Vanessa's Point of View
"Is there any news?" Jerome asked me.
After my conversation with Zein, I immediately called Jerome. My whole body was still shaking as I remembered his cold voice.
It's like he's not my friend anymore.
"Van? Did something happen?"
I wiped my eyes and shook my head.
"Nothing. We have nothing to do," I said cheerfully.
In these situations, I have no other choice but to trust him and follow his wishes.
"What are you talking about?"
"Je, we won't interfere anymore. We've only reached this point and we can't interfere anymore."
He's still confused by what I'm saying because it's obvious in his eyes.
"Zein is our friend. How could we not---"
"She's right."
We looked at Matt.
"We're only here for now," he continued.
I don't know, but I feel like Zein told him that too. What is he planning? I don't like what he's doing, but I know he won't let it get him in trouble.
"But Matt, Zein will get hurt." My voice cracked.
I don't know, but I feel like Zein is hurting even though I don't know what's really happening, and I'm hurting too.
I want to hug her to comfort her feelings. I know she's lost and there's nothing we can do.
"He has been hurt, continues to be hurt, and will be hurt even more deeply."
"Shit! What are you talking about?! I don't understand anything!" Jerome ruffled his hair before looking at me.
His eyes were begging for answers, but I couldn't give them since I was confused too. All I knew was that Zein was making us stop.
"Zein will pay for the sins he didn't commit," Matt whispered.
I closed my eyes to calm myself. My chest tightened every time I heard her name.
"She'll be able to handle it, right? Matthew, please. Tell me that she'll be able to handle it all, that after all this, she'll still be the Zein we knew."
I want to have hope that Zein won't change because I feel like she's going to distance herself from us. I feel like she's going to build a big wall between herself and everyone around her.
Because I know that a person can be changed by the pain they have experienced. I don't want Zein to change. I still want her to be the Zein who laughs like there's no tomorrow, the woman who will kick you if you do something wrong, and the woman who will hug you when the world has abandoned you.
"Zein is Zein. Nothing will change, but I don't know, Van. I don't know what the outcome of all this will be."
"Is it Ace?" Jerome asked. "Is he the one who brought all this?" he continued.
We looked at Matt because I felt like he was the only one who could answer our questions.
He probably has an idea of what's going on.
"No. Not just Ace." This was his short answer.
This means that there are still many people affected by all this happening. Who? Is anyone close to Zein?
"Where is Zein?" Jerome asked again, at least understanding what we wanted to happen.
I suddenly remembered the man Zein was with earlier. Who was he? Why was he with Zein? Did they know each other?
"She's safe."
Based on what Matt said, it seems like he knows Zein or knows where she is. After all, he's the one who knows Zein the most.
I stood up and walked away to leave them. I left the café and walked towards the bay nearby.
I need to get some air. I need to calm my thoughts.
The wind is blowing my hair. The cool breeze is calming, and the sunset is now clearly visible. The sky is already orange.
"Zein, please come back... please be safe... we'll wait," I whispered.
We will still accept you no matter who you are and whatever your decision. We are here for you.
I closed my eyes and thought back to all the happy memories we had. I let out a sigh before opening my eyes again and smiling.
I turned around and walked away, putting everything that happened with Zein behind me. As I promised... I would be quiet.
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Nicky's Point of View
I smiled when he didn't even notice that I had been following him for a while. He probably didn't notice me much because he was thinking a lot.
The path I'm taking is no longer familiar to me.
We were together, and I felt like I had a hunch where he was going.
I created a large distance between us. I saw him park his car in front of a house.
I also parked my car away from him and watched him get inside.
After he got in, I also got out of the car. If my suspicions are correct, the reason he's here is because of him.
I got in without any difficulty because he didn't lock the door and there was no guard.
As soon as I reached the door of the house, I saw who he was talking to.
I just smiled. That's why... I understand now.
I lost my appetite after witnessing that. I was wrong... I understand him now.
I waited outside the gate because I wanted to talk to him too. I couldn't help but feel angry with myself because I harbored a grudge against him.
I should have trusted him. I should have known he couldn't do that.
I waited outside for almost an hour until I saw him come out of the gate. The smile on his lips was very evident.
I can't help but smile too.
He froze and the smile on his face disappeared when I saw him.
"Shall we play again?" I asked, laughing.
"W-Who are you?" he asked, making me laugh.
I approached him. He didn't even move from his spot. I could see the shock and worry in his eyes as he simply glanced around the house.
"After playing Samantha, now you're playing dumb. You like a different kind of game," I said, laughing.
Her eyes were serious. You're still that woman, nothing has changed.
"What are you doing here?" he asked sternly.
I grinned. "I should ask you that." I glanced at the house again. "What are you doing here? You didn't say you had a house," I said, laughing.
"Nicky Colt."
"You're guilty of something against me. A big one," I said.
He shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about," he denied it.
"What if they find out you're hiding the---"
I grinned again when I felt the muzzle of his gun on my forehead. I knew he could handle it. She's that girl after all.
"Shut up, Nicky. You won't say anything." His voice was still firm.
I tried to kick his leg to throw him off balance, but he quickly dodged it. I took that opportunity to grab the gun from him, and now it was he who focused on her.
"I think you're slowing down, Ate," I whispered, making her smile.
He kicked me in the stomach so he quickly grabbed the gun from me again. I winced.
"Maybe you're forgetting, I'm the one who taught you how to fight and you'll never win against me."
"You were also the first to leave." My voice became bitter.
I saw the sadness in his eyes. Even though I understood why he did it, I still couldn't accept it.
"You know the reason."
"Just now, actually," I said, laughing.
"Why are you hiding him?" I asked.
He shook his head and put the gun back in his gun pocket. "There are things you don't need to know," he replied bluntly.
"It's all your fault, isn't it?" I asked, which made him stop.
"You don't have to remind me. I know." This was his harsh response.
"Now you can taste Zein's anger."
"I'm ready." This was a brave answer.
You can't even see a trace of worry on his face, so he's probably ready. Hopefully...
"You've gone wild," he said, laughing. "I am proud of you, my baby."
It's still a whisper.
I laughed. "I am not your baby, how long do I have to remind you? But, thank you," I said with a smile.
She was the first person I admired in my entire life. The woman who taught me the importance of fighting.
"How's Zayn?" I asked.
"You may never see me breathe again," he joked. "He's angry. Very angry. He won't forgive me. Even if he kills me, he still won't forgive me."
He bit his lip.
I just shook my head.
"You look down on Zein."
I said, laughing. "You really don't know him? He's your brother so he should be---"
"You know his personality," I said, laughing.
Allison was the first person I admired, and her sister is hilariously following in her footsteps. Zein also impressed me.
I was surprised when he hugged me and cried. Along with his hug, so many memories exploded.
Samantha...
"This pain... It's time for me to pay for everything," he whispered as he ran away.
I just watched him run away.
Life is uncertain. We don't know what will happen tomorrow or the day after.
No matter how much preparation we make, there are still things that come unexpectedly.
I looked at the big house.
"You're the reason he died." I understand. I hope you make Zein understand. "How long will you keep him hidden?" I whispered.
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