"There's a cafe nearby. It might be more comfortable if we go there. You probably haven't had lunch yet, right?" Ethan asked, looking at the man.For the first time, Ethan initiated conversation with him.Nike raised his face, looking intently at Ethan. "Ethan's right. We'd better discuss all this at the cafe. A cup of americano might make you feel better," Citra chimed in, supporting Ethan's argument.With two voices in agreement, Nike had no other choice. He nodded, smiling at both of them."Alright. I'll follow you," Nike replied.Just as they were about to get up, Nike suddenly spoke again, bringing everyone's focus back to him."Wait," Nike said softly.Both Ethan and Citra gave him ambiguous looks."What is it?" Citra asked, looking at him.Nike then took out the flash drive containing copies of important evidence and looked at both of them."What about this evidence? Sorry, I almost forgot to give it to you. Can you keep this safe?" Nike asked, looking at both of them.Citra qu
"Just a moment!" Amel yelled from inside.She hurried to open her apartment door. From the last chat she received, Amel could already guess who was behind that door.With a smile spreading across her lips, Amel greeted warmly."You're already... Citra? Ethan?"Amel quickly corrected herself, her brow furrowing as she found two figures she hadn't expected.Citra, hearing the woman's words, immediately understood where the girl's thoughts were heading.A question crossed Citra's mind: had this girl been meeting frequently with the man she encountered late that night?Meanwhile, Ethan's brow furrowed when he heard the word "you" instead of "sis" or "bro" directed at them, confused by the girl."You?" Ethan repeated, making Amel feel the air around her thinning.Truly, she hadn't prepared any excuse if she found herself in this position.Clearly, it was still afternoon; these two should not have returned yet. As Amel remembered, they always came home late at night, not like this."It's ok
As the night grew later, the three happy individuals decided to head home to their apartment. They had bought many items during their shopping trip that day.Once inside the car, Amel's face was clearly radiant, delighted to have experienced so much happiness."Thank you, both of you," Amel said sincerely. "You two work so well together to make me happy. Thanks to you, I never feel lonely anymore."The two people sitting in front smiled as well, sharing in the girl's joy."That's right, Amel. From now on, you shouldn't be sad anymore. Let's embrace our new life together," Ethan said, glancing briefly at his sister.Citra, also feeling happy, flashed a sweet smile without saying anything, conveying her shared happiness through the curve of her lips."Brother..." Amel called out to Ethan."Yes, Amel? What is it?" Ethan asked.Amel then reached out, hugging the man by wrapping her arms around his neck. After a moment, she slowly released the embrace."Ethan, you have to promise me someth
A short while ago...Milena, who had just finished drying her hair, heard someone knocking at her apartment door. She frowned, not expecting any visitors.Milena walked to answer the door."Yes, who is it?" Milena asked as she greeted her visitor.Milena squinted when she saw who was standing before her."You? Ma..." Milena paused, trying to recall the name. "Martin, lovely lady," the man replied. It was indeed Martin.Milena snapped her fingers, finally remembering his name clearly."Yes. Sorry it took me a moment - our names are similar, I should have remembered yours more quickly," Milena said politely.Martin smiled, holding a gift bag in his hand."Oh! I almost forgot. Please come in, excuse the mess," Milena said, inviting him inside.Martin shook his head and entered the apartment, walking beside her."Have you lived here long?" Martin asked, looking around the apartment.Milena nodded in response. She then invited Martin to sit on the sofa."I can only afford to rent this apar
The next day, Citra and Ethan dropped Amel off at her campus.To make her happy, they were willing to be late for work.It didn't matter - they'd do anything to make Amel happy."Thank you guys! You're going to be late because of me. But really, thank you so much. I love you both," said Amel, hugging them as they looked back from the front seats.When it was time to part, Citra and Ethan just said goodbye from inside the car.They waved to Amel, gesturing for her to stay motivated."Call me when it's time to go home," Ethan said before leaving.Amel shook her head and told Ethan to just order her an online taxi. She didn't want to trouble him, especially during his work hours.After that brief conversation, Amel entered her campus.The smile never left her face as she looked around the campus, amazed that she would be studying there.Even now, Amel sometimes thought this was all just a dream or illusion in her head.She still couldn't believe she'd become a student at this big, fancy
Ethan opened the door to his and Citra's office, finding the woman's face looking blank, as if she was carrying a heavy burden in her mind.Luckily, he had returned with two cups of coffee in his hands. He approached Citra, offering one cup to her."To help you feel fresher. What are you thinking about?" Ethan asked, taking a seat right in front of the woman's desk.He then sipped his coffee while looking intently at Citra, waiting for her to speak up again."It's nothing. I'm just thinking about what Nike said that time. Is it true that Richard is planning something against my company?" Citra pondered.Honestly, this had been bothering her thoughts. Especially since that business was the only thing Citra owned.Although Citra clearly no longer managed the company, she secretly still kept an eye on it.She also didn't hesitate to send messages to Nike, providing solutions so that her company wouldn't fall into the abyss of defeat due to the competition."If he's really doing that, you
Time flew by so quickly without notice.Citra could hardly remember when she last thought about her parents. Her new life with Ethan made her much happier.Especially with Amel, who always showered Citra with affection, even accepting her into her life from their very first meeting."Good morning, Citra!" Amel greeted the woman with a smile.Noticing Amel's face seemed to be hiding something, Citra narrowed her eyes, looking closely at the girl."Alright. What can I help you with this time? You must have a college assignment, right?" Citra asked, able to guess what was on the girl's mind.Amel chuckled, showing her neat row of white teeth to the woman."Yes, Citra. I'm really struggling. I've been trying to answer this material but still don't understand it. It's the weekend, which should be your rest time. But just this once. Please help me. I don't understand this material at all."Amel clasped her hands together, begging Citra to be her private tutor.Seeing the girl's serious face
The next day, Citra and Ethan headed to the office as usual. They chatted casually, but this time Citra seemed to be expecting something from him.Realizing her hopes were unlikely to be fulfilled, Citra could only muster a weak smile.She had apparently been thinking too far ahead, hoping for the impossible."Any special plans today? Have you checked the incoming emails?" Ethan asked without taking his eyes off the road.Citra, prompted by the question, immediately opened the tablet in her hand, checking her company email and finding a new message.It seemed to have been sent just this morning."There's a client requesting a meeting at..."Citra furrowed her brow, confused by the location written there."What's wrong? Why did you suddenly go quiet?" Ethan asked, snapping Citra out of her thoughts.She shook her head, telling Ethan she was fine."There's a new email, supposedly from the supervisor. But this address... it seems familiar," Citra mumbled, looking puzzled.Ethan, not unde