"Hey, Pretty. Drinking alone? Want me to keep you company?" A man approached Trisya.
It was already 1:00 AM when Trisya was still sitting, finishing her drink at a nightclub. Her thoughts were in chaos, remembering Ariana's treatment of her at the cafe that day. It had been almost a week, and a video clarification had been circulated explaining that Ariana's actions were due to her disappointment in her daughter, whom she felt was defying her words. However, Trisya still couldn't shake off her anger and desire to retaliate against Ariana's treatment.
"Don't come near me! You'll die!" Trisya snapped.
"Wow, you're fierce."
The man whistled, calling his two friends who immediately came over.
"A Beautiful Lady is sitting alone. Let's keep company her with a drink."
"Yeah, she so sexy."
"Don't bother me! You'll be sent to the other side by my father!" Trisya said flatly.
"Wow... Scary."
The three men laughed together.
Trisya reached for her phone, trying to call Richard. But the man didn't answer his phone.
"Your skin is so beautiful. Come on, I'll buy you a drink."
Trisya didn't answer. She tried calling Ardi's number.
"Yeah..." Ardi answered.
"Someone's bothering me."
"Where are you? It's so noisy."
"The most famous nightclub in this city."
"Okay, I'm coming."
Trisya smiled faintly.
"If you don't want to end up badly, you better leave quickly. My father's people will be here soon."
"Haha... Don't be arrogant, Miss..." One of the men tried to touch Trisya's thigh, but she brushed him off.
"Miss, isn't everyone here to have fun? You are too, right?"
"Not with men like you!"
"This woman's mouth is so rude!"
"A cheap woman acting high and mighty! Let's just take care of her, Don!"
"Come here!" The man called Doni grabbed Trisya's shoulder.
He seemed to be the leader of the group.
Trisya slapped Doni's cheek.
"How dare you slap me?"
"Why? Want me to slap you again? Go away before my father finds out you're bothering his daughter! Your lives will be over!"
"Your father? Who is your father? Do you think I'm scared?"
"Here, I'll whisper it to you," Trisya said.
Doni leaned closer, and Trisya whispered the name Richard Adrian in the man's ear.
The man laughed.
"Do you think I believe you?"
Trisya didn't answer.
"Grab her! I'll force this tempting drink down her throat."
The two men with Doni grabbed Trisya's arms and shoulders. Doni took a packet of powder from his pocket, sprinkled it into a glass filled with an alcoholic drink, and stirred it.
"Drink this so you can be strong enough to serve us three!"
"I don't want to! You guys are trash!"
"Trash you say, but you'll be happy to be enjoyed by us!"
"Officer Ardi..!" Trisya screamed as she saw the man enter.
Ardi turned and immediately walked towards them.
"Doni!"
"Ardi?" The man was shocked.
He looked at Trisya.
"So what you whispered earlier was true?"
"Do you think I'm joking? Do you want me to cut off all your fingers tonight?"
"Get out, get out!" Doni urged his two friends to leave.
"Why?"
"Excuse me, Sir.." Doni said as he walked away, followed by his friends.
"Do you know them?" Trisya asked.
"Doni is my mother's neighbor... He's been in prison."
"He's a sex offender, probably."
"Yeah. Who did you come here with?"
"Alone."
"I'll take you home."
"No need, I can go home myself."
"It's late."
"Ah, you're such a pain, Sir," Trisya followed Ardi.
"Did you drink?" Ardi asked as they were in the car.
"Why?"
"Nothing," Ardi started the car engine.
"I'm not drunk. I can even drink a few bottles of liquor when I'm in Japan. Hey, don't tell My Dad. Especially that woman."
"Mom," Ardi corrected her.
"I don't consider her as my Mom anymore, like she said. She doesn't want to consider me as her daughter anymore. So from that night, she's my rival in getting Dad."
Ardi didn't answer.
"Can we drive around for a while, don't go home?" Trisya asked.
"It's past 1 AM."
"Just for a little while,please."
"Where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere. Just drive around."
Ardi sighed.
"Ok."
"Go there, Sir... Let's eat bakso at that street food stall. It's crowded. It looks good."
"Are you sure?"
"It's okay."
Ardi parked the car.
He glanced at Trisya, who was wearing a tank top and a mini skirt.
He grabbed his jacket before getting out of the car.
Ardi opened the door for Trisya.
"Wear this..." Ardi said.
Trisya looked at Ardi's face.
"Thank you..." Trisya put on the jacket.
They sat on a bench.
"What do you want to order?"
"I want mie ayam..." Trisya said. "You?"
"Same thing."
"What about drinks?"
"Two warm teas." Ardi answered.
"Ok... We'll wait."
Trisya looked at Ardi's face.
"Thank you, Sir. For coming to help me."
"You can handle anyone. But you still need to be protected because you're Mr. Richard and Mrs. Ariana's daughter."
Trisya lowered her head.
"Sometimes... I just want to disappear from this world forever... and be reborn into a simple but humble family."
Ardi looked at Trisya.
"It feels tiring to live like this... Having to live knowing a toxic mother."
"Does Robby know about your problems with Mr. Richard?" Ardi asked.
"He knows. He even punched Dad back then. It's all because of that big-mouthed jerk Renata."
"Don't mention that kind of person when judging your own wrongdoings."
Trisya looked at Ardi. The stall owner brought over two bowls of mie ayam and two glasses of warm tea.
"Drink the warm tea first," Ardi said.
Trisya didn't answer, she stirred her mie ayam.
"After this I'll take you home," Ardi said.
Trisya remained silent, she finished her mie ayam without speaking.
"Finished," Trisya finished her tea and stood up.
"Let's go..." Ardi walked towards the cashier. Trisya followed him.
"How much?"
"Eh, Ardi... Long time no see," said the man sitting at the cashier.
Ardi smiled at the stall owner.
"I didn't ask for a treat, Sir... Let me pay," Trisya said.
"It's okay."
"Alright."
"Here's your change. Who is that? She's beautiful."
"My commander's daughter."
"Are you dating your commander's daughter?"
"No. Don't be ridiculous."
"Ah, how could it not be a girlfriend. At this hour, going out with the commander's daughter, it doesn't make sense."
"Let's go..."
Ardi immediately went to Trisya. They walked into the car. They continued their journey to Trisya's house.
"Rain... Can we stop for a while, Sir?"
"Why?" Ardi stopped the car.
Trisya took off her shoes and jacket.
"When else can I play in the rain?"
"You'll get sick."
Trisya opened the door and immediately ran outside.
"Trisya!" Ardi called.
Ardi sighed, he immediately got out of the car, ran to Trisya.
"Let's go home... You're soaking wet," Ardi said. "You'll get sick."
"Let it be. If I get sick, many people will care about me."
"Then I'll get sick, I won't be able to go to work because I'm taking care of you playing in the rain. Come on!"
Trisya laughed as she sat on the asphalt.
"I like seeing you angry, Sir. You look so handsome."
"Come on..." Ardi held out his hand for Trisya to stand up.
"Just a moment, Sir. I still want to play in the rain."
"You're soaking wet."
"It's already too late. You are too. Come on. Sit here with me, enjoy the heavy rain. If your car gets dirty, I'll wash it."
"Oh my God, talking to her is like arguing with a child," Ardi thought to himself.
"Just get on my back, it'll be faster! Come on! I don't want to get wet with you!"
"Can I?"
"Come on, Trisya... Don't play around! I have to go home too! You always waste my break time with your silly antics!"
Trisya immediately got on Ardi's back.
"You're the first person to carry me like this, Sir..." Trisya said.
"Really?"
"It's so comfortable leaning on someone's back like this. No wonder kids like to do this to their dads," Trisya put her arms around Ardi's neck. "Am I heavy, Sir?"
Trisya rested her head on Ardi's shoulder.
"I've carried heavier things than you."
"Ish."
"Don't move. You'll fall in this rain!"
"Sir... Would you marry me?" Trisya asked.
"What?"
Trisya got into the car. Ardi closed the door and got into the car.
"You didn't answer my question."
"Don't be weird."
"It's not a weird question."
Ardi didn't answer.
He looked at Trisya, who was soaking wet.
"Change your clothes. You'll get sick."
Ardi grabbed a T-shirt from the back seat. He gave it to Trisya.
"You have so many T-shirts in your car."
"The car is a walking home."
Trisya immediately pulled off the tank top she was wearing, causing Ardi to quickly look away.
"Can you wait for me to get out before taking off your costume?" Ardi grumbled.
"Why? Are you getting excited?"
Ardi didn't answer. He started the engine and drove the car towards Trisya's house.
It didn't take long. They arrived in front of the house. Ardi looked at Trisya. The woman seemed to be asleep. He immediately got out and opened the door for Trisya.
"Trisya, we're here."
Trisya didn't answer. Ardi sighed, he carried Trisya out of the car.
Seeing the house key still in the keyhole, he could only sigh.
"How can she be so careless, leaving the key unpulled? But it's a good thing... I can open it."
Ardi closed the door again, immediately carrying Trisya to her room. He laid the woman down on the bed.
"Hopefully this is the last time I deal with you," Ardi said.
Suddenly Trisya woke up and hugged Ardi.
"Why does this world always play tricks on me?" Trisya asked. "I thought coming home would make my life better. I was wrong. That woman is still here, and she will always make my world feel like hell."
Ardi stroked Trisya's back.
"I came home to see Mom, hoping everything had changed. I'm tired of living in anger. I'm tired of changing my mind. I'm tired of living and solving my problems alone. Those who can make me forget how painful it is to have a toxic mother, don't make me happy, they make me suffer."
"Rest... "
"I've done so many stupid things, but she still doesn't move to see me! She can only get angry and scold me when I hug Dad. That's what she wants, isn't it? It's her own words! I'm the woman who always seduces her husband! When I actually do it, why does she get angry and treat me like a prostitute in public."
Ardi released Trisya's hug.
"You should just rest. It's late. I'm going home."
"Stay here," Trisya pulled Ardi's hand.
Ardi looked at Trisya. The woman rushed into his arms again.
"Would you dare to run away with me from here?" Trisya whispered.
"What?"
"I know you often look at me," Trisya looked at Ardi.
"Me?"
"Don't just steal glances. You can have me."
"You?"
"The world won't end just because of one mistake you make tonight, Officer," Trisya whispered in Ardi's ear.