ALANA'S
I woke up and blinked several times—everything looked so bright. I tried to get up slowly; my head was spinning. I looked around and realized I was in a pink-themed bedroom.
"My head hurts so much," I murmured softly, but I immediately covered my mouth when I realized that the man named Sean was sleeping beside this luxurious bed.
I moved slowly, intending to grab the glass of water on the nightstand, but suddenly, a hand stopped me.
"Where are you going?" the man asked while letting out a small yawn.
I pointed toward the glass of water. Sean reached for it and helped me drink. What's with this guy? What's his real intention in buying me?
"Are you hungry?" he asked while sitting on the bed. I nodded stiffly in response, because yes—I was hungry.
Sean didn't let me walk on my own. He immediately carried me bridal style as soon as I placed my feet on the floor.
Do rich people always smell this good? His cologne must be expensive. For some reason, I felt comfortable breathing in his masculine scent.
When we arrived at the long rectangular dining table, my eyes widened in shock at the amount of food served. I counted—there must have been at least 23 different dishes.
Sean scooped rice onto my plate and asked me to choose which dishes I wanted.
I wanted to protest and looked around for a pen and paper—but nothing was nearby.
"Want to say something? Use this," Sean said, handing me a beautiful light pink phone.
"Are you expecting guests? There's way too much food," I typed and showed him the phone.
Sean shook his head and smiled briefly. "No. All of this is for you. Pick whatever you like," he said, urging me to choose.
I picked two side dishes and placed them on my plate.
"That's all? Don't you like the others?" he asked again.
I typed back on the phone. Huft, it was tiring having to communicate like this, but I needed to find out who this man really was.
"This is enough. What about the rest—will it be stored?"
Sean chuckled and shook his head.
"Of course not, Alana. I don't like cold food, especially if it's been out for more than half an hour."
Without thinking, I pushed my chair and moved closer to him. Sean looked slightly surprised, but I only meant to tell him that the food would be better off shared with the people who worked in the house.
Sean's heart suddenly raced when I touched his arm and shook it slightly, asking him not to waste the food.
Honestly, he was starting to feel flustered. His face turned red. Ben, who had been on duty nearby, reflexively covered his mouth in shock at the rare sight.
"Alright, if that's what you want, I won't throw it away. The leftovers will go to the workers here. But first, you should finish your meal," Sean said, clearing his throat as Alana stared at him from that close.
Alana was pleased—Sean turned out to be easy to persuade. She scooted her chair back and resumed eating.
She glanced at Sean, who was simply watching her eat. Taking the initiative, she scooped some rice for him and pointed at the side dishes he liked. He chose the same ones she had taken.
"Eat to stay healthy. And thank you for listening to my request earlier," Sean couldn't hold back a smile as he read her message. He quickly started eating the food she had served him.
Alana saw Ben behind the glass door and waved him over. She wanted him to join them for dinner.
Ben was already smiling and eagerly walked in—but the moment his young master shot him a side-eye, he stopped and backed away.
"Ignore him. Just eat," Sean said, placing another piece of beef on my plate.
---
"Excuse me, sir, are you finished?"
Six servants came in to collect the leftover food, which was usually thrown away at Sean's command.
"From now on, don't throw it away. Take it for yourselves," he said, then followed Alana, who had already returned to her room.
The six maids reflexively covered their mouths in shock—this was unlike their master.
"Finally, we get to eat food this fancy."
"It looks like the young master has been more cheerful since Miss Alana arrived."
"Come on, don't you know how love works? Even a cold-hearted mafia boss turns into a lovesick puppy when he's in love."
"Yeah, just like in those Korean dramas!"
---
Ben was startled when someone tapped his shoulder from behind—it was Alana. He almost forgot to blink when he saw how beautiful she looked in a knee-length dress, her long hair flowing elegantly.
"Ben, are you busy? Can you take me to the mini market to buy something?"
Ben quickly shook his head after reading the message Alana typed on the phone Sean gave her.
"No, miss. Let me buy it for you. You should stay and rest at home. The young master might get mad at me," Ben replied gently.
Alana put on a pleading expression, pouting her lips adorably.
Ben immediately slapped his own cheek. Almost! He nearly pinched her cheeks—if he had, his life might've ended right there.
"I'll make sure Sean doesn't get mad. I'll explain it to him later," Alana said, putting the phone in her bag.
Ben reluctantly agreed to take her. After all, it was just the mini market. He opened the car door for her—but nearly had a heart attack when Alana sat in the front seat instead of the back.
Ben ran over and asked her to move to the back, but she refused. He knew Alana was simple and not arrogant—she was just being polite.
---
"Aren't you guys getting out?"
"You go ahead. We'll wait in the car. Just hurry and buy everything. We're thirsty just watching you stand there."
"Hehehe, alright! I'll get lots of snacks," Aksa said as he ran into the mini market.
Dirgantara shook his head. "Good thing there's a store nearby. That kid can't function on duty without snacks."
"Totally, boss. Whoa, look at that car! Must be worth billions," Devan said, prompting Dirgantara to glance toward the newly arrived vehicle. A beautiful girl stepped out, and his brown eyes widened in shock when she looked his way.
"ALANA!" Dirgantara was certain it was her. Meanwhile, Aksa returned with two full plastic bags. Dirgantara stepped out of the car and quietly followed Alana.
Alana bought sanitary pads and two bottles of cold drinks. She didn't notice the man trailing behind her—until he grabbed her hand, nearly making her drop the bottles.
"Alana... it's me, Dirgantara. Alana!" Dirgantara was almost in tears.
"Big Brother Dirga?" I covered my mouth, not believing the tall man before me was really Dirgantara.
Dirgantara immediately pulled Alana into a tight hug. The scene didn't go unnoticed by Dirgantara's team inside the car—nor by Ben. He jumped out and ran toward them.
Ben harshly pushed Dirgantara away and shielded Alana.
"Who are you?!" Ben shouted, grabbing Dirgantara's collar.
Alana panicked. She quickly pulled Ben away from Dirgantara and used sign language to explain.
"Alright, let's head home now, miss," Ben said, asking Alana to walk ahead. Dirgantara remained frozen in place. After Alana's car drove off, he snapped out of it and tried to chase after her—only to be held back by his men.
"Why were you using sign language with that guy, Alana? Are you okay?"
Dirgantara regretted it instantly. He had moved too slowly. He should've taken Alana back right then.