Tarnished Before Accident
Chapter 52. Gathering

We didn't eat the food Rey made. He said after the tasting. "Don't eat! Your stomach will hurt." His hand immediately snatched the spoon from me, putting it back on the plate.

"Sir Rey, this can still be fixed. Dear food," said I who was not willing when Kak Rey's first dish that he made for me even ended up in the trash can.

I heard a breath coming from his lips. "But your health is much more important."

Oh, geez. It's just a matter of taste. It has nothing to do with health. However, I gave up. I put the food in the food cabinet and will recycle it later when Kak Rey is gone.

"Where are we going?" I had to go with him for breakfast. We were already in the car because it was too slow to re-cook.

"To my parents' house." He glanced at me, then looked back to the front as his hands were busy driving. "They want to see you."

"What?"

Again, Rey made a spontaneous decision without telling me first. I have not prepared myself. My clothes, my makeup. Geez, how could I meet Kak Rey's parents with this appearance.

"Why not say? Lookatme!" I protested to him, but he just looked at me from the middle rearview mirror.

"You see what it looks like. I see you every day."

I'm thieving. "Sister Rey! I'm serious."

The car that was driving suddenly stopped. Obviously that surprised me. Then, without giving any explanation he turned his back and faced me. "Now I've seen you."

Tuh, right. Rey's sister is sometimes sweet, but also sweet. He can make me angry and laugh at the same time.

"My look is like this. I'm embarrassed to meet Aunt Salwa and Uncle Sean."

He smiled faintly in admiration, then rubbed my head. "Why embarrassed? You're wearing clothes."

"Sir Rey!" He cannot be spoken to seriously.

"You're beautiful." Suddenly Rey said so. I was previously upset to be wrong. "Don't worry about looks. You're beautiful wearing anything." Surely my face increased the blush it made.

"Seriously?" many ensure.

"No, I'm just comforting you."

"Did!" I punched him in the arm, worried about the man's answer. He could have said that. Making my confidence that had grown, crumble suddenly.

He chuckled, ruffled my hair and then drove back to his car.

Although Rey's sister is annoying, but I'm happy to argue with her. I feel like I have friends joking, telling stories. We can be said as partners. There are no secrets between us because I also always tell him anything.

"Tomorrow, you have a show?" Rey asked me.

"Heem, are you mocking me?" I turned my attention by looking directly at him. "I'm unemployed, where there's an event."

He's nodding. "Okey, you can help Mother to make a cake. She's been wanting a daughter for a long time to bake a cake together."

"Really?" I can't believe I finally learned how to make a cake. I've always wanted to make funny and unique cakes, but time and opportunity don't allow me to.

"Heem, are you happy?"

I nodded in disgust. By having a busy life, I no longer feel lonely. After all, learning to make cakes must be very fun, right?

"Thank you, Rey."

He did not reply, only I saw a thin line of smiles created there.

About twenty minutes passed, we finally stopped at a large house owned by Rey's parents. It is no stranger to this house because I have been invited here before.

Rey opened the door for me after she got out of the car first. His hand was stretched out to me and I greeted him by holding on to him as he was about to descend. Then, he wrapped his sturdy arm around my shoulder.

"Sir Rey," I said as our steps swung almost up the porch. He looked at me. "I'm .. nervous."

His wide palms squeezed my shoulders. "Everything's gonna be okay."

I exhaled, trying to neutralize the nervousness that struck. "Heem, hopefully," I said.

The old man was silent, not saying a word. His intimidating gaze already showed that my arrival was not expected at all. I looked down, trying to hide behind Rey. However, the man seemed reluctant to let me and held me back from staying beside him.

Not yet had time to ease the intense nervousness, a hooded woman came out from inside there, welcoming the arrival of the two of us. She is Aunt Salwa. First, his gaze was on Rey.

I could see for myself, how disappointed Aunt Salwa was to see me coming with her son. I can't do much. Did my arrival just add trouble to this family?

I ... fear.

"Rey, what are you doing there? Come on, you two hurry inside. We're waiting for you to come for breakfast."

Whahuh? Wait out?

I didn't hear wrong, did I?

Rey looked down at me, and then gave a faint smile. "I said what? Everything will be fine," he said, pushing me slowly towards the dining table.

There, everything is different. Uncle Sean who had been looking at me with sharp eyes turned friendly when Aunt Salwa took food for him. I saw how his affection was perfectly shown to his wife. Uncle Sean thanked him as he rubbed Aunt Salwa's cheeks after being served.

"Geek!"

Rey's brother cleared his throat, making me misbehave. I raised my chin, questioning without guilt. Instead of answering, the man gestured with a glare of the eyes.

"What?" My whisper without a sound. There are only lip movements that can certainly be translated by Rey.

He finally gave up. Slowly his head approached, tilted to me, then whispered. "Give me some food!"

"Oh!" I closed my mouth with my palm. I forgot to serve my husband. "Okey" I said with a smile.

We ate together in a warm atmosphere. Although no one spoke, there was only the sound of the friction of the plates and forks, but I felt that Kak Rey's family was very harmonious.

"Alea, does Rey take good care of you?" Aunt Salwa said after putting her food down.

I'm nodding. Didn't expect Aunt Salwa to care about me. "Yes, Tan. Rey took good care of me."

"You guys are married. Although we feel disappointed because you secretly married without involving parents, but marriage is still marriage. We want you to live happily." Aunt Salwa said very gently and wisely. I saw Uncle Sean's hand clasping his hand tightly. Ah, they're so sweet.

"And you, Rey! Finish your business with Rena. Mother does not want you to make a fuss anymore. Alea is pregnant. He needs calm. You have to take good care of him. And either way, you should apologize to Rena. You married her, asked her parents. You should also return it well. Do not let any injuries impact on your little family life. Mother is sure you can do it."

Rey nodded. Not much to say or fight. I don't know what Rey told her parents. It seems that Uncle Sean and Aunt Salwa know more about Kak Rey's problems than me. If you see how Rey easily found my real mother, does this family actually have a private detective so easily find out what is hidden?

I don't know, Rey's family is very mysterious.

Our conversation stopped when Uncle Sean and Brother Rey were about to leave for work. Rey took me out first. He prevented me from seeing his parents who were saying goodbye. He said it could make me hot. Ah, a good-bye cook can make me hot? What did they do? However, I just complied by following him forward.

Rey rubbed my stomach before leaving for work, then kissed my forehead. He also whispered a message to me. "Please be good. If you rest, just sleep in my room. You know the place?"

"Heem."

"I'll pick you up tonight."

Rey left afterwards, got in the car and left me at her parents' house.

For a moment I stopped and rubbed my stomach. "I'll be waiting for you, Rey."

***

When everyone was away for work, Auntie Salwa and I talked in the living room. She has told me a lot about her experience as a mother. Apparently Aunt Salwa is a warm person. She did not hate me at all, which was the cause of the destruction of her son's household.

Ah, if I hadn't gotten into Rey's life, maybe Brother Renalah would have gotten this happiness. A loving, responsible husband, also an excellent in-law. Thinking that, my heart felt pain from realizing that I had subconsciously robbed the happiness that should have belonged to Sister Rena.

Not long ago we talked to each other, talking about the sundries of pregnancy, until a knock on the door distracted us.

A servant who had helped me before came, was a little moved to open the door. Me and Aunt Salwa were still chatting, until someone came in and stood right in front of us.

"Sister Rena," I said after seeing Kak Rena was in front of me.