"How was it, Lea?" Amanda immediately asked when her friend called her after returning from the organizer club's base camp."Nothing," Lea replied, exhaling a heavy breath."Oh no... Is it not in the data?""I don't know if it's there or not, Amanda. The list of door prize winners has complete information, including real names, character costumes, and phone numbers. Still, there's no mention of Mr. Pockmarked at all." Lea said, frustrated."Then, what about the guest attendance book? Was it a dead end too?" Amanda asked, feeling sorry for Lea, who seemed to hope to find the guy even by checking the guest book."There's nothing complete in the guest book either. Many didn't write what character costume they wore," Lea replied.She was lying on her bed after forcing Grace out of her room earlier. Her sister wanted to continue interviewing her, but Lea needed time to calm her mind and console her disappointed heart.Lea wondered what else she could do to find Mr. Pockmarked. All possibil
The next day, in the evening after work, Lea was surprised to see several cars lined up in front of the neighbor's house. There were four cars.Lea remembered the information from Mrs. Anna during dinner yesterday, saying there would be Tiara's engagement ceremony today. "Oh, these must be the cars of their future in-laws," Lea muttered. She had to reluctantly park her car at the far end of the row because one of the cars blocked the entrance to her house.Exiting the car, she noticed some neighbor ladies gathering on the porch. Why there? She thought. She then entered the house, and they started greeting Lea enthusiastically. One of them, the gossip queen of the neighborhood, was undoubtedly the most enthusiastic."Wow, just got home, Lea?" came the thin-lipped greeting from the gossip queen."Yes, Ma’am. Usually, I get home around five on Mondays, and work an extra hour," Lea replied, thinking of a clever excuse to excuse herself and go straight into the house. However, it would onl
After helping out at the neighbor's house, Mrs. Anna and Grace returned home. It coincided with their usual dinner time. Mrs. Anna brought a chicken soup from her neighbor's house. So, that evening, in addition to the tilapia with chili and fresh vegetables that Mrs. Anna had prepared since noon, there was also the special chicken soup from the engagement ceremony."Wow, the smell of the soup is delicious, Mom," commented Mr. Adam when his wife served it on the dining table."Yes, Dad. This was cooked by Kylie's sister-in-law. Mama tasted it there, it's delicious indeed. I even asked for the recipe. It's the same, but somehow the result is so tasty. Maybe because there's a lot of meat, bones, and marrow in it, making the seasoning more flavorful," Mrs. Anna answered enthusiastically."True, Mom. The dish that I tasted earlier was also really delicious. It was also cooked by Kylie's aunt. She said she owns a restaurant in her hometown. No wonder everything tastes so good." Grace added
Seeing Lea's increasingly pouting face, Mrs. Anna wasn't sure if her daughter could resist being friendly to Daniel. So, she made a quick decision. Eventually, she trailed behind Lea and took the lead in greeting Daniel."Well, here's Lea. We just finished dinner. Have you eaten or not? If you want, we can accompany you for dinner inside with Lea," Mrs Anna offered sweetly."Oh, thank you so much, Ma’am, but I already ate at home earlier," Daniel replied, looking pleased when Lea joined them."Well, if that's the case. I can join you for a chat, or not?" Mrs. Anna's words instantly startled Lea. What was her mom up to?"No need, Mom, just go inside," Lea retorted, taking the lead.However, in contrast, Daniel politely invited, "Certainly, Ma’am. Please sit. Oh, by the way, next door seems to have had an event, right?"He asked about some decorations visible from the neighboring house."Yes, there was an engagement ceremony there. It just finished a while ago," Mrs Anna replied, taking
Daniel was taken aback. This girl is different. She is offered a position but ends up bullying the one making the offer. Special, Daniel thought. His admiration for Lea multiplied several times. It's a must, he thought, he has to win this girl, that's his determination."It's not like that, I was just offering because there happened to be a vacant position. I don't recruit people just based on subjective factors. Even though I like you, and there's a possibility of you becoming my wife, if you're interested, you still have to go through the usual selection process. I'm just recommending you, that's what I mean," Daniel tried to explain.Lea still frowned with her eyebrows furrowed. "Eh, aren't you supposed to stay here for a bit? Not going home? It's already late, you know?" Lea finally coaxed. She was bored accompanying the guy. Whatever she did, from the beginning, she didn't like it and couldn't be forced to like it.Daniel sighed heavily. Finally, he gave in to Lea's wish. Next ti
The next day, Lea again had to be surprised by Daniel's presence at breakfast. He asked Mr Adam and Mrs Anna for permission to pick up Lea from work starting that day. "Oh my! Why, Daniel?" she exclaimed, not understanding Daniel's motives. Because she was used to going to work on her own and not burdening others. "I'm looking for something to do, Lea. I don't have any other commitments," he calmly replied. His answer made Lea want to smack her head or something similar. However, she feared being scolded by her parents, who were currently grateful for Daniel's kind offer. "But isn't it inconvenient for Daniel to pick up and drop off Lea daily, especially when he surely has plenty of other commitments?" Mrs Anna asked, feeling uneasy. "It's okay, Ma’am. Besides, it's on the way to my office anyway. I used to pick up and drop off Amanda before he got a girlfriend and started commuting with her," Daniel replied cheerfully. "Thank you so much, then. I'll be more at ease knowing Lea ha
Lea spontaneously widened her eyes, surprised by Daniel's question, the answer to which was already clear but still questioned by him. "What? Didn't you say I have to ask first, how should I do it?" Daniel commented, realizing the strange look from the girl sitting next to him. "As if asking again is necessary, obviously not, right? The answer is clear!" Lea replied in an annoyed tone. Lea thought that Daniel seemed to be deliberately trying to annoy her. In a sad tone, Daniel said he wouldn't pick up Lea tomorrow if she didn't like it. "Really? Okay, thanks a lot for your understanding," Lea said, slightly relieved. Finally, she only had to endure the bad experience of being picked up by Daniel for just one day. They arrived in front of Lea's office building a few moments later. The girl exited the car, saying politely, "Thank you. I'll go in directly." "Okay, don't forget to let me know when you're leaving so I can pick you up," Daniel requested earnestly. "Oh, no need, it's
That afternoon, Amanda tried to reshape Lea's thoughts. She seemed to dismiss all the reasons Lea provided for rejecting Daniel's love."I can't. I'm already into Shane.""Does Shane feel the same way about you?"Like a slap in the face, Lea couldn't answer that question."Well, it's not clear.""So, what's your other reason for rejecting him? Is Daniel ugly? Mean? Rude?""Not at all! He's cool, kind, warm, and very considerate, especially when it comes to you!""Come on, Lea, consider all that. Don't regret it, ignoring him just to pursue Shane, who, in reality, you're not pursuing anyway. Why not just accept what comes your way? By doing that, you can even satisfy your family. You can resolve your mom's issues. That's much more important.Amanda gave lengthy advice to Lea. Lea forgot to touch her food on the plate at all. She lost her appetite as she realized and accepted that what Amanda had said was mainly factual.Thinking about her mom's suffering, who continued to deceive herse
"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