A tall, striking young man with the build of a professional athlete sat in the counseling room — his charisma a magnet, the kind that made girls stare twice and adults sigh in frustration. Alfaeyza. The "troublemaker".
Tak. Tak. Tak. Tak. Tak. Tak.
The sound of Mrs. Ratna's polished fingernail tapping against the wooden desk echoed sharply across the room. The middle-aged woman's brows furrowed when her eyes landed on the boy slouched across from her, one leg resting casually on the opposite knee. Relaxed. Unbothered.
"You said you wanted to rule the world," she scoffed. "But just look at yourself."
Alfaeyza smiled — sweetly. And that, more than anything, made Mrs. Ratna sigh and clench her jaw.
"Never mind, Alfaeyza," she exhaled sharply. "The son of Gabriela and Alexander. The boy who writes in his book how he'll one day be useful, how the world will know his name. Every teacher's seen it. But do your actions reflect even a shred of that noble dream?"
Arms crossed tightly, her disappointment filled the room like heavy fog.
Alfa shrugged. "Why should I be ashamed, Ma'am? Isn't being yourself the key to success?"
God help her. That smirk again.
"You can't be serious. Every day, it's something new. Don't you get tired of being in here?"
"You think I'm tired of seeing you, Ma'am?" he teased. "You're beautiful, you know. Still youthful. I feel… comfortable here."
Mrs. Ratna pinched the bridge of her nose. This boy will be the death of me.
"I'll age faster if I stay mad at you. One last chance. But this is the last time, Alfa."
"Okay, Ma'am." He beamed with zero guilt.
"I'll prepare your punishment later. Now get out — before I change my mind."
"Thank you, Ma'am," he said with a small bow and walked out with his usual swagger.
As the door closed, Mrs. Ratna shook her head and muttered, "Alfa, Alfa…"
*****
Outside, a slim girl leaned against the wall, glued to her phone. Sheila. His younger sister.
She looked up as he approached. "Again? What is it this time?"
Alfa knew immediately — she was here to collect on a bet. "Okay, what treat do you want?"
Sheila grinned. "At least pretend to small talk first. I've got a list ready."
Alfa rolled his eyes but slung an arm around her shoulders. "Let's go. Canteen?"
Hand-in-hand, the siblings walked the corridor.
"So, what did you do this time?" Sheila asked.
"Are you sure you want to know? You're still a baby."
"Ugh." Sheila turned red.
They were interrupted by a familiar voice. "Alfa!"
It was Tata, heading toward the counseling room.
"Looking for me?" Alfa raised a brow.
"You promised to teach me physics, remember?" she said, frowning.
Alfa was a genius — the kind that aced exams without studying, the kind people didn't understand. And Tata? Just a friend. Nothing more.
"Hehe… Tata wants to join us at the canteen," Sheila chimed in mischievously. "Alfa's paying."
"What is this? A field trip?" Alfa groaned.
"Loser of PTS can't protest," Sheila whispered smugly.
They all laughed. As always, the corner table in the canteen was free — as if waiting for them.
Not far away, Ratu and her friends spotted the trio.
"Who's the other girl with Alfa and Tata?" one asked.
"More competition," another added.
Ratu narrowed her eyes at Sheila. Then she smiled sweetly when Alfa glanced her way — just long enough to make him look away awkwardly.
"Tall, hot, smart, rebellious and mysterious?" Ratu said dreamily. "He's boyfriend and husband material."
"In your dreams," her friend Bella teased.
*****
KRIIIIIIINGGGG.
The school bell rang. As always, Alfa drove Sheila home. Tata usually joined, but she had group work.
Traffic in Jakarta was smooth — too smooth.
Alfa noticed a car following them.
A few moments later, his car stuttered and stalled. He pulled over.
"Hold on, Sheila. I'll check it."
"Okay, Bro," she replied, eyes glued to an idol's livestream.
Alfa popped the hood. Nothing serious. But just as he finished, he heard Sheila scream.
A masked man had her at knifepoint. Two others flanked him, dressed the same.
"Alfaeyza Alexander, right?" one asked, blade glinting.
Alfa's expression shifted — cold and unreadable. "Who are you?"
"No questions. We won't hurt her, if you come with us."
"Fine. Let her go."
Alfa's hands were tied behind his back. A black cloth over his head.
"Sheila, go home. I'll handle this," he said calmly.
"I don't want to leave you!" she cried.
"I promise, I'll come back."
The man laughed. "Go home, sweetheart."
Sheila was released. She tried to follow their car — but they were too fast.
Now, Alfa sat alone. Bound to a chair. Beaten. Bleeding. His head still covered.
No sound. Just silence.
But he waited — because he knew something bigger was coming.
Then—
KLANG.
The iron door screeched open.
Alfa didn't flinch.
He was ready.