Ayuma Pov's
Prambanan, Ramayana Ballet, Anoman Obong
I danced with goosebumps on my body. No, it's not because of the night breeze in the courtyard of Prambanan temple, where I'm dancing right now, but because of the intense and cold gaze of the Shah family's son, Rollan Keenan Shah. The heirs to tens of hectares of palm oil plantations in Sumatra and Kalimantan and the owners of coal mines reportedly spread across the country had to pay off corrupt politicians in this country to make their wealth. The Shah family has been a protected mafia family since the country's independence. There are many sins that they have committed over generations, and that has kept the family untouchable.
The man sat at the front; he didn't seem to be enjoying the show, and his gaze only focused on one point: me. Ayuma Ralline Wijaya: I'm the one who just had an unfortunate accident because my husband, who had just married me two weeks ago, made me collateral for his company's debts.
Should I kill myself like Pitaloka in pursuit of my dignity and honor? Or do I have to be patient and wait, like Dewi Sinta, whom I am currently starring as until my husband is willing to save me from a man like Rollan's clutches?
I don't know; I don't have a choice, and I dare not choose because they are all equally bad for me.
After I finished the performance, I immediately hid in my makeup room and had plans to escape from this place, but when I just took off some accessories attached to my head, someone came in without permission.
"You! What are you doing here?" I shouted. Luckily, I was still wearing clothes; I couldn't imagine that he would see me naked.
The man smirked sarcastically. "I think you've forgotten your current status, Ayu. You must come with me until your dear husband can pay all his debts to me."
I gave him a stern glare. "You know what? Your business with Bastian has nothing to do with me at all. The agreement between the two of you is invalid under the law! Besides, I've already filed for divorce from Bastian," I said with a victorious smile.
"Oh yeah?" he said with a raised eyebrow. "The agreement is valid, sweetheart. Because I've anticipated everything, you won't be able to report me to the police, run away from me, or do anything stupid," he said.
Then he walked towards me until the distance between us was only a few centimeters, and I could smell the masculine scent oozing from his body. I swallow my saliva harshly. I could see his face very clearly. Rollan was much taller than me; hence, he had to look down when he saw me, and I must admit, he was very handsome if only his face did not have two scars on his left eye, making his sharp eyes look even more terrifying.
"What do you want?" I asked in a trembling voice.
"What would I do?"
"Yes, if you dare to touch me, I'll scream for people to beat you like a fucking thief!"
He just grinned and breathed in the scent of my body. "The scent of dancers, the scent of jasmine, huh? I like it; it's so fucking sexy."
"Don't annoy me, Rollan. I warned you!"
"Do it. Scream as loud as you can, baby. No one will be able to help you except me."
I let out a rough sigh. "You know, you're a fucking idiot, Rollan."
"Why?" he asked with a whisper near my ear.
"You used me as collateral for Bastian's debts; he'll never pay what he owes you," I said, trying to be as casual and calm as possible. I'm trying to influence him to let me go and kill the cowardly man who used me as collateral.
Rollan stopped sniffing my body; he looked at me sharply. It seemed like he was swayed.
"If he can use his new wife as collateral for his debt, then he can easily flee the country to avoid paying his debt to you," I said, looking him in the eye.
I don't care, Ayu," he said, hissing at me.
"You're going to lose millions of dollars, Rollan. Wake up!" I snapped.
"I am well aware, Ayuma; hence, I am asking you directly to him; you will be my woman, mine.
I immediately pushed her body away from me, but she quickly caught my wrist.
"Don't be rude, Ayuma, darling. The more rude you are, the more I like it. Now get ready; my people are already waiting for us."
I breathed a sigh of relief once she stepped out. But before I could feel the relief, Rollan turned around.
"Ayu."
"What's up again, huh? Still not satisfied talking nonsense in front of me?" I snapped irritably.
"I'm very much in favor of your divorce from your husband, because after that you won't just be owned by me as collateral for debt repayment, but I'll own you completely."
What a jerk!
I almost cursed; this guy was nuts.
"You are crazy! Get out! Get out of here, Rollan."
Ha... ha... ha...
Rollan's laughter echoed. As soon as he completely disappeared, I immediately grabbed my phone and dialed Bastian's number.
Drrttt... Drttt...
"Ayuma, baby, what's wrong?"
"You are a filthy bastard, Bastian!" I shouted as soon as I heard his voice. "How dare you use me as collateral to pay your fucking debts!"
"I'm sorry, baby, I...
"I, I, what?" I interrupted him by screaming. "You know, he came to get me, Bastian...."
My tears began to fall. I hated my fragility. But what can I do right now? My head is stuck; I have no ideas at all.
"Please listen to my explanation, baby. Don't cry, please." Bastian's voice sounded panicked.
"You're completely cruel, Bastian. You're my husband! My fucking husband! You should be responsible for my life and death, not treating me like this!"
"I didn't mean to, Ayu. But...."
"But, what? I'm not an item you can give to anyone you like, Bastian!" I yelled out angrily.
"He forced me to put you up as collateral, Ayu!"
"Hi... him?" I asked with my voice shaking in shock. What the hell is this, Lord?
"I would've given it all to him, but he wouldn't. He wants you, Ayu."
Someone came back in, and again, Rollan I immediately looked at him with a look that wanted to kill.
"What do you mean he only wants me?" I asked as I pressed the loading speaker button on my phone.
"Rollan Keenan Shah will only accept my payment if I give him you as collateral; he doesn't need buildings, shares, and stuff; he just wants you."
"That's why you gave me up to him?" I asked while looking at Rollan, who was silently listening to our conversation on the phone.
"Yes, but that won't last long, dear. I will soon release you from the clutches of your ex-lover."
I was at a loss for words; how could all this madness happen to me?