"Apparently, people who we think are pious because of their closed clothes can actually do things beyond our expectations, Mrs. Elsha." Nonny voice joined in.

Elsha turned to Nonny, raising her index finger. "That's exactly it, Mrs. Nonny. People who look good, look calm, polite and the ones who should be suspected. You see, they are covering up their rottenness. By looking pious and inconspicuous, of course other people will think that he is a good person. That's called a front! Understand mom!" Elsha seemed to be getting excited.

Carla actually couldn't stand it and wanted to go either way, but Elsha's actions kept her from doing so.

"Nih, Mrs.Carla must also be vigilant. Having a virgin child must be really monitored. Today's socialization is ouch, we can't just trust a child whose behavior out there we never know."

"God willing, Mom."

"Samara is beautiful, Mom. I'm afraid she'll be taken for a ride by her friends. Moreover, she often works at night. Must always be monitored, hehehe," Rumana continued to rant like an exploding stove.

Esih could only smile in response. She was actually annoyed because she was indirectly suspecting Ellea of doing things like Annabelle.

"Ellea, God willing, is not like that. I am very well established. Let alone going to a place of immorality like that. I don't even have a boyfriend. That's all, ma'am. I'll take my leave, I'm about to use the tea and sugar. Excuse me, everyone."

"OK. Bye!" the women replied simultaneously.

There was a sense of resentment that Carla felt. She didn't accept that Ellea was being compared to Annabelle.

"It's all right! My granddaughter is a good girl. It doesn't hurt me that they say things like that just because Ellea often works at night. Ihhh!" she exclaimed, getting increasingly annoyed.

When she got home, Carla was still grumbling. Ellea, who had just come out of the bathroom, heard her grandmother's loud but unpleasant voice.

"What's wrong? You're coming home mumbling incoherently. Her face is also very unpleasant to look at. Did you have a fight with your next-door neighbor?" she asked while rubbing her hair with a towel.

Carla sat down with emotion. "At the shop they were talking about Annabelle being caught in a nightclub. All this time, she has seemed like a quiet, pious girl and she dresses well. But in reality she behaves differently."

"So, why did you get so angry?"

"Those women warned me to keep an eye on you because you often work at night. They think you're the same as Annabelle. Yes, I'm annoyed! It's so good that my granddaughter is being compared to her!"

Ellea's face changed drastically, hearing her grandmother's defense. Her heart ached when she saw her grandmother's face, which looked very angry because of other people's perceptions of her.

"Anyway, I will never accept it if my grandchildren are demonized. Who do they think they are to talk about you. They don't know how hard you've worked for your family. Working at night and coming home in the morning doesn't mean you're not doing a good job. I almost told them to tell you to go to work and wait until you finish. Tell them to see with their own eyes. Isn't it true what they accuse you of! The habit of their mouths is like that!"

Carla was seen venting her emotions by talking until she was frothing at the mouth, fussing everywhere. Meanwhile, Ellea was still silent. She was even confused about what to respond to.

"Honey! What's wrong with you? Never mind what they say. The important thing is that you've been working right, you've been good working. They're usually like that. Like to be jealous of other people's success. Already, let's just eat now."

"E... Yes, Grandma."

They sat at the dining table. Tonight Carla cooked quite a lot of food. There was sautéed kale, sautéed chayote, fried tempeh and tofu, and Ellea's favorite double omelet. And not to forget the fresh chili that was also present on the table.

Ellea looked at the menu on the table one by one, because the table looked full.

"You cook so much? This much won't be gone," she said.

"Hehe, that was grandma's cooking spirit again. So everything was cooked. Besides, it's not every day, kid. Now just eat first. Later I'll relax and not be in a hurryhurry for working."

Ellea and her grandma enjoyed their meal. Although her heart was in turmoil after hearing Carla's story from the stall, she didn't want to show it in front of her. Ellea didn't want to make Esih sad. She ate lava as usual, making her grandma worries disappear.

***

Ethan didn't make it back to his house, even though his wife would be returning from her vacation tonight. He was still upset with Amy who always did what she wanted without thinking about him and his young child. Although there is a babysitter who takes care, Ethan would be happier if Amy herself took care of her child.

After the office, Ethan planned to go straight to the apartment. He had already informed the people at home that he would not be coming home tonight because he was still out of town.

Ethan checked the clock in his hand, it was six o'clock and five minutes. He immediately tidied up his desk. He was looking forward to meeting Ellea tonight.

"Jasmine. That kid can really make me feel this comfortable. She's far below my age. But her mind is mature enough for a girl her age," he mused with a smile.

After cleaning up, Ethan immediately sent the location of the apartment he was going to to Ellea's number. He immediately left his room. He drove his car to a private apartment located quite far from the city center. No one knew that Ethan owned the apartment including his wife, Amy. It was the apartment where he retreated to when his mind was in turmoil. There, he is free to express what he feels.