EMBRACE YOU: Presence & Poison
Episode 193

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“But Bee, if you tell me to come to my own senses with the letters in this photo instead of that rich investigation?” I looked up at him, still with my chin on his arm.

Bayu let out a long breath and replied. “So. I told Benny it was a bad idea! I mean, my girlfriend is a little less sensitive—”

My reflex hit his hand so irritated that it stopped his speech. Jayu laughed out loud with my reaction.

“No darling. Just kidding. But really, if it is rich that means the proposal is in investigative mode, the romance is gone.”

“But by the way where are we? Whose home is this?” I asked to remember that the house in front of us looked empty and dark.

“You don't remember, Boo? The photo I gave you this morning, this is his house.” I was shocked and immediately sat straight up looking at him. My heart beats with pleasure.

Can't believe Bayu took me this fast to his house. Is this the house we're going to live in after we get married?

Bayu chuckled at my reaction, he then pulled me again and hugged me tighter. My head was leaning against his chest, hearing his soothing heartbeat.

“Boo, because tomorrow I start work and will probably be very busy, so keep it like this.” Soft whisper.

I nodded and returned his embrace, wrapping both of my hands around his stomach to be able to return his embrace. Closing my eyes when this position made me very comfortable.

The night breeze did not feel a lonely cold, but it felt cool and soothing. The sound of swiping leaves and branches accompanied the silent atmosphere between us. Both of Bayu's hands wrapped around my body warmer, as if he wanted to protect me from the night wind.

.

..

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“...It will be better, I count on you guys. Good. See you.”

Faintly my consciousness began to gather, my ears heard very clearly Bayu's voice speaking on the phone.

For a moment I fell asleep earlier in his arms, his left hand still holding me, resting my head on his shoulder with his right hand busy playing his phone.

I blinked to get used to the light around us, still under the tree, still with the night breeze but from the tone of his speech earlier somehow sounded rushed and worried.

I decided to get up and sit straight next to him. Bayu only glanced at me at a glance and continued his rush to contact someone.

“Yaa it's me, I need help tonight too.” I frowned looking at Bayu's extremely tense face. Looks like there's a problem.

“As I thought, I sent it last night. They're moving fast. Yes, dad told me. Can not be delayed any more, even until the morning can not! Okay, thank you.”

I shut up, listening to Bayu talk on the phone. Don't know who he called or what happened.

“What's up?” I asked quickly after Bayu kept the phone away from his ear.

“Boo—”

“Yaa?”

“Wait a minute.” Again Bayu had to receive another call making me have to wait patiently again.

I don't know if actually, what Bayu said next changed my life, changed my identity, changed my future plans. The normal life that I imagined drifted away, not allowing me to touch it.

Not knowing what fate toyed with us this time, but what I do know for sure is that I have to face another side of life never imagined before. Something bigger will start.

“Ya yes? What's up?” I ask impatiently.

Bayu shifted his gaze from the phone that no longer rang because of the incoming call, now he clasped my hand to help me stand up.

After we stood face to face, Bayu with a serious expression and worried that he looked at me deeply, I think he did not expect to say this but he had no choice.

“We're getting married tonight too.”

“Hah?! But—”

“Listen.” Bayu slightly lowered his head so that his head could be parallel to me, both hands grasped both hands, from the way it disturbed just I know Bayu was very nervous.

“When last night at the hospital you said you were going to visit your real father, I expected that they would move because you showed up in the Danendra family, so I devised a plan but did not expect they would move so quickly.”

“Say more clearly! I don't understand!” I said half frustrated.

“What today did your father say something to you?”

“You mean? About my family's origin?” Bayu nodded.

“So all this time you also know?!”

“Not only you, but my family is also.” Bayu's answer made me frown deeper.

Bayu let out a long sigh, like he was trying to neutralize his nervousness. Then Bayu stood up straight and turned around to look at me.

“Since long ago, Jeremy's family was the middleman. Whether it's a boy or a girl, surely one of my family has taken a job as a soldier. I thought it might be some kind of promise that my family wouldn't stop being soldiers, but it's not entirely like that.”

There was a pause before this man continued. “If your family are royal descendants in the past then my family is royal warriors in the past.”

I frowned, between not believing and not understanding. Hearing Bayu's explanation just sounds like a fiction. It's modern times, but today the father and Bayu say the same theme.

“As time went on up to this point, I never thought there was another life on the side of society today, but in fact there is.”

“I don't understand.” Bayu turned around, looked at me and smiled a little and stepped closer to me.

“During this time, Rey, Max, Alfred and the people who targeted you, it was all because they came from the same place as us. From the beginning they knew you were Evano Danendra's daughter. Rey who wanted to harm you got a shortcut through Daniel. Knowing that Daniel wants you to do it too, Rey

capitalize on that moment.”

“So that reason Rey always bothers me? Why didn't you tell me?” I demand an explanation.

“Because I have no right to tell you first. Your father was the one who had to say it the first time.”

“For me it's the same.” I answered folding both hands over the stomach, somewhat annoyed at him.

Bayu seemed to be sighing softly, he slightly lowered his head to align with me and said. “No darling. Like it or not this problem you should know from your father.”

“So from the beginning you already knew I was the daughter of the Danendra family, you approached me—”

“Don't get me wrong for that problem!” Bayu looked at me seriously, both his hands clutching my shoulders.

There are unflinching prejudices about our reunion, or about the attitude of Mother, Rasha's father.

“If you think I'm seeing me again after all these years because I know you're from the Danendra family then it's a big mistake. I've known you for a long time as Icha, the woman I know loves her.” Bayu's firm and serious voice without turning his gaze made me a little relieved.

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