Chapter 7
First Time
'Shit, shit, shit! I can't stay calm!'
It was almost time for the girls' outing. Eve, today's designated guide, would lead her two beautiful "sisters" on their very first group outing together!
...Although one of them was technically an impostor.
Not that anyone could tell. Because outwardly, they were stunning — a trio of showstoppers.
Lucius tried to calm himself by imagining all the best-case scenarios if everything went according to plan. It worked — a little. His nerves began to settle.
All three siblings were dressed and ready. Sophia had ordered an online taxi for their trip. Their outfits, elegant and feminine, made it impractical to ride their usual motorcycles.
Waiting near the door, Lucius nervously scouted the neighborhood from the shadows like a spy on a covert mission.
'I need to avoid being seen… especially by her.'
By her, he meant their landlady — the neighborhood gossip queen. That woman was his worst nightmare. She could corner anyone for half an hour with idle talk and rumors, and Lucius hated both. Even worse, her favorite topic lately seemed to be his family's situation.
Lucius didn't enjoy socializing with the neighborhood aunties. He only remembered their names for politeness and avoided prolonged conversations at all costs.
To ensure safe passage, he enlisted his most mischievous ally.
Lucius: Eve, status report. Is the coast clear? Over.
One minute later...
Evelyn: Yes, Captain! All clear! Gate is green! Proceed with stealth operation!
Reading her message, Lucius didn't hesitate. He slinked along the wall and made his way toward the gate like a soldier behind enemy lines.
God, this really feels like I'm sneaking away from an affair or something. From an outsider's view, I must look so guilty…
In his mind, he moved with grace and calculated precision. In reality?
He looked exactly like a suspicious woman sneaking around. Awkward posture. Tense expression. Darting eyes.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated.
He froze, ducking behind a nearby minivan before checking the message.
Evelyn: Brother! Code red! CODE RED! The landlady has appeared! She just finished her jog and is heading straight toward the gate! What do I do?!
Lucius broke into a cold sweat. He considered retreating, but the risk was too great. If she spotted him, there would be no escape from the inevitable interrogation.
He made a hard call.
Lucius: Eve… I'm sorry. I need you to run interference. Keep her busy for one minute! Please! I'll do anything for you later!
Eve, stunned by the betrayal, groaned internally. She didn't like the landlady either. But to protect her "sister," she stepped into action.
Putting on her best smile, she walked up to the woman.
"Fancy meeting you here, ma'am."
The landlady halted. Her sharp eyes scanned Eve from head to toe.
"My, my. Don't you look lovely today, Evelyn! Are you going out somewhere?"
"Where's your brother? Shouldn't he be escorting you? A young lady like you shouldn't be walking around alone — it's not safe these days!"
"And what are your plans, hmm? Nothing secret, I hope?"
Eve, mentally bracing against the barrage of judgmental questions, replied with careful poise.
"Ahaha, thank you for the compliment, ma'am. Actually, my brother's already waiting in the taxi ahead. We're going out together — the three of us. I just came back home to grab something I forgot."
"Oh! By the way," Eve added quickly, trying to steer the conversation, "where did you get those running shoes? They look great on you!"
Meanwhile, Lucius peeked from behind the neighborhood gate. Seeing his chance, he bolted toward the corner store.
It was a small, everyday shop the siblings frequented. For rare or specialty items, they usually traveled farther, but for now, this would do.
Lucius stepped inside, breathing a little easier. The clerk, a young man, greeted him.
Lucius adjusted his posture, softening his expression. Act normal. Casual. Smile a bit. He walked toward the drink aisle.
The male clerk's eyes subtly widened. It was clear: Lucius's beauty had struck again. The clerk, trying to play it cool, approached with curiosity.
"Excuse me, miss," he said, "are you a guest in one of the nearby blocks? I haven't seen you around before. Mind telling this humble guy your name?"
'Oh crap. Don't panic. Don't slip up.'
Lucius racked his brain for an exit. He didn't have a solid alibi. He couldn't risk getting entangled with someone he knew. So he dropped a bomb.
He switched to English.
"I'm sorry, sir. I can't speak Bahasa Indonesia. I'm just here to buy a drink. Any recommendations?"
The clerk's eyes widened in panic. His English skills were limited. Desperate, he fumbled for his phone and opened a translator app.
"Uhh… sorry, miss. Ehh… translator…?"
Lucius smiled with a mix of guilt and mischief. 'Sorry, dude. I really don't like lying, but I need to get used to this eventually…'
He typed the same question into the translator and handed the phone back.
Reading it, the clerk's face lit up.
"Ohh! Yes! Please, follow me, miss!"
Lucius followed him toward a large, glass-door refrigerator filled with drinks. Each step in Sister Sophia's short-heeled shoes still felt strange, the slight tiptoe stance unfamiliar.
But he walked with grace — even if his calves were already starting to burn.
The clerk enthusiastically grabbed a few colorful bottled drinks, explaining each one in broken English.
Unfortunately, Lucius wasn't listening at all.
'Did Eve make it out okay? Wait… I haven't even told her I got out safely!'
Snapping back to reality, Lucius politely told the clerk he'd just take a cold bottle of tea. After paying, he stepped aside and immediately pulled out his phone to call Eve.
If she was still trapped in that conversation vortex, maybe his call could rescue her.
He brought the phone to his ear. After a few rings, Eve picked up — and unleashed her fury.
{"Brother!! Why are you only calling me now!? I had to deal with her for TEN whole minutes!"}
{"You have no idea what she said! I was this close to snapping… I swear, if I didn't control my strength, I might've accidentally slapped her across the street! It would've been a disaster! Huff… The deal's still on, right?"}
Lucius winced. He felt the guilt punch him right in the gut.
{"Uhh… I'm really sorry, Eve. Yes, the deal's on. You can ask me anything — once. I'll do whatever you say… Uh, by the way, did the landlady leave? Where is she now?"}
Eve didn't miss a beat.
{"Great! Now here's my request: you have to follow every instruction I give you today! No saying no! Deal?"}
{"Wha—!? I thought it was just one request!"}
{"Nope. I'm amending the contract. No backsies."}
{"Ugh... fine. I'll do my best. Just… please don't ask me to do anything weird. So… is it safe now?"}
{"Hehehe… no promises, dear brother. Oh — it's green now. I'll message you when the car arrives. Ah! Sister Sophia's here. Looks like it's almost here already!"}
'God, what kind of "instructions" is she gonna give me? I've got a bad feeling about this…'
Lucius shivered at the thought of whatever strange tasks Eve might throw at him. But a promise was a promise. He had to stand by his word — like a man… or at least a decent person.
To avoid further social interaction, he sat quietly in the corner of the store, playing on his phone while waiting.
A few minutes later, his phone vibrated.
It was a message from Sister Sophia — the car had arrived.
Lucius left the store and quickly made his way toward the gate. The car was already parked, and his sisters were waiting beside it.
He picked up his pace. There were already several people watching from the sidewalk. Their gazes made his skin crawl.
Sophia noticed him and opened the rear door. She let Eve get in first, then leaned in to inform the driver that the last passenger would be the approaching woman.
Sophia then climbed into the back seat next to Eve.
Lucius arrived at the right side of the car and opened the rear door, but it was too cramped.
Without a word, he closed it, walked around to the left side, and entered through the rear driver's side door. He fastened his seatbelt and sat in silence.
His expression was tense.
On the way to the car, he'd received his first-ever catcall — from a group of rowdy teens loitering near the sidewalk.
Lucius had never felt something so violating before. Their leering expressions, their wolf-whistles, the crude remarks… it made him feel watched. Exposed.
And worst of all, he could feel the intent behind those gazes. That cursed sixth sense of his made the experience even worse.
He clenched his fists under his dress.
The driver started the car and began heading toward their destination — the beauty salon.
Both Sophia and Eve noticed something was off.
Sophia leaned closer and asked in a gentle tone, using English to keep the conversation private.
"What happened?"
Lucius let out a deep sigh. His voice was tired.
"Just a bunch of kids… using their 'naughty' way of saying hi."
Sophia's face fell slightly. She realized — too late — that she should've warned him more thoroughly.
"I'm sorry, Luci. I forgot to tell you about these things."
Lucius shook his head.
"It's okay, Sister Sophia. It's not your fault. Honestly, I should've expected this already."
"I live with two of the most beautiful girls I've ever known. I should've realized what you go through every time you go outside. It's my own negligence. Maybe… you could teach me from now on?"
Sophia smiled softly.
"Of course. I'll tell you everything I know."
And so she did.
During the thirty-minute ride, Sophia patiently explained the realities of being a woman in public: staying aware of your surroundings, avoiding risky behaviors, tips on personal safety, and even everyday things like carrying pepper spray or how to walk with confidence.
Eve quietly listened from the side, soaking in the advice too.
The driver remained silent. He didn't understand much of their conversation — the English barrier shielded their discussion from him — but he kept a professional face.
As the car drew closer to the salon, Lucius braced himself.
He took a slow breath and nodded to himself.
'Alright, this is it. Time to face the next challenge. Keep your cool, Lucius. Don't make a weird face. Keep calm. Speak clearly. Smile a little. Let's do this!'
He tightened his grip on his small handbag.
This was it — his first time stepping into a salon as a girl.