EMBRACE YOU: Presence & Poison
Episode 139's

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I pulled her shoulder closer to being able to hug her tightly. I loved this position, as I hugged her shoulder and rubbed the back of her head up to her back neck. Like this I was protecting her.

“Do not be upset again yes. I promise I'll avoid the next task if it's too heavy.”

“So you've given up?” Bayu's voice sounded sulking.

I smiled and shook my head. “No! I will still find another way to complete the task.”

“You're a dazzling stubborn woman. Will be free to argue to ban you.”

I laughed when I heard the answer. “You always understand me.”

Now I began to feel Bayu's hands hugging my waist, pulling him so that there was no distance between us.

I could clearly feel his heartbeat. Although the air around us was cold but Bayu's body temperature was warm and it made me feel at home to embrace him like this.

As happened in the parking lot that afternoon, this man was trying to find the gap between my shoulder and jaw, the tip of his nose and forehead touching the skin of my neck. His behavior like this makes me nervous and tense.

“Darling, it looks like we should get married soon. I want to always get this hug every time. It's very convenient.” My heart is beating fast and my face is heating up.

“Do I start something again??” I asked doubtfully and sounded ambiguous but I could hear Bayu's ruckus.

“Did you just realize it now? I'm not sure you're that innocent.”

Now my face is really hot. Not knowing whether to agree or deny it. The only way to avoid the awkward atmosphere because our conversation ended with me was that I had to reply.

“So you like plain women? Or yang—“ My speech stopped because Bayu immediately let go of his embrace. He looked at me with a red hue on his cheek.

“Hahaha. Oh my goodness it's so funny!! Look at this, your face is blushing! I have to photograph it!” I laughed complacently, quickly grabbing my phone to open the camera app.

Bayu grabbed my phone quickly and kept it out of my reach.

“Hahaha. Okay, let's stop this! As the atmosphere will get more awkward and our chat becomes more and more strange, it is better that you return to the villa immediately before any other participants see.”

“Why? Aren't you curious about my answer?” His serious face made my laughter stop instantly. His deep gaze looking at me made my heart beat even more.

“This is not good for my heart!”

“What's not good for you? You sure you don't want to hear which one I like better, hm?” Bayu smiled little. He was teasing me.

With full force, I managed to get out of her confinement and somewhat move away from her. I wish someone would save me from this atmosphere.

“Hahhaa. Alright. I'm not gonna tease you anymore. I'll be back now.” Bayu laughed and stood up, his expression was back to normal and he was looking at me gently now.

“Don't overextend yourself and don't worry about anything.” He said as he leaned over to kiss my forehead.

I was still silently staring at the spot, looking at Bayu who was laughing as he turned away towards the exit of the villa.

Until his figure disappeared there, I remained silent looking at the empty air for the next few seconds.

His presence that originally equipped me now no longer exists. There is a real emptiness I feel.

***

In fact I couldn't sleep anymore after Bayu came back because the villa maid told me she was making porridge which Dr. Stefan had ordered.

At five o'clock everyone is awakened and must immediately follow the instructions given. The princess had looked at me in wonder because she saw me who was ready and did not look sleepy like the others.

So when the second assignment is given, I'll come along.

We're all going to the top, to see the sunrise. An instructor directed us to warm up first before leaving.

Since most of the women here are from the military so it is not difficult to get everything together.

“What do you think? What is our second job? It is impossible just to see the sunrise ‘kan?” The princess whispered to me as we walked hand in hand following the instructor in front.

I'm shaking. “Maybe they will read it at the top later, when we are all off guard.”

“Then from that, we should not let your guard down now.” I nodded, agreeing with the Princess's words.

But during the climb to the top, I didn't see anything suspicious. We reached the top in thirty minutes. High rocks as our foothold overlook the view of the hills and the city.

It turns out that we are not the only ones who will enjoy this sunset, the men have already arrived at compare us.

As I thought, my eyes met Bayu's serious gaze. Just a few seconds and he turned his eyes back.

Is Bayu angry because I'm acting?

I wanted to approach him but did not dare even though everyone here was greeting each other between men and women. Bayu asked me to use a samara here for sure he's up to something.

My worries were scorching to hear people clucking in awe at the sunrise where we were standing, so beautiful with rays that began to illuminate the expanse of the city before us.

I yawn slowly feeling sleepy now. My body also warmed up in the morning sun.

I secretly glanced at Bayu, the man was also looking ahead. His serious gaze was also his face that was glowing from the sunlight, although I saw it from the side and a bit far away but I felt that at the moment he looked dazzling, like I was new to the man.

From the corner of his eyes, Bayu realized I was watching him so quickly I turned my eyes to avoid him. This kind of behavior makes me want to laugh.

Then our attention was all distracted hearing the greeting from behind. I turned to see an old man in sports clothes and wood in his hand smiling at all of us. Despite being old, a man's body looked fit, his slightly narrowed eyes grew increasingly invisible as he smiled. There was a man walking beside her with a stiff face.

Almost everyone here saluted, me and some people who were not from the military just silently watched.

“Hohoho, how? Are you guys happy? The sunrise here is very beautiful.” He walked more and more to the front row.

“Ya sir!” People are hard and excited. I smiled a little, I felt nostalgic hearing these people answer, reminding me of my being active with extracurriculars in Junior High School.

“Quiet! You relax. Don't be too stiff.” Again he smiled happily.

Looking closely, there is a line of his face that reminds me of Bayu. Sure was! It must be his grandfather.

“That's the elder Jeremy. He is famous for being friendly and likes to joke.” The princess whispered to me. I nodded, maybe Bayu's ignorant genes came from his grandfather.

“All right everyone please listen! Elder Jeremy will announce the task to 2!”

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