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Still embracing each other, even though Viska had grown tired of waiting to have a one-on-one conversation with Nicholas. Instead of getting that moment, Viska only felt jealousy burning within, watching Nicholas comfortably nested in Alesya's embrace.

"You should go home," Nicholas said, not releasing Alesya from his embrace, and he didn't even glance at Viska. He was truly disgusted by Viska, who had shattered his world into the smallest fragments.

"No, I won't leave before talking to you, Nik. I want to explain everything. What you've seen and heard isn't all true," Viska approached, just a step closer, to be able to touch Nicholas.

Viska hesitated. His heart pinched when his hand touched Nicholas's arm, the same arm that had once embraced him, now embracing Alesya. Could Viska dream, yearn to have Nicholas back as it used to be? Ah, if only Viska hadn't been impulsive in making decisions, surely everything wouldn't have ended painfully as it was now.

Instead of listening to what Viska was saying, Nicholas was indifferent. He even unraveled his embrace from Alesya. "I'm not too busy now that lunchtime is over. How about we go somewhere? Take a little stroll?"

“Um... it's good, going for a walk, playing around, right? But I'm afraid you're tired. So we'll just stay here, okay? "If we were here, we would be free to do whatever we want, especially if we went to your room." Alesya put her hand around Nicholas's neck. Tilting her head, before sucking on both of Nicholas' lips, so that Viska would get hot and leave.

Nicholas welcomed it well. Honestly, he also really missed Alesya's pink lips. So he responded to the wet touch on his lips with a deep sip. A little bite on Alesya's lower lip, so that the path to her warm cavity is open.

When their lips were wrapped around each other. Taking a sip, Nicholas pulled Alesya. Eradicating the distance between them so that no one lets go before they feel satisfied changing saliva.

“Mmhh….” Alesya groaned briefly. When Nicholas brought his body to lean against the wall. Holding Alesya's hands above her head, so she could freely sip Alesya's lips, with one free hand she squeezed one of the moci. Unfortunately, they were still in the restaurant, so Nicholas had to settle for squeezing from behind the blouse that Alesya was wearing.

“Nicholas!!”

Viska grabbed Nicholas' hand which was squeezing Alesya's favorite moci. She really couldn't accept seeing Nicholas touch and find satisfaction in another woman. It's up to his lover or whoever. Because when he was with her, Nicholas said he would never touch anyone again. Just him, but now?

"You have to keep your promise, Nik!!"

Nicholas pushed away Viska's hand. He had to reluctantly let go of Alesya to deal with the intruder like Viska.

"Exactly, a promise? Which promise?" 

"You will never touch another woman, except me!!"

"That was before you betrayed me. Have you forgotten?" Nicholas pointed to the exit. "Now, go! You mean nothing to me, understand?"

"B-but I love you so much, Nik. I want to come back to you; please, just listen to me. Not for long."

"No, I don't want to talk much with you."

"Why? Are you afraid of falling in love with me again because you love me so much, right?"

"Don't dream, Vi." Nicholas stared sharply at Viska. "Ever since you betrayed me, I've considered you dead...vanished into thin air, and turned to dust."

"B-but we're like this because of a misunderstanding, Nik. We were manipulated."

"That's enough, Viska," Alesya intervened. She was getting sick of hearing the word 'love' from Viska's mouth. "You have a new life now, and so does Nicholas. So please, have some self-awareness because I don't like having other women disturb my boyfriend." She dragged Viska out of there.

Although Viska resisted and didn't agree with Alesya's treatment, this time Viska complied with what Alesya wanted. She nodded and left. She would yield one step now and advance many steps later. Regaining Nicholas from Alesya's grip and from the hands of another man.

"Where are we going?" Nicholas removed his apron. He was fed up right now. If continued, it wouldn't be cooking; it would be a kitchen fire. Nicholas's mood had really hit rock bottom.

"Anywhere. As long as it's with you."

"You could say that." Nicholas ruffled Alesya's long hair before holding her hand. He was willing to go wherever the girl wanted.

Unlike most girls, Alesya actually took Nicholas around the city park, not far from his restaurant. Trying out the street food available there, from rolled eggs to cireng (a popular Indonesian snack), and some other snacks.

Alesya also bought balloons of various colors, and Nicholas didn't know what they were for, but he paid for them.

"There's a kid there. I want to give this to him. I also want to ask him to pray for me so that there will be a miracle for me on my birthday," Alesya said. Her gaze wandered straight ahead, imagining the arrival of her child.

She didn't know when, but she hoped that day would come soon. She really missed home, the atmosphere, and the activities she used to have.

"Do you really want to have a child, Al?"

Nicholas approached, grabbing the last balloon from Alesya's hand.

Alesya nodded, smiling faintly. "But I'm not sure if I can. Even if I can, I have to be ready to accept anyone who will be the father of my child."

"Anyone?"

"Yes, anyone. Who else can I hope for?"

Nicholas shrugged. He let go of the last balloon, letting it fly freely wherever the wind would take it. In his heart, he made a wish that he didn't know if he could fulfill.

"It's starting to get late. Let's go home. I don't want Bryan to complain if we come home late."

Alesya nodded and hurriedly followed Nicholas. She followed wherever he would step, just like usual, and it seemed like it would always be like that. Alesya didn't know until when. Her life was adrift, with no clear direction. Of course, Nicholas was the one Alesya relied on as the support of her life, like a stray cat seeking mercy from a human.

"Why are we here?"

Alesya raised an eyebrow. She was surprised that Nicholas brought her to the bus terminal. He parked his car in front of a mobile phone counter, a place familiar to Alesya.

"Wait here; I need to top up my phone credit."

Without waiting for a response from Alesya, Nicholas had already gotten out of the car, running his fingers through his hair.

Questions about this and that were no longer useful. Nicholas was already in front of the counter. Alesya wanted to ask why he was topping up outside when he had mobile banking. He had also just paid the hospital bill.

"Could it be that Nicholas is out of money?" Alesya mumbled, observing Nicholas's movements from a distance.

Nothing seemed unusual. Nicholas was busy pointing somewhere. Whatever he was doing there, Alesya didn't want to know. So she got out of the car, found some pleasant music to listen to, and lay back.

Watching the twilight sky while listening to music seemed very fitting under the evening sky like this.

"Sorry for making you wait so long."

Nicholas handed a paper bag to Alesya. "I was quite confused about which one would suit you."

"For me?"

"Yes."

Nicholas started the engine and continued their journey.

"Nik..." Alesya's breath caught. She saw her phone inside the bag. "Th-this..." It felt uncertain. Not only was her phone there, but there was also a box containing the latest flip-screen smartphone.

If Alesya wasn't mistaken, its price was above twenty million when it was first released. Alesya really wanted it, and her father promised to give it to her on her birthday.

But now, Alesya's dream phone was right in front of her. Ready for her to use whenever she wanted. No need to wait for her birthday, which felt more like a day of heartbreak. Devin got married, and all the party plans were canceled, along with her father's departure.

"I didn't want you to lose the memories on your old phone. That's why I bought it back... Luckily, nothing has been deleted from there yet," Nicholas said, pretending not to notice Alesya's wide-eyed gaze fixed on the phone in her hands.

Like a dream. Alesya could find happiness with Nicholas, not with Bryan or Devin.

"I beg you not to refuse. I bought it with the money I earned myself. It has nothing to do with Bryan or my father. Inside the phone box, there's a debit card; you can use it for your needs. It's not much, but I'm sure it's enough for you."

Alesya stammered. Her hand was now trembling as she touched the gold-colored ATM card. She never dreamed of touching that card again after her father was reported bankrupt. A lot of debt, and all assets were seized.