He's The Unaffordable
Chapter 15 - Training

I drank a glass of water that Om Zach gave me. My situation is calmer. But as I looked towards the orange juice that was on the table, tears threatened to come out. The drink Colin brought me.

The door opened, I immediately turned my face away. I don't want anyone who comes into this room to see my face. Hearing that Om was just silent, it seemed like the one who entered was our family. I wiped my face one last time with a tissue before turning my head.

“You can't stop me from killing him. I don't care you'll hate me for good, no one can make my sister sad like this.” Hadi gave me a bag. I was relieved to see it.

“Do not be silly. He is a good friend of Brother. I'll be fine. After all, the time is right to be single. I will finish High School quietly and once I am declared to graduate at the same university as Big Brother, I can continue my career. Sister knows for herself that the contract of working models like me often demands me to be single at a certain time.” The bag that Brother was carrying contained my makeup equipment, so I could improve my appearance before exiting the room.

“I told you, it's not the kind of contract you can accept. Your personal life is your business, not theirs. If they demand you to keep your good name and reputation, I agree. Because you are their face, so the scandal you do will tarnish their name as well,” Om Zach reminded.

“Alright,” I said relented. “Again Om not to worry. Om will read all those contracts before I sign them as usual.”

“Because Hadi won't have the heart to hurt his own best friend, then I will kill Colin.” Om looked at me sharply so I wouldn't fight back, but I didn't care.

“Stop talking about killing. Consider it an exercise. I do not want you to kill all the men who will break my heart. I'm not that weak. I know that not all love stories end happily. So, you should also be able to realize that starting from today.” I smiled to see my face was better.

“Kak Ara also behaved unnaturally earlier. He should be angry to see Colin coming with another girl on your birthday. Why is he silent and stunned to see him?” om Zach was full of protest.

“Om, Dira has managed to calm down. We'd better not talk about Cole or Mila in front of him. People will be looking for you, Dira. Come on, we're out now,” take Kak Hadi.

The three of us went back to the front room. Everyone was still engrossed in their respective conversation mates and food. I saw Mila still surrounded by Mama's best friend, but Colin was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he's in the toilet.

By ten o'clock in the evening, they were starting to leave. The neighbors, the Om Zach family, my grandparents, Uncle Will's family, Colin, and my best friend and assistant came out of our house. But Papa and Mama's friends did not move from their seats.

When Papa gave the signal, they all went into the living room. I looked at Big Brother in surprise, but he just kept quiet. Looking at his calm demeanor, it seemed like he knew what they were about to discuss. I walked into the room and let our workers do their job of cleaning the front room.

Some sofas have been moved into the room so that everyone can sit comfortably. I sat on one of the three-seat couches so my brothers could sit with me. The adults put on very serious faces which made me even more confused.

Bu Yuyun entered with Sita carrying a few glasses of water on the tray. They put it on the table and I helped divide it in front of our nearest parents from my sitting position. Then they left and the atmosphere was still calm.

“I can't believe that he was born and raised in America,” said Aunt Lindsey starting a conversation. “I know that there are so many percent chances of us having a twin in this world. But he was too similar to her to be called a twin. The girl is their daughter.”

That girl? What is Aunt Lindsey talking about? Whose twins? Whose daughter? I looked towards Papa and Mama who put on serious faces just like their companions. What don't I know here?

“We will soon find out the truth. I'll drop off a sample of his hair tomorrow morning to the lab and we'll know if it's really Matthias' son, our son.” Om Edu showed me a plastic bag, then put it in Aunt Lindsey's handbag.

Oh. Lord. Are they talking about Mila? Why do they suspect he is the son of the late Om Matias? Clarissa's been missing since she was three, and they even believe she's gone. So what makes them think he's his son?

“Can I say something?” said Kak Hadi. All eyes looked towards him. “I know a little about Mila. We chatted a few times in recent days.”

“That's good news. What do you want to say?” Aunt Lindsey looks impatient.

“According to her confession, she is named Mila Foster. A couple raised him to be their son. I don't know what the problem is, but he's already cut ties with them. He grew up in Indonesia, unfortunately, I don't know if he was born here. He said the parents he thought were his parents were not his real parents.

“What he showed just now is just part of his show with Cole. She speaks fluent Indonesian and is studying at the same university as me and Cole.” Brother glanced at me. “I don't know why Cole took her with him and claimed to be a girlfriend. But it is not true that the girl grew up in America.”

“Oh, God ...” Aunt Lindsey covered her mouth with both hands. Her eyes were watery and a drop of tears fell down her cheeks. “Mu-may she be Clarissa?” His voice sounded hopeful. The hope that they never stopped dreaming of will come true someday.

“There's nothing we can do for now. I'm sure the girl won't be willing to tell the truth because she's still admitting she's a native American. So, the only way to find out who he really is is to wait for the test results to come out,” said Aunt Darla.

“I will ask my friend for help in finding as much information as possible about Mila Foster. As soon as he gives the news, I will forward an email from him to all of you,” Papa said. “If it is true that he is Clarissa, then we will browse starting from his parents to know what happened on that fateful day.”

They decided to go home and rest. We're driving them to the front door. Again, they wish me a happy birthday. When their cars were all out and the front gate was closed, we entered the house.

My family walked up the stairs, Mr. Abdi said goodbye and Papa invited him to rest. But I stopped at a table where there was a pile of boxes and a paper bag with birthday presents for me. Despite being crushed by another box, my eyes quickly found a gift from it.

After taking a shower and changing clothes, I sat on the edge of the bed and picked up Colin's gift box. I took a deep breath, then opened it. There's a necklace with titanium chains. The pendant is oval shaped made of amethyst. Birthstone. Compared to purple, I prefer red. But since this necklace was her gift, the purple color turned out to be good as well.

The door to my room was knocked, I let her in. Mama appeared from behind the door with a smile on her face. He closed the door, then walked closer to the edge of the bed. Looking at the silk coat she was wearing, Mama must have taken a shower and prepared to sleep. I've always been jealous of Papa and Mama's affection. That's why I want to marry young and have a happy marriage with Colin. But my hope was broken.

“Gift from Colin?” mama asked to see the necklace I was holding. I nodded slowly. Mama touched my hand. “I'm sorry, baby. I became a bad mother today. I shouldn't have focused my attention on another girl and ignored you.”

“Do not apologize, Ma. After the conversation in the living room earlier, I understood why Papa, Mama, also all the om and aunt focused on Mila. I know Aunt Lindsey is looking forward to finding her lost granddaughter one day. So, I also hope that their search this time will end well.” I smile.

Mama rubbed my cheek. “What happened between you and Colin? He made you cry. Papa you don't like to see this and I have to hold it all my might not to hit that poor kid earlier.”

“Papa and Mama know?” I just don't believe it.

“Of course. You and Colin walked into the room, and then he came out with a red face. Zach entered later and Hadi followed with a bag containing your makeup. Have you two talked about your relationship?” ask Mama carefully.

“Iya. I've cut off our relationship. I won't let her keep showing off her boyfriend without giving me any reassurance,” I said firmly. “If one day he changes his mind, I won't accept him back. Even if he knelt in front of me.”