He's The Unaffordable
Chapter 17 - Caught

Arguing with Dad won't yield any results. So, I better shut up, not answer that question. For whatever reason I told you, I was still wrong. Dad's right. He had warned me, already advising me at length how rash my decision was. But I insist on marrying Dira. I even let the whole world know about it.

The first one to enter the room was my parents, followed by my sister. I was still sitting on the couch and looking at the night view of the city through the apartment window. Nothing has changed. Everything was going as usual, even though my relationship with Dira was over. Even I haven't changed. I felt nothing for our separation.

When I was in my room, I opened the game app on my phone and tablet, and put all my main characters into the gaming arena. All three characters I run automatically. After cleaning myself and changing clothes, I went back to bed.

My plan has worked. Dira ended our relationship. The heaviest part has been passed. It's time I focus on my lectures and my gaming community. Hopefully the money I gave Mila was enough to meet whatever needs made her willing to do this kind of work.

I accidentally read about a service that could help people escape from unwanted romantic relationships on social media. For the past few months, I have felt that there is something lacking in our relationship. But I can't just break the relationship. My mouth won't be able to let out a word when I see her tears.

That's why I use this way. By coming with a girl I recognized as my girlfriend, not only Dira, all my friends will believe. The next step will be easier for me. Once our relationship ended, people wouldn't ask about Mila. If anyone asks, I'll just say that he's back in America.

“Hai, Colin!” greet Valeria when I just walked into the lecture hall. He sat down next to Hadi so I couldn't sit by his side. My best friend likes to sit by the window, so I can only sit in an empty chair in front of or behind her.

I chose to sit behind him. The lecturer will ignore me sitting in the back row seat and focus on those sitting in the front. So, I will be safe throughout the lecture and not have to answer random questions that will be asked during the course.

“Good morning, Valeria,” my handkerchief while taking the book out of my backpack, then putting it on the table with my writing equipment.

“Why don't you greet each other? Are you guys fighting?” valeria asked half-temptingly. He stared alternately between me and Hadi.

Hadi was very lucky. There were so many women who threw themselves willingly into his arms. Starting from beautiful girls who come from ordinary families to those who are rich. It is not uncommon for them to use extreme means whenever my best friend shows disinterest.

Valeria is one of those girls who never gave up. She had already expressed love and Hadi rejected her. But he is still here, assuring Hadi that he only thinks of him as a friend, nothing more. Hadi did not care about his feelings at all. He was around because he liked or was just friends, he didn't want to know.

When in front of strangers, Hadi always appears cold, keep distance, and talk as it is, his attitude is inversely proportional when he is with his family or loved ones. He is very considerate, protective, and likes to give in. I don't know how he can do that, having two very different traits. It seems like he's imitating that a lot from Uncle Hendra.

The lecturer arrived on time, so neither I nor Hadi needed to answer Valeria's curiosity. Lately he has been trying very hard to be in the circle of friendship between me and Hadi. The impossible happened, because we only allowed our siblings to enter the circle, not anyone else.

“I'm going to the department office to submit the title of my research proposal. Do you want to come?” ask Hadi after the course for today is over.

“It happened! I'll be there too. Come on, let's go together,” take Valeria.

Hadi was still waiting for my answer, then I nodded and stood up. We walked together towards the door with Valeria walking behind us. I stopped and invited Valeria out of the lecture hall first. Me and Hadi exchanged looks without a word.

The head of the department is at his desk, so we can immediately submit the proposal we have prepared. The man looked at the title on the front of our proposal, then nodded. He asked for a few days to study the proposed title and discuss it with other lecturers who will be our mentors.

“It's past lunch hour. Are you guys hungry? How about we eat together?” ask Valeria enthusiastically. “Cantine must be quiet now.”

“I have to pick up my sister, so I can't come with you to the canteen.” I looked towards Hadi. He just kept quiet and walked towards the parking lot. Valeria looks disappointed, I can only smile thinly. “Until tomorrow.”

What a strange woman. He already knew that Hadi was not interested in him, why would he try so hard to get his attention? Ah, yes. I forget. Hadi is the ultimate heir to the entire fortune of his family. Where is there a girl who wants to miss the opportunity to marry him and live with the treasure forever?

“If I get angry will make you apologize to my sister and return the smile on her face, then I will do that,” she said without turning a single look at me.

“You know we can't get back together, Hadi. I've been happy with the others.” I stopped my steps as I felt her hand on my chest, holding my body to stop walking. He looked at me sharply. “You believe it or not, I love Mila.”

“Lecturer saved you from answering my question a few days ago. I'll repeat my question. How can girls born and raised in America speak fluent Indonesian?” ask her with a serious tone.

I swallowed heavily. He asked the same thing with Dad. I understand my father can distinguish those who use fake American accents from natural ones. But how did Hadi know that Mila could speak Indonesian?

“That's because I taught him,” I replied casually.

“Seriously, Colin? I gave you a few chances and you still lied to me? You definitely don't know that he attended the same faculty as us, ‘kan? And I'm sure you also don't know that he went to accounting.”

Not likely. He must be lying to me so I can speak honestly to him. If we went to the same school, how could we have never met Mila before? Ah, yes. I was too focused on playing or going straight to pick Lily up from school, so never hung out with the students on campus. Hadi is too. If he doesn't pick up his sister, then he'll be at his father's office until the afternoon.

“I saw him with another man who was much older than him last week. At first, I thought he was cheating on you, but later I understood. This is his job. Being a hired girlfriend for a cowardly man who can't break up in a good way,” Hadi said sharply. “Then I met him again while accompanying Papa to lecture at his campus. So, you still have another rebuttal?”

*******

Meanwhile not far from there~

“Hachii!” For the umpteenth time Mila sneezed for no reason. The air that day was not cold, nor was he a fever or flu. But already several times he had to let out a voice that caught the attention of the people around him.

“Are you sure you're okay? Why do you sneeze all the time?” asked Manda with a worried tone. Mila shook her head slowly, then cleared her nose.

“Luckily I have given the proposal title of my proposal. Otherwise, I would be ashamed to sneeze like this in front of our lecturer.” Mila walked towards the exit of the department office.

“You are lucky to submit a proposal this semester. I have to wait until next semester so that my college schedule is not too crowded.” Manda pouting.

“Didn't you decide to postpone it until next semester? Your credit amount is enough if you want to take that course this semester.” Mila pulled out her vibrating phone inside her bag. A message from Sigit. He immediately knew what it was.

“I'm not like you who's thin-brained, Mila. What are you in such a hurry to finish anyway? Is there a company that will accept you to work after graduation?” ask Manda to know.

“The tuition fee is not cheap, Manda. I wouldn't use more money for this college if I could graduate sooner. Every dollar is precious to me. You who live from the support of parents will not understand the difficulty of collecting money.”

“Why are you talking so rudely?” manda was offended.

“I'm sorry. But if you were in my position, you would do the same.” Mila smiled faintly, recalling her unclear origin. “You wouldn't have gone to college so casually if it wasn't for your parents' support.”