Lexy took the lead, pressing the elevator button as Alice approached. Soon, the sound of the elevator bell opening echoed. Simultaneously, Lexy entered with Alice, and fortunately, the small square-shaped space was only occupied by the two of them."Liz, I'm annoyed seeing your face, you've been in a bad mood since yesterday, making me want to go shopping," Lexy grumbled, still receiving indifferent treatment from her boss."Well, let's go shopping then," Alice replied casually. Alice's gaze remained focused on the scrolling numbers indicating their current location.Ding... The elevator stopped. However, it didn't mean Alice reached her destination; instead, other passengers would join the elevator. The opening doors momentarily froze Alice in her place. Still, she quickly regained control after taking a deep breath to neutralize her pounding heart. Then, she shifted her body slightly, making room for the intergenerational couple entering the lift. Meanwhile, Lexy, who was now beside
Andrew got up from the bed when he didn't find Alice by his side. Still feeling lazy, Andrew walked out of the room to look for his woman."Baby?" Andrew called out when he found only two cups of coffee and hot milk on the dining table."Emm..," Alice's answer was just a mumble."Surprisingly, you're up early in the morning, hmm," Andrew said as he approached Alice, who was squatting next to the pantry, putting their dirty clothes into a large bag."The laundry service will be here soon. Look, our dirty clothes have piled up like this. Besides, we have to leave for work early today, right?" Alice replied, continuing her activity."But it's not this early, Baby. Look, it's only five in the morning," Andrew replied, a bit surprised by Alice's behavior. It's not usual for her to diligently do housework."Tell me, is something wrong with you?" Andrew reached for Alice's wrist to stop her.Alice smiled and said, "Nothing, I'm fine."Andrew pulled Alice's slim waist until it hit his chest.
"Come on, Andrew, I want to go on vacation to a beautiful island with you," Alice whined playfully, ignoring Andrew's indifferent attitude toward her."Later, when I have free time, we'll definitely go wherever you want," Andrew replied, releasing Alice's hands from his body.Alice sighed with disappointment. Alice sat on the edge of the bed, continuously observing Andrew, who was checking essential items he was about to bring."I'm leaving now, take care. Tell your assistant that. If you're driving, don't act like a race car driver. It's dangerous!" Andrew warned seriously.No response from Alice made Andrew turn. He looked at Alice intensely. Then, Andrew approached Alice, gazing into her beautiful eyes."I will always take care of you. Trust me!" Andrew said, slightly leaning down to cup Alice's face and giving a deep kiss to those pink lips.Not wanting to be lulled, Andrew hurriedly left the room and left the apartment in haste after taking a sip of his coffee. Driving at high sp
A week later..."Tomorrow night, I have a work commitment in Surabaya," Andrew said, playing with Alice's hair. Just a few minutes ago, they had finished their passionate activities before bedtime."Go ahead! Lexy will be here to keep me company," Alice replied, tracing the tattoo designs that almost covered Andrew's chest."I might be there for a week, or it could be longer depending on the work I have to finish," Andrew explained, closing his eyes. Enjoying the synchronized heartbeat that seemed to merge."No problem," Alice replied briefly."While I'm away, I hope you stay here. I won't be at ease if you go back to your apartment," Andrew expressed his concern.Alice rose from atop Andrew's chest and said, "I'm not a child that you always have to worry about, Andrew. Before we were together, I was used to being alone."Andrew gazed at the naturally beautiful Alice in front of him with an unreadable expression. She sat in front of Andrew, tidying her long hair, which looked quite me
Alice continued to stroll down the apartment hallway with unsteady steps. After the photo shoot, Alice immediately attended an invitation to her fellow model's birthday party at one of Jakarta's renowned nightclubs. Before entering the nightclub, Lexy had warned Alice not to touch alcoholic drinks. Alice didn't want to end up in bed with a man due to drunkenness, as she had experienced with Andrew.However, as Alice remembered, nightclubs were always associated with alcoholic drinks, sexy women, and partygoers. All her fellow models pressured Alice to enjoy various brands of alcoholic beverages available there as she pleased. Succumbing to peer pressure and high pride, Alice accepted a glass of wine handed to her by Nanda and began sipping the sour and bitter-tasting drink. Instantly, a warm sensation flowed through Alice's body, which was not accustomed to alcohol. After just a few sips, Alice did it as a form of respect to the event host. Before anything else could happen, Alice has
Now Alice started spooning the cereal, putting it into her mouth lazily. Honestly, she wasn't in the mood, but due to the demands of hunger, Alice had to eat it. Only halfway through the bowl moving into her stomach, Alice glanced at the wall clock, which stopped precisely at 10.Confused. That was the only word filling Alice's mind right now. Would she really be comfortable spending the whole day alone in the apartment? Andrew went to Surabaya, and Lexy had said yesterday that she would have a date with her new boyfriend today.Alice pushed the bowl in front of her to the center of the table and ran to the bathroom, which was in the corner of the kitchen. Huek... Alice vomited all the cereal she had just eaten. Not only the cereal, but a clear yellow liquid accompanied it. Instantly, a bitter taste dominated her mouth and throat."Why is this happening to me?" Alice mumbled while rinsing with the water from her vomit. Alice's body suddenly felt weak, and she chose to sit on the close
Lexy finally decided not to go home that night because she was worried about Alice's condition. Indeed, after eating and taking medicine, Alice seemed to be getting better, but Lexy couldn't bear to leave the woman she considered like a younger sister alone in the apartment. If Andrew were here to accompany Alice, Lexy wouldn't be this worried.Before Alice lived with Andrew, Lexy was used to staying in her boss's apartment. In fact, Lexy spent more time there than in her own rented house because of their work that required them to be together frequently. Except on weekends, Saturday and Sunday. As long as there were no jobs on those two days, Alice would give Lexy the freedom.Having slept almost the entire day made Alice not feel sleepy at all until midnight, while Lexy had fallen into a deep sleep on the sofa an hour ago. Fortunately, Andrew kept her company by exchanging WhatsApp messages. From their chat, Alice's heart was warmed by Andrew's questions that implied deep concern. B
"Liz, Lizi," Lexy called out when she found an empty bed.Lexy thought Alice might be in the bathroom. She walked around to pick up and fold the blanket neatly. But her body froze as she saw the edge of the blanket on the floor. Intending to pick it up and fold it, Lexy's body froze when she saw Alice curled up there."For God's sake, Liz, why are you sleeping on the floor?" Lexy exclaimed, then quickly lifted Alice's body and laid her back on the bed.Alice's feverish body temperature naturally penetrated Lexy's skin. Panicked, Lexy covered Alice with a blanket and searched for something. Thud... Lexy's heart seemed to stop for a moment when she found scattered pills from the bottle. Pills that, as far as she knew, Alice had stopped taking a year ago. Lexy quickly gathered the scattered pills and put them back into the bottle."Mom, Dad."Lexy, hearing Alice's delirium, instantly snapped back to reality. She hurriedly went to the kitchen to prepare a warm drink and fetch the medicine
Andrew couldn't hide his emotion when he uttered the marriage vows. Just a few seconds ago, those sacred words resonated in a room adorned with white and silver tones. Andrew managed to pronounce them loudly and smoothly, accompanied by the harmonious echoes of the official announcement. Now, Andrew looked at the beautiful woman beside him, gazing at the woman in a white kebaya who had been lowering her face. Andrew reached for the fingers of the woman named Alice Nichole Wirawan and then placed the ring on her ring finger.Slowly, Alice lifted her face, daring to look at Andrew with teary eyes. With trembling hands, Alice switched to holding Andrew's fingers, placing the ring on his ring finger as a sign that their relationship was now recognized both in the eyes of religion and the state. Nothing could separate them now except death.After Alice kissed the back of Andrew's hand for the first time, Andrew kissed Alice's forehead while reciting a prayer. This was followed by a collect
Now they were all in the dining room except for Melinda, who had not come out of her room yet. Despite receiving a warm welcome from Papa and Andrew's younger sibling, Alice's heart was not at ease. The key was Melinda, Andrew's mother. She was the instigator of the arranged marriage plan between Andrew and Nafisah that Alice had successfully thwarted. This was the reason causing fear in Alice at the moment."Alice, are you feeling better?" Anindya asked, as Alice looked pale and anxious since her arrival."I'm fine Nin, I'm okay," Alice replied with a smile."There, your Mom finally came down. Women always need more time to get ready," Januar whispered so as not to be heard by the hijab-wearing woman currently descending the stairs.Andrew and Alice immediately approached to greet Melinda. Then Melinda sat next to Januar, facing Alice without saying a word. The woman stared at Alice expressionlessly, while Alice chose to lower her head, her heart pounding. Honestly, Alice wanted to g
Andrew remained silent while playing with the ends of Alice's hair as she leaned against his chest. The facts he learned today truly opened his eyes, making Andrew determined to keep Alice by his side. However, a significant obstacle lay ahead. Could he keep the promise he made to Alice? Could he prove to her that his love was not just a mere joke? This time, Andrew was truly serious about falling in love, a feeling he had never experienced before. His emotions for Alice were so strong that Andrew felt powerless. He was like a tortured man awaiting a death sentence, just waiting for certainty from Alice. Ahead were two obstacles that Andrew couldn't predict. How to thwart his arranged marriage with Nafisah and waiting to see how Alice's parents would react when he came. Everything was still unclear, making Andrew's heart feel uncertain. All he could do now was wait, because forcing his will on Alice would be akin to torturing her. And Andrew didn't want to inflict more wounds on Alice
"Do your parents accept a prospective son-in-law like me?" Alice said with a wistful smile, looking at Andrew who was driving seriously.Andrew remained silent. Unable to answer Alice's question because he had never introduced a woman as his girlfriend to his parents."I haven't tried," Andrew finally answered, seeing Alice's disappointed expression. "We will meet my parents soon after you're ready. And I hope that won't be too long," Andrew said firmly, then reached for Alice's fingers to hold them.Alice snorted in annoyance. Why did it have to be so complicated? Alice's intention was to corner Andrew, but it turned into a boomerang attacking herself."Ahem... So, who was the woman in a hijab you hugged at the mall that time? I'm sure it wasn't your sister Nindy," Alice asked, shifting the conversation in a teasing manner."Are you jealous?" Andrew teased, receiving only a head shake from Alice. "Okay then. I won't answer if that's the case," Andrew replied, holding back a smile."J
"Oh, my God, I forgot to inform Mr. Andrew. I might get scolded later," Lexy muttered while holding his phone.Andrew, who was still talking with his colleague, immediately excused himself to answer the call."What's wrong, Lex?" Andrew said, getting straight to the point."Alice is now in the hospital, Sir," Lexy replied hesitantly, successfully surprising Andrew."Since when?" Andrew asked, sounding clearly panicked. Now he was walking towards the exit door of the ballroom."At 7 pm, Alice had a fever again. Then...""Tell me, which hospital?" Andrew interrupted impatiently."Medical Center Hospital, Cendana Pavilion VIP 03," Lexy explained quickly.Andrew quickly took brisk steps towards the parking area. Due to his haste, Andrew didn't even reply to the greetings of the security personnel on duty there. In a rush, Andrew started his car's engine and swiftly left the building area. Ignoring his duties entirely, he considered the most important thing at the moment was to meet Alice
A beautiful woman of English-Indonesian mixed heritage walked casually down the hospital corridor. Despite nearing half a century, her age didn't seem to affect her beauty. Her glossy, black, long hair was neatly tied. There was not a hint of sadness on her face. Unlike most mothers who would panic upon hearing that their daughter was sick, she remained calm and composed. Two words aptly described the expression on Valerie's face: calm and composed.Lexy, who had just stepped out of Alice's hospital room, was startled to see Valerie's arrival."Where's Alice?" Valerie asked arrogantly."Inside," Lexy replied briefly. Regret instantly crept into Lexy's heart. It seemed he was greatly mistaken in contacting a woman who did not deserve the title of a mother.Valerie stared at Lexy sharply, as he stood there dumbfounded, blocking her way. "Can you step aside?" Valerie said sarcastically. Lexy immediately snapped back to reality and quickly stepped aside, making way for the arrogant woman
At exactly seven in the evening, Asih, accompanied by Zahra, arrived with the bouquet of flowers ordered by Lexy – red and white lilies, Alice's favorites. Since their encounter at the flower market, Alice had never been late in ordering flowers to adorn her apartment. Every three days, Alice would order lilies and use a courier service to deliver them to her apartment."Where's Alice?" Asih asked with a worried expression."Alice is in her room, Ma'am," Lexy replied politely, accepting the bouquet from Zahra's hands and inviting them to enter.Asih's eyes instantly welled up with tears seeing Alice curled up under the blanket. Slowly, she approached the bed and sat by Alice's side."Oh, Lord, Miss, how did it come to this?" Asih exclaimed, tears rolling down her cheeks.Asih held Alice's shoulder while gazing at the pale face before her. Then, with trembling hands, Asih reached out to touch Alice's forehead."Son, let's go to the doctor. Miss Alice has a high fever," Asih said in pan
"Alice, what's wrong, Sir?" Lexy asked in a panic, barging in past Andrew. Passing through the living room, Lexy caught a glimpse of an empty whiskey bottle there. Without permission, Lexy entered Alice's room. Fortunately, earlier when Andrew called, Lexy was on his way to Alice's apartment. In his rented house, Lexy was restless after seeing the news on television about the marriage of the man who had once been engaged to Alice. So Lexy decided to cancel a date with his girlfriend and chose to accompany Alice during the weekend. And indeed, Alice violated Dr. Henry's prohibition on consuming alcohol again."Liz?" Lexy called when he saw Alice curled up under the blanket. "You're really stubborn, I've told you not to drink again, but you keep breaking the rules," Lexy scolded while taking a compress cloth from Alice's forehead."Alice has a fever, but she hasn't regained consciousness; I don't know where she keeps her medicine," Andrew said, walking towards the bed. "I'm also confuse
And Andrew finally gave in. With uncertain feelings, Andrew reached for the back of Alice's head and gently kissed her lips. Shortly after, Alice released their lip connection to take a breath. She looked into Andrew's eyes, now filled with passion, and kissed Andrew's lips again to release all the burdens in her chest. In reality, Andrew was the only man who always worried about her, the man who always came at the right time. Without any resistance, Andrew took Alice's body to the bedroom.Andrew started his actions, playing with Alice's body until she felt crazy. Unlike usual, this time Andrew quickly finished their passionate encounter. Alice quickly got up from the bed and put on her clothes casually, while Andrew still stared at Alice's back with an indescribable feeling."Liz!" called Andrew, instantly making Alice turn and mumble, "As long as we're having sex, I've never used protection. I'll take responsibility if you get pregnant," Andrew said for the umpteenth time, looking