THE PENANCE: THE PEBINOR
TP - 32

"If my brother asks Brother Febrian, just tell him that Brother Febrian never met me" Nalesha said.

Febrian nodded. "All right, but I need to know what's going on. You skipped school, didn't have any money, but you were in this expensive restaurant. How can it be like that?"

Nalesha did not answer.

"You can't answer? Nalesha, I'm worried about you. Now I'm gonna take you home." Febrian extended her hand.

Nalesha looked at Febrian's hand. Suddenly Zael came and blocked Nalesha from Febrian.

"Sorry, who are you?" Ask Zael.

The two men stared at each other with sharp gazes.

"I should have asked" said Febrian. "How can you be together? You're who?"

Zael turned to Nalesha who did not open his mouth. Finally Zael answered, "I'm his cousin."

Febrian was quite surprised to hear that. "Cousin? Fahreza never told me about you."

"What do you care?" Zael ruffled waist.

"I'm a cop, Nalesha's missing in the woods and we've been searching for her since a few months ago" Febrian replied.

Zael looked at Nalesha.

"It seems you're lying. Can you show me your badge?" Ask Zael.

"certain." Febrian reached into his jacket pocket, but apparently he did not carry his badge.

"I thought you were lying. You better go or I'll call security" Zael threatened.

However, Febrian stood still.

Zael extended his hand to Nalesha. The girl received Zael's hand and moved from her seat.

"Excuse me." Zael took Nalesha away from the restaurant.

Febrian looked at their backs.

In the car, Zael and Nalesha were both silent. Seeing Nalesha anxious, Zael spoke first, "You okay?"

Nalesha nodded.

"Who was that guy?" Ask Zael.

"I know he's the cop investigating Farhan Gumelar's death. He also once asked Arnav about the cooperative relationship between Haden and Gumelar's company" Nalesha replied.

"It seems that he knows you more than that" Zael said.

Nalesha did not reply immediately.

Nalesha remained silent.

"I saw your face on the advertising screen while going to the toilet" Zael said.

Nalesha was surprised to hear that. He looked at Zael.

"You deliberately ran away from home and wanted to leave your family?" Ask Zael.

"They're not my family. They are worse than the devil. They want me dead to take control of Dad's company" Nalesha said.

"You must have misunderstood, your family is your only place to go home. They're part of your life, so they're looking for you" Zael said.

Nalesha gave a heavy sigh. "Free you won't understand."

Zael turned to Nalesha for a moment and then looked back at the street.

"They even betrothed me to a police officer to have their crime protected" Nalesha said.

"What's? You're talking about our acting?"

Nalesha. "Our acting is nothing. Actually that matchmaking did happen in my life."

** Flashback **

Nalesha, who was still in high school uniform, sat opposite Febrian, who was also wearing a police uniform.

Both seem awkward.

"I've talked about it with Fahreza. You don't have to worry. I'll think of you as my own sister" said Febrian.

Nalesha did not answer.

** end Flashback **

"So, that cop...."

Nalesha nodded. "He's the guy. I know Febrian isn't a corrupt cop, but I don't guarantee his boss that way. My brother is good friends with Brother Febrian."

"It seems the cop likes you. I can see through his gaze when I look at you." Zael turned his eyes.

"My oldest brother said I should finish school and marry the cop as soon as possible" Nalesha said.

"What crime did your brother commit that he had to ask the police for help to cover it up?" Ask Zael.

...🍂🍂🍂...

^^^19.15 | 23 April 2021^^^

^^By Ucu Irna Marhamah ^^^