n

n

nNot long after, Bella came with a gasping breath. She had just returned from college and was on a diet program by climbing stairs every day. The girl took a deep breath as she threw her backpack and plastic bag over the sofa.

n

"Damn, I'm so tired today!

" The girl glanced around and found Lisa. She couldn't believe she had just seen her older sister for the first time in the last 6 months.

n

"Holy cow! Lisa! Why are you here?

" Bella immediately ran to Lisa and hugged her.

"You haven't been here for a long time! I really missed talking to you. Where have you been all this time, Lis?

"

nBella glanced at Lisa's flat stomach.

"Where's my nephew? Damn, Lis! Why didn't you tell me when you gave birth?

"

nHearing that, Lisa smiled slightly. She did not answer Bella's question by sipping water.

nKumala stared at Bella's eyes slightly. Her forefinger was placed in front of her lips as a signal to be quiet.

n

"Why, Mom? Lis? Wait, hold on… Don't tell me...

"

n

"Your sister had a miscarriage, Bella. Please sit down and eat together. Don't forget to wash your hands first!

" Kumala explained in a sad tone.

n

"Lis... oh my God how come... Geez, I'm sorry I thought my nephew was already born when I saw your flat stomach. I'm really sorry!

"

nBella patted her forehead a few times. She regretted asking that question.

n

"It's okay, Bel, it's not your fault,

" Lisa added, staring at her empty plate.

n

"Lisa, let's eat it. You must not have eaten, right?

" Kumala offered Lisa's favorite fried rice.

n

"So... how did it happen?

" Bella asked, still curious.

n

"I had an accident. I slipped and kept falling from the stairs. That's all,

" Lisa explained briefly. She spooned fried rice on the dining table.

n

"Ugh I really didn't think of your feelings. Please forgive me, okay? I just can't wait to meet my nephew.

"

nLisa then nodded and smiled faintly.

nShortly after the three of them had dinner together, someone came and walked into the apartment.

nA tall, thin man wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and a pair of sneakers walked up to the dining room.

"Bella! Where are you? You said you needed help,

"

n

"Rangga!?

" Lisa was surprised to see that man.

n

"Eh Rangga, come join us for dinner,

" Kumala kindly invited him.

nThe man exchanged glances with Lisa and raised one of his hands.

nLisa replied hesitantly,

"Mom, how come Rangga can enter this apartment anyway?

"

n

"Oh, that's because Bella recently asked for Rangga's help with her thesis proposal. I gave him a spare card so he can enter and not wait, like when I sleep or go out at the moment,

" Kumala explained.

n

"By the way, how are you, Lis? Haven't seen you for months. How about your child?

" Rangga asked innocently.

n

"You know I was pregnant!? Where did you learn it from?

" Lisa was shocked, her eyes widened. It seemed that she had never told Rangga that she was married.

n

"I will definitely find out sooner or later, so I know why I got rejected,

" Rangga teased her.

n

"I'm the one who told him, Lis. The thing is, it just feels weird to have Brother Rangga come without you around,

" Bella said.

nRangga accidentally glanced at Lisa's stomach. It should have gotten bigger but what he saw was the opposite!

"Your stomach is already flat, did you already give birth? Congratulations, Lis!

"

nBella nudged Rangga's stomach.

"Brother Rangga, Sis Lisa miscarried.

"

nHearing that, Rangga was surprised. His cheerful face became gloomy at once.

n

"How come you didn't tell me about this?

"

n

"For God sake, I just had a miscarriage yesterday and went to my mother's house today!

"

n

"Forgive me Lis, I'm sorry!

" The man walked over to Lisa and gave her a warm hug. Lisa's eyes started to water but the woman tried hard to hold back. She didn't want to get Rangga's clothes wet.

n

"By the way Lis, sorry I'm asking this. I tried to contact you before, but why wasn't it picked up? Did my chat and text reach you?

" Rangga asked curiously.

nLisa forgot that her cell phone was confiscated by Oscar and the man brought it with him when he was out for a business trip. Oscar did not want Lisa to connect with the outside world, especially with her male friends. Lisa didn't want Rangga to know what really happened.

nFor that, Lisa was forced to lie to him.

"My cellphone is damaged. I haven't had the chance to buy a new one.

"

n

"Oh that's why I contacted but no one answered!

" Bella added.

n

"I'm really worried about you Lis, to be honest. Uh, it turns out something bad really happened to you,

" Rangga said, showing his sympathy to Lisa.

n

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to worry you. The accident happened out of my control. Just think of it as a tough ordeal.

"

n

"By the way, when are you going to help me, Brother Rangga? It's getting late, and I feel sleepy,

" Bella said, breaking the conversation between Lisa and Rangga.

n

"I'll help you in a minute. Let's just go back to the room and get the materials we worked on in the living room yesterday.

"

n

"Alright then, I'll go back first, okay? Please help my sister to do her job. I'm sorry I don't want to disturb you,

" Lisa suddenly said.

n

"Why so fast, Lis? Let me drive you,

" Rangga said.

nBella whined from the second floor that she wanted to finish her work with Rangga.

n

"I'll send your sister first, Bel!

" Rangga shouted from the first floor. He then said to Lisa,

"How about I drive you back?

"

n

"No, I can go home alone. I'll just take an online taxi later!

" Lisa waved her palm.

n

"Lis, I haven't seen you for a long time. And once I saw you, you were hit by an accident like this. I don't want to see you sad, Lis. Just think of this as a sign of my apologies and condolences. How about it?

"

nLisa took a deep breath. She could not bear to reject her childhood friend's offer.

n

"Okay, let me go back to my husband's house...

"

n***

nThe trip took about half an hour from the South City apartment to Oscar's residence. Lisa got out of Rangga's black Mercedes and waved her hand.

"Thanks! Take care on the road.

"

n

"Go back inside first, Lis. I'll watch you until you enter!

" The man said from behind the half-opened window.

nThe house guard opened the gate. Lisa stepped in then turned around. She saw Rangga who waved at her and replied with waving her hand once again.

nThe black Mercedes then drove away and gradually disappeared from the reach of Lisa's sight.

nLisa rang the bell at the front door and Mrs. Rusminah greeted her as usual. This time, the face of the household assistant looked a little worried.

n

"Miss Lisa, Mr. Oscar is back. He is waiting for you in the family room.

"

nLisa's heart was beating so fast she felt like she was stabbed by a dagger when she heard Mrs. Rusminah. What would her husband do to her this time?

nLisa put her shoes in the corner of the living room and approached the figure of an athletic man clad in a shiny silk nightgown. The man's two hands were crossed. He stood in front of a large window in the living room and gazed at the starless night sky.

nLisa mustered up the courage to take a step closer. She stopped two meters behind the golden haired man and greeted him.

nThe man turned around, his gaze was extremely sharp and piercing as usual. He exuded a cold aura.

nIt looked like the man was not very happy about something.

n

"How was your date Lisa? Is it fun?

" Oscar suddenly asked.

n

"What are you talking about, Oscar?

"

n