He's The Unaffordable
Chapter 5 - Honesty

“Colin came with his girlfriend,” I replied honestly. Papa looked at me for a moment before looking at Mama. I'm back biting my bread, wanting to get out of this place.

“What girlfriend? Aren't you and her getting married next year? Why does she suddenly have a boyfriend without any prior notice?” ask Mama confused.

“I don't know, Ma. Let alone me, Lily was also surprised her brother suddenly had a girlfriend.” I lifted both my shoulders.

“I told you, I don't trust that young man. He already made my daughter cry, so don't stop me if I accidentally break his hand later,” Papa told Mama. I shuddered slowly. If Papa breaks his hand, Colin will not be able to do his hobby again. Mom put her hand on Papa's.

“Darling, I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding. We often experience that. This is a problem between Dira and Colin, we as parents should not interfere. And you have to be able to hold yourself back. You can't keep threatening to hurt Colin every time Dira gets disappointed with his attitude. Did you see my papa do that?” mama tried to calm Papa.

“I'm not Papa, so I solved my problem my way.” Papa turned back to me. I swallowed heavily. “If Colin is not serious with you, you should think again about your wedding plans. There is too much you will sacrifice if there is a third person in your relationship. You already know it.”

My mom and dad's wedding was perfect. They loved each other and had seen a day where Papa and Mama could separate from each other. At least that's what I had in mind until one day they said what they had experienced until their marriage was at stake.

Honesty is something we hold dear in our family. Papa and Mama always make sure that they are the safest place for us to share secrets and every bad thing we experience. They never let us down in that. They even share bad experiences in their marriage and life as proof they also do not keep secrets from us.

That is why, overnight events will not be kept secret from them. Sooner or later, Papa will find out. He has a lot of eyes and ears ready to complain about all the things we have experienced to him. But he wanted to hear it straight from our mouths.

“I'll talk to Colin. Give me some time 'cause I'm still so mad at him right now. We won't be able to talk well with a cool head now.” I looked down and didn't dare look Papa in the eye. “I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding.”

“You all right, baby? I can talk to him if you're not ready. After all, she asked me for permission specifically to marry you. If he cancels his plan, then he should talk to me about it too,” Papa said now in a soft voice. The anger that was in his eyes.

“I can handle this myself, Pa,” I said as I glanced at Mama. She smiles. “I promise I will tell Papa and Mama the result of our talk.”

“Good.” Papa smiles. “Spend your food. You had a photo shoot this morning, ‘kan?” Papa glanced at his watch. I don't need to ask how he knows that, because he always knows all our activities. “What are you going to drive him, Hadi?”

“Iya, Pa. I have an appointment with Colin and friends this afternoon. After we are done, I will also pick up Dira home,” replied Brother. Papa nodded in relief.

“Me and Mama will be attending the wedding of the daughter of one of our colleagues, so tell Yuyun whether or not you will have dinner at home. Adi, are you coming with us?” ask Papa. Adi nodded his head.

Brother Hadi dropped me off in front of a park. After promising to see each other again in this place, I got out of the car and Big Brother went to see his best friend. I'd love to be with him and talk to Colin right now. But talk about what? I'll definitely cry seeing her face later, then she'll feel sorry for me. I don't need that.

Vikal, my personal assistant, come to me immediately. He led me to a car. Inside were the clothes I needed to wear and the makeup artist who helped me get ready. I put on the clothes first, then let the young lady scoop the makeup on my face and stare at my hair.

“Try guessing who came to the office this morning and caused a commotion,” Vikal said as I got out of the car towards the shooting location. I don't have to answer because he will answer the question himself. “Reese Foster.”

“You told Mr Billy that I can't accept a new job until after SMU, ‘kan?” tanyaku. He assented. “Then why Reese can come to the office?”

“He was angry because it was considered a second choice. The cosmetics company chose you, but you refused. So, they offered the job to him through his agent. He thinks you intentionally did that to demean him,” Vikal replied. “But don't worry. Mr. Billy has handled everything well.”

Reese is a senior model, only a year older than me, but she feels she is better than everyone. Even though we were from different agents, she always auditioned the same as me. At first, he always won every job until one day I got that honor.

“Thank God after this shoot ended, I don't need to face that drama for the next few months.” I sigh in relief.

“Are you sure you wait until the PTN selection announcement to start working again? Why not after the exam alone?” Vikal is still trying to change his mind.

“I'm sure Mr. Billy will make me pay my five-month leave by giving me a lot of work. I'd rather be working when my future is certain than waiting. My future is in my education, Vikal,” I said seriously.

“Your future is before your eyes, Dira. This is your future.” He pointed around us with his hands spread. “You are young and I am sure when you retire, you already have enough money to live comfortably in old age. Education will not give you much money.”

“You're talking about me or yourself?” godaku's. He opened his mouth to answer, then closed it again as soon as he understood the meaning of my question.

This photo shoot was the last in a series of commercials for an expensive perfume that contracted me to be their lead model. I had the honor of being the person of their choice after going through a rigorous audition. So, I did my best so that they wouldn't regret having made a choice on me.

Of course Reese was also in the audition. I still remember how surprised he was when my name was named as the winner of the two-year contract. If it wasn't for his assistant holding his hand, I'm sure he'd have tantrums in front of everyone, humiliating himself.

But I understood when I read for myself the value of the contract they offered. That kind of money will make any model willing to do everything to get it. Om Zach who always helped me learn every contract before making a signature rounded his eyes to read it. Even he himself was surprised to see the number.

Four more stylish hours in front of the camera followed the direction of the photographer and style director, twice changing clothes, as well as an hour of lunch break, finally the shoot was completed as well. I was so happy to see the photos that the photographer showed from the back screen of his camera.

“Dira, beware!!” yelled Vikal who was running towards me. Everyone shouted a warning to me and the photographer standing by my side. I looked in the direction they saw. An iron pole fell towards me.

*****

Meanwhile in a hotel~ hall

Adi looked at the young lady in front of him. She is very beautiful with minimalistic makeup and hair curled with clasps on the left side of her head. Just like the other receptionists, she wore a turquoise green kebaya.

“You don't lie, you're not a teenager,” Adi said still in disbelief. “You still have time to play games? Don't you work?”

“We have promised not to discuss Adi.”'s personal life She smiled sweetly. “You came with your parents?” Adi. “They are walking here.”

“Oh.” Adi looked in the direction that the woman was looking. “Maybe they want to take me home. You're going to join our team meeting this month?”

“You always meet on Saturday night. I can't.” He shook his head slowly.

“Because you're dating your girlfriend.” Adi nodded in understanding. The woman smiled.

“Adi, it's time we go home.” Zahara looked between Adi and the woman with a curious look. “Sorry, I cut your conversation. Who's this pretty girl, baby?”

“It's okay, Ma. We're done talking.” Adi stood up to Zahara. “Ng, introduce, Ma, Pa. This is Diah Kahyang. My wife is in the game.”