CHAPTER 5

The next day, Tessa was back to preparing herself. This time she met someone who hired her for a simple outfit: a black shirt and light blue jeans with rips on both knees. Tessa's favorite shoes have always been faded boots. 

Before leaving her apartment, Tessa still didn't skip breakfast, though, only making her morning cup of cold Americano coffee and a slice of low-calorie whole wheat bread. Last night's incident at the club really made Tessa feel irritated again when she remembered it. The man's face was so handsome, but it was unfortunate that he had such an uneducated mouth. 

"Asshole! I guess the slap I gave him wasn't enough." Tessa swore as she stuffed a piece of bread into her mouth. 

She walked with her plate and glass to the sink and just set them there. Tessa returned her attention to her appearance in the mirror in front of her. She did this every time she was about to go through a job that would either look fun or make her feel miserable again.

''Hey Tessa, look at you!"You don't want to look pathetic? Then, don't show that you're weak. You have to be a woman a thousand times stronger! That way, you'll live your pathetic life better."

Tessa spoke to her own reflection. She even clenched her fist and raised it in a small gesture to herself.

After doing that, Tessa quickly grabbed her branded bag and the keys to her BMW car, which would be her means of transportation to meet the client who hired her services. Her feet stepped out of her modest apartment and made sure, once again, that the door was firmly closed until it clicked.

Tessa got into the black BMW that looked quite outdated, but she was proud to have bought it with her hard-earned money. The sky was so clear and friendly today that Tessa's smile instantly grew as she rolled down her window, and reached out to feel the wind on the surface of her skin. Tessa only hoped that at the age of 24, she would soon be able to buy a car with a hood that could open. It was a dream that Tessa wanted to realize, in addition to putting a degree at the end of her name.

Tessa had gone through a period where she was jealous of her friends of her age who went on to study at a famous university, or had happy lives, such as vacations to various countries. Tessa had passed that stage. She had reached the stage that meant, "Live life as it is. It's possible she'll feel pain today or unexpected pleasure. Tessa was just trying to get through it all without thinking about the future.

The car Tessa was driving stopped at a place that looked like an empty building. She even checked her messages from an hour ago, and it was true that Tessa had arrived at the same place as the address. However, Tessa found it a little strange why the person who hired her chose to meet in such a deserted place. Tessa's goosebumps bristled as she felt a little afraid to go downstairs, so, all Tessa did was glance around while calling the person who hired her.

''Hello...''

''Have you arrived?"

The heavy voice immediately greeted Tessa's ears. A little nervous, but Tessa tried to regulate her breathing to remain calm. Tessa again tried to answer slowly to the man named James, who was 29 years old.

''I've been in front of this old building for almost fifteen minutes. Are you sure the address you sent me is correct? Tessa looked at her watch on her wrist. She refocused her eyes on the entrance of the old building. And suddenly there were many men in formal uniforms surrounding the man in the blue suit who was slowly approaching Tessa's car.

Their phones were still connected, but no sound came from Tessa or her interlocutor. However, Tessa was certain that the man calling her was the same person because he was also putting his cell phone to his left ear. Tessa switched off the phone and tried to catch her breath, as the man approached the car window, which was right where Tessa was still sitting behind the wheel. A tap on the glass made Tessa lower the windshield only halfway to make sure that the man in front of her wasn't a bad guy.

''Miss Tessa?"

"Yes." Tessa looked puzzled as the man bowed slightly and called her miss. Isn't that very strange?

''Master is waiting for you in his car; could you please get out of your car?" And let us take care of everything.

''Excuse me, but may I know your master's name?'' Tessa did not easily follow orders without confirming the truth.

''Our master's name is James Skywalker.'' 

Tessa nodded her head. Because the name they mentioned was the same as the client who hired her. Tessa got out of her car with her bag, and followed the directions of the four men who escorted her as she walked to protect her. And this is the first time Tessa has been treated, so she asks what her client's job is this time. After walking a short distance, Tessa's eyes fell on a shiny, jet-black Cadillac Escalade luxury car.

The back door opened. Tessa looked down slightly, and there was a flat-faced man who seemed to be leaning back and not looking at Tessa at all. Tessa was a little hesitant to enter, but suddenly a heavy voice with an intimidating gaze appeared. 

"Enter! Tessa entered and sat next to a man named James. Dan remained silent as the door closed, and the car left the empty building.

"Wait, where are we going? What about my car? Tessa looked at the man right beside her. That cold face made Tessa feel scared. But, Tessa would not stay silent if she received unpleasant treatment.

''Your car will be safe and sound.'' 

''Hmm.'' Tessa didn't know what else to answer; she just stayed silent and waited to see what kind of work James meant.

''I'm James, and we're going to head to the boutique to pick out an outfit for you.'' James opened his voice again. this was the first time he had hired a woman to be his wife.

''Why didn't you say that today we would start? I thought we were just going to meet so that I would look normal.'' Tessa turned her head, and her gaze met with an oriental face, but, having bright brown hair, the eyes shaped like eagles' eyes were so bewitching to Tessa.

''There is no need. I will buy you new clothes that match my appearance. You must play my wife tomorrow. One thing you must remember! Your name is Natasha Skywalker.'' James opened his ring box and took out a couple rings. He put one on her finger, and with the other one, James tried to grab Tessa's finger more precisely. Like a small tug and immediately pinned the ring that seemed to fit on Tessa's finger, and coincidentally, Tessa's finger was the same as the finger of his late wife, who chose to kill herself.