Secret Denis
Seventy

After dinner at a simple restaurant in the lake area, Alex invites Denis to go home. There was no rejection from the girl. He seemed more quiet than usual. His gaze often looked empty and distant.

Alex could only sigh at Denis who seemed to be getting sadder after his encounter with Bhishma. I don't know what they're talking about. Alex didn't want to ask him too much because he knew Denis wouldn't want to tell him.

Car driving down the road at a moderate speed. With both of them silent without a word spoken. At a place approaching the road to Alex's house the girl opened her voice.

"Gue wants to see that woman." It was quite clear to hear Alex's ear. And he understood who the girl meant.

"good. We're going there now." The car drove through the road leading to Alex's house. It took me a few minutes to get to the place Denis was referring to.

There's no question about Alex's mouth. He didn't want Denis to change his mind if he asked too many questions.

The car that Alex drove finally arrived in front of a pretty magnificent house. Alex turns off the machine and waits for a reaction from the girl sitting next to him.

A guard approached the car to find out who was visiting when it was late enough.

Alex lowers the windshield so the guard can see who's in the car.

"Oh. Mr. Alex and Miss Icha." The guard nodded politely. Actually he was very surprised to see his master's daughter was there at this time. But he knew enough himself not to interfere too much with his employer's affairs.

The man apparently knew Alex well enough and certainly knew Denis well.

"Brothers are there?" Ask Alex.

"There was. Please sir. I'll let them know that Mr. Alex and Miss Icha are here."

"Not to." Denis menukas fast. Immediately he got out of the car before the man went to do what he said. Alex followed Denis. The two walked towards the door of the tall house.

Denis entered the house despite appearing with a little hesitation. In the deeper room, it looks like a family room, two homeowners are glued to see who came.

Rania, the owner of the house, stared in disbelief at who she had just seen. Realizing from his condition, he approached Denis slowly with tears that spontaneously decayed on both of his cheeks.

"Darling, are you here?" His steps stopped right in front of Denis. His trembling hand raised slowly touched Denis silent face expressionless. But he did not dodge when the woman's finger touched his cheek. As the hand touched, Denis' eyes closed slowly. Sensing the smoothness, the woman's hands touched the skin of her face.

It was as if there was a small wave produced from the touch that propagated the entirety of Denis' body. His blood seemed to be absorbed by the power of a woman's touch that should be called mama.

Denis' hands were clenched on both sides of his body. There was one force that encouraged him to welcome that touch. But Denis held him back with all his might.

"It's really you, baby. Mom's not dreaming, is she?" Swiped Denis' face and then rubbed his short hair. Examining each inch of his daughter's face with a pushy gaze shrouded in a fog of tears.

No rejection from the girl made Rania ventured to embrace Denis body in arms. Clutching her tightly and burying her face on Denis' shoulder. Denis's higher posture makes Rania's head only up to the girl's shoulder.

Rania's roar was heard filling the entire quiet room that night. After a while, his crying subsided. Rania distanced her body. Grab Denis' face again and land a kiss on that face.

Not far from the scene, Andres and Alex both touched the wet end of their eyes. It was deeply moved to see the first interaction between the mother and the child without Denis' rejection.

After being satisfied to vent his happiness, Denis led his hand to the sofa. They sit side by side with Denis still quietly let all the treatment of Rania to him.

"Mama's so glad you came here. How are you doing? Are your wounds healed?" Rania didn't take her hand off Denis's. Although it seems clear that Denis is very awkward with his attitude, but it seems Rania does not want to let go of this rare opportunity.

"It's better." Sahut Denis's. Slowly but can be heard clearly by Rania.

Rania smiled. Happy to get a normal answer from her daughter. Usually Denis will answer with a sharp and cynical. But tonight, it's like a wind coming from heaven cools the hearts of everyone there. Smiles were on the faces of Andres and Alex. Only Denis' flat face still did not show any expression of happiness. But at least, there was one advancement in the relationship between the mother and the child.

"Have you guys had dinner? Mama will prepare.."

"I've eaten.." Denis menukas fast. Her clear eyes looked at Alex as if asking for support for her words.

Alex smiles. His head nodded confirming what Denis said.

"Truly bu Rania. We just finished dinner and came straight here." His eyes looked at Denis. For a moment the two eyes clashed together and it was clearly seen by Rania and Andres.

"Do you want your mom to show you something?" Rania's question made Denis' gaze diverted.

"What?"

Instead of answering, Rania instead glanced at Andres with a smile on her lips. A small nod from Andres made Denis curious.

He was silent for a moment with a slight frown at the end of his eyebrow. Then nodded and it made Rania's smile even wider.

"Come on." Rania got up and pulled Denis' hand. Followed by Andres and Alex, they went to the side. There is a garage that is large enough to keep some cars owned by Andres and Rania neatly lined up.

"Here." Rania pulls Denis' hand towards Andres' motorcycle collection.

Denis stunned staring at one of the motorcycles on display there. A favorite red Ninja motorcycle. More than a year ago he sold the motorcycle to a friend when he ran away from home. The money from the sale of the motorbike he bought a cheaper motorbike and the rest he used as supplies he ventured away from his family.

Denis approached the bike. Touch his hand and rub the motor plan that looks very well maintained.

"When you don't come home for a few days, mama's looking for you. Mama just realized that mama doesn't want to lose you. Everyone's looking for you until we find your bike with its new owner. He told me you sold him this bike. We keep looking for you. Too bad, at that time you went somewhere. None of your friends know." Rania spoke in a raucous voice.

"Mama asked Papa Andres to buy back this bike. I am sure you will return to this house. And my mother's wish came true today. You go back to this house. I hope you don't leave my mom again. This is your home. Your place to return."

Denis was no longer in power to hold himself back. She hugged Rania's body and dropped her face on the woman's shoulder.

"Mama." His frown was soft near the woman's ear. Rania closed her eyes. Feel the pleasure when you hear Denis say that word.

"Tell me again, dear. Mama misses your calls."

No one was unmoved watching that scene. Andres and Alex rubbed the wet corners of their eyes.

Andres approached the two people who were still hugging.

"Welcome back to this house, Denis."

Denis wiped off his tears before letting go of his embrace.

"Stay here from tonight." Rania had wiped away the tears on her cheeks.

Denis looked at Alex as if asking for the man's opinion through the look in his eyes. Alex returned that gaze gently. The sweet smile on her lips. He nodded giving confidence to the tomboyish girl who had already tethered his heart.

"Yes. You should stay with your family. This is the house you should be in." Alex smiled with a look that could not be separated from the girl.

Denis's face dimmed. A cold aura covered him again. I don't know why he doesn't like Alex's words.

"alright. From tonight, I'll stay here." His words were quite audible to all who were there. Rania smiled happily at him. And Andres as well. Alex is different. He felt there was something behind the words. His feelings became unpleasant.

He looked at Denis. But the girl threw her face. Avoiding Alex's questioning eyes.

"Let's go back inside." Rania decides the awkwardness between the two young men.

"It's been too late. I want to go home." With a heavy heart Alex said that. "But can I have a word with Denis?"

Rania laughed softly. This is what it feels like to have a girl. It was so nice when a young man asked for permission to talk to his daughter.

"Please. But don't take it home." Rania flirting with Alex.

"Not now.." Alex is playing with Rania's jokes.

Rania and Andres pass from the place leaving Denis and Alex both.

Alex puts his gaze on Denis's face as Rania and Andres step away. Denis escapes his gaze, avoiding Alex's gaze.

Alex approached Denis.

"You're mad at me?"

"No."

"You don't like living with your mama?"

"No."

"No?"

"I mean, I want to stay with them."

"But?"

"Nothing but."

"But I'm not willing to be away from you."

"Liar." Denis rubbed his face with a cynical grin on his lips.

"I'm not lying. It's just that for now, your mama is more entitled to you. I have no right to keep you in my house. Except.."

Alex hangs up his sentence making Denis turn to him with narrowed eyes.

"Except what?"

"Except.if we're married."

"What?" Almost Denis jumped to hear Alex's words.

"You don't want to marry me?" Alex looked very serious.

"Lo's crazy.."

"i'm serious. Denisha Nathania Adiwijaya, will you marry me?"

"Lo.."

Alex shuts Denis' mouth quickly. Denis's eyes were round looking at Alex's face so close that it was not far away.

"Right now I'm driving you here because they're your parents. But soon, I'll take you to my house as my wife." Alex whispers in front of Denis's lips. He pecked again with short lips at the end of his sentence.

"Come in. I have to get home soon." Alex rubbed Denis' lips with his thumb. Smoke it again a few times with anxiety. Before he finally walked to his car.

From inside the car Alex signals Denis to enter the house. He's not gonna get out of there before he sees Denis coming in. About the time he gave Denis the code. Denis obediently turned his body into the house he had long left behind. Waving the glass curtain to see Alex's car starting to leave the yard.

*****