Liana has been absent from visiting Katrin's café for several days. When asked by her friend, Liana only explained that she was so busy that she didn't have time to stop by the café. And of course, Katrin didn't immediately believe Lian's joke.This must be because of Nathan's presence.“He's not here... He hasn't come for several days, Lian. So you don't need to be afraid of running into him. Besides, you forgot he's a doctor? He's busy, and his priority isn't just you. Who are you trying? Until you feel like he will look for you every day."Lian on the phone let out a short breath. “Did I say anything about that person? I should be the one asking you, why? Why are you suddenly making such a fuss about asking me to come to your cafe? "Usually when I go there you will end up nagging a lot and making a fuss about this and that.""Oh, don't dodge it. You don't have anywhere else to escape. So, the only place for you to unwind without distractions while drinking coffee and talking about
“I'm gay!”That sentence rang in Liana's ears again. And yes, Lian had to admit that that sentence surprised her. Her feet, which were walking fast, suddenly stopped, just like that, even though she didn't know what to do after that."I'm gay, and that's why I need your help, Liana."Nathan swallowed the saliva in his throat nervously, waiting for the reaction of the woman in front of him with a pounding heart. He had revealed his identity to people he had only met a few times, risking himself and his good name to trust Liana. If Liana knew that, maybe Lian could be a little more generous with him.But no, Nathan's hopes were not ambitious. Nathan just wanted Lian to understand him, and allow him to talk to her more and after that, if Lian really couldn't accept the offer that Nathan made, then maybe Nathan would have to abandon his plans—at least, not with Lian.Slowly the woman who was standing a few steps in front of him turned around, and that made Nathan alert.“W-what did you ju
Someone got up excitedly from their chair when they saw Nathan coming. This time they were no longer at Katrin's café but at another café which was quite far from the hospital. Nathan showed his smile, it was thin—but that doesn't mean a smile brings happy news."How? She agreed to it?” Said the figure, immediately asking questions to the point as soon as Nathan sat in the chair opposite him."Patience Arga... I've just arrived."Yup, Nathan promised to meet his boyfriend after talking to Lian. However, there wasn't much time because he had to go back to the hospital immediately.“But I want to know! I already asked about it via chat earlier, but you said just talk directly."Nathan nodded, confirming it. “That's because it doesn't feel good to tell you via message. Ah, and I can't stay long because I have to go back to the hospital."“Yes, I understand, so say it quickly. She agreed, right?” Arga insisted, it seemed like the young man didn't see the sadness or disappointment on Natha
Several tens of minutes before Katrin contacted Nathan..."Ms. Katrin."One of the employees approached, Katrin, who had just returned after buying some necessities for her café, turned and looked at her with one eyebrow raised. The employee with the name tag "Daisy" approached her with an awkward smile."What's wrong?"Daisy glanced in one direction which made Katrin follow her gaze, for a moment before looking back at each other."That person... Since earlier asking and wanting to meet you, when we said that you weren't there, he insisted on waiting and it's been almost two hours since he sat there." Daisy glanced again in the same direction, focused on someone who was sitting as if observing everyone in the café."He?" Pointed at Katrin using her chin. She didn't want to act impolitely, it's just that Katrin did it so as not to attract other people's attention.Daisy nodded. The young girl then leaned closer to Katrin and whispered, "He also asked about Miss Liana. Asked about whet
"Is it true what he said, Lian? Nathan, is Nathan your boyfriend? You have a boyfriend and he is a Doctor?”"Dad—"“Why didn't you tell us, huh? Why are you hiding it from us?”"Mom...""Tell me, Lian. Why are you hiding your boyfriend from us, hm? Why didn't you tell us that you already have a boyfriend? Why?""That's right, if we knew you already had one, we definitely wouldn't have pressured you with endless arranged marriages. Your Dad also wouldn't have bothered introducing his junior for you to choose as your future husband like before.""Well, Mom... It's not what you think.""Not what we thought? We heard that young man say that Nathan, Nathan is your lover. How else can you deny it, huh? Why are you covering it up, Lian? What exactly is wrong? Are you afraid we won't approve of your choice? Or what? At least give us a reasonable explanation...”Lian also wants to do it, Dad! Mom! But right now Lian doesn't even know what to say... Not only Mom and Dad are shocked, but Lian to
"What have you said in front of Lian and her parents?""Nathan..." Arga stood up from the sofa in Katrin's room and turned to face Nathan who had just entered the room.Now they were standing face to face, with Nathan moving his body angrily and Arga busy biting his lower lip. At least Arga knows that he has made a mess that needs to be accounted for."Arga, I didn't tell you about Liana to make you act like this. Do you know that your actions could make Liana hate me even more and not want to know me? And if that's the case, she certainly won't want to listen to me anymore, let alone help us."“Listen to me first. I didn't mean to take it that far. But when I found out that Liana's parents were there, I thought maybe this was our chance—""What kind of opportunity do you mean, Arga?! We don't have a chance anymore. I've given up and won't do it again, I promised her not to bother her. So why are you doing this, huh? Why are you complicating matters?”"You said Liana was being pressur
Lian's eyes were still looking straight at Nathan, which of course this time Nathan could no longer avoid. The woman demanded an explanation from him, the woman wanted responsibility for all the words he had said earlier.“I guess I'm still kind enough not to slap your face in public, right?” Lian's expression hardened, her tolerance limit for looking good seemed to have thinned. Lian's friendly and open attitude during several meetings with Nathan seems to no longer apply at this time. Of course, for such an impudent person to have openly taken advantage of a situation like this. Does Lian still have to do all that?“Lian, I'm sorry. I—"“I don't want to hear your apology. But what I want to hear is an explanation, Dr. Nathan." The woman growled, retaining the last of her patience which was almost evaporating."Lian, whatever you want to say to Nathan, it's better not to come here. My café visitors are starting to pay attention to you because your voice attracts their attention." Kat
“Then explain to my parents that what you said just now was just a lie. Explain to them that there is nothing between us and everything is just a misunderstanding."Lian demanded. Exactly after a while, they were trapped in silence after Nathan said what was in his head.“If you feel guilty towards me and my parents, explain it to them. Tell the truth." Lian continued."No!"“Arga...”"Aren't you afraid of how your family will react if they find out that what they heard was just bullshit? Do you feel sorry for those who have placed full hope in you regarding your relationship? Indeed, you couldn't see behind the shocked expressions they were trying desperately to cover up their happiness. Didn't you see it?"“Arga! Come out and let me talk to Lian!” Nathan grabbed Arga's arm, trying to pull him out so he would stop saying things that would make the atmosphere worse. But the man who was younger than him didn't remain silent, Arga brushed off Nathan's hand which was on his wrist, let go
Lian nervous? Of course! However, the fact is that Lian hasn't experienced feelings like this for years. Feelings of nervousness when waiting to be introduced to a figure are something that she has to anticipate, and of course, Lian has to give a good impression.Well, even though their marriage was only the result of an agreement, that doesn't mean Lian can just show insolence towards her future in-laws, right? Ah, that nickname still seems too awkward to pin, so let's use “Nathan's parents” instead.It's true; after discussing it the other day at Nathan's apartment, they decided to immediately put their plans into action. After all, everything has been discussed, and even if something is missing, it can be added later. What are they waiting for anyway? Isn't their goal to make their family calm? That's why the sooner it is done, the better, right?“Are you nervous?” Nathan glanced at Lian, who was sitting next to him. The woman was rubbing her hands in her lap as if she were trying
"What do you mean without your knowledge, Arga?" Nathan spoke after Lian seemed confused about answering the young man's question. I always told you when I met Lian, so how could you say it without knowing?"Arga, who was attacked by his lover, looked relaxed and didn't seem cornered even though Nathan's question was quite harsh. The young man's shoulders even shrugged indifferently. “You said that after you two met, right? In other words, every time you plan a meeting, I don't know. What's wrong with what I said?"Unlucky. Lian swallowed her saliva, feeling that her current position was like a third person. Is this what it feels like to be between lovers who are fighting? Lian thought."But then..."“Yes, yes, it's up to you, Sir. I was just asking, why did you get so serious like that? I'm not going to attack Lian, why are you so scared?"“Arga.”“Sorry... Sorry, okay? Are you satisfied now? Can't you take a joke at all? You're too serious, you know?" Arga sneered, now turning his f
Strangely, every time Arga asked for Nathan's time to meet him, the man always had something urgent to do so he couldn't meet his lover. Meanwhile, without Nathan realizing it, the time to discuss something with Lian was always there, so the intensity of their meeting was quite high recently.What are they talking about? Many things. Whether it's getting to know each other, or learning all the things they have to do to convince people about their future marriage.Wedding preparations? Maybe that word can be used for some of these things. Although the perspective that people generally have is different from Lian and Nathan regarding the matter of "wedding preparation".“Today I invited Arga. Yes, don't worry. He said there was also something he wanted to talk to you about.”Nathan spoke on his telephone. Exited the doctor's office and started touring the hospital before heading to the ER where he spent the day.“Okay, see you later. I'll let you know when Arga has decided on a place fo
“Y-you guys?”After quite a bit of silence since Nathan last smiled following Lian's greeting, Katrin spoke, and unfortunately, that was the only thing that could come out of her mouth even though there were lots of things going on in her head.Katrin's head was busy changing direction between Lian and Nathan to see the two people's reactions, or waiting for the answer to come out of their mouths. But seconds passed, and Katrin didn't answer, instead, she gave a questioning look which made Katrin tired herself. The woman finally chuckled, choosing to leave the two people with who knows what their business was now.“Tsk, it's up to you! I completely give up on you two.” Katrin grumbled, a few seconds later the woman had taken over the cashier's desk and decided to busy herself there. As was the case with Lian, no matter how curious Katrin was at the moment regarding the two people's affairs, they wouldn't tell her anyway. That's enough, Katrin is enough and must be aware of that."I th
"Have you signed your marriage agreement?" Arga's shout on the telephone line slightly made Nathan, who put his cell phone to his ear, move it away for a moment."Arga... keep your voice down, my ears will hurt." Nathan protested afterward.The man on the telephone didn't seem to listen to Nathan's request, he continued to insult Nathan with questions that he didn't ask enough. Ah, maybe a little, Arga at least lowered his voice so that his lover's ears would be okay, even though the barrage of questions from him didn't stop even though the previous one had not yielded an answer.“Why didn't you guys tell me? Why are you guys doing it without me? Why don't you guys discuss the timing with me first? And why are you just saying it now? When did you do it? What are the contents of the agreement?"“Arga, calm down... What makes you this angry? What's wrong with me and Lian just doing it together? This is just a statement on paper, that we do it for each other's interests. What do you expe
Nathan could not immediately contact Lian even though the next day he had decided to follow all the points that Liana put forward. The reason? Because Nathan had to take another full shift, and it was difficult to find time to meet Lian because the woman also had a busy schedule.It took 3 days for Nathan to arrange a meeting with Lian. And it couldn't be said to be a meeting because Nathan still had to be responsible for the ER and his juniors.“You guys—” The man seemed at a loss for words. He couldn't understand why Nathan could take advantage of him at a time like this. “I mean, you can meet somewhere else! Why does it have to be in my room?!"Erick. That was Erick who was pacing back and forth in his room. He couldn't stop thinking about his friend and patient who agreed to meet in his room. What? What do they think Erick's room is? Rendezvous? Meeting room? Café? Seriously!"After all, Lian. I thought you came to consult with me again. I'm happy and grateful that you want to for
"But..." Lian continued but also stopped speaking at the same time. Her eyes now dared to look straight at Nathan, as if she wanted to emphasize that what she was about to say was something serious and intolerable.“Please continue, Lian. I'll listen.”“I want the contents of the agreement only you and I to know. Arga might be able to find out our true relationship, but not the contents of the agreement."Nathan was silent, listening.“Because even though this is called a fake household, basically this relationship will still be called a household. There are things that other people can know, and there are things that only the two of us need to know."Nathan's head slowly gave a slow nod. For some reason, there was something that made Nathan feel happy about Lian's words. The woman, whether she realized it or not, no longer used separate pronouns to refer to the two of them. He no longer uses "You and I" but rather "We" in her speech. And even though other people think it's a trivial
They met, just Lian and Nathan, in a café which of course was not Katrin's café. Lian knew that if they were there, their conversation would feel like they were being watched, and Nathan also knew that he probably didn't want to be seen again at Katrin's café after what happened.And now, after ten minutes of being there, both of them were still silent. Avoiding looking at each other even though both of them also stole several opportunities to glance or glance at the figure in front of them.Nathan rubbed his hands on his trousers-covered knees, and cleared his throat slightly, daring himself to speak first. "I thank you because you are still willing to meet me, especially—""No need to make small talk, that sounds annoying."What does Nathan hope for? Lian of course was still angry with him. Who doesn't? After being framed, lied to, and taken advantage of like what happened a few days ago, of course, Lian has the right to be angry with him, and even has the right to hate him for the
Katrin immediately approached Liana as soon as she saw her friend come out of her room. The woman was very excited and wanted to ask many questions that had been in her head for a long time, but when she saw Lian's confused expression, the enthusiasm on Katrin's face slowly faded, even disappearing completely, replaced by the anxiety that was etched there."Are you all right? Your conversation isn't going well?"Lian just shook her head, held one of Katrin's hands, and looked at her friend with a pitiful look.“I'll go home first, Kat. I need my own time. I'm sorry, and thanks for the room.” Without waiting for a reply from Katrin, Lian left in front of her, walking in a hurry as if she wanted to quickly disappear from that place and didn't want to look there again.Her mind was full, full of the wounds that her parents would have had to endure. And all of that was because of Arga's words, the persuasive sentences that the young man said to Lian seemed to have an impact on the woman.