Chapter--14

Arriving at the store, Sophia immediately got off. She knew very well that Shaka was a busy person, that's why Sophia didn't want to waste a lot of the man's time just to take Sophia to the store.

"Thank you," Sophia said politely.

Shaka just kept quiet, at first he didn't want to stop by Sophia's flower shop. But seeing his father-in-law who seemed to be waiting for the owner of this car made Shaka snort. Moreover, Sophia immediately got out of the car and Shaka followed her quickly.

Sophia turned her head in surprise, and she looked at Shaka with a look that was hard to interpret. "Why did you come down?" Sophia asked in a whisper.

"There's your dad, remember our plan!"

Sophia nodded, and she immediately took Shaka's hand gently. Moreover, Shaka seemed to be guiding Sophia who couldn't walk straight.

"Dad." Shaka greeted them when he arrived in front of Sion.

To launch his plan well, the man also had time to shake Sion's hand. At least the impression must be good, if later Sophia and Alcand are proven to be in a relationship, it will make it easier for Shaka to part with Sophia.

"Shaka... you're here."

Sion looked surprised to see his son-in-law coming together with Sophia. As Sion recalled, Sophia went together with Alcand to see the cafe that was going to be built. But how could Sophia go home together with Shaka? Then where was Alcand?

"Yes, why Dad? Why are you so surprised?" Shaka said curiously. Although he already knew what was on his father-in-law's mind. "I was out shopping with Sophia. And she asked me to take her to the store." he continued.

"I-yeah, it's okay. Go in first Shaka."

Shaka couldn't help but enter the flower shop, he looked around the shop with narrowed eyes. There was nothing special in this shop, most of the contents were ready-made flower arrangements. There are also some flowers still in large containers that are still fresh. Maybe it's because of the air conditioning that the flowers look fresh.

"Sorry, Shaka, there's only water. Sophia didn't tell me that Shaka was here."

Sion returned with a car of mineral water for Shaka. He also took out Sophia's leftover cookies that were neatly stored on the shelf of the cashier's desk. These cookies were Sophia's favorite and she said they were very good. She didn't want to share with anyone including Sion. And this time Sion deliberately took out these cookies for Shaka.

"That dad...," Sophia whined knowing her cookies were being served. Not to be stingy, but the problem was that it was Sophia's favorite, how could her father forget?

Sion just smiled, he also asked Shaka to enjoy this makeshift dish. If you don't mind, maybe in the afternoon Shaka will stop by Sophia's house for dinner together.

"But-" Shaka stopped his words when he thought of something. He also looked at Sophia who had shaken her head slowly, as if Sophia didn't want Shaka to come to her house just to have dinner together. Of course, that immediately made Shaka smile a little with his head down, "Okay, Dad, after this we go home together to Sophia's house." He continued making Sophia's eyes want to fall out of place.

What the hell!!! Sophia thought.

***

The woman couldn't figure out what Shaka had in mind this time. Did he make a new plan that Sophia didn't know about at all? At the very least, if Sophia wasn't supposed to know, Shaka should have at least warned her that this was something other than their original plan. And again, coming to Sophia's cramped house was not what Shaka wanted. Sophia knew very well that Shaka was not the type of person who wanted to be invited anywhere unless she wanted to. Not to mention Sophia had to lie to Petra about this afternoon. Where Shaka asked Sophia to say what the man ordered. Where Sophia was with Shaka and not with Alcand. And for some reason, Sophia thought that Shaka's arrival at Sophia's house was just an excuse for Shaka to make her father believe. If Shaka was with Sophia all day and spent time together. Even though what happened was not what they wanted.

"Sophia, come here, let's eat together," said Sophia's mother, Lita.

Sophia, who was on the front porch, sighed roughly. She got up from her seat and entered the house, seeing a dining table that was already full of many kinds of dishes. Likewise, Shaka had changed his clothes into Sion's clothes that fit his body. I don't know what was going through that man's mind, but it made Sophia's head spin. He was a classy person but wanted to sit opposite a poor person like Sophia.

"Let's eat, your husband is already hungry," Lita ordered again.

Slowly but surely, Sophia acted like a wife. Getting food for her husband and also serving him wholeheartedly. Not forgetting to smile forcibly in front of her parents, so that they would think that the relationship between Sophia and Shaka was fine and going according to their wishes.

If they had known, Sophia and Shaka's parents would have been disappointed with what they were doing.

"Here... what else do you want?" Sophia asked to make sure.

"Hmm, chicken."

Sophia nodded, she took one piece of fried chicken and gave it to Shaka. Not only that, Sophia also got a few pieces of shrimp for Shaka.

Feeling already with Shaka. Sophia chose to sit in front of Shaka and enjoy her food slowly. Occasionally looking at Shaka who had a changing look on her face. Could it be because of her mother's cooking? But according to Sophia, her mother's cooking is very delicious and unrivaled. It's just a matter of tongue, maybe it's true that everyone has a different tongue. If Sophia thinks her mother's cooking is delicious and incomparable, that doesn't mean Shaka thinks Sophia's mother's cooking is good, right?

The atmosphere of their dinner was quite awkward, Sion and Lita just looked at each other sleeping and more. Likewise, Sophia and Shaka were just silent enjoying their food. No one talked to each other or exchanged stories on this one day. Whereas what happened in the past was that almost every day they told each other stories while enjoying their food. Either horror stories, or maybe sweet stories of the day to everyone. Not only that, Sophia often invited Lala to have dinner with them to make it more crowded. But this time the dining table was as quiet as a grave.

The clink of spoons made Sophia look at Shaka quickly. She also saw that her husband had just finished his food without leftovers. This is the first time Sophia has seen Shaka eat so well, could it be because she hasn't eaten all day?

"I'm sorry I finished first," Shaka said.

"It's okay Shaka, we're done too," Sion replied with a simple smile.

Shaka smiled, took a piece of tissue, and wiped the corner of his lips. Not only that, Shaka also asked Sophia to clean up the dirty dishes, not to let her mother-in-law clean up the dirty dishes. He already had a wife and things like this were usually done by his wife.

"Shaka-"

"It's okay Mom, it's Sophia's job." Shaka cut in quickly.

Lita just sighed softly, then asked Sophia to clean up everything quickly. This was the first time Shaka had come to her house for dinner. Not only that, Sion was very happy to see Shaka who had no differences at all. This house wasn't as big as Shaka's, and even when Sion offered to come over there was a sense of apprehension that Sion felt. He was afraid that Shaka would refuse because he was uncomfortable. Sophia's home cooking was also a hundred percent different from Shaka's luxurious home cooking. Every meal had meat and other dishes. Here there was only chicken and some other vegetables.

"Thank you for the banquet," Shaka said politely.

"Shaka doesn't need to be like that. We are family, don't feel shy," replied Sion unpleasantly.

"That's right, you are also our son. So please don't say that." Lita continued.

Shaka just silently watched each of their expressions that looked friendly. He remembered how his mother treated Sophia at Shaka's house, while at Sophia's house alone Shaka was treated like his own child. I don't know what it was about this feeling that made Shaka suddenly feel claustrophobic.

The man stared for a moment at the kitchen, where Sophia had just arrived with half-wet hands. The man smiled expectantly, then asked Sophia to sit beside him.

"Tonight I'm going to stay at this house," Shaka said suddenly.

"What!!! Why is that!!!" Sophia spontaneously shouted.

Sion and Lita looked at Sophia in surprise. Sophia should be happy that her husband could stay overnight in this house. After they got married, they rarely saw each other except at the flower shop.

"Why Pia, is there a problem with Shaka staying here?" asked Sion in surprise.

"Yes, why Phia, I don't think you've been home since you got married except at the flower shop," Lita added.

Sophia frowned, she looked at Sion and Lita with a look that was hard to interpret. It wasn't like that, Sophia liked to stay over at her mom and dad's house. But Sophia can't sleep in the same bed as Shaka. You know, Shaka was allergic to Sophia and would ask Sophia to sleep on the couch. Sophia's room is not like Shaka's room which has complete facilities, in Sophia's room there is only one bed, a medium wardrobe, and also a small table. Even if they had to sleep separately, it was clear that Sophia would sleep on the floor.

"I mean, I-"

Sophia stopped what she was saying when she felt something touch her shoulder. Shaka put his arm around her shoulder and rubbed it gently.

"Why honey? Is there a problem if I want to stay at your parents' house?" Shaka asked with emphasis.

To Be continued