Fifteen minutes felt like an eternity as Priska endured Aldo's touch. He finally stopped his intimate gestures and helped Priska fix her hair before stepping out of the room first to avoid suspicion.
Priska could still feel the lingering sensation of his touch, something she couldn't quite put into words. She looked around her room one last time, trying to etch every detail into her memory—the old but sturdy metal bunk bed, the walls that had witnessed so much of her life.
She was no longer the same Priska. The naive girl who once saw the world in black and white was gone. She knew that the moment she stepped out of this room, she had to be ready to give the most precious part of herself to Aldo. At least she loved him, even if it was one-sided. She kept telling herself that to ease the regret because, in this situation, she had no choice.
Taking a deep breath, Priska grabbed a large bag and began packing her clothes from the wardrobe. She wanted to make sure Aldo’s story would be believable—she had to prove to Mother Shinta that she truly had a new place to live and a stable job. She didn't own much, so it didn’t take long to neatly stack everything into the bag.
"I think this should be enough," she murmured once her bag was full.
Closing the wardrobe, she picked up her bag and stepped out. She saw Aldo handing an envelope—its contents unknown—to Mother Shinta, who quickly tucked it into the pocket of her house dress. The woman thanked Aldo repeatedly, even shaking his hand several times, completely fooled by his sweet words.
Standing before Mother Shinta and Aldo, Priska put on her brightest smile, pretending to be happy. She hugged and kissed Mother Shinta goodbye, playing her part well. Aldo held her hand protectively, giving the illusion of a caring partner as they walked toward the car, accompanied by the children waving them off.
They both waved back, maintaining the facade that nothing bad would happen afterward. A brief moment of happiness—something Priska never imagined she could give to her younger siblings and Mother Shinta, even if it was only through material means. If she had relied on working and earning money herself, it would have taken much longer.
A lump formed in her throat as emotions swelled within her. She tried to distract herself by watching the passing cars. She stole a glance at Aldo, who remained focused on driving. Sensing her gaze, he turned to her with a smile.
"Can you put my hoodie and pants back in the paper bag, Pris? I usually wear them when I work late at the office," he said casually.
"I can wash them first if you’re worried they’re dirty," Priska replied, not quite catching his implication.
Aldo chuckled. "Did you forget why we’re going to my place?"
Priska immediately lowered her head, her nerves kicking in. She was scared. From what she had read online, the first time was supposed to be painful. Aldo didn't say anything else as they entered an elite residential area with tight security. He rolled down the window and casually mentioned that Priska was a friend, granting them easy access. The security guards briefly peeked into the car, their lingering stares making Priska uncomfortable.
As they passed through the gates of Aldo's luxurious home, Priska couldn't help but wonder how he could live in such a grand place all by himself. She admired the house, imagining what it would be like to stay in such comfort. Aldo stepped out of the car and opened the door for her.
"Why do you live here alone?" Priska asked as Aldo unlocked the front door. Instead of answering, he pulled her close, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"I bought this house because of its high security. Now, come inside."
Priska was once again left in awe. The interior was even more breathtaking. When they reached Aldo's bedroom, she noticed how clean and neatly arranged it was—not something she expected from a bachelor. She chose to stay quiet rather than make an awkward comment about how nice or tidy his room was. After all, in a few moments, she would be surrendering herself to the man she loved.
They stood face to face. Priska only reached Aldo’s chin. He took off his glasses, letting them drop to the floor. Despite his Chinese heritage, his eyes weren’t small—they were sharp, piercing right into her soul. Slowly, Aldo removed his own shirt before reaching for Priska, undoing each layer of her clothing with deliberate care. Then, he pulled her into his warm embrace.
"Are you sure?" he asked softly.
Priska nodded hesitantly, unsure of what to say. Aldo began trailing soft kisses across her face, pausing when he reached her lips. He studied them carefully, his fingers gently brushing against her cheek.
Her heart pounded wildly. Fear and curiosity intertwined within her. Aldo smirked before lowering his lips to her neck, his breath warm against her skin.
The way he took his time made Priska feel cherished. For the first time, she felt wanted—though a small part of her wondered if this was truly love or simply a moment of weakness. Was this still considered wrong? Yet, a darker part of her heart found solace in the sensation, making her feel foolish for surrendering so easily.
"I promise to be gentle, Pris," Aldo whispered into her ear, his large hand cradling the back of her head. He placed teasing kisses along the corners of her lips, coaxing her into letting go of all her fears.