Chapter 425 - First Meeting

Last night, Lisa couldn't sleep at all. Just like Andien. Although they could have slept in different rooms, Lisa preferred to sleep next to her friend. Her only reason was that she wanted to stay there and gave her support to her friend. To be honest, she just didn't want Andien to cry alone and silently.

Early in the morning, around 6 o'clock, several members of Andien's family flocked to visit her house. Like people about to miss their train, they rushed Andien and her to the wedding hall that had been rented by Davon.

Seeing the magnificent and definitely expensive wedding hall made Lisa feel a little relieved. Not to mention the family from the groom's side cheered and also congratulated Andien. At least, Andien is accepted by her husband's family. It was enough to make her heave a sigh of relief.

From the reflection of the glass, Lisa could see the look on Andien's face that looked weak. But every time their eyes met, the woman would give a warm smile as if to say that everything would be fine.

Everything will be fine for sure. It was the only hope that had been on Lisa's mind since last night.

Since Andien's father died and her mother was still lying weak in the hospital room, Andien decided to make Lisa as her bridesmaid. 

After wearing an off-shoulder dress with dark blue sequined top, Lisa circled around for a while in front of the mirror. Her long legs look sexy and stand out thanks to the slit skirt made of satin that she wears. The white gold earrings hanging from her earlobe almost touched her bare shoulders. 

For the first time, Lisa saw the face of Andien's future husband. As soon as the door to the wedding room opened, the figure of a foreign man became the center of her attention. 

The jet black suit was perfectly clad on Devan's slightly muscular body. The crimson bow tie was wrapped around his collar. Just from his face, Lisa already knew that the man was rich. So rich that even his great-great-grandchildren won't be short of money.

The man was probably about 165 cm tall. His skin is brown, his eyes are slanted like a crescent moon. His thick eyebrows give a firm and masculine impression. His nose is sharp, and his cheekbones are prominent. His dark brown hair was neatly slicked back thanks to the hair gel he was wearing. Even though his appearance looks great, Lisa can still see the wrinkles that decorate the corners of his eyes.

In short, Lisa couldn't bear to let Andien have a life partner like Devan. That beautiful woman deserves a man far more handsome and taller than Devan Orlando.

In Lisa's eyes, Andien is still a free soul who should be able to fly anywhere. But reality actually slapped her hard and forced her friend to marry a foreign man. Not only that, her husband was apparently old!

But again, Lisa is trapped in a maze. She could do nothing but lead her friend in front of Devan. Lisa couldn't possibly forbid Andien from marrying that man and let her live a miserable life.

At least, Lisa knows that thanks to her friend being married to Devan, Andien will have no more financial difficulties. She won't be living in a cramped apartment anymore. And most importantly, her mother's hospital and surgery costs can be resolved in seconds.

Now, all Lisa can do is hope. Hoping that Devan will treat Andien well. If the man was able to accompany Andien at any time, support her well, and take care of her, Lisa thought that would be enough.

The events that Lisa saw with her own eyes went by quickly. They made promises to each other, followed by applause from guests, then Andien threw a bouquet of flowers at them. 

Everything goes fast. Or maybe it felt fast because Lisa's thoughts weren't with her. Her mind wandered aimlessly.

The number of guests invited made it difficult for her to follow her friend out of the building. She only had time to see Andien and her husband get into a white car decorated with several pink balloons. And perhaps because Devan was a famously successful man, there were several reporters lining up in front of the exit.

"Damn, my friend is married now..."

Lisa shook her head and headed for the dressing room. She just wanted to quickly change clothes and rest. She said today was the most tiring day she had ever lived. 

***

That afternoon, Lisa spent her time at the hotel near the city center. The sound of the TV was the only sound that filled the room she had rented for the night. The woman sat on the sofa, hugged her legs and looked out the window. Vehicle lights that never run out until the lights of an office building are able to make Lisa feel sleepy.

The moment Lisa opened her eyes, the morning sun greeted her excitedly. She massaged the back of her neck that felt stiff while adjusting her sleeping position on the sofa. Last night she fell asleep on the sofa while she was still in a sitting position.

The smell of black coffee that filled Lisa's hotel room made it feel like home. She took her cell phone that was lying on the bed and snorted in annoyance when she saw that her cellphone was only 5 percent charged.

"Today I have to go back because I only have permission to take 3 days off at the office." 

"Hah? Do you want to go home today, Lis? Too bad, I wanted to take you to lunch together first."

Andien's voice, which still sounded weak, came out of Lisa's cell phone speaker. The clock on her cellphone that showed 8 am made her understand why Andien sounded like someone who had just woken up.

"Haha, it's okay. After all, don't you have to go to the hospital first to pay for your mother's hospitalization? After all, we can have lunch together anytime, Ndien. I won't be staying in the office for too long. You know I'm still a new employee."

"Yes, yes, I know it. I really have to go to the hospital this afternoon. That's fine then, but I'll still follow you at the airport, okay?"

"Oh yes yes. My plane will be at 11 in the afternoon."

***

"Lisa? Lisa, What are you waiting for!?"

There was the sound of rapid footsteps and also a familiar female voice behind Lisa. She didn't even have to turn around to see who was chasing her. 

Lisa turned her head and chuckled lightly at the look on her friend's face that looked annoyed. But her laughter just disappeared when she saw Andien's puffy eyes. Her cheeks were red and thanks to the low-collared shirt she was wearing, Lisa could see the level of her neck that was decorated with a large blue-purple color.

"Have you been crying?"

"Crying? Of course not, why the hell am I even crying! Last night, I just didn't have time to sleep. Well, you know how the newlyweds are…"

Andien automatically raised her hand and tried to cover the bite marks on her neck. Her face was beaming, trying to reassure Lisa that she was fine. 

But Lisa has known Andien long enough to know that her friend is not okay.

"Ndien, if there's anything, you have to call me right away.. I don't care what time you call me, I'll definitely pick up your call."