Chapter 37. Goodwill

It was already 22.00, Anna who couldn't sleep decided to take a walk in the backyard. Dave had been sleeping since earlier. She just wanted to breathe the night air and relax her mind a little.

Suddenly a silhouette flashed from inside the house made her gasp, but it was only seconds before a man appeared behind the back door.

"What are you doing outside this late, Anna?" a deep male voice was heard, it was Nicho.

"Come in, the night air is very cold, and it's not good for your health," added Nicho again and then approached Anna while taking off his tuxedo and covering Anna's shoulders.

The woman gasped, "It's okay. Let me do it."

"Come in. I don't want you to get sick," said Nicho.

"Let me be here a few more minutes, I just want to relax a bit, Nicho," Anna replied then sat down on a lounger in the backyard.

"Dave already asleep?"

Anna only responded with a nod.

"Hmm, okay. Have you eaten?"

Nicho cleared his throat and then sat next to Anna with his arms stretched out on the back of the chair.

Anna was silent at the man's question. The last time she ate was only this noon, and never after. She didn't know, she didn't feel hungry at all.

Seeing the woman was silent, Nicho took another deep breath, "Wait for me here," he said and stood up.

Anna just nodded. Leaning her body relaxed while looking up at the star-studded night sky. Occasionally the wind blows her long hair, caresses her long neck which looks very white and smooth.

Only a few minutes later, Nicho returned with a box of food in his hand, as well as a bottle of drink, just a glance at Anna could tell that it was Wine. Suddenly her memory raced back to that moment. Where everything that happened to her at this time began with a sip of alcohol.

If only she hadn't entered the bar at that time, maybe she'd never met the man, and none of this had happened to her. Hmm, never mind. Everything has happened, regretting it is useless.

"What are you thinking?" asked Nicho right after landing his body right on the bench next to Anna.

"What's this?" Instead of answering the man's question, Anna asked back while pointing at the box the man was carrying.

"Your favorite food. I bought it on the way home."

The woman did not respond, she then opened the box and found the satay in there. Again, it doesn't seem like she's in the mood at all. After all, it was her favorite food.

"Eat, I'm full," said Nicho.

Even though Anna wasn't hungry and in the good mood, out of respect for Nicho's gift, she just took one skewer and ate it.

"Again," said Nicho when he saw the woman closing the food box in her hand again.

"I'm not hungry, Nicho."

"Would you like to eat something else?"

Anna shook her head.

"If you continue like this, you will get sick, Anna. Think Dave, you have to take care of your health," said Nicho as he took a sip of the drink bottle that was already open in his hand.

Anna turned to the man next to her, "Give it to me too," she said, reaching out to grab the bottle of wine.

"No," said Nicho firmly.

"Come on Nicho, just a little."

"No Anna. Your stomach isn't filled with anything yet. I asked you to eat but you want this drink instead? No, I won't allow it."

Anna grunted in annoyance.

"Finish it," said Nicho while moving the tip of his chin, as if pointing at the food box in Anna's hand.

"No, I'm not hungry."

"Okay, I'll feed you."

Reflexively Anna stood up from her position. "Later, I'll eat it if I'm hungry."

"Promise?"

Anna nodded.

"Okay. Then sit back down," said Nicho again while patting the space next to him, slowly Anna returned to her original position.

After that, there was only silence, both Anna and Nicho, they lost in their thoughts.

Until several tens of minutes passed, Nicho cleared his throat slowly. "Next week I'm leaving for Australia."

Nicho's sudden statement made Anna immediately turn to the man. "Australia?"

"I have some business there," Nicho replied. His voice sounded a little reluctant.

"How long?" she asked.

"Maybe two or three months? I don't know, when my business is done, I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Do you mind if I go for a while?" Nicho asked again.

"I can take care of myself too, and Dave, you don't have to worry about us," Anna replied. "Going that long, is it okay with your company?" she asked again.

"I hope so. After all, what I want to do there is also for the sake of the development of my company. You know, a newly-developed company like mine needs to spread its wings to compete with other big companies," explained Nicho, taking a deep breath.

"You want to open a branch there?"

Nico nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, if I have free time, I will go home even if it's only for a day."

"No need. You just focus on your business. Finish it and go home. Don't let me and Dave get in your way."

"I told you to stop thinking like that, Anna. I don't like it."

"I asked you to stay here, with me. Just because I was willing to help you. Besides, I also don't like living alone in a house this big," added Nicho again, his voice sounded very different from before.

"I-I'm sorry."

"That is, too. I don't like hearing that word from you."

Anna was silent for a moment, not knowing what to say.

"I'll hire a babysitter to help you take care of Dave," said Nicho when he didn't get a response from the woman.

"No, I..."

"And I don't accept Anna's refusal, what's so hard about accepting good intentions from me?" said Nicho, cutting the woman's words.

"While I'm gone, I don't want you to be bothered, especially if something happens to you and Dave. I don't want you to get tired and get sick, and neither does the kid," he added.

"I'll also hire a private tutor for him. And you can't refuse. I did it for Dave, not for you."

Anna wanted to respond but failed, every time she wanted to speak up, the man always preceded her, making her instantly speechless.

"Regarding your needs, I will send money every week to you."

"NO!" Instantly Anna spoke out loud, refusing firmly. "You've given me a lot, Nicho. Not only that, but you also don't let me do anything," she added.

Nicho's brow furrowed faintly, "Don't..."

"Don't refuse? No Nicho. As for my needs, while you are away, it will be my own business," now it was Anna's turn to cut the man's words.

"You think I feel comfortable when I continue to accept your help? We don't have any relationship, Nicho. And even we lived together under the same roof for several years. Giving me a ride and living in this house that long is more than enough for me."

"And in advance, I'm very grateful to you, according to your wishes, I will not refuse all your help that you mentioned earlier, except this one," added Anna again.

Downing the bottle of drink in his hand, Nicho then turned to Anna, "You feel uncomfortable like that because we don't have any relationship, don't you? Then we'll just get married," said Nicho looking at Anna seriously.