Playboys

The Neighbors

Dewa was in Jakarta for a week, and within that week he became my driver. Turns out he was rich enough to rent one of the five-star hotels not far from my apartment area for a week. The reason he was my driver was because I borrowed my car. He was going to rent a car while he was in Jakarta, but I insisted on loaning him my car on the condition that he had to drive me to work.

I know this sounds weird doesn't even make sense. Maybe my brain isn't able to think clearly anymore, I want to learn to love God, but I know it's hard. I couldn't have stopped loving Dimitri, as much as he hurt me and got me stuck in this senseless relationship.

I just want to try.

My office friends even thought God was my girlfriend. I haven't been overtime for a week because of that guy. I'm sure Dewa is familiar with Jakarta, but he always asked me to accompany him for a walk. I enjoy it, he's a good chatter buddy and we never run out of topics.

I looked up when I heard the knocking on the door, and shortly after the door was opened. Dimitris. I heard he went out of town because he had to take care of meetings and stuff. He's still as usual, handsome, and I can't have him of course.

“You're back?” my many.

Dimitri just nodded his head, then sat down on the sofa that was in front of my desk. Look tired. “I heard you already have a lover,” asked without seeing me.

I also chose to sit where I am right now, I wanted to go to him. But, my sanity is holding back here. I'm also afraid that if it gets closer, I'm not too immune to all the things that are in Dimitri.

“If they think like that, then just think so.” I know my words are ambiguous, but I also don't want my best friend to understand everything I'm saying. “You didn't visit Michelle? I heard the filming has already started.”

“You believe me?” This time Dimitri looked at me seriously.

I turned my gaze in the other direction, I don't know what the question meant. I don't know which part of him I should trust. He never said anything that said we were a couple, he didn't explain anything to me, and he always left me in doubt.

“Of course, you're my best friend. Have I not trusted you all this time?” I said with a faint smile that I was smiling.

I don't understand what the look Dimitri gave me, disappointed or angry? I don't know. “I promise I'll tell you everything when it's all clear.”

We stared at each other for a split second. Dimitri is a man who always keeps his word, I understand this man a lot because we have exceeded our friendship, and I want to go back to believing in him but it feels very difficult. When in such circumstances.

“Hopefully until all that happens, you are not too late.”

We looked back, and Dimitri decided to get up from his seat and walk to the door. “Why...why this time you didn't prevent me?” my many. Leads to my dating gossip.

Dimitri stopped in place, but he did not turn his body. I felt like I wanted to curse her, wanted to vent all my anger, and all the sadness that was piling up in my heart without any impingement. But all those words were stuck in my throat. I was afraid of all the sentences he might give me as the answer. I'm that coward.

“Looks like he's a good guy.”

**

I approached the faithful God waiting for me in the lobby as usual. “You can call me when you arrive,” I said when I got to him.

God wore a white v-neck shirt that contrasts sharply with the color of his skin, black jeans, and white sneakers. His body is not muscular like most men, but quite sturdy and does not have excess fat, it is fitting in my opinion.

“I don't want to make you rush, after all I know you're a timely person, Ms. Manager.” He gave me a smile that made me smile too.

There was no special feeling I felt towards God, I was just comfortable around him. Do you know the name of this feeling? Because if this is true love, then I will be very happy. I should have loved a man like a god.

“Do you usually like this? Show off your body in the place with the most female dominance to attract attention?” my many. Squinting my eyes at him, because the clothes he was wearing made him look more charismatic.

“Are you jealous?” ask him with amusement. He lowered his face to look at me. Even though I was wearing heels with a height of eight inches, would not be able to match his height, I was always in touch with men who were taller than me.

“I'm all yours,” he said as he spread his hand out before me with his gel smile.

I shake my head, but keep smiling too. “Come home.” I turned my body towards the exit, still with my gelatinous laughter. I was just about to step my foot when I saw Dimitri and Michelle, and then there was Kevin behind her.

Why do we have to lobby again from so many places where we could meet by accident? I'm starting to hate the lobby now. My mind drifted back to the scene this afternoon when Dimitri visited my room. The words that have blessed me with God, I should be happy, but the truth is that I am a little disappointed. It's so hypocritical of me.

I smiled, then walked up to them with the God trailing behind me. Actually I can not say I approached them, because their position is not far from the door, I also have to get out of the door.

“What's the filming just finished?” I asked after a little conversation to ask the news.

“Ya, and tomorrow I have to come early to finish it.” It was Michelle's voice, as usual she always gave a smile.

“Oh yes, introduce this Dewa.” I turned to the faithful God behind me, he stood beside me and extended his hand alternately to the three people before me.

“So the rumor Kak Lili has a boyfriend is real,” said Michelle again, still with a smile.

Dimitri didn't say a word, his facial expression was indecipherable, and Kevin just gave his smile. “Pacar?” ask God. I looked at him like he was confused, I did not tell him about the rumors that were circulating because he often picked me up. I don't think that's too important.

Is this guy angry now? “I thought I was your future husband.” I looked at the God in disbelief, not out of anger but because seeing him with his gel laugh made me want to laugh. His sense of humor is good too.

“Yes, just think of us like that,” I said to the three people in front of me. They seemed to be wondering with our laughter, but I didn't care.

I didn't notice how they reacted, I said my farewell and left with the Gods. There was a bit of guilt towards Dimitri, but the pain I endured was just as great as the guilt.

**

The gods have been home for two days. No serious talk as long as he becomes ‘supirku’, we just talk like old friends. I also told him about Dimitri, but I wasn't being honest with him about how I felt, I'm sure he could see what I felt about Dimitri, he just didn't say it.

The presence of the Gods helped me a lot in living my life which was slowly starting to gray. “Call if you are sad or have a lot of thoughts, I will immediately fly from Jogja, provided you prepare the ticket.” That's what he said when I drove him to the airport. I laughed at that moment.

He made me laugh a lot and I am so grateful. Do I sound like I'm venting my feelings for her? I felt the same way too, but how else, I was also comfortable with his presence. The advice and all the stories he shared with me amused me a lot.

I heard knocking on the door of my apartment. Tumben once I got a guest this early. It was still seven in the morning and I was enjoying chocolate milk as my breakfast. I opened the door without seeing the intercom first.

Michelle.

The girl smiled broadly in front of me while holding a plate of sandwiches. I raised an eyebrow looking at him. As long as this girl became my neighbor, this was the first time she had visited me, because I had also avoided this girl actually. I really don't want to get too close to him.

Without letting her in, Michelle went into my apartment. Do I have to face my frustration on a very bright morning?

“What's visiting so early?” ask directly. I don't think there's any need to get stale when facing this girl.

“Why hurry, Brother? I brought you breakfast, who knows Brother hasn't had breakfast. This is also my first time visiting, so let's have a chat first.”

“Kakak can be late, this morning also Sister there is no schedule. I'm definitely the same Ma'am Eka, so no need to worry.”

I looked at her in disbelief, how could this girl get all that? I think his depression is getting worse.

“Not need stale bases, there's only the two of us here. What do you want?”

The smile on Michelle's face had already changed, more like a grin, she looked ruthless. “Padalaah I have been hard to act, but it turns out Brother is not that stupid.”

I folded my hands on my chest. This is the real Michelle, all this time trying to be someone else. Be cheerful, friendly, always smiling. I'm sure it's very tired. “Aren't you tired of pretending? No need to do it if it's me.”

The grin was printed again on his face. Her face was truly terrifying, her beautiful face was covered by that grin. I laughed involuntarily, am I now going to confront this girl? Or is this girl deliberately creating time to confront me?

Maybe this is what Richard said the other day, about me having to stay away from Dimitri because Michelle can do reckless things. I think it's time.

“Stay away from Dimitri's life, we will soon be married.”

I just stared at Michelle flatly. It turns out to be true, but why am I the one who looks like the antagonist here? I don't care what role to play, but it's unfair because I'm the victim here.

“Why should I do that? You should have stayed away from him, you don't even know if Dimitri still loves you. You just hold on to your past love that Dimitri might have lost over time. Do you have no shame?

He smiled at me with a grin that had not disappeared from his lips. “Isn't it better like this, than to use a friend's excuse to approach Dimitri.”

Michelle walked over to me. “This is my first warning. Never go near Dimitri again, you won't be able to have him no matter what, unless I'm dead,” he said again in a very cold tone.

Look, Michelle has already given up a formal call on her, Michelle who has actually raised herself. The girl immediately walked towards the door after saying the last sentence. I have absolutely no fear in all his words. I don't know, I think this is the right thing. Michelle should have said that from the beginning, not just put her fake face on me.

**

I got to the office at eight, pretty early in the morning actually. I usually come at exactly nine. As Michelle said earlier, I don't have a meeting agenda or have to work outside, I'm just going to check some files. Is that girl secretly spying on me?

Eka wasn't at her desk, but I knew she had come, because her bag and the usual equipment she was carrying were already on her desk. I ignored him and headed straight for my room. I had no inkling of anything when I was about to enter my room, until I found Dimitri standing behind me. Did I enter the room wrong?

I spread my eyes around. This is my room, the effect of meeting Michelle couldn't be so great that I forgot about my own room. I closed the door behind me and decided to sit on the sofa, Dimitri must have also noticed my presence.

“What's up?” my many.

It's like Dimitri and Michelle conspired to ruin my day. If so, then they both succeeded.

“What Michelle hurt you?” He approached me sitting on the sofa, and chose to sit in front of me.

I don't actually know where this question refers to, does Dimitri know if Michelle visited me this morning or that question to ask another.

“I don't think yet, he's a good neighbor. This morning he even brought me breakfast. You're lucky to have a fiance like.” Believe me, I said that with a very high level of insinuation. I'm not that type, but for some reason since Michelle's arrival, I feel like my frustration level has increased dramatically.

Dimitri looked at me softly. What kind of look is that? Does he feel sorry for me? I'd rather have her seductive gaze than all this. “I'm sorry, I didn't know she'd make it that far.”

If I was upset, then now my frustration grows with the disappointment and sadness I feel. Dimitri apologized on behalf of Michelle, he was not that kind of man. This man would never do that if he wasn't close to that person.

“What did you tell Eka to go?” my many. The camouflage I did to cover my disappointment.

“Li..,”

“If you want to talk about personal issues, it's better to take it later. It's still working hours,” cut me. I immediately got up from my seat.

“Li, I want us to talk,”. Sounds tired and desperate. I feel the same way, I'm really fed up.

“You've finished it? I told you never to talk to me, unless you had an explanation for all this. Do you have that?!” my challenge.

Dimitri looked at me. It looks like strengthening yourself. “I never wanted this engagement, it's just a business engagement.”

“Did Michelle think the engagement was the same as you? I don't know what your story was in the past, but I really don't want to get into it.”

“Then our relationship during this..?”.

“I don't know what relationship you're talking about, do we have that kind of relationship? If there is, will the situation change? You're selfish, Dimitri.”

I don't know where to get the courage from so I can say all that. Probably from all the frustrations I've endured so far. Even though it hurts so much to say all that, maybe Dimitri will hate me even more later.

“ Michelle's life depends on me, Li. She still has depression to this day, she could have killed herself if I left her.”

I heard Dimitri's words. Is it that bad? So this is why everyone seems to be defending and siding with Michelle.

“Can't you understand a little? I ask you to wait and believe,” he said again.

Maybe Dimitri doesn't want this either, and he's hurt. We were both hurt by the situation. If only, he had said this earlier maybe I could have understood.

“What should I wait for, Al? What am I supposed to believe? I don't even understand what kind of relationship we're in. Why are you saying all that to me? We are only friends, and the duty of friends is to support each other.”

I choked with my own words, tears already gathering on my eyelids, ready to shed all the frustration I had been enduring all along. “Li, we—“

“Dimitri, whatever we've done before, you better forget it. I can understand your position, finish whatever it is, I will always support you. As a friend.”

My tears have not yet flowed. I immediately walked towards the work desk. It felt so tight, it felt like I was just delaying my pain. If I had said that phrase yesterday, I doubt it would have hurt this much. It's like there are millions of needles hitting your heart, and there's nothing you can do but accept them with resignation, hoping someone can give you an antidote.

**

Hiiii how is this part? I still feel like I haven't felt much. Be prepared for the actual storm in the episodes to come.

Enjoyyyyy^^