Early Gift

Mario hugged the creamy teddy bear that was on his bed. The doll with the old model that Aurorae had given as a special gift precisely one day before Mario left London.

Every night, the doll was his sleeping companion when he was about to close his eyes. Thinking of the Teddy Bears as a substitute for Aurorae, whom he could hug and kiss as he pleased, like the woman's message before they parted ways.

"Why does it have to be a doll, Aurorae? I'm a man, not a woman," protested Mario. His lips pouted. At the same time, Sullen feels strange about the item Aurorae gifted to her.

While Aurorae just laughed. She was responding casually to the protest that Mario addressed to him.

"Don't be angry or annoyed yet, Calvin. You should also listen to my explanation."

"What is it that you wish to explain to me?" Mario's eyes narrowed. There was suspicion visible on his face.

"Just so you know, out of all the doll models, I only like Teddy Bears. And for some reason, I feel that Teddy Bear is the doll that looks the most like you. From its fat, chubby, cute, and adorable shape, everything reminds me of you."

Hearing Aurorae's explanation, Mario was immediately shocked. The blush on her cheeks indicated that she was both embarrassed and flattered by what Aurorae had just said. He didn't expect this beautiful woman to care so much about him.

"Is that true?" asked Mario to make sure.

"Of course," Aurorae nodded. "After all, these dolls are twins. I bought a pair on purpose. So, I'll give one to you. I'll keep the other one with me to sleep every night."

"Oh Lord." Mario reflexively exclaimed. "It turns out you can be cute too. I thought, all this time you only know fighting with naughty kids."

Aurorae immediately pinched Mario's cheeks with exasperation.

"You! I'm a normal girl too, Calvin."

Seeing Aurorae, who was now pouting, made Mario couldn't help but laugh. He returned the teddy bear he had wanted to return to Aurorae. She hugged, then kissed the doll with exasperation.

"Since you have explained at length, then I will keep this doll properly."

"Let's just say she's my replacement. If you miss it, just hug the doll," Aurorae suggested. "Remember, Calvin! Please take good care of this Teddy. Don't let it get damaged or lost. I hope that one day when we meet, I can still see this doll beside you."

Mario nodded in agreement. Giving his pinky finger, the man invited Aurorae to make the pinky promise again.

"I promise to take care of this doll that you gave me."

Before Mario could pull his hand, Aurorae held their fingers together. The woman then looked at Mario and spoke so softly.

"Do you also want to promise me one more time?"

"Promise about what?"

"As I said at your farewell the other day."

Mario fell silent. Thinking while remembering for a moment, which words did Aurorae mean? They had a lot to talk about at the farewell the other day.

"Have you forgotten?" Chase Aurorae. The woman's face that had been telling the story slowly turned irritated. "How could you forget your promise. Even though it hasn't been how many days we discussed it. Especially when it's been years apart. I'm sure you'll forget me."

Mario giggled. It's nice to see Aurorae, who looks more and more sullen over time. He was so excited that he pinched her cheeks.

"I haven't forgotten, Aurorae. As soon as I grow up, I'm established and successful, I have to find you right away. Keep my promise to propose and then ask you to marry me."

"Just that?" Aurorae asked again.

"What else is there?"

"You forgot one promise you made to me!"

Mario was immediately shocked. "Which promise?"

"You have to promise to take care of your body. You have to live healthy, Calvin. Exercise regularly and eat healthy. It's all for your own good."

He smiled.

"Before I promise on that one, would you one more time answer my question?"

"What question again this time Calvin?" Aurorae seemed to sigh impatiently.

"I-I... I..."

"Calvin!" Aurorae said exasperatedly. "What's so hard about talking right away? Why are you so nervous? Say it quickly before I go home."

Mario scratched the back of his neck that didn't itch. He needed clarification about what to say. Thinking whether the question he wanted to ask in a moment was appropriate or not for a teenager like himself to ask.

"Come on, Calvin," Aurorae urged once again. "You really suck. What's so hard just talking."

Mario immediately nodded.

"I see, Aurorae. Since the first time you helped me, I-I immediately liked you. I immediately fell in love with you. It's just that, I want to convince myself, do you feel the same ----"

"Calvin!" Aurorae chuckled. In his cupped Mario's face downcast. He picked it up so they could both stare at each other. Nailing Mario's chocolate beads, Aurorae took over the conversation. "Don't beat around the bush. I guess, I definitely want to ask if I like you too? The answer is yes, Calvin. I like you. Even though we're still teenagers, still small, immature or whatever you call it, but liking someone isn't a problem, right? " Aurorae asked the stocky man.

While Mario could only nod an answer to Aurorae's counter question.

"Are you being insensitive or what?" asked Aurorae once again. "If I don't like you, why do I tell you to look for me when I grow up? Why do I ask you to get thin so that one day you can marry me?"

"I-I..."

"Tsk!" Aurorae immediately chuckled. "Yes, because I really like you. That's why, promise me to grant the request that I told you before."

The man breathed a sigh of relief. The big question that had been residing in his heart today was finally answered. Initially, he was afraid that Aurorae only saw him as a close friend. But after today, he was confident that the two of them liked each other. In response to Aurorae's last question, Mario then nodded confidently.

"Take it easy. One day, not only thin, I will turn more and more handsome until you don't recognize who I am."

When remembering those words, Mario wanted to curse himself. I'm sorry because what he said happened at this time. Not only did she not recognize her, but Aurorae also didn't even realize that she was a man she used to love in the past.

"Gosh, is being handsome a curse for me right now? Can't you recognize me? It's pointless just wanting to explain, Aurorae. You haven't even given me a chance to talk."

Mario closed his eyes tightly. Taking his hands together, he rubbed his face in exasperation. There was a feeling of restlessness mixed with frustration when the series of events between him and Aurorae did not find common ground.

After sleeping with her for the first time, Aurorae's attitude at the office immediately changed 180 degrees. No longer a warm and friendly greeting to him. Impressed cold even as much as possible to avoid. Several times Mario tried to get closer, which ended in a refusal.

It didn't stop there. Mario was also worried when Tristan was planning to leave for Paris for some time. Rumors that his boss would marry Aurorae there made him almost go crazy.

Luckily, that worry did not occur in the slightest. Even more astonishing, when he was in Paris, he committed the folly of sleeping with Aurorae again. Worse, this time, the act had to be caught red-handed by the woman's entire nuclear family. Not only that, after being told to get married, Aurorae even rejected Mario outright. The term has fallen under the stairs, and it may be very suitable to pin it on.

"Jeez, Aurorae. Why is it so hard to conquer your heart. Everywhere, that woman will definitely ask for responsibility if a man sleeps with her. But why are you so different? You reject me outright. What's wrong with me? Where is it? something that doesn't suit your taste? And when it comes to me, you seem to really enjoy it."

Mario shook his head as he muttered in frustration. Confused about what to do, especially for Aurorae to be subdued, she agrees and accepts his love and her proposal.

Mario was silent for a long time until not, how long, an idea just appeared in his brain. If doing good or taking things to heart openly would be rejected by Aurorae, there's nothing wrong with her paying attention secretly.

***

That morning before leaving for work, Mario directed his car to stop at a famous restaurant not far from the office. I ordered several food menus to be delivered to the Exon Building this morning and afternoon. There are several mainstays on the menu. What Mario knows are foods that Aurorae likes and is the woman's favorite.

Mario deliberately copied Tristan's way of sending Olivia food and some of his wife's favorite gifts. He deliberately wanted to apply it to Aurorae to win her heart.

After ordering and paying, he also remembered to slip in a greeting card that had been written with some romantic words. Mario deliberately writes a secret admirer as a sender so that Aurorae will be curious about him.

"Gosh, this morning I was sent a full English breakfast. Now? Shepherd's pie for lunch?"

After finishing half the work in the afternoon, Mario intended to go to Raphael's room. As soon as he passed in front of Aurorae's room, he could see how the beautiful woman looked talking to the office boy who had just delivered food parcels to her room.

It was clear to Mario how Aurorae looked confused because today, she received two food shipments that she didn't know who had sent. Bracing himself, Mario approached, even deliberately entering without asking permission first.

"What is going on?" said Mario without awkwardness when he entered Aurorae's room. "Your voice is coming out, madam."

Aurorae turned. Putting on a cold face, the woman answered lazily. "None of your business, Mario. Who let you into my room anyway?"

"I just want to make sure what happened," said Mario casually. Turning his gaze, Mario stared at the office boy standing not far from Aurorae's desk. "What's going on?" asked the man as if he did not know anything about what happened.

The office boy nodded politely, then shortly explained Mario's question.

"Mrs. Aurorae got food delivery this morning and this afternoon, Mr. Mario. He was confused because he felt he didn't order the food."

Mario nodded in understanding. "Ah, I see. Since your task is done, you can go now."

As soon as the office boy left the room, Mario's focus shifted to Aurorae. Walk closer. The man stared at the box containing the food he had ordered this morning.

"Sounds delicious. Shepherd's pie, isn't it expensive food? If you don't want it, you can give it to me," said Mario. "Besides, incidentally, I haven't eaten at all since morning."

Aurorae chuckled. Carrying her hand, the woman immediately grabbed the spoon in the box. Opening the aluminum foil cover on the food, then scooping out the contents for him to eat immediately.

"It's delicious! Instead of me giving it to you, I'd better enjoy this food myself."

"You're not afraid that the food is poisoned? Who knows the sender sprinkled poison there. You don't know who gave the food, do you?"

Aurorae's movements stopped. For a moment, he thought about what Mario had just said. What if the food delivery person truly wants to make him wretched?

"Ah, no way. After all I have no enemies. So who would want to harm me anyway?" muttered Aurorae to herself. Raising her face, Aurorae glanced sharply at Mario. Very casually, the woman spoke back.

"To hell do you want this food to have poison or whatever in it. I don't care. Instead of you being busy disturbing me, it's better to get out of my room quickly. Your presence makes my appetite suddenly disappear."

Mario just smiled. Not the least bit offended by Aurorae's words that kicked him out.

"All right. I'll go now. It's okay for you to kick me out now. Who knows, later on you will miss me and instead turn around to chase me. And if that happens, take it easy. I will not refuse you."

"In Your dream, Mr. Mario!" Aurorae snapped with a sullen face. "As long as I'm sane, it will never happen. So don't dream too much."

Approaching Aurorae, Mario lowered his head while staring intently at the face of the beautiful woman in front of him, who was enthusiastic about enjoying the lunch in front of him.

"Then I'll drive you crazy," whispered Mario. "Don't worry, whether you're sane or not, I accept you as you are, Aurorae."

"You crazy! Oh my god. Why is there a human as confident as you in this world?"

"I don't know," said the man casually. "Even if you think about it, maybe God created me to complete your life, Aurorae."

"Mario!"

Seeing Aurorae, who was getting annoyed, Mario couldn't help but laugh. Then soon, the man chose to leave Aurorae to focus on enjoying the food he had sent. He was indeed correct, tomorrow-tomorrow the woman would be more curious about all the gifts he sent.