Chapter 4 - A Gift

"Wow, I don't expect this story to be real. I just thought it only existed in drama films." I also nodded while occasionally digesting Miss Lassie's words.

"Now you have heard it and it's real."

"Yes, that's right. But, Miss Claire, you're all right, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am alright."

"I wish the best for you and Mr. Achille. May your relationship always get along."

"Thanks for the prayers, Miss Lassie."

"Yes, you're welcome."

"Miss Lassie, have you worked here for a long?"

"It's been a long time, Miss Claire. Since Mr. Achille and Basten were kids, I've been working here."

"Wow, it means you know them very well! You must know their habits and preferences!"

"Obviously, I know them very well."

"Like what. Can you tell me?"

"Who would you like to know first? Mr. Achille or Basten?"

"Please explain Mr. Achille first."

"Mr. Achille is very different from Mr. Basten. He is cool and apathetic, but very friendly."

"No wonder he looks so cold!" I muttered to myself.

"Besides being friendly, he never scolds the maids in this house. However, he likes to get drunk. Once he come home in the middle of the night and shouted for the door to be opened. My friends and I are very scared."

"So, did he hit you guys or something?"

"He doesn't hit. But we still get scared when we see someone drunk. Because he often throws his bottle at the door."

Hopefully, it didn't happen to me.

"But that was then. Since he got married and a few days here, I haven't seen him come home late at night. I hope he has started to leave that kind of drink."

"I hope so too. I'm glad to hear that he's stopped drinking."

"Excuse me, Miss Claire. I have to go inside to continue the other work."

"Yes, Miss Lessie. Please! Thank you for sharing your story."

***

A taxi stopped in front of the house. I rushed to the taxi that I had ordered and got in. The security guard–standing in front of the gate did not ask a word, then closed the gate again. Besides, I didn't tell him where I was going.

The car sped away, heading for the place I told him to. I reached for the flat object in the bag and rubbed the screen. Messages in the WhatsApp group were quite crowded. I could already guess, surely their discussion was not far from personal matters.

That's right, my guess was never wrong. Now and then, a smile slips from my lips reading the chats of friends in the WhatsApp group. I couldn't wait to arrive. It was been a long time, we haven't seen each other since graduation a few months ago.

[How did the newlyweds' first night feel? I'm very curious!] Audy started a chat.

[You really want to know? You better get married soon! (Emoticon full of love)]

Atma said.

[You can't talk about friends!] Emoticon laughs at the end of the chat. Nawa continued a chat.

That's their basis! I just mumbled many times, but haven't answered their chat yet. There would always be an easy target for their conversation to pursue their privacy.

[By the way, how did it taste?]

I just stroked my chest. This was how the group is.

[Hush, you haven't realized yet.]

[Yes. We're still single. So, we ask for an explanation from the experienced.]

[Are you single or are you not selling well?] Emoticon laughs with tears in her eyes.

[Hey, you're single too right?]

[Fellow singles don't have to make fun of each other.] Nawa.

[Nawa, you're already married. Maybe you want to share.] Emoticon laughed.

[That's why you have to get married.] Nawa.

[If not married, how?]

[Yeah, trying. Don't you fantasize about having a prince visit you?]

[Where is Claire? She hasn't joined the group chat since earlier?] Audy.

[You know what? She is a newlywed. She must be still under the covers with his beloved Lover.] Laughing emoticon.

No more chat. Maybe they had arrived long ago and were waiting for me.

Our group consisted of only four people. There will always be up-to-date information that they would discuss even if there were only four members.

[Yes, Nawa is right. If you want to feel what it's like, better get married so you know it.] I chimed in even though their chat was two hours ago.

[Okay, Claire. Where are you? We have been waiting for you for a long time.]

[I'll be there in a bit.]

[Okay. Don't take too long, okay!]

[Okay.]

After a long time, I arrived at my destination. The taxi stops in front of the lobby.

"Thank you." I handed over some bills as payment.

I continued to walk while occasionally checking the clock on my hand and passing several tables of visitors. At times like this, visitors were quite crowded.

These eyeballs stopped when I saw the table where there were three women, who were about the same age. They were busy telling stories. I drew closer to them.

"Sorry, I'm late. Have you guys been waiting long?" I put my bag on the table and then dropped my ass on the sofa.

"Awhile!"

"Whose is this?" I took a glass of cold orange juice and took a sip.

"Geez, Claire. Are you thirsty?"

"Sorry. Yes, I'm very thirsty."

"Here is mine if you're still thirsty." Audy thrust her drink at me.

"No. Thanks."

"Inhale, then exhale! How are you feeling?"

"I am fine, thank you."

"By the way, we haven't seen each other in a long time. Moreover, Nawa ...."

"Yeah, sorry. I already have a household. So, I've been a bit busy these past few months."

"Claire is also difficult to contact and rarely active in the group!" With a sullen face.

"I'm sorry too. I have to. What if I have a husband," I said, trying to look sad even though I hadn't been very busy lately.

"How did you get married to that guy?" asked Atma.

"Yeah, didn't you already talk about marrying Basten?" continued Audy.

"I didn't think so either."

"No idea! What do you mean?"

Then, I explained everything from the beginning to them. They looked serious and listened to my explanation.

"What! But, you are not married by accident, right?"

I turned to Atma with an incomprehensible look.

"You keep negative thoughts to your friends," said Nawa.

"Uh, sorry," Atma said while covering her mouth.

"No ... It was not. We didn't know each other before."

"Then why do you want to marry him?"

"I already explained that."

"Be patient, maybe this is fate." Nawa rubbed my shoulder. I just nodded.

"Yeah, if I were in your position, I probably wouldn't know what I would do either. Moreover, there were already many guests in the building. Even wanting to escape seemed impossible."

"So, how about you with him?"

"Who?"

"Your husband."

"He's very apathetic and cold like polar ice."

"Oh my God!"

"Yes, that is so."

"But he's very handsome," Audy said very enthusiastically.

"Hmm, Audy is like that. She always talks about physical." Nawa said it with wide eyes.

"You know what, Basten is actually Achille's brother."

"What! Are you serious?" They said in unison.

"So, where is that cowardly man named Basten now?"

"I also don't know where he is. I want to ask Achille, it's impossible. The person is very ignorant, about how to ask. My parents also didn't ask me anything or tell me. They just said they hope we last forever. That's all."

"We're sorry to hear that, Claire." They hugged me tightly.

"If I were like you, I will avenge what he did. What a bastard guy!"

"That's right, Claire. How could he play with your feelings that easily without thinking about the consequences of his actions."

I also actually felt the same as them. My heart hurted too when I think back on that incident.

"Okay. It's time for us to end the sadness. Now we want to give this to you. Congratulations!" Nawa handed me a small box. Smiles spread from their faces.

"Oh my gosh. What's this?" I didn't think they would surprise me.

"Open, please!"

"Congratulations! May you always get along until death does you part."

"Officially, Mrs. Achille."

"Thanks, everyone," I said. "Then I will treat you."

"Seriously, you're treating us?"

"Yes. Am I lying?"

We continued to talk about many things. Their discussion about the honeymoon was still a hot topic. Sometimes they peek at me, but I didn't respond. Actually, I didn't have any plans for a honeymoon with Achille. Besides, he hasn't discussed it with me yet.

Instead, I remembered the honeymoon plans that Basten had arranged. But again the plan he devised was only a plan.

My phone rang. A call came on my cell phone. My eyes instantly rounded, seeing Achill's name-calling.

Oops, I was gonna die! I forgot to tell him that I was out with my friends.

"What is happened, Claire?" They turned look at me.