swoon even more over him.
However, what gripped the fans the most about Aiden and the reason why he was one of the most popular stars in the entire world was undeniably his charisma. He made people feel at ease but also gave the impression of an other-worldly being that deserved to be worshipped.
Every action of his oozed with charm and temptation yet was also humble. He was definitely born to be a star.
"You at least deserve to be a manager," Aiden's habit of complimenting people and making them feel worthy was also a big factor playing into his popularity.
"Then I'll become yours?" Yana joked.
"Ah, I wish! Yet Mumu won't be happy about it!'' although Aiden spoke a bit childish, he looked very seductive.
Yana wanted to swat his pheromones away he definitely spread on purpose, "Mumu's been with me for so long, how could I-"
"Shut up," said Mumu. An average guy but as a manager able to keep Aiden in check.
"Sorry Miss Yana, but Aiden needs to have his make up reapplied," Mumu dragged Aiden away who sulkily looked back at her.
Once Aiden was gone instantly all the female staff crowded Yana.
"Ah, I'm so jelly! You get to talk with the, the, the Aiden!"
"You guys seem so close!"
"Hey, hey, introduce me to him please!"
"Me too! It's my dream to talk to him!"
Yana sighed and left the fangirls behind as she entered the room and plumped on the sofa.
Petty work, staying as an assistant manager, all of these were ok. No, they were perfect. Because Yana's real goal was Aiden.
She sneered. What male god? What star? Aiden, a star with many influences, popularity and power. Cunning, fake and vicious. Yana knew Aiden was an executive of Novom and she most definitely knew that Aiden-
"You're quite close to her again," Mumu dragged Aiden into his waiting room and closed the door.
"Of course," a sly smile played on his dark face now, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. If it wasn't for my mission, I would've liked to play with her to my heart's content."