Aster Veren
Episode 21

- Arshel

This morning I went to take Aster to school with Eric before we went out of town to finish my work there for a few days.

I've also contacted Tomi to bring the boy home when Aster is home from school.

"Looks like the lady's feeling has improved huh ...." Eric made me take a deep breath when I remembered my conversation with Aster the other day.

I'm trying to make him believe that his father doesn't hate him. Even the mother also tried to convince him to believe it, the mother said she would do everything possible to make the sister acknowledge Aster as her daughter and forget her relationship with Claretta and her daughter.

"Difficult fight ...." I muttered as I remembered Aster's sad face, even he fell ill.

"But thank God he can come back like before." I continued when I remembered her adorable expression this morning.

"But I feel a little worried about the child you are calling .. Can the lady get along with her? Anyway the kid's pretty annoying." Eric reminds me of Carel.

Carel is a boy from the Alterio family whom I call to be Aster's playmate as long as I'm not home.

The boy was indeed quite annoying and often made me troubled, usually he would come to visit suddenly without telling me first, then make a fuss and interfere with my work by breaking into my cloth and paper designs.

But lately he rarely visited, and I heard he was being punished not to go out of the house by Mr. Alterio who is none other than his father.

"I hope they can get along, after all he can't possibly trouble a younger child than him right?" I said again sighing tiredly after remembering all Carel's mischievous behavior.

"But they are both third-rate masters ...." Eric told me the reality I've been trying to bury since last night.

"Well I almost forgot it .. the kid really ...." I can't continue my own words.

"I hear Mr. Ansel will also meet with the lady the day after tomorrow, have you heard?" Eric was still focused on the wheel.

"Yes, this morning I called. It seems like he asked brother to meet Aster and talk to him .. I had no intention of allowing him to meet Aster, but for the sake of their relationship. I have to give my sister a chance to get to know Aster further ...." Obviously, I was watching the view outside my car window.

"Hopefully the relationship of Mr. Ansel and Ms. Aster soon improves." Eric made me glance at the rearview mirror, I saw he was already smiling widely.

I hope so too .... My inner.

***

- Esther

This morning I was escorted by my red uncle and Eric's uncle to school. Then the uncle also said he would not go home for a few days until his work was done.

I felt a little lonely .. But uncle said the boy would come to my house to be with me.

But is it okay to bother him? My mind wondered as it recalled my conversation with red uncle this morning.

Uncle says he's a 9-year-old boy, third grade Elementary same as me. But why did uncle ask him to accompany me at home? There is Hana's sister.

"He's not gonna stay, is he?" My murmuring along with the bell coming home from school rang, making everyone in the class scatter out of the classroom.

But now my eyes could not escape the sight of Kalea and Nadin who had walked towards my seat.

Looks like they're bothering me again .... My mind feels fear for itself, even my palm feels cold now.

"What's a–ada?" I asked when they got in front of me.

"Don't approach Nathan's brother!" Kalea almost snapped at me.

"near?" I don't understand.

"I saw you with brother Nathan this afternoon ...." Obviously Nadin while glancing after breaking the table in front of me.

"Eh? That's .. I just drove him to the library to see the principal." Obviously, when I remembered the incident earlier this afternoon, I didn't even think that Kalea and Nadin saw me with Nathan's sister.

They don't usually care much about my presence, but why?

"You sure you're just accompanying her to the library? Didn't you guys have lunch together in the cafeteria?" Kalea asked sharpened her gaze.

"You know if Kalea likes Nathan's sister?" Nadin asked with a sharp look.

"I–no ...." I replied in a tremble, and I saw that Kalea's eyes were already glazed over.

Strange ... when I am the one they disturb, why would Kalea want to cry? Inner wondering.

"Hiks .. Anyway you can't get close to Nathan's brother anymore!" Kalea firmly along with her falling tears.

"Wait for Lea!" Nadin screamed when he saw his best friend running out of class crying.

"Basic ganjen! look out for Nathan's brother again!" He continued, pushing my body until my back hit the edge of the table, and I saw that he had run after Nadin.

"Ssh.. pain ...." I felt a pain in my back.

Is it wrong that I helped Nathan? My mind is upset by itself.

I accidentally ran into Nathan's brother, and he asked me to drive him to the library as a sign of my apology for accidentally bumping into him. Then at lunch too, it was a solicitation of Nathan's brother and not my invitation .. Why did Nadin say I was odd?

I accepted his invitation because Nathan said it was his thanks because I wanted to take him to the library.

***

"Miss?" The driver's voice made me look at him, I saw a beautiful woman standing next to him.

"Aster huh?" Ask with a thin smile.

"Yes." Yeah." Answer me while nodding.

"Make Claretta's aunt, Kalea's mother. Today I want to talk to you for a minute, do you want to come with me?" The question made me look at the driver.

"Said red uncle Aster must go straight home when going home from school ...." I don't dare look him in the eyes.

I don't know why I feel like his gaze is the same as Kalea's. She is Kalea's mother. "Then how about we just talk in the car, is it okay to wait outside for a moment?" It just makes me a little surprised.

I thought he would give up and leave me .... My mind while looking at the nod of the driver who looks disinclined at him.

"Come." Aunt Claretta let me in.

With a heavy heart I also entered the car followed by Aunt Claretta who was sitting next to me.

"What does aunt want to say?" I just can't be patient anymore.

"You're Kalea's friend, right? I heard you were Ansel and Helen's children. I've also heard that your mother is dead, I'm sorry ...." He said with a sad face made up.

"Did auntie know my mom?" I'm just not able to turn away from him.

"Yes of course, she is a good woman and can make Ansel fall for her, but simultaneously she is also considered a bad woman by Ansel." The answer made me flinch.

How can you think of your mother as an evil woman? wasn't my father evil because he wasn't next to me and my mother all this time? My mind wondered while remembering all the moments with my mother.

"I came to see you to say something else not to tell your mother's past. Do you know that Kalea called Ansel father?" Aunt Claretta's question made me nod weakly because I was jealous of Kalea who was always picked up by my father.

"I intend to make him Kalea's father, it means we will marry and you will be Kalea's half-brother ...." He continued explaining while glancing at me with a gaze that was hard for me to explain.

"He?" I was very surprised to hear his words.

Father ... Aunt Claretta? Kalea .. became my half-brother? I continued in my heart can not dwell.

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Thanks for reading...