117

117

"Did they say there would be another guest today?" a man greeted as Nicholas entered the restaurant's kitchen. The man appeared exhausted, like someone who hadn't eaten for days.

"She can't make it," Nicholas replied, putting on his uniform, donning a mask, washing his hands, and starting his work. He tried hard not to think about Alesya, who he considered foolish.

"Oh, my boss is so enthusiastic about work when she's here," the bespectacled man sarcastically remarked before leaving Nicholas to continue his tasks.

Nicholas shrugged, grabbed a knife, and began his duties. Despite being an owner, he still dived into the kitchen to prepare some dishes. He didn't want to stand idly by just because he was a leader.

"I'll just sell myself!"

"Go ahead!"

The earlier argument echoed.

"Damn it!" Nicholas cursed, catching the attention of the other chefs when they heard his voice.

"Why, sir?" one of them approached Nicholas, grabbing a tissue as he noticed blood dripping from Nicholas's hand.

"It's nothing."

Nicholas pressed on the scrape on his index finger. Luckily, it was just a superficial cut, not reaching the bone.

"It seems like you have a lot on your mind. You should rest instead of working with injured hands."

"You're right. I'll go to my room. I'll take care of this wound too," Nicholas replied with a faint smile, then left before the others could see him in such a bewildered state.

Alone in his room, Nicholas tended to his wound. He applied ointment and wrapped it with a bandage. He didn't know where his mind had wandered, but Alesya's words in the car earlier had truly disturbed his peace.

"Sell myself, sell myself! That's all she kept saying!" Nicholas exclaimed, removing and tossing his glasses onto the table. He massaged his throbbing temples, courtesy of Alesya's antics.

Alesya was just an ordinary girl, a bit innocent and sweet. She was his brother Bryan's wife and, there were no romantic feelings involved, yet Nicholas found himself wanting to protect Alesya.

He wanted to make her happy, even though they had only met two days ago. They had slept under the same blanket, without any barriers between them. Alesya wasn't afraid, and he didn't feel uncomfortable or opposed to it.

Why was that? And now... with Alesya gone, everything felt bleak. His mind was filled with thoughts of her, saying she would sell herself, even though Nicholas was sure she wouldn't.

"But what if she did?!" Nicholas stopped massaging his forehead. "Nicholas, you fool!" he scolded himself. He thought of Alesya, so naive, trusting, and kind to anyone who showed her a little attention, like him.

They had just met, and Nicholas knew very little about her. Alesya didn't seem to have any fears at all. What if she met a scoundrel on the street? Offering her a little money and promising to take her home? Alesya, who was desperate, would probably agree if her body was requested as payment, especially considering she needed a man's seed.

Nicholas got up, grabbed his car keys, and immediately set out to find Alesya. If she was delayed or something had happened, the worst-case scenarios he had imagined could become a reality.

Alesya felt a slight relief. She could sell her phone, even though it wasn't much, and she was losing her expensive phone. It didn't matter as long as she could eat and... Alesya glanced towards the bus terminal. Her eyes fixed on the bus heading to her hometown.

Without much thought, Alesya took a step forward. She headed to the bus and took a seat. Her determination was set to go back, even if it was just for one day. She wanted to relieve the longing for her parents, hoping it would make her feel a bit better than usual.

Just before dusk, Alesya arrived in her hometown, where she was born and raised with abundant love. Even though everything had disappeared before she turned twenty-one.

Tears couldn't be held back as the bus carrying her entered the border gate. Amid her tears, Alesya managed a smile, remembering how she used to pick up her father there when her first love had a job out of town.

Aditama, who wasn't comfortable driving long distances, preferred to travel by bus or be picked up by his friend's driver from the city. So, when Aditama arrived at the border, Alesya would pick him up on her beloved automatic motorbike. They would enjoy the village roads, father and daughter playfully bantering with each other.

"Oh no... where?!"

Alesya panicked. She checked the plastic bag she was carrying when she got off the bus. "I'm sure it was here!"

Alesya was scared now. When she couldn't find a single coin in the plastic bag containing some small snacks, she remembered that was where she had put the money from selling her phone.

However, the money had disappeared without a trace. There was no sign of it whatsoever.

Alesya looked around, seeing some horse cart drivers helping villagers get on their carts. Unfortunately, none of them were familiar to Alesya because they were from the neighboring village.

If only she recognized someone, Alesya could have hitched a ride home and figured out how to pay back later.

"Hai, Yaya!"

Alesya turned toward the voice. Instead of being happy that someone was calling her, her expression turned sour.

"Village head's wife. How are you?" Alesya reluctantly shook hands with the village leader's wife.

"I'm good, Al. Wow, you've become even prettier since you've been living in the city. It's only been two days, Ya."

Alesya just nodded.

"Oh, by the way, this is Diki. My dear son. If only you weren't married yet, I'd want to match you two up so Diki would stop getting drunk all the time. Unfortunately, your father has a lot of debt, Al." The woman kept talking despite Alesya's clear displeasure.

Especially as she saw Diki getting closer to them.

"It's okay, Bu. I have no expectations or feelings for him. Besides, we don't know each other. Just greetings, nothing more."

"But Diki is in love with you, Al."

"But I'm not, Bu. Hehehe," Alesya brushed it off. She wanted to chase them away, but unfortunately, Diki was already in front of her with his pride and joy, his big motorcycle. Diki had been hoping for Alesya to fall in love with him for a long time.

However, unfortunately, while other village girls pursued Diki, Alesya distanced herself because she didn't like seeing Diki show off all the time. If it had been the result of her own hard work, Alesya might have been willing to be friends.

"Shall I give you a ride?" Diki extended his hand, asking Alesya to hop on.

"No, thanks. Someone is coming to pick me up."

"Who's picking you up? Your father is no longer here, Devin has left with another woman. Your husband? I'm sure your relationship isn't going well if you came all the way here alone!"

"Don't judge people's lives, Dik. Because what you see is only a small part of..."

"Alright, alright. Let's not argue. The night is beginning, let's go back!" the village head's wife urged, demanding that Alesya get on. "You go back with Diki, and I'll take a motorcycle taxi behind."

"But, Miss..."

"No 'buts.' Do you want to stay here alone? Come on, get on!"

Diki flashed a smile as Alesya reluctantly got on. She knew it wouldn't do any good to refuse, especially since Diki and his mother were people who didn't like to be contradicted.

"This isn't the way to my house!" Alesya patted Diki's shoulder as the route deviated from the actual direction.

"We'll just wait there. I won't harm you. The usual road is under construction, and there are heavy machines blocking it. It's better to take this detour."

"But this is too far!" Alesya was getting anxious now. Instead of getting closer, Diki was taking her farther away from her home.

Alesya didn't know what Diki's intentions were. About fifteen minutes passed before Diki finally brought Alesya to his house.

"Can I use your restroom, Al?" Diki took off his helmet. Boldly, he entered Alesya's porch.

The house that used to be bright and full of love was now empty. Dark, just like Alesya's life.

"It's useless for you to come in. I don't have the key."

"Then what?"

"There's no 'then.' I came here to meet my parents, nothing more. And if you don't mind, you can leave before people start thinking badly of us."

Alesya walked to the backyard and sat on a wooden chair. She gazed at the withered flowers, just like her life.

"If there's no key, why are you here?"

Unexpectedly by Alesya, Diki sat beside Alesya. Deliberately pressing his body closer so he could make contact with Alesya's arm.