Lately, Rhianne became interested in jewelry making. Her fascination with this activity started when she accidentally watched a short video about personalized items. Rhianne discovered that she can create her own jewelry using the materials around her. As a thrifty auntie deep inside her heart, this activity captured her whole attention.
Rhianne's jewelry is all branded and expensive. A simple pearl earrings in her jewelry box can be equivalent to the price of a brand new car. Although she likes her jewelry, Rhianne still chooses to wear those things only if there is an important occasion or if her mom asked her to wear it. She is afraid to lose her expensive jewelry. If that really happens, her heart will surely break into pieces although she can literally buy a new set of it.
When Candice accidentally learned about it, she asked Rhianne if she can join her. Of course, Rhianne does not have any objection to it. Rhianne invited Candice to her house tomorrow so they can make jewelry together. When Rhianne saw Candice's hesitant expression, she reassured her that everything will be fine.
Thinking about it, this will be the first time that Rhianne invited a friend to visit her house. Aside from Keith, she did not ask her other friends to visit her during weekends. Rhianne is very sure that her mother will become excited about it. After a few more reassuring words, Candice finally agreed with her offer.
"Then let us meet at the mall first to buy the materials we will need." Rhianne said.
"Alright." Candice agreed. "I also have a collection of small trinkets in our house. I will also bring those things and let us see if we can use them."
"Same here! I have a fishbowl full of small seashells and colorful pebbles in our house. Mr. Protagonist helped me to collect all of it when we visited the seaside when we were still kids."
"Mr. Protagonist?" Candice asked.
"Ah, right. Mr. Protagonist is Keith. Hmm... You can consider it as my nickname for him."
"Psh. It does not suit him." Candice commented. "Why do you even call him like that?"
"Because he is handsome and simply amazing!" Rhianne quickly answered.
"..."
"Really?" Candice doubtfully asked.
"Yes! And just look at his eyes! He has a rare and beautiful pair of eyes, right? He is truly a handsome guy."
"..."
Candice is feeling a little complicated about it. So what if he is handsome? There are other handsome guys out there who are much better than Keith.
"But Candice, why do you hate Keith so much? Did he secretly bully you?" Rhianne asked.
She cannot understand it. As the original female lead, Candice should treat Keith with gentleness. If they cannot become lovers, then they should at least become friends.
"Because he is so annoying!"
"...Huh?"
"The people around me are always mentioning his name wherever I go. Keith here, Keith there. Until the name 'Keith' becomes the most annoying thing I can ever hear on our campus."
"..."
Candice is not active in any school activities because of her several part-time jobs. She also rarely opens their school forums. But Candice is aware that there is a famous student from the Business and Finance course named Keith Tristan Lancester. She also heard from her classmates talking about him.
Some of the girls in her class have a secret crush on Keith. Aside from being a handsome guy, he also came from a rich and famous family. But even though they have a huge crush on him, no one dared to approach him and confess their feelings.
All of the students on their campus know that Keith Tristan Lancester is not interested in anyone except for the girl in the Mass Communication course. Before Candice discovered that Rhianne was the one who saved her mother, she already heard some news about that girl. They said that the girl from the Mass Communication course is very beautiful and has a fairy-like appearance. Candice also heard that she came from a rich family just like Keith Lancester and they are very close with each other.
Many of her classmates are jealous of that girl. Aside from being beautiful, she is also rich and she is also very close to a handsome guy. But Candice is different. She does not feel any jealousy towards that girl. Candice firmly believes that if she works hard and gives her best in everything she does, then she can also become rich and successful in the future.
"But in my opinion, that Keith Lancester is still not good enough for you." Candice suddenly commented.
"Ah?"
She did not answer Rhianne. For Candice, Keith is still not good enough for her friend. Her friend is a beautiful and kind lady. How can she let any guys snatch such a good girl like Rhianne?
In all fairness, Candice does not have any animosity towards Keith. She is just irritated with his competitiveness. On their first meeting, he quickly put up his guard towards her as if she will snatch Rhianne away from him. Rhianne is not yet his girlfriend, so why does he act as her boyfriend all the time? Candice is not asking anything about their relationship, but she can guess that Keith had already confessed his feelings towards Rhianne and is patiently waiting for her answer.
"Oh..." Rhianne awkwardly trailed off. Then she suddenly remembered something. "Candice! You mentioned your father is good at managing stocks, right?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Well, my brother is looking for a stock manager for his newly established company. My father said that he will let my brother manage one of our small companies here in Finrel City. Now my brother is looking for capable employees to work for him." Rhianne explained. "Do you think your father can work with my brother?"
That was what she said, but Rhianne twisted some truth on it. Yesterday, their father informed them that he was thinking of letting Francis handle their small companies in Finrel City. It will be a good experience for Francis so he will know what to do when the time comes where he will inherit their father's company. Of course, Francis is so happy about it. Their father's decision means that he is starting to trust his ability in running a company.
After that, Rhianne asked her brother if he can hire her father's friend for his new company. Francis does not have any opinions about it as long as her friend's father can do his job properly. She reassured her brother that he can do his job excellently since he has a lot of experience as a former businessman. After considering it, Francis told Rhianne to asked for his resume and contact number so he can personally conduct his interview.
"That's..."
"And you do not have to worry about the salary! My brother is very kind and fair with his employees. There are also a lot of benefits if your father will work for my brother."
Candice slowly lowered her head. Rhianne's sudden job offer for her father is already a blessing for them. She knew that her father is having a hard time in his current work and his boss was not even considerate and kind to his employees. Even if her father is having a hard time in his work, he will still choose to stay because they cannot afford to lose their jobs in their current situation.
Candice looked at Rhianne who is staring at her with her big and doll-like eyes. Rhianne is the type of girl that Candice wanted to have as a sister. She is also aware that her parents cannot have their own child, that's why they adopted her from a Welfare Agency. They always treated her as their own and they never let her feel that she is not their own flesh and blood.
Actually, Candice's foster parents were planning to adopt one more to be her sibling. But because her father's business suddenly failed, they slowly lose their money until they were left with no other choice but to sell their old house and live in a small studio-type apartment. Because of their situation, they already erased the idea of adopting another kid in their minds. They decided to focus on their situation first and how to make their lives more comfortable.
Her father is now working in a factory as a machine operator while her mother is working as a food server in a fast-food chain. She is also accepting laundries sometimes to earn more money. But the reality is very harsh and cruel, especially for those poor people. No matter how hard they work, the money they earned is still not enough to pay for their bills and basic necessities.
Though her parents are trying their best to hide their problems from her, Candice is well aware that they are both having a very hard time. When her mother was in the hospital, she suddenly apologized to Candice. Her mother was hoping to give Candice a good life when they adopted her, but what happened was the opposite. Because their business unexpectedly failed, they also failed to be good parents to Candice who can provide for her needs and wants.
Candice reassured her mother that she was not regretting her decision of coming with them that day. Instead, she is thankful to them because they fulfilled her wish to have a family. Even if they suffer from being poor, Candice will never leave her parents.
"Candice?" Rhianne called.
Candice blinked her eyes and looked at Rhianne.
"Sure! I will tell my father about it. My father is very good at doing his job. I can promise you and your brother that my father is a very hardworking man! He will never let your brother down if you hire him." Candice said in a firm voice.
"Of course! I believe you and your father!" Rhianne said with a smile.
Candice pursed her lips to stop the tears that are threatening to escape from her eyes. Rhianne pretended not to see the tears in Candice's eyes and gave her a gentle smile.