Chapter 50: The Slap

The whole Park clan except Young-Jae was in Ashma's room looking at her to find out what she will do next. The thing they feared was about to happen. People were about to know about the relationship between Ashma and Young-Soo and they had to hide it.

Young-Soo was slightly relaxed in comparison to others. He was ready to tell the world about his firstborn. But he knew that was not something Ashma wanted or any of his family members. They just wanted to get to know her, not announce to the world about a hidden child in India.

He looked at Vidhi with hopeful eyes. She understood his expression but signalled him to wait. She knew he was dying inside to call Ashma his child but no one was ready for the repercussions that might cause.

"Wait! why haven't Priyanka called me yet or any of my PR team?" asked Ashma. More than asking she was talking to herself out loud.

"Korea is three and a half hours ahead of India. All your employees are asleep," informed Baek-Hyeon.

She closed her eyes and took in the information. "Oh, right. That means I can't call them. I will have to drop a mail."

"You do that. I will keep an eye on the news and will keep you updated," said Bong-Cha and ran out of the room.

"Thank… you…," shouted Ashma after her "…I guess."

"Send the mail and get ready. If you want to avoid the paparazzi, you need to go to the hospital early," said Eun-Kyung.

"I will call Chinsuna, she will meet you at the hospital," said Baek-Hyeon.

"That's a good idea. If she comes here to pick me up, that will waste the time. I will call the cab," said Ashma.

"Let me drive you for once," requested Baek-Hyeon.

"Thank you."

"Okay, I will meet you in half an hour, get ready."

"Okay."

Ashma got up from the bed but her knees gave in. She was about to fall when Young-Soo grabbed her. He helped her to sit back on the bed.

"Are you okay?" asked Young-Soo.

"Yes, I am fine, just sore on the knees," replied Ashma.

"Let me help you," said Young-Soo. He picked her up. She wrapped her arms around his shoulder and he helped her all the way to the bathroom. She grabbed the bathroom door and looked at him.

"Thank you," said Ashma to Young-Soo. He beamed with happiness.

"You are very welcome," replied Young-Soo.

"What dress you wanted to wear, I will get it out," asked Vidhi.

"The sea-green frock and the white full-length shrug," replied Ashma.

"Okay, I will bring them."

She stood at the bathroom door and Vidhi placed her towel and dress inside the bathroom. Ashma limped and entered the bathroom. She locked the door and sat on the toilet seat. For a change instead of reading emails, she opened the email app on her phone and started typing a message for her PR team. She CC'ed Priyanka and the rest of the team in that mail.

"Sub: Urgent PR disaster

Dear PR Team,

When you wake up, you will find that I am in the news, though it is for positive reasons, I need you to keep an eye on that and keep the positivity intact. Keep an idea on our social media, watch the traffic and keep replying to our followers. Make sure no one finds anything personal about me.

I also need you to tell the people that I came back to India as soon as I received the dress. I don't need to tell you how to do your job but here's an idea. You can tell that I am busy with the spring fashion show so can't come out in public. I will be back in India before Fashion week.

PS: Priyanka, please coordinate with them and get me out of this soup. Call me as soon as you wake up.

Note for Legal: Give the media company who manages Salt, a notice that next time they use our products or my name without my consent, we will sue them. Make the notice a strong one. Before sending, send me a copy. DON'T I REPEAT, DON'T SEND THE NOTICE WITHOUT GETTING IT DOUBLE CHECKED BY ME.

HR: I fired Rishabh yesterday. I hope you cleared all his dues. Sorry for not informing earlier but I hope Priyanka informed you.

Please email me or call me if you want to get in touch with me.

Best Regards

D. Ashma"

After sending the mail, she closed her phone and brushed her teeth. She took a quick shower and came out of the bathroom wearing a sea green, full-sleeved, trench frock.

When she came out she saw Young-Soo and her mother talking with each other, smiling at each other. She halted in her path. Her knees were bluish-black. It was getting difficult for her to stand. More than that, it was difficult for her to watch them smiling and talking with each other.

"Mom, help me to walk," she said harshly.

Vidhi gave a final smile to Young-Soo and came towards Ashma. She grabbed her waist and walked her to the mirror.

"Can you give me a little privacy?" said Ashma coolly.

"Yes, of course," said Young-Soo and left the mother and daughter alone.

Ashma did not like what she saw. She always saw her mother alone so seeing her with a man was uncomfortable for her. "What were you talking about?" she asked.

"You, what else?" replied Vidhi.

"Hmm."

She combed her long hair and braided it. The put on some kohl and lipstick and was ready to go. She wore her shrug, placed her mask in her pocket and went outside.

The moment Eun-Kyung saw Ashma she shouted, "she is ready, what are you doing?"

Baek-Hyeon came running.

"Sorry."

"Did you call Chin-Sun?" asked Ashma.

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"Yes, Ma'am," replied Baek-Hyeon, teasingly.

"Okay, let's go."

She moved ahead and started limping. Baek-Hyeon shook his head in disbelief and shouted, "when will you learn to ask for help?"

"What?" said Ashma.

Without giving her time to process, he picked her up in his arms and started walking out when she screamed, "Put me down, I can walk."

"No, you can't. Now, shut up," ordered Baek-Hyeon. Ashma looked with surprise at him.

He started walking out when Young-Jae appeared in the living room.

"What is happening here?" yelled Young-Jae.

"I am taking her to the hospital," said Baek-Hyeon. Young-Jae squinted his eyes and stared at Ashma.

"But did you take your keys?" asked Ashma.

"Yes, I have the key," replied Baek-Hyeon.

"Every key fob is hanging on that fancy key stand," taunted Ashma. She pointed to the key stand that was installed on the wall. Everyone used to hang their car keys on it after coming from outside.

Everyone started laughing. Eun-Kyung hit him on his head teasingly and handed him the key. Young-Jae rolled his eyes at Baek-Hyeon.

Baek-Hyeon went outside, placed Ashma softly on the ground and opened the car door for her. She carefully climbed in. He took her to the hospital where Chin-Sun was waiting for her at the emergency entrance.

Ashma put on her mask before getting down the car. Chin-Sun ran to her and screamed, "oh my god! You are trending."

"I know," whispered Ashma.

Chin-Sun lowered her voice and informed, "see those plain-clothed people at that entrance?"

"Yes."

"They are paparazzi, waiting for you. They heard that she hurt you, so they have been camping here since last night."

"What?" screamed Ashma.

"Yes."

"What if someone inside recognises me. They can inform the paparazzi," said Ashma.

"That's true so never take off your mask," suggested Chin-Sun.

"Okay."

She went inside with Chin-Sun. Chin-Sun talked to a nurse in Korean and asked her to give a tetanus shot to Ashma. The nurse asked for identification. Their fear found them. They had no other choice but to abide by the hospital's rules. Ashma gave the nurse her Passport. She screamed as soon as she read her name.

Ashma was not understanding a single word from the nurse's mouth. The whole conversation was in Korean. It seemed as if Chin-Sun first pleaded with the nurse when she didn't listen to her, she warned her. Chin-Sun's face was clear as a mirror. All her expression was easily readable.

The nurse nodded and went outside. She brought an injection with her and Ashma got rid of her shrug. She lifted the sleeve of her dress and the nurse injected her with the serum. She then dressed her wound. She was done within a second.

Chin-Sun too placed the mask on her face, and they came out of the hospital. What they saw next was an unbelievable scene. The paparazzi kept pestering Baek-Hyeon for details of the marriage. Suddenly, someone spotted Chin-Sun and recognised her even though she was wearing a mask. They ran towards her and surrounded Ashma and Chin-Sun.

Ashma froze. She had no idea what to do, how to react. She was surrounded by a lot of people; she could not escape the paparazzi. Baek-Hyeon fought with the sea of people and came near Chin-Sun. He signalled Ashma to try to move away but she was in the smack middle of everyone.

Every paparazzi kept clicking the photos and kept shoving the microphone in Baek-Hyeon's and Chin-Sun's faces.

Suddenly someone shouted, "oh my god! You are Designer Ashma."

"Shit," mouthed Ashma. Now it was Baek-Hyeon and Chin-Sun's turn to freeze. How the hell did they recognise her in her mask? Maybe they recognised her as they were searching for her. They were here for her. It was a chance that Baek-Hyeon and Chin-sun came to the hospital. Ashma cursed a lot in Hindi under her breath.

"Please talk to us," screamed one of the paparazzi.

"Let us go," shouted Baek-Hyeon.

"Please one question," said another paparazzi.

"She is not Ashma," said Baek-Hyeon.

"We have from our sources that Ms Man took her to hospital," said the first person who recognised Ashma.

Both Chin-Sun and Ashma looked at each other. That nurse blurted out everything.

"Fine, what do you want to ask?" said Ashma but still kept her mask on.

"You are with Ms Man. So, are you designing her wedding dress?"

"What? No," replied Ashma.

"Why are you with man family then?"

"She is here to design other ceremonial dresses, you all know she doesn't design wedding dresses," answered Chin-Sun.

"Now, if you will excuse us," yelled Baek-Hyeon.

Baek-Hyeon helped Ashma walk to the car. Paparazzi kept asking questions to Ashma like what do you want to say to salt? Will you sue her? Will you sue her company? She didn't reply to any one of that and sat in the car.

Baek-Hyeon drove both the girls home. Chin-Sun's driver followed them to the Park Mansion.

They all ran inside the house, Baek-Hyeon helped Ashma again. The moment Ashma entered the house the whole house echoed, "how dare you?"

Before she could answer, Slap! Her cheeks started to burn. She shook her head and looked forward.. It took her a minute to process that Young-Jae slapped her.

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