HATE Before LOVE
The dilemma in the midst of joy.

Elif frowned with a dress made of brucat along the knee colored sweet peach attached perfectly to his body. Not to forget as a complement Teddy also bought a pair of high heels decorated with sequins with heels only 7 cm high.

"Why grumble like that? You look so beautiful, I thought Teddy would be so good at getting you clothes" said Ardan, who shook his head in awe and was fascinated by Elif's appearance. Actually, the dress that Teddy bought included a simple dress, as well as his shoes. Compared to what Marsha used to wear. Maybe the dress and shoes will only be worn by Marsha to the minimarket.

"It's so fancy, I'm kind of going to the condo."

Ardan and Teddy looked at each other, in the eyes of the two men Elif looks very simple, not at all like to condangan.

"Elif, you look so pretty, sweet and still look simple. Not at all excessive."

"Maybe in your eyes, but not with my family. Mom and Dad, I just got home from work. Not a party."

"Let's just say, let me answer you later if your mom and dad ask. Hows it? You don't have to answer anything."

Elif grunting. "All right."

Then Elif took his bag, he took out a small mirror, then looked for lip cream then swept the lip cream brush on his tiny lips, nude color immediately closed the pale color of Elif's lips.

"Sir," whispered Teddy. "Your lips are dripping."

Ardan gasped and reflexively touched his hand on his own lips. Then pelt Teddy with a face as sharp as a machete.

Teddy bowed for a while then walked out of the room, letting his boss be fascinated by the simple appearance of a very stubborn and indifferent woman like Elif.

Far away from school abroad, taking care of business in various countries, loved by many beautiful women who are graceful and sexy, in the end only simplicity that appears as it is that makes you anchor your heart, Boss! Proud of you, sir! Teddy was proud to be Ardan's assistant.

***

The luxury sedan stopped in front of the house Elif, Yanuar, Zehra and Adit were already in front of the terrace when Elif said he would be up to a few minutes away. His family smiled broadly at his arrival, as if Elif had just arrived after attending a prestigious awards ceremony abroad. Never did Elif see his father smile and wait for him to come home.

"Dad is already looking healthy" he said while still in the car with a grim smile adorning his face.

"You ready? We'll tell your family everything."

Elif let out a long breath. Not ready, if I'm honest. He would lose all the smiles of his father that he had dreamed of. But, he also could not undergo a theatrical relationship with Ardan. It will be more painful later.

"Let's go down." said Elif at last.

Elif went down after Teddy first opened the door for him, no protest because it was too worrying what would happen later after he told the truth of his relationship with Ardan.

Ardan walked right beside Elif to get inside the house.

"Diffuse!" Yanuar spread out his arms, welcoming Elif with a warm embrace, after which, the man also hugged Ardan.

"You must be very tired, let's go in, I've prepared lunch" Mother said, embracing Elif after hugging her and showering her with a kiss.

"Mom and Dad are cooking lunch like it's going to be a celebration, a lot of it, sister!" Adit Sahut.

"Of course!" yanuar chuckled. "We're going to have a lot of guests today."

"Guests, Dad?" Elif asked.

"Yes, I invited Om Syarif, Aunt Lusi, Om Hendra, Aunt Ana, Om Rizal, Aunt Yanti and all your cousins, oh and Mona and Yura. Maybe they'll be there soon."

"Ehhh, it's okay, Dad's been very healthy. It's also thanks to Nak Ardan." Yanuar chuckled again.

Ardan just smiled.

"But why invite all om, aunt and cousin? What's the show?" Elif is trying to sound normal.

"Yahmu clean hard want to immediately introduce Ardan to the family, had even wanted to invite the mother's family as well, but I don't think it is necessary, because the Mother's family is all in Surabaya. So father's family's coming." Mother explains. The explanation that made Elif's guts instantly shrivel. How could he tell this charade to his parents with all the family, what else is the family of Father, at home?

"Diffuse!" Yura's voice rang out, with her body slightly contained compared to Elif and Mona, Yura ran small towards Elif and the others were still on the terrace. While Mona was only walking but with an ocean-wide smile. Without them noticing, there was a pair of eyes that locked his gaze on Yura. On the round jolly face that suddenly made her lose focus.

"Yura! Mona!" The three of them also hugged releasing the yearning of girls. To make Ardan a little worried Elif's stomach hurt because they not only just cuddle, but there is a jump action too.

"Ih, that's so sweet now that you look." Puji Yura looked at the appearance of Elif.

Elif just laughed.

"Come, let's all go in. We had lunch together. Um, son Ardan, Mr. Teddy was also told to come in, not just in the car."

"Good." Ardan pulled out his phone and told Teddy to go inside the house.

***

Everyone looked so happy, Yura and Mona were also happy to see how Elif's father was no longer a fierce father, he was even very friendly and warm. It was completely different from Elif's father that Yura and Mona had known all along. Adit and Mom were so happy. This could be the moment they have dreamed of for a long time. A warm and loving togetherness.

Ardan could see the dilemma in Elif's eyes, even though his lips showed a smile and laughter, but the look in his eyes could not lie. There was a huge worry and dilemma on him.

Casual chats filled their lunch time. About Adit who started spotting because he started having a crush on a neighbor girl. Mona who tries natural soft makeup is no longer emo. Yura who is trying zumba gymnastics to lose weight and others are so fun. Only Teddy of course did not comment anything, he just kept quiet while watching Yura.

After lunch was over, they all gathered in the living room, except for the mother and Elif who were in the kitchen preparing the fruits as their dessert.

"When is your family coming, Mom?" elif asked as he arranged the pieces of fruit on the plate.

"Maybe it's afternoon. Why Nak?"

"It's okay."

Zehra understood what Elif felt every time her husband's family came to visit, they were always comparing Elif with their children. Zehra is not syka, either, but Yanuar always sided with his family so Elif chose to stay silent and asked his mother also not to defend herself because she did not want to provoke any more fuss over her father's anger.

"They will no longer compare you to their children who have not even worked. Even Galih who is most often compared to you until now has not worked, you know, the lazy child does not even intend to find a job" Zehra said with a little intonation that sounded annoyed. With a slow volume of sound.

"At least he graduated college." Said Elif smiling wryly.

"To graduate or not to pass does not guarantee that someone is successful or not, dear. Anyway, I'm sure, Son Ardan will definitely let you go back to college if you want."

The smiling elf grew increasingly wry.

"After you get married, Son Ardan can't possibly let you work as his secretary anymore, right? She will definitely support all your pending dreams all this time" Mother said with great sadness. His eyes were glazed. "Mother is truly grateful that God brought you together. Mother's prayer was finally heard and answered."

*God, what should I do? How could I possibly destroy the happiness my family felt. But, has Ardan really been honest with me? Is he not pretending? Can I trust his words and attitude now?

What am I supposed to do? What should I say*?