Chapter 88: Making Things Clear

Luna did not notice the reaction her words were creating. She remained oblivious even when Zane came to Ian's rescue. It seemed that she did not want to let the conversation rest for reasons unknown.

"Nan, don't you remember Lisa?" Luna asked. "It's been ten years since she was first introduced to Ian; you have to remember her." Of course, Ruby remembered Lisa, she could not forget her. For years she had warned Luna that the girl was not truly her friend, but children always think they know better, so she kept her mouth shut. However, she had no idea that Lisa had become involved with her son. He hadn't mentioned it to her, and if that was the case, who was Mina?

Miss Ruby glanced at Mina and realized the girl had sank into her chair. She already looked uncomfortable and now she looked miserable. Ruby took the girl's reaction as though she was jealous or heartbroken, because she had no reason to think that Mina was feeling guilty.

Luna began to ramble off about proposals and marriage. Not once did she look in Mina's direction. It was not that she was trying to hurt Mina on purpose, but she had noticed that Zane seemed to be trying to push the girl onto her brother and she wanted to make her position clear. It did not occur to her that she had no right to do so. Nor did it occur to her that the ten years she spoke of, were for her alone. At best, Ian had only entertained the idea of Lisa as anything other than his sister's friend for a year or two and now, he was not sure he saw her in that way at all.

----

Mina had long ago lost her appetite. When Luna had mentioned President Lee's long-term girlfriend during the polygraph, Mina had assumed she meant a year or two at max, but ten years? That was nearly half of her own years on earth. Mina silently prayed that she would never have to meet the lady named Lisa. She knew she would feel overwhelmed by guilt if she did, but the more she listened to Luna speak as if she were not there, the less she cared about Lisa, and the more angered she felt for herself. Only after a long time did Luna realize she was holding the conversation she was having alone. Everyone else at the table had gone dead silent, albeit for different reasons surrounding the same issue.

Luna finally looked at Mina who seemed to be struggling to remain calm. Her exhaustion showed on her delicate face as she slowly stood up to make her stance on the matter clear.

"Miss Luna, I have listened to you speak and I can't help but to notice that you seem to think that I am trying to snatch your brother away from his girlfriend. Let me make this clear to all of you now." Mina looked each person, save for Miss Ruby, in the eye before she continued speaking. "I have no intention, nor do I plan to have an intention for any sort of relationship with President Lee. My stay here is a business arrangement and nothing more. From one professional to another, I ask that you keep this in mind the next time you try to embarrass me." Luna had thought she was only telling the truth, but now she felt guilty. She tried to speak but Mina excused herself from the table, and a confused Miss Ruby escorted her back to her room.

While walking Mina back to the guest room, Ruby took the opportunity to ask Mina about her relationship with President Lee. Mina knew she was supposed to lie, but she was truly mentally exhausted and answered honestly instead.

"Nan, I may have gotten President Lee into some trouble and I'm only here to help fix it." Even now, while talking to Miss Ruby, Mina felt as if she were in a pool of sharks with an open wound. As soon as Mina was left alone, she laid in the giant bed. It was no longer comfortable. This one mistake robbed Mina of so much. She had even been made an outside party in a ten-year long relationship. No wonder the Lee's hated her.

At the dinner table Ian reminded his sister that Mina was also a victim, and Zane was disappointed by Luna for the first time ever. He had a feeling that he was unaware of the entire story, but he knew that Luna had purposefully brought up Lisa, whether it was for him or Mina to hear, Zane was unsure, but he had never thought of Luna as an intentionally cruel person. Unfortunately, he also did not know that Luna was projecting her own experiences into the situation.

Neither Ian nor Zane bothered with further conversation. Ian had already given up any prospect of being with Mina romantically, and Zane knew that Luna was oblivious to Lisa's true character. It would come back to bite her one day, he told himself.

----

Breakfast was served in the morning. As customary, Ian and Luna were seated at the table by 8AM prompt. Zane had left immediately after dinner, so the brother and sister retreated to their rooms, and they had not seen each other since. Miss Ruby noticed Mina's absence, but she did not want to force the girl to come to the breakfast table. After yesterday's outburst, she knew there was something her children were hiding from her. Instead she had someone prepare a tray to bring to Mina's room. This task coincidentally fell to Tara, but when she knocked at the door, she was unable to wake the girl, so she returned the food to the kitchen and relayed the information to Miss Ruby. The older woman was not convinced that Mina was still asleep. She reckoned that the girl was merely sulking. She decided that she would bring Mina a meal herself later today.

Around lunch, Miss Ruby specifically prepared a tray of sweets for Mina. She remembered that when she and her husband first started dating, she was told that he was chasing after another woman. She remembered how she felt when she found out, and she remembered that she only had an appetite for deserts. Fortunately for Ruby, her husband was not interested in another woman at all. He was only trying to help a fellow bodyguard on another shift by passing notes. While Ruby did not know what the relationship was between Ian and Lisa, she still hoped Mina would appreciate the gesture.