Arriving at their favorite cafe where they often hung out, Amanda and Lea entered and looked around for Amanda's cousin, who had arrived a few minutes earlier."Oh, there he is!" Amanda exclaimed, grabbing Lea's arm and half-dragging her towards a table where a lone man was waiting, stirring his drink. It seemed to be a cup of mocha coffee, judging from the aroma that immediately wafted through Lea's nose as they approached the table.Yes, the cafe was indeed special. Although the menu was standard, the uniqueness lay in the aroma and serving techniques that set it apart from other cafes. It became a favorite for Amanda and Lea, who were pure food lovers."Hi, Daniel. Have you been waiting for so long?" Amanda greeted the tall, slender man who seemed serious."Oh, hi, Amanda. And... who's this, Lea, right?" Daniel, as called by Amanda, extended his right hand towards Lea.Lea shook his hand and introduced herself, "Lea, Amanda's friend.""I'm Daniel, her cousin. Take a seat. The menu
"Uhm, sorry, I got distracted again; my mind wandered," Lea apologized again for the umpteenth time that night. Daniel responded with a restrained smile several times, trying to understand the issues the girl in front of him was facing."Isn't it quite late now? How about going home?" Lea suggested then. She couldn't find anything else to talk about. Besides, she didn't feel comfortable staying out late and being escorted home by a man."Okay... sure, next time we go out, let's not make it too late, so we can spend more time, hehe," Daniel suggested. A suggestion that made Lea grimace without expression because she felt there was no other reason to meet this guy, she thought skeptically. However, she just remained silent and kept her feelings to herself."I... I'll order an online taxi now," Lea said casually, taking out her phone. But, as expected, Daniel immediately objected because he had promised Amanda to take the girl home."Hey, don't! Amanda will scold me if you take an online
That evening, Shane went to the cafe alone. He had arranged to meet a friend from his police academy who had some business in the city that day and took the opportunity to meet up.Upon arriving at the agreed-upon cafe, Shane sat and waited while playing with his phone. As he scanned the leather-clad room, he spotted Lea in the far corner. He examined her more closely to confirm that it was indeed Lea, his irritating blind date. Despite her simple and unremarkable appearance, her charm remained, especially with her wavy black hair tied up, framing her oval face.Shane scolded himself for being curious about who Lea was with. Was she often meeting new guys? Shane suspected. From their gestures, it seemed clear that they had just met. Maybe another blind date, Shane thought to himself.His heart suddenly felt warm. He didn't know how he felt about Lea, but he didn't like seeing her with someone else. However, he couldn't dictate who Lea spent time with. Shortly after, when his college
"Lea, come over here for a moment. Help me out for a bit," Adelle requested, prompting Lea to stand up and approach her friend automatically.At Adelle's table, she subtly nodded toward Bella, signaling to Lea that Bella was uneasy."Oops... I forgot again!" Lea said after realizing Bella's sulking behavior. Lea could be oblivious and forgetful sometimes, mainly when focused on her work."Adelle, seriously. Taking Lea without asking. I was here first!" Erick complained as Lea left him to assist Adelle. However, Adelle was almost done with her work and didn't need Lea's help. She was trying to keep Lea away from Erick to prevent Bella from getting more upset."Don't act so entitled. Do your work! Don't make it a habit to procrastinate," Lea scolded Erick, finding his use of the term "booking" negative, mainly when referring to a woman. Annoying, she thought."Yeah, right. Don't help him. Let's each do our work. So that when promotions come, it's just Lea, not others," Bella's sharp rem
"Alright, office hours are almost over. I need all the weekly reports placed here now!" Mrs. Vivian, the head of the Accounting division, said while tapping Lea's desk with the pen she held.Lea, slightly startled, jolted a bit because she had been daydreaming while staring at the laptop screen in front of her, but her mind had wandered elsewhere.She quickly gathered her belongings, which had been ready since earlier, followed by her three friends walking towards their desks like robots controlled by a remote—no greetings or jokes as usual. Mrs. Vivian's demeanor instantly turned fierce whenever there was a sudden internal inspection schedule.She ended her work hours simultaneously with the sound of Mrs. Vivian's footsteps leaving the room to return to her office. Carrying a stack of weekly report books, she strolled away to ensure the fate of her four subordinates ahead.Left behind were four exhausted individuals in their respective chairs, exhaling heavily and relieved that the d
Okay, this Amanda's cousin has a high level of infatuation, thought Lea, a bit wanting to laugh and a bit annoyed. However, she couldn't immediately respond to Daniel's statement of infatuation because she was still confused about choosing the right words. "Come on, seriously, Daniel!" Lea finally pleaded. She then sat on the terrace chair facing her mother's flower garden with a pout on her face. It would be pointless to ask Daniel to leave now, as her mother had returned carrying a tray of drinks and snacks. "Come on, let's not stay outside. Where's the comfort in talking like this?" Mrs. Anna asked, making sure whether she should put the tray on the terrace table or in the living room as she initially wanted. Daniel quickly responded, "Oh, it's okay, Ma’am. We like it here, watching people pass by, ehehe...." Oh my goodness! What kind of answer is that? Watching people pass by? Lea thought irritably. Mrs. Anna scolded Lea with her eyes, hoping her daughter could understand her
"Well, whatever, the important thing is that I've told him I'm not interested in him, right? Whether he wants to chase after me or whatever, it's up to him." Lea spoke resignedly when recounting Daniel's behavior to Amanda."Tsk tsk tsk... Daniel loves you, Lea. It's not his behavior to pursue a girl like that, as far as I know," commented Amanda, quite intrigued to hear from her friend that suddenly Daniel had followed her home after work. Oh my!"Oh, you should tell him, I... um... keep thinking about Shane," Lea complained afterwards. She couldn't think of anything else now. Her mind was filled with Shane alone. What's happening? Shouldn't she forget about that guy because of his super annoying behavior?"Oh, my goodness... still Shane? Come on, Lea. You have to be decisive. If you like him, contact someone who can be reached, his girlfriend Grace, ask for Shane's number, and arrange to meet him. Done!" Amanda concluded with annoyance because she didn't like Lea's indecisive action
"Where did you hunt for your mask, Amanda?" Lea automatically asked Amanda again over the phone."Huh? To the boutique, of course. There's a masquerade boutique in the mall there," Amanda replied from the other side, mentioning the largest mall in the center of the city."Oh? I didn't know that. Don't forget to invite me when you go hunting." Lea warned her friend."Okay, let's do it later in the evening, then? Many people are expected to attend the event. So, we need to quickly find one so we won't be late and miss the special one." Amanda immediately took the initiative."After work, I'll drop by your office then, okay?" Lea confirmed that Amanda's office was closer to the mall they were heading to."Okay, just make sure you leave at four; don't work overtime until five!" Amanda responded. She often arranged to meet Lea after work, and their leaving times differed. Lea was used to working overtime until five, while Amanda always left at four."Hahaha, alright... I won't take overtim
"Don't run around, darling. You'll fall."Lea tried to catch up with Gina who was running around in the middle of the yard; although it was a little tricky because of her bulging belly, she still tried to catch up with the princess. Shane, who saw this from inside the house, immediately ran out and approached them in a hurry."Honey, don't bother Mommy," Shane said as he grabbed Gina and carried her in his arms."Dad, how come the others haven't come yet? It's been a long time," Gina said playfully.At only five years old, Gina is already brilliant. Neither Lea nor Shane expected their first daughter to be as talkative as her mother, but as wise as her father."Later, soon the others will come. That's why Gina must be a good girl. Don't be naughty and don't run around, poor mama," Shane continued, pointing at Lea.Lea smiled back as she stroked her growing belly. She was truly thankful that her second pregnancy had not been like her first. Even though it was her second pregnancy, Lea
"Oh my, aunt. Anyway, Lea doesn't want to be dressed up like that, ah. Mom, please tell Aunt Dina. I just want flawless makeup, like Grace usually has. That's my final decision!" Lea said emphatically. She had yet to expect that there would still be complicated problems on the wedding day."But this is a good MUA, you know, Se. As a bride, you can't have flawless makeup makeup, it can be less amazing later. Oh my, Grace. Here, tell your sister!" Mrs. Anna called to her youngest child, who was busy with some bridal accessories for her sister."Sizt Lea, please, no need to protest here and there. Just accept it. It will be good." Grace said, reassuring her sister, who did not like makeup at all. All her life, she only wanted to be made up by Grace, and that, too, with many demands, must be subtle, not be minor, and must be as natural as possible.Lea took a deep breath and let it out harshly. The MUA seemed indifferent and continued preparing all her equipment, which had been thoroughly
"So what's the date?" asked Lea on the other end of the line."The 25th," replied Shane, looking at the calendar he was holding.Shane's extended family on his mother's grandmother's side, had many customs and beliefs in the village. They asked for Shane's and Lea's birth dates and then calculated the most appropriate wedding day, which they believed would guarantee the couple's happiness.At first, Shane and Lea laughed it off, but thanks to Mrs. Kate's coercion not to disappoint the elders, they agreed when she said the twenty-fifth of April was their wedding date."That's exactly one month from now, isn't it?" asked Lea. There was both excitement and fear in her voice. Excited because the time was getting closer for her to be side by side with Shane. But she was also afraid because she still had a lot of preparation to do.Lea and Shane agreed not to use a wedding planner because they wanted to care for everything themselves. From choosing the decor for their reception room in the
"Mommy's sick. So I'm out of the office today," Shane told Lea, who immediately became anxious in her office."Duh, what's wrong with Aunty?""Meriang malarindu, wkwkwk. Papa left her with Grandma two days ago. I had to stay there and meet some distant family." Shane explained the chronology."How come Auntie didn't come?""Mom wasn't feeling well before Dad left. That's why she decided to go alone. Eh, Daddy made her even more sick.""Hmm ... then I'll stop by on my way home. What does Aunty usually like to eat? Let me bring it with me."Lea offered. "That's okay. You don't have to bring food. Mommy's the type who doesn't like to eat out anyway. You'd better cook for her here. It'll be more special. Uh, but if you're not tired. I just got off work." Shane replied as he was."Hmm ... never mind. I'll think about it while I'm there. Okay, I'll go to work first. It's already the bell," Lea said, although it wasn't yet. It's still a while. It's just that she hung
After expressing their feelings to each other, Shane and Lea finally stop lying about their feelings. Yes, they are getting married!A chat message that came to Lea's phone that night spontaneously kept her awake all night.It was a poem from Daniel that read beautifully, he said,Dissolved in an increasingly entangling lonelinessWhen your body can no longer be held tightlyDark shadows in the futureAs if the promise of wounds of despair will unfold aloneFor without you, oh idol...Maybe it's good for me to goRelease the weariness that reignsFor there seems to be no place hereWhere no shadow of you is always clearJust a shadow, without a body, without a soul..."Lea squeezed her cell phone, trying to feel the man's heartache on the other side. Then, she could not answer anything. Just an apology with a crying emoticon, which she sent as a form of regret.Amanda had called him earlier in the day and told him that Daniel was planning to go abroad after his time in the city jail t
Meanwhile, Lea, who had been grabbed again by the tall, bald man with many tattoos on his arms, tried to escape but could not move at all. He knew that the thug's strength was no match for him."Go after him! Martin's son can't escape!" The heavy baritone voice of the thug blocked Lea's movements by twisting her hands behind her back. His voice was grim and sinister. Lea shuddered at the sound.When she saw Shane running away, she also understood that this was Shane's attempt to survive and that he would surely come back to save her somehow."Ah, shit!" Lea cursed as she was pushed into the black APV and locked from the outside. Meanwhile, the thugs seemed to be helping to chase Shane."What did he say? Martin's son?" Lea thought, alone in the car.Who is Martin? Is that the name of Shane's father? Is that why they were kidnapped? Does it have something to do with Shane's father? There were many questions in Lea's mind, but she couldn't find any answers.She was surprised when a phone
All these instructions rang in Lea's ears. The tension was overwhelming, making it difficult for her mind to work. All she could do was nod her head uncertainly.Shane looked at Lea and hissed softly, "Take your shoes off. Hurry up. You can't run fast in those heels!"Lea immediately obeyed Shane and took off her shoes, now standing barefoot. Oh, how strange she must look. A balloon dress underneath with bare feet. Damn it! It was good that the dress was short and allowed her to run fast and unhindered.Then things got out of control again. The sound of footsteps and shoes rubbing on the tiled floor began. Racing against her heart, which seemed pounding, Lea tried to focus her ears. She had to gather her strength in one place, in both hands, which were in a pose ready to swing the chair leg forcefully at the neck of the first person to enter later.One--two--hears the jingle of keys being inserted, then the doorknob is turned, and jeglekk, the door opens. Shane's eyes signalled as if
81. Getting closerTheir eyes met. Lea's brown irises met Shane's bluish irises, which stared at Lea's two thick eyebrows, which, even with makeup, seemed to be connected in the middle."When you wear makeup, don't you have to shave that middle eyebrow?" Shane's index finger stroked the middle of Lea's eyebrow above her nose. There was a fine line of hair that met there. It was very special to him.Mubarak! Lea pushed Shane's body away spontaneously."Okee... your comment ruined the atmosphere! That's annoying! You can't be so insulting about everything I do, huh?" Suddenly angry because, for a moment, she thought Shane was going to say something cute or at least not absurd. But he did!Shane gasped in shock. Even though he made a typical comment, that's a fair question, isn't it? She wondered."What the hell? Why the sudden anger? Who insulted you?" Shane protested, not understanding."Ish! What a block of ice!" Lea swore as she turned to face Shane. She crossed her arms over her che
80. Escape PlanShane turned to the girl who was scowling behind his back."Duh, sorry..." he said later, realizing that his words were a bit inappropriate for their situation."Tumbenan can apologize? Kesambet, huh?" said Lea with a smile."Oh my God! It's hard to talk to you. I'm as stiff as a block of ice. If I soften, you'll say it's kesambet. What do you want?" Shane shook his head, unable to understand the mindset of a girl who, unfortunately, no matter how complicated, still filled so much space in his heart that it left no room for other girls.For a moment, their eyes met. If only silence could solve it. Lea wanted them both to shut up and understand each other's feelings. After all, every time they argued, the result was always an endless, heated debate."I think it's better if we don't talk to each other," Lea replied sceptically.Shane spontaneously frowned and stared at Lea's two thick eyebrows, which she liked because they seemed to be set in the middle. Lea was unlike o