My Blind Wife Wants Divorced

Sofi didn’t want to think about Ester’s condition in prison. But still, there was a nagging feeling because she often remembered Ester’s face. Despite being annoying, Ester was still Ester. Her kindness to Sofi and Rio left a strong impression on them.

“How was Miss Ester?” Rio asked, focusing on his driving. He had been glancing at Sofi since she returned from the heavily guarded police building. Rio wanted to avoid going in and meeting Ester. Somehow, he suddenly felt guilty.

The insults, curses, and conflicting news about the model made Rio genuinely angry. But he couldn’t do anything except keep his mouth shut. The agency didn’t provide any protection for Ester. They only visited her in the early days of her imprisonment.

The rest?

Only Rio and Sofi visited Ester frequently.

It was pretty pitiful, so Rio chose to sit in Ester’s car. They had agreed to sell the car together. They would take the remaining salary they needed and put the rest into savings for Ester. They still had the heart to take advantage of Ester’s situation. Although their employer seemed harsh and annoying, Ester did pay attention to how Rio and Sofi were doing while working.

“Thank God, Miss Ester is healthy. She eats regularly, although she still refuses to mingle with others,” Sofi said.

“It’s not easy for Miss Ester,” Rio nodded, agreeing with Sofi’s statement. “I’m also puzzled, Sofi. Miss Ester is always stubborn and refuses to accept the situation. It has been a year, but she’s still stuck in the same place. I understand that it’s not easy. We face difficulties, right?”

What Sofi said was true. Both she and Rio had experienced a lot during Ester’s case. They were the ones who were affected the most. They were scolded, especially by the agency. They were asked for many explanations and had to deal with administrative matters. Since Ester was involved in this complicated case that continued to entangle her, various problems came their way.

Fortunately, one thing was left untouched. Maybe it was because of Leonel Grisham’s kindness or because he no longer cared about how Ester lived. Ester’s apartment was not disturbed at all. It was completely vacant except for the occasional overnight stays by Sofi. She tidied up and made sure everything was in order there. However, some of Ester’s luxury items had to be sold.

But at least, for the foreseeable future, the apartment could be used as Ester’s place to return to.

Sofi also tried to secure ownership of the apartment. She didn’t want to own it, but at least Ester had the right to be fought for. Although, well, the chances were slim considering Ester and Leonel’s complicated relationship. If only Ester hadn’t fallen into the trap set by Josh to bring down Mountain, her life wouldn’t have been this miserable.

“You’re right,” Rio’s words made Sofi turn her head. Her thoughts about Ester’s apartment faded a bit. “Did you give my resignation letter?”

“I did.”

“So, our only task left is to sell this car?”

Sofi nodded.

“Yesterday, someone wanted to see and check its condition. I have an appointment in Pluit. Do you want to come?”

“Sure. I don’t have any other appointments today.”

“What about your business with Mami Leo?”

Sofi thought for a moment. “There are still some payments to be made, but I’m being fair about Ester’s financial condition. Although I didn’t disclose everything because of many personal matters in Ester’s account.”

Rio nodded silently. “Are you still receiving money from Mr. Leonel?”

Sofi turned and gave him a sharp look. “Are you crazy? Luckily, Mr. Leonel didn’t ask for the apartment back.”

Rio chuckled briefly. “Their relationship is complicated.”

“Love can blind someone, Rio,” Sofi concluded with a final tone. “I’m settling my business with Mami Leo through peaceful means. Next week will be the final decision. As long as Mami Leo worked with Ester, the agency made quite a profit. They shouldn’t demand compensation that much. It can still be covered with a few things.”

“Miss Ester is lucky to have someone loyal like you, Sofi.”

Sofi smiled bitterly. “I’m not really at ease with Miss Ester, honestly.”

“But we still have to live. I, for one, don’t deny Miss Ester’s kindness while I worked under her. But I still need a job, right? Five years is not a short time. And, I’m not sure if Miss Ester will immediately make a comeback in the modeling world.”

“Five years is also enough time to calm down the rumors. I’m sure Miss Ester will come back,” Rio nodded slowly. “I hope so. At least, while she’s in prison, she behaves well to get a reduction in her sentence. It would be good, even if it’s only six months.”

“I still can’t advise Miss Ester like that. She still insists that she’s not at fault. She thinks she was framed, and Mrs. Chloe is the most guilty person in her life.”

It made the man holding the steering wheel sigh softly. “This stubbornness of Miss Ester is what caused her downfall.”

“Forget it. Talking about Miss Ester is endless,” they both laughed.

“So, what’s the offer for the car?” Sofi asked, referring to buying and selling the car they were in. They had obtained special permission from Ester regarding the sale of her SUV. The car she bought not long ago as her working accommodation had to be let go into someone else’s hands. Rio needed to think about selling the vehicle. He felt a sense of responsibility in taking care of the car. He drove it every day wherever his employer wanted.

“Seven hundred million, Miss.”

“Not bad, then.”

“Hopefully, the deal won’t exceed our expectations.”

“I hope so,” Sofi wished. The money from selling the car was partly allocated for Ester’s future, to pay off some fines from her case, and to pay Rio’s salary. It was also for the apartment maintenance that Sofi couldn’t visit daily.

Sofi had calculated everything, and hopefully, it would stay consistent.

“Just take care of everything, Sof. I trust you,” Ester said one time when Sofi visited. “You know best what belongings I have. But before you sell them, let me know which ones should be sold.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“There’s one bag that I cherish. It’s on top of the ample wardrobe in my room. You can sell the others, but please don’t sell them immediately.

Sofi saw the fondness in Ester’s eyes. The items Ester bought were the result of her hard work. She was putting on a smile and the right look for photoshoots. Even in the middle of the night, she forced herself to keep working with various parties to meet deadlines. Should she just let it all go in an instant?

It definitely would be challenging.

“Yes, ma’am. I will remember,” Sofi replied.

“When you leave, I lose something. But I can’t keep you by my side for too long,” Ester said, forcing a smile.

“Don’t be sad like that, ma’am. I’m looking for a job because I can’t wait for you. But when you get out, I promise, I’ll be the first to welcome you at the door.”

Ester’s smile seemed forced. “No need to make promises you can’t keep, Sofi.”

“If I make a promise, I will keep it, ma’am. It’s not just you who will lose. We will. Rio as well. Even though he doesn’t communicate with you often, he cares about you.”

Ester didn’t say anything else, just sighed softly. “I hope you both find better jobs.”

“Ma’am, we’ve arrived at the meeting place with the potential buyer.”

Sofi blinked. She quickly assessed the situation. “I hope the deal goes well, Rio.”

“Let’s hope so, ma’am. Let’s pray.”

At least, before they ultimately left Ester’s life, there was something they could do for the model. And a string of prayers for her to realize that her stubbornness would bring her down further.

***

“Are you sure you don’t want me to take you, Miss Sofi?” Rio asked, slightly concerned. He was used to making sure the assistant to Ester arrived safely and in good health at her boarding house. It was also getting late. Their meeting with the potential car buyer did take a while. Not because they couldn’t agree on the price but because discussions about Ester colored the hours between them.

The client Rio met this time turned out to be a big fan of Ester. A woman with a somewhat eccentric appearance but very kind-hearted toward Rio. She bought the car at a high price and added a bonus to support Ester during her sentence.

“Everyone can make mistakes, Sofi, Rio,” she said amid their casual and random conversation. “I believe that after this, Ester will rise again. That woman is talented. It’s just that she stumbled upon a rather complicated legal problem. I also don’t deny that Ester was the third person in Leonel Grisham’s marriage. Ester is beautiful; her body is seductive and can tempt men. But I don’t want to dwell on that. I want to support Ester so that she becomes a much better person in the future.”

Rio and Sofi nodded, joining in the prayer and hope of Mrs. Herta-the buyer of Ester’s luxurious black SUV.

“I’m sure,” Sofi said with a smile as bright as a toothpaste ad. “Don’t worry, and I’ll take an online taxi.”

At least Rio had to ensure that, especially the license plate and the type of vehicle. It was better to be more cautious.

“I’ll transfer your salary soon, Rio.” Sofi approached, extending her hand for a handshake. “I didn’t expect that we would part ways here.”

“Yeah. I still feel like we’ll have a shoot out of town tomorrow. Magazine shoots and all.”

Sofi chuckled. “Let’s pray that Ester will be released from prison together, and we can accompany her again and soar together.”

“Let’s hope so. I’m eagerly waiting for that day to come.”

“Once in a while, let’s meet Ester, Rio. I’m sure Ester will be happy.”

Rio nodded at Sofi’s suggestion.

“We part ways here.” Their hands shook. “Take care, ma’am.”

“You too, Rio.”

Both of them had to continue their journey through life for themselves. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to wait for Ester’s return to the apartment that Sofi would occasionally check on. But there were times when they had to think realistically. There was hope in their hearts to meet and work together again.

Together.