VIII. I'm starting to like you

In the dining room, Steve's mother couldn't stop smiling at Lyra. "Lyra, please help Auntie to take care of Steve. Sometimes he's so hard to manage," said Steve's mother. Lyra nodded and glanced over at Steve. "Mom, I'm not a kid anymore. You don't have to ask her to watch over me," Steve said.

"It's okay Steve, you think I don't know how you behave and what your habits are. It's also good to have someone who can watch you when Mom isn't around," Steve's mother said, smiling again at Lyra.

"Yes Auntie," answered Lyra. Steve shook his head and refocused on his food. "If he argues, just pinch his cheeks, Lyra," Steve's mother said again.

"Okay Auntie, if he argues I'll pinch his cheek," said Lyra nodding. Steve's mother is very happy to see Lyra at her house, since childhood Steve was always picky about friends. Especially with girls, he wants to be friends with only boys. Steve told his mother he wouldn't go near any woman other than Lyra and what Steve said has been proven by him.

"Steve, dad will be home in 3 months from America." Steve stopped chewing his food and was silent for a few seconds. Steve knew his father would not approve of his relationship with Lyra, because his father in the past and present makes absolutely no difference, really liked wealth and luxury. The past that happened will soon repeat itself. "Pretty good news," Steve replied curtly.

Lyra felt a little strange hearing Steve's answer. "Did he have a problem with his father?" Lyra thought.

After eating, Steve got up from his chair and went to the library to finish his work. Lyra was eager to ask Steve about his father's return, but she is afraid of being considered to interfere in Steve's family matters. "Lyra, later you will deliver coffee to the library for Steve. Auntie will make coffee in a moment," said Steve's mother.

"Okay, Auntie." In the library room, Steve was busy doing his work while calling Lexa. "Hello, Lexa. Is there a problem at the company? And yes, what about the assigned work? Are you finished?" asked Steve.

"Hello, it's done, sir. today all work is done faster and there is no problem in the company for now," replied Lexa.

"Ah, well. Please tell all employees, when their work is done, they can go home immediately," said Steve.

"Very well sir. Thank you." Lexa put her phone back down, she was still a little annoyed with Steve telling reporters that Lyra is his girlfriend. "This can't be allowed, I will snatch Steve from her. How pretty is she?" Lexa thought.

Lyra came to the library with a cup of hot coffee made by Steve's mother. Steve's house library room is very luxurious and there is one of the glass cabinets filled with trophies from top to bottom. She put the coffee on the table and approached Steve. "Steve, the work you gave me earlier at the company I have completed and I have transferred it to the flash drive before leaving the company."

"Okay, sit down and accompany me to work here," said Steve.

"Fine Steve, but I can't stay here long." Steve nodded in understanding and refocused on his work.

The sun began to set, Steve drove Lyra home, and don't forget to say goodbye to the mother who owns the orphanage. All the way home, Steve thought about how his father would react when he saw Lyra and was still wondering who had published the photo of him with Lyra.

"I have to find out tomorrow and tomorrow is Sunday. I can't meet Lyra. I better spend some time with her tomorrow. It's not hard to find the person who posted the picture anyway, I can track it tomorrow night," said Steve with a sigh.

Arriving at home, Steve's mother keeps praising Lyra's beauty. Steve who listened to him felt proud because he had a very beautiful lover like Lyra. "Will he come here tomorrow? Tell him to come, I want us to eat together again," said his mother excitedly.

"I don't know if she's busy or not tomorrow. But I will call her," Steve said. He took out his cell phone and called Lyra. "Night Lyra, can you come to my house tomorrow? My mother wants to eat together again tomorrow, can you come? I will pick you up if you want."

"Night Steve, I'll think about it. I'll let you know later," Lyra replied.

"Ah, all right. Good night, Lyra..." Steve said.

"Good night too, Steve." Steve turned off his cell phone, his heart beating fast like he wanted to jump out again. He walked into his room and climbed into bed. "I hope our love story isn't as short as the past, Lyra."

***

Lyra approached the window of her room and looked up at the clear night sky that was dotted with stars in the sky. Lyra felt very happy today, even though there were a few obstacles to deal with. But the obstacle wasn't as bad think.

"What's wrong with me? Am I starting to like him?" Lyra thought. She climbed into bed and closed his eyes. "If he and I were together in the past? Then why don't I remember him?" Sleepiness brought Lyra back to dreaming.

A bright white light carried Lyra somewhere. Lyra opened her eyes and saw a very luxurious room and she saw two people sitting on the bed. Lyra was curious and drew closer to the two people and the faces of the two men resembled hers and Steve's.

"I feel like I'm in another dimension, very interesting," Lyra thought.

The two of them were seen having fun. From the food, Lyra concluded this dream happens in the morning. "Let's eat. Surely you haven't eaten," said the man who looked like Steve.

"No, sir. It's Mr. Steve's breakfast. I don't deserve to eat your breakfast," said the woman who looked like Lyra.

"It's okay, let's eat together." The man shared the sandwich with the woman. "But, sir...."

"It's okay, let's eat." Finally, the two ate together and the man gave half his milk to the woman. But the woman politely refused and finally drank half a glass of milk too. "Lyra, later if you deliver breakfast for me tomorrow. Just make less. You have breakfast at noon, it's best to eat something for the morning, do you understand Lyra?"

The man's words exuded a very deep sincerity. To the extent that it made Lyra feel awkward, even if she only heard it.

"You'd better go, you said you still have other work right?" said the man again.

"Yes sir, I understand, and thank you for understanding, excuse me," said the woman hastily leaving the room.

The white light brought her back to his senses. When she opened his eyes, she hurriedly looked for a book and a pen to record his dream.

***

"Steve, I don't have work today," Lyra said into the phone.

"Okay, wait a minute. I'll pick you up," Steve said and hurriedly changed his clothes. Don't forget Steve told his mother that Lyra was coming. "Good, mom will make snacks and delicious food later. Go and pick her up quickly, don't make her wait long," said Steve's mother with a smile.

Lyra looked out her bedroom window and saw a black car had stopped. She rushed out of the room and ran to open the door for Steve. "So fast," said Lyra.

"Yes, where is the mother who owns the orphanage? I have to say goodbye to her first," said Steve.

"She's going to the playground with the orphanage kids and I already told her that I'm going to your house today," Lyra explained. Steve nodded and Lyra immediately locked the door. On the way, Lyra's eyes kept staring out the car window. Her mind was still busy thinking about last night's dream and the strange feeling of being around Steve.

Was it necessary for her to confess her feelings to Steve now? For some reason, the answer she gave yesterday seemed to be forced by circumstances. "What are you thinking Lyra?" asked Steve.

"I was thinking about how to say how I feel when I'm around you and I'm so nervous to say it to you in person," answered Lyra.

"Take a deep breath and then exhale. Just say it with the words that are in your head," Steve suggested. Lyra nodded in understanding and took a deep breath and breathe out. "So I have a weird feeling when I'm around you and I realize I'm starting to like you, Steve."

The speed of the car slowed, and Steve fell silent hearing Lyra's expression of feelings for him. Lyra blushed and turned her face toward the window. "This is so embarrassing, I shouldn't have said this kind of thing," Lyra said.

"It's okay, the important thing is that you dare to be honest with me," Steve said with a shy smile. Upon arriving at the house, Steve's mother immediately greeted Lyra's arrival. "Glad to see you here, Lyra. Auntie will cook food and make delicious snacks for you," said Steve's mother.

Steve and Lyra entered the house. Steve's mother had previously suggested Steve do something romantic to win Lyra's heart completely and Steve agreed to her mother's suggestion. "Lyra, do you want to see the flower garden? Incidentally, the area behind my house was made a flower garden by my mother."

"Really? I want to see that flower garden," said Lyra excitedly.

"Through this way." Steve led Lyra to a door leading to the back of his house. Steve's mother who watched from a distance was delighted to see the two of them finally meeting and becoming lovers again.