Eri was stunned. Mina's sudden shift in expression hit her like a shockwave — her eyes shimmered with something impossible to read: half ecstasy, half danger, like someone hiding a deliciously cruel secret.
Startled, Eri turned to the stunning tomboy beside her — the one with a model's frame and sharp, graceful beauty — who was gripping Eri's wrist tightly. Eri shouted, losing control.
"Let go of me!"
Duyen didn't say a word. She just kept holding on. But when she noticed Eri's brow furrowing in pain, her face twisting as if something inside her was burning, Duyen finally softened and released her.
Eri yanked her hand away immediately, glaring from Mina to Duyen.
"What the hell is going on here!?"
Faced with Eri's hostility, Duyen froze. She didn't even understand what was happening herself. She glanced toward Mina, guilt flickering in her eyes.
"Mina, this woman is…?"
Mina exhaled softly, leaning back in her chair, folding her arms like she couldn't care less.
"Her? She's Eri — my husband's mistress."
"Your— what!?"
Duyen's eyes widened. She turned to Eri, who looked every bit like a Western model — tall, curvy, golden hair flowing around her face, and those piercing gray-blue eyes. And yet… she was Valko's mistress?
Catching Duyen's astonished stare, Eri bristled.
"What? What's your problem!? I don't know who you are or what's going on between you two, but stay the hell out of this!"
"I—"
Duyen stammered, instinctively stepping back. But when she saw Eri lunge toward Mina again, her body moved on its own. She stepped between them, her stance firm, voice unwavering.
"I don't know what's going on between you two. But you're not going to hurt Mina!"
"What!?"
Eri glared in disbelief. Even Mina looked surprised — her cheeks flushing a soft pink. Her heart pounded as she hid a small, secret smile behind Duyen's back. Her hand slid gently to Duyen's waist, as if seeking protection.
Feeling that, Duyen held her ground even more firmly.
Eri narrowed her eyes, scanning them both. Something about this felt off. Why had Mina's attitude changed the moment Duyen appeared? Why did she suddenly act so fragile? It was all too fake — so fake it made Eri's stomach twist.
She glared at Duyen suspiciously.
"So what's your deal? Why the hell are you protecting her? Do you even know what's going on between us? Let me give you a warning — that woman isn't as innocent as she pretends to be."
Hearing that, Duyen hesitated. Eri's words echoed what everyone else said about Mina — manipulative, unpredictable, impossible to read. And Duyen did know Mina's darker side; she'd been learning it piece by piece.
But still, she didn't move.
"I know," Duyen said quietly, her tone bitter.
"Then why—"
"But still!" Duyen cut her off sharply. "No matter what kind of person she is, what you did just now was too much. You should stop… before I call the police."
Eri let out a mocking laugh, resting her hands on her hips.
"Call the cops? Really? Oh, that's rich! You're just like all those other idiots — men, women, whatever — all under her damn spell. What the hell does she feed you people!?"
Duyen's eyes hardened. She wasn't backing down, and Eri could tell. The foreign girl sighed bitterly, grabbing her purse.
"Let me guess," she said, pointing a finger at Duyen.
"You've fallen for her too, huh? Well, wake up, sweetheart. One day, you'll see for yourself. Play with fire, and you will get burned."
With that, she shot Mina one last venomous glare and stormed out of the café, fuming.
Mina just smirked.
"A mistress with that much mouth? She and Valko really are made for each other."
Duyen ignored the remark, her eyes following Eri through the window until she was sure the woman had gone. Outside, Eri slowed down, frowning.
"Wait a second," she muttered.
"Something's not right… Could that tomboy…?"
But before she could look back, someone inside the café yanked the curtains shut.
Inside, Duyen blinked in confusion as Mina suddenly got up and drew the drapes tight.
"Mina? What are you—"
Mina's voice was calm. "Good. No cameras in here."
"Huh?"
Duyen was still confused when Mina suddenly wrapped her arms around Duyen's neck — and kissed her.
"Mmmm~"
Duyen froze, her entire face blazing red. Her mind went blank; she couldn't even react. Mina's lips pressed harder, her tongue parting Duyen's lips as her hands roamed Duyen's shoulders, pulling her closer and closer until their bodies met.
Duyen's knees buckled. She fell back onto the chair as Mina climbed onto her lap, kissing her deeper, harder. Mina's long black hair spilled down, veiling their faces in shadow.
Duyen gasped for air, her hands trembling as she hit the armrest helplessly — until Mina finally released her.
"Mina…"
Duyen whispered, dazed, her voice trembling. Mina looked down at her, flushed and breathless — an ethereal vision.
"I'm sorry," Mina murmured, brushing Duyen's cheek. "I just… got scared. And I wanted to feel safe."
Duyen frowned, confused. Scared? That was her reason for kissing her?
As Duyen tried to make sense of it, Mina slipped off her lap, dragged a chair close, and sat beside her. Her hand lingered on Duyen's.
"W–wait," Duyen blurted, flustered. She jumped up, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around Mina's shoulders.
"You're soaked."
"Oh… thanks," Mina said, cheeks bright red.
Duyen carefully dried her hair and clothes, gentle but focused. Mina wasn't even that wet, but for some reason, she couldn't stop smiling softly at the touch — at the warmth of Duyen's hands brushing against her skin. That made her shiver, her bottom contracted a little. Even though Duyen did nothing.
"You're the first person who's ever done this for me," Mina said quietly.
"Really? That can't be true," Duyen looked up, surprised.
"It is," Mina chuckled.
"Everyone always assumes I've got it all figured out. And sure, I do — most of the time."
Duyen sighed. "Even so… sometimes it's okay to ask for help. No one's perfect, you know."
"I know," Mina said, eyes soft.
"But I've never been able to trust anyone easily. That's just… who I am. Except with you. Only with you do I feel safe."
Duyen felt her heart skip. Mina's gaze was so full of raw emotion that it nearly drew her in. She could feel the pull, the temptation — but she shook her head, whispering.
"You know we can't… not like this…"
The light in Mina's eyes dimmed, her smile fading.
"Yeah… not right now."
Silence fell between them.
Duyen's chest tightened. She didn't understand what Mina really wanted — if any of this was love, or just an impulse, a moment of weakness. Either way, it was wrong. Mina was still Valko's wife — publicly, no less.
But before Duyen could speak, Mina smiled again — confident, almost chillingly so.
"Don't worry," she said softly. "That won't last much longer."
"What?" Duyen frowned, confused.
Mina took her hands, looking deep into her eyes.
"I know it's selfish to make you wait this long. But, my dearest Duyen… do you trust me?"
"Trust you? Mina, what are you—"
Mina didn't let her finish. She lifted Duyen's hand and kissed her palm gently, pressing her cheek against it.
"Because you and I… belong to each other," she whispered.
"And nothing will ever tear us apart."
She looked up and smiled — a smile so beautiful, yet it filled Duyen with dread.
As Duyen left the café later, pushing her motorbike outside, she looked back to see Mina still standing there, watching her with that same tender smile. Her heart thudded violently in her chest — like a warning of something she couldn't yet name.
Halfway down the street, she froze. Her hand unconsciously touched her chest.
Mina kissed me, she realized. So why hadn't she fainted this time?
She sighed, already dreading the idea of explaining this to Shana later that night. Lying wasn't her strong suit — and Shana's temper was legendary.
Lost in thought, Duyen didn't notice the figure watching her from across the street — a tall man with long black hair cascading down his back, wrapped in a dark coat. His eyes narrowed, voice a low murmur.
"Just as I thought… Her soul and the fox's have finally become one."
---
That night, inside one of the most luxurious restaurants in the Techko 99 Tower — one of the most exclusive and expensive venues in all of Starfall City, maybe even the entire country. It was a place where the best chefs worked, where the finest wines were poured, and where only the wealthiest guests could afford a seat.
Mina and Valko sat at the centerpiece table, overlooking the city's most beautiful river glittering beneath the night lights. Mina was dressed in a red, backless slit dress that perfectly outlined her goddess-like curves. Across from her, Valko looked almost feverishly excited in a full white suit with a deep red tie. The two of them had never looked so stunning together.
Yet Valko's expression was almost uncontrollably thrilled — as if he could barely contain himself anymore. Sitting right in front of him was the woman of his dreams — his wife. He'd waited two long years for this moment.
Mina smiled seductively; she knew exactly how obsessed Valko was with her. Strangely enough, she didn't stop him from staring tonight. She lifted her wine glass, her crimson lips murmuring sweetly,
"Shall we make a toast for SCJ?"
Valko flinched a little but quickly broke into a laugh. He raised his glass, too.
"To our victory," he said.
The two glasses clinked softly, and they both took a sip. Valko couldn't stop glancing at Mina over the rim of his glass — she seemed to be completely in her element tonight, radiant and composed.
His face was growing hot. Even though he had a strong tolerance for alcohol, it wasn't the wine that was making him drunk — it was Mina.
"Honestly," he began, "this time, it's all thanks to you, Mina. If you hadn't helped me this morning, our stock price wouldn't have skyrocketed like this. We're all over the news now — everyone's talking about you."
Mina chuckled softly, her eyes playful and teasing.
"I didn't really do anything. If the stock went up, I guess I just got lucky. But you're right…" — her voice dropped into a slow, silky tone — "this is our victory, isn't it?"
Valko's heartbeat pounded harder with every second she looked at him like that. Mina was the only woman who could ever make him weak. Her words fueled him with something he couldn't name — a desperate rush, a sense of purpose. He finished his glass in one go.
"Yes… our war," he said, reaching across the table to hold her hand.
"Mina, I swear — even if I have only one breath left in me… together, SCJ will be ours. And when that happens, no one will dare to disrespect you — not when they know you're my wife."
Mina didn't pull her hand back, though her smile was nothing but a beautiful lie.
"I don't know if I deserve such honor," she said sweetly.
"Mina…"
Valko's eyes glazed over as he stared at her. She'd always been beautiful — but tonight, she was beyond words.
It had been two years since their last horrible fight, two years since they could even talk properly. He never thought his wife could be this gentle again, more tender than he ever imagined. Maybe she had finally forgiven him. Maybe… tonight could be the night—
"Mina, tonight… would you—"
Before he could finish, Mina's hand instinctively twitched back. Then, his phone rang.
Valko clicked his tongue in irritation. He didn't want anything to interrupt this moment.
"That sounds important," Mina said softly.
Reluctantly, he released her hand.
"Sorry, I'll just take this one call."
He picked up the phone — it was his assistant. Valko's tone immediately turned sharp.
"What is it? I told you not to schedule anything tonight."
"Sir— it's bad. That video… it's everywhere on the internet now!"
"What!?"
Valko nearly shouted, but realizing Mina was sitting across from him, he forced his voice down.
"What video?"
"Someone claiming to be a former employee from the Goten supermarket meat supply chain just uploaded footage showing we've been processing contaminated pork since 2033! The shareholders are panic-selling their stocks right now!"
"What the hell!?" Valko couldn't control his tone anymore.
Mina tilted her head, feigning concern. "What's wrong, Valko?"
He quickly ended the call. "Alright, I'll handle it. Give me a minute."
Mina's expression was the picture of worry.
"What happened, Valko? Don't tell me SCJ's in trouble."
Valko clenched his jaw.
"Yeah… some bastard just leaked a video showing our supply chain to Goten using infected meat."
Mina frowned.
"That can't be true, can it? I mean, your supply chain has the highest quality control. There's no way—"
"Right, right. It's a setup. Someone's trying to frame me."
He avoided her eyes as he said it — because he was lying.
"I'm sorry, Mina. I really have to go handle this."
"It's alright," she said gently. "It sounds serious. You should go take care of it."
"Thank you, Mina. I love you."
He left her there in the middle of the luxurious restaurant, hurrying toward the elevator.
The moment he disappeared from sight, Mina's worried face melted into a smile — calm, wicked, and satisfied. Her expression changed drastically. As if everything was going according to the plan she had made.
She chuckled softly, took another sip of her exquisite wine, and whispered,
"Take your time, Valko. The fun's just getting started."