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Do not ever look for enemies. But if they come, you don’t need to avoid them either. *** “Have a drink!” Xander handed Ansel a glass of mineral water. His worry was reducing after Ansel awakened. He had slept for more the twenty-four hours. Ansel reached the glass handing by Xander with his weak hand. His eyes narrowed when he saw the infusion needle was sticking on the back of his hand. “Ah, let me help you!” Xander had just realized Ansel’s difficulty. “How long did I faint?” asked Ansel after drinking one-third of the water in the glass. “How long you fainted, it’s not important,” replied Xander. “The most important thing for now is that you’ve been conscious. How are you feeling?” “I don’t know,” said Ansel. “That nightmare always haunted me.” Ansel massaged his temples. His head was still dizzy and throbbing. Whenever he had the nightmare, his head was like hit with a hammer. “Tell me, Mom!” insisted Ansel, staring hopefully at Alina who was bowing her head because of f
Jealousy and envy can cause someone lose his or her common sense. *** “Why are you all still here?” Chin Hwa’s rebuke chased the group of employees that watched the incidence away. Aleta smiled. She felt that she successfully got Chin Hwa’s attention. A sly whisper incited Aleta. She pretended to be in a lot of pain and had trouble getting up from the floor. “Ouch! It’s so hurt!” she whimpered, glancing with sad look at Chin Hwa who would leave her. Chin Hwa turned at her for a while then smiled very slightly. “Freud, come here!” he called. What a coincidence that the guy arrived at the right time. “Please escort Miss Aleta to the healthcare room!” Chin Hwa asked Freud that was standing before him. His eyes looked surprised at Aleta. Freud nodded. He bent and stretched out his right hand, intending to help Aleta to stand up. “No need! I can walk by myself!” Aleta denied in annoyed tone then she left. Her mouth kept whispering curses. Freud shrugged. His forehead wrinkled. He
Love can’t be forced because heart always knows where it should be anchored. *** “Miss Aleta? Y—” Unfortunately, Freud’s question was interrupted as soon as Aleta turned around and hastily left the door where she peeked. Standing while carrying some folders on his hands, Freud could still hear the unclear mutter that slipped from Aleta’s lips. Nevertheless, he didn’t pay attention to it. It’s not his business. Freud shrugged. His lips pursed a little before he eventually went into Qeiza’s and Chin Hwa’s office. Aleta felt very annoyed for realizing her action was being caught red handed by Freud. She even got madder. In fact, her attack on Qeiza was just an illusion. The woman she hated the most was still fine, focusing her mind on her works. “This time you are safe and can smile in happiness,” mumbled Aleta. “But another time, I’ll make sure that you’ll swim in the sea of tears.” Aleta threw everything on her desk. She vented all her rage. When she slammed her ass on the chair,
Regret always comes late, so think wise before making a decision. *** Ansel kicked his bedroom door hard. He untied his tie with a rough gesture then took off his coat and threw it onto the bed. “Argh! I should have gone back to the café faster,” Ansel grumbled, slamming his butt on the edge of the bed. When he arrived at the café, Qeiza was no longer there. He didn’t know where she had gone away. Ansel lost the track. “God! I forgot something.” Ansel hurriedly opened his macbook and checked his mail inbox. His head moved wildly. He seemed to be impatient while downloading some attachments he got. Ansel’s face stiffened when he compared the pictures attached in his email to the pictures that he got from the boy he paid. “Shit!” Ansel screamed while grabbing his hair roughly. “So, Ae Ri is Qeiza?” Ansel bit his fist. Various emotions mixed in his heart. Anger, regret, and confusion were combined in his blue heart. Ansel’s bones suddenly felt powerless and lost their energy, li
No secret can stay forever. *** Qeiza was standing like a statue in the middle of her apartment door. She was just going to work and seeing a strange view, not far from there. Ansel was sleeping curled up while holding both his knees—like a cold kitten—on the left side of the door. Slowly Qeiza tiptoed closer to Ansel, reassuring that she didn’t see wrong. She couldn’t understand how Ansel ended up sleeping on the floor, outside of her apartment. 'He’s really nuts!'' Qeiza thought. How could Ansel—who always upheld his dignity—visit his ex-wife’s residence and spend the night there like a guardian dog? Qeiza sighed while shaking her head. For a moment she considered whether she had to wake him up or not. She looked around. That apartment corridor was empty. “Ah, just let him sleep!” Qeiza finally decided to let Ansel stay there. She turned around and intended to go from there. But, something grabbed her foot. Qeiza looked down. She saw Ansel’s hand stopped her steps. “Let it g
Basically, a woman is a very forgiving creature event though she is often hurt. Nonetheless, if her disappointments have exceeded her tolerance and made her leave, then don’t ever expect her to come back even though your tears are the tears of blood. *** That morning, the weather was brighter than usual. The outside temperature was at the lowest degree in the fall, five degrees of Celsius. Qeiza felt her bones shiver so that she fastened her steps to get into her office. She really craved the heating. Her sigh of relief blew out when a warm temperature caressed the surface of her skin after she put off her coat and hung it on the stand hanger that’s available on the corner of her room. Qeiza rubbed her palms in order to make the frozen weather could go faster. “Your coffee, Miss!” An office boy came in at the right time. He served her a cup of mochachino. “Thank you!” Qeiza smiled friendly. Enjoying the combination of milk, chocolate, and espresso in the cold morning was really
A man will do everything to win the woman he loves. *** The king of the day had fallen asleep at the end of the twilight. The Goddess of the night swiftly took over his duty to illuminate the universe. A security guard was patrolling on the parking lot. The stomping of his shoes echoed scarily. His hand was holding a flashlight. He shined the light on every corner occupied by the darkness, reassuring that everything was safe and under controlled. “Who’s there?” He asked himself when his flashlight showed a silhouette of a man with his head resting on the steering wheel. He kept walking to close the guy. The light that landed on his eyelids caused Adnan to come to his sense. He narrowed his blurred eyes. He blocked the light with his left arm. “Are you alright, Sir?” The security guard asked Adnan after knocking the glass of his car window. Adnan—who hadn’t successfully gathered all his consciousness yet—lifted his head. He was still a little dazed. “Yeah. I’m fine,” he replied
When a man treats a woman gently, that’s he begins to hold the key to winning her heart. *** That morning was a lucky day for Ansel. When he arrived at Qeiza’s apartment, his ex-wife had just locked the door. She’s ready to go to work. Ansel got closer to Qeiza with a bright facial expression. “Good morning, Qeiza!” he greeted her while a bit bowing. The bouquet of flowers he brought was hidden behind his back. Qeiza stared at Ansel with her cold gaze. “I just found out what it’s like to be the boss,” Qeiza sneered. “Still have time to disturb someone else’s life while the others have gone to the office.” Ansel just smiled slightly responding to Qeiza’s mockery. The glimpse of the pale face of his mother forced him to forebear his emotion. No matter how, he had to succeed in persuading his ex-wife to meet his mother. “Hey! It’s not good to start the day with anger,” Ansel teased. He took out the bouquet of flowers he had hidden. Slowly, he cut the distance between them. “I hope
“You’re damn pretty, Dear ….” Mrs. Kim’s eyes flashed the light of admiration and pride for the new status of Qeiza as her daughter-in-law. “Dae Hyun is so lucky to have you as his wife.” “Mom ….” Qeiza blushed. The guests had dispersed. Now, just Kim’s family left. They were ready to leave the wedding hall. Mr. Kim tapped Dae Hyun’s left shoulder. “Now, Ae Ri is now completely your responsibility.” “Certainly, Dad. I promise to protect her and make her happy.” Dae Hyun reassured Mr. Kim. His hand reflexively wrapped Qeiza’s waist. A wedding car moved slowly and stopped right before Dae Hyun and his family. “Go!” said Mrs. Kim when Qeiza said goodbye with her eyes. Dae Hyun shortly held her hand, being ready to walk to the car. Ansel tapped Xander’s shoulder. He forced the guy to stop when he saw Qeiza and Dae Hyun getting closer to their car. Ansel rashly got out of the car and ran towards Qeiza. “Qei!” he called. Dae Hyun stopped his hand movement that would open the car do
“Why are you so obsessed with me?” “I’m crazy about you. I … can’t live without you.” “You’d been fine for four years,” said Qeiza.”You’ll also definitely live well for the rest of your life.” “Qei, please … give me a chance!” “Sorry, I can’t make it.” “Why? Do you really hate me that much?” “I’ve floated the pieces of my broken heart in the sea of tears,” said Qeiza. “It’ll be useless if you insist to put them together again.” Ansel felt his heart as though had just been torn apart by the sharp fangs of wild animals. It was totally hurt and painful. The sky was suddenly cloudy. The weather in the fall was changeable. The rain could pour at any time. It was like Ansel’s heart that also covered by the dark cloud of sorrows. “I’m sorry, Ansel!” Qeiza said. “From now on, please … stop chasing me!” “But … I’m really being drawn to you, Qei,” said Ansel, still fighting to convince her of the sincerity of his feeling for her. “Thank you. I’m flattered.” “So, will you think about
Listening to Qeiza’s mutter, Mrs. Kim grabbed the album from her hands. She also wanted to see which photo caused her tears flooding her face more and more. “Don’t take it, Mom!” Qeiza robbed back the album from Mrs. Kim’s hands. “I miss my mom and dad so badly.” Mrs. Kim examined the face of little Qeiza on the picture then averted to Qeiza’s face before her, comparing them both. All at once, she rushed to hug Qeiza. “Oh, my dearest ….” Warm liquid flooded her cheeks. “I’m so sorry! It turns out that you’re very close all this time, but … I didn’t recognize you.” After hugging each other for a long time, Mrs. Kim raised Qeiza’s face. She wiped the girl’s tears with her fingers. “Thank you for coming back to us, Dear!” Mrs. Kim pecked Qeiza’s forehead. Mr. Kim also wiped his tears. Dae Hyun was dumbfounded. He was at a loss for words. He had mixed feelings—between being amused and touched. Qeiza did not know how long he stared at her parents’ face with the gaze full of longing.
Ansel tiptoed, getting out of the place where he hid towards Dae Hyun’s entrance door. Once in while he looked back to reassure that no one caught him red handed. Ansel’s fingertips would just touch the doorknob when he felt a hand pulled his collar from behind. He turned his head to the right. The security guard of Dae Hyun’s house welcomed him with a fierce gaze right away. “Shouldn’t you have gone home?” Ansel smiled wryly. “I haven’t said goodbye to Ae Ri yet,” he answered. “Mr. Kim asked me not to let anyone in the house before he came home,” said the security guard. “So, please leave now!” Ansel showed off a sad look. “Just a moment … let me meet Ae Ri before leaving.” “Miss Kim needs to take a rest. She can’t be disturbed.” Ansel’s facial expression turned cloudy from the despair. The security guard couldn’t be persuaded. He could only turn his look to the upper floor when the guy kicked him out of Dae Hyun’s yard. He walked before the cab he ordered coming to fetch him.
Ansel stood up straight away. His blood boiled seeing Dae Hyun carrying Qeiza. Furthermore, when from the distance he saw them both smiling at each other. “Is she no longer able to walk so you have to carry her on your back after doing exercises?” Ansel asked in cold voice. His gaze looked like he wanted to skim Dae Hyun alive. “Let’s get in, Oppa!” Qeiza whispered into Dae Hyun ear. She was reluctant to be near Ansel for a long time. Dae Hyun raised Qeiza’s position that lowered a little on his back. The next second, he walked to the gate, granting Qeiza’s wish. “Hey!” Ansel shouted when the security guard closed the gate without letting him follow them. “Let him in!” said Dae Hyun when his security guard asked him through his gaze. “He seemed to get lost.” Ansel clenched his hands into fists. Dae Hyun’s words were like intentionally insulting him. He could do nothing. In order not to lose Qeiza, he had to swallow the annoyance. He followed Dae Hyun’s steps into the house. “Yo
The stars scattered on the night sky. They sparkled beautifully as if they invited the sparkles of incandescent lights along the Han River stream to joke. They competed with each other to show off their charms to the world. Qeiza was standing on the balcony of her bedroom, embracing her hands. Occasionally she petted her upper arms so the cold weather felt a bit lessen. She took a deep breath. She was resting her palms on the balcony guardrail. Her eyes were travelling, enjoying the beauty of the Han River banks. Yeah. Her adopted parents’ residence was in an elite area with spectacular views of the Han River stream and Namsan Mountain. From her bedroom, Dae Hyun could see Qeiza standing alone on the balcony. He put down the business magazine he read. Their bedrooms were neighbors. Even, their balconies were only separated by an iron fence about less than a meter in height. Here was Dae Hyun now. He jumped over the lower fence. In a blink, he had stood beside Qeiza. He also pampere
Ansel packed his clothes in hurry. Repeatedly he glanced the clock on the wall as if he was afraid that it would run fast to leave him. “What are you doing, Ansel?” Alina walked to close Ansel. Her forehead furrowed when she saw her only son was packing up. He was like going to run away. “I’m going to catch up with Qeiza ASAP, Mom.” Ansel answered without stopping his hand movements, putting his clothes into the suitcase. His eyes didn’t avert to Alina either. “Why? Did Qeiza go back to Indonesia?” Alina got surprised. She had heard nothing about how she was since a few days ago. Ansel stood up straight. His suitcase was full. He came closer to his mother. He squeezed the shoulders of the middle-aged woman gently. “Wish me luck, Mom! I’m struggling hard to make your dream come true.” Alina caressed Ansel’s arm. “So … she really went home?” “She didn’t, Mom. She … she fled to Seoul ….” Ansel strengthened his squeeze on Alina’s shoulders. He forced his lips to smile eagerly. “Th
“What’s wrong?” asked Qeiza. Dae Hyun had just locked his phone. “Daddy is being hospitalized.” “I’m sorry to hear that. How long has he been there?” “Since yesterday.” Dae Hyun grabbed Qeiza’s hand. “Do you mind if we fly to Seoul right away from Bengkulu later?” “What? Are you crazy?” Dae Hyun smiled wryly. He was too early to ask her that question. “Just cancel the vacation! We’re flying home right away.” “Hah! Ae … you ... what did you say?” “Why are you stupid all of sudden, Oppa?” Qeiza glared at him. “We can enjoy the vacation anytime.” Dae Hyun was still dumbfounded. “Are you serious?” “Exceptionally I’m. Visiting daddy is more important. We don’t know how long he will survive.” “Thank you, Ae!” Dae Hyun was touched by Qeiza’s decision. “I promise. I’ll make it up to you another day.” A few seconds later, he called someone. “We’ll fly in two hours,” said Dae Hyun to Qeiza after he ended the call. “Turn around, Sir?” asked the driver that ear-dropped the conversati
“Qeiza! Don’t joke too much!” Amira scolded Qeiza. “What if Mr. and Mrs. Santoso get heart attack, huh?” “Ah, hahaha ….” Santoso laughed again. “So, it’s just kidding, right?” Mrs. Santoso just shook her head while caressing her chest. Raditya exposed a slight smile only. Qeiza sighed and said in a low voice, “It’s up to you if you don’t buy it." “Qei!” Abbas yelled at her. He gave her a deadly stare. Qeiza stared at Raditya seriously. “Don’t you say I never told that.” Qeiza rose. She bowed at Mr. and Mrs. Santoso. “Please forgive me, Uncle, Aunty … I can’t stay here any longer,” she excused. Abbas also stood up. He pressed Qeiza’s shoulders, forcing her to sit back. “What are you doing, Qei? The dinner has just started. It’s impolite to just leave.” Abbas suppressed his voice. He tried to cover the anger boiling in his chest. Taking advantage of Qeiza was not actually as easy as what he thought. “I’m sorry, Uncle! I have another agreement,” Qeiza denied. She raised her hand,