Blooming At It's Time
²⁶ Nights For Him

Everything that happened yesterday went very smoothly. Even Alora helps Alden to lie to Giri. So, no one knows that Alden met Shella and instead left Alora home alone from Bali. Things went smoothly, but somehow Alden was still agitated. Seeing Alora who looked fine, even more made Alden feel uncertain.

Now, when he had just entered his study after the meeting, Alden immediately nodded his temple. Lately there is a lot to think about Alden, not to mention his work problems. Alden let out a long sigh, then opened the door of his study and found Kenzo who hurriedly stood up to greet him. Alden clearly saw a big question mark on Kenzo's face, but the man didn't say anything.

"Lenzo..."

"Yes, Mas?"

"Try.you're here." Alden swung his hand, calling Kenzo to approach him.

Kenzo who does not know anything, so anxious and immediately think of all his actions that might look wrong in the eyes of the boss. Kenzo rubbed his sweaty hands against his pants, as Alden patted him on the shoulder. Alden slightly gripped Kenzo's shoulder, making the owner even more afraid. In Kenzo's heart wondered, "Gustiiiii, opo meneh iki?"

"You.. Have you ever? feel like a jerk?"

"Where is mas? Fucking people?" Kenzo rubbed his hand against his pants again. Suddenly his hands did not stop sweating. Even his temple was already in cold sweat, upon hearing Alden's question. Kenzo laughed crisply, confused as to how.

"Hehehe... Mas Alden, I'm sorry if I was wrong." Kenzo looked down sad.

Alden immediately hah-hoh when he heard Kenzo's response. Alden patted Kenzo on the shoulder once to make him calmer.

"not you! I just feel... guilty again?"

"Huh? What's Mas Alden doing wrong?"

Alden did not answer Kenzo's question directly. He scratched his forehead twice, then looked at the curious Kenzo. There's no way he's telling Kenzo his personal problems. He should never have talked about anything with Kenzo. Alden began to regret his decision.

"Well, there is."

"Yes, if Mas Alden feels guilty apologize, Mas."

"The answer is not entirely wrong. But..."

"So it's wrong or not, Mom?"

Well, Alden was already regretting his decision to talk about this to Kenzo. He let out a long sigh, looking at Kenzo who could not possibly help him think. Then Alden shook his head, patting Kenzo on the back.

"Have it, don't think about it. Back to your desk." Alden said, then re-entered his study.

Office hours were running out, and Alden was still sitting in his chair staring blankly at the roof of the office space. Though he had a lot to take care of, but today Alden was not wanting to touch the work in the slightest. It looks like Kenzo will be overtime again today, thanks to an ignorant boss like Alden. In between Alden's daydreams, his phone rang. Alden immediately confirmed his sitting position when he saw the name listed on the phone screen. Sandra, her most cherished sister-in-law called.

"Hello?"

"Where is Alden? You home?"

"Yet. Maybe in a minute. Why, San?"

"I'm just as willing to go home, yeah. Want a birthday surprise for Alo. Did Alden buy cake?"

Alden immediately gasped, then checked the calendar to be sure. Shit, today is really Alora's birthday. And Alden forgot about it, even since morning he didn't say happy birthday to Alora. The husband does not know himself. His guilt feelings for Alora multiplied rapidly.

"Oh... Already! Uda... Yeah..." Alden scratched his head without itching, so confused to answer Sandra. Her sister-in-law must have thought that she was preparing something for Alora. Just remember not.

"Hm... I still have a little business. Hm... Later if it's on the way home, I'll tell ya, San."

"Judek. It's still waiting for Harsa, too. Oiya, Brother Alo also came home late today. Take it easy, brother."

"Okay, San."

As soon as the phone disconnected, Alden hurriedly left, no matter if the office operating hours were not over. For now, let Alden skip. After all who would want to rebuke the President Director? Kenzos? The man instead cried in silence for having to overtime again tonight.

Alden immediately went to some boutiques, and just showed his finger, some paper bag wrappers were already in his hands. From Gucci, Channel, Cristian Dior, to Louis Vuitton. Then she rushed to buy a birthday cake for Alora. Let him spend a lot of money for now, Alden also wanted to atone for his guilt towards Alora.

Once at the Apartment, Alden rushed to clean up Alora's room, so it was not visible if they slept in separate rooms. Some items that could raise questions were also hidden. Alden put the cake he had just bought into the refrigerator, making it look like it had been prepared. Alden also checked his finger to make sure he was wearing his wedding ring.

❖❖❖

Sandra suddenly called Alora, only to ask when she was going home. Alora is pretty restless by a phone call from Sandra. Alora did not even have time to chat with the doctor she was visiting. There is little suspicion of Alora, that Sandra and Harsa will hold a surprise birthday for her. Which can't happen in Alden's apartment. Especially if Alden doesn't know about this. Even Alden had no idea that today was Alora's birthday.

Alora sped up to Alden's apartment door. After opening the door, Alora was immediately startled by the screaming sounds of some people she knew. Alora's guess is right, Sandra and Harsa are indeed planning a surprise for her. But, how could Alden take part in this event? The man even stood in the middle while carrying a cake.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Alora looked at Alden, asking for clarity. Noticing the big question mark on Alora's face, Alden let out a crisp laugh. The man glanced at Sandra, then said, "Happy birthday my wife!"

Alora was almost nauseous to hear it, lucky she didn't vomit.

"Why did you come here?" Alora asked Sandra and Harsa.

"It's not good if it's not loved!" Sandra.

"Make a wish!" Alden poked the cake with a lighted candle.

Alora closed her eyes for a moment, then blew out the candle on the cake. Sandra and Harsa clapped their hands while cheering cheerfully. Alora just smiled looking at the two that she missed so much.

"Sir Alo see. Greetings from Alden's sister." Sandra pointed at the many paper bags aligned near the sofa.

Seeing such an expensive item, Alora almost dropped her jaw. He turned to Alden, again asking for an explanation. But the man was not clear. Alora did not understand what possessed Alden. Though this morning Alden did not say anything to Alora, but tonight even the living room was decorated in such a way.

"Cut cake! Cut cake!" Harsa sings in a sombre tone.

Then, everyone gathered around the middle room table. Alora had already distributed the cake to each of the people. While Sandra and Harsa admire the taste of the expensive cakes they eat, Alora draws near to Alden to whisper.

"My room is done?"

"Udah. Aman."

"This is Sandra's plan?"

"Hm. I went straight home when Sandra called."

"Want to. You'll forget it's my birthday."

"That's... Yeah, sorry."

Alora squeaks, then eats the cake. Shortly after, Alden's phone rang. Without intending to peek, Alora had a chance to see the name on Alden's phone because he was sitting near the man. Without warning Alden immediately got up and went into the room to pick up the phone. The one who called her that night was Shella.

A little while later, Alden opened the room door and immediately exchanged glances with Alora. It was as if she was waiting for Alden to open the door. Alden did not say a word, but the look on his face was enough to describe everything. Alora nodded in understanding and then gave Alden a cue to leave.

"Uh... Sandra, Hansa..."

"There, Al. Opa nungguin." Alora cut Alden's sentence, as the man was about to excuse Sandra and Harsa.

"Who? Where's Alden going?"

"Open just called. There's gotta be something important." Reply Alora.

Alden sighed, looking at Alora who had already taken a look. Alora had to lie for her. Intention to make amends tonight, instead replaced by increasing guilt. As if he could not dwell, Alden immediately left the three brothers while apologizing several times.

Alora watched Alden, until the shadow of the man disappeared from behind the door. On a special day for Alora, Alden just left. Today there were both times Alden left it for the sake of Shella. Despite feeling disappointed, Alora was unable to do anything. More precisely, he did not want to because he had already agreed to their promise. Alora had to keep her promise not to interfere. Alden wasn't his from the start. And from the beginning, Alden's night did belong to Shella, not Alora.

❖❖❖

Alora Happy Birthday.