"So, how do you think, Miss Arissa?"
"Is it a yes or no?"
WHATTTT?????
Arissa's eyes flickered rapidly several times. She felt like she'd just misheard them when finally, Cristan repeated his own words.
"I want to be Snow's manager ..."
"NO!!"
Jojo keeps refusing his request firmly and crossing his arms on the chest.
"Then I can't tell you anything about Monica and if, someday, the same thing happens, I won't help you though..."
"Is it fair enough, Jo?"
Cristan explained lightly as he took another sip of his tea and closed his eyes.
Hmm… why it does smell so good?
Jojo's lips pout while his face turned ugly in the next second. He surely doesn't like this!! He turned his body around and pacing back and forth with a crumpled face and ruffled hair.
Ugh! How annoying is this!!
Seeing Jojo's ugly face, Arissa sighed heavily before then, she finally spoke.
"I agree…."
Eh? Wait .....what??
Did she just say a yes at this ridiculous request of his?
Jojo felt like he just heard it wrongly but then, Arissa repeated her sentence.
"I agree. Well, you can be my manager starting from tomorrow… "
Cristan did not say anything when he heard her statement, but a victorious smile on his annoying face clearly had explained everything.
I won, Jo!
Now, it's his eyes that flickered in disbelief.
"Are you losing your mind, Sa ?? No ... You can't !! " Jojo keeps saying his rejection frustratedly and gazed at her intensely. But Arissa didn't budge. There is a firm determination in those eyes of hers.
Arissa rose from her chair and hold Jojo's shoulders gently. Her expression softened when she finally spoke her next lines.
"Listen to me, Jo…"
"You can't be my manager. You are a supervisor here and you always have plenty of things to do in your schedule, right? You are one of the senior flagship stylists at Fashion Blast. Some so many people are going to need your help and guidance every day…" "Like today…if he didn't come and save me in time, my face probably would have been permanently damaged. I need someone who always is there for me officially and also, he can take care of me temporarily until my contract is over. "
Arissa replied and explained to her best buddy in a firm tone.
Jojo's face still in pout mode and unwilling, but her words made a point too. The incident that happened earlier was caused by his carelessness and that young man had come in time to save Arissa. Even though, the consequence is…..
Her disguise as "Snow" was finally revealed accidentally.
"Great to hear it…" Cristan smirked happily and yawned once again.
"Today must be my lucky day. I had closed 2 good deals already…"
Jojo's body suddenly felt limp and dropped on the floor while at the same time, he leans against the wall. He felt utterly helpless right now.
"I'm so sorry, Arissa…" A pang of guilt can be heard from his deep voice.
Arissa just said nothing and tapped his shoulder to calm him down.
"It's alright. Today's incident wasn't your fault either…"
"All right, since we've reached a closure, I'll give you a piece of slight information about her whereabouts. But firstly, I want you to listen to this ... "
Cristan pushed a button and a recording voice came out from his phone. It was a conversation between Linfey and Monica that he heard before. While they're listening to the audio, the facial expressions of Jojo and Arissa changed dramatically. They were utterly shocked. Arissa never thought that a woman as beautiful as Linfey would do such a cruel method to get rid of her from the entertainment world. Once it's over, Jojo suddenly punched the wall with his fist loudly.
"Damn!! I knew it must be her! " Jojo hissed in anger and frustation. Jojo has often heard and knew about the dirty tricks that Linfey used to get rid of all her competitors before, but there was not a single lead that she involved in those incidents. This is the first time Jojo heard a real recording of Linfey's voice! This is a miracle!! This is exactly what they need!! A real proof of hers!
"Please send it to my phone now! I'll bring it to the police station! " Jojo commanded Cristan instantly. But, Cristan didn't budge and just shook his head slowly with a smirk.
"No ... not now. I have a better idea. Do you want to hear it? "
Jojo and Arissa immediately sat in front of Cristan and listened to his idea with a serious face. Cristan told them everything. About his meeting with Monica tonight and how she and her family had been secured by him. Moreover, Cristan discussed other details which needed so they may able to sue and ensnare her legally. So, she can't escape anymore.
While listening to his talking, Arissa could not help herself when a deep admiration grows deep within her for this young man. Even though he often looks clumsy and annoying, a thing turns out that he also can set up a plan which is very detailed and accurate. Totally beyond her expectation before!
At this time, her trust in him slowly started to grow. Not only that, somehow, at the same time, his presence was giving her a sense of security and comfort whenever he was around. This feeling was strangely awkward for him but also very pleasant.
"How was it? It's clear? "
Jojo and Arissa abruptly nodded in agreement. Jojo even posed his thumbs up with a huge grin on his face.
"It's great! I'm sure it's gonna work!!"
"Ok, for now… I need to know the "Snow" schedule for this week. Do you have it with you, don't you? "
Without further ado, Jojo sent it all to Cristan through his cell phone. Shortly, Cristan received and saved it in a special folder inside his phone.
"Done…"
"Alright then. Let me say goodbye to my dear here, okay?" Jojo stretched his arm widely and hug Arissa tightly before they finally parted. She also seemed calm and relax now. Arissa nodded slightly with a smile and walked Jojo out. It is always good for having someone on your side, especially when you're down and at your lowest point. And after today, she has never been feeling better for being secure and protected.
...............…
Cristan was leisurely sitting in the living room and playing on his cell phone when suddenly, Arissa sat in front of him and looked at him intensely.
"Hmm?"
"Is there something that I can do for you, Miss Arissa?"
Cristan asked her bluntly but his eyes were still glued on the screen. Hiding the heat that slowly crept to his face. He always feels shy whenever Arissa stared at him like this even though he was trying so hard to look great as best as he could be in front of Arissa.
Arissa shook her head lightly when she smiles widely appeared at him.
"Thank you so much for today okay? I'm just... speechless .. "
"What you did today. It means a lot to me…. Thank you, Cristan…"
Arissa closed her eyes as she remembered what was happened this morning. If he didn't show up, maybe her face was ruined now ...
Cristan walked over and squatted in front of the girl. Observed her. Watched her closely and tapped her knees gently to calm her down. Arissa opened her eyes and those pair of blue orbs look so soft and affectionate for him. But they were full of unshed tears.
"It's fine. Everything will okay from now on. Let me take care of you starting from today .. "
Arissa nodded slowly while Cristan took her in his embrace and let her tears flow out wetting his shirt. Hugging her tightly while her body still trembled a bit.
"Shhhh….. Trust me okay?"
Her body gradually stops shaking and with reddened eyes, Arissa smiled genuinely at him.
Deg!
Cristan was stunned by the scene. It felt like his heart skipped a beat for a moment when he saw the girl's sincere smile.
That night, Cristan had fallen under her spell while his heart was flowery with warmth.
Ah…. He's in love….