Aster Veren
Episode 111

- Esther

It's been two days since that night, and this afternoon I've been preparing to practice basketball. Sean had also been standing next to me to warm up, and Teo standing on the other side had me flanked by him and Sean.

"Before doing the practice of warming up first, Hendric and Tia please come forward to lead your warm-up!" The exclaim of the Tirta pact made the two named men come forward and start leading our warm-up.

"Do it right! Do not let you get hurt because of the carelessness of warming up," he continued to make everyone answer "Yes" in unison.

"... how is Lea now?" Teo's question made me look at him on the sidelines of my warm-up move.

"It's getting better, he's even in class." My answer made him sigh in relief.

"Thank God," he murmured, making me feel grateful because Kalea's condition had improved. Two days ago, he was in a lot of pain.

I also went around looking for hot water for him because the dispenser in the dormitory was broken and the other dispenser had not been filled. Then I ran to the cafeteria, but the cafeteria was closed and made me go to the male dormitory.

Arriving there I could not go straight in because it was detained by the gatekeeper, but when it came out of the gatekeeper's female dormitory there immediately opened the door without much questioning. "Is it because I said I was going to the cafeteria?" I muttered considering the events of the night, still doing warm-up movements.

"What is he sick of?" Sean's voice broke my daydream and made me look at him. I looked straight ahead, watching Hendric warming up.

"That's ..," I replied hesitating to tell him, I don't know if it should be reported to the opposite sex or not. And if it's reported, will he understand? Teo, I didn't tell you.

But if I tell you, they'll understand right away, right? Carel just understood when I told him about Kalea's pain that night, when they didn't understand? They are broad-minded people. My mind recalls my conversation with Carel that night, when he drove me back to the girls' dorm.

I can't forget how Carel reacted that night, he looks sorry for asking. And innocently I answered Kalea with menstrual pain.

When I saw the red hue on Carel's face, I felt ashamed of my own words. And from there I know, that I can't carelessly tell that to the opposite sex.

"What is the pain?" Sean asked again to surprise me, my eyes were back to meet him.

If I tell you, will he react the same way as Carel? I don't want to be embarrassed anymore because of my own words, my mind tries to consider what I have to say to Sean so he can stop asking that.

"Aster?" Asking returned my consciousness, I saw that he was already staring into my eyes. Trying to figure out what I was thinking, I quickly shook my head and looked for another answer to that question.

"No, the proof today is that Lea's already in class." I try to show my best smile.

"Is that so?" He muttered again looking straight ahead after rubbing his gaze at me. Thank goodness he did not insist on knowing about the pain Kalea suffered.

What's the matter? Is he worried about his brother? My inner self when I realized the worry on his face was slowly disappearing.

"I heard from Carel that the boy had a menstrual pain, is that true?" Teo's whisper surprised me and reflexively turned to him with a hot feeling on my face.

How could this kid say such a shameful thing with his wall face? My mind could not say anything in surprise at the strange reaction given by Teo.

***

- That's it

"You found Tomi?" I asked when I saw him coming into my study with a file in his hand.

Though I've got a clue as to where the man went from his housekeeper, Hans. But none of my subordinates have reported Ansel's whereabouts to me right now.

"How come they haven't reported until now? Is it as big as the city we live in now?" My gerutuku feel annoyed by myself for not finding the annoying man.

How could he run away when I was a little careless for my wife? And again, Arsel also did not know where his brother went. He must have gone quietly so that no one could find his trail.

But strangely, why did he ask Hans for help in finding a plane ticket? That's how the boy told Tomi where his employer went, but when investigated by my men I sent to drag him in front of me. My mind while holding my chin, trying to think from Ansel's point of view.

"Hah~ looks like I know what happened, Tomi booked me a plane ticket for tonight's departure. I'll see him!" I said after a long sigh while thinking about the fate of my men who were beaten up by Ansel.

I forgot that guy was crazy fighting. And I foolishly entrusted Ansel's arrest to them.

"Good sir." Said Tomi while hurrying after keeping the file in her hand on my desk.

***

- Ansel

"... Don't strain like that, I won't eat you. Just relax." I said to the five men in front of me.

"Eat, I deliberately treat you. You must be tired from the long journey, right?" I try to show my best smile.

"But tuan–" said one of them making me reflexively cut off his speech.

"You don't want to eat it?" I put a little pressure on them.

"Have us a meal!" Say them all at the same time and immediately eat the food in front of them.

"Thank you for your kindness, sir, this is so delicious." The others continued with their teary eyes, seeing as they suffered while following me in this foreign city.

How many days have I been in town? I also kept on working with them by traveling to difficult places so they couldn't contact Ian. My heart was also moved when it saw their determination to meet me and talk to me. But I always avoid them and put pressure on them that they can't handle. Until I finally gave up and got them on my side.

Yep! I made them betray Ian my way. What way? Of course by inviting them to join me on my vacation, sightseeing, shopping, eating and having fun. Good offer for them, right? Moreover, they do not have a life partner.

"A–anu sir, do you have no intention to return?" Ask a man who is sitting opposite me.

"Yes? Do you have no intention of returning? Sir Ian must have been waiting for you." The man sitting next to me.

"You dare ask me that now? After you guys had fun with my money?" I asked them to shut up and glanced at each other.

"... hmm, how is it? I'm still at home here ... What if I don't come back you'll be in trouble? But, didn't you guys betray Ian?" I asked to make their expressions change in an instant, their faces looking deathly pale with their blank gazes. It's nice to see their expressions that look scared like that, I haven't bullied people like them for a long time.

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Thanks for reading...