"Please, Patricia. Your feelings are your right and my love is my right and my choice. I'm free to love anyone. Please don't stop me. Nor will I stop you from loving a husband who still thinks about you or not.

"

"I ….

"

Ellena was unable to finish her sentence. she was completely speechless at Richard's madness. She doesn't know what the man likes about her. To make her that crazy. However, their time together was short. In fact, the woman always kept her distance from her boss. Of course because of fear of what is happening now.

Ellena turned her face away. Their position is now fairly close to make it a little uncomfortable. Moreover, coupled with Richard's gaze which is getting more intense.

"Whatever.

" Elena whispered resignedly.

"Is that true?

" Richard's face brightened again. Happiness was clearly visible on his face. Even though Ellena didn't accept her feelings, at least she didn't stop her from maintaining her feelings.

"Of course. Because even if I forbid you, you still won't heed it.

" Richard seemed to chuckle at Ellena's statement. The woman seemed to have a better understanding of the man.

However, Richard's face immediately returned to seriousness as he spoke,

"Is there one thing I want to ask you?

"

"What?

" asked Ellena curiously.

"Is your name really Patricia?

" Ellena was silent and didn't answer Richard's question. As if confirming what the man was thinking.

"May I know your real name?

" added Richard with a look of hope.

"What for?

"

"So that I don't mispronounce your name in every one of my prayers,

" Richard answered firmly. However, success made Ellena flabbergasted. It was an answer she didn't think of.

"You already knew. Did you forget?

" Ellena replied while tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Who? Ellena?

"

"Yes, Ellena Patricia Lubis.

" Ellena was really very reluctant to tell the truth. The reason, Richard was not a random person. If he knew Ellena's real name, it would only take him a short time to find out everything about her. However, it is not difficult for the man to know his real name. So even if he hid it it would be useless.

"I thought you put a fake ID into this company.

" Richard said later.

"Please keep my name a secret from others.

" Ellena pleaded earnestly.

"Of course, Ellena. It will be a secret between the two of us.

" Richard stroked the back of Ellena's hand. However, the woman withdrew her hand immediately.

"If there's nothing else you want to talk about, I'll say goodbye. I still have a lot of work to do, Richard.

"

However, the man before him shook his head vigorously. As a sign that he did not agree to the secretary's request.

"Go home, Ellena. Rest your body and mind.

" Ellena was just about to speak when Richard spoke again.

"This is an order not a request.

" The man explained.

Of course Ellena had no other choice but to obey her superior's orders. Well, maybe he really needs time to take a break from all the routines that occupy his mind. Resting your heart and mind seems like a pretty good idea. The woman immediately packed her things after leaving Richard's room, then walked leisurely towards the elevator.

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, someone reached out to prevent them from closing.

"Richard?

" Ellena frowned when she saw the figure that appeared as soon as the elevator door opened perfectly.

"You want somewhere?

" She he asked then.

"Yes. Let me take you home, Ellena. This is an order not a request!

"

Elena rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Keep going.

" He mumbled quietly.

"What?

"

"I said, orders are mandatory. So, I will not refuse your kindness,

" said Ellena with a forced smile on her face.

"I just wanted to make sure you're safe. I don't want what happened yesterday to happen again, Elle.

" Richard looked at Ellena with a sad face.

Ellena is amazed to hear Richard's call for her. It was as if that one word had knocked into the deepest corner of the space in his heart. Unknowingly the warm beads had squeezed out of his eyelids.

"Why?

" asked Richard frantically when he saw Ellena crying. The woman then turned her back on Richard and covered her face with both hands. Trying to catch his breath to regain control of himself.

"P-please … don't call me that. Anything as long as it doesn't.

" Ellena asked still sobbing.

"Okay. As long as you don't cry anymore.

" Richard still didn't understand, but still granted Ellena's request. That's not a difficult thing to do. The man glanced back at Elena. The traces of tears were still clearly visible on the woman's face. Ah, it really hurts his heart to see his idol sobbing because of him.

Silence ruled their journey. Only the sound of music emanating to break the suffocating silence. Richard still ù dare to ask and start a conversation. Meanwhile, Ellena was busy looking at the scenery outside the car window.

"Thank you.

" Ellena whispered briefly, when she arrived in front of her rented house. Richard just nodded. There were actually a lot of things he wanted to say, but they caught in his throat. His tongue was numb, even to just answer Ellena's thanks.

Richard had not yet started his vehicle. Still faithfully looking at Ellena's back which was getting further away from him. Until finally the woman's shadow completely disappeared from his reach.

***

Ellena threw herself on the bed. It was still noon, but the woman was very tired. She put one hand on her forehead before finally closing heraeyes and drifting off to sleep.

"Elle … Elle ….

" A voice that Ellena missed so much called out her name. The woman blinked, trying to gather her senses. Seje turned her face left and right, trying to find the source of the sound.

A man wearing a sky blue shirt looked at her with a sad look. A very charming smile etched on his handsome face. It's really very charming according to Elena.

"Lucas?

" asked Ellena still not believing her eyes.

"Yes, Honey.

" Lucas answered in a soft voice.

"Is this a dream? If it is, I don't want to wake up,

" sobbed Ellena.

Lucas reached out and cupped Ellena's cheeks. Caressed it lovingly, then showered it with short kisses.

"Don't leave again, Honey. You wouldn't know how broken I would be without you. You don't know how much I miss you all the time, Elle.

"

Lucas pulled his hand and carried Ellena's body into his arms. They hugged each other tightly. Faithful tears accompany their meeting after so long apart. It was as if if they let go of the hug, then they would be separated again.

"I miss you so much, Honey.

" Lucas said. Then, kissed her forehead for a long time.

"Miss you too, Honey.

" Ellena buried her face in her husband's chest. Inhaling satisfied the scent of the body that he missed.

"Miss you more.

" Lucas replied not wanting to lose.

"Miss you more, more, and more.

" Ellena didn't want to lose either.

"How did you know I was missing you so much, hm?

"

Lucas just answered Ellena's question with a smile. Then he tightened his grip on his wife again.

"It's like a dream,

" added Ellena, still burying her face in Lucas' chest. Close your eyes and try to enjoy the company.

"It's all true, Honey.

"

"What?

" Ellena slowly opened her eyes, then looked up. Trying to find the answer to the question. However, only emptiness he found.

Yes, Ellena is still in her rented room. Only, without the figure of Lucas who accompanies. In fact, what was in her arms was not her husband, but only a bolster. She took a deep breath. The clear liquid ran down his face again. She really misses her husband. Her tears continued to flow, as if as an outlet for everything she had been holding back all this time.

"Lucas.

" Ellena whispered between sobs. Her left hand was now pounding her chest which felt very painful. In fact, it took her breath away.

Everything she had been through was dancing in mind again. How she was forcibly separated from her husband when she really needed her presence. How she was forcibly pulled from the happy life that filled her day.

The togetherness of Ellena and Lucas comes from the compulsion to be bound by an agreement. However, the love that binds their hearts is immense. In fact, later if she died and there would be another life, of course she would still only love one man in her life. Only Lucas. The man she would love no matter how many cycles of life she had. In fact, in her prayers she always asks to be united in this world and the hereafter with her husband.

Ellena is now sitting on the bed. Wiping away the remnants of tears that were still falling from her eyes.

"Cheer up, Elle.

" She whispered to herself.

The dream that had been present in her sleep seemed to give an answer to the doubts that had filled her heart since this afternoon. Breaking Richard's words about Lucas maybe not looking and not wanting anymore.

Yes, Lucas' presence for a moment even if only in a dream gave him his own strength. It was as if Ellena's energy was fully charged again. Ready to face the world and whatever tomorrow will bring.

Ellena glanced at the cellphone that was on the nightstand right beside the bed. The time was 19.30 p.m which meant he had slept for approximately six hours. Now the woman is holding her stomach which feels sore because she hasn't eaten since this afternoon. A notification message from Richard appeared on the screen of her cellphone.

Richard:

If you need help, tell me, whatever it is.. I will help you as much as I can and will always be there for you.