CHAPTER ONE

A loud noise startled Ivyna awake. And it's no other than, her parents' arguments. To avoid hearing her parents' argument, she covered her ears with the pillow she was hugging. Their squabbles would have always woken her up early in the morning.

Even though she was used to it, it irritated her whenever it happened. Because who doesn't? Instead of sleeping peacefully, their fight will keep you awake. Regardless of who it was, you were irritated becuase of it.

But instead of intervening in their argument, she simply stood back and pretended she hadn't heard or seen anything.

Her mother was a loquacious women and her father was a alcoholic-addict person. They began bargaining with each other when she was in high school. There is no day exemption for their fights.

"FU*KING AS*HOLE! MALVIN, YOU'RE FU*KING SH*IT!" Her mother shouted angrily.

"FU*K YOU TOO, BIT*CH! YOU'RE A HEARTLESS WOMEN! YOUR FU*KING IRRITATED VOICE MADE ME FU*CKING SICK!" Her father yelled back.

"YOU'RE FU*KING BREAKFAST IS ALCOHOL, REALLY?! WOULDN'T YOUR DAY BE COMPLETE IF YOU DIDN'T DRINK FU*KING ALCOHOL?!"

"YEAH, SO FU*KING WHAT?! DON'T MIND MY FUC*KING BUSINESS!"

"IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU USE YOUR MONEY FOR BUYING YOUR ALCOHOL! BUT, NO! YOU'RE NOW IN DEPT EVERY STORE IN OUR STREET! WHAT YOU GONNA DO? WAIT FOR US TO PAY IT FOR YOU?! DREAM ON, AS*HOLE!"

"WHAT THE USE OF YOU IF YOU DIDN'T PAY FOR IT?! HUH?! YOUR NOT FU*KING HELPING ME AT ALL!"

"YOU FU*KING TOO! YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANY GOOD FOR US!"

Ivyna finally got out of bed and stretched her arms up. She couldn't sleep again. Who does it? Aside from their yelling at each other, things outside her room were banging and making a loud noise, keeping her awake.

"Morning," she greeted herself. She went to the bathroom to wash her face before changing her clothes.

When she went outside of her room and saw how sloppy their belongings were, she was unsurprised. Most of their belongings were broken, cut off, or not in their proper place.

'Great.' She thought.

She shut her door and walked carefully towards their kitchen. Her parents' voices could be heard from their backyard. She felt sorry for their neighbors who were still sleeping at this hour.

She brewed a cup of coffee for herself and retrieved the bread from their refrigerator before taking a seat at their dining table. While biting the bread, she received a message from a co-waker named July.

She opened it and read.

JULY:
Beh, maybe I'll be late. How about you?

She immediately composed a reply.

IVYNA:
So Am I. HAHAHAHAHA!

She finished her breakfast before her parents went back inside. She went back to her room and took a shower. She fixed herself in order to get ready for work. While she was getting ready, her parents continued to argue. She didn't bother putting herself in the middle of them.

She was overall fixed herself but her parents aren't yet. Their arguments went in a circular topic— from alcohol, dad's chicken, mom's plants, money, clothes, things up to any other things that they're saw.

She put a light red lipstick on her lips. She stood and stare her reflection to the mirror. She looked good in their office attire. After an hour of fixing herself, she left their home with her parents still arguing.

She arrived at her workplace as quickly as her parents changed their arguments. She was late because the jeep in which she was riding got flat tire on the way.

"Good morning, Miss Ivy." Then guard greeted her with a wide smile.

She smiled. "Good morning too."

"You're late, ma'am."

She nodded. "Heavy traffic."

She bid him a goodbye and went inside. Despite the fact that their company has an elevator, she usually took the stairs. It's just that she was traumatized by it. It happened when she was eight, her mother forgot about her, and because it was crowded the elevator was and she didn't know who she was with, she cried until she passed out. How happy, right? Her own mother forgot her inside of it.

"I expected you to be first before me. But look, I got first." July said while smiling.

She put down her bag to her table and sat down. She glimpsed at her.

"Heavy traffic." She answered.

July nodded. "By the way, have you done the papers for today?"

She pouted as she remembered. "Not yet. Oh, right, was boss here already?"

She nodded. "Yep."

"Okay! Ha! Let's start!"

_______________

TAESE was annoyed by the person who was calling on his phone. He didn't answer it and ended it several times, but the caller persisted in wanting to speak with him. For the last time, he ended it again! For fucking sake!He's preoccupied with the papers that have piled up on his office table! He doesn't want anyone bothering him.

But the caller called again! He sagged the ballpen he was holding and responded.

"What now, mom? I'm fu— I'm busy!" He retorted angrily.

"Are you deaf or something, Tease, hijo?" The irritation could her from her voice. "I called you many times and you didn't answer it! How dare you to do that to me? To your mother!?"

He rolled his eyes as he heard her mother's statement. Isn't obvious? He refused to speak with her. He has no intention to argue with her. He has a lot of work ahead of him. And he doesn't want to get into an argument with her.

He took a deep breath, relaxing himself.

"Mom, I said busy. I had a backlog of papers to sign that needed for this day!" He said. "Why did you call, anyway?"

"You sound as if you don't want to talk to me. Is that correct, Taese?Don't you want to speak with the person who gave birth to you, huh?" He was struck by her mother's dramatic tone.

'She's at it again'. He pondered. 'I wish I hadn't been born'.

He had a strained relationship with both his father and mother. They have not treated him well as if he weren't their son. He didn't feel love from the two at all even a little since he was a little up until now.

Even though he had everything he desired, he needed love from them to be feel happy. But now that he's grown, he doesn't feel any love, which is why he's rude and appeared to be dead.

That is why, as he grew older, he refused to obey them. He does not comply with their wishes. Even they swear and repeat what he hears over and over. Never in his life will he submit to their wishes. NEVER. He'll only followed his grandfather.

"TAESE, ARE YOU LISTENING?! Are you still there?! Taese! Hello? Hello? Taese!" Her mother yelled angrily at him.

He sighed. "Mom, I'm really busy. Talk to you later. Bye."

"Traese—"

Without any second thought, he hung up the call. He shook his head and continued what he was doing. But then, a few minutes later, someone dailed his number again. This time, it was his father who called him.

Annoyed, he put down the ballpoint pen he was holding on the table and answered his father's call.

"What—"

"YOU HAVE NO RESPECT TO YOU MOTHER? TO US, DO YOU?!" After he answered the call, this was his father said.

He shifted the phone away from him after hearing his father's loud voice.

"WHY AREN'T YOU ANSWERING YOUR MOTHER'S CALL?! IS THAT HOW WE RAISED YOU?!" His father rebuked.

Did you raise me? Taese's mind was the first to think of it. What he detested the most was having his character called into question.

"Dad, if you called me because mom told her lies, must stop it now. I have a lot of work to do so please don't add up."

"YOU TRULY HAVE NO RESPECT TO US—"

Instead of listening to his father's sentiments, he, himself, ended up the call. Due to irritation, he massaged the tip of his nose. To relax himself.

"Tsk!" He continued to sign the loaded papers on his table.

______

IVYNA stretched out her hands as she heard the bell rang. She was a little stiff from all of the finalizing she had done. She did, however, complete it on time. That's how good she was. She completed all her works on time.

"Beh, let's get some coffee. My neck was stiff, and my hands were tired." July, her coworker, said as she stretched.

She stood. "Yeah, let's go. I kinda felt tired, too."

"Ugh! My body!" She exclaimed and stood up as well.

They chatted as they made their way to the coffee room. It wasn't that far from their room so they reached it quickly.

They were about to go out carrying brewed coffee when someone stopped them.

"Hi, Ivyna."

A man appeared in front of them. He gave Ivyna a friendly smile.

"Oh, Harold? Do you need anything?" She stated in a perplexed tone.

He shook his head, still smiling. "Ah, nothing. Just, uh, wanna see you."

Her brow furrowed as she heard what he said. While July screamed quietly and softly patted her arm. She didn't gave her a second glance. Still staring at the man in front of them, who was staring directly at her.

"Why do you want to see me?" She doesn't want to be rude, but she also doesn't want a guy around her.

She noticed how slowly his ears turned red.

He rubbed his nape. "Ah..." Instead of answering her question, he reached into his pocket and handed her something. "Here. For you."

A small box showed in front of her. She looked at it for a second before glancing at him. She get the box from him without saying anything.

"What's this?" She said this while looking at the box.

His lips curved into a lovely smile. "Open it."

"Maybe a ring?" July whispered jokingly.

She fixed her gaze on her with stern look.

"Joke!" She said, smiling.

Ivyna shook his head before opening the box. She saw a beautiful anklet inside of it.

"What this is for? Why are you giving me this kind of gift?" She inquired repeatedly, her voice strained.

He was taken aback by her question, but he quickly recovered and gave her a smile. "A-Ah, nothing?" He questioned. "Becuase I want to?"

She shook her head and retrieved the anklet from the box. She gave it to him once more. Harold was taken aback when he saw the gift he had given her up close to his face. He made a surprised expression at her.

"I don't accept this."

"H-Huh?" His mouth was agape. "W-why? You don't l-like anklet?"

She only shook her hand and used her lips to point out the gift.

He was staring at her as well. He didn't make a single move.

She sighed as she noticed his sad eyes.

"I'm sorry, Harold. But, to be honest, I don't like you. I consider you as a friend rather than a lover. Sorry, we have to go."

She handed him the box and walked away without saying anything. She has a type of beauty that everyone admired. She is not a model or a celebrity, but she attracts a lot of men. And her biggest turn off was that giving her a gift which amount was big.

"Poor, Harold. He didn't passed the standard of Ivyna," July murmured in a humorous tone. She's following Ivyna. "But you knew that Harold was the most handsome and attractive guy in our floor, right? How come he didn't passed your standard?"

She simply shook her head and sipped her coffee.

She was well awared that she possessed the kind of beauty that all men desired. She's so attractive that every man was drawn to her just by glancing at her. But in her entire life—her twenty-six years existence in the human world. She only had one boyfriend. Yes, there was only one. And that one boyfriend she had was in her first year of college.

But she had only one goal in mind right now. She wanted to be separated from her parents and to live alone and peacefully. That's what she wanted to happen right now.

______

WHEN Taese had finished signing all of the papers on his table, he called his secretary.

After a few seconds, his office door opened. His secretary appeared and walked in.

"Sir?"

"Call Harry. We're going to my grandpa." He commanded without looking at him.

"Yes, sir." His secretary replied. Then he went out.

When his secretary returned and informed him that his driver was waiting for him, he moved quickly and exited the parking lot.

"Sir." His driver immediately saluted when he saw him coming.

"Let's go to granpa's company."

"Yes, sir." Harold, his driver, opened the door for him.

He went in.

He was looking out the window the entire time they were on their way. While playing with his watch. They arrived at his location in a matter of seconds. He informed his grandfather that he was on his way to his workplace, and he simply replied, "Okay." That's why his grandfather secretary met them in the parking lot.

"Where is he?" He asked when he went out of his car.

"In his office, Sir Taese." The secretary answered.

He nodded and walked past him. He took the elevator to his grandfather's office. He went into his office without knocking.

"Hey, Mion." He greeted.

His grandfather father smiled after he saw him.

What brings you here, Taese, hijo? "Are you tired of your job?" He inquired, amused.

He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

"Yeah." He then sat down to sofa.

"Or perhaps your parents bugged you again? Am I correct?" He asked once more, this time in a playful tone.

He didn't uttered a word. His grandfather was really know him. He was the only one who truly knows and understands him without having to ask. He closed his eyes and leaned against the sofa to rest his body.

"They're deviant. They called me once the one ended up our call."

Mion burst out laughing.

He opened his eyes and gave his grandfather a stern look. "So, why did you give them my new phone number in the first place? You already knew I didn't like talking to them. That's why they bothered me so much again."

"Taese, Taese, hijo," He shooked his head. He was having fun watching his grandson's difficult situation. "By the way, since you're already here, I'd like to say something to you."

"Spit it."

"You knew my body was weak now, didn't you?"

With just that, he opened his eyes and stared at him. He looked at Mion with an unbothered look.

"Why? Do you experience pain? Is there anything wrong with you? Tell me so that we can get rid of it right away."

Mion smiled. "You have too advanced a way of thinking. Taese."

He gave him a sharp stare. He didn't feel well enough to what he was going to say.

"Just split it. Don't make me feel anxious."

"Right. I want you to be the person in charge of this company for me."

His eyes widen. "What?! You knew I had a business to run, didn't you? Why would you add your company's work to mine?! You see, you had a lot of people willing to handle this company of yours, not me who's—"

"But I don't really trust them, just you." Mion cut him off. "Taese, I don't want to entrust this company's obligations to someone about whom I know very little. Yes, I recognize them, but I don't really know them. Not like the way I know you. I want someone to manage my company, someone I can rely on, and you are that person. You are the only one, Taese."

"Do you trust me that much?"

He nodded. "Yes, hijo, I really do. And if you accept this proposal, I guarantee you that I'll handle your parents. You can call me all the time if they bothered you. So, how is that? Is a no or a yes?"

He was preoccupied with his own thoughts. Only his grandfather, he realized, could stop his parents from bothering him. Because they were afraid Mion would not leave them an inherent someday. That's why they followed him, any waht he requested, like a robot.

"So?"

He sighed before nodded. "Yeah."

_____
IVYNA was fixing her belongings when July came over to her.

"Beh, let's go to the plaza. I heard there will be a show later. Also, we can get some cheap clothes or shoes there." She said, inviting her.

Ivyna closed her bad before turning to her. "I'll pass. I have something to do. So, bye."

"Hep! Don't you remember you ditched me last time? So this time, you will go with me even you want it or not. Let's go!"

She did nothing to oppose her when July pulled her with her.

There were a lot of people around when they arrived at the plaza. A lot of things could be seen around. They went to various stores and attempted to fit each piece of clothing and shoe they saw. But instead of buying, the just let it go and went to another store because of its prices.

"There's a lot of clothes and shoes I really want to buy but UGH!" July complained. "The prices was so BIG!"

Ivyna agreed to her.

"Aist! Let's eat something before it's dark."

They were talking how the prices was when someone called Ivyna out of nowhere.

"You! The lady in white bracelet! Come here!" A women suddenly disturbed them.

Ivyna looked at July, confused. July shook her head.

"Me?" Ivyna asked while pointing herself.

"Yes, hija, you. Come here quickly!"

"Beh, I think that's scam." July whispered to her.

She took a look at the foresee women. She had never believed in foresight since she was a child. But if she tried it, nothing would happen, would it?

She walked towards her unconsciously. But July stopped her. She grabbed her arm that made her looked at her.

"Why?"

"Don't."

"Let just try it."

"Just don't."

"Do you believe in foresight?"

She shook her head.

"Then let's try it. Nothing will happen." She removed July's arm and walked towards the woman.

The woman was in her fifties. She guided them to took a sit. They sat infront of her.

The woman gazed at her with a weird smile.

"I can see your future, hija."

Ivyna looked to July but July just shook her head and whispered. "Fakers."

"What is it then?" She asked.

"You will have a bright future, hija." She stated.

Ivyna was relieved.

"But I can see a problem as well."

She felt stunned.

"W-what is it?"

"There's a person who really close with you who's gonna die."

Ivyna looked to the person beside her. July shook her head, still not convinced to what the woman said.

Ivyna looked at her again. "What should I do to stop it, then?"

She watched her as she stood up in her seat. She went to get something and sat down once again.

"Here." She handed her a small bottle. "Drink this. I can't surely sure if it will stop it but I know it will help you."

They walked away after the woman handed her a small bottle. She was staring at it and July saw her.

"Don't drink that, Beh. We really don't know what's that thing can do to yourself. What if you will die after drinking that?"

Ivyna shook her and put the bottle insider her bag.

"I don't. I'll display it to my room."

They ate near where there was. Once done, they went again to see a clothes they could buy. But none. They went home without anything to brought.

They ate close to where there was. After that, they went to look for clothes to buy. But there are none. They went home without bringing anything.

Ivyna looked perplexed when she arrived at their house. The house appeared to be quite. There was no one inside when she arrived. Her mother and father are not home. Where were they? She tried to looked in the house' backyard but still they aren't there.

She entered her room and went change.

She laid her tired body in her bed and close her eyes. A minute later, her mind suddenly remembered the small bottle that the woman gave her. She sat down and get her bag.

"There's nothing will happened if I drink this, right?" She asked herself.

She stared at it for a minute before drank it all.

She tried to feel if there was anything wrong with her body, but there wasn't.

She threw the bottle.

"Fakers."

She said then laid her body again to the bed and sleep.

_
DB
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