I Love You My Step Mother
La Vie en Rose's

"D-yes." Andrian suddenly stuttered.

His heart beats faster. He became stubborn and slightly misbehaved by the gentle touch of Alfira.

For four years he was not touched by the stepmother, and now the soft elusan still gives the effect of goosebumps and strange gelenyar often spread.

Ari, who was playing with Andrian, suddenly exclaimed enthusiastically, "Sir Andlian, play again yuk!"

Alfira, who heard Ari's call, smiled and reminded, "Ari, honey, you should take a bath soon."

Andrian who was previously stunned, finally realized and gave a short smile to Ari, "Of course, Ari, we can play again later. Now, let's go take a shower first, yeah."

Ari nodded funnyly and ran towards the house. "Later on, my dear!" shout Alfira.

Moments after Ari's departure, a clumsy atmosphere struck. Andrian and Alfira were still silent, busy with their respective thoughts. There are so many things they think and feel. After four years of separation, the awkwardness between the two became even more apparent.

"Why do you rarely call me in the Netherlands, Andrian?" Alfira asked without looking at her stepson. He looked in any direction with a blank look, Andrian too.

"Because, we've promised to keep our distance and erase our feelings, haven't we?" answer Andrian flat.

"But that does not mean by breaking the relationship between us. Remember, I'm your next door." Andrian breathed a heavy sigh. He doesn't talk anymore. "I'm gonna bathe your sister first."

Alfira passed by leaving Andrian still standing in his place. Think about everything that has happened in their lives. Despite many unanswered questions and uncertainties, especially about his feelings for Alfira, he strives to be at peace and sincere with the circumstances

"Did he not love me anymore?" he muttered to himself.

***

The next day, Andrian came to the office of Secilia with a steady step by bringing the necessary documents to apply for the job, while the resume had been sent in advance. Andrian should be eager to face the interview process.

Upon arriving at the office, Andrian immediately contacted Secilia and they met in his study. The lady greeted him kindly and smiled. "Andrian, good to see you here. Come on, I'll get you and there'll be an HRD staff, he'll discuss more about this position."

"Deg-degan," Andrian said with a stiff smile at the Cecilia. The woman responded with laughter.

"Look easy. Just need to do an interview anyway," said Sesilia while herding Andrian towards the HRD staff room.

After arriving, Secilia left Andrian to continue his work. Nervous, Andrian sat facing off against someone who was recruiting new employees. Discussions on job details, work experience, and company expectations of prospective new employees are also presented. Andrian confidently explains how he can contribute to the company and why he is interested in the job.

HRD staff listen attentively and give a positive outlook. After a long discussion, they concluded the meeting with the hope that things would go well in this recruitment process.

"Later to call" said the woman. Andrian nodded.

Andrian leaves the office feeling optimistic and ready to face the next steps in his quest to get the new job he wants.

***

While working at the Sesilia company, a few days after being accepted as financial staff, a co-worker approached Andrian with curiosity.

The co-worker asked kindly, "Hey, Mas Andrian, since when have you known Caecilia? You see, I often see Mas Andrian and he often chat. It seems close, yes."

Andrian looked to the left. He looked up at someone who was standing looking at him. "I didn't accidentally meet you at the cafe."

"Oh, so." The man nodded his head. "Secilia is a great girl here. He always helps anyone in need. You're lucky to be close friends with him."

Andrian only responded with a faint smile.

"You know that Sesilia is a prospective CEO of PT Indah Makmur Mandiri?"

As a new employee and not so familiar with Cecilia, Andrian was a little surprised to hear the information. He did not yet know the true position of Secilia in the company. "Eh seriously? I didn't know that Sesilia was a CEO candidate."

The bespectacled man explained, "Yes, right. He is one of the subsidiary leaders of this company, and reportedly, he is a strong candidate to become CEO in the future. Awesome, right? It's still young." Andrian had a chance to think why did this man praise the Cecilia? did he put his heart on that woman?

However, Andrian became more and more impressed with the success of Caecilia. Feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work in a company led by someone so competent. He hopes to learn a lot from Secilia and contribute to the success of the company.

"Eh, I went back to my desk, yeah. Sorry to interrupt your work time," said the man accompanied by a nagging. Andrian again just gave a friendly smile.

When the break came, Sesilia approached Andrian's study with a smile on her face. Some of the employees who were there were busy watching.

The woman asked, "Andrian, how do you feel about working for my company for a few days?"

The caecilian nodded in satisfaction, "It's nice to hear it. May you work here. If there's anything you need to ask or if there's anything I can help you with, don't hesitate to tell."

Andrian felt appreciated and acknowledged, thanking Secilia for her support and hospitality. Andrian hopes to continue to grow and give his best in his new role at the company.

Caecilians saw the break as an opportunity to get to know Andrian better. Friendly, he invited Andrian to go to a cafe near the office. "How about we spend our break at a cafe near here?" bargained for.

Andrian smiled, there was a sense of pleasure with the invitation. "Corn."

"Let's go," said Sesilia enthusiastically. Andrian and Cecilia went hand in hand, and several pairs of eyes watched them.

They both go to cafes, take breaks to talk more about work, their interests, and many other things. This is a good opportunity for them to build a deeper closeness and share their experience in the company.

***

After returning home from work, Andrian greeted Alfira who was busy watching television in the family room. He saw Ari with his excitement playing cars on the fur carpet.

Andrian smiled at Alfira and asked, "Sore. Papa hasn't come home yet?" andrian asked his forehead.

Unshuffled from the television screen, Alfira replied, "Your father hasn't been home for a few days."

"Busy on, huh?"

"Yes that's it. Since you were in Holland." A second later, Alfira lifted her gaze from the television, she smiled so that she showed a dimple on her cheek. "How's your job?"

From the beginning of knowing him, Andrian was always fascinated with Alfira's smile. Nothing has changed from the stepmother. For a moment he was glued, blinked and then replied clumsyly, "Today is good enough. My new job is challenging. I learned a few things at the office. All the co-workers there are also very friendly."

Alfira smiled happily at Andrian's reply. "Good dong. You can adapt."

"I'm going upstairs to take a shower, sultry." Andrian gave a brief smile to Alfira, waltzing away towards the room. There, he took a bath and changed clothes, so fresh body after a day of work. When she finished, she felt thirsty and went down to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Andrian found a bottle of Alfira-made avocado juice that had been prepared. Andrian poured a glass and sat for a moment at the kitchen table, enjoying the fresh taste of the juice.

After he finished drinking, he went to the living room, where the piano legacy of his late mother was laid. He sat in front of her, staring at the memories-filled tuts. Then, soulfully, she began to play a soft and beautiful melody, letting the music flow just like that.

For Andrian, playing the piano is a good way to relax and soak up the quiet moments of his life. The music filled the room, creating a peaceful atmosphere in their home.

Alfira who was in the living room was suddenly distracted by the beautiful sound of a piano playing from the next room. He got up from the couch, walked closer to the sound. When he entered the room, it appeared in his sight Andrian was playing the piano with full of fantasy.

Alfira was amazed and captivated to see it, seeing how adept the stepson was in playing music. Slowly Alfira approached, he stood behind Andrian's back. Alfira with a warm heart, listened carefully.

He feels proud to know someone like Andrian in his life, who can give such a wonderful moment. Although much pain. In silence, Alfira continued to watch the dazzling musical performance before him.

Alfira was increasingly swept away as Andrian continued to play the piano so beautifully. Seeing him like this, he felt deeply connected to Andrian.

The fingers pressing on the piano keys suddenly stopped, as Andrian felt a soft touch on both shoulders from behind. The touch surprised him. He turned his body slowly and asked, "Mother, since when is it here?" Andrian gagged.

"From now on," Alfira replied with a smile on her face.

Silent. A moment they looked at each other, and in that moment, there was a sudden thump in the hearts of the two. Reminds you of the intense moments when you were together.

Andrian understood, he turned his gaze in any direction. I didn't want to look at Alfira for too long. His heartbeat likes to go crazy. Alfira was wrong.

"Ng ... Andrian ...."

"Yes." Yeah."

"Do you know the French song La Vie en Rose?"

The handsome man looked back at his stepmother. "Yes, know. You want me to play it?" Alfira nodded. The request made Andrian smile.

With passion, Andrian began to play the song with a lot of passion, creating a very romantic atmosphere in the room.

Alfira was amazed to see Andrian so good at playing this song. They were both swept away in a beautiful melody. The song seemed to express their feelings for each other, and when Andrian played it so agile, Alfira felt the love between those who had been buried for a long time was present again.

For a moment they forget all the uncertainty and problems that exist, just focus on the present, sharing intense moments together through melodious music.