CHAPTER 17

In the evening, Robi came to pick Amelia home. At first, Amelia wanted to leave, moreover she was not comfortable with Ayu's presence.

However, Mayang asked them to stay for dinner together. Of course, she couldn't refuse and had to hold back until the family event was over.

"Are you still nauseous, honey?" he asked.

"A little."

Amelia looked at Ayu, busy helping the waitress prepare her dishes. She is increasingly convinced that Ayu is indeed a person who likes to look for faces.

"Let the servants prepare, Yu," Yustina prevented.

"It's okay Grandma, let Ayu alone."

"Ayu's cooking is delicious, you know. Grandma's appetite only increases, especially when she eats Ayu's fish paste," she praised.

"The Lastri family is good at cooking, Mom," said Mayang.

"You too, Mel. Try learning to cook a little bit so that you can cook for Robi every day."

Amelia was furious. In the past, Yustina and Mayang have never discussed the problem of their shortcomings. This is the first time they have discussed it in front of Ayu.

"Yes, Grandma."

"Well, I see. Especially when you have children, you have to be good at managing their intake and nutrition."

Robi, who saw his wife feeling uncomfortable, immediately interrupted, "Let's eat, Grandma. Robi is very hungry."

"Let's wait for Alan first."

"But Alan hasn't come home yet, Mom," Mayang interrupted.

"Yu, have you tried calling your fiancée?"

"Not yet, Grandma. But, earlier, Alan said he would be home a little late."

"Okay, let's eat first. Sarah, please set it aside for Alan," she ordered the waiter.

"Yes, Old Lady."

At the same dining table, they enjoy the available food. Only one person has no taste, especially when praise after praise continues to flow to Ayu. Amelia continued to grumble in her heart as if again not be considered among them.

While next to her, Robi tried to divert his attention to the food he was eating. Today's Ayu was very different from the Ayu he saw in the village.

Despite trying his best, Robi admits that Ayu is an attractive and smiling person. He was grateful that Mayang had found the right match for Alan.

From the other side, Alan had just come home. His eyes sparkled when he saw Ayu who was busy serving his Grandma. Although he knew that maybe it was too early, Alan admitted that he was very interested in the figure.

"Evening, everyone," he greeted. Suddenly they immediately turned to look at Alan.

"Quickly wash your hands and eat," Yustina ordered.

"Yes, Grandma."

Alan left to clean himself, while Ayu immediately got up to help the waitress named Sarah prepare the food that had pasted.

Ayu did it not because she was looking for face and manners. But she was used to it, especially since she tried to make a good impression on her future husband.

There was a feeling of sadness in Mayang's heart seeing it. A girl as good as Ayu should be the wife of her favorite son, not Alan. However, there is no other family that she can cooperate with to help pressure Alan's position so that she doesn't get in the way of Robi later, except for the family she has known for a long time.

Amelia was already pregnant and managed to secure Robi's position, but her temperament and origins remained unchanged.

"Please enjoy," Ayu said while preparing a plate of rice and side dishes for Alan.

"Thanks, Yu."

Don't ask how harmonious they are, Robi, who has always felt his love story with Amelia is the best romance, makes him jealous.

Everyone was happy with Alan and Ayu's relationship, which was good, except for one person; Amelia.

***

Under the night sky, Alan looked at the bright twinkling stars accompanied by Ayu.

The girl prepared a hot drink for them to enjoy together and some sweet snacks to complement.

"The stars are beautiful, aren't they?" he asked.

"Yes, very beautiful."

"If I miss her, I will stare at the star until dawn."

"Who is she?" Ayu asked, surprised.

"Hmm ... she, the most precious woman in my life."

Ayu nodded slowly. "Your lover?"

"Don't get me wrong, I don't have a girlfriend."

"Or ... your ex-girlfriend?"

"Not really. You could say she was my first love ... my mother."

"I-isn't Aunt Mayang ...."

"I'm the son of daddy's mistress, you should know that."

Ayu was surprised, but she felt that something like this must be familiar among rich men who have more than one wife and children from different mothers.

"Oh, I see."

"Are you regret?"

"Regret what?" she asked in surprise.

"I don't have any power in this house and family, you could say it's just a ride with big names, hahaha."

His lips were indeed laughing, but he felt sorry for his fate deep in his heart. Ayu realized that her hand reflexively touched the face of the man in front of her.

"Must be tough on you, right?"

A simple question but able to shake his heart. So far, no one has been able to understand his feelings, even Robi doesn't understand. How difficult it is to survive in a family that seems to try to eliminate its existence, it feels like every day he spends stays even in his sleep.

He also had to go to great lengths to convince Mayang that his existence was not a threat to her son, it was very tiring.

"You—"

"I don't understand this kind of problem, but I think it's good for you to be able to survive this far."

"Are you not regret? I probably won't receive that much inheritance—"

"Initially, I accepted this matchmaking because I was interested when I saw your photo and didn't feel good about Aunt Mayang. However, after meeting in person, I think my decision at that time was right."

"Maybe you'll regret it later, not now."

"I'm used to living a simple life, so why should I expect something ordinary? Besides, I'd be more proud if you earned that wealth on your own."

Alan looked at the girl, no doubt in her eyes, all pure and sincere. Do I deserve it—he thought.

"If I get kicked out of this family, will you change your mind?"

"Depends on the reason."

"If I leave this house without any possessions, will you also survive?"

"Money can be earned in many ways, as long as you want. Easy, I'll find a job for you, isn't it?"

"You make what I thought complicated seem so easy."

"That's because you think it's too complicated."

"You are indeed unique."

"Thank you, that's flattery, isn't it?"

"Of course."

They looked back up at the sky, but Alan stole a look at the woman beside him once in a while. What exactly made her so sure—he thought.

From her bedroom window, Yustina saw the two of them with a big smile on her face. She feels grateful that Mayang still has the conscience to choose a good woman for her grandson.

Yustina looked at the photo of her late son, who had passed away. This small family business flourished and headed for its heyday thanks to him. Still, instead, he could not enjoy it because of his death.

A notebook she found not long ago she always read carefully, then she would shed tears after that.

She only hopes to live a peaceful and calm life in her old age. However, she had to face the harsh reality.

"I will help you, dear," she whispered as she kissed the photo with tears in her eyes.