Chapter 45 - Daniel Pangestu
After she finished talking to Harold on the phone, Lilia hailed a taxi and headed to one of the best public universities in the city. According to Daniel's schedule, her brother was supposed to be practicing basketball on campus. Since Lilia herself had nothing to do, she decided to go see her brother. Fallen leaves were scattered along the paths she walked, a sign that the dry season was almost over.
When Lilia came down in front of the campus gate, she saw a young man acting suspiciously. The young man ran towards the gate as if he intended to go home after class, but he kept looking back. He behaved as if he was being stalked by someone.
"What are you doing?" Lilia stopped in front of the young man and made him jump, "Daniel." Lilia crossed her arms while looking at him suspiciously.
"Wow! O-Oh …… it's you, Sis." Lilia's 4 years younger brother stroked his chest in relief, "Why did you come here?"
Lilia had to look up to be able to look at Daniel, who was 185 cm tall. The young man was wearing a basketball uniform and his face was drenched in sweat. His short hair which was the same dark brown as their mother's was also moist. Lilia couldn't understand why her brother was still exercising in this heat.
She took out a tissue and told Daniel to wipe his sweat, "Father and Mother went to Jakarta as usual. I'm free today, so I stopped by to see you." Lilia explained.
Daniel accepted the tissue and began to wipe his face, "Again? Didn't they just go there last month?" He protested.
Lilia shrugged, "Don't care about them. How have you been in college lately? Let's chat in that cafe." Lilia pointed at the cafe across the street. She couldn't wait to get away from the scorching heat of the sun. The casual clothes like the T-shirt and shorts she was wearing now could not protect her fair skin from the sun.
Daniel hesitated and did not immediately agree to Lilia's invitation.
"What is wrong? Are you busy?" Asked Lilia.
Daniel scratched his head embarrassedly, "Well …… today I have other business off campus. What if…?"
"Ah! There he is! Captain!" Someone's scream interrupted Daniel's words.
Hearing the voice, Daniel jumped and his face filled with panic. However, before he could escape, another young man who was also wearing a basketball uniform approached them.
"Captain! Where are you going?! Did you forget we have practice today?! The match is only two weeks away! If you don't practice, the other members will protest!" The member of Daniel's basketball team scolded him.
Daniel's shoulders slumped and he gave up trying to run away, "Fine, fine, I'll be right there." The answer was limp.
After the young man made sure Daniel wouldn't run away, he left him and Lilia alone.
"Since you are busy, I will not bother you today." Lilia turned to leave, but her brother caught her arm.
"Wait a minute, Sis! Um… there's something I want to talk about… so… can you wait until I finish training?" Daniel asked in an unusually nervous manner.
Seeing her brother's shy attitude, Lilia could only say yes, "Then show me the way to the basketball court."
Daniel's face immediately brightened and he continued to chatter as he took Lilia to the basketball court. The young man had the appearance of his sister who was a famous model. In other words, his good looks stood out even more than other youths his age. The Pangestu siblings caught everyone's attention on campus with their attractive appearance.
"Sis, aren't you invited to join Milan Fashion Week soon? How are you prepared? Is it going well?" Daniel asked with a big smile.
Lilia glanced at her brother with suspicion. She had always felt that Daniel was trying so hard to please her, and that only meant one thing.
"What do you want?" Lilia asked dryly.
"Ah?" Daniel was surprised that Lilia could read his mind, "No, no, I don't have such thoughts!" He hastily refuted.
"Daniel Pangestu." Lilia stopped walking and said his name with great emphasis, "How long do you think we have been siblings? Tell me what you want."
Daniel took a step back and looked away, "……Can-can you lend me money?"
Lilia raised an eyebrow, "Don't you have your own credit card?"
She still remembered her father giving Daniel a credit card when the young man was just starting college. The limit on the card was more than enough for a student.
Daniel shrank at the question. He looked like a scared puppy in front of Lilia, "M-My credit card was taken by someone. I…"
"Captain Daniel, why are you taking so long?! Come back quickly! Everyone is waiting for you!" The screams of one of his teammates interrupted Daniel.
Lilia turned around and realized that they had arrived near the basketball court.
Daniel looked relieved by this interruption, "I promise, I'll tell you everything after I finish training, okay?"
Without waiting for his sister's answer, Daniel fled to the basketball court. Lilia watched him leave with a sharp gaze.
'Who in the world dared to take the credit card of a person with a black belt in Taekwondo like Daniel?'