Chapter 12

"It's true you're here, Leo!" Riana exclaimed with a glare.

Emely swallowed her saliva with various anxiety. He remembered well the woman in front of him who slapped him on the cheek, this morning. Leo looked surprised by Riana's arrival at Emily's house.

"Why are you here? And, how do you know the house--"

"Tsk, I told you, all of this is easy for me, Leo," Riana interrupted with her arms folded in front of her chest.

Without permission, Riana entered Emily's house and argued with Leo right at the door. Luckily Emily's Mom and Dad were at the invitation. Otherwise, there will be a great fight here.

Leo rubbed his face roughly. His life was tight. It becomes more difficult to move when he finds out that Riana has a crush on him. Turns out, that's the reason his former sister-in-law forbids and doesn't agree with Leo being close to other women.

"Go home, Riana. This is none of your business. I told you, never take care of my life. You are my sister-in-law, Riana," Leo explained, making Riana's face turn angry.

"No, Leo! I've told you many times, I won't let you marry anyone. I don't believe in other women. They could be bad stepmothers for Ben," said Riana, this time making Emely understand why Riana was angry when he found out Leo was approaching him.

"It's only in your mind. I beg you, come home. We'll discuss the matter at my house," Leo said, trying to settle the argument.

However, instead of obeying. Riana even challenged and would wait for Leo to come home.

"I'll go home if you also come home," said Riana making Leo exhale roughly.

Emely who was getting annoyed finally spoke up. It was clear now, that he couldn't get close to the cop. The current Leo and the old Leo were different.

"Leo."

Leo and Riana immediately turned to the source of the voice. The look on Leo's face looks awry. He felt bad for Emely.

"Emely, sorry for this incident. We'll talk about it later," Leo said.

Emily immediately shook her head.

"No need, Leo. We talked earlier and I already said I would accept Mr. William's proposal. After all, a woman is waiting for you. I can't be a thorn in your relationship, Leo. Sorry," Emely explained making Leo shake his head strongly.

Leo thought Emely had misunderstood, but that wasn't the case. Riana is too brutal for a woman. However, Emely couldn't have told her if she was slapped by Riana this morning.

Fortunately, the scars from the slap were compressed and the traces faded away. On a night like this, Leo wouldn't have noticed it, nor would he have been able to observe it.

"Emely, listen to me first," Leo asked, intending to explain again. However, Emily still refused.

"It's late, Leo. Not feeling well with the neighbors. After all, Mom and Dad are not at home. You'd better go home," said Emely making Leo gasp.

There was a look of disappointment in Leo's eyes, but he had no other choice. Riana who saw it smiled happily. Reluctantly, Leo said goodbye and left Emily's house.

***

"You are outrageous, Ri! Why do you always interfere in my affairs?!"

Leo put his hands on his hips in front of Riana. They had now arrived at Leo's house. It was late at night, but that's what Leo thought he could freely discuss with Riana.

Ben must have slept upstairs. So, Leo can be even freer to talk. Initially, Leo still tolerated Riana's attitude. However, seeing how far the girl had gone made Leo couldn't hold back any longer.

"I already told you, if I don't want you to marry another woman besides me, Leo," said Riana. His tone was relaxed.

Leo looked at Riana coldly. Riana and Marsya's faces are almost similar, but the difference is that Marsya exudes kindness in her eyes and behavior. Unlike Riana, who in one look is certain to be full of ambition.

"If your reason is because of my loyalty to Marsya, you know my answer. Then, if your reason forbids me is because you have your heart towards me, sorry ... I can't, Ri," said Leo making Riana's face turn annoyed.

He approached Leo who was still staring at him blankly. So far, Riana has struggled to block Leo's actions, but now he is being rejected outright. Riana certainly will not accept it.

"Why, Leo? What am I lacking in your eyes? Wouldn't it be better to marry me who will surely love Ben? Tell me, why?!" asked Riana demanding. He won't just give up.

Leo turned to look at Riana annoyed. He did not expect his life to be trapped in Riana's circle.

"Listen, Ri. First, you are my sister-in-law. Second, I don't love you and thirdly, I love another woman. Feelings can't be forced, Ri," explained Leo.

Riana snorted. His heart still couldn't accept Leo's excuses. Perhaps, his love has turned into ambition, so that for him any reason will never be accepted.

"I'm a former sister-in-law, Leo. It's lawful for you to marry me. Love will arise if you get used to it. Then, I know what you mean by that woman, right? She's been proposed, Leo. You have to be aware of that!" Riana tries to make Leo understand.

Leo was tired of facing Riana. If he marries Riana, his life will certainly be more constrained.

"Even if it wasn't Emely, I still wouldn't marry you," Leo said, walking away from Riana's face.

Riana exclaimed, rejecting Leo's decision. He would make sure that Leo belonged to him.

***

"Emely, so what's the verdict?" asked Mother, to which Father, Mareta, and William attended.

Emely looked down as she controlled her breathing and the beating of her heart. This is the final decision he has to make. I don't know what will stand in front of him.

However, one thing that strengthens the reason for his decision, namely Emily's parents. He didn't want to burden them, nor did he have the heart if Mom and Dad had to pay the nominal William had proposed if he refused this proposal.

"Okay, Emely accepts Mr. William's proposal," said Emely, who was immediately greeted with gratitude by the people there, except William.

The man had thought it would be like this. A smile of victory mixed with satisfaction was etched on him. The first step is complete, just move on to the next plan.