You already look good without it

You already look good without it


Chaka: I will pick you up after evening prayer.

It was Saturday night again, and this was the second time Carissa was going out instead of staying home. She stood in front of her wardrobe, checking her clothes one by one. It was still early, but she already felt excited and a little nervous. The thought of going out with Chaka would not leave her alone.

He said he wanted to introduce her to his friends.

That meant she had to look really good. She did not want to embarrass him.

Carissa turned to the mirror and studied herself. Clothes were spread across her bed. She sat in front of her dressing table, her skin still fresh and clear from her shower. She had not put on any makeup yet.

She was not the type to stress over makeup. She could step outside without touching powder or lip gloss. Most of the time, she did not care.

“Is this why Violyn said I am below Yuki?” she muttered.

Her fingers moved over her cheek. It felt smooth. Even without makeup, she always took care of her skin.

She picked up her phone and opened her social media. Her fingers moved quickly over the screen as she searched for Chaka’s name. His profile came up right away.

Then she checked his following list. Yukira Dewi Kahiyang.

The moment the profile loaded, Carissa covered her mouth.

The girl in the picture wore a bikini.

Carissa’s shoulders dropped as she scrolled through more photos. Now she understood what Violyn meant. In her mind, standing next to Yuki, she felt small.

She dropped her phone onto the table and pulled at the collar of her shirt, looking down at herself. Her lips pushed forward slightly. There was no comparison.

Her confidence dropped.

After a moment, she picked up her phone again and stared at Yuki’s pictures. Then she gave a small nod.

Maybe her body could not compete, but her face was not bad. At least her eyebrows were real and full, not drawn on.

That thought gave her some confidence back.

Carissa stood up and went through her closet again, this time with more focus. After a few seconds, she found what she wanted. A black crop top. She held it against her body and looked at herself in the mirror.

“Yes. This one,” she said, deciding.

She quickly changed and got ready.



Carissa: Dad, you have the flat key, right? I am locking the door. I am going out.

Leon: Have fun, Car!

A horn sounded from outside.

Carissa grabbed her bag and hurried out of her room. After locking the door, she walked toward Chaka, who was leaning against his white Jeep.

“Hi,” Chaka said, looking at her.

His eyes moved over her outfit. She looked different tonight. Usually, she wore loose shirts or hoodies. Now, her sleeveless crop top showed her shoulders and arms.

“Hi. Sorry for keeping you waiting,” Carissa said, her voice a little tense under his gaze.

Chaka smiled and shook his head. “It is fine.”

He opened the passenger door for her. “Get in.”

“Thanks,” she said, stepping inside.

Chaka got in and started driving. They left her place, but he could not think of anything to say.

Her outfit and the soft scent from her were distracting him.

“Are you not cold, Car?” he asked.

Carissa turned slightly and gave a small smile. “No, I am fine.”

That was not true. He had already seen her rubbing her arms more than once.

Chaka let out a quiet breath. “Did you dress like this for me?” he asked.

Carissa lowered her gaze.

“You do not have to wear something like that to get my attention,” Chaka continued. “You already had it from the start. Even when you were wearing those oversized shirts.”

Carissa stared down at her hands.

Was this too much?

She only wanted to look good. She did not want people to think he chose someone worse than before. She did not want to look less than his ex.

Then why did it feel like he did not like this?

The car stopped at a red light. The silence between them started to feel heavy.

“So you do not like me dressing like this?” Carissa asked softly.

Chaka let out a small laugh and shook his head. “If I say I do not like it, I would be lying. But I am a guy. I know how guys think when they see you like this.”

He glanced at her.

“I like it. I just do not like other guys looking at you this way.”

Before she could respond, he took off his black jacket and placed it over her shoulders.

Carissa felt it the moment his hand touched her skin. His warmth stayed there even after he moved.

For a second, neither of them spoke.

Something shifted between them.

“There,” Chaka said, pulling his hand away. “You were cold.”

He turned back to the road and continued driving.

“Thanks, Ka,” Carissa said.

This time, she looked at him properly. Without his jacket, his plain black shirt showed his broad shoulders clearly.

She swallowed before she even realized it.

Chaka smiled slightly. “Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?”

Carissa quickly turned her face away, afraid he would notice the heat on her cheeks. She pressed her lips together, holding back a smile.

“But next time, do not wear makeup,” he added. “You already look good without it.”

The warmth on her face faded.

Her mood dropped. She tried to look pretty, but now it felt like it was wrong to him. Maybe next time, she should just stop trying so hard.