Unconditional

Chapter 1: Confrontation

The day has been very busy, Iona started with a back to back photoshoot. She was running late for her third photoshoot due to some issues with the morning shoot. Good thing her boyfriend came to her rescue and started the third shoot, knowing that Iona won't make it. The morning shoot finished and she rushed home to get started with editing.

'You're home early.' Her dad, Adrian, said.

'I wasn't able to get to my second shoot.' She set her backpack on the kitchen floor and walked towards the fridge. 'Ruka took the third photoshoot.' She grabbed a small bottle of apple juice and closed the fridge.

'Hun, this came for you in the mail.' Adrian walked to the dining table and grabbed the envelope and handed it to her. She looked at him confused and took it. She opened it and read the letter. Her eyes widened as she covered her mouth in shock.

'Dad... I... I got in.' She looked at her dad as she started crying.

'Which one?' He asked.

'Spellbound.'

'Congratulations, Anca. I knew you'd get to live your dream.' They hugged.

'Thanks, dad' She answered as soon as they pulled away. She read the rest of the letter and frowned.

'What's wrong?'

'I have to leave in a week.' She smiled sadly.

'We will get you ready, love. I'll arrange a place for you to stay and a car for you to use.' He laughed.

'Dad, you know very well that I prefer big boy bikes than cars.' She laughed.

'Well either way I will get everything ready for you by the time you get there.' He kissed her forehead, 'Now go and finish work, and don't forget to inform them that you are leaving.'

'I won't. Love you, dad.' She kissed him on the cheek before grabbing her backpack and heading down to the basement.

A few hours have passed and it was already eight at night when she checked the time. She yawned and stretched in her seat. The door to the basement opened and she turned around to see who it is.

'Yona, are you down there?' Haruka asked.

'Yes. Come down.' She yelled as she went back to editing the photos.

Haruka put his backpack on the desk beside hers and walked over and hugged her. 'Have you eaten anything today?' He asked.

'I have been super busy and the shoot I did kind of drained me.' She answered.

'Babe, you need to eat something. Do you want me to get you something?' She shook her head and he kneeled in front of her. 'Yona, you got to eat.' He touched her face and she leaned into it.

'I'm really not in the mood to eat right now.' She took his hand into hers and smiled faintly.

'Let me at least get you some fruits and a glass of juice from the kitchen.' He smiled as he got up and kissed her forehead. She nodded and he walked up the stairs to the kitchen.

'Hey, Ruka.' Adrian looked up as Ruka entered the kitchen and smiled.

'Hey, Adrian. How are you?' Ruka asked.

'Pretty good. Done with work?' Adrian asked.

'I haven't started. I came up to prepare some fruits for your daughter.' Ruka smiled.

'She's been having trouble keeping food down. But fruits should help a little. Would you like me to do it and just bring it down to the basement for you both?'

Ruka nodded, 'That would be great, but I'd help, of course.' He smiled and went to the fridge to get the fruits out.

'Ruka, did you talk to her already?' Adrian asked as he grabbed a tray and two glasses.

'I haven't had the chance, sir.' Ruka started cutting up some strawberries as Adrian set the tray in front of him. 'Is there something going on with her?' He asked.

'Not really. But just a heads up, she has a lot of things going in that already busy head of hers. So tread carefully.'

'I'll keep that in mind ,sir.' Ruka smiled and kept slicing and dicing fruits and putting it on a plate. He then put the plate on the tray and filled the glasses with Iona's favorite apple juice. 'We will be down in the basement if you need anything, sir.' Ruka bowed and took the tray down to the basement.

'Is that beer?' Iona asked.

'Just apple juice, hun.' Ruka smiled and set the tray on the table between their desks and set a glass of apple juice on her desk.

'Thank you, Ruka.' She smiled and went back to editing. 'Oh, before I forget, I got accepted at Spellbound in L.A.' She smiled at herself.

'That's great babe. We will have so much fun out there.' Ruka looked at her smiling.

'Ruka, it's... I...' Iona bit her lip, closed her eyes and sighed before turning and looking towards his direction. 'I'm the only one going. I want to do this alone.'

'But it's our dream to move out there.' Ruka looked at her.

'It is, but it's my dream to grow on my own and not being controlled by all your dreams. Ruka, I'm tired of living your dream. I want to live mine.' She bowed her head as tears started to fall off her eyes.

'Baby, what are you talking about?' Ruka got up and walked over to her. He was about to put his hand on her shoulder but she flinched.

'Here,' She opened the top drawer on her desk and pulled out a brown envelope and handed it to Ruka.

"What's this?' He opened it and pulled out the papers and pictures.

'We're done, Ruka. I know you have been cheating on me for a while now. And me getting this Spellbound project made me realize that I do not deserve to be unhappy and I don't deserve to put my dreams aside.' Iona got up.

'Yona, I... I can explain.' He slowly walked towards her but she put her hand up to stop him.

'No. I don't need an explanation. What I need you to do is leave.' She said in a stern voice.

'Yona, please.' He begged.

'No.' She turned around and went back to her chair. Ruka gathered all his things and left.

As soon as Iona heard the basement door closed, she broke down and cried. Adrian ran down to her and hugged her.

'What's wrong? What happened?' He asked.

'He was cheating on me dad. It's over between me and him.' She explained. Adrian hugged her tightly and didn't let go until she was ready. A few minutes passed and she let go. 'Come, sweetheart. Let's go get some tea.' He smiled and lead Iona back up to the kitchen. She stayed quiet. 'You don't have to tell me anything, sweetheart.'

'I know dad. I'm actually not that sad. I cried because it felt like a really big load got lifted off my chest. And now I feel free.' She took a sip of the tea and her dad held her hand.

'You're a strong woman. You have a bright future ahead. I'm happy that he's out of your life.'

'I know you didn't really like him, and I'm sorry that it took me a while to see that.' She smiled.

'I understand, sweetheart. But come on let's forget about him and look forward to your new adventure in L.A.' he smiled.

'Thanks dad.' She smiled back.

'When do you need to report to them?' He asked.

'May twenty-fifth. So pretty much in two weeks.' She bowed her head and smiled. 'I'm really excited.'

'I can tell.' He chuckled. They spent the rest of the night talking.