Brian's Arrival

Jessica couldn't stop laughing. Even though Marcell's jokes weren't really funny, the girl couldn't help but laugh.

They look so comfortable being around each other. Jessica liked Marcell's warm attitude, and all his dry jokes. Likewise, Marcell is very comfortable around the girl who has such an innocent nature.

Jessica is very humble, and also has a motherly nature. Marcell liked all the qualities that the girl had. Often they go to invite Marcell's sister, Lala to play.

It all started with William trapping the girl until he met her, and went out with Marcell.

Like now, they are accompanying Lala to play in the park with her friends. Marcell and Jessica sat on a park bench watching the cute Lala.

"You know what? You're the only person who can laugh at my jokes!" Marcell admits.

"Really?"

"Those who hear my jokes will immediately put on a straight face, then say crisp, even worse, when asked, what am I talking about!"

Jessica laughed again.

Honestly, the reason the girl laughed was that she didn't know what Marcell was talking about. He laughed because his joke was dry. Funny? Some people confidently tell dry jokes like that.

"Don't laugh all the time, it's scary!"

"Come on, it's okay, Marcell, I'm tired of crying too. Let me laugh as much as I can!"

Marcell shook his head slowly, then ruffled the top of Jessica's head gently.

"What is it that makes you cry? A beautiful woman like you can't cry. You'll lose your beauty!"

Jessica immediately grimaced happily, yeah at least there was someone who wanted to cheer her up.

"I'm beautiful, aren't I?" asked Jessica.

"Yes. You are beautiful. So, don't cry!"

After saying that, Marcell immediately grinned widely.

"If you're sad or upset, just look for me. Then I'll tell you new jokes!"

Better not! Jessica smiled widely.

Because it was late, they took Lala and her friends home first. After that, Marcell took Jessica to eat, then took the girl home.

Jessica couldn't help but laugh again when Marcell took her hand, squeezed it gently, and kissed the back of her hand saying, "Good night."

"Don't laugh! I'm trying to be romantic, you know!" the man protested.

Who knows. Near Marcell, the girl always wanted to laugh. Even for something not funny though.

"Yeah, come in there!" Marcell said.

"Thanks for the treat, Marcell!"

"You're welcome!"

Jessica smiled one last time, and immediately entered the share house.

The girl's steps stopped when a hand reached out to grab her arm and stopped her in her tracks.

"Rey?" cried Jessica in surprise.

"Where are you from?"

"Take a walk with a friend!"

"All day? Wow!" he pouted.

Jessica took a deep breath, then looked at the man sharply.

"There is a problem?!"

"Who is he? Your new boyfriend?"

What else, now? Jessica could not understand.

"No. He's a friend!"

"Friends? If you are friends, why are you kissing?"

"Huh? Kisses? What the hell!"

Rey huffed in annoyance. The man grabbed Jessica's hand and practiced what Marcell did earlier. Kissing the back of Jessica's hand.

"Oh that, it's okay. It's not that weird either. Just kissing hands, right?"

Hearing Jessica's answer, Rey became annoyed. What was the girl thinking?

"I don't like it!" said Rey suddenly. And of course, it immediately made Jessica frown in confusion.

"And why should you not like it? Did you forget? I'm nobody to you anymore! You don't have to be so overprotective. Lusi's going to be angry! It's scary!"

"Jess..."

"Rey, I'm sleepy! I'm going to bed first! Good night!" Jessica deliberately kissed Rey's cheek briefly, then went to her room.

She had to make Rey even more restless.

***

Jessica staggered down the stairs. Downstairs, the children were already gathered at the dining table. For the first time, Lusi was cooking.

Wow!

Jessica sat beside William.

"Did you go with Marcell?" asked William slowly.

Jessica just showed a wide grin at William.

"Accompany Lala to play earlier!"

"Oh, what do you think?!" said William flatly.

"Because of you! You're the one who's keen to get close to me!" whispered Jessica, for fear that Vera would still think that she was Alex's girlfriend.

"Starting something new, it can't hurt!"

Jessica smiled faintly at William's answer. It's not that easy, to do what William always says.

"Well, here comes the rawon! I've been cooking it for hours!" exclaimed Lusi excitedly while putting her cooking on the dining table. (Rawon is Indonesia traditional's food)

A distinctive aroma, and very seductive, immediately caressed Jessica's sense of smell.

"Why do you want to bother cooking like this?" Kevin said while spooning the soup into his mouth.

"Disbelief," Kevin exclaimed in disbelief.

"Yeah, right, I'm preparing myself to be a good wife for Rey. It's impossible, right, when we're married, we'll have the food delivered first?!"

Sick. That's how Jessica feels right now. Considering she had done it long before Lusi knew Rey. She was only 17 years old at the time, and she had already learned all the dishes Rey's mother had ever made. Same with Lusi, at that time Jessica also thought about preparing herself to be a good wife for Rey.

Jessica learned to cook, learned to arrange flowers, learned to knit sweaters for the man, she even learned to take good care of the house.

It's sad to hear Lusi say that.

"Are you sure you will be Rey's wife? Even those who have been engaged for a long time can break up. What's more, you guys are just dating?!" cried William suddenly.

William's words made the whole room immediately stop their eating activities, and watched the man closely.

"What are you doing, William? Are you praying for us to break up?" rage Lusi.

"Not really. I'm just asking!"

"Are you asking? Okay, I have answered! I will be Rey's wife later. We love each other!" said Lusi firmly.

Ah yes. Of course, Jessica and Rey's relationship didn't work out, because they didn't love each other. Jessica loves him, while he doesn't.

Unlike Lusi, they both like each other. Maybe they'll make it.

Maybe...

"Love? What do you know about love? Since you like Rey, and he likes you too, you call that love?" William pouted.

Jessica immediately grabbed William's arm gently, asking him to stop.

"What is your problem?! Seriously, do you have a problem with us?" asked Lusi.

"Guys, please. I'm trying to enjoy my food. Please don't fight here," said Gilang who was casually chewing his food.

"Really, what's the problem here?" asked Vera confused.

William took a deep breath then smiled.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make the atmosphere uncomfortable like this. Let's eat, let's eat!" William smiled strangely, then tasted the food in front of him.

Jessica glanced at Rey, who turned out to be looking at her sadly.

Their gazes met, and Jessica smiled faintly.

Rey asked her to hide their relationship, while when he was with Lusi, he just let his lover declare himself as a potential wife.

Alright, Jessica is offended now. Why are he and Lusi so different?

William grabbed Jessica's hand and held it tightly under the table. He turned to the girl and smiled meaningfully at Jessica.

William hopes that Jessica will not be hurt because of this.

Ding dong!

Ding dong!

"Vi ..." called Gilang, and Kevin at the same time.

"Why does it always have to be me?" Vera snorted in annoyance as he left the dining room.

Either way, at least Lusi's cooking is delicious.

Jessica spooned the rawon again into her mouth.

"Honey, eat a lot." Lusi looked at Rey attentively then added meat to Rey's plate.

"Honey?"

That voice?!

Reflex Jessica and Rey immediately stood up and turned towards the voice.

Brian!

Brian--Jessica's sister, looked at Rey, and also Lusi with a flat gaze. He walked closer.

The man stood not far from where Rey was sitting.

"Rey, who is that girl? Why does she call you honey?" asked Brian without preamble.

Oh God, what should Jessica do?

"Let's talk outside!" Rey said after glancing at Jessica briefly.

Brian took a deep breath, then looked down, he closed his eyes while gently pressing the back of his head. The thing he always did when he was angry.

"Are you cheating in front of my sister?" Brian is still looking down. He didn't want to open his eyes yet. His hands were still busy massaging the back of his head.

"Brian, let's talk outside. Please ..." Jessica immediately shuffled trying to pull Brian. However, since when did her younger brother turn into a dashing man. He didn't move an inch from his spot.

Brian opened his eyes slowly, looked up at Rey sharply. Brian pushed Jessica away from him.

"Fuck!" he cursed then hit Rey's face with his fist, making Rey's body fall to the floor.

Everyone immediately stood up, and fortunately, William swiftly restrained Brian's body, which was ready to throw another fist at Rey.

"Wake up, you bastard! I left Jessica for you to take care of! Not for you to hurt! Wake up! This is it! You bastard!" Brian continued to curse and glared at Rey with hatred.

"Brian, please! We'll talk somewhere else," said Jessica.

Brian shook his head quickly, he released himself from William's grip.

"What should we talk about?" he grumbled angrily.

"Brian, you don't understand. It's not Rey's fault!"

Brian smiled sadly.

"So, if it's not his fault, then whose fault? You?" he snapped.

Rey approached Brian and stood right in front of his brother-in-law.

"I'll be waiting upstairs. We'll talk!" Rey said then headed for the stairs to the rooftop.

Oh, Lord!

Brian looked at Jessica sadly she then immediately moved to follow Rey.

"William, how is this?!" Jessica looked at William confused.

"Let them talk." William patted Jessica's arm lightly.

"Wait, who is he? Why did he suddenly hit Rey? Why did he say Rey was cheating on you? Jess, explain!" Lusi gripped Jessica's shoulders tightly, looking straight into the girl's eyes.

"He's my brother. His name is Brian."

"So?" Lusi insisted.

"Then, just let Rey explain directly to you. I have no right!" said Jessica reluctantly.

Lusi let go of her grip and slumped down on the chair.