Chapter 3

• Harvey started the car's engine, fastened his seatbelt, and his vehicle left the tower area. He glanced at Poppy, who was still standing by the roadside. Normally, Poppy would be picked up by her boyfriend, but now she was standing alone.
• Harvey then stopped his car right in front of Poppy, rolled down the window, and looked at her. Poppy gazed back at him.
• "Aren't you usually picked up by your boyfriend?" Harvey asked directly.
• "Nathan has some business to attend to today. I'm going home on my own using a taxi," Poppy replied.
• "Come on, let me give you a ride."
• "Ah, no, sir. I can manage to go home by myself," Poppy declined Harvey's offer.
• "It's already 9:00 PM; it's not safe to take a taxi alone. What if something happens to you?" Harvey insisted.
• "But, sir, taxis are safe."
• "Are you afraid I'll drive too fast?"
• "Come on, I'm just offering you a ride home."
• Poppy couldn't resist Harvey's offer, and with a sigh, she got into Harvey's car in front of her. She felt a bit uncomfortable spending so much time alone with Harvey, especially when she already had a boyfriend. Poppy fastened her seatbelt, and Harvey continued driving.
• Poppy watched Harvey maneuver the car, and with his left hand, he adjusted the audio system to a lower volume. She glanced at Harvey, acknowledging that he was indeed very handsome, relaxed in his seat, and his gaze remained focused on the road, keeping an eye on the cars and motorcycles ahead.
• Poppy's phone vibrated again, and she reached into her bag to check the screen. It displayed "Nathan Calling." Poppy looked at Harvey, who remained silent. She considered putting her phone back into her bag.
• "Just answer it, Pop, it's okay," Harvey encouraged her.
• Poppy actually didn't want to answer the call, but Harvey's words convinced her to do so. If she didn't answer, her boyfriend would get upset. She didn't want any more problems, especially if Nathan found out she was going home with Harvey. Poppy saw Harvey reduce the audio volume until the music was barely audible.
• She slid the green button on the screen, placing her phone to her ear. "Yes, Nat," Poppy said.
• "Where are you?" Nathan asked.
• "I'm on the road."
• "What are you taking to get home?"
• Poppy hesitated for a few seconds, glancing at Harvey. "I'm taking a taxi home," Poppy replied calmly.
• "Where are you now?"
• "I'm still at the airport."
• "Alright, just be careful on your way home."
• The call ended abruptly. Poppy put her phone back into her bag. Harvey glanced at Poppy, who leaned back in her seat.
• "Why didn't you just be honest and say that I'm the one giving you a ride home?" Harvey asked.
• Poppy bit her lower lip, took a deep breath, and then looked at Harvey. "You must understand, it's not the reason for me to be taken home by you," Poppy explained logically.
• "Okay, fine. So, everything can be compromised in a relationship," Harvey said.
• "What do you mean?" Poppy furrowed her brow.
• Harvey's lips curved up. "What if your boyfriend finds out that I'm the one taking you home?"
• "And that doesn't need to be explained," Poppy replied.
• "What if your boyfriend finds out that we've been more than that?"
• "You mean, that we kissed. I do actually..."
• "I don't need your answer. The analogy is, you actually like the color white, just like me, but you're forced to choose green because you think it's awesome," Harvey said.
• "Stop pretending to know everything. You don't need to comment on my relationship," Poppy retorted.
• "Alright, forget it."
• Harvey continued driving, not wanting to engage in a debate that wasn't his concern. It seemed he had inadvertently become involved in the girl's relationship with her boyfriend.
• "Where's your house?" Harvey asked.
• "Tebet."
• "You still live with your parents?"
• "Yes."
• "You should have moved out from your parents' place at your age," Harvey commented.
• "Well, that's what I'd like."
• "You shouldn't have to rely on rides; you're going back and forth to Dharmawangsa," Poppy said, knowing that Harvey lived in Dharmawangsa, one of the elite residential areas there.
• "It's okay; the distance isn't too far," Harvey replied.
• Harvey turned on the car's audio system again, and music filled the car as they continued driving. Poppy directed him to her parents' house. A few minutes later, Harvey's car stopped in front of the high-fenced house.
• "Is this your parents' house?" Harvey asked, observing Poppy's family home. To him, Poppy didn't seem to lack anything; her house was well-fenced and appeared luxurious.
• "Yes," Poppy replied, unbuckling her seatbelt. She then got out of the car, and Harvey rolled down his window.
• Poppy looked at Harvey. "Thank you for the ride."
• "You're welcome. Don't be late tomorrow."
• "I won't."
• Harvey nodded, and Poppy walked toward her family's house. Harvey watched her until she entered the gate, and then he drove away.
• ****