The Woman Behind the Window

"I want to buy her!"

Madam, who was busy counting rupiah, suddenly fell silent, looking back and forth between Monica and Nathan. The man's handsome face looked cold; without preamble, he threw several stacks of money onto the table, making Madam's eyes widen even more. Monica's charm was extraordinary; a handsome man like Nathan could bow down to her allure, Madam thought.

"Sir, please read the rules listed here!" Madam handed a green folder to Nathan. "It is stated here as an absolute decision that all the women here cannot be bought. If you still want her, it's not a problem; can't you come back to this place anytime?"

Nathan still looked flatly; he wasn't interested in the trashy rules that he thought were illogical. Boldly, his muscular hand ripped the paper, shocking everyone there. His cold gaze seemed ready to pounce on Madam. He hated rejection; he disliked protests in any form.

"Hey! What are you doing? I've been trying to respect you because you are a client here, but this insolent attitude cannot be tolerated. Come on, what are you looking at!"

Several burly men tried to attack Nathan, but they seemed to be no match for him. After only a few moves, Madam's henchmen were already sprawled out and moaning in pain.

"Insolent! You don't know who you are dealing with."

Madam grabbed her phone, calling Mr. A, who was indeed powerful in that place. A satisfied smile curved on Madam's lips; she felt victory was already in her hands.

"Come here, Monica! You shouldn't trust anyone; they are all dangerous. Only I can be trusted here," Madam persuaded.

The woman who had only been standing behind Nathan stepped forward, stared intently into Madam's eyes, and gave a faint smile.

"Is that so? But unfortunately, I'm fed up with this place. Monica just wants to find a new atmosphere out there. Oh yeah, stop boasting and thinking everyone is evil! You are even crueler than a lion," Monica retorted bravely.

Madam flew into a rage, immediately moving closer and about to slap her, but her hand was held in the air. Her eyes shifted to Nathan, who was currently restraining her hand from touching Monica.

"Don't touch her, or you'll lose a hand!" Nathan harshly pushed Madam's hand away, making the woman slightly shove backward.

Suddenly, someone held her body from behind.

"Mr. A, you finally came. He, he dared to defy me and wants to take Monica away from here!"

Mr. A looked up; his gaze now met Nathan's, who looked daring.

"Release Monica or I will also destroy you!"

The man stammered; he knew very well who he was facing. Finally, without much protest, he allowed Monica to leave. Nathan looked briefly at Mr. A, raised the corner of his lips before finally leaving while holding Monica's hand.

Inside the car, the two were silent. Monica was still wondering how much influence Nathan had; even Mr. A, who held so much power that the place was never touched, chose to submit to him.

"Do you know Mr. A?" Monica asked, still curious.

"More than that," he answered curtly. Monica fell silent again and chose to enjoy the scenery along the way. It had been a long time since she had breathed fresh air; only the sounds of pounding music, the smell of alcohol, and disgusting moans accompanied her daily life. If she hadn't met Nathan, who knows how much longer she would have endured in that illicit place without change.

After a long silence, she asked another question.

"Are you serious about marrying me?" Monica looked at Nathan's face. Unlike before, Nathan now ignored her.

"Annoying! Men are all the same; after they get what they want, everything becomes transparent in their eyes."

The woman now looked out the window. The blowing wind swept across her face, gradually lulling her to sleep.

"We've arrived."

Nathan's baritone voice woke her up. The woman woke up, looking outside, where the all-white building stood firm.

"You brought me to a hospital?"

"Mother is being treated here."

Willy-nilly, Monica continued to follow until they finally arrived at a VIP room. An elderly woman was lying down with her eyes closed. Nathan approached, then gently rubbed the back of her hand, creating a positive response from the patient.

"Nathan," she called hoarsely.

'He wasn't lying after all. His mother is really sick. But isn't it impossible for her illness to be cured just by seeing my face?' Monica's inner self debated, unaware that Nathan was now holding her wrist, making Monica confused about what to say.

She put on a faint smile as naturally as possible, with her irises now focused on the old woman who was also looking at her with emotion; a longing was implied in those aged eyes.

"Arini?" Her voice was faint and somewhat hoarse. Monica approached when signaled through Nathan's hand-holding. Without being forced, she rushed to hug the woman.

"From the beginning, Mother was sure that Arini was still alive. And now look, Mother can hug her again, right, Nathan!?"

A joyful expression was clearly visible, while Monica still chose to remain silent. Her embrace suddenly loosened; she looked at Monica confusedly.

"But, Arini doesn't like the color red. Since when did you start wearing a red dress, dear?"

Nathan cursed his stupidity; he should have changed Monica's appearance first.

"And usually you would be more enthusiastic when meeting Mother. Are you well?"

Nathan immediately hugged Monica, his hand affectionately restraining the girl's slender waist.

"Mom, it looks like Arini is not feeling well. Before coming here, she also complained of a headache, and her throat hurts, too, so she can't talk much. Later, when she is healthy, Nathan and Arini will definitely come back to see Mother."

'Men are so good at making up stories. It seems like if I'm honest, his mother will die instead.' Monica was silent, but her inner self grumbled.

"Yes, right, dear?" Half-surprised, Monica finally nodded.

After a small consideration with his mother, the two managed to leave and get back into the car.

"You didn't say anything beforehand, about what I should do, how Arini usually treated your mother. You didn't tell me anything, Nathan. How annoying!"

Monica sulked with both hands folded in front of her. Nathan didn't even glance at her. Monica and Arini only had physical similarities, but not in their habits. Arini was the cheerful, obedient, polite, and gentle type in her speech. Very different from Monica.

"Look! You'll keep ignoring me as usual. You only acted affectionately in front of your mother just now—a perfect drama, Nathan."

Nathan still chose silence.

"Where are you taking me now, to meet which one of your family members?"

A moment later, the four-wheeled vehicle stopped right in front of the gate. A man opened the gate, providing a path, showcasing the clean, white, luxurious building ahead, with its beautiful front garden. But Monica was not interested in that; she was more interested in something she saw on the upper floor: a woman standing, peeking from behind the curtain.

The car door opened, and Nathan welcomed her hesitantly outstretched hand. Monica got out, her eyes never leaving the window. Suddenly, the woman disappeared, making her suspicious.

"Who occupies that room?" she pointed upwards, making Nathan turn quickly.

"Do you want to come in or keep asking about things that aren't necessary?"

'Strange. Maybe his sister,' Monica convinced herself internally.