Chapter 120: Admiration

Inside president Lee's office, Zane sat on the dark leather sofa as the two men spoke about the events from the night before. After he had made sure Ian was so drunk that he could barely stand, Zane casually sent the man to bed and watched him curl up next to a passed-out Mina. He stayed behind to make sure Ian went straight to bed without touching the girl, and to his surprise his friend was very respectful of the sleeping beauty.

"I told you it would work," Zane said.

"It was close though," Ian retorted.

"If we can at least get her to trust you, that's a giant step in the right direction," Zane replied. His plan was to show Mina that President Lee could keep his hands to himself, even when Mina was at her most vulnerable. Unfortunately, the plan had landed them both into a deeper hole.

"Hey, take a look at this file," Ian said as he handed the man a folder. It was a complete printout of Mina's medical examination. Her MSE revealed that she was most likely suffering from one of several disorders that were listed including PTSD.

"This is… Does she know?" Ian shook his head.

"Would she believe it if I showed it to her?" Ian had a point; Mina probably would question any medical examination that came from Ian or Luna for that matter.

"Should we get her help?" Zane asked.

"I want to, but how do I convince her? I can barely get her to eat." Zane studied the file,

"For this, forcing her won't work. You have to change her mind about it naturally."

Zane knew that something was wrong with Mina and now he had confirmation. She had either answered sarcastically or skipped several questions regarding her future and life goals. Even without a professional to explain, Zane knew it was because the girl had no intention of living long. The two men decided to head back to the Lee mansion together, Zane wanted to be there when Ian tried to convince Mina that she needed help. He hoped that his presence would make his friend's suggestion seem more like friendly advice rather than a command.

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Ian and Zane were in the sitting room still discussing how they would approach Mina when they heard girlish laughter and the clicking of heels coming down the stairs. Thinking that Lisa must have come for a visit, Zane was immediately put off.

"I think my brother is back," he heard Luna say and he rolled his eyes. The sound of clicking grew louder as the women approached and both men braced for an awkward meeting. When Luna entered the room, they did not expect Mina to be the one behind her. Ian stood and looked past his sister, admiring the girl's everything. Mina's thick brown hair had been lazily pushed back and her eyes were lightly rimmed in black eyeliner that made her golden irises appear lighter in color. She was wearing a brown velvet dress that, while not form fitting, showed off her tiny waist and her full chest. She was still very pale in complexion, but she no longer looked sick as her cheeks had a healthy pink glow. There was just a small area of her thigh that peaked from under the dress, but it gave Ian the urge to want to see more.

Luna was talking to her brother, but he was so busy staring at Mina that he failed to hear anything she said.

"Where are you going?" he asked, addressing his question to Mina instead of his sister.

"President Lee, didn't you say I could go out?" Mina asked, but it was not a spiteful question. She looked scared when she asked, she was probably fearful that he had changed his mind.

"I didn't mean it like that," Ian corrected. "I just want to send someone with you." Luna interrupted by assuring her brother that she would not let Mina out of her sight. Reminded of his sister's presence, Ian looked at Zane for guidance. His gaze was asking 'should I let her leave dressed like that?' but Zane only held up his hands and turned his face away. Mina was a sexy woman, and he had a feeling that anything she put on would be eye catching especially to Ian.

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Mina felt that President Lee was behaving oddly. She did not know if she was supposed to ask him before making plans but from what she gathered from their earlier conversation; she was free to come and go at any time so long as she had one of the Lee siblings or Zane with her. Feeling her confidence fade Mina subconsciously backed out of the room. She felt suffocated and she was secretly trying to go through the breathing exercises that Luna taught her.

Luna heard Mina retreating and turned to see that the girl had folded into herself. She ignored her brother who was listing out several of his concerns for their safety and turned to Mina.

"Are you having trouble breathing again?" Luna asked, and Mina nodded. Luna went through the breathing exercises with the girl, but Mina was unable to relax. Realizing that this had something to do with her brother, Luna shouted. "Ian, stop scaring her. Nothing will happen to her tonight," Luna said.

Ian had also noticed Mina's strange behavior. When he saw that his sister was unable to help, he wanted to approach but Zane held him back.

"I think she is like this because of the way you were looking at her," he whispered into Ian's ear. Knowing that there might be some truth behind his friend's words, Ian sat down and took his eyes away from the beautiful girl. She was still so afraid of him that his admiration caused her to lose her breath.

"I'm sorry," Ian said. "You ladies have a good time and call me if you need anything." Zane also chimed in.

"and no drinking for Mina." Zane's remark made Mina smile a little and she was finally able to catch her breath.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me," Mina confessed to Luna, and to her surprise the woman looked worried.

"Mina are you sure you still want to go?" The question caused Ian's ears to perk up.

"I don't want to stay here," Mina answered, her voice betraying the many meanings behind her statement. Luna called for her car, and by the time it arrived, Mina had already calmed down. She was feeling a bit sleepy but the excitement of leaving the house on her own accord kept her awake.

In the car, Mina felt a rush of anticipation. She had never gone out with friends in the way she was now. She was always too busy with work or school. Suddenly Mina had a sinking feeling...