173

173

So, whether it's Nicholas or Bryan, it's not a significant issue. What's clear is that you've chosen the right partner from the Handoko lineage." Mariana spoke. Viska still had a very happy expression when Mariana hugged her.

Nicholas and Bryan came from the same parents, but Nicholas had much higher worth than Bryan because he was so gentle, understanding, and warm. Until this day, Viska could still feel all of that, even though it only remained as fragments of memories.

Nicholas tightly held Alesya's hand as they climbed each step, heading to a room that was said to be a silent witness to so many weddings of human beings.

Today, Nicholas and Alesya would have a simple wedding there. After returning from the ceremony, they planned to go back to the village for their honeymoon. While on the way to the distant village, they would distribute some food and packed meals to underprivileged children or elderly folks who were still struggling, fighting for their survival on the streets, living hand to mouth.

Even though their ages were now in the twilight years, they should not have to fend for themselves or their families anymore. Unfortunately, due to their ill fate, they were forced to remain on the streets.

"Are you both ready?" A middle-aged man signaled to Alesya and Nicholas. They both nodded, signifying their agreement to the wedding plan they were about to undertake.

With a deep breath, Nicholas successfully wedded Alesya Aditama, a woman who had made him comfortable in recent times, replacing Viska, who had wreaked havoc in his life. Fortunately, Nicholas had managed to redirect that pain by working diligently and eventually creating two highly renowned restaurants.

He employed numerous staff and chefs to serve the menus to the guests.

"So, it's true, we're just going to the village?" Nicholas asked Alesya before they got into the car. It didn't take long—only about two hours for the whole process from requirements to the completion of the wedding.

Alesya nodded softly. "It's my dream place. Where I was raised and born. I hope you don't mind, Nik. To be honest, I don't really need to go on trips outside the city, let alone abroad. I'm used to living and growing up in the village, so I'm not that interested in the outside world."

"Alright, if that's what you want. Later, I'll try to coordinate with the locals. What kind of food they'd like to enjoy so that I can open another restaurant there. Eventually, I'll hand over all the existing restaurants here to my trusted people if my new restaurant in the village grows as planned and runs well as expected.

We will move and live there. I've always dreamed of living in a village where there will be moments when I scold our kids for playing too long by the river. Or when they try to steal fruit from the neighbor's tree without permission, and we chase them." Nicholas chuckled, imagining their future children playing, running along the edge of the fields, jumping into the river, and being chased by the owner of the fruit tree when they took fruit without permission.

Alesya chuckled lightly, sharing the vision that Nicholas described. It truly was a long-held dream in her mind. However, in the past, she had imagined having children with Devin, never expecting to have a husband from the city like Nicholas.

Slightly tired from managing their impromptu wedding with Nicholas, Alesya's fatigue didn't diminish her enthusiasm for enjoying the beauty of the afternoon before twilight in the village. They had just crossed the village border, and Alesya couldn't wait to get home. Not that she was impatient to be alone with Nicholas; rather, she wanted to sneak a peek into her parents' room.

Alesya was sure there were hidden facts that Lusi, despite her honesty overall, hadn't revealed. As far as she remembered, her parents often kept their grievances in a diary. After writing, they sometimes exchanged diaries to introspect because they had made mistakes toward each other.

"Wah... Alesya is back in the village again? Oh... the longer you stay in the city, , the more beautiful you become!" Greeted one of the local mothers, who were gathered not far from Alesya's house.

The women seemed to be enjoying a traveling "ketoprak" vendor, which had become a customary sight for the locals every afternoon, just like today, sitting, watching their children play in the village streets.

"Yes, Ma'am. I've just returned because there were some problems in the city. My husband and I also..." Alesya glanced at Nicholas, who was still unloading their belongings from the car. "My husband and I brought some food as a thanksgiving because we just got married."

"Married? Isn't Alesya already married?"

"Yes," Alesya nodded. "Indeed, I was married to Bryan, but now I'm marrying Bryan's younger brother. Let me introduce you to Nicholas, my husband."

"Wow... is this your second husband, young lady?" Another mother chimed in.

"Yes, Ma'am. He's my second and final husband. Because with Bryan, our marriage was just a paper agreement. There was no love or seriousness there. But with Nicholas, I'm giving my all, whether it's love or my life."

"Aw, such a romantic newlywed couple."

"Wow, what's this?" another exclaimed as Nicholas handed over a large plastic bag filled with numerous packed meals inside. Not to forget a rather sizable plastic bag containing various packaged foods, more than what Nicholas and Alesya had distributed on the way here.

"This is just a small thanksgiving, ," an eager mother said, taking out the packed meals and distributing them to her friends. She didn't forget to share them with the other children playing nearby.

"Oh, if I'd known, I wouldn't have bought ketoprak," one mother commented, looking at her recent purchase from the street vendor. If she hadn't ordered it earlier, she wouldn't have had to spend money on the ketoprak since there were already packed meals to enjoy with her children and husband at home.

"It's okay, ma'am, we'll pay for the ketoprak." Nicholas took out twenty bills and handed them to the ketoprak maker. "Well, I'll buy the ketoprak and share it with other residents!" Nicholas ordered.

"Yeah, right?" They all gasped.

“That's right, but don't forget to share it with others, okay? Alesya and I said goodbye and went inside. "Poor Alesya has been exhausted since this morning taking care of our wedding."

“Wow, thank you very much, Alesya and Nicholas. Thank you for treating us to ketoprak and sharing all this food. This is truly the greatest fortune and gift. Maybe we can't forget it. We also want to wish you good luck in your new life and hope that you will soon be blessed with pious and pious offspring."

One prayer is said by one of the mothers, and confirmed by the other. Nicholas and Alesya also did the same thing, because the good prayers given by the residents were indeed hope for both of them.

Currently, the domestic relationship that the two of them are building is happening because of bad things. Having a husband and wife relationship without being married, but they still want to have a better future and better offspring too.

“Then good night and see you in the morning. Also, if anyone here sells uduk rice or vegetable lontong, just tell them to gather, ma'am, in front of here. Later, I will treat the residents here to breakfast together. Please just go straight home, so we can have a nice chat. Eat while sitting and chatting."

“What time, son Nicholas?” asked one mother excitedly.

"Around 08.00, ma'am." Nicholas gave a final message before bringing Alesya into the house. Seeing the enthusiasm of the residents who welcomed their arrival very, very warmly, of course Nicholas wanted to stay in touch as well as possible.

However, because of their sudden arrival, there was no time to buy or prepare food properly, Nicholas was forced to order from several sellers who every morning provide breakfast for the villagers. Whether you want to go to the fields or the rice fields, of course it's quicker and instant. It also doesn't make Alesya tired. That was the main point Nicholas wanted.