Chapter 7

In front of the mirror, Velove seemed to sit still. His eyes closed tightly. He took a deep breath, trying to get rid of the feeling of tightness that enveloped him.

Since last night, his mind is not abysmally. Her heart still aches and hurts because she remembers the figure of Nathanael whom she accidentally met at a dinner party.

Rubbing his chest, Velove tried to take a few deep breaths. Exhaling slowly, but still feels useless. Flashes of the past were still dancing in his brain.

"I'll only be gone for a while, Ve. I promise, after my education is complete, I will come back to propose and marry you."

"Why do you have to study abroad? You deliberately want to leave me?" asked Velove at that time not willingly.

Seeing his lover's eyes glaze over. Nathan embraced the beautiful woman's body in front of him. He kissed her forehead affectionately while smiling a soothing smile.

"Who wants to leave you? I'm only going abroad for a while because I have to take a scholarship and at the same time finish the study I've chosen. After all, this is the only way to attract your father's attention and heart. Remember! I'm just an orphan who doesn't have nothing. How can I get a bona fide job or a good position if I just sit here and accept my fate."

Velove could not argue. What Nathan said is 100% true. During this time, his father did let him choose a lover. With a note that it must come from a respected family. At least have higher education, skills, or a qualified position.

So far, Nathan and Velove have had a relationship secretly. This was all done on purpose so that Darius would not separate the two of them.

"I beg you to wait for me. Whatever I do to make our dreams come true."

Squeezing Nathan's wrist, Velove nodded. Even though it was hard, he had to give up his girlfriend to continue his education abroad. After all, the Masters program only takes about two years.

Velove thought it was not difficult to wait for his lover for two years. After all, he also had to focus on carrying out the tasks and work that his father had just given him.

Velove is sure that when Nathan returns to Indonesia, they will both have completed their respective assignments. And after that, can continue the relationship to a more serious level.

In the first years, everything went according to plan. They didn't feel the slightest obstacle other than the difference in distance and time.

However, all hope suddenly vanished when unexpectedly, Darius arranged for Velove to marry his old friend's son. He had refused. Give a variety of arguments. But, still, Darius was undisputed.

"Velove already has his own candidate, Pa. Velove doesn't want to marry a man that Velove doesn't love."

"Who's your nominee? Bring him here. Have him propose to you in person if there really is one."

Velvet shook his head. There was no way he could bring Nathan right away to his father.

"He's studying abroad. However, after finishing his master's program, he promised to immediately propose and marry Velove."

Darius laughed. He doubted what his daughter said.

"Oh my, son. It's not certain that he will come home and marry you right away. It could be that there, where he was studying, he even met another woman. Who's know? Are you sure he's been loyal all this time? Please establish a definite relationship. After all, the candidate that Papa has prepared is clear on the seeds, the baby, what weight he is. And Papa believes he deserves to accompany you."

"But, Pa----"

"Veloves!" Darius shook his head. Raising his hand, the man motioned for the princess to stop rebutting her words. "25 years you have lived, has Papa ever asked for something? Or demanded you to do something you didn't like?"

Velvet fell silent. Remembering well that all this time his father had never asked or demanded anything from him. He is given freedom, but remains controlled with the aim of sorting and choosing which one is best for him.

"Papa has never asked Velove for anything," the beautiful woman muttered softly.

"That's why, can't Papa just ask you for something just this once? Papa only asks you to agree to marry a man of your choice. This is also for your own good, son."

Seeing the pleading look that appeared on his father's face, in the end Velove was unable to argue, let alone refuse. Because of this, she finally agreed to end her relationship with Nathan and later married Darwin.

"So, you're calling me at this time of night because you want to end the relationship we've had for a long time?"

One night, Velove was forced to contact Nathan who was far away. He tried to tell his girlfriend the problems that were going on as well as convey an apology for having to end their relationship.

"I'm sorry. I really can't deny Papa's orders and requests."

"Yeah, I know. I also don't have the slightest right to ban or detain you."

"Nathan ---"

"It's ok, Ve. I'm fine. This is a risk that I should have calculated from the start."

"But I love you, Nathan."

"It's useless, I also can't take you away now. I lost in everything, Ve."

"So you let me marry someone else?"

"Maybe right now, yes. But someday, I'll make sure I'll be there and bring you back to my side."

Remembering Nathan's words in the past, Velove thought. He really didn't expect to be reunited with his girlfriend. Is now the time Nathan has chosen to come back and prove what he said in the past?

After nearly an hour of being lost in thoughts and memories of the past, Velove sat up. Snatching her black Kelly Bag, the woman rushed out of the room.

Down the stairs slowly, he pointed his feet for a moment towards the dining room. Checked once more the dishes on the table, then chose to immediately go to the car.

"Non Velove don't have breakfast first?" Reni said when she met Velove on the front porch.

"No. I'm in a hurry. I'll just eat it at the office later. Ms. Reni, please make sure Mr. Darwin has breakfast. As far as I remember, he has a meeting agenda this afternoon."

Ren nodded. Then invited Velove to get into the car immediately. Letting his employer's wife go to work, while he returned to continue working.

Entering the house, 15 minutes later, it was Darwin's turn to come down from the second floor. The man walked straight into the dining room. Pulled a chair, then sat himself there in order to be able to eat the breakfast that was served.

In silence, Darwin enjoyed the food on his plate. Usually, Darwin prefers to eat wheat bread or bread with various kinds of fillings. For some reason, this morning his appetite was aroused after seeing nasi uduk served on the table.

Tried it, it turns out the food is according to expectations. It's delicious and tastes right on the tongue. He even finished a full plate complete with fried chicken and omelet.

"Drink, sir," Reni said while holding out two glasses of hot tea and a large glass of water. Instead of coffee, Darwin prefers hot tea.

"Thanks, Mba Reni. By the way, the nasi uduk is delicious. It really tastes right on my tongue."

Ren smiled. While tidying Darwin's used dishes, he responded.

"So, my cooking is usually not good, sir?"

"It's not bad. It just tastes good. It's just that this morning it fits really well on my tongue."

"Father, like?"

Darwin nodded without hesitation.

"Love it. I even finished a full plate."

"Okay, I'll tell Mrs. Velove to cook for you again tomorrow morning."

Darwin choked. Reni handed over a glass filled with water because she was panicked when she saw her employer coughing and not stopping.

"Are you all right?"

Darwin nodded. Then the man immediately glanced at his assistant.

"Wait...wait...so, isn't it you who cooked breakfast?"

Ren shook his head.

"No, it's Mrs. Velove who cooked and prepared it for you. The other day when Mr. Purnomo came, Ms. Velove. Wasn't the cooking delicious? You don't want to try it just yet."

"I'm lazy," he said nonchalantly.

"But, sir," continued Reni. "Ms. Velove is really cool, you know. Already beautiful, independent, career woman, good at cooking too."

"How much did you get paid to flatter him in front of me?"

Renny laughed. He was not the least bit offended by Darwin's words. As someone who has served a long time. He knew exactly what his boss was like.

"You don't get paid, sir. This is a sincere statement from the heart. Wong Bu Velove is like that. You don't have to be shy about admitting it either. Mrs. Velove is no longer at home, so it's safe to praise her."

Darwin rolled his eyes. Lazy to hear the assistant chattering, he then rose from his seat. Grabbed the jacket he had draped earlier on the chair, getting ready to leave.

"Where did Velove go? How come you're not home at this time?"

"Cieee, you're looking for it, huh?" teased Reni on purpose.

"Tsk, what the heck, sis. You said Velove isn't there. It's just past 7 o'clock. It's just that he's not at home anymore," Darwin said with an excuse.

Renny laughed. He loved to see his employer annoyed and embarrassed after being teased by him.

"Just to be honest, it's fine to look for it, sir. This is my own wife. Mrs. Velove herself has already left earlier. It seems that she is also in a hurry. Maybe there is urgent work to be done and it must be done immediately."

Darwin simply nodded. Seeing for a moment Vacheron Constantin who was coiled in his arms, the man hurriedly continued. Get into the car and then immediately go to the office.

***

"How are you, Velvet?"

Velove froze when he arrived at the office, he already found Nathanael waiting in front of the room. Without hesitation the man approached, then greeted. Be friendly as if nothing ever happened or problems between the two of them.

"I-I'm fine as you can see."

Nathan nodded. The man was getting closer. Trying to close the distance between the two of them. Then grabbed Velove's wrist, then led him to immediately enter the woman's room.

As soon as the door closed, without further ado, without saying much, the man approached then embraced Velove's body tightly. Letting go of all the longing that had been buried for so long.

"I missed you," the man whispered. Stretching the hug a little, pulled Velove's chin so he could reach his ex-girlfriend's lips. Embracing a deep kiss, pinching the woman's upper and lower lips alternately. Until finally Velove, who felt uncomfortable, had the courage to push Nathan's chest until their lips were forcibly separated.

"Nathan, we can't do this. I'm married."

Unlucky!

Nathan cursed. Soon the man was heard sighing. He almost got out of control because he was too dramatizing the atmosphere.

"Ve, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for losing control. For God's sake I'm like this because I miss you so much."

Velove could only sigh. Switching positions, the woman chose to step towards the sofa and then sat there. At the same second, Nathan followed, the man also sat not far from the room owner's position.

"I don't know what to say now. But, why are you suddenly here? Even with Papa?"

Velove shook his head in disbelief. He was certainly surprised that Nathan managed to prove his words to be a part of the Fernando Group, which he had always wanted. In fact, now it is his father who recommends the man to become an expert, which means having special abilities or above average.

"Because I want to prove what I said. You must not forget my promise the last time before we parted ways, right?"

Velove sighed. He was really almost driven mad by Nathan's unexpected presence.

"Nathan..." interrupted Velove. "Please, I'm married. You even met my husband last night."

"Yeah, so what? You don't love me anymore? It's that easy for you to erase my name from your heart?"

Velvet's eyes closed. In his deepest heart, of course, there is still love for Nathanael. It's just that, Velove can't betray their marriage bond. Even though Darwin didn't have the slightest feeling of love, he was determined to remain faithful and live their household as well as possible.

Sounds naive indeed. But, he had promised himself that he would not mess around in the sacred bonds of marriage.

"Nathan, please. Don't do this. You've made me uncomfortable. If your goal in this office is just to disturb me, it's better to find another staff member who can accompany you while you're in this office."

Seeing Velove's attitude that really kept his distance, Nathanael felt bad. Not wanting his ex-girlfriend to stay away, he finally complied by controlling his attitude to make it more professional.

"Okay I'm sorry. I'll be professional here."

Seconds later Velove rose from his seat. Walk towards the work table to put his bag first. Then walked towards the door, ready to leave.

"I'll take you around the building first. After that, I'll show you where your room is and which assignments you'll be working on."

Nathan nodded in agreement. Then followed Velove's steps which took him to slowly go around almost all of the main division rooms. Introducing some of the expert staff there.

For more than two hours Velove took Nathan for a tour. Then led the man to his office which was located not far from Velove's own room.

"While in Indonesia, your room is here. All work will be given by staff who will later serve as assistants or secretaries. If you have any difficulties, you can ask or consult with me."

"Okay, I understand. Thanks for the help."

Velvet just nodded. Feeling that he had carried out the task given by his father, he intended to immediately return to the room.

However, just a few steps forward, Nathan called again. Asking Velove to stop his steps.

"Wait a moment."

Velvet turned. Turning around, the woman asked, "Anything else you need?"

Nathan stepped forward. The man approached the position where Velove was standing. He glanced at the clock on his wrist for a moment, then spoke.

"It's almost time for recess. Would you mind having lunch with me, please?"

From Nathan's eyes, there was a sign that Velove wanted to refuse. However, before the woman could give an answer, she hurriedly spoke again.

"Just this once, Velove. After that, I promise I won't bother you again. While I'm at the office, I'll be professional."

Velove seemed to continue to weigh while staring closely at the face of the man in front of him. Trying to dive into the soot-black bead, to then draw a decision.

"Okay, I agree. In 30 minutes, you can pick me up at the room."

Nathan smiled broadly. When it was time to go out for lunch, he immediately picked up Velove at his office. Then took the woman to go to one of the restaurants they frequented when they were still in a relationship.

"Until this second you still like sushi, right?" asked Nathan while focusing on directing his car towards the restaurant they were going to visit.

"I still do. Until now, my appetite hasn't changed one bit."

Nathan smiled. As soon as he reached his destination, he rushed out first so he could help open the door for Velove.

The two of them then walked together into the restaurant while following the steps of the waitress who led them to an empty table in the corner of the room.

"You haven't forgotten this place, have you?" asked Nathanael to start the conversation.

Velvet nodded. How could she forget the historical place where Nathan first confessed his love to her.

"That woman has a very good memory, Nathan."

Nathanael smiled faintly. It's nice because Velove hasn't forgotten the good memories they've had together.

"I hope all the memories we've been through you won't forget in the slightest even though you're married now."

Velove glanced at his interlocutor. Not to mention had time to reply, from another direction someone reprimanded him.

"Veloves..."

Hearing his name being called, Velove turned around. In that instant he gasped as he found a man he knew so well was now standing in front of him.

"Darwin."