Malisa's POV
"You clearly wouldn't know Roby; when he was our neighbor here, you were still very young. Let me talk to the caller; give me the phone!" the mother said, asking to speak to me directly.It seemed her child had handed the phone to her. The mother's voice began to greet me on the line."Sorry, ma'am, are you indeed asking about Roby's whereabouts?" the middle-aged woman asked me."Yes, of course, ma'am. Sorry for disturbing your time with your family. Let me introduce myself, I’m Malisa," I said, starting to introduce myself.This straightforwardness made the atmosphere feel warmer. I could sense sincerity in her voice, and my hope rekindled. The woman paused for a moment, perhaps reminiscing about past memories related to Roby."Wait, your name sounds familiar. Are you one of those famous people in this country?" the middle-aged woman asked, as if trying to remember something."Oh, you must be mistaken. A name lMalisa's POV With full concentration, I continued my journey. The road felt familiar, and each second brought me closer to the long-awaited meeting. Finally, I arrived at my destination.Seeing his house, I was shocked. It was small and looked a bit shabby, far from my image of Roby's home. I couldn't believe my friend lived in a place like this. Memories of the past raced through my mind—how Roby was always cheerful and full of spirit, even though his situation now seemed different.I got out of the car and began walking toward his house. It looked inhabited, but it appeared neglected, making me feel a little disgusted. The peeling paint and the yard filled with weeds added to the gloomy impression. Strangely, the front door was wide open, revealing a messy interior.I tried calling Roby's name, but no one responded. The silence made me feel uncertain. "Roby!?" I called again, hoping my voice could stir him. However, only silence greeted me, fi
Malisa's POV Time passed, and I continued to wait. Every sound from outside made me alert, my hope burning that Roby would appear at the door. In my heart, I prayed that everything was alright. Anxiety began to creep in, but I tried to stay calm. This was an important moment, and I didn't want to miss the chance to speak directly with Roby.While waiting, my thoughts drifted back to the encounter with Eric and Lina. What had happened between them? Why did they look so anxious? All those questions haunted me, but I knew that once Roby arrived, I would soon have my answers.Time continued to pass, and even though I had waited a long time, there were no signs that Roby would come home. The day grew darker, and anxiety began to overwhelm me. I knew it was impossible to stay here any longer without certainty.Finally, I decided to call my guard. I assigned him the task of watching over the place, hoping he could help monitor the situation. At least I felt
Malisa's POV I actually thought that Eric and Roby might be quite similar in character. My thoughts suddenly scattered, and I began to remember something more important. I immediately thought to call Mariana to schedule a meeting tonight at my house. I would start to share my suspicions with her, hoping she could provide insights on my temporary analysis and perhaps offer a solution to all of this.After a day filled with activities and trying to seek clarity, I finally arrived home feeling exhausted. My mind and body felt worn out from everything that had happened. Reluctantly, I collapsed onto the soft sofa, hoping to rest a little before Mariana arrived. While waiting, I turned on the television, looking for some entertainment to distract me from all that weighed on my mind.Since that major incident, I felt a bit traumatized by social media. Every time I opened the apps, it felt like facing an increasing pressure. My social media feeds seemed to turn
Malisa's POV Mariana seemed more perceptive, and she asked, "What's wrong?" Her soft voice reminded me that I wasn’t alone. However, I remained silent, still caught up in my thoughts about the soft voice I had heard earlier. That voice echoed in my mind, making it hard to focus on the reality around me."Are you okay?" Mariana asked again, this time with a furrowed brow, indicating that she was starting to worry. Although I appreciated her concern and care, my reverie was shattered by her question. It felt as if every time I started to gather my thoughts, something pulled me back into emotional chaos.I shifted my gaze to the window, trying to find calm outside. The night was dark, illuminated only by dim starlight. Yet, despite the beauty of the view, my thoughts spiraled back to Serena and everything that had transpired. How could that voice have appeared, and was it real or merely a product of my deep feelings?Mariana didn’t give up. She moved clo
Malisa's POV Every word I said opened the door to a deeper understanding of the situation I was facing. That moment felt important, not just for me, but also for strengthening the bond between us. With every detail I shared, I began to feel that I was not alone in facing all of this, and that there was hope at the end of the road. Mariana responded firmly, "Yes, this is no longer an indication; it's clear they have conspired for all of this. I'm sure from the beginning, they had ill intentions toward you. I think their motive is wealth, or more precisely, money and shares." Her words were filled with conviction, highlighting the seriousness of the situation I was facing.I paused for a moment, reflecting on what she had just said. All the details I had revealed now seemed clear in my mind. Eric and Lina's actions were not just coincidences; there was a deeper plan behind all of this. Anger and helplessness welled up inside me, and I felt the need to take the next
Malisa's POV I glanced at the curtains in my room, noticing the light reflecting off the fabric. I felt it was already morning or perhaps noon, given the blinding brightness. Yes, I thought it was too late for me to still be in bed. I must have slept deeply last night.I quickly looked at the clock, and sure enough, it was very late. Startled, I jumped out of bed and headed straight for the bathroom. I felt a bit uncomfortable, especially since I hadn’t had a chance to shower the night before. The cold water hitting my skin provided the refreshing sensation I desperately needed.While showering, I tried to shake off the lingering drowsiness and fatigue clouding my mind. Each drop of water seemed to awaken a new spirit within me. As I scrubbed my body and washed my hair, I felt all the burdens I carried slowly dissipate.Once I finished in the bathroom, I grabbed my phone to check for any messages or missed calls. But this time, there was none—very unu
Malisa's POV It turned out I had slept all day. When I woke up, I didn't remember anything about my troubles or the things I had been waiting for. Confusion washed over me, but the hunger quickly reminded me to move. I got out of bed and headed to the kitchen, hoping to find something to fill my empty stomach.Upon reaching the kitchen, I opened the fridge and found some cake inside. The cake looked tempting, and without a second thought, I took a generous portion. My stomach rejoiced as I took a bite, savoring each sweet and soft morsel. However, just as I was finishing the last piece, I suddenly remembered something more important.Yes, the important news I had been waiting for—Mariana's update about Roby. Panic set in, and without thinking twice, I dashed back to my room. My feet moved quickly, as if propelled by a strong urge to find out. In my mind, various scenarios spun: had Mariana found Roby? Was there any positive development?Inside the roo
Malisa’s POV After I finished the call with Mariana, I looked back at Roby. It turned out he was still engrossed in eating and seemed far from finished with his hunger. He looked so ravenous, devouring each bite with enthusiasm. Seeing him like that made me wonder if he had only just seen food today.His strange behavior only piqued my curiosity further. His face showed deep exhaustion, and every time he lifted his spoon, there was a kind of hunger reflex he couldn’t hide. It was as if the food in front of him was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.I observed how he chewed, as if he wanted to savor every bite fully. Inside, I felt mixed emotions, on one hand, I was relieved to see him eat heartily, but on the other hand, I worried about what he had been through. Experiences that might have made him feel disconnected from the comfort and warmth of home.As Roby continued eating, I remembered how important physical and emotional care is in situa
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