I Love You My Step Mother
Suspicious

Alfira came out of the bathroom, still wearing a towel attached to her body. When he heard the sound of the phone ringing, he planned to raise the call as soon as he finished drying his hair with a towel.

However, her husband, Reza, who suddenly entered the room nimbly grabbed the phone located on the mattress. In a hurry, he stepped onto the balcony of the room. Alfira chose to take a hairdryer to dry her hair.

Reza looked serious while talking to someone on the phone. His eyes occasionally glanced towards Alfira, and he spoke as if whispering. Alfira felt that there was something unusual about her husband.

After speaking for a while, Reza ended the call, went back inside the room and looked at Alfira with a stiff smile. His expression looked nervous and awkward. "Business business, ordinary."

But Alfira did not say a word, nor ask, but her husband went ahead and said so. "Oh." Alfira's response was indifferent.

"Dec, the power will not come home again. I have to take care of clients out of town, that's okay, right?" reza asked, looking at his wife intensely.

Alfira puts the hairdryer in the closet, picks up the t-shirts and casual pants. "Yes." Yeah."

The man approached, peeping Alfira's cheeks briefly. "Sorry, yeah. Mas has been busy lately there is no time for you and Ari," he said with a look of regret and guilt.

"Very important, huh, Mas?" ask Alfira to mince words. He didn't want to know either.

Reza tried to explain, "It's very important, Deck. You know how busy work is in the office. I promise you, it's only for a moment and I'll be back soon."

Alfira gave a faint smile. "Yes, it's okay, Mom. Don't think too much."

"There's Andrian at home anyway, so you're not alone anymore." Reza hugged Alfira affectionately, while the woman did not respond to anything. "An hour, we leave. Please get the clothes in the bag, yeah, Deck."

Reza came out of the room, leaving Alfira who was still stunned on the spot. He felt that something was making him feel uncomfortable lately. Her husband is often busy and has rarely been home for the past two years.

He tried not to care, but the question in his mind was raging. "Out business again? You have been traveling a lot lately. What the hell is going on?" Alfira muttered to himself.

Alfira was dissatisfied with the cliche's answer, but she chose not to think about it at this moment. Not wanting to take a headache, he walked out of the room and stepped towards the kitchen. From the kitchen window, he found Andrian and Ari in the back garden.

Alfira sat on the back porch of the house, watching closely the two people in front of him. Andrian, his stepson who is getting older, is busy playing with Ari. The three-year-old boy looked enthusiastic. He ran while laughing when Andrian tried to chase him to and fro.

"Brand ...! This monster will catch you bad boy!" andrian scares his brother.

"Aahhhhhhhaha!"

Alfira smiled broadly as Ari laughed cheerfully. The two of them tickled each other while playing together. Andrian really showed his gentle nature and concern for his half-brother.

There is a sense of happiness to see the relationship developing between Andrian and Ari. Along with the passage of time, Andrian has grown into a handsome and responsible man, and he has accepted his new role as a member of the family. His concern for Ari warms Alfira's heart. He is grateful for the peace that exists in his family today.

Inwardly, Alfira pondered about her feelings for Andrian. Although she had been married for almost five years and more to Reza, there was a part of her heart that had not been able to fully let go of that feeling.

Questions are raging in the mind. Does Andrian feel like this too? Does he still have feelings for her? And the harder one to ask: has Andrian found a replacement for Alfira in his heart?

During that time Alfira also tried to live her marriage happily with Reza. However, these questions remain haunting. Perhaps one day, he would have to completely let go and throw away those forbidden feelings.

But right now, she is trying to focus on her family and trying to let go of her past with Andrian, as well as achieving happiness in her new life with Ari and Reza.

"Hello, who is this?" ask Andrian.

"It's me, Sesilia. Still remember?" answered a woman at the other end who was sitting in her seat of greatness.

Andrian smiled broadly. "Oh, yes. Caecilian. What's up?"

"It's about work. I have some good news. There's a job vacancy that I think might be a good fit for you."

"Oh, so? What's work?" andrian looked enthusiastic.

"This is a financial staff position at the company I work for. They're looking for someone who can manage your finances well, and I think you'll be perfect for this job."

"That sounds interesting. What am I supposed to do?"

"I'll give you all the details. Competitive salaries, a fairly flexible schedule, and a great team to work with. I can help you submit a resume and get an interview with management."

"Thank you very much, Sesilia. I really appreciate it. I'll get all the necessary paperwork ready soon."

"No need to thank you, Andrian. I know you have great potential. I'm glad I could help. Hope you succeed later." Across it was a smiley Secilia, occasionally playing a pen with her finger.

"Aamiin, thank you again, Sesilia. I'll call you as soon as all the paperwork's done."

"No problem, Andrian. Good luck, I hope everything goes well."

Andrian listened carefully and asked a few questions about job responsibilities, salaries, and work schedules. The Caecilian explained everything well, and they both talked about the possible next step in the recruitment process.

After speaking with the Caecilians, Andrian was delighted with the job opportunities offered. She thanked Sesilia for this opportunity and promised to send her resume and other necessary documents as soon as possible.

After completing the call, Andrian again noticed Ari who was playing around him. He feels excited about this new job opportunity and hopes everything will go smoothly.

Alfira who was watching from earlier, scrunched his forehead. He was curious and wondered who was talking to Andrian on the phone.

He felt something stirring his heart. Moving away from the chair, Alfira walked over to Andrian and Ari who were sitting on the elastic grass behind the house. With a flat face on his face, he asked, "Andrian, who called you?"

Andrian turned his head towards Alfira, still holding his phone. He smiled and replied enthusiastically, "My friend gave me news about the work he talked about earlier. He told me about the details of the financial staff positions available at his company and told me that they were very interested in me joining."

There was a sense of relief in the heart of hearing the answer Andrian gave. The woman smiled sweetly. "Oh, so. That's good news. What's work?"

Andrian eagerly explained the details of the work he had discussed with Caecilia to Alfira. He is proud and also happy to hear about the upcoming job opportunities for Andrian. He gave his full support and hoped everything would go smoothly.

"Spirit, Andrian. I will support you" said Alfira, stroking Andrian's shoulder gently. The leafan in the heart had apparently not disappeared when Alfira touched it long ago.

"D-yes." Andrian suddenly stuttered.