Episode 5

Day by day sped swiftly by. Chaca was now resuming her college activities with a renewed vigor.

"Honey, are you heading to college?" Faris inquired, noting how neatly dressed Chaca was as she descended the stairs.

"Yes, Dad, I'm tired of staying at home all the time," Chaca replied, pecking the back of Faris's hand.

"Where are Mom and sis?" Chaca looked around curiously, searching for Lana and Leona to bid farewell.

"They're at Grandma's," Faris responded softly, though Chaca remained silent.

Even though Faris welcomed Chaca with open arms, his parents did not share his warm sentiments. They harbored a deep dislike for Chaca and refused to acknowledge her presence.

"Umm, well, I should get going now, Dad, especially since I want to stop by Hanna's place first," said Chaca.

"Be careful, okay?" Faris said, to which Chaca nodded in response.

It took Chaca 25 minutes to reach Hanna's lodging, where she quickly parked her motorcycle out front and entered Hanna's room without delay.

"Hey, where are you off to so hurriedly?" Chaca asked when she saw Hanna locking her door in a rush.

"I've got to run to my husband Jenar's office. What brings you here so early? We don't have class until the afternoon," Hanna asked, puzzled at Chaca's premature arrival.

"Just bored at home, told you I had an early class," Chaca said sulking.

"Then it's serendipitous," Hanna quipped, flashing a broad, toothy smile.

"I suddenly have this uneasy feeling," Chaca admitted.

"Hehe, Cha. You know you're my gorgeous and kind friend, far from arrogant," Hanna said, provoking a disgruntled click of the tongue from Chaca.

"Cut the flattery, just get to the point," Chaca grumbled.

"Could you give me a lift to Jenar's office?" Hanna pleaded adorably. "I forgot A Arlan's flash drive last night, and it's crucial for this morning's meeting," she said, showing Chaca the tote containing Arlan's jacket.

"How come his assistant's jacket ended up here?" Chaca squinted skeptically. "Spill it, what was he doing at your place?"

"Oh gosh, Cha. Nothing happened, okay? We just chatted in the park last night. It was chilly, so he lent me his jacket, but it turns out his pocket had this important file for today's meeting," Hanna explained.

"Trying to be romantic like in those dramas, huh?" Chaca teased with a sneer.

"Jealous much?" Hanna chuckled mockingly. "Come on, please, I really need you to come with me," she whined, eventually persuading Chaca to ride with her to the Pranata Group office.

Once they reached the Pranata office, Hanna dashed in, leaving Chaca all alone outside.

"Some friend... no morals whatsoever," Chaca muttered in annoyance.

Beep beep!

A car pulled up, interrupting Chaca's reverie with its horn.

"Handsome man!" Chaca exclaimed upon seeing the man who had helped her several days prior.

The man removed his sunglasses and gave Chaca a look that was hard to decipher.

"Who is that?" Arya asked, just stepping out of his car.

"No idea," he replied with a nonchalant shrug.

"Why so snobbish, handsome man? Just because you're good-looking doesn't mean you can be arrogant," Chaca grumbled, vexed by the man's apparent lack of recognition.

"Focus on that kid first, I'm heading inside," Arya said, patting Dimas's shoulder.

"What brings you here?" Dimas asked Chaca in a cold, sharp tone.

"I was just dropping a friend off, but now that I've seen you here, I'd really like to chat," Chaca responded, beaming with joy.

"This is a workplace, not a lounge for chitchat. If there's nothing more for you here, please leave the premises."

"Come on, don't be so harsh. What if you end up falling for me? That would be complicated," Chaca chuckled to herself.

"Go home." Dimas maintained a neutral demeanor while addressing Chaca, though internally, he was itching to scold the self-assured youngster in front of him.

"How about lunch together, as my way of saying thank you for the other day?" Chaca proposed.

"I am busy! You should leave now and never come back here," said Dimas sternly before walking away from Chaca.

"Handsome man, thank you, and have a nice day..." Chaca shouted, waving her hand, drawing the attention of everyone around. But Chaca didn't care and remained indifferent.

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