"Ugh..."
The noise that came from outside the room disturbed a woman who was sleeping. She sat up from her bed, rubbing her eyes slowly. It felt like she was still very sleepy, but she couldn't just ignore the noise. Very annoying.
"What's going on?" she asked when she came out of the room.
Hans.
Marsha's eyes widened slightly when she saw the man was already in Starla's apartment, her best friend. Seeing the expression Hans showed, Marsha could tell the man was in a dangerous mode.
"Don't dodge anymore. I warned you last night, Marsh. You see now, the reporters are gathered down there." Hans said without pause.
Starla, who had not yet left for work, looked at Hans angrily. "You can't take it. Running away from the problem is not the solution!"
Hearing that, Hans returned Starla's gaze no less fiercely. "Escape from the problem is indeed the solution for now!" reply Hans quickly.
"Marsha can stay at Hana's house or buy another apartment."
"And a waste of money? You didn't even notice, no one called her to just do an advert. She could lose her career if she stayed here." Hans' words made Marsha think about it.
It's true, Marsha couldn't lie to herself by saying that later someone would call her for a shoot or just an advertisement. But all of that was just her thoughts, so as not to make her heart hurt. Because in reality, not a single call needed it.
"Don't you brainwash her, Hans! She's not going anywhere, Hana and I will help her. So, you take it easy." Starla said that she didn't want Marsha to go. To leave is to get away from all her life in New York.
Hans closed his eyes as he gently massaged his temples. His head felt like it was going to explode. Facing Marsha's best friend did require extra energy, which he couldn't deny because he had been in this position before. But in different cases. They both can not be separated from the hardness of their head. Unlike Hana, who might take Hans's side, because she wants the best for Marsha.
"She won't be gone for long. Once the news is gone, Marsha will be back. Trust me." he said pleadingly because he was too tired to argue.
"Where should I go?" Marsha asked at last after she had been silent for a long time.
She also didn't want to leave this city, there were too many good memories here.
"I can't say, but you'll find out soon enough." the answer is hopeful.
Starla glared at him. Don't like Hans' answer.
"You didn't even say the purpose! You think you can fool my best friend?!"
"Shut up Starla! You're making things worse, Marsha won't change her mind just because of you. She has to go!" Hans snapped, who couldn't control his emotions anymore. He was very upset with Starla.
"Don't go, Marsha. I can support us both here. Hana won't mind if you stay at her house either." said Starla who is not willing Marsha to go.
They had been together since the first time Marsha set foot in New York. So, it's really hard to let it go.
Marsha looked at Hans and Starla in turn. Deep down she didn't want to go either, but everything Hans said was true and she didn't want to bother her two best friends either. They also have their own busy lives, Marsha doesn't want to disturb her best friend. After all, only until the news vanishes right?
"Okay, just until the news is gone," Marsha said that sounded resigned. Hans smiled broadly at that.
"Marsha, please don't do this."
"I trust him, Starla. Hans has been with me for a long time and I know him as much as I know you two. So, I'm going. At least temporarily so that the news disappears." Marsha explained to Starla so she could understand.
Starla took a shaky breath. She couldn't do anything more. This is Marsha's life, so she has the right to do anything in her life. Starla then lunged at Marsha with her arms, very tightly.
"Keep telling me. Otherwise don't expect you to come back here!" her threat made Marsha chuckle.
"Don't worry. You're the first person I'll meet when I get back," said Marsha.
"Take care of yourself. Don't get yourself into trouble in that strange place. I'll miss you so much, Marsha." Starla said who had untied her arms.
"Me also."
"You didn't meet with Hana first?"
"No time. Your plane leaves in an hour." Hans informed before Marsha answered Starla's question.
"I'll call her later and now I have to go," she said goodbye, then walked away with Hans out of Starla's apartment.
Starla looked at her best friend's back sadly. She didn't want to lose Marsha who had something in common with her, but what can Starla do? This is for the good of Marsha too.
***
Silence enveloped the Stanford family residence who was currently having dinner together in their luxurious mansion. Neither of them spoke, not even the sound of spoons clinking against each other was heard. It wasn't until after they had finished eating, that Landon Stanford's deep voice filled the large dining room.
"You...I know you're avoiding this problem," he said while staring fixedly at Alland who refused to look at him.
"What's wrong with us wanting you to marry Alland? You're old enough." a middle-aged woman's voice was heard. Alice, Alland's mother.
Alland sighed softly. "I just don't want to. After all, I'm still 25 years old mommy." his reply was unenthusiastic.
"When I was your age, I already carried you," said Landon, the father.
"I'm not you, dad. I'm still young and still want to enjoy my youth." the answer is trying to escape. He didn't like this topic of discussion.
"Until when? Even Alisya is getting engaged next week. Aren't you interested in following her? Do we need to pick a woman for you?" Alice said without bothering to take care of Alland's feelings.
Alice had to say what she wanted to say, otherwise, Alland would never have married. Remembering her son was always playing with women without choosing.
"No need to overdo it, mom! I can choose my own woman." Alland said he didn't like it at the end of his mother's words.
Pick a woman for him? Seriously?! Alland didn't like it that way the most. He can choose his own woman without the help of his parents. Even if he didn't get a woman for a very long time, Alland still didn't want to be chosen. Because he had seen the case befell his high school friend before and his friend had a very sad ending. He didn't want to be like that.
"You can't even choose. You always date women without knowing the consequences. If some crazy woman comes to this mansion saying they are pregnant with your child, I won't be surprised anymore." Landon said without fear that if Alland, his son would be angry.
The terrible news never escaped Landon's senses of sight and hearing. So, the old man knew very well and memorized his son's character who liked to play with women. That didn't come as a surprise to him.
"Let him alone, dad. He'll get his karma soon. You'll have a really hard time getting a woman even if you want one! Because I'm sure no woman would want a partner like you!" Alisya's voice, which had not been heard for a long time, finally raised her annoyance. His younger brother was indeed very difficult to advise.
"All women want me," he answered in a haughty and arrogant tone.
Confirming this, Tiffany who was sitting next to him, smiled full of eyes at Alland's sky-high confidence level.
"He's right. No woman can resist his charms. I'm sure God has prepared a woman who will love him so much later." Tiffany said while reviewing a beautiful smile.
A contagious smile on Alland showed that he was looking forward to that day. Where he finds a woman who truly loves him.
"Even God cursed him and you don't have to say that. I see you don't stand a chance. Stop bothering him and just focus on your work. My Lil brother is too perfect for you." Alisya said without thinking about secretary Alland's feelings.
It was no longer taboo for Alisya because she had known from the start that Tiffany was after her brother.
Even his parents knew about it. They don't blame Tiffany for having a crush on their son because Alland's charm is really hard to ignore. But if the woman went further, then they too would act. Because the Stanford family highly values their dignity. Spouses of their children must also be the same degree. So, don't expect the lower classes to dream of marrying their favorite son if you don't want it to end like the story in Korean dramas where the mother gives her money to stay away from their child.
Tiffany pursed her lips. Not daring to utter any more words. She thought the Islands weren't like that. She thinks his family is warm regardless of social status. It was wrong, indeed they were a warm family, but not with people like her who want to be a part of them. Tiffany should be aware of it. Unfortunately, she hadn't thought of that before. So, she eagerly wanted to join in this dinner.
Poor you Tiffany.
"And you Alland. Don't blame me if your dear sister won't come back to meet you. Because after getting engaged, I'll be going with my fiancé far from here. You won't see me any time soon after either!" Alisya said in a threatening tone.
Alland grimaced hearing that, Alisya's threats were never a joke.
"You're always threatening me, sis," he whined like a little kid.
"Introduce me to the woman of your choice. If you have chosen one of the bitches." she said again with an expression full of seriousness.
"Don't be like this, sis. I don't even know where to look for that woman. How long will I not see you? I'll miss you so bad." Alland said with a sigh at the end of his sentence.
"Tell me when you find it. There you will see me again," she said then left. Leaving the tension that was in the large dining room.
"Mom?"
"Mind your troubles. You know Alisya, she won't go back on her word."
Alland took a deep breath. Why could his sister be so cruel to him? He also couldn't deny that he couldn't see his sister anymore because Alland had always been very attached to Alisya.
"Meet me with my partner, God." he prayed in his heart.
***