"Then let me be like this, until the time I'm ready to forget you, slowly. Give me time to do it," Devan muttered continuously.

A tired sigh escaped from between his lips.

He had tried to stay away from and be indifferent to her, only for some reason he couldn't stand seeing her hurt. His heart moved, but his mind continued to resist.

He knew this was wrong. Loving and paying attention to a married woman is a big mistake. But how? What can he do? Devan tried his best.

And during the cooking earlier, he had made up his mind. Let time will erase the feelings he has. Slowly.

However, that does not mean he will snatch the woman from her husband, no.

Glancing at the watch on his wrist, Devan slowly lifted the woman's body. He picked her up bridal style, carried her to his room, and laid her back on his bed.

It's already five-thirty minutes past, soon it will be night.

And after that, Devan looked for Anna's cell phone. Intending to send a text message to the woman's husband so as not to worry when Anna came home a little later than usual.

At first, Devan thought the woman's phone was off, only after charging it, he guesses wrong.

"What was that woman thinking to turn off her cell phone?"

"Wouldn't she be worried if her family contacted her?" mumbled Devan.

Devan's brow furrowed when he found several missed calls.

Stunned.

"Brian?" he muttered reading the contact name on the screen.

Her memory goes back to several years ago, where the woman was still in a relationship with a man named Brian. Is the contact he sees the same person? Or someone else?

Devan shook his head and chose to ignore it. Too overthinking.

He then looked for other contacts he could call, only a few contacts there, and Devan's eyes returned to focus on the name 'Nicho'.

If memory serves him correctly, the woman's husband was named Nicho.

Only, Devan had not sent the message and the cell phone suddenly vibrated.

Brian

It was the name that appeared on the screen.

"Hello, honey. Where are you now?" The first sentence greeted Devan when he answered the incoming call.

A faint frown formed on his forehead.

"Anna, where are you? Why are you silent?"

"I have something for you. You're still outside right? Come home soon. I'm waiting for you, honey."

Devan didn't say a word.historical

Even when the call was over, he still didn't budge from his position. Until a few minutes later.

"So who exactly is your husband?" he muttered.

"Brian or Nicho?" he added again, he began to doubt the information provided by his messengers.

"Or maybe...?"

"Tsk, looking at your appearance, you can't possibly do that to your husband," he muttered again as if he couldn't believe what suddenly appeared in his mind.

Until the night is getting late. The typical groans of waking up began to fill Devan's room, distracting a man sitting on a sofa.

Anna who had just woken up immediately scanned her surroundings, suddenly the woman took a sitting position. And her eyes met Devan's.

"S-Sir..." Anna said hanging. She was confused about how to be in the man's room again.

But Devan looked away, the man ignored Anna and went back to playing his cellphone.

Anna froze, not knowing what to do at this point. Looking at the clock on the nightstand, she panicked. Get out of bed immediately.

"S-sir, I'm sorry for sleeping so late," said Anna, bowing slightly.

Devan just nodded, not looking back.

"Then I'd like to take my leave, sir."

"There's food downstairs, eat first then go home. Since this afternoon your stomach has not been filled with anything," said Devan again.

"W-well. Thank you, sir."

"Remember, don't misunderstand."

"Alright, Sir."

"Good. I'll ask Hendra to take you home."

"Thank you again, sir," replied Anna, bowing again and leaving the room.

***

When she got home, it was already dark around, only a few lights were still on indicating that Naila and Dave had fallen asleep.

Entering the house with slow steps, Anna looked more like a thief. She did it because she didn't want anyone to know about her arrival.

"Anna..."

However, a girl's voice suddenly rang out, making her stop at that moment. Along with the bright lights in the room.

"Why are you acting so strange?"

Turned to the source of the voice, there Naila was standing, and was currently walking towards her. The girl squinted as if she was investigating Anna.

"Ah, Naila. You surprised me."

"I've been waiting for you since earlier. So I haven't slept yet," Naila replied then grabbed Anna's arm and sat on the sofa.

Anna just obeyed, with the very bright lighting of the room, she was very sure that by now Naila must have seen the bruises on her face, even though they were a bit fainter compared to yesterday.

"Dave already asleep?" Anna asked right after landing her body on the sofa.

"Yes. Since yesterday he kept asking you. You seem very busy lately," replied Naila.

Anna just nodded in response.

"Someone sent a package for you," Naila said, grabbing the box and flowers that she had placed on the table in front of them, then handing them to Anna.

"Of whom?" Anna asked when she didn't see the sender's name.

"I don't know either. That person just asked me to give it to you," replied Naila.

"Those flowers are also from the same person. Maybe from someone you know?" she added again.

Anna did not respond, she was stunned when she found a very familiar greeting card tucked between the rose stems.

Immediately Anna opened the box that was on her lap quickly.

But what she found were a few photos. It's a photo of Brian and her when their relationship was fine.

Instantly Anna's hands trembled, suddenly became emotional, and tore the photo into small pieces.

"Hey, why to tear it up?" asked Naila.

"Nothing important," Anna replied then turned to face Naila with a smile on her lips.

"You have eaten?" asked Anna changing the subject.

"Erm."

"Anna, your face..." Naila's words trailed off when Anna's hand also suddenly covered the bruise on her cheek, it looked slightly swollen but at a glance, it wasn't very obvious.

"Ah I accidentally fell and hit the table yesterday," said Anna immediately.

"Is that true? Then wait a moment, let me compress it."

"No need," replied Anna holding the girl's arm.

"Why?"

"I'm sure you're tired of taking care of Dave all day. Sit back down, or better get some sleep. I can do it later," Anna replied.

"But.."

"Well, don't worry about me.. These bruises won't kill me, Naila," Anna interrupted, laughing lightly.