Chapter 4: Window

Are you home late today?

Aria smiled when she saw the message Alex sent her. She touched her phone screen and smiled. This man always sent her the same message every day. As if he really cared.

One week passed. Alex had taken her home twice when she worked late at night.

That guy is weird. He didn't talk much, very cold and silent. But Aria actually liked to talk to him.

“Where do you work? Is it around here?” She asked him in the car. Alex came to pick her up again today.

“Yes.”

"What is it? A Store? Ey, a handsome and rich man like you, must be the one who owns the store, right?" Aria laughed amusedly.

"I am handsome?"

“Only people with eye problems say you are ugly.” Aria laughed again.

"You know what, I’m thankful. But there's no need to ride me home every time I come home late. Aren't you busy? I can take the bus.” She said.

Alex didn't respond at all. However, Aria didn't feel that this man was at all bothered by her chatter. He just focused on driving and his eyes occasionally glanced at her.

For her, the atmosphere in this car is very exciting. Even though she did most of the talking, Aria felt happy because she had someone to chat with, other than Conni and Grandma.

“Tomorrow is Father's Day and some students celebrate it at school. We got many orders for flower bouquets that came in, that's why Connie and I work late tonight." Aria spoke as Alexander listened to every sentence that came out of her mouth, while focused on the road.

He drove the car slower than usual.

“I arrange a lot of beautiful flowers. Kids these days know a lot of beautiful flowers. I'm so happy…” She smiled broadly as she watched every building and side road they were passing by.

“How about you? You celebrate it?”

Aria was silent for a moment. She gulped and blinked like she was trying to figure out her best answer. Then she smiled broadly at Alex.

“I don’t know, hehe…” She giggling. She tried her best.

"How about you? Do you celebrate Father's Day? You know, if you order from our florist for Father's Day there is a twenty percent discount!” Aria said enthusiastically.

Alexander nodded once. "I ordered a bouquet." He said in that deep voice.

“Yes! Okay, Mr. Alexander, what type of bouquet do you want to order?" She said excitedly as she took out a small notebook from her bag.

Alex glanced at her for a moment, seeing how sparkling her eyes were at the moment.

“The easiest one for you to make.”

Aria looked at him in confusion. "Easiest? Do you mean most beautiful? Hey… It's Father's Day. You can order the most beautiful one for your father…” Aria assured him.

“Do you want me to choose it? How about a big bouquet? Oh, or the medium one but lots of flowers with beautiful meanings?”

Aria babbled, suggesting a suitable flower bouquet for Alexander to bring to his father.

"How? Do you like it?" She asked.

“Hm.” He nodded.

“Okay! Then it fixed, this one. Aria ticked off the list and designed the bouquet.

"You draw?" Alex glanced at her. She nodded while smiling broadly.

“I love drawing. Since I was little.” Aria said happily.

"You go to school?"

Silence.

“Mm.. Not anymore.” Aria said quietly. She was a little embarrassed to say it, but she didn't want to lie to someone she already considered a friend.

"No? Why?" His brow furrowed as he looked at the road.

Aria smiled. “Well. You see.. I'm a poor... I don't have enough money for school..." She said.

Silence. Alexander just stared at the road with his hands grabbing the steering wheel tightly.

“What? Do you regret being friends with me because you already know I'm that poor? You see where I live, right?” Aria said, pretending to threaten him.

Alexander looked at her and the corners of his lips rose slightly, his handsome face breaking into a small smile.

“Bullshit.” His deep voice was followed by Aria's laughter.

Alexander just shook his head and returned his focus to the road.

Aria saw a street that was different from the one they usually took when taking her home.

“Hm? Where are we going?" Aria asked in confusion. But Alex didn't answer her question as usual.

It turned out that they passed a beautiful park in this city that she had once visited with her grandmother.

“Woah…” Aria looked towards the window.

"You like it?"

“This park? Of course!" Aria smiled broadly. If Conni gave her a day off, she would love to visit this park with her grandmother someday.

Once they are satisfied, drive along the park. Alex returned to the direction of Aria's apartment.

"I know you can't possibly kidnap me," Aria said giggling.

“Hm?”

“Unless you're stupid and think I'm profitable. I’m just saying. Don’t waste your time." Aria chuckled, while Alexander shook his head again.

….……

Aria was already in her room. Alex stopped at the front of the apartment as usual and immediately drove away. Aria, who had arrived, immediately took a shower and was now lying on the bed with her hair still wrapped in a towel.

"Hah... I forgot to ask Alex to stop at the mini market." Aria said holding her grambling tummy. She was sure there would still be food in the kitchen, but she was too tired and wanted to just eat something simple for dinner.

Suddenly, Aria remembered the bucket design she had made for Alex earlier. She immediately got up and took her bag which was in her small cupboard.

“Huh? Where's my little notebook?" Aria didn't find the object she was looking for. She even took out all the things inside her bag onto the floor, but couldn't find the small object she always carried everywhere.

"Don't tell me I left it in Alex's car?" Aria muttered. She immediately got up to take her cell phone and intended to call Alex, just to make sure her notebook was still in her car.

But a second later her phone buzzed and an incoming call could be seen on the screen. From Alexander.

“Alex?” Aria picked up the phone.

“Look at your window.”

“Huh?”

Aria frowned and looked out the window. Down there, Alexander was leaning against his car door, waving Aria's small book in his hand.

She widened her eyes in surprise and delight.

"I’ll come down now!" Aria threw her cell phone on the bed and ran out excitedly. But stay slow when closing the door so that Grandma doesn't wake up.

“You are here!”