4 play bold and show myself

Deep within the forbidden forest, his silver glow illuminated the darkness. His perfectly sculpted body cut through the lake as he swam slowly across its still surface, the cold water sliding over his broad shoulders and defined abs.

Usually, the silence of the lake brought him peace. Tonight, however, it only made the emptiness inside him more noticeable. More than two days had passed, and Rizz still hadn't come.

He had been so certain she would return—walking toward the lake without fear, talking far too much, and greeting him with that ridiculous innocence that somehow always pulled at the corner of his lips.

Silver stopped in the middle of the lake and looked toward the path between the trees.

Empty.

Again.

His jaw tightened as he sank slightly deeper into the water.

Why am I even waiting for her?

Yet his eyes remained fixed on the same path. He could almost hear her voice teasing him, asking questions no one else would dare ask.

Silver exhaled sharply.

Two days, Rizz. What could possibly be more important than coming here and disturbing my peace? The irony made his expression darken.

Before meeting her, he had treasured silence. Now the silence irritated him because she wasn't there to ruin it.

His fingers moved through the water, creating small ripples around him. For thousands of years, Silver had waited for his destined mate without impatience. A few thousand years had meant nothing to an immortal serpent.

Yet somehow, two days without Rizz felt unbearably long. His eyes narrowed at that realization.

Ridiculous.

He tilted his head back and stared at the moon through the branches.

I waited thousands of years for you, little mate. Don't tell me that after finally finding you, you're going to make me wait again.

Should I play bold and show myself but I've been a patient creature all this time now losing just because of mate, ah I'm so stupid, I'll see you!

***

"Why am I not allowed to go into that forest?" Rizz muttered as she paced around her tiny room, her hands folded behind her back.

"I went there before, and I'm perfectly fine." She stopped in front of the cracked mirror and tilted her head.

"What happens if I disobey Officer Robert?" A mischievous grin slowly spread across her face.

"Maybe I'll find out." She was still imagining all the possibilities when a furious voice suddenly echoed from outside.

"Rizz! Sweep the floor! Then mop it!" Rizz's smile vanished.

"Seriously?" she muttered, turning toward the door.

"Do I look like I have four arms?" The shouting came again, louder this time.

"Rizz!" She groaned and covered her ears. "I'm coming!"

Before she could reach the door, BANG!

The old wooden door suddenly flew off its hinges. Ema stood outside, glaring at her.

"Oops," Ema said flatly, looking at the broken door. "Not my fault. The door was already rotten."

Rizz stared at the hole where her door had been. "You could've just knocked."

Ema ignored her and threw a broom and mop at her.

"Stop acting so important just because you got a sponsor!" Selena stepped forward with an innocent smile, lifted the bucket, and poured the entire thing over Rizz's head.

Splash! Rizz stood frozen, water dripping from her hair and face. Selena giggled. "Don't get too proud just because you got lucky. You still have chores to do."

Aku pertahankan adegannya cukup keras untuk menunjukkan bagaimana Rizz diperlakukan, tetapi tetap memberi ruang pada reaksi batin Rizz supaya pembaca ikut merasakan frustrasinya.

Selena stepped closer, her expression twisting with jealousy. She shoved Rizz's shoulder, making her stumble backward.

"Don't get so full of yourself just because Hery talked to you," Selena snapped. "He's only being polite because his father told him to help you. That's all. He still likes me."

She looked Rizz up and down with a disgusted laugh.

"Why would he ever like a dirty, ugly, skinny girl like you?" Selena sneered. "You're a mess. You smell like poverty." She crossed her arms proudly. "Just wait. When I marry Hery, you'll be crying and screaming with jealousy."

Rizz glared at her, water still dripping from her hair.

"Stop dreaming, Selena," she shot back. "Even Hery looked disgusted when he stepped into this house."

Selena's smile disappeared.

Ema's eyes widened.

The next second—

Slap!

Rizz's head snapped to the side.

"How dare you!" Ema shouted, her chest rising with anger. "Insulting your own family and acting arrogant just because you got a sponsor?"

Rizz slowly turned her face back. Her cheek burned, but she kept her mouth shut.

Ema grabbed her wrist.

"Just wait," she hissed. "If Selena really marries Hery, I'll make your life even more miserable."

She yanked Rizz forward and threw her onto the floor.

Rizz barely caught herself before her knees hit the hard tiles.

Then Ema stepped down on her fingers.

Rizz sucked in a sharp breath.

"Ah!"

"Stop complaining," Ema ordered coldly. "Now mop every inch of this floor until I can see my reflection on it."

Rizz clenched her teeth as pain shot through her fingers.

She wanted to push Ema away.

She wanted to scream.

But she knew better.

If she fought back, Ema and Selena would only become more vicious.

So Rizz lowered her eyes and slowly pulled her injured hand toward herself.

"Fine," she whispered.

Her fingers trembled as she reached for the mop.

Aku buat adegannya lebih natural dan dialog-heavy, sambil memberi sedikit misteri tentang siapa wanita ini dan kenapa dia sudah mengenal Rizz.

Rizz finally finished every chore Ema had thrown at her. Her hands were sore, her clothes were still damp, and her stomach had been growling for the past hour. With a heavy sigh, she carried the last bag of trash to the end of the road. The moment she dropped it beside the other garbage bags, a gentle hand suddenly tapped her shoulder.

Rizz turned around.

A well-dressed middle-aged woman stood behind her. Her elegant clothes, expensive-looking jewelry, and polished appearance made it obvious that she came from a completely different world. She smiled warmly at Rizz.

"Ah, I finally found you."

Rizz blinked in confusion.

"Pardon?" she asked politely. "Who are you, ma'am?"

The woman looked at her from head to toe. Her gaze lingered on Rizz's worn clothes, messy hair, and especially her stomach, which chose that exact moment to growl loudly.

Grrrrrr...

Rizz's face turned red.

She quickly pressed a hand against her stomach.

The woman tried not to smile.

"I'm going to take you shopping for your school supplies," she said.

Rizz stared at her.

"My... school supplies?"

"Yes."

"But why?"

"That's something we can talk about later." The woman glanced toward a small café across the road. "But before that, please let me treat you to some tea."

Rizz hesitated.

She looked at the woman carefully before shaking her head.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I don't know you." She lowered her hand from her stomach and tried to hide her embarrassment. "And I don't think I should take advantage of someone's kindness."

The woman smiled wider.

"Take advantage of me?"

Rizz nodded seriously.

"I don't want to accept things from strangers just because I'm poor."

The woman's expression softened.

"I didn't expect you to be this polite."

Rizz frowned.

"Do you know me?"

The woman didn't answer immediately.

Instead, she glanced toward the café again.

"Come. Let's talk over tea."

Rizz remained where she was.

"About what?"

The woman smiled mysteriously.

"About why I've been looking for you."