EMBRACE YOU: Presence & Poison
Episode 132

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Today is Saturday, my job is only for half a day and I have to hurry home to get ready for the family meeting later in the afternoon. My plan, aided by Aunt Yuan and Aunt Nuri, will be carried out.

Earlier this morning the two had reported that they had managed to convince some elders in the mother's family to attend today. I invited them all to have a meal together this afternoon with the theme of the event that I would introduce my girlfriend to them.

For the past few days, despite the fuss my cousin asked me who my boyfriend was and they thought it was Henry because of the engagement that mom was preparing.

Mom hasn't called me at all even though I'm having this event. I don't know what you're thinking, but I'm sure you're planning something for Henry to introduce as my future fiance.

I was ready with a short-sleeved maroon-red knee-length dress mixed with a long brown blazer. A touch of natural make up and 5 cm black strap heels complemented my appearance. Then my hair was deliberately tied to a ponytail to add to the impression of confidence.

My ears hear the sound of car horns outside, it's the sound of Bayu's jeep. I rushed out the room not forgetting to bring a paper bag containing a change of clothes and shoes and my sling bag because it was his plan after this meeting, Bayu would take me to the top, attending his grandfather's event.

When I got out the gate and locked it, I heard the sound of the car door closing. As soon as she turned around, Bayu was already standing before me with his smile.

Today he is dressed neatly in jeans and a black t-shirt that is combined with a maroon red suit. Her hair was also neatly combed and I could smell the masculine fragrance of her perfume.

“Cantics.” Her praise was short but her eyes did not stare at me.

I chuckled softly and then grabbed her hand to walk towards her car together.

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“Honey, are you nervous?” I asked Bayu who had been in the car silent since.

Bayu glanced at me and obviously he was nervous. I didn't see the smile he used to make for me. “It's more nervous than when I had to scout.”

I chuckled and pulled her hand to embrace her towards the entrance of this luxurious restaurant in front of me. Only guests who have made reservations can enter.

Then a waiter drove us to a special room that was deliberately ordered so that Bayu's introductions were more formal. From a distance I could see Aunt Yuan with Uncle Ben chatting in front of the closed door.

The two brothers realized our arrival and stopped their conversation to welcome me.

“Icha! Long time no see!” Uncle Ben stepped closer to me, I smiled broadly at his embrace.

“Uncle, aunt, introduce this Bayu.”

These three people held each other and introduced themselves. “Surely uncle's nephew often troubles you ‘kan? You have to be patient.”

I grumbled to hear Uncle Ben's tearing as usual. Bayu glanced at me and replied. “Because it's used to it, so it doesn't matter.”

Both of these men laughed. I just watched them shake.

“Ayo Icha sign in. It's your mother and Daniel who haven't come.” Aunt Yuan held my hand. I nodded and followed him to enter into the closed door before us.

As I imagined when I entered there was a round table in the middle of the room with twelve chairs surrounding it. Everyone glanced at me and some of them greeted me directly.

“So who is this? Let's introduce you to us!” Gina and Lina's voice sounded excited.

When everyone was seated, a silent moment surrounded this room. They all looked at me, waiting for my welcome.

I sighed softly trying to normalize my very fast heartbeat. Now I'm also very nervous.

“First, thanks to grandma, uncle, aunt, cousin, everyone present here.Actually Icha just want us to gather and relax eat together all Icha want to introduce this man.” I couldn't help but smile as I glanced at Bayu who was sitting to my right.

There was a seductive voice from the twins Gina and Lina. “All this Bayu.”

Bayu smilingly stared one by one at eight people in front of us.

“Not to be nervous.” Uncle Ben patted Bayu's back slowly, the man sitting to Bayu's right smiled widely and he started to introduce.

“That's Fina's grandmother, next to her is Rina's aunt, Fina's grandmother's sister.” Aunt Fina looked a little smile welcoming Bayu.

“Then there are twins Gina and Lina, auntie son of Rina.”

“Halo to Bayu!” They greeted in unison which made us all chuckle softly.

“Then next to the twins there was Darius a distant cousin Icha.” Darius nodded at Bayu, the one year older man from me was still the same as before, not saying much.

“And you already know Yuan, he's my brother. Then this last one is Pia, my wife.” Uncle Ben introduced the last two women.

I glanced at Bayu, this guy still looks nervous and he doesn't talk much. “Good afternoon grandma Fina and all. Sorry for introducing yourself too late. My name is Bayu Christ Jeremy. Nice to meet you all.”

“This is really your girlfriend, cha?” Grandma's resolute voice made the room instantly quiet and tense.

Grandma Fina is the elder of the mother's family, I'm not surprised that you must have told me about my engagement plan with her. That cold gaze was staring at me sharply as he sipped a cup of warm tea in his hand.

I can feel the mother nature is on Grandma Fina. “True nek.”

“Grandmother heard she is her fiance daughter Alexander.”

“They are no longer engaged. This is also the thing Icha wants to confirm to grandma that Bayu is her boyfriend Icha.”

“Then grandma heard about your engagement to Henry. How about that?”

“Atragement ceremony? I never knew about it.” I said sound as darn smooth as possible. Grandma looked carefully, as if she was looking for a lie from my eyes.

“You don't know? Your mother is busy preparing for it and you don't know?!”

“Mother never said anything about engagement.”

“It's already gone! We'll wait for his mother and Daniel to confirm.” Aunt Pia touched Grandma's hand on the table, trying to melt the atmosphere of the room.

“I want to order.” It was the voice of Darius who started to open the menu book. I let out a long breath as the atmosphere was not as strong as before.

Then I felt the warm palm of Bayu clutching my clenched hand on my thigh. I turned to her and she just smiled as if she was calming me down.

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