The incident with Siska turned out to be nothing more than the opening of a series of new, increasingly colorful chapters in Rian's life as an online motorcycle driver.
Whether it was his handsome yet unassuming looks, his perpetually calm expression, or his remarkably skillful driving style that always prioritized safety, the back seat of Rian's motorcycle seemed to have a magnetism of its own.
In just a few months, his phone's contact list had filled with the names of female passengers who had deliberately saved his personal number so they could use him as their regular driver.
Interestingly, they came from an incredibly diverse range of social backgrounds.
They included ordinary college students who often ran out of fare money but loved chatting with him, social media influencers with hundreds of thousands of followers, and accomplished career women holding high positions in government agencies and massive corporations.
Although their backgrounds were worlds apart, the way Rian was treated almost always followed the same pattern.
It began with admiration for Rian's skill at cutting through the capital's insane traffic, continued with casual conversations that grew increasingly intimate, and eventually led to special attention that had clearly crossed the boundaries of professionalism between driver and passenger.
One afternoon, it was Amanda's turn—a beautiful young influencer with a glamorous lifestyle who openly put Rian's resolve to the test.
After Rian drove her to a photo studio in Jakarta Selatan, Amanda didn't get off right away.
With a coquettish air, she leaned against Rian's shoulder while showing him something on her phone.
“Rian, I have a three-day photoshoot gig in Bali next week.
“I’m seriously stressing about how complicated transportation is there,” Amanda said, deliberately softening her voice.
“What if you just come with me? I’ll cover your plane ticket, five-star hotel, and all your meals.
“You’d just have to hang out with me and drive the rental car while we’re there. What do you say?”
A free vacation to the Island of the Gods with a beautiful woman and every expense covered was certainly not an easy offer for someone Rian's age to turn down.
But Rian could sense another implication behind the invitation—a boundary that, if crossed, would transform him from a respectable driver into someone dependent on another person's generosity.
With a polite but cold smile, Rian gently declined, saying that he had to look after his mother at home and couldn't leave his primary job for an extended period.
However, the greatest test of Rian's resolve came from a high-ranking woman named Ms. Valeri.
This woman in her early forties was the president director of a leading property development company.
Elegant, exceptionally refined, and possessed of a commanding leadership aura.
Rian had been Valeri's trusted driver for the past month, specifically to take her to last-minute meetings during peak traffic hours.
Then one night, after Rian drove her to the courtyard of her grand mansion in Menteng,
Valeri asked him to turn off his motorcycle for a moment.
Valeri stood right beside Rian, looking him up and down with an appraising gaze brimming with allure.
She then pulled a thick envelope from her luxurious leather bag and pressed it directly against Rian's chest.
“Rian, I’m tired of watching you risk your safety and health on this motorcycle every day,” Valeri said in a low, caressing voice.
“There’s an advance payment for you in this envelope. I want you to quit being an online driver.
“Starting next month, you’ll work directly under me.
“I’ll provide you with a luxury sedan, a private apartment downtown, and a monthly salary dozens of times greater than what you make driving this motorcycle.”
Valeri stepped closer, her neatly manicured fingers gently touching the collar of Rian's jacket, which was slightly damp with the night's dew.
“Your duties won’t be difficult, Rian. You’ll only need to be there whenever I need someone to talk to, drive me around when I’m tired, and be my trusted confidant.
“You’re an honest, handsome man. It would be such a waste to let your potential be used up on the streets.”
That night, the wind blew hard enough to carry the soft fragrance of Valeri's expensive perfume through the air.
In the stillness of Menteng at night, Rian felt a great storm raging inside his chest.
Tens of millions in cash, a private apartment, and a life without having to worry about payments or the harshness of the streets—all of it lay before him. Just one nod away.
His resolve wavered for a moment. The comfortable life Valeri offered, along with the tempting invitations from Amanda and his other passengers, seemed to mock all his years of hard work, which had earned him only pocket change for every kilometer he traveled.
Was he tempted? Absolutely. Rian was an ordinary man, not immune to the allure of worldly pleasures.
Yet amid that fierce inner turmoil, Rian's eyes drifted to his reflection in the motorcycle's rearview mirror.
He saw his slightly faded green jacket, his simple helmet, and his tired but clean face, free of guilt.
He remembered the principle his late father had taught him since childhood: a man's honor isn't measured by how luxurious the place where he stands is, but by how firmly he can protect his dignity on his own two feet.
Rian knew all too well that the moment he accepted Valeri's envelope and stepped into that gilded cage, he would no longer be the free Rian he was.
He would become a display piece, someone who could be discarded whenever his patron grew bored.
His freedom would disappear, and his pride in the fruits of his own labor would be destroyed, replaced by shame and inferiority.
With a long, measured breath, Rian slowly took one step back, creating a respectful distance between himself and Valeri.
He brought both hands together in front of his chest, refusing the envelope without touching it at all.
“Ms. Valeri, I’m deeply honored,” Rian said in an exceptionally calm and steady voice that radiated unmatched dignity.
“I’m truly grateful for your concern and for this extraordinary offer.
“It’s the greatest show of appreciation I’ve ever received during my time as a driver.”
Rian looked straight into Valeri's eyes, his gaze clear and unwavering.
“But I’m very sorry, ma’am. I can’t accept your offer.
“I genuinely enjoy the work I do now. Life on the streets may be harsh and dusty, but there’s an incredible sense of satisfaction and freedom in every rupiah I earn honestly with my own hands.
“I’ll still be happy to be your regular driver whenever you need a quick ride through the traffic, but that’s all it can be.”
Valeri was stunned. Her eyes widened in shock. In all her years leading a company and wielding considerable power,
this was the first time an ordinary young online driver in dust-stained clothes had firmly rejected her money, luxurious perks, and personal attention with such elegance.
Silence enveloped them for several seconds. Valeri studied Rian's resolute expression; there wasn't the slightest trace of regret or fear in it.
The offense that had briefly flashed through Valeri's heart slowly faded, replaced by profound admiration. She finally understood that the man standing before her was no ordinary man who could be bought with money.
Valeri pulled back her envelope and gave him a faint smile—this time, a sincere smile filled with respect.
“You really are a rare man in this day and age, Rian. You have remarkable self-respect.
“All right. I respect your decision. But remember, never turn me down when I call you for a pickup, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you for understanding,” Rian replied with a friendly smile, shaking Valeri's hand with deep respect.
A short while later, Rian was sitting on his motorcycle at a roadside coffee stall, enjoying an inexpensive glass of hot black coffee.
Notifications from Siska, Amanda, Ms. Valeri, and several other female customers popped up on his screen.
Rian replied to them one by one with messages that were friendly and polite, while indirectly reinforcing the boundaries of professionalism between them.
The night wind cut through his jacket. Rian took a slow sip of his coffee.
Although his wallet wasn't as thick as the luxury cars passing in front of him, his heart felt wonderfully light and at peace.
Amid the dazzling onslaught of temptations in the capital, Rian had proven to himself that a man's honesty, freedom, and self-respect were things no amount of money could ever buy.
He turned the ignition key, started his motorcycle, and once again carved through the sea of city lights with a proud smile on his face.