Emma, I'm taking MC today. I already told the boss. The car keys are on the shoe cabinet. Take care.
Dyana Rosey's eyes wandered around after sending the WhatsApp to Emma. Many tables were still empty. She had gone out early today to meet someone. She sipped her latte to quench her thirst.
"Miss…" A man in a cocoa-colored suit approached. Dyana Rosey looked up at him.
"Yes, why?"
"Miss, are you interested in joining our agency? We're from a modeling and talent agency. Our company—"
"Sir, sorry, I'm not interested. Besides, I already have a job. Sorry." Dyana Rosey declined politely.
"It's okay… Miss, you can consider it as a part-time job. After all, you're very beautiful and suitable to be a model with our agency." The man insisted, as if trying to persuade her.
Dyana Rosey fell silent with a faint smile. She was already used to this. She had received many offers before, but she had no interest in becoming a model or celebrity. That was never her dream.
"She already told you she's not interested!" A voice cut in. Dyana Rosey turned around. At once, she stood up from her seat.
"Ryan…?" Before Dyana could step toward Ryan, her hand was grabbed by the agency worker.
"Miss, please think about it. Our company is a big company. We're willing to offer you a high salary." The man tried again.
"You!" Ryan shoved the man away from Dyana.
"Ryan! Please… He's just doing his job." Dyana held Ryan back before he could go out of control. She noticed many people were watching. This was exactly the kind of scene she hated most.
"Okay! Forgive me!" Ryan patted the man's shoulder.
He then looked at Dyana and pulled her away from the place. Dyana just followed.
Marchos Alexander looked at the man standing before him. Mr. Jack handed him a file.
Mr. Jack watched as his employer opened the file, which contained information about a young woman named Dyana Rosey. He was puzzled as to why Tuan Marchos had asked him to investigate her. In all his years working at Sky Company, he had never seen this girl. What was her connection to Marchos? he wondered.
Tuan Marchos Alexander carefully read through the papers.
"I've learned she's the daughter of Mr Michael, the CEO of a well-known hospital. Five months ago, Dyana Rosey just returned from London, where she had been studying." explained Mr. Jack.
"Err… I'm not sure what age she was in London?"
"Sixteen years old!" replied Marchos firmly.
"Huh?"
"She was sixteen when she was in London." The man's cold gaze pierced Mr. Jack.
"My apologies! I didn't investigate properly!" Mr. Jack lowered his head in fear. How did he know that? he thought anxiously.
"Who's this man?" Marchos asked, pointing at a picture of Dyana with a young man. They looked very close.
"Ra… Ryan, sir! They've been friends since childhood. His father works as a doctor at Tuan Michael's hospital."
"I see… I want you to investigate everyone connected to my Rosey."
"Y-yes, sir!" Mr. Jack quickly left the room once dismissed.
"Finally… I found you, my Rosey. You haven't changed at all! Still so beautiful…" Marchos studied several photos of Dyana with a satisfied smile. The girl he had been searching for was finally found. Now, he only needed to make her fall into his grasp.
After arriving at another restaurant, Ryan pulled out a chair for Dyana.
"Thanks," said Dyana.
"Long time no see…" Ryan looked at the girl, four years younger than him. The girl he had missed for so long.
"It's been six years, right?" Dyana smiled sweetly as she glanced at the menu.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back to Canada? Why? Why, Dyan? For six years I called and messaged you… You never answered. You could've at least replied once. I just wanted to know how you were doing. I was worried about you. I thought I was your best friend… but maybe I'm the only one who thought that way…" Ryan's tone carried regret.
"No… It's not like that, Ryan!" Dyana's breath caught for a moment at his words. She knew she had to tell him the truth.
She looked at the boy she had known since childhood, now a handsome man. His tall figure resembled a model's, his fair skin and striking blue eyes easily drew attention.
"During my time in London, Papa didn't allow me to use a phone or laptop except for studying." Dyana admitted. All her movements were strictly controlled. She never dared disobey him, afraid his hatred toward her would deepen.
Ryan looked up, shocked. He never imagined Mr Michael had been so controlling of her.
"I'm so sorry for not telling you I was back here!"
"I went to your house. Your maid said you don't live with your father anymore? Why? Did he kick you out? Where do you live now?" Ryan bombarded her with questions.
"It's not like that… Papa just doesn't want to live under the same roof as me, or even see me. Funny, right?" Dyana smiled faintly, letting out a small laugh.
"This isn't funny, Dyan… Why would your own father cast you out? I don't get it! There's no way he still holds a grudge against you for that old story… Right? You're his own daughter! He shouldn't do that!" Ryan clenched his jaw, clearly angry. Mr Michael had gone too far.
Dyana tried to lighten her tone.
"Well… even if Papa's like that, he still gives me money and a place to live. It's not so bad being his daughter."
She forced a smile despite the sadness in her expression. Ryan watched her, sighing heavily. He knew she was pretending to be strong.
"Luckily you still use the same phone number. I was worried you'd changed it." Dyana grinned widely, showing her white teeth.
"How could I change it, when I was still waiting for a call from that person!" Ryan playfully pinched her cheek. It had been so long since he had done that. He had missed it.
---
"Sir, you're still awake?" Mr. Gray asked his employer, who was sitting in his daughter's room. Tuan Michael quickly stood up from the pink bed.
"How is she?" Michael asked his butler.
"Miss Dyan… She's fine. Why don't you invite her back home?" Mr. Gray suggested. He had served alongside Michael for many years.
Michael sighed briefly.
"Sir… I know I shouldn't interfere, but what happened wasn't Miss Dyan's fault. You know she was also a victim of circumstance."
"I know! But… I still can't accept the fact that Gisselle is gone. If not for her, my wife wouldn't have died!"
"Sir, it was fate. You must accept it, no matter how painful. She's your only daughter." Mr. Gray gently advised. He pitied Dyana deeply.
Michael took a long breath and stepped out of his daughter's room. Mr. Gray followed silently behind, knowing his master missed Dyana.
"Emma, can I sleep with you tonight?" Dyana asked, hugging her pillow.
"Dyan… This is your house. I have no right to stop you. And one more thing—you're my BFF! Come here!" Emma replied excitedly.
They were still wide awake, exchanging glances playfully.
"Dyan… How long have we known each other?"
"Ermm… five months? Why?"
"Five months… But Dyan, why are you so nice?"
Dyana chuckled softly at her friend's question.
"What kind of question is that?"
"Well, we've only just known each other. Aren't you afraid I might harm you, steal from you, or sneak guys into the house? You've helped me so much. I just feel… ashamed." To her, Dyana was too kind a friend, and she didn't want to lose their bond.
Dyana turned to face Emma, who had her back turned.
"Emma…" Slowly, Emma looked back.
Dyana burst into laughter at her friend's serious face.
"Even if it were someone else, I'd still help. Maybe the kindness I do can erase my mistakes."
"Mistakes? What do you mean, Dyan?" Emma asked.
Dyana quickly pulled a pillow over her face.
"Dyan… I'm curious. I always see you having nightmares. What do you dream about?" Emma hesitated but her curiosity won.
"Dreams? Oh… Hurmm… Mama, I dream of my mother." Dyana answered, still covering her face.
"Why do you dream of her?"
"She passed away seven years ago."
"Dyan… I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Btw, how about your family? I want to know them too," Dyana asked while fiddling with Emma's teddy bear.
"Huh? My family…" Emma froze.
"Emma?"
"Oh… my family? I'm an only child. My mother passed away. My father… he…"
"Sleep! We have work tomorrow!" Emma cut her off, turning away.
"Emma, you…" Dyana knew her friend was hiding something, just like she was.
Emma buried her face into the pillow, holding back tears. She didn't want Dyana to see. She didn't want her friend to know her secret. If it was revealed, would Dyana still want to be her friend? Their short friendship was something she didn't want to lose.