Malisa’s POV
"Do you want money from me? Here's the thing, I'll give you a large amount of money if you want to be a witness in this case. But don't back down in the middle of the road because you changed your mind or can't bear to see your friend, or even because of intimidation from the opposing party. I want you to be consistent and firm in being a witness in the trial later. You have to be honest and make statements that are in accordance with what you just told me.I don't want you to betray me again. If that happens, you could be destroyed and I can assure you that your life will suffer forever. But if you really tell the truth like now, then you don't have any thoughts of backing down and act decisively to keep moving forward without being easily contaminated by anyone, then I will pay you the amount that I will promise now.So, do you agree?" I asked again, asking for confirmation of the decision that Roby would take now.Every word IMalisa's POVAfter a moment of silence, Roby and I exchanged glances. I quickly continued my statement so he would better understand my intentions. It was important for me to ensure that Roby wouldn't retract his words about agreeing to this deal. I needed to monitor and guard him so he wouldn't change his mind before we dealt with the agreement letter later."I will keep this document as proof, and you can also keep it to hold me accountable later," I said with a smile.With that statement, I hoped Roby would feel calmer and more confident with the decision made. Keeping the document as proof was an important step to ensure that all commitments made could be accounted for. I wanted him to know that I was serious about this collaboration and that he wouldn't be alone in facing the challenges ahead.I thought about all the steps that needed to be taken next. Creating a clear and firm statement letter was a priority. In this process, I wanted to ensure t
Malisa's POV With that statement, Roby showed his commitment to collaborate. This decision was an important step for both of us. With tight security and a safe place to stay, Roby would have the chance to breathe easier, far from the threats lurking around him.I felt relieved that he was beginning to understand the situation he faced and was willing to take proactive steps. This was a crucial moment in our struggle to reveal the truth and ensure that justice was served. Roby's courage to move away from his previous position demonstrated his determination to protect himself and help uncover the lies that had harmed many."Yes, that's good then. I’ll ensure your safety and well-being. Besides, you won’t have to live as hard as before. You can use the available facilities without having to struggle to work for some time. But remember, this is not a form of bribery or anything like that. This is purely my concern for your safety because I’ll need your further tes
Malisa's POV I quickly asked her for a pen and signed the letter she had prepared. Every stroke of ink felt meaningful, marking an important step in our struggle. Once finished, I immediately handed the letter to Roby."Please, Roby. Sign it as well," I said.Roby glanced at the letter for a moment, but without hesitation, he signed it. He appeared confident and trusted the decision that had been made. Without giving himself time to read the document he was signing, Roby displayed courage and commitment to face this challenge together.This process further strengthened our bond. With each signature, we felt that we were moving forward, fighting for truth and justice. Roby had completed signing the statement and agreement. After that, I took the folder and carefully examined it again. Feeling satisfied, I handed it back to Mariana."Here, take this, Mariana! Please make a copy. After that, come back here and give one copy to Roby. For the orig
Malisa’s POV I would value every contribution she made and prove how significant she was in this journey. With Mariana by my side, the challenges felt lighter, and the hope for success grew brighter. We would continue to move forward, united in purpose and supporting each other."There's no need to exaggerate, ma’am. I think your praise for me is a bit too much. What’s important now is that we focus on the things we need to prepare and do. So that everything goes according to plan and the results meet our expectations. Now, what’s my task?" Mariana asked enthusiastically.Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I felt a surge of optimism beginning to fill my heart. My confidence grew stronger, even though I knew this was not an easy task. However, the belief in victory began to take root within me. Especially with Mariana always on standby beside me, helping me with every move and step, I felt I was not alone in this struggle.I began to plan each step mor
Eric's POVAfter the tragic incident, I felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders. Roby, who had been a hindrance, was no longer there. However, the sense of security I had hoped for never came. Roby's shadow always haunted me, as if he were still around me, waiting for the right moment to return.I decided not to delay any longer. With a pounding heart, I started packing the things in the rented house. Every object I held reminded me of memories with him—laughing, arguing, and even sad moments. All of that felt like a burden on my mind.I was determined to take everything. I would not leave anything behind, not one thing. Small items, like Roby's favorite mug or our photos, all had to go. When I packed, there was a mixture of feelings—between relief and sadness.Lina accompanied me enthusiastically, although I knew deep down she was also anxious. We both agreed to finish this job immediately before the problem got more complicated. W
Eric's POV I was silent for a moment, and then I was forced to tell Lina that we would eat soon and only had to walk a little further to find a place to eat."Okay, let's eat now, but I hope you are still able to walk so we can get to the place to eat," I said, hoping that Lina would still want to.Lina was silent for a moment and looked like she was thinking. But finally, she answered and wanted to continue her journey."Okay, but promise we'll eat after we find a place to eat. I'm already very weak and can't stand to continue the journey too far," Lina said with a sharp gaze and a sullen expression on her face."Yes, Lina, don't worry, I won't break it. We still have money, maybe enough for one more meal,” I said while taking out the remaining money from my pants pocket."So, will we eat one plate together again?" Lina asked with a tired face.I was silent, unable to find the words. Frustration and anger welled up inside m
Eric's POV With one motion, I waved my hand, giving the signal. “One, two, three, run!” I said in a shaky but determined voice. As soon as my words were out, we ran, holding each other’s hands tightly.We ran as fast as we could, ignoring everything around us. Our footsteps echoed on the sidewalk, and my heart pounded. It felt like we were running away from a nightmare that would never end. In our minds, there was only one goal: to get away from this increasingly stressful situation.We passed through the crowd of people; I could feel their eyes on us, but we didn’t stop. We kept running through small alleys and busy streets, trying to find a safe place. Every step felt like a struggle, but we supported each other, and that gave us added strength.As we ran, I thought about the risks we were taking. Maybe the police were just trying to help, but in this panic, all logic seemed to disappear. All we wanted was to protect ourselves and find a way out of
Eric's POV On the way, the pain in my calf was getting worse. It was sore, aching, and there was an annoying itch. Like plastic that was slowly burning, every second felt torturous. I couldn't see the condition of my leg, but I knew that this wound was quite severe.The prison car sped away, and I was trapped in a dark thought. Everything that happened felt like a nightmare. There was no way to escape or change this situation. I could only surrender, contemplating what would happen next.Uncertainty haunted me, and the pain that continued to bother me made me even more desperate. In my mind, there was only one hope: that there would be a way to explain everything, even though I knew that right now, all that hope seemed very thin.My vision was blank all the way to the police station. The atmosphere in the car felt tense, and everything outside the window seemed blurry. Finally, we arrived, and everything was processed immediately. I was taken to the p
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