POWER STAGE : FAYE + YOKO (gxg)

Unexpected Ally

I took a deep breath and pulled myself together. Kun's blackmail scared me, yes, but I wasn't going to give up. I was ready to risk everything rather than watch him triumph.

"Okay, Kun," I said, trying to control the tremor in my voice, then I turned around and walked resolutely to my room.

My plan was ready. I needed Yoko's help to defeat Kun. I quickly grabbed my phone and told my driver that we were going to pick up Yoko. Then I stopped by the best florist in the city. The place was full of colorful flowers, and the air was filled with wonderful scents. Smiling, I chose the most elegant and showy bouquet: a magnificent combination of white lilies, pink roses, and purple orchids. I would do anything to impress Yoko.

When I arrived in front of the company, Yoko was looking at me in surprise. She was wearing a black trouser suit, looking stylish and professional as always. The collar of his white shirt was slightly open, and the thin silver necklace around his neck shone delicately. As I walked toward him with the flowers in his hand, members of the press suddenly surrounded us. Flashbulbs were going off, questions were flying in the air.

"Mrs. Malisorn, what is the reason for this sudden visit?"

"What can you tell me about your marriage to Yoko Apasra?"

"Is this a romantic gesture?"

"Why were you alone at the party last night? Eyewitnesses say they saw you alone!"

"What about the marks on your neck? Is this really the evidence of what happened on your wedding night?"

My face flushed. How could I have forgotten the statements I had made last night? In the excitement of the moment, I had told the press things that implied that Yoko and I were getting close. Now, standing next to her, these lies were knotting in my throat.

Yoko's face turned cold. I saw a flash of disappointment in her eyes. "Faye," she said, her voice sharp. "What does this mean?"

"Get in the car, I'll explain on the way," I said, gently holding her arm. The driver opened the door and we hurried inside. The reporters' questions continued to rain down behind us.

"Ms. Malisorn, are you going to make a statement about what happened last night?"

"What do you think about the rumors about whether your marriage is real or not?"

Yoko looked at me curiously. "Faye, what's going on? These flowers, the press... and those questions... I don't understand anything."

I took a deep breath. It was time to tell her everything. Kun's blackmail, his threat to expose our fake marriage, what happened at the party last night, the lies I told the press... The more I talked, the lighter the burden inside me seemed to be. Yoko listened silently, her face showing mixed emotions.

"So... Kun's threatening you, and that's why you came to me with flowers?" she finally asked, her voice sounding a little hurt. Just then, my phone rang. It was Mon. "Faye," she said in a professional tone. "Your brothers have organized a celebration for you this evening. They're expecting you at the Black Swan Club at 8."

A party? My siblings? I looked at Yoko in surprise. Her face was cold. "A party?" she repeated, her voice low. "After what happened last night, I could never go to a party with you, Faye. I'm sorry, but I can't." Her words hit me like a slap in the face. Last night... The kiss... My heart clenched. Yoko remembering that moment and not wanting to come to the party because of it... I understood, but I was still disappointed. Yoko, please," I said, taking her hand. "This isn't just a party. This is a battlefield for me. Kun will be there, and I'm sure he'll make a move on me. I need you with me. Please, don't leave me alone." Yoko's eyes locked with mine. She was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Okay, Faye," she said finally. "I'll come for you. But just this once."