"They're both my best friends, and I hope their happiness lasts long." Anna closed her statement with a sincere smile to her two best friends upfront. She raised her glass, making a gesture for them to toast.
"Thanks a lot, Ann. I hope you'll find someone to make you happy too," Rebecca replied and raised her glass. Then they drank their wine in their own position.Anna sat back down after finishing her essential task. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as everything was under control."Are you okay?" Sidney whispered beside her while holding her hand. Yes, she knew about her feelings for Matt. And Sidney knew well her nervousness was not only about the wedding ceremony but also her fear of dealing with that. That was why she paid attention to her and asked about her condition several times.Anna turned her head and showed a weak smile. "I'm okay." She returned her grip to calm her down. That was family. Sidney knew her deepest secret without her telling that. Sidney said her feelings were so obvious. But how could Matt, her best friend since high school, not notice that?Oh, Anna forgot. Men were insensitive.Next, the event continued with a casual party while enjoying the food."Ann!"The call caught her attention from biting and enjoying a macaron. She gestured with her eyes, asking Rebecca why she called her."Come here. We need a photo together."So, Anna hastened her eating. The macaron disappeared into her mouth in an instant. She then walked to her while chewing her food."Have you swallowed it?" Matt asked once Anna was there.Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Don't overdo it, Matt. I just called her to take a picture together. You sound like I forced her to be here," she grumbled."But she should enjoy the party, too. She works hard for this."It started again. Anna usually heard petty debates from them. They really something still did that on their wedding day."Hey, stop," Anna interrupted. "I don't want to hear your argument today, okay?" she insisted. They should show happiness, not blame each other.They were silent for a moment, then looked at each other awkwardly."I just need to stand here, right?" she asked, taking her place next to Rebecca. Then she purposely pushed Rebecca closer to Matt. "The photographer is waiting," she reminded them when she saw they were still silent.Fortunately, they complied. Matt and Rebecca then took some pictures with Anna."I just saw that," Rebecca said before Anna left.That words automatically thwarted Anna's plans to minimize her interaction with them. "What?" she asked, not understanding what Rebecca meant."Your ring," Rebecca pointed with her finger. "I think I just saw it today. Right, honey?"Matt was interested in the chat and noticed the ring on her finger. "It's like a wedding ring."Getting those comments clearly made Anna nervous. She didn't expect Rebecca to notice, even though she had covered it up by putting another ring on her other fingers. However, that was called a best friend. Rebecca knew for sure about her fashion sense, including that she rarely wore accessories. Thus her collection was limited, and Rebecca must have seen them all."Wedding rings aren't like that." Rebecca raised her hand to where her wedding ring was pinned. It had a clear stone in the middle. "This is a wedding ring," she said proudly.That was her difference from Rebecca. Her best friend loved to wear accessories, at least one for every occasion, while she preferred to keep them in the box."But I've also seen a wedding ring like that."Anna closed her eyes at his response. She had no choice but to explain instead of them arguing again. "I saw this ring yesterday, and I thought it was nice to wear to your wedding," she lied. The world knew where it came from.Matt and Rebecca nodded in understanding. It managed to end their debate.Anna turned back and was about to leave when a hand suddenly grabbed her. That was Rebecca. Again. Her brows furrowed in confusion. This time, what else?"Wait, Ann. I have someone to introduce to you." Then Rebecca looked around to search for that person. "Oh, there! Jeff!" She called out a name.Anna looked at Matt for an explanation. He knew very well that she didn't like being introduced to someone, especially a man."Rebecca wants you to be happy."That was not an explanation but an excuse. And Anna was happy without them introducing a man to her. After all, she was in a situation where she couldn't have a relationship more than a friend with a man anymore. She was married.Of course, the fact only she and Dave's family knew. She didn't dare to explain it to her family, including her two best friends. Not yet. So, she couldn't possibly refuse it with that excuse."Here he is. Our best man," Rebecca said as the person in question got closer.Anna took a deep breath. She should have escaped before he came. Or should she do it right away?"Why called me? Is there something you need?" asked a foreign, heavy voice.Anna sighed again. She would deal with him and explain everything later."No. I want to introduce you to my best friend." Rebecca smiled meaningfully at Anna.Did she need to sigh again? Oh, forget it. After all, she was determined to face this situation. And so, she turned around and found a handsome man in a suit. She recognized him as one of Matt's best men."Who?" The man lowered his voice at the end when he saw Anna. Interest shone in his eyes.Rebecca saw it. So, she took on the role of their medium. "Jeff, she's my bridesmaid, Anna. And Anna, he is the best man, Jeff."Jeff remained silent with a refined look at her. The way he looked at her was like someone was fascinated by something."Hi," said Anna awkwardly. She was a little uncomfortable being seen like that."Hi," he replied with a big smile. His eyes didn't leave Anna.Rebecca smiled happily, knowing her plan had worked. She deliberately cleared her throat loudly to get their attention and said, "I'll leave you two. Enjoy the party." She immediately took Matt's arm and pulled him away.Anna could only stare blankly at them. After trapping her in this situation, they abandoned her. How cruel!"That's a beautiful name."Jeff's voice forced her to focus on him again. What should she do?"You like macaron?"Anna was about to take a bite of her pink macaron but canceled it. Somehow, it sounded like someone was surprised to see her eating that. In fact, what was wrong with macaron?"Yes. This is my favorite," Anna replied. She then devoured the macaron into her mouth. Oh, the sweets were so delicious. It gave her a better feeling. At least, it changed her focus to only tasting the sweetness. And because of that, she loved to enjoy sweets when stressed. It was like medicine to her.Jeff saw the way she ate it and the change in her face. "You must really like this," he concluded after finding something like peace in her.She had already said that, so she didn't need to justify his words, right?"You don't want to try this?" she offered. She was the one who recommended macaroons on her best friend's wedding menu. And candy in another spot."I guess it's enough just to see you enjoying this."Anna almost choked on hearing that. If Matt had said that, she would probably be h
Anna hugged her mother tightly before they separated. Yes, his family must return to Ohio."Look after yourself," Lane advised while gently stroking her daughter's back. Separation never felt good, especially with family. However, they couldn't live in Los Angeles forever. Her husband had a job in Ohio, and her other daughters had a class the next day. While she needed to return to her role. Become a housewife.She had thought back to work after her daughter was an adult. But Hugh prevented her and told her to be a writer as it was her hobby. So, she did it in the last ten years.And the ability, it seemed, descended to Anna. Anna learned about literature and dreamed of becoming a screenwriter. Although, reality did not give an easy path to her. Anna must be a celebrity assistant while looking for connections to her dreams.It was pathetic, right?But that was how the world worked. It was so cruel."Yes, Mom. You, too, take care of yourself."They hugged for a few seconds before relea
After some tiring days—her wedding and her best friend's—finally, she was back to her monotonous routine. She had to return to work, and it was her first-day meeting Kate Burton, the celebrity she was going to work for. Of course, she was not alone. There were two others with her to be her assistants. And the meeting, besides introductions, would also discuss the job desk of each assistant."Anna will be the manager taking care of the work and contracts with partners." Jenny, the CEO, began handing out assistant duties after introductions and pleasantries. "While others will help with other tasks," she continued. She made that decision because Anna was more experienced than the others.Kate glanced at the three assistants, Anna, Helen, and Ben, then turned back to Jenny. "Are you sure they deserve the job?" She sounded doubtful and belittled the three of them."Sure, they're very experienced with this," Jenny replied with a big smile, trying to show her friendliness. After all, Kate w
I'm on my way.Anna immediately sped up her breakfast after reading Ben's message. She took a big bite of toast and went to get her bag. Then Anna came back to take it with her out of the apartment. As soon as she swallowed the food in her mouth, she ran down the stairs. Luckily, she lived on the fifth floor.After that, she waited for Ben's arrival. He had just bought abalone porridge for Kate.Yes, Ben. You read that right. That was abalone porridge for Kate. Suddenly she asked him to bring it with him when they visited her.Anna would scold her if it wasn't an important day, not the day of her audition. That was not his job. At least not for that kind of request.The sound of a horn made Anna turn around. That was the car.Thus, as soon as the car stopped, she opened the door and climbed in."You bought it right, didn't you?" she asked without greeting. That was more important because Kate threatened not to come to the audition if they didn't bring the porridge."Yes. We visited th
"Anna," Chelsy called her name when Anna had just come out of the toilet cubicle. "What are you doing here?" she asked."Chels," Anna replied as she walked over to her. Then they hugged each other. "I'm here for work.""Work?" Chelsy parroted."It's for the audition."A surprise appeared on her face. "You're auditioning for Murderer?""No." Anna shook her head and chuckled. She? Auditioning? Impossible. She never wanted to be a celebrity. "You remember I work as a celebrity assistant, don't you? Well, the actress I worked with auditioned for a role on Murderer."Chelsy nodded in understanding. "Who's the artist?""Kate Burton."And the second surprise was shown on her face. "You work for her?" she asked in disbelief.An awkward laugh escaped Anna's lips. Seeing her reaction, it seemed that Chelsy had heard the rumors about Kate. It must be so because this world was so tiny. "I had no choice. They assigned me as her assistant." She grinned awkwardly. "What about you? You work here?" Sh
Anna stopped her car at the arrivals section of the airport. She was there to pick up her husband.Yes, David Byrne. He just got back from New York.No. It should have gone because his home also his major company were in New York. He went to Los Angeles to meet her."Hi, sorry I keep you waiting," she said after stopping the car and rolling down the window. Dave had been standing outside after she had made him wait for half an hour. It was her job. She had to deal with an advertising offer for Kate, which lasted longer than she thought.Dave slightly nodded and gave a smile. "It's okay, Ann. I shouldn't have asked you to pick me up when you were busy."Anna opened her mouth, about to spit out her rebuttal when he said again."Can you open the trunk?"She then remembered the 18-inch suitcase beside him. She had intended to open the truck before lowering the window. But she forgot.After Dave put down his luggage and sat next to her, she drove the car out of the airport. It was pretty c
"Are you sleeping?"Anna changed her position to the left side to look at her interlocutor well. It was eleven, bedtime.Dave glanced at her and replied, "Not yet. Why haven't you slept yet?" he asked back. Half an hour had passed since they decided to sleep and filled it in silence. But apparently, that was just a plan, as they had not yet reached the dream world."I don't know. It's hard to close my eyes," Anna admitted. She had a theory. It was probably related to his existence. She rarely brought a man to sleep in her apartment. Only Matt. And even then to take care of her when she was sick."Because of me?" He guessed right. Or not? But that was just a guess. Anna didn't even know the exact reason."If so, what are you going to do?"Dave mumbled, then replied, "What else? I'll leave your apartment.""In this hour?""Yes. I don't want to be a gadfly to you."Anna smiled, amused at his last sentence. A gadfly? She rarely heard such a word. "How about the other way around? You're n
Her eyes moved restlessly as the sound entered her ears and disturbed her sleep. Before long, those eyelids opened and revealed gray beads behind them. They hurried to find the source and found it was none other than Dave.Anna forced her body to move to eliminate sleepiness and laziness, which still hung onto her. Then she got up and walked over to him.Dave heard a voice, so he turned his head and said, "I must have woken you up." He worked in the kitchen with the stove, a pan, sausages, and eggs. Yes, he made a simple breakfast for them.Anna mumbled as she shook her head. "No. It's already morning, anyway." She pulled up a chair and intended to sit down. But she remembered something. "You need help?"He immediately gave a quick shake. "No. It's just toast and eggs. I can do these myself."Anna nodded in understanding and then resumed her activities. She threw her body pretty hard. And because laziness still held her, she laid her head on the table."If you're still sleepy, you can