Playing With Fire
The Part 24

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It's been almost two weeks that Elica has been living with her father. They spend time together every day, whether it's cooking, helping their father make woodwork, and shopping together. It was as if her father was gradually covering up the wounds that were inside Elica's heart slowly. And slowly Elica also began to learn to accept reality, trying to forget for a moment her problems.

Until this second, Alex did not bother him at all. It was as if the man was allowing Elica to give her time. But the human heart cannot be lied to, even though he always laughs when with his father, his heart feels empty. Like something was missing, especially when the silence came in the middle of the night. His heart ached because it missed the figure of someone he hated so much. That man is Alex. Silly to say.

But Elica can't deny it, if she misses Alex's presence. Perhaps more precisely the child in the womb, wants the presence of the father. And in these two weeks he was always frenetic because of his longing. Sometimes he cries in silence, strengthening so that the feeling no longer appears. Considering the father of her son was a bastard she hated so much, yet her little heart seemed to rebel if she missed Alex as well. Could Alex's words have come true? If Elica loves that man now.

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The morning looked cloudy, the atmosphere of breakfast at the dining table was very quiet. There was only the clink of plates and spoons that rang. Elica ate her breakfast with a face that was not lustful, her eyes looked puffy. When her father asked what Elica always cried every day, Elica always reasoned if her midnight womb always made her nauseous. And make her cry.

Though what every night Elica cries is her longing for Alex. But it was impossible if he would say that to his father.

"Daddy has taken care of passports and plane tickets for us Elica" said the father suddenly

"Airplane ticket?"

"Yes. Daddy will take you away from this place, we'll start a new life in a new place"

Elica's voice seemed stuck in her throat, she was so shocked by the words of the father. A passport?plane ticket?..

Could this be the meaning of her leaving this country.

"I guess we're just out of town, Daddy?"

"No son. We went as far as possible, didn't we talk about this at that time? You're forgot?"

"Yes, I may have forgotten"

"Going is the best choice for both of us dear" said the father then he again feed food to his mouth.

Elica was still stunned by this. This means he will leave all his memories here, including leaving his mother.

"When do we go Dad?"

"Three more days baby, today you have to start choosing what you will bring later. But Daddy hope you don't have to tell this to your mom or anyone else. And don't see them again"

"Yes"

Elica could not hold back her tears anymore. But quickly he immediately wiped it, so that his father did not know if now he was crying.

And he also plans today to meet Leo to visit him and say goodbye to the man.

Leo was conscious from last week, but he is still undergoing treatment at the hospital for recovery.

After breakfast, Elica asked her father for permission to go to the hospital. And of course, he was given permission.

A few minutes later, Elica was in the hospital. She carried a bouquet of roses and a Tote bag in her hand. He entered Leo's room with a smile, and seeing the arrival of Elica Leo looked very happy. The two of them hugged each other for a long time, even though in the room there was a beautiful woman accompanying Leo.

"Why did you just get here, Elica?" Said Leo as their embrace slipped.

Can Elica see the wound on Leo's face has dried up and his condition is better.

"I'm sorry, Leo, when you realized I wasn't there with you. I'm calming myself down Leo" said Elica with her sad face.

"Why did you and your mom get out of my house, Elica. Where do you live now?"

"I live with my dad Leo, but I don't know where my mom is right now. Because my father knew everything and forbade me to see him"

"Sorry I can't take care of you two, Elica"

"No Leo. You've been nice to me and my mom, and I'm so grateful for everything"

Leo also seemed to smile at the words of Elica. He stared at the woman who was there too.

"Elica, meet my sister. Her name is Leah."

Elica looked at the woman named Leah, and they shook hands to introduce themselves. Leah is Leo's only sister, she is beautiful and also friendly to Elica. After the introduction, they were seen talking to each other in the room.

Unknowingly Elica had spent hours there, because it was too fun to chat with Leo and his sister. Elica stood up and walked to Leo's bed, and she wanted to go home.

"Leo, I brought you something" said Elica gave Tote the bag she had brought.

"What is this Elica"

"Open up" Leo opened the Tote bag, and there was a black knit sweeter for him.

"It's so good Elica, did you make it?" Ask Leo.

"Yes Leo. It's a gift for you because of my gratitude, as well as a sign of farewell from me" replied Elica who immediately made the smile on Leo's face fade.

"What does Elica mean?"

Elica was seen breathing before answering the question. There's actually a sense of inadequacy to tell the real Leo. But he also couldn't have left without telling the man in front of him right now.

"I'm leaving this place, Leo, with my father"

"Where?" Ask Leo quickly.

"I can't tell you Leo. I'm sorry"

Leo was speechless looking into Elica's eyes deeply, as if time had just stopped. What he had just heard was very unexpected.

"But I'm going to marry you, Elica"

"Thank you for all your sacrifices, Leo. But you don't have to marry me to account for things that aren't your fault" Elica said with a forced smile.

If only Leo knew, who made it this way was Alex, it's possible that Leo would stay away from Elica. And that is what Elica herself hopes, so that Leo will not become sicker later.

And Elica won't let anyone be the father of her child either, as Alex says. Because basically this kid is Alex's real son. Let here Elica look selfish, so that everyone will let her go in peace later. Because all this chaos is indeed sourced from him.

"That's not why I want to marry you, Elica" Leo replied

"I know. But I can't Leo, I can't let a nice guy like you get a woman like me. Please understand, I also need to treat my broken heart. And to build a marriage with my condition like this, it's very difficult"

It turned out that Leo had misjudged Elica. She thought she already knew everything about the woman in front of her, but real Elica had a hard heart to guess. And without Elica knowing, if he had also made a Leo fall in love with him. But Leo also could not force the will of Elica. Which might make Elica will be uncomfortable in fact, maybe it should be this way.

"Well if it's your decision, I'll accept it." Said Leo

"Yes"

"Be happy elsewhere with your child as well"

Elica hugged the man gently, which Leo certainly replied.

They were swept away by the sad and haru atmosphere. Let today be the end of the story for Elica and Leo, in fact fate does not allow them to unite.

****

That afternoon Elica returned by taxi, and it rained again. Somehow these few days the rain always comes, making the atmosphere supportive to just laze at home.

He saw the rain that soaked the window of his taxi, Elica raised her finger to write something on the dewy glass. He unwittingly wrote the name "Alex" there.

When Elica read it again she was surprised why she could write the name. He immediately deleted it. His mind was back to glare. Thinking what the hell is that guy doing now? Is she okay? Does he miss Elica?...

Elica stroked her stomach again. And murmured to say something.

"You miss your dad, baby? Why are you always thinking about her lately?" Said Elica.

Without feeling her tears come back out. Missing, that was the feeling that dominated Elica's heart at this moment. Either all of it is because of the innate content of her or Elica herself who really misses Alex. Elica doesn't know exactly what happened to her.

Without thinking, Elica also told the taxi driver to take her to Alex's office. I don't know what Alex would do to her, she doesn't care. What is clear is that Elica now misses the man and she wants to see his face. When Elica arrives at Alex's office, she goes to the receptionist to ask if Alex is in her room.

All hopes of meeting the man were dashed, however, when the receptionist said Alex had not left for the office for two days due to illness. Making Elica pause for a moment, should she meet her at the man's house. Does he have to go there too.

One thing Elica has in mind now, if she has to see Alex today. Because this is the last chance he's ever had to meet that guy. And her father won't be able to allow Elica to leave again tomorrow, because the day after tomorrow she'll leave this place.

Elica immediately exited the office, and she immediately looked for a taxi to go to Alex's house.

It didn't take long for him to get a taxi to take him there. After 45 minutes, he arrived at the man's house. There were a few bodyguards standing guard there, and instantly allowed Elica to enter. Because they said that the master was in the room.

Elica climbed up the stairs to Alex's room, as if her memory was spinning again as she climbed the stairs. Remember when he lived in this house, and always pass this staircase to his room.

Elica reached in front of Alex's room, she took a breath before knocking on the door before her.

When she was ready, Elica knocked on the door. It had been a few taps, yet there was no sound from within. With her own initiative, Elica opened the door to Alex's room slowly.

After he entered, the room looked a little dark because the lights were not turned on plus the atmosphere outside was cloudy and rainy.

Elica came to the bed there, and of course there was Alex who was asleep. He could see the man's face was a little pale, and his body was a little thin. Elica thinks Alex is actually sick now?

He walked closer to Alex with slow steps, hoping that the master would not wake up. Unknowingly, Elica placed her hand on the man's forehead. It feels like that guy has a fever. He remembered that when he left this place two weeks ago, the man was also sick.

Unexpectedly, Alex also woke up when he sensed that someone had come to his room. Alex also immediately widened his eyes when he saw the woman in front of him was Elica. No less surprised, Elica immediately released her hand on Alex's forehead knowing the man also woke up.

Alex quickly grabbed Elica's hand again. He also positioned his body to wake up from his bed. And they stood facing each other.

"Hey, are you coming? Where have you been?" Alex asked cupped both hands on Elica's cheeks.

Elica did not reply to Alex, she just lowered her head like she was unable to look at the man in front of her now. Alex quickly pulled Elica into her arms, and she positioned her head on Elica's neck. Inhaling the scent of Elica's body that she desperately longed for deeply.

"I miss you Elica, you know."

After strengthening her heart, Elica let go of Alex's embrace and looked into the man's eyes.

"You sick?" Ask Elica quietly.

"Yes I'm sick. I miss you so much that I don't think of myself" Alex replied with a smile on her lips.

"Why?"

"Because I love you, Elica. Stay by my side Don't go again" Alex said in a heartfelt plea.

Even Elica could hear, if it was Alex's most heartfelt words as long as she knew the man. But the reality re-awakened Elica and reminded her of her purpose to this place. Of course to say goodbye.

"I can't Alex. Because I'm going with Daddy"

"You're gonna leave me again? Even I let you stay with your father for two weeks now Elica"

It turns out that Elica's guess is right, although Alex doesn't bother her the man has been watching Elica all along.

Can Elica see Alex's face strokes that look sad. Though the man always showed his cold and cruel face to anyone. And today Elica saw a different side of Alex.

"That's why I came here Alex, I want to say goodbye to both of us"

"But you're pregnant with my daughter Elica, we can take care of her together. I'm getting married to you, you should know that your mom and I are officially divorced. We can start from scratch" Alex's hand crept into Elica's cheek and stroked her gently. Can Elica feel Alex's warm hand on her cheek.

"I can't Alex. I have to go, to treat all the wounds in my heart. I'm sorry. But trust me, you can meet this kid after he's born and I promise you'll meet the two of you. "

reply Elica was her tears that had just flowed. He was no longer strong if he had to say this painful farewell

Alex shook his head softly to sign that he disagreed with Elica's words.

"No Elica. By God I won't let you go" sizzled Alex out of his mouth, and his eyes were already glazed over. Inexplicably hearing about the woman he loved and her child going away made the man weak.

"Alex please..."

"Why should I let you go, I love you so much Elica. I want to fix everything. Can't you understand? I love you, Elica, don't punish me, baby"

Alex said with his voice raised. Her chest rumbled by the outburst of emotion that she endured for not wanting to hurt Elica and make the woman leave.

"I don't want any more heartache by you Alex, that's enough of everything we've done. And this is the end, not only are you in Alex's law, me and my mother, too. We are both being punished right now, and it's better if we don't hurt anyone else" Elica told Alex not to hurt innocent people like Lei.

"But you hurt me Elica" Alex muttered softly and her tears just came out.

"I'm sorry Alex but I have to go"

"Don't tell me it's Elica. Please"

"I love you Alex"

Said Elica quickly, she could see Alex was a little stunned to hear that.

"Yes I know. And I love you so much, too, dear"

Alex immediately pulled Elica and put her lips on her lips. It was a sad kiss, because both of them were crying.

It's what it's like to love someone but the universe doesn't let them unite. Only the rain bears witness to the grievous story of the two of them. Their love grows by mistake, as if happiness is reluctant to fall on both.

In the end, a traitor is a traitor. There is no happiness at the end of their love, because karma is very applicable in this world. No one wins and no one loses, because both are equally devastated by their own deeds.

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