Wildan rushed out of the car, sprinting after the girl. The moment he caught her arm, he pulled her forcefully into his embrace. Galuh gasped in shock, completely unaware of what was happening—until a speeding sedan swerved violently in the opposite direction.
By sheer luck, she escaped the collision.
A long, blaring horn echoed through the street. The driver hurled curses in Galuh's direction as she remained frozen in Wildan's arms, struggling to steady her breath.
"Watch where you're going! Use your eyes!" the driver shouted like a madman.
But neither Galuh nor Wildan responded. Frustrated, the man sped away, still cursing under his breath.
"Are you hurt?" Wildan asked, his chest rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath.
Galuh shook her head. They stood there for a moment, both regaining their composure, until Galuh suddenly realized how close she was to him. Startled, she quickly pulled away. Awkwardness hung between them—felt by both.
"I'm fine," she said softly. "Thank you… for saving my life, sir."
Wildan nodded. "Are you injured anywhere?"
"No," Galuh replied, shaking her head again. "I need to go home."
Without waiting for his response, she ran toward the end of the alley in a hurry. Wildan could only watch her disappear, unsure of what to do.
"She didn't even say thank you properly," he murmured with a bitter smile.
Galuh arrived at her home, hidden behind a large mansion. Her house was old and nearly falling apart. Under the dim lights of the grand residence, she saw her father kneeling before a tall, burly man. Several of the man's henchmen stood behind him.
"So you finally showed up, beautiful little girl," the man sneered, his eyes widening as a grin spread across his lips.
"Let my father go!"
"And why should I, if I can't have you, pretty girl?"
"What do you want? How much is my father's debt? I'll pay it—little by little," Galuh said firmly, though doubt flickered across her face as she saw how badly beaten her father was.
"Hmmm… brave girl," the man chuckled. "And I'm glad you didn't call the police again. That means you're getting smarter."
"Stop wasting time, Baron!" Galuh shouted. "Say what you want and leave this place!"
"Hahaha!" Baron laughed loudly, clutching his stomach. "How terrifying your threat is, pretty girl."
Baron stepped closer. Galuh instinctively moved backward, but his men blocked her escape. He grabbed her chin and leaned in. Galuh turned her face away, but Baron tightened his grip, forcing her to face him.
"Please don't hurt my daughter, Baron," her father pleaded weakly. "Hit me instead—leave her alone!"
"What nonsense are you talking about, Samsul?" Baron snapped. "Didn't you offer to sell this beautiful daughter of yours because you couldn't pay your debts?"
Samsul lowered his head in shame.
Galuh stared in disbelief, her heart shattering. "Wait… Dad, that's not true, is it?"
Silence.
Rage and heartbreak burned in Galuh's eyes. "If I'd known you were like this, I wouldn't have come back! Face the consequences of your own actions!" she cried. "Has Mom's death still not made you realize anything?"
Samsul bowed his head even lower, consumed by regret. Baron, meanwhile, laughed louder. He grabbed the back of Galuh's neck, tangled in her long hair, forcing her closer to him.
Just seconds before his lips touched hers, a man's voice thundered from behind.
"Stop!"
Galuh wanted to turn, but Baron's grip held her in place. Still, from that voice alone, she already knew who it was.
"What's this, kid? Don't interfere!" Baron barked.
The man walked forward confidently. Galuh could now see him clearly—the man who had saved her earlier. Concern was written all over his face.
"Sir… why are you here? Please go," Galuh whispered when Wildan stood face-to-face with Baron.
"Do you realize what you're doing could land you in prison for a very long time?" Wildan asked calmly.
"This has nothing to do with you!" Baron snapped. "Besides, this girl already reported me to the police—and I'm still walking free."
Wildan nodded slowly. "That's because you've been playing with the law. But if I call the police, it will be different."
"I don't care. I have strong evidence."
"This is a debt issue, isn't it?" Wildan replied coolly. "There's no law that allows debt to be paid by taking a human life. That alone is a crime."
Baron stepped back, his face flushing with rage. He signaled his men to attack.
"One more thing," Wildan said coldly. "I'm not afraid to fight all of you—but if you want to be a man, fight me one on one."
The attack came suddenly.
Wildan dodged the first punch effortlessly. Before the blow could land, his long leg struck the attacker's stomach, sending the man collapsing to the ground.
Galuh screamed. Her scream only drove the others into a frenzy. They attacked Wildan together—but she soon realized she didn't need to worry. Wildan controlled the fight with frightening precision. One by one, Baron's men fell, groaning in pain.
But thugs will always fight dirty.
Seeing his men losing, Baron grabbed a thick wooden beam. When Wildan was distracted mid-fight, Baron raised it high, aiming for the back of Wildan's head.
"If anything happens to him, everything will end badly—not only for me, but for him as well. I have to act fast." Galuh murmured.
"Watch out!" Galuh screamed.
Without thinking, she ran straight toward them—placing herself between Wildan and Baron.
"Galuh!" Samsul shouted in horror.
"Stop!!!" Galuh cried as the wooden beam swung down, only inches from her head.
This was the end.
***
Galuh's reckless action put Wildan in a difficult position. If he chose to shield her, he would surely take the blow from one of Baron's men. But there was no time to think. He relied on logic—and on the greater chance of survival. He chose to save Galuh, who was now dangerously close to his back.
The moment Baron swung the wooden beam toward him, Wildan reacted swiftly. He wrapped an arm around Galuh's slender waist and dragged her two steps to the side. The move saved both of them.
Luck was on Wildan's side—the wooden beam struck one of Baron's own men instead.
Thud!
The dull sound echoed as the beam hit the base of the man's neck. The skinny, middle-aged thug collapsed instantly.
Baron froze, his face drained of color, mouth hanging open in shock. The rest of his men stared, equally stunned.
"Hey, Bejo! Get up!" Baron barked at the man who had just fallen."Boy! Check on him!"
The man called Boy was clutching his stomach and leg, still in pain from Wildan's blows. Since he was the closest to Bejo, Baron ordered him to move.
"He's not dead, right?" Baron asked, his voice trembling.
Boy shook his head. "He's still breathing, Boss."
Baron stood rigid, watching helplessly as his men lay defeated. When there was no one left standing, his frustration was evident.
"Want to continue?" Wildan provoked calmly, locking eyes with him.
The pockmarked man finally threw the wooden beam to the ground and shook his head in defeat.
"I give up, kid," he muttered.
"Are you okay?" Wildan asked Galuh, still holding her arm.
Galuh nodded and offered a faint smile. "Thank you. You've saved my life—twice."
Wildan smiled back and gestured with his eyes for her to go to her father. Galuh obeyed, quickly moving toward Pak Samsul, who still looked shaken.
"So, how much does this man owe you?" Wildan asked firmly.
"One hundred million. Not including interest," Baron replied, drawing shocked reactions from both Pak Samsul and Galuh.
"That's impossible. I only borrowed fifty million," Pak Samsul protested.
"You're insane! You lent my father money and then added interest like this? You crazy loan shark!" Galuh shouted.
"Are you going to pay it?" Baron sneered confidently.
"Who said anything about paying?" Wildan replied coolly. "I'm just gathering details—so your punishment will be heavier."
Baron's grin vanished.
Wildan stepped closer until they were face to face. Baron instinctively backed away, his eyes darting toward his fallen men.
"What do you want, kid?"
"I'm not asking you to erase his debt. I want it recalculated—clearly and honestly. No interest."
Baron swallowed hard, fear tightening his chest.
"That's possible, right?"
"Yes… yes," Baron nodded hastily. "But not tonight. Tomorrow. I'll prepare everything tomorrow."
"Good. I'll be here tomorrow at ten."
Baron nodded again. "May I leave now?"
"Go."
Baron and his men fled in fear.
"Thank you, young man," Pak Samsul said tearfully. "I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't come."
Instead of answering, Wildan helped the middle-aged man stand and guided him to a wooden bench in front of the house.
"You didn't have to come," Galuh said softly. "I didn't want to trouble you."
Wildan turned sharply, staring at her.
"Do I look that old to you?" he snapped. "Why do you keep calling me sir?"
Galuh looked flustered. "S-sorry… Sir—uh—Brother—uh—"
"Don't hesitate like that, Galuh," Pak Samsul cut in gently. "Just call him Mas. That way you'll sound closer. Now go get some drinks for our honored guest."
Galuh went inside.
Wildan studied Pak Samsul's bruised face. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," the man said. "Thank you so much. Without you, I don't want to imagine what would've happened."
"Were Baron's words true earlier… or—" Wildan let the sentence hang.
"They weren't true," Pak Samsul replied firmly. "No father would sell his daughter to a man like him."Then he asked, "May I know your name?"
"Wildan. Just call me Wildan, sir."
"Thank you again, Wildan."
Galuh returned carrying a tray with two steaming cups. After placing them down, Pak Samsul stood up.
"Keep Wildan company, dear. I need to use the bathroom," he said, walking unsteadily inside.
Soon, only Wildan and Galuh remained in the yard.
Wildan sat quietly, gazing at the star-filled night sky. Galuh hesitated, then took the seat across from him. The soft porch light illuminated her face.
Sensing her presence, Wildan looked at her.
For the first time, he could truly see her.
Her oval face, high cheekbones, sharp nose, and soft lips were clearly visible. With her hair tied back, her slender neck was exposed beneath the warm glow.
She's beautiful, Wildan thought.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
***