20 Years Adrift
Chapter 25. My soul mate

Bimo has been Affan's assistant for almost ten years. He knows very well what his boss is. Often Affan reminds himself not to stare at a woman for more than five seconds.

Bimo also did not dare to refute it because if you think about what Affan said there was a point. A man will be easily tempted by women. After looking at his face for sure he would look at the other parts that made him imagine things that he shouldn't.

"Sorry, Boss. I won't dare to look at Madam for long." Bimo apologized immediately.

"Hm." Affan looked at her flatly.

Bimo took his bag and pulled out some files, a marriage book, and also an ATM card for Aira. All of them were items ordered by Affan.

The official marriage book made by the religious affairs office does not yet have its second signature. For that, Affan asked Aira to sign the marriage book.

'Dad, mom. May this marriage last until death do us part. The circumstances that forced us to marry without being based on love. But I sincerely live it.' Aira spoke inwardly while holding back her tears. He didn't want to look sad in front of Affan and his assistant.

After this, the two have been confirmed in a legally and religiously valid holy bond. Aira gives Affan her ballpoint pen to sign the marriage book on his behalf.

Just like Aira, Affan also hopes this marriage will be his last marriage. No matter how difficult the road they were going to take, he would try to maintain this marriage.

'You are the woman God chose for me, Aira. When my heart cannot see the beauty of a woman, He presents you to me. Right now my heart is still empty, I believe you are able to fill this void with your presence. Although I also don't know how long it will take me to receive you.' Affan looked at Aira's face, and vice versa.

Bimo looks like he is watching a romantic drama in front of him. His heart felt moved when he saw his boss who had lived alone for a long time finally found his life partner. Maybe if not forced by circumstances, Affan will forever be a widower.

The trauma of loss makes him so closed to women. Bimo witnesses Amanda's waiting, as well as several women who openly offer to be edited by him. Affan remained firm on his stance to be a widower until he really felt sure to get married.

Fate said another, Affan's defensive fortifications collapsed in an instant. The will of God is able to destroy his determination to widen for life. Aira comes as a holy woman who comes to make her believe that God always gives a good soul mate for a good person.

"Ehem! Looks like I'm interrupting the newlyweds who are kasmaran. If there's nothing else to ask, I just want to go home, Boss." Bimo did not feel good to be there.

Affan and Aira turned their faces away and looked misbehaved. Bimo's words made both of them feel ashamed.

"You can go." Affan replied to Bimo's statement after being able to control himself.

"Thank you, Boss."

Bimo glanced at Aira for a moment before he left the room. As a normal man, his heart was envious to see Affan get such a beautiful soul mate. However, he is happier if Affan is with Aira than Amanda who is arrogant and bossy.

'If Miss Amanda is the boss' mistress, maybe I can't be this free. I'm sure he'll be more dominant in controlling the company and making unreasonable rules. Just becoming a director he's been very outrageous.' Bimo monologues in his heart as he continues to walk from Affan's house to his car.

In the family room,

"Aira, this is the ATM I promised you. Every month I would transfer some money. You can use it for your needs." Affan handed him an ATM made especially for him.

"Thank you, Om. Shouldn't I just ask for cash if I need anything?" Aira hesitated to accept it.

'In this digital era, there are still people like you, Aira. Another woman would have been very happy to receive this ATM and demanded her husband to buy her this and that.' Affan looked at Aira meaningfully.

"This is your right, Aira. It's my job to give you a living. You are free to use it, if there is no more, you can make it as a savings."

Aira looked at the ATM with a raging feeling. So far he has not carried out his obligations and feels it is not appropriate to take away his rights. Not wanting to disappoint Affan, Aira also receives and stores the ATM card.

"I'll keep it, Om. I will use the money as necessary. Thanks."

Affan.

"I want to go clean up my things and bring them to my room, Aira. Please take this laptop to the guest room, I'll take your laptop to the room."

"Good, Om." Aira leaves Affan with Faya's laptop.

Affan stopped his activities and stared at Aira's departure from the reflection of the glass until it was not seen.

In a cafe,

Amanda was sitting alone enjoying a cup of coffee. After meeting the client he did not return to the office because Affan did not enter today.

On weekends the cafe is very crowded. The music of the band playing there is so entertaining. Amanda was dissolved in a sad song.

A man came near her. His appearance looked arrogant in an eccentric shirt.

"Hi, Miss Beautiful! Can I sit here?"

Amanda looked at him unblinking, she felt like she had known the man. As he tried to remember it, the man had already sat down and placed his cigarette on the table.

****

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