Chapter 9

"See!  Call from Zacky, who is the teacher's son.  Quick pick it up!" Calissa thrust the phone into my hand. I held my breath, maybe this is for the best. I had to dump him even though we've only been dating for a month.

"Hello."

"Hello, honey, how come your number just got active? I miss you."  His voice was heard on the other side.

"I've been so busy lately that I forgot I have a boyfriend. I want us to break up so that my burdens go away one by one," I said straight to the point.

"What?! Break up?! I did what you wanted and tried to understand you...."

"I'm sorry, this is for the best."

"You hurt me.  I'm sorry to know you, Alea!"

"Whatever." I hung up the phone.

I plopped down on the bed, taking a deep breath.  Not long after resting, my phone rang again.  Calissa shouted again while holding out her cell phone.  "Call from Arsyil, the son of a conglomerate in Singapore."  I grabbed it.

"Hello."

"Hello, Honey, how come your number just got active?  Have you got another one?  Your number was busy too." His voice sounded on the other end.

"I already have another, no one can stop me from having another boyfriend.  I want to break up!" I snapped harshly and didn't care about his feelings.

"Damn it! It's wrong. He still speaks loudly."  in a loud voice and immediately hung up without saying a final farewell.

I sighed, I've hurt two people, even though they were very good to me.  I was working on an assignment with Calissa and two more calls came to my phone.  I looked at the screen of my cellphone, and it turned out to be a call from Risal, the son of a well-known coal businessman in Malaysia.  We've been dating for over three weeks.

"Hello."

" I miss you!  When can we go on a date again?" he said lewdly. I felt ill to hear that.

"I'm tired of hearing that!  I want to break up!  It's better if you go out with chickens and ducks as they call them." I said harshly.

"why are you talking like that? I don't want to break up."  his voice was hoarse.

"Once broken, always broken!  Goodbye." I shouted, hanging up the phone.

Not long after the conversation on the phone was over, the phone rang again.  I who was fed up and irritated said straight to the point.

"Especially?  We broke up!" I briefly looked at the caller's name from Rifad, the son of a famous car showroom owner.

Haven't had time to answer I've turned off the phone.

 There are still three more girlfriends, it's just a matter of time—when will their fate be the same as my other girlfriends.

They are no longer useful because I have spoiled the money.  But of course, I didn't use the money for my benefit, but I gave it to orphanages and the poor.  I can now breathe a sigh of relief, and plop down on the bed, while Calissa plays with my teddy panda eyes.

"It hurts me to lose a basketball game."

"It can't be helped. Liam wins,"  he spoke with an annoyed snort.

"That's right. And I have to follow his request."

"Unfortunately for you."

After doing the assignment, Calissa went home because she had promised to take her father to the airport, while I immediately fell asleep.  A few hours later, the sound of a knock on the bedroom door startled me, Aunt Chelsea had come home from work and called for me.

"Honey, a guest is looking for you downstairs. Come on down!"

 I was led.  Who is that guest?  While wondering in my heart, I rushed down to the first floor.

"Liam... why are you here?"

"That's very easy, just be a stalker and follow you secretly," he said with a chuckle.

"What?! Go home!  My house is closed to uninvited guests." I pushed him out towards the door.

The sound of stomping shoes was heard coming down the stairs and immediately reprimanded me when I heard a guest drive away.

"Alea, don't act like that! She is a guest, she deserves good treatment from the host."

I turned my head.  Oh.  Aunt Chelsea was already standing behind me.

"Sorry about Alea's attitude, kid, she didn't mean it that way.  This house is always open to anyone, especially a good kid like you." Aunt Chelsea smiled at Liam.

"It's okay.  I'm also not a good kid, just learned about Islam about a year ago."

"So you're a convert?  How come.  Who do you believe in?"

"Same mom, she's an Atheist!  When I was in Chicago, I received guidance from Allah and ended up living in a dormitory. There I learned many things about Islam, then moved schools to Singapore.  But father is Islam, it's different from mom." Liam lamented.

I silently contemplated myself.  Aunt Chelsea told me to make a drink, then she went upstairs.  After that, I hurriedly sat on the sofa and started a conversation that was difficult to come out of my mouth.

"I came here for a purpose, I didn't mean to upset you.  Do you remember our agreement?" He relaxed looking at me.

"Yeah, I still remember," I said nonchalantly, lazy to discuss it.  Now he was staring intently.

"Frankly, I want to take you to the beach." Liam looks gulp and seems hesitant to speak.

"Beach? I hate the water, I hate seeing the beach and I hate being forced."  My eyes bulged hearing where we were going.

"Come on!"

"I told you I can't."

"Why?  The beach is a crowded place, I'm not going to be a Chelsea player.  Or maybe you have a phobia?"

"Don't ever mention my weakness!" I screamed. I still remember the pool water turning red, it tasted bitter, painful when it drowned Mother in a matter of minutes.

"So you have a phobia of the sea?"

"Yes,"

"Okay, let's go to the night market instead. That place is old-fashioned but much more fun than other places. I used to go there for fun and this time, I don't want to hear you say no."  He begged.

I'm pensive.  Liam likes places that are rarely liked by rich people like him.  Though I think he is arrogant and likes to criticize something.

"Had it not been for fulfilling the requirements of the challenge, I would have refused and even very much refused to see your face having fun with me," I spoke curtly.