Eric's POV
Although the atmosphere was a bit awkward, I felt relieved to hear her response. We both tried to stay calm, even though the remaining tension was still palpable. In my heart, I was determined to keep this relationship healthy and supportive, despite the emotional challenges we had to face.Today, I spent a lot of time here with Serena and Lina. We started by cooking together and then enjoying the dinner we had prepared as a trio. I kept my promise to Serena to dedicate today solely to her. By the time we finished our meal, we had devoured our cooking with great appetite.However, suddenly Serena brought up the topic of the money that Malisa had promised to transfer. I was stunned and nearly forgot about it.Anxiety crept into my mind, reminding me how crucial that funding was. The joyful moment we were supposed to share now felt slightly disrupted. I tried to remain calm and handle the situation wisely, even as feelings of pressure began tEric's POV However, suddenly Serena brought up the topic of the money that Malisa had promised to transfer. I was stunned and nearly forgot about it.Anxiety crept into my mind, reminding me how crucial that funding was. The joyful moment we were supposed to share now felt slightly disrupted. I tried to remain calm and handle the situation wisely, even as feelings of pressure began to creep in.Serena suddenly asked, "Dad, has Mom sent the money yet?" Her question startled both me and Lina, causing us to turn towards her."I don't know yet, let's check on my phone together. But I haven't heard any notification sounds so far. Let's make sure together. Come on!" I said, pulling out my phone for us all to see.We gathered around the phone, the warm atmosphere we had before now replaced by tension and anxious anticipation. This moment reminded me of how important communication and clarity were in our relationships, especially in situations involv
Eric's POV With that explanation, I hoped Serena could understand this complex situation. The decision to leave was not easy, but I wanted to protect everyone from potential larger conflicts. My hope was that she could let go of her desire for tonight and understand that sometimes, keeping a distance is the best step.I chose to go home, deliberately avoiding any more dangerous troubles. Although I genuinely wanted to be close to Lina, Serena's presence complicated everything. It felt pointless to be there with Serena around, like a mosquito disrupting the space between us.If only Serena weren't there, I was sure Lina and I would feel more comfortable together. However, the reality was that Serena was present, forcing us to act as if we were strangers in front of each other. This situation clearly made me feel uncomfortable and stiff, hindering us from truly expressing ourselves. Serena's presence became an unavoidable barrier, creating tension that was hard
Eric's POVAs soon as I returned to Roby's place, he bombarded me with questions. Roby's curiosity about my family matters was quite high. He had both gains and losses since I started my relationship with Malisa. Nevertheless, Roby never took a step back to support my every move to achieve the peak of success we aimed for with Malisa and her family, who were known to be extremely wealthy in this city.Upon arriving at Roby's place, the atmosphere immediately felt tense with his barrage of questions. His desire to know about my family affairs seemed insatiable. I understood that Roby's interest was not just out of concern as a friend but also because of the impact he felt due to my relationship with Malisa. Malisa and her wealthy family brought many opportunities but also risks that couldn't be ignored.Roby had always been a relentless supporter. He understood how important this relationship was to me, and even though he felt some losses, his enthusiasm fo
Eric’s POV"Oh, so you're just listing one by one the losses you feel from my presence here. Let me reimburse you for everything that makes you feel at a loss because of me," I said confidently.I knew that I had just received a money transfer from Malisa, and my intention to compensate for Roby's losses was a way to show that I appreciated everything he had done. However, I also realized that our relationship needed to be structured so that there wouldn't be any feelings of mutual detriment. I hoped we could find a good solution for both of us.Roby looked skeptical, "Oh, you always talk like that without any proof, Rico. I'm tired of hearing your empty chatter that never gets realized," he said, dismissing my statement.I felt the need to emphasize an important point. "Stop calling me that name," I said firmly. "You might slip up in public when mentioning my name. I've told you, call me Eric! That is my official name recorded in the civil offic
Eric’s POVAs I explained each step and provided clear details, I could feel Roby starting to believe. He listened intently, and gradually, the doubts in his eyes began to fade.Finally, with a thorough and comprehensive explanation, I succeeded in convincing him that my situation was indeed real and not just empty talk. This was an important step toward gaining his trust and improving our relationship going forward.Roby nodded and said, “Oh, so that’s how it is, and that’s how you were able to get money from Malisa again. Looks like your brain has gotten smarter and sneakier, huh, Eric?”I smiled in response to Roby’s comment, feeling a bit relieved that he finally believed me. However, suddenly my phone rang. It was a call from Lina. I immediately got up from my seat next to Roby, feeling my curiosity spike.“Wait a minute! Lina is calling,” I said to Roby as I moved slightly away from him.“Yeah, go ahead and answer it! It might b
Eric’s POVRelief surged through me. With the borrowed motorcycle and money in hand, I was ready to go. After making sure I had all the necessary items, I stepped outside, feeling the fresh night air. The calm surroundings made me feel more confident.I rode the motorcycle at full speed, my mind filled with curiosity about Lina's words and overwhelming worry for Serena. I didn’t care why this was happening; I just wanted to get there quickly.Finally, I arrived at the place where Lina and Serena were. With quick steps, I roughly opened the door, the sound of wood hitting the frame indicating my impatience. Every second felt tense as I rushed in, trying to find Lina in the crowd.When I saw Lina, she hurried toward me. We met in the middle of the room, and I could see the concern on her face. Without wasting any time, I asked, “What’s going on? What just happened to Serena?”I held both of Lina’s upper arms, creating contact that showed how ser
Eric's POV In the midst of the tension, I saw Serena lying weakly. Her face was pale, showing how critical the situation was. Lina, who was supposed to act quickly, remained silent, confused and unsure of what to do. Frustrated by the ticking clock that kept ticking away, I felt time passing very slowly. Every second was precious, and every minute could be a matter of life and death.Without thinking too long, I stepped forward. Formulating a quick plan in my mind, I decided to take Serena to the hospital. Swiftly, I lifted her helpless body, trying my best not to jostle her. Anxiety engulfed me, but my determination to save her life was stronger than that fear."Lina, why didn’t you take her to the hospital before I got here? You could have called an ambulance to come and pick her up," I said, feeling annoyed with Lina for not doing anything to ensure Serena's safety. "Eric, I was afraid. I was just waiting for your decision because I was scared of
Eric's POV When I announced my decision, Lina's reaction was unsurprising. She looked shocked and anxious, firing off a series of bewildered questions. A part of me understood her fear; transporting Serena on a motorcycle in such a critical condition was indeed risky. Yet, I couldn't let fear hold us back.In my mind, time was the enemy. We couldn't wait any longer. With newfound determination, I began prepping the motorcycle, hoping this was the right choice. Lina might have been hesitant, but I knew we had to act swiftly. Every second mattered, and Serena needed help immediately."Yes, this old motorcycle, of course with Serena!" I replied tersely, feeling no need to elaborate on Lina's numerous questions.Lina still frowned, clearly confused by my decision. However, I confidently gave instructions for a comfortable seating position for both of them. Quickly, Lina adjusted and followed my directions without much protest.The urgent situatio
Malisa’s POV This night was quite heavy for me, but after dialoguing with myself in the stillness of solitude, I began to find definite answers that came from within. I felt this decision was ripe. I would take Mariana's advice. Although I didn’t know what would happen between me and Eric moving forward, my inner self clearly said that I had to do it. After coming to a conclusion from my relatively brief reflection, I lay down on my bed. I felt a little relief and could breathe in the cool air. My chest slowly felt lighter, no longer tight. I closed my eyes very peacefully, allowing my mind to rest. I let myself drift into sleep for the remainder of the night. By early morning, I immediately contacted Mariana to meet me that very morning. I wanted to discuss the outcome of the decision I would make today. Mariana came, and we talked at length. She understood my thought process and had empathy for the feelings within me. Finally, we began to handle everything according to my wishes
Malisa's POV Doubt still lingered in my heart. "But what if this just leads to repeating the same mistakes? Am I really ready to face that possibility?"Mariana smiled slightly, looking at me with confidence. "Every decision carries risks, Ma'am. But if you feel there’s a chance for growth and change, it’s worth trying. No one can guarantee the outcome, but at least you’ll know you’ve made an effort. If not now, when?"I pondered Mariana’s words, struck by her insightful reasoning. "Yes, you’re right, but..." I said, still feeling uncertain about Eric."Enough, Ma'am Malisa. You can give him a chance. He’s just an ordinary human, like us. But it’s up to you, and the decision is yours," Mariana said with a smile.Hearing her words made me feel a bit more open. Perhaps it was indeed true that everyone deserves a second chance. Eric wasn’t a monster; he also had weaknesses and made mistakes. If I could forgive him, maybe I could also find a way
Malisa’s POVClearly, I felt sad because the current situation regarding this conflict did not align with my hopes and expectations. Everything felt far from what I had imagined. Initially, I just wanted to live my life peacefully, but now, I was trapped in a complicated and emotional conflict.Eric started it, and now I had to resolve it. In my mind, there was a mix of emotions. On one hand, I felt angry and disappointed that everything wasn’t going according to plan. Yet, on the other hand, I also felt this was a responsibility I had to bear. This had already happened, and whether I liked it or not, I had to get involved in a matter that clearly dragged me in.Every time I thought of Eric, there was a battle between hate and pity within me. He might be responsible for many problems, but I couldn't ignore the fact that he was also a human being struggling. The dream about Serena deepened my doubts, as if urging me to consider various possibilities that I had never wanted before.I kn
Malisa’s POVI sighed heavily."I know, but sometimes I wonder if the right punishment can erase all this pain. Is there another way? Perhaps, behind all this, there are lessons to be learned, not just punishment."Mariana looked at me seriously. "Justice isn't just about punishment; it's also about the process of understanding and repairing. But sometimes, we must remember that actions have consequences. Whatever happens tomorrow, it will be part of our journey."I fell silent, contemplating Mariana's words. Perhaps she was right, but still, this feeling of uncertainty was hard to ignore. In that silence, I knew that whatever happened in tomorrow's hearing, my life and the lives of those around us would never be the same again."Mariana, I feel like there’s something weighing on my heart. It’s a feeling that’s hard to explain," I said, confused by my suddenly shifting emotions. "What is it, Ma'am? If you don’t mind, share it with me. Don’t hesitate if you want to share your story w
Malisa's POVEverything feels strange and very odd. Seeing the closeness between Eric and Lina is truly unnatural. In my view, they both seem too familiar with each other, and that makes me suspicious. I have no doubt that they must have something hidden, something they want to keep from those around them. This uncertainty continues to haunt my mind.I feel the need to uncover all the secrets between them. Only by knowing what really happened can I achieve peace of mind. I am sure there is more than just friendship between Eric and Lina. That's why I decided to ask for help from Mariana, my reliable best friend.Mariana is known for being clever and resourceful. She has a sharp instinct for finding the information needed. I gave her the task of investigating the closeness of Eric and Lina, hoping she could find clues that would lead me to the truth. Without hesitation, Mariana accepted this challenge and quickly got to work.Day after day, I waited for news from Mariana with hope. Eve
Eric's POV Trying to maintain my composure, I attempted not to show my fear. "I'm here to serve my sentence," I replied softly, trying to convey that I didn't want to get involved in any conflict. They laughed, their voices filled with mockery. "A sentence? Here, we set the rules. You need to learn to respect your elders!" one of them said, moving closer in a menacing manner. I looked at them one by one, hoping to find at least one person who wasn't too bad and could befriend me. However, all the long-term inmates here appeared fierce and intolerant toward newcomers like me. Despair began to fill my mind, and I knew I had no choice but to accept this reality and situation. "Nice to meet you," said someone right in front of me before delivering a hard punch to my stomach. "Ouch," I exclaimed spontaneously, groaning in pain. The pain shook my body, and I had to bend over to lessen the impact of the sudden attack. The laughter from the other inmates filled the air, adding to the sh
Eric's POV As we walked, I tried to reflect on everything that had happened. Thoughts about the future, about how I could rectify my mistakes, began to fill my mind. Although it felt very heavy right now, I realized there were lessons to be learned from all of this. I followed the officer, trying to stay focused on the next step. In my heart, I promised not to give up and to seek ways to rebuild my life, even though the challenges ahead were still great. As the door to the room opened and I took just two steps forward, I saw faces filled with joy, mocking my situation. Some even looked ready to spit in my direction. Feelings of shame and heartache washed over me, but the officer quickly shielded me, ensuring I didn’t receive mistreatment from the people I was passing. "Come on, pick up the pace!" the officer said, directing me to hurry. I nodded my head, signaling that I understood his instructions. With quick steps, I tried to ignore the voices around me, even though every lau
Eric's POV As the trial proceeded, I tried to focus, listening to every question and statement made. However, my thoughts always returned to Malisa and Roby, wondering how they were feeling about all of this. I wanted to fix everything, but I knew this journey wouldn't be easy. The trial process went relatively smoothly, although there was a bit of chaos midway. The atmosphere became tense, but I tried to stay focused. Among the crowd present, Malisa's gaze was directed at me. The sparkle in her eyes hinted at feelings I could interpret, but could not express. Anxiety washed over me as I sensed something strange in her stare. I felt that she still harbored feelings of love and affection for me, despite the vast distance this situation had created between us. That look reminded me of the beautiful memories we once shared, when everything felt simpler and full of hope. Now, we were in such a different place, and everything felt so foreign. I didn't know how long this situation woul
Eric's POVWithout hesitation, I began to step forward after the cell door was unlocked. The creaking metal signaled the start of this journey. The police officer was ready to escort me to the courtroom, affirming that all of this was a step toward accountability."Are you ready, Mr. Eric?" the officer asked as he turned to me."Yes, I’m ready," I replied, taking a deep breath to calm myself before facing what was to come. My eyes looked straight ahead, trying to ignore the anxiety that clouded my mind."Alright, let’s go!" the officer said, signaling for me to follow his lead. We walked down the cold, empty hallway, our footsteps echoing against the walls. Each step felt heavy, carrying the weight of regret and fear of what would happen in the courtroom.The courtroom was getting closer, and my heart raced. I knew that behind that door, many were waiting to hear my story, to understand the reasons behind everything that had happened. This was