If You Met Me First...
Still Not Meet

Hugo Melker Room, Hotel near Police Station

Thea looked at Hugo's face looking at the photo of the man who allegedly was the perpetrator. The man's face was like trying to remember something. Does Hugo know this guy?

"Do you know this man, Mr Melker?" ask Thea.

"Is this the man who killed Bila?" ask Hugo.

"It's not certain yet but he's one of the clients at the Channel boutique where your late wife worked."

Hugo looked at the photo again. "I seem to have seen this man before but where I forgot."

"If you remember who this person is, please let me know."

Hugo nodded. "Miss Ramadan... "

"Yes?" Thea looked at her client.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Believe in me."

"Mr Melker, it's too early to release you from all charges but I'm trying to clear your name and all the negative stigma about you." Thea looked at Hugo seriously. "And importantly, get the real culprit."

Hugo nodded again.

"If you remember anything small, please contact me, Mr. Melker. I'm sure it can help your case" Thea said.

"Of course."

"Then, excuse me Mr. Melker. Tomorrow I will find out whether Mrs Melker's body can be retrieved and buried or not. Have you contacted the funeral home or where you want to be buried?"

Hugo looked at the exotic-skinned girl and nodded. "Today I've contacted the funeral home. Whenever it can be taken, they're ready."

Thea nodded. "Good Mr. Melker. Good night." The girl turned towards the door.

"Good night Miss Ramadan."

After Thea died, Hugo stared at the photo. To be honest, it was like seeing a ghost.

Is he not dead?

***

Boston, Massachusetts O'Grady Brewery

Shane eventually put Apsarini on his brewery's finance team because the girl was getting an apartment closer to the brewery than one at the steel mill. Moreover, the girl is very beautiful, can make the workers do not concentrate if there is a meeting.

This morning Shane held a meeting with the finance division to discuss bonuses for all its employees as their beer sales increased let alone contracts with many restaurants and bars were extended, making the name of O'Grady beer is increasingly famous among many alcoholic beverage lovers.

"The bonus will be given at the end of July as is usually a three-month assessment" Shane said.

Apsarini only listened to the discussion of Shane and his employees in the finance division because he was new and certainly would not get a bonus.

I only had three days of work, too.

Apsarini also noticed that the system of work here is not too under pressure as it is in Finland. Maybe because beer competition is not as tight as gaming competition.

Discussions about the amount of bonuses that will be received at each employee at the factory have been discussed and they are all preparing for lunch. Apsarini stood up for lunch with Haley, her division friend whose cubicle they were opposite.

Shane saw the girl was about to leave, wanted to call her and take her to lunch but the man knew himself enough because it would definitely be a gossip between him and Apsarini. Shane does not want the girl to feel uncomfortable working in her company because of getting special treatment.

Apsarini nodded respectfully to Shane before they exited the meeting room and walked with Haley towards the company cafeteria.

***

Cafeteria Beer Company

"So you used to work in Finland?" haley asked who could chat with Apsarini.

"Yes. There's still an offer here, so I'll just take it. Helsinki is too cold" Apsarini smiled. "Although the view is beautiful but still."

"Boston is more crowded than Helsinki?" ask Haley.

"Yup. Maybe I'm a little bored there."

"It's no wonder that your skin is so alabaster, Sari" chuckled Haley.

"Oh? If this is indeed a descendant" replied Apsarini clumsy. He's not lying. His father Tristan Neville does have a pale white typical of England plus his late mother is also white Asian race be he.

Apsarini and Haley talked about many things, especially halal food and places to eat that are also halal. From Haley too, the girl knew the shops that often sell discounted goods. Despite the weight of treasure, Apsarini could not help but discount it.

***

Apartments Apsarini

The girl went inside her apartment which was arguably simpler than the one her office in Helsinki provided. There are still not many items there but the important thing is already there, such as mattresses, dining tables and kitchen utensils.

Apsarini also plans to buy a car that is not too big let alone his savings from PRC Group profit sharing he almost never touched because the pocket money from Tristan is more than enough especially himself as well worked a good salary before.

Salary in Shane company is not as big as in Helsinki but Apsarini get new experience and for him it is very challenging because even though the field is the same but the company is different.

Apsarini took a shower after a long day of work and prepared to order dinner. He is still lazy to cook because he has not been shopping for food. Still with a towel over his head after bathing, Apsarini began to browse the place to eat to take away.

The girl chose Malaysian cuisine for dinner and junk food for breakfast tomorrow. While waiting for his order to arrive, Apsarini dried her hair with a towel and watched the news on television. His blue eyes widened when he saw Nelson accompanied by Thea being interviewed by news seekers. Nelson looked cold when asked about the development of the Hugo Melker case.

"So Nelson and Thea are for Hugo?" muttered Apsarini while sipping her orange juice.

"Our pilot, Mr Hugo Melker, has been released from NYPD custody due to a lack of evidence and a strong alibi at the time of the tragic incident" Nelson said.

"Is it true Mrs Melker cheated?"

Nelson just smiled faintly. "It's the NYPD's job to prove. Our job is to defend our client and for the background of why Mrs Melker was murdered, let the law enforcement officials investigate."

Apsarini only stroked her chest when she saw a picture of Hugo plastered on the television screen, including photos of Hugo with Salsabila who looked friendly and loving to each other. "Less what exactly? Already have a handsome husband, rich and looks very loving but how can you cheat ?" muttered the girl.

The sound of her apartment doorbell ringing made the girl rush towards the door. Apsarini saw from the intercom screen and was surprised because the one who came was not a deliveryman. The girl opened the door of her apartment and smiled towards the incoming Shane O'Grady.

"Mane? Why come here?" ask Apsarini confused.

"I brought you dinner" Shane replied, showing a paper bag.

"Oh ... But..."

"Miss Neville?" call someone who is a delivery man. "Your food delivery."

"Yes?" Apsarini turned her head towards the man and received a plastic bag containing her ordered food. "This is the tip." The girl gave $10 taken from her jeans pocket.

"Thank you." The man left and Apsarini looked at Shane.

"I've bought" the girl grinned.

Shane just put his shoulder down. "No problem" he said casually.

***

Yuhuuuu Up Afternoon Yaaaaaa

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