XIII

[Hi Claretta, you finally reached out. How does your group react after you regroup with your entourage?]

I smiled faintly reading the message from Cecilia. Even though I'm just a stranger, she cares about me. Then I answered the message quickly.

[Well, that's how it is. At first, I thought they would get mad at me, but they didn't. I didn't know that my companion was worried about me but he hid it well. Ha ha ha. Good thing there's you.]

I immediately sent a WhatsApp message to Cecilia, Suddenly she called me via WhatsApp call and I immediately picked up the phone without hesitation.

"Hey Claretta, is it okay if I call like this? Is it bothering you?" said Cecilia over the phone.

I remember Cecilia's voice. Her intonation is so warm. Sometimes I wonder why some people are so good with strangers. Even though I, who worked together with Sinta for years, couldn't do that. We're still not close. If we talk, we will only talk about things related to work or just formalities.

"It's okay. I'm free," I answered from behind the phone.

"Oh good. I'm not bothering you. For the previous conversation, don't worry. I'm glad to be able to help. Dad is also happy to help you. The funny thing is that I was really sincere in helping you but Dad gave me a lot of money for helping strangers," Cecilia admitted.

"Hahaha. What a windfall, Cil. By the way, can I ask you a question?"

"Just asking, Ta. Uh, is it okay if I call you, Ta? Because Claretta's name is too long!"

"It's okay. I'm also okay calling Cil?"

"Don't worry. My nickname is Cil," Cecilia said.

"Okay. Okay. Oh, yes, what do you want to ask?" Cecilia continued.

I was silent for a moment. I took a deep breath before revealing what I wanted to ask Cecilia over the phone.

"Dad who I met at the airport. You met him on the Sudabay app?" I asked curiously.

Cecilia thought for a moment. Then she answered my question.

"Of course. Why are you asking like that? Have you installed the Sudabay app?"

"Yes, Cil. I not only installed the Sudabay application but already created an account there."

"Wow, I'm happy Ta! Have you tried swiping yet? Have you got a match?" said Cecilia.

Turns out Cecilia did use the Sudabay app to get to her Dad and not just talk shit. Due to that fact, I want to ask a few things because I don't want to be zoned or cheated.

"Like you said. I used the Sudabay app at LAX airport and found my first match. Unfortunately, I don't believe him."

"You can't believe him? What do you mean, Ta?"

"Yes. My first match uses initials. I'm afraid that I will be catfished or scammed by him," I replied.

Cecilia did not immediately respond to my conversation in this phone call. She was silent for a moment. I don't know if she's thinking or doing anything else. However, I patiently await her response.

"Hmmm… You remember what I said earlier about the incident of someone pretending to be Sugar Daddy but telling you to top up your PayPal balance, right?" Cecilia said after a moment of silence.

"Yes," I said simply.

"Then, did he immediately ask you to fill out your PayPal balance?" Cecilia asked.

I chuckle. I mumbled a "hmm" sound. I thought for a moment before answering Cecilia's question.

"No, Cil but he has a lot of secrets. He uses his initials and doesn't want to reveal his real name."

"Oh, he uses initials? Maybe he's a private person, Ta. Try making a phone call or video call. If it's weird and asks for money or PayPal balance, you can skip it."

Hearing Cecilia's words made me realize something. I was too aggressive with S.S without trying to give him a chance. Maybe I should take Cecilia's suggestion by trying to answer him via phone or video call. Maybe he is a private person and not a scammer.

"Anyway, I enjoyed chatting with you on the phone but unfortunately, I have to go. Let's end our conversation, shall we?" said Cecilia.

"Okay. Thank you also for listening to the story and answering my questions. Next time, we'll talk again."

Cecilia bid farewell and immediately hung up. Then I looked at the call history. I saw a missed call from an unknown number. Then I guessed who it was.

"Could it be S.S?" I muttered.

I'm still looking at the call history and confused about what to do.

"Should I text him and ask him if he was S.S?"

I'm still busy thinking. Suddenly there is an incoming call from WhatsApp with the same number. Without thinking, I immediately answered the call.

"Hi, Claretta. It's me, S. S," S. S said over the phone.

"Hi, S. S," I replied.

"Thank you for answering my calls. You didn't answer my calls before. I thought you didn't want to pick up my calls."

What S.S said is true. I didn't want to answer the previous S. S call but my conversation with Cecilia changed my mind.

"It doesn't matter. Besides, I know it must be you. Because today I have given no one my number."

I heard S.S laughing over the phone. But I was surprised because there was nothing funny about my conversation with him.

"Oh yeah, what are you doing?" he asked on the phone.

"I'm just taking a break. How about you?" I answered, asking him a question back.

I don't know why I asked back. I still think he's suspicious though. After all, he's also like most other guys in the talking stages. They gonna ask how we are doing and what's going on. Not creative at all.

"Oh, the same. I'm also taking a break. I'm so tired because I just finished a meeting," answered S.S.

I don't want to know what he's doing or what he's up to. All of this is just a formality. Basic lessons of ethics.

"Oh," I respond curtly.

Then there was no conversation at all between us. I was getting bored and wanted to hang up our conversation on the phone. However, S.S requested a video call. Suddenly, I refused his request to make a video call.

"Why did you refuse my video call request?" asked S.S.

I remember Cecilia's words about video calling but I don't want to make a video call yet. After all, I think video calls are crucial. Usually, when I use a dating application, video calls are made when we have talked for a long time, for example, a few days after we exchange messages and make calls. Not on the first day we met like this.

"Uhm ... It's okay. Besides, why do you want to ask for a video call anyway?" I asked.

"Don't you doubt me?" said S.S

"Doubt you?"

"Yeah. You've tried several times to extract information from me. So, I wanted to show you the real me."