Nineteen

"What did you do this time?" Ma Ri's voice was sharp, her words carrying a tone that made Jiang's stomach churn. Jiang tried to reminisce about his actions after he last saw her. But, nothing came to his mind which could make her angry or at least he thought so.

"What are you talking about?" Jiang asked, his voice unsteady. He scratched the back of his neck nervously, avoiding her piercing gaze.

"Don't play dumb! Did you tell your mom that we argued?" Ma Ri stepped closer, inspecting his face like a detective catching a suspect in a lie.

"Eh? What are you talking about? Why would I?" Now that he discovered it wasn't his fault, he was relieved, thinking that she wouldn't suddenly attack him. Or would she? He moved backwards.

"Then, why did auntie, I mean, your mom called me? Asking if something happened between us?" Ma Ri's tone shifted from anger to concern. Her eyes softened, and she crossed her arms, waiting for an explanation.

"She called you?" Jiang blinked, startled. "Why? What did she say exactly? Did she mention why she thought that?" Jiang acted he knew nothing, but he got the hunch that something might happen like this after he rushed outside angrily earlier.

"No, she didn't give specifics. That's why I assumed you blabbed about something." Ma Ri sighed, pacing back and forth. "She also asked me to spend time and go shopping with you! Ah! What if we get caught at this rate?"

As he could understand what Ma Ri was hinting at, he rubbed his temples, trying to suppress his growing headache. "We can just…pretend we're on good terms. No big deal. Right?" He forced a nervous laugh as he didn't want to raise her rage anymore.

Ma Ri didn't look convinced. "Right?" she echoed, tilting her head. Her gaze then landed on the shopping bag he held tightly in his hand. "Wait a second. What's in there? Who's it for?"

"This? Oh…um, it's for my mom. A birthday gift." Jiang's grip on the bag tightened instinctively.

Ma Ri's eyes lit up. Without warning, she snatched the bag from his grasp. "Perfect! Then, you can say this is from me! That way, it'd be proven that we hang out together today, hehe!" She inspected the bag's contents with an impish grin.

"What? No way!" Jiang protested, lunging for the bag. "I picked that out myself!"

"Then, would you like to go on a date with me instead? Mr. C.E.O?" Ma Ri smirked, but it was clear that she had some other meaning behind her words.

"N-No!" He shook his head abruptly as if he was disgusted by the proposal.

"Then trust me and do what I say, okay?" Ma Ri warned, narrowing her eyes. "Or else…" She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper, "I'll tell him."

Tell who? What? Jiang froze, his mind was racing. Did she mean her brother? That hulking figure who had stared daggers at him last time? A chill ran down his spine as he recalled the silent yet menacing threat.

"What should I do, then? Go and tell your…no, my mom that you bought it for her?" He sighed, defeated by Ma Ri's sudden warning.

"Are you a fool? No wonder you're so helpless!" Ma Ri rolled her eyes. "I mean, you're the top…" before continuing, she gasped, placing her palm to block her widened mouth. "Don't tell me you're the bot!" She suddenly leaned in, making him awkward as he retreated backwards.

"Why would I be a bot? And what does that have to do with all of these?" As Jiang thought Ma Ri was questioning his maturity and called him a noob, he couldn't hold himself anymore and shouted.

"Ah! That means my guts were right!" Ma Ri mumbled and then giggled as she was hinting at something else and just imagined how he behaves like the passionate one with his little assistant.

"Uh-hm! Not That… I imagined anything…tho." she pressed her lips to resist herself even though it was clear that she was giggling hard from inside.

"Unbelievable." Jiang scowled, though a part of him was relieved she wasn't angry anymore.

Before the banter could continue, a voice interrupted them.

"Merry! There you are!" A petite woman dashed toward them, gasping for air.

"Dora!" Ma Ri exclaimed, rushing to her friend. "Oh no! I completely forgot you were waiting for me!"

"Here's your bag! I got it for you!" She held the bag which she snatched back from the thief towards her, grinning as if she won a prize just for her friend.

"How did you…" she stopped, busy blushing and hesitating.

"Don't tell me you started a fight again!" When reality hit her, she snapped back and nearly interrogated her.

"Fight? Me? No way!" Ma Ri waved her off, taking the drinks from her hand.

"Does she fight often?" Jiang came towards the ladies and asked as he was curious as well as scared.

"Huh? Who…" Bora looked at Ma Ri, asking silently for his identity.

"Ah! This is Ahn Jiang Seok, the CEO of EcoFusion. He's the one I mentioned earlier." Ma Ri introduced smilingly.

"Ah! Nice to meet you. I'm Kim Bora." She bowed. Suddenly her expression darkened as she wasn't pleased with the encounter.

"Nice to meet you too." Jiang extended his hand, but Bora didn't notice as she turned to Ma Ri.

"So, you didn't get into a fight…that's a relief." With her expression, suddenly the atmosphere became awkward among them.

"She did!" Jiang interjected, eager to share his newfound knowledge.

"Really?" Bora's eyes widened in alarm.

"No, it wasn't a f-fight," Ma Ri said hastily. "Just a…punch. Haha!" She grinned sheepishly.

"But you knocked that guy out just now! I saw that!" Jiang added, fueling the fire.

"What?" Bora gasped.

"How many times do I need to tell you, Merry? Don't do that, please! It could be dangerous!" While Bora kept lecturing her, Jiang nodded as he agreed.

"Even though you're learning martial arts, it doesn't mean you have to—"

"She does what now?" Jiang cut in, his jaw dropping.

"Yep! She's the ace of our class," Bora said proudly.

"Didn't you tell him?" Bora turned to Ma Ri, she was surprised by the fact as it was a huge matter for her.

"Why should I?" Ma Ri shrugged nonchalantly.

"And did you run all the way here? You're looking even paler with all the sweat on your face." Ma Ri took out a handkerchief and started wiping her sweats. Jiang stood still by their side as Ma Ri just handed her drinks to him.

"I…should go…now." Jiang mumbled as not only was he too afraid to disturb the ladies but also couldn't forget the brutality Ma Ri showed to the other guy.

"I'm fine. You should go and talk with him." Bora held Ma Ri's hand.

"No, I'll accompany you to your house. So, Can you go into that restaurant over there and wait for me? I'll be quick." Ma Ri said, looking worried again.

"It's fine! I can go on my own." Bora bowed to Jiang again, faking a smile as she was ready to leave them alone.

"Just do what I said." When Ma Ri glared at her with her angry expression, she looked downward, her expression was jovial rather than offended as if that's what she was waiting for.

"Okay, ma'am!" She smiled shyly and went towards the restaurant Ma Ri just pointed at.

"NOW! Where were we?" With Ma Ri's shouting, Jiang got startled and nearly jumped back.

"Where? Oh! Should I tell my mom that this is from you?" Jiang asked. He wanted to flee from there as soon as possible.

"Are you going back home now?" She asked curiously.

"No, I have to return to the office and you just wasted so much of my time." Now that Ma Ri was acting cheerful, Jiang furrowed, showing his true expression.

"Then, we'll decide what to do later. Wait for me in the office. I'll handle everything then." She winked as if she had some vicious ideas which made Jiang completely flabbergasted.

Jiang groaned. "Do whatever you want." He rolled his eyes and started walking while glancing at the bag. Maybe his bank gave him a warning not to buy it. He sighed.

As he walked away, muttering under his breath, he couldn't shake the feeling that his life was spiraling out of control.

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When Jiang went back home, he noticed his mom was dressed well as if she just came home from somewhere. Before he could ask anything, she noticed him and the surprise he and Ma Ri prepared for her earlier. She ran towards him,

"Jiang!" she grinned as if she'd burst into happy tears at any moment.

"Oh my! What a pleasant surprise!" She gasped as she couldn't believe her eyes.

"Y-you should've informed me before. I would have prepared something for you." her eyes sparkled while she went busy, welcoming her guests inside warmly.

Jiang sighed, realizing he was trapped. Whatever scheme Ma Ri had cooked up, he'd have to play along for the time being.