"So, where was I? Yes, Janice was my first big client. We hit it off because of our shared interests. Which is why I'm bringing you to her," Mandy paused, tilting her head slightly to look at Ace from the corner of her eyes. Seeing his sore face, a subtle smile played on her lips as she continued, "I'm sure she'll come to appreciate you like I do."
Listening to her words, a glint of understanding shone in Ace's eyes, and he indifferently pointed out, "So, I'm just eye candy, distracting her while you get her to give old Greg a loan."
When he was average-looking, his own sister had hesitated to introduce him to her friends. But now, with his newfound good looks, even the three-time 'Ms. Country Rose' was charmed and eagerly introducing him to her closest friends. He couldn't help but sigh, a wry smile forming on his lips as he mused, 'It seems even in real life good-looking people get a entirely different script from the one the average-looking get.'
Mandy leaned toward him, giving him a playful nudge to lighten his mood. But seeing Ace maintain his indifferent expression no matter what, a mischievous glint shone in her eyes. With a smirk forming on her lips, she teased, "Maybe I should have led with the fact that she owns this resort and is a celebrated figure in society." Yet, she failed to garner any reaction from him.
Usually, Janice would come to greet her upon learning of her arrival. But today, she seemed to be late. Mandy decided to go find her, as it happens she had some work with her.
Soon, the duo entered a secluded part of the resort. As they approached a massive gate, the alarmed security guards relaxed upon seeing Mandy, returning to their posts. The ornate gates swung open automatically, allowing Mandy to drive through. After a leisurely ride past a mile-long vibrant flower garden, they arrived at a stunning Victorian villa with the Teasure Lake in its backyard. Parking the golf cart recklessly right infront of the grand staircase leading to the villa's front door, Mandy led Ace, advising, "Don't be shy. As long as you don't hit on or hound her, everything's fine."
Ace didn't understand why Mandy would say that—until he saw the woman who confidently came to receive them. She wore nothing but an oversized white T-shirt that barely concealed her curvaceous figure, exuding a poised aura as her ample hips swayed naturally with each measured step. His feet froze, and his mind went blank as he guessed the true identity of Mandy's close friend. He tried hard not to stare at her but found it impossible to look away from her face.
"Mandy, I heard you came with your family, so I didn't want to intrude," Janice explained, giving Mandy a bear hug that caused her T-shirt to ride up, revealing cheeky denim shorts underneath and putting an end to Ace's wild imagination that had sent all the blood rushing to his second head below his waist.
"That's alright," Mandy replied warmly, gently embracing Janice.
"So, this is the nephew you've been raving about online," Janice whispered, looking directly at Ace and biting her lip mischievously. Releasing Mandy from the hug, she tied the hem of her T-shirt around her waist in a knot, leaning forward to accentuate her mature figure as she teased, "I thought you were exaggerating, but now it feels like your words didn't do him justice."
"Yes, that's him, Ace Lander. He really admires your work," Mandy announced proudly.
"Is it." Janice stepped forward gracefully with her shoulders back, intentionally emphasizing her ample bosom. She extended her delicate hand to Ace and said smoothly, "Hi, I'm Janice Jane."
"I–It's an honor to meet you, Madam Jane," Ace stammered at first but then returned the greeting with a firm handshake once he recovered from the shock of meeting his childhood celebrity crush, Janice Jane—the talented and beautiful actress who had starred as the iconic character Betty Rose, a.k.a. Dame Wasp, in the sci-fi franchise Cyber Craft. However, his shock didn't end there, as Dame Wasp reported, 'Master, Janice Jane is from the 'World of Curses.''
Whenever Dame Wasp resided in his cursed toybox, Ace made a point of sharing his senses with her, allowing her to monitor his surroundings for curse activity. Just now, he learned that his childhood celebrity crush was a curse master—or perhaps a curse slave.
Now he understood how an actress with one hit franchise, who had vanished from screens for over a decade, could live such an ultra-rich life. Fortunately, she didn't seem to be a high-tier curse user; otherwise, she might have seen through his incomplete curse-shroud arts during their handshake just like Dame Wasp discerned she was a curse user.
"So, you're one of those, huh? Chivalrous on the outside but a perv on the inside," Janice remarked, pursing her lips as she noticed the sudden change in Ace's gaze. She thought she was just having a little harmless fun with her friend's beloved nephew, but his gaze suggested a different intent.
"Excuse me?" Ace asked with a frown, pulling his hand back. Knowing Janice was a curse user, his gaze on her hardened and his caution hit all time high, erasing all his juvenile fantasies about her. Finding her remark unsettling—not something one would say to an acquaintance, let alone someone they had just met—he guessed celebrities were used to making such rude comments to people's faces without fearing consequence.
"J, I thought the same thing at first," Mandy interjected casually. Ignoring Ace's questioning gaze, she rested her elbow on his shoulder and locked eyes with Janice. "But when I basically threw myself at him, to my surprise, his mask didn't crack. He's genuine. If you don't believe me, have a crack at it."
"I trust you, but some wolf require more experienced hands to get them to reveal themselves," Janice replied judgingly, her disapproval clear from her expression, before turning to meet Mandy's eyes. "So, what brings you here?"
"I need you to arrange $2.4 million in cash and have your manager draw up a few contracts by this afternoon," Mandy requested, not bothering to ask if it was feasible—showing her trust in her friend's capabilities.
"Alright, let's go find her. Last I heard from her, she was sunbathing by the lakeshore," Janice recalled, leading Mandy and Ace into her lavish villa.
Noticing Ace's tense expression as they trailed behind Janice, Mandy sighed and tried to console him. "That's why they say, 'Don't meet your heroes.' But don't give up yet. If you play your cards right, you might get lucky and fulfill your childhood fantasies."
Ace's eyes widened in shock as he glanced between Mandy's mischievous grin and Janice's swaying back. Mandy quickly delivered the twist with a laugh, "I meant an autographed picture or an action figure, silly. What did you think?"
"A threesome," Ace growled in a deep voice, his eyes narrowing. Mandy's mischievous smile faltered, and Janice spun around to face him, disbelief etched on her face. Savouring their expressions, a slow smirk spread across his face as he asked, "What, you think only you girls know how to joke around?"
As she listened to him, Janice arched an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. Her eyes danced over Ace's physique before she nudged Mandy with her elbow, signaling her to step aside. "Mandy, darling, you know where the lake is, don't you? Go find Delores—she'll take care of your request."
However, Mandy clung to Ace's waist possessively and sharply announced. "He's mine, J. Back off!"
"Just a gentle reminder—I'm underage," Ace muttered, hoping to curb their wild antics. He couldn't afford to be bold in this situation. Janice was a curse user, Mandy was family, and he couldn't tell if either of them was being serious.
"Forbidden fruit is tastier," Janice remarked, ignoring Mandy's threatening glares as she briskly turned to lead them to Delores. Her words hung in the air, leaving Mandy clinging to Ace like a squirrel guarding its nut. She had only wanted to surprise him, but now Mandy was starting to regret bringing him here.