10 10 FACING THE CONSEQUENCES

Fashion Blast, backyard area

"You're f**cking crazy, Jo!!" Vika snapped out at her partner who is busy strokes his hair desperately now.

"Vika!!! What do you expect me to do at her??!! Huh!!!" He yelled back at her.

"She's my best friend!! And I can't sell her off because of some benefits!! Even though it was Robert who summons it!!"

"You know how this world works, Jo. Love, friendship, loyalty… those kinds of shits are never existed in this business. They only care about themselves and how to gain more from others. Okay? So, clear out your mind and beg her to follow the boss's wish…" Vika hissed at him in fuming anger and disgust.

Jojo laughed cynically at her illogical ideas and replied her coldly.

"If you are willing to do it, do it by yourself. Talk to her. Knock her door and beg her. Crawl by your bare hand and feet. Asking for her willingness for doing this. Anything that you would do, go ahead. I'm done talking with you, Vika…."

"Yes, you're right. As you told me, those kinds of shists never existed in this business, I know it well. But, in our friendship. Me and Arissa. It never went that way and it would never be. I respect her and her boundaries as my utmost priority. Even though, it would cost my whole career in this business… I will keep…"

Jojo shrugged his head and brushed his hair slowly.

"I'll figure out something...."

"It's alright, Vika. We can't force someone to do anything against her will, can you? So, as it told before…"

"I won't force her.... "

"And don't worry, if he disapproves of my decision and kicks my ass from here. I'm sure that I'll survive somehow…"

.........….

"You don't have to sacrifice anything for me, Jo…."

Jojo stunned. Disbelief was shown all over on his face of what he just heard before. A familiar voice who had just left them a couple of minutes ago.

"A…Arissa??" He turned around and called her name once again while he walked towards her.

"Why did you come back? I…"

"I agree to be one of your talents, Jo. As your new model.." She cut him off.

A frown appears on Jojo's forehead. Why did she change her mind so suddenly?

"Is everything okay, Arissa?"

She nodded with a weak smile on her face. "Yes…"

"Are you sure, Sa? After this, no more holding back. This is a very important decision. Think of it carefully, sweety.." He told her back with a gentle tone.

"I know, Jo…" She stared back at him and smiled. Reassuring him. There's a determination in her eyes. A firm choice that she has made for this role.

Jojo smiled back and hugging her tightly in his embrace.

"Thank you so much, sweetheart. This means a lot for me…"

"But I have some terms and conditions for this role, Jo…" She replied.

"Say it…"

............….

Fashion Blast, Emerald Tower, meeting room

Robert is having a meeting with some of his board directors when suddenly, a notification hit his phone.

Slowly, he reached it out and a cunning smile formed on his lips when he read the message.

"Robert, I've found her. I'll see you in your office after lunch. Jojo…"

He smiled widely and clasped his phone then focusing himself on the meeting board afterward.

............…

Three hours before they meet with Robert...

Arissa sighed heavily before she has finally spoken out her mind.

"We'll have a deal under these circumstances…"

"Firstly, I don't want to do this in a long run. What I mean, I will do this for the short term only. The once term period contract and I unwilling to extend it for so-whatever-your-excuses…"

"Secondly, promise me that you would never reveal my true identity to someone else. Including your employers. I would like to keep it discreet. So, if I agreed to sign this, you and Vika will call my alter ego. My other name for this term only and that is… Snow…"

"Thirdly, regarding the second circumstance, I would like to choose you as my manager and Vika as my personal assistant. As I told you, I'm still being hunted by some people from my past whom I still couldn't reveal to you who they were. Because…"

She stopped for a moment. Shut down her eyes and held her breath before she finally decided to continue her sentences.

"Because I don't want to put you both in any harm or danger, Jo. Vika…"

"Both of you are my first real friends besides my foster mom and other kids in the orphanage. And if you were asking me who are they who still looking for me. About their backgrounds or else, sorry… I can't answer those questions as well. It doesn't mean that I want to keep all dark secrets by myself but I also have no idea about these people. As far as I knew, they are from a military background. But which country and what they are, I don't know…"

"Jo, you know that I have a child. Right? His name is Jacob…"

Jojo nodded. Both of them, him and Vika turned utterly silent. Waiting patiently for her next words. Her unrevealed truth that she keeps by herself this far. A pain that winced her heart and ripped her brutally from inside.

"I and Jacob's biological father was never married. I was abducted when I was so young. Then, they put me in a room. Alone…."

Her lips trembled a bit when she recalled the darkest moments in her past before. Fear crept on her spine but she knows that both of her friends deserve this. The truth of nightmares in her youth.

"I think I was kept and locked in an underground facility. It was pitch dark and humid. I always under their surveillance whenever I eat, sleep, or even go to the restroom. I was in proper treatment until one day, I got my first period at sixteen…."

"At that moment, after my period is over, I was raped. Not only once, twice, so many until I lost counts whenever that bastard touched my body….."

Her body is shaken and tears are falling down on her cheeks now. She was scared and disgusted with her body. What was she recalled, it has happened fifteen years ago. But still, for her, those are vivid as clear as they have just happened yesterday.

"Then, I was pregnant with Jacob. After I giving birth to him, I know I couldn't stay there anymore so I run away with him in my arms…"

"How did you do it, Sa?"

A deep furrow was seen on Jojo's face. Based on her story, he can assume that it must be heavily guarded by skilled soldiers. The fact that she was able to escape from her captivators is surprisingly miraculous.

Arissa shook her head while Vika sat next to her and rubbed her back gently. Calmed her down and reassuring her that everything will be okay now.

"I don't know, Jo. The next thing I knew was…"

"I was in a cargo ship and Jacob was sleeping in my arms. We were floating in the sea until then I arrived in Mori city and Sister Hua coincidentally found both of us in the harbor…"

"I see…."

Jojo and Vika come closer then hugged her tightly in their embrace. Letting her sob and whimpering to unleash all her hidden pain inside her heart.

"Please don't tell anyone about this, Jo.... Vika… I begged you…"

All she could think about is Jacob. The only thing that she got so far because they share the same blood. Even though he's her illegitimate child. But, her love for him as a mother is nonshivering. She would do anything to protect him whoever his father was.

"One thing that my captivators remembered me a lot was…"

"A pair of bright blue eyes of mine…"

"That's why I stay hidden for all of these years…"

"I hope you both understand…"

"Yes, we do. And don't worry hun. I'll do my best to protect you and make sure you're safe at any cost.."

..............

Arissa sat limply on the chair. Now, after she told them half of her dark past, she felt relieved a bit. At least, she doesn't have to keep all things by herself now and she's no longer alone.

"What should I do now, Jo?" Arissa asked her best friends with a stern voice. Trying her best to conceal her nervousness.

"We should build your portfolio as our new model, Arissa…"

"And find a new name for you. Let's say…"

"It will be your temporary alter ego…" He was saying this while thinking other things too. His face is conflicted.

"Okay…" She agreed.

"I did…"

"It's …..Snow…" Arissa replied shortly without a blink.

Jojo nodded. "Snow…"

"Sounds nice. It's simple, catchy, and beautiful. How come you decide it so quickly, Sa?"

"Maybe because I like it? I don't know. Well… at least with that name, I would able to be someone else. A cold and distant one, for sure. As I told you before, Jo. I never want to be exposed in front of the camera, Jo. This name will be my perfect disguise to fit my new role as your model. Don't you think so?"

Jojo shrugged. "It's your call, Arissa. I don't mind. But, let me ask you once again, are you seriously willing to do this? As I warned you, there's no turning back…"

Arissa nodded. A determination appears in her eyes. " I know, Jo.."

"Trust me. You know me so well, don't you? Once I decide something, I never pull back my own words…"

"Okay…"

"You should get ready now. Vika will help you pick some outfits for your photo session and other stuff. Meanwhile, I will arrange someone to take your pictures…."

"And for this, I think, I should ask him for our assistance.."

"He's one of our best photographers in the company, Sa.."

A deep furrow was seen on her forehead. "Who?"

"Manuel Nuevo…"

............…..