1. Falling in love

"Hi, Selena! Are you home yet?" A cashier in a special boutique uniform waved at her friend's arrival. "I've finished designing my latest dress. Mr. David said I could leave early." Selena sat next to Dea, grabbing a glass of avocado juice that was lying there.

"Yes, but until now the lucky lady hasn't shown her face," Dea said. "You haven't heard any news about her boyfriend, have you?" 

"What if he turns out to be gay?"

Selena groaned as a pinch landed on her arm. 

"Don't talk nonsense, he'll hear about it."

"For God's sake, I wouldn't want him to be gay. Look how handsome he is." Selena propped up her chin, eyeing the tall, well-built body clad in a black polo shirt. 

"Yes, especially that firm jaw that is covered in fine hair and neatly shaved. Oh, Selena, I really want to pet him," Dea whispered. "I do. And you see those muscles poking out on his arms? He looks like a mighty man, doesn't he?" 

"Exactly. Especially since his grandfather was American. Intercontinental marriages always produce the cream of the crop." 

Their conversation was interrupted when Aldric walked up to the counter. With a flat face, the man pointed at Selena. "You, can you help me pick out a dress for a girl?" 

"Me?" Selena pointed at herself. 

"Yeah, who was I pointing at?"

"Uh, okay." Selena stammered, not expecting that she would have the opportunity to be this close to the man of her dreams. Selena walked after Aldric with an uneasy feeling. 

Her heart was beating fast, her palms cold as ice. She repeatedly tucked her hair behind her ears, just to relieve her nerves. 

"In your opinion, among the dresses here, which one is most suitable for a beautiful girl with a casual look?" Selena was silent for a moment, then she shakily picked out the dresses as Aldric requested. 

Oh, my goodness, the man's charm was absolutely deadly. Even just inhaling the musk scent from his body, Selena was about to faint. 

As a designer, usually Selena could easily determine the type of dress that suited a person's appearance. But this time was different, her mind and hands were not in sync. She was too busy calming her heart that was beating too fast. 

"Can you hurry up a bit, I'm in a hurry," Aldric said impatiently. 

"It fits, sir. Knit midi dress. It's quite comfortable to wear with the knit as the main material, while the ruffle detail on the skirt will give it a sweet touch. This style is in vogue, and it's the latest release." 

"Okay, I'll take this one." Aldric took the dress from Selana's hand. For a moment he stared at the simple-looking girl trembling before him. In a loose sleeveless T-shirt, the girl looked beautiful and similar to Anna, his sister.

"Anything else?" Selena began to feel uncomfortable being stared at so intensely. "I'll take two. Pick out another one in another color." 

"Pastel and navy colors are very nice in my opinion." 

Aldric took the two dresses shown by Selena, then took them to the cashier to complete the transaction. Meanwhile, Selena didn't move from her spot, not even until Aldric left the boutique. She had a smile on her lips.

"Selena!" called Dea as she waved. 

Selena ran to the cashier's desk, then grasped Dea's hand tightly. "You know what? I think I'm in love with Mr. Aldric." 

"Are you crazy?" Dea widened her eyes. "It's not love, Selena. You just admire him." 

"No, I'm not a child who can't tell the difference between love and admiration." 

"Suit yourself. Falling in love with a man like him means you have to be prepared for heartbreak. Wake up, Selena. Our caste is much different from his." 

"No problem, I'm willing to fall in love and get my heart broken at the same time." 

From the glass wall, Selena watched Aldric who was walking towards the car. His right hand was carrying a paper bag. Again she smiled. Was she really in love with that handsome man? 

*** 

Aldric closed the apartment door and stepped into the room. Rayhan-his friend-walked after him. They almost jumped in surprise when they found two girls sitting on the sofa in the room. 

"Oh my, Anna! Rania! What are you doing in my room?" Aldric exclaimed. Anna and Rania, both girls showed their trademark grins. 

"Waiting for you, of course. It's the weekend, usually you bring me presents." 

Anna - Aldric's sister - looked excited to see her brother's arrival. That afternoon, Anna invited Rania to visit Aldric's apartment, she happened to have access to it. 

"Hi, beautiful!" greeted Rayhan flirtatiously. Aldric elbowed Rayhan in the stomach, not liking it when the man teased his sister. "How many times have I told you, Anna. Never come to my apartment without permission. What if I'm not at home and Rayhan happens to be here. You know, my friend is dangerous. Go home quickly." 

The girl grabbed her crutches from beside the sofa, then got up and hobbled with the help of her cane over to Aldric. "Where's my present?"

"It's from your favorite brother, beautiful." Rayhan thrust a paper bag into Anna's hand. 

Anna quickly accepted, and opened the contents. Her face lit up. "Wow, I love the style of this outfit. Since when have you been so good at picking out clothes for me, Sis? Did you also buy it for Rania? Thank you. Come on, Rania. Let's go home. Tomorrow we can hang out in this outfit and we'll look like twins." 

Anna laughed, gave the paper bag to Rania and put the dress back in there. Anna left the room on tiptoe and kissed Aldric's cheek, while Rania walked behind her without looking at Aldric. Keeping an eye on Anna who was hobbling around on crutches. 

After the girl left, Rayhan laughed so hard that he rolled over on the bed while holding his stomach. "He kissed you on the cheek in front of Rania!" 

"Stop laughing, you idiot!" Aldric rubbed his cheeks in annoyance. 

"Okay! By the way, your sister is looking more and more beautiful. If only she could walk normally, there would be many men fighting over her." 

"Don't get me wrong, a good man will not look at whether she is a handicapped girl or not, but they will look from the heart." 

"Yes, take me for example. I don't mind being your sister-in-law."

"Step over my corpse first!" Aldric threw his body next to Rayhan. 

"By the way, what about you and Rania? Still can't get over her?" Rayhan changed the subject. About Rania, the girl Aldric loved. 

"I don't know how to forget her when I see her almost every day." 

"You're not planning to snatch Rania from her fiancé, are you?" Rayhan probed. 

"If I lose control, it could happen," Aldric replied.

"Don't be crazy, Dude! Remember, Rania and her fiancé are the children of your father's business partner. Don't let your father and his partner's relationship be ruined just because of your love. Respect your father's hard work, don't let yourself get out of control and be selfish."

"Then what should I do? The more I try to forget her, the stronger my feelings become." 

"Learn to love another woman." 

"It's not that easy." Aldric ruffled his hair in frustration.

"There's no harm in trying, is there? Before it's too late. Find a woman to make your wife." 

"What? Crazy idea! To me marriage is something sacred and cannot be made into a game." 

Rayhan shrugged his shoulders, "Unless you have another way. But I think this is the only way. Love can grow over time. Living with her, making love with her, I'm sure you'll eventually forget your feelings for Rania and love your wife. Come on, Dude! Don't keep being selfish." 

Aldric let out a rough sigh. Was his friend's crazy idea true? It wasn't hard for Aldric to find someone to marry him. There were many women out there who wanted him. However, Aldric

c wants a woman who is truly sincere, not looking at Aldric from his wealth. 

***