Chapter 43

Many people think that moments or memories with first love are something that might be hard to forget. So, it's very different from Darwin.

Since getting married and now starting to get close to Velove, Darwin has just experienced things that he considers so magical. Even though they had only been together for a short time, he clearly remembered everything, be it the bad, happy, or sad events that he and his wife went through together.

So far, Darwin thinks that his moments with Vicky are the best. There was not a single day that he could pass without connecting with his idol.

However, after getting to know Velove, gradually those thoughts changed by themselves. Darwin, who was originally tormented, slowly forgot. In fact, now he's slowly getting used to the absence of Vicky by his side.

Darwin and Velove's marriage is indeed not an ordinary marriage as usual. There are business, political, and economic interests in it.

In love? Ah, it's not something important. Their parents may think that love is just a bonus that they might get if they find a partner that meets their expectations.

It's hard to admit that actually Darwin is starting to feel comfortable with Velove's current presence. All the behavior that the woman showed no doubt made her feel at home. Somehow Velove was acting silly, trying to attract attention, a little spoiled, never even had the prestige to always be teasing.

And now? You could say Darwin had to endure longing. Velove has been ignoring him for more than four days. Instead of reprimanding him first, only answering greetings or calls from him, Velove seemed reluctant.

This unpleasant thing happened of course for a reason. It all started when Darwin refused when Velove tried to get him to do what a husband and wife should do.

To be honest, there were many reasons that made Darwin not heed Velove's request. However, before he had time to give an explanation, his wife was already angry. And until now, still not willing to give him a chance to speak.

"Miss Rani, have you had breakfast Velove?" asked Darwin when he was in the dining room. Before leaving for work, as usual the man enjoyed the breakfast that had been prepared for him.

"Non Velove left 15 minutes ago, sir," said Rani while pouring milk into her employer's glass.

Hearing Rani's answer, Darwin immediately checked the clock on his hand that it was only 07.00. There is a real sense of disappointment and sadness. Why was his wife in such a rush to go to work? Was this done on purpose to avoid it like the previous days?

In fact, this morning Darwin deliberately went down early to the dining room. He acts like that in order to meet or table with his wife.

"Then, did he have breakfast?"

"Not at all, sir," shook Rani. "Just like the previous days, Non Velove didn't even touch the breakfast or dinner that had been provided. In fact, even when spoken to, he didn't really respond as usual. To be honest, I was worried myself."

Darwin seemed to sigh softly. He was so angry that Velove ignored all the residents in the house without exception.

"Okay, please get the pink lunch box that's in the cupboard. I'll just bring some food to the office for Velove."

Rani immediately carried out what Darwin ordered. Take the lunch box in the cupboard, then help enter and arrange the food menu that is served at the table. Don't forget to add a box of milk and also a few slices of fruit in it.

"Here, sir. I've arranged it in full. Hopefully it will be received and spent by non Velove."

Darwin simply nodded. After receiving the food box that his household assistant gave him, he left and then headed for the office.

Passing the Velove room, he saw his wife looking busy doing something at her desk. Without thinking too much, Darwin knocked on the door and walked in. Then confidently put the food box that he had been carrying right on Velove's desk.

Darwin hoped that even though Velove was reluctant to eat food with him at home, at least his wife finished the food he had brought her.

"Have you had breakfast? I'll bring you breakfast so your stomach doesn't recur."

Velove did not pay any attention to Darwin's words. Instead of answering, just looked at the woman as if she didn't want to.

Not long after, there was a knock on the door again. When he looked back, Darwin found Nathan who had entered his wife's room with something in his hand.

"Here's breakfast, ma'am. As ordered, I bought uduk rice and fried chicken plus prawn crackers."

Velove looked up. The woman kindly smiled at her work partner and ex-boyfriend

"Thank you very much, Mr. Nathan. At the same time, I want to remind you that later at 11 o'clock we will have a meeting outside. I want Mr. Nathan to prepare the necessary documents. Come home and accompany me for lunch," Velove said as if on purpose. Of course Darwin clearly heard what the woman said to Nathan.

"Ready, ma'am. After this, I will immediately prepare everything that is needed. Whenever it's time to leave, you just have to call me."

Nathan then withdrew and immediately left the Velove room. Leaving Darwin who still faithfully stood in his position.

"Ve..." Darwin called after there was no one else in the room besides the two of them. "I know you're still really mad at me. But, please. Listen first ----"

"As far as I know your schedule is busy today, right?" cut Velove on purpose. "Shouldn't you have a meeting with several branch heads in 30 minutes? Instead of wasting time talking about nothing important, it's better to get ready now."

Darwin took a deep breath and then forced his way out of the Velove study. All the way to his own room, he thought about how uncomfortable it had been the past few days being ignored by his wife on purpose.

Previously, when he was in a relationship with Vicky, Darwin admitted, they rarely had big fights. Even if there was a difference of opinion, Vicky never once kept silent or didn't reprimand him for days like what Velove did. That's why, this is the first time Darwin really felt tormented. I don't know what way he will have to convince Velove to forgive him immediately.

***

"What are you doing here?"

In the evening, before going home, Darwin was visited by Randy at his office. If you look around it looks like there is something important so that his cousin bothers to visit alone.

"I was assigned by Samuel to take the Akasia Group file that you signed. Tomorrow, I plan to submit it to Mr. William."

"As far as I can remember Akasia's file is at home. The plan is for me to take it to Samuel's place tonight. But, since you are the one who is given the task, it's better to stop by first to pick it up at my house."

"Okay, just take it now. Your work is done, right?"

Darwin nodded. Tidying up his desk for a moment, the man then grabbed his briefcase, then walked away, then approached Randy who was sitting on the sofa.

"Everything's done. Before going home, stop by the usual place for a while. I'm really tired," Darwin asked and Randy immediately agreed.

Just got out of the elevator and was about to walk towards the lobby, from a distance Darwin's eyes caught Velove's figure. His wife had already reached the lobby and was clearly getting ready to go home.

Initially, Darwin wanted to reprimand with the intention of inviting Velove to come home with him. However, before he could be called, from another direction, the figure of Nathan appeared. The man was clearly seen approaching Velove. I don't know what the two of them were chatting about, which was certain some time after, Nathan was seen inviting Velove into his car.

"Win, that's Velove, right?"

Randy, who at that time accidentally saw Velove's figure getting into another man's car, immediately clarified. Make sure clearly whether the one with Nathan is really his cousin's wife or someone else.

"Yes, it was Velove who came home with Nathan."

"Then, why are you silent, your wife goes home with another guy?" cecar Randy felt strange.

Usually, Darwin would protest if he saw Velove looking close to Nathan. And now, when his wife comes home with her former lover, Darwin doesn't react as usual.

"Long story, Ran. I'll tell you the chronology when we arrive at the cafe."

Randi nodded. And as soon as Darwin arrived at the place Darwin meant, the two of them immediately became involved in a conversation which was dominated by Darwin's story about his household relationship with Velove.

"He's really mad at me."

"Velove is angry for what reason?" asked Randy curiously.

In fact, last week his cousin's relationship still seemed warm and close. Why is it suddenly back to normal now?

"Actually, I'm really lazy to explain at length to you. In essence, Velove is angry with me. And for the past few days he has been completely ignoring me."

Randi nodded. Even though it was not clear with the chronology that caused Velove to be angry, he tried to be neutral by giving modest suggestions.

"Then you've apologized? Don't you think you're proud. That's why Velove is so ignorant."

"Yeah," said Darwin defensively. Pausing his sentence for a moment, the man first took a sip of the coffee in his hand, then continued to tell the story. "I want to apologize every day, Ran. I'm sorry. I don't respond at all. As long as you know, I want to be crazy being ignored like this."

Instead of pity, Randy laughed. However, if you look closely, Darwin's expression and eyes cannot lie. The man really looks like someone who is feeling heavy stress.

"If that's the case, just shut up first. Give Velove some space for a while until his irritation goes away."

"But, how long will it be? It's been days."

"Days? How long has he been angry?"

"From the night when we just got back from Korea."

"Gosh, it's been from last week, right?"

Darwin nodded resignedly. Because it had been so many days, he got to his own thoughts and worries.

"Yes, you are the first to be patient," continued Randy winning. "While waiting for Velove to be in a good mood, you slowly try to win his heart. Don't just go along with it. Women are like that. When you're angry, don't want to be disturbed when you talk. Originally, you still want attention."

Darwin agrees with Randy's words on this one. That's why, even though he was repeatedly ignored or ignored, Darwin was still kind to Velove. Continue to pay attention even though you are aware that until this second it has not produced results.

After chatting for a while at one of his regular cafes, Darwin finally took Randy to his residence. While his cousin was waiting in the family room, Darwin seemed to be walking towards his office on the second floor.

As soon as he got the documents he was looking for, Darwin intended to immediately give them to Randy. However, when he left the study, Darwin accidentally ran into Velove who had just left his room.

Darwin then cast a scanning gaze. Probing in the unusual appearance that his wife showed.

Of course he wondered where Velove was going at this time of night. Even looking a little bit sexy like someone who is about to go to a party.

"Velove, where are you going?"

Unable to bear it and filled with curiosity, Darwin worked up the courage to ask him directly. He thought he had the right to know where his wife was going that night.

Velove himself just stared in silence. Like there was no desire to answer Darwin's questions. That's why, instead of responding, he chose to directly leave.

Seeing Velove who was as ignorant as usual, Darwin immediately gave chase. Before his wife could step down the stairs, her hand reached Velove's arm and then held it for a while.

"Velove, please. Where are you going at this time of night?"

Velove looked back. Staring sharply, the woman pushed Darwin's hand away from her arm.

"None of your business where I want to go."

"Obviously it's my business, Ve. You are my wife. If anything goes wrong, I'm the one responsible."

"Wife?" Velove then laughed sarcastically. As if amused by the words Darwin had just said. "Don't overdo it, Win. You just mind your own business. Don't bother caring about me."

Before Darwin had time to reply, Velove carelessly walked away. As before, the woman did not give Darwin the slightest chance to say much. Choose to immediately go down the stairs. Walked out, then approached Deasy who had picked him up.

***

Tonight, Velove did get a party invitation. One of his old friends celebrated his birthday at Paradise, a famous bar in Jakarta.

Initially, Velove had no intention of leaving. Besides not liking parties, he is not really comfortable with crowds at nightclubs.

However, after Deasy invited and persuaded her to come, Velove finally agreed. After all, these few days he did feel very tired and bored. So, there's nothing wrong with having fun once in a while by meeting lots of old friends later.

As soon as they arrived in Paradise, Deasy immediately brought Velove with them to mingle with their old friends. Had talked for a while, before finally participating in the candle blowing event, as well as congratulation and continued with the party on the dance floor.

All the invited guests seemed happy to be dancing, dancing while enjoying the DJ music that echoed throughout the room. While Velove, who was getting tired of standing up, asked Deasy to step aside for a while.

"Des, can we sit down first, can we? I'm really tired of standing for a long time wearing heels."

Deasy, who was enjoying the DJ's music, seemed to nod. Pulled Velove's wrist, then led his friend to sit in one of the available chairs.

"You just sit here and rest. Nathan will soon come."

"Nathan? Why is there Nathan?"

Dessy smiled. While occasionally shaking her body to the music, the woman gave an explanation. "Yes, I did ask him to come here on purpose so I could accompany you."

"Can other people enter? I thought only invited guests were allowed to enter."

"No problem," shook Deasy. "This bar is not rented privately for a birthday party. So, other people can still enter as long as the table is open. You see, there are many outsiders on the left side, right?"

Velove reflex turned in the direction Deasy mentioned. And sure enough, many other visitors had gathered there.

"Anyway, just wait a moment at the table," Deasy continued to remind. "Later Nathan will accompany you. I want to continue the party first."

"Dec ----"

Perhaps not listening, or deliberately ignoring, Deasy then died in Velove alone at his desk. While the woman was dancing, enjoying the music on the dance floor, Velove himself seemed to be sitting alone. Until a few minutes later, one of the men came over and greeted him kindly.

"You're Velove, right?"

Velove immediately turned around. Review a smile, then nod.

"Yes, I'm Velove."

"May I sit here too?"

"Go ahead," said Velove modestly.

"You don't remember who I am?" asked the man then.

Velove seemed to link his eyebrows. Throwing a questioning glance, while remembering the man in front of him.

"You are Darrell Sanjaya, right?"

The man smiled widely then nodded. He didn't really think that Velove actually remembered him.

"Yes, I'm Darrell. I thought you forgot about me."

"How could I forget a campus Playboy like you," said Velove honestly. "How? Still Playboy until now?"

Laughter immediately broke off Darrell's lips. The man was not the least bit offended by Velove being considered a playboy. In fact, from the look on his face, he seemed very proud of the predicate given.

"Yes, how should I say it. It's really fun and satisfying to be able to change partners every week or month. How about you alone? Do you already have a partner? Or are you married? If not, can you be my partner?"

"It's really lazy to have a playboy partner. What's there, I'll eat liver every day," Velove joked but sounded so sharp.

"If you become his girlfriend, I'm willing to be faithful for life."

Velove just laughed. Taking a sip of the remaining drink in her glass, the woman then stood up, preparing to leave.

"Where are you going, Ven?" asked Darrell when he realized that Velove was about to leave.

"Want to go to the toilet for a while, want to fix makeup."

"Oh, I thought where to go. If you want a toilet that isn't queued and clean, just go to the left. It's usually quiet there."

Velove nodded. Grabbing his sling bag on the table, he then walked slowly through the crowd of other visitors to immediately go to the toilet that Darrell meant.

And sure enough, the toilet that Darrell said was clean and quiet. Making Velove comfortable, without the need to rush or be disturbed by the presence of other visitors.

For a few moments, Velove really smoothed the make-up look on his face. Combing his slightly messy hair. Then daub back the nude colored lipstick to her lips. Making sure it was perfect, he decided to get out immediately.

Just as he opened the toilet door, Velove was surprised by Darrell's presence. I don't know when it came, the man suddenly stood in front of him.

"Sorry, if you're looking for the men's restroom, I think it's right next door," Velove said, pointing at the men's restroom door he meant.

"I'm not looking for a toilet anymore," the man said honestly.

"Then? What are you looking for here?"

"Looking for you," he replied with a smile so mysterious. The smell of alcohol immediately wafted sharply piercing Velove's sense of smell. He also believed that Darrell had just drunk a lot.

"Find me?"

Darrell nodded.

"Yes, I want to invite you to have fun."

Velove doesn't care. He thought, maybe the man was drunk, chose to ignore Darrel's words, Velove intended to leave.

However, just one step forward, unexpectedly Darrell pulled Velove's wrist. Locked it, then leaned her body against the wall.

"Darrell, what do you want?" asked Velove with a look full of surprise. Of course he was shocked by what the man did.

"I've always been curious about you, Ve. People say you're really hard to beat."

"Darrell, get away quickly! Or I will scream loudly," Velove threatened seriously.

"Please shout, Ve," said Darrell easily. "This toilet is located at the end. No one will hear you want you to scream no matter how loud it is. Moreover, the music outside is louder. If you don't believe me, just try it."

Velove stared at Darrell's face with a look full of fear. What's more, the man tightened his grip even more.

"Darrell, let me go."

"No," the man shook his head and smiled. "I won't let you go before I get what I want."

At that moment Velove screamed as loud as he could. It doesn't matter if anyone hears it or not. Hope someone out there can help him.