The sound of shattering glass made all the partygoers turn their heads. They were all shocked to find a girl sitting on the floor, clutching her chest. One of the men walked over, checking to see what had happened.

"Miss! Are you okay? What happened?" asked Evan, the event owner.

The girl in question continued to clutch her chest, her breath coming in short gasps as she pointed to a small plate that had been broken and had pieces of cake all over it.

Evan began to understand what made this girl suddenly make a scene; maybe the food she pointed to just now made her allergic to the ingredients in it.

"Luke, call an ambulance!" he ordered his assistant, who immediately obeyed.

Since the hotel where the party was held was not too far from the hospital, it only took a few minutes for the ambulance to arrive at the hotel and take the poor girl to the hospital for immediate treatment.

In addition to her labored breathing, Evan also noticed that a rash had appeared and the girl's face had begun to swell. As the event organizer, he took full responsibility for the incident. The party was in chaos for a while because of the commotion, with everyone thinking the poor girl might have been poisoned by the food served around them. But Evan continued to assure them that the incident was definitely not caused by the food.

Of course, as a well-known businessman, Evan didn't want this incident to affect his business. Especially since this was the inauguration of his new hotel, he didn't want to lose the trust of the invited guests before the hotel officially opened.

"Has the girl been dealt with?" Evan asked Luke.

"Already, sir. Her allergy is quite severe; it's lucky we're not too late to help her.”

Evan sighed; he didn't expect this incident to happen at his party. He had also checked to see if the girl had taken the cake herself or if someone had given it to her. As it turned out, the girl did take it herself, which means she didn't know there were allergens in the food she took.

In another corner, a man was seen looking for someone in the crowd. Steve was searching for his girlfriend, who had stayed behind to taste the cake served at the party, but when he returned, he didn't find Alodie anywhere.

"Why are you doing nothing? Help me find Alodie!"

A worried Steve accidentally snapped at Anna, his secretary, whom he had also taken to his business partner's hotel inauguration party. Anna splashed out, forced to help Steve find his troublesome girlfriend.

But in reality, Anna isn't really looking for Alodie. Instead, she went around the back to meet someone who had helped her get rid of Alodie a little. It was someone who had disguised herself as a waitress and placed a cake near Alodie for the girl to take and eat.

"Good job!" said Anna as she handed over an envelope with a dollar bill inside.

The fake waitress accepted it and left, as her job was done. Anna also went to keep herself busy because she didn't want to hear Steve's anger. Meanwhile, Steve was even more worried because he couldn't find Alodie.

He asked the party guests whether or not they had seen the girl he mentioned, but they said they didn't know. Just when Steve was about to give up, someone told him that the same girl he mentioned had been taken by ambulance to the hospital. However, he was not sure where the hospital was.

Steve frantically dialed Alodie's number, but it went unanswered.

.

.

"How did it get like this, Al?" Maria Winston looked worried when she heard that her daughter had been rushed to the hospital.

Someone contacted her on Alodie's cell phone, informing her that her daughter was in the hospital.

"You didn't eat the peanuts on purpose just because you had a fight with your boyfriend, did you?" Maria accused.

Alodie said nothing, although she was quite offended by her mother's accusation, which, unfortunately, was true. Alodie glanced at the door, seemingly waiting for Steve's presence, even though she had been sober for quite some time.

Alodie sighed, squeezing her head tightly. Her breathing was still a little labored from the allergy that had developed after she had eaten the cake at Steve's business partner's hotel inauguration; she really didn't know there were peanuts in the bread.

"Mom," Alodie called softly, making Maria turn around. "Didn't you tell Steve that I was in the hospital?"

Alodie's question made Maria's face sour. "Why would you care about someone who doesn't even care about you? He didn't even bring you to this hospital, even though you went with him earlier. I don't know what that man is doing; he doesn't care about you, Al."

"Mom, Steve's not like that. He must just be confused about where to find me. I'd better call him."

"No need," Maria snatched Alodie's cell phone from the nightstand, giving her daughter a pained look. "Do you remember when you were hospitalized with allergies? He even called and didn't answer your call. "If you call him now, he might think you're a weak person because you're always hospitalized for careless reasons.”

Alodie was silent after hearing her mother's words. Although she still wanted to tell Steve to come, what her mother said was not entirely wrong. Alodie remembered that at the party, Steve left her because he wanted to discuss cooperation with other business partners who happened to be at the party.

One thing Alodie noticed was that Steve didn't invite her or check on her. At first, Alodie thought that maybe she could interrupt Steve and his coworkers' conversation. But after what her mom said, why did Alodie think Steve didn't care about her?

This wasn't the first time Alodie had been hospitalized for allergies while out with Steve, when she should have been safe with him since he knew she was allergic to some things.

The open door distracted the attention of the two women inside. A man who still looked dashing for his age walked into Alodie's ward with a sour face.

"I thought this would happen again. He's incompetent to take care of you!" said Mr. Winston angrily.

"I warned Alodie too, but she's almost like your father—very stubborn," said Maria.

Mr. Winston looked at his daughter, who looked a mess. Her face was still slightly swollen and reddish, and her breathing was also irregular. The old man sighed; it was enough for him to free his daughter from the hands of an irresponsible man.

"End your relationship with that useless man, Al. I'll set you up with my coworker's son. I'm sure he can take care of you better than that ignorant man."

"Dad, I can't—"

"I don't accept rejection. Instead of being stuck with a man like him for the rest of your life, it's better to obey your parents," broke in Mr. Winston. "Even after eight years of dating, he won't marry you," He grumbled.

It's been a week since Alodie returned from the hospital after being admitted for three days due to a relapse of her allergies, and she still hasn't been able to see Steve. Steve had indeed contacted her and said he would visit her at home if he had some free time. However, Alodie had been waiting all this time, and Steve never came, which made Alodie feel disappointed again.

Without Alodie knowing, if by "busy," Steve meant going out alone with Anna. Steve is even willing to lie to his girlfriend in order to spend time with Anna. Another reason is that Steve doesn't have the courage to visit Alodie at her house because he doesn't want to face his lover's parents, who have never approved of his relationship with Alodie.

Maria enters Alodie's room, finding her daughter so depressed after returning from the hospital.

"Are you still thinking about your boyfriend, Alodie?" Maria asked.

Alodie was silent, wanting to say yes, but she wasn't ready for a lecture from her mother, even though what she was doing was basically stupid.

"You should think about what your father said. Just accept the arranged marriage we've set up; it's all for your own good, Al." Maria came closer.

She rubbed the shoulder of her daughter, who had been quiet lately, not even wanting to leave her room. Maria certainly didn't want her daughter to be such a pain in the ass, but she also didn't want Alodie to return to a lover who didn't even care about her.

Alodie decided to go out to clear her head. She couldn't continue to dwell on her disappointment with Steve, even though she wanted to go up to him and ask him why he had suddenly become indifferent to her.

But she didn't. Of course, Alodie didn't want to get even more stressed if she went to see Steve for nothing. She would rather go shopping or take a walk around the city to refresh her mind. Alodie contacted her good friend, who worked as a model, Zytha.

After calling Zytha, Alodie got ready to leave. She bumped into her mom on the stairs.

"Are you leaving?" asked Maria.

Alodie nodded, gave Maria a quick peck on the cheek, and headed down the stairs quickly. Maria, who saw her daughter suddenly cheerful when she had been gloomy that morning, was both surprised and worried. She was worried that Alodie would see Steve again because the girl was supposed to marry someone else. Maria was concerned that Alodie would ask Steve to take her away, even though it sounded impossible.

Alodie drove her car to pick up Zytha at the studio; coincidentally, the girl had just finished a photo shoot. At first, Alodie wanted to cancel the invitation because she was worried that Zytha was tired after the photo shoot, but Zytha said that she was happy to go with Alodie.

After picking up Zytha, Alodie drove back down the highway to the biggest shopping center in town. They would explore the place to their heart's content; at least half of the money on the card would have to be spent here.

First, Zytha took Alodie to a restaurant. She was hungry because she had just had a long photo shoot, taking several shots that made her body tired and hungry. Alodie didn't mind, and they headed to the restaurant on the second floor.

"I'm so happy that we can finally go out together again after so long," Zytha said.

Alodie just smiled awkwardly; she remembered always refusing Zytha's invitations because she went out with Steve too often.

"How is your relationship with Steve? I hope it's fine, although I dislike that guy a little. For some reason, he doesn't seem to suit you."

Alodie let Zytha gossip about Steve; somehow, she was not in the mood to defend her lover. Until their order finally came, both of them ate quietly, occasionally telling each other about their lives while not together.

"Al, isn't that your boyfriend? Look towards eleven o'clock," Zytha said when she saw someone familiar.

Alodie followed the direction Zytha indicated. Sure enough, she saw Steve enter the same restaurant as them. Her eyes narrowed when she saw a woman come up and immediately hug Steve's arm, which was returned with a sweet smile by the man—a smile that Alodie always got.

"Isn't that Anna?" Alodie thought.

Suddenly, Zytha pounded on the table, making Alodie flinch. The girl was visibly upset that her friend's boyfriend had gone off with another woman and was being intimate in public.

"Hit him, Al! I'll protect you from that jerk!" Zytha got up and prepared to hit Steve, who was caught playing with fire behind her lover's back. But Alodie held her back; she shook her head softly.

"We'd better finish the food and get out of here." Alodie went back to eating her food.

"You don't want to run him over? Beat the shit out of him and slap the fucking bitch?" asked Zytha incredulously.

"No need."

Although annoyed and surprised, Zytha still obeyed Alodie's words. She even hurriedly finished her food in order to get them out of this place as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Alodie was a little pensive. Could it be that Steve had been ignoring her because he was in a relationship with Anna, the secretary? If so, it all made sense. Why was Steve more at home working than taking the time to see her? Alodie felt sad.

In the end, Alodie's planned outing did not go entirely smoothly. She only had lunch with Zytha because she was no longer in the mood to continue the show. Her mood immediately changed after witnessing the incident at the restaurant.

Zytha was worried because Alodie was moody immediately afterward, but Alodie said that she was fine. Although there was a desire in her heart to ask Steve for an explanation, it felt like the scene was so clear. Wouldn't it be that if she said that, then Steve would just argue? Moreover, Alodie did not have any evidence.

Maria, who was sitting on the living room sofa, was surprised to see that her daughter had come home, even though Alodie had only left the house for an hour. The woman looked worried when she saw Alodie's moody expression, similar to before.

"Mom," Alodie called out to her mother.

"What's wrong with you, darling? Did you just meet your boyfriend? Didn't I tell you—"

"Take me away, Mom," Alodie sobbed, leaving Maria speechless.

"Are you sure you're still going, dear?"

Maria was helping Alodie pack. After saying that she wanted to go last night, Alodie had really made up her mind. Although it seemed very sudden, her mother couldn't even believe that Alodie really wanted to go somewhere.

Unlike her father, who looked casual, as if the departure of his only daughter was no big deal. Of course, Mike couldn't even feel a mother's worry when releasing her only child out there.

"You promised to come back to discuss the match, right, Alodie? I won't guarantee your safety if you dare to disappear to avoid the match I've planned," Mr. Winston warned.

Alodie sighed; she could only nod despite the slight desire to acknowledge her father's fear. But that was actually not the reason why she wanted to leave, because Alodie thought she needed to be alone after what she had learned earlier. Steve's betrayal really hit her hard.

Alodie wondered if Steve would look for her if she really disappeared. Although it seemed unlikely, given that there were other people who could keep him company instead of looking for her, who was nowhere to be found.

"Don't you want to tell Mom where you're going, Alodie? At least tell us where you're going so we don't have to worry about you," Maria said sadly, looking at her daughter.

"I'll be fine, Mom. I'm sorry, but I don't want anyone to know where I am because I think I need time alone to think about the decisions in my life."

Maria looked at her husband with a pleading gaze, as if asking him to prevent their daughter from leaving. But Mr. Winston just shrugged; he thought his daughter would be able to take care of herself, considering Alodie was no longer a child.

Finally, Alodie left the Winston mansion and promised to return as soon as possible. Maria just looked at her sadly; she would be very lonely if her daughter left. Although she did not have anyone to talk to at home, at least if Alodie was there, she would always talk to her, even if it was just to lecture her.

Alodie went to the airport escorted by Zytha. The girl also looked sad because of the news that Alodie wanted to pull over somewhere. Never mind, Zytha; her family wasn't even told where she was going, as if she didn't want anyone to disturb her peace.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Al," Zytha said as she hugged her friend tightly.

"Me too. Take good care of yourself, and wait for me to come back," Alodie replied.

"Sure, you too. I'll be waiting for you, Al. There's still over an hour until takeoff, right? I'll keep you company here.”

On the other hand, Steve was losing himself in his relationship with Anna. Unlike Alodie, Anna was able to give him what Alodie couldn't during their eight years of dating. Anna always served him, warmed him up, and was even always there when Steve needed her.

Yes, even though Steve admitted Anna was not prettier than Alodie, she could really keep him satisfied.

At eight in the evening, Steve, who had just finished his work, tried to call Alodie. He missed her terribly, but for some reason, Steve had no intention of seeing her at all. Unless she came to the office herself, he would gladly welcome her.

"Why is her number not active? She's not usually like this," Steve muttered as he tried to contact Alodie but failed.

Steve kept trying, and the result was the same. Alodie's number was inactive, making Steve think a little badly. As far as Steve knew, Alodie never left her cell phone off because she always knew when Steve would call. But this time, Steve was really surprised.

"Maybe she was just being careless," Steve tried to play it safe, then chose to clear his desk and prepare to leave.

Just as Steve was about to get up, the door to his room was opened by Anna. Anna, who always wore tight clothes to work, walked in and approached Steve, who was still in his oversized chair.

"Why aren't you home yet?" asked Steve.

"Of course I'm waiting, Steve. Are you coming back to my apartment tonight?"

"Umm, not likely, Anna. I wanted to see Alodie for a while; she didn't answer my phone."

"Then why do you want to see her? Do you want to go to her house and ask her parents? Do you dare?"

Steve was silent; what Anna said was true. But Steve really wanted to see Alodie; he missed the girl. Suddenly, his cell phone rang, and Alodie's name appeared on the screen.

"Look! Alodie called me!"