20 Years Adrift
Chapter 36. Threats

Aira cupped her hands together not wanting to come into contact with the male guest.

The man pulled back then with a feeling of disappointment.

'This time I was rejected by a woman. I'm getting curious.' The man continued to glance towards Aira.

"I'm Roland. I'm Affan's schoolmate too, although you know I look younger and handsome." Roland spoke while sniffing his shoulder.

'Narshish!' inner Aira.

They sat down and the room was quiet again. Aira was unable to get along with anyone she had just met. Moreover, he is a man.

Bi Sumi who had worked for Affan for a long time did not seem to know Roland well. Aira was more and more convinced that Roland rarely visited this house.

"I feel a little thirsty, can you get me a drink?" Roland started acting up.

Aira glanced towards Bi Sumi. Actually he wanted to ask for another ART to take but he did not know what they were working on.

"I'll take it for a while" said Bi Sumi.

He walked out of the room to get drinks and snacks for Roland.

In the living room there was only Roland and Aira. For a moment the atmosphere became quiet. However, it did not last long as Roland immediately opened the conversation.

"You look young, how old are you?" ask Roland.

This question made Aira feel uneasy. The guest should not ask personal questions outside of business. He thinks this is disrespectful.

"Eighteen years old," Aira replied with a feeling of reluctance.

"Waow! Affan is the same age as me and his wife is the same age as his daughter. This is an amazing thing. Em, wait!" Roland shifted his seat closer towards Aira.

Aira inched away until she moved to the single sofa but Roland was still chasing after her.

"Please take care of your manners, sir. I am a married woman." Aira took the sofa cushion and hugged her.

The shadow of Rehan who wanted to harass her again flashed. Seeing Roland's spirit, he recalled the dark night. The night where he finally had to marry his best friend's father.

Roland felt riled up by Aira's attitude. He thinks his attitude is too excessive. He has lived abroad for a long time adhering to the principle of freedom.

"Don't be so mean to you Aira! I know you married Affan just for wanting his property. Just wait if Affan's treasure runs out, I'll make you bend your knees at my feet." Roland spoke with great anger.

Bi Sumi appeared with a tray containing drinks and snacks. Along with that Affan's car appeared in their yard.

Bi Sumi was surprised by Aira who changed seats and looked sad. He also looked at Roland who was sitting in a different place.

'Something must have happened while I was going to the kitchen. I feel a bad feeling from Mr. Roland.' Bi Sumi muttered inwardly.

"Mas Affan has arrived. Excuse me for going back first. Please in the drink." Aira got up from her seat and left the living room.

Bi Sumi stared at Aira's departure. He stood beside the sofa to greet Affan's arrival and replied if the master asked.

After saying hello, Affan looked around for where Aira was. Bi Sumi immediately explained that Aira had just gone inside after seeing her arrival.

Affan shook hands with Roland and immediately talked about the business affairs they would run together. Affan had no idea if Roland had no intentions of being kind to him. They looked so familiar as a friend who had not met for a long time.

'End your company Affan. I'll bankrupt you as soon as possible.' Roland smiled wickedly as he looked at the painting displayed on the wall of the living room to distract .

In the other room, Aira was crying. He is very worried about Affan's company and is afraid if the men's threat becomes a reality.

I don't know how long he's been standing in front of the window daydreaming. Aira was surprised when Affan suddenly came and hugged her from behind.

"Mas Affan," cried Aira quietly.

His face looks so tense. He was afraid that Affan would see the remains of his tears. It was impossible for him to remove it now.

"What is it, Aira?" ask Affan gently.

For a moment he looked at Aira's face. His right hand extended forward and grabbed the cheek of his little wife.

"What are you thinking? Why are you crying? Did someone hurt you?" continued Affan.

Aira seemed to be thinking. His round eyes twitched as he stared at Affan's face.

"There's nothing, Mom. I'm just daydreaming." Aira didn't mean to lie to Affan. He waited for the right time to tell me what he was going through today.

Affan did not believe it right away. The look in Aira's eyes said something different to what she said. Now he thought about how to make Aira want to share her grief.

****

Connect ....