Lisa thought for a moment, then said,
"You'll see later." She gave Vira a strange little smile, tugging at the corners of her lips.
Vira raised an eyebrow. Deep down, she had doubts about Lisa's words. As far as she knew… Lisa's best friends were Ucup, Tukiyem, and Minah. Since when did that girl have connections in the capital?
Noticing Vira's skeptical face, Lisa didn't give up.
"You don't believe me, do you?" Lisa lifted one eyebrow.
Vira nodded slowly. Fine, she'd pretend to believe her. She didn't want to argue or get into a long discussion.
Besides, she was happy—Lisa had given her so many gifts. For once, Lisa didn't seem half-hearted about helping her.
Now, all Vira had to do was leave this house.
Her journey would start with a bus ride to the airport—no fancy private car.
But still, she felt incredibly grateful.
A free plane ticket meant she could save money for rent.
She'd even get to stay at a luxury hotel for free? Unreal!
Was she dreaming?
Lisa was like an angel today.
"LISAAAA!"
A loud voice echoed—Aunt Tina's, Lisa's mom. It startled both girls.
"Uh-oh. Mom's been looking for you. And here you are chatting! Hurry and help me clean up those sacks of coffee and pepper!" Tina shouted.
"Mom! Are you kidding? A pretty and sexy girl like me doesn't carry sacks!" Lisa pouted.
"And what's this?" Tina's gaze shifted to Vira. She frowned. "Where are you going all dressed up like that?"
"Whoa, look at that dress! Where'd you steal it from?" Lisa giggled, pinching Vira's waist.
"Mom, I'll help in the garden, okay?" Lisa said sweetly, gently pushing her mom's shoulders to steer her away from Vira.
Then she leaned close and whispered, "Hurry up, go now!"
"Vira, where are you going? If you leave, who's going to cook, mop, and clean this house, huh?!" Tina shouted after her.
"I have to go, Auntie. I'm going to college in the city," Vira answered, speeding up her steps.
"Why bother studying? You won't succeed anyway! Come back and help with the chores!"
Vira's heart sank at her aunt's harsh words—but she wasn't surprised.
"Come on, Mom. Let's go to the garden," Lisa interrupted, trying to pull her mother's attention elsewhere.
"Why did you let Vira go to the city?" Tina snapped, glaring at her daughter.
"Oh no!" Lisa gasped. "The plane ticket!"
She ran after Vira, ignoring her mother's protests.
Tina widened her eyes and tried to follow, but her large frame made getting down the stairs fast nearly impossible.
"Vira!" Lisa yelled. "Thank God I can still run fast. Here, take the ticket—quick! That's your car!"
Tina finally caught up, panting and putting her hands on her knees.
"Lisa! Are you messing with me again?!"
Then she added sharply, "What if Vira's real plan is to steal your future husband?! After this, you better go to the salon—make sure he's blown away by your beauty!"
Lisa scratched her head. "That's actually the plan," she muttered under her breath.
"Hey, Vira! Study hard in the city, okay? But don't expect to be lucky like Lisa!" Tina yelled at the car as it drove away.
"We'll meet again in the city! Lisa's going to marry a rich city man!" she added with a big grin.
Vira let out a deep breath. In this village, girls were expected to marry by the time they turned 20. *Poor Lisa,* she thought.
She stepped into the car and took another breath. She was finally leaving the Darsono house.
"Oh, Lisa… when are we heading to the city?" Tina asked.
"Next month, Mom," Lisa replied lazily, already walking away.
"Yesterday you said next month too!" Tina called after her, confused.
"Just ask Lisa," Lisa mumbled, not even bothering to look back at her mother's stunned expression.
"Lisa! Did you get the money and the gift? I want to see them!" Tina shouted again.
But Lisa was already walking faster, trying to get away. She glanced at her phone, checking where she was supposed to meet her boyfriend.
*It's fun playing around with people like this,* Lisa thought bitterly. *A man I've never met proposes to me under a fake identity, thinking I'm some dumb country girl he can fool. Well, joke's on him—I already have a boyfriend.*
Over the past month, the Darsono family had been receiving mysterious packages and letters. Each one came from the city and offered some kind of marriage proposal. But the sender never revealed their name—just a city address.
Tina, of course, was thrilled by the expensive gifts. She believed Lisa was being matched with a rich man.
Unfortunately for her, Lisa had already made her move.
No way would she agree to marry a total stranger.
*He's probably an old man with no teeth—or worse, some useless rich boy who can't even stand up straight,* she thought.
*Ugh, being this beautiful is a curse.*
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