FAZER LOGINMy cafe's sales have doubled recently. On the day before the celebration party, my younger brother, Ian Kingston, comes looking for me. "Vivian, I'm going to marry Louisa soon. We should dissolve our business partnership." He adds, "Louisa mentioned that she and I work better together as husband and wife. She intends to open a cafe with me so that we can spend the rest of our lives together. "Vivian, you'll marry into another family someday. This cafe is a business under the Kingston family, so you should withdraw from the partnership right away." Louisa Nott has yet to become Ian's wife, but she is already thinking of taking over the Kingstons' assets? I post an announcement on my family group chat right away. "My own brother decides to dissolve our business partnership because of his girlfriend, so I shall be opening a branch of my own. When the time comes, everyone here is welcome to my cafe to sample my food. It'll be completely free of charge!"
Ver maisCassandra terbangun dengan mata sayu, ia mengusap usap matanya yang belum terbuka sepenuhnya.
“Hem ... ?gumam Casandra sambil menatap sekeliling ruangan yang berhias marmer putih,.Ini dimana ... ? ini bukan kamarku ....gumam Casandra lagi saat menyadari. Ruangan super mewah ini bukanlah kamarnya.
“Kamu sudah bangun ternyata ....” seorang laki laki berparas mendominasi itu mendekati Casandra. Mata zamrudnya seperti bersinar di antara keremangan kamar marmer ini.
“Hei kamu siapa ..?!!”jerit Casandra dengan panik saat Alex mencoba melepas satu persatu pakaiannya. Ia sudah melepaskan jas dan juga dasinya. Sekarang, kemeja satinnya sudah setengah terbuka.
“Kenapa kamu panik seperti ini ... ?cemooh Alex dengan tatapan melecehkan. Ia baru pertama kali melihat seorang perempuan berparas ayu yang berani berani membentaknya seperti Casandra.
“Kamu penculik ..?! Mafia ... ? Atau kamu melakukan tranksaski manusia ... ?”
Casandra terus menuturkan pertanyaan sembari beringsut menjauh dari Alex. Instingnya mengatakan, Alex bukan laki laki baik.
Alex hanya terkekeh dengan kelakuan Casandra. Lain dari yang lain batinyaa.
“Iya, aku memang melakukan tranksaski jual beli manusia ....ucap Alex masih dengan seringai tajam di bibirnya. Membuat Casandra menelan ludahnya.
Ia terbayang, kasus orang hilang tanpa jejak, atau perdagangan organ manusia di pasar gelap.
“Dan, aku membelimu ....ucap Alex dengan entengnya sembari beringsut ke atas ranjang mendekati Casandra. Senyum dingin dengan seringai seperti aura pembunuh itu perlahan pudar. Berganti dengan senyuman sensual. Tak di pungkiri, Casandra cantik walaupun tubuhnya kurus dengan badan kecil. Seperti Kendall Jenner, terka Alex saat menelusuri wajah Casandra.
“Apa .. ?!teriak Casandra tak percaya dengan ucapan Alex,.Kam—Kamu membeliku ... ?!!Casandra memalingkan wajahnya tak percaya. Ia tersenyum meremehkan..Hei Tuan! Kamu engga tau siapa aku .. ? . Tunjuk Casandra pada dirinya sendiri. Ia kemudian tertawa sengit.
“Aku putri tunggal dari Damian Leonidas! Aku bukan barang yang kamu temukan di swalayan!!Casandra tersenyum simpul. Berharap, dengan memberikan identitas dirinya, sebagai puteri kolongmerat, Alex akan ketakuan dan melepaskannya.
“Hehe ...Alek tertawa terkekeh membuat wajah Casandra berpaling padanya merasa seperti terhina,.Maaf kalau begitu ....ucap Alex dengan masih menahan tawa.
“Aku tidak berbohong! Kalau ayahku mencariku dan menemukanku di sini, di tawan oleh laki laki bengis sepertimu! Kamu bisa mati di habisinya ....Casandra kembali menantang Alex.
“Kamu, Casandra Leonidas ... ? benar itu kamu ... ?tanya Alex dengan tawa terkekeh dan Casandra langsung menjawabnya..Iya! Sekarang kamu menyesal bukan, cepat. Lepaskan aku ..!perintah Casandra tak kalah arogan seperti Alex.
“Maaf sepertinya, kamu akan kecewa ....Alex terdiam. Kemudian melanjutkan kata katanya.
“Kalau begitu, uangku memang telah di transfer ke rekening ayahmu. Casandra Leonidas ....bisik Alex penuh penekanan. Seketika wajah Casandra membatu. Jawaban dingin Alex benar benar membuatnya ketakutan. Mencoba mencari cari kebenaran.
“Apa maks—“
“Ayahmu memang menjualmu padaku, dengarkan ini ...Alex merenggut tangan Casandra dan mendekatkan dirinya pada tubuh Casandra. Seulas senyum terlintas di bibirnya.
“Ayahmu, menukarmu padaku. Dengan harga yang fantastis.... sepuluh triliyun ....bisik Alex, ia segera menjauh. Penasaran dengan ekspresi seperti apa yang akan di layangkan Casandra padanya.
“Tid--- ak, mungkin .....bisik Casandra dengan putus harapan. Wajahnya pucat pasi saat mendengar nilai yang di sebutkan Alex padanya.
---- Mana mungkin, ayahku tega menghargaiku senilai sepuluh triliyun. Aku ini anaknya!! ---
Cukup lama Casandra merenung, merasakan sakit di ulu hatinya. Dengan tega ayahnya menjualnya. Alex menatap lekat lekat pada wajah Casandra. Rambut bronze dengan bola mata bersinar dan iris mata cokelat kayu hangat.
Hidung mancung menjulang ke atas dengan tulang pipi yang tirus, rahang yang jenjang. Ingin sekali Alex mencumbu Casandra walaupun wajah Casandra sedang melamun beo. Dia tetap cantik.
“Yah, seperti itulah bisnis ...ucap Alex sembari bangkit. Wajah puasnya tak di tutup tutupi. Casandra yang melihatnya, juga tak segan memperlihatkan ekspresi wajah melawan. Menentang.
“Kamu takut aku ini melakukan perdagangan manusia bukan ....ucap Alex. Ia berdiri dan menatap Casandra dengan dress katun super ketat itu.
“Tapi sayangnya bukan, ayahmu menjualmu padaku bukan untuk ku habisi ginjalmu, atau organ hatimu ...Alex terkekeh saat melihat kengerian terpancar di wajah Casandra. Padahal ia hanya bergurau.
“Ayahmu menjualmu padaku, karena. Aku yang aku inginkan adalah, anak darimu ....ucap Alex dengan enteng. Akhirnya ia mengatakan tujuan kontraknya.
“Kamu gila!!!bentak Casandra dengan amarah meluap luap,.Apa kamu pikir, aku ini kantong bayi! Kamu tidak waras! Kenapa membeliku dengan harga tinggi! Kencani wanita manapun, nikahi dia dan buatlah anak sebanyak mungkin dengannya! Kenapa kamu harus buang buang uang sebanyak itu untuk mebeliku .....
Nafas Casandra memburu, tapi Alex tetap tenang. Mereka sama sama keras kepala. Tapi, Alex bisa mengontrol amarahnya. Casandra sebaliknya, ia meluapkannya seperti gelombang tsunami.
“Ayahmu menawarkanmu padaku, bukan aku yang kurang pekerjaan mencari gadis sepertimu ...ucap Alex dengan nada meremehkan. Lagi lagi membuat Casandra marah.
“Kalau begitu, jangan jadikan aku sebagai gadis yang terkena sial karena harus mengandung anakmu! Lepaskan aku sekarang juga ....
Mendengar teriakan dan umpatan penolakan Casandra membuat Alex meradang. Kilatan mata hijau zamrudnya tak lagi seteduh tadi. Kini seperti ada kobaran amarah di sana.
“Kamu ingin keluar .. ?Alex bergegas mendekati Casandra. Membuat Casandra beringsut menghindar tapi naas. Ia tak bisa menghindari Alex.
“Ada dua hal yang harus kamu lakukan, kembalikan uang sepuluh triliyunku dan ayahmu akan bangkrut kamu jadi gelandangan ...Alex sudah menarik tubuh Casandra dengan cengkeramannya. Membuat Casandra ketakutan karena kemarahan Alex.
“Atau tinggal disini! Kandung anaku baik baik! Dan lahirkan anaku! Setelah itu, kamu bisa bebas tanpa hutang ...!
Casandra terbelalak dengan alasan pertama. Ia tak tau kalau ayahnya ada di ambang kebangkrutan. Ia sibuk berfoya foya sampai tak menyadarinya. Alasan ayahnya menjualnya, karena kebangkrutan perusahaan.
Casandra mulai menangis. Aku juga tak mungkin jadi anak durhaka. Batin Casandra.
Tapi bagaimana mungkin, aku harus mengandung anak dari laki laki asing yang bahkan tak ku kenal. Semuanya memberatkanku! Casandra berteriak dalam hatinya. Air matanya sudah tak bisa di tahan lagi. Matanya sudah berlinang air mata. Tapi tak ada yang menetes satupun. Casandra masih dengan watak aslinya. Keras kepala dan arogan.
“Tidurlah!bentak Alex sembari melepaskan cengekeramannya pada Casandra. Tiba tiba ia melunak. Hanya karena melihat linangan air mata.
Aku pasti sudah gila! Atau aku sudah menjadi laki laki lembek! Hardik Alex pada dirinya sendiri.
“Ingat! Ayahmu menjualmu, aku membelimu! Kalau kamu mau bebas, kembalikan uangku! Kalau kamu bahkan tidak sanggup! ..”Alex mendengus dan menyeringai,.Kalau kamu tidak sanggup membayarnya, kamu hanya harus jadi partner ranjangku dan mengandung anakku ....
Alex meninggalkan Casandra di ruangan putih marmer itu. membanting pintu dengan bunyi bedebum keras. Casandra hanya menatap ngeri punggung Alex yang telah menghilang di balik pintu.
“Siapa laki laki itu ...bisik Casandra saat amarah dan kesedihannya sudah mereda.
Mom and Dad were utterly disappointed in Ian and no longer wanted to involve themselves in his affairs.After Mom's health improved, Dad took her on trips around the country. Pictures of scenic views from all over appeared regularly in their respective social media feeds. Whenever their friends asked about Ian, they would respond with indifference."Children have their own lives now that they're grown up. It's more important for us to focus on living our lives well."Every so often, I would receive special souvenirs from their travels. Though I didn't ask about Ian, people would still update me on him.Ian's business had been poorly managed, and his cafe continued to decline until he was heavily in debt. Ever since his financial situation worsened, Ian and Louisa started having frequent arguments.At first, Louisa had been attracted to Ian because of his decent financial situation. But after he fell out with our family, he lost his allowance, and his cafe kept making losses too.
Third-Person POVVivian thought the whole issue with borrowing money would die down.But a few days later, while Vivian and Edmund were out, Ian showed up at the house with Louisa once again.As soon as Ian saw Caroline, he dropped to his knees. "Mom, please, you have to lend me the money this time."Caroline stopped what she was doing, looking at them in confusion. "You're asking this again? Didn't we tell you we don't have any money?"Ian lowered his head, too afraid to meet her gaze. He stammered, "Louisa's brother owes some money, and the creditors are pushing hard. Louisa can't handle it, and I just want to help her."Caroline's expression changed instantly. "It's not that I don't want to help you, but you haven't even sorted things out for yourself. How can you take on someone else's problems?"Ian panicked. "Mom, I can't leave Louisa to fend for herself. I've already promised to help her. I-I borrowed from an online moneylender for this, and the interest keeps growing. I
One weekend, Ian unexpectedly brought Louisa over for dinner at our house.Mom and Dad didn't give Louisa a warm welcome, but out of love for Ian, they didn't say much.While passing food to Ian, Mom reminded him, "You've been working hard lately, right? Make sure to eat more and keep your strength up."I silently watched Ian, who seemed hesitant to speak.Earlier, I had overheard Ian and Louisa talking on the balcony. Louisa blamed the bad business on a lack of promotion. Frowning, she paced back and forth, then said to Ian, "We need to boost our advertising so that more people are aware of our cafe."Ian looked worried and responded helplessly, "But we don't have any money left for advertising. We've spent everything just opening the cafe."Louisa's eyes lit up as she quickly suggested, "Why don't you borrow some money from your parents to fund advertising? Once business picks up, we can pay them back."Ian hesitated, his voice faltering. "But my parents used up all their mo
Ever since Ian told me he wanted to partner with Louisa, I had a feeling she wasn't as innocent as she seemed. I secretly had someone look into her, and sure enough, there were some shady things going on.Louisa had a brother named Quentin Nott, and he was a gambler. Recently, he had racked up a massive debt and found himself cornered. It seemed he remembered that Louisa was dating a guy from a relatively well-off family, and he saw an opportunity there.Even if their family wasn't rich, Louisa getting married meant she'd get a nice sum in the form of wedding gifts.Louisa's family was already known for valuing sons over daughters. So, when Quentin cried about his problems to Louisa, she decided to use her wedding gift to help pay off his debts. Louisa had it all figured out. She would use the money to clear her brother's debts, team up with Ian to run the cafe, and take half of the profits with zero effort. The cafe would be a steady source of income for her.As Ian's sister
The next morning, I sent a message in the family group chat."Good morning, everyone! Ian has decided to run his business with his girlfriend, so he will no longer be working with me. Thus, I'll be opening a separate branch. You're welcome to visit the new branch for a free tasting when it opens!"
Dad's lips trembled with rage. He threw the broom, and it hit Ian in the forehead.Seeing things get out of hand, Mom quickly stepped in to mediate."Enough! Everyone, stop fighting. I've been thinking about splitting the cafe business for a while now. Eventually, both kids will go their separate
Ian rushed over, trying to grab me. "What are you yelling about? It's just a small matter. Is it really that big of a deal?"I took a step back. "A small matter? Let's switch places. You and your girlfriend can go and open a new cafe. Just do whatever you want, or go to the moon for all I care."I
"Vivian, as a woman, you're going to get married one day. This cafe is part of our family's assets, so just step aside."Ian carefully glanced up at me, waiting for my reaction.I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down.My dad, Edmund Kingston, had originally said that the cafe busin


















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