When you love a woman in the wrong ways, you’ll just chase her away. *** Qeiza was pensive. She read the messages she had just received. Chin Hwa was still concentrating at driving. Seeing Qeiza was silent, he averted his attention for a few seconds from the way to Qeiza. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Bad news?” “Nothing,” said Qeiza. “Just messages from Miss Joanna.” “Did she change her mind about the wedding dress?” “No, she didn’t.” “So?” “She asked me to meet. She said there’s something important she wants to discuss.” “Won’t you have an appointment next week?” Qeiza sighed. “Yeah, you’re right,” she said. “But … if she wants to see me today, I can’t refuse her either, right?” Chin Hwa agreed with Qeiza’s opinion. A customer was a king. They had to prioritize their customer’s satisfaction. “Wanna immediately go there right now? I’ll escort you,” asked Chin Hwa. “You don’t need,” said Qeiza. “I can go there alone later. The appointment is after lunch.” Chin Hwa stopped sp
It’s not good to believe in other people too much, although you know them well. *** Ansel was getting closer. Qeiza moved aside. Her eyes rolled in all directions. She tried to find a way to flee. She had to leave the hotel room in no time. “This time, you won’t be able to run away again,” said Ansel. His eyes stared at Qeiza hungrily. “What do you want?” Qeiza tried to negotiate with him in order to buy the time. Ansel grinned. “Sign this paper!” he said. He raised the envelope in his hand high. “I don’t want to sign anything unclear,” replied Qeiza. Ansel’s face darkened. The flash in his eyes looked angrier. Qeiza’s stubbornness raised a hungry lion in his body. He stopped. He opened the envelope. He pulled out the papers in it. “You wanna read by yourself or I’ll read it for you?” asked Ansel. His hand was still holding the edge of the papers. “Tell me what it is!” Ansel completely pulled the papers out. He read the sentences written there. “This is a statement that you’
Never underestimate the power of a woman. She looks weak doesn’t mean she is helpless. You never know how much pain she went through to grow to be tough. *** Ansel was possessed by his anger. His jawlines were more clearly imprinted. They showed his anger. Qeiza’s confrontation made his blood boil. He was getting eager to eat her. The position of his hands that kept pressing Qeiza increased his Ansel’s blood circulation. Not only because of anger, but also for there’s something inside him that wanted Qeiza’s body. Ansel’s breaths were getting faster. He was like a racehorse running on the last lap. Qeiza’s heartbeats were also racing. The anxiety engulfed her heart. It forced her brain to think fast. She didn’t want to lose her precious diamond because of the ferocity of Ansel’s desire. When Ansel crawled to prison her body, Qeiza pinched Ansel’s head with her hands. The next seconds, she moved quickly. She lifted up her head and banged it on Ansel’s. Ansel screamed in pain. Qei
Never feel safe for the evil deeds you do. No matter how small it is, everything will come back to you. *** Realizing several people had just got into the hotel room, Qeiza hurriedly got off Ansel’s body. Her face got red, like a boiled crab. She was so embarrassed for knowing that other people had watched her brutal action. She stood in front of them with an awkward feeling. Meanwhile, Ansel was struggling to sit up. Both his hands were still tied on his back. Seeing that Alina was one of the uninvited guests, Ansel rashly got up. He intended to come closer to her. The waving of Alina’s hand stopped Ansel’s steps. Finally, he also stood two steps away on the right side of Qeiza. He lowered his head. Qeiza moved to the left, getting away from Ansel. She hated it so much being close to her ex-husband. He made her lose face in front of the important guy in her life. “T–this is not like what you see, Oppa!” Qeiza said in a hoarse voice and almost couldn’t be heard. Her chest was so
Thinking positive is good. However, being too believed that all people will always treat you well is not a good thought. *** Qeiza walked along the path on the backyard of Dae Hyun’s house. She was wearing a pair of dark brown trousers. Her upper body was covered with a long beige coat. She hid her hands in the pockets of her coat. She looked up. She was staring at the dried leaves falling down blown by the morning breeze. The fall was still long over. The sunshine was not so bright. Even, a group of cumulus clouds were in grey. Ansel’s bad treatment popped up again in her mind. She sighed. She couldn’t believe that her ex-husband would heartedly do such an indecent act to her. The fallen dried leaves were nearly covered all the ground of the garden. It looked like a colorful carpet. They remained looking good although they had fallen off their stems. Shouldn’t her relationship with Ansel be like that too? Parting was not the end of everything. They should have remained their goo
Chin Hwa banged his desk. “Shit! They are slier than I thought,” he cursed. His eyes glazed over the article that was still displaying on his computer screen. None of the news about Ansel prisoned a woman in a hotel room spread on the internet. He didn’t know how Ansel’s men cleared them all. Yesterday afternoon, Ansel was clearly arrested by the police. This morning, he was told that he was having a medical treatment because of fatigue. Chin Hwa reached his phone lying on the left corner of his desk. He called his confidant. “Investigate why the case is clear as fast as this!” He gave a command with no doubts. Every time he surfed on the internet and couldn’t find what he searched for, Chin Hwa wiped his face roughly. He felt frustrated with the disappearance of the carcass of Ansel’s bad behavior. “Argh!” Chin Hwa growled in anger. He wanted to get rid of Ansel forever. But, he finally realized that it’s not easy to do so. Ansel’s power was beyond him. If he took a wrong step,
Sincere love just thinks about the present and the future. *** “You said you also invite Dae Hyun,” said Qeiza. “Why are you just leaving him?” Chin Hwa smiled slightly hearing her query. He had just turned off the car engine soon after they arrived at the parking lot of a well-known theater building. “He’ll arrive shortly,” he said. Chin Hwa got out of the car. He rashly walked to the other side of the car. He opened the door for Qeiza. He led her to rooftop of the theater. Qeiza was stunned. There were no many visitors in the restaurant. She could only see a few people having small talks at some tables. A woman hurriedly got up from her seat when she saw Qeiza’s arrival. When they were standing in a close distance, Qeiza could recognize the woman. “Ae Ri!” said Mrs. Song. “I’m glad I can see you again.” Mrs. Song hugged Qeiza. She was like a mother who missed her daughter so much after being apart for ages. “How are you, Mrs. Song?” Qeiza greeted Mrs. Song back with a frien
The hardest thing in loving a woman is to keep her feelings. *** Ansel was like a possessed person. He repeatedly rang the bell of Qeiza’s apartment door. Its sounds roared hard so it could reach the neighbors’ apartments. Some of them opened their apartment doors. They altogether poked their heads. They were curious about what’s happening. Otherwise, they also felt annoyed with the guest who didn’t know the etiquette. It’s after midnight. He shouldn’t have made noise. “You don’t know how to respect others’ privacies, huh?” An old man snapped at Ansel. He seemed very annoyed because his sleep was disturbed. Ansel glanced at him slightly. He didn’t respond to the man’s scolding. His heart and mind were too messed up to behave reasonably. He rang the doorbell again. The next seconds, he sighed in disappointment. The door in front of him still closed tight like a stone wall. Those—who were seeing how desperate Ansel was—could only shake their heads. As fellow men who had ever been y
“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,