"Good morning, students!" greeted Ms. Melly that morning to the 12th-grade science class."Good morning, teacher!" the students replied in unison, standing up to salute and then sitting back down."I will introduce the substitute teacher while I'm away," Ms. Melly explained to the students. The students exchanged glances, curious about this announcement."Miss Nadine, please come in!" Ms. Melly called Nadine, who had been waiting outside the classroom. She welcomed Nadine to introduce herself and then left the classroom. All the students were captivated by Nadine's presence, especially Brian. He smiled in admiration as he observed Nadine. Unconsciously, Brian raised his hand, eager to ask a question."Miss Nadine, do you have a boyfriend?" Brian asked, instantly causing a stir in the classroom."Ahem..." Nadine cleared her throat without answering Brian's question."Apologies in advance. I'm here to temporarily replace Ms. Melly in teaching Mathematics for a month. I hope we can coope
"Why are you here all of a sudden?" David asked, patting Brian's shoulder as he brought a glass of whiskey and took a seat next to Brian. It had been almost three years since Brian last visited their nightclub. Brian's relationship with the nightclub started when he and Nadine broke up five years ago, and his friendship with David naturally developed there."One more for my buddy!" David called out loudly to the bartender, who was busy making drinks for other customers due to the loud music in the club."Just soda for me!" Brian replied, causing David to burst into laughter."Come on, Brian. You came all the way here just for soda?" David teased, almost making Brian stand up and leave his seat."Okay, okay, sorry, Brian. I'll keep you company until you're satisfied. When will you visit my club again?" David pulled Brian's arm and pushed him back into his seat. David knew Brian well, from being a good kid to someone who frequented nightclubs. However, David admired Brian's principle of
"But Dad, why didn't you ask me first?" Brian asked as he followed Cakra into his office."Yesterday, during breakfast, I asked you, and according to me, Nadine doesn't fit your secretary's criteria, right? Well, let Nadine work with me," Cakra replied casually, sitting down on the sofa. Brian glanced at Nadine briefly. Their eyes met for a moment, but Nadine quickly broke the eye contact and focused on her laptop screen before excusing herself and leaving the room."Sorry, sir, I'll be stepping out for a moment," Nadine excused herself, feeling uncomfortable being there."You stay right there!" Cakra responded, and Nadine reluctantly returned to her seat."Since when did Dad share a room with his secretary? Danisa usually has her own office. Why is Nadine here?" Brian pressed, his confusion mixed with emotions. Until now, even though Cakra treated Danisa like his own child, they had never been as close as Cakra was with Nadine."Is there something wrong with Dad's behavior?" Cakra co
"Are you busy today, Dad? Mom wants to visit her friend's house. It's been a while since she met her," Amanda said during breakfast."I'm busy, dear. Should I have the driver take her there?" Cakra replied, holding Amanda's hand and kissing the back of it. Such gestures were common between Cakra and Amanda, even in front of Brian and Gaby. Their children were accustomed to their parents' affection. In fact, when Amanda was upset, the whole house would be as quiet as a graveyard. When she was angry, she would go on a silent strike for up to three days or even longer, affecting the entire Lasmana household."Who is it, Mom?" Cakra asked while continuing his breakfast."Athalia, Dad," Amanda answered shortly but it immediately made Brian freeze. His appetite vanished, and he finished his breakfast before excusing himself to go to the office. Gaby also bid her farewells as she headed to school."Athalia, visiting Nadine again?" Cakra asked."Athalia has been living in Surabaya for the pas
"Den... Investigate everything about Nadine. I'll wait for the results tomorrow morning in my office," Brian commanded Deni, his trusted aide and friend. For the past four days, Brian had been following Nadine after work.Just like tonight, Brian observed Nadine from inside his car until she entered the apartment building. Even for just one day without looking at Nadine's face, Brian's life felt incomplete. She had become an addiction once again."Aaarrrgggh!" Brian shouted in frustration, slamming his car's steering wheel hard. How long would he keep on like this? He accelerated the car, leaving Nadine's apartment behind.***Klek... Amanda cautiously opened Brian's bedroom door. She was startled to find Brian's room in complete darkness. She walked slowly, feeling along the wall to find the light switch, and then turned on the light. Instantly, Amanda froze when she saw Brian in disarray. He was still in his work clothes, complete with his shoes, sitting on the floor leaning against
Like any typical Saturday, after work, Nadine would head straight to her parents' house to see her son Ricky. Only on Sundays could she spend the whole day with Ricky. Nadine always tried to make time to take Ricky around Surabaya, whether it was to a playground or amusement park rides, and of course, places with swimming pools. Even at his young age, Ricky was already learning to swim.Today, Nadine planned to stay home and play with Ricky. They had a swimming pool at home, even though it didn't have the attractions of a theme park. Her emotions were in turmoil. Nadine didn't expect her return to Surabaya to reopen old wounds that hadn't fully healed, and now it felt like the pain was fresh again.Nadine smiled repeatedly as she watched Ricky fall and get up on his own without crying while playing with a ball. She cherished every moment of Ricky's growth, from birth until now. There was only one question from Ricky that always left her puzzled—he kept asking about his dad, even thoug
"Nadine, answer me, is what he said true?" Dave snapped with his eyes reddening, holding back his emotions. Nadine was taken aback by the sudden outburst. Dave had never spoken harshly to her, let alone yelled like this. Ricky squirmed in Dave's arms, and Nadine quickly reached out to take Ricky and usher him inside the house. With a frightened expression, Ricky looked at Nadine, Brian, and Dave in turn before running into the house. Brian clenched his fists tightly, trying to contain his emotions. He couldn't bear to see the woman he loved being treated harshly in front of him."Nadine, answer my question," Dave repeated with a slightly softer tone, but still firm. He knew that Nadine and Ricky were scared due to his loud voice earlier. Without saying a word, Nadine nodded hesitantly and looked at Dave with an apologetic expression. Dave turned his face away, feeling a searing pain in his chest.Thud. Dave's fist connected with Brian's jaw, catching Brian off guard, causing him to st
Nadine threw herself onto the bed, gazing up at the bright blue ceiling, in stark contrast to her heart, which was clouded and drizzling. If she could run away from this situation, she would run as fast and far as possible. But she couldn't do that. Brian was Ricky's biological father, and Ricky deserved to know that. Nadine felt torn and trapped, caught between forgetting Brian or opening her heart to Dave. The man who had been by her side for two years, filling the role of a father for Ricky.Nadine took several deep breaths, exhaling forcefully each time. She felt a heavy weight pressing on her chest, causing pain that made it difficult to breathe."Who was Ricky calling 'Papa'?" Henry's question echoed in Nadine's ears repeatedly from this afternoon."Dave was there earlier, Henry," Athalia answered, trying to shield Nadine from Henry's question. Athalia could read from Nadine's eyes that she wasn't ready to explain to her parents yet. Even though from a distance, Athalia had seen