Zara's heart pounded harder. The sharp slam of the door behind her barely registered as painful when Tama swiftly caught her and shielded her behind his back.
Realizing the situation, Zara quickly fixed her disheveled mask. She covered her face with her messy black hair.
"There she is! She's the one!" one of the men shouted excitedly, pointing at Zara as she shrank farther behind Tama.
"You little bitch! Get over here!" Gunawan shouted furiously. He was the rector of the university Zara attended, and he was angry that the woman had ruined his fun that night.
Seeing Gunawan move closer, Tama immediately backed up several steps. "Stop!" he said firmly, spreading his arms to shield Zara.
"Don't yell at her," he continued calmly. His eyes flicked toward Zara, whose body was trembling with fear.
"Mr. Tama? You're here? With this woman?" Gunawan asked in surprise. He saw the businessman he knew protecting the woman he had set his sights on.
Tama remained silent, unwilling to answer. He was waiting for Gunawan to explain the chronology of the commotion that had dragged him into it.
"I respect you, Tama. But please don't interfere in my business," Gunawan continued after his question was ignored.
"She caused trouble at my place because she refused to do what I wanted," he said irritably.
"What exactly did you want, Gunawan?" Tama asked, his posture more relaxed. That, in turn, affected Zara's demeanor behind him.
"I only wanted to see her face. She looks suspicious," Gunawan said, staring at Zara, who was still hiding behind the tall man's body.
"What did you do to make you so wary? She's just an ordinary bartender," Tama said reassuringly. Gunawan, however, remained unmoved.
Tama himself was puzzled by what he considered Gunawan's excessive reaction. Did he have some kind of secret? Or was there something he feared being exposed about his image as a high-ranking official at an educational institution?
The man beside him, who owned the nightclub, nodded as if confirming Tama's words. "Yes, she just started working tonight. Her mother is sick, and she needs money for her hospital stay tomorrow."
"You heard him, Gunawan?"
"But I need to make sure of her face," Gunawan insisted. The figure hiding behind Tama seemed strangely familiar to him.
"There's nothing to worry about. She's just embarrassed to show her identity. She seems like a good girl who's still unfamiliar with this kind of life."
"If there's anything dangerous about her, I'm vouching for her," Tama said at last. He chose to negotiate so Gunawan would end the argument and give up on what he wanted.
"As a mediator, I'll cover all the losses incurred." Tama's words brought a breath of fresh air to Zara.
Gunawan appeared to weigh the offer before finally nodding in agreement. Tama looked as though he was determined to protect the woman. And Gunawan himself had no desire to deal with the man any longer.
Then the club owner spoke to Gunawan and his companions. "As the owner of this place, I also apologize for my employee's carelessness. I'll provide all of you with an exclusive entertainment bonus for the entire night."
Gunawan's eyes lit up at the club owner's offer. His companions also cheered excitedly after hearing the peaceful settlement.
"All right, from this moment on, we're at peace. Tama, I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess. Please continue with your business. Good night," Gunawan said brightly as he shook Tama's hand, followed by his companions.
Gunawan left the room with his companions, followed by the club manager, who would handle all the compensation.
Now the club owner looked at Zara as she began emerging from her hiding place. He fixed her with a sharp stare before speaking. "I have no choice but to fire you right now. Please don't cause any more trouble here. And let's settle the damages you promised to pay."
The club owner immediately left, followed by Tama and Zara. Tama promptly paid the entire amount of the damages Zara had caused. Zara winced when she heard the figure. Twenty-five million? That was no small amount of money for her! How was she supposed to pay it back later?
In the middle of her daze, Zara jolted at the gentle touch on her hand. The man whose identity she still didn't know for certain clasped her hand and pulled her outside.
Zara wondered where he was taking her. Or maybe the man would voluntarily set her free? Zara shook her head. That seemed impossible. Especially after she had spontaneously offered him her body earlier.
Zara's thoughts followed Tama's footsteps all the way to the basement. Tama released her hand and turned to face her. For a moment, Zara felt strangely empty when those broad arms let go of their grip.
Zara surveyed the quiet basement. There were many cars parked there, but they were the only two people around. Tama finally handed her the bag she had brought that night. She looked inside and winced. It contained only her phone, two five-thousand-rupiah bills, and the small mirror she always carried.
"Thank you, sir," Zara finally squeaked. Her words sounded utterly sincere and full of relief.
Tama watched her in silence until another question left his lips. "Where are you going after this?" The question jolted her.
She had nowhere to go home to. She had been forced to leave the boarding room she had rented for six months because the owner was fed up with her perpetually late payments. That afternoon, she had moved out and left her few belongings with a friend. Now she had only one person left to return to—her mother.
"I'm going to the hospital, sir," Zara murmured softly.
"I'll take you." The unexpected answer made Zara refuse as quickly as possible. She didn't want to trouble him again.
"It's okay, sir. I've already caused you so much trouble."
"Then how are you planning to get there in the middle of the night? Aren't you afraid someone will commit a crime against you?" he demanded, leaving a small sting in Zara's heart.
Tama pulled Zara toward a black car parked not far from where they stood. He yanked open the car door. "Get in!" he ordered.
Zara silently obeyed. She watched Tama walk around the car and open the driver's door. His movements were so swift that the soft hum of the engine starting pulled Zara out of her daze.
The car began moving, leaving the nightclub behind and heading toward the hospital Zara had mentioned.
Zara lowered her head when Tama turned and met her gaze. "Thanks again, sir," she murmured.
For some reason, she felt a little emotional. Exhaustion, fear, and relief had blended together after all the bitter realities she had endured that day.
"What's your name?" The question jolted Zara back to the surface again.
"M-me?"
"Hmm... Did you forget? You made me an offer. The least I can do is find out your name before deciding whether to accept it." His words reminded her again of the impulsive thing she had said earlier.
Zara now regretted saying it. She never expected the man beside her to take her panicked words seriously.
"Zara. My name is Zara."
"How old are you?"
"Twenty."
Tama let out an exasperated breath. So young, he thought.
"You should be enjoying your college years, not throwing yourself into nightlife like that."
Zara smiled bitterly.
"Everyone has a different fate, sir," she replied.
Tama nodded in agreement. "Yes, and you're lucky you met me. I'm willing to help you," he said proudly. But Zara felt no sense of reassurance. She was still bracing herself for what the man would do next, especially after he had brought up the offer she had been forced to make earlier.
What's so lucky about it if I have to pay with my body?! she grumbled inwardly, slightly annoyed by Tama's arrogant tone.
Feeling stifled, Zara finally removed the mask that had been covering her face. She grimaced when she saw the powder and red lipstick smeared across the fabric.
Her face must look like a complete mess right now. Zara took the small mirror from her bag, and sure enough, her makeup was a disaster. Her smeared lipstick and thick layer of powder had melted unevenly into her sweat.
"Why did you take off your mask? Didn't you refuse earlier?" Tama asked in confusion, though inwardly he was captivated after seeing her face clearly, even with her heavy, hopelessly ruined makeup.
"Because I ran into someone I knew earlier. And you don't know me yet, sir."
"Could you give me a tissue, sir?" Zara asked before taking one from the dashboard. Tama merely nodded, allowing her to do so.
"What was going on with those people?" Tama asked curiously. Gunawan had seemed panicked and aggressive at the same time, as if he were hiding a secret and afraid that an intruder might force its way into the truth.
"You don't need to know, sir," Zara replied.
Tama merely cleared his throat, slightly annoyed. For some reason, he didn't like Zara keeping that from him.
The two fell silent for a while, enjoying the quiet amid the glittering city streets. After cleaning her face, Zara grew sleepy and wanted to fall asleep.
But Utama's voice broke the silence again and made her drowsiness disappear.
"We're here."
Zara jolted as she looked at the large building brightly lit on every side. They had arrived at the hospital where her mother was being treated.
Zara turned to Tama and was about to thank him, but he interrupted her by stating his own name.
"Utama," he said, extending his hand.
Zara accepted it and responded with a faint smile.
"Thank you, sir," Zara said wholeheartedly. Whatever Tama's personality might be, the man had helped her. She hurried to open the door, but Tama stopped her again.
"Put this on before you get out," he said, tossing a denim jacket to Zara. She accepted it gratefully.
"I actually feel bad taking it, sir, but I'd also be embarrassed to walk into the hospital wearing something this short. Thank you so much again. I'll wash it and return it later." Zara then pulled the jacket tightly around herself to cover her bare shoulders.
She now remembered the white shirt and jeans she had been wearing before coming to the club. She had left them there. Should she go back for them? No, Zara decided. She didn't want to deal with that place again. So she would leave the clothes behind. Besides, maybe someone would throw them away or wear them if they needed them.
In the meantime, Tama opened his wallet and took out several one-hundred-thousand-rupiah bills and a business card before handing them to Zara.
"Here. This is money for your mother's treatment. I don't have much cash on me, so I can only give you a little. If you need more help, call the number on there." Tama held the money out to Zara, waiting for the young woman to take it.
Zara stared at the money in silence, feeling awkward about accepting it. Tama had already helped her so much that night. But Tama's hand remained extended, urging her to take it. "Sir—"
"And don't thank me again. I'm sick of hearing it."
Zara fell silent for a few moments, unsure what she could give the man in return for his kindness.
"I just happened to be in a generous mood. So take it. Don't think about how you'll repay me," Tama said, reassuring Zara as she accepted the money with relief.
Zara was moved. Amid all the complicated problems she was facing, at least there was still one good person willing to help her wholeheartedly that night.