Aster Veren
Episode 167's

- Kalea

The time was already 05:00 p.m., and I was still watching Aster finish his work.

He looks enterprising and serious, until I dare not disturb him. Though I wanted to make him rest for a while, that was the reason I came to see him. But my arrival only made him rest for half an hour, the rest he resumed his work when Hans came to see him with a pile of files.

Though he's the one who asked me to make Aster relax a little. But he also made Aster work hard. Stupid hans! My gertutuku curses that one waiter.

"For tomorrow's meeting schedule, please step back to daylight." Aster's voice on Hans who was standing next to him.

"Well miss." The man replied that it made me even more upset with him.

"Please stop talking about work while I'm here ..," I muttered in annoyance as I grabbed the cold cup of tea in front of me.

For a long time the child can be like a father. I don't want to see Aster exhausted from having to take care of all of dad's work. Even though his age is not much different from mine, but why does he have to work so hard? And again Hans! You're really hiring minors know!

Tok tok!

The sound of knocking on the door came back, I can guess who came. Wh who? Who else if not Mila, Aster's personal servant.

I saw the door slowly open displaying Mila's figure, as I thought. But, why did he not bring anything this time? Whereas previously he brought snacks and warm tea for Aster for three hours.

"What's up Mila?" Aster asked looking at the waiter seriously.

Oh, this time he's already called all the servants by his name directly huh? Apparently you have grown a lot huh .., my mind feels proud of the change.

I don't know, for me calling the servants names is something that should have been done. But, because Aster has a soft heart and is quite naive. He did not dare to call an older person by name directly, whereas in any family tradition. An employer need not be too kind and treat them with special. Because they can be rude to their employer because the employer is too naive.

By omitting the word "Sister" in their name alone, the change was already as drastic as this.

"I got curious about their response when I saw Aster change for the first time." Continue muttering.

"Master has arrived, miss." The servant's words made Aster hurry and finish his busyness. I who heard the news of my father's return also immediately followed Aster to greet the head of the Veren family.

***

"Welcome, father," said Aster, making him look at her cynically.

What was? Why is his reaction like that? My mind wondered when it saw that father's uncharacteristic reaction. Normally, the father would immediately hug Aster and expel everyone around him to spend their time together.

"But–what am I seeing?" I continued muttering, doubting my sense of sight.

I saw Aster also looked strange, his expression was not surprised by such a change of father. Did she know that you would react to her like that?

"Bring all my things into the room" said the father, making the servants hurry.

"Lea? You're here?" Then dad immediately approached me and passed Aster just like that.

"I–iya, I came to meet Aster ...," I replied still unable to distract me from Aster's back which seemed to tremble slightly. Did she–cry?

"Dad what are you–"

"Then father, I'd better go eat before resting." Aster still showed a smile that bothered me, while father only gave him a glance.

"Let's go Lea." Invite me more confused, do not you have to take Aster too?

"Le–lea has to go back to the dorms now dad." My words stopped my footsteps, I saw my father turn around looking at me with his slightly wrinkled forehead.

"... ah, you're right. Then are you also going with Lea?" Said the father after being silent for quite a long time, seen working hard to remember something. And what surprised me was how I talked to Aster.

"No. I can't go back to the dormitory" Aster replied looking calm. I am so confused and almost crazy right now. What exactly is going on with those two? Has their relationship deteriorated? Or, is Aster angry at dad for not being able to come home early during school holidays yesterday? And you had an accident?

Nah! Where could that be, right? If Aster is angry, you normally try to relieve Aster's anger, right?

"Then I'll drive you." Said my father immediately walking back towards me, intending to go towards the exit of the house.

"Tu–wait for dad! Lea came with papa's private driver. Dad's not–"

"I'll keep dropping you off. Let's go, you eat first." Cut the father while glancing briefly at Aster.

***

Arriving at the academy, my father immediately said goodbye and left me. I who was still confused by what I saw in the Veren residence stepped into the gate of the female dormitory.

"... That was really crazy."

"True, I thought their engagement was real. Turns out ...,"

"What are they talking about?" I muttered when I heard the whispers of two girls passing by me.

"Leaaa, are you back?" Shouted Tia while waving her right hand at me, "how? Is Aster okay?" Continue when I get near him.

"Yes, he looks good even though his body is shrinking." My answer was to recall Aster's body that looked thinner than the last time I saw him.

"really?"

"From that, have you heard the news of Carel running amok on his fiancee?" Nadin asked cutting Tia's words.

"Really! I heard their engagement was cancelled because Carel already knew of Lusy's family's bad intentions to his family. And ...," Clearly Tia paused her speech for a moment.

"I heard, the Alterio family came to the Lusy family residence to make calculations with them. And Ansel's uncle taught them lessons mercilessly." He whispered in my ear.

"really?" I was so surprised by what I heard. And suddenly a sense of relief invaded my heart, I don't know. Maybe it's because I don't feel like Aster has to worry about Alterio's family relationship with his family anymore.

Thank goodness that fear did not happen. Nor did he have to continue the drama he made to keep Carel away from him again. My mind remembered Aster's adorable expression while smiling, and the shadow had subconsciously made me smile with relief.

.

.

.

Thanks for reading...