Richard just nodded, as if he understood very well how Ellena's life was in her hometown. It seemed that he also immediately believed Ellena's words, not knowing that it was not the real reason Ellena had come to this town.

"You're not looking for work in Jakarta?

"

Richard again tried to make sure. Because what he knows, the city of Jakarta is one of the places that many people from outside the region hunt for, in order to be able to support their families. So, why did Ellena actually come to this city, a city that has very limited job opportunities. Even the original inhabitants of this city are still recorded a lot.

"Yes.

" Ellena answered quietly, poking a piece of meat on her plate.

"But I didn't manage to get a job there. There are many opportunities, but there are also many competitors. I've met almost every area and applied at the same place. It would be difficult for me to get that opportunity.

" She explained later.

"Yeah, you're right.

" Richard replied, nodding slowly, heeding Ellena's words.

"So what about after you stay here?

"

"Hm ....

" Ellena was silent for a moment as she slightly tilted her head upwards, as if she was thinking about something.

"At least, in this city I met a handsome angel who is kind and not arrogant, so maybe my life will be saved because of it.

" She said with a smile and managed to make Richard's heart touch. Yes of course. He knew who Ellena was referring to.

Even so he didn't want to show his expression in front of Ellena. As much as possible she hid the emotion on her face and remained elegant.

"Who is it?

"

Instead of appearing confident in front of Ellena, Richard decided to pretend he didn't know the person she was referring to. Ah, at least that would make a good impression on Ellena, wouldn't it? Of course he really cares about his self-respect not to act that will actually make a woman feel bad for him.

"You didn't know?

" Ellena looked seriously at Richard's face and was immediately greeted with a shake of his head by the man in front of her.

"You!

" cried Ellena with absolute certainty. Her expression immediately changed, it was hard to understand.

Between joy and shame seemed to mix into one. It was certain that Ellena instantly became clumsy. This was evident from the way she immediately fell silent. Especially when she found Richard who was staring at her intently.

"I?

" Richard pointed to himself, right at his chest, showing a look of surprise.

"Y-yes, you. Who else?

" replied Elena while nodding slowly over and over again.

"I don't know what it would be like if I didn't meet you. I've been trying to find work everywhere. From big companies to simple restaurants and mini-markets, I've been to everything, but no one wants to help me. Only you are willing to help me.

" She explained with slightly teary eyes, feeling sad lamenting her own fate.

"Ah, I'm very flattered, Patricia. This is the first time someone has praised me like that. Moreover, it's a beautiful woman like you who praises me. My heart feels like it's about to burst.

" Richard replied, looking joking. It seemed like he was deliberately trying to lighten the mood again, after noticing the sad expression on Ellena's face.

However, deep down in his heart, he really wanted to tell the truth and didn't want to keep it to himself.

In contrast to Lucas who was always stiff with women he just met, Richard seemed to like directness, even though he was good at wrapping it all up with jokes.

"Ha ha ha!

" Ellena laughed at Richard's statement.

In her eyes, Richard is a humorous person and loves to joke. Not like Lucas who takes things too seriously. However, even so, she still admired Lucas's charismatic character more. Richard's good looks are certainly not comparable to her husband's handsomeness.

Ah, it seems that Richard's presence made her remember Lucas even more. When will they meet again? Could fate bring them back together or vice versa?

"Are you laughing at me? Is there anything funny about me, Patricia?

" Richard immediately stopped his activities and looked at Ellena with a slightly rounded surprise.

"Yes. How can I not laugh at your expression like that?

" replied Ellena still chuckling while looking at Richard.

"What do you mean by my expression? Are you trying to make fun of me, Patricia?

" Richard replied with an even expression.

"No! I didn't mean it like that. You're just overreacting to what I said.

" Ellena argued flatly.

"But, you're very funny when you're joking, Mr. Richard. Sorry for this impudence. I shouldn't laugh at the person who will be my boss.

" She added chuckling again.

"Really? Am I that funny in your eyes?—Argh, I seem to have turned into a clown right now,

" said Richard, looking away in any direction.

"Ha ha ha. I don't think so.

" Ellena replied again breaking her laughter.

"I'm just kidding, but actually you're funny.

" She added, intending to compliment.

"Hmm ....

"

"I didn't mean to make fun of you at all.

" Ellena informed him. She didn't want any misunderstandings with the man she had just met, although she was sure that the chances were very slim. She seemed to have begun to guess at Richard's true nature. Richard didn't seem the type to be easily offended.

"Oh, fine. I took that as a compliment. Thank you so much for the compliment, Miss Patricia, who's gorgeous.

" Richard replied casually, trying to tease Ellena.

Responding to Richard's words, Ellena just pursed her lips. Of course that didn't flatter him at all, because she knew that Richard wasn't being serious.

Without Ellena knowing that actually Richard was starting to admire her, and that last sentence was a form of expression from inside the man's heart. It's just that Elena didn't notice it.

Ellena seemed to stop what she was doing, before finishing the food on her plate. She then grabbed a glass of June Bug which was on the right side. Take a sip of the drink. A cold and fresh feeling instantly spread through her body, making her enjoy it so much by closing her eyes.

"You didn't finish your meal?

"

Richard's question instantly made Ellena come to her senses and open her eyes immediately. She didn't know since when Richard had been watching her so intensely.

"My stomach is full, it seems that it is not strong enough to accommodate this food.

" Ellena answered quietly.

Meanwhile, Richard only responded with a smile, then grabbed a glass of Ocean Blue Soda to take a sip of the drink.

"Why don't you finish your food too?

" Ellena asked, staring at Richard's plate which still had a quarter of the meal left, then glanced back at the man who was sipping his drink.

"Same reason as you.

" Richard answered very simply with a smile, after he had wiped his lips with a tissue.

"Hm ... well, it seems our stomachs have the same capacity,

" said Ellena casually.

"Yes, you're right. May our hearts feel the same way.

" Richard whispered, nodding slowly.

It suddenly made Ellena jump a little because Richard's words sounded vague in her ears.

"What? Try repeating what you said!

" Ellena looked at Richard questioningly.

Heart? Feeling? Was that really what she had just heard? Not! It's impossible. There must be something wrong with her sense of hearing. How could Richard say that? They even just knew each other. Looks like she was wrong.

Ellena seemed to be shaking her head over and over again, trying to brush it all off. However, her gaze was still the same, fixed on the man in front of her, demanding an answer.

"What? I didn't say anything!

" Richard argued. Ah, he should have been able to keep his mouth shut from quickly uttering those words in front of Ellena, making the woman look completely shocked.

"You're lying. I heard you say something just now, but it seems my ears didn't hear clearly.

" Ellena replied, not believing Richard's answer.

"Oh yeah, you're right! I did say something. I hope we can be good friends too ....

" Richard seemed to pause, giving Ellena a chance to understand the meaning behind his words this time.

"Honestly, I feel good to have a new friend like you. Would you mind if we were friends?

" added Richard with a hopeful look.

Ellena was silent for a moment, as if in thought.

"Of course not.

" She answered simply.

"Okay. That means from today we are officially friends. Deal?

" Richard seemed to extend his hand, inviting Ellena to shake hands, as a formalization of their friendship.

A smile appeared on Ellena's face, before she happily accepted the man's hand.

"Deal!

"

"Thank you, Patricia. Nice to meet you.

" Richard still had a clear smile on his face.

"Thank you also for this great day.

" He added later.

"As friends, it seems we don't need to say that, especially over and over again.

" Ellena replied very casually.

"Okay. Since we're already friends, may I ask you one more thing?

" Richard swiped the plate in front of him, then folded his arms on the table. His gaze focused on the brown bead in front of him.

"Yes. Just one question!

" Ellena firmly showed a serious attitude, even though in her heart it wasn't that serious.

"Think carefully about what you want to ask, because I'm only giving you one chance.

" She reminded him, deliberately trying to tease her new friend.

"I guess I'll have to think for a while to find the right question,

" Richard replied, propping his chin on one hand.

Again Ellena chuckled at Richard's behavior.

"I'm sure that you're not that innocent. Never mind, just ask what you want to know from me.

" He pleaded.

"Are you sure?

" Richard widened his eyes, trying to confirm.

"Yes, of course. You are free to ask anything from me and I also have the right to choose which questions I should answer.

"

Ellena's answer instantly made Richard chuckle lazily, then looked away in any direction. However, it didn't last long. She then turned her attention back to the front.

"Well. First question.

" Richard said, holding up his index finger in front of Ellena.

"Who do you live in this town with?

" He asked with a curious expression.

"My mother.

" Ellena answered quickly.

"Only your mother?

" Richard looked intently at Ellena's face as if he couldn't believe it right away.

"Where's your father?—Oh, or maybe you already have a partner, I mean a husband?

"

Keep calm and write something....