Ma? Is that you?" asked Dyana Rosey when she saw her mother standing stiff like a doll, smiling at her.
"Ma?" Dyana Rosey tried to approach her, but her mother's figure immediately vanished from sight.
"No! No! Ma, please don't leave Rosey! I'm so sorry, Ma..."
"Dyan! Dyan! Dyana!" Suddenly, Dyana Rosey heard someone calling her name and-
"Huh!" Dyana Rosey woke up from her sleep.
"Dyan... did you dream again?" asked her best friend who was lying next to her.
"Hmm..." Dyana Rosey gave a faint smile. A dream. She often dreamed of her late mother. She missed her dearly.
"Hurry up! We're late already! If not, your uncle-oops, I mean our boss-will start nagging again!" ordered Emma as she headed toward the kitchen.
After a long yawn, Dyana Rosey went straight to the bathroom to get ready for work.
"Hurry up!" Dyana Rosey urged after waiting for half an hour. She watched the girl her age scrambling to pull on her socks.
"You woke up first but I'm still the one who's ready earlier! Strange!" remarked Dyana Rosey as she drove the car.
"Oh come on, Dyan, I'm a girl! I need makeup and all that. You should understand."
"So what am I then? A boy? An alien?"
"Even without makeup, your face is already beautiful, charming, graceful, elegant-you've got it all! Ugh, I'm jealous!" teased Emma as she pinched Dyana Rosey's cheek.
"Ouch! I'm driving!" Dyana Rosey pouted.
Dyana Rosey had met Emma while they worked at her uncle's café. Their bond grew closer after Dyana Rosey asked Emma to live with her. Emma had been kicked out of her rented house simply because another tenant could pay more on time. Such a terrible landlord.
"Oh, you're finally here... I thought you weren't coming!" Sir Edward mocked when he saw the two young women walk into his café.
"Oh boss, don't be mad! We're just a little late!"
"Earlier, Dyan nearly hit a cat!" Emma quickly added, winking at Dyana Rosey, who had to stifle her laughter.
"You're good at making excuses, huh..." Sir Edward tugged Emma's ear.
"Aaa... ouchhh! Soooorry boss!" Emma screamed.
Dyana Rosey chuckled at their antics.
"I'll get to work now, boss..." Emma smiled, her dimples showing.
"Me too!" Dyana Rosey was about to walk off when Sir Edward held her arm.
"Wait, Dyan. Follow uncle into the office."
"What's going on, uncle?" Dyana Rosey asked once inside.
She looked at the man in his fifties, who used to be her father's driver. He had quit to help his wife open this café. Dyana Rosey already considered Sir Edward as family.
"Dyan... don't you want to go back home and see your father?" Sir Edward asked. Dyana Rosey fell silent, then slowly shook her head.
"How long will this go on?" Sir Edward pressed. He had no idea how else to persuade the girl.
"Uncle, you already know what our relationship is like. I just follow whatever he wants, that's all. Besides, Papa doesn't even want to see me."
They both fell silent.
"Dad! We've got a problem!" shouted Hash, the café's manager and Sir Edward's eldest son.
"What now?" Sir Edward asked, glancing at Dyana Rosey. The three of them walked over to where Emma was talking to a man.
"At the very least, your company should give us a month to move out. This café has been running for four years, and now you just want to take it over so easily!" Emma protested.
"Miss, all the other owners have already signed to sell their properties, and we gave notice last month. This café is the only one refusing to sell." explained the dark-skinned man.
"Uncle..." Dyana Rosey looked at Sir Edward questioningly.
"Please, give me more time!" Sir Edward pleaded.
"Dad! What is this? Why didn't you tell us? How could you hide something this big?" Hash scolded bitterly.
Meanwhile, Emma had to usher all the customers out of the café.
"Hash... uncle must have his reasons," said Dyana Rosey, glancing at Sir Edward, who hung his head in silence.
"What's taking so long, huh? The president is waiting! Do you want him to yell at you?" barked a man dressed all in black.
"Sir Gio... they're protesting and asking for more time," his subordinate explained.
"I'm begging you, please give me a little more time. I love this café. Please, sir, I'm begging..." Sir Edward pleaded again.
"Tch, what a nuisance! Hey, old man! Listen carefully. The president is generous enough to offer you a high price for this place! I don't care about your problems-within one week, sell this café and get out!" Sir Gio shouted, shoving Sir Edward's chest harshly.
"What are you doing? Please be polite!" Dyana Rosey shoved Sir Edward's arm away from Sir Gio's grasp, anger rising as she saw her uncle treated that way.
"How dare you touch my father! Who do you think you are!" Hash shouted furiously.
Sir Gio ignored him. Instead, his eyes roamed over Dyana Rosey, admiring every inch of her. She was stunning. He had never seen a woman as beautiful as the girl before him, he thought.
He grabbed her arm. Everyone gasped at his audacity.
"Let go!" Dyana Rosey demanded. Emma quickly pulled her toward her. "What's wrong with you?"
"I've got a better deal. How about..." Sir Gio eyed her again until Dyana Rosey had to avert her gaze, disgusted.
"Give me this girl! Just for one night... and I'll give you more time. Deal?" Sir Gio smirked in satisfaction.
SLAP!
A loud slap landed on his cheek.
"Watch your mouth! I'm not a prostitute!" Dyana Rosey shouted angrily.
"You bastard! How dare you insult Dyan! I've had enough of you!" Hash grabbed Sir Gio's collar, fury boiling within him, ready to smash his face.
"Get out of here!" Emma yelled.
"Shit! Let go! Damn it!" Sir Gio struggled until Hash shoved him away roughly.
Suddenly, a man dressed in black, wearing dark shades, appeared before them.
"Sir, the president is calling," the muscular man said.
Dyana Rosey noticed Sir Gio's face pale instantly.
"Our business isn't over!" Sir Gio warned before leaving, flanked by the two men as they crossed over to the restaurant opposite Garden Café.
Dyana Rosey glanced at the man with the blue-tinted glasses-probably the company president behind all this. But she was shocked when he smiled at her. A smile full of meaning.
"Dyan... are you okay? That guy was such a bastard! Disgusting!" Emma cursed.
Sir Gio stood frozen, trembling with fear. The man before him said nothing. I'm dead, Sir Gio thought. His career and life would not be safe if his boss lost his temper.
"I... I'm sorry!!! I promise I'll drive them out as soon as possible."
The president raised his right hand, signaling him to leave. Sir Gio obeyed immediately.
Then, the president turned his gaze toward Garden Café.
"Tuan Marchos, the groundbreaking ceremony will begin soon. The area must be cleared for the construction of a world-class hospital," explained Mr. Jack, his personal assistant.
"I want you to investigate that woman's background. I want to confirm something," ordered Tuan Marchos.
Mr. Jack followed his gaze toward Dyana Rosey.
"Understood," Mr. Jack nodded slowly.
"Why didn't you tell me about this problem earlier? I'm your wife! Now what are we going to do? We have to find a new place..." cried Mrs. Helena, overwhelmed.
Sir Edward turned to his wife, then to his son Hash, Dyana Rosey, and Emma. He took a deep breath.
"I just didn't want to worry you... I've tried to find a suitable place but haven't found one yet. Hash, I'm sorry. I thought once I found something good, then I would tell you. Besides, the company offered a high price."
"So, boss already agreed to sell the café?" Emma asked.
"Not yet! But all the other owners have sold their land. Sooner or later, we'll have to agree too." Sir Edward sighed.
"Then I'll help find a new place for the café," Dyana Rosey suggested. Sir Edward shook his head.
"Dyan... uncle doesn't want to drag you into this mess."
"Uncle... I just want to help however I can. Besides, I'm also doing it for myself. If this café closes, I'll lose my job-and honestly, I don't feel like finding another one." Dyana Rosey smiled. She held Mrs. Helena's hand as the woman continued to weep. Mrs. Helena looked at the young girl with teary eyes.
"Aunty, I already consider you and uncle as my family. Uncle has helped me a lot, accepted me as I am. So let me help too, okay? Don't worry! Aunty, you have migraines, so don't overthink. We're all here for you," Dyana Rosey reassured her with a sincere smile.
Mrs. Helena had known Dyana Rosey since she was a child. Ever since her husband worked as her father's driver, she often brought the girl into their home. Mrs. Helena had loved Dyana Rosey like her own daughter. A cheerful, beautiful, kind girl-who wouldn't love her?
"Thank you, Dyan..." Mrs. Helena whispered, hoping everything would be alright.