Chapter 660: The Prize

Mina stood in front of a painting that she found herself swayed by. It was of a small illuminated figure, maybe a man, maybe a woman, and it was surrounded by darkness. Within the black, the artist had somehow managed to paint hands that were reaching out to the light. She liked the photo because it made her mind work. Were the hands reaching out to the light for help or were they trying to smother it?

President Lee's aunt was an art curator, but aside from that, she organized shows and exhibits for lesser known artists to display their ability, and Mina found herself liking the woman without meeting her. According to President Lee, seventy percent of the proceeds went directly to the artist, fifteen percent to his aunt, five percent to the venue, and the remaining percentage went to whatever cause the artist chose, barring only political contributions.

With starting prices of 500k, seventy percent was no small number especially for someone who may be struggling, or like the person in the painting, surrounded by darkness.

"You're still here," Ian said, wrapping his arms around Mina as he pressed a kiss on her temple. He had gone to get them a drink, leaving her in front of the painting; he thought he would have to find her, but she had stayed in the same spot. "Do you like it?" Mina took the glass President Lee was handing to her and smelled its contents. "It's sparkling cider," he added, turning back to face the depiction that had captured Mina's attention.

"I don't know," she said, furrowing her brows as she took a step closer. "How do you see it?" she asked.

"It's dark," Ian replied. "and I can't tell if the hands are good or bad." Mina smirked at the man, telling him that she felt the same way, and he lifted her chin to steal a quick kiss. Her eyes shot down to the glass in her hands, feeling shy, but not ashamed of the interaction. "Do you want me to buy it for you?"

"No," Mina replied. "It would be too distracting." She stepped away from the painting and linked her arm with President Lee's. They moved through the venue at a snail's pace, analyzing each exhibit, and sometimes laughing at some of the more 'abstract art.' "What do you want for your birthday?" Mina suddenly asked, although she had already gotten him a gift.

"You," he replied, making her face turn red as he pulled her in for a hug.

"Besides that," Mina questioned, smiling as the man held her by the waist and pressed a kiss on her lips.

"There is nothing else I need." Mina felt her heart swell with the man's words, and she pressed a kiss on his cheek, still a little too embarrassed to initiate a real kiss. They stood holding and chatting with one another, until someone approached.

"Ian? I thought that was you."

"Hello Aunt Hannah," Ian replied, stepping away from Mina for the briefest second to greet the woman properly. "How are you?"

"Obviously not bad considering the fact that you are here." Ian smiled. He had a habit of staying away from family events because he hated to have to explain why he was not married, and sometimes, reject women who family members had invited with him in mind. "Who is this lovely young woman?"

"Mina Harlow," Mina replied, extending her hand, just as a man came up to put his arm around Hannah.

"I am Hannah Lewi, and this is my husband, John." Mina smiled at the couple, politely bowing to the man.

"It's good to see you here," John said. "What has it been? Three years?" Ian nodded.

"I now have someone to enjoy the exhibits with," Ian said, and Mina blushed at the raised eyebrows the statement caused.

"Is she your girlfriend?"

"I'm working on it," Ian quipped, staring at Mina, whose face was still red. "She is making me prove my worth," he joked.

"Wow," John replied. "I never thought I would hear you say anything like that. She must be special."

"Very," Ian replied, kissing Mina's cheek as she studied the glass in her hands.

"We won't hold you any further, but Miss Mina, don't wait too long. There are a lot of women who want my nephew." Mina was about to respond, but President Lee beat her to it.

"She doesn't have to worry about other women; she is the only one that I want." Mina looked up at President Lee, pleased he had responded for her, because she may have said something that would have ruined the evening. She looked up at the couple who was smiling at her expecting them to respond, but the man tugged at his wife's arm, and they waved before leaving.

Ian guided Mina to a table where he pulled out a chair and waited for her to sit before pulling his own chair so close to hers that their knees touched. They were not properly sitting against the surface, so Mina was able to fiddle with her still full glass, which she held on her lap. The man questioned her about the drink, and while she did not like it, she did not say anything because she was afraid to add any negativity into their date.

"How is your father?" Ian asked, and Mina was pleased he even cared.

"It was a success, and the recovery time is only two weeks, He can't walk yet, but that is only because he is following doctor's orders." Ian already knew; he just wanted to hear it from her.

The pair slipped back into casual conversation, and every so often one of the man's relatives would approach. Ian would introduce her as 'the woman who was making him work hard to woo her,' as opposed to what she knew people had assumed. Mina knew that President Lee was a sought-after male, but he was turning her into the prize with his words.

"Do you see it?" Ian asked. "Do you understand the difference between what you said and what I have been saying?" Mina nodded. She could hear the difference and she could feel it. President Lee was boldly claiming her without actually claiming her, while she had given the impression that there was nothing between them. In hindsight, she knew she should have told the woman that President Lee was unavailable, but she had let fear choose her words.

"Ian," Mina said, finally looking up from her glass to make eye contact with the man who had made her heart overflow with emotion. "Take me home," she whispered.

Ian did not need to be told twice. He downed the contents of his glass, setting it on the table before he pulled Mina to her feet and out the doors. He knew, just like she knew that it was obvious to everyone what they were going to do, but neither of them cared. Mina hugged the man tightly as they waited for the car to arrive. They were not leaving early, but the event still had a few hours left, so their ride had not been cued.

"Ian," Mina said, and to the person she was speaking to, it was like music to his ears. She had finally let her guard down with him. "Happy birthday," she whispered, pressing a sweet kiss onto his lips as she handed him her phone.

"What is it?" Ian asked, barely able to contain the smile that had grown on his face. She had kissed him, not the other way around, and his excitement was evident in the heavy beating of his heart. He thought she wanted him to see that it was exactly midnight, but there were legal documents displayed.

Ian once overed the screen before furrowing his brows and looking at Mina in shock. She had transferred full ownership of Ubi to him, and because it was her, Ian knew what that meant. She was telling him that there was no need for them to be separate anymore, she was telling him that what was hers, was also his, and she was telling him that she trusted him.

Ian pulled Mina close and pressed a hungry kiss to her lips, uncaring how desperate he looked to anyone, he just wanted to be near her. He did not stop kissing her until his driver cleared his throat, and even then, he only stopped because he needed to get her home.

Once inside, Ian pulled Mina into his lap, resuming their kiss but with less intensity. He held her to his chest, breathing in her scent as she gently stroked his cheek and allowed her fingers to run through his hair.

"Mina, can we please skip it tonight?" he asked. It had been over three weeks since they had started sleeping with one another, and while he knew it was wrong, he was still reluctant to tell her his belief. He had only just gotten her full trust, and he did not want to shatter it before he could propose. She did not respond with words, but she nodded, making Ian deepen their kiss.

"Not in the car," she said after using much of her strength to push him away.

"Okay," he replied, going back in for another kiss, but Mina recoiled her face, making Ian look at her in concern.

"I…" she paused, clearly trying to figure out how she was going to say whatever it was on her mind, and Ian gently coaxed her by stroking her jawline and making her look at him. "I don't want to take the pill." Ian pressed his forehead against Mina's wondering if that was holding her back the entire time. He had always wondered how she felt about taking it all that time ago, and it was clear in her expression that it was something she would never have done under normal circumstances.

"Then don't take it," Ian replied, linking their fingers together as he kissed her knuckles. "I wouldn't want you to." Mina's eyes became glossy, and Ian settled for just hugging her. He knew where her mind was, because he knew where his had gone. She was thinking about when they met and how they met, but he had not given her an emergency contraceptive.

While he had not done anything to stop it, Ian had not been the one to even suggest it. So many nights he wondered what would have happened if Luna had not stepped in and made the decision for him? What would have happened if he had treated her with respect? And what would have happened if she had died in that room?

Mina's hands had gone cold, and while she was warm in Ian's embrace, she was nervous. After speaking to her father, she had decided to let go of all uncertainty, but it was easier said than done. Transferring full ownership of Ubi was just one thing, but there were many other things she had to share with the man. Her offshore accounts, her false earning accounts, and even her plan to run away, but she wanted to wait until after his birthday, that way, being upset with her would not ruin his day.

When they arrived at their home, Mina was so nervous she could barely walk, but Ian held her steady, continuously assuring her that he would never abandon her. The doors to his mansion swung open abruptly, and happy 'surprise' shouts startled the couple along with the person leading the group.

Mina looked down as Miss Luna and Miss Lisa stared at her with accusing eyes, but she did not release Ian's hand. Ian had been ready to kick everyone out, but his nan was there, and a simple hand squeeze from Mina let him know that she was okay.

"We can address it later," Mina said with a smile, but all Ian could focus on was the word 'we.'