Love Redux: Fated to the Handsome Doctor

Mahya’s black car sped away at an average speed, distancing itself from Seno’s office and all the potential dangers that might lurk there.

As their vehicle moved away from the S-Group headquarters, Lara felt a weight lifted off her shoulders little by little. There were no words to express how grateful Lara was that Mahya could return safely. Moreover, the girl also brought along data to uncover Seno’s fraud in establishing the company.

“I can’t believe we’re at this point, Mahya,” Lara said emotionally. Mahya smiled brightly at her friend. “Yes, you can always count on me,” she joked while staying focused on the increasingly crowded streets.

The streets of Jakarta were getting congested again, although not yet considered heavy traffic. The rush hour was still far away, but it seemed that today, many vehicles needed to be on the road.

“Ah, yes, it’s Wednesday,” Mahya muttered.

“Why Wednesday?” Lara asked curiously.

“Wednesday is the day people have meetings outside. Hehe. If Monday is when people are lazy to leave the office, Thursday and Friday are close to the weekend. That’s why, on Wednesday, many people schedule meetings outside.”

“Ah, I see,” Lara said, learning something new.

“Well, that’s the theory. But who knows,” Mahya added with a laugh.

“Haha, it’s such a new knowledge for me, May!” Lara didn’t seem bothered by Mahya’s theory, even though its accuracy wasn’t proven.

“Anyway, did you read the letter from Melati earlier? What did it say?” Mahya asked curiously. She squinted against the orange glow of the sun, which had reached eye level.

“I did.”

“What did it say?”

“It said… Seno is only after my child. Melati was assigned to watch over me. And she had to make sure my baby is safe,” Lara said.

“Is that all?” Mahya raised her eyebrows. She thought Melati’s information would be much more detailed and clear. But everything turned out to be just puzzle pieces they had to figure out themselves.

“Yes, that’s all,” Lara said, bowing her head.

“Hhhh…” Mahya sighed deeply. It seemed they couldn’t expect much from an assistant like Melati. She wasn’t a police intelligence officer!

“Then, did Seno ever talk about your child? What’s really going on? Why does he want that child and not its mother?” Mahya asked as if Lara knew the answer.

“If only I knew the answer, my life wouldn’t be in danger like this, Mahya,” Lara said sadly. She also wondered about all the inhumane actions Seno had done to her.

“If Seno is indeed the child of King Charles of England, maybe he’s obsessed with lineage. But this? Is he from a noble lineage?” Mahya grumbled, tapping her car steering wheel. She was very annoyed!

Mahya glanced at Lara for a moment, then decided to focus back on the increasingly crowded road. “We need to find out more about Seno’s background. We need more solid information to solve this puzzle,” she said with growing determination.

“Yes. You’re right, May. But… I feel so tired,” Lara looked out the window, trying to calm her worries. She didn’t expect her family to be destroyed like this. “I just hope my child is safe.”

“That’s right, Ra! We have to be strong for your child!” Mahya was still fiery.

Lara just smiled and laughed bitterly. What could an ordinary woman like her do? She didn’t have anyone anymore.

“Okay, May. Thanks for your support and attention. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“You can always rely on me, Lara! We’re friends!”

“Thanks.”

***Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Mahya’s black car continued to drive amidst the traffic density of Jakarta. Lara, although filled with worry and uncertainty, tried to remain resilient. They would soon arrive at Mahya’s apartment.

“Seno never talked about anything, did he?” Mahya asked again.

“No. Never. Seno didn’t talk much about his past. He’s too closed off about himself. Especially when he became wealthy. Seno distanced himself from me. He just spoiled me with his money,” Lara said.

Mahya nodded in understanding. “Maybe he does have many secrets.”

“Yes. Including his affair with Olivia.”

“Hhh… yes. You’re right. I only found out about that affair during the reunion. Before that, um… Seno also offered me to be his sugar baby,” Mahya said, biting her lip.

“W-what?!”

“Yes. It happened right after I crashed your car. Sorry, for that time. I did it on purpose to bait Seno into investigating it.”

“Oh my God!” Lara couldn’t believe her ex-husband. How could he be so despicable and play around with women?

“The rich people syndrome is like that, Ra. Don’t think too much about it,” Mahya tried to change the subject. Lara’s expression had changed drastically since their conversation about the sugar baby.

“What am I lacking, May?” Lara started to shed tears. “Why is he never satisfied?”

“Don’t blame yourself, Ra! He’s the bad one! You’re not at fault!” Mahya opposed Lara’s thoughts, as if she was starting to blame herself. Lara was the victim and Seno was the perpetrator!

“Thanks, May. I guess… I have many shortcomings.”

“No! Stop it. We’ll talk again after we eat.”

Mahya refocused on the road ahead of her. This time, their car passed through the quiet streets that connected Jakarta to Depok through an alternative route.

“We won’t stop here, Ra,” Mahya said cheerfully. She turned on the music player in the car. The cheerful melody seemed to erase their turmoil.

“We’ll find out more and expose your husband’s crimes for sure. Don’t worry, Ra! I’ll always help you!”

“Thanks, May!”

The two friends looked at each other, a satisfied smile on their faces as if celebrating their success in gathering information. The beautiful sunset welcomed their small success, but darkness was already preparing to swallow the night.

As Mahya’s car calmly drove along the left side of the road, suddenly, the roar of a large truck engine was heard in the distance. The sound grew closer and more menacing, breaking the serene twilight silence.

“Watch out!” Lara screamed in panic as the truck appeared from the corner of the road, moving like an unexpected shadow, hurtling towards them.

There was no time to react. No chance to evade.

CRASH!

In an instant, Mahya’s car was thrown and crushed, rolled over by the truck that deliberately hit them. The sound of the violent impact resonated through their bones. Shattered glass scattered, and fresh blood began to flow from the heads of the two girls.

“Ma-y…” Lara cried out, still conscious, although her vision was starting to blur. She tried to free herself from the seatbelt to help Mahya, but her strength and courage seemed completely useless.

Meanwhile, Mahya lay motionless, her eyes tightly closed. Silence enveloped these two friends like the shadow of death that had been waiting for the right moment.

Lara tried to gather her last strength, reaching for her phone that was thrown to the floor of the wrecked car. While crying, she dialed the emergency number. Connected! But that was it. Lara couldn’t speak.

As the sound of the truck’s engine began to fade away, darkness crept in. Lara felt her life slowly fading, and in a severely injured state, she realized that this moment might be the end of her struggle.

The two girls lay sprawled, bleeding, powerless.

***

“Mission accomplished!”