Forced to accept

Dania walked lazily to the visiting room. There was already Clara and Viona, her best friend. Because of Clara's crazy idea to send her home, Dania is arrested by the police.

"Gosh, Dan! Why are you doing this, anyway?!" Vio screamed seeing the orange uniform that Dania was wearing.

"Thanks to your friend's advice. The advice is great," Dania replied sarcastically when she was in front of them.

"You haven't fully followed my advice, Dan," said Clara.

"What do you suggest, Cla?" asked Viona, who didn't know anything. "I'm surprised that you've done something wrong to get arrested like this? I'm shocked to hear this news."

"She was sued by Alvin for leaking a man's head," Clara answered.

"What? How can that be?" Vio was surprised.

"Dania doesn't want to kiss Alvin. So she hit the poor guy with a bottle of wine until his head leaked out."

Dani chuckles. "I want to be raped, yes. If it's just a joke, why would I do such a stupid thing?"

Vio covered her mouth, shocked. "Alvin raped you? When?"

"Ck, I'm lazy to answer, Vi. You probably don't know about my case. How are you?" Dania grunted.

"Yes, sorry. I just came back from Bandung." Vio pursed her lips.

"Doesn't the hotel where you stay have a television? News of Alvin's head leaked into the national TV gossip broadcast." Alvin is not an artist, but he has been romantically involved with artists from the capital city. So, the news is sometimes updated.

Vio grimaced. "Where can I stare at the TV? I'm working."

"Accompany your boss to sleep or work?" Clara pouted.

Vio chuckled. "Yeah, real work, Cla."

As a secretary, sometimes Vio will accompany her boss on business trips.

Clara focuses on Dania again. "Like my advice, you better accept Alvin's proposal. You don't want to feel mingled with the female prisoners in there? That's terrible, Dan."

Damn Clara! Why did she even scare her? It's like eating 'simalakama' fruit. Live reluctantly, don't want to die. Dania doesn't like the choice at all.

"You have nothing to lose by marrying Alvin." Again Clara hummed the sentence. Good looks and wealth are not Dania's priorities. Even though nowadays it's booming like that. 11 However, if possible, apart from being handsome and rich, Dania also wants to get a partner she loves.

"Better to be loved than to love. Loving is painful, especially when your feelings are not reciprocated," commented Vio.

"Are you curling up?"

Vio has been up and down chasing a love that doesn't come. However, that was a few years ago. The thing that made her realize that she only wants to receive love, without giving her heart in return.

"Believe what I say, okay, Dan."

Dania exhaled. Should he take that step?

Clara grabbed Dania's hand. "You don't have to be afraid. There are us who will always support your decision. But honestly, I can't bear to see you wearing this uniform. So, please. Think carefully. Love can grow later, Dan. But, if it turns out that Alvin is mean to you, I and Vio are the first people who won't let you fall."

Vio nodded and took the back of both hands. Dania admits that they are good friends even though their behavior is annoying at times.

***

Alvin looked at Dania with interest. The man with a bandage on his head smiled broadly as he continued to watch Dania. In one of the hotel restaurants they met. Again, the place that Alvin ordered was too private. Dania still remembers the incident the other day at Puncak. With his head wrapped in bandages, what could Alvin possibly be that impudent again?

Dania still has to be vigilant. In the end, she agreed to Alvin's offer. It's not an offer, but a forced choice. Dania just hopes that her choice is not wrong. Accepting Alvin's proposal was the biggest decision in her life. Just imagine, she will be stuck for life with that man. The man whose head is hard to guess.

"I'm sorry," said Dania starting the conversation.

"I've forgiven since you accepted my proposal," replied Alvin smiling.

Dania does not like the smile that the man always shows. How can Clara think it's a charming smile? Doesn't that look like a devil's grin?

"I have no choice," Dania replied lazily.

"There's still one month before we get married. Have fun with your friends. I will not disturb you. But if we are united, don't expect you to be able to roam freely with your friends."

What? Dania couldn't believe Alvin said that. "Are you giving an ultimatum?"

"Think of it that way." Alvin still maintained a smile.

Psychopathic. Dania could not imagine how terrible her life after marriage would be. Far from happy. Alvin would lock her up, and make her a sex slave maybe. It was nothing that the man had intended to keep her away from her friends.

"What kind of marriage robs the spouse of happiness?"

"Not stealing, Honey. I'll replace it with new happiness. You'll like it more than hanging out with your friends." Alvin smiled again.

"For me, there is nothing happier than traveling with them," said Dania, still maintaining her intonation.

"You'll find out after we get married."

Oh my God, the man wanted to marry her. Dania exhaled. What efforts will she make to change Alvin's intentions?

Dania bit her lip, thinking. There must be away. Make Alvin dislike her, maybe? But what? Dania's eyes widened, and when she saw the stickers stuck to the glass wall, she smiled a little. Dania took a spoon, then ate the dessert on her plate.

"I didn't think so. A man like you chooses to marry a woman who is no longer a virgin." Dania smiled briefly when Alvin seemed to be provoked by her words.

"You're not a virgin anymore?" Alvin asked narrowing his eyes.

Dania nodded. The bait is right. Alvin must not like hearing this news.

"Who did it first?"

"Do I need to share that information with you?" It sucks.

"Of course. Because I don't like anyone touching mine."

"It happened a long time ago. I even forgot who did it." Dania shrugged as if it didn't matter to her anymore.

"You don't look like a woman who lost her hymen when I was about to touch you." Alvin looked straight at Dania. He knew she was lying.

"I did it on a consensual basis. Not coercion like you do." Dania growled. What if a woman who has lost her virginity will willingly let a foreign man touch her?

"Okay, I'm sorry. You keep refusing me. So I thought..." Alvin hung up. "All right, I'm done. We can go home now." Alvin put down the tissue he just used to wipe his mouth.

Doing the same thing, Dania ended her eating activities. They then descended the stairs with Alvin holding Dania's hand tightly.

"Tomorrow I will take off the bandage. Do you want to come with me?" Alvin asked.

"What am I going with?"

"Perhaps you'd like to see the work you've made in my head."

Dania did not heed Alvin's words. As he continued to walk, she glanced around the restaurant. And accidentally her eyes meet someone's face. Dania looked at Martin. The man is also watching her. He is with a beautiful woman. Maybe it's his girlfriend. I don't know, maybe not.

Dania immediately looked away when Alvin jerked her hand.

"What are you looking at?" Alvin asked, stopping in his tracks.

"Nothing. Come on." Dania continued to walk out of the restaurant. When she reached the exit, she glanced back at Martin's table. The man was still looking at her. Dania could see the handsome man smiling at her. Although brief, Dania returned the smile as well.