A few hours ago, none of this had felt real to Erin. Her head was still spinning, and each step felt like she was walking on a soft mattress. Everywhere she looked, faint rainbow shadows danced before her eyes.

For a moment, she thought she might be losing her mind. The long line of exes who had swept her off her feet and made her feel like she was floating had never made her feel this light without the help of a drink!


As her body sank into the warm bathwater, clarity returned. Her vision sharpened, and she looked around at the pink floral-scented bubbles surrounding her. She was in an all-white bathroom in her villa. She wasn't dreaming.

'Oh my God…" She whispered, pressing both palms to her cheeks. Was it real? Was she really dating Amir? Did that mean… he was hers? And she was his?

'Ahhh!" She squealed, covering her mouth in delight.


After her break, they had plans for dinner and a live band performance. They'd agreed to meet outside, to watch the band and enjoy a bonfire together. So why was she soaking in the tub now? It would take her forever to meet Amir at this rate!

Kicking herself for wasting time, Erin quickly grabbed the soap and scrubbed herself down, rinsing off in under two minutes. She reached for the clothes hanging behind the door, pausing when she noticed the white satin pajama set. It was the perfect look for a cozy night… if only they weren't in chilly Lembang! With a sigh, she resigned herself to layering up in a thick jacket, knowing her cute outfit would be hidden beneath it.


After dressing, she stood at the sink to apply her essential skincare routine. She followed up with a touch of mascara to accentuate her already curly lashes, and finally, a dab of lip balm that made her lips soft and glowy. Applying it reminded her of the moment.

Finally…

Finally, she'd felt Amir's lips on hers. She'd initiated the kiss, but the way he'd cradled her neck and cheeks, the feel of his thin mustache and soft beard against her skin—it had nearly driven her insane. She was sure Amir had skills beyond that single kiss.

Hmm… Could she get another one tonight?

Probably not. Amir wasn't the type to indulge in public displays or sneak off to a private corner. If he were just a little bolder, she'd crown him the most perfect boyfriend she'd ever had!

But Amir was officially her boyfriend now, and Erin was determined to respect him and his boundaries. She'd had enough of those passionate but short-lived relationships. Nodding to herself, she resolved to rein in her own fiery impulses.

Her movements quickened as she finished combing her thick hair.

"Wow, you're really looking pretty tonight, miss," she said to her reflection, giggling. 'Whose girl is this? Oh, Amir's? That hot guy? Yep, definitely."

Still laughing at herself, she stepped out of the bathroom with a bounce in her step. The room was furnished with two single beds on opposite sides, a long sofa along the wall facing the bathroom, and a smart TV flickering in the corner. Nathan was lounging on the sofa, his eyes red-rimmed but alert, a towel slung over his shoulder.

'Is this a miracle, or did you actually take a quick shower? Usually, it's a three-hour marathon."

'Hey! Where are you going?" Erin asked, pausing when Nathan turned off the TV.

'I'm taking a shower!"

'Wait!" Erin plopped down beside him, grabbing his arm. 'Listen to me for a minute. You've met Amir before. What do you think of him?"

Nathan leaned back, his eyes drifting upward as if recalling details from memory. 'Well, he's tall. Pretty fit, though not exactly ripped like me. His face… just kinda average."

Erin almost flicked his ear, but after years of knowing her, Nathan was quick enough to dodge. 'What? You wanted my honest opinion, didn't you?"

'I didn't mean his appearance! I can see that myself!" Erin huffed. 'I mean his vibe, his energy, his… aura. What do you think he's like?"

'Clear as day, right?"

'Does everything have to be spelled out?"

'Okay, okay!" Nathan looked upward again, brow furrowed. 'Honestly, he seems like a decent guy. Not one of those wild types. Maybe he's used up his ‘bad boy' points or something. Honestly, I feel kinda sorry for him, having to deal with a playgirl like you…"

'You jerk…" Erin lightly slapped Nathan's arm, though he blocked it easily. But then he crossed his arms, looking more serious, "Alright, you know Papa well enough. How do you think he'll react if I introduce him to Amir?"

'Are you really that serious that you want to introduce him to Papa?"

'Just answer me, Nate!"

'Wait, you're officially with him?"

Erin's cheeks turned bright red, and Nathan's eyes widened. 'Whoa. When did this happen? Don't tell me it was this afternoon while I was gaming?"

Erin pinched his nose playfully, 'Right on the mark, smart guy."

'What the… You broke your own rules, sis! You always go on and on about how first dates should only happen at a nice restaurant, remember? In a luxury hotel, on the beach, on a yacht—and now, you're dating in a garden?" Nathan's voice was filled with disbelief.

"In a rice field, to be exact," Erin replied, shrugging nonchalantly.

"A rice field?!" he echoed, utterly stunned.

"What's the big deal? The point is, I'm dating him!" Erin countered, laughing.

Nathan shook his head, looking at her in mock pity. "Sis, please, level with me. Who hurt you so bad that you're okay with this? Rice fields? You, the girl who usually expects to be treated like a princess?"

"Resigned to it? Oh, come on—" Erin shot him a look, but Nathan cut her off.

"No, seriously. Have you really forgotten, or have you just gone full-on love slave phase?" he teased. "You used to say a guy had to spoil you, treat you like a queen, buy you luxury gifts… What did Amir promise you?"

"Nathan, please," Erin sighed. "You really can't appreciate a sister who's finally maturing a little?"

He grinned. "Oh, is that why you're blushing every time you mention him? What's so special about him, huh? Is he, uh… big? Long, maybe?"

"Nathan!" Erin shrieked, smacking him with a nearby pillow. Then, she paused, thinking. "Though… judging by his build, it might be big. Maybe long too."

"Hey!" Nathan grabbed the pillow, whacking her back. "I'm telling Dad if that's the reason you chose him!"

"Oh, stop, that's ridiculous!" Erin laughed, wrestling to grab the pillow back, but he held it tight.

"Seriously, though," Nathan said, his tone turning serious. "You have to explain it to me properly, Sis. If you can't explain it to me, how do you expect to explain it to Dad? He's gonna be way more skeptical than I am!"

Erin paused. He was right. Dad would need a solid reason to accept Amir into the family.

"Alright," she sighed, sitting up straight and smoothing her hair. "I fell in love with Amir because he's mature, he has a stable job, and he's genuinely a good person. He's always respectful, not just to me but to his parents too—he even makes the effort to visit them in Tangerang every week. I don't see this as just a fling, Nathan. I can actually see a future with him. And if I get married someday, I'd want it to be with someone like him."

Nathan's eyes widened, clearly not expecting such a serious answer. "Alright, that sounds like you're on the right track. But just… don't go all in too fast, okay? Date him for a few months at least. And make sure he has a clean record. No skeletons in the closet, alright?"

"Understood, dear brother," Erin teased, poking him in the cheek. "But enough about me. What's going on with you and Jess?"

"Jess? Xavier's sister?" Nathan made a face. "Yeah, she's cute, but I don't think she's the one."

"Why not? You guys seemed pretty tight."

"That's just it. She's the clingy type, always texting, always calling. It's exhausting, honestly," he confessed. "I think I want to find someone more grounded. Someone… you know, like you and Amir."

Erin smiled, amused at the newfound maturity in his response, though she couldn't quite believe it either. She'd seen Nathan go through countless romances, none lasting very long. Holding back a smirk, she nodded.

'Well, if you want a good girl, Nate, you have to be a good guy first. Soulmates are reflections of ourselves, you know? It's really pretty simple."

"What's the formula, then?"

"Okay, for example," Erin began, patting his shoulder as she spoke. "If you want to meet a girl who's fit, start going to the gym. You'll be around like-minded people. If you want a devout girl, focus on your spiritual side—don't just party all the time. You'll attract who you are, Nate. So don't just change your type—work on yourself too."

Nathan stared at her, eyes wide. "Wait… This is still my sister, right? You weren't possessed by some rice-field spirit out there?"

"No, baby! Just possessed by Amir's love!" Erin clasped her cheeks, which were reddening by the second.

Nathan groaned. "Ugh, you're killing me! GROSS!" He playfully smacked her in the face with the pillow, though Erin just laughed, thrilled by the joy of teasing her brother.

***