2. Accidental Meeting

Maria came home late from work because the restaurant was busy.  Yes, although she is still a student at a university in this city, she also works part-time to support herself.  She is indeed the daughter of a wealthy person, but she is treated differently by her father because she is only a stepdaughter.

 Maria got home late at night, she put her motorbike in the garage, then walked into the house.  She thought maybe everyone in the house was asleep, but she was wrong.

 When she opened the door and entered, she saw her father and mother sitting in the living room.  Maria was surprised, she glanced at the clock in her hand and she didn't see it wrong.  It's half past midnight but why aren't her parents sleeping yet, she thought.

 "Maria, come here," said her stepfather.

 Maria walked closer to them, she glanced at her mother whose face looked puffy.  It was very obvious when her mother had been crying, she then looked at her stepfather with disapproval.  Her stepfather always made her mother suffer.

 "Clean up all your clothes, tomorrow you will work and live at your boss's house," said Petra, Maria's stepfather.

 "Why all of a sudden?"  asked Mary.  She furrowed her brows, staring in surprise at her father.

 "Don't ask too many questions and obey, otherwise your mother will suffer the consequences," said Petra threateningly.

 Maria immediately looked at her father furiously, it was always her mother who would be the target when she did not follow her father's request.  She had not liked her stepfather for a long time, because he had always been rude to her and her mother.  Maybe if it was with her, Maria would accept that, but not with her mother.  It was enough for her to see her mother who was always being abused by her stepfather.  She nodded resignedly.

 "I beg you, don't do this. Poor Maria, she doesn't know who your boss is," said her mother crying begging her husband.

 Maria approached her mother and hugged her, "It's Okay, Mom. I'll be fine," she said to her mother, even though her eyes glanced disapprovingly at her father.

 "Did you hear what your daughter said? So stop crying. I'm sick of seeing it," said Petra, leaving the two of them.

 "Don't, just let Mother suffer. You don't know who your father's boss is, he is a cruel person. I don't want you to do anything, Maria." Irina said. 

 "Calm down, Mom, I promise I'll be fine. I don't want Mom to suffer. If this way Dad won't torture Mom anymore, I will be very happy to obey," said Maria again.  She could only pray that in her new residence she could survive.

 Her mother was still crying, and Maria always stroked her mother's shoulder.

 "Go to sleep, Mom, it's not a good night for mother's health. I also want to sleep because tomorrow there is morning class," said Maria, standing embracing her mother from the side and escorting her to the room.

 Then she climbed the stairs to her room.  She opened the door to her room, turned on the light and closed the door again.  She took off her backpack and shoes and headed for the bathroom to clean herself up.

 Maria only took a quick shower, after which she came out, took a shirt and trousers to wear.  She lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling while looking back at her life.

 Maria Edelweis is a 23 year old girl, she is still pursuing her master's education at one of her city's universities.  She is the daughter of Irina and Daren Edelweis, her father used to have his own company, although it was small, it was an effort from his own father's hard work.

 Her father died when Maria was 16 year old, and one year after her father's departure, her mother married her father's former secretary.  His name is Petra, who is also a widower, he has a daughter who is younger than Maria, and her name is Jesslyn.

 The first year of her mother's marriage went smoothly and well.  But in the second and following years, her stepfather always tortured her mother, even she did not hesitate to torture her too if she was caught helping her mother.

 His attitude began to change, only Jesslyn was pampered, she did what she wanted.  Meanwhile, Maria has to work alone to pay for her education.  Even though her father's company was held by her stepfather.  But it was as if Maria and her mother had no power whatsoever.

 Maria closed her eyes, too tired to face life.  Although on the outside she looks strong, it's just a mask so that she doesn't look weak in front of others.

 The next day Maria woke up from her sleep, glanced at the clock on the nightstand beside her bed.  Instantly her eyes widened, she immediately got up and walked towards the bathroom, cleaning herself in a hurry.

 She left her room, down the stairs and into the kitchen.  Her family gathered for breakfast.  Maria approached, drank her milk quickly, even still in a standing position.

 "Sit down, it's not good to drink standing up," her mother warned.

 "I'm in a hurry, Mom," she said, putting down her empty glass, taking the bread that was on the plate and walking out of them.

 "Don't come home late, today you have business with Dad," said Petra seeing her stepdaughter out of the dining room.

 "Okay," Maria's voice shouted from outside.

 "I'm leaving now too," said Jesslyn as she stood up and took the bag that was on the seat next to her.

 "Be careful," said Petra curtly.

 "Dad, my money has run out. Can you send it to my account again? I have a class assignment today," said Jesslyn whining to Petra.

 "Go, father will send later," said Petra smiling at his daughter. 

 Jesslyn smiled happily, she then kissed Petra's cheek briefly, then walked out ignoring her stepmother.

 After that the room became silent, there was only a husband and wife who were silent, looking like they were fighting.

 "Don't pamper Jesslyn too much," said Irina, breaking the silence.

 "You also don't get too involved in my business," said Petra, slamming his spoon and fork onto the plate, standing up and leaving his wife.

 While Irina could only cry, her decision when she wanted to save her late husband's company ended up disastrous for the lives of her children and herself.

 **

 Maria, who was in a hurry because she was late for her class, drove her motorbike at high speed.  Even when she saw the traffic light was about to turn red she pulled the gas as fast as she could.  But unlucky, at a crossroads there was a car speeding from the right so she couldn't dodge, and she ended up rolling over after grazing the car.

 She woke up, her body felt crushed from hitting the asphalt.  Her hands were also scuffed in several places making her wince in pain.

 Someone got out of the car, he looked angry when he found out his car was scratched.  He approached Maria who was trying to wake up her fallen motorbike.

 "Don't you have eyes, huh, just grabbing traffic just like that. Do you want to be reported to the police? I don't want to know, you have to pay compensation, my car got scratched because of you."  said the man.

 "I'll compensate, but can you just give me your address? I'm in a hurry right now."  Maria said she was in a hurry, she didn't want her grades to drop because of the killer lecturer.

 "Tch, looking for an excuse to run away," said the man, his hands on his hips.

 "Here, you can bring my identity card and my cellphone. I'm really in a hurry, sir," said Maria, handing the card and cellphone to the man.

 Because the man felt he was being watched, he accepted the item the girl gave him.  He looked around, soon there would be police here and he was lazy if he had to deal with the police.  He sighed heavily, took out his business card and handed it to the girl.

 "If your business is finished, come to my office immediately. I will still collect compensation," said the man.

 "Okay, thank you sir. I will come later after my lecture hours are over," Maria said, then drove her motorbike and left from there.

 The man was the same, moved into the car and drove it.  He looked at the business card in front of him, glancing at the photo plastered on the ID.

 "Maria? What a beautiful name," he muttered under his breath, then focused his eyes on the street in front of him.  He also has to go to the office immediately, today there will be an impromptu meeting with his client.

 **

 Sinokmput