Diana looked helplessly at yesterday’s untouched cooking. Nothing had changed at all. Even the position of the parsley garnish on the dish had not shifted.
“I’m sorry.”
Velia entered the kitchen and could guess what the middle-aged woman was thinking. She felt uncomfortable, but there was nothing she could do.
“I don’t have an appetite. Lately, I’ve been feeling tired and just want to rest.”
“It’s natural for your body to feel tired if you don’t eat. You have to eat to stay healthy.”
Velia smiled lazily. “Today, please cook chicken soup, Diana. I want to take it to the hospital.”
“Alright, Miss.”
While Diana started her task, Velia chose to sit at the kitchen island. There was a bowl of fruit that she could enjoy and a topic brought up by Diana.
“Do you know that Neil got fired?”
The fork stopped moving. Diana’s question made Velia furrow her brow.
“Neil, the plumber?”
“Yes,” Diana nodded. “There’s someone else who replaced him now.”
“Why was he fired? I thought he was a skilled worker.”
Diana took out vegetables from the fridge, nodding again but with a gloomy expression. “His work was indeed good, Miss. Everyone acknowledged it, but he suddenly stopped coming to work a month ago. Without any letter or notification.”
“That’s strange.”
“Maybe because he’s young and took the job lightly, Miss. Although it’s really regrettable,” Diana said, exhaling. “Finding a job in today’s era is not an easy thing.”
Indeed, Velia had proven Diana’s words. Finding a job was not easy, and it made her ponder.
Velia was thinking of resigning from Greatech. She wanted to leave the city. Live on her own without depending on all of Lucas’s provisions.
She had already endured enough embarrassment. She did not want to add to it by rejecting Lucas while still relying on his support.
Velia’s decision was final.
*
A car was parked in an unfinished building. Various construction materials filled several spots, creating a messy impression. Inside the car was Lucas. He sat behind the wheel, glancing at his watch. As time passed, when the long hand touched 12, a knock was heard on the car window.
Someone entered and sat down. They adjusted their black hat before receiving a brown envelope handed to them by Lucas.
“Boy and Ricardo will forever be on the wanted list. No one will ever find them.”
Lucas glanced briefly. “I hope so, Neil. No one should know.”
A faint, almost imperceptible grin appeared on Neil’s face. Underneath the hat, he nodded confidently.
“Don’t worry. Our work is worth the price. There won’t be any gaps.”
That was Lucas’s hope. Countless rupiahs had been spent by him all this time. It should be worth it.
“So…”
Neil tucked the brown envelope into the pocket of his leather jacket. He looked at Lucas with hope.
“… I hope you won’t need our services again in the future, Sir.”
“I hope so too.”
Neil left. He casually walked towards a large black motorcycle parked nearby. His left hand reached up and touched the earpiece he was wearing.
“Everything is done, Carter.”
A voice sounded in Neil’s ear. Clear and remarkably distinct.
“Full payment?”
“Of course,” Neil answered, smirking slightly. “I even suspect there’s a bonus in it. He’s truly a pleasant client.”
Carter’s laughter echoed.
“Just as expected. Oh, I almost forgot. There’s an incoming locker. Emma contacted me earlier.”
Neil, who had just gotten on the motorcycle, paused for a moment. “What’s the matter?”
“Official orders. Witness protection at the border. You know what that means, right? Our holiday is over.”
Neil inserted the motorcycle key and turned it. The engine roared to life as he spoke.
“I’m heading there.”
“Immediately. We need to return before Emma finds out what we’ve been up to. That girl will smack us with her shoes.”
Neil’s smirk turned into a slight grin that hinted amusement. The call ended, and he revved the motorcycle.
Meanwhile, inside the car, Lucas made sure that Neil had left. He took out his phone and played a recording.
“I love you, Luc.”
Lucas’s jaw clenched. He moved to the next recording, and instant worry washed over him.
“I can’t handle being in the middle of all this. I really want to leave it all behind.”
The recording ended, leaving an uneasy feeling. Lucas did not want to take any risks. He decided to drive the car immediately with one destination in mind: the hospital.
Lucas walked through the corridors of the hospital, knowing for certain that Velia had not arrived yet. He had time to meet someone.
Lucas’s steps became heavier as he approached a room. His feet felt reluctant, but he forced himself. Eventually, he arrived at his intended place, and the patient inside was clearly surprised to see his visitor.
“Lucas.”
The hollow-faced man stared at Lucas. His eyes widened in shock.
“It’s been a long time, Harry.”
Time passed in silence. No one uttered a word, as if evaluating the situation.
“How have you been?”
Lucas did not have much time. He had to accomplish his goal before Velia arrived.
“I’m fine,” Harry answered. He had planned to practice walking, but Lucas’s arrival made him sit back on the edge of the bed. “I’ve been getting better.”
Lucas pulled a chair and sat directly in front of Harry. “I won’t beat around the bush. I’ll get straight to the point.”
Lucas’s words puzzled Harry. His forehead slightly furrowed.
“What’s the matter?”
Lucas had considered various ways to say it, but in the end, he started with a simple expression.
“Thank you.”
Harry blinked. The confusion only deepened his lack of understanding. “Thank you?”
“Thank you for taking care of Velia all this time.”
Confusion turned into astonishment for Harry. At the right moment, a question crossed his mind.
How did Lucas know that I’m here?
One question led to another. It was not difficult for Harry to piece together what had happened. His treatment required a large amount of money.
“Did Velia meet you?”
Lucas did not answer, but a fleeting emotion implied in his gaze served as an answer for Harry. It did not need to be clarified.
“That’s not important. I just want to ask you for one thing.”
Harry’s body tensed, filled with anticipation. “What is it?”
“I beg you, take care of Velia. I know you love her.”
Harry was taken aback. Reluctantly, he swore to himself. A hint of mist appeared in Lucas’s eyes.
“I am guilty towards both of you. I apologize for all the losses you have experienced. The accident that took your family away.”
Harry took a deep breath. He gripped the bedsheet tightly, and each of Lucas’s words made him relive the accident.
No wonder. It makes sense why Velia always avoids talking about the accident. She… she didn’t want me to hate Lucas. She…
“I am not worthy of Velia, and I realize that. I believe that only you can take care of her. Seven years…”
Harry’s eyes widened with the next question.
How much does he know?
“… have been more than enough to convince me. You can take care of her well. That’s why I want you to prevent her from doing anything that could endanger herself.”
“What do you mean?”
Harry shivered, while Lucas grimaced. He needed to take a deep breath to explain the possibilities.
“I’m certain that she’s planning to leave, somewhere. Without anyone to protect her. So, you have to take care of her, Her.”
The intensity in Lucas’s face left Harry stunned. The request triggered a mix of emotions and thoughts he wanted to express, but Lucas stood up. He walked away without saying anything more.
All of Lucas’s words spun in Harry’s mind. They collided with each other, creating an inevitable shock.
Lucas’ mother. That accident. Velia and Lucas.
Harry took a deep breath. He tried to calm himself, but it was too difficult. The impact threatened his emotions.
Rising with trembling legs, Harry reached for a glass. He needed to calm himself down, but his fingers were too stiff.
The glass slipped. It fell and shattered on the floor.
“Harry!”
Velia arrived at the right moment. She hurried over to Harry, helping him sit on the edge of the bed in a panic.
“Are you okay, Harry? Are you hurt?”
Velia examined Harry’s body to find any injuries. But Harry pulled his hand away from Velia.
A stifled sound escaped Velia’s throat. Surprised, she did not expect Harry to react like this.
“Har-”
Harry looked at Velia with bloodshot eyes, cutting off her words quickly. “You and Lucas.”
“H-Harry.”
“All this time, you’ve been with him?”
Velia was speechless. The accusatory tone in the question left her tongue-tied.
Harry closed his eyes dramatically, hiding the pain that immediately surfaced. The glimmer of hope that he was wrong vanished.
Velia answered honestly through her expression. She presented the truth that Harry desperately wanted to reject.
“For seven years,” Harry winced in pain. Hurt and heat competed to tighten his chest. “It was all in vain, wasn’t it?”
Harry’s unstable mental state was shaken. His sanity wavered, and he tried to contain the surge of emotions. The newly discovered truths brought forth both emotions and a cloud of tears.
“For seven years, for our family,” Harry whispered, swallowing his saliva. He wiped his face and struggled to breathe. “All because of Lucas.”
Emotions gathered. Harry’s breathing grew heavy. Anger and pain blended together.
“For all that, you still love him, don’t you?!”
Velia shook her head helplessly. “Harry, please.”
“No! I beg you, Ve!” Harry lashed out, his chest rising and falling, sweat streaming down his face. “Be honest with me. After everything I’ve done all this time, at least give me that.”
Harry’s urgency cornered Velia. She squeezed her hands in a mental battle. Should she be honest? Or is it permissible to lie?
“Do you still love Lucas?”
It took a lot of strength for Harry to ask that question. Doubt, fear, and hope accompanied the question. Ironically, he seemed to know what answer he would receive as a silent prayer echoed in the deepest corner of his heart.
Velia lowered her gaze. There was warmth felt in her eyes and her heart.
It was an unjustifiable feeling. A feeling that should not exist. A feeling that caused more pain than happiness.
Tears broke through Velia’s final defense. Her helplessness in facing the truth brought forth drops of sadness. Flowing and cascading. Forming rivers and tributaries.
Harry winced. He raised his head, trying his best to maintain his last shred of dignity. He was hurt. He could not accept it.
“Why did you do all this to me if you still love him? Am I that pitiful to deserve your pity? Did you choose to leave Lucas out of obligation to me? Because I seemed like someone who had no hope in life anymore?”
Velia flinched. “No, Harry. That’s not what I meant.”
In Harry’s eyes, that was what happened. His mind could imagine it, even if he did not want to.
Look! There’s a man who was almost dead. He has no hope left, so pity him. Pity him.
Harry clenched his fists tightly. His face hardened in an attempt to drive away that disgusting shadow from his mind.
“You’ve disappointed me, Ve.”
“Forgive me.”
“Don’t apologize!”
Velia fell silent. Harry’s shouts and disheveled face left her speechless in a wave of guilt.
“Don’t apologize,” Harry emphasized. He shook his head repeatedly. “You’re really-”
Harry took a breath. He tried his best to say something contrary to his hopes.
“You should have stayed with Lucas if you truly love him.”
In reality, love was not enough for Velia to stay. Everything that had happened made her realize it.
“There’s nothing left to expect from our relationship. I can’t. He made me lose everything. Life and also family.”
Harry suppressed a groan, his anger seething. “And what about him, Ve? Do you know what he’s feeling right now? Do you think he hasn’t lost everything too?”
It was not just Velia and Harry; Lucas was also hurt in his own wounds. Unfortunately, that was the pain he deliberately inflicted with full awareness.
“H-he…”
Harry’s hand lifted and pointed randomly. Amidst the trembling onslaught of emotions, a glimmer of sanity made him see the other side.
“… reported his own birth mother, Ve. So, what do you think he’s feeling now?”
Velia covered her face with both hands. She shook her head and tried to reject all the truths, attempting to remain steadfast.
“We’ve all suffered losses, but you’re different. You can still have Lucas.”
Her hands dropped from her face, revealing to the world all the torn hopes. “I can’t be with him while you-”
“Do you still not understand, Ve? Oh, God. Do you know how I felt when you chose to be with me while still loving him? Do you think I was happy?!”
“Harry.”
“No. I’m not happy, Ve,” Harry repeated multiple times. Sweat poured down, mingling with his tears. “It’s embarrassing. I look pitiful.”
His eyes closed briefly, and Harry took the deepest breath possible. He tried to contain his emotions as he asked for Velia’s final honesty.
“Do you love him, don’t you? If not, say it, and I’ll fight for you.”
Harry waited. He gave little time compared to the anticipation he had experienced before. Waiting now would never surpass the waiting he had gone through. He could not give more time, even though deep down, he already guessed the answer he would receive.
“Forgive me, Harry.”
No hope remained. Everything had vanished. The honesty given extinguished the last flicker of possibility.
“I love Lucas.”
“I know. I should have admitted it from the beginning. Seven years of time I spent will never make you forget him,” Harry whispered with acceptance. He was hurt but also blamed himself. “I’m the fool here.”
“Harry.”
Harry shook his head. “Don’t apologize again, Ve. You’re not at fault. There’s nothing wrong here, and you should be with Lucas, not with me.”
“Please, Harry.”
“Can’t you see everything, Ve?! I can’t be with a woman who doesn’t love me!”
Harry could not bear it anymore. The conversation drained him of his emotions, eroding his already fragile sanity. Physically and mentally vulnerable, everything heightened his instability.
“I-I will love you, Her.”
Velia rose and tried to reach Harry. But what she received was rejection.
“It’s best if you go back to Lucas, Ve. Don’t make me even more pitiful.”
“No, Harry,” Velia refused as she tried to reach for his hand again. “I have no reason to go back to Lucas.”
Harry lost control. Emotions exploded. Shame, inferiority, and everything surged within him. He felt utterly worthless when Lucas asked him to take care of Velia. As if he was just-
“Argh!”
Harry growled. He pushed Velia’s hand away, too forcefully this time. Unconsciously, he gave a shove that caught him off guard.
Velia stumbled backward. Her weak body seemed helpless against the push.
Her legs gave way. Velia’s body hit the ground and fell, motionless.
“Velia!”
*
Harry squeezed Velia’s fingers. In worry and guilt that made him endlessly apologize, he remained still. He looked at her pale face, hoping that Velia would wake up soon.
A faint moan was heard. Velia’s eyelashes flickered slightly, as did her fingers in Harry’s grasp.
“Ve.”
Velia furrowed her brows, feeling a throbbing in her head. It was dizzying.
“Are you awake, Ve?”
Slowly, Velia opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Harry gazing at her with a worried expression.
“Harry.”
Harry gently stroked Velia’s forehead and head. “I’m sorry, Ve. I was rough with you. I…”
“It’s okay.”
“… I truly didn’t know that you-”
Harry trailed off. Instead of continuing to speak, he looked at Velia with a compassionate gaze.
“The doctor will examine you. Just wait a moment.”
A doctor?
A doctor and nurse entered while Harry waited outside. He leaned against the wall and looked up at the ceiling.
Velia froze upon hearing the doctor’s explanation. Her hand moved unconsciously, clutching her still slender stomach.
“Make sure to eat and rest. Stay healthy, Ma’am.”
Velia fell silent. She remained completely still. Even when Harry came back in, she did not say anything.
Harry tried to smile. It hurt, but he smiled like an understanding friend. Then he asked.
“Is this the reason you needed?”
*