"I see ..."
Cristan replied to him shortly after listening to Jojo's story with a serious look. Jojo had shared some parts that he knew about Arissa's past but it wasn't all, especially the truth about her eye color and her status as a single parent. Jojo still hasn't fully trusted Cristan yet, so he only gave a piece of brief information about their partnership and how they two could get along in years until now.
After hearing his story about Arissa's struggle to get a scholarship and how did she live her life, Cristan was stunned. Their ages are not too indifferent but their fates were opposite. If Cristan was born with a silver spoon in his mouth * and took everything for granted, Arissa was born with bad luck and misfortunes. She even had to fight hard to turn her life around. And, according to Jojo, not even once she complained about her tough and bumpy life!
A determination sparked up in Cristan's eyes.
As he was expected before, Arissa was indeed very much different from the other chicks hanging or banging at him. An alpha one, perhaps?
...........................
"What's the matter, Anne?" Arissa asked quietly when once the two of them were already in the kitchen.
"Sorry for causing you so much trouble you before. But please listen to me for this time, Risa. We almost run out of the money that you sent before. It was used to fix some leaks on the ceiling. I used some of it for paying the tuition fee of the junior children in the orphanage. I also use the money to cover my mother's medical bills. Brother Jose also still sends some money but you know that the need for orphanages is quite big these days and it wasn't coverage either… "
Anne explained nervously with guilt in her tone. She unwilling want to put more burden on Arissa and Jose but she got confused and had no idea who else to ask for help to cover up all the expenses while their adoptive mother could only rely on her to manage the orphanage these days.
Arissa took a deep breath and exhaled heavily, "I understand ...."
"Take it easy, okay? Please take care of our mom and I will try find some help for you as best as I could "
Anne hugged Arissa tightly in her embrace and tears starting to roll down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry, Sis. I don't want to put more burden on your shoulders but I don't know who else I could ask for helping us..."
"It's alright, Anne." Arissa replied softly as she calmed her down and patted her back gently. Fortunately, Jacob, her son, was able to continue his study with the scholarship that he got so it put her mind at ease. Now, she only needs to focus on how to get and raise the money as much as possible. An unyielding determination flared in her eyes.
"Well, I'll go home first, OK? Please take care of Mother. "
Anne nodded weakly as she let go of her with an apologetic gaze.
...........................….
Seeing her arrival who is now walked in their direction after her short visitation, Jojo and Cristan got up immediately.
"Is everything okay?" Jojo asked her softly which answered by a nod.
"Can we buy some food first? I'm starving, Jo… "
Arissa pleads to her best friend with a spoilt tone and completely ignored Cristan who stood exactly next to her. She is smiling but the smile didn't reach her eyes. There is a tint of sadness flashed inside her gaze and Jojo only suspects that this has something to do with the orphanage.
...........................
Uncle Ben's Restaurant
Jazz was played softly to entertaining the customers while they were chatting in the restaurant. A nostalgic ambiance strongly radiates in this place. This heritage restaurant is quite old and always gives her a sense of belonging for Arissa because this is the same place where Brother Jose said his farewell 15 years ago to her. And now, the three of them are sitting at the same table where Arissa and Brother Jose used to be.
"The restaurant is pretty old but the food is tasty and it's affordable," Arissa explained it with a light smile on her beautiful face to Cristan who is sitting before her now.
"I hope you don't mind. I'm afraid that the menu here doesn't suit your taste .. "
"It is okay. I'm never been fussy about food whatever they taste like… " Cristan replied to her honestly with a smirk on his face. Meanwhile, Jojo has started ordering food for him.
"Believe me… the food here is heavenly yummy. You would never regret it!! " Jojo said as he called the waiter and started ordering his and Arissa's favorite menu and Cristan just followed his recommendation.
Not long after, their orders arrived and served on the table. From the smells, Cristan feels that his stomach has growled violently. Realizing how hungry he was and they ordered quite a lot. Anglo oglio spaghetti, bitter Ballen, chicken cream soup, cheesy rice, broccoli casserole, lemon tea, and some others. No more waiting, the three of them rushed and eat all the food that had been served on the table.
"Oh my God ... ..I'm melting ... They are so good... Now, I can die happily…" said Jojo with flooding tears of joy because of the deliciousness of the dish. Meanwhile, Cristan shamelessly devoured all the dishes in front of him like a caveman that hasn't been fed for a month.
"So good…Oh my !!!" Cristan puffed honestly praised the food and raising both of his thumbs with a burp and full tummy.
Arissa only laughed with amusement watching the behavior of the two satisfied males in front of her. Arissa looks so much prettier in the eyes of Cristan today. She looks more relaxed and cheerful. Way much different from the girl whom he was met at their first time in the apartment.
Then, the three of them went home.
Tomorrow, Arissa must start her new day as her "alter ego" and fulfill her duties as a new assigned "model". Once they arrived in front of the apartment, Jojo told her. "You should prepare yourself and get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, I'll be picking you up in the morning. Okay?"
"Around 7 in the morning. Yes, I know. I have to stand by at 10, right? "
Arissa replied casually before she got out of the car.
"Wow ... well, it's so early. Where will be you going? " Cristan asked her with a deep curiosity. After today, he felt that the relationship between the three of them are getting closer.
"Oh ... I should help him with another photoshoot,"
Arissa explained casually. Masked her face with white lies.
"Ow, great. Where is it?" asked Cristan again.
"Fashion Blast .."
Cristan suddenly stiffened and his eyes narrowed with a slight suspicious glare.
"Umm… is there something wrong?" Arissa asked, confused by his sudden reaction which it completely unusual of his goofy style.
"Nothing. It's fine. I'll go first. Anyway, thanks for the ride, Jo ... "
Without further ado, Cristan immediately got out of the car and left Jojo and Arissa who was still dumbstruck in the car.
"Tssh… what a rude bastard…. Where did you find the eccentric like that? " Jojo spatted sarcastically at Arissa. Arissa could only shrug and exhaled a long sigh resignedly.
"Well ... I accidentally picked him up from a sewer??" She giggled amusedly. Answering her best friend's silly question.
"It's a shame, even though he's quite handsome ..."
Jojo said again with a pout on his face and grinning widely afterward.
"See you tomorrow, Sa…."
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Note : This story will be updating regularly on Saturday & Sunday. Your comments, reviews and votes will be a great support for me. And for those who pick this book then choose to keep it in your private collection, I would be very grateful. Thank you so much & happy reading, guys...