Saving the Villain

Cosette could vaguely remember how magical this night was for Mia and Asher. She remembered writing it down, reading it over and over, since she thought Asher and Mia's life was a little interesting. At least, it was far more interesting than hers.

Being able to witness the scene she read countless times to refresh her memory could be considered her young heart's dream coming true. Therefore, as soon as her eyes caught Mia's figure entering the hall and Asher turned his head, she held her breath on instinct.

Asher's eyes searched for what riled Cosette up. It was rather easy to spot the person she mentioned, seeing that beauty somehow made the hall quiet. She was stunning.

"Was Mia her name?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the rising star in the entertainment industry.

"Mhm!" Cosette replied excitedly. "Wow… she's prettier in person! Don't you think so?"

Asher didn't answer immediately, keeping his attention on the woman named Mia. Sparkles shone in Cosette's eyes as she stared at Asher, excited as the man was staring at Mia longer than he had ever gazed at anyone tonight.

"I think she's pretty," he said after a moment, slowly shifting his eyes back to Cosette. His eyes lingered on the sparkle in her eyes and how bright the expression on her stunning face was. "Though I don't understand the fuss."

Cosette's bright expression slowly faded, seeing the dullness dominating his face.

'What is this reaction?' she wondered, confused.

"What's with that look?" Asher cocked his head to the side. "Were you expecting something?"

"Hmm?"

"Nevermind." He waved dismissively, looking away from Cosette to look at the woman in the middle of the hall. "I haven't watched television or movies since pursuing medicine. So, I don't know if she's prettier in person."

Cosette observed Asher's nonchalant reaction.

'Ahh…' she mentally rocked her head. 'I think… I got things mixed up.'

Cosette's breath hitched, turning around with a slight panic that was crawling up to her chest. But just as Cosette turned around, a firm arm snaked around her waist. Her eyes shook as they dilated, slowly looking up to meet Maxen's pair of tantalizing eyes.

"Ma — Max!" her heart thudded and without thinking twice, she jumped and embraced him.

Maxen's brows furrowed, fixing his hand on her back. He could feel her heart racing against his chest, making him raise his gaze at the man behind Cosette.

"I am innocent." Asher instinctively raised his hand in surrender, shrugging.

Maxen narrowed his eyes. There was no way Cosette would tremble like this if Asher didn't say anything that would rattle her to the core. But before Maxen could point that out, Cosette let him go and took a step back.

"Where did you go?" she asked, faintly huffing. "I missed you."

Maxen didn't answer immediately as his eyes scanned her face for a moment. Even with the makeup on her, he could see her slight paleness.

"Are you okay? Did he say something crazy to you?" he asked, concerned about his wife.

Hearing Maxen's question made Asher roll his eyes. Why did he even try to explain himself, knowing full well Maxen would never listen to a word he would say?

"No." Cosette chuckled, glancing over her shoulder. "It's just that I suddenly missed you. You said you will be quick — you don't even have any snacks with you."

"I'm sorry. Dad came, so I have to see him."

"What?" Cosette perked up, tilting her upper body to see if Conrad was behind Maxen.

"He went to see Chairman Quinn first," explained Maxen, watching Cosette straighten her back. "More like he was ambushed."

To prove his claim, Maxen pointed in a direction. Cosette's eyes slowly followed his finger, and almost instantly, she caught her father's figure. Her eyes softened, chuckling upon noticing the mix of annoyance and coldness dominating Conrad's face as some men surrounded him.

"I thought he wouldn't come," came out a murmur, feeling her tensed shoulders relaxed.

"He told me he'll come to you later." Cosette turned her head back to Maxen when the latter replied, smiling. "So, don't worry about him."

"Mhm." She nodded. "No wonder you took your time."

"If only I know you'd panic, I would've run to you —"

"Oh, please." Asher rolled his eyes once again, catching Cosette's and Maxen's attention. "Have some consideration for those around you, will you?"

"And why do we need to?" Maxen arched his brow while Asher frowned. Before the tension between the two take if shape, Cosette cleared her throat. However, just as her lips parted, a commotion erupted in the hall. Maxen, Asher, and Cosette instinctively turned their heads to see the commotion, only to see a woman standing in front of another.

'What's going on?' wondered Cosette, assessing the woman who was standing and seemed she was seething in anger. When her eyes fell on the other woman, her brows furrowed.

The other woman who was involved in the commotion was none other than Mia.

Cosette would dwell on the scene if not for the fact that her heart suddenly thudded. Out of instinct, she turned her head to look at Asher, and much to her surprise, Asher was already looking at her. She then glanced at Maxen, and he was also staring at her.

"What… why are you looking at me like that?" she muttered, secretly heaving a sigh of relief upon detecting nonchalance in Maxen's eyes.

"Nothing." Maxen shrugged. "I was just thinking about whether we should sneak out."

"Huh?"

"Now that those ladies snagged everyone's attention, I just thought this was the perfect time to sneak away."

Cosette bit her inner lip to stop herself from smiling like a fool. 'I'm glad…' was what came across her mind, cupping her husband's face gently.

"Should we?" She remained elegant and composed, ignoring the scandalous scene in the hall. "How about Dad?"

"Let's visit him tomorrow." Maxen winked, making her giggle.

As the two ignored their surrounding, Asher had his eyes fixed on Maxen and Cosette.

'How come… you didn't know, Maxen?' was the question that hovered over his head and this thought brought this inexplicable anger and dismay in his heart. 'Your wife is dying and yet… you have no idea.'