Getting Married for Lying
177 - Pamit

Vero had just woken up from sleep, the boy scanned his quiet surroundings.

Not a strange sight for Vero who every day always woke up the last. Although sometimes, only Aria is often found by him as a person who wakes up bad luck, especially on holidays.

"Mother" call Vero.

Vero got up from his bed, he stepped slowly down the stairs. His eyes immediately fell on the adults who had gathered at one of the tables.

Vero immediately approached Vaya and was immediately greeted by Vaya's embrace.

"What's so early in the morning, ma'am?" ask Vero.

Vaya rubbed Vero's cheeks gently while commenting on a gentle smile.

Bu Asih and Aria cast a glance at each other, as well as Vier and Mike who were waiting in a tense atmosphere.

"Vero, I'm sorry, maybe this will surprise Vero, but Vero should know yes, honey," said Vaya.

"Know what Mom?" ask Vero.

Vaya really felt doubtful, the words he had been trying to put together were as if frozen at the end of his tongue.

Especially when the gaze of his eyes and Vier locked onto each other. Vaya took a slow breath, gathering all the courage she had.

"Vero, actually, this Mr. Vier is your father" Vaya said.

It sounded hesitant, but Vaya had to say it slowly and clearly.

Vero's eyes were rounded large, he stared alternately at everyone who was currently staring back at him.

Bu Asih, Aria, Vaya, Vier, and Mike, one by one in turns.

Vier held his breath, it felt really stressful. Moreover, Vier has advised Vero to imprison his evil father.

Vier had to quickly give Vero an acceptable excuse for the boy to suspend the lawsuit.

Vaya thought the same thing, waiting for Vero to react.

"Ih wow! I was surprised," Vero said with a flat expression.

Vaya glared in disbelief at Vero's flat expression which actually looked so adorable. Vier was flabbergasted, as was Mike who instantly furrowed both of his eyebrows.

"Lho, Vero, aren't you surprised?" ask Aria.

"Why be surprised, Auntie?" Vero asked back.

"Aunty really wants me to be surprised while rolling around like in a soap opera?" Vero added casually.

Vier held back his smile, yet he really felt very relieved.

"It's not so, Vero," Aria ruffled Vero's hair furiously.

"I already know, Mr. Vier is my father!" sahut Vero again.

"Kok you know, Vero?" ask Bu Asih.

"Bah, I have ears, so I hear, I'm angry at Mr. Vier" said Vero lightly.

Vaya and Vier only reviewed wry smiles, as did Mike.

Really bad, Vier's two are really too much, inner Mike.

"Vero, I'm personally sorry, really. I'm not a bad father" Vier said.

"I'm not a father to abandon a child. I promise you, I'm the best dad you've got" continued Vier.

Vero still had his flat expression.

"Yes, if evil must go to prison" said Vero again.

Vaya stared at Mike who immediately put on a nelangsa expression.

Two Vier, too much!

"Vero wanna go with Mom and Dad?" ask Vier.

"Where are you going?" ask Vero.

"Is this how Vero wants to come or not?" ask Vaya.

"Where are you going, ma'am?" insist Vero.

"Paris" replied Vaya.

"That Paris where's Mom?" ask Vero again.

"Later Vero will know," replied Vier.

"Well, why do we have to go to Paris?" ask Vero again.

...*****...

"Be careful, Vaya" Bu Asih said.

"Yes ma'am" replied Vaya.

"Mbah and Auntie why don't you come?" ask Vero.

"Aria has to take a school exam, where to go, where to go" Vaya replied.

"But I also want to go to Paris, sister," Aria said.

"Aria, your test is more important, besides Brother is only a moment," said Vaya.

"Don't forget her gift, sister," Aria commented on her smile.

Vaya squinted her eyes.

"Aria, if you think your sister is going to Paris for a visit, you're wrong" Vaya said.

"Yes, Brother," said Aria.

"Calm down, Aria, I'll give you whatever you want" Vier said.

"Seriously, Brother Vier?" exclaim Aria joy.

"Mike will prepare whatever you want" Vier added, looking at Mike.

Mike nodded with a nod.

"Vier, there's no need to promise anything!" Vaya glared at Vier.

"Vaya, for me it really doesn't matter" said Vier.

"Sir Mike, give me your phone number, will you?" aria Pinta.

Mike reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet and handed Aria a card.

Aria pursed her lips while reading Mike's business card. There was only the man's name and email address.

I need a phone number, not an e-mail address, Aria said in her heart.

"Alright, then, Mother, we say goodbye first" said Vier.

"Yes, you are careful on the road" said Bu Asih.

Vier hugged Bu Asih.

"Thank you, ma'am" said Vier.

Aria looked at Mike.

"Sir Mike didn't hug me?" ask Aria.

Mike gasped, while Aria immediately chuckled amusedly.

"Male!" Vaya glared towards Aria.

Aria poked her tongue slightly towards Vaya then glanced at Mike with a blushing smile.

Mike tried to stay calm even though he was nervous. It felt like for a very long time no girl dared to tease him so blatantly.

"Dadah Mbah! Drug Aunt!"

Vero's call disappeared with the speed of the car that took them away accompanied by a wave of the hands of Bu Asih and Aria.

...*****...

Vaya pulls the blanket to the neck of Vero who finally falls asleep due to fatigue. There are still a dozen hours left before Vier's private jet lands at Paris airport.

Vier gently rubbed Vero's hair, his smile expanding at Vero's innocent face.

Still gently rubbing Vero's hair, Vier turned his gaze on Vaya.

"Vaya, thank you for taking very good care of Vero" said Vier.

"Vier, I should have taken very good care of Vero because I was his mother" Vaya said.

Vier returned his smile to Vaya.

"Vaya, I'm really sorry about you. I really didn't know that all this time you were raising Vero without me. It must be really hard on you."

"Yes, you're right, Vier. It feels very heavy. But in the end I was able to go through all of that" Vaya said.

"Although without you," continued Vaya with emphasis that makes Vier feel depressed.

"If only I could replay time" continued Vaya.

"We don't need to be in such a difficult position like this, Vier."

...*****...