"I want that woman to serve me!" ordered Marchos Alexander to Hash. Hash looked toward Dyana Rosey.
"This place doesn't have that kind of service. I hope you understand, Sir," Hash explained, clenching his jaw.
'What does he think this place is? Picking people like it's a game! No way Dyan will serve you!' Hash grumbled in his heart. He knew many guys came to the café just to see Dyana Rosey. The garden café owned by her father had become famous because of her beauty and friendliness.
Dyan, I already asked my friend who works at a real estate agency. He said everything already has an owner. Most of the areas are full. I'm sorry Dyan that I couldn't help you. But I'll try to find another solution.
Dyana Rosey fell silent after reading Ryan's WhatsApp. She stared at the table she was wiping. Yesterday she had asked Ryan to help find a place for her uncle. She actually didn't want to trouble her best friend, but she had no other choice.
'I'll have to ask Papa for help. But are you sure Papa will help you? She argued with herself. She wasn't confident about asking because she knew her father never interfered in other people's business. But she would still try—nothing was certain yet.
She finished her work and saw Hash still taking orders from a table further away. It took a while.
'Isn't he the boss of the company that wants this garden café?' Dyana wondered.
"You!" snapped the woman sitting beside Marchos Alexander.
"You! How dare you! My darling told you to do that, so… you must do as he says! Don't you know us? Hey! I'm a top actress, Sharlyn Swan, and he is the CEO of Sky Company," Sharlyn explained proudly, her arrogance showing.
She herself didn't understand why Marchos Alexander wanted to eat in such a common place. And the biggest shock was that he wanted that woman to serve him. Disgusting. That girl wasn't worthy. Sharlyn decided she would use this chance to reveal her relationship with the wealthy man. Famous would become more famous. Popular would become even more popular.
A perfect stepping stone for Sharlyn Swan to exploit.
Everyone nearby started taking pictures and videos to share.
"Wow, Sharlyn Swan and the CEO of Sky Company together? Awesome!" said one customer witnessing the scene. Dyana Rosey only listened before moving closer to Hash.
"Hash… are you okay? What's happening?" she asked, glancing toward Marchos Alexander. The man gave a cold, mocking smile.
'What's with this guy? He's been staring at me like he wants to eat me alive since the other day,' Dyana thought uneasily.
Hash held Dyana's hand resting on his arm.
"It's okay!"
"I want you to serve me!" interrupted Marchos Alexander. Dyana was startled.
"Babe, I want to eat somewhere better and cleaner. I told you this place isn't good enough for us. Rubbish! Let's go, babe…" Sharlyn coaxed him with a sweet tone.
"Hey, woman! Watch your mouth insulting my father's café! Who do you think you are? What was your name again? Shar… Sharrr shit! Just f*** off. I don't even know you. That means you're not that famous after all! If you don't like eating here, then don't come! No need to insult!" Hash snapped. Actress or not, he didn't care. He couldn't hold back at her foul mouth.
"Hash!" Dyana pulled his arm. She knew his short-tempered nature too well.
"I'm sorry about our poor service. Please… please forgive Hash. He didn't mean to say that," she said, glancing at Marchos Alexander who just sat silently, showing no reaction at all. His girlfriend was the one causing trouble, but he said nothing to stop her.
Sharlyn Swan looked Dyana up and down. Very pretty. No wonder Marchos wanted her. Huh! I'm prettier. I'm more worthy of him. Sharlyn scoffed inwardly.
"Dyan, don't apologize! That woman is rude! Get out! Customers like you aren't welcome!" Hash barked.
"Hey… who do you think you are to throw me out? Apologize right now! Don't make me sue you and this trash café along with it!" Sharlyn threatened.
"Go ahead and sue! You think I'm scared?" Hash shot back. Such a trivial matter and she threatened to sue? Crazy woman.
"Miss, we can talk this out. I apologize on his behalf," Dyana said, not wanting the issue to escalate. She feared her uncle's health would worsen if he learned their café might be sued. One problem wasn't even solved before another appeared.
"What? You want me to forgive him? Never! Unless… you get on your knees and plead!" Sharlyn sneered.
Everyone gasped. Dyana sighed shortly, then knelt without hesitation.
"Please forgive him!" she begged. If it could prevent a lawsuit, she'd rather endure. She was already used to begging, pleading, and humbling herself.
"Dyan! What are you doing? Are you crazy? People like her don't deserve respect! Stand up! Please, stand up!" Hash quickly pulled her to her feet, shocked she obeyed Sharlyn's command.
"Babe, I'm sick of them. Let's go, babe…" Sharlyn said, satisfied with what she had seen.
'Know your place. Low class!' she thought smugly.
"You! Apologize!" Marchos Alexander finally spoke, arms still crossed, eyes fixed on Sharlyn.
"What? Babe… no! No way! Why should I apologize?" she snapped. He had been silent all along, and now suddenly wanted her to apologize? But his crimson-tinted glasses couldn't hide his icy gaze. His reputation was well-known—whoever angered him would regret it. Ruthless. She didn't want to end up on his blacklist. It wasn't easy to get close to him.
"Sorry," Sharlyn muttered half-heartedly, forced.
"It… it's okay," Dyana replied softly, surprised that he had made his girlfriend apologize.
Marchos Alexander left. Sharlyn followed behind.
'Wait! Maybe I can talk to him!' Dyana thought, quickly chasing after him.
"Wait, Sir!" she called.
"What else do you want?" Sharlyn snapped bitterly.
'What does this stupid girl want now? Because of her, I got humiliated!' Sharlyn fumed inwardly.
"Sir… I heard you're the CEO of Sky Company. Err… so… I beg you to give my uncle more time to prepare! Please, I beg you!"
"You…" Marchos stared at Dyana, puzzled and suspicious.
"Sir?"
"Okay! I'll give you one month. So, good luck!" he said before stepping into his white Audi A6.
"Thank you, Sir! Thank you so much!" Dyana replied with relief. She was thrilled he agreed. She hadn't expected him to have such kindness. She watched until the car disappeared from sight.
---
"Babe… where are we going next? I want to go to the mall. My clothes are all worn out!" Sharlyn whined, resting her head on his shoulder.
"By the way, babe… do you know that girl? Do you like her? Babe… I'm here to serve you." Her fingers teased his chest. All her questions went ignored.
"I think, with her face, she's only fit to be a side chick! She's not worthy of you! Babe… sweetheart, I'm talking to you! Why are you silent?" she pressed closer.
"Arkk! Ba… babe…" Sharlyn's eyes widened when his hand suddenly wrapped around her throat. She hadn't expected him to choke her. What had she done wrong? She clawed at his grip, struggling, but failed. Her face turned blue.
"Listen carefully! If you don't want to lose your career and luxury, don't you ever touch my Rosey! She's mine! Remember that!" Marchos Alexander snarled before shoving her away, releasing her roughly. Sharlyn gasped, struggling to breathe.
"Stop," he ordered his driver.
"Get out!" He pushed her out of the car.
"Babe… you shouldn't treat me like this! What did I do wrong?" she pleaded, her voice shaking. But he ignored her, the car driving away.
"Arghhhh! Bastard! Shit! You think you're so great? This is all that woman's fault! Arghhh! I hate her!" Sharlyn screamed by the roadside, her dream of riches and fame shattered.
---
"Dyan, why did you do what that woman said? Were you worried she'd sue us? Let her sue if she wants! Who cares!" Hash said when Dyana returned to the café.
"You don't care, but I do! Don't you feel sorry for your parents?" Dyana shot back, looking at the 23-year-old.
"Sorry… I'm sorry! I didn't think of that! It's all my fault! Because of me, you had to kneel! I just couldn't tolerate her vile mouth. I'm so, so sorry!" Hash pleaded, putting on a puppy face.
"Haihh! Okay, apology accepted. Don't ever do it again! You… control your temper a bit!"
"Sorry… By the way, Dyan, why did you chase after that guy? What did you talk about?" Hash asked. He had been watching her earlier.
"Oh… guess what?"
"Ugh, don't make me guess. Just tell me!"
Dyana laughed.
"Okay, okay! That guy is the CEO of Sky Company who wants your father's land, right? So I asked him to give us more time and he agreed!" she said excitedly.
"What? Really? Are you sure?"
"Yup, I'm sure!"
"You just asked like that and he agreed? Weird…" Hash frowned. From the man's behavior, he had a hunch. Could it be… he liked Dyan? Surely not—this was probably the first time he had even come to the café.
"Yes, he agreed! What's wrong with you? Just be glad he agreed. Now we can prepare. Haihh!" Dyana sighed at Hash's suspicious face.
"Do you know him?" Hash asked.
"Him? That boss? No, of course not! Why? Hash, why are you looking at me like that?"
"I think he likes you. I mean, he wanted you to serve him! Why do you have to be so pretty?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? He has a girlfriend—the woman you just fought with. If she heard you, it'd be war number two!" Dyana chuckled, and they both laughed.
"Dyan! Dyan! Dyana!"
Their laughter stopped when Emma came running, shouting Dyana's name.
"Emma, what are you doing here? Aren't you on leave today?" Dyana asked, noticing Emma panting.
"Yeah, wasn't our Miss Emma on leave today? Or did you miss me?" Hash teased.
"No! I came because of this…" She showed her phone to Dyana and Hash.
Both of them were shocked to see the video of the earlier incident already spreading online.
"Famous actress Sharlyn Swan dating Sky Company's CEO. Also, café worker accused of seducing the actress's boyfriend," Emma read aloud from the headline. She herself was stunned when she first saw it.
"That spread fast!" Dyana said.
"Nonsense! It must be one of the customers here earlier! Useless!" Hash fumed, reading the fake article.
"Dyan… what happened?" Emma asked.
"Long story. I'll tell you later."
"Fine, later. But now, let's file a police report!" Emma pulled her arm.
"No need to file a report. My face isn't that clear in the video anyway. Just ignore it!"
"Dyan, everyone's commenting terrible things about you! I don't care—we must report it!"
"Dyan, Emma's right! You should report this! It's all fake news!" Hash added, guilt gnawing at him. Because of him, Dyana had become a target.
"Emma… please, I don't want to. Please…" Dyana begged. She didn't want to prolong the problem.
"Dyan, you—"
"Hash, let's get back to work! Don't forget it's your turn to cook today! I want mac and cheese! Extra cheese!" Dyana quickly headed to the kitchen, dodging Emma.
"Dyan! I'm not finished talking!" Emma yelled, but Hash grabbed her arm.
"Enough! Dyan said she doesn't want to. We can't force her!"
"I know! I'm just worried about her! You've read the nasty comments about her. I'm so mad at her for being like this! I told her to make a report, but she refuses!" Emma fumed, frustrated at her best friend being treated so unfairly.