I Am Pathetic.

It's quite late when we arrive at our apartment complex. Andrew was helping me with taking out all the bags from the taxi's boot while I was standing in the lobby. Feeling scared and nervous.

What will my family say when they saw me like this? I took a peek at my dress. It's still the same dress as I went out today, but the difference is that my hairstyle and make up. I think my face change into a different person. My body trembling a little when I think about it.

"You're okay, Sha Sha?" Andrew ask me as he stands next to me. Press the button to go up with his knee since his hands are full with the paper bag. From what I could see, the brand on the bag is all quite famous. One of the clothes from those brands could reach thousands of euros.

And that makes me think for a moment. What did Andrew do to have this much money? He even pays for everything today starting from my hair until my skincare. How many months do I have to save up my salary to pay him back?

"Sha Sha..let's go," Andrew said again while blocking the elevator door from closing with his leg. I nod my head and walk inside the elevator. "Sorry. I was in a daze."

"What are you thinking about?" he asked and I was startled a little. I thought he don't want to know what I've been thinking. Mm…should I just ask him away? Well, why not, right?

"Andrew..um, do you work? I mean…I worried that I have used your money too much. I don't know how many months will I be able to pay you back-"

"Pftt!" he laughed at me. "You're worried about something like that?" he still smiling when he asked me. Like it's not a big deal at all to him. Is it really not?

"You don't have to worry about it. And..for your information, I do work. My line of work is normally at night time. So, you won't find me doing any work in the daytime." he assures me that he does actually have a job. But, he never discloses about what work did he really does. It somehow reminds me back of the night that I bump into him with a woman coming out from his house.

Is he really work as…gigolo? Is the gossip that has been spread around is true? But, he looks like someone who wouldn't do anything like that. Or perhaps, that I misread his expression and his gentle behavior?

Ding!

"We have arrived at your floor. Let's go. I'll explain to your father." He said and I look at the floor. I gulped a little when I saw my house's door is widely open and it still lit up with light.

Everyone probably still awake at this late hour. I was so scared to move out of the elevator that I need a little push from Andrew. He was behind me while whispering to me. "I'm here, so, don't be scared."

"Um.." while I want to open my mouth, I suddenly heard a clanging sound from my house door.

"Dad!! She just returns back now! With a man!" my brother shout from the entrance while still looking at me and my body automatically jump a little.

Like a flash, my father runs outside of my house and slap me in the face so hard.

Pang! My cheek felt throbbing and hot.

"How dare you!!! Humiliate me like this! What have you done to Darian, huh??" My father roared to me without hearing my explanation at all. It makes me sad and my tears flow down my cheek.

"Excuse me, Sir. Can we solve this matter inside of your house? I am responsible to explain it to you too." Andrew blocking me from getting anymore hit from my father. I know he meant well, but his action makes my father more furious.

"You!! You bastard!! You're the one who makes my daughter be this insolent!!" He punches Andrew in his face, but Andrew didn't move an inch. All of those paper bags on his hands before falling on the floor.

A few neighbors from the upper floor and below start to swarm at us in front of the foyer. My dad's voice could be heard by a whole block I assume.

"What is going on? Why did Mr. Lin so furious late at night like this?"

"Is it because of his daughter?"

"Ohh..check his daughter out? Since when did she color her hair? Wow, …she's really something."

"Eh? Isn't that a new guy who just move in here?" The word from our neighbor prick on my father's pride. I know, I can see from my father's eyes. He looks a bit disappointed at me. Not long after the commotion, my mother and the guest in my house rushing out.

"Honey, honey! Please calm down. People are looking right now." My mother tries to hold onto my father's arm when he still hitting Andrew and Andrew himself did not utter one word at all.

But I can see he is like giving a signal with his hand to someone I didn't even see. The signal to not do anything at all. After my father has done unleash his anger, the guest from my house walks to my father's side

"So, this is the man who humiliates my son in front of everyone?" Mr. Cheng which is also a bit bigger than my father sneers at both of us. Behind him is the man who probably the one who reports it back to his family about what happened today.

I saw my father bow down to the man while begging for his forgiveness on my behalf. It's wrecking my heart to watch it. I know I should just keep silent and take everything that Darian said than splashing him with the iced latte on my cup.

"I'm sorry for what has my daughter done to-"

"Huh..why are you the one who apologizing, Mr. Lin? It's not your daughter's fault." Andrew opens his mouth, interrupting my father's conversation.

And because of his word, Mr. Cheng glaring at us again. "What? You don't believe me? Want me to repeat it back what did your son said to Sha Sha? I was there. I was the one who stopped your son from being a total jerk in front of many people today. Do you wanna proof?"

My father also glaring at Andrew. It's already humiliating enough with everyone to see and now he even flares up the man who had a higher status than my family? I know I gonna get beaten up after this. Oh, god…when will it be over?

"What proof do you have? And what did my son said? Even if he said something, I bet it must be right. My son is a graduate of Havana Universities. He even works at A.X company as one of the directors there! Do you know he even befriends with the heir of the A.X chairman? So, do you think my son will say something that is not right?"

"Heh…" Andrew smirk widely before he laughed out loud. I don't know why he laughs, but I knew we're gonna be screw up. I pull his sleeve so that he can stop his laughing.

"An…Andrew..please stop, it's not funny." I said with a low voice and earned a glare from my father. Just when I said it, Andrew slowly stops his laugh and caress softly on my head. "I know, but it's so funny to me."

Looking back at the man, Andrew walks to him and pulls out a black card from his wallet. He taps it on Mr. Cheng's chest before he whispers something to the man which makes him trembling a little.

"No! No way!! there's no way you're-"

"Go ahead. Make a call. But, don't do it here. I hate people who disturb my peaceful place." Andrew said and went back to my side. While my father blinks his eyes a few times. I guess he was wondering as to why Mr. Cheng suddenly turns pale and shaking in fear.

"You! How insolent you are!" Mr. Cheng then beat Darian with his walking stick. "Hurry and make a kowtow to Sha Sha and Mr. Lin!!"

"Daddy! I don't-"

"Just do it, you ungrateful son!! you always make me lose my face! And now you want to lose your job too??"

"Daddy-"

"Now!!"

All of us there were speechless when seeing the duo father and son make a kowtow to us, begging us to forgive them.

"It does not just end like that. Could you repeat it back what did you said to Sha Sha this morning? I want to hear exactly the same as before." Andrew insists on Darian to repeat it back. As to me, it was a hurtful word to hear it again and I choose to close my eyes. I don't want to hear it again.

I felt a soft touch covering my ears when Darian start talking. I look up and saw Andrew's face which has a lot of bruises on his cheek, his eyebrow, and eyes. He's smiling at me while mouthing at me, "Trust me."

How can I not fall for this person if he's this sweet to me? Tell me, how can I not feel touched when he always knew what I feel? His actions always lead me to fall for him. But…just thinking at the moment I saw him with other girls makes me realize just how small I am to him.

My heart is always filled with doubt. I am pathetic.