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Breakfast With The Rogans

Leo's POV

Selamat pagi cantiknya Leo. Kalian udah sarapan belum? Jangan lupa sarapan ya kalian. Untuk chapter kali ini, kalian bakal sama gue terus ya. Seneng kan ketemu Leo lagi? Astaga, cantik banget sih senyumnya. Punya Leo emang selalu cantik deh hehehe...

Oh iya, hari ini hari Rabu dan pagi ini gue, Loui, dan Liam ada jadwal kelas bareng. Setelah rapi, gue turun dari kamar karena gue udah denger Mami neriakin nama gue 4 kali. Gue jalan ke arah dapur, nyamperin Mami yang lagi nyiapin sarapan pagi ini “morning mom” sapa gue lalu nyium pipi kanannya. Mami berbalik sambil megang 2 buah piring berisi mac and cheese dan nyambut gue “morning son. Where's your sister?” katanya. Gue ambil piring yang ada di tangan Mami dan berjalan ke arah meja makan “dia masih sibuk milih baju. Mami kaya gak tau dia aja kalo siap-siap lama.” kata gue sembari meletakan piring di meja.

Gue liat Liam turun dan berjalan ke arah gue dan Mami berada. Dia nyapa Mami “morning aunty.” katanya lalu nyium pipi Mami persis kaya yang gue lakuin. Mami menyerahkan dua piring lain ke Liam sambil tersenyum dan berkata “morning baby. How's your sleep?” dan Liam bales senyum ke Mami “my sleep is good aunty.” katanya.

Gue duduk bersebelahan sama Liam dan kemudian sadar Mami cuma nyiapin 4 porsi sarapan. Gue nengok ke arah Mami yang lagi nuangin orange juice “Papi?” gue bertanya. Mami meletakan 1 gelas di depan gue “Papi udah berangkat dari jam 4 sama Papanya Liam tadi. Ada meeting penting sama the Killians.” kata Mami. Gue reflek liat-liatan sama Liam setelah mendengar ucapan Mami. Gue langsung tanya Liam “you know something? Is this the reason why you come home last night?” Liam menggeleng cepat. Dia pun menjawab “semalem gue emang dapet kabar dari Papa kalo dia sama uncle akan ada meeting sama the Killians pagi ini. Gue pulang ke mension karena gue pikir lo tau sesuatu.” gue narik nafas panjang denger jawaban dia.

Keluarga Liam memang tinggal di mension the Rogans tapi Liam sendiri lebih milih tinggal terpisah di apartemen pribadinya. Dia cuma bakal pulang kalo ada sesuatu kaya gini. Kadang gue juga stay di apartemen dia kalo lagi jenuh di mension. Mension the Rogans emang gede banget, tapi Mami dan aunty Yara, Mamanya Liam, berusaha keras buat menyiptakan suasana senyaman mungkin buat anak-anaknya. Ya contohnya kaya gini, Mami dan aunty Yara selalu lebih masak sendiri dibanding dimasakin chef yang ada di mension.

Balik ke topik soal Papi dan uncle yang ada meeting sama the Killians, gue nanya lagi ke Liam “he didn't tell you anything? Aunty Yara?” gue merhatiin Liam yang lagi menyesap kopinya. Liam meletakan kembali cangkir kopinya sambil menggeleng “not a single word.” dan gue kembali narik nafas panjang. To my utter surprise, Mami jawab pertanyaan gue “your aunty Yara ikut pergi sama mereka. Something serious just happen. Mami denger ada rumor, there's a traitor. Dan katanya dia gak cuma ngincer keluarga kita, tapi juga the Killians. There's why they go to the Killians.” kata Mami.

Gue sama Liam kembali liat-liatan, Liam kemudian nengok ke arah Mami “you sure about that aunty?” katanya gak percaya. Mami cuma mengangguk sebagai balasan. Gue menggelengkan kepala seraya memberikan balasan “well, they do have the guts to mess with us and the Killians. Patut gue kasih jempol sih.” lalu Liam menjawab “agreed.” sambil mengangguk dan kembali menyesap kopinya.

Kemudian gue mendengar suara Loui dari arah tangga dan bilang “okay, that's enough.” karena gue gak mau Loui denger apapun soal ini. Seperti yang kalian tau, gue sama Liam bahkan belum cerita apa-apa ke dia soal gue sama Liam yang udah sering ngejalanin misi yang dikasih Papi. Mami juga setuju akan hal ini karena dia tau Loui pasti akan menentang keras hal itu.

Gue liat dia berlari kecil ke arah Mami sambil bersenandung, kemudian nyium pipi Mami “morning Mami ku yang paling cantik sedunia!” katanya penuh semangat. Gue cuma bisa geleng-geleng sambil bilang “alay! Lagian lo ngapain aja sih daritadi jam segini baru turun? Kita udah nungguin lo daritadi ya, gue laper asal lo tau.” kata gue sebel. Dia melotot ke arah gue “Leo bacot! Kalo laper ya tinggal makan duluan aja sih, repot banget.” katanya sewot. Gemes banget adek gue kalo lagi marah hahaha.

Loui nengok ke arah Liam “loh ada Liam? Tumben inget rumah hehehe” katanya sambil cengengesan. Dia kemudian duduk tepat di seberang Liam. Liam tersenyum kemudian menjawab “well, good morning princess. You seems have a very good sleep last night since you already have lots of energy at this early. Iya tiba-tiba semalem disuruh pulang sama Papa soalnya Papa sama Mama mau keluar kota sama uncle. Lagian kangen masakan aunty juga.” katanya. Gue bisa liat Loui tersenyum lebar setelah dipanggil princess sama Liam. Gue nyaut “princess apaan yang bangunnya siang dan males kaya dia?” lalu ada sendok mendarat tepat di kepala gue. Yup, Loui just did that. Gue nengok ke arah Loui sambil ngusap-ngusap kepala “what's that for?” kata gue gak terima. Loui mendelik ke arah gue “lo berisik!” katanya kesel.

Mami menengahi seraya duduk di samping Loui “udah udah. Kalian ini masih pagi udah berantem aja. Pusing Mami dengernya. Udah mulai sarapannya, nanti kalian kesiangan.” kata Mami sambil memberikan 1 sendok baru kepada Loui. Loui merajuk “Leo-nya tuh nyebelin Mami.” dan gue jawab “dih pengaduan banget. Lagian udah berapa kali gue bilang, panggil gue kakak ya.” Loui menjawab cepat “ih cuma beda 5 menit.” kemudian cemberut.

Setelah keributan itu, kita mulai sarapan dengan tenang. Tepat jam 8.30, gue, Loui, Liam pamitan ke Mami dan berangkat ke kampus. Kita memutuskan pake 1 kendaraan yang sama karena Liam pagi ini lagi di mode malesnya. Jadilah gue yang nyetir pagi ini.

Untuk sekarang segitu dulu ya sayang-sayangnya Leo. Di next chapter, kalian bakal barengan Loui dulu ya, eh atau Liam ya? Hmm... Liat aja nanti deh kalian bakal ketemu siapa. Kapan ketemu Leo lagi? Nanti ketemu Leo lagi kok, sabar ya cantik. Jangan sedih gitu dong sayangnya Leo. Coba liat mana senyumnya? Nah gitu dong, itu baru kesayangannya Leo. Udah dulu ya cantik. See you later, bye bye.

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The Rogans

Loui's POV

Kalian pernah denger TRIAD atau Yakuza? Yup, mereka itu yang menguasai dunia bawah di China dan Jepang. Kalo The Rogans pernah denger? Itu loh yang katanya keluarga konglomerat terkaya di Indonesia. Ya bener sih The Rogans itu konglomerat, tapi kalian tau gak aslinya mereka kaya apa? Bisa dibilang The Rogans ini mirip sama TRIAD dan Yakuza, cuma mereka berkuasa di Indonesia.

Pada dasarnya The Rogans itu memang clan mobster yang berkuasa di Indonesia. Sama seperti Yakuza, di Indonesia gak cuma ada The Rogans doang. Salah satunya ada The Killians, mereka ini bisa dibilang “brother”-nya The Rogans. Selain “brother” tentu ada rival. Rival The Rogans bisa dibilang cukup banyak dan udah ada beberapa yang ditumbangkan sama para tetua The Rogans. Para tetua The Rogans di sini maksudnya, kakek buyut, kakek, dan Papa.

Leo udah cerita sedikit soal Liam kan? Seperti yang kalian tau, nama lengkapnya Liam itu Ares Noeliam Reynold. Iya Reynold, itu nama keluarga Papanya Liam dan tetua The Rogans mutusin buat pake nama Reynold buat gue dan Leo sebagai identitas palsu. Selain itu, identitas palsu gue sama Leo itu jadinya kembar 3 bareng Liam dan tanggal lahir kita-pun ngikut tanggal lahir Liam yang lahir seminggu setelah gue dan Leo. Ditambah lagi wajah kita bertiga itu mirip, jadi yaudah, orang-orang pasti percaya.

Untuk keluarga Reynold sendiri sebenernya cuma keluarga konglomerat biasa yang bergerak dibidang IT, tapi sejak bergabung sama The Rogans, mereka mau gak mau terjun ke dunia bawah. Papanya Liam, Sebastian Cruz Reynold, saat ini Leader dari divisi IT and intelligence-nya The Rogans. Jadi untuk urusan penyelidikan, hacking dan lain-lain itu ada di bawah komandonya Papa Sebastian.

Dionysus Lionel Rogan also known as The Head Master of The Rogans itu adalah Papi. Papi itu terkenal yang paling kejam dari semua clan yang ada di dunia bawah. Bahkan sama Leo dan Liam, Papi gak pernah pandang bulu. Karena Leo akan menjadi penerus Papi nantinya, dari kecil Leo udah dididik sangat keras sama Papi. Papi gak pernah terima kesalahan sekecil apapun. Saat usia gue sama Leo 11 tahun, tangan Leo pernah patah karena Papi. Papi marah besar karena Leo kabur dari latihan hari itu. Gue cuma bisa nangis dan semenjak itu Leo gak pernah lagi kabur dari latihan.

Papi memang keras ke Leo dan Liam, tapi enggak ke gue. Dia bener-bener memperlakukan gue kaya putri. Dia manjain gue banget dan apapun yang gue minta pasti dia kasih. Dia juga gak pernah marah kalo gue gak latihan. Gue juga gak ngerti kenapa dia terkesan pilih kasih ke gue dan Leo. Kalo boleh jujur, gue gak mau Leo kenapa-kenapa lagi. Gue mau Leo gak usah jadi penerus The Rogans. Gue mau hidup yang normal-normal aja.

Leo's POV

Loui udah cerita soal kekejaman Papi ya? Iya, dia emang sekejam itu. Tapi gue tau kenapa Papi kaya gitu, karena dia mau gue jadi penerus The Rogans yang pantas nantinya. Jadi penerus The Rogans gak cuma tentang ngurus bisnis dan berantem sama clan lain. Gue juga harus bisa ngelindungin semua orang yang ada di bawah nama The Rogans. Papi pernah bilang, tanggung jawab Head Master itu besar banget, gak harus kuat secara fisik dan pikiran aja, tapi juga mental. Gue harus bisa nyelesain masalah di tengah krisis hidup dan mati, gue harus bisa ambil keputusan di waktu yang sempit, gue harus bisa memprioritaskan apa yang harus gue lakukan di saat yang genting, gue harus bisa nyusun strategi mendadak di tengah pertarungan. Bener-bener gak gampang.

Kalian mau tau alasan lain kenapa Papi marah besar saat gue kabur dari latihan? Itu semua karena Loui. Ya bener, Loui. Papi bilang, akan ada saatnya nanti Papi gak bisa ngelindungin gue, Loui dan Mami. Papi ngejelasin ke gue kalo hari itu datang, gue-lah yang seharusnya ngelindungin Loui dan Mami nantinya. Setelah itu gue sadar kalo alasan Papi bisa sekeras itu ke gue itu jelas. Alasan Papi mau gue jadi kaya dia ya karena untuk melindungi keluarga yang kami cintai.

Gue sama Liam sendiri sekarang udah sering turun ke lapangan buat nyelesain misi-misi kecil yang dikasih Papi. Dan tentu aja hal ini gue rahasiain dari Loui. Gue tau gimana khawatirnya dia ke gue dan Liam kalo udah urusan kaya gini. Papi dan om Sebastian juga setuju untuk ngerahasiain ini dari Loui. Gue juga tau kalo sebenernya Loui sama sekali gak mau gue buat nurunin takhta The Rogans nantinya. Tapi gue gak bisa ngelak dari hal itu, kalo gue gak ngelanjutin dan mutusin untuk keluar dari The Rogans, gak menutup kemungkinan rival dari The Rogans bakal dateng dan balas dendam.

Balik ke apa itu The Rogans. Orang-orang kenal The Rogans sebagai keluarga konglomerat aja, karena memang bisnis The Rogans ada dimana-mana. Berawal dari bisnis batubara dan berkembang pesat ke bisnis properti, elektronik, dan lain-lain. Kakek buyut yang mulai semuanya. Beliau memang awalnya cuma bisnis aja, sampe akhirnya ketemu sama The Killians dan mereka beraliansi. Jadilah The Rogans kaya sekarang, clan yang udah berjalan 3 generasi di dunia bawah di Indonesia. Kekuasaan The Rogans saat ini juga mulai masuk ke pemerintahan. Makanya banyak yang takut dan berusaha buat menjatuhkan kekuasaan The Rogans karena The Rogans memang seberbahaya itu.

Udah cukup jelas belum ya soal The Rogans? Karena jujur aja gue udah gak sabar mau nyeritain soal kehidupan gue sama Loui. Udah cukup jelas-lah ya? Ya intinya The Rogans itu clan mobster yang berkuasa di Indonesia dan gue akan jadi Head Master nantinya.

Oh kalian mau liat POV nya Liam? Nanti bakal ada kok, sabar dulu dong cantik. Buat saat ini fokus ke Loui dan Leo kesayangan kalian dulu ya. Udah dulu ya, nanti kita ketemu lagi. Jangan cemberut gitu dong kesayangannya Leo, gak akan lama kok, oke? See you cantiknya Leo!

To be continue...

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The Twins

Loui's POV

Kenalin, gue Artemis Louisa Rogan atau biasa dipanggil Loui. Gue ini adik kembar dari Apollo Leonard Rogan, cuma beda 5 menit sih. Tapi mungkin sekarang ini kalian akan mengenal gue dan Leo sebagai Apollo Leonard Reynold dan Artemis Louisa Reynold. Kenapa nama belakang kami diganti? Alasannya identitas kami masih dirahasiakan dari dunia bawah.

Gue sama Leo saat ini masih mahasiswa, menyamar di antara mahasiswa konglomerat lain. Seperti yang kalian tau ya, cowo-cowo dari keluarga kaya di dunia fiksi yang kalian baca itu pastinya red flag. Begitupun dengan Leo, semua cewe cantik di kampus dia deketin, bahkan mereka dengan senang hati jadi korban kebrengsekannya Leo. Gue sebagai kembarannya udah cape liat kelakuan dia.

Tapi mau sebrengsek apapun Leo, dia itu amat sangat protektif ke gue. Gue bahkan gak diizinin buat bawa mobil sendiri ke kampus sama dia. Mau kemanapun gue pergi, harus selalu dia yang nganter jemput. Jujur aja gue sekarang mulai risih karena seperti yang kalian liat, gue udah bukan anak kecil lagi.

Begitupun dengan urusan cowo, gue udah 18 tahun tapi belum sekalipun gue punya pacar. Alasannya ya jelas karena Leo. Leo sama sekali gak ngebiarin gue deket sama cowo manapun. Gak usah sama temen cowo, sama Liam yang sepupu sendiri aja dia masih suka marah-marah gak jelas. Padahal gue, Leo, sama Liam itu tumbuh besar bareng karena kita bertiga itu penerusnya The Rogans.

Cukup soal gue, mulai dari sini bakal dilanjutin sama kembaran gue yang paling nyebelin itu.

Leo's POV

Hi, cantik! Loui pasti cerita yang aneh-aneh soal gue ya? Enggak kok, gue gak sebrengsek itu. Ya meskipun emang saat ini pacar gue ada 3, tapi ini rekor terdikit gue kok hahaha...

Seperti yang kalian udah denger dari Loui, gue Apollo Leonard Rogan, biasa dipanggil Leo. Gue akan mewariskan takhta The Rogans dikemudian hari, makanya gue mau puas-puasin dulu main-main kaya gini, mumpung masih ada waktu. Untuk Loui? Cowo manapun yang berani deketin Loui, langkahin dulu mayat gue. Loui itu keliatannya aja kaya bad girl, aslinya mah dia cengeng banget. Sampe sekarang pun tiap dia red day dia masih nangis-nangis minta dipeluk karena perutnya sakit ke gue. Masa yang kaya gitu mau punya cowo, gak akan gue biarin.

Sebenernya dari 3 pacar gue ini, satu diantaranya itu yang paling lama jadi pacar gue. Namanya Ruby Hamilton, dari keluarga Hamilton yang terkenal sebagai pengusahan properti terbesar di Indonesia. Keluarga Hamilton termasuk aman untuk berhubungan sama The Rogans karena mereka udah cukup lama bekerja sama. Di tambah nyokapnya Ruby juga lumayan kenal sama nyokap gue dan ada di satu circle arisan yang sama.

Soal perasaan gue sama Ruby? Gue selama ini nyaman-nyaman aja sih sama dia, meskipun gak lebih dari itu. Ruby gak ribet, gak kaya cewe-cewe lain, dia juga cukup ngerti soal gue yang over protective sama Loui.

Wait, kalian jangan cemberut gitu dong karena gue bahas Ruby, nanti cantiknya hilang. Kalian emang gemes banget kalo lagi cemburu kaya gitu, tapi kalian lebih cantik kalo lagi senyum. Tuh kan cantik banget.

Gue sama Loui kuliah jurusan Business Management karena seperti yang kalian tau karena gue sama Loui nantinya akan nerusin apa yang diwariskan The Rogans. Gue sebenernya agak pusing sama apa yang akan terjadi nanti ke Loui, karena dia pasti nanti akan dijodohin sama entah siapa dan dari keluarga mana demi membesarkan The Rogans. Kalo gue, selama masih di lingkungan dunia bawah, gue bisa milih siapapun itu jodoh gue nanti. Amat sangat gak adil.

Selain bisnis, gue juga harus belajar martial art dan hal-hal lain yang berhubungan sama dunia bawah. Gue sama Liam diwajibkan melakukan itu karena ya dunia bawah memang seberbahaya itu. Apalagi gue akan menjadi Head Master nanti, pasti akan banyak orang yang mengincar gue. Kami bertiga bahkan hampir beberapa kali jadi korban penculikan, padahal identitas kami udah disembunyikan. Loui juga belajar, cuma akhir-akhir ini dia makin males untuk latihan dengan alasan gak akan terjadi apa-apa karena gak ada yang tau kami itu siapa.

Oh kalian juga mau tau soal Liam? Oke gue ceritain secara singkat ya, Ares Noeliam Reynold. Mamanya Liam itu adiknya Papi, makanya Liam bisa dididik dengan cara The Rogans. Usia kami cuma selisih 1 minggu, kami bertiga tumbuh bersama. Gue agak sebel sama dia sebenernya karena akhir-akhir ini Loui lebih nempel sama Liam daripada sama gue. Padahal sikap gue sama Liam ke Loui tuh kurang lebih sama, ditambah gue kakak kembarnya. Makin sebel aja gue.

Gue rasa cukup ya pengenalan gue dan Loui. Buat part berikutnya, gue dan Loui akan nyeritain soal The Rogans. Jangan sedih ya cantik, nanti kita ketemu lagi kok. Gak akan lama, see you later cantiknya Leo!

To be continue...

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Little Reunion…

Gianna’s POV…

(Left: Gianna, Right: Violet)

Gue Gianna dan ini sahabat gue dari SMA, Violeta atau biasa dipanggil Vay. Ini hari Jumat dan seperti biasanya, gue sama dia pasti jalan berduaan kaya gini. Selain mau Girls Time, gue juga lagi sumpek banget di apart, jadilah gue ngajak dia jalan ke mall kaya gini.

Kita lagi berenti sebentar di depan sebuah butik sekarang karena Vay mau liat-liat, sampe sebuah suara ngalihin atensi gue sama Vay. “Gianna? Violeta? Itu bener kalian kan?” gue sama Vay nengok barengan ke sumber suara. Di sana gue liat, seorang pria tinggi berdiri dan tersenyum ke arah gue dan Vay. Saat dia mau jalan ke arah gue dan Vay, ada seorang anak laki-laki berusia sekitar 4 tahun megang kakinya dan bilang “dadda up” lalu ngejulurin kedua tanggannya ke atas.

Pria itu senyum kemudian ngegendong si anak laki-laki. Dia kembali nengok ke arah gue dan Vay, dan kali ini beneran nyamperin kita. Kaki-kaki panjangnya cuma butuh beberapa langkah buat bener-bener sampe di hadapan gue dan Vay. Dia senyum lagi dan bilang “kalian masih barengan aja ya? Sama sekali gak bisa dipisahin kayanya nih haha…” dia akhiri dengan kekehan kecil.

Vay pun ngejawab “eh kak Jo. Iya nih, Gia gak mau pisah dari aku hehe…” kata Vay sambil nunjuk gue. Gue yang langsung tersadar dari lamunan gue setelah nama gue disebut buru-buru jawab “gak usah ngaco lo ya. Yang ada lo tuh yang gak mau pisah dari gue. Gue balik ke rumah nyokap 3 hari aja, lo udah ngerengek kangen.” seraya nyentil jidat Vay pelan.

Kak Jo ketawa setelah denger jawaban gue. Ya benar, pria ini biasa dipanggal kak Jo dan nama lengkapnya adalah Jonathan Alexander Stan. “Kalian lucu banget sih. Bener-bener gak berubah ya, Vay yang manja dan Anna yang kerjanya ngomelin Vay. Apa kabar An?” dia nanya gue di akhir. Gue jawab dia tanpa sadar “baik Lex…” kata gue. Gue yang sadar akan sesuatu langsung buru-buru ngebenerin ucapan gue “eh sorry, maksudnya kak Jo.” gue bilang. “Iya, santai aja An.” katanya sambil ngeliatin gue kemudian diakhiri dengan senyum yang gak bisa gue artikan.

(Jonathan Alexander Stan)

(Senyum yang dimaksud Gianna)

Setelahnya gue diem aja, cuma Vay yang nyautin setiap perkataan dia sampe suara seorang wanita narik perhatian kita bertiga “Hey, udah jadi beli ice cream-nya?” katanya sambil nepuk bahu kak Jo. Gue gak tau itu siapa karena wanita itu ketutupan badan kak Jo yang besar. Merasa pundaknya ada yang nyentuh, kak Jo otomatis berbalik.

Gue sama Vay kaget banget pas tau itu siapa. Dia adalah Olivia Fernandez, temen sekelas gue dan Vay saat SMA. Vay yang bereaksi lebih dulu langsung heboh “ya ampun Olivia? Udah lama banget gak ketemu!” katanya semangat. Olivia yang namanya dipanggil pun ngalihin perhatiannya ke Vay dan gue “eh Violet? Loh, ada Gianna juga?” dia senyum.

Gue senyum balik “hai Oliv, apa kabar?” gue tanya basa basi. Olivia menjawab singkat “baik kok.” katanya. Vay yang gak tau kenapa jadi super bawel hari ini kembali membuka percakapan dengan mereka. Apa yang gue tangkep dari percakapan mereka itu mereka udah memasuki tahun keempat pernikahan mereka dan anak laki-laki yang ada di gendongan kak Jo itu anak mereka. Namanya Giovanny, I think? Ucapan Vay berhenti ketika Giovanny yang jadi pokok pembahasan percakapan mereka bersuara “mommy, ice cream?” bibirnya cemberut, melihat penuh harap ke arah Olivia.

Kita semua beneran lupa akan keberadaan dia. Olivia nengok terus ngasih liat ekspresi bersalah “aduh Gio, maaf ya mommy sama dadda keenakan ngobrol sampe lupa mau beliin kamu ice cream.” katanya seraya ngelus kepala anak itu. Tiba-tiba suara notifikasi terdengar, itu berasal dari hp Olivia. Gue liat dia buru-buru buka pesan yang masuk kemudian ngeliat ke arah kak Jo “babe, mama nyuruh pulang sekarang.” dia bilang. “Alright.” Kak Jo ngangguk ngerti.

“Girls, gue sama Liv pamit ya, buru-buru nih.” kak Jo bilang ke gue dan Vay. Vay langsung jawab “eh iya gapapa kak. Kapan-kapan kita ngobrol lagi ya. Olivia juga boleh kok kalo mau join Girls Time nya gue sama Gia, ya kan Gi?” tanya Vay ke gue. Gue yang ngelamun aja dari tadi cuma jawab “iya iya boleh.” sambil senyum kaku. Kak Jo ketawa “hahahaha… Anna nih daritadi bengong mulu, mikirin apa sih?” gue yang denger dia bilang gitu langsung ngegelengin kepala “oh gapapa, bukan apa-apa.” gue jawab cepat.

“Lex, udah yuk. Kasian mama nungguin.” kata Olivia. Olivia nengok ke arah gue dan Vay “guys duluan ya?” katanya. Vay jawab “eh iya, hati-hati ya. Kak Jo nyetirnya jangan ngebut kaya dulu pas masih kuliah, inget udah tua.” kata Vay. Kak Jo terkekeh “hehehe… Tau aja nih Vay. Dah ya, kita cabut dulaun. Bye Vay, bye Anna…” kemudian kak Jo ngasih senyuman yang sama kaya tadi sebelum akhirnya mereka beneran pergi dari hadapan gue dan Vay.

Gue masih ngelamun mikirin maksud dari senyuman kak Jo dan panggilan yang disebut Olivia tadi. Lex… Gue pernah manggil kak Jo dengan sebutan itu dulu. Cuma orang-orang tertentu ya dia kasih izin buat manggil dia dengan sebutan Lex.

Lamunan gue dibuyarkan dengan ocehan Vay “oke, lo utang cerita ke gue.” katanya sambil nyilangin kedua tangannya di depan dada. Gue yang tersadar langsung jawab “cerita apa?” kata gue pura-pura gak tau. Vay mendecak “ck! Lo pikir gue gak bisa liat tadi tatapan kak Jo ke arah lo kaya apa? Lo pikir gue gak sadar dari semenjak kak Jo manggil lo dengan sebutan Anna, lo jadi kaya orang dongo? Gianna Alterio, kita sahabatan udah lama, gak banyak yang manggil lo dengan sebutan Anna. Gue bahkan manggil lo Gia di depan orang asing. Dan kalo gue gak salah denger, lo juga manggil dia dengan sebutan Lex sebelumnya. Jadi ada apa sebenernya antara lo dan kak Jo An?” tanyanya. Gue yang ditanya cuma bisa tersenyum masam ke arah Vay yang terlalu peka sama keadaan.

*****

Gianna’s POV…

Saat ini gue sama Vay udah balik ke apart dan Vay mutusin buat nginep malem ini karena mau denger soal cerita gue tentang kak Jo. Selagi gue ngumpulin apa yang mau gue ceritain, Vay mutusin buat mandi. Gue yang lagi merenung tanpa sadar narik nafas panjang pas pintu kamar mandi terbuka, nunjukin Vay yang lagi ngeringin rambutnya pake handuk. Dia udah pake pajama bermotif buah cherry. Dia jalan ke arah meja rias sambil ngeliatin gue. Saat dia duduk dia bilang “dari tarikan nafas lo barusan, gue rasa apa yang bakal lo ceritain abis ini gak bagus-bagus amat buat diinget.” katanya sambil nyalain hair dryer, matanya masih ngeliatin gue dari pantulan kaca.

Selesai ngeringin rambut dan ngejalanin skincare routine-nya, Vay berbaring di kasur, tepat di sebelah kanan gue. Gue masih ngeliatin langit-langit kamar, Vay juga ngelakuin hal yang sama. “Jadi ada apa antara lo sama kak Jo?” katanya tanpa noleh ke gue. Gue narik nafas lagi sebelum buka suara “gue sama dia pernah ada sesuatu dan hampir jadi sesuatu.” gue akhirnya mulai cerita. Vay nengokin palanya ke gue “kapan ini terjadi? Kok gue gatau?” gue mejamin mata sejenak sebelum jawab “pas semester 3 kayanya? Dia udah semester akhir dan jadi mentor kelas gue waktu itu. Gue gak cerita karena kak Jo yang minta. Dia gak mau siapa pun tau soal hubungan gue sama dia karena status gue sebagai mahasiswa dan dia mentor. Dia juga udah sama Olivia waktu itu, tapi emang hubungan mereka lagi renggang karena beda kampus, bahkan mereka udah sempet putus. Kak Jo beberapa kali liat Olivia jalan sama cowo lain sambil gandengan tangan di kampusnya.” gue bilang sambil lirik ekspresi Vay.

Flashback…

Gianna’s POV…

Gue udah semester 3 dan saat ini lagi nunggu mentor buat mata kuliah Teknik Photography. Gue kuliah Ilmu Komunikasi dan prodi yang gue pilih itu Broadcast. Setiap mata kuliah yang beruhubungan dengan Produksi pasti bakal di mentorin sama senior karena dosen cenderung hanya ngajarin dasarnya aja, terus tau-tau udah dapet tugas, kemudian ujian.

(Reynold Hamilton)

Gue lagi ngobrol sama Reynold saat seorang pria jangkung dengan kaki-kaki panjangnya masuk ke kelas. Dia naro barang-barangnya di meja depan kemudian ngambil spidol, nulis namanya di papan tulis, kemudian balik badan, ngeliatin semua orang yang ada di kelas. Dia berdehem sebelum bicara “hello everyone, my name is Jonathan Alexander Stan. Starting from today, I will become your mentor for Photography. Just call me kak Jo or bang Jo.” kemudian dia tersenyum ramah.

(Jo as a Mentor)

Gue yang kenal siapa ka Jo langsung bersuara “yah ilah bosen banget gue ngeliat lo kak. Di sekolah udah jadi bawahan lo di osis, sekarang malah jadi mahasiswa yang lo mentorin.” kemudian gue denger beberapa mahasiswa ketawa, begitu juga kak Jo. Dia ngelangkah ke arah barisan gue duduk “ah, Gianna Alterio. Si bendahara galak yang kalo nagih duit udah kaya debt collector.” kali ini seluruh kelas ketawa.

Gue sama kak Jo yang emang dasarnya udah deket jadi makin deket. Dia ceritain semua masalahnya dia sama Olivia yang katanya selingkuh. Gue pernah bilang mungkin dia cuma salah paham, sampe akhirnya gue diajak sama dia buat ngebuntutin Olivia, dan bener aja, gue liat dengan mata kepala gue sendiri gimana Olivia jalan sama cowo lain di sebuah mall. Mereka gandengan, bahkan kadang pelukan. Gue bilang ke kak Jo akhirnya untuk putusin Olivia karena dia gak bisa nyakitin dirinya terus kaya gini.

***** Flashback…

Gianna’s POV…

Gue lagi bengong sendirian dikantin sambil ngaduk-ngaduk es teh manis yang ada di depan gue. Dering telpon dari hp gue bunyi, gue liat di layar terpampang kontak kak Jo. Tanpa mikir dua kali, gue angkat telponnya “halo kak?” sapa gue seketika. Gue denger suara pintu mobil ditutup “lo dimana? Gue di parkiran, baru sampe.” katanya. Gue ngeliat ke arah jam tangan gue, “lo gak ada kelas hari ini? Jam 2 lewat baru sampe kampus. Gue di kantin nih sendiri, Reynold udah balik duluan sama Vay.” gue bilang. Gue denger dia cuma jawab “oke.” dan gak jawab pertanyaan gue sama sekali sebelum telponnya diputus sama dia.

Semalem kak Jo ngabarin kalo dia mau cerita sesuatu ke gue. Gue yang tau kak Jo gak suka cerita apa-apa via telpon atau chat langsung gue kasih tau jadwal gue hari ini. Hari ini kelas gue cuma sampe jam setengah 2 siang, makanya gue bengong di kantin sekarang, bukannya pulang karena nungguin kak Jo.

Gue liat kak Jo masuk ke area kantin, buru-buru jalan ke arah gue. Dia gak bawa apa-apa selain hp sama kunci mobil, kedua barang itu dia taro di atas meja. “Sorry kalo kelamaan, gue nganter nyokap dulu tadi. Hari ini gue kaga ada kelas, makanya baru dateng.” katanya sambil duduk di depan gue. Gue ngeliat dia dengan tatapan kesel “ih tau gitu mending ketemu di luar aja. Sumpek banget di kantin begini, panas.” gue bilang. Dia nyengir “sorry deh. Terus gimana? Mau keluar aja? Gue gak enak sama lo yang jalan sendiri kalo musti ketemu di luar kampus.” katanya.

Gue muter kedua bola mata gue males “ya gue bisa minta anterin Reynold sama Vay tadi. Kalo lo lupa gue juga masih punya temen selain lo ya kak.” gue bilang. Sebelum ngelanjutin gue ngembusin nafas kasar “yaudah ayo ke cafe langganan lo aja deh, gue pengen ngadem. Di sini gerah banget.” gue berdiri, “yaudah.” dan dia ikut berdiri.

Gue sama kak Jo udah ada di cafe langganan dia sekarang. Gue nyeruput pelan ice caramel macchiato gue sebelum buka obrolan “jadi lo mau cerita apa?” tanya gue. Dia nyenderin punggungnya ke kursi, tangan kanannya mainin kunci mobil yang ada di atas meja “gue udah putus sama Liv semalem.” katanya. Gue cuma ngeliatin dia dengan ekspresi datar “udah gitu doang?” tanya gue.

Kak Jo ngerutin alisnya “kok respon lo gitu doang?” ngeliat ke gue dengan heran. Gue bales ngangkat sebelah alis gue “emang lo berharap gue ngasih respon kaya apa? Gue udah nyuruh lo putusin dia dari sebulan yang lalu ya. Dan dengan dongonya seminggu yang lalu lo malah tidur sama dia setelah lo liat semua perbuatan dia.” gue jawab dengan nada yang agak kesel.

Dia melototin gue “lah gue kan sama dia sama-sama mabok waktu itu. Gue gak sadar.” jawabnya gak terima. Gue liatin dia dengan tatapan remeh “giwi kin simi diyi simi-simi mibik wikti iti. Giwi gik sidir. Tai kucing! Lo ngasih surprise ke dia buat ngerayain anniv lo sama dia kan?” cibir gue. Gue ngembusin nafas pelan “yaudah lah kak. Yang penting lo udah lepas dari dia. Terus kak, lo gak galau kan sekarang?” tanya gue.

Dia diem, ngeliatin gue dengan intens. Gue yang diliatin kaya gitu mulai ngerasa risih, gue panggil namanya “kak? Kak Jo? Kok malah bengong gitu sih?” gue tendang kakinya pelan di bawah meja. “Lex.” katanya tiba-tiba. Gue yang denger itu langsung ngasih ekspresi bingung “hah? Ngomong apa sih lo kak?” tanya gue.

Dia ngembusin nafas pelan sebelum bilang “panggil gue Lex, Gianna.” katanya menekankan pada kata Lex. Gue yang makin bingung langsung nanya “apaan sih? Kok tiba-tiba lo nyuruh gue manggil lo dengan sebutan Lex. Aneh banget. Semua orang kan manggil lo dengan sebutan Jo, kenapa jadi Lex?” tanya gue heran.

Kak Jo kemudian nyeruput ice americano nya sebelum bilang “kalo lo lupa nama gue Jonathan Alexander Stan. Lex itu panggilan buat gue dari orang-orang tertentu doang. Gak banyak yang tau.” jelasnya. Gue miringin kepala gue “kok sama?” tanya gue. Dia ngangkat sebelah alisnya, bingung “sama apanya?” tanyanya. Gue nyenderin punggung gue di kursi, nyilangin kedua tangan gue di depan dada “kalo gitu lo bisa panggil gue Anna. Sama, cuma orang-orang tertentu yang manggil gue Anna. Bahkan Vay kalo di depan orang lain manggil gue Gia.” kata gue.

Dia ngangguk ngerti “oke Anna. Jadi resmi nih ya kita PDKT?” gue yang baru nyuap cheesecake hampir gue semburin keluar. Gue melotot “lo kalo ngomong tuh jangan aneh-aneh bisa gak sih kak?” kata gue kesel. “Lex. Gak usah pake kak. Cukup di depan publik aja lo manggil gue kak Jo, begitu juga gue. Gue juga bakal manggil lo Gia kaya biasa kalo lagi sama orang lain. Kalo lagi berdua doang lo cukup panggil gue Lex dan gue panggil lo Anna.” dia malah ngebenerin penyebutan nama.

Mata gue makin melotot aja ke dia “putus dari Olivia bener udah jadi gila lo ya?”. Dia cuma ketawa denger ucapan gue barusan “iya nih, gue udah tergila-gila sama lo An.” katanya sambil senyum jail. Gue lempar dia pake kunci mobil “beneran udah gak waras lo rupanya.” ketawanya malah makin kenceng sekarang.

Setelah obrolan di cafe itu, kak Jo beneran ngedeketin gue secara terang-terangan. Ya gak terang-terangan amat sih sampe di umbar ke publik. Gue kuliah jadi sering dianter jemput dia, jadi makin sering jalan berdua, chat gue sama dia jadi makin intens, hampir tiap malem video call, ya tipikal orang PDKT pada umumnya. Dia juga udah mulai ngomong sama gue dengan aku-kamu.

Hari ini kak Jo ada jadwal buat mentor kelas gue, dia ngetok papan tulis buat narik perhatian mahasiswa yang ada di kelas “okay class, hari ini bakal ada kuis tentang materi minggu lalu yang udah di jelasin sama pak Teddy. Ini emang dadakan, tapi gue bakal bantu kalian” katanya sambil senyum. Dia jalan mondar mandir di depan kelas “seperti yang kalian tau, kelas ini dipantau sama cctv, tapi tanpa suara, cuma video aja. Jadi buat kalian yang gak ngerti sama pertanyaannya, kalian ketok meja kalian pake pulpen dua kali, nanti gue bakal samperin kalian dan bantu jawab pertanyaannya. Asik gak?” seketika kelas langsung rame setelah dia bilang gitu.

Dia ngasih isyarat ke arah cctv “class, jangan terlalu heboh. Inget kalian masih terpantau cctv. Pasang wajah kecewa kalian biar makin meyakinkan soal kuis dadakan ini.” katanya sambil liat sekeliling kelas. Dia perhatiin sejenak ekspresi kecewa yang dibuat-buat sama para mahasiswa sambil nahan ketawa “okay good. Sekarang gue bagiin lembar soalnya ya.” dia jalan ke meja paling depan dan ngasih beberapa lembar kertas “oper ke belakang ya.” katanya.

Udah setengah jam kuis berjalan, kak Jo udah beberapa kali bolak balik ngiterin kelas dan bantu beberapa mahasiswa. Tiba-tiba dia berenti di depan gue, sosoknya yang menjulang tinggi nutupin gue dari pantauan cctv. Dia ngelempar sebuah kertas kecil terus ngasih kode buat baca apa isinya. Di kertas itu tertulis “An, daritadi kamu gak minta bantuan aku. Beneran bisa?” setelah baca itu gue langsung balik kertasnya. Gue buru-buru tulis jawaban gue “jangan kaya gitu! Nanti yang lain pada curiga. Udah pergi sana!” gue tunjukin jawaban gue ke dia sambil melotot. Dia cemberut sebentar terus ngelangkah pergi dari meja gue.

*****

Flashback…

Gianna’s POV…

Udah sebulan lebih gue pdkt-an sama kak Jo dan hari ini dia ngajak gue ketemu di cafe, katanya ada hal penting yang mau dia omongin. Biasanya kalo cowo-cowo begini tuh mau confess gak sih? Gue deg-degan dan excited parah sekarang, udah gak sabar pengen buru-buru ketemu dia. Dia bilang sih tadi datengnya bakal telat karena harus mampir ke suatu tempat, tapi gapapa. Selagi nunggu gini, gue jadi bisa nenangin hati sama pikiran gue sejenak.

Bel di pintu cafe berbunyi, menandakan ada pelanggan yang masuk. Gue nengok ke arah pintu, gue liat kak Jo masuk diikuti sama seorang wanita. Gue gak tau itu siapa karena ketutupan sama badan kak Jo yang besar. Kak Jo nengok ke kiri dan ke kanan, nyari keberadaan gue. Gue ngelambain tangan sambil sedikit teriak “Lex, aku di sini.” gue liat kak Jo nengok. Dia langsung jalan ke arah gue dengan langkah besar, wanita tadi masih ngikutin dengan kepala tertunduk.

Begitu kak Jo sampe di hadapan gue, gue langsung nanya “mau pesen apa?” dia cuma ngegeleng sambil narik kursi yang ada di hadapan gue. Dia nengok ke belakang “Liv, duduk dulu.” katanya. Kak Jo miringin badannya, ngasih wanita itu jalan, dan akhirnya gue tau siapa wanita itu. Iya, itu Olivia, mantannya kak Jo. Alis gue seketika bertaut karena bingung kenapa ada Olivia di sini.

Gue liat kak Jo yang mau duduk di samping Olivia dengan tatapan bingung. Dia narik nafas berat sebelum akhirnya buka suara “Gia, ada yang mau gue omongin.” katanya. Gue semakin bingung sama cara dia ngomong, dia manggil gue Gia dan nyebut dirinya dengan sebutan “gue”. Gue nganggukin kepala gue pelan “iya ada apa?” kata gue dengan nada ragu-ragu. Kak Jo kembali narik nafas berat sebelum akhirnya dia ngutarain apa yang ada dipikirannya “kayanya kita udah gak bisa lanjut.” katanya. Ada jeda sejenak di sana “Gianna, gue minta maaf sebelumnya. Gue mau ngasih tau kalo saat ini Olivia sedang mengandung anak gue Gi.” katanya dengan nada penuh penyesalan.

Nafas gue tercekat. Masih gak percaya sama apa yang dia bilang, gue menggeleng keras “haha lucu banget becanda kamu Lex. Udah ah jangan gitu. Aku hampir aja percaya sama kata-kata kamu.” gue nyoba tertawa. Tapi ekspresi kak Jo justru malah makin nunjukin kalo dia emang lagi gak becanda. Dia genggam sebelah tangan gue yang ada di atas meja “An, maafin aku. Aku bener-bener minta maaf tapi aku sama sekali gak becanda. Bulan depan aku akan menikahi Olivia. Kita udah gak bisa sama-sama lagi. Maaf aku harus mengakhiri ini semua, bahkan disaat kita belum mulai. Sekali lagi aku minta maaf. Anna, maafin Lex yang brengsek ini.” katanya dengan sedikit bergetar.

Tanpa gue sadari, air mata menetes dari mata kanan gue. Gue narik tangan gue cepat, mengangkat tas gue dari kursi di sebelah gue dengan sembarangan, dan berdiri. Gue liat ke arah mereka berdua dengan tatapan penuh kekecewaan. Olivia juga nunjukin ekspresi menyesalnya ke gue “maaf Gianna.” katanya lalu menunduk. Gue menggeleng dan ngapus air mata gue kasar “kalian gak perlu minta maaf. Olivia, selamat atas kehamilannya, semoga kamu dan si calon bayi selalu sehat ya.” kata gue sambil tersenyum ke arah Olivia.

Gue nengok ke kak Jo “Lex…” kata gue menggantung. Kak Jo ngeliat gue dengan ekspresi yang gak bisa gue artikan “kayanya gue udah gak pantes buat manggil lo Lex lagi karena sekarang udah ada Olivia di samping lo.” gue tertawa miris. Gue mejamin mata sejenak buat nenangin diri, gue buka mata dan langsung natap kedua mata kak Jo “kak Jo, terimakasih untuk kenangannya selama sebulan ini. Jujur gue udah beneran jatuh hati sama lo, semua yang lo lakuin ke gue bener-bener bikin gue jatuh sedalam itu. Tapi gue di sini nyoba untuk sadar diri karena memang kita gak ditakdirin buat bersama. Kak Jo, kakak udah gue maafin. Tolong dijaga ya Olivia sama si calon bayinya. Selamat juga atas pernikahan kalian, semoga lancar sampai hari H. Bahagia ya kak? Gue pamit.” kata gue nyoba tersenyum meskipun air mata gue gak berenti turun.

Setelah itu gue langsung lari keluar dari cafe, gue bisa denger kak Jo manggil-manggil nama gue tapi gue sama sekali gak berenti. Di hari itu gue nyoba buat ikhlas sama keadaan. Gue bener-bener nyoba buat move on dari kak Jo yang sama sekali gak gampang. Gue sempet merasa amat terpuruk selama hampir dua bulan.

Gue hadir di hari pernikahan kak Jo dan Olivia. Gue bisa liat gimana kak Jo nyoba buat terlihat bahagia di depan orang-orang sementara sorot matanya nunjukin kalo dia sama sekali gak bahagia. Kita sempet bertukar pandang beberapa kali, bahkan disaat gak ada orang yang memperhatikan, dia membisikkan 3 kata teralarang itu ke arah gue. Gue bisa liat jelas gerakan bibirnya dari kejauhan. Gue bisa liat dengan jelas ketika dia bilang “I love you An, always.” disaat ada satu orang wanita di samping dia yang sedang mengandung buah cinta mereka. Dan gue menangis sejadinya saat itu juga.

***** Present…

Gianna’s POV…

Gue ngeliat ekspresi Vay yang keliatan kaya hampir nangis. Gue duduk dan bilang “lo kenapa?” dia ikutan duduk “lo kenapa gak cerita kalo lo seterpuruk itu ditinggal nikah sama kak Jo?” katanya heboh sambil mukulin gue pake bantal. Gua rebut bantal yang ada di tangan Vay “ya abisnya gimana? Lo sibuk pacaran mulu sama Reynold, gue kan gak mau ganggu kalian. Lagian kan gue juga ditemenin sama Hayden waktu itu.” gue bilang.

(Hayden Lee)

Vay nyilangin tangannya di depan dada “jadi Hayden tau soal lo sama kak Jo?” gue cuma ngangguk mengiyakan. Dia mukul gue pake bantal lagi “ih kok lo cerita ke Hayden doang sih? Rese banget.” katanya ngerengek. Gue ngerebahin badan gue lagi “ya abisnya pas gue terpuruk itu yang selalu ada buat gue cuma Hayden. Dia seniat itu ngedeketin gue sampe beneran bikin gue nyaman banget kalo lagi sama dia. Jadi yaudah gue ceritain semuanya ke dia. Dia juga yang bantu gue move on dari kak Jo meskipun kalo boleh jujur, sampe sekarang pun gue masih ada rasa sama dia. Tapi gue sadar diri kok, kak Jo udah bahagia sama keluarganya, gue gak mau jadi perusak kebahagiaan dia. Lagian gue juga udah ada Hayden kan sekarang.” lalu gue senyum ke arah Vay.

Vay ngejatohin badannya ke badan gue sambil teriak “aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~ Anna gue salut banget sama lo. Sahabat gue ini emang wanita terhebat yang pernah gue kenal. Sayang banget sama Annaaaaaaaa~” dia meluk gue erat banget. Gue peluk Vay balik “Anna juga sayang sama Vay. Makasih ya Vay udah mau jadi sahabat Anna.” kata gue.

Saat gue sama Vay masih sibuk pelukan, hp gue tiba-tiba berdering. Gue liat layarnya, ngecek siapa yang nelpon, ternyata Hayden. Gue langsung buru-buru nekan tombol hijau “halo?” sapa gue. “Babe, aku on the way apart kamu sama Reynold. Anna sama Vay mau dibawain apa?” gue bisa denger suara Hayden di seberang sana.

Ya, pada akhirnya gue sama Hayden pacaran karena memang cuma Hayden yang bisa terima sama apa yang ada di diri gue. Dia pernah bilang “aku mungkin gak akan bisa gantiin posisi bang Jo di hati kamu, tapi aku bisa bikin kamu lebih bahagia dibanding saat kamu masih sama bang Jo dulu.” dan itu terbukti, gue bener-bener bahagia sekarang karena Hayden, bahkan sekarang Hayden udah punya spot tersendiri di hati gue.

FIN.

thesentinelll

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Brunch?

Nedrick Nielson

Nedrick’s POV…

Ini masih jam 6 pagi dan gue udah lari-larian di stasiun kereta. Gue terpaksa berangkat buru-buru ke kampus karena dari dua hari lalu gue nginep di rumah Oma. Setelah Opa pensiun dan nyerahin semua perusahaan ke anak-anaknya, Oma dan Opa gue mutusin buat pindah ke kota kecil yang jaraknya gak begitu jauh dari ibukota.

Kenapa gue bisa lari-larian di stasiun? Karena gue abis begadang semaleman ngerjain project buat mata kuliah Studio Perancangan Arsitektur yang seharusnya deadline-nya masih seminggu lagi tapi tiba-tiba dimajuin sama dosennya sore kemarin. Dosennya juga majuin kelas, yang harusnya jam 10 pagi, jadi jam 8 pagi. Gue gak segila itu buat nekat nyetir mobil sampe kampus yang waktu tempuhnya kurang lebih 2 jam dalam keadaan setengah sadar gini. Jadilah gue ada di stasiun sekarang.

Setelah nunggu kurang lebih 10 menit, kereta yang mau gue tumpangi dateng juga. Gue buru-buru naik dan nyari tempat duduk. Beruntung banget pagi ini belum begitu rame, kalo enggak mah boro-boro duduk, berdiri aja kayanya bakal gak nyaman banget.

Pintu kereta pun ketutup dan kereta mulai bergerak. Gue buka hp sebentar, ngecek notif grup kelas, banyak yang protes karena deadline sama kelas yang tiba-tiba dimajuin. Selama 10 menit gue mainan hp, ngantuk gue udah gak ketahanan dan akhirnya gue mutusin buat tidur.

*****

Louisa Forest

Louisa’s POV…

Pagi ini adalah pagi ternyebelin dalam hidup gue. Setelah kemarin sore dosen mata kuliah Studio Perancangan Arsitektur majuin deadline jadi hari ini, malemnya itu dosen gila ngabarin kalo kelasnya pagi ini juga dimajuin jadi jam 8 pagi, padahal harusnya jam 10 pagi.

Gue gak tidur semaleman, muka gue udah kaya zombie gara-gara begadang, amat sangat gak enak buat dipandang. Gue lari-lari turun dari bus masuk ke gedung fakultas teknik. Udah gak peduli gue sama penampilan, yang penting gue gak telat masuk kelas. Itu dosen sama sekali gak bakal ngizinin mahasiswa masuk meskipun cuma telat 3 detik.

Setelah baca grup kelas, gue buru-buru naik ke lantai 5, nyari kelas mana yang bakal dipake pagi ini. Gue jalan ke arah ruang 507, masuk ke kelas dengan buru-buru, udah ada satu cowo yang duduk di dalem ternyata. Gue liat jam ditangan gue, masih ada 10 menit lagi sebelum jam 8, gue bisa bernafas lega sejenak.

*****

Nedrick’s POV…

Gue sampe kampus 15 menit lebih awal, jadilah gue ngabisin waktu 15 menit itu buat nunggu di kelas aja karena gue udah gak ada tenaga buat kemana-mana. Saat gue asik scrolling twitter, tiba-tiba ada yang buka pintu kelas, gue nengok dan ngeliat ada cewe yang jalan buru-buru masuk ke dalem kelas. Gue merhatiin dia ngeliat ke arah jam tangannya terus narik nafas lega.

Karena gue juga udah bingung mau ngapain, akhirnya gue tanya dia “rough night?” dia jawab “I stayed up all night to finish this stupid project.” katanya sambil jalan ke arah gue. Pas dia duduk di samping gue, gue jawab “I’ll take that as a yes.” dia lepas tasnya dari punggung sambil nanya “how about you?”.

Gue taro tangan gue di atas meja, gue jadiin tumpuan dagu, nengok ke arah dia “two hours of sleep.” gue bilang. Gue liat dia ngerapihin sedikit rambutnya yang berantakan “at least you got some sleep.” katanya. “I was at my Grandmas since two days ago. It takes me two hours to get here by train.” Gue liat dia miringin kepalanya sebelum nanya “so you’ve got those two hours of sleep in the train?” tanyanya memastikan. “Bingo!” gue bilang sambil nunjuk ke arah dia.

Tiba-tiba hp gue dan dia bunyi bersamaan, notifikasi pesan. Gue sama dia sama-sama ngecek hp masing-masing dan ternyata dari grup kelas. Emang dasar dosen sialan, dia tiba-tiba cancel kelas pagi ini dengan alasan enggak jelas.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” gue denger cewe di samping gue ngomong dengan nada kesel. Gue nengok ke arahnya “class got cancelled.” gue bilang. Sebelum ngomong lagi, dia narik nafas panjang “all this hardwork…” katanya ngegantung. “All this travel…” kata gue ngelanjutin. “For nothing.” lanjutnya sambil naro hpnya sembarangan di atas meja. Gue cuma bisa narik nafas pasrah.

*****

Louisa’s POV…

Gue sama si cowo yang daritadi ngajak ngobrol gue sama-sama diem setelah gatau mau ngapain karena udah terlanjur pasrah. Ya mau gimana? Kita cuma mahasiswa dan gak bisa apa-apa. Gue bengong ngeliat ke arah depan kelas sampe tiba-tiba dia nanya “did you have breakfast yet?” gue nengok ke dia “I never eat breakfast. You?” gue nanya balik. Dia ngegeleng sambil jawab “didn’t have time.” gue jawab “tough.” sambil ngendikin bahu.

Kita sama-sama diem lagi untuk beberapa detik sebelum dia nanya “wanna go have brunch together?” gue yang denger langsung nengok dengan ekpresi kaget. “Would that be a date?” gue tanya dia. Dia nanya balik “you ever been on a date at 8 in the morning?” katanya bingung. Gue diem, mikir sejenak “no… Not that I’ve ever been on a date.” jawab gue. Terus dia mendengus pelan “yeah, it’s date.” katanya dan diakhiri dengan smirk, gue senyum balik.

Gue berdiri, julurin tangan ke arah dia “Louisa Forest. Just call me Lou or Lulu.” gue memperkenalkan diri. Dia ikut berdiri dan menjabat tangan gue “Nedrick Nielson, but you can call me Ned. It’s nice to know you Lou” katanya tersenyum, gue ngangguk dan bales senyuman dia. Gue lepasin tangan gue lebih dulu, ngambil tas terus nengok ke dia yang juga udah pake backpack-nya di punggung “so, Brunch?” kata gue. Dia ngerangkul pundak gue dan kita mulai ngelangkah keluar kelas “brunch.” katanya sambil tertawa pelan.

END…

thesentinelll

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Just Wake Up

(Jarred Lerman)

Jarred POV…

Semalem balik dari club, gue mutusin buat bawa pulang Nebula ke rumah. Rumah yang gue maksud ya share house tempat gue tinggal bareng anak-anak Cosmos. Cosmos itu gang balap yang isinya anak-anak orang kaya, terbentuk dari jaman SMA.

(A/N: untuk cast Nebula, aku kasih kalian kebebasan buat ngebayangin seperti apa rupanya.)

Balik ke Nebula. Kenapa dia gue bawa ke share house-nya Cosmos karena gue gak bisa ninggalin dia yang keadaannya mabuk berat, sendirian di apartment-nya. Selain itu, last night was so fckin hot. Nebula mau semabuk apapun, gak pernah mengecewakan kalo udah di ranjang.

Gue sama Nebula sendiri udah berhubungan cukup lama. Berawal dari one night stand, sampe akhirnya gue mutusin buat jadian sama dia. Awalnya gue kira Nebula itu tipikal cewe-cewe di club pada umumnya. Yang doyannya cuma party, morotin duit, sama foya-foya. Setelah gue kenal dia, gue salah besar. Dia emang terlahir di keluarga kaya, sama kaya gue, tapi dia benci kekayaan. Dia benci hidupnya yang harus selalu jaga penampilannya dia di depan orang-orang karena latar belakang keluarganya.

She was born with silver spoon in her mouth. Kekayaan keluarganya gak main-main. Ayahnya pemilik perusahaan elektronik nomor 2 terbesar se-Asia. Keluarga gue? Mungkin ini kebetulan yang agak aneh, tapi sayangnya keluarga gue-lah yang menempati nomor 1. Secara gak langsung keluarga gue sama keluarga Nebula adalah rival terbesar, tapi liat gue dan dia sekarang, gak bisa lepas dari satu sama lain. Hubungan gue sama Nebula kita sembunyikan dari publik karena kita berdua tau, begitu orang-orang tau, gue sama dia pasti bakal langsung disuruh putus sama keluarga masing-masing.

*****

Jarred’s POV…

Saat ini gue lagi di dapur, nungguin Nedrick bikin kopi. Kopi bikinan Nedrick tuh enak banget, gue juga gak ngerti sih kenapa gue suka kopi bikinan dia. Gue duduk di stool bar di dapur sambil makan waffle yang udah selesai dia masak 5 menit yang lalu. Sebelum gue nyuap, gue nanya dia “masih lama Ned?” ngeliatin dia sibuk di depan mesin kopi. Dia balik badan, megang dua cangkir kopi panas “ini udah beres, bawel bener lo.” terus dia duduk di samping gue.

(Nedrick Nielson)

Selagi gue sibuk makan sarapan sama Nedrick, dari arah tangga gue liat Mark sama bang Tyrone turun, jalan ke dapur. Mark duduk di depan gue “tumben lo udah bangun?” dia ngeliatin gue. “Pala gue pusing, butuh kopi.” terus gue nyeruput kopi gue pelan. Tyrone duduk di sebelah Mark “Ned, gue mau dong.” katanya ke Nedrick. Nedrick cuma ngangguk terus bangun dari duduknya. Mark nengok “eh gue juga deh.” terus dijawab Nedrick sambil jalan ke mesin kopi “oke.” Mark nambahin “seriusan deh, kopi bikinan Ned kenapa enak banget ya?” tuh kan, bukan gue doang yang doyan.

Tyrone sibuk sama hp-nya sementara Mark lagi nuangin sirup blueberry ke waffle-nya. Tyrone ngasih liat hp-nya ke Mark “nyokap nyuruh lo pulang. Katanya minta temenin arisan.” Mark yang denger itu langsung ngembusin nafasnya. Dia nyuap waffle ke mulutnya sebelum jawab “aduh males banget bang. Kenapa sih tiap arisan pasti minta temenin gue? Apalagi pasti bakal dikenalin ke anak-anak temennya. Males banget gue aslian.” Tyrone yang denger cuma mengendikan bahu “makanya bawa cewe lo ke rumah, kenalin ke Mama.” gue bisa liat Mark muter bola matanya males “gak bisa. Ramona belom bisa di ekspos ke publik. Tau sendiri bokapnya gimana.” jawab Mark.

Gue yang penasaran langsung nanya “hah? Emang Ramona kenapa? Ramona tuh yang waktu itu lo bawa ke sini kan?” Mark ngeliat gue sambil naikin alisnya. “Ramona anak tunggal konglomerat. Bokapnya sengaja ngumpetin identitas dia biar gak diincer sama rivalnya.” Nedrick yang selesai bikin kopi langsung nyaut “bokap kita ada yang kenal sama bokapnya?” katanya sembari naro 2 gelas cangkir di depan Mark dan Tyrone. Giliran Tyrone yang nyaut “kenal kok. Salah satu partner bokapnya Jarred malah.” dia bilang sebelum nyeruput kopinya.

Gue makin penasaran setelah nama gue disebut “hah? Siapa?” gue ngeliatin Tyrone sama Mark bolak balik. Mark ngembusin nafas lagi “Gideon Kwon.” Nedrick yang duduk disamping gue hampir nyembur kopinya “anjir! Sepupunya bang Chester dong?” Mark yang denger itu cuma ngangguk-ngangguk lemes. Gue nengok ke Nedrick “bang Chester siapa lagi deh?” Nedrick nengok ke gue males “si bego. Senior gue di kampus yang gue kenalin waktu itu. Yang model terkenal itu.” gue mikir sejenak dan langsung keinget siapa si Chester ini “lah anjir sempit bener dunia.”

Tyrone naro hp-nya di meja “ya emang, orang Chester bos gue juga.” setelah denger itu gue sama Nedrick sama-sama bengong. Tyrone ngelanjutin “lagian circle anak-anak orang kaya kan dia-dia doang. Buktinya lo berdua udah temenan lama gara-gara bokap kalian kan? Lo kenal gue sama Mark juga gara-gara itu.” Tyrone ngabisin kopinya terus berdiri “dah lah gue balik ke kamar. Lo jangan lupa nanti siang pulang ke rumah, gue gamau denger ocehan nyokap.” seraya nepuk pundak Mark.

Terus gue keinget sesuatu, buru-buru manggil Tyrone “eh bang, mumpung gue inget, besok malem turun ya? Si Daniel belom puas sama kekalahannya kemaren.” Tyrone cuma ngacungin jempol sebelum naik ke atas.

Nedrick ngeberesin perabotan bekas sarapan, ditumpuk diatas wastafel “jangan lupa cuciin.” dia ngeliat ke arah gue sama Mark. Nedrick ini bawel bener kalo udah urusan dapur “iya iya.” gue jawab seadanya. Dia melototin gue “jangan iya iya doang. Kemaren bekas makan siang lo tinggal sampe malem.” Mark yang denger gue diomelin sama Nedrick cuma ketawa. Gue nengok ke Nedrick “iya Mamaaaaa~” setelah denger jawaban gue, Nedrick ngelempar sendok ke gue. Mark ketawa makin kenceng. Nedrick cuma bisa geleng kepala, ninggalin dapur, naik ke kamarnya.

***** Jarred’s POV…

Setelah makan siang kebiasaan anak-anak Cosmos kalo libur gini ya cuma ngumpul di ruang tengah sambil ngobrol atau nonton bareng. Gue duduk santai di sofa, di depan gue, duduk di lantai ada Hayden yang lagi sibuk main PS sama Lucas. Selagi gue sibuk ngobrol sama bang Tyrone, Mark, dan Nedrick, gue bisa liat Nebula di atas tangga lagi ngucek matanya. Rambutnya berantakan, jelas banget baru bangun.

Gue yakin banget nyawanya belom ngumpul, secara dia gak sadar sama outfitnya dan keadaan sekitarnya sekarang. Setelah semalem “main” sama gue, dia cuma pake panty sama kaos gue yang kegedean di badannya, no bra. Amat sangat gak bagus buat diliat mata-mata buaya di rumah ini. Yang lain masih pada gak sadar, pas gue mau bangun, gue ngeliat Nebula jalan cepet ke arah gue “Fck!!!” gue bilang tanpa sadar. Nedrick yang denger ucapan gue barusan langsung nengok “kenapa lo?” gue cuma ngegeleng.

Dan apa yang terjadi selanjutnya bener-bener bikin semua orang berhenti dari aktifitas mereka. Nebula naik ke pangkuan gue, tangannya dia lingkerin di leher gue, mukanya dia umpetin di dada gue. Dengan nada khas orang bangun tidur dia bilang “kamu kenapa di sini? Aku mau tidur lagi jadi gak bisa karena gak dipeluk sama kamu.” mata gue ngeliat sekitar “tolong banget dong ini ya matanya pada di jaga. Cewe gue belom sadar banget ini.” Tyrone yang sadar duluan buru-buru ngelempar selimut yang ada di sofa tempat dia duduk. Gue langsung nyelimutin badan Nebula.

Nedrick yang di sebelah gue noyor kepala gue “lo lagi kenapa bawa dia ke sini sih? Udah tau ini hari libur, kandang buaya penuh sama penghuninya lah.” gue langsung nengok sambil melotot “ya gue sama dia sama-sama mabok semalem, lo tau sendiri kan. Lagian gue gak bisa ninggalin dia sendirian di apart-nya, nyokapnya suka tiba-tiba dateng kalo libur gini.”

Nebula bergerak, kepalanya diangkat, dia ngeliat gue dengan mata ngantuknya “Babe? Kenapa kamu marah-marah? Berisik tau, aku gak bisa tidur.” katanya. Gue dengernya cuma bisa ngembusin nafas berat “babe? Kamu sadar gak sih kamu lagi dimana? Kamu sadar gak penampilan kamu kaya apa?” Nebula ngerutin alisnya. Anjing cewe gue gemes banget kalo bangun tidur. Gue kecup bibirnya tanpa sadar saking gemesnya.

“Bisa kali ya pindah ke kamar aja? Lo juga kaga sadar tempat. Main cipok aja depan orang-orang.” teriak Hayden. Lucas tiba-tiba berdiri “kaga bisa nih gue liat yang beginian. Gue ke kamar mandi bentar, mau muntah pelangi.” katanya seraya jalan ke arah toilet di bawah tangga. Mark yang sedari tadi diem langsung beranjak dari sofa “gue gak liat apa-apa, gue gak liat apa-apa. Inget Ramona, inget Ramona.” katanya sambil menaiki tangga cepat. Tyrone bangkit dari duduknya “dasar anak muda.” katanya sambil geleng-geleng kepala. Hayden dan Nedrick juga ikut naik ke atas, ninggalin gue berdua doang sama Nebula di ruang tengah.

“umm…” gue yang denger Nebula bergumam langsung nunduk buat ngeliat dia. Kayanya udah bener-bener sadar dia sekarang. Gue senyum, niat ngisengin “kenapa babe?” gue bisa liat Nebula ngelirik ke kiri dan kanan terus dia berbisik “babe, aku dimana? Kok banyak suara cowo?” katanya dengan muka bingung. Gue yang denger langsung ketawa kenceng. Dia yang denger gue ketawa makin bingung, terus mukul dada gue pelan “ish dijawab sih!” katanya kesel.

Gue narik nafas dalem, nyoba buat berenti ketawa “kamu gak inget apa-apa soal semalem?” gue nanya balik. Alis Nebula mengkerut, nyoba nginget-nginget apa yang terjadi semalem. Nebula ngegeleng “aku gak inget apa-apa selain kita ke club semalem.” katanya. Gue ketawa lagi. Sweet Jesus, cewe gue gemes banget. “semalem kamu sendiri yang bilang gamau balik ke apart. Aku juga lagi males open room, tau sendiri media kaya apa. Jadilah semalem kamu aku bawa ke share house-nya Cosmos.” dia diem dengerin penjelasan gue. Gue deketin bibir gue ke kupingnya “and last night was so fckn’ hot. I can’t get enough of you.” bisik gue dengan nada rendah.

Saat gue mundurin muka gue, gue bisa liat semerah apa muka dia sekarang. Selagi dia masih proses sama apa yang gue bilang barusan, I move my hand under the blanket, move down from her back to her ass. I smack her ass “you are such a bad girl babe. Don’t you know how much I want to fck you the moment you show up with your panty and my t-shirt only? You turn me on really hard baby.” I whispered again. “How can you look so fckin’ hot when you JUST WAKE UP?” I smirked at her and roaming my hand inside her t-shirt.

(Jarred and Nedrick attending Their Family Business Party)

(A/N: untuk Mark, Ramona, Tyrone, Lucas, Hayden, Chester, dan Gideon Kwon cast-nya sama kaya di Crumble World karena ini masih 1 univerese.)

thesentinelll

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The Report…..

Flashback… (Their Second Year in the Uni)

Mark’s POV…

I am at the parking lot right in front of the Kwon’s main HQ now, still inside my car. I take a deep breathe then open the car door and step out of the car. I walk toward the main entrance in a long stride. Two guards welcome me “good evening Mr. Lee, everyone have been waiting for you in the conference room on the 32nd floor.” one of them said to me. I nod my head and answer him briefly “thank you.” and walk toward the elevator.

As the elevator moving, I got more anxious, wondering what would happen next. I am looking at the monitor as the number of the floor keep changing and in a second I arrived at the 32nd floor. I step out from the elevator, looking around, another guards welcome me “good evening Mr. Lee. This way” he said and lead the way. I walk behind him silently. He stop right in front of a big door than knock the door “excuse me Sir, Mr. Lee has arrived.” he said after.

I can hear someone answer him “let him in” than the guards open the door for me. “Please come in Sir.” I nodded “thank you” and thank him. I walking in and they close the door behind me. I am looking around the room and it feels like deja vu. I have been in this kind of situation before. It was when the first time I knew Ryu’s true identity, except that time there are only me and my brother inside the room. This time, there are a few more people inside the room.

“Please, take a sit Mark.” my brother said to me as he pull a chair beside him. I walk toward him and sit myself on the chair that he pulled before. He look at me “take a deep breath, don’t be so nervous. They just wanna ask you a few question.” Tyrone said while pat my shoulder lightly. I nodded and took a deep breath as he said to me “alright” I said after.

I heard someone cleared his throat “ekhem… Good evening Mr. Lee, I am Chester Park, Ramona’s elder cousin. It’s nice to finally meet you in person.” I look at the man who has been sitting at the head of the table. “Good evening Mr. Park. As you know, I am Mark Lee, Tyrone’s little brother and Ramona’s best friend. Nice to meet you too, Sir.” I introduce my self politely to him.

Chester Park nodded his head “I think you already know why I summoned you here. We are going to talk about what happen this afternoon. Now can you tell me everything?” I take a deep breath “okay. It’s all started when Ramona have a group project in her class……” I start telling him everything about what actually happen.

“……. When I and Lucas finished beating those six bastards, Ramona already passed out. I am a bit glad Hayden made a great move to called the ambulance when we arrived. Then I called Tyrone, told him about what happen. Not so long after that call, your men came and took those bastards away.” I end my story with another deep breath.

Chester Park nodded his head again “do you know who are they?” he asked. “No.” I shake my head immadietly as I really don’t know who they are. He look at the man on his left “show him.” that man nodded “yes Sir.” then the big screen behind me lights up. I turn around and got really surprise at what I am seeing. Those bastards are tied up on a chair. They got more beaten and their faces became unrecognizable. I can’t really tell if they all are still alive.

“Fortunately they just some random gang at that area. They have no any relations with our rivals. As you can see, you almost can’t recognize them right? That’s what you will get if you mess with the Kwons.” I look at Chester Park in horror. He look at me “it’s not that bad though. You would see their death bodies instead if they come from one of our rivals.” he said that as he look at me with his serious expression.

I gulp hard at what Chester Park just said. “Now what do you want me to do?” I asked him. He clasped his hand on the table “good question. The answer is simple. I want this to never happen again and this is my last warning to you. If this happens again, I don’t have any choice but to move Ramona somewhere that even her father will never find her. Do you get me?” he said that with an authority tone. I nodded at him immediately “yes Sir. I understand” I answer him without a second thought. “Good. You may leave now” then he smile at me. “Thank you Sir” I stand up from my sit, bow at him mindlessly and start walking to the door.

Author POV…

“It is really fun to messing around with your little brother Tyrone, just like what you said haha…” Chester laugh after he said that. Tyrone chuckle “he has been like that since in high school, but he used to such a crybaby though haha…” then Tyrone stand up from his sit too “well now, excuse me Sir” Chester nodded his head. Tyrone walk in a fast pace, trying to catch up with Mark. He look around when he got outside the conference room. He can see Mark standing in front of the elevator.

“Mark! Wait!” Tyrone call him and run toward him. Mark look at Tyrone when he arrived in front of him “what?” he ask in an annoyed tone. Tyrone chuckle after he heard that. He shake his head “don’t take what he said seriously. He just messing around with you. He is not that mean.” Tyrone pat Mark’s back lightly. Mark let out a sigh “then, what happen to those bastards?” he asked. Tyrone looking at the elevator as it’s door open, he step inside the elevator “well, they really torture those bastards though. But what Chester told you about moving Ramona somewhere you can’t find her is not true. He doesn’t have the right to make that decision. Are you not coming?” Tyrone ask at the last while he hold his finger on the open button.

Mark shake his head then step in “it’s just me or their family are all crazy?” Mark asked when the door completely closed. Tyrone laugh at what his little brother just said. He put his arm around Mark’s shoulder “hey! Don’t say that to your future family Mark.” then he laugh again. “oh shut the fuck up!” Mark rolled his eyes and look at Tyrone in annoyance.

(A/N: Since I can’t find the right pictures, so please just imagine these pictures with Mark’s annoyed face haha)

*****

Author’s POV…

After that night, everything back to normal for Mark and Ramona. Except for Mark, he become more protective this time. They have been fighting over this but Ramona really can’t do anything about it since Mark told her everything about what happen when she still unconscious in the hospital. Ramona doesn’t want it but she know that her family will never messing around with this kind of matter, especially her safety.

TBC

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The Missing…..

Flashback… (Their Second Year in the Uni)

Mark’s POV…

It’s Sunday and I decided to take Ryu out, enjoying the weather outside the Uni. You can call it Sundate since it’s like a date. We walk hand in hand, I treat her an ice cream that she love, have a brunch in her favorite cafe, and we are at the park on the riverside now.

There is a basketball field here, we walk pass through it when she suddenly ask “let’s play basketball Mel” she pull me toward the basketball field. I’m looking around the field “there’s no ball here babe, I didn’t bring mine either” after she realized that, she pout. I pinch her cheek “don’t be sad. How about we take a picture or a video here?” after hearing that, her face lit up. Smiling at me “can you record me there?” she points at the basketball ring. I nodded my head “sure, do anything you want” I said then pull out my phone from my jeans pocket. I turn on the camera “just tell me when you’re ready” I said. She walk toward the basketball ring, stop beside it “record me now Mel” she said. I nodded and pressed the red button. She moves like she shot a basketball to the ring, then smiling happily to me. My heart skipped a bit “God, why is she so cute tho?” I talked to myself. After that, we spent the rest of the day doing everything she wants.

*****

Mark’s POV…

It’s been three months since our new semester has started. I start to get really busy because the assignments won’t stop coming. Ryu has the same problem too. It’s really hard to maintain our communication nor meet each other. Not just because our assignments, since our major are different in the first place, sometimes we have a classes in different buildings too. I try to text her as often as I can and she did the same.

One day she got a group project and it turn into a madness. They have four people in her group, two girls and two boys. One of the boys is the biggest playboy in the Uni. He start to hitting on her. She start to feel uncomfortable with what he is doing but I’m glad the other girl, which turn out she is one of my classmates in my vocal class, try to protect her. Her name is Mina Kang.

It’s 11am, Ryu and her group project member decided to meet at the newest cafe in town. It’s a bit far from the Uni but I can trust her on Mina. Ryu just texted me, saying that she is on the way with Mina. I can’t go with her since I still have classes until 6pm. I called Mina, asking her to tell me immediately if there is something happen to Ryu. I can hear her annoyed tone “I said yes Mark! I can hear you clearly. Can you stop being paranoid and stop bothering me with your calls? We need to concentrate here. Beside, I did promise you that I’ll stick with her until we back at the Uni, didn’t I? She will be fine, so stop calling me jeeeezzzz….. I hang up now” she hang up without waiting for my reply. It’s relief me a bit since I can trust Mina, she is a good friend.

It’s 3pm now, I still have 30 minutes left until my next class. I try to call Ryu but she didn’t pick up. I text her instead, thinking maybe she is still busy. I waited for her reply for 10 minutes but nothing. I try to call Mina this time, she pick my call up after the third ring, I greet her “yo dude, are you still at that cafe with Ryu?” I hear a few noises before she answer “yo Mark, I’m on my way to the movies with my boyfriend now. I already drop Ramona five minutes a go, but she refused to be drop in front of the Uni. She asked me to just drop her at the traffic jam two blocks away from the Uni. I told her if she didn’t want me to take her to Uni, you will get mad, but she still refused. I can’t do anything about that” I got shocked by her answer. I ask Mina again “what?! Why did she refuse?” I pinched my nose bridge, Ryu really give me a headache sometimes. Mina answer my questions “She said she didn’t want to bother me and my boyfriend any longer. I told her that we are fine if we take her to the Uni first before we go to the movies, but she still insists. I’m sorry Mark” Mina apologize at the end. I sigh tiredly “no, you don’t need to apologize. I should be the one who apologize here because I trouble you with this matter. And thank you for taking care of Ryu. I’ll treat you and your boyfriend a brunch on next sunday. I’ll hang up now, I need to call Ryu” I said. Before I hang up the call, she reply quickly “it’s fine Mark. Okay, talk to you later” then I hang up.

I tried to call Ryu again but she still didn’t answer. I start to panicking. One tap on my shoulder pull my attention away from my phone “everything okay mate?” that’s Lucas, looking at me with confused expression. I told him about the situation and he nodded his head “calm down, maybe she’s still walking toward the Uni and her phone is inside her bag so she didn’t hear your call” he said, try to calm me down. “Lucas’s right Mark. Just wait for another ten minutes, I think she will be arrive anytime soon. She will be fine” that was Hayden Lee, my other friend. I let go a sigh, try to calm down. They are right, it’s not that far so she will be okay, right?

Five minutes later, I got call from Ryu and pick it up immediately. “baby, where are you? Why did you refuse to be drop in front of the Uni? I’m really worried here” I bombarded her with my questions before she greets me. I can hear her out of breath, she tried to speaks “Mel… Mel… help me. There are a few men have been following me since I got out of Mina’s car. Now I’m hiding in an alley near the river. Please come hurriedly, my phone is running out of batte—“ she stop talking and I can hear a few noises. “Ryu? Ryu are you still there? Ryu?” I call her a few times. “Mel, they are here” she whispered her answer. “shit! I’m on my way” I grab my jacket on the table, Lucas and Hayden looking at me with a question look “some assholes try to touch Ramona” I told them. They stood up from their sit “we coming with you” Lucas said.

“Ryu, don’t hang up our call okay. I’m on my way with Lucas and Hayden” I told her in a hush tone, try to calm her down. She hiccups her answer “o-okay…” and after that “well, hello there beautiful” I can hear a man’s voice and those bastard laughs. “stay away from me!” I can hear her scream. “ohoho, playing fierce are we?” that man’s said again, after that I can hear a few noises “calling the boyfriend huh? Well bye bye boyfriend” he snatched away Ryu’s phone. “nooooo—“ I can hear Ryu’s scream again before he hung up our call. “fuck!!! Lucas drive faster!!!” I scream my frustration to Lucas “I’m doing it man” he said that and really driving faster this time.

In a few minutes we arrived at the riverside. Lucas parked his car recklessly and we got out of the car immediately, start running around the area. “over there!” Hayden pointing at the farthest alley while looking at his phone, making sure he found the right place. Hayden is an IT student, he has been tracking Ryu’s phone since we got out of the Uni. We run towards the alley and the view when we arrived really made my blood boiled. There are four men holding on Ryu’s body, one man holding a phone with camera open, and another man standing right in front of her, which I assumed their leader. “bastards!!!” I scream at them and punch the leader’s face right after he turn around.

Author’s POV…

Mark punched the leader like a mad man. His men still in a shock state until Lucas said “you guys choose the wrong people to messed up with” he smirked after. Those men let go of Ryu and two of them try to help their leader as they start to fight Mark together this time. The other hand, Lucas stood tall in front of the rest of them. Looking at them with a smirk, ready to fight. Those three men are no match to Lucas, he have been learning martial arts since he is still in kindergarten. After he knocked the last man, he said “you assholes don’t know me? I’m Lucas man, Lucas!” he said that proudly as he walk through their unconscious bodies.

Lucas pull the leader’s body who tried to kick Mark on his stomach, he hold him still “here mate, I hold your punching bag tightly” he said that to Mark. Mark smirked at the Leader as he struggle, try to get away from Lucas. “eeeyy man, what are you doing? Can you stand still? My best friend is trying to give you your rewards” Lucas said that as he tightened his hold. Without any warning, Mark throw his final punch to the leader’s face with all his might. The leader got unconscious just like the other man. “What a trash” Lucas said that as he drop the leader’s body mindlessly.

After that, Mark and Lucas turn toward Ryu. She lost her consciousness “I already called the ambulance, they are on their way. I think she’s okay, she just tired. There’s a wound on her wrist but there’s nothing serious” Hayden said as he look at Mark. Mark let go a sigh of relief then Lucas put his hand on Mark’s shoulder “it’s a relief that we arrived at the right time. You can calm down now” Mark nodded at what just Lucas said. Mark crouching right to the next of Ryu’s body, brush her hair carefully “I’m sorry this has to happen to you baby” he said. He look up at his two friends “thank you for coming with me. I don’t know what will happen if you two are not here” he look at Lucas and Hayden back and forth. Hayden shake his head “it’s fine Mark. That’s what a true friend for” he smile.

When Mark and Lucas are busy beating up those men, Hayden ran toward unconscious Ryu. Since he can’t fight, he immediately try to help Ryu, pull her body away from the fighting area, check on her condition, and make an emergency call.

*****

Mark’s POV…

I’m at the hospital now, waiting for Ryu getting back her consciousness. Doctor said she is fine and her wounds are already treated. I am looking at her sleeping face and now I finally realize, the budging feeling in my heart that I have been feeling is not just a mere feeling. I finally realize right at the moment when she called me, crying for my help this afternoon, it’s not because the Kwons asked me to protect her. It is because I already falling for her. I am falling in LOVE with her. You may say that I got bewitched by her, not just her beautiful face, but her beautiful personality.

I sit beside Ryu’s bed, holding her hand, when suddenly my phone ringing. It’s from my brother “hello?” I greeted him. “Mark, I need you to come to the Kwon’s main HQ now. I’ll see you there” then he hung up without waiting for my answer. I let go a sigh, tonight will be a long night.

Before we got here, I call Tyrone, tell him everything about what happen. Not long after, a few men in suits come, they took those bastards away. I swear to God I don’t wanna know what would happen to them.

Before I go, I call Mina, ask her if she can stay at the hospital for a while. I wait for her to arrive in front of Ryu’s room. Mina come with panicked and worried expression on her face. She shake my body when she reached me “is she okay? Please tell me she’s okay” she said that, nearly crying. I hold her shoulders “Mina, calm down. She’s fine. There’s no serious injures, so please calm down” she started sobbing after I said that “I’m so sorry Mark. I’m really sorry. I should have dropped her in front of the Uni like what you told me. This is not gonna happen if I listened to you and force her” I can feel that she’s feeling guilty.

I rub her back, try to calm her “you don’t have to apologize Mina. Besides Ryu’s the one who doesn’t want to bother you. It’s fine. Now get inside, I need to go to take care of something” she nodded and brush away her tears. She took a deep breath “okay. Drive safely, it’s almost midnight. Comeback immediately when you are done. I believe she will looking for you when she’s awake” I nodded at her “okay. I’m going now” then I start to walk away.

TBC…

(Mina Kang – Mark’s classmates in vocal class)

(Hayden Lee – Mark’s Friend)

thesentinelll

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The Main Course.....

Flashback... (Their Second Year in the Uni)

Mark’s POV...

I don’t know how many times I have been lost in my thoughts today. I am staring blankly at my brother, he shake his head while looking back at me. He is sighing before he called one of the bodyguards outside “Simon, can you here me? Come in here now!” he ordered.

In a second the one that Tyrone called Simon came in. He bowed at my brother “is there anything you need Sir?” he asked politely. Tyrone pointing his finger at me “get him some drink.” he ordered Simon lazily. Simon turn his head slightly at me then back to Tyrone “what kind of drink Sir?” he asked again.

My brother waves his hand, gesturing Simon to get out of the room “anything. Just get out of here already! I still have a lot of things to talk about with this guy.” then Tyrone turn his head down to the file folder on the table, rummaging them. Simon bowed again “understood Sir.” he step back but I called for him “umm... Excuse me, can I get a cup of coffee instead? If it’s not a bother though.” I asked hesitantly.

Simon stopped his movement, looking at me and looking at my brother, waiting for his approval. His eyes still glued on the documents, Tyrone said “I see… Now you have a ball to asked him to get you a cup of coffee huh?” Tyrone sarcasm never fail me. He straightened his body, looking up at Simon “why are you still here? Get his fckin’ coffee and leave!” not gonna lie, this time he look intimidating. Simon bowed once again “yes sir.” he get out of the room then shutting the door.

After five minutes, there’s knock on the door “come in.” Tyrone said. The waiter come in with a tray “excuse me Sir. Enjoy your coffee.” he placed the cup of coffee on the table in front of me. I look at him “thank you.” I said “you are very welcome Sir. I will taking my leave now.” he said, before he walk out of the room, he bowed. That man is too polite for his own good.

Since Tyrone still busy with his documents, I am sipping my coffee quietly, enjoying the bitterness inside my mouth. Finally he look up at me “now Mark, can you tell me everything you know about Ramona?” he asked as he leaned his back on his chair. I cleared my throat before speaking “well, Mr Lee I—“ he burst out a laugh as soon as he heard what did I called him. He tried to control his laugh, trying to talk “pfffftttt... Mark... pfftttt... I can’t— wahahaha…” I look at him in disbelief.

After like five minutes listening to his rooster like laugh, he finally stopped “Mark, you don’t have to call me that when it’s just the two of us hahaha…” he still chuckling. I let out a frustrated sigh “you look so intimidating when you bossing that man around before. What do you expect from me after seeing that?” I look at him in annoyance.

He laugh again “ it’s because they’re my men, they work for me so that’s why I’m bossing them around. But you, you’re my baby brother, I don’t have a reason to do that to you too.” he told me with a gentle smile now. I showed him a disgusted look “can you stop babying me? I’m an adult now.” he is still smiling “no matter what happen, you will always be my baby brother Mark. Enough of that, now tell me everything about Ramona.” he said. He clasped his hands on the table, ready to hear my story.

*****

Mark’s POV

I lifted my cup of coffe “...... that’s how we become this close now.” After I told him everything about my friendship with Ryu to Tyrone, I sipped my coffee again, as my throat getting dry after that long story. He nodded then gave me the documents he has been checking before “now let me tell you everything about Ramona Kwon. About who actually she is, about her family.”

I read the documents slowly. His finger pointing to the documents “as you can see, the Kwon is not just as simple as a name. The Kwon is a dynasty inside the business world. They stand strong for fourth generation already and Ramona will be the next heir. She will be the first lady to take the Kwon’s throne since she’s the only child of Gideon Kwon.” I flipped the documents while still listening to Tyrone.

“She can step out of the throne if she has a cousin but unfortunately, her father is the only child too. She does have a cousin from her mother’s side though, but since there’s no a single drop of the Kwon’s blood in his veins even he has been living in the Kwon’s way, he can’t take the throne. Do you know that famous model who choose to retired from his career after he got an awards as the best models two years a go?” Tyrone lean his back on his chair before he continue.

“Chester Park, that’s Ramona’s cousin from her mother’s side. He retired from modeling because the Kwon elders asked him to take the CEO’s chair in NineClouds,Inc., so basically he is my boss now.” Tyrone pause for a second.

“Back to the Kwon, Their power in business world is no joke, they even rule the government. This is what I need you to do Mark, you need to make sure that she will be save no matter what. Go with her everywhere she goes, you also have to ask her to go with you when you go out of the Uni. Since you will have different classes from now on, always text or call her every now and then. And you need to report me immediately if there’s something suspicious around her.” he look at me with a serious expression.

“Do not do anything stupid which will lead you, especially her to a dangerous situation. Always remember this Mark, Ramona is in danger and the Kwons are DANGEROUS!” he said the last words with emphasis. I dropped the documents on the table “aaaaarrrrrrggghhhhh!!!!! What the fck did I get myself intooooo?????!!!!!!” I pulled my hair with both hands frustratingly.

I took a deep breath and try to calm down “so basically you want me to become her personal bodyguard?” I asked, looking at Tyrone. He thinks for a second before answering “hmm... You can say that. But, there’s something good you need to know about the Kwon.” his tone made me interested.

I asked “what is it?” he start lowering his voice “in the Kwon, there’s no rules that the Kwon’s heir have to marry someone with the same background or they need to marry someone base on business contracts. Their businesses are strong enough to stand on their own, they don’t need others to help them. The Kwon’s heir can choose whoever they love as their partner, but the partner will have to live in the Kwon’s way. The Kwon’s heir soon to be partner will get a very special education from the Kwon’s elders.” I furrowed my eyebrows as I can’t get with what he has been trying to say.

“The Kwon’s elders will teach them how to live in the Kwon’s way, so the soon to be partner will be suitable enough for the Kwon’s heir. Why did they give freedom for the heir to choose their own partner? Because the elders want the heir to at least have a happy married life since their whole life have been controlled from they were born ‘till they die.” he paused again, made me more curious.

“So what I’m saying here is, you have a chance Mark. Maybe in the future you will be living as one of the Kwons, who knows~” he smirked at me, moving his eyebrows annoyingly. Did I ever tell you how much I hate him? Did I ever tell you about the reason? THIS IS the reason. He will never stop to annoy bejeezus out of me.

TBC.

(Gideon Kwon – the Fourth Generation of the Kwon, Ramona’s Father)

(Chester Park – the CEO of NineClouds,Inc., Ramona’s Cousin)

thesentinelll

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The Surprise.....

Flashback... (Their Second Year in the Uni)

Mark’s POV...

It’s been an hour since my brother left and here I am, thinking, trying to figure everything out. I got interrupted because my phone rings again. I check my screen, an unknown number can be seen. My brother warned me about this, they will call me and ask to meet.

Before I pick up, I clear my throat, gaining my composure. I press the green button and bring it to my ear “hello?” I greet them first, I got really anxious “is this Mr. Mark Lee, a Psych student from Parthenia University?” a man’s voice asked over the phone. “This is Mark Lee speaking. Can I help you?” I answered them, my heart has been beating so fast. “As we knew that your brother, Tyrone Lee just met you and we believe that he already told you about everything. We have something to talk with you. Meet us this evening at Green Olives restaurant at 6pm sharp. Thank you.” then they hang up without waiting for my answer. What kind of mess I get myself into? Dear Lord, what did I done?

*****

Mark’s POV…

There’s still 15 minutes left till 6pm and I already here, in front of the Green Olives. I will just wait, inside my car. As the time getting closer, I can feel myself getting more anxious too. Negative thoughts has been roaming around inside my head, “what will they talk about? Are they gonna kill me or something?” and etc.

I am looking at my watch, it will be 6pm in three minutes. I took a deep breath, checking myself at the front mirror before opening the door of my car. I got out of the car, walking towards the entrance. When I opened the door, a bell sound rings.

A man with a butler outfit welcome me “good evening Sir. Are you Mr. Mark Lee?” I nodded at his question “yes, I’m Mark Lee.” then he gave me a polite smile. He continue “this way Sir. The Kwon’s representative have been waiting for you.” he pointed at a staircase politely then lead the way.

I walk behind him, my eyes roaming around the restaurant. I got confused because there’s no a single person sitting on the table. Out of curiosity I asked “is this restaurant close? Why there’s no one here?” he turn his head to me, give me another polite smile. He answer “the whole restaurant have been booked by the Kwon, Sir.” it’s surprise me a little bit, but then I realize I should be known better. They are the Kwon after all.

When we already on the second floor, he stopped in front of the biggest door there. He turn around, facing me and give me his polite smile. He gave me a gesture with his hand, pointing at the door in a very polite way “the Kwon representative is inside this room Sir. You may get in. But before that let me remind you, please don’t do anything that will make him angry. It’s for your own safety Sir. Then, excuse me.” after saying that, he bowed at me and left.

Is this man that scary? What am I supposed to do? I am looking around and there’s no one here. My negative thoughts are coming back. “Dear God, if I’m not make it today, please tell my mom that I love her so much.” I said my prayer and start knocking that big door. I pulled my hand away from the door “come in.” I can hear someone said that from the inside. That two big doors swing open slowly and I start walking, entering the room hesitantly.

I am inside now, my eyes looking around the room, it was a conference room. There’s two bodyguards beside the door, while their Boss is sitting at the center of the big table. He’s sitting on a big boss chair, his back is facing me. I stand there awkwardly, didn’t know what to do, until “you two, leave us!” I jump in surprise as I heard the Boss’s booming voice. The two bodyguards bow politely at their Boss then got out of the room.

I am still looking at the door as it getting shut “you may take a sit Mr. Lee.” the Boss ordered me. I hurriedly take a sit at the nearest chair from me. Actually, there’s something that have been bothering me. The Boss’s voice, this man's voice is so damn familiar for me. I believe that I have heard it somewhere before but I couldn’t remember.

As I lost in my thought, trying to remember about the voice, the Boss turn his chair around. Now he’s facing me but I still didn’t notice his face because I have been looking at the table, still in deep thought. He called for my attention “good evening. Well, it’s nice to finally meet you Mr. Lee.” I turn my head at him, finally realize whose voice is it. I am glaring at him “what the fck are you doing here?” I stand up from my sit, hit the table with my both hands then pointing my finger at him angrily.

(A/N: His reaction in this gif is exactly the same reaction as what he did above, except he didn't smile this time haha…)

He cleared his throat “let me introduce myself, my name is Tyrone Lee, I’m a Lawyer and the Head of the Legal Team in one of Kwon’s Industries company. I’m here as the Kwon’s representative.” he said, acting like a professional. He is sitting mightily in that big chair, looking amused. Oh I can see how much he really enjoying this. What an asshole.

I am still glaring at him and getting confused now. Why did he said that he is the Kwon’s representative? I took a deep breath “just cut the crap already! What are you actually doing brother?” I said exhausted. He start to laugh “you should see your face Mark. That was so priceless! hahaha…” he stated and his laugh start to sounds like a rooster in the morning. I got anxious for nothing, he is just unbelievable.

Tyrone is still laughing right now. I drop back to my sit, lay my head on the table and groan “aaaaarrrrgggghhhh..... I hate my life.” I hit my head on the table. Tyrone stop laughing, at last “stop doing that Mark. You’ll get your head bruise later.” I pulled my head up, looking back at him. I ask him again “seriously brother, what are you doing actually? Since when you work for the Kwon, on top of that you become their representative, how?” my head is full of so many questions right now.

He let go of a sigh, getting ready to answer my questions. He threw me his business card “you remember Sheldon Oh, my senior when I’m still in the Uni?” I nodded my head as I read his business card “he’s the one who recommended me to the Kwon. He is the Head of the Legal Team too just like me, but he is in the SilverBerry,Inc., that company runs in culinary field. Three years a go, Richard Lee, one of the Five CEO at the Kwon, he is the CEO of SilverBerry,Inc., asked him if he had someone who works in the same field like him, then he recommended me. They build a new company, that housewares company the one that got really famous these days. They need an expert to handling a few stuffs that related to the laws. I got accepted immediately and start working in NineClouds,Inc. ever since. Why they choose me to become their representative to meet you? Because you’re my brother, as simple as that. Did that answer your questions?” he asked at the last of his words then sipping his coffee.

After listening to his answer, I can feel my sanity fading away from me. It’s even not the main topic yet but can you see how much I got stress because of this? I swear to God I will be send to an asylum immediately when we start talking about Ryu's situations and the madness inside her family.

(Sheldon Oh – the Head of the Legal Team in SilverBerry,Inc.)

(Richard Lee – the CEO of SilverBerry,Inc.)

TBC...

thesentinelll