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The Wound That Unveils Secrets
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Bayu had just returned from campus when he stepped into the family's restaurant. The moment he looked around, his eyes widened. Chairs were overturned, tables broken, shards of glass scattered all over the floor.
"What the hell happened here, Sis? Why is this place a wreck?" he asked, his voice sharp with shock.
His older sister let out a heavy sigh. "There was a fight earlier, Yu. Right here."
Bayu's face instantly burned with rage. "Who the hell dared to cause trouble here? Tell me who it was—I'll beat the crap out of them!"
"Stop it. Don't go looking for fights. They were clearly rich kids. They had bodyguards in suits calling them 'Young Master.' Besides… they already paid compensation—way more than our monthly earnings combined."
Bayu clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. "I don't care if they're rich! That doesn't give them the right to treat us like trash!"
His sister placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him. "I think Putri knows them. When she took their order, she talked to them a little. Looked about your age too. Maybe classmates of yours—there are plenty of rich heirs at your campus."
Bayu turned toward Putri, who was quietly cleaning up the broken glass. His tone softened.
"Put, who were they? My sister said you know them."
"It was Putra and his two friends," Putri answered flatly, her eyes never leaving the floor.
"What? Them again?!" Bayu slammed his fist onto the nearest table.
CRACK!
The solid wooden table split apart instantly. Gasps erupted around the room.
"What the hell do they want? Are they picking a fight with you? This is crossing the line! I'm going after them right now!" Bayu stormed toward the door, fury blazing in his eyes.
But Putri grabbed his arm. "Don't, Yu. Listen to me first."
She explained everything from start to finish, her voice calm though her exhaustion showed. Slowly, Bayu's heavy breathing steadied. The hardness in his eyes softened.
"So… this was about their family business. Not you," he muttered, shoulders sinking.
Putri gave him a faint smile. "Exactly. Instead of fighting, help me clean this mess up."
Their sister chimed in with a teasing grin. "Yeah, Yu. Don't just break things and pick fights. You should think about replacing that table you just destroyed."
Bayu scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. "Heh… sorry. I lost my temper. Fine, I'll make up for it—with labor. I'll clean until everything's done."
The tension broke into light laughter, the atmosphere finally easing.
But as they continued cleaning, Putri accidentally cut her hand on a shard of glass. Blood trickled down from the wound.
"Ah…" she hissed softly.
Bayu instantly rushed over. "Put! Are you okay?!" Panic laced his voice. Everyone else turned their heads in alarm.
"It's just a scratch. Don't overreact," Putri replied calmly, as if it were nothing—her usual tomboyish composure showing through.
"A scratch? You're bleeding like crazy! Let me see!" Bayu grabbed her hand, wiping the blood away before sprinting to grab the first aid kit.
"Yu, I told you I'm fine. Don't be dramatic," Putri protested, trying to pull her hand back.
But Bayu shot her a sharp look. "Shut up and stay still. Can't you, for once, act like a normal girl instead of being so damn stubborn?"
He carefully took her hand again and applied antiseptic. The moment it touched the wound, Putri flinched. Without thinking, Bayu leaned down and gently blew on her hand, easing the sting while his other hand continued treating the cut.
Putri froze, staring at him. Her heart skipped—something unfamiliar yet warm surged inside her at Bayu's rare, protective side.
When Bayu finally looked up, their eyes locked.
Silence.
The world seemed to pause, leaving only the two of them and the faint, fragile space between their breaths.
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