Once in a while, a prey is smarter than the hunter. *** Qeiza left her dresser with a flamboyant face. After she had been working like a prisoner in Ansel’s glass cage for almost a whole month, today she could breathe freely. The fashion show that was performed two days ago had become the finish line for her togetherness with Ansel. Now, she could go back to the embrace of peace, working at Chin Hwa’s office. Qeiza froze in front of her apartment door. A man was standing back to her, but he turned around soon after he heard the sound of the opening door. “Hi, Ae Ri!” Ansel greeted while serving his best smile. BANG! Qeiza reflexively moved backwards and slammed the door so hard. Her heart was pounding worriedly. “Why could he be here in this early morning?” she murmured. “He was absolutely a scary man.” Qeiza peeked through the peeping hole, making sure whether Ansel was still waiting for her in front of the door or had been leaving. “Shit!” Qeiza cursed while seeing that Ans
Lies will never end in happiness until whenever. *** Qeiza’s concentration in working was distracted by the phone ring. She glanced at her mobile phone that was lying on the corner of her desk lazily then continuing to focus her attention back to the designs she was drawing. She thought it was probably a prank call only. All this time, the one who had often called her while she was busy with her works was only Ansel. Currently, she didn’t take part in a design project with her ex-husband anymore. Thus, there’s no reason for him to disturb her perpetually. Unluckily, Qeiza couldn’t ignore that calls for any longer when her phone rang louder without any pauses. Beginning by taking a deep breath, Qeiza finally grabbed her phone. Her eyes narrowed a little bit while finding out an anonymous phone number occurred on the screen. However, she had no other choice than to accept the call. Qeiza’s expression changed all at once. She jumped from her seat. One of her hand moved swiftly, gra
Never let the nightmares of your past ruin your future! *** Instead of going back to her office, after escaping from the hospital, Qeiza asked the taxi driver to escort her to the bank of the Seine River. She was walking along the path on the bank of the Seine River with a feeling of uncertainty. Her eyes swept the beauty of the Eiffel Tower that seen obviously, hoping those amazing charms could get rid of all the worries that stuck in her chest. She truly didn’t understand why the fate kept making fun of her. She had been patient for years in waiting, cultivating the hope that one day Ansel would open his heart for her as she fell in love with him at the first sight while she was watching him saying the solemnization of a marriage on their wedding day. But, all her waiting led her to a painful hurt. When Ansel finally received her phone call, the thing she could hear was only a pampering woman’s voice followed by an intimate kiss. Qeiza’s heart broke into pieces like a glass tha
If you released a deer back into the jungle, so never hope you will easily catch her again. *** Qeiza had just taken a bath. Her body was still covered with a towel. Yet, the sound of knocks on her apartment door totally disturbed her. That noise sounded so rash and impatient, making Qeiza sick behind the sense of her wonder. 'Just let it be!' Qeiza thought. 'There’s probably a drunken neighbor.' Remembering her experience that there’s ever the other occupant of another apartment that did such action when he was drunk, Qeiza got calmer. She kept walking to the wardrobe. She smiled in relief when she could no longer hear the noise from her apartment door. That person might have been gone away. That’s she thought. “Ae Ri! Open the door!” Qeiza’s relief just actually stayed for a while. The insistent banging on her apartment door was heard again. It’s followed by the yell of a man who called her name. “Ansel?” Qeiza muttered. She couldn’t hide her astonishment after successfully
Whatever you plant then you will reap the fruits. *** “That’s the package sent by Miss Qeiza’s lawyer,” answered Xander. “Of course you’ve the right to open it.” Ansel took a deep breath. “Just keep it!” he commanded. He could already guess what was in the package. It had to be his divorce certificate. All was over now. The burden that crashed his chest all this time had totally disappeared without a trace. “Are you sure you don’t wanna check it?” asked Xander. The envelope was already on his palm again. His forehead frowned when he touched something strange in it. “What’s for?” Ansel replied, still speaking in a reluctant tone. “It’s just a divorce certificate.” Xander shook the envelope near his right ear. “I don’t think that’s all,” he argued. “The sound was weird,” he added more. Ansel’s ears also caught the strange sound came out from the shake of Xander’s hand. He then sat on the couch, coding Xander with his eyes. Xander also sat in front of Ansel. “So, is this really
Sometimes we need to make a bold decision. *** [Who are you?] Ansel replied the message with a high curiosity. He truly wondered the person who had just interacted with him. However, his message never got a reply. Not losing his mind, Ansel pressed the dial button. “Aaargh!” He shouted in anger. His call had just been answered by the operator. The sender of the messages had inactivated his or her phone number. It could indicate that he or she used a disposable phone number only. Ansel grabbed his jacket, intending to go out. He wanted to inhale some fresh air. Still, the pain in his back stopped his steps. He stood frozenly behind the door. While grimacing, he went back to the bed and laid down in a slow motion. “Hold on, Ansel! You should be patient till you’re fully recovered.” Ansel cheered himself up. If only it wasn’t because of the carelessness of a mother who let her little son ran freely around the stairs of Qeiza’s apartment, he wouldn’t get injured. All of sudden, An
Creating a lie is tantamount to digging your own grave. *** “Why did it take so long to open the door? Were you hiding anything? Or anyone?” A suspicious-toned question and an investigating facial expression immediately attacked Chin Hwa as soon as he opened the door. A fair skinned woman with a long bob hair cut broke in without any doubts. Her sharp glance locked on Chin Hwa’s restless eyes. “No, I’m not. I–I’ve just come home from work.” Chin Hwa was a bit jumpy. That was for the first time he made up a lie on purpose. The woman who had just arrived stood face to face with Chin Hwa elegantly. A luxurious purse hung beautifully on her left arm. Another arm was let down and dangling, showing her well-groomed pretty nails. Her slim body was covered by a pair of maroon trousers with the upper part of a white blouse layered with a coat matching the color of her trousers. Her eyes rolled wildly, sweeping every corner of Chin Hwa’s living room. She titled her head by narrowing her
Thought is like a magnet. It will attract events according to what we think. *** Chin Hwa felt as though the thunder of lightning had just exploded right into his eardrums. The unpredictable question of Mrs. Song momentarily drugged his consciousness. It made his eyes bulge round like he was seeing a very creepy ghost. Qeiza was not different from Chin Hwa. She felt like her soul get out of her body for seconds. She could only gawk in a trance, staring blankly at Mrs. Song that was still waiting for Chin Hwa’s answer with a demanding facial expression. Realizing that her spontaneous question was like a fire ball throwing through the fortress suddenly, Mrs. Song chortled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you both,” she babbled then. “I’m just so excited about having grandchildren soon. I—” “Mom!” Chin Hwa screamed in surprise, cutting off his mother’s nonsense. He could felt his earlobes get hot because of embarrassment. He really didn’t presume that his mother would think too f
“You’re damn pretty, Dear ….” Mrs. Kim’s eyes flashed the light of admiration and pride for the new status of Qeiza as her daughter-in-law. “Dae Hyun is so lucky to have you as his wife.” “Mom ….” Qeiza blushed. The guests had dispersed. Now, just Kim’s family left. They were ready to leave the wedding hall. Mr. Kim tapped Dae Hyun’s left shoulder. “Now, Ae Ri is now completely your responsibility.” “Certainly, Dad. I promise to protect her and make her happy.” Dae Hyun reassured Mr. Kim. His hand reflexively wrapped Qeiza’s waist. A wedding car moved slowly and stopped right before Dae Hyun and his family. “Go!” said Mrs. Kim when Qeiza said goodbye with her eyes. Dae Hyun shortly held her hand, being ready to walk to the car. Ansel tapped Xander’s shoulder. He forced the guy to stop when he saw Qeiza and Dae Hyun getting closer to their car. Ansel rashly got out of the car and ran towards Qeiza. “Qei!” he called. Dae Hyun stopped his hand movement that would open the car do
“Why are you so obsessed with me?” “I’m crazy about you. I … can’t live without you.” “You’d been fine for four years,” said Qeiza.”You’ll also definitely live well for the rest of your life.” “Qei, please … give me a chance!” “Sorry, I can’t make it.” “Why? Do you really hate me that much?” “I’ve floated the pieces of my broken heart in the sea of tears,” said Qeiza. “It’ll be useless if you insist to put them together again.” Ansel felt his heart as though had just been torn apart by the sharp fangs of wild animals. It was totally hurt and painful. The sky was suddenly cloudy. The weather in the fall was changeable. The rain could pour at any time. It was like Ansel’s heart that also covered by the dark cloud of sorrows. “I’m sorry, Ansel!” Qeiza said. “From now on, please … stop chasing me!” “But … I’m really being drawn to you, Qei,” said Ansel, still fighting to convince her of the sincerity of his feeling for her. “Thank you. I’m flattered.” “So, will you think about
Listening to Qeiza’s mutter, Mrs. Kim grabbed the album from her hands. She also wanted to see which photo caused her tears flooding her face more and more. “Don’t take it, Mom!” Qeiza robbed back the album from Mrs. Kim’s hands. “I miss my mom and dad so badly.” Mrs. Kim examined the face of little Qeiza on the picture then averted to Qeiza’s face before her, comparing them both. All at once, she rushed to hug Qeiza. “Oh, my dearest ….” Warm liquid flooded her cheeks. “I’m so sorry! It turns out that you’re very close all this time, but … I didn’t recognize you.” After hugging each other for a long time, Mrs. Kim raised Qeiza’s face. She wiped the girl’s tears with her fingers. “Thank you for coming back to us, Dear!” Mrs. Kim pecked Qeiza’s forehead. Mr. Kim also wiped his tears. Dae Hyun was dumbfounded. He was at a loss for words. He had mixed feelings—between being amused and touched. Qeiza did not know how long he stared at her parents’ face with the gaze full of longing.
Ansel tiptoed, getting out of the place where he hid towards Dae Hyun’s entrance door. Once in while he looked back to reassure that no one caught him red handed. Ansel’s fingertips would just touch the doorknob when he felt a hand pulled his collar from behind. He turned his head to the right. The security guard of Dae Hyun’s house welcomed him with a fierce gaze right away. “Shouldn’t you have gone home?” Ansel smiled wryly. “I haven’t said goodbye to Ae Ri yet,” he answered. “Mr. Kim asked me not to let anyone in the house before he came home,” said the security guard. “So, please leave now!” Ansel showed off a sad look. “Just a moment … let me meet Ae Ri before leaving.” “Miss Kim needs to take a rest. She can’t be disturbed.” Ansel’s facial expression turned cloudy from the despair. The security guard couldn’t be persuaded. He could only turn his look to the upper floor when the guy kicked him out of Dae Hyun’s yard. He walked before the cab he ordered coming to fetch him.
Ansel stood up straight away. His blood boiled seeing Dae Hyun carrying Qeiza. Furthermore, when from the distance he saw them both smiling at each other. “Is she no longer able to walk so you have to carry her on your back after doing exercises?” Ansel asked in cold voice. His gaze looked like he wanted to skim Dae Hyun alive. “Let’s get in, Oppa!” Qeiza whispered into Dae Hyun ear. She was reluctant to be near Ansel for a long time. Dae Hyun raised Qeiza’s position that lowered a little on his back. The next second, he walked to the gate, granting Qeiza’s wish. “Hey!” Ansel shouted when the security guard closed the gate without letting him follow them. “Let him in!” said Dae Hyun when his security guard asked him through his gaze. “He seemed to get lost.” Ansel clenched his hands into fists. Dae Hyun’s words were like intentionally insulting him. He could do nothing. In order not to lose Qeiza, he had to swallow the annoyance. He followed Dae Hyun’s steps into the house. “Yo
The stars scattered on the night sky. They sparkled beautifully as if they invited the sparkles of incandescent lights along the Han River stream to joke. They competed with each other to show off their charms to the world. Qeiza was standing on the balcony of her bedroom, embracing her hands. Occasionally she petted her upper arms so the cold weather felt a bit lessen. She took a deep breath. She was resting her palms on the balcony guardrail. Her eyes were travelling, enjoying the beauty of the Han River banks. Yeah. Her adopted parents’ residence was in an elite area with spectacular views of the Han River stream and Namsan Mountain. From her bedroom, Dae Hyun could see Qeiza standing alone on the balcony. He put down the business magazine he read. Their bedrooms were neighbors. Even, their balconies were only separated by an iron fence about less than a meter in height. Here was Dae Hyun now. He jumped over the lower fence. In a blink, he had stood beside Qeiza. He also pampere
Ansel packed his clothes in hurry. Repeatedly he glanced the clock on the wall as if he was afraid that it would run fast to leave him. “What are you doing, Ansel?” Alina walked to close Ansel. Her forehead furrowed when she saw her only son was packing up. He was like going to run away. “I’m going to catch up with Qeiza ASAP, Mom.” Ansel answered without stopping his hand movements, putting his clothes into the suitcase. His eyes didn’t avert to Alina either. “Why? Did Qeiza go back to Indonesia?” Alina got surprised. She had heard nothing about how she was since a few days ago. Ansel stood up straight. His suitcase was full. He came closer to his mother. He squeezed the shoulders of the middle-aged woman gently. “Wish me luck, Mom! I’m struggling hard to make your dream come true.” Alina caressed Ansel’s arm. “So … she really went home?” “She didn’t, Mom. She … she fled to Seoul ….” Ansel strengthened his squeeze on Alina’s shoulders. He forced his lips to smile eagerly. “Th
“What’s wrong?” asked Qeiza. Dae Hyun had just locked his phone. “Daddy is being hospitalized.” “I’m sorry to hear that. How long has he been there?” “Since yesterday.” Dae Hyun grabbed Qeiza’s hand. “Do you mind if we fly to Seoul right away from Bengkulu later?” “What? Are you crazy?” Dae Hyun smiled wryly. He was too early to ask her that question. “Just cancel the vacation! We’re flying home right away.” “Hah! Ae … you ... what did you say?” “Why are you stupid all of sudden, Oppa?” Qeiza glared at him. “We can enjoy the vacation anytime.” Dae Hyun was still dumbfounded. “Are you serious?” “Exceptionally I’m. Visiting daddy is more important. We don’t know how long he will survive.” “Thank you, Ae!” Dae Hyun was touched by Qeiza’s decision. “I promise. I’ll make it up to you another day.” A few seconds later, he called someone. “We’ll fly in two hours,” said Dae Hyun to Qeiza after he ended the call. “Turn around, Sir?” asked the driver that ear-dropped the conversati
“Qeiza! Don’t joke too much!” Amira scolded Qeiza. “What if Mr. and Mrs. Santoso get heart attack, huh?” “Ah, hahaha ….” Santoso laughed again. “So, it’s just kidding, right?” Mrs. Santoso just shook her head while caressing her chest. Raditya exposed a slight smile only. Qeiza sighed and said in a low voice, “It’s up to you if you don’t buy it." “Qei!” Abbas yelled at her. He gave her a deadly stare. Qeiza stared at Raditya seriously. “Don’t you say I never told that.” Qeiza rose. She bowed at Mr. and Mrs. Santoso. “Please forgive me, Uncle, Aunty … I can’t stay here any longer,” she excused. Abbas also stood up. He pressed Qeiza’s shoulders, forcing her to sit back. “What are you doing, Qei? The dinner has just started. It’s impolite to just leave.” Abbas suppressed his voice. He tried to cover the anger boiling in his chest. Taking advantage of Qeiza was not actually as easy as what he thought. “I’m sorry, Uncle! I have another agreement,” Qeiza denied. She raised her hand,