"Rhianne, I really do not how to thank you. I..."

"Shh. Stop thanking me now, Candice." Rhianne said helplessly with a smile. "It was my mom who hired your mother, not me."

"But still... If not because of you, we will never have this good opportunity in our life. Really... Thank you so much."

"Candice..."

It is now the weekend and Candice visited Rhianne's house for the first time. When Carmie saw Candice, she became overjoyed and quickly let her enter their house. As expected, Carmie was so excited to meet her daughter's friend. Aside from Keith who is always visiting their house, Rhianne did not try to invite some of her friends or classmates. So when Rhianne told her that one of her close friends will visit their house, Carmie quickly made a lot of preparation. She was eager to know what kind of friends Rhianne have in school.

Just like what she promised, Candice brought her mother's specialty. After knowing that Rhianne loves to eat sweets, Candice's mother made a chocolate cake with candied fruits on it. Knowing that it was rude to refuse it, Rhianne accepted it with a smile and asked one of their maids to cut it for them. When the maid returned with the sliced cake, Rhianne and her mom took a sliced cake each and had a taste of it.

And Rhianne quickly fell in love with that cake. The taste of it is so good! The chocolate melted in her mouth and the candied fruits were not that sweet to make her teeth ached because of too much sweetness on them. Rhianne finished her sliced cake in an instant and told Candice that she really loves her mom's desserts.

Even Carmie has the same opinion about it. She is also fond of making desserts because her daughter is a huge fan of it. She can tell that whoever made that cake gave a lot of care and time to it. When Carmie asked about the cake, they discovered that Candice's mom used to be a good chef before their family business's bankruptcy. Because today is a special day and she wants to thank Rhianne for helping her husband getting a job, Candice's mom took a day off to make a delicious cake as a thank you gift.

After some considerations, Carmie asked Candice if it was possible for her to hire her mom as a cook for their Welfare Agency. Candice became surprised because of Carmie's sudden offer. According to Rhianne's mother, she needed someone who can make nutritious foods for the kids at the Welfare Agency. Candice suddenly received a double surprise after that.

First, she was surprised to hear that Rhianne's mom wanted to give her mother a job. Candice is aware that her mother is taking a lot of jobs lately just to earn money. Carmie's job offer is such good news for them. Candice's mother can now have a stable job that earns enough money for them and she will also avoid a toxic working environment at the same time.

Second, it was about the Welfare Agency. When she heard the name of it, Candice's heart suddenly beat faster. She already had an inkling about it. But when Candice heard it directly from Carmie, she suddenly stared at Rhianne with teary eyes.

Candice feels like she is the luckiest girl ever in this world. How can she be so blessed after meeting Rhianne? She certainly remembered the place that took great care of her and the girl she hugged in front of the director's office before joining her new parents. Years later, they met again and that was the start of her luck.

After exchanging a few more words, Carmie told Candice that she will wait for her mother's reply about her job offer. Candice did not dare to make an instant decision so she told them that she will talk with her mother about it. After that, she left the two girls so they can have a good chat. While entering her room, Candice suddenly told her a story.

"Rhianne, maybe you cannot remember me anymore. But I am also a girl that came from your Welfare Agency. To be honest, I am an orphan and a kind and loving couple adopted me as their daughter." Candice said.

"Oh... I think I remember you."

"What? Really?"

"Well, I think you are the girl who introduced yourself as Candice and hugged me in front of the office. Right?" Rhianne asked although she already knew it.

It would be weird if Rhianne will say that she already knew Candice because she is the original female lead, right? Then Rhianne pretended that she was just confirming their encounter before to avoid any suspicions.

"Yes! I am that girl! Rhianne!"

"C-Candice..."

Candice ran towards her and buried her face on Rhianne's shoulder. She is crying again. Rhianne smiled wryly thinking that the female lead who is hugging her tightly is a crybaby.

'Mr. Protagonist, I am not the crybaby here. See? Your original female lead is always crying whenever we meet.'

Rhianne patted her hand on Candice's back and waited for her to calm down. After that, Rhianne gave her handkerchief to Candice so she can wipe her face.

"Are you okay now?" Rhianne carefully asked.

"Yes. I apologize for the troubles I gave to you." Candice said before sighing. She felt like her tear glands will not be able to produce any more tears for the next few days.

"What are you talking about? We are friends, right? And friends always help each other."

"Yes! We are friends!" Candice said with a firm nod. The moment she met Rhianne for the first time, Candice already treated her not just as a friend but as a sister. "That is why you can always count on me if someone or something bothers you. Okay?"

"Of course!"

"I will also protect you from any harm. Especially from Keith."

"Oka-...Ah?"

"How dare him to dream of having the best girl I have known to be his girlfriend? He should endure a lot of things and prove to the whole world first that he is worthy to be your boyfriend."

"Uhh... Candice?"

What is this situation? She was crying because of too much happiness earlier. But now, she is acting furious because of her Mr. Protagonist again. Did Keith secretly bully her or what?

"Tell me, Rhianne. What is your current status with that Keith?"

"Ugh... The truth?"

"If possible. Yes."

"Uhm... He is my suitor..."

When Rhianne admitted the truth in front of Candice, her cheeks blushed and she suddenly feel shy. Admitting it out loud still feels so new to her.

"Oh. So you like him too?"

"Actually... Uhm... Candice, since you are my friend. I will tell you something."

Rhianne told Candice some details about when Keith started courting her up until now. She also mentioned that Keith will try to ask her after his 18th birthday. It will be three months from now. After telling her those details, Rhianne observed Candice's expression.

Rhianne is afraid to see any hint of despair or hurt in her expression. Though she does not believe in the book plot anymore, there is still a little anxiousness in her heart. It is not yet late for Candice to fall in love with Keith. After all, Keith is such an amazing person. But what Rhianne saw was in Candice's expression is a pure annoyance.

"What a troublesome guy. If he wants to court you, he should do his best to get you! Is he not aware that a lot of guys are pining for your attention?! Ha! The nerve of that guy to stop me when he cannot even stop the other men who like you too."

"..."

"I knew it." Candice said.

She clicked her tongue in annoyance before crossing her arms on her chest.

That guy is really something. She has no right to interfere with them. Although she is a bit annoyed with that guy, at least he is sincere and truthful with his intention towards Rhianne. For Candice, since her friend is such a great and good lady then Rhianne also deserves the best man to be her boyfriend.

And in Candice's eyes, Keith will not yet pass to be her boyfriend.

"Candice, Keith is such a good guy. He is smart and talented. He is also good at playing volleyball and basketball. He is also very kind. Not to mention, he is also handsome."

"...Keith? Handsome?"

"Really, really handsome."

"Rhianne, you..."

"Hmm?"

"..."

'It seems like Rhianne has a weakness in handsome guys.'

While Rhianne and Candice are seriously discussing these things inside the room, they are not aware that Keith is already downstairs. Carmie saw Keith at the gate earlier so she personally let him get inside the room. The moment Keith stepped his foot into the living room, it is also the exact time when Francis goes downstairs. He is looking at him with furrowed brows.

When Keith saw Francis, he smiled wryly to himself. Suddenly, he remembered a video game that Hansel recommended to him and he played before all night.

'The mini big boss has arrived.'