n

n

n

"Oma...

" Leo called out.

n

"Just tonight. After that I won't eat meat anymore.

"

n

"But Grandma, the doctor asked you not to eat meat, it's all for Grandma's health,

" said Leo.

n

"Just a little bit, I want it, Leo, even I've forgotten how it feels,

" said Grandma put on a frown.

n

"No, no. I won't allow this, Grandma.

"

n

"You bring all that back,

" he added again ordered the Maids.

n

"B-but...

"

n

"No. Come on, I have been wanting to do this with my grandchildren for so long. Don't you guys feel sorry for me?

" said the old woman immediately standing up and blocking the maids.

n

"Hmm, okay. But only a little, Grandma,

" now it was Devan's turn to speak.

n

"Devan,

" Leo said, but the man ignored him.

n

"All right, all right. It's up to you,

" Leo said again with a rough breath.

nSeeing the response of her two grandchildren, Grandma smiled happily. She became impatient to taste the food she had not tasted in a long time.

n***

nNico's Residence

nAfter putting Dave to sleep, Anna still hadn't slept. The woman was standing behind the window she had left half-open. Enjoy the cold but refreshing night air at the same time.

nIt was very quiet, only the sound of nocturnal animals that could be heard calling each other filled the silence of the night.

nNaila is also asleep, maybe.

nSince earlier, she has been trying to do the same thing, only her eyes are reluctant to cooperate with her to keep her awake.

nNo one knows how many times a tired sigh escaped her lips.

nShe had given up, completely given up. if Brian contacted her again or even suddenly appeared in front of her, she would deal with it.

nAnna didn't want something like that to happen again. She was very afraid if anything happened to Dave, her son. Just imagining it, Anna already shuddered.

nSuddenly the ringing of her cell phone in the room startled her.

nStunned, the woman's body immediately froze with trembling hands seeing the contact name listed on the screen.

nGlancing at her son, with some hesitation, Anna answered the incoming call.

n

"He-hello...

" she stuttered.

n

"Hello honey, great. You answered my call,

" came a male voice from the other end with a chuckle.

n

"W-why are you calling me so late at night, Brian? My husband might wake up.

"

n

"Ck, you think I believe? I know everything that's happened to you now, honey. Even your workplace.

"

nAnna was silent.

n

"You think you can lie to me?

" Brian chuckled again.

n

"You're only mine, Anna. Mine,

" he added again.

n

"And ah yes, I almost forgot the purpose of contacting you,

" Brian said over, as if not giving Anna a chance to speak.

n

"You ready tomorrow. I'll pick you up, honey.

"

n

"B-but, I came to work,

" Anna replied, her voice very low.

n

"Work? For what? Is not that your only reason to meet that guy again? I didn't think your disappearance all this time was still related to him,

" Brian replied.

n

"N-no, it's not like that Brian.

"

n

"Well, I don't want to know your excuse. I'll pick you up tomorrow. Okay?

"

nAnna didn't answer.

n

"Don't try to run or avoid me, you already know what the consequences will be if you apvoid me, honey,

" Brian warned Anna again, and after that, he ended the call unilaterally without waiting for the woman's response.

nAnna fell to the floor, her eyes blank. Maybe things like this will happen often in the future.

nGlancing back at her son who was sleeping very soundly, Anna then searched for someone on her cellphone then sent a text message to the 'Handsome Man' contact.

nShe didn't know what Brian was going to do to her tomorrow, but she would still do what he said for the safety of her son.

nSeems like tonight, Anna couldn't sleep again.

nUntil the early morning, the woman seemed increasingly restless. All kinds of bad thoughts filled her head.

n.

n.

n.

n

"Anna, you didn't come to work today?

" Naila asked when she saw the woman had just come out of the bathroom. It is now seven in the morning.

n

"I work. Maybe leaving soon

" answered Anna who started to dry her hair.

n

"Is that true?

" Naila was just confused because it was unusual for the woman to still be at home on Mondays at this hour.

nAnna nodded and then started to get ready, according to Brian's message this morning, the man would come to pick her up at eight o'clock.

n

"Have you had breakfast? I've made food for you and Dave,

" said Anna without slowing her movements a bit.

n

"Not yet, I'll wait for Dave to wake up and have breakfast together,

" Naila replied and only Anna nodded.

n***

nDressed in a knee-length light blue dress with matching shoes and a bag, Anna walked down the sidewalk to the bus stopped which had become her destination every weekday.

nSuddenly the black limousine stopped right next to her,

"Come in.

" At the same time, the car door opened.

nLooking at the source of the voice, with a slow movement, Anna entered.

nIt was Brian, the first time Anna had seen the man bring his car. And also his current appearance looks a little different. Neater than usual, and looking a little…classy?

nBrian's current appearance is not much different from the elites out there.

nThere was no further talk after that as if no one was in the car. Even Brian, who used to always talk to Anna, was now silent and focused on his cell phone.

nThe atmosphere was very awkward.

nSeeing Brian at this time, Anna became a little curious. She didn't know what happened to this man over the last five years? His appearance today is very different from five years ago when at that time Brian was still working as an employee in a company engaged in trading and services.

n

"Have you had breakfast?

" Brian's deep voice startled Anna.

n

"Erm,

" she replied shortly.

n

"Good, come closer,

" said the man again raising his eyes to Anna who was sitting near the door.

n

"F-fine,

" Anna replied as she slowly shifted her body.

n

"Choose,

" Brian said then showed Anna his cellphone screen.

nThe woman froze on the spot, it was a wedding dress. Why did Brian ask her to choose.

nWhat suddenly popped into her mind isn't true, right?

"

n

"Choose, are you deaf?

" Brian repeated the sentence.

n

"B-but for what?

" stammered Anna.

n

"I'm not asking you to ask back.

"

n

"S-sorry.

"

n

"Choose the one you like,

" Brian repeated for the third time.

nAnna didn't budge a bit, the woman was just silent making Brian sigh harshly. Then talk the driver, mentioning a place name that was very foreign to Anna's ears.

n

"W-why are you taking me?

" asked Anna courageously.

n

"Didn't you love me very much before?

"

n

"I'll reciprocate your feelings for me, honey,

" he added.

nAn answer that didn't match Anna's question at all, made her even more overthinking.

n