Chapter 5

In the silence of the journey to his company, Thomas reflected on everything that had happened. He tries to find strength and steadfastness within himself. Even though his heart was still hurt, he promised himself to get up and continue his journey in life. He knew that the decision not to express his feelings to Rebecca at this time was the right decision, even though it was difficult to accept.

With a look of relief on his face, Thomas sighed and said, "Well, at least I can see Rebecca arrive safely at her office." His voice sounded calm but there was relief implied in it.

Hana, who still sounded skeptical, answered with a little annoyance, "Hey, I still listen to you." Her voice sounded a little sharp, showing that he wasn't completely sure what Thomas was saying.

Thomas felt a little embarrassed and didn't know how to answer. He was just silent and tried to hide his nervousness. He realized that it was his own fault that made this situation happen.

Seeing that Hana had not yet decided, Thomas felt annoyed and said in a firm tone, "Never mind, you have to work. Don't bother me!" she tried to stop this conversation and divert Thomas' attention to her duties.

In a slightly annoyed tone, Hana replied, "Okay, okay! You change really quickly. Even though you said earlier your heart pounded when you saw Rebecca. If that's the case, why don't you just tell her how you feel?" Her voice sounded a little teasing, trying to express the curiosity she had towards Thomas.

Thomas was a little surprised by Hana's question. He felt a little depressed and didn't know how to answer. In his confusion, he answered a little curtly, "What do you know? You're still small." His voice sounded a little rough, reflecting the discomfort he was currently feeling.

Rebecca took a deep breath as she stepped out of the office door. A tiring day had passed, and he felt physically and mentally exhausted. The red evening sky highlighted his languid steps, reflecting the mood he was in.

In her office, Rebecca has faced various tasks and challenges that have made her feel tense and tired. Protracted meetings, tight deadlines, and piles of work have drained his energy and enthusiasm. He felt as if the world was so heavy and not on his side.

As she stepped out of the office door, Rebecca felt a gentle breeze touch her face. However, she couldn't feel the relief she usually felt. Her mind was still filled with worries and fatigue that would not go away. She felt like she was stuck in an endless routine, with no time to rest and recover.

Rebecca's steps felt heavy as if she had to take a long and difficult journey. Every step felt like a growing burden on her shoulders. She hoped he could go home soon and forget all the fatigue he felt. However, in her heart, she also felt worried about the tasks that were still waiting for her at home.

With slow steps, Rebecca continued her journey home. She tried to overcome the fatigue that hit her by remembering the goals and dreams he had. She hopes that all her efforts will be rewarded with satisfactory results.

Meanwhile, Thomas sat in his car, watching Rebecca closely. He had long felt attracted to Rebecca but had not had the courage to express his feelings. Therefore, he decided to follow Rebecca secretly, wanting to know where she would go after leaving the office.

Thomas started the car engine carefully, trying not to make the sound too loud. He wanted to make sure that Rebecca didn't notice his presence. With a pounding heart, Thomas followed Rebecca at a distance, trying not to be too suspicious.

Rebecca's car drove slowly on the busy road. Thomas tried to keep enough distance so as not to be too conspicuous, but could still clearly see where Rebecca was going. He saw Rebecca walking towards a nearby taxi stop.

As Rebecca got into the taxi, Thomas quickly parked his car nearby. He saw the taxi driving away, and without hesitation, Thomas followed the taxi in his car. He wanted to know where Rebecca would go and what she would do when she returned home.

The journey to Rebecca's house felt long for Thomas. He felt tense and nervous, afraid that Rebecca would notice his presence. However, deep interest and curiosity made him continue on this journey.

Finally, the taxi stopped in front of a house. Rebecca got out of the taxi and paid the driver. Thomas watched carefully.

Thomas pondered for a moment, realizing that he should change his disguise to be less conspicuous. Carefully, he took out his signature mask and put it on. He also uses Sean's identity so as not to be detected by Rebecca.

With determined steps and a pounding heart, Thomas got out of his car. He followed Rebecca closely, trying not to be too visible. Thomas followed every step of Rebecca carefully until finally he saw Rebecca heading towards her house. A low noise could be heard from inside the house, indicating that Rebecca's children were welcoming her happily.

Thomas moved quickly, sneaking into strategic spots. He smiled happily when he saw that the window was still open, giving him the opportunity to peek into the house. From there, he could clearly see the activities inside the house.

"Madam, are you home?" asked Baby Sister, a nanny at the house, full of curiosity.

"Yes. What were the children doing earlier, Reyna?" Rebecca replied as she headed to the bathroom to clean herself after a day of activities.

Reyna, with a happy smile on her face, explained, "They are fine, Madam. The children were very polite and obedient to me. Even though there were several moments where Cleo threw a tantrum, overall everything was fine."

Rebecca nodded in understanding. After that, she started cleaning herself and a few minutes later came out wearing her pajamas. She approached her children who were busy playing.

"Hi, darling. Can I come play too?" Rebecca asked while sitting near them.

"Of course you can, Mom. Do you want to play Barbies with me?" invite Caecilia.

Rebecca happily nodded, agreeing. Her tiredness suddenly turned into happiness when she saw her children smiling happily. Her children were medicine to her heart, and their smiles could warm Rebecca's heart.

“Mom, Mom. Play with me too, okay?" asked Cleo.

However, Caecilia firmly protested Cleo's request, "No way! My mom can only play with me."

Cleo felt disappointed with Caecilia's protests, but she didn't just give up. Excitedly, he replied, "Ah, don't be stingy, you! My mom is mine too!" His voice was full of confidence, affirming that he also had the right to play with his mother.

Rebecca chuckled at her twins' behavior.

With full awareness, the eldest, Calix, took the initiative to speak, "You don't need to be noisy! Mom can play with anyone, but please don't disturb her!" His voice sounded firm but full of wisdom that exceeded his age of only 3 years.

Rebecca smiled proudly at Calix's words. She agreed with what her eldest son said. Gently, she soothed the two children, "Your brother is right, darling. We will play together, so don't worry."

While they were busy playing, the sound of children's cheerful laughter filled the entire room. Each of their laughs sounded so clear and joyful. Rebecca, with a heart full of warmth and happiness, looked at their faces filled with joy and innocence. She couldn't help the happy smile that appeared on her face when she saw how beautiful this moment was.

However, amidst that moment of happiness, Thomas, who had been quietly watching everything, smiled understandingly. He watched with great pride how his children grew up without the presence of a father. He knew how hard Rebecca's task was as a single mother who was so protective of them. Thomas was sure that this strong woman must feel very tired and burdened by her great responsibility.

However, even though exhaustion may sometimes cloud Rebecca's mind, Thomas knows that she never gives up. He continues to fight wholeheartedly to provide the best for their children. He saw the strength and determination that radiated from Rebecca's every action and decision. He knew that she was a strong pillar for their family, and he felt very lucky to have such a caring and loving mother.

Silently, Thomas said a prayer for Rebecca. He hopes that the woman he loves so much will always be given the strength and courage to face all the challenges in life. He hopes that Rebecca will always feel valued and appreciated for all her sacrifices. And behind his proud smile, Thomas promised to always be there for Rebecca and their children, providing unconditional support and love.

In the silence of his thoughts, Thomas pondered the possibility of coming to Rebecca's house. "Should I just come?" he muttered softly. He felt that by coming to Rebecca's house, he would have the opportunity to see his children up close. His mind was filled with images of their happiness which was so clear in Thomas' eyes. "Let my heart warm when I see them," he thought with a smile.

However, doubts still clouded Thomas' mind. "I have to wear a mask again and pretend to be Sean," he continued in a deep voice. He felt that by wearing a mask and disguising himself as Sean, he could keep his identity a secret and protect himself. Even though it means he has to pretend and hide who he really is, Thomas feels that this is a necessary step to take to protect their relationship.

With a heart full of nervousness, Thomas finally made the decision to visit Rebecca's house. After hours of watching them from a distance, he felt that this was the right time to spend time together and strengthen their relationship. Deep in his heart, he felt warmth and burning love for Rebecca and her children. He wants to give them the happiness and warmth they deserve.

With firm and hopeful steps, Thomas walked towards Rebecca's house. He felt that this was the beginning of a new adventure in his life. He is ready to face all the uncertainties and challenges that may lie ahead. However, what was most important to him was the opportunity to see Rebecca's children grow and develop, and to build stronger bonds with them.

Thomas felt his heart pounding, and Thomas approached Rebecca's door. He raised his hand, shaking slightly as his fingers touched the wood of the door. After taking a deep breath, he knocked gently on the door.

In the tense silence, the sound of pounding footsteps began to be heard from inside the house. Every step made Thomas' heart beat faster, creating an irregular rhythm in his chest. The tension builds as the door slowly opens, revealing the long-awaited view.

His eyes quickly met Rebecca's warm smile that greeted him. However, that smile suddenly faded when Rebecca realized Thomas' presence. His face turned stiff, an expression of displeasure that was difficult to hide. Like dark clouds covering the sunlight, the once warm and friendly atmosphere turned cold and tense.

"You?" Rebecca hissed in a voice full of dissatisfaction. She tried to close the door quickly, hoping to avoid an unwanted encounter. However, Thomas quickly held the door with all his might, showing his determination to meet and talk.

Their gazes clashed, reflecting confusion, disappointment, and a desire to repair what had been broken. In a heavy silence, they stared at each other, trying to find answers in each other's gaze.

For several minutes that felt like ages, Rebecca and Sean stared at each other with conflicting eyes.  Rebecca found it difficult to express what was on her mind.  Moreover, she felt awkward because she saw a man who was her pimp in front of her house.  In their confusion and panic, Rebecca immediately went out and closed the door tightly, afraid that her children would see this confusing situation.