Chapter 123: Unique

It had only been a year, but Miss Maggie's facial features had changed so drastically, that it was obvious that she had gotten her face augmented. Her cheek bones seemed higher, her nose looked slightly smaller and her lips were extremely full. She was still beautiful, but she no longer had the natural beauty she had in university, and the thick makeup she was wearing made her appear aged. Mina wondered why a person would change their face, and she found herself staring at Maggie a little too long.

Paul, who realized that he had just walked Mina into a wolf's den, attempted to play referee, but he was unable to pry Maggie's hand off Mina's arm.

"I wondered where you disappeared to," the woman said. "When I got word that you vanished, I just knew something bad happened to you. Looks like I was right."

"Hey Maggie, Mina is just here to say hello, let's leave the past alone tonight," Paul said, but Maggie continued.

"Paul, you may not be aware, but your goddess Mina is now a prostitute. How else can an unemployed wretch afford to get into this place? She's probably a 'host' at this bar." Mina used her hands to try and pry Maggie's fingers off her arm.

"Don't spout nonsense," Mina warned. She watched as another man pulled Paul away from the altercation.

"Or what?" Maggie asked. Mina was silent, there was nothing she could do and if she were being honest with herself. She was having trouble distinguishing what happened between herself and President Lee, from what Maggie was accusing her of.

"Let go of her," a voice called out.

----

Lisa walked into the bar, with two extremely handsome men in tow. She smiled as every woman in the place turned their heads to admire her man. She was fine with looking so long as they knew they could never touch. Finding a familiar face, Lisa headed in that direction.

"Stephanie," she said excitedly, and the woman stiffened. She did not need to look to know it was Lisa, she'd recognize that condescending voice anywhere.

"Lisa, you're here? Long time no see." Stephanie caught sight of the men trailing Lisa and couldn't help but to ask. "And this is?"

"He is my boyfriend, President Ian Lee." Lisa made sure to put extra emphasis on his title. "And the man next to him is Zane," She said rudely. Zane rolled his eyes and leaned in close to Ian.

"I'll go find Mina," Zane said. Ian nodded. He badly wanted to stop Lisa from introducing him as her boyfriend, but he did not want to embarrass her in front of her friends.

----

Luna was standing behind Mina and she had just witnessed someone accuse her of being a 'bar host.' She knew from Mina's hospital bed confession, how she felt about such topics, and Luna couldn't help but to feel offended on behalf of the girl.

"What did you just call my friend?" Luna asked, her tone hostile.

"And you are?" Maggie asked coldly, but she did not give Luna a chance to answer. "Probably another escort playing dress up," She said.

"Maggie, watch it. She isn't a person you should take lightly," Mina warned.

"Oh, is that right? She must be your boss then." Mina narrowed her eyes.

"You really haven't changed at all," Mina said in a voice so low no one else could hear her. "Have you not already done enough to me? What's left but for me to die?"

"That's exactly what's left. If you are alive, I won't be happy," Maggie whispered back, and Mina laughed.

"I don't think you'll be happy even if I die, you're a miserable person and you always will be. Do you know what I think? I think that your fiancé called off the engagement because he didn't want to marry a witch." Maggie was about to slap Mina when someone caught her wrist.

"What do you think you are doing causing trouble in my bar?" The man asked.

Maggie looked up and saw none other than Cylus Rue. He was the CEO of one of the top casting agencies and had several well-known actors and singers signed under his label. His family was well known for their dominance in the entertainment sector and they had their hands in the fashion industry as well.

"Mr. Rue, I'm sorry these night women were too talkative. I just wanted to quiet them down a bit." Cylus looked up at the women. He recognized Luna Lee right away. Looking the other woman up and down, he turned back to Maggie before speaking.

"Miss Arden, I understand that your family may not be as prominent, but surely you are familiar with Miss Luna Lee?" Maggie froze. She had heard the name many times before, but she never put a face to the name.

"Miss Lee? Sorry, why didn't you say so in the first place?" Luna was fuming at the change in attitude, but she didn't want to cause too much of a scene.

"Apologize to my friend now," Luna demanded. Maggie opened her mouth to speak but Mina cut her off.

"Lulu, there is no need, I don't speak pig," Mina said, then she pulled Luna away.

Once the women were out of sight, they both died from laughter.

"Lulu? how did you come up with that?" Luna asked.

"Hey, you said we were friends. I had to make it convincing." Mina laughed some more. There was a genuineness about Mina that was hard to ignore, and Luna really enjoyed being around her. There was something liberating about being able to be unrestrained and that was the feeling that Mina gave her. It was the same feeling Tavin had given her in the past.

"Come on Mina, let's go back to my friends," Luna said but someone grabbed Mina's hand before they could walk away.

"Where do you think you are running off to?" Cylus asked. Mina chuckled nervously.

"Mr. Rue?" She said, not sure she remembered his name correctly. "I really didn't mean to cause any trouble," Mina offered. Cylus smirked.

"If your apology is sincere, have a drink with me."

"Me?" Mina questioned.

"There is only one person I am looking at," Cylus quipped.

Mina glanced over Cylus and she felt like she owed Zane an apology. If Zane was considered the epitome of a playboy then this Mr. Rue was the king of womanizers. He was clearly a man of pure desire. He wore fitted black slacks that exposed just a bit of his ankle. The design showed off his custom-made leather shoes and if that were flashy enough, the grey shirt he was wearing was unbuttoned at the top and gave a clear view of his chiseled chest.

"See something you like?" He asked flirtatiously and Mina pulled her hand away from his.

"Your necklace is unique," She said, and she took a step back from the man.

"You can't have this one, but I can get you one similar to it," Cylus said suggestively and Mina retreated further.

"Sorry, but I have to decline. I don't accept gifts from strangers," Cylus laughed cynically.

"You're weird," Cylus said while staring down at Mina like she was a precious item.

"I know, and I think there has been a misunderstanding between us," Mina replied. She could tell what the man was doing, and she wanted to make her stance on the matter clear.