Arissa's eyes trailing through old photos that were neatly displayed like a gallery in the family room while Jojo was busy taking phone calls outside the room. Her eyes observed the sepia and black and white photos one by one carefully. Until then, her eyes fell on a large family photo in a golden frame. There is a beautiful woman is sitting with a handsome man with sad eyes while on her lap, there's a young boy that smiles happily. When she saw the photo, Arissa couldn't stop her thumping heart. Cristan's face, even though he looks so young in that picture looks very cute and adorable from the Cristan that she knew. The gaze of those brown orbs was soft and happy, not as lonely as they are now.
Meanwhile, the face of the beautiful woman in the photo seems very familiar to Arissa. Her brain kept thinking, where did she had seen that lady before. Then, she remembered! A flashed of memory startled Arissa like a flash of lightning and suddenly, she remembered her name.
"Arina Levy?"
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The girl's eyes stared in awe at the beautiful lady who is giving a speech on the podium with a loud and clear voice. The content of her speech was simple and concise but at the same time, it is very heartwarming and inspiring. Moreover, it also encouraging and cheering up all the new students at Solacio University. That day was the first day Arissa set foot on her campus after she received an official announcement that she was finally granted a full scholarship from the state and she allowed to continue her education in college because her name was ranked 1st out of 10 Best National Rankings. After she considering some subjects, Arissa finally decided to take Visual Communication Design as her major in the Faculty of Art and Design at Solacio University.
On that first day, the Chancellor of Solacio University gave an opening speech to welcome all new students and motivate them to study seriously and work hard to aim for the best results. Afterward, they introduced a guest of honor to give a short speech to the students.
"Never be afraid to the future," said the woman straightforwardly with a victorious smile on her face.
"Never stop dreaming and keep moving on. Never aim you are the best but stay humble like a rice plant whose grains can give life and get rid of hunger. Keep fighting because God always looks and blesses those who never stop trying and keep working hard…. "
Those words were like a spark of flame which capable to burn embers deep inside her heart. Sometimes, whenever she remembered about her gloomy and dark past, her spirit dropped and she also often felt insecure when she set her feet in the same place with people who came from a good neighborhood than hers. But, that day, after she heard the speech, Arissa doesn't feel so little anymore. Her eyes lit up with a new joy and hope that she still has the same opportunity and chance as other people. Regardless of her dark past or their status and background, the finish line was always the same.
Until then, Arissa found out who the woman was.
She is….
Arina Levy, the heiress to the Levy Inc. which is in charge of multi-billion businesses diversely in retails, property, mining, tourism, and many more. The total assets owned under her maintenance were estimated equals to a value of the total assets from several small countries that combined. Even so, her demeanor was modest and down to earth. After she finished giving her speech, she immediately went down from the podium and mingled with the crowd of new students and greeted several students before she waved goodbye due to her hectic schedule that day.
From that day on, Arissa was determined to make Arina his role model and find out more about her personal life.
Arina Levy is also known as a philanthropist and has a special foundation that focuses on funding education for young children in poor countries and is currently involved in in-depth research to find the right treatment for chronic cancer patients without them have to undergo a painful chemotherapy process.
Until one day, Arissa heard the shocking news. Arina Levy died tragically in a traffic accident that happened 2 years ago! She still remembers how shaken she was when she watches the news on TV and how many people mourned and grieved with her sudden death. Millions of people remember Arina Levy, that all of her humanitarian deeds had brought a positive impact on many countries in the world, especially countries in the Third World. *
Now, her eyes still capture the same spirit from the look in the eyes of her idol in the picture.
"That's my mother ..."
A voice startled Arissa from behind and immediately, made her turned away.
Cristan was leaning back on the door then walking towards the photo. His facial expression is complicated and hard to read. After observing the photo for a moment, Cristan shifted his gaze at Arissa who still standing and utterly silent beside him.
"Do you know my mother?"
Arissa shook her head softly as she explained, "I've only ever seen her once while she gives a brief speech during my first day as a freshman at Solacio University. Since that day, I've been trying to find information as much as possible about her… "
"Wait, so you are the only child of Arina Levy?"
Arissa had just finished processing the words Cristan had just heard earlier. While Cristan just said yes with a slight nod in a relaxed manner as usual.
Arissa's eyes fluttered rapidly in disbelief. No! This is impossible! This guy beside her was… her roommate. There is no such thing as a coincidence that could happen like this!
The man beside him… if she remembers correctly, his real was Cristan Lewis, right?
It is can't be if his real name is… Cristan…. Levy ??
"So your name is Cristan .. Levy? Not Cristan Lewis? " Arissa asked hesitantly with a racing heart. She does hope that her guess is wrong and Cristan is not the biological child of her idol.
"That's right, my real name is Cristan Levy. Lewis is my alias. Why?" Cristan explained casually without feeling guilty when he finally revealing his true identity.
Deg !! Arissa felt that her heart skipped a beat.
She gasped loudly and covered her mouth while her eyes were wide open in disbelief.
His roommate is Arina Levy's biological child and the sole heir of the entire Levy Inc ??? That multi-billion company???
Oh my…
Arissa immediately turned her face around with embarrassment. No…no, this can't be…?
She should have been aware before. When the car started to enter the mansion, Arissa should have known that Cristan wasn't the mere guest that she thought before.
One thing that she never been realized…
During their daily lives in the apartment, Cristan never shows any slightest signs that he came from the "crazy rich families". He was seen as a ruffian student in an awkward style but his handsomeness face was so attractive that he was able to get the attention of all girls around him very easily. Except for Arissa.
Arissa was currently very nervous and confused. She has no experience hanging out with the "haves" like Cristan now. Her insecurities starting to reappear when suddenly a voice greeted him from behind again.
"So, would you like to introduce your guest to this old geezer, Cristan?"
Arissa turned her body around and saw the short figure of an old grandfather with a gentle face that smiling kindly at her. Even so, his dignity radiates. With one simple glance, Arissa immediately knew that she was standing in front of the real owner in the Rose Mansion.
"Grandpa, I would like to introduce you to her. This is my friend, Arissa ..."
Arissa politely greeted Big Grandpa with a light nod and she stretched out for a handshake with a genuine smile on her beautiful face, "Hello, how are you? My name is Arissa Nova. Nice to meet you, Grandpa "
The old man's face was stunned when he saw her features at that time. Especially when he saw her navy-blue eyes. Under the dim crystal light, her looks appear perfectly beautiful and graceful like a heavenly goddess.
Great Grandpa just stared back at Cristan who still standing beside him, chuckled lightly, and looking at his grandson with a meaningful look.
"What a great choice ..." The old man whispered and winked once amusedly while Cristan chuckled lightly when he heard his grandfather's compliment.
Shortly after, Chara walked into the room and after saluting them with respect, she conveyed a message that Great Grandpa, Cristan, and Arissa should go to the hall immediately because the party was about to begin and the guests were arriving.
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Jazz music played softly while the singer sang beautifully with her melodious voices and festive the party without being overwhelmed. The guests are relaxed and they chatted happily. While Arissa and Jojo admiring the elegance of the hall which is decorated with 10 large crystal chandeliers that hanging on the ceiling. All the food and beverages which served are also the best choices that and rarely found in occasional party. Moreover, the guests also spoilt with the spectacular views of the twinkling city lights all around the mansion, making the party even more exclusive.
"This is insane, Sa! Most of the guests here come from prolific businessmen, high-profile government officers, and celebrities that I usually only see in magazines and television… " Jojo whispered nervously to Arissa who is standing next to him. Arissa just responded with a nod in agreement without saying much while she sipping a glass of champagne that she had been holding earlier. Jojo and Arissa, suddenly felt like a pair of anchovies in a group of killer whales. Meanwhile, Cristan and Great Grandpa were mingled casually and blend in with the guests that attending his birthday party.
Until then, Jojo suddenly saw the figure of a middle-aged man dressed uniquely in a stylish blazer. Jojo felt that his heart almost jumped out from his rib chest when he recognized who he is.
That's Denise McKenzie, the owner and main designer of the legendary Summerville Boutique! Usually, he rarely comes to parties like this because Denise was widely known as someone who doesn't like being in crowds. So, if he appears at the party tonight, you can say that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So rare!
"Eh, Sa! I have to go somewhere, OK? I'll meet you again here. Byeeee…. " Jojo suddenly waved his goodbye while he's half running to catch his idol designer before his figure disappeared in the crowd.
Arissa was dumbfounded by Jojo's silly act as she blinked a few times in disbelief.
What… what exactly just happened?
But then, a handsome man with a branded suit came along. Wearing a charming smile while he approached Arissa from the side and greeted her in a soft voice.
"Good evening. This my first time seeing you here at this party. I hope I'm not bothering you .. "
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