Part 10

The golden rays of the morning sun filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Gibran's eyelids fluttered open, his vision still hazy from the remnants of sleep. It took him a few seconds to fully grasp his surroundings.

He stirred slightly, feeling an unfamiliar weight on his left arm. As he slowly lifted his head, he realized that Thania was asleep on his arm, her delicate features calm and peaceful. No wonder his arm felt heavy.

Gibran let out a small sigh before carefully trying to move his arm from under her head. However, just as he shifted, Thania stirred and blinked awake, her warm brown eyes meeting his.

"Gibran, you're awake!" she greeted him with a bright, genuine smile.

His expression remained unreadable. "Why were you sleeping on my arm?"

Thania straightened up, brushing her messy hair aside. "Oh... um, I'm sorry. Last night, I was worried about you, so I checked on you. But I guess I ended up falling asleep."

Gibran ran a hand through his disheveled hair before sitting up against the headboard. "And why are my shirt buttons undone?"

Thania's face turned red instantly. "I... I just cleaned you up with a damp cloth. You were really out of it, and I thought it would help you feel more comfortable. But I swear, I didn't do anything inappropriate!"

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Then how did I end up in my room?"

"Jo and Kevin brought you home last night. You were completely drunk," she explained quickly, hoping he wouldn't misunderstand her intentions.

Gibran let out a deep sigh, running a hand over his face. "Jo and Kevin, huh? Of course, those two."

Thania hesitated for a moment before quickly getting up from the bed, feeling awkward about the situation. "I-I should go now. You should rest a little longer."

Without waiting for a response, she hurried out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Flashback to Last Night

Thania placed a bowl of warm water on the bedside table before carefully kneeling beside the bed where Gibran lay motionless. His shirt was slightly wrinkled, his tie loosened, and his expression tense even in sleep.

She started by removing his shoes and setting them neatly aside. Then, she gently slipped off his jacket, folding it carefully before placing it on a chair. Her hands hesitated at his shirt buttons before she exhaled deeply and undid them just enough to clean him properly.

Adjusting his pillow for better support, she noticed something tucked beneath it. Curious, she pulled out a small photograph.

Her breath hitched slightly as she examined the image—a woman's face, her expression warm and gentle.

"Who is this?" she whispered to herself, her fingers tracing the edges of the picture. "Is this... his fiancée?"

A pang of sadness gripped her chest. Even after everything, he still held onto this. He still cherished her memory.

Thania sighed, placing the photo back where she found it.

"I hope one day you find someone who can truly love you and make you happy again, Gibran," she murmured softly before dipping a cloth into the water and carefully wiping his face and arms, making sure to be as gentle as possible.

Present Time

Thania made her way downstairs, feeling a mix of emotions she couldn't quite name. She hadn't eaten anything since yesterday, too preoccupied with Gibran's well-being. Maybe she should make herself something simple to eat.

Just as she reached the kitchen, she heard footsteps approaching. She turned slightly and saw Gibran, now dressed in his usual crisp work attire, his expression serious and focused.

She frowned. "You're already leaving? Shouldn't you rest a bit more?"

"I'm fine," he replied curtly, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve.

Thania pursed her lips. He was always like this—pushing himself beyond his limits, burying himself in work instead of dealing with his emotions.

She wanted to say something, to tell him that it was okay to slow down, but she knew he wouldn't listen. So instead, she simply nodded and returned to her cooking, watching as he grabbed his keys and headed out the door.

Thania's POV

The clock read 8:00 PM by the time I finished my office work. Now, it was time for my shift at the bakery.

Grabbing my bag, I made my way out of the building. Within minutes, the ride I had booked arrived. I climbed onto the motorbike, fastening the helmet securely before signaling the driver to start moving.

The streets of Jakarta were pleasantly cool tonight. A gentle breeze brushed against my skin, carrying with it the faint sounds of the city—distant honks, street vendors calling out their wares, and the hum of vehicles passing by.

Above me, the sky was dotted with twinkling stars, and a full moon hung proudly among them. It was nights like these that I cherished the most. There was something so serene about them.

By the time we arrived at the bakery, I was already smiling, excited by the familiar scent of freshly baked bread.

The moment I stepped inside, the warm aroma of butter and flour enveloped me. My stomach grumbled in response.

I greeted my coworkers with a small wave before heading to the back to grab my apron. The shop was busier than usual, and as soon as I tied my apron around my waist, I was already rushing to help with the influx of customers.

"Thank you! Please come again!" I said cheerfully as I handed a bag of pastries to a departing customer.

Another sale. The more customers we had, the better the bonus I would receive at the end of the month. It wasn't greed, just necessity. Life wasn't exactly easy, and I had to earn as much as I could.

The chime of the entrance bell snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Welcome!" I greeted automatically, my eyes still focused on the cash register.

When I finally looked up, my breath caught in my throat.

Standing at the entrance was someone I never expected to see here.

His eyes widened slightly, mirroring my own shock.

"Thania."

And just like that, the calmness of the night shattered.