CHAPTER 7

A few minutes later, she finally met up with Lovita. Lovita was carrying two large suitcases in her hands. She took one of Lovita's suitcases, and they headed towards the elevator. She looked at her friend, who was wearing jeans and a white t-shirt. She knew that in their group of friends, which included herself, Angel, Lovita, Iren, and Clara, they all came from broken homes. However, they remained strong and resilient in facing life's challenges.

Bianca hugged Lovi's shoulder, "You have to be patient, Lov."

Lovita smiled, "Yeah, I'll be fine. What I was worried about was my mom, actually. But I'm relieved that she's back in Bali now."

The elevator doors opened, and they entered the apartment. Lovita glanced around Bianca's apartment, which could be considered luxurious for a single person, more spacious than her previous apartment.

"Are you going to sleep with me or in the next room?" Bianca gave Lovita the option.

"Just the next room for now. Until I figure out renting an apartment."

"Why don't you just stay here?"

"Well, it wouldn't be comfortable. You'd lose your privacy," Lovita chuckled.

"I don't have any secrets from my best friend."

"What time is it?" Lovi asked as she looked at Bianca opening the door to her room.

Bianca glanced at her circular watch, showing 7:10, "It's a little past seven."

"Oh no! I have to hurry to work," Lovita said as she opened her suitcase to get her work clothes.

"You work?"

"Yeah, I do. What else would I eat if I don't work? You're lucky you have a rich boyfriend; you don't need to work, and money gets transferred to your account."

"If there's one like Mr. Peter, I'd take it," Lovi said, laughing. She changed into her work attire.

Bianca sat on the edge of the bed, watching Lovi getting ready, "Have you showered?"

"Yeah, I did at the hotel. I showered early in the morning, as I was taking my mom to the airport."

"So you just came from the airport."

"Yes."

Bianca noticed that Lovita seemed to be in a hurry because she knew Lovita had to be at work by eight, "Aren't you going to have breakfast?"

"No, I'll grab something at the office. I'll ask the office boy to get me something."

"Actually, my fridge is empty too. I was planning to go grocery shopping at Grand Lucky later."

"Do you want to come along?"

"No, you go ahead. You have work."

A few minutes later, Lovita was all dressed up and ready to go to the office. She escorted her friend to the front door, "What time will you be back?" Lovita asked.

"At around five in the evening."

Bianca handed Lovita an access key, "Here's your key access so you don't have to wait for me."

Lovita smiled, "Thanks, Bi. You're truly a best friend."

Bianca smiled back, "Yeah, just focus on your work. Don't worry too much about your parents right now. The important thing is that you're safe."

"I will," Bianca watched Lovita enter the elevator, and the elevator took her down. She couldn't say much about her friend's life, but the most important thing was that Lovi was safe.

***

At exactly ten o'clock, Bianca arrived at Grand Lucky. She grabbed a shopping cart and prepared to make her way to the shelves. Glancing at her phone, she checked her shopping list. The first thing she did was head to the dry foods section, adding regular bread and whole wheat bread to her cart. She also picked up her favorite strawberry jam that had run out. Continuing her shopping, she grabbed a few ciabatta rolls.

"Morning, Bianca."

Bianca furrowed her brow, hearing a deep voice calling her name from behind. Automatically, she turned, and her heart raced as she looked at a man wearing a white shirt and gray trousers. His hair was neatly combed, and he smiled at her. The man's smile was almost identical to the one she had seen in her dreams.

Bianca was stunned for a few seconds, her focus fixed on Alex standing before her, his warm cologne filling her nostrils.

"You!" she exclaimed.

"Shopping, I see," Alex said.

"Why are you here?" Bianca muttered, feeling like Alex was following her.

Alex smiled, observing Bianca. She was wearing a green emerald floral dress that made her skin stand out in contrast. As always, she looked beautiful, even more so than when they had met at the restaurant the other day.

"Just following you," he replied.

Bianca's eyes widened in shock. "What? Why are you following me?"

"We need to talk, just the two of us."

"For what?" Bianca said, clearly not pleased.

Alex leaned in closer, "I know who you are," he whispered, sending shivers down Bianca's spine.

****

"I know who you are."

Bianca reluctantly shifted her gaze to her shopping list. Once again, she felt like a woman experiencing anxiety. There was still much to buy, and she couldn't fulfill the man's desire to accompany her. Bianca looked at Alex again, and he was still waiting for her answer.

Bianca knew that most conglomerates valued their time highly. Almost none of them would waste their time on trivial matters, and if it had come to this, it must be very important to him. Alexander was very busy because he was the only one managing his father's company in Indonesia. When he was here, he must have reduced exposure to meet her.

"I don't have time to entertain you. Please leave my presence," Bianca continued her steps towards the shelves, entering the groceries she needed into her mobile phone notes.

However, Alex continued to follow Bianca's steps, and her words seemed to have no effect on him. Alex smiled meaningfully, "I have wasted my time to meet you. What's wrong with chatting at a coffee shop? There's something I want to discuss with you."