chapter 22

Finally, the half hour journey that felt like a century was over. I got out of Keyshon's luxury car. Entering the large hospital where Gea is being treated. Keyshon followed behind with a haughty stride that despite that, there were still many women staring in amazement at him.

Arriving in front of Gea's room, I stared at Keyshon for a moment. There was a mellow radiating from her sharp hazel eyes. I opened the door to the room , then went deeper, past two other patient beds who were also placed in the same room with Gea.

"You put Gea in this room?" Keyshon asked incredulously.

I still walked to Gea's bed which was at the end. Then he replied, "You think? This is a big hospital, I don't have the money to put Gea in the VIP room if that's what you want. After all, it's better than me putting Gea in a room with ten patients."

Keyshon only heard a deep sigh, and after all, we were in front of Gea. The girl was already asleep. Naturally, it was eleven at night.

"Deck ..." Keyshon muttered softly and then crouched down beside Gea's bed, touching the top of the girl's head.

I can see a lot of sadness behind the look in the man's eyes. Even though his face was flat, his eyes were so sad. Yes, at least I'm calm, someone still cares about Gea.

For almost ten minutes I just stared at Gea who was sleeping and Keyshon who was silent while continuing to put the back of Gea's hand to his cheek. My cellphone rang when I was about to approach Gea who had just opened her eyelids. I gave a code to Gea who was staring at me — to pick up a call that turned out to be from Evan.

"Hello, Van? What's wrong?" I asked when I was outside Gea's room.

"Where are you, Shalena? I went to your place but you weren't there," answered the voice on the other side.

I sighed for a moment, then replied, "I'm somewhere. What's wrong to meet me, Van? Have you forgotten your feelings?" I asked.

Now, it was the turn of the voice on the other side that could be heard sighing deeply. "I can't, Shalena. Don't force me to forget my feelings for you!"

"And I can't be forced either, Van. I can't accept your love."

I walked back and leaned my back against the wall with my head tilted in frustration.

"Shalena, please!" Evan gave a low sigh there. But what can I do? I don't want to be fooled with the word love, even though I'm really comfortable around Evan.

"Van, forget your feelings for me, after that we can be together again," I said firmly. I didn't want to give the slightest hope, because I was afraid someone would get hurt in the end. If it's not mine, it's definitely Evan's.

"Where are you? I want to meet you. Please, Shalena ..."

"Van!"

"Just this once, I want to speak in person, Shalena. Please!"

I thought for a moment. Considering the decision , whether I should see him or not. After more than ten seconds of silence, I finally said yes to Evan's request.

I went into Gea's room again, and I saw Gea was talking to Keyshon. I'm thankful that my best friend can smile Before, about two weeks ago when he called me with a groan of pain, and I took him to the hospital, he never smiled that wide. All he did was silent, and occasionally I heard him cry. There was nothing to tell Gea, she only talked about her parents who divorced and forgot their child, so Gea didn't want to meet them.

Really, I thought Gea's life was perfect, but it turns out that she also has problems that are just as big as mine. And I realized, no one has a perfect life in this world. No matter how perfect someone's life is, there will definitely be problems that are a trial in their life, including Gea. And at that time , Gea no longer laughed loudly and cheerfully. There is only Gea who is quiet, Gea who is gloomy and sad all day long.

"Ge, I can't accompany you here tonight. It's okay, right?" I said to Gea.

"There is already me, her brother. If you want to go, just go!"

I turned to Keyshon, who was looking at me coldly. My God, where did that guy smile at the club? I wanted to choke the man's neck because of his obvious arrogance. It sucks!

"I'm talking to Gea, not you!" I replied accompanied by a sharp gaze.

"Already. Why are you even arguing?" Gea broke up the dispute between me and her arrogant brother. "Go, Shalena. I'm fine," replied Gea softly. That girl was gentle and kind, besides ... weak. Just like me two years ago. I really miss Gea, who almost always smiles happily.

"Okay then. What do you want for breakfast tomorrow ? I know you won't eat food from here."

Gea smiled. "Whatever, as long as it's not cat vomit-flavored porridge."

I laugh softly. Finally, slowly my cheerful Gea returned. "How about I make clear chicken soup? Do you want?" my offer is happy. Yes, almost every day I bring a breakfast with a different menu for Gea.

"No need!" Just as Gea was about to answer, Keyshon had already interrupted. "I'll bring breakfast to Gea later."

I looked at the man in annoyance. "But Gea I used to make - "

"Now there is me, his brother!" said Keyshon, looking at me with his frozen gaze.

"You!" I was completely at a loss for words to face her extraordinary attitude made me furious. If only he wasn't Gea's older sister, I can bet his handsome face would end up with scratches from my pretty nails. "Never mind, whatever!" I said. Then I looked back at Gea who was just watching my argument with her brother. "I have to go now. Evan's been waiting. Are you all right?"

"Tch, your customer?" I glanced at Keyshon, who was cringing with displeasure. "Why do you want to be friends with a merchant girl like him, Gea?" Those words with a tone full of ridicule really sickened me to see Keyshon's handsome face.

"Sis, don't be like that!"

"Just say that I am a whore, it doesn't matter because it is the truth, rather than being the culprit for your stupid play!" I jerked before leaving. I really hate that arrogant man. A rich man, arrogant, heartbreaking woman, and arrogant of course!

"Wait!" prevent the man. I turned and looked at him flatly. "I'll transfer your money asap."

Rolling my eyes lazily, I replied, "No need! I need the money for Gea's treatment, and I know now you will bear all the costs. I just asked you to take good care of Gea. That's enough for me!" After saying that long series of sentences I walked away in annoyance. Leaving the hospital to see Evan, trying to ignore my emotions because of an arrogant man named Keyshon Javier.

***

The online taxi I ordered was waiting in front of the hospital. I immediately entered into it. About half an hour, I arrived in front of the apartment building that I owned. In front of the lobby, I saw Evan standing, then when his gaze met mine, the man immediately approached.

"Shalena, I miss you!" Evan unexpectedly hugged me tightly, as if he didn't want me to move away.

"Van, we're in the lobby. It's not good if anyone sees," I muttered as I forcefully released Evan's hug. But what do I really care? After all, I often do more than hug in front of a few people. It's just an alibi so that I can escape my feelings of chaos.

Evan gave me a sad look, then pulled my arm toward my apartment room on the seventh floor.

"Van, you're so messed up," I muttered as soon as I got out of the elevator. Obviously, the Evan I've known since four months ago is the handsome, clean, and neat Evan , not the Evan now whose jaw is covered with fine hair, messy hair, black eye bags and a blue shirt with two buttons on the top open with a shirt sleeve. rolled up to the elbows.

Evan grabbed my waist and hugged him tightly, without a word escaping his lips. I can only inhale and exhale slowly. Until finally we arrived at the apartment that I bought a year ago.

I let Evan sit on the big sofa where we used to spend our time. Well, Evan is actually my regular customer. Customers who do not know why but our relationship is very close if only said to be partners in bed. More than three times a week Evan comes here just to bring me food or take me out. We also talked about our own habits, about what we liked and didn't like. Well, I thought all was well, until exactly a week ago, all of a sudden the man declared he loved me. Obviously I don't want to involve any feelings in this relationship. I just think of him as a regular customer as well as my best friend, nothing more.

"There's only this soft drink. I haven't had time to shop," I muttered as I placed two soft drink cans on the table.

Evan only nodded his head a few times. He became quiet, not the Evan I knew a while ago. The Evan I knew used to chatter at length, laugh and tease me.

"Shalena, is there really no chance at all for me?" Evan asked softly. Her eyes showed sadness, despair and despair. Is it true that Evan loves me?

I looked away, avoiding the look in her eyes that only brought uncertainty into my heart.

"Answer me, Shalena. I beg you ... I love you!" Evan crouched down in front of me with his hand that grasped my fingers gently.

I looked at him then melted, "Van ... You deserve any woman who is much better than me. You're the sole heir to the Triwijaya family company, many girls want to stand beside you!" I let go of his hand, even though I actually felt like I lost it.

Evan stood up, then looked at me with eyes filled with pain. "Look, Shalena, I don't care about any woman out there. I only want you, Shalena! Only want you!" he growled muffled.

I got up too, walked to the balcony and stood there. My gaze fixed on the road -y ang visible twinkle from up here , with dazed.

"I'm just a prostitute, Van. Go, find a love that is more worthy of me. Find a good girl who deserves more."

The sound of Evan's footsteps rattled my eardrums. And standing Evan's figure beside me now. My head lifted to look at his handsome face. It turned out that he was also staring straight at the road below.

"You know, Shalena, love can never choose. Even though there are many women out there who are much prettier, even better, if my heart still wants you, what can I do?" Evan looked at me, even with me staring at his brown eyes.

"But I can't, Van ..."

"One chance, Shalena. Once, let me prove that I am the man you deserve to love," Evan said firmly.

"You always deserve to be loved, Van. But here, I am the one who is not worthy. Don't corner me like this, Van ..."

"And I will prove that you are a woman I deserve to love, Shalena. Very worthy and entitled!" tough.

I was silent for a moment. "I'm just a whore, Van."

"And quit the job."

"But i— "

"You are my wife. That means all your needs I bear."

I stared at him in disbelief. Wife? It means ... "Don't be reckless, Van. Your family won't want a prostitute's son-in-law! Better forget that feeling!"

"We can get married without my family knowing if that's what you're afraid of, Shalena."

I stared at him in disbelief. Married, without the family knowing? What the ...

"No! You better go now, Van. I need it myself. Don't bother me," I replied, looking away, not wanting to see the look of disappointment in his eyes.

I really can't get into a relationship. Just making friends is difficult. So far I only have Gea and Barry, nothing else. In fact, two years in a brothel didn't mean I could make many friends. I really had a hard time mingling. I'm afraid. Afraid of what it was for. Being close to strangers only raises my anxiety and alertness. Even Madam Liya I couldn't believe it completely.

I may be weird, but it is the truth. Behind my stern and arrogant figure, that's actually the main reason, I'm afraid.

"Shalena ..." Evan sighed.

"Go away, Van!" I shouted. "You know where the exit is, right !?"

There was a heavy sigh from Evan. I know he's hurt, but what can I do? This is best for me and also for Evan. Our togetherness will only break our own hearts later. So let it be ...

"I will still fight for you, Shalena. I will fight!" she muttered before the man's footsteps sounded farther away then disappeared.

I looked up. Staring at the dark sky that only has a moon without stars. He's like me, alone in the dark. No friends to share, isolation and loneliness is my life.

My chest suddenly tightened, my stomach churned and the world seemed to spin. Immediately, I walked inside, even though I was staggering. I picked up the phone located in the living room table, then press the i kon call a contact bernamakan Barry Raditya.

"Shalena?" The hoarse voice typical of waking up answered after the third ring.

"Bar, my apartment. Now. I need some medicine!" I said haltingly. Then hang up the call right away because otherwise Barry would have been asking a lot of questions.

I lay down on the sofa. Closed my eyes which felt very painful. I think my disease relapsed. I need Barry now. I need medicine.

***