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There was a subtle difference in the implied messages. Nicholas didn't expect Alesya to understand his words.

Nicholas also didn't care if Alesya thought he couldn't be with the person he loved because their genders were the same. For Nicholas, no matter how others judged him, it had no impact. In fact, he was grateful that with the label of being gay, he could get so close to a wonderful girl like Alesya.

Not knowing how it started, Alesya, who was usually chatty, suddenly fell silent. She no longer spoke and just focused on the food in front of her. Occasionally, she glanced at Nicholas but couldn't bring herself to start a conversation again because she realized she had hoped for the man who loved someone else.

"Nicholas..."

"Yes?" Nicholas turned to her.

"Um... it's nothing." Alesya shook her head. She went back to looking down and focusing on her food. She wanted to ask but hesitated, afraid Nicholas would be offended if he heard her desire.

"Just say it, Al. I won't get mad at you, as long as it's good for me."

Drinking the warm water until it was finished, Nicholas finally changed his sitting position to face Alesya. "Come on, tell me!"

Alesya shook her head. She didn't want to look at Nicholas, let alone express her desire.

However, Nicholas wouldn't let Alesya bear this alone.

"Come on, say it, Al." He pulled and turned Alesya's chair to face him. He also placed his legs on Alesya's chair to prevent her from escaping.

"There's nothing, Nik..."

"Are you sure there's nothing you want to tell me? It might cause a new pimple, you know."

"Yes, Nik, there's nothing, I swear!"

"Well, okay then. If you really don't want to tell me much, it's okay. You know, I came all this way, but you..." Nicholas trailed off.

"I want to help you get back on the right track. May I?" Alesya quickly answered before Nicholas left.

"You want to help me..." Nicholas squinted his eyes.

"B-because I want to fall in love with a woman, not a man." Alesya bit her lower lip, her fingers squeezing each other.

"What?" Nicholas stood up from his seat, raising one hand. A reflex caused Alesya to close her eyes, fearing a slap from Nicholas on her smooth cheek.

But slowly, Alesya's eyes opened. She felt a kiss on the top of her head, followed by an embrace.

"Thank you for that. I hope you're not tired of it."

"Huh?" Alesya blinked.

"I have to go now. I want to explore the village. It won't take long because we have to return to the city."

Nicholas left before Alesya could ask too many questions that might reveal her identity. After Nicholas left, Alesya tidied up their meal remains, restored the kitchen and dining room to its original state.

Alesya also cleaned the contents of the fridge and the cooler. She disposed of the stale and spoiled ingredients. While doing all this, Alesya occasionally wiped away her tears. The memories of her parents and the time they spent together were still vivid in her mind. Alesya could even feel their presence, the warmth and happiness that once filled the house, which was now quiet and empty.

"Ale can't handle this, Dad," Alesya murmured, staring at a picture of her father hanging on the wall. He was her first love, who had always showered her with love, especially since her mother passed away.

The world of Alesya and her father felt empty when Ratu left them forever. Warmth was replaced by darkness. However, Aditama managed to change that by devoting all his time to Alesya.

Just as she was recovering from losing her mother, Alesya now had to face the loss of her father, her beloved, and the threat of losing all her memories.

"Dad, what should Ale do?" Alesya sat down, crying to release the tightness in her chest. She felt like giving up, but no matter what, she couldn't bear to lose all those memories.

"If the house is taken over, where else can Ale find Dad and Mom? Where else can Ale go back to? If Ale gives up, Dad and Mom will be evicted. How can Ale provide a decent place for both of you?"

Her cries were painful and heart-wrenching, echoing through the luxurious house. There was no one else there, giving Alesya the freedom to be herself, so fragile and tearful, forced to live a life full of traps set by Handoko.

Alesya's sobs were piercing and heartrending to anyone who heard them, including Nicholas. He stood frozen behind the main door, listening to Alesya's cries. Normally, Nicholas would forbid Alesya from crying, but this time, he let her release all the emotions that had built up in her. Maybe it was the only way for Alesya to find a little peace.

***

With a bit of hesitation, but Nicholas continued to walk away, carrying Diki's belongings. He followed the village's streets, armed with an ID card, inquiring about Diki's whereabouts. Who he was and where he lived.

"The village head's son." Nicholas smiled thinly. "No wonder he can act so recklessly, but it won't last long."

Knocking on the door of a house, Nicholas took a deep breath. He tried hard to contain his anger, so as not to worsen the situation. Diki had to learn a lesson without causing any harm to Alesya.

"Who with?"

A middle-aged woman immediately looked at Nicholas from head to toe.

Her brain tried to remember whether Nicholas was a citizen or not. Looking at Nicholas' appearance and complexion, he wasn't sure that the handsome man in front of him was a resident of the village.

"I'm Nicholas, ma'am. I want to find Diki's whereabouts. Last night he came home and left his wallet. I want to return it directly, and also make sure nothing is missing." Nicholas showed Diki's wallet to the middle-aged woman.

"Ah, Diki..."

"That's right, ma'am."

"Yes, Diki is inside. Just go straight into the room." Pointing to a room not far from where they were standing. "Oh, yes, Nicholas. Last night Diki did something at your house, even coming home without wearing pants."

"He came home without pants? And didn't tell me why?"

The middle-aged woman was silent for a moment. "Um... he said he was defecating in the river, apparently there was a woman laughing so he ran away. But instead you came with..."

"My house is by the river, ma'am." Nicholas interrupted. "I'll let you in first."

Scratching his head which didn't itch, he was still confused by Nicholas' presence, let alone his statement. The middle-aged woman just nodded.

As a result, Nicholas is now standing next to Diki's bed. The man was still asleep in his sleep, as if nothing had happened last night.

Bugh!!

Nicholas threw all of Diki's things in his face. Suddenly Diki was jolted from his sleep. He sat up, looking to see who the man was who dared to disturb his sleep

"N-vain…."

"Wake up you bastard! Don't ask who I am, if you still remember who it is."

“T-this…”

"Your clothes were left at Alesya's house after trying to rape her. Is that correct?"

Dick shook his head.

Squeezing the jeans that Nicholas had just thrown on.

"Don't deny it, because the CCTV footage on the back terrace of Alesya's house has proven everything. I can use that recording as evidence, which will make you languish in prison for a very... long time. Unless!!" Nicholas raised his eyebrows. "Meet Alesya, bow down at her feet, apologize to her. If she forgives, I will hand over the CCTV footage to the police station."

"We don't have any business. So don't interfere."

"Don't interfere you say?" Nicholas grabbed Diki's collar. "Alesya is my sister-in-law, and my sister delegated all of this to me. Asking me to punish a bastard like you."

Bugh!!

Diki grimaced. Nicholas' fist met his jaw, just like the man did to Alesya. A bruise that was still blue made Nicholas' heart pinch. Diki doesn't want to apologize to Alesya, it doesn't matter. He will teach lessons exactly as Alesya feels.

"You!!" Diki was unable to dodge it. Nicholas dragged him along. He slammed and hit him blindly, until Diki fell onto the table.

"Oh my God!! Who exactly are you!!" Diki's mother screamed hysterically. Seeing Nicholas hit, slam Diki without mercy, even though blood was flowing from his mouth and temples. Nicholas was unable to control the anger that had reached the top of his head.

"Stop or I will report it to the police!!"

"You want a report?!"

“Oh my God…boy!” Nicholas threw Diki at his mother's feet.

"Want to report to the police, right?! Drag him."

"Why my son? What's wrong with him? You hit him, why should I report him?!"

"What do you say? What kind of mother doesn't know how her child behaves, to the point where she believes that her child comes home without pants because he's afraid of pooping?!" Nicholas chuckled. "Your son almost raped my sister-in-law. And weren't you the one who asked this bastard to take my sister home?"

Diki gulped. Nicholas's index finger was pointed at him, like a sharp sword ready to stab and skin him alive.

"Alesya?! Your sister-in-law..."

"Indeed. And your son thought that the house lights weren't on, and there were no CCTV cameras watching. The CCTV was functioning perfectly and recorded how vile your son is. I came here peacefully, but he challenged me."