"Thank you for accepting me as a guest at your place. Sorry for disturbing your rest, Mr. Oriaga." Elia left after observing Oriaga for a while. The man was silent primarily and turned his attention to the laptop screen.

Oriaga felt grateful for having a laptop beside him, and he was tired of responding to the model for discussing something less attractive.

"No problem, my time is tight." Oriaga escorted Elia to the main door.

"Ah, yes. I have a contract with a fashion magazine in Amsterdam. It would be great to visit there, and you can accept an invitation to dinner with me."

"Really? When are you coming to Amsterdam?"

"In two months." Elia smiled. She walked out after Oriaga opened the door. "I'll go now." She looked at the left side and found someone installing a camera at the end of the hallway, then looked back at Oriaga. "Eum, I wanted to say goodbye beforehand."

"What does that mean?"

Suddenly, Elia pulled Oriaga's hand and hugged him. The camera managed to get a picture of them, and just as the shutter light made a capture, the tail of Oriaga's eyes noticed it. He immediately turned his head and found someone like a paparazzi with a covered appearance rushing away.

"Ah, sorry for overacting. Good night." Elia released her embrace and walked down the deserted hallway. While Oriaga's two rows of thick eyebrows seemed to come together in response to something, he kept looking at the end of the hallway where the paparazzi had photographed him.

"Looks like someone is trying to play a game with me. We'll see who wins and cares about it," Oriaga muttered. He re-entered the room and closed the door, then locked it.

***

"Are you sure you're going to sell your car, Amanda? Isn't that vehicle the only thing you have? You'll have trouble getting to and from work if you sell it. Your office is so far away you'll be late if you have trouble catching the bus in the morning." Nadine continued to worry about her sister's wishes.

"Then, what else am I supposed to do? It's even harder to see the scenery when the debt collectors come here. Don't you get tired of arguing with them?" Amanda stirred her chocolate milk. They were in the kitchen, sitting across from each other at the dining table, when Pamela locked the door to her room.

"Yes, I'm very bored. But I could try borrowing money from my friends."

"If the house's shortfall isn't paid off soon, Mom will keep pressuring you to marry a rich man. Are you still able to take care of it?"

Amanda's words defeated Nadine. Her sister shook her head and daydreamed.

"It's no big deal if I have to wait for the bus at the bus stop. My life is still fine. Trust me."

"You sacrifice too much, Amanda."

The woman smiled. She had given up and decided everything. She got up, holding a glass of chocolate milk.

"Don't overthink about it, and I'll find a buyer for my car soon. You can also offer it to your friends," Amanda said.

"I'll do it, Amanda."

"Alright. I have to go to my room now, don't forget to rest."

Nadine nodded and let her sister go. They were only a few years apart in age, but Nadine always felt that Amanda's attitude and way of thinking were much better than hers.

"She doesn't even have a boyfriend yet. If Amanda had one, she could ask him to drive her to work. That girl is always busy making things difficult for herself."

Amanda entered the room, taking half a sip from her glass before placing it in the drawer by the side of the bed and turning to her laptop. She didn't want to wait until tomorrow. At this moment, Amanda immediately uploaded the photo of the car and some of the terms of sale of the vehicle on the internet.

She did not intend to tell Nadine or her mother about the sinister events that had happened to her last night, and she knew that if Amanda opened her voice, new problems would come while her brain and body were too tired to be invited to face many problems.

"Hopefully, someone will be interested in buying it soon even though my car isn't as nice as everyone else's." Amanda closed the laptop and moved it to the drawer, and she finished the rest of her chocolate milk.

***

"Joana."

"Yes, sir. Do you need anything?" The 35-year-old woman was Oriaga's assistant. Luckily, Joana was married and had a five-year-old daughter, and she had no reason to like Oriaga other than admiration for her boss's professionalism and authority.

"Model Elia Pinot's manager called you last night?" Oriaga stopped walking and made Joana follow him. They were in the hotel hallway after packing, and this morning, both had to return to Amsterdam.

"Yes, sir."

"You allowed her to see me?"

Joana was silent. She frowned as if remembering something, then shook her head. "I didn't allow her because I knew your break time. Did she see you?"

Oriaga nodded, and Joana let out a rough breath.

"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't know she came to see you when I didn't allow it."

Oriaga snorted. He shoved a pair of hands into his pants pockets. "Maybe someone is trying to do something." He resumed walking, Joana following behind him.

"What do you mean, sir? Did they do something bad?"

"No, but if someone is lying from the start. They're certainly up to something."

"Eum. I will immediately contact Ms. Elia Pinot's manager and reprimand her." Joana felt very guilty, and she had a meeting with someone else last night, so she didn't fully care for Oriaga's needs. After all, Oriaga let her go if she wanted to enjoy the atmosphere in Paris before they returned to Amsterdam.

Oriaga knew that Joana occasionally bought gifts for her daughter when she went to other countries as an apology for being away.

"No, no. You don't have to, and they're not a threat to me. Just know the attitude."

"Yes, sir."

"Did my grandmother call you today?" asked Oriaga without turning around.

"No call. Madame Gloria just sent a message."

"What did it say?"

"She doesn't want you to buy perfume or anything else because if you do–then Madame Gloria will give them away to other people free of charge."

Oriaga suppressed a smile, knowing he had always been an annoying granddaughter to his grandmother.

Joana walked beside Oriaga, knowing he was smiling.

"That's it?"

"Ah. There's one more message Madame Gloria sent last night."

"What is it?" When discussing his grandmother, Oriaga's demeanor softened and was more gentle, and he was always listening so as not to miss anything.

"The same as before, sir."

Oriaga paused. He turned to Joana with a puzzled expression. "I don't understand."

"Madame Gloria hopes that you will soon find a partner and get married. You should never forget this wish, sir."

"That old woman is—ugh!" Oriaga almost punched the air. He was a little annoyed, but it subsided quickly. If it weren't for his demanding grandmother, he would have cursed at everyone.

Then, Oriaga's cell phone rang. He took it from his coat pocket before speaking, "Joana, go out first. I have to answer a call from Zayn."

"Alright, sir. I'll wait for you outside." Joana quickly stepped aside while Oriaga answered the phone.

"Yes. How did it go?"

"I sent the data of company X as you requested, sir."

"I'll check it when I get to Amsterdam. Meet me at home soon, and there are many things to discuss."

"What time should I be at your house?"

"One hour from now."

"Yes, sir."

***