Chapter 126 - New Year's Eve II

"Eh? Why am I only given snacks? This isn't fair!

" Bella exclaimed, she couldn't accept how Lisa picked a very different gift for their mother.

"Oh, be grateful, you little prick! I already gave you a gift. You don't like make-up, so how do I know what you like except snacks!

" Lisa replied a little irritated.

"Aaaah you're not cool! You bought mom a silk scarf, but I only got a mountain of snacks!

"

"Bella,

" Kumala said.

"You're still lucky that your sister still gives you a gift. Besides, you really like snacks, don't you?

"

"Hehe, yeah, just kidding. I'm just amazed to see the scarf. Like… It's so pretty, I also want to have one!

"

"Duh, you can buy it yourself once you earn your own money, Bella. Now let's help mom cook.

"

The two sisters rushed into the kitchen to help Kumala prepare some dishes to celebrate the new year's eve. This year, they made it pretty simple. Since Lisa was no longer with Oscar anymore, the money that Lisa sent to Kumala and Bella every month was only enough to make simple meals.

While the three of them were struggling in the kitchen, Lisa suddenly heard a loud knock on the front fence.

She immediately ran out and saw the figure of a tall, thin man standing while supporting his chin on the fence.

"Good evening, can I talk to Mrs. Kumala?

" The man asked in a joking tone.

"Geez, Rangga!? Why are you coming to my mother's house?

" Lisa asked. She was surprised to see her childhood friend.

"I visited you at Vira's studio earlier, but she said you were already in a hurry to go to your mother's house to celebrate the new year's eve. So I think I might drop by as well,

" Rangga replied casually.

Lisa opened the fence and invited the man in.

Bella looked at the man with a look of shock and amazement.

"Brother Rangga! How coincident! Are you joining us to welcome the new year?

"

"Yes, I was just going to meet Lisa for business. But since I still have some free time, I think I'll just join you guys. It's okay, right?

" Rangga said cheerfully.

"Oh my God, of course it's okay! Come on in, mother has prepared food for tonight!

" Bella grabbed Rangga's arm and took him inside.

"Mother! Brother Rangga is here!

"

Hearing Bella's loud voice, Kumala immediately came out of the kitchen and greeted Rangga.

"Oh my, it's been a while since you stopped by, huh? Come on, join us in to celebrate new year's eve!

"

"Yes, auntie. I happen to have no work today,

" Rangga kindly replied.

"What did you bring, bro?

" Bella said spontaneously when she saw a parcel from Rangga.

"Oh yeah, I want to give you a present, Bel!

" The man handed a parcel to Bella.

Bella stared at the parcel with sparkling eyes. Then she hurriedly opened it. She was amazed to see what was inside.

"Oh God, did you seriously buy me a new drawing tool!? Thank you very much brother!

" She exclaimed cheerfully.

"You're majoring in Interior Design, right? You said that many of your drawing tools have been damaged, so I just bought it.

"

"Oh, thank you so much!

" Bella then turned to Lisa and said,

"See? Brother Rangga is really understanding! Giving what I needed the most. Not just snacks!

" Bella dissed her.

"Are you serious? Did you seriously give her snacks as a gift?

" Rangga asked with a chuckle.

"What's wrong with that, huh? I haven't met Bella for a long time, how could I know if she needed a new drawing tool? Besides, you didn't tell me what you wanted, Bel!

" Lisa, exclaimed, pointing at Bella.

Bella bursted out laughing hearing that. She liked to tease her older sister in front of Rangga.

Kumala just came back from the kitchen and prepared a dish for dinner. The food looked simple with fried tempe and tofu, as well as grilled fish. Although it wasn't luxurious, the food was still very appetizing!

When the aroma of the cooking entered Rangga's nose, the man cleared his throat and smiled.

"The smell of your mother's cooking is unique, isn't it, Lis?

"

"That's my mother for ya!

" Lisa replied confidently.

"Come on, please eat it. It's good while it's still hot!

"

Rangga and Lisa sat side by side at the dining table. The two of them looked very familiar. Bella looked at the two friends with a slightly jealous look.

"Brother Rangga,

" Bella suddenly asked.

The man glanced at Bella.

"Do you have a girlfriend?

"

"Shush! Don't ask carelessly, Bel!

" Lisa said, her face looking shy.

"Hehe, no, I don't have one,

" Rangga replied briefly and politely.

"Oh, I see. So, are you going out with Sister Lisa? Why do you two look so close?

" Bella asked again.

Hearing Bella's question made Lisa even more embarrassed. She snorted irritably and scolded Bella.

"Watch your mouth!

"

"Haha, relax, Lis. I'm not dating your sister. We got in touch again because we are now partners in business!

" Rangga replied casually.

Bella looked at Rangga suspiciously.

"Really?

"

"Don't bother to ask again, Bel. If Rangga hadn't helped me, my online shop wouldn't thrive this much!

" Lisa added.

"That's true, Bel! I'm only helping your sister to organize her social media as a means of promotion. Luckily your sister is really persistent! Be grateful to have a sister like Lisa,

" Rangga said.

After dinner, Rangga and Lisa talked in the living room together.

They were talking about Lisa's online shop business and providing reviews and suggestions for her online store to remain stable and successful in the next year.

In the doorway, Bella peeked at the two business partners with jealous eyes. Her hunch was that Lisa liked Rangga and vice versa.

There was no way a business partner could be as close and as familiar as the two of them even though they were childhood friends.

Bella chuckled irritably at the thought. She entered her room and slammed the door loudly.

The sound of the door slamming startled Lisa and Rangga for a moment.

"Lis, I don't think your sister feels good. Try to talk to her,

" Rangga suggested, pointing to Bella's room.

Lisa got up from the chair and went to Bella's room. She knocked gently on Bella's room and said,

"It's me, can I come in?

"

Bella opened the door. Lisa then stepped inside and sat on the edge of Bella's bed.

Her sister looked disappointed and annoyed.

"Bell, what's wrong with you? Do you still not believe that I don't have any romantic relationship with Rangga?

" Lisa asked.

Bella ignored Lisa's question. Her mind was in a mess.

She didn't like Rangga when she first met him because in the past, Rangga was just an unpopular boy. But it changed when she met the man again. Now that Rangga was very handsome and rich, Bella grew a feeling for him.

The man who used to be unpopular was now a cool, handsome and rich businessman! Rangga shocked almost everyone with his return.

At first, Bella just admired Rangga's handsome figure and considered him an idol. However, since Rangga often helped her with her assignments, Bella didn't realize that she slowly grew some love for that tall man with curly hair!

Every time Bella met Rangga, she felt nervous and her heart was always pounding loudly!

Seeing Lisa and Rangga getting close to each other lately made Bella really jealous!

"Bell, why don't you just stop it? You're not mad at me, are you?

" Lisa asked, looking worried.

Hearing the question, Bella finally spoke up.

"Sorry Sis, I was thinking earlier. By the way, can I ask you something?

"

Lisa nodded,

"Yes. What is it?

"

"You… You really don't have any relationship with him right?

"

"Yes, one hundred percent sure and not lying! Me and Rangga are just old friends and business partners. Don't worry!

"

"You see…I seem to have a crush on Brother Rangga,

" Bella said bluntly. Her face began to turn red with shame.

Lisa laughed at Bella's words. She hugged her younger sister and said,

"Bel, you know what? Rangga doesn't want to get married! He is happy to be single. Are you sure you won't be upset if you like someone like him?

"

"Yes, but I have a crush on him, Sis!

"

"I know. It's fine if you wish to be his girlfriend, but don't get your hopes up too much, okay?

"

Bella nodded, she hugged her sister once again and smiled.