Chapter 5

A few minutes ago I could still see the sunlight from behind those skyscrapers, but now the sunlight is gone, replaced by the gloom of night.

Inside the car I hear a cello playing, a rhythm that soothes the heart.

"You've become quiet." She asked.

"I'm enjoying this beautiful cello playing."

"Do you play an instrument?"

"I was. Although my major was communications, my extra activity in college was music. But instead of playing with college friends, I played alone more often. You could say I enjoyed myself so much that I forgot about everything else."

"Was it that much fun?"

"It was, until I met the girl who changed my life. The campus is not far from the village where I was born, so it's not uncommon for me to meet my village friends. I didn't know that girl was also from the same village as me...sorry, I'm digressing to tell the story of my past."

"Your past? You mean, she's your ex-girlfriend?"

"Yes."

"Oh, I see. I think you and Julia have something in common. Both have a hobby in art, and have a sad story in the past. But I'm not sure if your story is more tragic than hers or not."

"What do you mean? You also promised to tell me about my aunt's past."

"Take it easy. As well as hearing 'aunt' called to her, it makes me want to laugh, because Julia is still young, she's only 29 years old this year."

"I thought she was already 30 or 31 years old, it's younger than that."

"I'm not only her editor, but also her best friend. You could say I'm her guardian angel, although I'm more like a succubus."

"..."

" Why are you reacting like that? My jokes are bad, aren't they? Hehe."

***

(P.O.V Mia)

It was a few days before Christmas, when Julia and I were preparing for the launch of her new book on the day before Christmas.

Because of the high demand, Julia and I had to help the packaging team to fulfill the quota. It's hard to work in a publishing company, even though it's quite successful, but it can't be compared to other companies, because the reality of business is cruel.

Even so, Julia was very happy with her work, and as her best friend I was happy too. For her, this is her passion, so she never feels tired.

"I can't wait to sell my latest book soon. I can imagine their reaction when they read it, especially the ending .... aaaaaaahhhh, they must be crying."

"All authors love to play with their readers' emotions."

"It's not that, because sometimes we need spice in life, to make it more lively."

"It's whatever you say."

" How mean is your response."

The day of the event started. We set up a booth at a bookstore in a mall. It wasn't very crowded at first, but we patiently waited, until late in the afternoon, when suddenly the queue for new books and autographs started to become long.

Until the workers went back and forth to the warehouse to take the stock of books. The event ended well and the stock of books was sold out, some were even willing to join the pre order.

After Julia and I finished, we went to the restroom together. You could say that we were able to hold back from going to the toilet for more than an hour, as well as doing our make-up.

"The event was a success. Even though I was tired, I was very happy to see their reactions."

"That's good, I'm happy for you."

"Mia, do you think I'll be able to write a good story like that again?"

"I've always believed your brain is bigger than the solar system...."

"Mia..."

"Although it's often out of whack."

"You're evil!"

When we went outside, Julia was surprised that a man approached her. He was a big tall man, wearing expensive clothes. He said he is the producer. He had made many famous movies, he said.

The man made an offer to make a movie based on one of Julia's books. Hearing that, Julia immediately looked very happy, she even immediately agreed to the offer, without my approval.

Although I tried to hold her back, I couldn't bear to take away her happy face. Because from his appearance, this man looked convincing.

After that he invited us to have a drink at the bar to celebrate. I knew Julia's weakness for not able to say no.

We rode in his luxury car, until we finally arrived at a five-star hotel, I knew there was a bar inside, but this place was too expensive, so I never went inside.

Rather than a bar, it was more like a nightclub. There are even strippers inside. The audience was filled with rich people who are perverts.

The three of us sat on the spacious sofa. Men offer to order whatever we want.

I ordered a couple of beers and Julia just ordered a juice. But what came instead was more whisky and vodka. Julia was forced to drink by the man, from the look on her face Julia wanted to refuse, but she did not.

I immediately took the initiative to take the glass and tried to attract his attention by flirting with him. I knew this guy was the same type as all the guys here. At first he was focused until he finally flirted with me. Like I said, I'm her guardian angel, even though I look like a succubus.

Accompanying this man to drink glasses of water, he often fondled my breast, but I refrained from getting angry. Because I had hopes in this man to make Julia into a famous author.

Until finally I collapsed.

I woke up because the light from the window shining into my eyes. I found myself covered in a blanket, and when I opened the blanket, I was completely naked.

I saw a man beside me, but he wasn't the one from last night.

"Wake up you asshole!"

I slapped him and grabbed him. He finally woke up because he couldn't breathe.

"Where's my friend! Answer!"

"Aaahh, she' s in the next room. Please let go, I can't breathe..."

After I let go, he gasped for air. Then I kicked her out, throwing her clothes outside. Good thing he's a skinny and loser.

As soon as I got dressed, I heard Julia crying from the other side of the room. I immediately went there, I didn't even knock, I just kicked down the door.

I saw Julia naked on the bed, alone, and she was crying.

I realized that last night the man had put something in our drinks. I was too naive to realize that.

When I approached Julia, she was covered in bruises, and she had a choke mark on her neck.

***

"Since then, Julia has had a phobia with men. The first year her phobia was so terrible that it was difficult to even leave the house. She didn't tell her family because she was afraid of being worried, I was the only one who knew this."

I shivered hearing her story about my aunt's past.

"I am sorry."

"For what?"

"I don't know, it just came out by it self."

"Since then Julia has found it very difficult to launch new books, in fact it's been four years since she's published a new book. It's your job to cure her."

"What do you mean?"

"She has a hard time falling in love, because she is afraid of men, except you."

"So you're telling me to make my aunt fall in love with me?"

"That's right. What's wrong? Didn't you want that from the start? I saw when you were groping Julia's breasts, I saw a slightly different look on your face than the pervert from the nightclub, more like a guy trying to give pleasure to himself and someone he loves."

I was confused between being pleased or annoyed by her words, again.