OCEAN

Two women cackled as they flattered each other endlessly.

"And your dress, it sure looks lovely. I can swear you bought it for thousands of dollars" Amanda's mother Mrs Park, said to Tom's mother. 

"Oh please." Mrs Hwang used a handkerchief to cover her mouth as she giggled. 

"One can't spend recklessly especially at this period. I have to fully support my husband's campaign" Mrs Hwang added with a big smile.

"We all know Mr Hwang has already won this election, Mrs First Lady. He is the people's man."

Mrs Hwang laughed contentedly. She liked it when people praised and fawned over her like this. It was one of the reasons why she still kept Mrs Park around.

"So why did you want to meet? You didn't call me here to come see how well your hotel is flourishing right?" She teased Mrs Park. 

Mrs Park carefully placed her tea cup on the saucer before looking serious. 

"I am sure we both wish for the same thing. For our kids to be together."

"That's right. I cannot think of a better daughter- in- law than your daughter Amanda, she's an angel." 

Mrs Park smiled. "Of course she is. But we have a little problem. Your son seem to be interested in someone else." 

She knew Amanda would freak out and go wild if she had heard that statement. To her, no one was not interested in her. It was best to say Tom was a little bit 'distracted' at the moment.

"What do you mean? Tommy has always liked Amanda." 

"Well, I guess he is a little mature now and seem to have been distracted a bit" She finally used the word she knew Amanda would prefer. 

"Distracted? Make me understand" Mrs Hwang sat up and gave Mrs Park her full attention. 

"There is this girl around him, Kim Berlin. She is his bodyguard. There is a possiblity that he fancies her"

"That's nonsense" Mrs Hwang frowned. "He probably is just fooling around. No sensible man would choose a bodyguard over your precious angel." 

"Of course." Mrs Park agreed with a smile. "But it would be best if we kept her as far away as possible from Tom, for now."

"Yes. Sure. That isn't a problem at all. I'll talk to his father and we would get it fixed as soon as possible. We don'twant any scandal ruining our family's reputation" Mrs Hwang assured her. 

Mrs Park finally relaxed. She knew she could trust Mrs Hwang to handle everything smoothly even though she was Tom's stepmother.

          ****************

The drive was quiet. Lisa said nothing and neither did Tom. He was behaving strangely too much and it was weird. 

"Can I take tomorrow off? She asked him. Since he wasn't going anywhere tomorrow,  it was best she took the day off. 

Although it was a question, to Tom, it sounded like she had already made up her mind to take the day off. He suddenly remembered the call she had received earlier and knew that her sudden request was obviously tied to this. 

"Have a date with boyfriend?" He turned to ask her.

He had made it an habit to sit at the front seat beside her. He always felt too far whenever he was sitting behind and did not like it. 

This was perfect. He liked the fact that he could easily see her face with just one turn of his head. 

"Yes." Lisa nodded. She was going to check something out with Li Chen who was her supposed boyfriend. What else would she call it if not a date? 

"No. I'm going to the office tomorrow" Tom said before turning to look out the window.  

Lisa frowned deeply. She was updated with his schedule and knew he wasn't going anywhere for the next two days because he needed to 'heal' so what was the sudden change in plan for?

Too bad she had agreed that her free day would depend on him. Now, she was more or less like a slave at his beck and call.

"It's important" She said with a voice that showed she was displeased. 

But no matter what, Tom did not want it. He did not want her to go out with Li Chen. He did not want her to leave his sight. He always wanted to see her and he wanted her to always be around him.

"I have to visit the office." He said in a firm voice. 

If she thought he was going to let her go have fun with that boy, then she was wrong. There was no way in hell he was going to let that happen. 

Lisa bit her lower lip to the point where she almost drew out blood. Tom could tell she was suppressing her anger and suddenly began to chuckle. 

"You look so cute whenever you're pissed." He said to her before poking her cheek with his finger. 

Lisa glared at him before turning to face the road again. What was with everyone telling her she looked pretty when she was mad? 

"I noticed you didn't really touch your food earlier. So let's go to Aunt's place."

"I am not hungry."

"A hungry man is an angry man. You're angry and it's because you're probably hungry."

"I am not a man!" She said through gritted teeth.

"You act like one darling."

"I am not your darling." 

"I already told you before. If I want you to be my darling, then you'll have no other choice" When he noticed she was speechless now, he smirked before asking "We were being followed earlier right?" 

"Yes." Lisa answered, grateful that he changed the topic. 

"Anyone in mind?" He asked.

"No. Do you have anyone in mind?" She asked reluctantly. 

"OCEAN" He said with his gaze on the road. 

Lisa's hand tightened around the steering wheel while she turned her head to the side to look at him.

Her clan was called 'OCEAN' and even though they've had their fair share of messing with Tom, they weren't following him about right now. How come he was suspecting them? Or the question should be, how did he know about them?

Tom turned to look at her also. 

"You should look ahead. We may get into an accident" He said to her with a small smile. 

Lisa was a bit startled but she tried not to show it. 

'By chance.... did he know something?" She asked herself as she began to worry.