CHAPTER 6: THE UNSEEN WITNESS

I kept my head bowed, my lips sealed as if frozen, unable to find the words to respond to him. Tears escaped my eyes despite every desperate effort to hold them back. Fortunately, the area wasn't crowded, so my humiliation felt somewhat contained.

I was swallowed by guilt. I realized then that Papa’s intentions were pure; he only wanted to protect everything that would one day be mine.

"Please forgive me, Pa." I lifted my gaze, biting my lip to stifle a sob. "I promise I will finish this thesis soon."

Papa stepped toward me and pulled me into a tight embrace. I could feel the depth of his affection in the gentle stroke of his hand against my hair.

"Erika... I love you very much. I don't want them to push you aside just because they deem you incompetent."

I wept in his arms, my heart fracturing with regret. At that time, my mind simply couldn't be forced to master a field I didn't love. Since the early semesters, I had rarely taken my classes seriously. That was why, now, I found myself drowning in the complexities of my final project.

"I’ll try not to disappoint you again, Pa. I’m so sorry."

I held him tight, feeling like a child again—protected and cherished with all his heart. I felt like an ungrateful daughter, realizing my parents had fought so hard just to ensure I wouldn't have to struggle in the future.

Once the tightness in my chest eased slightly, Papa finally pulled away. "Alright, get back to your thesis. You only have two months left for this semester’s graduation period. I expect good news."

I nodded, though internally I whispered, "It’s impossible. There’s no way I can graduate this semester."

"I have to go check on the other restaurants."

After saying his goodbyes, Papa kissed my forehead briefly and walked away, followed by several staff members trailing behind him.

"Erika... are you okay?"

Dita took my hand. From the look on her face, I knew she was worried sick. I gave a small nod, my expression still clouded with gloom. I felt utterly suffocated and hopeless after Papa’s words.

"I don't know what to do, Dita. Maybe... I just can't meet his expectations."

Dita let out a long, heavy sigh. She rubbed my shoulder gently, offering a thin smile. "The most important thing is that you try first."

She carried my laptop bag and led me back toward the parking area.

"What about my scooter, Dit?" I asked as I waited for her to start the car.

She unlocked the door from the inside, saying, "Forget it, just get in. I’ll drive you back to pick it up later."

I slipped into the passenger seat and tossed my laptop bag into the back.

"Erika... are you actually confident in your current revisions?"

I froze for a moment, then slowly shook my head.

Dita leaned her head against the steering wheel, then snapped it back up. She seemed to be suppressing a tidal wave of emotion. I saw her hands clench into fists; it looked as if she wanted to let out all her frustration on me. She began to drum her hands against the wheel, clearly exasperated by my situation.

"Good grief, Erika... what have you been doing for the past two years?" Her voice was strained with stress.

"Writing fiction..." I answered cautiously.

Dita balled her hand into a fist again and squeezed it in front of my face. "Eerggghh! You are absolutely maddening, Erika! Now, how on earth are we going to get you to graduate this semester?"

I looked down, wearing a face of total defeat. My fingers nervously tugged at the edge of Dita’s clothes. "Help me, Dita..." I pleaded, hoping for a shred of mercy.

"I can't!" Dita snapped, turning her face away.

"You won't help me?"

Dita stared at me with eyes full of frustration, her grip tightening on the steering wheel. "You have to give yourself over to Mr. Jefri. It’s the only way out."

I was stunned. I never expected such words to come from Dita’s mouth.

"But Dita... you know I've never even been in a relationship. I'm terrified. What if he gets angry and makes my thesis even harder?"

Dita took my hand, as if trying to ground me. "Mr. Jefri has reached this age and he’s still single. I’m certain he needs someone to satisfy his desires." She took a breath. "Erika... this is the only way. Think of it as your ultimate sacrifice."

I finally nodded, though I was consumed by an overwhelming fear.

Dita immediately sped off and drove me to Mr. Jefri’s residence.

"I’ll wait for you here. Don't come out until you get his signature of approval."

I nodded and stepped out of the car, my body trembling. I tried ringing the bell several times, but no one came to the door. Just as I was about to call him, a message flashed on my screen.

'Come right in. The keypad code is 0307.'

"Unbelievable! He’s giving me his house code?"

Still, I tried not to think the worst. I assumed he was just very busy. The house was massive—not at all like a typical professor’s home. Perhaps his study was so far from the front door that he didn't want to walk all the way back.

I punched in the code he had sent.

Beep!

The door clicked open. I stepped inside cautiously, taking in the vast interior. It was eerily quiet; not a soul in sight. The house was so large I had no idea where he might be.

"Excuse me, Mr. Jefri..."

I continued to creep through the house. The silence was only broken by the faint hiss of a humidifier. The scent of lavender drifted through the air, providing a calming atmosphere that slightly eased my nerves.

Mr. Jefri was nowhere to be found, until I finally stumbled upon a room with the door slightly ajar.

"Excuse me, Sir... are you in there?"

I pushed the door open a little wider. Then, I heard it—a faint, rhythmic sound.

"Aahhh... Aaahhh...."

I immediately clamped my hand over my mouth. There stood Mr. Jefri, his back to me. His hands were moving with intense focus, his legs slightly bent as if bracing himself. His head was tilted back, lost in a sensation of his own making.

"Sssshhh... Aahhh..."

Hearing those moans made me shiver. For some reason, a pulse echoed deep within me. My legs felt weak, a surge of heat spreading through my body. I kept my mouth tightly shut, terrified of making a sound. Yet, I couldn't pull my eyes away, witnessing a scene I was never meant to see.

I trembled, my breath hitching in my throat. My breathing grew ragged. I crossed my legs, fighting a sudden, desperate tension.

Suddenly, Mr. Jefri turned toward me. I was struck with pure terror and immediately bolted back toward the living room, praying he hadn't realized I was there.