Al sat by Cassie's bedside, holding her hand tightly. His face showed deep worry, while Cassie looked even weaker. Her body now looked fragile, but her spirit could still be seen from her eyes looking at Al.
Perhaps this was one of Cassie's premonitions, she forced Al to become her pretend husband in order to protect her and save all the wealthy assets she had from irresponsible people, like her ex-fiancé.
"Al, I can't go on like this. My body is getting weaker, and I know that I may not have much time left," Cassie said in a hoarse voice. Every word that came out of her mouth was heavy.
Cassie was so sure that Al Vino Chandra was the right person.
"Don't talk like that, Cassie. You will recover. You're undergoing treatment, and I'm sure you'll recover," Al replied in a hopeful tone, even though he knew in his heart that Cassie was probably right.
Cassie shook her head weakly. "Al, I have to be realistic. You know how I am. I can't take care of the company like I used to. I've thought about it, and I want you to start learning how to manage our business."
Al paused, looking at Cassie with a serious gaze, "Cassie, you know I would do anything for you according to the agreement that the city has made. But I've never really been in the business world. I'm afraid of making mistakes."
"That's why I want you to learn from my assistant, Joe. He's worked with me for years and knows the ins and outs of the company well. I trust him, and I want you to learn from him, Al," Cassie explained in an increasingly weak voice.
Al nodded, trying to hold back his emotions. "Fine, I'll learn. But please, don't talk as if you're leaving. I want you to see how I manage your company, Cassie."
Cassie smiled weakly, then raised her hand to touch Al's cheek. "May God still give me the chance to see you succeed in growing my business, Al, and see you succeed in avenging those who have belittled you."
"Yes, Cassie. I will pray that God can give you a long life. If possible, God lift your illness."
Cassie nodded slowly. "Thank you, Al. Joe will be here in a minute. I've asked him to come here."
Shortly after, the door to the hospital room opened, and Joe, walked into the room. He carried a thick folder in his hand and smiled gently at Cassie.
"Good afternoon, Miss Cassie. How are you today?" he asked in a warm voice, even though he could clearly see Cassie's deteriorating condition.
Cassie smiled slightly. "I'm fine, Joe. Thank you for coming. I need your help."
Joe nodded understandingly. "Of course, Miss. Whatever you need."
Cassie turned to Al, signaling him to come closer. "I want you to teach Al about how to manage the company. He'll be taking over most of my responsibilities for a while."
Joe looked at Al with great respect. "It's my pleasure, Mr. Al. I'll make sure you get all the knowledge you need to run the company."
Al looked at Joe. "Thank you, Joe. I don't have any hands-on experience, but I'll learn as fast as I can."
Joe smiled warmly. "No need to worry, sir. I will guide you step by step. We'll start from the basics, and I'm sure you'll quickly master it."
Cassie looked at the two men with great emotion. "Oh yes, Joe, I also want you to keep my illness a secret from the public."
Joe nodded firmly. "Of course, Miss. I'll make sure this information doesn't get out of our little circle."
Cassie breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, Joe. I know you're reliable."
After that, Joe took out the folder he was carrying and opened some important documents. He started explaining to Al about the company's financial statements, the business strategy that was being carried out, and the plans that had been made for the next few months.
Al listened carefully, noting every detail given by Joe. Occasionally, he asked questions to clarify things he didn't understand. Joe patiently explained everything, making sure Al got a clear understanding.
"How is it, Mr. Al?" asked Joe.
"I'm starting to understand a little, Joe," Al replied.
"Angela, what are you doing?" shouted Al Vino from a distance, having approached the table where Angela was sitting with another man. His hand was still holding the small box containing the diamond necklace.Angela, who was surprised to hear Al's voice, immediately stood up and looked at him with a confused expression on her face."Al, when did you go home? Why are you here?" she said with a trembling voice."I've been here long enough to see everything, Angela," Al said in a voice filled with emotion.Al had previously known that his girlfriend was a traitor. When Al was in Italy, he received a Facebook link from his best friend.When Al clicked on the link sent by his best friend, he immediately opened the Facebook page. He saw a video uploaded by an anonymous account.In the video, Angela is seen closing her eyes, enjoying the touch given by the man whose back is only visible.Al closed his eyes, catching his breath first."I came home for you, bringing this." Al opened the diamond
"I'll prove that I'm not a trash man, Angela!" Al whispered, standing in front of the mirror. He looked at himself in the reflection while adjusting his tie.Al Vino still hasn't accepted the humiliation he experienced yesterday from Angela and Crish. However, the more he was insulted, the more eager he became to prove that he could work in a big company, no longer being a construction worker."This diamond necklace is real, Angela, not fake. These diamonds are not the result of my hard work as a construction worker! This necklace was left to me by my mother. My late mother asked me to give this necklace to the right woman. And it turns out... you're not the right woman, Angela; you're a monster."Al clenched the hand that held the diamond necklace, then put it back in the jewelry box.He glanced at the business management degree certificate lying on the table. Today, he planned to change his fate.With steady steps, Al walked out to the bus stop. Today he planned to apply for a job a
Today is Al Vino's seventh day of looking for a job. He didn't give up even though every time he applied, all he got was a rejection.Even so, he will try to get a decent job so that he is no longer humiliated.Before leaving, Al checked the list of companies he was going to. One of them was a company owned by his college friend.Al thought that most likely, his friend would give him a job, considering that Al's relationship with his college friend was quite close."Jefri Sbastian, he will definitely help me," Al whispered; he was so sure of his words.Arriving at the company building, Al was very confident. He met the receptionist, and soon after, Al was invited into his room by Jefri."Hey, Al! Long time no see," Jefri greeted him with a big smile, although there was a slightly sardonic glint in his eye. "How are you? It's been a long time since we met.""My news is good, Jef. I came here to ask you for a favor. I wonder if you can get me a job in your company," Al said with a small
"Who are you?" The man turned to Al with a sharp gaze. "Don't ever interfere; this is my business with my future wife!" he snapped angrily."He's not a stranger!" the woman said after turning to Al. "He's my lover, my future husband!" she shouted sassily.Al was immediately dumbfounded when he heard the confession from the beautiful Chinese woman. Even the man who was her future husband was equally surprised."What do you mean, Alessandria Cassandra Lee?" the man asked. "I am your lover! I am your future husband! And today, we are getting married!" the man shouted.This debate was witnessed by Cassandra's extended family and the man named Jerry. Even friends and work relatives were also here because they were also chasing the bride who suddenly ran away.Cassandra took a deep breath; she smiled slyly at Jerry."Unfortunately, today I will only marry the man I love, and that man is not you, traitor!" Cassandra said.Jerry looked angry. "Cassandra, you're crazy! What drama have you crea
"Ah... never mind, I'd better go to Angela's house. I have to get that necklace," Al said.Al walked hurriedly; he decided to visit Angela's house.Al really regretted that he had rejected the offer from Alessandria Cassandra Lee, a CEO who turned out to have abundant wealth. Plus, Cassandra lives alone and already has no parents, like Al."If I accept Miss Cassie's offer, maybe I can.... " Al paused his steps for a moment, then he took a deep breath. "Ah... it's really embarrassing if I now come over there and agree to her request. Where is my pride as a man?" Al continued to mutter.Al arrived in front of Angela's house. Immediately, Al knocked on Angela's door."Angela!" Al shouted, "Open the door!" He banged roughly on the door.Soon, the door opened, and Angela appeared with a lazy smile. "Oh, it was you who knocked on the door, Al? Huh, you have no education. You have no manners at all. Why did you come to my house?" asked Angela sarcastically."Where's my necklace, Angela? I di
Al swallowed hard, feeling that the opportunity he thought was in front of him was now gone. He decided to leave. He wasn't going to ask Cassandra for help."Opportunity doesn't come twice, Al," he whispered with a chuckle, laughing at himself."It hasn't even been a day yet, but it's already gone! I recognize," Al whispered.Al continued to walk; he began to feel that the world was no longer in his favor.After experiencing betrayal from his lover, he faced humiliation too. Even now, there is no company that wants to accept him. Only rejection is what he often gets."I've lost Angela, and I've lost a good opportunity with Miss Cassie. Now I've lost my mother's diamond necklace. This is so unfair to me!"Al ruffled his hair roughly. His steps were heavy, but he tried to stay firmly on his feet.Al returns to his small apartment, a place that was a silent witness to the relationship he had with Angela, which should not have happened before marriage.When Al has the money, he intends to
"What do you think, Al?" Cassandra asked Al once again; the woman seemed impatient to hear Al Vino's decision.Al was still silent, as if he were considering the offer given by Cassandra.After thinking for a while, Al nodded in agreement. "Alright!" said Al.Cassandra smiled with satisfaction. "Good. Now come with me to the mansion; there are some things we need to discuss before we go to the party," Cassandra said.Once again, Al just nodded obediently to Cassandra's orders. Al thought that maybe this was a great opportunity for him.Al confidently continued to follow Cassandra's steps toward her parked car.Arriving at the mansion, Cassandra immediately took Al to her study.Al could only stare in awe at the design of this room."Sit down, Al!" Cassandra ordered. Hesitant, Al sat down on the soft sofa. He looked very tense. "Al, I've been looking into you for a month now," Cassandra said in a serious tone. "In fact, I know everything, including your past and your family. I even k
Al Vino could only hold himself together, trying to remain calm despite the anger and shame gnawing at him from within. On the other hand, Cassandra was still smiling coldly, her eyes keenly observing the people around her.Al grasped Cassandra's hand tighter, a sign that he was ready to face whatever was coming. Cassandra also felt Al's hand, and she grasped back tighter as a sign of support. Then, Cassandra took a step forward, drawing the attention of everyone at the party. "Well, if you all don't believe me, how about we prove it?" Cassandra said firmly. "You know how valuable this diamond necklace is, right?" Cassandra held up the diamond necklace Al Vino was wearing, displaying its mesmerizing sparkle.All the guests at the party immediately fell silent, their gazes riveted on the necklace held by Cassandra. The diamond necklace was one of the most famous and desired treasures by many collectors. Few people knew about the origin of the necklace, but they all knew that only very