Chapter 3

Aletta stared sharply at Celine; her friend was truly loyal to her. How could this happen? Because Celine had a strong liking for Aletta's brother.

"So, Killian, the crazy one, threatened me," Celine finally explained.

"Oh, so you knew he was crazy and still brought him to me?" Aletta replied, not pleased.

"It's not like that, Ta, he's not crazy, well, he's really crazy." In the end, Celine couldn't say anything other than admitting it.

Everyone knew how crazy Killian was from then until now. During their college days, Killian was already known for retaliating against anyone who disturbed him without fear. Even Killian's parents were called multiple times because of his actions. Eventually, he was sent abroad for further education.

And now? He always acted arbitrarily towards his employees. Even though his salary was high, it was challenging to deal with the young boss.

"I'll be fired if I don't bring him to meet you," Aletta said finally.

Aletta had been working as Killian's secretary for 3 years, but her position was not a direct secretary but an assistant secretary. So, she rarely met Killian directly.

During these 3 years of work, today was the first time she was called and would be fired if she refused to help that crazy boss.

"So, are you skipping work?" Aletta asked finally.

Of course, Aletta would understand if it was work-related. Celine was the breadwinner of her family because her parents were no longer there, and she had a younger sibling still in college.

"I was given leave; maybe the whole office is already gossiping that I'm dating that crazy guy." Celine replied a bit annoyed.

"But Ta, he really likes you," Celine informed.

"That's not the problem. You know my marriage just failed, and I'm not ready to be in a relationship again." Aletta replied.

"But why didn't you tell him about Gerald?" Celine asked softly.

"I don't want to make Dad worried," Aletta quickly answered.

"In the end, your dad would worry too, right?" Celine replied quickly.

Aletta fell silent and couldn't say anything; that was the truth.

"Tomorrow, my brother will come home after hearing what happened to me; he'll surely be very angry with Gerald." Aletta said, a little worried.

"If I were your brother, I'd be angry too," Celine replied in a soft voice.

"Do you want to have dinner at home tomorrow?" Aletta asked her friend.

"Check my schedule tomorrow; afraid of overtime." Celine replied quickly.

Aletta nodded and smiled faintly.

"By the way, news about the divorce is out and trending. Be careful if you decide to go out," Celine warned.

"I don't think I can go out. Gerald keeps contacting me. You know I'd melt if I meet him." Aletta replied in a low voice.

About Killian, please consider it; who knows, my salary might increase." Celine said half-jokingly.

Aletta, hearing this, could only smile faintly. She remembered who Killian was. However, she didn't expect him to change this much. Killian, who used to be warmer, now seemed very cold even though he spoke kindly to her.

"Ta," Celine called softly.

"Why?" Aletta quickly replied.

"Do you have any money? I need to borrow some; my younger sibling's allowance is overdue this month." Celine asked without hesitation.

"How much?" Aletta asked, taking her phone.

During her marriage, although Aletta never received money from her husband except for groceries, she always got a monthly allowance from her father and brother. They said it was a share of the profits from the company.

"I don't know who else I'd ask for help if not you," said Celine, hugging her friend.

"If it weren't for you, I'd be suffering even more," Aletta replied honestly.

She was forbidden to socialize during her marriage; all she did was play with her phone. Meanwhile, her husband was always busy with his lover at home. She was like a servant, all because of her mistake in loving the wrong man.

"Let me know when it's in," Aletta informed.

"When I get a bonus from Killian, I'll pay you back." Celine said without any guilt.

"Killian? Which one?"

A male voice suddenly sounded, making Celine and Aletta turn to look at Liandro, Aletta's brother, who had apparently arrived home.

Celine quickly released her hug on Aletta and began to move away. Celine was still embarrassed when meeting Liandro; he had rejected her three times.

"How did you know I was coming home today?" Liandro asked Celine.

"Me?" Celine stammered.

"I came not because I knew you were coming. If I knew, I wouldn't have come." Celine replied nervously.

"Unusual, usually you also ask for a hug." Liandro said, putting his coat on the sofa.

"I'm already grown up; I know I can't do that." Celine replied.

Aletta, watching, could only laugh softly. She knew very well that her friend was nervous seeing her brother. Aletta knew how much Celine liked her brother.

"Who says you can't? Come here." Liandro replied.

"Ta, I'm going home now." Celine excused herself and ran away.

Aletta, watching her friend, could only laugh. She couldn't believe she would laugh again like this.

"I'll take her home first." Liandro said, standing up and gently stroking Aletta's hair.

"Invite her to dinner; she probably hasn't eaten since she came straight from the office." Aletta replied, and Liandro nodded in response.

"Do you want me to buy you something?" Liandro asked.

"No," Aletta replied quickly.

After that, Liandro went out carrying his car keys. Aletta knew her brother was also interested in her friend, but he lacked confidence because he didn't have a stable income. Moreover, Aletta wasn't supporting just herself but also her younger sibling.

After seeing her brother off, Aletta went back into her room after telling the housekeeper to bring her brother's suitcase and belongings inside.

Aletta lay down and closed her eyes slowly. Her hand moved to gently stroke her stomach in silence. Some time ago, Aletta could still feel the twitches in her stomach; now she couldn't feel anything. It made Aletta realize that she had truly lost her prospective baby, the baby she thought would help her keep going.