Blooming At It's Time
²⁷ Nights For Alora

Ever since Alden left Alora alone in Bali, day after day the man was getting stingy showing the trunk of his nose to Alora. Every morning, Alden ate breakfast quickly and then rushed to work. Sometimes Alden came home late in the afternoon, but immediately went again to approach Shella of course and usually just came home almost midnight when Alora was asleep. Alora was only able to chat with Alden, when the man worked late and went home before midnight. Even on weekends, Alden visited Alora more often. Well, Alora could only accept all of Alden's attitude, she never once protested.

This might be an advantage for Alora, as she takes care of herself more. It's just that she's really missed Sandra and Harsa, because she's been so lonely lately. This morning Alden ate quickly and hurriedly left the dining table, even though the tie was not installed properly. Alora realized it, but she chose silence and let Alden with his somewhat messy appearance.

"Oh yes, today is not the announcement of your appointment?" Ask Alden suddenly. The man even returned to the dining room, when it was already close to reaching the doorway.

Alora is quite surprised by Alden's memory which, it turns out, is very good. Even Alora had almost forgotten that she had told Alden about it.

"Yes... I'm not necessarily going up." Alora said, then gobbled up the breakfast that was almost gone.

"Aren't you qualified?"

"Don't want to hope."

"Why? Don't be that pessimistic!" Alden looked at the clock on his left wrist, and said, "I'm sure yesterday that you've gone up in office!"

Alora smiled slightly, until invisible to Alden. Then Alora got up from her seat, to approach Alden who was wearing his shoes. Alora patted the man's shoulder without saying a word, so Alden was a bit surprised when he saw Alora already standing very close to him. Alden also did not say a word, but a large question mark was clearly drawn on the look on his face.

"Your body is not real." Said Alora, while fixing Alden's tie is still messy.

Alden could not lie, his eyes were clearly staring at Alora very calmly, even when the woman was not looking at him at all. Alden also could not hold his heart to pound more and more strongly. He didn't know how to calm the thump, so Alden ignored him. The man simply looked at Alora without turning back, until the woman was done with her affairs and looked back at Alden.

"Thank you!" Alden smiled knotfully, then immediately left Alora who was still standing in her place until the apartment door was completely closed.

Alora took a deep breath and waited slowly, feeling somewhat disappointed with Alden who had left her so quickly. Never mind, after all what could she expect from this pretend relationship? Alora could not hope for anything.

❖❖❖

Alora decided to put aside her personal problems once her feet stepped into the office. This morning the MR staff were busy chatting with each other, and Alora knew why. This morning they will be gathered for the annual meeting and promised the announcement of a new supervisor.

"Al!" a beautiful woman who has long been Alora's co-worker most klop waved at Alora, asking her to quickly sit down at the desk. "Where? Ready to be SPV?" he continued, just as Alora was about to drop her ass into the chair.

"Haha! Don't do it! I don't want to hope." Alora laughed softly

No need to wait long, his superior has called the MR staff to gather in the meeting room. At that time, the Assistant Manager started the meeting as usual. He focused the staff on everything discussed until the meeting was over. Then the Assistant Manager began to announce a new supervisor who will take over.

"Okay now the long-awaited part is yes!"

The whole meeting room started cheering while clapping. Not a few of the staff who began to tease Alora, because indeed no one is able to work as hard as Alora. According to his colleagues, Alora does deserve the position, even more so Alora managed to exceed the target. Thanks to Kala, or maybe thank you for marrying Alden.

"Congratulations..." The Assistant Manager deliberately gave a pause, then called out a very unexpected name, "Jere! The congress!"

At that time also the whole room frenzied, mutually suhut-push. Some laughed happily, congratulating Jere. The other few whispered to each other while looking pityfully at Alora who was just smiling and clapping. While Jere, the man whose name had just been mentioned, could not hide the euphoria.

Even though Alora seemed fine, believe me in the depths of her heart, the world seemed to collapse. Alora had sacrificed that much, she was already flattered not just by her colleagues, even by her current Assistant Manager. But it all turned out to mean nothing. Alora had exchanged glances with her Assistant Manager, but the man immediately turned and left the meeting room. Feeling the need for an explanation, Alora rushed after her Assistant Manager.

"Sir? Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Why, Al? I have an appointment."

"A little while, sir."

The Assistant Manager was heard sighing, but Alora did not care. He was still following the man until the two of them walked into the deserted Assistant Manager workroom.

"Sir, I feel the need for clarity. Why am I not the chosen one?"

"alora. The decision is not in my hands either."

"The father himself knows my performance. My target was also achieved, more than Jere. We just talked about it at the meeting. What's the reason, sir?"

Alora watched her Assistant Manager who was clearly disturbed by the protest that Alora had made. But for now, Alora ventured to ignore the feelings of others. He needed to vent all his emotions that had been sufficiently harbored for so long.

Like being struck by lightning in a hole, Alora froze speechless. Even the man before him also looked panicked, as if he had said something that should be a secret. Alora's been asking questions all along. Why does he always feel isolated, eliminated, even small discrimination that he often ignores. His emotions did not subside, but rather peaked until he wanted to curse great.

"eeehh... Alora's..."

"That's the reason, sir?"

"Alora. I know your hard work. That's why we want to keep you here. Anyway, with your diploma, it's gonna be hard to get another job, right?"

Then Alora nodded in understanding while bitterly laughing.

"Sir, I'm not the lucky one to work here. Lucky company has already hire me."

"You mean?"

"Tomorrow my resignation letter. Thank you." Thank you."

Alora did not beat around the bush, she immediately left without waiting for a response from her former Assistant Manager. His footsteps moved quickly, even the comrades who greeted him passed by. Alora just wanted to quickly escape from this reality. He packed his potluck, then left without a word.

On the side of the road, Alora stopped a taxi, then climbed into the passenger seat. When the taxi driver asked for his destination, Alora almost answered his old address. Alora immediately calls the address of Alden's apartment, and darts in her taxi. Alora looked out the window, watching the passing vehicles. Though in the car there was only herself and the driver, but Alora felt her chest was very tight.

Several times Alora took a breath and sighed, trying to calm her chest that seemed to be pierced many times. His tongue was a little mute, but his throat hurt like a big stone. Alora held back as strongly as herself to not cry. At least now Alora should be grateful for having a place to escape from Sandra and Harsa. So Alora does not need to show her difficulties to her beloved sisters. Enough of him to face this.

❖❖❖

It was getting dark, and Alora was still laying on the sofa in the living room while watching the television blankly. Even when the sound of the door opening, Alora did not move in the slightest. He was already convinced that the one who came was Alden, and he had also thought that soon there would be a phone going into the man's cell phone.

"Hello?"

Right, huh? Alden spoke on his cell phone as soon as he arrived. Even the man had not been able to enter the room. Let it go, Alora is not willing to care about anything.

"Al's? I'll go first."

As expected, Alden had always been.

Alora did not reply, she let out a long sigh then changed her position to sit down, after a long time. Alora took a few breaths and sighed a few times, starting to get annoyed with Alden's attitude. Perhaps not to be spelled out completely, she was more envious of Shella who had a person like Alden. Just once, Alora wanted to know what it was like to have someone.

"Every once..."

Alden stopped to look at Alora, who was staring straight at the television.

"Can't you... once.... You don't go?"

Not quite enough anymore, but Alden was really surprised by Alora's words. Seeing Alora's unusual look, Alden felt uneasy. With a feeling of worry, Alden slowly approached Alora and sat down next to her.

"Why? You got a problem?"

"Well, I just don't want to be alone."

"mmm..." Alden nodded immediately, feeling that something had happened during the announcement of the promotion this morning. Alden did not want to ask about it, because he felt he already knew the answer.

"It's over, Al. I'm done." Alora took a deep breath and then swallowed it long. The pain he had ignored was again present, forcing his tears to flow. But with all her calm, Alora held the circle back so as not to fall. Both of the beautiful beads were wet with tears.

Realizing that, Alden further locked his lips. He took off his suit, then patted Alora's back gently. At that very moment, Alora's tears spilled even without a warning from the owner. Alora, who had reached her limit, covered her face with her hands and cried. Alden carried the tiny body into his arms, still patting Alora on the back. Now, Alden decided to accompany Alora, letting the woman sob until her heart was relieved.

In the evening, Alora poured out all her emotions, disappointment, and anger in Alden's arms. The woman did not miss a single second of the events that plagued her mind. His mouth was long, while Alden was listening. That night, Alden gives himself whole only to Alora.

❖❖❖