The sound of a baby crying filled the gray room. Katya rushed to take the baby boy into her arms.
"Ututu, Sweetheart. Don't cry, handsome. Your beautiful auntie is here."
In less than five minutes, Katya managed to get her nephew back to sleep. Then Katya carefully tucked baby Shaka into bed.
The clock on the wall read nine o'clock at night. It had been an hour since Juan and his wife, Listy, had left to attend the wedding of Juan's friend Aksa.
"Shaka, I'll just go to the kitchen for a while. You sleep well." Katya gently pecked the six-month-old's soft cheek before stepping out of the room.
Katya walked slowly down the stairs. Her gaze wandered around. A sweet smile was etched on her beautiful face. Two years had passed. Katya and Juan's life was back to the good old days.
Juan managed to take Katya off Arthur's hands the same night after their race ended. That night, Juan asked to be given one day with Katya before Arthur took his sister away. Arthur didn't allow it at first. But because Katya begged so earnestly and promised not to run away, Arthur finally gave permission on the condition that she be guarded by two of his men.
At the right time, when Arthur's two men began to lose focus on their guard, Juan took the opportunity to take Katya away from the rented house that they had not even lived in for twenty-four hours.
Maybe the universe was on their side that night. They were reunited with one of Arkan's friends who told them about the insurance that Arkan had prepared during his lifetime. And from that insurance, Juan started a culinary business in Bali, Indonesia. Not long into their stay, Juan found his soul mate and married Listy, a native Jakarta girl who runs a famous boutique in Bali.
Katya didn't know anything about Arthur after they moved to Bali. It didn't matter how angry he was that she broke her promise not to run away. Katya just hoped that Arthur had forgotten about the incident. Maybe now Arthur was married and had children like Juan.
Katya poured some water into a glass. Then her gaze met Juan and Listy who had just returned.
"You're not asleep yet?" Listy asked as she walked over to Katya. Meanwhile, Juan went straight to his room.
"I'm not sleepy yet. But Shaka is already asleep."
Listy smiled and nodded. "I brought chicken satay for you. Hurry up and eat it."
"Thank you."
"Alright, I'll go to my room first."
Katya was very grateful to have a sister-in-law who loved her.
***
Katya continued her education by attending college and studying design. It was her dream to become a successful designer. In addition, Katya now had a sister-in-law who shared her passion for fashion.
"Katya!"
Katya immediately turned to the girl who had called her earlier. She was Katya's best friend, her name was Selia Natami.
"There's chocolate for you from Kevin."
Katya took the ribbon-decorated chocolate bar from Seli's hand. "Why didn't Kevin give it to me straight away?"
"Kevin was rushing to the lecturer's office. So he left it with me."
Katya nodded with a playful 'oh'.
"Looks like you two will be dating soon." Seli teased Katya.
"What the hell, Sel? Don't tease me."
Seli put her arm around Katya's shoulders. "Anyway, I'm totally down with you going out with Kevin. I swear, you guys are so compatible. One is beautiful and one is handsome. I can't imagine how perfect your kids will be."
"Seli! You're already talking about kids."
"I know what kind of man Kevin is. He won't last long in a relationship. I'm sure he will soon ask you to marry him."
Katya laughed softly. In the past six months, Katya had become so close to Kevin that many people thought they were dating.
"By the way, have you prepared the necessities for New York?"
Katya shook her head. "I'm not going there."
"Ah!"
Katya was not allowed by Juan to go to her hometown of New York, USA. Juan was worried that Katya would meet Arthur.
"So why won't Juan let you go? You're already a big girl. You're not a child who needs to be watched 24 hours. Besides, we're going there for a tour."
Katya just shook her head at Seli.
"Or how about I persuade Juan? Who knows, if I ask for permission, Juan might let you go to New York. What do you think?"
"No, Sel. It's useless. Juan won't give me permission."
Seli pursed her lips.
"Let's not talk about that anymore, let's go to class! I still have some work to do."
***
Class ended at four in the afternoon. Katya and Seli walked together to the parking lot. A handsome man in a denim jacket was waiting in front of Katya's car.
"Uhh, someone's been waiting for you." Seli whispered, deliberately teasing Katya.
"What the hell, Sel? Don't tease me."
Seli knew that her best friend was also attracted to Kevin. After all, who could resist Kevin's good looks? He was handsome, tall and authoritative. He was also kind and had many friends.
Kevin smiled at Katya's arrival.
"Hi, Kevin." Katya greeted. "Thanks for the chocolate this morning. I like it."
"I'm glad you liked it. I'm so happy to hear that." Kevin replied.
"By the way, I want to invite you guys to my father's company birthday party tonight. It's at the Golden Rose hotel. Can you?"
Katya and Seli exchanged glances.
"Sorry. I can't. I have an event at Grandma's tonight," said Seli, who had other things to do.
Kevin nodded. Then his gaze turned to Katya. "What about you? Juan was also invited there."
"I don't have anything to do."
"Well, then you're coming, right? I'll pick you up at eight."
"Okay."
***
At exactly eight in the evening, Kevin arrived at Katya's house. He looked dashing in his black suit and neatly styled hair.
Kevin's gaze immediately opened when he saw Katya appear from behind the main door of the house. The twenty-year-old girl looked very beautiful and elegant. Her body was wrapped in a black dress above the knee with her hair flowing in curls at the end. Perfect. That described Katya's appearance tonight.
Katya smiled embarrassedly at Kevin's admiring gaze at her.
"Wow! You look really pretty."
There was probably a blush on both of Katya's cheeks by now.
"Thank you. You also look very cool in a suit."
Kevin laughed softly. Then he extended one hand to Katya. The girl immediately took it.
"Are we leaving now?"
Katya smiled and nodded. Letting Kevin open the door for her.
"Please come in, Princess Katya."
"Thank you."
After about fifteen minutes of traveling, they finally arrived in front of a star hotel where Kevin's father's company anniversary was being celebrated.
Hand in hand, Katya and Kevin stepped into the room where the party was taking place.
"Those are my parents. Let's go there first." Kevin asked and Katya nodded in response.
"Mom, Dad!" Kevin exclaimed, making the couple turn their heads to the source of the sound.
The woman who had brought Kevin into the world smiled as she saw her son coming with a girl. "Wow, where did you bring this angel from?"
Katya smiled in embarrassment.
"This is my friend, Mom. Her name is Katya. She's the younger sister of Juan, the owner of Mahesa Resto."
"So you're Juan's sister? Very pretty." Karina tugged gently on Katya's arm. "Look, Dad, I think this is our future daughter-in-law."
Katya blushed even more.
Beni - Kevin's father, also smiled happily at Katya's presence. "Yes, dear, she's beautiful. Just like you were when you were young."
"Ah!"
Katya laughed with Kevin and his parents. The first impression of meeting Kevin's family was very pleasant. They welcomed Katya warmly.
Then Kevin invited Katya to sit on an empty bench near the swimming pool.
"That's Juan and Listy," Kevin said, telling Katya where her brother was.
Juan and Listy had left first. Shaka was left at home with the housemaid.
"Kevin!"
"I'll go first. I'll come back later."
Katya nodded. Letting Kevin go to meet his friend who had just arrived.
Not knowing what to do, Katya chose to play with her cell phone. However, when Katya took out the sophisticated object from her bag, Katya was surprised by someone who took the cell phone by force.
Like a thunderbolt in broad daylight. Katya was completely shocked by the presence of someone she had been avoiding for two years. Arthur Maverick. He was also invited to this event.
Katya's eyeballs darted around looking for Juan. But alas, she did not find her brother's whereabouts. The number of guests present also made it difficult for Katya to locate Kevin.
Not wanting anything bad to happen to her, Katya hurriedly took a wide step away from Arthur's presence. But of course Arthur didn't stay silent. He ordered his bodyguards to follow Katya.
Katya's heart was already beating wildly. Cold sweat had even broken out on Katya's palms. She was very scared right now. Especially since she knew that Arthur's bodyguards were following her every move.
"Ah!" Katya let out a startled cry as one of Arthur's bodyguards confronted her at the front.
From behind, someone covered Katya's nose and mouth with a cloth. In just seconds, Katya's body had fallen unconscious. Then they put her in a room at the hotel.
"Get out."
The bodyguards nodded obediently and left Arthur and Katya there.
Don't ask how angry Arthur was when he found out that Juan had taken Katya away that night. The bodyguards and employees in the office were the subject of Arthur's rage.
The man, who had turned thirty this year, began to take off his black suit and tossed it to the floor. With a smile etched into his smirk, Arthur rolled up the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows.
He looked at Katya intently. The girl who was once small and innocent, has now grown into a beautiful and sexy girl.
Arthur positioned his body on top of Katya's. "I've been waiting for you for two years. Now you can't escape my grasp anymore, Katya."
Arthur's gaze locked on Katya's red lips. Very seductive. Coupled with the pure white skin of the girl's neck. It was easy for Arthur's defenses to waver.
Now his thumb rubbed Katya's lower lip.
"You are so tempting. But if I do it now while you are still unconscious. I won't be satisfied."