Novels by Zhafran Akbar

The beam of the headlights cut through the garage like a blade, pinning Rian and Ginting in পাকা the center of the concrete floor. Elvina didn’t move. Her coat was pulled tight against the damp chill, her eyes darting between the smear of blood on Rian’s lip and the glowing, ominous screen in Ginting’s hand."Put it down, Ginting," Elvina said, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.Ginting laughed, a sharp, ragged sound. "You have no idea what you’re looking at, Elvina. Take a good look. This is the man you’ve been playing house with.""I told you to put the phone down," Elvina repeated, stepping closer. "Now."Rian wiped the blood from his chin with the back of his hand, his eyes never leaving Ginting’s thumb. "Elvina, stay back. This isn't your fight.""It is my fight," Elvina snapped, her gaze snapping to Rian. "I’I’m the one being lied to. Are you going to tell me what’s on that phone, or are we going to stand here and watch him destroy us both?"Rian took a breath, hi

The concrete pillars of the Grand Meridian parking structure stretched into the gloom like the ribs of a dead whale. Rian’s tires screeched as he pulled his car into a vacant spot, the engine ticking as it cooled. Before he could kill the lights, a silver sedan slammed into the path ahead, blocking his exit.Ginting stepped out. He looked unhinged—his tie was gone, his shirt stained with rain and grime, and his eyes were bloodshot."Out of the car, Rian," Ginting shouted, his voice echoing off the concrete walls.Rian killed the engine and stepped out, hands in his pockets, his face a mask of bored indifference. "You’re really doubling down on the stalker vibe tonight, Ginting? It’s not a good look for a guy who used to care about his reputation.""Reputation? You destroyed that the moment you walked into that school." Ginting marched closer, his chest heaving. "I have the photos. I have the sequence of you and Elvina Tarigan. It’s all going to the press tomorrow morning.""Are you ta

The splintered door creaked on its hinges, a jagged monument to Ginting’s descent into madness. Rian didn’t move. He stood, hand firm on Elvina’s shoulder, a wall of cool composure against the storm of Ginting’s resentment."You’re finished, Rian," Ginting wheezed, his suit soaked through, his tie hanging like a noose. "The board is already voting. They’ve seen the evidence. They know about the mess you’ve made of your assets."Rian didn't blink. "You’re out of breath, Ginting. Take a seat. Or, better yet, find a hobby. Gardening is excellent for the nerves.""I don't need a hobby! I need to know why you’re here, hiding in a kindergarten with the most important CEO in the city.""It’s called a career pivot. You should try it. That, or a tailor who actually knows how to fit a shoulder."Ginting stepped into the room, his eyes darting to Elvina, who stood with her arms crossed, her face a mask of iron. "Elvina, please. Tell me he’s forcing you. Tell me this is some kind of sick, twisted

The door groaned under Gavin’s weight, the heavy, rhythmic thuds echoing through the small office like a funeral drum."He’s not going to stop," Elvina said, her voice tight. She backed away from the door, her eyes searching the dark corners of the room. "He’s going to bring the whole frame down on us."Rian stayed rooted by the door, his posture relaxed, though his fingers were curled into white-knuckled fists. "Let him hit it. The structural integrity is compromised anyway. One more shove and he’s going to end up wearing the doorframe.""Rian, stop being a prick! This isn't a board meeting. It's a disaster.""I'm not being a prick, I'm being an observer. He’s outside, we’re inside. That’s the hierarchy of the moment, isn't it?""You're obsessed with hierarchies.""I'm obsessed with you," he snapped back, his voice dropping into a register that made the air in the room feel thinner. "That’s the difference."Outside, Gavin’s voice took on a frantic, high-pitched edge. "Elvina! I know

The police cruiser’s lights pulsed red and blue against the kindergarten’s peeling fence, casting long, frantic shadows. Rian didn't flinch as the officers approached. He didn't even look at the cuffs. He looked at Elvina."You called them?" Rian asked, his voice chillingly calm."I didn't have to," Elvina countered, her eyes darting between the officers and the chaos. "They were already here, Rian. You brought the storm with you.""Is that a fact?""Marcus, tell them he’s leaving," Elvina snapped, turning toward the fixer. "I want him off this property now."Marcus didn't move. He looked at his watch, his expression devoid of empathy. "He has an outstanding warrant for corporate theft, Ms. Tarigan. He isn't going anywhere unless we walk him out.""Wait," Rian stepped forward, blocking the officer's path. "Give me five minutes. The roof is going to collapse.""The roof?" The officer scoffed, reaching for his belt. "Move it, Sitepu.""Look up, you idiot," Rian pointed toward the primar

"That’s not Ginting," Elvina whispered, her body stiffening as the man walked toward them.The stranger didn't look like a parent. He wore a sharp, charcoal-gray windbreaker and moved with the clinical, silent efficiency of a man who spent his life checking exits.Rian pulled his hand back, wiping the blue tempera paint onto his hoodie, his eyes tracking the newcomer’s every step. "You’re right. He’s not a parent. That’s a fixer.""A fixer for who?" Elvina asked, her voice barely audible."Take a guess," Rian spat, the mask of the humble volunteer slipping into a jagged, dangerous sneer.The man reached the sandbox, his gaze sweeping over the mess of art supplies before settling on Rian with a look of pure, professional pity."Mr. Sitepu," the man said, his voice flat. "Your firm is looking for you. The board meeting ended half an hour ago. You’re currently in the middle of a hostile takeover from within.""Go away, Marcus," Rian growled. "I’m in the middle of something.""You’re in t