Chapter 4 Edrik's plan

"Then what's the plan?" asked Helena.

"Now, get ready. I'll take you somewhere. If possible, wear a hoodie," said Edrik.

"Hoodie? For what?" asked Helena confusedly.

"Okay. Don't ask too many questions. Get ready quickly." Edrik pulled Helena's hand.

Helena felt lazy to get up from her seat, but once she realized it, that objection had to be put aside immediately. She took the hoodie that was hanging behind the door.

Helena and Edrik then walked down the apartment hallway to the car. After they entered, Edrik immediately drove the vehicle to the hospital. Throughout the journey, Helena's head was filled with various complaints and curiosity.

"This makes me not have time to date Robert," she grumbled to herself.

However, she tried to console herself with the fact that before long, she would be able to spend time with the man of her dreams again.

"Be patient, after this you will have more time to meet all the men who have lined up," Edrik said calmly, trying to encourage her.

However, she suddenly became curious about what Edrik would do for her. Her assistant was indeed sometimes very smart, so smart, it made Helena feel worried.

"Don't let him do something strange and endanger my career," Helena thought with a pounding heart.

Helena grumbled again in her heart, while Edrik only smiled in response to his master's still restless attitude.

Finally, they arrived at the hospital. When she got out of the car, Helena's mind immediately jumped to the possibility of plastic surgery that she might undergo. She tried to calm herself down, but anxiety still nested in her heart, making her wonder what would happen next.

"Drik! You're not asking me to have plastic surgery, right?" Helena asked worriedly.

Edrik laughed, "Of course not. Why waste money on plastic surgery?"

Edrik signaled Helena to put on her hoodie and disguise herself. Helena followed the advice, she wore a hoodie and glasses, then they walked into the hospital towards Halimah's treatment room. Unexpectedly, Alzena was sitting next to her mother with a sad face.

"Look. That girl looks very similar, doesn't she?" Edrik asked while pointing at Alzena.

Helena looked at Zena, and her heart pounded when she found how similar her face was to Zena's.

"Yes, Drik. Crazy." Helena was shocked, feeling how their similarity was almost 90%-only a mole differentiated them.

Edrik whispered his plan to Helena, "Well, you can pay that girl to replace you in marrying Sam. Until you finish all your dates. After everything is done, the contract is over. You can go back to being Sam's wife."

Helena pondered for a moment, weighing Edrik's plan and thinking to herself, "Is this the best solution? Can I trust Zena, whose background I don't even know? What if this plan actually harms me or Sam?" Helena's mind.

After much thought, she felt as if she had no other choice. With a pounding heart, she concluded, "Good," and smiled slightly.

"Okay, if you agree, wait for the woman to come out. We can talk to her." Edrik suggested.

"Okay," Helena replied.

The two of them chose to sit in the hospital hallway to wait for Zena to come out. Not long after, Zena went out to get something to drink. Edrik and Helena immediately stopped Zena.

"Who are you?" Zena asked in surprise.

"Calm down. We're not bad people. Follow me, then you'll get money for your mother's hospital bills." Edrik whispered to Zena.

Zena could no longer deny it, she followed what Edrik wanted. Now Edrik and Helena walked out of the hospital, Zena followed.

'I hope mother doesn't visit me, I have to do everything I can to get mother well,' Zena thought.

Now the three of them left the hospital. They got into the car, Zena and Helena sat in the back. Helena immediately took off her hoodie and glasses.

"You must know me, right?" Helena asked arrogantly.

"Sorry, I don't know you. Who are you?" Zena asked.

Helena seemed to squeak while shaking her head, "I'm Helena. I want you to replace me. You just have to marry a man, for 6 months at most. After that the contract is over," Helena said.

"Don't worry. There's money for all of this. Every month you get 300 million. The bonus is your mother's treatment until she recovers." Edrik added.

Zena was silent. She was really tempted by everything that Edrik and Helena had to offer.

"How about it?" Helena asked.

"You just have to sign this, that's it. I've prepared an account for you that's already filled with 300 million for this month. Next week is the engagement," Edrik said.

Helena looked surprised, when Edrik had prepared everything. Even though he just found out that his engagement will take place next week.

Helena looked at Edrik questioningly. While the one he stared at just smiled.

"How? Diel?" asked Edrik.

"During the contract period, can I still meet your mother?" asked Zena.

"After getting married, of course not. So use this week to be together. With your mother." Helena said flatly.

Zena looked confused, of course she couldn't leave her mother alone.

"You don't need to worry. I have prepared a special nurse who will take care of your mother 24 hours. She is also trustworthy, she will send you news regularly," said Edrik.

"Okay. I accept." Zena then decided to accept the offer.

While Helena immediately smiled happily. She had already imagined in her mind, she would spend her free time dating the men who were already queuing.

Zena then signed her contract letter. Helena smiled happily. She then took the bag that was in the back seat. She took a wad of money and gave it to Zena.

"As a bonus. Because you accepted this agreement," said Helena.

"Thank you. With this, I can pay for the hospital bill," Zena muttered.

"Don't forget, I've prepared a make-up artist for you. She will always be with you, after the engagement." Edrik reminded her.

"Ask for your cellphone number," said Helena.

Zena immediately took out her old cellphone. She said a series of numbers. While Helena started tapping it. They exchanged cellphone numbers.

"Okay, now you just have to wait for further instructions," said Edrik.

"Okay. "Then, I'll go back in," said Zena.

Zena got out of the car carrying the savings book given by Edrik, and a wad of money given by Helena. When passing through the hospital lobby, Zena immediately paid the hospital bill that had to be paid. After finishing, she returned to Halimah's treatment room. Zena quickly put the money and savings book into her bag, before Halimah opened her eyes. There was a feeling of guilt in Zena's heart when she was about to leave her mother to carry out her duties.

Alzena decision

Zena sat beside Halimah's bed, looking at her mother's face with affection.

"Mother, I'll be fine while Zena is gone," muttered Zena while holding Halimah's hand tightly.

Feelings of emotion and affection filled his heart, he didn't want to let go of his mother. Hearing her daughter's voice, Halimah immediately woke up from her sleep and looked at her daughter with eyes full of worry.

"Zena, where are you going?" he asked softly.

"Mother," Zena took a deep breath while wiping her tears, trying to smile.

"Zena got a good job, ma'am, but the place is far away. Later, while Zena works, she will be accompanied by a nurse," explained Zena in a cheerful tone.

"How far? Until you have to leave mother?" Halimah asked in a slightly trembling voice.

Zena knew how heavy her mother's heart was, but she had to stay strong.

"It's very far, mother. Maybe I won't come home," said Zena, looking down.

In his heart, he felt unwilling to let go of his mother, but for the sake of a better future, he had to leave. Not long after, Doctor Pras came to control Halimah's condition.

"Thank God, Halimah's condition is getting better. Tomorrow she will probably be able to go home," said Doctor Pras with an encouraging smile.

"Thank God," said Zena and Halimah together, expressing their gratitude.

Even though they are separated, Zena is sure that their love as mother and daughter will be intertwined forever.

"Okay then, I'll excuse myself," said Doctor Pras.

"Thank you, Doc," said Halimah.

Doctor Pras left the room, that's when Koh Acong entered.

"Hello, Halimah," he said friendly.

However, Halimah did not answer Koh Acong's greeting. Instead, he was busy with his work, as if he didn't care about Koh Acong's whereabouts. In contrast to Zena, who looks relieved to see Koh Acong come. Zena immediately got up from her seat and greeted Koh Acong warmly.

"Thank you, Koh," said Alzena.

"Zena, how is your mother?" asked Koh Acong with concern.

"Thank God, mother is starting to get better, Koh. By the way, I want to return the money that mother borrowed yesterday." Zena immediately took some money from her bag and handed it to Koh Acong.

"This is Zena's salary refund. Thank you," he added.

However, Koh Acong did not immediately receive the money. Instead, he looked at Zena with a sharp and meaningful gaze. Zena, who was the target of Koh Acong's gaze, immediately realized the hidden message behind that gaze.

There may be something that needs to be discussed further, but certainly not in this place. They needed to find a more appropriate time so that their conversation would not be heard by inappropriate ears.

"Oh, this is all halal. I'm going to work in a big house. I'll come back later when I have enough money for both of us," said Zena while looking at her mother.

"Then your mother?" Koh Acong asked worriedly.

"Mother will have a nurse. Koh Acong will leave her with me, talk to mother once in a while," said Zena.

Koh Acong just nodded, he also received the money from Zena. Meanwhile Halimah remained silent. They had been friends before Halimah got married, and gradually feelings of love grew in Koh Acong's heart for Halimah.

Even so, Koh Acong apparently had a big role in Halimah's separation from her husband, making Halimah very disappointed with him. However, Koh Acong is still always kind to Zena, Halimah's daughter.

Meanwhile, Koh Acong and Zena were busy chatting. In another corner, Halimah was just silent, holding back her sadness, even though she wished she could be involved in the conversation.

In her heart Halimah muttered, "Zena, if only you knew how big a role Acong played in the separation of your parents. Maybe you wouldn't be this familiar with him."

Halimah felt a little worried seeing her daughter's closeness to Koh Acong. He was afraid that the pain he had experienced would happen to his daughter again. However, behind this worry, he also hopes that their relationship will not be affected by the dark past.

Because Acong is the figure who has replaced the role of father for Zena.

"Okay, Oe wants to go home. Tomorrow, if Halimah wants to go home, I'll pick her up," said Koh Acong.

"No need. Tomorrow I'll just use an online taxi. I'll leave it to my mother when I'm done working," said Zena with a smile.

"Oe, oe," said Koh Acong as he walked away.

He came out of Halimah's treatment room. Now the two of them are left in the treatment room.

Halimah looked at Zena, "Zena, are you sure you want to leave mom?" Halimah asked.

"So that mother can recover, I will work hard. I want mother to be healthy soon." Zena kissed the wrinkled hand of the woman who raised her.

"Mother just prays, I hope you will be well there," said Halimah.

"Thank you mom."

*

*

*

In the morning, after re-checking, Doctor Pras allowed Halimah to go home. After queuing for medicine, the two of them then left the hospital hallway.

Zena had previously ordered a taxi online. Arriving home, Zena felt like she couldn't bear to leave her mother and her rickety house.

Zena, finally decided to buy a decent small house, with the money she got from Helena and Edrik. Halimah was very worried, where did she get that much money?

"Mother, calm down. I earned this money with hard work. This is a gift that I asked for in part in advance," said Zena.

After hearing Zena's explanation, Halimah seemed calm. He also hugged his daughter.

"If father and mother had not separated, you would not have suffered this much," said Halimah.

"That's it. Don't talk about that anymore. Zena is now happy without a father," said Zena.

Halimah is now spending her last days with her daughter in their new house. Meanwhile, Zena felt increasingly nervous as the day she would replace Helena approached.

The day before Zena left, a nurse assigned by Edrik arrived.

"Ms. Zena, I was assigned by Mr. Edrik," said Salma.

"Oh yes. Please come in, sis. Who are you with, sis?" Zena asked.

"Salma," he answered.

Salma's age is not far from Zena. Zena also introduced Salma to Halimah.

"Mother, this will accompany you when Zena works," said Zena.

"Okay, I hope you feel at home, Miss Salma," said Halimah kindly.

Actually, Salma only needed to accompany Halimah to chat, because Halimah herself could still carry out her own activities.

Zena was unaware that Salma was at home and seemed to be looking after her mother, but it was all Edrik's cunning ploy.

Edrik will manage all the games, Zena, who is still innocent, hasn't had time to learn about cunning and the harshness of the world.

After this, Zena must face Edrik's cunning. Of course Zena has to learn it first. In order to save Halimah's life for the umpteenth time.