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 smile.
Jefri nodded while looking at Al from head to toe. "Sure, sure. But, Al... I heard you only work as a construction worker. Why do you suddenly want to enter the company? It's not easy, Al!" said Jefri, doubting Al's ability.
Al started to feel some discomfort from Jefri's words, but he tried to remain calm. "Yes, that's true. But you know, right? We were in the same batch in college?"
Jefri gave a small chuckle. "Al, I understand your passion. But, to be honest, my company needs people with experience and a good reputation. I'm not sure you're suitable for any position here, especially with all the rumors going around. Sorry, Al."
"Rumors? What do you mean?" Al felt anxious.
"Well... some say you used a fake diploma. So I can't accept that kind of risk in this company," Jefri said.
Al was surprised to hear those words. "That's not true, Jef. I've never faked my diploma. You know my diploma is real, and you're a witness because we were in the same batch at college!" Al really didn't accept the rumors.
Jefri just shrugged, as if he didn't care about Al's explanation. "I know! But there's no proof! And rumors like that can damage the company's reputation. Sorry, Al, but I can't help you. You should just go back to your original habitat, working as a construction worker."
"Okay, no problem if you don't want to help me!" Al said, smiling even though he was very disappointed.
Then Al left the room with feelings that were difficult to express. He was really disappointed because Jefri, who used to be his best friend, now rejected him just like that. How annoying!
Al tried to calm himself down. "I won't let the humiliation I've always faced stop me," he muttered to himself. He walked to the nearest bus stop and headed to the other companies on his list.
Arriving at the next company building, Al tried to enter the lobby. However, a security guard suddenly stopped him.
"Sorry, you can't come in," the security guard said in a stern tone.
"What's wrong? I want to apply for a job here," Al replied, even though he was a little confused.
The security guard looked Al up and down. "I'm sorry, but I won't allow you—with such a low background—into this building. Please leave!"
"Background? What do you mean?" Al felt confused and offended. Again, he heard the word 'BACKGROUND.'
"Sorry! But I have received a warning from the company owner that the name Al Vino Chandra is prohibited from entering because you applied for a job using only a fake diploma!"
Al felt his blood boil when he heard that. "That's not true! I've never faked a diploma!" Al shouted in frustration.
The security guard just shook his head. "Sorry, I'm just following orders. Please leave!" The security guard rudely shooed Al away.
Al left the building, wondering what was going on.
When he opened social media, he saw a news report from an anonymous account about him, stating that he had used a fake diploma to apply for a job at a large company. He was a construction worker who dreamed of working in an office.
"Crish," Al hissed through gritted teeth. He knew only Crish could do this. "He's really sneaky! Fuck you, Crish!"
Al was so angry that he wanted to teach Crish a lesson. But it was useless; that jerk would never admit it.
"I won't give up, even if Crish tries to bring me down. I'll keep going," he said excitedly.
Then Al decided to be pensive in the garden, holding his mother's diamond necklace. His heart felt tight remembering the humiliation he often faced, even after a week of looking for a job, with only rejections he received.
Al tried to calm down. He took a deep breath, feeling frustrated.
"God... what do I do? Should I leave this city?" Al whispered to himself.
When Al was daydreaming while looking at the diamond necklace he was holding, suddenly a busker passed by and quickly snatched the diamond necklace from his hand.
Al was shocked, immediately stood up, and shouted, "Woy, give me back my necklace!"
The busker ran, and Al chased after him with all his might. Unfortunately, on the way, Al accidentally bumped into a beautiful woman wearing a wedding dress. The woman seemed to be of Chinese descent.
"Sorry..." Al stammered, feeling guilty for almost knocking over the beautiful woman.
"Please help me!" the woman pleaded in a frightened voice. "They're after me. I don't want to marry that man. Please save me!"
Al, still breathing heavily, quickly grabbed the woman and took her to hide behind an empty kiosk.
"Miss, who exactly is chasing you?" Al asked in surprise.
"That bastard," she replied with certainty.
"Oh!" Al said.
Al and the woman hid until the situation looked safe. Al was relieved, but his thoughts returned to the diamond necklace that the busker had stolen.
"I have to get that diamond necklace back," Al whispered, but it was clearly heard by the beautiful woman.
"The diamond necklace?"
But Al didn't budge. Instead, he walked out of his hiding place, leaving the beautiful woman behind.
Then, Al accidentally saw the thug who had stolen his diamond necklace. Without thinking, Al chased him.
"Woy! Wait!" Al shouted.
The busker didn't hear; he handed the diamond necklace to a woman standing on the corner. Al choked up when he recognized the woman who received the diamond necklace from the busker's hand.
"Angela!" shouted Al angrily. "Give me back my necklace!" Al walked at a fast pace towards Angela.
Angela turned around with a sly smile. "Oh, Al. This necklace is already mine!" Angela said shamelessly, even though she had refused the diamond necklace at the time.
"It belonged to my mother! Give it back!" snapped Al. "It's not fit for a traitorous woman like you!"
However, Angela ignored Al's words. She hurriedly got into the car and told the driver to speed up.
"Angela! Give me back my necklace!" shouted Al, trying to chase the car.
But suddenly, Al heard a woman screaming.
"Let go of me! Let go! I don't want to marry you!"
Al saw that the beautiful woman's wrist was firmly gripped by a handsome man wearing a bridal outfit.
"Let her go!" Al shouted.
"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
Al held the steering wheel calmly, while Cassie sat next to him, staring out the window blankly. "How are you feeling now, Miss Cassie?" asked Al, trying to break the silence.Cassie smiled slightly, then nodded slowly. "Fine, just a little dizzy, but I'm fine," she replied, although in her heart she knew that the dizziness was more than just normal tiredness."If you're not feeling well, we can postpone the wedding today," Al suggested, a little worried about Cassie's condition."No," Cassie shook her head firmly. "I'm fine, Al. Besides, we're here." She pointed towards the registry building that was coming into view in front of them.Al was silent for a moment, looking at Cassie who looked so excited, probably because Cassie wanted to prove to her ex-fiancé that she already had a partner. "Alright, if that's what you want."Al and Cassie arrived at the registry building and walked in together. The room was small and simple, decorated with only a few flowers and chairs. The registra
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 thou
"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