ALANA: Pursuing the Love of a Stepchild

First Day of Marriage

This was my first night of wife status, and it felt more dominated by annoyance, resentment, anger, and disappointment, rather than thrilling happiness. After all, who would be happy to marry a man in his 40s?

Initially, I intended to rest for a while by sitting on the bedside. However, after I thought for a few minutes, I decided to clean up, then prepare to go to sleep before Hendru entered the room. That way, I can safely—at least tonight—from the threat of unboxing the old om-om.

Very good idea!

However, after I stripped off all my clothes and got wet under the shower, I remembered something. That I haven't brought my clothes here. While the bridal outfit ... was wet.

I rubbed my face in frustration. How's now? I can't possibly just wear a towel all night. Blame also me who did not ask for help Mas Bumi to bring things from home. Now ... how?

The cold began to pierce the skin, because I had been under the shower for too long. My head started to get dizzy, already unable to bear being in the bathroom. Shower I turn off, two folded towels I reach; one to cover the body, while the other to the hair.

Before going out, I made sure that the towel that wrapped this body is strong and will not fall. I stick my ear to the door, to check if Hendru has entered the room or not.

There were no grumbling sounds, no footsteps, no creaking of open cabinets or anything like that, so I carefully stepped out of the bathroom. Very alert, until my feet have to tiptoe when touching the white tile. My breath was relieved when I found no one here.

My hair dries first, then rubs the body to dry immediately. However, my condition was still half wet when I heard the doorknob turn. Without thinking, I immediately jumped on the bed, held the edge of the blanket, then rolled myself up to look like a cocoon. The position I fixed turned my back on the arrival of Hendru who was getting closer. In order not to be questioned for bad rights, my eyes immediately closed tightly.

"Have you slept, Alana?" asked Hendru, who did not intend me to listen at all.

No more follow-up questions. There was only the sound of a step away, but I still did not dare to open my eyes. Until, the sound of the door slamming lightly rang out, it seemed close, so I guessed that the man was in the bathroom right now. My breath is relieved. I was preparing to return to the fire, but I stopped when I saw at the foot of the bed there was a suitcase.

To make matters worse, I rolled twice until I could escape from the snare of the blanket. I got out of bed to open the suitcase, and picked up a few pieces of clothing: an interior, a sweater, and trousers.

Using the opportunity when I heard the shower lit up, I immediately put on clothes in a hurry. I almost screamed in frustration as my breast support hook came off as I was about to put on the sweater. Forced, I had to reinstall it without rotating its position. I also continued to stare vigilantly at the door, timid if it opened suddenly.

Argha!

Why don't the links come together? I screamed in my heart, because the sound of the shower had stopped. I no longer care about the condition of the bra, directly wearing a sweater. For***********, quite easy to slide from foot to hip. But for trousers, this is quite difficult especially in a state of panic. I had to jump around, and after being perfectly attached, I slammed my body into the bed, then rolled over again to make myself feel like I was in a cocoon.

Huft. Now fully relieved.

I quieted down, when I heard the sound of the door opening. No need to think of anything more, I intend to bring my consciousness to the beautiful dreamland. At least, even if it was just a dream, I would be very happy if Raikhal was there.

However, my intention could not be realized smoothly, because of the grumpy sound from around. I don't know what this old man did, I don't want to care, but .. his voice was quite disturbing. In the end, I could only catch my breath to be even more patient.

"You didn't have dinner, Alana?" asked Hendru again, which made me frown a little.

Why is this guy asking again?

I remained still in place, without ever opening my eyes again, but .. My eyes instead betrayed automatically when I sensed that the bed behind me was moving. I curled up a little, as a form of self-protection.

The movement stopped, when my body was slightly pushed forward. My body was so stiff that I even forgot to breathe when an arm passed through my body, perched on the abdomen. My eyes closed even tighter, hoping to fall asleep as quickly as possible, and this shitty night I could go through.

"I know you haven't slept, Alana," whispered Hendru right behind my ear, causing goosebumps all over his body due to the hot air he exhaled.

"S—I'm going to sleep, sir," I replied nervously in a soft voice. I was caught, so I curled up like a baby in the womb. "Today .. I'm passable .. tired."

"This is the night I've been waiting for the most, Alana .. after all these years."

This old man sniffed the niche of my neck already got rid of my half wet hair there. I immediately shuddered in horror without being prevented. Compared to the nervousness of the first night, I was now dominated by the disgust of this old man.

"Sir .. I'm sleepy." This time, I did not ask in a soft tone. Besides, why am I doing a show now?

I dodged a little from Hendru's embrace. Closing my eyes, I forced myself to fall asleep immediately, ignoring the man behind my back.

Initially, Hendru took off his embrace for a bit. Just to get rid of the hair that covers my face. Next, he re-attached the hand to the stomach, even tighter this time.

I tighten my jaw. My eyes, which were in a closed position, were heating up. Hate this situation. Disgusted with this man.

Hendru seemed to really like adding salt on top of my wounds. This man ... kissed my temple at a glance, followed by his gentle speech.

"Good night."

...***...

A few minutes after opening my eyes this morning, I did not leave the bed. Stay put, to convince myself that now, my status has changed. Not being the wife of the man I love, but instead belonging to the old man who should have stayed counting the time before his death.

I exhaled a rough breath. The snare of the blanket I removed from the body, then woke up. Both of my legs were lowered touching the cold white tile. I get ready to go to the bathroom, before I get off. However, my steps came to a halt when I had just stepped up.

My suitcase .. does not exist.

My expression went back to the way it was: flat. I don't want to care too much about Hendru. Now, I just need to focus on finding where my things are.

On one of the walls of the room, there is a wide curtain that reaches the ceiling of the room. I opened it, and found a room full of clothes shelves hanging here, and among them were my clothes.

At first I wanted to take a shower, but since my stomach had rung to fill, I left this room for the ground floor. My feet easily stepped into the kitchen, because it already smelled the aroma of very good cooking spices.

When I first entered the dining room, I was greeted by Raikhal sitting on one of the chairs, showing off his warm smile. Just such a simple thing, I was already almost limp, so it was necessary to lean against the wall.

"Good morning ...."

A greeting was heard, from Hendru who had just entered with a plate containing food in his hand, placed on the table, in front of an empty chair beside him. The man pulled up the chair, showing the same smile as Raikhal, but it made me feel disgusted.

I walked over there, sat down. Although it must be side by side with Hendru, but I am grateful in this position. I could see Raikhal right in front of me. When else could you spend so long facing each other like this?

I smiled amusedly, while putting the hair behind the ears.

"You don't have a hair tie?" asked Hendru, who I just 'hah'kan, the man was already standing beside me. Gathering all my hair to be cut, curled, and then tucked among other hair. "Done."

I nodded stiffly. "Thank you" I said softly, with a faint smile from Hendru as he returned to his seat.

My gaze was directed forward, at the figure of Raikhal who was also smiling towards us. It sucks, because I wish the man in front of me was the one who paid attention earlier.

My appetite immediately plummeted at the thought of this bad luck. I, who had so much trouble getting Raikhal's heart, ended up marrying his own father.

What fate is crazier than this? I support my cheeks using my palms.

"Bww, Pa. What do I call Alana? The mama? I don't think so young, anyway?" ask Raikhal.

Uh, even just hearing my stepson's voice, I was immediately excited. Both hands I folded on the table, in order to focus on the current chat, because Raikhal started it.

"Remember Alana only once, will you?" Hendru asked me back, asking for an opinion.

I, for the sake of keeping a graceful impression before Raikhal, nodded gently at Hendru's words.

"Call names, ordinary kayaks," I replied. "I'm younger than you, too. Calling 'Sister' just doesn't taste good, let alone 'Mama'."

"okay." Raikhal widened his smile in response, then ate his breakfast.

Seeing this man so greedy to eat food, I became intrigued to fill the stomach. After all, at the first taste, Hendru's cooking was not too bad. I nodded at the first bribe.

"You likey?" asked Hendru, who managed to paralyze my movements as his hand rubbed his head.

Stiffly, I nodded. I continued eating, though not as comfortable as before. Secretly, I kept all the hatred this man gave in all his attention. Unfortunately, for now, I have not been able to express how upset I am at Hendru's attitude.

I just have to wait for time.

Raikhal was the first to finish breakfast. The man stood with his backpack on his shoulder.

"Would you like to go to college, Raikhal?" I asked sparingly, before the man actually left his chair.

"Yes, as always." Raikhal replied casually. "You stay home, enjoy the holidays. Just a few days, right?"

I nodded small. My eyes were directed towards the table. My lower lip bit me slowly, as my brain began to plan new things. This time must be careful, so as not to make a fatal mistake now.

The plus point of this 'stepmother' status, I have no restrictions on approaching Raikhal. On that day, I'll get Raikhal's heart. But before, I had to get rid of Eliza first.

My hands clenched strongly considering—mantan—my friend. It felt ... wanted to destroy Eliza in my grasp, because she had already captured the Raikhal I had fought for. I will definitely repay my heartache ....

My daydream was blown away as my fist was gently grasped. When he turned his head, there was a sickening face of Hendru who was smiling.

"Today you are off, I am also .. So, would you like to finish this day with me, Alana?"

I tightened my jaws hearing that disgusting sentence. My eyes stared at him for a moment, then lowered their head so Hendru wouldn't read it. Then a small nod.

Looks like, other than Eliza, I should also start my plan to get rid of this old man.

Maybe I need to find out which poison is suitable for this old man.

...🍁...