Chapter 23

Senja Alexandro looked at Mentari Jingga with an annoying look.

The girl sat and played with her phone and didn't even look at him. Then, Senja noticed that Awan was staring at him, asking for an explanation. On the table, there are the food that Mentari brought earlier from Senja's father. Senja was not angry because Mentari had come to bring the food. Senja is angry because Mentari comes alone to his office. What if something bad happened to that girl on the street?

"So... your fiancé is Mentari?" asked Awan again, because Senja had not given him any explanation yet. Then, Awan looked at Mentari who seemed disinterested in his and Senja's conversation. "Tari, are you really engaged to Senja?"

In response, Mentari raised her hand, showing the ring on her ring finger. Then, Mentari pointed at the ring on Senja's ring finger, making Awan shake his head and smile in disbelief.

"Crazy! I can't believe you two are engaged. I've thought from the start, you two are actually suitable as a couple."

"Don't just talk nonsense," Senja grumbled. He snorted and massaged the bridge of his nose. "Mentari and I are still thinking about ways to cancel our engagement."

"Why?" asked Awan, did not understand. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Is this due to age issues? Look, there are a lot of couples out there with different age."

"I'm a teacher and she's my student."

"And?" Awan took a deep breath. "Senja, if people at school find out that you are engaged and married, they won't dare to say anything strange. But, if you and Mentari don't want people at school to find out, all you have to do is be quiet. I'm right, right?"

"It's not that easy," Senja shook his head. "I don't love her, neither does Mentari, who really hates me."

"I don't hate you, Mr. Senja," said Mentari. Even though Mentari spoke, her gaze remained fixed on the cellphone in her hand. "I can't possibly hate other people, even though that person has been mean to me."

Senja's eyebrows raised one. "So you're saying I've been mean to you?"

"It is not like that." Mentari took a deep breath and looked at Senja. She leaned her back against the back of the couch. "The point is, I don't hate you, Mr. Senja. I just... Well, don't get along with you. That's all. But, regarding this engagement, I really want this engagement to be canceled because I don't love you."

"Love is an easy matter," commented Awan. "You just need to spend time together, every day, without arguing or fighting, and love will come to the both of you."

Senja and Mentari both gave weird looks to Awan, making Awan nervous and clearing his throat. "Basically, I support this engagement. In my opinion, you and Mentari can be a harmonious couple."

Mentari took a deep breath and stood up from the sofa. She stepped toward the door, ready to leave the room. Seeing that, Senja ran towards Mentari and held her hand. He frowned at Mentari who tilted her head confused by Senja's attitude.

"Where are you going?" Senja asked in a firm tone.

"Going home," answered Mentari in a relaxed tone. "My job was only to deliver Mr. Senja's dinner, on the orders of Mr. Senja's father. Now that my work is done, I want to go home. I want to finish my homework."

"Alone?" Senja shook his head firmly. "No. I will take you home."

"I'm used to going home alone, Sir. Besides, it's not too late either. I—"

"I'll take you home," interrupted Senja, not wanting to be denied. He looked at Awan and pointed at the food that Mentari had brought earlier. "Awan, bring the food. We're taking Mentari home. Just take my car."

Awan nodded and immediately did what Senja told him to do. Mentari is silent. She didn't even say anything when she realized that Senja was now holding her hand. Then, Mentari's eyes glanced at Senja's back who was walking in front of her. When something gently tapped her shoulder, Mentari turned her head and was a little surprised when she realized that Awan's face was close to hers.

"Hey, this is the first time you've seen Senja being overly protective like this, right? He can be possessive, you know. So, you have to start getting used to it, Tar."

Mentari snorted and looked back ahead. What will happen to her and Senja if their engagement cannot be canceled? Is she really going to marry her own teacher?

###

Mentari stared at the mall in front of her.

The girl frowned, then looked at Senja. She saw Senja turn off the car engine, then open his seat belt. Then, Awan also did the same thing.

"Mr. Senja, why are we going to the mall?" asked Mentari in a tone that did not understand. "I want to go home. I still have a lot of homework and tomorrow Mr. Surya will be teaching my class. He's really fierce, Sir."

"I'll help you finish your homework later. Isn't that the privilege that I have as your fiancé?" Senja ruffled Mentari's hair and opened the door beside him. "Come on, get down. I want to buy you some good food."

"Food?" Mentari immediately came out and followed Senja. She walked by Senja's side, while Awan walked behind them. "I've brought Mr. Senja's dinner, right? It was cooked by Mr. Senja's mother, you know. Isn't it time to eat it?"

"I will eat that later. For now, I want to have dinner with you and Awan. Are you sure you don't want to have dinner here? I'll buy you whatever food you want."

Mentari immediately pointed at the mall in front of her and walked first. "Come on! I want to eat sushi!"

Seeing Mentari's behavior, Senja couldn't help but smile. The guy shook his head, then shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. When he turned his head, he saw a motorbike with a high speed and Mentari didn't notice it at all. Senja, who panicked, immediately ran towards Mentari and called out her name.

"Mentari! Watch out!"

Mentari stopped walking and turned around. She was wide-eyed when she saw the motorcycle speeding towards her. Her legs could not be moved, so that Mentari could only close her eyes tightly. Then, Mentari felt her body being hit hard and she winced when she felt her body hurt. When her eyes opened, Mentari realized that Senja had helped her.

Senja panted. The guy took a deep breath and looked at Mentari in his arms. Mentari's face looked pale, making Senja worried. He stroked Mentari's face and also her head.

"Hey, are you okay, Mentari? Are you injured?"

Mentari shook her head weakly. Suddenly, the tears dripped and Mentari immediately wiped them away. Her body started shaking.

"I'm fine. Sir, are you okay?" When Mentari saw the blood on Senja's forehead, the girl gasped. "Mr. Senja! Your head is bleeding!"

Senja smiled faintly and stood up. He helped Mentari stand up, then wiped the blood on his temples. "This is nothing. What's important to me is that you're okay."

Mentari is silent and looks down.

Once again, she had made Senja Alexandro get hurt.