Amanda greeted Lea and Daniel with enthusiasm. She even gave them a thumbs-up. Amanda was very pleased with Lea's appearance. Standing next to Daniel, wearing a short-sleeved dark grey shirt with cream-coloured pants, they looked very harmonious as a couple."Sit here. What would you like to order?" Amanda said when Lea had sat next to her. Daniel sat beside her on the other side. The table in the restaurant was a large, round one covered with a clean white tablecloth draped down.On the table, a small pot of white and pink roses was arranged in the middle, followed by a crystal container with aromatherapy candles. There were also two menus, one of which Lea was already holding. Lea mentioned a signature dessert on the restaurant's menu and an iced cappuccino, which puzzled the other three."Why just dessert, dear?" Daniel teased, earning a sharp look from Lea. Daniel laughed at Lea's expression while Amanda playfully teased both of them."Yeah, what about eating?" Amanda took the men
"Yes!" Daniel's exaggerated shout drew the attention of other diners toward their table. Lea immediately blushed, unsure of how to respond. A mix of awkwardness, shyness, and various other feelings overwhelmed her. "Wow, a couple now, huh?" Amanda began to cheer happily for the achievement of the two people she cherished. Daniel was her beloved cousin, and they had always been close since childhood. Despite his rough demeanor towards his other male friends, with Amanda, he became a protective brother who always gave in. That's why Amanda was so supportive of Lea being together with Daniel. And now, as her efforts had yielded significant results, she was genuinely happy. Alvin began to feel a bit annoyed by his girlfriend's indifference towards him tonight. But he hesitated to protest because they rarely had the opportunity to gather like this. Hopefully, Lea and Daniel's matter will be resolved quickly so that Amanda won't be bothered by their affairs. "Thank you so much, dear." Wi
"Hey, sis. Make sure to come to Freddie's birthday tomorrow," Grace said, tossing the invitation onto the dressing table next to her brother's bed. "Huh? When?" Lea asked in surprise. She had yet to hear about Freddie's birthday party. Usually, Grace would announce it days in advance. "It's tomorrow, on Saturday," Grace replied, lounging on Lea's empty bed. Her brother was busy searching for something in the wardrobe. "I thought it was tomorrow. You just startled me there." "Oh, and make sure to bring Daniel with you!" Grace added slyly. "Well, I'll ask him if he can make it," Lea said, considering whether to go with just Grace or bring Daniel along. She was still determining whether to bring Daniel everywhere in her social circles, especially to Freddie's party. There might be Shane! "Oh, is it a big party? Will Shane be there?" Lea blurted out inadvertently. "He'll probably come, sis. It's nice, you know, having a boyfriend to show off. You and Daniel can match your outfits, a
Lea asked her friends if they wanted a treat after work. Bella eagerly replied that she did, and Adelle quickly chimed in agreement.Erick declined, citing a conflicting event that afternoon. He didn't want to see Lea and her partner happy while he was still struggling to accept Lea's new relationship status.Bella insisted that Erick come along, asking, 'Are you sure you don't want to?' She knew exactly what was on his mind. She wished for Erick to move on from Lea once he saw her happy with her boyfriend. Then, he could realize that other girls around him had feelings for him.Erick replied indifferently, 'No, I have business at home.' He then pretended to be busy at his desk, immersed in the laptop in front of him while flipping through the pages of the report book next to him.'Let it go, Bella. It's just the two of us. The important thing is that I've paid it off. Erick doesn't want to do it. There will be no more treats after this. The loss will be borne by yourself,' Lea final
After eating, Bella and Adelle went home first using an online taxi. Daniel offered to take them home, but they declined firmly because they were too reluctant to be inconvenienced again."What if they ask for a ride home?" asked Lea, curious about Daniel's small talk style, which was too friendly for her."Yes, it's okay, I'll take you all home. It's the same as you, it's okay for me to be a driver, too." Daniel's answer, which had a flirtatious tone, made Lea exhale harshly.She could have liked it for a long time if Daniel had always acted that cute to her."So, are we just going straight home, or are we going to the mall to look for a gift for Grace's boyfriend?""Freddie.""Ah, yes, Freddie. Let's buy it right away, shall we? Are you tired tomorrow?" Daniel asked Lea, who was resting her back on the seat. Her voice seemed a little worried."Yes, a little tired. Let's just go home first, shall we? I haven't thought about what to buy yet. If I don't think about it first, I'll get c
Lea was taken by surprise when she found herself at Daniel's house. She had yet to pay attention to the road while chatting with Daniel and exchanging messages with Adelle and Bella.Suddenly, she was in the driveway of a large and luxurious house with a simple minimalist style. Lea was gaping and slightly annoyed because Daniel didn't ask permission before taking her there. Oh no! She was still in her work attire, and her appearance must be dishevelled as she hadn't freshened up after a long day."Why here, Tur?" she complained, irritated.Daniel just shrugged with a grin, "Sorry, you were quiet when I didn't turn into your street earlier, so I just continued to my place.""Ugh, I wasn't paying attention to the road. At least you could've told me if we were heading here. I'm embarrassed; my appearance is probably a mess, and I even smell from a whole day at work," Lea expressed her concern about how Daniel's parents might react."Haha, you're still beautiful and smell nice, don't wor
"Sorry, Auntie. I was the one who forced Lea to come to the house first. Mom told me to invite her home for dinner. That's why we got home so late." Daniel faced Mrs. Anna, who had greeted the two young people on the terrace with Grace."Oh, well then. But Lea should call me first if she has any other plans. That way, I won't have to worry," Mrs. Anna replied, neutralizing her voice as best she could so as not to sound angry."Yes, Mom. I'm sorry, I thought you'd be okay with me going with Daniel. Don't you trust him?" Lea replied indifferently.Mrs. Anna looked at her eldest daughter with a scolding look."Still, you have to stay in touch. What's so hard about a short chat?""Yeah. Sorry...""It's a good thing your daddy isn't home yet. It would have been a nuisance for me to nag him if he had been." Mrs Anna again regretted Lea's attitude, which often underestimated her parents' anxiety when their daughter came home late."I am wrong, Aunt. I apologize again," Daniel said, mediating
Lea's startled exclamation made Mrs. Anna jump in surprise."Ish, you're shocking me!""I am the one who's surprised, Mom. Just answer later, not so soon! Watch out! Don't be in a hurry!" Lea babbled, immediately desperate.Okay, she had agreed to everything. But it doesn't have to be that fast. What a cruel people, she stumbled."Why, Lea, shouldn't such good intentions be delayed? It's good to speed it up," Mrs Anna suggested to her daughter.Lea, who had gone into whatever mode, did not bother to argue. Ah, never mind. She thought sadly, whether it's sooner or later, that's the way it is.Mrs Anna seemed to want to continue chatting, but then she heard her husband's car come into the yard."Ah, your dad is home. I'll go in first," she said as she hurriedly got up and left the room to greet her husband, who had permission to go home at night for dinner with a client company.Lea, her hair neatly combed though still damp, went to the vanity to get a hairdryer and started drying it. H
"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