Chapter 70: Casanova

{𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝟏𝟖+}

The unexpected call from his sister distracted Ian from the task he had set out to complete. He had originally come back to his study to listen to the audio from the night he met mina face to face. Doctor Bell had told him that; one or more of the parties had to be willing in order for it to get to a sexual level, but he wanted to confirm it himself. Initially, Ian had been putting off listening to the audio because he was afraid. Afraid that he may have actually forced himself on Mina, and not vice versa. Taking a deep breath, Ian started the recording.

----

Ian heard the sound of plastic crumble and knew it was the chocolate wrapper. Someone, probably Mina, was sniffling. He heard the sound of another wrapper being opened. Then, Ian heard his own voice:

"Why are you crying?"

"Because I'm stupid." Ian heard himself laugh sarcastically.

"I disagree. I think you are a very smart girl," he said.

"Being smart doesn't mean you can't be stupid," Mina replied. Ian heard himself laugh again. As the conversation progressed, he felt the sense of Deja Vu. He felt like he could remember that part of the conversation. Ian heard himself speak again:

"Okay, how about this. Tell me where you have been trained and I will go easy on you."

"I'm being honest. I am not a spy and I am not an assassin. I'm just a dumb girl who took the wrong job," Mina said.

"The wrong job?" Ian asked.

"I told you, I was supposed to take a picture of a man. I did not know that person was you when I agreed."

"Did you get your picture then?"

"What? No. You caught me just as I was about to take it," Mina answered.

"Can you tell me what's so significant about a picture of me in the shower?" Mina chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"I actually… to be honest, I didn't know what kind of picture I was supposed to take. I just assumed."

"Oh? You assumed? What if the person just wanted a picture of me sleeping?" Ian asked.

"I…" Mina was cut off by Ian.

"You?" Ian paused for a long time before speaking again. "Why is your face red? Are you embarrassed now? Could it be that you just wanted a picture of me?"

"No, it's not that, it's just that my clothes are torn, and I feel weird," Mina replied.

"Okay, put your sweater on and let's start over," Ian said. "Do you feel better now?"

"I still feel… not right," Mina complained. Ian listened to the audio from the video and knew that the drug was probably starting to take effect. If he knew then what he knew now, he would have immediately called for his guards to help, but Ian's next words shocked him.

"I feel weird too," Ian said, "but I think you are making me feel this way."

"Why me?" Mina giggled.

"It's because you are incredibly beautiful. Do you know that?" Mina must have indicated that she did not know, because Ian followed up with another question. "You don't know? Has no one ever told you?"

"My parents have, but I don't pay attention to anyone else. I don't care about that sort of thing."

"You are really beautiful, that's why I feel this way about you." Mina giggled at that statement.

"Tell me the truth, is your name really Mina?" He asked.

"Yes, it means 'to laugh,'" she said.

"I like your name; it feels good to say." President Lee repeated Mina's name several times, causing Mina to laugh sweetly. "You have a sweet laugh. I really like listening to it," he said. "Your parents named you well."

"President Lee, are you trying to flatter me?" Mina giggled again. The Ian listening from his study could tell Mina was under the influence, but the Ian in the audio didn't seem to care or mind at all.

"Mina, did you know that this is not the first time I have seen you?"

"You have seen me before? Where was I?"

"You came to my building. I don't know what you were there for though." he said.

"Oh, that's right, I went for an interview, but they never called me. I think I saw you that day too."

"What did you think of me when you saw me?" he asked.

On that note, Ian slammed his finger down on the space bar of his laptop. He took a huge gulp of his drink. Why was he being so shameless? He was embarrassed for himself. Did he even want to listen any further? When had he become a Casanova? Ian did not even know he could speak that way! Taking another deep breath, and another drink he resumed the recording.

"President Lee, you… you are very handsome. I think I like you." Ian could practically see Mina's blushing face in his memory.

"Oh? What do you like about me?" he asked. Mina did not hold back. She went into full detail describing every trait she liked about the man in front of her and why. She did not forget to mention the fact that he was extraordinarily rich, and this made both Ian's laugh. The girl was too honest.

"President Lee, you are my role model," She said.

"Mina, you really know a lot about me. I thought you said you weren't a spy?"

"I am not a spy. I looked you up because…" Mina did not speak.

"Please tell me," Ian said.

"I think I have a crush on you." Ian laughed joyfully.

"Don't cover your face, let me look at you," he chuckled out.

"President Lee, it feels good when you laugh."

"It feels good to laugh," he said. "Mina, can you tell me. Why am I feeling this way about you? I have never felt this way about anyone."

"I… I don't know," Mina replied honestly. "I don't think this is real," she continued, and the Ian in the present knew that Mina was confused about what and how she was feeling.

"Mina, I want to show you something on my phone. Can I show you something?"

"Okay," she said. There was the sound of footsteps and rustling clothes.

"Watch this video," he said.

"When was this taken? Is that me?"

"Yes. It is you," Ian said.

"Mina, did you know that I looked for you for a long time? I wanted to see you again."

"Why couldn't you find me?"

"There was no record of you having an interview, if not for this security footage, I would have thought you were a ghost." Mina laughed cutely.

"Mina, it feels really good to see you in person. Can I sit closer to you?" There was another long pause before she agreed with a simple 'yes,' and Ian could hear himself move a chair.

"Is your back still hurting?" He asked. "Before I was just trying to scare you. I am sorry. Can I see it?" Mina must have nodded because Ian heard himself again. "Take off your shirt." There was a brief pause before he spoke again. "Don't worry, I won't do anything bad."

"Okay," Mina whispered.