OUTWIT

CHAPTER 3

"What else do you want to buy, Kay?" the middle-aged woman suddenly asks. Today is the weekend, and as usual, spending time with family is more important than anything else.

She grabs Kayla's hand with one quick move and stops her steps. Kayla, realizing it, snorts in annoyance. She looks back at the woman who is the prettiest, most beloved, and most irritating mom.

"Mom, I just want to go to the bookstore real quick. Because there are a lot of textbooks I want to buy," Kayla says, pouting slightly while flashing a cute smile.

Karina, Kayla's mother, immediately pinches her daughter's nose. It lasts long enough for Kayla to grimace in pain. "Every time you go to the bookstore, you take hours. I don't feel like waiting for you to have fun by yourself."

Kayla, taller than her mom, just grumbles in annoyance. "Mom, I'm just buying five books. And they're not novels, they're textbooks. Pretty please?" she whines.

Kayla looks hopefully towards the bookstore. The bookstore is located in one of the shopping malls in Jakarta. The book stocks are quite complete, and the books she wants are always available and very up-to-date.

The hungry look makes Karina realize. Her daughter really loves the world of education. There's always a desire to buy books every time she goes out. Even at home, Kayla has her own room to store the books she buys.

"But, Kay, you already—"

"MOM, I'M GOING FIRST!"

Karina is stunned by Kayla's behavior. She hasn't finished talking or agreed, but Kayla has already dashed to the bookstore like lightning.

Finally, Karina can only sigh. Her steps lead her to one of the salons. For her, it's better to pamper herself than to see piles of books. Karina and Kayla indeed have similar tastes in many things, except for books. Honestly, Karina really dislikes books.

Meanwhile, Kayla, who has entered the bookstore, sharpens her gaze. She just saw the figure of someone who's been on her mind for the past few days. Galaksi.

Ah, why does Galaksi have to be on her mind? That's a big mistake. Kayla's goal is just to find out Galaksi's study tricks.

"Miss, where is the research books section?"

That's Galaksi's voice. No doubt about it. Behind the bookshelves, Kayla spies on the guy. Kayla thinks hard as she looks at the shelf Galaksi is targeting. The shelf is labeled 'SCIENTIFIC'. What is that guy doing there? What is Galaksi researching?

Then the guy starts moving around. Kayla follows him while keeping a safe distance. But suddenly, her phone rings. Kayla sighs heavily when she sees the name displayed on the screen.

"Yes, Mom?" she asks lazily.

"You're taking forever, Kay, hurry up, I want to go home!" The shout instantly deafens Kayla's ears.

"Just a bit longer—"

"COME HOME NOW!"

"Oh my God, okay." Kayla's words hang as she doesn't see Galaksi in his previous spot. She quickly ends the call and puts her phone in her pocket. "Damn it, he's gone! Where did that highway go?"

Kayla is truly baffled. She can't believe the guy. Galaksi exceeds her closed mind because he's so unpredictable. Like something futile to think about but too good to miss.

The more Kayla looks, the weirder Galaksi seems. You're mysterious and always confusing me.

* * *

Galaksi slumps in front of the shopping mall. Since four hours ago, he's been circling to find books for his needs, but he hasn't found a single one. He rubs his face wearily.