The Girl Next Door's

Distinct (2)

Mia's eyeballs shook when she heard what Deril said a second ago. His throat felt dry, making it difficult to make a sound. Even so, curiosity rose within his chest. Mia thinks she finally has a key witness to what she's investigating.

Actually, Mia had already tried asking most of the people around Deril's house. Unfortunately, no one knows about Alex or Diana. People don't suspect anything either. In fact, there is not a single piece of evidence that points to Doctor Stephen.

Stephen Raharja's.

The name stuck in Mia's head. The case that her brother investigated ten years ago, but never revealed the truth. Cases that make his brother frustrated, even to the death of picking him up.

Mia had read all the files her sister had. There are at least two small notebooks left by her brother when handling Doctor Stephen's family case. Mia works very hard to add to her experience in terms of people searching. Now, thanks to the connections he had, he was finally transferred to this village and gave up all offers of office in the city center.

"The party... How long has it been?" Mia asked in a voice as slow as possible. He did not want anyone to hear and instead made him a scapegoat for what was not yet certain of the truth.

Deril shook his head weakly. "I don't know for sure. I only know about it lately. But, it's true."

"Do you have any evidence?"

Deril nodded again. "But, one day, I'll get."

"Wait, wait! In that case, it would be dangerous if you acted alone," Mia refused. "I'll help you. You are under age. There'll be a lot of trouble if you get involved."

Deril grunts amusedly. "Indeed, what can Miss Mia do?"

Mia fell silent. He realized how true Deril's words were. He can't do anything right now, just like ten years ago. The curiosity that was so intense that it killed his eldest brother. The one he respected the most.

"I'm the one who can play a role in this situation."

"Why is that? Are you good at fighting and thinking you can hit Doctor Stephen's slide?" ask Mia.

"No. Obviously I would have lost if I had a muscle fight with Doctor Stephen" Deril replied. "I'll approach his daughter. As a teenager in love."

"You're going to go into that crocodile hole alone?"

"Will Miss Mia pretend to like Doctor Stephen and win his heart?"

"Eeuuwww!!!" Mia shuddered. "I have a high standard of male problems!"

"Mom Mia is not married?" Deril. "Honestly, as a man I find Bu Mia quite attractive. Especially having a good job. But, knowing Ms. Mia is not married..."

"Yes, yeah, yeah! I am not married!" Mia became a little upset. "We're back to the subject!"

"No. Just get here," Deril refused.

"Do you have an appointment? A date?"

"My mom's coming home from the hospital for dinner. I haven't been home for a long time because I chose to accompany my father and sister in the hospital."

"Then, your sister?"

"His friends will come to visit. He said they would visit until nightfall. My sister will not be alone. Hence, my mother decided to go home and check the condition of the house" Deril replied, standing up from his seat. "Thank you for the tea. We'll talk another time."

***

"Why haven't you started dinner yet, ma'am?" hello Deril.

Serena looked over and smiled widely. "When you come here," he replied happily.

"Where are you from, Der?" ask Alex.

"Street around."

Alex will only argue, but undo his intentions after seeing Deril's facial expression. "Mandi, sana! Mika will soon be coming to dinner together."

"Eh? This really? Mika's gonna have dinner here?" Deril could not believe it.

"Buruan, sana!" expel Alex.

Without wasting any more time, Deril immediately darted into his room to clean up. He had to appear prim and handsome in front of Mika. There was no way he would show up with the smell of sweat after a whole day of cycling.

It only took ten minutes for Deril to prepare himself. Actually, he was very impatient to meet Mika tonight. In addition to carving out more familiarity, Deril hopes to get new information about Doctor Stephen.

"Hi!" Mika waved as Deril went down the stairs.

Deril smiled awkwardly. She remembered wearing the perfume earlier, and she regretted it for feeling too excessive. "Hi!" Deril tried as natural as possible. "Your father isn't here?"

"Father work. Go home tonight" Mika replied.

"Come, come! The food is ready!" call Serena from the kitchen.

Deril and Mika walked into the kitchen. There, Alex was already sitting behind a table full of food. Serena has prepared three different types of side dishes. Warm white rice puffed out a thin smoke in the middle of the table. The smell of Serena's cooking made the worms in Deril's stomach scream, wanting to be rationed.

"Lho's? You're not going to dinner?" deril asked, when he saw his mother even carrying a small bag that he used to wear when traveling, instead of sitting with them for dinner.

"You enjoy dinner. Mom's going back to the hospital. Diana should not be alone" replied Serena. She kissed Alex on the forehead, then left the kitchen. A few seconds later, they could hear the car garage door open.

"OK, since there's Dad, the atmosphere gets awkward, huh?" Alex grinning.

Deril laughed crisply. Honestly, if there were no father, the atmosphere would still be awkward. Mika is very good at closing her mouth, until Deril runs out of question material.

"Please enjoy!" Alex takes a big spoonful of rice, then Deril follows. Mika moves last.

In her heart, Deril knew that the times she could be with Mika were the most dangerous. After all, Mika is the son of the person who has harmed her family, even though it was only Deril's own guess. Doctor Stephen also does not have a grudge on Deril. However, leaving his son in the enemy cage, is an act of suicide.

'What did Doctor Stephen think?' inner Deril, as if being toyed with his own plan.

***