"That night... when she left the house and Richard wanted to chase after her, I said. Even the Angel of Death wouldn't dare go near her," Ariana said.
"Is she that terrifying in your eyes, Ma'am?"
"What do you think? Isn't it terrifying when your child suddenly throws a knife at you just because you advised her when she was fighting with her friend? Okay, not exactly advising. It's more accurate to say I scolded her when her teacher told me that Trisya hit her friend's head with a rock."
Ardi couldn't answer.
"I don't know what kind of mistake I or her biological father made to have a child like her."
"There's nothing wrong, Ma'am."
"Honestly, I'm tired of dealing with her."
"Trisya is hurt too, Ma'am. I apologize if I'm being bold to speak up."
Riana laughed.
"She's the best screenwriter and drama artist. Saying she's hurt. Saying everyone is scary. She also says she's often harassed. Just wait. Soon, she might say how evil you are, wanting to do something inappropriate to her. Be careful. I'm reminding you because you're like our child."
"Alright, Ma'am."
"Thank you for helping Trisya."
Ardi bowed his head before leaving.
Ariana stepped inside.
"Trisya..! " Ariana called out.
"Don't yell!"
Ariana looked at Trisya who was sitting on the bed.
"What are you doing?" Ariana stepped inside.
"Sit down and be ready to listen to your ramblings!"
"Have you been here all this time?"
"Yes."
"How many men are you inviting into your room?"
"Do you think I'm a prostitute?? What do you want to come here for? I don't need you!"
"So who do you need? Your stepfather?"
"Why? Are you angry if Dad is close to me? Jealous? Are you afraid he'll see me like Uncle Lucas saw me?"
The bedroom door was knocked.
Trisya and Ariana turned their heads. Richard stood in front of the bedroom door.
"You two are arguing here. While the repairman is calling out in front?"
"Dad," Trisya greeted.
"Why is your door like that?" Richard asked.
"The key was lost earlier, Officer Ardi kicked it in so I could get in."
"You must have intentionally lost it! Don't make me ashamed by flirting with your Dad's team!" Ariana retorted, then turned her gaze to Richard. "Honey, why are you here?"
"Robby called me, he said Trisya was sick. But he couldn't take her to the doctor."
"She's not sick. She can go out and meet Ardi! She just wants to make Robby or you come to this house!"
"Honey, don't be like that!"
"I warn you, don't seduce your father like you did to Uncle Lucas!" Ariana left the place.
Richard followed Ariana.
"It's done, Sir. We're leaving," said the repairman.
"Oh yes, thank you."
Richard waited for the repairman to leave, Ariana was no longer visible.
Trisya was already standing behind him.
"Has you eaten, Dad?" Trisya asked.
"Later at home. Mom has cooked. I haven't eaten at home for 3 times, Mom might get angry. How about you? Do you want me to take you to the doctor?"
Trisya shook her head. She sat beside Richard.
"Dad..." Trisya called out.
"Yes..."
"Do you believe that I ever seduced Uncle Lucas?"
Richard was silent.
"Mom always said that I was the one who often seduced Uncle Lucas. Mom is afraid that you will be tempted by me."
"What really happened? I wants to hear your version too."
"Uncle Lucas is... a sexual predator."
"Did he rape you?" Richard guessed.
"He didn't have the chance because Trisya fought back, and made him fall down the stairs."
"Okay... Did he ever do anything else to you?" Richard asked.
"When I was in my second year of high school, he often intentionally caressed my body when I was doing schoolwork. Since then, I've always locked my bedroom door. I don't care if Mom gets angry. He also forced me to give him oral sex a few times. It was so disgusting! But when I complained to Mom, she twisted the facts. She said I was seducing him, even daring to do dirty things to seduce him. The fool believed her. He should have protected his daughter, but instead he made his daughter a victim of her husband's repeated abuse!"
"Mom said. You once threw a knife at Mom when you were scolded for hitting your friend's head with a rock."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"My intention was to make her disappear from my life! You knows why I hit my friend's head? He called Mom a whore!"
"You couldn't prove to Mom that Uncle Lucas often abused you?"
Trisya shook her head.
"That's why you defended Davina? Because you felt what happened to her?"
Trisya nodded.
"Yes... Men like that will always be there. Those who dare to destroy the future of many daughters on this earth. You knows? When Uncle Lucas fell, Mom even called me crazy! She said I was trying to kill her husband! Even though Uncle Lucas fell down the stairs because of his intention to rape me! But Mom just got rid of me. Eventually, I ran away because I couldn't stand living with him anymore."
"Do you hate Mom?" Richard asked.
"Very much, just like Mom hates me!"
"Mom doesn't hate you. Forgive your Mom."
"She always calls me Dajjal. Is it wrong if I call her toxic?"
"Don't keep sharpening the problem. If Mom gets angry... Don't get caught up in it."
"Can we not talk about Mom, Dad?"
"Okay."
"Oh yeah, you were fighting with Renata again? I hasn't had a chance to talk to you about it."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"She accused me of flirting with Ardi. Cheating on Robby."
"And...?"
"The longer it goes on, the more Rena shows her displeasure with me. What's wrong if Robby chooses me?"
The house door opened. Ariana came in.
"What's going on?" Richard asked.
"I should be the one asking, Richard!" Ariana answered flatly.
"Asking what?"
"Why are you still here?"
"I'm talking to Trisya."
"I told you she's not sick!"
"Don't start again," Richard reprimanded.
"Do you like Trisya?" Ariana suddenly asked.
"What?"
"I see you're so close to her now. She's beautiful. Smart. Perfect! Still young. Not as old as me! Do you regret marrying this old woman?"
"You're starting again with your accusations!" Trisya retorted.
"You shut up! I told you, don't try to seduce your stepfather! He's your brother's father, Trisya! Maybe you're not blood-related, but you're bound to Aldo!"
"You're crazy!" Trisya shook her head.
"Watch your language, Miss! I'm your mother!"
"Trash mother!" Trisya shouted.
"What did you say?"
"Ariana! Trisya! Stop it! How long will you keep arguing?" Richard reprimanded.
"I'm sick of your drama, girl!"
"Do you think I'm not sick of your made-up stories?"
"You..."
"Riana, enough!" Richard held Ariana's hand that was about to slap Trisya. "Don't keep abusing her."
"Is it wrong if I'm worried? You don't know what kind of woman she is! I'm her mother! I know best who she is!"
Trisya grabbed the flower vase on the table, ready to throw it at Ariana's head.
"Trisya, don't! The one you want to attack is your Mom!" Richard held Trisya back.
"If she dies, just put me in jail, Dad! There's no longer that woman on earth!"
"Trisya, look at Me! Don't do that!" Richard shouted.
Trisya looked at Richard's face.
"Come here..." Richard grabbed the flower vase from Trisya's hand. "Say istighfar..."
Trisya looked at Ariana with a red face, her breath catching as she held back her anger. She looked back at Richard's face, who was standing in front of her.
Suddenly, Trisya kissed her stepfather's lips, wrapping her arms around Richard's neck.
"What are you doing?? You're crazy!" Ariana screamed.