Chapter 10 Ten

The VIP room has white walls, a modern tropical concept, and two long leather sofas in the middle. This room is bordered by thick glass doors that connect directly to the charming view of Melasti Beach. Usually, Jake would rent this place to unwind with some friends and colleagues from home and abroad while sipping wine or champagne from the mini bar available behind the sofa. A 65-inch LED Smart-TV displays a shirtless man playing a DJ Mixer connected to a specially arranged sound system.

Jake took a bottle of sparkling wine from the bar cupboard while carrying two tulip-shaped glasses. He approached Anna, sitting on the sofa, and asked, "Are you bothered by the sound?"

Anna shook her head quickly. "No!"

The man sat down on Anna's right side, opened the lid of the wine bottle with a corkscrew, and then poured slowly so that the foam didn't spill out until fine bubbles appeared, sticking to the glass walls. Next, he gave the drink to Anna. "Drink it. It's good for relieving your tension."

"I've had several glasses, Jake. I don't want to get drunk," said Anna, but her hand did not refuse the handsome man's gift.

Jake just laughed a little, poured himself a drink, and then leaned back on the sofa while inhaling the aroma and character produced by the sparkling wine. The smells of pear, lemon, and apple come together first before being followed by a character similar to dark chocolate and a hint of cigar aroma. As the leg of the glass was shaken to spread the fragrance, Jake took a slow sip, letting the taste of the sparkling wine linger in his mouth for a moment before moistening his throat.

The man's gaze shifted to Anna's lips, which pressed against the rim of the glass, causing him to be forcibly pulled back to the flash of a few minutes earlier when Jake makes out like two lovers who haven't seen each other for a long time, Friendly and wild. He could still feel how soft and sweet Anna's lips tasted.

Like tasting a slice of cupcake!

"So? What made that guy chase you?" Jake asked, trying not to focus his gaze on Anna's lips.

The person asked, glanced briefly, then took a deep breath, releasing the burden into the air, but still, all the problems would not go away so quickly. Anna shook the glass leg in silence, rearranging the pieces of her past with Milo that she wanted to erase from her memory. The pain of being exploited by this parasitic man has strained her relationship with Silawati. If it weren't for Anna's friend, who suggested apologizing to her mother, perhaps up to this moment, they would still be at war.

"I met Milo on the road leading to my home," Anna said, starting her sad story. "We... broke up about three years ago."

"Why?" Jake was curious about Anna's romance. Shouldn't men be lucky to get the heart of a strong woman like the girl beside him?

"Milo... he extorted my hard-earned money because it was for his mother's treatment in Spain," answered Anna, smiling wryly.

"If it's for treatment, why doesn't he return to his country or at least send the money yourself? Why does it have to be you who is just a lover?" Jake was itchy to see a man who took advantage of other people's finances by selling sad stories.

"I didn't think about it that way, Jake. I gave him the money, hoping he would come home soon and look after his mother's health, but..." Anna faltered as feelings of annoyance and anger gathered together in her chest. It wasn't the tiny amount she spent on Milo, but almost twenty million, and it all disappeared instantly for no apparent reason.

Jake wanted to pat Anna's right shoulder to give her strength but didn't do it to protect the girl's self-esteem. "But?" She took another sip of her drink without taking her eyes off Anna's face, recording every expression that occasionally... observed the lines of her sensual lips.

"It's all fake," said Anna, taking a sip of sparkling wine and then wrinkling her nose, feeling the drink bubbles mixed with the sensation of soda coming together in her mouth without permission. "My money is used to have fun with other women in Canggu."

"Damn!" Jake growled. "Does your mom know?"

"From the start, Mom didn't agree with me having a relationship with a man of foreign descent," said Anna. "It's normal; it's traumatizing that the child will suffer the same fate as her."

"Oh, sorry."

"I think... it seems like karma will keep repeating itself, Jake. My dad dumped my mom. Milo dumped me. I see all men are almost the same; they only approach women to satisfy their curiosity and lust. The rest... well, it's been thrown away like trash."

"Not all of them, Anna," said Jake, not wanting to be confused. He felt he had always been loyal and had never done strange things with other women. After all, Jake had to maintain his family's good name in other people's eyes. On the other hand, the harmonious romance between his parents is why Jake is not interested in playing with women.

"Mostly. I'm not insulting you at all!" said Anna, laughing. "Because of that... I'm too lazy to have a romance anymore. I'm tired mentally and physically. I also have to take care of my mother."

"So what's wrong with your mom?"

"My mom's in a coma, Jake," Anna said grimly. "Because of bleeding in the brain, mother had to have a cito operation."

"Where is she being treated?" Jake asked if he could visit Anna's mother, who was being treated.

"In the Stroke ICU, IHC," answered Anna. "Luckily, my friend, Saras, wanted to help me wait for my mom when I was called to work in Australia. So... yes, my salary was divided here and there to pay people, pay for hospital administration."

"Your family?" Jake tilted his head, feeling that the life behind Anna's sweet smile held many dark secrets. If he looks closely, the eye bags on the girl's face show how much burden she carries alone. Jake was pitiful.

"Hey..." Anna waved her hand. "How could anyone care about an illegitimate child like me? I only have a mother, Jake. Apart from that, I consider other people."

"There's me, Anna," said Jake, making Anna widen her eyes for a moment. "You can ask for my help whenever you want. The doors of my house are open for you."

Anna's lips were pressed together, unable to reply to words that sounded like mercy. All this time, Anna has tried not to attract anyone's sympathy as long as she can earn money nationwide. After all, everything she did was to cure Silawati from a coma and dream of starting a new life in a place where no one knew them.

She bit her lower lip, unsure whether Jake's invitation was just out of pity. Moreover, the soft touch that greeted her lips again suddenly appeared, causing millions of butterflies in her stomach. There was a feeling of strangeness and suspicion as to why this man she had just met had the heart to give all kindness without limits. Will there be anything in return if she accepts Jake's request? Or is all that just usual pleasantries as friends?

"I'm serious," said Jake as if he could read Anna's mind. "If you need my help, come to me, Anna. I'll be there for you."

Anna only gave a faint smile, neither confirming nor refusing. She is self-aware that accepting too much kindness from others can give rise to misperceptions. Moreover, in front of her is the owner of the wealthiest vineyard in Indonesia; how could Anna possibly take that opportunity for herself?

On the other hand, her eyes accidentally caught a classic-style silver ring pinned to Jake's ring finger. A sign that the man is no longer single. One bitter reality is that what Shanon said yesterday is true. Jake has a lover that no one can shift because of social equality. For some reason, Anna's stomach suddenly felt knotted when her gaze refused to move from the luxurious ring.

What kind of feeling is this? Be aware, Anna!