I am hungry.

"Are you acting crying in front of me?" sneered Rafael, "if it was, it wouldn't work at all," he said scornfully. "Save those fake tears of yours for a fool you can trick because I don't have time for you."

Lana wiped her tears with the back of her hand. Really, she felt so humiliated by every word that came out of Rafael's mouth. Her chest was like being hit by a big rock that made her suffocate. Her throat felt constricted, while her tears continued to flow non-stop.

"It's up to you to think of me as a woman. Lowly… cheap… think all the bad things about me because I won't care anymore." Lana squeezed her hand tightly to keep the tears from falling. While bracing herself to face Rafael's cold attitude. "One day, I hope you will get karma for all the harsh things you did to me!"

Raphael chuckled. "Your wish will never come true," said Rafael. He then threw the bag filled with clothes at Lana until it hit her body. "Put on those clothes immediately because right now you look like a prostitute peddling your body!" then Rafael walked away without looking at Lana.

Lana fell down on the floor hugging the bag containing the clothes that Rafael brought. Did she really look that low in the eyes of Rafael and everyone else? Doesn't anyone think Lana is a woman who deserves to be treated well?

Did she have to live a bitter life like this?

"Father ... mother ... I miss you," sobbed Lana hugging her own body in tears that broke again.

***

"What took you so long?"

Darren looked at Rafael who walked up to him with a pile of documents. He glanced at his watch, it was already 10:30. Almost noon and time wasted just waiting for Rafael's arrival.

"Sorry. It's hard to find a clothing store that's open when it's early in the morning," Rafael replied, "this is the document you asked to bring," he continued.

Darren took the document. He then glanced at Raphael with a sharp gaze. "You didn't do anything to her, did you?"

"What?" Rafael suddenly widened his eyes, surprised.

"I know you don't like it."

"Why do you care about her so much, Darren? What's so special about that woman?" asked Rafael, "this is not your usual self. You've never been this interested in women. Not after…" Rafael immediately fell silent when Darren threw a sharp glare at him.

"Have I been so nice to you all this time that you forget yourself, Rafael?"

"Sorry. I won't do it again," said Rafael, lowering his head.

"Don't forget the task I gave you, Rafael," Darren warned, "Next time, you shouldn't be rude to Lana. She's mine, Rafael. I will take care of it."

"I understand. I'm sorry," said Rafael.

Darren exhaled as if he was throwing away all the anger he had been feeling. "When will the construction of this condominium be completed?" Darren asked. He started to open the document that Rafael brought and walked to the building area.

"If there are no problems, maybe the end of this year will be completed soon," replied Rafael. He walked after Darren from behind. "The half-build is almost done and the head of construction said they could finish it in more than the allotted time if we add a few more workers."

"How many people will it take to complete the building so that it is finished faster?"

"About ten people or so. I will speak to the head of the building to inquire for sure."

"Make sure to choose skilled workers," said Darren, "what about building materials?"

"They have already sent the rest. There are some materials that will be sent again this week," replied Rafael, "oh, I want to remind you that tomorrow afternoon there is a meeting with the gallery to discuss the art exhibition they will hold. They have reserved a restaurant as a meeting place―"

"No need. Tell them we're coming to the gallery. I want to see how prepared they are for the art exhibition they are holding this year," said Darren.

"Well."

***

Lana is bored. All day in Darren's big house without being able to do anything. Every now and then she texted Harry or Daisy, but the busyness of the two friends made her messages rarely answered. Lana decided to take a nap, too deep to sleep until late in the afternoon Lana just woke up.

It was six o'clock and there was no sign of Darren's return. Was she really going to stay there until Darren let her go? Really act like a hostage?

Lana immediately turned towards the door when she heard a soft knock and the door opened in slow motion. Housemaid Darren appeared with a light smile.

"Miss, aren't you going to have dinner?" asked the waiter.

"Is Darren home yet?"

"Not yet, Miss. Mr. Darren usually comes home late at night. He rarely eats dinner. You can have dinner without waiting for it."

"Don't eat dinner often?" asked Lana in a low voice. More to ask herself. Then Lana smiled at Darren's maid. "Thanks, but I'll wait for Darren to come home to have dinner together."

"Then, I will return to my place. If you need anything, feel free to call me, Miss." The waiter walked away.

To think that Darren often missed his dinner. Does his office job make Darren often work late and don't have time to eat until he misses his dinner?

Lana decided to leave the room and wait for Darren to come home in the living room. After so long of waiting, Lana fell asleep on her sofa in a sitting position.

At that time, Lana did not realize that Darren had returned from the office and saw her fast asleep on the sofa. Darren sat at the glass table watching Lana closely. He deliberately kissed Lana's lips to wake her up and the action worked.

Lana woke up with a surprised expression. Her eyes widened when he saw Darren kissing her secretly while she was fast asleep.

"Darren!"

"Already up?" Darren asked with a smirk.

"Why did you kiss me?!"

"To wake you up. It's time to pay off your debt, Lana."

"No, wait!" Lana screamed loudly as Darren was about to grab her. She hastily pushed Darren's body hard so that the man could not carry her.

"Why?" Darren raised eleven eyebrows.

"I am hungry. Can we have dinner first?" she asked pitifully. "I'm sure you haven't had dinner either."

Darren did not immediately respond to Lana's words but observed Lana's slightly strange attitude. "Did aunt say something to you?"

"She just said that you often skip dinner. Darren… let's have dinner," she pleaded as he gently tugged at the end of Darren's arm like a begging child.