Private Terms

2. Meet My Ex

"To passengers traveling on the commuter line toward Jakarta Kota, we would like to inform you that the train is currently experiencing congestion before entering the transit station, Manggarai Station. Arrival times may be delayed. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience."

Damn it! Why did this have to happen when I was already running desperately short on time? I had calculated everything; the travel distance, the weather, the train schedule—everything. Unfortunately, I hadn't calculated the possibility of a train buildup.

With growing anxiety, I opened my chat with Jeremy. I wanted to tell him that I might be late because of the delay. But the message he had sent a few minutes ago only made my anxiety worse. The fear of losing the only opportunity I had to make a large amount of money quickly settled heavily in my chest before climbing all the way into my head. Just thinking about it was enough to give me a splitting headache.

Jeremy: You have to be there in fifteen minutes. He doesn't like people who are late.

My leg bounced uncontrollably beneath me, betraying how nervous I was.

The train delay.

The impatient rich man.

The money I desperately needed.

All of it piled on top of each other.

I bit my lower lip, trying to suppress the anxiety spreading through me.

Five minutes passed. Finally, the train began moving again, slowly at first.

At least it was moving. That meant I was getting closer, and my hope of arriving on time rose again—even though I knew it was practically impossible.

I stared out the window, silently willing the train to move faster. My foot was still tapping against the floor, although not as frantically as before. I was still nervous. And scared.

I was afraid of losing the only source of easy money I had right now. I was also afraid of meeting someone completely different from what I expected. I mean, I could probably accept it if the man were three times my age. But my life would become another kind of hell if the rich man turned out to be abusive.

No.

I didn't want to meet someone like that. Not again. I had already escaped one abusive man—the bastard I was forced to call my father, the man who had subjected me to both physical and emotional abuse. I'd run all the way to this metropolitan city just to get away from him.

A harsh breath escaped my lips.

How stupid. This wasn't the time to worry about something like that. Money was more important. I was here for one reason only: money and my reputation on campus.

The train finally arrived at the station after what felt like an eternity. The moment the doors opened, I jumped off and ran toward the exit. The station was packed. Absolutely crowded. I had to apologize repeatedly after bumping into people, and more than once, my feet collided with those of other passengers.

I finally made it out of the metal beast, but my heart and mind refused to calm down. The hotel entrance was already visible. Yet somehow, it felt impossibly far away. The massive entrance seemed tiny from where I stood, like something I could never quite reach.

I quickened my pace. I felt slightly relieved when I finally reached the reception desk. Before asking for directions, I pulled out my phone and checked the name of the man I was supposed to meet. Jeremy had told me earlier, but I hadn't paid much attention because I had been too focused on the disastrous journey.

My fingers trembled as I opened Jeremy's last message.

The man's name appeared on the screen.

Short.

Cold.

No explanation.

Just a table number inside the VIP room.

I looked up, intending to ask the receptionist for directions. But before I could open my mouth, a voice behind me made my entire body stiffen.

"Leia?"

The voice was low and calm, but strangely... too familiar.

I turned around slowly. And forgot how to breathe.

No.

Of all days... why did I have to meet him today? Here? At this hotel? In this condition?

Our eyes met.

For several seconds, neither of us moved. Then I was the one who broke eye contact. I couldn't look at him for too long. He might see through everything I'd been hiding. I had never been able to control myself around him. Part of me still wanted to run straight into his arms and tell him everything I'd been going through for the past year.

No.

I couldn't. This time, I had to be strong. I couldn't throw myself into his arms.

Not again.

I forced a stiff smile. "How are you, Daren?"

"Always good." His eyes never left my face. "And you?"

"I'm good." My answer was short.

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I have plans with a friend." I answered nervously, glancing at my phone every few seconds.

It kept vibrating. Jeremy was calling me. "I should go. See you later."

I didn't wait for Daren's response. I hurried away, desperately searching for the room Jeremy had mentioned.

Daren was my ex-boyfriend. We had broken up a year ago, and I'd never really managed to get over him. That was exactly why I couldn't stay around him for too long. I didn't want to humiliate myself. Besides, I had an emergency to deal with.

One that couldn't wait.