Nayla smiled weakly. “Thank you, Michael. You always know how to make me feel better.”
Michael stroked Nayla's head affectionately, “Eat up, it's getting cold. It won't taste good.”
Nayla nodded. They continued to eat in silence, but the feelings between them became clear.
Michael loved Nayla sincerely, but Nayla was still caught up in her feelings for Zavier. That night, Nayla reflected more deeply on what she really wanted in life.
After finishing their meal, Michael took Nayla home. On the way, they both remained silent. Nayla felt guilty for not being able to reciprocate Michael's feelings sincerely.
At the door of her house, Nayla looked at Michael with regretful eyes. The reporters didn't know about Nayla's small house because she wanted to avoid the paparazzi.
“Michael, I...”
Michael smiled and s
The following days were filled with hard work and innovation from both parties. Almira Mini Market began to implement new strategies that were more creative and attractive, while Green Mart continued to improve their services and product variety. The competition between Zavier and Nayla was heating up, but underneath it all, there were unresolved feelings between them.Most days, Zavier is in the office and really working hard. He only went home for dinner with Sefia and Fernando, always returning to the office with Cahyo and Mando afterward.“We go home for dinner, but afterward I'll go back to the office and stay the night. I have a lot of things I want to do,” Zavier ordered Mando, who was driving the car.“Why not have dinner at the office?” asked Cahyo curiously.“I want to keep my promise to Fernando to give him a full family. Just at dinner time, I can do my part
Zavier was silent for a moment then a moment later, he replied, “let's talk about it later after I've made it. The cost of going abroad is not small. Right now, Abraham's company is-”“Mama, I'm done.” Fernando got up from his chair without intending to wait for his father to finish his sentence.Zavier put down his spoon angrily and both eyes followed Fernando's small trot back to his room.The food on Fernando's plate still looked quite plentiful.“That kid! Did you teach him any manners?”In response to Zavier's words, Sefia only snorted, “I did. It's you who didn't teach him how to respect you.”Sefia ended her meal by standing up, picking up her plate and heading to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Lately, Zavier's finances had been somewhat strained to normalize the condition of his stocks so Zavier had beg
Kayla's words were actually more about protecting herself and her own future. There was no benefit for her if Zavier got back together with Nayla. He might just get kicked out of the mansion.Sefia finally nodded in agreement, although her heart still felt uncomfortable. “Alright, Kayla. What's our plan?”“I can't possibly get pregnant once again from Bayu because Zavier never touched me at all. He was even suspicious of all the drinks I served so he never tasted them again. He doesn't want to get drunk and feel guilty again.”Sefia spoke listlessly and desperately.Kayla grinned. “We need to find out more about Nayla. We need information that we can use to damage her reputation. I have some contacts in the online media world who might be able to help us.”Sefia perked up again at Kayla's words. “Yes?”Kayla nod
At first she thought this might have been done by Zavier as part of a plan to exclude her from the tender next Monday, but suddenly a name flashed through her mind.“Kayla!” she exclaimed frantically.Meanwhile, Zavier was also starting to get annoyed with the news. He knew Nayla couldn't have done the things she was accused of. His curiosity and worry about Nayla were getting the better of him.He could already smell who was behind the spread of these old photos.Her guess was Kayla, her stepmother. However, that woman could not have acted alone. Zavier hoped to find out the person who had been working with his stepmother all this time by pretending not to care about the rumors surrounding Nayla.Sefia too, despite feeling guilty, pretended to know nothing about the rumors. She hoped that with this scandal, Zavier would move away from Nayla and refocus on her.
Zavier looked at his stepmother with deep disappointment. “I've always been responsible for Sefia, and it's none of your business because you're not my biological mother! But I can't let this injustice happen. I will take care of everything, and I hope you can understand.”With that, Zavier left the house, leaving Sefia and Kayla in confusion. Sefia felt her heart breaking, while Kayla could only stare at her stepson's departure with mixed feelings. Her devious plan had been uncovered, and now she had to face the consequences of her actions.Kayla had never felt so vulnerable. Anger and humiliation overcame her after the confrontation with Zavier. She couldn't let her stepson defend Nayla, she hated Nayla from the start. For her, this was a matter of pride and family. She had to take further action.Sefia sat in her room, brooding over what had just happened. She felt guilty for her role in spreading the rumo
The next day, an article appeared on one of the major news sites. The article revealed that all the allegations against Nayla were untrue and that there was a conspiracy to bring her down. Kayla's name was mentioned as the mastermind, along with several other influential figures.Kayla was shocked and angry when she read the article. She knew that Zavier was behind all of this. With her reputation ruined, she felt helpless and angry at her stepdaughter.Sefia felt even more depressed. She knew that Zavier probably wouldn't forgive her. She tried to contact Zavier to talk, but he refused to answer his phone.With Nayla's reputation restored, her career began to revive. She thanked Zavier for his support, even though they were not back together. Nayla knew that Zavier had risked a lot to help her, and she felt indebted to him.Kayla wasn't done yet. Even though her reputation was damaged, she still had
On the other hand, Kayla was satisfied to see the results of her plan. She was sure that this time, Nayla would not be able to rise again. However, she did not realize that Zavier was planning something to stop her stepmother once and for all.Zavier contacted some of his friends in the legal world and the media to gather evidence that could be used against Kayla. He knows that this move is very risky, but he can't let the scheming woman continue to ruin Nayla's life.Zavier invited Kayla and Sefia to talk at their home. When they had all gathered, Zavier began to speak in a serious voice.“Kayla, Sefia, I know that you two are behind all the fake news about Nayla,” Zavier said firmly.Kayla tried to deny it with a chuckle. “Zavier, you're wrong. We didn't do anything this time. Can't Mando investigate for you?”Zavier shook his head. “Don't lie anym
Kayla had never felt this fragile. Anger and humiliation overcame her after the confrontation with Zavier. She could not let her stepson defend Nayla.To her, this was a matter of pride and family. He had to take further action.“You will never step foot in my house again!” Zavier exclaimed and walked out of the courtroom with steady steps.Kayla sat limply in the defendant's seat, hearing all that. Especially seeing Zavier pulling Nayla's hand to leave the courtroom which returned to silence after it was all over.Zavier pulled Nayla into a quiet room. Michael wanted to follow them, but Mando and Cahyo kept blocking his way.“They only spoke for a moment. Give them some space,” Mando said firmly, causing Michael to let out a long sigh and decide to wait.Inside one of the rooms in the courthouse, Zavier held Nayla with one hand agains
“Let me sleep, okay?” Sara looked at Nayla with eyes that implied fatigue.Nayla looked at Sara with mixed feelings of pity and emotion. “Alright, Sara. Rest in. I'll make sure no one disturbs your sleep.”After patting Sara gently on the shoulder, Nayla left the room. She closed the door carefully, leaving Sara who immediately laid down on the bed, trying to find comfort amidst all the confusion she felt. Nayla walked away feeling uneasy.When she realized her steps were heading towards the bedroom, she immediately turned towards the painting room.With a dazed look on her face, Nayla sat in front of the canvas, beginning to scrape her brush over the blank canvas.“Who are you?” she asked, more to herself. She dreamed of a perfect man. Nayla imagined the fondling of that man and couldn't stop imagining, but no matter how much she tried to reme
The answer did not seem to satisfy Bram completely, though he did not reply immediately. His gaze remained sharp, as if trying to trace the truth hidden behind Nayla's answer. Even so, he decided not to prolong the conversation for now, and simply nodded slowly.“Well, then, perhaps I was too harsh last night,” he said in a flat tone. “If you feel okay, I won't ask any further questions.”Nayla nodded and smiled awkwardly before hurriedly leaving the room.“I'll go see if breakfast is done,” Nayla said awkwardly.As the door to the room closed, Nayla breathed a sigh of relief, she had to go see how Sara was doing. However, in her heart, she knew that this situation was far from over.While Bram was still thinking about the irregularities he had encountered that morning, Nayla had to make sure that the secrets of the night remained neatly buried
Sara rose from the bed with caution and legs that trembled with pain, trying not to wake Bram.Furrowing her brow, feeling the physical pain that came with it especially her core, but more than that, there was a feeling that made her heart tighten.Trying to stay strong, she walked out of the room with limping steps. Just before she closed the door, she could see Nayla coming out of the bathroom, walking over to the bed and lying next to Bram, pretending like nothing had happened.She could see Nayla giving her the thumbs up code, for their plan working.Outside the room, Sara endured mixed feelings. Although her body was tired and sore, there was a strange feeling of satisfaction. It was as if, without realizing it, she had uncovered another part of herself that had been hidden.That feeling of love and desire just came out of nowhere, even though she knew that the situation was
Hearing that, Sara who was hiding in the bathroom felt tears of emotion running down her cheeks. Although her current condition was tense, at least one good thing had happened. Her heart was filled with gratitude and relief that Nayla managed to persuade Bram to help her grandmother.Bram again grabbed Nayla's chin and now brought his face closer, ready to kiss his wife. However, Nayla quickly said, “Bram, can you turn off the lights first? I feel embarrassed...”Bram smiled and nodded, then walked over to the switch and turned off the lights. The man immediately took off his shirt because his body was already so burning, as if he couldn't think of too many things anymore.“I'm going to be a little rough today,” he muttered with a grin and took off his clothes.Instantly, the room became pitch black. Bram then slowly approached Nayla again, preparing to fondle her again.
Sara still wanted to refuse, but seeing Nayla so desperate, Sara finally nodded slowly.“Alright, I'll do it,” she said in a soft voice, almost a whisper.Nayla breathed a sigh of relief, and without waiting any longer, she immediately hugged Sara. “Thank you, Sara. I owe you so much. I will never forget your kindness.”“It's not about kindness, ma'am,” Sara replied as she patted Nayla on the back.“I just hope this passes quickly and we can forget all about it. My grandmother?”“I'll take care of her right now, come with me...”Nayla stepped back and wiped away the tears that were starting to run down her cheeks. “You just wear my nightgown and make sure to keep the lights off when he comes into the room. Don't say much, just listen and follow what he says. I'm sure you can do it.”
“What's wrong? Is Madame sick?”Nayla shook her head and pushed Sara's body so that they both entered Sara's room.Sara felt very confused at the panic her mistress was experiencing.“What's wrong?” she repeated.“Doctor Bram, he wants tonight...”Sara tilted her head and gave him an equally confused look of not understanding.“Wants what?”“He wants me, tonight. I'm so scared...” Nayla said as she hugged Sara with a body that began to tremble.Sara could finally understand, but she also didn't know how to avoid all this.Suddenly Nayla raised her head and traced the curves of Sara's body which was almost as tall as she was.“Sara,” Nayla called with both eyes glazed over.“Yes,
“She's taller than Mrs. Nadia!” she exclaimed involuntarily.Once again, the gazes of several passengers immediately turned to her.“Aah, sorry. Dream again. Nightmare!” she exclaimed trying to overcome the awkwardness.“So hurry up and sleep at night and don't always play on your cell phone!” said one of the passengers with a little annoyance. It seemed like he was also trying to sleep on the rather boring journey.Sara pursed her lips, responding to the unnecessary comment.But, the pieces of the puzzle kept spinning in her head throughout the trip, making Sara even more convinced that she had to dig deeper to find the truth.Sara spoke her mind in her heart. “The only person I can trust right now is Joen!”“Mrs. Nayla and Mr. Zavier over there might be involved in some kind of crime
Sefia smiled with relief. “Thank you, Sara. I think I really need to tidy myself up first.”Sefia felt that Zavier would be disgusted if he saw her that dirty. So she quickly took off her apron and went to her room to take a shower. She always tried to look beautiful and elegant as the wife of Mr. Zavier Abraham.Sara brought a plate of cookies and knocked on the door of Zavier's study. After gaining entry, she found Zavier sitting in front of his desk, seemingly immersed in his work.“Ah, the cake is done!” Zavier smiled widely upon seeing Sara carrying a plate.“I'm delivering this cake for tasting. It's a special roll,” Sara said as she placed the plate on the table. Zavier took a piece and started tasting.“Hmm, this is amazing!” he said, praising the flavor of the cake. “You guys really made it.”
“Looking at the apple pie, I forgot where I put it, I had half of it, then I put it in, ouch... Did Joen take it earlier?”Sara took a heavy breath and let it out before standing up and leading Nayla into the bathroom.“Madam, no one came in here and I saw for myself that Madam's food is gone. Let's take a bath, I'll help you.”Sara undressed her mistress one by one, much to her surprise she saw several reddish marks on Nayla's front, indicating Doctor Bram may have been rough and abusive to her.“Be patient, ma'am. I will help you find information as quickly as possible and get you out of this hell,” he said as he led Nayla into the bathtub filled with warm water and aromatherapy soap.Her eyes glazed over at the thought of this beautiful woman being a mere stuffed toy to entertain the maniacal doctor.While Nayla played w