Amir was certain—there would be no moment that could match the adrenaline surging through him right now. Like someone in a trance, he had been fixing the cables in his hotel room while daydreaming, half-listening to Ridwan's complaints about Steve not sending his prize quota.

What really occupied Amir's thoughts, though, was the fact that he was now on the same floor as Erin, without the watchful eyes of their office observing them. It wasn't every day he'd get such an opportunity. Discreetly, he checked his phone, scanning for nearby restaurants.


Unfortunately, most places were already closed. He couldn't exactly ask Erin to a fast-food place across the street. But there weren't many options. He scrolled through the listings again, feeling less inclined to take his car out the farther away the restaurants were. Eventually, he settled on the fast food joint nearby and decided to send Erin a message, inviting her out that night.

Amir didn't even have time to change his clothes. He was still in his gray suit, but he'd washed his face, brushed his teeth, and reapplied some of his cologne—the one Erin liked, the one Kia had gifted him for his birthday.

Ah, Kia... He wasn't sure what she was going through right now, but her recent WhatsApp status showed a photo of her with her husband and child. Amir knew that Kia often did this to reassure herself when things were rocky in her marriage. In those moments, Amir always stepped back. He was fully aware that if he got involved, he could make things worse. So, he restrained himself from sending any messages.


Erin's hotel room door was open.

She had taken off her jacket, revealing a blue tank top paired with a gray pencil skirt. Her headband, adorned with bear ears, sat atop her head, and her bare face glowed with natural beauty, her once-tanned skin now pale. She pouted at Amir. "If you're going to ask a girl out, at least give her a week's notice! Don't spring it on her last minute!"


In that moment, Amir felt an urge to pinch Erin's cheeks, flick her pouting lips, and grab her hand to pull her along with him. But he kept his hands in his pockets. "If you want to come, let's go. If not, don't expect another chance to go out with me."

"Go out with you? Are you nuts? Look at me!"

"What's wrong with you?"

"I'm a mess, Amir!"

"Are you fishing for compliments?"

"No! My beauty standards are much higher than this! I need to do my makeup, wear a dress… I don't want you staring at me too long and getting disgusted."

"I'll be disgusted if you keep whining. Come on, let's go." Amir acted nonchalant, but he was paying close attention to Erin's every movement.

At first, there was silence, but then he heard the soft click of heels behind him. Amir smirked.

At Kentucky Fried Chicken, a 24-hour fried chicken restaurant, the atmosphere was relatively quiet for a Saturday night. It wasn't the kind of evening where people stayed out late. Amir chose a table on the second floor, in the outdoor seating area where they could overlook the quiet intersection.

For himself, Amir ordered the Yakiniku Don rice bowl with lemon tea. Erin went for a mixed snack of potatoes and nuggets, paired with a mocha float. She wasn't exactly thrilled, though, eating her food with a frown while staring out at the cracked asphalt of the road below.

Amir finished chewing and took a sip of his drink before speaking. "Erin, I'm sorry. I know this probably isn't the place you wanted to go. But it's late, and I didn't want to take us too far from the hotel. It's safer this way, right?"

Erin, still nibbling on her nuggets, brushed a strand of windblown hair out of her face and took a long sip of her mocha float before responding. "I like the food. I don't have a problem with that."

"Come on, Rin. Just be honest. I respect you, but the options were limited. Most restaurants were already closed."

"That's not it!" Erin tapped her fist lightly on the table, adjusting her headband that had slipped down. "I'm just annoyed you asked me out so suddenly. I didn't get the chance to look my best. I can't even flirt with you like this."

"Why not? What's stopping you?"

"Because I'm not confident, Amir! I feel like a total nerd right now!" Her pink lips pouted again, and Amir had to shake his head to stay focused.

"What's making you feel insecure? You're healthy, you're perfect. What's the issue?"

"Mr. Amir, makeup is a woman's armor! Without it, I feel empty and not confident at all."

"Gosh, Rin… You should be grateful. There are so many women out there who'd love to be as beautiful as you, even without makeup. You have a lot to be grateful for, don't be so insecure."

"People have different levels of insecurity, Amir. You don't understand the feeling—when you're used to getting attention and one day it suddenly drops, it makes you wonder. Did I do something wrong? Is my lipstick the wrong color? Or are my eyebrows uneven?"

"What kind of attention are you looking for? Attention from people like Steve? The guy who seems like he wants to insult you?"

"WHO'S TALKING ABOUT STEVE?" Erin shouted. "I'm talking about you! I'm afraid you won't like me anymore, you know!"

"Who said that?"

Amir's spontaneous reply changed Erin's expression instantly. Her eyes narrowed with a mischievous smile. "So, you like me now, huh?"

This girl! Amir didn't respond. Instead, he focused on his food, scooping up rice and nearly forgetting about the chicken.

"Okay then," Erin stood up unexpectedly and pulled a chair next to Amir. Leaning close, she said, "Let's start this ‘getting-to-know-each-other' session."

"Not like this, Erin." Amir gently pushed her chair a little farther from him.

She rested her chin on the table, smiling. "My name is Erin Valerie. I'm the eldest of two siblings. Even though I'm the firstborn, my parents are super protective of me just because I'm a girl. My younger brother's name is Nathan. He'll be the second person to break your neck if you ever hurt me."

"And who's the first?"

"My dad! Papa Rudolf. Now, your turn."

"What about me?"

"Tell me about your family, Amir."

"Why?"

"So we can get closer, duh!"

"Do we really need to label it as 'getting closer'? That sounds so tacky."

"That's what it takes! I don't want to just play around. I want validation, something real, official."

Amir swallowed hard. He had asked Erin out, but he hadn't expected her to bring up family right away. There was still a stereotype in his mind that Erin was a carefree, fun-loving girl who'd avoid serious topics like family. But here she was, taking the lead.

Truthfully, Amir wasn't ready to share much. He cleared his throat, taking three sips of his drink before returning his gaze to Erin's eager face. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"My family's not that interesting."

"Huh? What kind of answer is that? Just tell me. Don't make it so hard!"

"Okay, fine. I'm an only child. My parents are already old, so I make it a point to spend one day a week with them in Tangerang."

Erin nodded. "Oh, they live in Tangerang? But didn't you buy a house in East Jakarta?"

"Who told you that?"

"Just answer the question! Why'd you buy a house in East Jakarta? Isn't it far from Tangerang?"

"Well... I don't know if you've ever felt this, but sometimes there's a moment when you just don't want to be treated like a child anymore. You want your freedom. But after that moment passes, there's this feeling of regret, like you want to be close to your family again."

"Hmm, I get that. But my parents are very strict, probably because I'm a girl."

"Maybe. Parents treat their kids differently."

Erin patted Amir on the shoulder. "But that's one of the things I admire about you. At your age, when you're supposed to be at your most productive—and, let's be honest, your reproductive organs are at their peak—"

"Damn it, Erin."

"Shut up!" Erin slapped Amir's shoulder playfully. "You're focusing on your parents, but my question is, what about your future? You definitely want a girlfriend, a serious relationship, maybe marriage. How are you going to balance your time between your parents and your girlfriend?"

"I don't know. That's why I said I'm not ready for a relationship yet. Or at least, I need a partner who's mature enough to understand that I can't be fully hers."

"Hmm, is that what you meant by wanting a mature woman? But no matter how mature a girl is, she'll still need time with you, to feel close and intimate."

"Of course there'll be time, but she'll have to be willing to share it."

"Funny, I've never really thought about that when it comes to my parents."

"Maybe because you have a younger brother. You don't feel the pressure of supporting your parents on your own. Meanwhile, my parents only have me. And I'll take care of them forever. Anyone who's with me will have to accept that."

Amir noticed Erin's shoulders shudder slightly. It was clear she was taken aback by this topic, surprised by the reality of it all. But he also saw determination in her eyes, a stark contrast to the carefree image he had of her. She wasn't brushing it off with small talk or avoiding the seriousness of the conversation.

"If anything," Erin said softly, "listening to your story doesn't make me feel burdened. I think it's admirable to share time with your parents."

There was a strong possibility that Erin was lying or just trying to sound wise. But what puzzled him was the way she leaned her chair even closer, as if she was genuinely interested in having a longer conversation. Could she be telling the truth?

Amir blinked, trying to shake off the sudden hope rising within him.

"There's something else I'm curious about. What finally made you break up with Kia?"

The question momentarily blurred Amir's vision. He had a feeling Erin knew something about his past with Kia. She wouldn't have acted so curious otherwise.

"Kia is beautiful, graceful, and smart. So why isn't she wife material? Why did you two break up? Or..." Erin's eyes widened as if she just realized something, "was it because you were on different religions?"

In Indonesia, couples cannot marry if they do not have the same religion.

"Rin, if you know about me and her, you know it was a long time ago, right? High school."

"Let's break it down. You and Kia broke up in high school, but you're still hung up on her all these years later? That sounds like a never-ending love story, Amir!"

"Well, it's ended now, hasn't it?"

"Oh, so you've really given up, huh?"

"What do you want me to do, Erin? She's married now."

"And if she wasn't? What would you do?"

"No way!"

"Why not?"

"You know why."

"Then what if she wanted to switch her religion?" Erin teased.

"Don't go that far, Erin." Amir chuckled.

"But logically, Amir, it's tough for me too! First, I have to be a mature girl who's okay with sharing your time with your parents. Second, I have to compete with the shadow of your ex, who's still clingy!"

"Rin, I told you, I don't want to date a kid. I need someone who can handle it all. And trust me, this is just the surface. If you decide to get close to me, there will be bigger obstacles."

"What? Why are you scaring me like that?"

"Because I don't want you to regret it, Rin. You still have time to turn back. You won't lose anything if you stay away from me now. But if you choose to move forward, I guarantee things will get tough. I'm warning you because I care about you. I don't want to break your heart, I don't want to see your beautiful face filled with sadness. I don't want to affect your health either..."

"Well... to be honest, Amir, what you're saying does scare me. But look at this moment..." Erin took a deep breath, inhaling the night air mixed with the faint scent of Amir's cologne. "In the middle of the night, with a gentle breeze, dim lights, and just the two of us... I can't imagine anything strong enough to make me turn back now."

"Rin, I told you, this is just the beginning."

"I heard you, Amir. But if all those obstacles come with you as the prize, then what I want is simple." Erin scooted her chair a little closer to Amir, "I just want to get closer," she moved closer again, "and closer," until her chair was right next to his.

Her playful flirting made Amir suppress a laugh. It all felt like a dream. It had been a long time since he'd felt such joy—like flowers blooming in his heart, not just one, but a whole garden, as Erin's gaze warmed him from the inside out.

"Convince me again, Rin. Why me? Why not someone else?"

"Because, the more I look at you, the hotter you get."

"Gosh..."

"Wait, let me finish! Besides that, it just... happens. You're the first guy who doesn't ask me to change into this or that outfit, and you're fine with me having a bare face, no makeup. With you, I can just be me—casual, warm, and calm. It feels... beautiful. This moment with you is the most ordinary and the most special all at once. Plus, you're not a guy who has dirty thoughts. Here we are, staying at the same hotel, and you haven't even hinted at wanting to share a room. It's like your mind is pure."

"It doesn't matter whether it's clean or dirty, Rin. My principle is, I don't want to have casual sex. But I do believe in making love. And I only want to do that with someone I truly love."

"So... you don't love me?"

"Not yet, Rin. It would be a lie to say I'm in love just like that."

"But I already love you!" she exclaimed.

"Really?"

"Yeah!"

"I don't... sorry."

"What?! I'm going home!" Erin started to get up, but Amir gently grabbed her hand and pulled her back down.

"Be patient, Rin. We have plenty of time."

"When? When will you start loving me?"

"I don't know ..."

"See!"

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Just be patient, alright?"

"I'll forgive you, but only if you wear this," Erin said, taking off her bear ear headband and placing it on Amir's head.

"Are you happy now?" Amir pouted playfully.

"Not yet. You need to enjoy it."

"Gosh, I'm exhausted."

"No, no, come here..." Erin gently cupped Amir's cheeks with both hands, guiding his face towards hers, their playful moment evolving into something deeper as their eyes met, "Dear Goddess of love, with this, I transfer my love energy to this man," Erin whispered, her eyes peeking open to glance at Amir, who was frowning slightly. She continued to gently rub his cheek. "Amir will become a loyal boyfriend, who loves Erin very much, whose crush is irrational, and we will live happily ever after."

Amir remained silent, waiting to see what would happen next. His world felt strange—somewhere between reality and fantasy. Yet, Erin's soft hand caressing his cheek was real, grounding him in the moment.

When Erin opened her eyes, she saw her smile reflected in his.

Yes, Goddess of love, Amir had received Erin's delivery of love energy. It flowed beautifully, igniting a warmth that surged through his veins, making his heart race in an uneven rhythm.

***