One Billion Marriage With Mr CEO

Staring at the white envelope in her hand with sad eyes, Rakia didn't dare to open it. Her heart sank when she entered her superior's room a few hours ago and received terrible news. The bus she was waiting for came; she turned her gaze towards the bus, then moved with Park steps onto the bus and sat by the window. She put the white envelope into a bag she slung over one shoulder. She tried to find topics for her to think about besides the bad news about her being laid off but to no avail. It still hurts even though she wasn't the only one laid off.

Hoping she could have a career as a journalist at the television station, but instead, she kicked her out. Her cell phone rang, distracting her for a moment from the sadness and disappointment she was experiencing.

"Yeah, Ben, what's wrong?" she asked with a slight smile. At least, when her fiancé called her, she still smiled a little amid sadness.

"I just want to say that tomorrow I will go to Brazil with the crew," said Benjamin.

"Brazil? Why suddenly?" That sounded odd to Rakia.

"My client wanted the location of his pre-wedding photo to be changed, and he chose Brazil." The silence between them.

"Honey, are you still there?" Benjamin said, removing the silence between them. Rakia nodded even though Ben didn't see her.

"Yes, I'm here. May I come with you?" Rakia asked doubtfully but hoped Ben would say yes.

"How is your work?"

Rakia looked down she rubbed the surface of her nail with the tip of her other nail. She bit her lips. "I… am no longer working," Rakia replied in a low voice.

"What does it mean? You stop?" Benjamin slightly raised his voice, making Rakia's ears irritated.

"The television station where I work has laid off some employees, including me." She tried to hold back her tears by biting her lip hard.

"So, can I come with you to Brazil?" Rakia repeated her request.

"Oh, Honey, I'm sorry about what you're going through, but I'm sorry I couldn't take you. Next time we will go on vacation together again.

Rakia nodded with a single tear rolling down her cheek.

"Yeah, no problem; sorry for trying to interrupt your work."

"No, Honey, see you later," Ben said, and their conversation ended. When Rakia lowered the cell phone from her ear, the tears she was trying to contain were unbearable. Even in her current situation, she expected Benjamin to comfort her. She knew her fiancé was busy with his job as a professional photographer. But Rakia needed someone to comfort her, cheer her up. She wiped away the tears starting to roll down her face. She will marry Benjamin in a week, but before that, she has to lose her job.

When the bus stopped at the first stop, Rakia chose to continue the journey even though she was stopping at this first stop. She wants to visit her best friend Lizzy's house. Arriving in front of the woman's house, Rakia pressed the bell; the homeowner opened the door at the first bell.

"Kia?! You...." Lizzy looked at her best friend inquisitively. Rakia could only smile.

"Why?" continued Lizzy, who originally wanted to ask directly.

"May I come in?" Rakia distracted Lizzy momentarily, and the woman lightly tapped her forehead, realizing her impoliteness. Rakia also followed Lizzy into the modest house. Rakia immediately sat on the fur rug in front of the television in the living room. She sat while leaning on the sofa facing the television and threw her bag on the sofa. Lizzy left Rakia to go to the kitchen to get a drink.

"Anything you want to say?" asked Lizzy as she came back from the kitchen and placed a tray on which were two cans of cola. Rakia stared at the cola can in front of her without blinking.

"I was laid off," said Rakia finally. Her chest tightened as she said that. Lizzy couldn't help but be surprised for a moment.

"But why?"

"I don't know either; they just said to reduce the number of employees." Rakia blinked, grabbed one of the cola cans, opened it, and took one gulp.

"Seriously? Do you still drink soda? You said you were going on a diet." Rakia changed the subject after she sipped her cola, and her face scrunched up. She honestly doesn't really like carbonated drinks, let alone alcohol. Lizzy chuckled.

"Only once in a while; after all, I managed to lose ten kilos," she said as she stood up and spun around gracefully, showing off her slender body. Rakia sighed as she smiled crookedly. Lizzy returned to her seat, grabbed a rather large rectangular pillow nearby, and put it on her lap.

"How's Ben? Does he already know this news?"