He's The Unaffordable
Chapter 18 - Fake Letters

*dira*

“For those who are still having difficulty deciding which majors to take at the time of college later, please go to the Guidance and Counseling room. Ms. Agnes will wait for you until three in the afternoon.” The bell for the study hour has ended.

“Do not forget to give the notification letter to your parents or guardians. Starting next month there will be additional lessons for preparation for the final and national exams.” The teacher continued to talk when we all did not listen to him anymore.

The classmates were busy tidying the tables and putting books and writing equipment into each bag. I did it casually because I had to wait for Kak Hadi to pick up Adi before coming to my school. The distance from our school can be reached on foot. But with my profession as a model, being in public without an escort is not safe.

Wendy came up to me with a big box in her hand. I looked at him in disbelief. He just shrugged his shoulders, not to be blamed for the problems that have been bothering me for the past few days. Hadi's sister wouldn't be happy to see this.

“Who has this idea? I don't have time for such cheap jokes,” I complained slowly. I didn't read any of those letters. Arriving home, I will ask Mr. Aliando to destroy all the letters and sell the papers for recycling.

It's not that I'm arrogant or disrespectful to the content of every letter they write to me. But these are all warranted letters containing only printed nonsense, and not handwritten. There is only a destination name without the sender's name.

Someone is mocking me or the sender of my first love letter. This joke started after I refused a letter from them. What do they expect from me after reading their love letter? I give you a reply by mail too?

Isn't it by giving a direct answer that I appreciate their feelings? I accepted that they had special feelings for me and I answered honestly. I don't love them. Even if I received the letter and read it, I would not automatically fall in love with the sender. That is not how love works in the opposite sex. Why is anyone angry?

“I don't know, Dira. At the time of the break, this box was nowhere. Then all of a sudden as I walked towards the exit, students from other classes gave this to me.” He put the cardboard on my desk.

“Beautiful ticks and many like, you consider their love letter as a joke?” said a classmate.

“If you take their likes seriously and sincerely, you need to learn again. Because when you sincerely love someone, you will not make them difficult and become a plumbing material in school.” I crossed my bag on my shoulder.

“Why don't you choose just one so they all stop hoping? Easy to do?” said another classmate.

“Of course he wouldn't do that. Just look at him. He pretended not to like receiving love letters, but he took all of them home. Maybe he put it all into a special album or scanned for later showcase on his social media.” They laughed mockingly.

“What's up? You guys are jealous of not receiving a single love letter?” The three of them looked angry. I smiled meaningfully. “You can get the letter any amount you need. Go ahead. I don't mind if you guys open and read it.”

They grumbled indistinctly, then turned away from me and walked towards the door. Wendy approached with a smile on her face. I sighed softly imagining having to walk while carrying the box towards the gate. For days I was the center of attention of the school because of it.

“You've never had a problem with the three of them before. Why are they acting so dislike towards you now?” wendy asked confusedly.

“They are just envious. Maybe they saw one of the young men they were estimating put a love letter into this box,” I said as I guessed. If only they knew that all these letters did not contain a statement of love but copy the paste from the news in the online media.

“Caused.” Wendy glanced at her watch, then turned her head in the direction. “Come, we have to go now. I still have a lot of work at home.” I obey.

As I thought. People looked at me and whispered with the person by his side seeing what I was carrying. This box is not an ordinary box labeled with the original product brand. Someone wrapped it in heart-painted gift paper and put up a striking colorful ribbon. That's why I know they're just playing me.

Kak Hadi with his towering height and athleticism always looks cool wearing any outfit. His handsome face did not diminish even though he was staring coldly. The girls even melted down if he expressed that way rather than when he smiled amiably.

Adi is the male version of Mama. Compared to Hadi, he was much more handsome. Moreover, he is a friendly person so he is easy to like. Her words were sweet, her demeanor was polite, and she was very rarely angry. Even though people ridiculed or hurt him, he only considered the wind last.

Before approaching me, Brother scolded one of the security guards and said something. He then walked with a serious face towards me. The box I was holding was taken away, then he walked towards the garbage patch not far from the school gate. He put the box in a barrel and used a lighter to light the fire. So, that's what Kak Hadi asked of the security officer earlier.

“If tomorrow there is still someone who dares to make this joke again, I will meet everyone who sends letters and talks directly with your parents!” kak Hadi said in a loud voice so that those who passed by him listened. “Tell that to your other friends. It's enough you guys humiliate my sister.”

No one dared to make a sound as it passed my brother. The students accelerated their steps towards the gate. I don't like Kak Hadi's overprotective attitude, but I thank him for standing up for me in front of these students. Hopefully tomorrow no one will dare to do the same joke.

“Finally the limit of patience Brother runs out too,” Wendy's tease when we're already in the car. “They don't care when Dira says stop, let's see if tomorrow they are still acting or not.”

“If they still do that stupid thing, let me know immediately. My business tomorrow is just studying in Papa's office. I can come anytime to teach them a lesson,” Brother said seriously. I rolled my eyeballs hearing it. Brother saw me from the front rearview mirror. “Why is your reaction so, Dira?”

“Kakak isn't my parent or guardian. The security guard won't open the door for you. Just chill. No one would dare to send that fake letter again.” I glanced at my vibrating phone. “Hm. I almost forgot. Tonight accompany me to my friend's birthday party, yes, sister. I can't take that stupid Colin again.”

“Take Wendy. I want to accompany Papa in the office. Tonight there was a dinner appointment with one of his business partners,” Kak Hadi refused quickly.

“I can't, Brother. I'll be part-time until night.” Wendy looked at me and Brother in turn. “In the meantime I won't be able to work due to the preparation of the final exam. So, as much as possible I will focus on my work.”

I looked at Brother through the rearview mirror. He won't return my gaze. I put on a sad face begging him. He sighed softly. “Good. But don't go home long.”

“Beres!” cheers happy.

Coming with my brother to an event was much more proud than being with Colin. My co-workers must be envious to see me coming with a young man as handsome as him. Especially with his height that will defeat us all. I just need to get ready if they try to monopolize my brother.

Mama chose clothes for me and arranged my hairstyle. Yuyun's mother also helped. Every time I attend an event where beautiful models come, Mama doesn't want me to be less fashionable with all of them. And without all the makeup and hairdressing, I was still the prettiest among them all.

After Mama was satisfied to see my performance and Hadi's sister, we were allowed to leave. Sis Hadi looked at me coldly, annoyed that she also had to be stylish like a top model. He wears a T-shirt with a V-shaped collar combined with a dark blue suit. With that performance, I'm sure the owner of the agency who attended the event must have proposed to her as a model.

The seventeenth anniversary event was celebrated in the garden of a five-star hotel. I wore low heels so I found no difficulty when walking on grass. Journalists not only gathered in front of the hotel entrance, some of them also attended events and photographed everything that caught their attention.

“Don't try to get away from me. I hate all eyes that look at me.” Brother Hadi is standing uncomfortably by my side. As I thought, bringing Brother to this event made me the center of attention.

“Yes, my dear brother. Come on, let's get some food. After that we will go home. I also do not want to linger in this place.” Seeing as the reporters could move freely among the guests, I didn't like it. I'd rather have a party that's private than open like this.

“Wah, wow, wow. See who's coming with his new girlfriend.” I heard the voice of the girl I avoided the most in the world coming from behind me. “Where is your old girlfriend, Dira? You dumped it after you got bored with it?”