Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Mr. Wijaya just passed me by without even giving a glimpse of me who was just staring at the floor. He pretended not to notice me. Kevin’s mother and Angeline were following after him.

“Ilana....” Reno was coming out of the room next to me.

“I need to go to the toilet. Where is it?” I impatiently strafed him with a question?

“Just walk down this corridor, take the right turn. You will see a toilet in the corner.”

“Thank you.” I was hurriedly running to the place he explained without even waiting for him to end his sentence.

I got out of the restroom and found nobody in the corridor which looked like a tunnel. Even though it was not dark, but the corridor was too long to get through. I did not even have any idea where it would lead to.

I kept walking and exploring the corridor which connected to another corridor or room. It had taken ten minutes, I could not find the exit. In despair, I finally heard someone’s voice behind me.

“Thanks,” I turned my head to someone that I guessed talking to me. A boy in a gray suit had stood behind me with a mocking grin on his face. He framed me with his towering body.

“What for? I did nothing for you.” I realized that I only created a mess during the party.

“Thanks for coming. You have successfully changed the atmosphere of the party.” He lowered his head and soften his voice while whispering those words to me. I flinched backward. I tried to fathom what he meant.

“You used me to bring Reno down, to humiliate him. Now I know why you were adamant to invite me to your birthday party. That’s a perfect plan.”

“Of course.” He reassured. A sneer did not fade away from his face. The pride and self-confidence were vividly painted there as well. “He deserves it. And you made my plan succeed. I should have congratulated you earlier.” He thought that having a friend from lower social status would detrude Reno’s dignity in front of the high social class guests. That was what I assumed from the incident at the party. Why was he so vicious toward his brother? They had the same father although Reno was his stepbrother, indeed.

“However, you have failed perfectly too.” He looked surprised. He might not think that I would say such a thing. “He made not only the MC amazed but also the guests’ attention attached to him. At least, they notice Mr. Wijaya’s other smart son after the party. Isn’t that what you want?” I provoked him. I did it. His face turned red as apples.

“You’re braver than I thought.” He responded. I knew that it was not a compliment. He might be thinking of another strategy to debit on what I said. “I shouldn't have underestimated you.” He didn’t seem interested in confronting me. “Let’s see who will stand till the end, it’s you or me.” I was shocked. He just announced war not only with Reno but also with me. It was not the battle I could win. I was fully aware of that. “ The exit is on the right.” He shouted and disappeared into the corridor.

Mrs. Ali’s employees felt relieved when I met them at the front gate. They had been waiting for me for almost a half-hour. Feeling guilty, I apologized to them many times.

"Are you ok?” asked one of them, a girl in red-dyed hair. She ran toward me as soon as I was with them.

“Yes. I’m fine. “ I smiled at her to soothe her.

“Thank God. We are really worried about you.” Another girl added. She cared about me after the tragedy I faced tonight.

“Ilana.... what happened actually? I mean how do you know Mr. Wiajaya’s sons? How can you be close to them? "The other girl in long hair abruptly inquired. I was aghast.

“We are just school mate yet not that close.”

“It seemed you and one of Mr. Wijaya's sons have known each other deeply. Do you have a special relationship?”

“No,” I responded right away. “It has been late at night. Let’s go home.” We swiftly got in the car and it took us home right away.

I chose to close my eyes, trying to sleep. However, Kevin’s voice still haunted me. what were his other plans? How bad was it this time? The car swept over the road under the bright light shining the darkness of the night. The tiresome seized me.

I woke up the following morning. I forgot what happened last night because I was too tired and sleepy. My mother yelled at me so that I had to cover my ears. My eyes dazzled from the sunshine that penetrated through the ventilation. It showed that I was going to b late to go to school.

I was in a hurry running out of my house with my bag slung on my shoulder. My shoes were dangling in my hand. The school gate was closed. It forced me to find a way to get inside. The security guards finally allowed me to get in after I beg sincerely.

The class had started ten minutes ago. I worriedly walked straight to my classroom. I would accept all the consequences of being late this time. If only I did not need money for my house rent, I would not have come to Kevin's birthday party. I would not oversleep.

The classroom was on the second floor. The lift did not work. I read a notice at the door. With all my recharged energy, I ran upstairs. Once in a while, I was gasping for breath.

Bruggghhh.....

“Ouch...” someone slid his foot into mine. I fell forward. I managed to stand up and slowly I did it. Kevin was standing right in front of my eyes with his sharp gaze. Subsequently, he grabbed my hand and dragged me upstairs. He smothered my mouth when I was about to scream for help. My weak body was easily conquered. He brought me to the storeroom which was located on the rooftop of the building and pushed me into it. This place was desolated. The room was too sultry. The darkness blinded my eyes. A half sobbing, I yelled at him, begging his mercy to unlock the locked door. Yet, only solitude answered my screaming.

“Anybody there? Please helps me out. I am trapped in here. Could anybody open the door?” I coarsely wailed from inside the storeroom while knocking at the door. All was in vain. Nobody would hear me. What if no one found me here?