Olive had already curled up with her blanket and pillow. So comfortable. Occasionally, she could still feel a gentle caress on her head. The room's air conditioning was set to a not-too-low temperature. The air around Thomas's residential area was still quite cold at night.
Kalina looked at the girl sleeping next to her with a genuine smile. Every stroke she gave contained millions of prayers. Just so this girl would be willing and comfortable spending time with her son. Her request for a future daughter-in-law was never extravagant. She didn't set too high standards. She remembered where she came from. What she was enjoying now was the result of her son's hard work and sweat from working abroad. There was Thomas's hard work and determination to raise his status in the community where he lived.
Thomas's happiness was her priority. She had never seen Thomas's eyes shine as brightly as today, the day he introduced Olive to her. Ah, she remembered. Thomas had been just as
"Why are you asking that, dear?" Kalina's voice trembled. "I love Olive, you know, even though she hasn't officially become our daughter-in-law yet. That's why, come on, get her official soon." She wiped a tear from her cheek. "Actually, I'm a bit nervous too. Will Olive accept you, Tom? If you and I don't become an issue for Olive, matched with her mother. But Olive? It seems she could get something better than you, Tom?""Mom," Thomas adjusted his position. "Don't say that, Mom. It's like you're pushing me off a cliff."Actually, this conversation was quite sentimental, right? Why did it feel like Thomas was being cornered again? Once again, his mother could always make him frustrated and irritated. But he couldn't unleash his anger on his mother. Because afterward, he would receive warm hugs along with prayers for Olive not to leave Thomas's life this time. His mom's approval was crucial for their relationship.Now, it's just a matter of persuading Olive to g
The atmosphere at Thomas's house made Olive feel comfortable, so she sat down and enjoyed the fresh air and the greenery in the surrounding area. The neatly arranged garden, along with the rice paddies and lush green plants around it, was a stark contrast to the front of her own house. There, besides motorcycles and cars, there were kids playing by the roadside because there was no place for them to play. But here?Olive could see them laughing, playing freely in the mud or rolling around as they pleased, thanks to the spacious area available. What she loved most about this house was the backyard. When the kitchen door was opened, a deliberately spacious area was created with two bamboo chairs, a table, and a roof that slightly extended beyond the house's building. The view from this spot wasn't much different from the surroundings: rice fields and plantations.Although there was some distance between each house, separated by the rice paddies, they could be considered
Olive pouts in frustration. When he's in sweet mode like this, Thomas is unbeatable. All his words make Olive's heart not in good condition. Not to mention the warmth spreading across her face. Oh, if only she could see herself in the mirror, it would probably be obvious. Olive feels like she needs to search for more romantic words to reply to all of Thomas's words. She has to! Can't let him win."Not rubbing anymore, Bee. I feel like sleeping now. I don't mind sleeping without hugging you. Just let me sleep on your lap.""Nonsense!" Olive laughs. Thomas pulls Olive's hand even more and places it on his chest, intertwining her fingers with his. He lets Olive stroke his head again. The gentle breeze accompanying them makes the atmosphere even more comfortable and too precious to miss.Thomas really wants to fall asleep now."Come on, let's get married, Bae. So you can sleep while hugging me. I'm tired, being squished by your thighs like this," Olive says.
Actually, the distance from Thomas's house to the venue of Diana's son's party isn't too far. It's just that the motorcycle Olive used yesterday while going around with Kalina was taken. If they had to walk, Kalina would grumble. She'd say, "What's the use of having a car if you don't use it?"Kalina is absolutely right in everything she says.Was Olive scolded? Of course not. Instead, the middle-aged woman mumbled throughout the train ride from Bogor to Jakarta because of her son's behavior. She said, "Your mom has already told you to take care of Olive properly. Yet you're making out with her. When it's official, it's up to you how you want to be, I won't object. In fact, if possible, be affectionate every day to have a child sooner."Olive had already run out of words to use for a little argument. Kalina's statements were always unexpected."But what Thomas said is true, Liv?" Kalina asks. This time with a hopeful tone before she really enters her room
Olive just grins, thinking if she should be the one to talk. Before she can finalize her plan, Thomas emerges from his room. His navy-blue shirt fits him perfectly, as usual. Thomas wearing a shirt is Olive's favorite look. Especially when he pairs it with a suit and tie. Olive feels like hugging him tightly. But she can't.Before, Thomas's level of handsomeness was overshadowed by his annoying behavior. It felt like Olive wanted to spray a lot of behavior-dissolving liquid on him. At first. But as time goes on, Olive starts to understand that Thomas has his own intentions behind his behavior."Mom's son is so handsome, huh, Liv?"Olive laughs. "Nobody at the office says Mr. Thomas is ugly. He's the favorite among the women at SAVEFUND. Unfortunately, he's annoying, so I don't want to deal with him."Kalina just shakes her head at Olive's words. Meanwhile, Thomas doesn't pay much attention to it. He chooses to warm up the car engine before they use it.
"I don't have much time, Diana," says Thomas, glancing at his watch. His eyes have been scanning the area, looking for Olive's whereabouts. She's not at the food booth she pointed to earlier. "Where's Olive?" he mutters quietly.Diana closes her eyes tightly. Thomas always sets high boundaries every time he tries to talk. His address and way of speaking are much stiffer. It's nothing like before when they were affectionate, and it makes Diana remember how they used to be in love."There are many things I want to discuss, Tom." It doesn't matter if Thomas is like this. Diana has to control herself. She's sure Thomas will come back. Diana is confused about where to start because, in addition to the short time, she also knows this isn't the right place for a lengthy conversation. "Or maybe tomorrow? It might be more comfortable to talk then.""You're the one who wants to talk, not me. I have no other purpose here except to come and attend your invitat
The sound of the river crashing against the rocks around it creates a serene atmosphere in this cafe. The rustling of branches brushing against the wind blends together to add to the calm ambiance. Embracing an outdoor theme with a natural setting, this place has become a perfect spot to unwind and spend time with a partner.Just like Olive and Thomas."Do you know where this place is from, Bae?" Olive asks curiously. She has finished her Tom Yum soup. Olive is quite hungry because at the party earlier, she didn't touch any food. Don't forget, there are still other snacks on her table that she's planning to devour. She's hungry today and needs to eat a lot."I don't know. I found it spontaneously.""If you hadn't found a place like this, where would you have taken me?""There are plenty of hangout spots around Puncak, Bee. We could spend the whole day exploring."Olive laughs. What Thomas said is true. But she's still curious about one thing
As Olive recalls, she was very sleepy last night. She couldn't resist closing her eyes even though Thomas was driving. The rain pouring in the Puncak area had made the temperature drop significantly. Thomas adjusted the car's air conditioning to raise the temperature a bit so it wouldn't be too cold.Then she comfortably leaned back and... doesn't remember anything.When she opens her eyes, she feels a soft bed with a blanket covering part of her body still clinging to her. Wait a minute. She's not in a hotel, is she? She remembers Thomas saying he wanted to take her to a hotel!"No!!! I don't want to!!!" she shouts loudly, sitting up in shock."Liv?"It's Kalina's voice."What's wrong with you?" Kalina just enters, accompanied by Thomas, who looks worried."What happened?" Thomas asks.Olive immediately scans her surroundings. It's Thomas's room, apparently. She also sees her clothes getting more complete. And Kalina is here t