3. Trauma
1193 Words
Leo slammed on his brakes suddenly. The sound of screeching tires was loud as they scraped against the asphalt road.
Karina's body lurched forward, slamming into the car's dashboard, and eventually her head hit the dashboard as well.
Karina's head hurt. She leaned her body back against the car seat. Her forehead was bleeding a little.
"Shhh," Karina could only wince, holding her forehead, which was now injured from the minor impact.
"Get out!" Leo yelled uncontrollably, pushing Karina's body.
Feeling annoyed, Karina got out of Leo's car. She had already thought about this; she knew Leo would be furious. But what else could she do when a third party, especially another woman, had entered their relationship? No one wants to be cheated on.
As Karina started to walk away, her hand was firmly grabbed by Leo.
Karina turned to look at Leo. "What now?" She was fed up with his annoyance.
A cynical smile appeared on Leo's lips. His eyes stared at the expensive dress Karina was still wearing.
"Take off that dress," Leo commanded, forcefully.
Karina's eyes widened in disbelief. She covered her chest. "Are you crazy, huh? Don't you know we're on a public road?" she snapped, annoyed. Why was Leo suddenly acting as if he wanted to humiliate her? And on a public road, of all places!
"I bought this dress. So this dress belongs to me!" Approaching Karina, Leo grabbed the edge of Karina's dress. The texture of the small diamond embellishments felt rough in his hand. Of course, it was very expensive; the dress was one of a kind, custom-made by a famous designer. He wanted Karina to look as beautiful as possible as his girlfriend, so that everyone would be amazed by her appearance. Everyone would think Karina was a classy, wealthy woman.
The words coming out of Leo's mouth made Karina feel humiliated. She smiled bitterly. "What? Yours? So... you're not willing to buy this dress for me? Huh!" She truly couldn't understand Leo's stinginess.
"How dare you wear this expensive dress! You're not my girlfriend anymore, Karina! Don't get too comfortable!" Leo's index finger pushed Karina's head gently, but enough to make Karina turn her face away.
"I bought this at great expense. Are you going to pay me back?" Leo asked, smiling wickedly. Seeing Karina silent, he felt satisfied.
"The price... is quite cheap. Just 1 billion. How about it?" One of Leo's eyebrows rose as he waited for Karina, who seemed to be thinking.
'Oh my God! That's so expensive! I can't replace that. Where would I get that much money?' Karina thought, panicked. She tried to think. Where could she get that much money? Her salary wasn't even close to that amount!
"Answer me quickly, Karina!" Leo snapped, his voice rising, making Karina jump in surprise.
Karina's eyes dared to look at Leo. She nodded quickly. "Fine! I'll return your expensive dress. But tomorrow!"
Hearing Karina's answer, Leo smiled with satisfaction. "Good!" After that, he got into his car and drove off, leaving Karina all alone.
It felt like a dream. Karina couldn't believe her life had fallen apart in an instant because of Leo. Her tears could no longer be held back, hiding behind her tired eyelids.
Karina ran while crying. Her fate was truly unfortunate; she had to walk home. Destiny seemed not on her side. How stupid of her not to bring a single cent.
Karina's breath was ragged; she couldn't stop crying. She didn't care about the strange looks from a few people who saw her.
Disappointment, pain, and sadness all merged into one. Karina had loved Leo desperately because that man had accepted her for who she was, without looking down on her lower economic status compared to his. Karina knew she wasn't Leo's equal, even though Leo always demanded she look a certain way, he bought her luxury items so she would look beautiful. Leo did all that so Karina could appear elegant.
Karina's eyes felt hot as she ran for 3 kilometers; her lips were dry. Her steps weakened. Karina felt dizzy from dehydration and the cold night wind.
Karina began to stagger; her vision blurred, her ears rang, and her legs felt very heavy.
As Karina tried to take another step, her emotional and physical burdens peaked, causing her to feel dizzy.
"Shhh, ouch. My head," she winced in pain, holding her heavy head.
Until finally, Karina's legs could no longer take another step, and her entire vision went dark. Karina's body collapsed on the edge of a quiet alley. Karina fainted.
---
A man loosened his tie, which felt like it was choking his neck. He let out a long sigh. His body felt tired after coming home from the office.
His large hand, showing small muscles, reached for the glass set in his car seat. He poured wine, filling it halfway.
He downed the wine in one gulp; his mind felt lighter. "To the mansion," he said firmly to his personal driver.
"Very well, Sir," the driver nodded obediently. He started the car and merged into the flow of traffic amidst the busyness of Jakarta.
Throughout the journey home, only silence enveloped the car.
Then, suddenly, the car stopped abruptly.
"What's wrong?" he asked, curious.
"There's a woman who has fainted, Sir," the driver replied.
Quickly, he got out of the car and walked to the front to verify what his personal driver had said.
His sharp eyes softened, looking at the woman in the white dress lying weak and helpless on the asphalt of the alleyway.
His breath quickened with concern. He immediately lifted her limp body and carried her into the car.
---
"Leo!" Sania smiled cheerfully when Leo finally returned. Her eyes did not leave Leo's tall, imposing figure as he walked toward her.
"Where... is your girlfriend?" Sania asked, confused. She didn't see Karina anymore. Leo had come alone.
Leo's face soured. "Don't talk about her anymore," he said coldly, sitting down next to Sania.
Seeing Leo's angry demeanor, Sania tried to calm him by rubbing the man's arm. She whispered, "Did you fight with her?"
Leo nodded. "I'm no longer in a relationship with Karina," he explained, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He didn't care whether Karina had made it home or not. He was fed up with Karina's over-the-top attitude.
Sania chuckled softly, feeling happy. Her heart bloomed upon hearing that Leo had broken up with Karina. This was her chance to fill the vacant position.
"She really isn't right for you. She doesn't truly know you, Leo. Only I... only I know everything," Sania said, her voice softening. With this, there would be no more obstacles keeping her apart from Leo.
Leo's hands framed Sania's face. "Please help me, okay?" he asked, his voice hoarse as he tried to swallow his deep anxiety. Leo's mind was still fixated on Sania's father, who still hated him.
A brief kiss on the lips made Leo feel calm, even if only temporarily. Leo smiled faintly. Now, the only hope he had to hold onto was Sania.
"I will help you. But, marry me first."
- Writer
