Aster Veren
Episode 228's

- Ansel

I have the lyrics of a wall clock that shows the time at 03:30 pm, and Aster with Khael has not returned from the outside.

When I called Hans, he just said he'd be back in a few minutes because he couldn't interrupt Aster and Khael's fun time.

I have to admit that the arrival of Kalea with other friends is very helpful, especially lately Aster looks increasingly bored even with Carel and Khael.

... could it be because I didn't allow her to go see the children in Albert County? My mind remembers my morning meal with Aster and Khael.

"I want my relationship and my daughter to improve as soon as possible. But if I act too much, she's definitely not going to like it, right?" I continued muttering while watching the courtyard of the house from the top floor, behind the window of my work space. The weather looked bright even though the sun was already down and almost gone. But the remaining light seemed warm.

Arsel and I have agreed to return to our respective jobs after meeting Albert last night. And now the boy is back preoccupied with his work.

Then, I should also start going to the Alterio residence to report my condition now. If allowed, maybe Ian's gonna hire me back and pull Victor out of his position. But I didn't expect too much from him, he might just pair it with me to solve some of the problems that were bothering him.

"Gear!" As I glanced at him sitting down, he seemed so focused on his work that I hesitated to disturb him.

But, that feeling of doubt only lasted for a while when I saw that time had passed but the children had still not returned?

"Gear!" Call me again, louder than before but also no lower than usual.

"Ya—iya sir?" His response turned to me and began to ignore the files before him.

"Then the boys and bring them all home. It's time for Aster to take a break and do a routine checkup." My word made him rush up from his sitting position.

"Okay, I'll do it." He said before he came out of my office.

Come to think of it, the two of us have never been to Helen's tomb again huh? My mind suddenly remembered my late wife as it looked at the beautiful afternoon sky. Then it turned to memory as Aster and I went to his final resting place before visiting the house of bi Siti and mister Zaenal, the people who had taken care of him before meeting my family.

All the memories of that day began to fill my head now, especially when I remembered Aster's happy expression when I picked up some guavas for him. A warm smile and a brief peck on my cheek back then, it still felt like a dream to me.

His face back then and now was completely different. I've barely recognized him since he showed Albert that expression last night.

Arsel was happy to receive a report from Hans that his nephew had behaved like a Veren.

"He really learned a lot? Then because of me, his life became a mess ...," I muttered feeling very sorry for myself.

***

I stepped both of my legs into the dining room after Eric picked me up. Then I saw, everyone was waiting for me there. Even Alterio's son was still in my residence.

Is he not thinking of going home? How many days has he been staying at my house?

"Good night everyone." I said hello to them all.

"Uncle's night!" Khael exclaimed with his carefree expression, as always.

"Good night dad." Aster lowered his head a little while meeting me.

"Yes, old man's night." Follow Carel with his annoying style of speech, as always.

"Good night, Mr. Veren." The three children I invited because Aster wanted to meet with them, simultaneously they returned my greeting.

"Sit down, and enjoy your dinner." My words made them all immediately occupy their respective places.

Shortly afterwards Hana and Mila immediately served our dinner menu, ranging from fried chicken, soup, beef steak, salad and some other heavy food. Not to forget they have also prepared desserts, ranging from fruits and pudding Aster's favorite.

"How was your day at the Veren residence. Are you able to adapt?" I try to eliminate the atmosphere of silence that feels very disturbing to me.

"Thanks to you, we can adapt well. Then the people in this house are also very friendly." Obviously the girl beside Carel with her faint smile.

"really. Thank you for the comfort you have given me." The man sitting next to the little boy.

"No problem. In the future you can tell me if there's anything you need."

"Thank you, but it looks like we can't stay any longer. Because we have to go to school." The woman said it surprised me a little.

Because of hearing the word school, I became reminded of Aster's education which was stopped because of my problems. Did he not continue his education while living with Tesar?

"A right too." Aster looked sad because they couldn't stay any longer.

"When will you be back?"

"We've decided to come back tomorrow." The woman replied again complete with a faint smile.

"Then, let's spend a lot of fun time before you go." Aster looks more excited than ever.

"It's fun, huh?" Carel's murmuring caught my attention.

I saw that the boy had made a serious expression, staring at the food in front of him, it was obvious that he was thinking hard. Then before long his big smile broke out, it seemed like he had gotten an interesting idea. Even though I don't know what he's planning. But I'm pretty sure, if it was for Aster's sake, it seems like anything he would do with all his heart.

"Stop putting on an expression like that stupid Carel!" Khael exclaimed at me, as did Carel and the others.

In unison everyone immediately looked towards Carel. And that child, he quickly changed his expression and stared intently at the figure of the little boy who had already offended him.

"Pft ...," I muttered trying to hold back my laughter, inexplicably seeing the expressions of those two amused me. Both Khael and Carel, neither of them would budge. Though as I recall, Khael used to be very afraid of Carel. But no matter when, this boy became very brave for her.

"Dad?" The words of Aster surprised me.

"Ekhem! You two stop and continue your dinner." My dehem after calming myself down.

"He started!" Carel exclaimed after snorting bitterly.

"You started." Timpal Khael doesn't want to lose.

"What?"

"Yes! You're the one who started putting on such a disgusting expression."

"Me—disgust?" My murmurs didn't trust my sense of hearing. How could a child seem to be able to say such a thing to a more mature person? Did Arsel teach him?

"Well!" Carel's growl succeeded in making Khael shut up. It seemed like this time he had managed to make Khael's courage shrink.

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Thanks for reading...