Sometimes, rest isn't just about stilling the body. There's a storm in the mind that keeps raging, draining every ounce of energy until nothing is left.
But here, Kala feels… purified.
Everything that once disturbed her heart and thoughts fades away. Watching the ripples on the water slowly dissolve at the edge of the lake brings a strange sense of relief.
Her life is like that too, isn't it?
After all the waves that crashed into her, nearly destroying her completely… everything will eventually pass with time. She believes that. At the very end, her problems will stop.
She just needs to hold on—until that moment comes.
"Careful, Kala. Don't underestimate still water."
Raken's warning makes Kala's hand pause mid-air. Droplets fall back into the lake, forming small ripples before disappearing again.
"I'm not going to jump, Ken. Relax."
"I've doubted that sweet mouth of yours for a long time."
Kala lets out a quiet scoff.
Yes, she admits she's played with words too often. But that doesn't mean she'd do something reckless with her life. All she has left now is her body and soul—everything else is gone without a trace.
She's lucky Raken is still here, even without being paid. He takes care of her meals, her needs… everything.
How is she supposed to repay that?
Well… he never asked. So she lets it be.
From where Raken stands, Kala's back looks fragile—too fragile. Her pale, slender hand dips into the lake, and his eyes stay sharp, watching every movement she makes.
Knowing she could throw herself in at any moment to end her life is torture.
He has to stay alert. Always.
This villa stretches across hectares of land. Though the building itself is simple, the surroundings hold countless things—including the lake Kala is playing with now.
It's deep. Wide. Enough to swallow someone whole.
That's why his chest tightens when she leans closer.
Because if she falls… she won't come back.
Hanganto and Hanggini built this place to create comfort. Safety. A sanctuary. The lake was meant for laughter—family moments, light conversations, shared snacks.
A surprise.
But the universe rarely follows plans.
Kala ended up witnessing the surprise… without the one who prepared it.
"I knew Dad wouldn't build something ordinary. But I didn't expect a lake."
After speaking, Kala stands up and smooths out her white dress.
"There's a hunting area too. Livestock, plantations, a river. We won't die of boredom here."
"What if not being bored is exactly what makes someone want to die?"
"Only you would think that."
Kala laughs, stepping closer until she stands right in front of him. Her smile lingers, her brown eyes narrowing playfully.
Then—
The scent of lily of the valley drifts into Raken's senses.
He closes his eyes for a brief second.
That fragrance… it always calms him. Grounds him. Somehow, Kala's scent alone can pull him out of anything.
Like now.
Time feels like it stops, just to let him breathe it in—
Until her soft whimper snaps him back.
Her arms wrap around his back. Her warmth presses against him.
"I told you to wear a cardigan."
His arms instinctively circle her, pulling her closer.
"It wasn't cold earlier, Ken."
"Stubborn."
His gaze lingers on her bare shoulders.
The dress she insists on wearing barely covers her—thin straps, exposed skin. The only good thing is that he's the only one here.
No one else gets to see her like this. And if anyone ever does… they won't be seeing anything ever again.
"Ken… can we stay here?"
"Of course. It's yours."
"No, I mean… this becomes our home. Can we?"
A pause.
Then Raken nods.
"Yay! I like it here."
"You do?"
"Because no one will disturb us. No one will ask for you."
"Whoever asks, I won't accept—unless it's you."
That sentence lands deeper than it should.
His voice above her head echoes, settling somewhere inside her that's never been touched before. A feeling she can't name… can't explain.
All she knows is—
She wants him here.
In every breath she takes.
The thought of him not being there suddenly tightens her chest.
Like a thousand needles stabbing through the air she's trying to breathe. Her lungs struggle. Her heart loses its rhythm.
She pulls away.
And the suffocation worsens.
Dying feels easier than this.
Raken immediately grabs her hands, cupping her face.
"Breathe in… and out. Can you hear me, Kala?"
She nods weakly.
"Good. Slowly. In… and out. Don't rush."
"I'm here, remember? In… out…"
She follows his instructions, clinging tighter as her breathing falters. But his voice steadies her. His presence anchors her.
"I'm here."
And slowly… the panic fades.
"That's my girl."
He pulls her into an embrace the moment her breathing stabilizes, worry clearly etched across his face.
Kala breaks into tears.
Again.
That cursed suffocation attacks her.
She's angry.
She doesn't want to feel that again. The thin line between life and death feels terrifyingly real.
Was breathing always this hard?
She used to do it without thinking. Without learning. So why now… does she need someone to teach her how to breathe?
Is she losing even that?
After everything that's been taken from her… is the right to breathe next?
Feeling her tears soaking his chest, Raken lifts her effortlessly and carries her inside. Her body trembles in his arms.
"Ken… I'm scared…"
Her small voice twists something inside him.
"There's nothing you need to be afraid of."
"I'm scared…"
"Tell me what you're afraid of. I'll destroy it for you."
He lays her gently on the sofa. Strands of her hair cling to her tear-streaked face. He can't bear to look for long—so he looks away.
"I don't know why… every time I think about you not being here, my chest hurts so much. It feels like something is crushing my lungs. I forget how to breathe, Ken… I get angry! But the angrier I am, the harder it gets…"
"That means you don't need to think about me not being here."
A pause.
"Kala… no one told you to imagine that. I'll stay with you until you're the one who doesn't want me anymore. Understand?"
"Don't ever leave without telling me, Ken. Don't you dare break your promise. I can still kill you if you do."
"I won't."
He chuckles softly.
Kala blinks when his finger taps her nose—a gesture she never wants to lose.
"Ken."
"Hm?"
"Tonight… can we sleep together?"
"Kala… remember, we're the only ones in this house."
"So?"
A dangerous smile appears on Raken's lips.
Kala instantly shivers.
"Just kidding, Ken. Hehe…"
"I'm serious."
He leans closer, leaving only inches between them as she lies beneath him.
"Let's save serious for another time, okay?" she says, casually pushing his forehead with her finger.
"Don't ever say something like that to another man. You won't make it out alive."
"There's no other man in Kala's dictionary except Ken."
Her smug expression finally snaps something in him.
"Kids really are the best at provoking people."
With that, he walks away toward the kitchen to prepare lunch. Before disappearing completely, he tosses his jacket toward her.
"Put that on before I strip that barely-there outfit off you."
Kala's eyes widen. She crosses her arms over her chest dramatically.
Unbelievable. This older—yet annoyingly handsome—man dares to threaten a fragile, helpless girl like her.
She huffs.
"I want chicken and mushroom soup! If not, I'll take off all my clothes right in front of you!"
From the kitchen, Raken lets out a rough sigh.Dealing with his sharp-tongued young lady is truly exhausting.