Previous chapter:
"Hoi... thinking of jumping, huh?"
The tall young man, standing with his eyes closed at the edge of the rooftop parapet, flinched and nearly lost his balance. "Damn, I almost fell!"
"What?! You should’ve fallen," the girl with almond eyes and messy hair muttered, shifting impatiently.
"I blocked the door with a chair! You shouldn’t have been able to get in!"
"Well, I’ve been here since this morning," she shrugged, not looking up. "You’re just disturbing my nap."
The young man, still steadying himself, sighed heavily. He recognized her instantly—Arya Cempaka, his classmate. She was known for skipping class to sleep in corners or hidden spots. Strangely, no teacher ever scolded her. Maybe it was because she aced every exam, who knows?
"You're the new kid, right?" Arya asked lazily, leaning over the edge and peering down. "Damn, it’s packed down there." The crowd had gathered, and firefighters were already setting up rescue mats.
"Shit, this is a mess," he muttered under his breath.
The tall young man crouched down, scratching his head. “Well, here’s the thing. If I don’t jump, don’t you feel sorry for them? They’ve gone through all this trouble with the fire trucks and rescue mats. I might as well jump, so they don’t waste their effort.”
Arya let out a short laugh. “Really? So, are you going to jump or not?”
“Not at first. I just wanted to enjoy the spring breeze up here,” the young man said, his voice innocent. “But then they started making a scene, and I figured… why not? Maybe it’s a good idea to just jump.”
“Well, your suicide attempt is already a failure in my book,” Arya remarked dryly. “But hey, don’t worry, you can try again next time. Come with me!” She grabbed Alwin’s arm, her fingers closing around it firmly. “Wait a minute… your name’s Alwin, right? Yeah, that’s right! You’re joining my club from now on!”
Alwin froze, surprised by the way her hand tightened around his arm. Something felt off. Despite her carefree attitude, Arya seemed a little too intent on keeping him from jumping. Her grip tightened as he tried to pull away, but she wouldn’t let go.
“A face like that would be such a waste if it dies,” Arya said, pulling him harder. “So come on, hurry up! It’s too late for you to be standing around here.”
Alwin’s tall frame was jerked forward as she dragged him toward the rooftop exit. Just as they reached it, the door rattled, someone trying to break through from the other side.
“Ugh, what a mess,” Arya muttered, clearly annoyed. “If you really wanted to off yourself, do it at home. At least then it wouldn’t cause such a scene. Make a big fuss at your own place until you actually do it, for crying out loud!”
Alwin shrugged nonchalantly. "They're the ones overreacting. I wasn’t planning on doing anything," he protested.
"Well, don't go trying to kill yourself here next time," Arya said, her voice laced with a strange mix of annoyance and concern. "You’ll just end up causing trouble around the academy."
"Yeah, well, that's your problem, not mine!" Alwin shot back.
"This is a private academy, you know," Arya continued, her tone sharp. "If there's a suicide here, no one's going to want to send their kids. It won’t look good."
"Still your problem," Alwin replied, unfazed.
"Ugh, you’re really impossible!" Arya muttered, but there was a hint of emotion beneath her calm demeanor. "You know, my business will be lonely if you die, you bastard."
Alwin raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"You should join my club," Arya said with a big grin. "It’s guaranteed to be fun!"
"What club?"
"Azari Dating Club. Ever heard of it? Oh, wait, right, you’ve been asleep for two years. This club’s super famous around here! It’s exclusive—only the coolest, most beautiful people can join. You should be thankful I recruited you directly."
Alwin blinked, still confused. "What club is this, exactly?"
Arya leaned in with a sly smile. "In short... we run a hired partner business. My club provides people to chat with, watch movies with, or just hang out. We hire out girlfriends and boyfriends for all sorts of social reasons."
Alwin stared at her, trying to process what she just said. "Wait... you mean I’ll get paid to be a hired boyfriend?"
"Yup," Arya answered with a shrug.
Alwin glanced at Arya, his expression indifferent. "Does my face look like I need money?"
Arya paused for a moment, inspecting Alwin's face with a more serious gaze. "No, not really. But you do need to connect with the outside world. This club could be the perfect escape from your routine and stress. Besides, being a host here might introduce you to new people and ideas that could change your perspective on life."
Alwin scoffed. "Bullshit," he muttered, clearly uninterested.
Before Arya could respond, the loud crash of the rooftop door being broken down echoed through the air. The sound of heavy boots followed, and soon a group of firefighters rushed onto the rooftop. Their expressions were serious, clearly prepared for a tense situation.
"Freeze!" one of the officers shouted, stepping forward with his hands up, ready for action.
Alwin sighed, raising his hands in mock surrender. Arya looked at the scene in confusion, then panicked. "Wait, why am I getting arrested? I wasn’t the one standing on the edge! He was the one looking like he was about to jump!"
The officers ignored her protest and quickly moved to restrain both Alwin and Arya. One of the firefighters turned to Arya with a stern expression. "We have to do this for security reasons."
With that, they escorted the pair down the emergency stairs, making sure to attract as much attention as possible. The other students watched the scene unfold, some recording it, others whispering among themselves.
*
Previous chapter:
The swimming pool in the gymnasium was quiet, the soft hum of overhead lights filling the air. Alwin had just finished his afternoon workout, still clad in his wet swimming trunks. He stood by the pool, his body shifting as he loosened up, his movements graceful and confident.
Bela sat nearby, her gaze lingering on him. Dressed in her one-piece swimsuit, she couldn’t help but admire the way his athletic build was sculpted. His height, broad shoulders, and defined muscles were a testament to his dedication as a swimmer. The sun had kissed his skin, leaving it a deep tan that gleamed under the pool lights. Every shift of his body made his muscles ripple, from his strong arms to his sculpted abs. His hair, damp from the workout, clung to his forehead, only adding to his natural allure.
Alwin’s perfection, both physical and in the way he carried himself, captivated Bela. A sense of pride filled her chest — Alwin was her boyfriend, and no matter how he acted, she couldn’t help but feel fortunate.
"Damn, I haven’t broken my old record yet," Alwin muttered, staring at the digital timer mounted on the wall. His frustration was clear as he shifted his weight and ran a hand through his wet hair.
Both Alwin and Bela had once trained together, always keeping track of their times. Now, they often pushed each other to be better, but this moment felt different. There was a pause, a slight break in the tension of their competition.
"Hey, there's still time before the next practice," Bela said, raising a hand and giving him a playful smile.
Alwin raised an eyebrow, his gaze narrowing slightly as he approached her. "So, what’s the plan now? More practice?" he asked, his voice tinged with sarcasm.
Bela chuckled softly, teasing him. "Or we could take a little break, rest for a while."
Her eyes softened as she watched him, and in a moment of affection, she moved a bit closer, leaning in as though to kiss him. But just as she was about to close the distance, Alwin pulled back with a sharp expression.
"Tch. We don’t kiss, Bela," he muttered, his voice laced with irritation. "You know I can’t stand it. It’s just... ridiculous, this whole kissing thing. Like it means something special."
Bela paused, her face shifting slightly as she pulled back, surprised by his bluntness. She had known about his aversion to kissing, but hearing it out loud still stung. She took a deep breath, attempting to maintain her calm composure.
"Okay," she replied quietly, her tone a little more subdued. "I get it. I’ll respect that."
There was an awkward silence for a moment, but she didn’t let it linger for too long. Instead, she shifted her attention back to him, trying to shake off the tension.
"You know," she began, her voice softer now, "I’m still proud of you. You’ve come so far."
Alwin glanced at her, but the same guarded look remained in his eyes. He gave a small nod, but never one to dwell too long in emotions, he quickly changed the subject.
"Let’s just get ready for the next set," he said, turning back toward the pool, already refocusing on the next challenge ahead.
Bela watched him for a moment, wondering if she would ever fully understand the distance he kept.
…
…
…
"Didn't Alwin tell you he was awake, Bel?" Rebecca asked casually, noting how she had just seen Alwin back to his usual self.
"No one told me, Beck. When did he wake up from his coma? Can he really wake up? I thought he'd never wake up again. He was asleep for two years, Beck. That's such a long time," Bela replied, her voice trembling with surprise.
"Half a year ago, he might have started waking up, but his family kept it quiet. He did physiotherapy and other treatments in Singapore. Now, he’s back, already in perfect health, as if nothing happened. Same old Alwin — handsome, cool, and as annoying as ever. A total charmer," Rebecca said with a playful tone.
Bela squeezed her dress at the thighs, trying to keep her composure. She was currently enjoying a romantic dinner with Matt, a fellow student from Yale University. Matt walked back from the restroom and took a seat across from her, gently brushing his hand over her arm as he did.
"I’ll call you back, Beck," Bela muttered before ending the call.
"Okay," Rebecca said on the other end, still unaware of how deeply Bela was affected by Alwin’s sudden reappearance.
Bela put her phone down, her heart racing in a whirlwind of emotions. Alwin had always held a special place in her heart — no one else compared to him. She knew that if Alwin truly had recovered, she would make sure to reclaim him.
He was hers.
Again.
*
Later that day, Arya sat in front of the counseling officer, trying to explain herself. "Ma'am, we were just playing truth or dare, and Alwin lost. I’m sorry for the panic we caused," she said, bowing apologetically.
Alwin, however, sat back with his arms crossed, displaying a haughty and uncaring demeanor. He scanned the room lazily, clearly unfazed by the situation. Arya smacked the back of his head.
"Apologize too, you asshole! Why should I be the one doing it?" She grumbled, her teeth clenched.
"Alwin, is what Arya said true? It was just a game? You don’t really have suicidal intentions, right?" The counseling officer’s voice carried genuine concern. "I just want to make sure you’re recovering and getting the right treatment."
Alwin rubbed his head absentmindedly, still playing it cool. "Yeah... yeah... sorry, Ma’am. It’s all Arya’s fault. I just did what she told me. You can punish her, ma’am," he said flatly.
The counselor sighed in disbelief. Arya shot Alwin a sharp look. Sociopath, she thought. He really has no remorse.
At first, Arya had believed that Alwin’s innocent, angelic face reflected a gentle heart. She had hoped that he’d be a good host at the club and would win many clients' hearts. His face had that charm that could make anyone admire him — but his behavior? That was a whole different story.
*
The following day, Alwin walked back into class alone. Arya wasn’t with him — she was serving her punishment for her reckless stunt by cleaning the girls' bathroom. As soon as Alwin entered the classroom, a wave of whispers followed him.
"Did you see that just now? Was that a real suicide attempt or just a game?" one student whispered to their friend.
"I’m not sure. Arya said it was just a game, but it seemed pretty serious," the other replied, sounding curious but uncertain.
"Maybe he really did want to kill himself?" another student suggested quietly.
Alwin, uninterested in their gossip, ignored the whispers. He strolled casually to his seat, overhearing the murmurs but remaining unbothered. With an indifferent tone, he called out to his classmates, "Hey, does anyone know where the next chapter is?"
One of his friends shrugged. "Don’t you want to help Arya?"
Alwin shrugged back nonchalantly. "Why? It’s none of my business."
And with that, he returned to his usual indifferent self, unaware of the chaos that surrounded him.
While the students continued to gossip, Alwin lazily settled into his seat. He rested his chin on his lap, flipping through his textbook with the kind of indifference only he could manage. His classmates’ whispers barely registered as he glanced over the pages, pretending to pay attention but clearly lost in his own world.
As soon as the bell rang, signaling the end of the class, Alwin grabbed his backpack with one swift motion and stood up, already planning to leave the classroom. But before he could step out the door, a sudden shift in the air alerted him to the presence of several students blocking his path. He froze, his senses sharpening as a group of four—three boys and one girl—approached him, their intentions clear.
“Uh, Alwin!” one of the boys shouted, his voice dripping with mockery as he lunged toward Alwin and grabbed him by the neck, choking him slightly. “How does it feel to be the subject of gossip? Happy?” His grip tightened, and Alwin felt the pressure on his throat.
Alwin struggled to keep his calm, his breath slightly strained. The boy was big, his hands like iron around his neck. “Get off me,” Alwin muttered, his voice muffled, but the boy just laughed, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing.
At the same time, the girl—a tall, strong-willed tomboy—wrapped one of her arms between Alwin’s arms, pulling him back toward her as if attempting to restrain him further. Her movements were smooth and deliberate. “We haven’t finished talking yet,” she said, her voice cool but carrying an underlying menace.
Alwin tried to twist his body, but the group’s hold on him was too firm. His back pressed against the guy’s solid chest as he forced him further into the group. He felt a rush of frustration and anger bubbling inside him. He wanted to break free, but there were too many of them, and they were too strong.
Another boy from the group stood behind him, his hands on his shoulders, gripping him firmly to keep him in place. He raised an eyebrow and leaned in slightly, his face showing no sign of compassion. “So, are you really going to kill yourself or is this just some drama for attention?” he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Alwin’s patience was running out. He clenched his fists and tried to jerk away from the girl’s grip, but their hold was relentless. “Let me go!” he snapped, his voice sharp with frustration. “I just want to go home!”
*
Read next chapters:
2. THE DATING CLUB BY DANNESYA
