Renessa tried to escape from the place once. She tried to run as far as possible, but after they caught her, she finally gave up. She just did not want to be punished like that. She did not want to be locked in a small room with rats and cockroaches. She couldn't even say that it was a room because the floor was made of soil and she could see some plump worms squirm there.
After that she gave up. She was lucky enough because she was the best student. Some of her friends who were not as lucky as her had the tragic fate of having to clean swimming pools and toilets for three months.
After getting her high school diploma, Renessa managed to get out of the place that made her feel like a prisoner. Sintha, the woman who drove her to the place picked her up. She then said that her father has been sending money for her to continue her life in the country.
Renessa was disappointed and wanted to cry. She only wanted to go home. She wanted to go back home. However Sinta just ignored her plea and gave Renessa the brown envelope that was filled with a lot of money.
"Your father only gives you that. You should use them properly," Shinta said while lifting her shoulders.
Renessa was speechless when she looked at the money inside the envelope. She would die of hunger in less than one year with that amount of money. It will make more sense if she uses the money to go back home.
"I will return your passport after your graduation. Contact me if you have any problem staying here," Sinta said as if she could read Renessa's thoughts. She only said the word since Renessa told her that she was going to continue college. The girl wanted to go to college, but Rudi had a different opinion. She knew that the money was not for college. She just needs to feel the thickness of the envelope to know that Rudi only wants the girl to stay as possible from him. He would even be happy if the girl lived even more miserably here.
Renessa only could moan in disappointment when she heard the words. She remembered she needed a passport to go back home. Shinta was the one to renew her stay visa as long as she stayed there.
Renessa then met a kind woman named Lucia when she was in her second year. That woman told her that she was her mother and Uncle Jefri's close friend. Because of their meeting, Renessa was finally able to find out everything happened in her house.
After their first accidental meeting, the woman always came and visited Renessa with her son, Daniel. Renessa pretends to be a fool although she knew that the woman tried to be a cupid for them.
At that time, Renessa laughed sarcastically in the heart when she stared at Daniel. The man was only a year older than her, but Renessa felt that the man looked innocent and childish when telling his dream to become a famous musician. If she did not come to the cruel place and remain confined in her beautiful castle, she probably would have fallen in love with a man like Daniel. A handsome man who is rich but free spirited, the prince on a white horse she had ever dreamed of. But at that time, she was no longer interested in love.
Rrrrrttt …..
The vibration of Renessa's cell phone broke her long daydream. She smiled in amusement when she found the caller id with a heart icon followed.
"Yes, dear?" Renessa answered the call with a soft voice.
"Have you got back safely? Have you seen your father? How's your father's reaction?" Daniel's voice comes from the speaker. Renessa smiled when she heard the man's voice that was filled with affection.
Yes, she had to lick her own spit after Daniel approached her aggressively. At first, she thought it would be impossible to love a man like Daniel because of their differences. Although at the end, she started to get softer since Daniel never gave up and always showered her with attention.
"Hmmm…. I got back safely. I haven't. Father, his wife and daughter went out and would only get back in the afternoon," Renessa replied. Daniel was one of the people she informed about her return. In fact, she only informed three people, which were Uncle Jefri, Aunt Lucia, and Daniel. The reason she told the three people was of course because the three of them were the ones who had visited her frequently the past year after finding out where Rudi had abandoned her. She was afraid that if she did not tell them, they would be worried when they could not reach her number or when they could not find her when they made a surprise visit.
"Is everything okay? Are you okay, dear?" Daniel's gentle voice made her smile. The feeling of disappointment that suffocated her earlier lessened a little after hearing that man's voice. She loved the little attention the man gave her.
"I'm fine. What about your job? Is everything okay?"
"Everything went smoothly. I actually forgot to tell you this, but I'll be busy in the next few weeks. I will be joining a joint tour with several other musicians to hold discussions and small concerts with local artists in several areas," Daniel explained. Renessa could hear the excitement from the man's voice. He had always been interested in music events like this and being one to give ideas about the event made him really proud.
"Wow… That sounds fun. I wonder whose idea it is?" Renessa teased the man. Daniel had several times shared his desire to collaborate with musicians from several areas. Activities like this were one of his attempts to foster young people's interest in local musicians who actually have abilities which were not inferior to foreign artists. Daniel even often praised some talented local musicians who unfortunately didn't get enough exposure they deserved.
"Who else if not your boyfriend, dear," said Daniel proudly. Renessa laughed at Daniel's exaggerated boasting.
"I am really proud of you for handling this kind of event. Where did you get this generous sponsor for this event?" Renessa asked again. Unlike Daniel who looked at everything positively, Renessa had seen everything in a sarcastic way. She did not want to be disappointed for having hope or to expect something.
She honestly doubted that anyone would want to sponsor an event as risky as this. She would not be surprised if the sponsors were actually people who knew Daniel's identity.
"You make me embarrassed now. The only thing you should know about this event is that I actually have connections who acknowledge my brilliant idea," Daniel replied casually. Renessa quietly took a deep breath at Daniel's response. She didn't want him to know she was a little worried about the tour.
"That's great then. Break a leg, babe. Take care of your health there. I will miss you so much," Renessa said in a spoiled tone. Renessa sometimes found this side of herself was very funny, but Daniel once said that his tiredness would go away when she acted like that. Renessa knew that it must be weird to see her behave that way since she is always so serious. Therefore, whenever she heard or got a hint that the man felt tired, she would act spoiled.
"Honey, the tour just started today, please don't make me miss you even more," Daniel groaned softly. Renessa laughed happily when Daniel started to act like this. If Daniel was beside her, she usually would immediately hug him and showered him with kisses.
The two of them talked for a while until the soft voice of a girl who Renessa believed to be Gitya, Daniel's manager, was heard. Seemed like she called Daniel to do something.
"Honey, I got to go, okay. I'll call you later, bye," Daniel quickly said and immediately ended the phone call. He didn't even wait for Renessa to return the goodbye. Renessa's face turned gloomy. She didn't like that woman. Her female instincts told her that Gitya had special feelings for Daniel.
Renessa once asked why Daniel chose Gitya and not a man as a manager. Rather than a woman, she thinks it would be better if a man was chosen for the position since he could carry Daniel's stuff, be his driver and even be Daniel's bodyguard. She felt that having an additional manager to carry luggage, a chauffeur, and a bodyguard was a waste of money, especially if she could get all of those criteria from one or maybe two experienced people.
Renessa remembered being a little jealous when Daniel responded defensively that Gitya was one of his best friends since high school. Bullshit. She doesn't believe Gitya only wants friendship from Daniel. Renessa several times found the look full of love that radiated from Gitya's eyes whenever her eyes landed on Daniel.