8 8 PRECAUTION

Jojo's apartment, at night

His eyelids still heavy and he's rubbing his eyes lazily when he heard his phone rang continuously next to his bed. Feeling annoyed. But, when he saw the name on the screen, he jolted up instantly, and all his sleepiness fade away. It's Robert!!! Wait…wait…wait… not that Robert, isn't it?

He looked at the clock and it shows 2 AM.

It's too late for a day and too early for a morning show. Damn! What the hell this bastard wants from him at this time? Such a bad habit of his!!

Jojo cursed inwardly while he finally picked up his phone and answered "nicely".

"Yes?"

"Hi, Jo. How are you? This is Robert…"

"And…I hope I'm not disturbing your beauty sleep? Did I?" Robert sat on his bed. Comforting himself and smiled wickedly.

'Yes, you just did, asshole!!'

Jojo kept cursing him inwardly but faking it with his poker smile. Most of the nights, Jojo having insomnia and he's rarely sleeping on time. So, at very particular time when he's able to sleep early at night, it's a wonderful miracle for him. But, now, someone ruined it!

"Hahaha…no! Not at all, Sir! It's been an honor for me to be called by the most VIP person in our company at this hour. Don't you think so, Boss?" Jojo replied to him sarcastically.

"Well.. I need you to do something for me. Are you still up for the hunting, Jo?" Robert continued and completely ignored his protest.

"What else I could do, Sir? It's one of my expertise besides dressing up your famous models before they walk out gracefully on your runway…"

"Great! I need you to do something for me. Find someone for me..."

"Another talent, perhaps? But I have sent around ten rookies to our agency this month.."

Jojo frowned after he heard his boss's request.

"Not for this one…"

"She's special, Jo. And she will be our next muse for sure…"

In the fashion business, the word "muse" has another meaning. A particular definition. It means money. A new muse means a new gold mine for the company. A new asset which would bring million or gazillion profits for their company. And their existence is like finding a diamond in a mountain of zirconias. So rare.

"A muse? But, how about Linfey, Boss?"

"She is getting old and I need someone to replace her in the meantime. The one that I'm asking you to find out and would be a perfect candidate to replace her place.."

Jojo rubbed his face frustratedly. This matter…

Can't he just tell him in the office tomorrow morning? Why he should bother him at this late? Jojo pretty sure that after this call, he should double the portion of his sleeping meds so he's able to sleep peacefully afterward.

"Ok, send me her picture, boss. I'll do my best to track her down.."

"I'll give you a week to find her, Jo. Bye and have a good rest.." Robert hangs up his phone with one click, sends some pictures, then kissed a nude girl who lies on the same bed with him passionately.

Jojo almost throws his phone when suddenly, a series of notifications hit it.

Lazily, he opened his phone and look at the pictures that have just been sent to him. Next, both of his eyes almost popped out from its socket when he realized who was it.

Damnit!!

That's his best friend!!!

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

University of Rotteo, midday, a day before

"What would you like to do now, Cristan?"

An old professor stared helplessly at a young man who is lying down lazily on the couch across his desk. A book covered his face. But the man who has just been called didn't respond to his call at all.

Professor Antonio massages his temple and exhaled a long sigh. This is another habit from his assistant that he hated the most. Making his office a hideout from the girls who are obsessed with his beautiful look. And not only once. It has been so many times until the professor has losing numbers for recount it. As his assistant, Cristan was quite handy and very helpful. Thanks to him too because of his killer look during the class, most of the female students always come and fill in their seats. Cristan is like a blockbuster movie that selling out the tickets with his presence. Just one look from him and those females will melt away. Gezzz…

"Finish your study, Cristan…"

"You're running out of time; you know it right?"

"And your late mother, Arina, would be grieving in her tomb if she knew you become like this after her death.."

Pissed off, Cristan suddenly arose from the couch and glared at the professor. Angry, hatred, and sadness were there in his eyes. He stood up and hissed fumingly in anger.

"Don't bring my mother's name in this business, Professor…."

"Thank you for letting me stay here. I'm going now…"

Without hearing any reply from the professor, he walked out and shut the door. After he left, Professor Antonio let out a long sigh heavily and bury himself in a pile of paper sheets on his desk.

............…..

Cristan has just walked out for few steps when suddenly his phone rang.

Rrrrrr… rrrrrr….

He immediately picked it up and answered.

"Hello…"

"Young master, it's me, Jade ...."

"I know, what's wrong, Jade? Is there any problem with the company? "

He found an empty space and looked around. Make sure that he's alone at that time. His tone was soft and alert.

"This…."

On the other side, Jade was hesitated for a moment before then, he continued.

"I need to discuss something with you…"

"Young master, can we meet as soon as possible?"

"Yes, we will meet at the same place in an hour as usual ..."

............…..

Emerald Tower, Fashion Blast, in the morning…

"Jo? Are you ok?"

"Is there something wrong?"

Arissa keeps asking her best friend repeatedly confusedly. There are huge bags under his eyes. His eyes are hollow and lifeless. His face as pale as a sheet of paper. Over a night, his best friend has turned into a living doll. Looking at his condition, it was clearly said that he was restless all night long. And she has no idea why. This is still so early in the morning when both of them came in time. There were not too many people around them because the office will be started in the next hour. There is a reason why Arissa prefers to come early in the morning. It is because she can have a cup of coffee and do some rain check her schedules first with her supervisor. Her best friend, Jojo.

She also needs to familiarize herself with her work field and other staff. Besides Jojo and Vika. This also will make her job easier somehow. But, something is wrong today and Jojo refused to answer any questions of hers. Arissa shrugged and stood from her chair.

"Ok, I'll make my cup of coffee now. Would you like some, Jo?" She offered him gently. Hoping that it would cheer him up. A bit.

Jojo nodded and Arissa went directly to the pantry.

"Jo!! What a surprise!! What did you come so early in th…."

Vika couldn't finish her words when Jojo arose from his chair and covered her mouth quickly.

"Sttttt… don't say anything, Vik. I need to tell you something. Follow me now!!" He whispered in her ears in hurry and Vika replied to him with a nod.

............…

Bilbao Cafe

"I'm sorry to call you so sudden, young master…"

"No problem, Jade. What is it?"

A gentleman in neat look was sitting in front of Cristan and after Cristan replied to him, he slowly handed over a sealed big brown envelope to him.

"This is what I have found so far about the car accident of Mrs. Arina Levy. Your mom…"

Cristan took it and opened it instantly. There were some traffic reports, pictures, and including post mortem form that belongs to his mom as well. The one who tragically died when her car off the brakes and fall off into a ravine. The car exploded and her body completely burnt out. The forensic analyst could only identify the body from things that she wore that day. Her watches, earrings, and others.

"You were right, young master. This accident is deliberately arranged by your stepmom. Your father's mistress. Mrs. Wanda Sonata…."

Cristan took a deep breath and exhaled softly while he closed his eyes. It has been two years after his mother's death but the grief still ripped him apart from inside. The sadness that winced his heart is still there. The pain keeps howling deep within somewhere. But one thing that disgusts him the most was…

Right after his mother died, his father immediately brought his mistress into their house on the same day. At that time, Cristan decided to move out and leave the house. He never looking back afterward.

"What should I do now, young master?"

Jade asked his master sincerely. His gesture is steady. Waiting for another command from the young man who is sitting in front of him.

"Do nothing. Keep watching her for me, Jade…" Cristan returned the big envelope that he has got before to Jade. Jade nodded and slowly arose from his chair. Before he left, a thought crossed Cristan's mind. He remembered something and shoot a question right away.

"Wait… I heard Wanda is having an affair with someone? And my father didn't know about this?"

Jade nodded his head once again. "Yes, she is…"

"Do you know his name?"

"Yes, young master. His name is Robert Ferra…"

"The current CEO of Fashion Blast…"

...........