The next day, Lisa and Dani went to her new apartment. Gina, the woman from the marketing side, was waiting for Lisa in front of the lobby. A friendly smile adorned the woman’s lips as she shook Lisa’s hand.

“Welcome to South City Apartments! Follow me.” The woman greeted them then led Lisa and Dani to the elevator. She swiped the card and pressed the number 4 button and the elevator door closed automatically.

“Our security system uses cards and fingerprints. After this, Miss Lisa will be fingerprinted as a key to use the elevator and open the apartment door. The number of cards provided is two, but you can add more cards for an additional fee.” Gina explained.

“What if there are guests who want to visit?”

“On the ground floor near the lobby, a guest waiting room is provided, so Miss Lisa doesn’t have to worry anymore about strangers who want to infiltrate.”

Arriving on the 4th floor, Lisa and Dani were guided by Gina through the corridors leading to her apartment room. Right at room number 404, Gina swiped her card and opened the door.

“Wow, this is really good!” Lisa said, amazed at the beauty of her new apartment. Her mother and sister will definitely feel at home in that new apartment!

“If Miss Lisa has questions or needs help, you can contact me at this number.” Gina said while holding out her business card, “I hope Miss Lisa is satisfied with this new apartment, then I’ll excuse myself first.”

The woman then walked out of Lisa’s new apartment. Dani was still standing near the entrance. Lisa walked around from room to room, checking everything in her new apartment.

The apartment she bought had a beautiful view of the swimming pool. Every morning, she could relax on the balcony while sipping tea and enjoyed the view of the clear blue pool and felt the afternoon breeze.

Beautiful, the view was so beautiful. Never before had Lisa felt the luxury she saw today. Lisa still couldn’t believe this apartment was hers!

***

After checking her new apartment, Lisa asked Dani to drive her back home to her mother. Lisa couldn’t wait to tell her mom to quickly pack up all the clothes and move the other things to her new apartment!

“Lisa? Why are you coming home so early?” Kumala asked, confused.

“Mother! Good news! We’re moving to our new house today!” Lisa exclaimed with joy. She hugged her mother who was still standing in the doorway.

“Thank God! Finally we can sell this house!” Tears flowed from one of Kumala’s eyes as she was greatly moved by the news.

“Come on mom! I’ll also help pack Bella’s things!”

The two women then packed all their belongings. Lisa called a house moving service assisted by several men who would take her family to move to a new apartment. It might take about two to three days to actually be able to remove all the items from her old home.

Before leaving, Kumala stood in front of the gate and muttered, “Thank God, thank you for the house, thank you for letting me stay with Lisa and Bella for 25 years. Goodbye my house. May you find residents who are more worthy of living than me…”

Arriving at the new apartment, Kumala paused to see the luxury of the apartment that would become her new residence. Her eyes sparkled with amazement, as if this was a dream come true. Kumala was speechless. She was utterly speechless by the beauty and luxury in front of her!

“How do you like our new place?” Lisa asked, still holding Kumala’s hand.

Her mother just nodded, both happy and touched. How could a person with a mediocre income be able to live in an apartment as luxurious as the one she currently lived in?

“But kid, where did you get an apartment like this!? You’re not a corruptor, are you?”

Hearing Kumala’s question, Lisa was like being struck by lightning. She did not think that today would happen. Sooner or later her mother would be suspicious.

“About that, mom…” Lisa lowered her head. Her tongue was clattering to tell the truth, but when the time came she still had to be honest with her mother, “I’m pregnant mom.”

“What do you mean you are pregnant, dear!?” Kumala was surprised, her eyes widened at the last sentence of her eldest daughter. Yesterday and days before, Lisa was acting unusual, especially when eating. As far as she knew, Lisa didn’t really like pickles, but lately the woman really liked to eat pickles. It was true, her eldest daughter had cravings because she was pregnant!

“This apartment… My boss bought it for me mom. And.. I’m pregnant with his son.”

Kumala’s legs started to go limp, she then sat on one of the chairs which was still covered with plastic. She froze in silence. The middle aged woman just shook her head, not believing the reality that happened to her.

“Mom, take it easy, he even proposed to me last month! But I’m still confused whether to accept it or not … ”

“What do you mean confused? You must marry him Lisa! This is totally unacceptable! How will your son’s fate be if you don’t marry your boss? You know that our country will not admit children out of wedlock!”

Lisa lowered her head in embarrassment. She knew that her actions were truly dishonorable, but what had happened had happened. She still remembered that Oscar gave her two choices, between accepting her marriage proposal or aborting the fetus. Lisa was totally torn between abortion or getting married.

Lisa was sure that her mother wouldn’t agree if she was married to a man she had never introduced, not to mention that the man was not a local man! How would Lisa hold her image in her mother’s eyes if she married a foreigner!?

“Actually, I want to abort this child, mom…”

“No! Don’t!” Kumala stared hard at her daughter’s eyes. The tone of her voice was starting to rise a little, “You’ve got to marry immediately! What are you waiting for? Mother actually doesn’t like your actions either but getting married is much better than aborting the child, bad karma will definitely come!”

Lisa sat next to her mother who was messed up. There was a little shame and deep guilt because she had disappointed her mother after she lost her savings which resulted in her getting drunk frequently. If it weren’t for her mother and sister, Lisa wouldn’t want to work at Petersson Communication anymore. Her decision to stay at the company that now belonged to Oscar really cost her her dignity as an honorable woman. Because Lisa must keep up and satisfy Oscar’s sexdrive in order to continue working in that place.

Lisa felt very stupid, how could she let herself be used by a rich foreigner just for money? She felt like a cheap prostitute!

“Alright then. I’ll accept his marriage proposal. But mom, just rest first, okay? Let me take care of this marriage. I still have to take care of our unfinished housework!”

Kumala nodded nonchalantly. She was still disappointed with her eldest daughter. Lisa got up from her seat but Kumala grabbed her hand.

“Lisa, actually there is something I want you to ask for help …” Kumala said, her voice sounding a little sobbing, “I want to complete the divorce papers that your father still hangs, but I don’t have the money to hire a lawyer.”

Kumala looked into her daughter’s eyes who knelt in front of her, tears pouring down from her eyes, “Can you please ask your boss for a lawyer? Mother asked for help … I can’t stand being bothered by your father….”