NOT A REPLACEMENT
Ill

(Flashback)

Adam rushed down because he remembered the condition of Eve's body that was weak and easily fever when exposed to rain.

Without a second thought, Adam tried to chase Eve with his car but until 30 minutes Adam down the road out of the compound of his house, there was no sign of Eve in the slightest.

Adam had contacted Erlan who immediately replied that Eve was staying at her friend's house but did not know what her name was.

A confused Adam finally returns home after 2 hours of touring in search of Eve. From the maid at the house, Adam only found out that Eve had come to bring her motorbike matic. It was only fitting that Adam did not manage to chase Eve who definitely decided to break through the rain despite being quite heavy.

“Then let Parmin bring the car,” said Adam asked Erlan for the car keys.

“Neither Bro, I can still steer myself. Parmin is just as tired as we are. He had picked up Erina at 2 am to go to the salon and back and forth here and there was almost no stop.”

“Udah is okay, her house is also in line with elo's house. I'll give him money to take a cab.”

“Bro..”

“No rejection !”

Erlan laughed and handed the car keys to Adam who immediately called Parmin, the driver of his family.

“Ma, I can go home by myself,” Eve whined when she saw both her parents and her brother were getting ready to go home instead.

“Mau carried hug or back ?” ledek Erlan embraced his youngest sister who had just turned 17 a few months ago.

“Whatever is still strong ?” Eve sneered but her head leaned against Erlan's chest.

“Still, you are like a bantet cake when you are 17 years old.”

“Ask the same mom and dad why make a son bantet kayak me.”

Erlan chuckled and tightened her arms and kissed Eve's temple lovingly. Erlan likes to tease Eve who is easily pouted but not really sulky let alone angry.

“Eve, you are not saying goodbye?” Mama reminded Eve who had invited Erlan out.

Eve simply turned her head and waved her hand without saying anything to Erina who was still upset and Adam who was flat-faced.

Mama was already willing to reprimand him again, but Erlan shook her head, gesturing at mama. Erlan knows Eve's mood is bad and the cause is Adam, Erlan's best friend who is now her sister-in-law.

The rain stopped as the car left the hotel. Adam took them to the lobby. Even though he was close to the Erlan family, his status now was that in-laws were not just his best friend's parents.

It was not usual for Eve to sit in the front passenger seat at Erlan's behest. Her sister thought Eve would be more comfortable sitting alone and if she fell asleep, it would be easier for Erlan to carry her to the room.

30 Minutes later, Adam receives bad news, the car carrying his wife's family has an accident. Bullfighting with a truck that drove fast from the opposite direction and slipped to move the lane because the conditions at the location were raining heavily.

The condition of the car is badly damaged even partially squeezed by the body of the truck. Parmin, papa and mama died on the spot while Erlan was taken to the hospital but his life could not be helped. Only Eve survived. Apparently Eve unknowingly removed her seatbelt until the moment of the collision, her body was thrown out and fell on the grass.

Erina immediately hysterically and had blamed Eve as the cause of the death of her parents and brother. Eve had never heard it in person because she had been unconscious for 3 days.

When Eve wakes up, Erina is hard to calm down because of Adam but from the look in her eyes Eve knows that Erina is angry and blames herself.

Had Eve not insisted on going home and staying at the hotel that night, the deadly accident would not have made Erina and Eve an orphan.

(Flashback End)

****

“Kok Lusi alone ?” adam asked as he walked into the dining room and saw his daughter sitting down for breakfast with Sumi.

Adam glanced at the chair beside his daughter that Eve had always occupied. This morning there was no sign of the place being used by the owner.

“Badly naughty !” nagging Lucia while glaring at Adam.

“What's wrong papi ?”

“Papi angry same onti until sick.”

“Side hear Papi anurahin onti last night.”

Adam sighed in confusion as to how to explain to his daughter.

“Where if onti go so pompong again like mami.”

“Pompong ?” adam asked until he frowned.

“Compong intent Side, Mr.”

“Compong ? Who says mommy's a cocoon.”

“Onti says.”

Adam looked back at Sumi for an explanation, but Lucia's nanny shook her head because she didn't know the exact story.

“Where are we going?” adam asked as he saw his daughter move up and left the dining table with a sullen face.

“School but don't want to be the same papi. Papi naughty !”

Sumi chased after Lucia who was out half-running while Adam was still sitting at the dining table while thinking about her daughter's words.

Not long after Lucia returned again and immediately opened both of her hands. Adam was confused as to how to get to Lucia who approached and hugged her papi from the side.

“Onti says ndak can go if ndak pamit same papi. School side first.”

Adam smiled and kissed Lucia's head. Before the boy let go of his hand, Adam hugged him tightly. Of course Adam's attitude made Lucia gobsmacked because her papa was not used to doing this kind of thing.

“Smart learning, yes. Bantuin papi keep school onti.”

Lucia's face immediately sparkled and her mouth did not stop smiling.

”Papi don't get angry onti again.”

“Iya Papi promise.”

As soon as Lucia left, Adam sent Leo a message, asking that his assistant reschedule all of his activities today because Adam wanted to focus on caring for Eve who was sick.

Leo frowned when he read a message from his boss. Is it possible that Adam was already entrenched with Eve's charm ?

“Where are you going, Bi ?” adam asked when he saw his servant carrying a tray of porridge, juice and water.

“Tadi Non Eve had time to make their own porridge while making breakfast for Tuan and Non Lusi but Non Eve himself had not had time to eat. Her face looks pale and Non says her head is dizzy.”

“Then let me bring it in.”

Adam precedes Bik Asih to go up to the 2nd floor and asks his servant who knocks on Eve's room for fear that the girl will not open the door if she knows Adam is coming.

Until several times aunt knocked, the door was still not open until slowly Adam opened the door that turned out to be unlocked.

Eve fell asleep on her bed. Adam took the tray that his aunt had brought and sent the servant back to work.

Adam put a tray on the study table and sat on the edge of the bed watching Eve who was getting restless. Eve's face was slightly flushed and her forehead was wrinkled even though her eyes were closed. Adam stretched out his hand and sighed as he touched Eve's hot forehead.

Adam came out of the room intending to take a thermometer and paracetamol to bring down the fever, he called Leo back and asked his assistant to find a doctor who could come home.

Why does it feel so much de javu about us, Eve ? The last time you had a fever, all my might was to refrain from caring about you and now I'm kind of thrown into the same situation again. But this time I won't let you, Eve.

Adam clasped Eve who suddenly cried and began to delirious.

“I'm sorry Ma. I'm sorry Pa. Erlan, sorry Eve. Sorry.”

Adam laid down beside Eve and carried the girl into her arms. Being in one blanket allowed Adam to feel not only Eve's hot forehead and neck but all of her legs and arms were warm as well.

I'm sorry too, Eve. If only I could repeat time…..