Playing With Fire
The Part 33

Bryan and Elica go to a clinic to treat a cut on Elica's forehead. Although only slightly scratched but Bryan saw the impact made Elica's forehead turn blue.

After being treated, Bryan immediately drove Elica home. But Elica said that she wanted to meet her father first. For two months he had not seen her. Bryan just obeyed.

Inside the car Elica looked dreamy and just looked out the window. It seems like she is still a little shocked by what happened to her mother. There's not the slightest mention of Elica if her mother is going crazy. And worse, she doesn't recognize Elica anymore. Tears Elica suddenly dripped, because she missed the figure of the mother who always loved her.

"Hey.. are you crying?" Bryan asked as he heard Elica's as fond as she could.

And Elica replied with a headband. He quickly wiped the tears on his cheek.

"You better calm down, Elica. You can't meet your father under these circumstances. He'll be worried about you" Bryan said.

"You're right. Daddy's gonna be worried"

"I'll take you somewhere. You'll definitely be better"

"Where?"

"Later you'll know too"

Bryan drove his car to an amusement park. They got there, and Elica was seen frowning her forehead.

"Why bring me here Bryan?"

"Usually a child who is sad will be happy again if he is brought here"

"You think I'm a kid?"

"That's the reality. Let's start having fun"

Bryan excitedly attracted Elica to try the rides that were there.

And sure enough, for a moment Elica could smile back to dispel her sadness today.

They both spent the night. And the last two of them choose to ride the giant Bianglala accompanied by eating ice cream to enjoy the night atmosphere to see the city traffic scenery.

"How do you feel, better?" Ask Bryan

"Yes I think so"

Both of them were silent for a moment.

"I have something for you, Elica, can you close your eyes?"

Hearing that, Elica was a little confused, but then she just nodded and closed her eyes.

Bryan smiled to see Elica who immediately took it for granted.

Then Bryan took something from his jacket pocket, a small box.

"Now open your eyes Elica"

Bryan.

Elica quickly opened her eyes. And the first object he saw was a small object in front of him.

"Happy Birthday to Elica" Bryan said

While Elica was stunned, she only remembered that today was her birthday. Even he forgot about it, because of the many problems he faced.

"Bryan.. Do you remember my birthday? I even forgot what day it is" Elica said with teary eyes.

"Of course, you're 21 years old and you're like my own sister. Where I might have forgotten. It's for you, open it up"

Elica smiled at Bryan's always warm treatment. He took the small box from Bryan's hand and opened it. Elica smiled again when she saw a beautiful necklace inside her.

"That's great" muttered Elica

"You like it?"

"certain Bryan. Thank you I like your gift"

"Would I help you wear it?"

"Yes"

After putting the necklace on Elica's neck, Bryan could see Elica shedding tears again.

Bryan quickly wiped away Elica's tears gently.

"Why are you crying again?" asked Bryan softly. But Elica's cry grew as if her voice was choked in her throat.

Bryan finally hugged Elica warmly. And right in Bryan's arms, Elica spilled all her grief.

Elica doesn't know anymore if Bryan isn't around, maybe she's given up from the beginning. Since it was this man who always helped Elica whenever and wherever, Bryan always sincerely did it.

"Thank you Bryan. You're the only one who's always there when the world takes me down." Said Elica slowly still needed Bryan.

"I won't leave you Elica, I'll accompany you to solve all these problems. I promise" Bryan replied. And a nod by Elica.

***

In Alex's office

Tonight Alex is getting ready to go home from her job. The man tidied up all the files on his desk. And a moment later his phone rang indicating there was an incoming call. Alex quickly picked it up.

"What's up?" Alex told someone across the street

("Sir, Miss Elica came to see her mother in a mental hospital this afternoon. He came accompanied by Bryan")

"What's going on?" Alex asked coldly

"Damn. How dare he hurt my woman. You know what to do with Hilda, teach that woman a lesson"

("Okay my master will do it")

After the phone call is interrupted, Alex's emotions become more and more. Hearing if Elica was hurt made her worry. There was a sense of annoyance that occurred in Alex's mind to Bryan. Why can't the man keep Elica from Hilda's attack.

Though Bryan there is the only man Alex allows to always be next to Elica, with the aim that the man can take care of Elica. But if events like this happen again, chances are Alex will make a lesson on Bryan as well later.

A few days later, after Elica visited her mother she chose to go back to Seattle to work. Because Elica can't take too long to take the day off. Remembering later she will ask for maternity leave when her womb is approaching the day of her baby's birth.

Elica cleaned every room of the hotel with zeal. Although she was in a two-bodied state, Elica never complained of anything.

Because Elica is very knowledgeable, the cost of giving birth is not small. And again the need for his son later is very big.

Make Elica always willing to do any job as long as it can make money.

Although sometimes Elica was a little worried when she had to clean the bathroom. Because the place is usually very slippery, Elica must be careful not to slip.

Today Elica was assigned to clean room number 74, because her boss said that the occupants of the hotel room asked for extra cleanliness. And Elica obeyed him of course.

Elica enters the hotel room with the spare key given to her. Because according to the information if the occupants were out and asked that the room be cleaned while he was away.

Elica immediately worked on it quickly and neatly. Start from sweeping then mopping her floor. And when Elica was busy carrying out her work suddenly the door of the room sounded open.

Knowing that someone had entered, Elica immediately turned her head. And how shocked Elica was to find out who that person was, who turned out to be Alex.

"Alex?" Elica's mumbling was almost inaudible

The thing Elica saw from her eyes was Alex's extremely cold countenance. The man was standing in the closed doorway with his hands in his pockets.

With a slow step Alex walked towards Elica. Right in front of Elica, Alex saw the woman in front of him staring from the bottom then headed up like judging Elica's appearance. A slight look of disdain was seen from Alex's face.

"So this is the life you want. To be a cleaner, Elica?" Syndicate Alex

Elica tried to dampen her emotions so as not to be provoked by Alex's words.

"When I offered you a queen's life, but it turned out that this is what you chose. Speaking of cleaning, in the Mansion I was also in need of a maid. Are you interested in Elica?" Alex said again.

Feeling Alex is now provoking her Elica just sighed. He's still trying to be patient with Alex.

"I'm done cleaning this room, sir. If nothing else matters, excuse me"

Said Elica, then took her cleaning tools to be taken away.

Quickly, Alex snatches the tools out of Elica's hands and throws them recklessly. At once Elica was shocked as Alex did just that.

"What are you doing?" Said Elica upset, but returned a smile by Alex

"I'm coming home with me, now" Alex said.

"You think I'm gonna do it. Don't hope, and don't disturb my life anymore"

"Your life? You forget, if in your stomach there's my son. And you think I'll just shut up and watch you work that risks risking my son's safety?" Alex squealing in front of Elica's face.

Elica replied with a grimace. " I can take care of him, if you want to know. The proof until now we are fine"

Alex who had started to get upset with the direction of this conversation finally gave up a little. Because the man knows, if this conversation continues it will only lead to a fight.

"Listen Elica, I want to take you with me back to my Mansion. And I hope this time you don't be selfish. This work of yours could jeopardize the safety of you and also my son. I promise I won't limit your freedom again" Alex said

"I still don't want to go back there" said Elica

"Why are you so stubborn, Elica?" Alex said in a high voice.

"You think after all this happened, I want to stay in that fucking place again Alex. I don't want to"

Alex tries to regulate her emotions so as not to explode again and Elica doesn't hate her any more. He also breathed slowly.

"alright. I won't take you there, but you'll stay at my late parents' house first. Hows it? Let me keep an eye on my child's development. At least until he was born..." Alex sounds sincere.

Elica thought for a moment. Alex is a forger. Although Elica refused for sure the man will do various ways to keep Elica stay there. "But you have to promise to let me go after I give birth" Elica said.

Alex looks grunt not like to hear Elica say that. Which means if Alex lets Elica just walk away with her kid. "Elica... You should understand what I mean by saying that. I want to take responsibility with the boy, and if I can I want us to get married." Obviously Alex.

"I don't want to marry you. Look Alex, being responsible doesn't mean you have to marry me. There are many things you can do but not get married"

"But I'm Elica's biological father.."

"I know Alex, I know. You're his biological father, but you can't force your will with my will. I told you, you can take responsibility for this kid. But there's no need with me. And I don't want to marry you.."

"Give me her excuse" Alex told Elica.

"I can't say it"

"The reason is Elica, I need a reason. Why don't you marry me" Alex said.

Elica seemed to have a hard time answering Alex's question. But the man was still staring intently at Elica and was still waiting for an answer from Elica.

Alex walked up to Elica and grabbed Elica's shoulder. "Tell Elica. I need your reasons" Alex said again and began to be impatient, until unknowingly both hands Alex squeezed Elica's shoulders, and made the woman grimace.

"Alex is sick." said Elica trying to remove Alex's hand from her body.

"Not until you answer her" sizzled Alex, but Elica never answered.

"say!" Jerk Alex in front of Elica's face because her patience is already on the verge of limits.

"BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO MARRY MY OWN EX-STEP FATHER. YOU'RE SATISFIED!!" Elica answered by yelling at Alex.

Tbc