10 million

It's already 2 in the morning and I cannot sleep thinking about all the information I had and heard. My mind doesn't seem to absorb any of it. First is information about my grandpa and second is about Canim. Until I didn't notice that my eyes were slowly closing.

"KAESU, DO YOU WANT TO BE LATE?"

I woke up in shock realizing that the sun was shining, so I hurriedly got up, showered, and dressed and Alex and Lara met me outside.

"Can you imagine how loud your voice is, Alex? You just made Kaesu wake up." Lara proudly said, so I just shook my head to the two.

While we were waiting outside for a cab, a big bike once again appeared and stopped in front of us, so I rolled my eyes in annoyance. 

Alex and Lara walk towards the parked motorcycle. They freeze as they see Antonio taking off his helmet, revealing his strikingly handsome face. They turned to me and turned out just as surprised.

"Wait, is that Antonio?" Alex excitedly asked in a whisper.

"What's going on? Why is he here?" Lara confusedly asked too.

"I know, right? I invited him to surprise you guys!" I could not think of any other reason to defend this kind of situation, even though I am as shocked as them. I looked at Antonio who now had an evil smile on his face. I swear I could punch him hard right now.

"Surprise us? How do you know him?" Alex and Lara exchanged puzzled glances.

"I met him at the café last week, and we hit it off. I thought it would be fun for you guys to meet him. I remember how you badly wanted to meet him before!"

"Well, surprise accepted! He's really handsome." as usual, Alex being Alex.

"Hey, everyone! Sorry for the surprise entrance. Hope you don't mind me giving someone a ride today?" He said while looking at me with his playful smile.

Lara and Alex exchange looks of excitement and anticipation while I am sweating here already so early in the morning.

"Not at all, you can take me anywhere you want," Alex replied with his eyes sparkling. 

"Do you think he wants you?" Lara opposed. I swallowed real hard and I awkwardly smiled at them.

"He's here for me, right Antonio?"

"Actually, I am here for--" 

I hurriedly took the other helmet Antonio was holding and gave it to them.

"Here have fun with him, my cab is coming... see you at school."

I hurriedly ran as fast as I could and when I took a glance at my back, I could no longer see them, so I stopped and took a deep breath. I saw a bench nearby, so I decided to sit there and calm myself.

I was about to find a cab when I saw a car stop in front of me. The window of the car went down. I could see who was inside, and it revealed Canim's face. 

"Have you decided yet?"

Just by hearing those words, I have lost the will to continue to this day.

I walked, trying to ignore him, but he still followed me.

"Stop following me." 

He stopped the car, so I thought he really stopped following me and that made me feel at ease. But he suddenly grabbed my hand and made me face him.

"You can ask for anything. Money, property, favor--"

"Why are you so desperate? And why me?"

I'm hurt because I admit to myself that even in the short time that Canim and I were together, I felt different about him. I feel different every time he's around, as if it doesn't make sense. My heart beats faster, and I smile every time I think of him, but now I'm hurt by what I hear from him, as if he can't see me as a woman but someone he can use for his benefit and that's what hurts.

"Kaesu!" I heard a voice calling me from afar. I turned around to see who it was, and I saw Antonio riding his big bike and stopped. He hurriedly ran into us.

"Come with me."

He suddenly grabbed me, and we were about to leave when Canim also grabbed one of my hands. Antonio stopped walking and turned around.

"Bro, what do you think you're doing?" Canim asked with a fierce face.

"And what is it to you? Mind your own business." 

"Let her go!"

"You let go!"

No one wants to give in to the two and the grip of the two tightens even more.

"You two are going to let go, my hands are already hurting!"

They let go of my hand at the same time, so I stroked it to somehow ease the pain. Worried, Antonio came to me and asked if I was okay, but I just gave him a modest nod.

I heard Canim sigh. "Don't go with him, just come with me."

Antonio held my chin and lifted it, causing our eyes to meet. "I need you more."

I turned to Canim, who now had no expression on his face, and it only hurt me more because of that.

"Sorry, Canim."

I went with Antonio and I heard the loud slamming of Canim's car door before Antonio and I got away.

"I'm sorry, Kaesu, but I have to hurry."

He carefully supported my hands and wrapped them around his waist and then he sped off.

I wondered why we came back to my house. He immediately opened the door and the tearful Alex immediately appeared to me. I don't understand what I'm feeling, it's like my heart is being pinched when I see the tears falling in Alex's eyes. I knew him as a happy Alex, so the reason why he is crying now must be heavy.

I rushed to him and let him lie on my shoulders. We let him cry and never spoke until he was ready.

When he stopped crying, I held his hands to make him feel better.

"Dad was rushed to the hospital earlier."

Alex's tears started to fall again. I wiped them away. It's like I'm being stabbed by what I see now.

Alex looked into my eyes, letting me see through his pain. "He needs to be operated on immediately, or we won't be able to see Dad. But we can't afford the cost of his operation, Kaesu. If only I could sell my body and soul I would have done it."

"How much do you need?" Lara asked.

"10 million."

I saw Lara hesitating so I spoke.

"I'll take care of it."

"But where are you going to get that much money?"

"Don't worry, I have money. My grandfather left me money."

"But-"

"Shhhh just think about how this can save your dad. Think about that first and do the rest later."

Alex hugged me tightly and I patted his back.

"Are you sure about this Kaesu? I can help you." Lara asked.

To be honest, I don't have that kind of money. My grandpa's money is not enough to reach 10 million, but I saw how Lara hesitated earlier too, and I know she wanted to help, but she couldn't. Alex has been a big part of me since the day I met him. Losing his father means losing him too. But I know how to get that money, I know now.