Chapter 22 The Talk

"I think you're right," Bianca agreed. "I have to tell you who did this, and I wish we can bring this matter to justice."

Bianca told Asher everything about Sue Jin how their conflict started.

"I don't understand why she hates me so much," Bianca sighed after telling everything she can remember about Sue Jin. "She said on the phone last night that I must be too ashamed to step foot back home after such a shameful thing. I think she didn't know that I did not drink the wine but you."

"I called for my doctor to get a blood sample and run it for a drug test. I also ask for a friend to help me check the surveillance camera if we can have a glimpse of whoever did these things."

Asher fished his phone out of his pocket.

"Do you remember the blond guy on our way to the bar yesterday?" Asked Asher as he searched for the picture in his gallery.

"Yeah? The one whose name sounded something like "dick" or something...?" Bianca rolled her eyes as she recalled that arrogant blond.

Asher snorted at her comment but he did not correct her about Cedrick's name.

"Yeah... he's a dick. And I think he has something to do with what happened. Am not so sure what made me think so but when I saw her with an Asian girl on the way out just a while ago, I had this weird feeling. Here..." Asher handed the phone to Bianca. "Do you know this woman by any chance?"

Bianca gave it a good check, zoomed it, and focused the view on the woman's face.

"That's definitely Sue Jin," Bianca clenched her teeth as she spoke with anger. "She must be so happy with what she has done. But I will never let her win doing her best to ruin me, she can keep trying though," Bianca huffed in annoyance.

"Your enemy and my enemy are teaming up. I guess I have to deal with them together with you," Asher humorously added. "How do you want to deal with them?"

"I don't really have any idea. I have always been self-effacing, but this has gone too far," Bianca frowned. "She doesn't want me to step even a foot back home, she is threatened by my presence in ways I don't know if I am too naive to understand or she is too evil to be greedy of something I am not even so interested in. Unbelievably confusing, right?"

"We should get the first flight home for you then, if we want to annoy her," Asher playfully suggested. "But my old man is waiting for us tomorrow. Can we head to South Korea after meeting him?" he pleaded. "We can pretend we're married and see how your friend is going to react. Knowing you're not alone in this fight," Asher added.

"Yeah, I guess I should stop bringing surprises. They hate me for choosing the fashion world instead of my family business. Now, they should be surprised I got married without an actual wedding ceremony," Bianca replied comically.

"I actually asked my lawyer friend to provide us with a marriage license certificate. I hope you don't mind. I was just worried someone would say you are into casual sex after what happened last night. Just in case, someone would claim such a thing, I wanted to have something that would shut them up. It's just a marriage license, it expires in thirty days. It won't have any record if we leave it as is within the span of time given."

Asher was eagerly explaining. He was troubled to think Bianca would misunderstand his intentions.

"Really!? We can present it when the need of it comes around, then," Bianca was static. "I will have to tell my parents about this personally. Fancy going home with me?" Bianca squinted her eyes as she asked Asher. "Of course, after meeting your dad."

"How can I say no to my savior?" Asher was smiling ear to ear as he answered with honest glee. His heart was pounding in an indescribable joy. "Of course I want to see where you grew up and meet your mom and dad, as well," he clapped his hands in excitement.

"Have you been there?" Bianca asked, amused at his reaction. He looked like he was looking forward to something interesting.

"Not yet. Never been there, but I am very much excited," Asher pressed his lips with a smile.

The two planned their Monday to inform the concerned individuals about not going to be in for work on that day. Bianca only wants to talk to her parents personally. They have to be warned to be careful. If their enemies can harm Bianca who is far from home, how much more her parents who are always vulnerable and exposed to these greedy people. She doesn't have to stay for too long at home so a day would be enough. She can surprise them when she arrives home without giving her parents a notice.

"Let's go home," Bianca blurted out after a while.

The word home felt like a tack pushed into Asher's conscience.

"About home, I have to confess another thing..." Asher bit his lips fiercely. He was really afraid of how Bianca was going to react.

"Uhu... What is it this time?" Bianca feigned anger. "Are you going to tell me you own the place?"

Asher's eyes bulged. He nodded his reply with an embarrassed smile.

"No way! What?!" Bianca was just guessing and was astonished to see him admit it so timidly.

"I was afraid you would withdraw the contract to rent the place if I told you I owned it on our first day so I pretended to be a roommate to you. I saw how you reacted when I told you I was your roommate, how much more if you find out I own the place? I wouldn't have gotten this chance of anything with you."

"Well, I actually had my doubts. But then doubting another person is doubting myself, so I dismissed the thought. I have been honest with you about everything, I want to think you did the same with me, but I don't know if you were faking all this time," Bianca glared at him. Feeling cheated. But not totally annoyed. There weren't anything serious lies to be considered. She stayed at his home for free in exchange for food and keeping the place tidy.

"I'm sorry... It's just that I couldn't let the chance go when I saw how you reacted about living in a house with a guy," Asher bashfully admitted. "But I swear on my mom's grave, with all my heart and I can die right now if I am lying, I did not lie to you about anything aside from that. Being the house owner and not a renter for a roommate," he was on the edge of his seat to clear things up with her.

"Alright, alright! I believe you now, Asher Collins! How can I not when you would even mention your mom, may she rest in peace, every time you would try to prove your honesty to me," Bianca was helpless. But she is indeed convinced every time he would say so. She is comforted with the sweet thought that Asher would never say such extreme words concerning his mom if he isn't telling the truth. "Besides, Luna told me you're not just a renter as my roommate," Bianca mysteriously stated with a pout.

"What? Does Luna speak like a human now...? That traitor! She never spoke to me yet she does to you?" Asher was flabbergasted. As if his words made sense, he was honestly feeling betrayed.

"Just take me home, house owner. I miss Luna already," Bianca feigned a stern face giving orders to Asher.

"Please don't call me that in front of my dad when you meet. Or my future is doomed with arranged dates if you do," Asher clasped his both hands begging Bianca.

"Let me think about it...." She pretended to think. "So, what do I call you when we meet your dad?" she asked.

"Honey, babe, dear, whatever a fiancee would call her fiance would be fine, just please not roommates or house owner," Asher felt in crisis, trying his best to make her agree.

"Okay. Honey...?" she sweetly called.

Asher, with his eyes wide open in shock, grabbed his chest. He felt his heart would pop out of its confinement sharing her call him with such endearment.

"Can we go home now?" Bianca blinked her eyes as she kept her sweet tone speaking.

"Oh, Bianca Han!" Asher was helpless. He sighed deeply, knowing she was playing around but his heart was hoping that somehow, part of her antics were genuine.